It doesn't sound like he made a real, good faith effort to open up to the dog and to love him like dogs expect loving humans to act, and to bring the bonding to

It doesn't sound like he made a real, good faith effort to open up to the dog and to love him like dogs expect loving humans to act, and to bring the bonding to a new level. I think this makes the experience fundamentally different, where the dog is an emotional barometer instead of an actively positive force. I'm still glad it's a net gain relationship, though.