Mind Set | written by: Darien Resident JANET NOVOTNY KING and her sister
Dr. ALICE NOVOTNY JEROMIN, DVM, Speaking Of Pets Podcast Co-Hosts
Janet Novotny King (right) with her sister, Dr. Alice Novotny Jeromin, DVM
Every morning at 6:12 a.m., Daniel’s alarm screams like a fire drill. He slaps it silent, already late for a date he doesn’t remember agreeing to. Coffee, emails, traffic, meetings—his life moves in straight lines and sharp corners. Even his thoughts feel scheduled.
Then there is Sam.
Sam is Daniel’s Golden Retriever with liquid-brown eyes and a permanently hopeful expression, as if something wonderful may happen at any moment. To him, there are no clocks or calendars. There is only now, and it is great. His tail wags with his whole body, a sweeping declaration that life is good and gets better all the time.
When Daniel shuffles into the kitchen where Sam sleeps, Sam greets him as if he’s just returned from a heroic journey, his whole body radiating joy and love that require no justification. He leans against him, warm, solid, grateful and loyal, exuding uncomplicated happiness.
“But you saw me just eight hours ago,” Daniel says. Sam listens politely, trotting a delighted circle and bumps his nose into Daniel’s leg as he continues celebrating, not really understanding what has been said.
On their morning walk, Daniel scrolls through headlines, mind already sprinting ahead to deadlines and appointments. He barely notices the world unless it inconveniences him. Sam pulls ahead, nose already cataloging his surroundings. To him, the neighborhood is never the same. Every tree has updates. Every breeze carries news. The sun—even when half-hidden by clouds—is worth pausing for.
Sam stops abruptly, sits. The leash goes slack. “Oh no,” Daniel sighs. “What now?”
Sam stares, ears propped, transfixed by a drifting leaf scraping along the sidewalk. It spins, stalls, then skitters forward again. Sam watches it with the focus of a scholar witnessing a breakthrough. Daniel follows his gaze. He forgets about being late. The leaf finally disappears into a storm drain. Sam wags, satisfied, as if the universe has reached a sensible conclusion.
Something in Daniel shifts: Oh to live with Sam’s enthusiasm – for the mundane, for repetition, for simply being alive!
That evening, instead of collapsing in front of the TV, Daniel sits on the floor watching Sam methodically disassemble a plush dog toy. He is entirely committed to his task, blissfully unconcerned with productivity or purpose beyond this moment.
The shift deepens.
Daniel leaves his phone in his pocket on his next walk with Sam. He lets him choose the route, even when it means doubling back or stopping for reasons only known to Sam. They wander.
They pause. Daniel’s indifference dissolves. He feels the sun’s warmth, hears the trills of birdsong, and feels the steady rhythm of his breath.
At work, he thinks of his dog, embracing breaks the way Sam treats naps: completely. When he eats, he tastes. When he laughs, he doesn’t hold back. Happiness stops being something he schedules for later.
One day, Daniel lies on the grass while Sam sprawls beside him, belly to the sky, fur glowing in the sunlight. Clouds pass without urgency. Nothing needs fixing. Sam rolls onto his side and rests his head on Daniel’s chest, trusting and content, eyes filled with love.
“Okay,” Daniel says softly. “I’m listening.” It is enough, more than enough.
As we settle into spring and summer, may you live like a dog: Given a choice, wag your tail—be happy, be kind, be loyal, be positive, and give every situation the benefit of the doubt, even when you don’t quite get what’s being said. Love unconditionally, don’t ration affection. Savor the moment, pay attention to right now (the greatest treasures are often there) and live, eagerly, with all you’ve got.
The Speaking Of Pets podcast provides science-based information from animal experts to pet owners so that they can be their best. Alice provides a veterinarian’s perspective while Janet speaks as a pet owner. From oncology to orthopedics, and allergies to the last goodbye – if it’s about pets, they’ll talk about it. Find it at: https://www.youtube.com/@SpeakingOfPets
