When living in Lubbock several years ago, I had a neighbor that would keep their dog chained to a fence post. The dog looked underweight and “scraggly” and did not appear to be enjoying life.

The owners did not neglect the dog’s basics needs; they just did nothing for the dog beyond that. The dog had food, water, and a barrel for shelter.

Seeing that poor dog, I was reminded of an experiment I read about when in college. It was conducted by psychology students that used dogs in their study. If I remember correctly, they had two male dogs they were studying. Both dogs came from the same litter and were close in size and weight.

One dog (Red) was placed in an oversized dog run that allowed freedom to play, while the other dog (Ol’ Blue) was placed in a small 4 x 4 wire cage.

Each day when the caretakers came out to feed the dogs, they would completely ignore Ol’ Blue. Although Ol’ Blue was excited to see them, those caring for him showed no excitement in seeing Ol’ Blue.

On the other hand, Red was allowed to leave his caged area and run around the back yard. The caregivers developed a positive relationship with Red by engaging in his life with attention and care. All along, ignoring Ol’ Blue, sitting in the 4 x 4 wire cage.

A bit heartbreaking!

Day after day, the caregivers would repeat that routine, completely ignoring Ol’ Blue and actively engaging in the life of Red.

As this routine continued, Ol; Blue began to change dramatically. He began to eat less, lose weight, and become disinterested in his caregivers.

Ol’ Blue even stopped wagging his tail!

Meanwhile Red thrived! He was healthy, eager, and engaging.

Nothing extra ordinary was being fed to Ol’ Blue. As a result, nothing extraordinary was happening in Ol’ Blue’s life. Both dogs were being fed for survival, but only one dog was being fed love.

What is interesting about this experiment, and rewarding, is that one day when the caretakers came outside to feed the dogs, they opened Ol’ Blue’s cage to let him out.

At first, Ol’ Blue just sat there, uncertain what to do. But with the encouragement of the caretakers, he crept out of his wire cage.

The caretakers immediately began to praise Ol’ Blue, rubbing his ears and stroking his back. After a few minutes, his tail began to wag again, and life filled his eyes.

As the experiment continued, they placed Ol’ Blue in the oversized dog run along with Red, and a rough and tumble friendship between the two developed. Even Red’s life improved because he gained a friend!

Ol’ Blue’s life changed the moment his caretakers started feeding him more than just dry food.

Here is what I learned; human beings are no different. Food, water, and shelter are needed for survival, but hope, encouragement and friendship are needed to reach full potential.

Ol’ Blue had shelter, but it was not a home until his caretakers started feeding him beyond the basics.

I love his poem written by George Eliot in 1880

“Count That Day Lost.”

If you sit down at set of sun,

And count the acts that you have done.

And, counting, you find

One self-denying deed, one word

that eased the heart of him who heard.

One glance of the most kind

That felt like sunshine where it went

Then you may count that day as well spent.

But if, through all the livelong day

You’ve cheered no heart by yea or nay

If through it all

You’ve done nothing that you can trace

That brought the sunshine to one face

No act so small

That helped some soul, and nothing cost

Then count that day as worse than lost.

I am trying to consider my days “well spent” by investing in others, regardless of how small the act might be. It is not always easy, and it would be a lie to say that I have not counted more than one day of my life “worse than lost.”

Just the other day I was at a local grocery store and the gentleman working at the register recognized me and told me that he really enjoyed reading my column.

You see, he saw an opportunity to feed the dog, and by seizing that opportunity he made me feel ten feet tall.

Thank you Lance.

Feed those around you with actions and words that will encourage their growth, not stunt it. Return that phone call, reply to that text, visit that friend, extend that compliment, etc. Make the time to do the simplest of things, because the straightforward fact is that others need you in their life, and you need them.

Feed the dog what helps the dog grow.

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Todd Howey is a columnist for BrownwoodNews.com whose articles will appear on Fridays.