Libra: The Shop-Steward

Libra: The Shop-Steward
The Libra Dog has one purpose and one purpose only...to improve the lot of the working or owned dog. This canine expects to start at the bottom but, within a year or two, will have ascended to a senior position in the household with quite a lot of "say" in things. The Libra Dog will stand for less obedience, more food and a shorter working week. If an owner should ask this canine to do anything during the evening hours, then double biscuits are in order or there will be no response. The Libra Dog is also a firm believer in the "closed shop" concept. In other words, one house...one dog. Basically a well-balanced creature, the Libra Dog is not overly-emotional and remains totally impartial when argument ensue. This canine will be amiable and appreciative of the good things life has to offer but, above all, believes in "share and share alike." In other words, what is right for the human in the home is right for the dog in the home and vice versa. Therefore, if the Libra Dog is obliged to sleep in a basket on the floor, then the owner is expected to do the same. Physically, the Libra Dog always appears to be well-nourished...and this canine will make sure he or she stays that way. However, as this dog grows older, there will be a tendency to bulge and spread. Whenever a Libra Dog is out of sorts, with a dry nose and no enthusiasm for anything, the best cure will be twenty-four hours of starvation. The dog will not appreciate it...and an owner may be forced to follow the same non-consummables course...but recovery is often instantaneous when the next calorie-counted meal is delivered. Every ounce saved while the Libra Dog is still a pup will mean an inch or so less in middle age. This is a fact that the Libra Dog would, of course, very much appreciate...if only such could be explained to him or her. The male Libra Dog will spend a lot of time in involvements with the opposite sex, but always in the most delicate and discreet fashion...unless, of course, his owner happens to be a blatant sex maniac. Usually, other dog owners consider the Libra Dog a pleasant and well-controlled animal who is never connected with any misfortunes that may beset their own pets. The female Libra Dog may not be so easy. She will be so afraid of offending any male that shows an interest in her that she will not know how to say "No." This misguided consideration means that if an owner has no desire to breed a Libra bitch, then she should be spayed...and quickly.
The Libra Dog will refuse to be banished to an outside kennel, unless the owner is also willing to take up residence within. Thus, this canine will only be truly happy with an owner who is prepared to put himself or herself out for the sake of the dog. The Libra Dog will never stand for being treated like a dog while his or her owner is permitted to live like a person. This canine is remarkably persuasive...some might say even manipulative. He or she can also be ridiculously stubborn...for example, if the Libra Dog does not want to go for "walkies," then he or she will refuse to budge. Since the Libra Dog models his or her life on that of the owner, if things go wrong then the owner only has himself or herself to blame. In the eyes of this canine, if people do not go outside in the rain to relieve themselves, then the Libra Dog should not have to do so...if people eat chicken and roast potatoes, then why should the Libra Dog have nothing but a dull bowl of dry kibble? If the owner entertains a lot, with people coming and going all the time, then the Libra Dog expects the same privilege...except in such an instance, it will be other dogs coming in to add to the fun. If an owner really cannot handle that and wants to continue to keep this canine as a happy pet, then the only answer will be to cut out the human visitors. Nonetheless, the Libra Dog is possessed of a gentle manner and a great desire to please, usually remaining a loving soul as long as the love is returned. A large degree of affection is important to the Libra Dog and he or she will go to great lengths to display such feelings in the hope that the owner will reciprocate. This canine is not prone to being argumentative and, if tried sorely, will invariably become too frightened of upsetting an owner to show what he or she really feels. However, this does not mean that the Libra Dog will be blind to an owner's bad points...he or she is simply tactful and very adept at glossing over such shortcomings for fear of losing security.

A Leo native is probably most suited to surviving the demanding standards of the Libra Dog. These two signs react well and bring out the best in each other rather than the worst. Owners born under the signs of Gemini and Aquarius also get on well with this canine under normal circumstances, but an Aries owner is a huge mistake. The strong character of an Aries subject will sap the limited confidence of the Libra Dog, reducing him or her to something of an "apology for a dog" rather than a dog in his or her own right. The Libra Dog also enjoys the company of other dogs, provided there is no obligation to share space with such animal in the home.