One Lesson a Day from a Dog in May

Observing a dog is educational. Dagney teaches me something new every day when I take time to watch and interpret her behavior. Of course, my interpretations could be all wrong it’s not like a dog has the ability to correct my assumptions, but that doesn’t make the lessons less valuable.

Let’s be honest. Since retiring, I don’t do anything daily except the essential bodily functions and feed Dagney. So, to promise to write each day of the month sharing what I learn from Dags would become an unfulfilled promise. However, it’s a great idea because Dagney is a smart, talented, entertaining dog; she holds great wisdom. All dogs do.

So no, you will not get an article a day because I have adopted a dog's mentality. I will post when I get around to it. But throughout May, 31 life lessons from Dagney will be shared to help increase your self-awareness and happiness.

Relax

There is a difference between the way a dog relaxes compared to a human. People feel the need to announce when they are going to relax which eliminates the activity from being truly relaxing. It becomes another item on the list to check off.

Has anyone ever asked what you do when you relax? Do you read, listen to music, go for a walk, or veg in front of a TV? If you are do any on these, you are not truly relaxing. You are in fact reading, listening to music, walking or watching TV.

Some people even make relaxing an item on their daily list of things to do. Then they check it off when the task is accomplished. Relaxation should not be a goal because that destroys the whole concept. If you plan to make time to relax the opportunity is lost.

A dog, on the other hand, can be walking along and without intentional thought, flops over and lays down. That is relaxation. Every body muscle goes limp. Dagney provides a true visual of the definition of dead weight. Thankfully, our pooch only weighs 5 pounds so she can be picked up and carted home when she reaches maximum tranquility.

An article I read, said relaxation techniques take practice and offered strategies to relax. Several activities were listed:

• Deep breathing
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Music therapy
• Aromatherapy

Hogwash. A dog relaxes without any of these. I’ve seen them calmly lounge for long periods of time inactive as peace consumes their mind and body. The only time I observed deep breathing is after playing ball or chasing a squirrel. Yoga has a position called the downward facing dog but I don’t think this is what it means. Though there are channels on TV that are advertised as beneficial to calm canines, I remain a disbeliever and I am not buying it – or adding the channel to my DISH subscription. Aromatherapy!? Are they kidding!? Dogs sniff everything and I have never witness any calming effects.

If I tried to fit another activity into my day, it would not relax my body and mind but increase the stress. At least this was true before retirement.

Learn from a dog. You know when you need to relax so just do it. When you mind is overwhelmed and you need a brain break, simply flop on the floor or recline the couch, close your eyes and relax.

Ignore the negative

Humans love drama. When we don’t like something, we talk about it, post our complaints, and share with the world or discontent. Dagney has taught me to ignore irritants.

Most of the time this has worked out well for her. Her best friend, Darla, who is a couple years younger than her loves to play. Dagney will participate for a while but when she is done, she employs the strategy of ignoring as demonstrated in the picture above.

Ignoring irritants will also lead you down the path toward relaxation. Practice applying these suggestions and let me know how it goes. It seems to work for Dagney.

Dagney has her own FB page. When you join, be sure to share a picture of your furfriend.

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