WHY DO HUMANS WEAR WATCHES

Why do humans wear watches?  Watches appear to be such a nuisance.

Look at them from a dog’s perspective.  Watches are constantly ticking in your ear like the tags on our collars clink in a dog’s ears.  Watches are binding; they put funny tan lines on wrists, you can’t jump in the lake with them on and they are constantly reminding humans of what they still need to do before the next hour passes.

It seems to me the watch is the human version of a leash, which begs the question as to why humans want to wear them.  I shared this observation with some Baby Boomers and it gave them pause (not paws).  I shared this observation with a group of Generation Xers and they smugly responded, “Most of us don’t wear watches.” Of course their smug smile disappeared when I reminded them that this is only because they use their cell phones, which appear to be tethered to their bodies like umbilical cords, to check the time.  My point is that regardless of the generation, humans are obsessed with time and the obsession (in the form of a watch or a clock on a smart phone) works like a leash of sorts. 

Think about it.

Leashes keep a dog in check; stop the dog from doing things or confine their actions. Watches have the same effect on humans. “I better not go to the dog park with you (checking their watch) because I may not get back in time for…” or “I’d consider bicycling with my friends and dog again but only if you can schedule the rides on Saturday’s between 8 am and 11:00 am.”  - Binding, confining.

So, here’s my lesson of the day… Consider that watches serve a positive purpose sometimes: help you go to meetings on time for instance.  On the other hand, consider that watches can also be a hindrance (word of the day) because they are also a reminder of the things you should do but (supposedly) just don’t have the time to do them.  Hmmm. Maybe the ‘leash’ is just in a human’s head.

 

Okay, the question of the day is from Piddles who asked:  Dear Parker, I have enough fur to sink the Titanic.  This is great if I was cruising in Alaska but I live in Florida where it is so hot in spring and summer.  I’d like to get clipped but my parents are older and can’t afford a groomer. They would clip me but they have a hand problem they call…rthitus. What should I do?

Dear Piddles:

I believe you are referring to arthritis, a condition that makes it very difficult for humans to use their hands. Please remind your parents that a dog could care less who clips them – groomer or grandma.  Tell them to make some fresh lemonade and invite over a younger neighbor to clip off your winter coat.  They have a nice visit, the visitor enjoys the lemonade and you get comfortable for the hotter months of the year.