Bob's Emotional Life

I have concluded that Bob has three states of mind:

"Contented" covers the 14 or so hours every day that he sleeps. Though maybe he's not always contented while sleeping -- he apparently has some pretty exciting dreams. This also includes the occasional time when I'm reading on the couch and he snuggles up, which is a bit rare because..

"Hopeful" is basically from the time I get home from work until bedtime. Plus before work. He is hopeful for food, a walk, or for me to play with him. Also in this category is the time I am otherwise occupied and he gets into what he knows he shouldn't, just to get my attention. Shoes, gloves, pens, reading glasses, whatever is accessible via counter-surfing. He has me pretty well trained here -- I do stop what is occupying me to take whatever away before he damages the item or himself.

Sigh, and then there's "Insane." Occasionally a brain virus overtakes him and he tears all over the place like a maniac. I will try to capture this on video and post. It's pretty funny. There are also the times when he perceives a random, obscure, but serious threat to his pack. I have dealt with this by standing strong and tall and saying in my most authoritative voice "Go Away." Then I inform Bob that his pack leader has eliminated the threat and he can stand down. Sometimes it actually works.

I considered a fourth category, "Sniffing" which he does pretty much 24/7. But that's not really a state of mind. Rather it's a supporting behavior for any one of the other three.

So, am I like Bob? Unfortunately, no. First off, I am the breadwinner of the household so have to spend a good bit of time "Focused" on being a corporate drone. But of my non-corporate-droneness life, I have to admit that my "Insane" pie slice is a whole lot larger than Bob's. Taking things personally, agonizing over the past, worrying about the future. And I also have had my attacks of brain virus, which are a whole lot less funny than Bob's.

Lesson: spend less time being insane and more time being contented or hopeful.

Oh, and maybe I should sniff more.

Good lesson. Thanks Bob.

p.s. As a scientist, I have to acknowledge that the pie chart is not terribly precise.  There are times when I can't quite tell where Bob's mind is. Like this picture -- could be any one of the three.