Dogs do it… humans do it… We all do it because we are social animals and we have the same primal needs. We crave the contact with our fellow creatures and the stimulation that it provides.
By a curious coincidence, in Marin County our pétanque field is juxtaposed with the local Dog Park. The purpose of both venues is the same though: to bring similar species together in order to mix and play (with balls).
Whenever I go to the field, I always see dogs straining on their leashes in their eagerness to reach their playground. Humans don’t pull on their leashes (husbands usually leaves theirs at home) but I sense the same eagerness when they stroll unto the field.
Both species want variety, a break from their daily routines.
Variety is the very spice of life that gives it all its flavour. –William Cowper
Dogs as well as people need to meet other creatures on a regular basis to have a satisfying social life. This is important, even crucial.
If you stay home and play video games all day, you will eventually become a loner without any affinity with your own kind. And people like that (in a country bursting with guns) are often assailed by strange thoughts.
Sure, once in a while a fight breaks out between two dogs, but canines are different from people. They don’t keep grudges while people do, and this is the scary thing…
“Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.” ― Oliver North
Dogs usually don’t carry firearms and they are magnanimous. They forget a disagreement easily. They also abide by an honor code prohibiting them from shooting their own kind. A few warning bites maybe, but no bullets. I know that because canines and I are on the same wavelength and we understand each other.
What do you think of the 2nd amendment I often ask them? There is usually a chorus of answers and it is difficult to understand what they are barking, but I know what they are saying.
We don’t want these noisy, scary things in our midst. There is no need for it. If we disagree with a bitch, we usually keep it civil. We refer to Huskies (aka lawyers) to settle our differences.
These guys are very social, they love to talk and they are very good at getting their point across. No bullets, no sir!
By he way, do you want to play chase the ball? It is a very exciting game…
Alain