All in a Dog's Work

The saying used to be all in a day's work. However, these days many are un-gainfully unemployed. As a result, and I'm sure I'm not alone, many people have had to resort to more simple forms of entertainment. The cable is gone, going out is down to a rarity, and vacations are out of the question.

Maybe I'm weird for noticing this or even saying it, but I don't care. Nothing shows a human how to enjoy the simple things in life better than a dog.

The saying used to be "All in a day's work". However, these days many are un-gainfully unemployed. As a result, and I'm sure I'm not alone, many people have had to resort to more simple forms of entertainment. The cable is gone, going out is down to a rarity, and vacations are out of the question.

Maybe I'm weird for noticing this or even saying it, but I don't care. Nothing shows a human how to enjoy the simple things in life better than a dog. Our two golden retrievers Tucker and Murphy have proven to be the best teachers a human could have. Whether it's a nice long walk or just sitting outside soaking in the weather, they both seem to enjoy every facet of life. Mornings and Monday's are just an early start to another great day to be alive. A simple game of fetch is as much fun as a thirty dollar trip to the movies for a human. Our youngest golden Murphy can lie out in the grass for hours and just feel the breeze. There is a look of contentment that yells out "Life is good!"

Whether it's playing, walking, running, or even napping we can learn a thing or two from a dog. Moreover, dogs greet every new person as a potential new best friend. They are uninhibited and thankful for everything life has to offer. Granted, they aren't hampered down with bills and life's less enjoyable things, but they can teach us all how to enjoy the most simple things life has to offer.

As I watch our dogs run and play or just sit and soak in the weather, I think to myself what my wife or I would do if life was suddenly taken away. What if we only had a few more months to live? Financial considerations would fall by the wayside. Immediately one would beg for more sunny days with a slight breeze, a walk in the park, or to be able to play a few more silly games. Suddenly we would be just as excited as our dogs to see all the people we love.

If there is one down side to having a dog, it's that they don't out live us. So just like they've taught me how to enjoy the more simple things in life, I'm going to make sure I enjoy every day I have with my two dogs. Their life is short, but they make the best of it.

The Community Diner