What My Dog’s Back Turn Taught Me About Feedback

My fur baby, Piku, has this very theatrical way of expressing disappointment. Turning his back on me. Literally.

If I refuse him a second treat or delay the evening walk, he doesn’t argue; he turns his back on me. Tail glued to the floor, ears drooping, eyes full of judgment.

But here’s the thing! Two minutes later, he’s back. Nudging me, wagging his tail, trying again.

Actually, if I only focused on what he didn’t get right (like sitting a little crooked when asked, or barking a little too loudly at the doorbell), I’d completely miss the fact that he’s showing up, trying, every single time.

That dramatic back-turn isn’t defiance. It’s his way of saying: “Don’t just tell me no…tell me what I did right too.”

Isn’t that so much like us at work, too?

Recently, my team and I have been neck-deep in creating 70+ videos, 100+ graphics, and lots of content… each one demanding creativity, precision, and long hours.

And yes, mistakes happen. A design goes off-track, a typo sneaks in, or a tiny detail gets missed.

I totally know how it feels to have all your hard work and entire project dismissed because of one slip.

And that’s why, when I review their work, I make it a point to acknowledge the effort because I know how much effort and energy it took.

So, instead of shutting down the conversation, I say,

“This is beautiful, just fix this little part.”

Or, “I love how much thought you’ve put into this, just tweak this one detail.”

Because, whether at work or at home, none of us stop trying because we got it wrong. We stop when we feel unseen.

And Piku, through his dramatic exits and equally dramatic returns, reminds me of that every single day. Smiling in the funniest way!

Woof Birthday!

Celebrating another year of wags, licks, and endless love on my babies’ birthday and ringing in the new year with new beginnings and endless possibilities!

Elfu, 6, basking in the sun with me.

Happy sixth to my babies Piku and Elfu, and here are the six lessons from these cuddly fur babies we must follow:

🐾 Be present in the moment. Don’t worry about the past or the future. Be fully engaged in whatever you are doing, whether it’s playing, sleeping, or just enjoying the company of the ones with you. Stop multitasking and live every moment to the fullest.

🐾 Find joy in simple things. Dogs don’t need elaborate toys or expensive treats to be happy. A stick, a ball, or a belly rub can bring them endless joy. And all we humans need is care, love, and a smile. Nothing expensive.

🐾 Show affection freely. Dogs are known for their unconditional love and affection, and they have no reservations about showing it. They wag their tails, give kisses, and cuddle up with their humans to show how much they care. We humans often refrain from expressing ourselves. We use brevity in appreciating or encouraging. Let’s be open. Let’s be kind. Let’s be compassionate.

🐾 Be loyal and faithful. Dogs are incredibly loyal and faithful to their human companions. They will stick by your side no matter what, and they will always be there to offer love and support. Let’s be there for each other, especially for the ones who are always with us.

🐾 Forgive easily. Dogs have short memories and are quick to forgive. If you make a mistake or do something that upsets your dog, they will forgive you and move on. This is an excellent lesson for humans to learn and practice.

Let’s leave behind the grudges, let’s be full of love, let’s spread smiles and joy, and let’s woof!

Ruff-ing it in the new year with a wag and a bark! Here’s to a paw-some 2023 filled with adventures and good times.

Good Dog Day

A blissful, basking-in-the-sun kind of Sunday morning for Piku, Jimmy, and Elfu.

My fur-babies Piku, Jimmy and Elfu.

I, on the other hand, am sitting on the terrace, with my laptop, staring at an email I just received, that feels like a forceful, dominating, and pressurized déjà vu – for I have received and responded to the much similar emails from different persons, multiple times, with the same concerns. Yet again. Another documentation. This feels like a vicious circle.

This day is a vicious circle for these three fur-babies too. They keep doing this every day; I guess even when I am at work.

But apparently, they are ignorant of any déjà vu, free from the pressure of documentation for what they do, say, or think. They don’t even know that I clicked their picture and shared it on social media. They don’t care what they look like, what people say, or what I am doing to them. For they know, I am there for them, and I will never hurt them and make sure to protect them, from everyone, till my last breath because I have done that in the past. Trust is the key. Actions speak louder than words. Who can we trust? Just ourselves.

Ugh. We, humans, are impacted a little too much by documentation of what we say, think or write – digitally and mentally.

Once in a while, we all need to woof away. Bask in the sun, bark our heart out and wag at and cuddle the ones we love, and get a treat. And have a good dog day.