Ralph seems like a very sweet dog and he obviously gives off great vibes. Plus, what this blogger learned from her pug is very profound! If all the adopted parents of pooches like Ralph were to take note, we might have an easier tense-free world! Take a look:

Be Free:

When I take Ralph to the park and he’s allowed off his leash to run around, he runs with such enthusiasm and abandon that it reminds me to find my own freedom every day. He’s completely lost in the moment, not thinking about what happened today or what might happen tomorrow. He doesn’t consider how he might look to others or what they’ll think of him. He completely submits to the present.

Make Sure Your Needs are Being Met:

I know all about it if Ralph wants or needs something. He’ll bark constantly at the kitchen counter if he suspects a snack might be forthcoming. He follows me relentlessly around my flat, pouncing on my lap at the earliest opportunity if he wants a nap. He doesn’t worry that he might offend me by telling me what he wants, or that speaking up about his needs may lead to judgment or ridicule.
Be open to new people and experiences

Ralph is pretty fearless. If we go somewhere he’s never been before, he treats it like an adventure. Every place is somewhere new to sniff around and look for food and meet people (or doggy friends!).

Sometimes people adore him and bend down for a cuddle, and sometimes they are not “dog people” and shy away. He treats them all the same. Ralph expects the best of people and if they don’t measure up, he moves on with no ill will or angst. I think we can all learn to be a bit more like this at times when we interact with others.

Relax!

Anyone who has a dog or cat will know all too well the funny places that animals seem to be able to fall asleep.I often laugh at how quickly Ralph can go from bounding about barking at the birds outside, to snoring loudly on my lap.

When Ralph tries to clamber on top of me, smushing himself against the laptop when I’m doing extra work or stressing about the balance of my online account, it reminds me that sometimes it’s okay to take a break.

Don’t do things for nothing

Ralph loves food. He lives for it, in fact. This made him relatively easy to work with at puppy class where the treats were always in full supply for our rewards-based training. He would do anything and was the model puppy.

I’m not suggesting that we all live life with a “me, me, me” selfish attitude, but Ralph’s refusal to do things that have no benefit to him reminds me to think about my motivations in life.

 

After reading through lessons a blogger learned from her pug, what similar life experiences has your doggy taught you? Perhaps after reading these lessons, it's dawning on you how you need to rest more or be more open to meeting new friends. Dogs can teach a lot, can't they?! To read more, please go over to

To learn more, please go over to Hello Giggles. And remember, happy mind – happy heart!