Has your dad ever tried to kiss the dog, only to have the dog turn its head away like a bored teenager? That cold shoulder? That is the rarest gift of all. The dog is granting Dad the honor of being part of the "Acknowledged But Not Excited" inner circle. It’s a privilege—the dog only ignores people it truly trusts.
Think about it: the dog doesn’t ignore the mailman. It barks at the mailman like he’s a criminal. The dog actively ignores Dad because Dad is family. It’s the equivalent of a spouse ignoring you while reading a book—it’s a sign of comfort, not contempt. Dad should wear that rejection like a badge of honor.
So this Father’s Day, when the dog trots over with a slobbery shoe or a moldy stick, don’t apologize. Hand it to Dad with a straight face. Tell him, “It’s from the dog. The price tag was chewed off, but I think it was priceless.” He’ll roll his eyes, but deep down, he’ll know: the dog loves him best when the slippers are wet.
