I have always been a cat person. I was afraid of/hated dogs for a while, then fell in love with a couple owned by my ex-boyfriend - but generally considered myself indifferent to dogs and/or perhaps a little on the dislike side.
My husband is a dog lover, and his last dog got on in years and was living with his mom for the entire time we have been together. About a year ago he passed away (at age 15!!) and ever since we moved into our house he has wanted one. A couple months ago, we have happen upon a beautiful white boxer which we have named Daisy, or Dazey. We got her when she was about six months old. Our agreement: HE takes care of her - takes her out in the cold, rain and snow, takes her on walks, cleans up her accidents if she has any (which she hasn't had many), clips her nails, bathes her, etc. Because I was not willing to do those things and would rather not have a dog if I do, etc.
I don't really have anything to compare her to, but he says that she is a very good dog behavior-wise. I find her cute and very fun to play with - but I don't want to play with her all the time.
I am home way more often than he is, which is cutting into our agreement. I kind of knew this would happen and do not blame him and am very happy that she makes him happy. However. She requires SO MUCH MORE ATTENTION than a cat. She whines and cries when I'm not paying attention to her. I feel bad that she is locked up for 8 hours (someone comes and lets her out for potty twice a day, but she is mostly locked up) so I take her on walks (but I don't enjoy it). I wake up earlier than him and am home earlier than him, which means that I'm feeding her and taking her out most of the time. Etc.
It's not all bad, because I really do feel compassion in my heart for her and I really do love her. I feel like, in order for me to not feel so grudging when I care for her, I need to connect with her like I do my cat... except I don't really know how to connect with a dog. She seems so 'simple-minded' as compared to my cat, so much more 'innocent' if that makes sense.
Well to make a long story short (sorry to use this thread as a therapist!), if anyone can point me to some online references that suggest some ways to open a psychic conversation with the dog, or to connect with her spiritually. I have done this with my cat but feel it might be different with a dog. Any personal experiences to share?