Laddy and Stevie happily running on the family farm (click on photo for a better view) ; an emjayandthemphoto
There’s a lot we can learn from dogs. If we lived by their philosophy, we’d be much better off. It’s been said that, in the wild, dogs fight only for two things: food or a mate, everything else is purely choice.
On that note, remember to:
Never pass up the opportunity to take a joy ride.
Allow fresh air & the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When loved ones come home, run and greet them with gusto.
When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience.
Be loyal.
Take naps and always stretch before rising.
Run, romp and play.
Don’t pretend to be something you’re not.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
No matter the criticism, don’t buy into the guilt & pout. Run right back and make friends.
A post to love!
Thank you … I love the sentiment in this, too 🙂 MJ
“Take naps and always stretch before rising.” “Run, romp and play.” “Don’t pretend to be something you’re not.”
Oooh, these are such good reminders! I especially like the “run, romp and play.” I’ve been learning that just because I’m an adult, it doesn’t mean I can’t have fun anymore.
.. I especially liked that one, too … a great reminder to laugh out loud, do what delights you and … above all else .. be yourself 🙂
MJ
I love all the Dog Philosophy items listed but this one fact I had never seen before and I adore it: “…wild, dogs fight only for two things: food or a mate, everything else is purely choice.” How cool is that?
… yes … that one resonated with me as well! MJ
Loved the whole post! I once had a Samoyed named Laddie. I loved him dearly. November 1 was his birthday…All Saints Day…and he was a saint in every way for me. I miss him and seeing the dogs running reminded me of how he loved to run with the wind in his face…sometimes he pulled me along!
Thank you for all the other reminders….
I think I recall reading about your Laddie; there’s something about that sweet of a dog that always stays with you. MJ
“Don’t pretend to be something you’re not.” No, a dog could never do that. haha
whereas cats can be “Masters of Disguise!” MJ
How simply…makes perfect sense.
… we have much to learn 🙂 MJ
I love dogs. I think they’re good for the soul in many ways. I strongly believe, if at all possible, it’s so beneficial to have dogs be a part of cildren’s lives. There’s nothing quite like watching a child and a dog play together. We have had three dogs in our family, all wonderful. Sweet post! Sheila
I couldn’t agree more… but there’s something sweet to have them in our adult lives if possible, too 🙂 MJ
Oh so true! We can learn so much from our dogs!
you know it !!
would that we all could live and love like dogs..totally in the moment with little baggage. we’d all be better off. of course the males would never leave the house…
Yes .. I went home for lunch today & old dog greeted me enthusiastically, after a stretch, and very much enjoyed sharing some of my lunch with me. Then .. after sniffing the yard thoroughly, he plopped down in the sunshine for yet another nap. 🙂 MJ
Penny completely agrees! We’d all be much happier if we put down the computers and phones and tvs and spent the day playing, eating and sleeping.
An occasional car-ride is pretty fun too… 🙂
yes, yes and yes! Hello Penny 🙂 MJ
These are wonderful words to live by…thank you for sharing!
you are so welcome! MJ
Great advice from man’s best friend…by way of MJ(!) Thanks for sharing — and I love the photo of Laddy and Stevie!! Now I’m going to read your “Dog Rules” post!
By the way, your fall header is gorgeous!! 🙂
.. thank you so much. My header is a photo I took last fall near Lakeview, MI.
Laddy is 13 by the way and Stevie is 2; she’s named after Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac 🙂 MJ
Can Stevie sing??? 🙂
…she definitely is very vocal 😉 MJ
Have you seen the bumper sticker and/or has anyone already said this…
“Bark less. Wag more.”
No but I love it!! 🙂 MJ
Dogs and kindergarten kids have it down pat. We could just stop right there and live a good life!
…yes, for sure. Hold hands. Stick together. Have snack time and nap time … all good 🙂 MJ
I love this post. I sometimes wish we lived on a farm or more open land so our dogs had room to run around and enjoy outdoors more. Your dogs look so happy!
These two really are; Stevie (blond Lab) is my brother’s dog. Laddy lives next door; he’s our cousin’s dog. The funny thing is that he can’t hear all that well but every morning, when my sister-in-law and I went for our early a.m. walk up that road, he’d always show up with a big smile on his face, tail just a-waggin’, and happy to be there. When he’d had enough .. he’d head on home. I just love the look of pure contentment on both of their faces :).
Living on a farm is a great life for most dogs … and I wish I lived on one, too. MJ