Choose A Fun Pillow

Posted July 16, 2010 By Ande and has 2 comments.

English springer spaniel choose a fun pillow Choose A Fun Pillow

If you believe the media, we live in a harsh and terrifying reality.  Tragedy and injustice abound.  It’s easy lay awake at night thinking about everything that’s wrong in our world.

But does that really serve us?  No.

An Irish proverb says, “Humor to a man is like a feather pillow. It is filled with what is easy to get but gives great comfort.”

Joyful Springers choose a fun pillow.  They rest in an awareness of the pleasure in the world.  They choose to focus on what makes them laugh, what makes them feel good.

You can put your head on the rocky surface of reality at night, or you can rest your head on the delights of the day.  Before you go to sleep, remember the moments of laughter and fun in your day.  Take those thoughts with you into sleep, and tomorrow you’ll find you’ll have even more happy moments.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Ducky loves her green Frisbee; it's one of her favorite toys.  So she chose a very fun pillow when she took an afternoon snooze on her bed in our "Fun Room," a spare room we use as a combination music room, reading room, and art studio.]

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, Sleep, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, feather pillow, Feeling Good, Fun, humor to a man, irish proverb, pleasure, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel

Take A Bite Of The Pot

Posted July 5, 2010 By Ande and has no comments yet.

english springer spaniel take a bite of the pot Take A Bite Of The Pot

They say a “watched pot never boils.”  That’s not exactly true, but the wisdom of the saying stands–hovering around waiting for something to happen isn’t the best way to enjoy life.

Joyful Springers take a bite of the pot.  They get right in there and taste life instead of hanging back.

You can play a fun and active role in the joy of your life today.  Chew on thoughts and ideas that make you feel good, and you can cook up all kinds of wonderful experiences.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Lucy is back.  Lucy, Ducky's sister, was about 9 weeks old in this picture. Thanks, Lucy, 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: Action, Dogs, Joy, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, Feeling Good, Fun, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel, taste life, watched pot never boils

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

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

Get In Front Of The Shadow

Posted June 14, 2010 By Ande and has no comments yet.

english springer spaniel get in front of the shadow Get In Front Of The Shadow

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, “Where there is much light, the shadow is deep.”

Life’s joy comes with shadows.  It must because it’s the contrast of the happy events and the troublesome part of life that allows us to identify joy.

Joyful Springers get in front of the shadow.  They understand that they will experience things they don’t like, but they don’t linger in those experiences.

You can get ahead of negative experiences by returning your attention to what makes you feel good as soon as possible after darkness enters your life.  Face the shadow when it appears but then turn from it and move into the light.

… 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, Feeling Good, Focus, Joy, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, Feeling Good, happiness, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Joy, negative experiences, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel, the shadow is deep, where there is much light

Be A Vista

Posted April 5, 2010 By Ande and has no comments yet.

English springer spaniel be a vista Be A Vista

Everyone wants to “give back” these days.  And of course volunteering is a great thing to do.

But do you know what you can easily give everyday that helps far more than you think it does?  You can give the picture of joy.

When you make feeling good your number one priority, everyone who sees you benefits from your happiness.

Joyful Springers know the power they have when they are a vista of good feelings.

It may seem selfish; but if you put your happiness first, you will give back everywhere you go.

… 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, Feeling Good, Giving, Springer Spaniel
Tags: English springer spaniel, Feeling Good, give back, Joy, springer spaniels, springers

Carry Your Burdens With Joy

Posted March 30, 2010 By Ande and has 2 comments.

English springer spaniel Carry your load joyfully Carry Your Burdens With Joy

When your load feels heavy, it’s hard to keep your head up.  But you can do it when you look for reasons to feel good.

Joyful Springers carry their burdens with joy because they know that in every situation, there is always some little seed of good.

When you focus on the seeds of good in your life, they grow into happiness that makes it easy to set down your burdens and move on.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer spaniel.

[Muggins loved carrying huge sticks.  I dragged home two of them years ago and kept them on the back deck.  After Muggins died, we brought the sticks in, and Tim sanded them and sealed them with polyurethane. One is seven feet long and the other is over six feet. They're in our bedroom now, part of a memorial for Muggins.  Muggins was only 35 pounds, but she always carried these water-logged sticks that she could barely get her mouth around with great joy.  It was so fun to watch her find the fulcrum point of these sticks and hold her head high to carry them.]

sticks1 143x300 Carry Your Burdens With Joy

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, Joy, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, Feeling Good, Joy, spaniels, springer, Springer Spaniel

You Want It? Grab it!

Posted March 14, 2010 By Ande and has no comments yet.

English Springer spaniel you want it grab it You Want It? Grab it!

A man giving a motivation talk holds up a stack of books and says he’s giving them to the right person. “Who wants them?” he asks.

A bunch of people raise their hands. One w0man walks up to the front of the crowd and takes the books. “Ah,” the man says to the woman. “You are the right person.”

Why was she the right person?

Because she didn’t wait for permission to get what she wanted.

Joyful Springers grab the object of their desire.

You don’t need to be polite about reaching for what you want. Go get it.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer spaniel.

[Meet the beautiful Nellie. She's 9 years old but doesn't know it.  Nellie is Ducky's cousin and Ducky's cousin, Flash's sister. Thanks to the Stermolles for this awesome photo!]

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Categories: Dogs, Goals, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, Energy, Feeling Good, Goals, spaniel, spaniels, Springer Spaniel, springers

Have A Ball

Posted March 1, 2010 By Ande and has no comments yet.

English springer spaniel have a ball Have A Ball

Think of five things you absolutely LOVE to do.  When was the last time you did one of them?

Life is a ball when we’re doing what we love.  And it’s our choice to make time for what we love.

Joyful Springers know how to have a ball.  They do something they love every single day.

Even in the midst of struggle or drudgery, you can find a moment to have a ball.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer spaniel.
pixel Have A Ball
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Categories: Dogs, Feeling Good, Fun, Joy, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, Feeling Good, have a ball, Joy, Love, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel