July 24, 2017 WHO LET THE DOGS OUT

Live in the moment. It sounds like such a simple thing--but it's actually hard to do. For some reason I always feel compelled to think ahead--tomorrow--next week--next month--next year.  I wish I could train my brain to appreciate the here and now instead of AGONIZING  over what could be.  Did you know that people actually SPEND between 5-6 years over the course of their lives worrying--ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN. ALL WASTED ENERGY. Intellectually--I know this--but I HAVE TO constantly remind myself to let it go and--LIVE IN THE MOMENT. Just think about all the things we miss if  our minds are ELSEWHERE. The aroma of lavender and honeysuckle that has got to be inhaled deeply to appreciate--OR-- listening to the pitter patter of the rain as it rhythmically taps on the roof. We might even miss the lightening quick buzz of a hummingbird  at the bird feeder--NOW THAT WOULD REALLY BE A SHAME--all because we are too busy stressing about OTHER things. So next time worry and anxiety start to get the best of you--STOP--take a deep breath--and tell yourself to LIVE IN THE MOMENT. Either that or get a dog--they always make everything better. Dogs do have a funny way of calming, relaxing and taking care of their people which I learned about first hand when I read A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron.

If you are a dog lover--this is the book for you. Told from a dog's point of view, this is the story of one dog's many incarnations. When this wonderful dog is born the first time, he is is born into a feral family and is eventually euthanized, however, in his second life--he is reborn as a golden retriever and eventually finds his way into a  family with a boy named Ethan. Ethan names him Bailey and together they go on many adventures and grow up and in Bailey's case--grow old--together as Bailey is put down at the end of his long life. Next, the dog is a german shepherd named Elle who works as a rescue dog with a police department. In his final incarnation, he's as a black lab named Buddy. One of the interesting things about the book is that the dog remembers every life he has lived and the lessons he has learned over the course of his lives--most important-- the love between a boy and his dog. As Buddy, the dog learns his true purpose.  Find out Buddy's true purpose when you read this wonderful, heartwarming, funny, tear-jerker that reminds me that dogs love their owners just as much as owners love their dogs. It's only about 330 pages--or a 4 mile run. It's an easy read that will have you reminiscing about your dogs of yesterday and appreciating the ones you have today.