Don't let this dog thing have deep meaning for you. It's just a detail. Think of him like you think of a teenager 'trying on' different possiblities/scenarios to see what fits for him. He isn't done with this type of thing either, he's going to try on several things.
Just like your quote, "it is what YOU make it"...don't let it be that important. Take a listening type stance, not a judgment type stance.
