Rumple Your Sheets

Posted November 29, 2011 By Ande and has 2 comments.

Rumple your sheets mattie Rumple Your Sheets

Things on a “to do” list can be chores or they can be an opportunity for play.

Joyful Springers rumple their sheets.   They find a way to make even the most routine tasks, like making a bed, fun.

Sometimes, as the holidays approach, we can get bogged down in the “must dos” of the season.  We began to see the holidays as a tiring burden.  This year, decide you’re going to see the coming holidays as a playground for the best time you’ve had all year … and then take that attitude into next year too.

[Mattie's back. Her momma, Brenda McGee, says that Mattie is a wonderful household helper.  She makes every chore, especially changing the linens, FUN! icon smile Rumple Your Sheets ]

Joyful springer shop banner Rumple Your Sheets
Rumple Your Sheets

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Categories: Feeling Good, Fun, Play, Springer Spaniel
Tags: English springer spaniel, Fun, make chores fun, Play, spaniels, Springer Spaniel, springers, to do lists

Put Your Shoulder To The Ball

Posted July 19, 2011 By Ande and has 4 comments.
rescue dog put your shoulder to the ball Put Your Shoulder To The Ball

A line from Aesop’s fable, Hercules and the Wagoner, “Put your shoulder to the wheel,”  has become a sort of unspoken mantra for our society.  It has become like a teeny, invisible slave driver sitting on our shoulders, cracking the whip and bellowing, “Work harder.  Work harder.”

Well, forget the wheel and that slave driver.

Joyful Springers put their shoulder to the ball.  They understand that life isn’t supposed to be a push and a struggle.  They know it’s supposed to flow and roll along … kind of like a ball.

Instead of manhandling your way through the day forcing yourself to stick to obligations and agendas, start listening to your inner guidance and what it tells you to do.  That guidance will lead you to a balance of work and play that will transform pushing a wheel into having a ball.

[Mollie's back. This mixed breed girl takes her ball playing seriously.  She uses it to help bring balance into the busy life of her momma, Donna, who's a life coach teaching people how to create fun and fulfilling lives. ]

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Put Your Shoulder To The Ball

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Categories: Balance, Feeling Good, Fun, Inner wisdom, Play, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Balance, Fun, go with the flow, Inner wisdom, mixed breed dog, put your shoulder to the wheel

Get Your Bunny On

Posted April 24, 2011 By Ande and has 6 comments.

Get your bunny on mattie Get Your Bunny On

You’ve heard of getting your groove on, right?

Joyful Springers get their bunny on.  They know they can get in a hopping great mood just by acting as if they have an ear for only the good stuff in their world.

Getting your bunny on is a attitude of positive expectation and an energetic leap into the best parts of every day.  It’s something you can choose to do right now (furry pink ears are optional). icon smile Get Your Bunny On

[Mattie is back. Brenda's lovely lady was kind enough to "get her bunny on" and pose for photos on a recent sunny North Carolina day ... even though Mattie knows she doesn't need the ears to hop into great fun.  icon smile Get Your Bunny On ]

Happy Easter from Ducky, Tim, and Me!


Get Your Bunny On

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Categories: Feeling Good, Fun, Joy, Perspective, Play, Positive thinking, Springer Spaniel
Tags: attitude, Dogs, English springer spaniel, Feeling Good, Fun, get your groove on, Joy, spaniels, springers

Seize The Fun

Posted December 1, 2010 By Ande and has 4 comments.

english springer spaniel seize the fun Seize The Fun

We often get so intent on the work of our days, both on the job and off, we forget that life is supposed to be fun.  We miss opportunities for a little silly play or a laugh.

Joyful Springers seize the fun.  They’re always on the look-out for ways to lighten up their days, even if they have lots of things to get done.

Life doesn’t have to be such hard work.  Very few things are as serious as you think they are.  As you go through your day, keep an eye out for ways to add a little jolliness as often as possible.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Ducky is always ready for fun, especially when it comes in the form of playing tug with her daddy.]

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.


