Our dogs find it impossible to play "hard to get." When they are happy, they show it. When they're upset, they show it. They are constantly wearing their hearts on their sleeves, so to speak. They can't hold grudges, they can't hide their feelings (although Grace knows how to manipulate). They forgive freely and easily and life goes on to the next game of fetch. To constantly live in the moment and remember no past trespasses must be liberating. Even when they are being punished, they wag their tales. When they are disciplined, they still know we love them and are unable to harbor ill will.
Another thing that's impossible for our dogs is multi-tasking. When there is a task at hand, they pour their hearts and souls into that one thing, whether it's fetch, running, napping, chewing their bones, etc. I recently read that this is one of the keys to true happiness: to be able to focus on one task at a time and do it extremely well. To think about anything other than the present risks undermining our happiness. Pete is incredibly good at having a one-track mind, always involving a ball or treats. My personal goal for the near future is to just be very good at what I am doing in the moment. Not to worry about how much further I have to run, not to worry about projects I know are coming down the pipe, just to be completely devoted to the now.
Chris has been out in the field now for three days, and it feels like three weeks. We are all missing him terribly. I took the dogs for a walk last night, and Grace took disliking strangers to a new level: she barked at an infant in a stroller. Definitely need to work on her manners and get that under control. She used to be much more well behaved, but Pete has created a strange new dynamic. I know Grace would never actually bite anyone, but she does have a nasty bark. Pete and I are working on a new trick, only to be unveiled when Chris comes home next weekend : )
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