Tech No

Whelp you are getting me on a ruff day friends – my hackles are up and I am on high alert! The weather has been less than stellar in my neck of the woods. April showers this past week couldn’t be truer than here in Michigan. This weather has me suffering from not-enough-outdoor-time and I have been growling all week. Since I couldn’t really play outside, the second best thing to do is to curl up with my hooman and snooze the rain away.  Unfortunately, it felt like whenever I went in for some cuddles – my hooman was using technology. Grrrrrrr!

I try my hardest to get right between my hooman and the tech to make sure she realizes that I am sitting here waiting for cuddles. I am at least 20 inches tall and a svelte 60 pounds (dont judge), so why does she prefer to be sitting with her screen, when she could be sitting with me in her lap?

I understand that technology has its practical purposes, like telling you a story, playing a favorite tune or if you’re like my best buddy Nixin, doing his homework for Mrs. Graff. But COME ON, rainy day snuggles should rank higher than checking your social media right? Lately, I feel like technology can get in the way of spending time with the ones you love. Spending REAL time – not REEL time together.

I first began to notice my second rate status earlier this week. My hooman came home and changed into her “fast shoes” and grabbed my leash. These are easy clues that let me know we were going out for a run. I was so excited – I hadn’t been out for a run in days. I jumped up and jumped again, I could hardly contain my enthusiasm! 

She put my leash on and down the road we went! My ears were flapping in the wind, my tongue began to swing, and were going at a good pace – but then she stopped. My hooman stopped on the side of the road. She began tapping her watch, then her phone, then her headphones. She seemed upset because her tech was not working. Now, I am not a tech savvy canine so I started pulling, “lets go – lets go – lets go!”, I silently willed her. She COMPLETELY ignored me. I started whining and pulling harder. I was doing everything in my power to get her to get off the tech and back on the run. Then…she yelled at me to “wait”. Grrrrr! 

Being yelled at made me feel angry. My hooman invited me to do something and then acted like I was bothering her when I wanted to do it. Why do hoomans choose spending time with technology over time with their loved ones? I am not sure I will ever find the answer. 

Eventually my hooman realized what she had done and apologized for yelling at me. She gave up on her tech that day and we had a nice time together. But she hasn’t given up on her technology forever. I still have to squeeze between her and her tech, or jump on her to help her remember she needs cuddles. 

So friends, as you head into a new week, I have a “Tech No” challenge for you. If you find you or your hooman spending too much time on tech, put it down and spend some time together. You might have to squeeze right between the hooman and the tech, but let them know you are there – ready and waiting to go on your next adventure – together. 

Bark at you next week – your friend,