When I got my first dog, Mouser, I brought him into my life because I was convinced part of my sadness was due to the fact that I wasn’t getting outside enough. I hoped that by having someone to take care of I’d be forced out of the house and that being out of the house would be good for me.
For the most part, I was right. Going on a walk every day for the last decade has been really, really good for me. Like most things, it has been more complicated than that, but all in all? A win, I think. Dogs are a win, get a dog, you’ll love them, they’ll love you. Your life will be seriously restructured around the needs and desires of something that’s much, much smaller than you, and you’ll be glad for the priviledge (mostly).
For the most part, I was right. Going on a walk every day for the last decade has been really, really good for me. Like most things, it has been more complicated than that, but all in all? A win, I think. Dogs are a win, get a dog, you’ll love them, they’ll love you. Your life will be seriously restructured around the needs and desires of something that’s much, much smaller than you, and you’ll be glad for the priviledge (mostly).
Yesterday one of my dogs hurt himself quite badly, he stabbed that tender spot between his toes on a sharpened reed or some such. The blood was tremendous.
He appears to know that it’s going to take time to heal, he understands that he can’t go out and catch the ball like he usually does, and he’s grumpy about it. He’s grumpy the way an Olympic athelete might be grumpy about not being able to exercise. He gets it, but he’s not happy about it, which is fascinating to observe in a 40lb creature that can’t speak a word of English.
I went out less today because he went out less today, so it’s compelling to observe that it cuts both ways.
He appears to know that it’s going to take time to heal, he understands that he can’t go out and catch the ball like he usually does, and he’s grumpy about it. He’s grumpy the way an Olympic athelete might be grumpy about not being able to exercise. He gets it, but he’s not happy about it, which is fascinating to observe in a 40lb creature that can’t speak a word of English.
I went out less today because he went out less today, so it’s compelling to observe that it cuts both ways.
