My wife has puppy fever, which pretty much never goes away, regardless of whether we have a dog or not. But, this weekend, we have our "loan puppy" again from one of her colleagues, and it is always nice to get a little pet therapy, knowing it isn't going to come with all of the other challenges with having a pet right now. One day yes, we will get another dog - not quite yet though.
Smallsteps is happy to have him here with us and she is really good with him and so gently and calm. When we do finally bite the puppy bullet, I think she is going to build a very strong bond with it, much like her mother does. Animals love her.
Everyone loves her.
I am batting well above my average.
Since we have the dog and the Autumn weather is not very autumn-y and is instead warm and sunny, we are going to head out for a walk by a small lake tomorrow. We normally go there when the trees are dressed in their fall colors and the lake is like glass, but it will be nice to get some fresh air. Well, Finland is pretty well full of fresh air, but we haven't been out in nature that much over the last month as every weekend has had events of some kind that have drawn us away.
I think I will take the camera too and see if I can get some shots of him when he isn't asleep. He gets sleepy early, unlike us, which is indicative of his real family being an early to bed family,
Unlike us.
Well, unlike me.
But it was nice, as after Smallsteps fell to sleep, we watched a little TV together and the dog came and slept next to me, snoring gently. It is calming to have something so calm and feeling so safe just there, which is why animals can be good therapy for people with stress and anxiety. As well of course, those who are depressed, as they offer companionship and connection.
There are a lot of lonely people out there.
He is good for me too, in small doses at least. I like dogs, I like pets in general, because it is nice to take care of them. There is a relevancy that comes with owning a pet, because they are reliant on us for their needs and without us, they will suffer. We have the chance to give them a good life, a life full of love and they return the love in the ways they know how. Being close.
In a world of automation, a pet offers an analogue connection to reality, having to feed and walk, pick up after it and make sure it has what is needed. It is no wonder some become crazy pet people, because in a world of increasing disconnection from each other, a pet can replace the feeling that no one cares.
A pet is captured caring.
Which is a weird way to look at it.
But instead of delving into that, I am going to try and head to bed soon and sneak into the bedroom, hoping that he doesn't bark at me and wake my wife - like he has done every night he has stayed with us.
Woof.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
