Insanity or Eternal Optimism?

As I read this quote from Albert Einstein, one of the world's greatest minds, my humans come to mind:

"Insanity is doing the same things over and over again, yet expecting different results each time."

They certainly do some things over and over again, and yes, expect me and my nose to react differently each time.

For example. Bathroom doors are perennially left open in the mornings. Yet again and again, they expect me to turn up my nose and not succumb to the temptation of such enticing smells, expressing shocked surprise at the shredded pile of cotton and tissue that never fails to greet them once they return from work. 

Or. The unrealistic expectation of carpets left pristine when brightly coloured, strong-scented neon magic markers and lipsticks are continually left within reach of my nose and paw!    Oh, the memory of my humans moaning as I greeted them at the door with my face stained a bright electric blue on one side and red on the other; then shrieking as they saw the fate of their once pristine carpet. Really... what did they expect? If anything, I certainly got the raw end of the deal. My face (and the carpet) was vigorously Mr.Clean Magic-Erasered until all telltale stains disappeared. Yet, the only valuable life lesson they seem to have learned? That Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works not only on walls and counter tops, but on carpets AND dogs too. Sigh.

On paper, insanity might be the most logical diagnosis. However, as I am almost sure both of them are of sound mind, there's only one other alternative explanation. That when it comes to their 4-legged hounds, humans are eternally optimistic. Believing that it simply takes time and repetition until, just like little children, we have that eureka moment and "learn our lesson". After all, haven't our working dog cousins, the Shepherds, Border Collies and Retrievers, proven this to be true?

So, are they guilty by reason of insanity or eternal optimism? You be the judge. In the mean-time, excuse me as my hound nose is detecting an open bathroom door that needs my immediate attention.