Long-term dog sitter worries for restless pup when he realizes owners don't take him on walks, he seeks wholesome internet advice on how to entertain the bored doggie: 'I feel bad for him'

Briana Viser • Writer and Editor

Jan 26, 2026 1:00 PM EST

Trying to entertain oneself is bad enough, but trying to entertain a disillusioned dog is no small feat.

Boredom isn't just a first world problem for spoiled kids, rich adults, or eternally unhappy patrons. Boredom is the opposite of being in survival mode in a way, but it doesn't mean all your needs are met. You can still feel bored even though at the back of your mind you're worrying about paying your next credit card bill. It acts in one way as a distraction from the pain, heaviness, and constant torment of life in and of itself, and in another way it's a replication of the privilege one has in a moment to be bothered by ennui instead of by something more urgent. Everyone feels boredom, and these days with endless dopamine rushes from technology, it can come about quicker than in previous generations. When we're so used to the constant scrolling of images, noises, songs, people, animals, ideas, all to make our brains feel like a slot machine that is winning winning winning at every second, the moment these images stop it can leave anyone feeling completely deflated.

When one is dog sitting, it's one thing to feel bored yourself, but even more discouraging to see that a poor dog is bored. How do you cheer up a dog? Dogs are usually rambunctious and energetic, being so carefree and simple minded that anything will entertain them. But not this dog. The dog in the story below is not easy to please, not easy to entertain. Dog sitting often begins as a simple favor or a short-term arrangement, but when you spend weeks in a year, with certain dogs, and years on end, your relationship grows. Spending uninterrupted time with a dog—feeding them, walking them, learning their routines—creates a bond that can form faster than expected. Dogs don't hold back affection. They offer trust quickly, curling up beside you, following you from room to room, and looking at you like you're the most important part of their day.

So what does this dog sitter do to help the bored pupper? He goes to the place he knows will have the answer: the internet. He doesn't want to step on the toes of the owners, but he doesn't want to idly watch the dog unhappy.

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Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.