Dogs don’t worry about the future. They don’t lose sleep over what may happen. And they accept what’s happening now as the best day ever. Dogs are models on how to live the best life. Be like dogs!
Why worry?
Some challenges in the last few months make us admire dogs’ resilience and adaptability.
Booker has developed an issue with incontinence. Neither we nor the veterinarian has been able to figure out what’s going on with him (so far). We know it’s not a training issue, he seems to have no idea that he’s dripping his way around. Since we don’t know what’s causing it, we’re reluctant to use medication to control it. Instead, Booker now wears “pants” (a belly band) in the house. And he doesn’t mind. At all.
Actually, he seems more comfortable wearing his pants. When he comes inside the house he waits by the door until we replace his pants. It could be because of the treat he gets. Or it could be because dogs love routine. When we first discussed using the belly band, we were worried that he’d be uncomfortable, or unhappy, wearing them. He doesn’t care.
Simon doesn’t care, either
A few weeks ago we talked about getting a muzzle for Simon to stop his persistent determination to eat every morsel of rabbit poop in the yard. We have to admit that the first couple of days weren’t happy. Now? Simon sits and waits for his “mask” to go on, knowing he gets to go outside. He no longer paws at it, and doesn’t try to avoid putting it on. Again, it could be because of the treats he gets. Or the routine. But he doesn’t mind.
Booker and Simon demonstrate how to let go of the things you can’t change. They’re probably not crazy about their new garments. But they don’t resent them, either. These boys are living their best life.
What is the “best life” for a dog?
Dogs don’t have a lot of requirements for happiness. “Best life” depends on the individual dog and owner. Our dogs were accustomed to “going places” and “doing things” at least a couple days a week. With all dog sport classes cancelled over the past year, that changed. We miss going to class, socializing with our friends, and spending time focusing only on playing with our dogs. The dogs seem just as happy with our little basement training sessions.
There’s a dog we follow on social media, a pied French Bulldog named Bubba. The person writing Bubba’s posts completely understands. He talks about Bubba’s adventures of the day, from Bubba’s point of view. And almost every single day is “the best day ever!” Which for dogs, it is. It’s always the best day.
The dogs don’t know what could be happening. They only know what is, and enjoy what’s going on now. They adapt to the situation. Dogs aren’t concerned about what could or should be. They enjoy now. Be like dogs.
