Ahhhh...pets... I have 2 Shih Tzus... one that always expected me to play with him in the evening before Dx. I'd sit in the middle of the couch and sit with my arm propped to make an obstacle for him to jump over...left to right, then right to left, always trying to catch my hand or toy he brought to me. He'd do it about 20 times in a row at least, sometimes 30-40 times before he'd have enough. He also would just "attack" me grabbing my had and barking at me to make me play with him.
Well, when I got ill and layed out on the couch for months just wiped out, he just stopped pretty much on his own. He'd lay at open spots around me on the couch and the like, or on the back of the couch. He really let me rest very nicely. He did the "check me out" thing every now and again too, just sniffing around, looking at my face or whatever.
But here's the best part, After surgery and as I started to really feel better, but was still laid up, he sighed loudly and then took a look at me for about 15 seconds, dropped his front end to the ground (butt still in the air mind you) before he he ran Flintstone-style (slipping on wood floor) directly at me! I was worried he was going to jump on me but he was after my fingers. He firmly grabbed hold and pulled my had where he could play. It was clear he was NOT going to be dissuaded that he'd decided enough was enough and it was TIME TO PLAY! And that's what he did. Hee hee.... He'd lift my hand then do that psychotic dance some dogs to as they play to avoid/attack/avoid. All he wanted was a little play-time. So of course I obliged.
It's pretty cool to watch dogs make up their own games, and this one was easy. I just had to touch him somewhere then let him chase my hand away. lol. It was pretty low key, but I think it did wonders for him to be able to bark and play again. Heck, I think it did me as much good as him