Whose leash is it?

I have some friends who plan their lives around their dogs.

When they want to go out, they have to ask themselves whether they can, regardless of if they want to.

They worry that despite thousands of years of evolution that proves their dog would be fine on their own, their dogs will be lonely or sad if they’re left at home alone in a crate.

And then there’s the lifting and pulling. Dragging their dog in the rain, or heaving them across the street because they’d rather not hire someone to train them to come or sit or stay.

A leash is an apt metaphor for a lot of things. Including the things we buy. Because pets and phones and possessions can easily control us if we’re not careful.

It’s up to us to decide who’s holding the other end.