Throughout the day, I watch my dog. I observe him as he goes through his motions. When he wants outside, I let him out. When he is hungry, I feed him. When he needs a scrtach, I itch his back and under his cute, floppy ears. I throw his ball and give him lots of love.
Our walks include two phases. The first part of the walk I let him run on the leash and do "his thing" sniffing and marking and rolling in the grass. The second part is his training. I fasten his work backpack around him and give him orders like heel and sit. After his good work, I reward him with a dip in the pool. A lab, he loves these so much! And I teach him tricks and goof around.
Funny things I observe. He loves the pool but whimpers when he must stay outside because he is wet. He loves the walk but sighs heavily when it is done and he is tired. He loves his food but then wants mine. He loves even more his treats but gives me puppydog eyes when I do not have another. I could throw the ball to him for an hour but he would beg an hour more, with chin on my thigh or propped under his front paws, his eyes imploring me. Just one more.
An opportunity for me he provides for I am a "fixer" and want to solve his sadness. Yet, as I've spent my days with him, I've come to realize that whatever I give him, he shall want more or the opposite. If he is out, he wants in. If I am upstairs, he wants me downstairs, and such. No matter the moment he will unwittingly find his way to some sort of inner misery. I watch the progress from happiness to discontent. He finds samsara effortlessly.
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