Who is Mambo? Perhaps an ancient philosopher like Plato, or the newest diva like Beyonce. Maybe even a revered leader like Gandhi. Is she someone you can quote in class to look smart, or get a book signed for you mom? No, probably not. You see, she’s my dog, a roughly eight year old yellow labrador mix. But in seven years, she’s taught me lessons I can’t live without. So without further ado, here is some of her finest knowledge.

1. Mealtime is SO important.

This is the #1 priority on the girl’s list. She gets beyond excited in the afternoon, knowing she can expect a bowl full of food soon. Mambo doesn’t care about her body image, dieting or any other social restriction, she just knows eating is a necessity. Heck, if someone else in my family feeds her, she usually tries to trick my mom into feeding her a second meal. Well played, dog.

2. Exercise is just as important.

Every morning, she looks forward to her long walks with my dad. If he’s away and she doesn’t go out, you can expect one grumpy puppy. She knows it's essential to get moving, get your blood flowing every day, even if its freezing outside. I appreciate this too; when I’m too stressed to function, she’s always up for a second adventure full of fresh air and new things for her to sniff and pee on. Sometimes, it's really hard to wake up for that workout, but as Mambo knows, it's essential for health.

3. Get excited to see your friends.

To enhance this diva’s social life, she goes to doggy daycare twice a week. When I say Mambo gets amped, I mean she gets AMPED. Always, she’s whining and scratching at the door on the drive over, and as soon as she’s out, she’s racing towards her pals, eager as ever. There is no stupid drama or fights, just some canines looking to have a good time with each other. Why can’t we put away the stupid stuff and just enjoy the company of our friends too?

4. Get just as excited to see your family, every day.

Whenever anyone in my family walks into my house, Mambo is always there, tail wagging and waiting for a pat. My dad said that when we were little, we were the same way when he came home. Why can’t we still be? It’s an awesome thing to see your family, to be lucky enough to see them every day is even more incredible. Sometimes we take it for granted, forgetting there will come a day when they don’t walk through the door again, so get excited while you can.

5. Enjoy the things around you.

Life is so hectic, moving from one obligation to the next, with rarely any time to just exist and enjoy. Often when I am in the midst of chaotically searching for some lost item in my house that I need for an appointment in five minutes, I look to my backyard and there’s Mambo, simply laying in a sunny spot on the grass, smelling the air and feeling the breeze. Why can’t we all take that time to realize that we don’t have to search for beauty, it's all around us.

So there you have it. Five life lessons from a dog. My dog. Mambo. Maybe to you, she’s still just a dog. But for me, she is a great philosopher, sassy diva and even a leader.