Rope Yourself To Friends

Posted June 30, 2010 By Ande and has no comments yet.

english springer spaniel rope yourself to friends Rope Yourself To Friends

So your friends do some pretty dumb things once in awhile, don’t they?  They even do things that hurt your feelings sometimes.

But hey, who among us never makes mistakes? If you don’t commit yourself to your friends, in all their grand imperfection, you’re going to end up rather lonely after awhile.

Joyful Springers rope themselves to their friends.  They forge a bond with those they love that is stronger than occasional lapses in judgment.

Cut your friends and acquaintances some slack today.  Remember that we’re all connected by a flow of energy that runs through everything in our universe.  Use that connection as incentive to make allowances.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Muggins was definitely roped to her Lhasa apso friend, Max.]

Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.

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Categories: Acceptance, Dogs, Friendship, Springer Spaniel
Tags: connection, Dogs, English springer spaniel, Friendship, Joy, spaniel, springer

Chow Down On Good Stuff

Posted June 29, 2010 By Ande and has 2 comments.

rat terrier chow down Chow Down On Good Stuff

You often hear people talk about “a taste of the good life.”  What’s the deal with that?  Why take just a taste of it?

Joyful Springer chow down on good stuff.  They don’t just taste life; they gobble it up, making the most of every experience they have.  They don’t just nibble at what comes their way.  They make everything a joyful feast.

Are you downplaying good things in your life?  Do you find a penny and think, oh, it’s just a penny?  Do you receive a small gift and wish it was bigger?  That’s just nipping at life.  Don’t nip.  Feast!  Be grateful and present to every little joy that comes your way.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful RAT TERRIER.

[Meet Eddie.  Eddie is a seven-year old Rat Terrier from New York who has a very important job.  Eddie is a Restaurant Reviewer.  On his site, Eddie Eats Out, Eddie reviews dog friendly restaurants.  He also accepts guest reviews, so dogs, if you have a restaurant in your area you want to review, visit Eddie's site and submit your review.  Eddie also has a Facebook page where you can see more pictures of him. Thanks, Eddie, for being a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer.]

Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.

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Categories: Abundance, Appreciation, Dogs, Feeling Good, Joy
Tags: chow down, gratitude, Joy, rat terrier, taste of the good life, taste the good life

Make A Mess

Posted June 28, 2010 By Ande and has no comments yet.

english springer spaniel make a mess Make A Mess

“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.”  Uh, okay.  But relishing the moment is divine.

Joyful Springers make a mess.  They get right into life and enjoy the heck out of it.  They grab hold of fun and rewarding experiences, and they immerse themselves in them, no matter how big of a mess it makes.

Keeping your surroundings and yourself neat is fine, but don’t be so obsessive about it that you miss out on opportunities for carefree joy and passion.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Ducky delights in bringing in "treasures" from the backyard and tearing them up on the carpet. Could we stop her?  Sure.  But what would be the fun in that?]

Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.

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Categories: Dogs, Fun, Springer Spaniel
Tags: cleanliness is next to godliness, Dogs, English springer spaniel, Fun, in the moment, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel

Run Where Others Don’t

Posted June 27, 2010 By Ande and has no comments yet.

english springer spaniel run where others dont Run Where Others Dont

Just because it hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean it can’t be done.  Just because no one else knows how to do it doesn’t mean you can’t.

Joyful Springers run where others don’t.  They pursue their ideas to completion even when they’re told what they want to do is an impossible dream.

Do you have a wild idea that others scoff at?  Go after that idea.  Leave the scoffers in the dust.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Flash is back.  In this photo, Flash, who belongs to the wonderful breeders we have to thank for our Ducky--Sally and Warren Wattenbarger, was at a hunt test (and I'm sure he did great!). Thanks, Flash, for guest starring again on The Joyful Springer.]

Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.

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Categories: Dogs, Dreams, Possibility, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, go for it, Goals, impossible dreams, Joy, spaniel, Springer Spaniel, springers, wild ideas

Tuck When You Need To

Posted June 26, 2010 By Ande and has no comments yet.

english springer spaniel tuck when you need to Tuck When You Need To

Sometimes it all just gets to be too much.  The situation is bigger than you are.  You don’t know how to handle it.

It’s okay to retreat sometimes.  There’s no shame in pulling in and cocooning until you have the energy to face what’s in front of you.

Joyful Springers tuck when they need to.  They find ways to nurture and protect themselves from harsh realities.

Maybe you need a nap today or you need to curl up with a good book or you need to hold your furry friend and stare out a window.  If you feel like you’re ready to revert to thumb-sucking, it’s time to tuck in and protect yourself for a bit.  Go easy on yourself.  Just a little retreat can make you strong enough to move ahead.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Muggins needed a nap after a busy Christmas day wearing her "jingle collar" in 1992.  She was four months old in this picture.]

Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.

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Categories: Balance, Dogs, Energy, Relaxation, Self care, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Comfort, Dogs, English springer spaniel, Joy, nurturing, retreat, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel

Love Your Elders

Posted June 25, 2010 By Ande and has 1 comment.

