The Dopamine Hit of Dog Toys

Introduction

Envision your pet, lounging on a sun-drenched bench overlooking the front yard, with a fresh new toy in its mouth. Your pet is squeaking the toy, chewing it, cuddling it or even hiding the toy. What a happy moment in the life of your pet.

And that becomes a happy moment in your life.

The Dopamine Rush

My husband and young adult children seem to think I should make more purchases for them than for the dog, but quite frankly, it is often more enjoyable to buy things for Gus, the dog.

Gus greets me at the garage door every time I come home with a swift tail wag, usually including a butt wiggle. He seems genuinely excited to see me more often than the others who live in my household.

Gus follows my every move with interest.

"Will she open the dishwasher and give me a glimpse of what treats are nestled inside that thing? Will she sit down on the blue couch so I can cuddle with her? Oh, I bet she is going to bed. I had better beat her there!"

The cost of a dog toy comes in at a mere $3.99-$6.99 while the cost of a new pair of tennis shoes for my daughters comes in at a steep $159. I can buy at least 23 dog toys to equal that one pair of shoes! And Gus shows his excitement so readily for every purchase.

When I come home and surprise Gus with a new toy, his joy cannot be contained. He gives me a full body wiggle, a brief run back and forth with the new toy in his mouth, and then a gallop toward wherever he thinks is the safest place to check out this newest piece of goodness.

I watch Gus from afar and his joy becomes my joy. I feel a dopamine rush from giving my dog a new toy.

The Aftermath

I watch Gus after he has worn himself out playing with the toy. He sleeps with the toy nestled under his chin or sitting right in front of his nose.

And then it falls on the floor. I stumble over it for a few days. Gus moves it around the house, so it is usually somewhere I am not expecting it to be. Gus hears me, or my husband or daughters, trip over the new toy and he runs to retrieve it and carries it around with him awhile longer.

Eventually, I see the toy has not been played with for several days. I pick it up and drop it in toy bin 1 or toy bin 2 for Gus to use occasionally.

Conclusion

The dopamine rush and physical enthusiasm Gus shows me when that new toy emerges from its bag has me spoiling Gus more than I will admit to my husband and daughters.

I have yet to experience what being a Grandma is like, but think Gus may be dethroned as the principal gift receiver in the family if a grandchild appears in my life.

My niece, her husband, and two small children moved to our area this past year. I am currently having fun experimenting with the dopamine hit I get with bringing children’s books to read to the little ones when I visit. But, wait — that’s a different Medium article.

Thank You

Thanks for reading about Gus and the joy he and his toys bring to my life. If you enjoyed reading this article, please clap and follow me and The Good Vibes Club publication.

And that becomes a happy moment in your life.