In Bones Would Rain from the Sky, by Suzanne Clothier, there is a place where she comments on what people want in a dog:

They want a dog who would happily stay home alone for eight to ten or more hours a day, never destroy anything, perfectly control his bladder and bowels, be delighted to see them and need little more than a walk around the block before settling down to keep them company. They ask, “What kind of a dog should I get?” The correct answer is “A stuffed one.” (page 55)

I laughed when I read this, but I could relate to that desire. Often my life has been so busy that a dog of that sort would have been most welcome. I wouldn’t have needed the dog to be alone for eight to ten hours, because I usually work at home. But I am no stranger to the sense of overwhelm that the demands of modern life can bring us to. And the dog doesn’t always make it to anywhere near the top of the priorities list.

So what does Bones Would Rain from the Sky go on to say? After some more very amusing bits, Suzanne Clothier gets to the heart of things, speaking of what dogs bring to our lives, “soulful moments of dynamic authenticity.” She explains, “Every moment of dynamic quality is possible because of this: you are there and you are aware… Potential connections are all around us yet we sometimes march through our days without bringing our awareness to each passing moment.”

Wise words. If your dog doesn’t get as much of your attention as you would like, there are ways to change that without giving up too much else. This is important, this is your life and the dog’s life.

And if you want to read more of this thoughtful book, click on the book cover image.