It’s not tough getting noticed when you walk down the street with Loretta. Maybe it’s the bleached blonde hair that draws people to her but I think it’s her personality. She’s dynamic and charming and makes sniffing another dog’s behind look… well… kind of acceptable.
Loretta comes with us to work most everyday and as soon as she walks into the office, the place changes.
She runs up to Jane’s desk for a hug, heads to Atzimba’s for another and saunters over to Dana’s desk to check on shipping… and of course to get another hug.
I love bringing her to the office because she forces me to take her for a mid-day walk that not only helps her, well ya know, do her “business” but helps me take a break from mine.
She sat in on our last production meeting and as most meetings go, we went a bit off topic and started imagining what life would be like if we had Loretta’s point of view.
I gotta say, I think we’d all be a lot healthier and happier if we looked at life Loretta’s way.
Here are our five tips for living life like a dog:
1. Live in the Moment
Loretta, like most dogs, only knows what’s happening now. She isn’t concerned with yesterday or tomorrow. She lives completely in the present which is something few of us do these days.
Being present takes practice, so try meditating. It’s one of the best ways to re-group, calm down and see life from a different perspective. Just a couple minutes per day can be life changing. Check out this article from Zen Habits on how to get started.
2. Move
Loretta loves to walk, run and move. Few things bring her more joy than a long walk to the park.
Exercise is proven to increase our energy levels, improve our muscular strength and even help us live longer.
I’m a firm believer in the power of doing a daily workout and am convinced it’s one of the best ways to battle stress.
Take a ten minute walk after dinner and build on that over time.
Trouble walking? There are millions of exercise influencers on Pinterest and Instagram like Whitney Simmons. I promise you’ll find one that works for you.
3. Rest
Just like moving, rest is pretty important to a pup. After getting in from a walk or even a romp round the yard, Loretta plops down for a well-deserved nap. “Sleep experts have found that daytime naps can improve many things: increase alertness, boost creativity, reduce stress, improve perception, stamina, motor skills and accuracy, enhance your sex life, aid in weight loss, reduce the risk of heart attack, brighten your mood and boost memory.” Need I say more?
4. Enjoy Your Treats and Drink Water
Loretta will do anything for a freeze-dried piece of lamb and ya know what? She’s not overweight or eating treats all day. She gets one little bite of one little treat and she’s instantly happy. Dogs have no guilt when it comes to eating and in a way, this is a great thing. Loretta doesn’t think about preservatives or calorie counting. She eats what we give her and yeah, we only give her healthy treats and she doesn’t eat them all day but that’s exactly what we need to do.
As long as we’re eating in moderation, a small treat each day can bring a lot of joy. How about a square of dark chocolate (72% dark or more is best) or even a handful of sweet potato chips for an afternoon boost? Stop beating yourself up, give yourself that treat and remember, as long as you keep it to a small amount, you can have another one tomorrow, and the next day, and the next….
Water is essential for all of us, including a dog. Ever notice how they seem to jump, run and have boundless energy? Loretta will seek out fresh water wherever she goes. She’ll head straight for the doggie water bowl outside a local coffee shop, drink from any puddle on the street and as soon as she gets home, she will lap up every once of water from her bowl. Thankfully, humans don’t need to go to those extremes, but the lesson is a good one. Water lubricates and cushions our joints. It protects our sensitive tissues and spinal cord, keeps our body temperature in check and cleans out our entire system.
So invest in a sustainable water bottle and consciously drink from it every ten minutes or so. Refill it often throughout your day and notice your energy, mood and overall health improve. For most of us, it’s a simple thing to do that has really big benefits for our overall health.
5. Be Kind & Open to Meeting New People
Not a day passes when Loretta doesn’t meet and smile at someone new. If it’s another dog she greets it with a wagging tail, an eager pull and a good sniff of the butt. So we definitely need to drop the last part, but how great would it be if we approached new people with open minds and hearts?
There’s a lot of divisiveness out there these days and if we meet people with preconceived notions of who we think they are, we block all chances of really meeting them.
Take a breath, say hello and listen to what people are saying. You may be surprised at how kind they are.
Then again, you may want to bite them…but don’t!
My point? Give people a chance before assuming who they are.
A few more things we can learn from our pets? Embrace attention and let people touch you. When someone’s having a bad day, sit by them quietly and let them know you’re there for comfort. Finally, be faithful! Everyone needs someone in their lives they can trust.
Take it from Loretta, life is about perspective, so try changing yours. Oh and if you find yourself attracted to that dead squirrel in the street, you may have gone a bit too far…
– Germaine Caprio, MAJAMAS EARTH Company Owner & Designer
Treat your pet to an eco-friendly scarf from ME!
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