English springer spaniel love your elders Love Your Elders

Seniors in our society don’t get nearly enough respect and love.  Having amassed a lifetime of experience and perspective, they’re too often shunted aside and dismissed.  Even when they get ornery or forgetful, they are wondrous energy and have much to offer.

Joyful Springers love their elders.  They take care to gently respect and honor those who have walked the path before them.

Find a way to express your love to an elderly person today.  Make a phone call.  Write a note.  Give out a hug or two.  Your elders have given  much to the world, and they deserve to be loved in return.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Sadie, Ducky's grandma, is back with Sage, one of Ducky's half-sisters.  Sage was about nine weeks old in this photo. Thanks, Sadie and Sage, for being Guest Stars on The Joyful Springer.]

Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.

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Categories: Dogs, Relationships, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, elders, English springer spaniel, express love, Joy, Love, respect, seniors, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel

Pile On The Toys

Posted June 24, 2010 By Ande and has no comments yet.

english springer spaniel pile on the toys Pile On The Toys

You can never, ever surround yourself with too much fun.

Joyful Springers pile on the toys.  They make sure they have access, at all times, to something that makes them smile.

No matter what you’re doing today, be sure you have something nearby that is worth a grin.  It may be a photo of a loved one, it could be a slinky or a stuffed animal or a troll with pink hair.  It doesn’t matter what your “toys” are.  What matters is that they’re nearby and you remember to use them to help you feel good.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Ducky has too many toys to fit in this basket, so she keeps some in each room of the house.]

Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.

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Categories: Dogs, Feeling Good, Fun, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, Feeling Good, Fun, Joy, smiles, spaniel, Springer Spaniel, springers, toys

Emulate When It Feels Good

Posted June 23, 2010 By Ande and has 2 comments.

english springer spaniel emulate when it feels good Emulate When It Feels Good

Just because someone else is doing it doesn’t mean you have to do it too.  Keeping up with the Joneses is a waste of time if you’re doing it to impress others.  The only reason to copy someone else is if what they’re doing looks like it would feel great.

Joyful Springers emulate when it feels good.  They have a radar for fun and comfort, and they copy those who’ve figured out how to HAVE fun and comfort.

Develop a sort of “happy copy” radar today.  Pay attention to those who look like they’re having a blast and see if you can be like they are. Emulating can be a great way to improve your life when what you’re emulating comes from joy.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Flash and Halo are back.  These handsome boys belong to the wonderful breeders we have to thank for our Ducky--Sally and Warren Wattenbarger.  Flash is Ducky's cousin, and Halo is Ducky's sister. Thanks, Flash and Halo, for guest starring again on The Joyful Springer.]

Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.

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Categories: Dogs, Feeling Good, Fun, Learning, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, Feeling Good, Fun, Joy, keeping up with the joneses, learning by example, spaniel, Springer Spaniel, springers

Reject Over-inflation

Posted June 22, 2010 By Ande and has 2 comments.

English springer spaniel reject inflation Reject Over inflation

The world is full of over-inflation.  We’re surrounded by people wanting to sell services or products to us.  Many sales people delight in puffing up their pitches; they make what they have to offer sound much better than it is.

Joyful Springers reject over-inflation.  They look carefully at facts and can spot a sales pitch that’s aimed at their emotional “hot buttons.”

Be aware that you’re surrounded by sales pitches everyday, and refuse to let those pitches push you into something you don’t need or want.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Muggins protested loudly whenever we tried to inflate our air mattress. ]

Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.

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Categories: Decisions, Dogs, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, emotional hot buttons, English springer spaniel, Joy, over-inflation, sales pitches, selling, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel

Dip In Chocolate

Posted June 21, 2010 By Ande and has 1 comment.

english springer spaniel dip in chocolate Dip In Chocolate

Peanuts creator Charles M. Schultz said, “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”

Chocolate is a comforter.  It both soothes and invigorates.  It’s a source of pleasure.

Joyful Springers dip in chocolate.  They find ways to wade through pleasure and comfort as much as possible.

Look for some little treat  today.  You deserve to feel great, no matter what’s going on.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[No, that's not really chocolate--it's mud.  But maybe someday, chocolate Springers could replace chocolate bunnies. Or not.  Nikki is back.  Woodridge's the Divine Miss N (Nikki) was one of Sam I Am's pups.  Sam I Am was Sally and Warren Wattenbarger's (Ducky's wonderful breeders) beloved girl. Nikki passed away, at only 18 months, from cancer in 1999.  The Wattenbargers have a lovely memorial to this special girl in their home. Nikkie will be forever in the hearts of those who loved her. Thanks, Nikkie, for guest starring again on The Joyful Springer.]

Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.

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Categories: Dogs, Feeling Good, Fun, Springer Spaniel
Tags: a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt, all you need is love, charles m schultz, chocolate, Dogs, English springer spaniel, Feeling Good, Joy, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel