“Pets are emotional support. Just being there helps more than any advice.”
“Pets are emotional support. Just being there helps more than any advice.”
At first the question looks easy: “If I could make my pet dog Sam understand one thing, what would it be?” But it’s actually asking a way deeper question than just small talk. And it makes me think about how I talk to Sam, my dog.
I find that right in the middle of this question is a weird, kind of beautiful paradox. Some of us share our homes, routines, and even beds with pets, but they think like children who don’t understand the big bad world yet.
Dogs don’t get why we stress about work. Cats don’t know why we move furniture, and they usually don’t care. Birds can’t figure out why we’re hooked on those TV screens.
But even with that big gap, millions of pet owners still get super close to their pets. Sometimes even closer than to other people. The question makes me try to understand how my pet feels every time I leave him home alone. Be nice if Sam understands I have responsibilities.
Every time I leave for work, grab my keys, or pack a suitcase, I notice the worry in Sam’s eyes. Poor guy knows I am going on a trip and he’s sad. It hits me too, and I feel guilty and a bit worried.
When I pick up his leash he knows we’re going out together. He gets excited. If I could get them to understand, I have responsibilities and places to be, people to see. How do I tell my Sam, my best friend, he’s not welcome to come with me? Poor guy, looks at me with sad puppy eyes.
That shows me how he can’t get the painful things that are good for him. I’ve held him down for shots, shove meds in his mouth, and make him eat stuff he doesn’t like. He forgives me as soon as he’s happy again… Sam’s a good boy.
Some times I get personal and say, “I want you to know you’re a good boy, Sam.” He wags his tail. That shows how strong our bond is. Sam brightens up a day. He got enough energy to make us both happy.
Pets are emotional support. Just being there helps more than any advice. I think pets are best members of the family. I could be wrong. That’s my opinion.
I tell my dog his a good boy. That’s his reward. It’s the stuff he lives for. Pleasing me. Who wouldn’t love a loyal companion? It sure would be nice to explain why I got to go to work to my loyal dog, Sam…
He waits home for my return. When I arrive, Sam loses his mind in overwhelming joy.
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