Seize The Fun

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Categories: Feeling Good, Fun, Play, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, Fun, having fun, Joy, Play, spaniels, Springer Spaniel, springers

Romp Often

Posted November 14, 2010 By Ande and has 3 comments.

english springer spaniel romp often Romp Often

Oh how serious life seems to be.  So many chores.  So many items on our to do list.  Sigh.  Who has time for frivolity?

Joyful Springers romp often.  They know that their play time spills into all their responsible time and helps them be more energetic and productive all the time.

When was the last time you played with complete abandon?  When was the last time you frolicked?  Romping isn’t just for kids.  Believe it or not, you’ll get more done if you have a jolly good time a little more often.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Ducky romps every single day.  She's always ready for play.]

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, Energy, Fun, Play, Springer Spaniel
Tags: dog, Energy, English springer spaniel, Fun, Joy, play time, productivity, spaniel, Springer Spaniel, springers

Get Stuffed, Not Stressed

Posted September 2, 2010 By Ande and has 4 comments.

image NOT YET Get Stuffed, Not Stressed

According to a survey done by British hotel chain, Travelodge, one in four men travel with a stuffed animal and 35 percent of adults sleep with a stuffed animal.  Why have stuffed toys made their way into adult life?  Because, say the men and woman who sleep or travel with stuffed bears, dogs, and other animals, the critters are calming.

Joyful Springers get stuffed, not stressed.  They know that keeping a cuddly toy nearby is a great way to let go of anxiety and allow in peace.

If you have secretly tucked a stuffed toy in luggage or are afraid someone will find out you sleep with a teddy, you can come out of the stuffed toy closet.  Be proud of your healthy way of taking care of yourself.  If you don’t have a stuffed animal nearby, think about getting one.  They’re remarkably soothing and are always good for a smile.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Muggins liked to keep her stuffed toys close.  This one, a goose, was one of her favorites. ...  And for the record, I proudly announce that I own at least a hundred stuffed animals and sleep with one named Roni (he is the "son" of two large stuffed animals named Rosie and Bernie).]

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: Comfort, Peace, Play, Springer Spaniel, Stress relief
Tags: 1 in 4 men travel with stuffed animal, british travelodge, Dogs, English springer spaniel, Joy, sleep with a teddy, spaniel, spaniels, springer, Springer Spaniel, springers, stuffed animals, travelodge survey

Enjoy The Circus

Posted May 23, 2010 By Ande and has 1 comment.

english springer spaniel enjoy the circus Enjoy The Circus

Sometimes it feels like we have to go through the day balanced on one foot with a Frisbee in our mouth while juggling glass balls. So what?

People pay good money to watch that sort of thing at a circus, so why not have fun with it when the circus takes over your life?

Joyful Springers enjoy the circus.  They know life is crazy, but they embrace the craziness.

Life can be absurd.  Today, enjoy the absurdity.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

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.

If you have contacted me regarding a submission and haven’t heard from me within 48 hours, please contact me again.  I’ve had a couple of my replies returned to me, perhaps because of a mistyped e-mail address.  I’m NOT ignoring anyone.  If you contact me, I reply.  So please try again.

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Categories: Dogs, Fun, Play, Springer Spaniel
Tags: absurdity, Dogs, English springer spaniel, Fun, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel, springers

Choose Both

Posted April 7, 2010 By Ande and has no comments yet.

English springer spaniel choose both Choose Both

Having trouble making a choice between work and play?  Maybe you don’t need to make it.

Joyful Springers choose both work and play by turning everything into fun.

With the right attitude, work CAN be play.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer spaniel.

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, Perspective, Play, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, Play, spaniel, spaniels, springer, Springer Spaniel, springers, Work

Keep Your Toys Close By

Posted March 3, 2010 By Ande and has no comments yet.

English springer spaniel keep your toys close by Keep Your Toys Close By

Most of us have work to do, things we have to chew on everyday. But just because we have to work doesn’t mean we can’t keep play within our reach.

Joyful Springers keep their toys nearby at all times. They know that all life’s serious moments must be balanced with the silly.

A slinky or a bobble-head doll or a hand-held video game or a plush animal or … well, the choices are endless.  Indulge your inner kid. Have a toy at hand, or paw, to lighten up your day.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer spaniel.
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Categories: Dogs, Fun, Play, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, Fun, inner child, Play, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel, toys