Do you care what people think of your dogs? Does it hurt when they're criticized, either from something they do or simply the breed that they are? Does it offend when the way you raise them is called into question? Do you have an example of a criticism that hurt or could have hurt if you let it bother you?

I bring this up because I get a lot of that as a little-dog owner. Little dogs don't get a lot of respect, and frankly, it wasn't long ago when I was among those who didn't respect them. But the way I feel and the way I deal with it has changed over the past few years since I've taken the time to appreciate them.

I'm proud of my dogs. They have limitations, I make mistakes, but when all is said and done, they're just dogs and I'm just a guy doing my best to raise them. What people think about them or me doesn't change that.

I listen. And if the criticism is valid, I sometimes change or try to change a behavior, whether it be my dogs' or mine. But everything else, I just let go. I find that much of the criticism comes out of ignorance or intolerance, and there's only so much I can do to change that.

To those who listen, I try to share what's so special about them. To those who can't appreciate that, it's their loss.