Life Lessons from my Dog

     Dogs are the best people.  Of course I love my people, too.  But whenever I find myself admiring a quality in a human friend or loved one, the trait is almost always one that comes natural to a dog.  Think about all of the negative qualities that dogs lack – spitefulness, gossip, vengefulness, plain old selfishness.  There are more, but I prefer to walk on the sunny side of the street. 

Here are just a dozen of the countless lessons for a happy life that I have learned from my beloved labrador, Riley.  (Be thankful that I'm stopping at 12, because I could go on extolling her virtues into the triple digits!)

1.     Don’t be afraid to show enthusiasm.  Wag your tail, jump up and down and bark at least once a day.

2.     You’re never too old to play with toys.

3.     Celebrate the little things.  Be it an extra cookie, spilled milk to lick off of the floor, or a quick belly rub – it is all good

4.     Smile, and others will smile right back at ya, guaranteed!

5.     It never hurts to ask.  Even without words, you never know what a simple waggle and a grin can get you.

6.     Nap.  Often.  I don’t know who came up with the phrase “cat nap” because my Riley out-naps our felines daily.

7.     Loyalty above all else.  Always stand up for your loved ones, whether you’re fending off a chattering squirrel or the menacing and dangerous raccoon (or the threatening human).  Just put your hackles up and show some teeth - that ought to do it.

8.     Be a good listener.  Sometimes it will get you treats.

9.     Kindness and praise always work better than a scolding.

10.  Take a new and different path once in a while – you don’t know what treasure you might find.

11.  Stop to smell the roses, and the grass and the tree trunks and the rocks and fire hydrants – you don’t want to miss ANYTHING!

12.  The best thing in life is a good companion.

I love my dog.