Birthday To Do

It’s my birthday! I am a full FIVE years old now. I am full grown and an official DOG. Long gone are my puppy days (and my excuses for bad behavior). As I got to thinking about this five-year canine adventure that I have been on…I took a little trip down memory lane.

Reliving all the adventures and lessons so far, like the crate days – when my hoomas were not sure if I could be trusted to roam free in the house while they were gone (glad those days are over). Or when I got my first life jacket and learned how to kayak and my hoomom kept falling out of the boat. Or the good old days when my older bros were sent home from college and the whole world shut down. Back when we went on family walks EVERYDAY because the hoomans had nowhere else to go. We really have been through a lot over the years!

As I began to reflect on my life so far, I realized I have it pretty good. I have a family that loves me, a warm bed to sleep in, and kibble in my bowl every morning. So even though it is tradition to receive a gift on my birthday – I decided to celebrate my half-decade of life by DOING something instead. Maybe I could do some self-improvement and work out some of my bad habits, like begging. I am sure my hoomans would appreciate it if I stopped staring and drooling at them when they eat. Or maybe I could get a new skill. I could learn a new trick or command. Hoomans like it when I understand what they are saying. 

But as I began to try and think of something new to do…it dawned on me that I am already pretty BUSY. I have my volunteer time, exploration time, and hooman time. I got to secure the perimeter of the property twice a day and watch out over the yard while my hooman is at work. Not to mention the holidays are upon us, and there is more pressure to go to more places and do more things. And I certainly do not want to cut out things I love like zoomies and evening walks. I am not sure if I can cram one more thing into my to do list. All of a sudden – this birthday gift started to feel more like a birthday burden. The very idea of adding MORE to do made me begin to pant in distress. 

That got me to thinking…what if I gave myself a gift of something NOT to do. What if I picked something to STOP doing? My self improvement could actually be self care. Just the idea of dedicating time just for me versus adding more responsibilities had me yawning into relaxation. So, for my birthday, I decided to give myself the gift of “me time”. At least once a week, I am going to take a moment just to STOP and enjoy something for myself. A quick walk down the driveway, an extra minute at the window, or maybe a quick cozy snooze with teddy.

So friends, as we head into a new (busy) month, take some time to NOT do something. With the holidays upon us it can be hard to add extra – so think about what you might have to take off your plate so you have time to enjoy the things around you. Add YOU to your to do list – if only for a moment. 

Take care of yourself and I will bark at you next week!

Your friend,