For the next two weeks, I am proud owner of a dog. Or well, at least care taker:
Zeno, that’s his name, is absolutely convinced that he is the centre of the universe, the “l’ombelico del mundo”, as Jovanotti would sing. So it’s very incomprehensible to him if I do anything but play with him and he follows me even to the toilet to make sure I don’t miss a chance.
Apart from having learnt to type single-handedly now (the other hand petting him), what’s really amusing is his never-ending, asymptotic quest for perfect comfort. Enter the sequence at any point:
-
if not being petted, walk up to martin
-
strike paw against whatever body part is available.
-
if martin does not react, bite into his thigh, lightly.
-
repeat 1-3 until martin reacts and starts petting.
-
slowly start to lie down, thereby leaving martin’s circle of reach
-
wait a second so as to not arouse suspicion
-
stand up, continue at 1.
I find this extremely reminiscent of control theory or a crap PID controller. You’d think dogs are intelligent until you witness the 20th iteration. I am not exaggerating. And I still love that dog.
NP: Gazpacho: When Earth Lets Go
