I always wanted people to like me and that held me back for a long time. Why? Because I was trying to be what I thought they wanted me to be.

I can finally say I’ve reached the point in life where I know better. Certain cares no longer matter.

Not everyone’s going to like you and that’s okay because you don’t have to like everyone either.

That’s what you call a square deal.

Dogs know who they are and that’s just okay by them. How many dogs do you know that are trying to one-up the dog next door? Do you know any who’ve got to be like the Labradoodle down the street?

I promise you, this isn’t going to be another one of those “10 Amazing Things Your Dog Knows About Life That You Should Too” posts. Well, okay maybe a little… but I’m going to give you at least one that’s never occurred to you before. Promise.

Keep a respectful distance at first and everything’s going to be just fine. “Hey, that’s my space. Don’t cross that line.” Maybe later, after we get to know each other. Maybe never. Always pay attention to the little cues.

Don’t follow me around, kid. Have you ever noticed when you’re at a dog park there’s always one dog, usually a smaller one, obsessively following one of the bigger dogs? There’s always that one needy dog in the bunch that just can’t help themselves.

They quickly become too much and get smacked down accordingly, canine style.

Let’s play. Dog’s play their whole lives. Humans don’t. We stop, and that’s most of the problem. Just ask you dog.

Although we don’t know for sure, our dog Brodie is around nine years old. In dog-years, that’s getting on. But he still loves to play, and he insists on it every day around 6:00 pm.

You’ve gotta play no matter how old you are.

Hey, you can find a ball almost anywhere.

Digging in the dirt is the best of all. There’s a metaphor for living here, I’m sure. You’ve gotta get beyond the surface. Sometimes you’ve gotta dig deeper to find something good. And there are even times when you find nothing at all.

Dogs don’t magically change their temperament, and neither do people. Brodie is wonderful in every way except for one. He needs his space around other dogs. He was a rescue and who knows what he went through during his three-months in “the shelter.”

The funny thing is people will keep asking us “is he okay now?” as if this is magically going to change. Do we do the same with other humans? That is, expect them to miraculously change and shed their bad habits?

Of course we can, but that usually takes a long, long time.

Here’s a question for the “cat people” in the bunch (Although, I’m sure I lost you about four hundred words ago). What can a cat teach us about being liked? Probably not much… but cats really don’t give a rip, do they? Maybe there’s a lesson in that too.

A good dog is a good missionary. I know a guy who will make passing remarks about not believing in a Higher Power. But then he’ll say, “Dogs are one thing God really did right.” Go figure. And yes… I happen to agree.

Sometimes it’s the little moments that are worth strutting over. You know, it’s okay to celebrate the little victories in life because it feels good. It just feels right. You know what I’m talking about.

One of the most important lessons we can learn from our dogs is to live in the moment. Our dogs don’t have some big master plan. They aren’t worried about the past, and they aren’t terrified of the future. They live right here in the present moment.” – Phil Mutz at LittleThings.com (yes, that’s his real name)

I’ll wrap this up with what I think is one of the best behaviors we can learn from our canine friends…

Run to the door to greet friends and loved ones. Show some excitement. We forget to do that.

Just don’t jump on them… that’s taking it too far.

What have I missed? What life lessons have your four-legged friends taught you?

Be untucked.

 

 

Have you considered subscribing? Just click the box below or to the side depending on what device you’re using. No SPAM, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.