On Twitter, people have been asking what this dog is thinking as he calmly sits on the beach allowing the incoming waves brush up against him and slosh over the lower part of his body. He looks very calm. Not a care in the world. He looked out into the distance. What is he thinking? The answers by many Twitter users are probably revealing not for the fact that they answer the question about what the dog is thinking but because they tell us what the person is thinking.
I think it is entirely plausible to suggest that when people answer this question, they reveal a bit of themselves. They reveal perhaps their fears and anxieties. And what they like and what interests them and what they prefer to do.
And here are some of those answers. Before you read them, I will tell you my answer if you are interested (which is unlikely!). The dog is not thinking about anything in particular at all. He is simply enjoying the water rushing over the lower part of his body. It is a pleasant sensation for him. His mind is probably fairly empty which, by the way, is a good state of affairs to experience. It’s a bit like yoga. Perhaps this dog is participating in a version of dog yoga!
It might be argued that people should spend more time emptying their minds, living in the present. Focusing on what they are doing if they’re doing something and if they are not to simply think about nothing for a short time; to seek calm and to promote personal well-being. To push away intrusive thoughts which are often anxiety-making.
Arguably there is too much anxiety in the world. Humans can be very fearful and many people can be anxious all the time. Anxiety can lead to depression or the two are often experienced together.
“That water rushing in feels OH SO GOOD!”
“I want to achieve this level of being unbothered.”
“He is enjoying the beauty of nature! He is thinking about how humans destroy everything on Earth!”
“Less thinking, more just enjoying the beach, the water, the waves.”
“Either his master is further in the water and he doesn’t dare to join him, or he told him to stay there. He seems worried to me.” Comment: he does not look worried to me. He looks very calm and, as mentioned, enjoying the sensation of being on the beach with the water gently rolling up against him. That is the clear message that I take from the video but like I said each person takes what they personally feel they can take from the video. It’s a personal interpretation.
“That’s my spirit animal right there. Enjoy the moment!”
“Love this stoic dog. He is thinking deep thoughts and working on world peace.”
“Wondering where the ball went and if it’s ever coming back.”
Comment: most of the answers about what this dog is thinking are based on practical circumstances like catching a ball or responding to commands from their owner. But I don’t think that is what is happening. The dog is very calm and contemplative although that word is probably incorrect.
It is more likely that the dog is simply taking a brief moment to enjoy the moment, to feel the sensations of being on the beach and feeling the water. We know that dogs like water in general. They like playing in water. It may be that the ambient temperature where the video was made was hot at the time. This could have made sitting in the water even more pleasant.
There is no doubt in my mind that the dog is doing what he is doing because it is a pleasant experience. It’s about instinctively enjoying the sensations.
