Gretchen Rubin wrote in The Happiness Project about the year she spent “test-driving the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture about how to be happy.” The Puppiness Project is my attempt to learn the same from Honey, my Golden Retriever.
I’m infatuated with my dog.
I think about her all the time. I wonder what she’s thinking about. I hope she cares as much about me as I care about her.
Sometimes I wonder if I should feel guilty about that. After all, I’ve been married for twenty-two years to a man who probably wishes I was writing that about him.
But here’s the thing–infatuation happens when you’re just getting to know someone. Once you discover everything there is to know about someone, infatuation disappears. Hopefully it’s replaced with deep love.
With Honey, there will always be a mystery. I’ll never know her inside and out. She doesn’t speak English. Her nose understands things I’ll never know. So I’ll probably be infatuated forever.
But here’s what I’ve learned. If the fun of infatuation comes from getting to know someone, you can get to know someone all over again when you experience new things together. The mystery returns when you wonder how someone will respond to new challenges. And with it comes the infatuation.
My husband and I are learning to sail. Yesterday, he docked a sail boat for the very first time–it was like a hot knife cutting through butter. I was very proud.
Honey better watch out–she might not be my only infatuation for long.
Kristine
One of the things I love most about my husband is that he seems to be just as infatuated with our dog as I am. I love watching them play together, especially when he doesn’t know I can see.
Congratulations on your great sailing lesson!
Pamela
If men knew how sexy nurturing and playing with little critters was to most women, the shelters would all be empty.
I just loved the parts of your tricks video where Shiva’s tricks involved your PH. He seems to be a really great guy.
As for the sailing lessons–I’m not sure we deserve the congratulations. That should probably go to the instructor who didn’t throw either of us overboard. Mike’s docking was the high point.
But I can’t steer a straight course with a tiller or tie a knot the same way more than once in a row. And Mike sent the boom crashing to the deck when we were taking down the sails. We really are rank (meaning smelly) amateurs. π
Roxanne @ Champion of My Heart
I often refer to Lilly as my best, best friend, and I wonder how that makes my DH feel. Still, he clearly ranks #1 with Lilly and Ginko in a close second.
Elizabeth
Oh great; now I have to find something new and thrilling to do with The Hubby? π Maybe I’ll ask him to show me how to use the riding lawn mower; talk about some sparks flying. π Oh, and know that he will be your newest fan. π
Kidding aside, once upon a long time ago, before I was married, The Almost Hubby told me that my “infatuation” (he probably used another word) for animals was endearing. (Could’ve been a line, but I didn’t care.) Maybe we don’t give the other halves all the credit they deserve. π