Must you go to work?

[brembo]

Sadly, I did not grow up to be rich. Not even upwardly mobile really. So that means I'm a drone of sorts, doing my job to make that check that pays the bills. Could be worse, lots worse I suppose.

Then there is my dog. An animal that seemingly worships the ground I walk on, thinks I control the sun and moon and stars. I'm his world, his raison d'être and I cannot explain to him that I MUST leave him and be elsewhere for 1/3 of his lifetime. He tries so very hard to convince me to stay. Everyday that I gear up for work he's on my heels pleading with every ounce of his soul and pulling every trick his little doggy mind can conjure.

It's not heartbreaking as I know I'll be back soon enough. It does not wear as the instant I see him when I drive up my heart lifts. It's just a small bump in a life that consists of big and little obstacles.

So here is something I plan on doing soon. On one of my days off (I work 12 hour shifts, 2 on-3 off-3 on-2 off) I'm going to set my alarm and proceed to prep for work. I'm going to go as far as to start the truck and then come back and tell him he convinced me to stay at home. He gets one hour of anything that suits his fancy. Be it ball or napping, I am going to be subservient to his desires. I doubt that the gesture will register as I see it in my dog's mind but it will certainly make me feel better.

**It was the bucket list post that made me think of this. My dog has it pretty dang good here and his list would be pretty short. I know that my going to work gets him riled up and figured if he was able to talk this might be on the list.

[Karla]

That is a sad but heartwarming story. They get so disappointed when we leave them. I wish I could see his face when you pretend to get ready to go to work, only to return back to the house! That's a great idea!

[Gwenhwyfair]

The great pleasure of a dog is that you make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, he will make a fool of himself too.
--Samuel Butler

[Daisy&Lucky's Mom]

mygoodbye to my dogs every monday morning is "Mommy has to go to the bad place and earn kibble money.Ill be back".Daisy has always looked at me like she understood,Lucky will still the first few days after vk stand at the door w/ a toy. I like your idea of surprising him w. an hour of every thing he loves. We call them Boo-days ;all boos all day. Walks .ball and for daisy chews and usually aspecail treat.

[fuzzybunny]

Ahhh, that's so sweet . Can you film that for us, lol? I know exactly what you mean. Bunny gets her sour face every morning and I feel so bad about leaving her. She acts as though her world is coming to an end. Jazz doesn't care. He would of course prefer I stay home and is excited when I return but he doesn't act like some form of torture has been inflicted upon him.

[Razzle J.Dazzle]

Thanks for this! Really enjoyed reading it.