"Can I Pet Your Dog?": Reflections on Connection in a Digital Age

Almost daily, strangers approach with a familiar question: “Can I pet your dog?” Upon seeing my Shiba Inu, people experience an immediate desire for connection—that spontaneous spark of joy that comes from interacting with an animal companion. While most politely request permission, others instinctively reach out, drawn by the promise of a brief but meaningful exchange.

I happily grant these requests, though I’ve come to recognize that my dog’s response doesn’t always match people’s expectations. This creates an interesting moment of misalignment between human desire and canine personality.

Shiba Inus are known for their independent and sometimes reserved temperament. While many dogs respond to strangers with enthusiastic engagement, my Shiba often maintains a composed indifference. She might acknowledge the interaction with quiet dignity or simply continue about her business as though the encounter never occurred.

This unexpected response occasionally creates a moment of surprise for the person seeking connection. I’ve learned to gently prepare people by mentioning her independent nature before they interact, creating space for a more genuine exchange rather than disappointment.

The Evolution of Satisfaction #

These interactions have prompted me to reflect on how our expectations for immediate response have evolved in contemporary society. We live in an era where unprecedented convenience surrounds us—rapid delivery services bring products directly to our homes, transportation arrives at the tap of a screen, and digital platforms provide instant feedback and validation.

These magnificent technological advances have transformed daily life in remarkable ways, creating conveniences that previous generations could hardly imagine. Yet they may also subtly shape our expectations for how quickly our desires should be fulfilled in all domains of life, including social interactions.

When someone meets a dog exhibiting a reserved temperament rather than immediate affection, the experience creates a small but interesting contrast to our technology-enhanced expectations. It presents a gentle reminder that living beings operate according to their own authentic nature rather than responding predictably like digital interfaces.

Finding Balance in a Connected World #

These everyday dog-walking encounters highlight something meaningful about our contemporary experience. We live in an era of remarkable abundance and technological achievement. Material comforts exceed anything previous generations experienced, yet many people report feelings of disconnection despite our hyperconnected digital lives.

The growing conversation around social connection reflects a genuine desire to understand how we maintain meaningful human relationships in an era of unprecedented technological change. While digital platforms offer valuable ways to maintain connections across distances, they complement rather than replace the richness of direct experience.

For those seeking greater connection, I’ve observed several practices that seem to foster genuine wellbeing:

• Spending time with animal companions who bring us into the present moment
• Taking regular walks that engage our senses with the physical world
• Creating tangible things that engage our hands and minds
• Cultivating face-to-face conversations that unfold at their own natural pace
• Practicing periodic digital detachment to fully engage with immediate surroundings

These simple practices don’t reject technological advancement—they simply help us balance digital engagement with the irreplaceable experience of being fully present in our physical lives and relationships.