EMMA'S PRINCIPLES TO LIVE BY

From time to time Sue and I tweet on Twitter about things that people can learn from their dogs. I thought that it would be a good idea to put them all together; to give you an idea of the principles that I, and many other dogs, live by. I think that humans don’t have a clue about valuing the things that are important in life. By following my principles, you’ll learn about valuing those things that are truly important. Sue thinks that a list like this may have been written before. I assure you that I am not trying to steal anyone’s material.

Remember What’s Important

First of all, your loved ones are extremely important. You should let them know this often. When you’ve been separated from them, and you come back together; enthusiastically let them know how happy you are to see them. When you are together, hang out with them, give them kisses, and let them give you massages.

Of course, food is important, so eat with gusto, even if you find that you are eating the same food over and over. Always take new foods when they are offered to you. If they taste funny, try to eat them, anyway.

If It’s Worth Doing, It’s Worth Enthusiasm

I find it strange that people will do things reluctantly, or slowly. As far as I’m concerned, anything that you feel is important enough to do should be done with enthusiasm and much energy. Go ahead, have fun with whatever you’re doing, even if you have done it many times, and think its just the same old thing. It’s never really the same.

Sleep is important, so take lots of naps. Play is important. Play as often as you can. Play is even more fun when shared, so always invite others to play with you, even cats. Even if someone in your house has never played with you before, keep inviting her/him to play. Maybe one day s/he’ll join in. If no one will play with you, play anyway.

Never Pass Up an Opportunity to Make a New Friend

Making new friends is important. Everyone you come into contact with is a potential friend. Let each being that you approach, or that approaches you, know that you’d be happy to meet them. If they show any interest in you, invite them to play. Play is a great way to make friends. Let cats know that you want to be their friend. If they hiss at you, keep trying. If they swipe at you, bark at them.

What’s Not Important

Now, Sue disagrees with me about putting in this last part. She says it’s not really a principle that humans are going to want to learn. But, I think that it’s important to say, and I know that many dogs will thank me for saying it. Baths are not important. They are evil. If someone tries to bathe you, resist it as enthusiastically as you would do anything that you like doing. If resistance doesn’t work, then act pathetic, so that the person who is bathing you will feel really bad about it. Humans, get this, cleaning is what tongues are for, so stop with the bathing already.

So, there you have it, my principles to live by. I hope you found it useful! Until next time, Emma.