New Year’s Resolutions Your DOG Approves Of
If you know me, you probably know I will reluctantly participate in a New Year’s Resolution once in a while. It’s usually the typical adding more exercise or trying to eat healthier. I am not really fond of making these resolutions because it puts pressure on the performance of whatever it is I choose, but at least it gives a starting point and usually leads to focus in one area or another so it can’t be all bad.
No matter how either of us feel about setting a beginning of the year goal, there are a few goals in life I think most dog people can agree on. So, this year I’ve pulled together a list of a few resolutions that I think even our pups would be proud of – because they inspired them!
Is there something your dog teaches you every day? Chances are, it belongs on this list. Email me amber@poisedpup.com and let me know!
1) Take more naps. When did society decide that naps are only for kids? Naps have been shown to have a huge variety of benefits, including boosting mood and memory. In addition, rest allows learning to take place. Even if you can’t actually sleep, just taking time to be still or adding a little mediation each day will go a long way to help with feeling balanced and restored.
2) Live in the moment. Can you picture when your pup sniffs out that perfect stinky spot and then drops to the ground to roll in the wonderful smell of dead lizard or worm…or whatever they found?!? Back and forth on their back, with a wiggle here and a roll there. Can you see the thrill and pure happiness it brings them!? Stress about what’s happened before and worry about what is coming can help us learn to avoid bad things or fix past mistakes, but our dogs teach us not to live in that place of fear. They learn, like us, how to avoid negative consequences, but healthy dogs don’t skip naps because they’re spinning in worry.
3) Love unconditionally. No, this doesn’t mean to love without reason. It does mean to love with your whole heart, toes, head and every cell of your being. We could all use a bit more of that, right?
4) Find the sunny spot. Need I say more? Close your eyes…just for a second and feel the warmth. Hold on to it throughout your day and sink into that feeling.
5) Sniff everything. Investigation, curiosity and play bring so much to our lives. If I hadn’t followed my heart to investigate the rabbit holes that opened for me in 2020 and 2021, I would never have discovered Reiki or my dog training mentor, Maggie Marshall, and I certainly wouldn’t be starting this business. So, start out 2022 with the desire to investigate everything, sniff out new adventures and play to your heart’s content!
Dogs have an incredible gift to be present in the moment. We can learn so much from sharing our lives with them if we take the time to “see” what they have to share. Do you want more play with your pup? Please email me to see all the ways we can add more enrichment in both your lives!
When you think about it, there is a lot we can learn from observing our best furry friend’s. In training classes, I see the joy owner’s have when they watch their pups just being dogs. Playing with each other and being their goofy selves. I’d love to help you and your pup find more of those moments. Through Reiki and training, we can start to establish common communication, balance and enhance the relationship between you both. Feel free to email me to discuss more.