Don’t let this discourage you. Your unique position also gives you the ability to change your dog’s world for the better. You may not be able to quit your job, but you can find a thousand ways to enrich his in order to get him off of unemployment. You can get him outside as much as possible, and take him to places off the beaten path. You can shamelessly chase squirrels up trees with him or take him swimming in the ocean. You can help him make new meaningful friends and foster his own relationships. You can give your creative genius hard puzzles to solve in order to earn his breakfast rather than serve him another easy plate of food and watch him unravel the mysteries of your bathrobe. You can ask him to be your wingman, teach him how the modern world requires that he behave in order to accompany you on your many snazzy adventures. You can take him out for dinner and a night on the town after a run through the park and the perfect sweet sunset on the hill in the summer air.

Realizing how much your dog leans on you to open the doors to a greater world for him, you can start to open them one by one. Meeting his environmental needs on a daily basis—once you recognize them—will improve life immeasurably both for you and for him.

Sometimes your hands are tied in terms of what you can change about your dog’s home life. But compassion for his predicament can reduce your frustration and resentment. You’ll see that the bedspread destruction (and the incessant party-crashing barking, whining, and jumping) wasn’t personal at all. You may be inspired to take steps to expand his horizons beyond the walls of your house and to create a better home life for both of you.

Your dog needs to get out and live it up a little. He needs you to provide those chances for him to do whatever his heart desires in a safe environment. You are, after all, not the only one who gets cabin fever and needs a change of scenery, and the chance to let your hair down after hours of confinement indoors. He, too, hungers desperately for the right career path and those occasional chances to really blow off some steam. And, like you, he just isn’t quite right without these things.

In the Neighborhood

So, out you go—into the world, confident and ambitious about putting some real meaning and purpose into his life as you clip on the leash and step out the door after a long day at work. You exchange a heartfelt glance with him as you ride the elevator down to the first floor. The way he’s looking at you makes you think he can read your mind, that he is touched by your newly inspired commitment to provide the adventure he so desperately needs. You can’t wait to walk down the street, head to the park for a run, and stop by the coffee shop on the way home to meet friends. This is going to be incredible for both of you. You just know it.