Digital disposable

As the Teenager walked down the stairs on the morning of her birthday holding her phone in her hand, she was swiping at it.

Being a curious Mum, I asked her what she was actually doing.  Her friends had sent her birthday messages on Snapchat, she was looking at the messages and swiping them away - binning them. 

I would say she wasn’t even reading them, she was glancing at the messages and swiping them.   The concentration was barely even a single second as she zipped down the list of well-wishers. 

This is not a criticism, it’s an observation of how life is now.  It made me reflect on the experience of having a dog, or any pet.

Every day Moss makes demands of us as a family. We have to care for her in real time, with real physical attention.  Moss is no Tamagotchi. 

We have to take her out for a real walk and that, perhaps, is her gift to us.

My point is that looking after a dog is a real-life experience, it engages your mind, your body and your soul.  Having a dog creates demands, and restraints similar to having a child.  It connects us with our physical environment, with the seasons, weather and other people.

Ironically, this story is designed to arrive with you on your phone – so what can I say!

Photo:  Moss and me