That question (along with Who played tug o' war with the blanket, Who licked the butter, Who made that smell, and What the heck is that?) addressed to the little big dog earlier today. He has a quirky habit of punching things with his nose. I had my back turned at the time, so can't be sure it was him, but I heard the noise and saw him trotting away, tail in the air, while the big big dog barked to tell me the recycling had 'fallen' over.
And then, as if to make amends, he brought me a dirty ball to play with. I know it's dirty, I saw him dig it out of the garden, wee on it, rub it a bit more in the mud, before presenting it to me. Nice one, and it's not coming in the house.
The big big dog is very different. He'll play a bit, but bores easily and is very suspicious if I try a new game. Suspicious as in 'What evil is she up to now?'. I tell him it's my prerogative as his Mummy to insist on doing new and exciting things, which may or may not involve de-worming, tick and flea treatment, or general ear, nose, mouth, other end inspections as required.
Now, the biggest problem, for us, is that domestic dogs just don't know they are dogs. Of course, they don't actually know anything, but that's not the point. The point is that we (yes, even us) are guilty of 'humanising' our dogs. Sure, they only eat dog food, I restrict treats, they sleep on their own beds, but when I am ambling around doing the gardening, housekeeping or other more boring things like actual work, I talk to the 'boys' all the time. I ask their opinion, I tell them if someone is being a d**k, I even cry into their velvety necks. And this emotional connection is what dog ownership is all about. The unconditional, non-judgemental regard our dogs have for us. I can't imagine being without my dogs, or worse being mean to my 'boys', not taking care of them, worrying about them when they have to go into kennels. Yes, they are just dogs, but they are important members of our family and deserve our full attention and respect.