Are you as happy as your dog? — A Philosophy of a Dog's Happiness: A Philosophy of a Dog's Happiness

Author: Alan Cohen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: A life philosophy that helps you release stress from work and life, and enhances happiness. Let Max, a dog named Max, tell you all the secrets to a happy life.
One day, a person I met told me, "For years, my life has been a mess. Every day, I pray to God, hoping to wake up and be as happy as my dog. After coming home, I started observing my dog, Max. He's always happy. Max is the happiest guy I've ever met. He always finds new joy and discovers new things. I clearly realized that there must be certain things Max knows and I don't (at least, I've forgotten them). So, I decided to study Max's attitude and see exactly what he does that I don't. I discovered the secret to happiness from my pet, and here are my insights.
Barking wildly in the wind
Whenever I park my car in the garage, no matter what Max is doing, the moment he hears the sound, he dashes over to greet me like the wind. He barks and jumps around, wagging his fluffy tail, sweeping the garage floor with the tip of his tail, and the bells on his collar jingle. (From Max, I finally understood what "losing oneself in the moment" means.) No matter how long I'm gone, Max always comes to greet me with great enthusiasm, without any reduction in his excitement. Even if I come back after a long time, he won't cross his arms and say, "I think we should talk. How have you been fulfilling your promises to our relationship in the past?" No, he's happy to see me, and he makes sure I know it.
Loving you without reservation
Whatever he does, Max is fully immersed in it. He doesn't dwell on the past or worry about the future. You won't see him sitting in a local bar holding a bottle of beer, feeling melancholic about past love. — He doesn't have past love; he only loves what he has right now.
Living in the present
Max often walks to my door, asking to come in and play. If I can put my work down temporarily and his paws aren't too dirty, sometimes I let him in. The moment I open the door, he dashes inside without giving me a chance to change my mind. He knows exactly what he wants and makes his request, and when the opportunity arises, he always seizes it firmly. Max is the kind of guy who lives in the moment.