What does your dog make of your relationships with your family, and is he a part of that kinship?

You and your wife, been married for 30 plus years, have three children all grown up and married, children of their own and of course, dogs of their own. The extended family is happy, all doing well in their chosen professions, with a hectic life, balancing budgets, children in school costing a fortune. Is the dog happy?

Yours are fine, with no one in the house except the two of you, the dogs now replace your children and treated as such. More attention, sleeping on the beds, titbits from the table, kitchen, a honey pot of aromas, and the lounge couch and carpet a place of comfort. Why has this changed? Your now both more at ease and settled in life. What does it matter if the lounge carpet and couch now have a dog hair or two on them?

For two-thirds of your married life you have shared the comforts of the home with all and sundry. The couches now available to the dogs, vomited on by your babies, played upon by the pre-teens and experimented on by the teens (probably saw their first kiss.) The wife in the past, would not allow the furniture soiled by dog hairs and their parasites, unhealthy for growing children. Today, the dog encouraged to join her on the couch, seeking comfort and a cuddle. Are your dogs part of the family then? Most definitely, and the dogs, on their last set of teeth, faithful pets that have spent their lives protecting, loving and supporting you, they deserve the break.

The fights of older or more experienced couples lack the vim and fire of yesterday, so the dogs will sleep through these. More frightened by the conversation between the two when watching TV, “What did they say?” the loud inquiry of progressing deafness. The replies, in just as loud a voice to make sure the message received, over what can only be referred to, as a loud TV. The dogs have progressively become deaf from the liberal use of higher volumes, so they no longer concerned about the TV.

The aged lacking amusement by the antics of their pets, begging for food a thing of the past. Lie, roll over, sit, talk, commands long forgotten that brought smiles to their faces. Now a gentle nudge from the nose of the dog, will result in an automatic pat on the head, a scratch of the ear, or a stoke on the back. Serenity and peace, the wish of the house, and if the dog can meet this with less effort, they will do so.

What does your dog make of the human relationship? He has lived through it all, saw love and berating, hardships and ease, and been part of the extended family.