|  Usually the word 'zoomorphic' relates to deities having animal qualities. Here, however, I am referring to my dog who has a variety of other animal qualities.
He's my beaver-bull-cat-seal-bear-lion-turkey-camel-s;oth-rabbit-kangaroo-wolf-dog.
The first traits to exhibit themselves were wolf and cat. When he was just a little pup, he'd pounce on insects in the yard. If you've every seen a wolf pounce on small prey, that's exactly what he looked like, paws together, springing up from the back legs and pounce down on the front legs. This trait isn't all that far-fetched since he is a Malamute, who's DNA is closer to that of wolves than dogs. He looks like a wolf. acts like a wolf. He howls like a wolf. Some people think he's a wolf.
The cat: he arches his back like a scary Halloween cat. Picture this from a 120lb wolf-looking dog and it's pretty funny. He also uses his paws like a cat, batting toys around, and slapping you in the face when he's playing.
While still young he had yet to grow into the large amount of skin hanging around his big neck, hence, the turkey. My son would say "gobble, gobble" to him. And Juneau'd get mad, as if he knew my son was cracking on him.
Beaver. Oh yes, he ate my Sugar Maple in the yard. In five minutes, he stripped off 4 feet of bark and had already gotten into the heart of the tree. Splinters of torn wood abounded at the base of the tree. Not too funny since my landlord is a Forester and trees are everything to him. I put Tree-Kote and the bandage on the tree and all is well. The landlord actually laughed when I showed him, much to my relief. Juneau would also eat sticks and I'd tell him, "When you get a splinter in your a$$, don't complain to me." He even gnawed on my bookshelves once. Right in front of me, like, this is normal.
Juneau drinks water like a camel, "Gulp, gulp..." I often wonder if he can hold all that water. But the newest camel trait is: when I go to kiss him and he's not in the mood, he pulls his head back like a camel. Has anyone ever seen that, when a camel is being stubborn? Well, that looks just like my dog and it's a typical Malamute trait.
He growls like a lion. You must have heard a lion growl, the sound before they roar. That sound issues from Juneau's throat when playing with us with his toys. It's fierce and funny at the same time.
Juneau looked like a little stuffed teddy bear when he was very little. But now he hibernates in 'his cave' under my bed. It's an old waterbed, now a regular bed. If you've ever seen this set-up, there's an open corridor down the center of the bed. Now it's Juneau's cave.
When Juneau is annoyed at me and wants me to leave him alone, he barks like a seal, "AARR, AARR". I'm expecting him to clap his flippers next. Oh wait, he doesn't have flippers, he's a dog.
Th funniest is the bull. I have a big mirror in my bedroom. Juneau will catch a glimpse of himself in it and he'll snort like a bull, but with the added factor of stomping his right foot like a bull. Then he'll look at me, as if saying, "Am I doing it right?" I can get him to be the 'bull' anytime, all I have to do is snort at him and he returns the favor.
We could add sloth to the list since he's the laziest dog I've ever known.
Juneau likes his ears rubbed, my son Eric rubs them in front of the ear and he puts the ears back like a rabbit. It's not attractive. He's also the only dog I know who eats salad. When I'm cutting veggies up for salad, he's right there, waiting for his share. He could use a salad now and again, he's huge! The only veggies he doesn't like raw is carrots and potatoes, they have to be cooked.
The kangaroo is probably even funnier than the bull. Did you ever see the kangaroo in the boxing ring with the gloves on and the kicks the crap out a man? I saw that a long time ago and thought it was the funniest thing ever! When Juneau's laying down (and when ISN'T he?) and you play with him, beware of the kangaroo feet! He uses both back feet and kicks you in the stomach, chest, wherever he feels like it.
And you might as well know he's not just a human, he's two! He has a split personality. He is the epitomy of Gemini. My son is a Gemini too but he's nowhere near as changeable as Juneau is. He goes to the back door to be let out, I put the collar on him, open the door and he walks away. He lays on the couch next to me, puts his head in my lap and looks up at me, I think he wants me to pet him, but no, soon as I do, he pulls away, think Camel.
And giraffe. Juneau head is about where my hip is, I'm 5ft. 5in. When he eats, he doesn't bend down, just stretches his neck like a giraffe. I felt bad for him and bought those bowls that are in an elevated stand so he doesn't have to stretch his neck so far. When we're outside and he's sniffing everything, he stretches the giraffe neck.
My dog is an endless source of amusement.
Does your dog exhibit traits of other animals?
I'd love to hear about it.
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