One of Jamie’s Rules is “Enjoy little pleasures like a wood fire.” Part of having a closer relationship with your dog is to understand its “little pleasures” and help it experience them. Here’s Jamie enjoying one of her favorite things:
Jamie was also very thoughtful about “where to be.” Sometimes, like Don Juan, the Yaqui Indian Shaman, Jamie would walk around until she found just the right place, and just the right angle, to flop down. She seemed to get great pleasure from experimenting and finding the “perfect” place. Sometimes, it would be to get some fresh air, or to lie on a cool surface on a warm day. Another time, at Lake Arrowhead, it would be to get positioned to watch the squirrels running on our deck. On one very warm day, she plopped herself down in front of a fan to enjoy the cooler air.
Here is one of my favorite photos of Jamie. She’s enjoying “The Pinnacles” a small range of mountains near Lake Arrowhead.
I’ve written about Callie’s “stinky” toy (security object) and how she can spend hours snuggling with it, or gently “gumming” it. But sometimes she brings it to me as a way of initiating play. She will hand it to me (with her mouth) and then we “hand” it back and forth. Sometimes, it becomes a very gently form of tug-of-war, but it always stays very gentle.
Become more aware of your dog’s little pleasures, and help it enjoy them. It will help you build a strong relationship with your pet.
