I’m convinced that dogs know something humans don’t. They must. And I’m not referring to the animal’s “sixth sense” that scientists say we as human beings lost thousands of years ago during different phases of evolution. No, I’m referring to a dog’s ability to manipulate its owner, using a waggly tail, brown eyes and floppy ears to get its way.

My dog and I have developed a routine. Every day, when I get home from work, she waddles down the stairs and out the front door for outside play time. She’s fed at seven o’clock and goes for a walk at eight before her second wind of play at nine o’clock and then she passes out on the living room floor by ten.

When I got home the other day, she greeted me at the door with a toy in her mouth, expecting me to take her outside; she stared at a still empty food bowl just before seven, expecting me to feed her; and she sat next to the front door at eight because she expected me to take her for a walk. Sure, this could just be a habitual routine on her part but another thought crossed my mind ... maybe I work for her. All this time, I thought I was in control, but maybe I’m wrong and I’ve just been gullible enough to think that I’m calling all the shots.