1. Stick your nose out the window. Engage your senses in different ways to reap unique elements of how we are able to connect with the world.
2. Wag your tail. A lot. My kids, aka my dogs, wag often and for so many reasons. Wagging – being happy to see other humans, being willing to trust that the connection will be a positive interaction is what wagging is all about.
3. Sniff around. Oh, how I’d love to be able to have the smelling capabilities of my 🐾!! Yes, all the smells since they all tell part of the stories we experience.
4. Nap regularly. Resting leads to bursts of positive enthusiasm and energy. Resting instead of relentless activity will keep us healthier, kinder, and better recipients of what comes our way.
5. Watch the world go by. Observation is a skill we would all be wiser to practice. In observation is patience, willingness, objectivity & non-judgement. Watch simply to watch.
6. Stretch. When one of my dogs goes into their namesake stretch – downward dog – I’ve taken to doing it with them. The more we move our body, the better our brain health, and that’s just us getting warmed up (yes, pun intended).
7. Be happy with what you’re served. My kids are always happy to eat! Be grateful for what someone gives you focusing on the intend of kindness from them.
8. Dig around. Rewarding connection relies on exploration. Find a patch, dig aorund, agitate the surface, see what’s underneath the obvious.
9. Run with abandon. However you choose to move your body, do so with unfettered joy, reveling in the sheer joy of being able to move, however you are able. Run, walk, roll…. The more we move, the more we move. Stagnancy is lethal.
10. Play. A Lot. Grab a toy, a frisbee, a stick, a whatever and engage in life-boosting play. Heck, grab a toddler, a friends’ kid or volunteer with young humans and P L A Y.
11. Love the world. Give your love and admiration freely and frequently. Be generous, robust, and vocal.
Dogs have a lot figured out and they’re not hung up on a lot of schtuff humans are.
Cheers to the dogs of the world, and us being better humans because of them. pic the very first days of M (purple collar) joining us & starting to play with her new brother Züc (blue collar).