Comedian Dave Barry said, “My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished 2 bags of M&M’s and a chocolate cake. I feel better already.”

Seriously, who doesn’t feel a little better after a bit of cake?  Eating healthy is important, yes, but too much of anything, including healthy food, can be detrimental to our well being.

Joyful Springers eat cake.  They know it’s important to balance their healthy eating habits with a little bit of fun for their taste buds.

Are you being a little too strict with your diet?  Relax a little.  What you eat isn’t nearly as important as how you feel.  If a strict eating plan is squeezing the fun from your life, find some room in your diet for some treats.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Ducky sure enjoyed the peanut butter and carrot birthday cake I made for her and her sisters.]

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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Fast Tube by Casper

Need more energy?

Get up and move.

Energy begets energy.

Joyful Springers dance!  They shake their tails as often as possible.

Don’t let a day go buy without doing at least a few seconds of dancing.  Just get up and move.  You don’t even need music … although it’s more fun with a good beat.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful GOLDEN RETRIEVER.

[I've never done this before, but there's a first time for everything.  Today's guest star is anonymous.  A friend sent me a link to this video, and though I don't know anything about this amazing dog, I can tell she's a Joyful Springer.  So thanks,  Dancing Golden, 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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Actress Sophia Loren said, “There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.”

Joyful Springers climb into the fountain.  They don’t care about how old they are in years.  They care only about keeping active in mind, body, and soul.

When you put your talent to use day after day, when you find outlets for your creativity, when you find ways to improve your mind each day, you don’t grow older.  You remain instead in the everlasting youthful energy of eager discovery.  Don’t focus on the years that have gone by or on the wrinkles that have shown up on your skin.  Instead, focus on the ways you can use your energy to create joy today.  Joy is the magic ingredient in the fountain of youth.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Meet Lizzy.  Lizzy is one of Ducky's half-sisters.  This picture was taken when Lizzy was a couple months old.  Their mom is Tilly, who belongs to the wonderful breeders we have to thank for our Ducky--Sally and Warren Wattenbarger. Thanks, Lizzy, for being a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer.]

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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).]

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A normal adult day is all about responsible behavior: work, chores, caring for others and/or ourselves, meeting deadlines, paying bills, doing the right thing.  All of this is important, for sure.  But if it’s all we do then we’ve failed to do one of the most important things in life.

Joyful Springers invite frolic.  They know that fun is an essential part of life.  They know that if they don’t feel good, anything else they do won’t be nearly as effective and may in fact be counterproductive.

No matter what you have to do today, even if it’s as serious as a battle with life and death, you must find a place for fun.  Every smile you fit into your day will make you that much stronger and make it that much easier to do whatever serious task you have before you.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Mattie's back.  English Springer Rescue America got Mattie to her current happy home with Brenda in North Carolina. Thanks, Mattie, 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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Organic gardener, Alan Chadwick, said, “We are the living links in a life force that moves and plays around and through us, binding the deepest soils with the farthest stars.” In other words, we are connected to every living thing in our world.

Joyful Springers link up. They are consciously aware of how their energy flows with everyone and everything around them, so they treat all living things with the respect and kindness they want themselves.

Whenever you are experiencing conflict or struggle, you’re acting as if you aren’t a direct conduit to the power and wisdom of all things in our universe.  To move past any challenge, all you need to do is get quiet within and link up with the abundant energy that flows through everything.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Ducky and her sister, Lucy, had fun playing tug-of-war on their first birthday.]

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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Ray Kroc said, “The more I help others to succeed, the more I succeed.” What a wonderful truth that is.  The more you look out for others, the happier you’ll be.

Joyful Springers watch over others.  Even as they pursue their own happiness, they keep an eye on the well being of those around them.  And in doing so, they add to their own well being too.

While you’re taking care of your own business today and finding ways to feel good, look for ways you can help others feel good too.  The more you help others achieve their desires, the faster you’ll achieve your own.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

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

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It’s wonderful when we’re surrounded by a positive support system, when we have friends and family who believe in us and what we’re doing.  Sometimes, though, we don’t have that luxury.  Sometimes choose paths that no one understands, and when we do that, we don’t have others’ support.

What then?

Then we have to believe in ourselves.

Joyful Springers bear up.  They have the fortitude and faith they need to stay firmly on their path no matter what others think of their actions.

Even if no one understands your choices, even if everyone thinks you’re crazy and you feel totally alone, you have all the support you need to keep going.  The support is within you.  Have faith in your own power and possibility.  Have faith in you.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Muggins was very patient with me when I posed her with a plush toy, and she never tried to rip them up either.]

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Are you a compliment deflector?  So many of us are.  Someone says, “That’s a lovely outfit,” and we say, “What, this old thing?” Someone says we’re brilliant, and we say, “Oh, it was nothing.”

Joyful Springers welcome praise.  They bask in compliments and kudos and “atta boy”s because they know that both the giving and receiving of approval expands energy.

Would you refuse a lovingly wrapped package handed to you by a friend?  Of course not.  Praise is a gift.  Accept it graciously, and use its energy to become a better person.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Halo and Cody are back.  Halo, Ducky's sister who is owned by Ducky's breeders, the Wattenbargers, and his neighbor buddy, Cocker spaniel Cody, are practicing agility in this photo and getting praise from the Wattenbargers' neighbor, Anna. Thanks, Halo and Cody, for guest starring again on The Joyful Springer.]

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Life has  tendency to turn into drudgery sometimes.  It becomes routine and rote.  Passions and visions melt into longing and regret. When this happens, we get enervated and depressed.  And it’s no wonder–it’s tough to summon enthusiasm for going through the motions.

When we find ourselves in this place, there’s only one real cure.  We must find do something that lights us up.

Joyful Springers stand for what they love.  They know that spending time doing things that fill them with exuberance is essential to sustaining high energy and happiness.

No matter how full your life may be, you can and you must find something that absolutely delights you.  The more you make time to do what you love, the more energy you have for everything you do.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Ducky loves catching her Frisbee.  We usually play with her in the yard in the early evening, and if we forget, she brings us the Frisbee to remind us.]

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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