8 Things Dogs Teach Us Without Trying

Nobody gets a dog to be taught life lessons. It happens anyway, somewhere between the first chewed shoe and the grey muzzle.

1. Be glad out loud

Dogs do not play it cool. If they are happy you are home, the whole body says so.

2. Go outside

Whatever the weather, whatever the mood. It is almost always better out there than you expected.

3. Rest without guilt

A dog in a patch of sun is not behind on anything.

4. Forgive fast

You stepped on a paw. You were late for dinner. It is forgotten in a minute.

5. Pay attention

Dogs notice the jacket you pick up, the tone of your voice, the day you are not yourself. Being noticed is a gift, and you can give it back.

6. Stick to what matters

Food, play, sleep, your people. The list is short and it works.

7. Show up

They cannot fix a hard day. They sit close anyway. Often that is enough.

8. Love the one you have

Not the perfectly trained one in the video. The one on your couch, with the weird bark and the stolen sock.

One small thing to do today

• Take the longer walk.

• Put the phone away for it.

• Say thank you. They will not understand the words. They will understand the voice.

From all of us at Dog Prima: wear who you love.