It probably doesn’t come as a great surprise to most that the main medicine from the Dog Totem is loyalty. Throughout history, Dog has been looked upon as the servant to humanity. So, let’s look at what it means to have Dog Medicine or that dog may be working with you as a Totem. And please do not misunderstand that if you have a dog as a pet that it means that you have Dog Medicine or that it is a totem spirit animal that is working with you. If you are being guided by the spirit of Dog this message will resonate strongly with you and there will be other signs that become clear that it is more than just being a pet owner.

People who have strong Dog Medicine are people who serve humanity in some way. They will be the charity worker, the philanthropist, the nurse, the counselor, the minister, and the soldier.

All of the Southwest and Plains Tribes had dogs. The noble animals would often give warning signals of approaching danger to the tribe. They helped in the hunt and provided warmth on a long winter night. Most of these dogs were half wild but that wildness did not in any way hamper the innate loyalty that they gave to their owners.

Natives and Dogs near Copper River by LanternPress at zazzle

Dog was the servant soldier that guarded the tribe’s lodges from a surprise attack. The dogs provided the qualities of best-friend along with the territorial protector energy to the Tribe. Dog could be trusted to watch over babies while the mother cooked or worked in the field.

If the animal spirit of dog is working with you as a totem, it is telling you that you should delve deeply into your sense of service to others. How readily is your sense of loyalty countermanded by your need for approval? Ask yourself these questions:

• Have I forgotten that I owe my allegiance to my personal truth in life, recently?
• Has the gossip or the opinions of others jaded my loyalty to a certain friend or group?
• Have I denied or ignored someone who is trying to be a loyal friend to me?
• Have I been loyal and true to my goals?

Dogs will be loyal to their owner even when they are scolded or mistreated. It is in their nature to be that way. They understand and forgive our human shortcomings and love us anyway. We can learn much from dog just by watching them interact with us on a daily basis. Aren’t they always glad to see us? They let us know when someone is approaching with a warning bark. They bring us joy and companionship but most of all, they are loyal to a fault.

~Mitakuye Oyasin~ We are all related