Gretchen Rubin wrote in The Happiness Project about the year she spent “test-driving the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture about how to be happy.” The Puppiness Project is my attempt to learn the same from Honey, my Golden Retriever.
Honey likes everyone the first time she meets them. Just like Babe, she has an unprejudiced heart.
Honey makes no harsh judgments about people who talk on their cell phones while walking their dogs on a flex-leash. She doesn’t care who they vote for or whether they go to church or not. She doesn’t care where they live or how they dress or what they drive.
Honey assumes that everyone is a good person who wants to say hello. She brings a wagging tail and an open smile to everyone she meets.
My new mantra is “We’re all doing the best we can.” I thought of it watching Honey.
What a great concept. Dogs are definitely to be emulated in many ways, and not pre-judging is one of them.
Of course, the other side (which may turn up later on the Puppiness Project) is that dogs are very quick to pick up when someone is trying to hurt them–just by understanding body language and not overthinking–also a crucial skill.
Sounds like very big wisdom to me. I bet we would all be a little happier if we did as Dog does!
Sam
Yep, there’s much we can learn from dogs. But don’t expect me to laud the joys of rolling in smelling stuff any time soon.
Even I have limits!