Celebrate Every Day

This week I celebrated my sixth birthday and it got me to thinking about the different ways humans and their pets think about birthdays. We all do like the birthday cake or in my case “pupcake”, the special attention and of course the presents. But we animals just enjoy the day and do not use it as a time to reflect on what we have or have not done.

You never hear a dog say “I wish I would have done this ” or “If I have just done X my life would be great.” We live in the moment. Sure we have times when we think “I should not have chewed up that shoe or scratched that brand new chair” but we move on. It might help us to learn a lesson such as going to the bathroom outdoors or in the litterbox, but otherwise we do not dwell on the past that we can not change.

Another thing you will not hear us say is “I will wait until (tomorrow, when I lose weight, when I retire) to do something.” We eat our dinner now, play ball now, chase the laser pointer now. We want to enjoy what life has to offer now. Because if we wait, who knows if it will be there when we are ready or if we will be able to enjoy it. Now sometimes humans tell us to wait and that is for our own good. Are you waiting for your own good or because of some other reason like fear or lack of confidence?

We appreciate the little things. If my human tells me I am good dog, I am thrilled. If I get to spend a beautiful Spring day outside chasing squirrels and smelling all those good smells I am overjoyed. And when you return from just being gone ten minutes, I am thrilled to see you.

Celebrate every day. Each one is a gift with different memories to make. Some days may be good, some not so good, but each brings a new opportunity to love the life that you live. So I guess what I am saying to you is to think more like your pets. Approach each and every birthday with enthusiasm and joy. And have a second piece of cake, you know I would!

Mr. Smart T. Pants