Lessons I’ve learned from Dogs

You may or may not be a “dog person”, but dogs can teach you so many great things that if followed will make your life better.

What am I talking about? Well, dogs look at life in a very different way than humans, and I believe we should pay attention.

Here’s what you can learn:

• Take care of the basics

  • Eat - enjoy what you are eating, don’t take it for granted. Have a treat when you want it, but don’t overdo it

  • Sleep - take time to rest and refuel. Maybe a midday nap will do the trick

  • Play - don’t be all about work, find things that you like to do and PLAY, it could be taking a walk, throwing a ball with your kids (or your dog), dancing, yoga class, whatever makes you smile

• Love unconditionally

  • Greet your loved ones with enthusiasm, they mean the world to you, let them know all the time

  • Don’t “growl” at those you love, find a way to cuddle and make up

  • Always see the good and forgive

  • Treat people the way you want to be treated, with a smile and a warm greeting (tail wagging for us not required!)

• Live in the moment

  • Learn to be 100% where you are - don’t think about work when you are having family time, and when you are working, keep distractions away.

  • Have fun and delight in things around you and be grateful for whatever you have going on in the moment

• Think Positively

  • When you wake up, work on a positive perspective. Think of what amazing things the day may bring

  • Be grateful for what you have and when something bad happens, find the positive that may come from it

• Work hard to achieve your goals, and don’t let anyone tell you you can’t

  • Dogs love to dig holes. They usually will keep digging, maybe bury a bone, and they are determined to finish their project. Even though you might not be digging a hole, have that mindset to stay on course and “dig through” whatever goal you want to achieve.

  • Dogs also love to catch balls. When you are planning your goals, think of all the balls you will catch on the way to where you want to be. It’s the journey that’s important and worth catching!

All the dogs I’ve had in my family have had their own unique personalities, but the traits of love, happiness, joy, playfulness, were all part of each of them. The next time you are having a tough day, think of how a dog looks at life, and try to turn your day into a positive one!