As not only a dog person, but a dog owner, I constantly find myself admiring my dog—and not just because he's so handsome and such good boy. I admire how dogs can live life with such reckless abandon and find so much joy in the smallest and simplest things. There is so much that we dog people could learn from our furry, four-legged friends. So, after some careful observation and lots of playtime with my pup, I've come up with 15 life lessons that I've learned from my dog that I can use practically each and every day:
1. Love unconditionally.
It seems like nowadays, the "trend" is to not care and to be as emotionally detached from people as possible, but where's the humanity in that? Exactly. There is none. So we should all learn a little from our dogs, and starting loving with our whole hearts, rather than pretending we don't have one at all.
2. Treats are much more rewarding after they've been earned.
That's right. Learn to treat yo self. But sometimes, those treats taste just a little sweeter after working for them. Like those gummy bears you hide inside your study materials after you've covered a couple chapters. Or those couple dollars you take out of your paycheck so that you can get those super cute shoes at the end of the month.
3. Loyalty matters.
This one's pretty self-explanatory, but who better to look toward for an example of loyalty than your dog? Day after day, your dog is there for you. Despite the fact that you ran out of his favorite treats or left him alone all day while you were at the beach. Dogs don't hold grudges over the petty things and always remain dependable regardless, and so should we.
4. Be a little messy.
Getting a little down and dirty every once in a while—or nearly every day if you're a dog—is a great way to release all that pent up tension and stress from the daily grind. I'm not telling you to go outside and dig a hole and hide a bone, but get up and do something fun! Who cares if you look a little silly or get a little messy?
5. Eating is never overrated.
OK, now this one really is self-explanatory. Dogs and humans alike, can always appreciate a good meal.
6. 'Me' time is important.
Taking some time out of your day to curl up on the couch and unwind or sunbathe in the best spot in the yard is crucial to your mental health—and your dog's! Relaxation is key to a healthy lifestyle.
7. Snuggle up to the ones that mean the most to you.
There's nothing wrong with climbing your way into bed with that special someone—AKA, your human— and cuddling for a little bit. It's been scientifically proven that there are benefits to human touch that shows it can bring you closer to another person on more than just a physical level. If you're feeling really daring, you could even ask for a back scratch or a belly rub.
8. Trust your judgement.
Dogs make it very clear when they don't like someone, and they always seem to just know things. Always trust your intuition, and if someone is giving you bad vibes, respond to them accordingly.
9. But also learn to follow directions.
While trusting your better judgement is always important, it's also important to learn to take direction and to go with the flow. Just how your pooch has learned to sit and stay—and maybe even some other super cool tricks, but that's all my dog is capable of. Following directions in certain situations can make life a lot simpler.
10. Be sure to make some time for play.
Especially if you're playing with your dog. It's a win-win for both!
11. Know when it's time for a nap.
This is one of my favorite things that I've learned from my pup! After a long day of work or play, there's nothing that feels better than climbing into the most comfortable spot in the house, letting it all hang out, and just passing out for a couple hours.
12. Let it go.
Like I said before, dogs don't judge people for silly mistakes, so neither should we. Just let it go and move on—there's no need to be vain and trivial.
13. Don't be afraid to try something new.
Whether it's a new snack or a new experience, it's important to broaden your horizon and try it all! Now, you don't have to go around licking or smelling everything, like our dogs often do, but there's no harm in trying new things. If you don't like it, just don't try it again... unless it's hidden in some peanut butter.
14. Mark your territory.
No, don't pee all over everything that's yours, but make it known. You've earned what you have and there's no reason anyone should try to take that from you.
15. Keep it real.
What more can I say? Our dogs don't walk around pretending they're cats, so why should we feel pressured to be something we're not? Just keep it real.
