Dog in Italy waiting for his person

I photographed this handsome dog in Italy in 2008. He was watching me as I walked by and posed for several minutes. I have looked at his image many times since. It reminds me of how our dogs patiently and lovingly wait for us to get home. They may be looking through a picturesque window like this one or through blinds in an apartment. Wherever they are, dogs like to feel that their "pack" is all together. Companion animals are happiest when their humans are with them. They love spending time with their people.

For most of us it may not be possible to be together all day, but while we have work and social engagements to attend, for them, we are all that they have. Animals need for us to spend time with them, time when we are actively engaged, not checking our phones or otherwise occupied. If you can't spend a large amount of time with your animal kid(s) every day it is helpful to adopt more than one. Having a companion will ease their sense of loneliness, and it is not any harder to take care of two. (They will still need individual attention too.) Try to look at it from their perspective. What would you want? This is a good question to always keep in mind. If you were in their place, would you want someone to spend the day with? It is always best to imagine what they want, in any situation, and ideally, ask them. You will hear/sense/feel the answer :)