“Own” isn’t really the right word. It’s more of a mutualistic relationship, where both parties benefit from the other’s companionship. We learn from each other every day until we forget that we’re even different species, just a couple of bros sharing a deep and everlasting bond. Being a dog owner is a lot of work, but, from my experience, it will always be the most rewarding responsibility I will ever hold. These are just a few life lessons that my dog, and all dogs, can teach us:
1. Patience:
It’s not taking a dog for a walk, it’s taking a dog for an expedition of a billion smells with very few steps in between. While you’d love to keep moving, you can help but to think that the smell could really be something worthwhile. Maybe it’s an old friend, or maybe it’s just an interesting smelling patch of grass. Whatever the reason, she really enjoys smelling it so I’ll be tolerant and let her dawdle a little.
2. How to sleep in very uncomfortable positions:
I know it wouldn’t hurt to wake her up for a second and move her to the side, but she could be having a really good dream about peanut butter or car rides, and who am I to ruin that? I can always sleep sitting up.
3. Responsibility: I’m better at remembering to feed my dog than myself. She also needs a balanced diet and some daily exercise.
4. The importance of building trust:
It’s good to let them off their leash once in a while. They might completely forget about you in hopes of gunning down one of those neighborhood squirrels, but they always come back- usually.
5. What it means to be loyal:
My dog is gong to sit next to me and only me on the couch because I feed her and love her. We know that we’re each other’s main hoes.
6. Sacrifice:
She has a water bowl and I have a glass of water, but she wants the glass of water, which means I don’t get the glass of water. I do, however, get to watch her cutely drink the water out of the glass, then, after she’s satiated, acknowledge the reality that she certainly holds the majority of power in our relationship.
7. How to perceive the feelings of others:
“Yeah, my dog is definitely having lousy day, I better just hang with her”
“How can you tell?”
“It’s called 'owner’s intuition'”
8. Putting others first:
I’m exhausted, but she really seems like she could use a belly rub. She could have had an exhausting day too.
9. Taking pride in your family:
Yeah, your dog seems really cool, but my dog though...
10. How to detect even the smallest signs: You know that’s not just any cough, that’s the get-her-the-hell-off-the-carpet cough.
11. Compassion:
No matter how smart you think your dog is, they’re still going to be terrified of vacuum cleaners and lighting, which means that it is imperative to drop what you’re doing and protect your dog from their harmless, but very real fears.
12. It’s more than okay to act stupid:
If you talk to your dog in a normal voice then you’re probably a sociopath.
13. How to take a cute pic:
You’ll say anything, do anything, and sacrifice anything just to get a decent picture. If you’re lucking you might get a couple okay shots, but, in the end, you’ve come to terms with the fact that the camera will never be able to justly capture the beauty that your dog exudes.
14. Taking pride in what you do:
“Your do is so cute!”
“Yeah, I washed and blow dried her this morning, then finished her off with a leave-in conditioner and a seasonal bandana"
15. Forgiveness is a fundamental aspect of all relationships :
Apparently garbage is more entertaining than any expensive dog toy. It’s also the most enjoyable when the trash is dispersed around the house like a tornado of fun just passed through. You’d love to punish them, but you know that it’s all in good fun, and they look really cute with a toilet paper roll in their mouth.
16. Because they’re always the first to forgive:
When you let them out of their crate, they don’t give a damn that you’re the one that put them in their, they’re just overjoyed to greet you.
17. The importance of doing what you love:
Dogs don’t care how stupid they look carrying a stick that’s twice their size. They’re just enjoying life and doing what makes then happy.
18. Which often mean taking pleasure in the little things:
Yeah, I guess going outside today is a pretty big deal, and we saw two other dogs. What an accomplishment.
19. It’s okay to bend the rules:
Despite the fact that I just wash my sheets and swore to myself that I would not let a dirty animal ruin them again, she really looks like she could use a good snuggle on my bed.
20. The art of eating in secret:
“She’s upstairs napping, I’m definitely safe.” *opens refrigerator* “Damn, she’s here.”
21. And how to love unconditionally:
It’s easy: I love my dog, my dog loves me, and it’ll be that way until we both end up in doggy heaven.
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