10 Happiness Hacks I learned from my dog!

Fur babies.

We love them, and they love us. Unconditionally.

My sweet dog Koda is 6 human years old. 42 in dog years. A young and wise soul.

I am so grateful I found him. Or perhaps he found me. That’s how it feels – we were destined to be together.

Koda is smart, charming, funny, cute, friendly, loyal, cuddly, sweet, protective, adventurous, spirited, generous, patient, and very loving.

He is all of these things to me, and more.

He is also a good teacher. Yes, a teacher.

Koda has taught me (or at least reinforced) some pretty important life lessons, which I refer to as ‘Happiness Hacks’. I’m using ‘Hack’ in the informal sense – “to make use of a tip, trick, or efficient method for doing or managing (something)”.

1. Protect what matters most!

Koda has been at my side since I injured myself in early December. I took this picture the first day I got home from the hospital. I had been there for 6 days, so we missed each other.

When I saw my dog’s sweet face laying across my injured foot (which he has done every day since), it was as if he was (is) sending me a message – Protect what matters. In this case, it’s my injured foot. But in general, my health (physical and mental), relationships, etc.

It matters most.

2. It’s OK to be carried, sometimes.

Koda loves people. But he’s little, so in a crowded market, we need to protect him from being trampled. At this busy weekend market in Annapolis Royal, my husband carried him. He loved it. Of course, he did – he got to take a load off, look around with ease (and at eye level), and of course he was getting lots of attention. I know the market-goers enjoyed him as well. I can hear them commenting ‘how cute’ as I followed behind.

Sometimes, we just need to be carried. Let someone carry the heavy load for us for a while.

3. It’s OK to hide away for a bit.

Sometimes the world is just too much. We need a break from it – an adult time-out in a safe, warm, gentle soothing place – away from the noise. A quiet escape.

Take a break from social media, a depressing news cycle, a toxic friend or family member, the bitter cold, etc – to decompress, quiet the mind, and recharge.

4. Explore new places, with someone you love.

Exploring somewhere new, or seeing a familiar place with a new set of eyes is a gift. We need to take time to sit, ponder, and simply enjoy.

Claim a spot and take it all in.

5. Just go with it. Embrace change.

Change is inevitable. A constant.

Koda was alone on this pillow until Gingy moved his way in. He didn’t fight it. He embraced it – harnessed that energy and put it towards making the best of it. Us humans could learn a lot from this. If we hold on too tightly to what was, we do not leave space for what might be.

In this case – a soft and warm headrest.

6. Patience and Persistence will pay off.

If it’s worth it to you, stick with it. Your persistence will pay off, eventually.

Be patient.

For a dog, bacon is always worth it.

7. Support and Encourage Others.

Support people in any way you can. Offer someone encouragement to pursue a passion or develop a new skill. Be open to receiving support and encouragement as well.

It may just be the lift they (and you) need to keep going.

8. Be Present for the ones you love.

Be there for the people in your life that you care about.

Just be there.

Listen. And be.

Pretty simple.

9. Stay Focused.

If it’s important to you – whatever it is – stay focused. Don’t get distracted by the stuff that doesn’t matter or won’t serve you well.

10. Never never never lose your excitement for the little things!

This.

My dog is all these things, and so much more.

He reminds me every day of what’s important.

Every day. In every way.

He is complete and neverending happiness.

He continues to teach me and I am a grateful (and happy) student.

With gratitude, always