I sometimes pet sit for people. The relationship I have with each is special and unique. Most of them have something to teach you if you listen. I had some adventures with my friend Brian’s dog.
Spencer by day and Spencer by night are different animals. By day he was the ultimate attention seeker, the ultimate charmer. “Look at me with this big stick”, he’d say to me, “Isn’t it big; aren’t I grand?” “Yes, Spencer”, I would agree. “It’s mighty magnificent and so are you.” He would nod, fully expecting my response. “Pet me”, he would insist, to me, to anyone here, “I am Spencer” as if that was all that was needed to have us fall all over ourselves to do so. And he was pretty much right.
But by night, he was quiet, preoccupied, focused, on guard, keeping us safe from the worst kind of raccoons and rabbits. I believe he appreciated my still night watchfulness. I didn’t trouble him or talk to him. Just appreciated the night. Kindred spirit, I imagined him thinking, but I’m sure it was all me. But we hung out. Quiet together, he and I.
Edit: Spencer has since crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. We miss him.