This one really resonates with me, as I'm in the earlier stages of the process with my own dog. It's gratifying to watch the balance slowly shift from my apologies to others' compliments. Mostly, what I love about this is your...unpacking?...of the word "good" as we apply it to dogs, to include fulfillment, trust, and understanding. Every dog would be a "good" dog if they received those things. Good dog, Scout.
It really has been such an important shift for me. I remember once, years back, saying aloud for the first time that I no longer wanted the best behaved dog in the room—I wanted the most content one. Took longer, still, to feel like I fully got "here" mentally and emotionally.
That last part resonates - my boy is 12 now (can’t ever seem to type that without tears appearing) 💜
“My standards shrink as we all age. But the love only grows.”
Where does the time go?!
This one really resonates with me, as I'm in the earlier stages of the process with my own dog. It's gratifying to watch the balance slowly shift from my apologies to others' compliments. Mostly, what I love about this is your...unpacking?...of the word "good" as we apply it to dogs, to include fulfillment, trust, and understanding. Every dog would be a "good" dog if they received those things. Good dog, Scout.
It really has been such an important shift for me. I remember once, years back, saying aloud for the first time that I no longer wanted the best behaved dog in the room—I wanted the most content one. Took longer, still, to feel like I fully got "here" mentally and emotionally.