Respecting the Play Bow

“I learned a while ago that dogs perform what is called a "play bow" to signal that they are in a playful state. As demonstrated by my pup in this photo, the play bow posture is distinguished by a lowered front half and a raised butt, usually with a wagging tail and a glimmer of mischief in the eye. The bow is not only frickin' cute, it is one of many reminders of the fathomless wisdom of dogs: Sometimes, we just need to make it clear that we're feeling a little zany and invite others into our joy, if they’d like to join, while it lasts. So, now when I see my doggo performing a play bow toward me, I give myself no choice but to respect it. I usually honor the invitation by then starting our favorite indoor game, which has no name, but it basically involves me jogging up and down the length of our apartment's main room while she gallops after me with a toy in her mouth and grunts like a warthog. When she's tuckered out, I walk away a bit winded and a bit happier for having said yes to making the time for play, even when I had thought I was too busy for it.”

“I also play bow back to our pup! She sometimes tries to speak our language—a paw on the arm, a hug around the neck—that it just seems fair to try to speak hers! She doesn’t much care for our howling at the moon, but I can tell she thinks the giant play bow is funny.”