Could your life benefit from a little canine wisdom? Here's a fun article outlining how to be as happy as your dog, excerpted from the book, Are You As Happy As Your Dog?
The author offers several lessons learned from observing his little dog, Munchie. Here are a couple of my favorites...
5. Entertain yourself. When I am not home Munchie finds plenty of other amusements. He chases cats, sniffs dead critters, naps, and visits neighbors. He is not codependent. The world, through his eyes, is a big playground. There is always someone or something to entertain him.
8. Let yourself be loved. When Munchie looks tired during long walks with me, sometimes I pick him up and carry him for a while (probably more for myself than him.) The moment he's in my arms, he rolls over and lets me carry him like the King of the Canines. Harboring no sense of guilt or unworthiness, he does not protest, "Oh, you really don't need to do this." or "I will carry you tomorrow." He just lays there and soaks it in. He knows he is worth it, and he receives it with a full heart and body.
9. Relax. Munchie is not a slave to the Puritan Work Ethic. He is closer to the Pure Tan Play Ethic. He doesn't have a job, doesn't lay awake at night wondering if God exists, and doesn't try to hide his little dogie erections when they spontaneously arise. He knows that he deserves love without having to earn it. Munchie is clear that his purpose in life is to enjoy every new day, and he is happy to have the Universe continually take care of him.
What life lessons have you learned from your pets?
Brought to you by Curt Rosengren, Passion Catalyst TM
What great insights! I've never been much of a pet person, but I grew with one dog and two cats. When I was in grade school, I tortured those cats. I didn't do anything that you'd see on Jackass or physically harm them, but I tormented them. But they still loved me, I think. They'd still come around for some good lovin' when they needed it. Eventually, I stopped giving them trouble. I guess you could say that means, love your family. No matter what. That's not a bad lesson to learn.
Posted by: JeremyS | May 04, 2007 at 06:18 AM
Great idea this. Made me think of my cat Mr Baggins. He is so chilled you would not believe. He has taken to sleeping on the front step. Just sits there looking at the world go past with a smile on his furry face. Right now I'm sitting in a coffee shop doing just the same thing and feeling like that cat that got the cream!
Posted by: Scott McArthur | May 04, 2007 at 09:19 AM
Someone once sent me a link to a website about Everything I Learned, I Learned from my dog. I wish I had saved it. One of the points it made was the EVERYONE loves to be received with enthusiasm. The tail wildly wagging when you walk through the door.
Another tip was something about not holding a grudge. Think about it. Dogs don't hold grudges. Granted someone who is always mean to them, they will avoid. But if you have a bad day and yell at your dog unfairly, the next day you still get the same tail wag and face licking as ever. They don't wait for you to apologize. Like I said I saw this written up really well some place, but I don't know where.
Someone told me once that when I was out on maternity leave that the whole dept missed me. They said I was like the big family dog, that even the guy who just complains about me being messy and noisy probably missed me when I wasn't around. Guess that was some compliment, huh? even though most women don't want to be compared to a big hairy dog! ha ha
Posted by: Career Change | May 04, 2007 at 02:33 PM
What I've learned from my pets: If one of my flock is perched somewhere, I want to bite his feet and perch there instead.
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Posted by: Ankur | April 08, 2008 at 09:00 AM