Working like a dog! An idiom that may not invoke the same mental picture that it did in olden days. Most people nowadays will think of their family pet, and how their dog seems to have the idyllic, sleepy ,daydreamin', hedonistic lifestyle. I can't argue with the fact that dogs in the here and now do more sleeping like a log than working like a dog. If you humans could arrange such a gig, many of you would do the same thing. Don't forget that we dogs are doing a lot of mental heavy lifting even though we appear to be doggin it.
Dogs are indefatigable workers when pressed into service for their masters. Think about ranch dogs, border collies, guide dogs, hearing dogs, therapy dogs, watchdogs, military dogs,rescue dogs and police dogs. Some breeds are employed more than others due to their strength, size and intelligence. Certain dogs have a distinct, bred-in high energy level that must be considered if these dogs are adopted as pets. I wonder if humans might have a similar built in work ethic and energy that comes along as part of their genetic makeup?
Workin' like a dog! Humans are often conflicted in how they respond to the need to till the field, mind the herd, take care of the sick, tend to their business, and do all of the other "work" that living life requires. For some, a "work ethic" is deeply ingrained in their nature; as a result of the principles that their family promoted, the environment of culture, education and religion that surrounded them, and perhaps as a result of their genetic constitution. Others believe that work is a necessary evil, instead of a character building necessity. They believe in working "smart" instead of working hard. There's mental work and physical work, and work that is passion and work that is drudgery. Working for yourself is a different experience than working for a huge corporation. Whatever work we choose, we hope it works for us and our families.
Dogs aren't in charge of society at this time, and we don't have great intelligence like humans. Dogs worked hard in the past, and many still do, but they don't get to choose what work they do, or think about exploitation and pay rates, moral benefit and character building, or the relative contributions of the various dog breeds to societies welfare. Intelligent people seem to seek out work that is also mental "play", that stimulates them and provides them with sustenance. Intelligence can also cause ambivalence when the work that people choose to do is unavailable, or doesn't pay at a subsistence level, or isn't valued by society.
Hedonism is a philosophy that seeks pleasure as the ultimate good. Dogs believe in this principle, but realize that one dog's pleasure is another dog's pain. Some dogs have an energy level and alertness that makes what appears to be "work" a necessary part of their daily activities. They get pleasure from the mental discipline, the physical exertion, and the satisfaction that these exercises provide them. For better or worse, dogs don't have the mental capacity to see the fairness or unfairness when one dog works harder than the other, otherwise there would be class warfare amongst us dogs! Ignorance is sometimes bliss.
As a family pet, my work is to be the glue that binds my unit together. When the kids come home, they want to see me; when the family is scattered, they think of me and picture the warmth of the home, me licking their face, me begging (joining them) at the dinner table. My life is a joyful one, even as I work at being the family pet. I might look like a lazy old dog, but my work is never done. I'm on alert 24-7, watching the perimeter. Every day is a Hard Day's Night in the dog world, and I'm happily workin' like a dog.
Buffy
Bow-wow Beatle Fan
Dogs are indefatigable workers when pressed into service for their masters. Think about ranch dogs, border collies, guide dogs, hearing dogs, therapy dogs, watchdogs, military dogs,rescue dogs and police dogs. Some breeds are employed more than others due to their strength, size and intelligence. Certain dogs have a distinct, bred-in high energy level that must be considered if these dogs are adopted as pets. I wonder if humans might have a similar built in work ethic and energy that comes along as part of their genetic makeup?
Workin' like a dog! Humans are often conflicted in how they respond to the need to till the field, mind the herd, take care of the sick, tend to their business, and do all of the other "work" that living life requires. For some, a "work ethic" is deeply ingrained in their nature; as a result of the principles that their family promoted, the environment of culture, education and religion that surrounded them, and perhaps as a result of their genetic constitution. Others believe that work is a necessary evil, instead of a character building necessity. They believe in working "smart" instead of working hard. There's mental work and physical work, and work that is passion and work that is drudgery. Working for yourself is a different experience than working for a huge corporation. Whatever work we choose, we hope it works for us and our families.
Dogs aren't in charge of society at this time, and we don't have great intelligence like humans. Dogs worked hard in the past, and many still do, but they don't get to choose what work they do, or think about exploitation and pay rates, moral benefit and character building, or the relative contributions of the various dog breeds to societies welfare. Intelligent people seem to seek out work that is also mental "play", that stimulates them and provides them with sustenance. Intelligence can also cause ambivalence when the work that people choose to do is unavailable, or doesn't pay at a subsistence level, or isn't valued by society.
Hedonism is a philosophy that seeks pleasure as the ultimate good. Dogs believe in this principle, but realize that one dog's pleasure is another dog's pain. Some dogs have an energy level and alertness that makes what appears to be "work" a necessary part of their daily activities. They get pleasure from the mental discipline, the physical exertion, and the satisfaction that these exercises provide them. For better or worse, dogs don't have the mental capacity to see the fairness or unfairness when one dog works harder than the other, otherwise there would be class warfare amongst us dogs! Ignorance is sometimes bliss.
As a family pet, my work is to be the glue that binds my unit together. When the kids come home, they want to see me; when the family is scattered, they think of me and picture the warmth of the home, me licking their face, me begging (joining them) at the dinner table. My life is a joyful one, even as I work at being the family pet. I might look like a lazy old dog, but my work is never done. I'm on alert 24-7, watching the perimeter. Every day is a Hard Day's Night in the dog world, and I'm happily workin' like a dog.
Buffy
Bow-wow Beatle Fan
On The Job!
Buffy- Bowwow Beatles Fan
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