Hey, so do you think that it confuses our pets that we look different every day? I mean, we change our clothes, our appearance, daily. On purpose. They gotta think that’s weird, right?
I’m sure it’s weird enough to them that we put on our outside feet whenever we leave the house. It’s probably even weirder that we put on new fur. They just have nothing to compare it to.
Well, unless you’re one of those people who like to dress up your pets. I was going to say “dog” there, but I’ve seen people dress up cats too. How they do it without getting their eyeballs scratched out is beyond me, but they succeed.
Anyway, if you dress your pets, I suppose those particular ones have some frame of reference. Although it’s still gotta be weird for them because they don’t like being dressed up.
That’s right. Sorry to burst your bubble, but the animals you are putting into those adorable little sweaters or holiday-themed whatevers aren’t particularly happy about being dressed that way. Even if they wag their tail when the hat goes on. Even if they bring you their sweater in the morning.
They. Do. Not. Like. It.
They like you. They want to make you happy, so they put up with it in order to please their owners and be told how good they are, get some head scritches, and maybe a treat. That’s it.
So if they don’t like getting dressed up themselves, it must confuse them as to why we want to do it. After all, they walk around naked all the time.
Which is one of the great things about pets-dogs in particular. They just spend all their time naked and have no shame. No embarrassment, no body issues, nothing. They are who (and what) they are. What you see is what you get. Dressing a bulldog up like the Easter Bunny won’t change a thing. Animals are 100% pure and 100% free.
Maybe there’s a lesson for us here. We should all live our lives as freely as our pets. Just maybe not naked.
We shouldn’t be dressing up in order to please others or to keep up with the status quo. Just be yourself. Okay, so maybe your job requires a uniform or has a dress code. That’s fine, follow it. Don’t get fired. You will find yourself with a whole lotta freedom all of a sudden-and not in a fun way.
Look, all I’m saying is that we could all benefit from worrying a little bit less about what others think of us and living as our true, authentic selves. Now, that doesn’t give us an excuse to be rude, to be mean, condescending, or to take advantage of others. Kindness and civility should still win out. But if we all live as our purely and honestly as we can, then maybe we can find a little more happiness.
And if you do find some “happy” spread it around. We could all use some.
See you next time, MonDavers. Until then, remember you’re the bestest-yes you are, yes you are, who’s the best? You are.
Sorry. Got a little carried away there.
Um, bye.
MonDAVEs with Dave Brink 