65 Life Lessons from My Dog<\/p>\n
by Kirsten Harris<\/p>\n
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1. Have a good stretch and yawn first thing in the morning. It feels great.<\/p>\n
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2. If there is a human being about lie on your back and\u00a0get your tummy tickled. Tickling is happy.<\/p>\n
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3. Morning grooming sessions make you feel good for the day. Nobody likes a smelly dog.<\/p>\n
Especially look after your feet. You can’t walk without them.<\/p>\n
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5. Eat your food with gusto and pure pleasure.<\/p>\n
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6. Drink plenty of water.<\/p>\n
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7. Be totally delighted to see your friends. Greet them with enthusiasm and joy.<\/p>\n
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8. Be fascinated by the sights, sounds and smells around you. The best things in life really are free.<\/p>\n
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9. Playing or going for a walk with someone is better than on your own. Run for Fun.<\/p>\n
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10.\u00a0If you need to howl. Do it!<\/p>\n
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11. Smile and wag your tail a lot, it will keep your back free. Dance like a dog everyday.<\/p>\n
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12. It is OK to have a snooze in the day time.\u00a0Dogs loves it when you lie on the floor. Be more dog and rest inbetween activity. It’s good for your back.<\/p>\n
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13. Get some training. Practise makes perfect. Being skilled is pure pleasure for you and the people around you.<\/p>\n
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14. It is possible to be totally relaxed and alert at the same time. Alexander Technique’s constructive rest (semi-supine) is the human equivalent of your dog sleeping with one eye open.<\/p>\n
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15. Worry Less. Muddy floors can be cleaned. Enjoy getting muddy feet in the first place.<\/p>\n
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16.\u00a0Dont compare yourself with the other bitches! Be accepting.<\/p>\n
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17. It feels good to give and get strokes from others. Give and receive praise.<\/p>\n
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18. Make yourself pant breathlessly from having fun in the world at least once a day.<\/p>\n
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19. ‘NO!’\u00a0\u00a0is a really important word. Use it.<\/p>\n
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20.\u00a0Go outside several times a day to refresh yourself.<\/p>\n
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21 Have boundaries. Your space is your space, protect it from invaders.<\/p>\n
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22. Don’t pick fights. Stand up for yourself if necessary. Don’t cower, but exiting fast or going around something to avoid confrontation is often the best strategy. Fighting doesn’t occur if you know how to look after yourself.<\/p>\n
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23. Commitment brings joy.<\/p>\n
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24. Trust your instincts.<\/p>\n
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25. Everyday is an adventure. Going on trips is an adventure. Trust the unknown. Dogs never know what you have planned.<\/p>\n
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26. Ball games are fun.<\/p>\n
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27. Have a sense of humour and be a bit naughty sometimes.<\/p>\n
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28. Bugs, flies, moths and bees are fascinating.<\/p>\n
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29. Staying a dancing hands length away from being captured is a good game.<\/p>\n
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30. Have your own space, where you find peace and ease.<\/p>\n
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31. Sofas are great but sometimes it really is more comfortable to lie on the floor.\u00a0Rolling around on the floor is really really good too.<\/p>\n
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32.\u00a0\u00a0Different dogs have different energy levels and personalities. They are all loveable. Accept yourself.<\/p>\n
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33. Develop your listening skills.<\/p>\n
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34. Sitting at someone else’s feet is a mark of respect.<\/p>\n
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35 Be aware.<\/p>\n
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36. A little treat for a job well done makes life flow and brings happiness and joy.<\/p>\n
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37. Keep a little treat ‘up your sleeve’ at all times, you never know when you might need a reward.<\/p>\n
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38 Be loyal and honest. Dogs don’t lie.<\/p>\n
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39 A good companion and friend is the best thing in the world.<\/p>\n
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40. Walking everyday keeps you in good shape.<\/p>\n
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41. Some humans make better leaders than others and get more respect.<\/p>\n
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42. Slippers are great.<\/p>\n
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43. Toys that squeak must be destroyed as fast as possible.<\/p>\n
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44 It is important to respect cows, sheep and horses, but it is OK to chase crows out of the garden.<\/p>\n
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45 Some ‘cats’ are weird and need assessing before approaching.<\/p>\n
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46. Humans are a bit slow and clumsy but are generally nice and like to be loved<\/p>\n
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47. Humans that spend too long on the computer are boring and missing out on great opportunities for adventures and walks.<\/p>\n
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48. Humans don’t like arse licking.<\/p>\n
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49\u00a0Don’t chase cars.<\/p>\n
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50. Always look for the most comfortable place to sit. Sit nicely.<\/p>\n
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51 Find a favourite relaxation spot outside to watch the world go by.<\/p>\n
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52. Dogs are happy when you are happy. Be happy<\/p>\n
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53 The countryside is freer than the city.<\/p>\n
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54. You can communicate with everyone, even if you don’t speak the same language. Be friendly to strangers.<\/p>\n
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55. Don’t hurt people. People don’t like being bitten.<\/p>\n
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56. Don’t steal other people’s stuff. Slippers are fair game!<\/p>\n
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57. Trust people unless they hurt you. Then refuse to go near them.<\/p>\n
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58. Breathe out deeply with contented pleasure when letting go into rest.<\/p>\n
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59. Explore your surroundings with new eyes and enthusiasm everyday. It is full of wonder and delight.<\/p>\n
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60. Respect the environment. Don’t ‘shit’ in someone else’s paradise. If you do, clear up the mess.<\/p>\n
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61. It is possible to be poised in activity. The eyes lead the body follows, watch a dog catch a ball, it will teach you how the body is co-ordinated.<\/p>\n
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62. It is OK to drop the ball.<\/p>\n
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63. Don’t worry. If you think it’s a dog’s life, be more dog.<\/p>\n
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64.\u00a0Get messy. Use your body. Explore. Get your feet wet. Run into the sea. Dig in the earth. Enjoy Life.<\/p>\n
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65. Love is unconditional.<\/p>\n
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(65 Life Lessons from my Dog – copyright Kirsten Harris July 2016)<\/p>\n
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65 Life Lessons from My Dog by Kirsten Harris 1. Have a good stretch and yawn first thing in the morning. It feels great. 2. If there is a human being about lie on your back and\u00a0get your … Continue reading