The Right Stuff

I went into the BIG town this week, friends! My hooman loaded me in the car and we hit the road. Our mission: visit the grand-hoomans. They live an hour outside of my woods – so I don’t get to go see them very often. Once we got to Grams place in Big town, I gave their place a sniff down, walked the perimeter of the yard to ensure our safety, then spent the afternoon kissing and cuddling my Grands. Gram gave me one of her famous back scratches and I showed Gramps a trick or two. 

I love spending time in Big town with my Grands. That is why I was so surprised we had to cut our visit a bit short. Turns out we had an errand to run – my hooman needed to stop for canine supplies. So I gave my Grands a press goodbye, jumped back into the car, and before I knew it – arrived at a strange and wonderful land called the “pet store” and there my canine adventure began!

When we first arrived at the pet store my senses practically EXPLODED. There were so many sights and smells. My hooman gave me a job to pick out a new treat and I couldn’t wait to get started. Only where to begin? There were rows and rows of stuff. One row just for balls – all shapes and sizes. Another for stuffys, a row for collars and leashes, racks of clothes, bins of bones, and aisle after aisle of FOOD! 

My head was spinning and I could not stop panting. Birds, reptiles, and gerbils oh my! I was so overwhelmed – I had to take a break in the furniture section where I tried to regroup by testing out the canine couches (not too shabby).

After a quick break, I collected myself and re-engaged to find some treats. I became mesmerized at the pup pastry counter. I am not sure how long I was staring at those delicious cookies and cakes but knew my time was running short. I double backed down the food aisle, and settled on choosing some good old fashioned milk bones – then called it a day. 

On the drive home, I got to thinking about my pet store adventure…it felt like we were there a very long time – waaaay longer than the time we spent at the Grands. And there was so much stuff! The task of picking out a treat became exhausting – and picking out treats is one of my top skills. That got me wondering…why do we think we need SO MUCH stuff? I mean, I like a memory foam bed just like the next hound, but I don’t NEED one! Pup pastries? Extra dog coats? Really not necessary. 

Giving kisses to my Gram, cracking up Gramps by showing off my “play dead” trick (gets him every time), belly rubs, walks, and a reminder every so often that I am a “good boy”. That’s the kinda stuff I need. And I am guessing – you probably need more of that kinda stuff too.

So friends, as we go into this next week…let’s change up our spending. Spending time with each other is way more fulfilling than wading through aisles and aisles of stuff. When we have each other – we already have everything we need. Spend your energy making memories with those you love instead of spending your time shopping for stuff you don’t need.

Choose the right stuff and spend wisely. 

I’ll bark at you next week. 

Your friend,

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