In the new year, Joyful Springers resolve to focus on things that make them feel good. They know that what they focus on expands. 

When you look for joy, you find it.

Happy New Year!!

[Ducky loves watching YouTube videos that feature dogs, so that's what she focuses on.  ]

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British philosopher Alfred North Whitehead wrote,“The only use of a knowledge of the past is to equip us for the present. The present contains all that there is. It is holy ground; for it is the past, and it is the future.”

Joyful Springers ground themselves.  They understand that life is lived in “holy ground” of the present, and a constant focus on what’s done or what will be prevents them from allowing their irresistible essence to shine.

When you define yourself by what you’ve done or what might happen to you in the future, you can’t fully be yourself.  Be here now, in the sweet beauty of your truth.  This is where you’ll find all the joy you desire.

[Triscuit is back.  Joan Howe took this photo of her now 13 year old "independent" girl, the first day she and her husband brought Triscuit home.  Joan says that Triscuit was so timid that this was the only pose they could get out of her.  Later, this photo won 1st Place in a puppy photo contest and was on the cover of SPRINGER EXPRESS magazine in the Fall of 2000.  These days, Triscuit is an older girl with arthritis and hearing issues (although she can hear very well whenever food is involved).  She’s been through major surgery for Cushings' Disease and has had both ACLs done, but she’s still a happy girl. ]

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One of the biggest things that holds us back from expanding into better and better versions of ourselves is the fear of change.

Joyful Springers buttress their growth.  They create a safe foundation from which to learn and improve.

Your foundation can be a trusted friend or family member you can count on, or it can be a daily meditation or exercise practice.  It can be some treasured place or object.  It doesn’t matter what it is–just be sure it’s something that makes you feel safe and secure.

When you feel settled and steady, you will have the courage to reach further out.  You are so much more than you think you are.  Grow into yourself!

[Rudie is back. This little cutie is finding a way to prop himself up while he grows! (This photo was taken a few months ago--Rudie is growing into a beautiful dog now.) ]

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Every morning when you wake up, you have a choice.  You can either approach your day as if it was routine and go through the motions OR you can open your day the Joyful Springer way:

Joyful Springers unbox the goodies.  They see each day as a package of delightful gifts waiting to be explored and savored.

Your mindset creates your experience.  So what are you going to choose today?

[Ducky had a grand time exploring the goodies in the fun box from Helen and Rich Gibbons (Pump, Butch, & Angel Riley's momma and daddy).  They sent us wonderful toys and treats for Ducky and other great gifts--all with a "ducky" and doggy theme.  It was a delightful surprise!!  Thanks, Helen & Rich!! ]
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No pain no gain.  Try harder.  Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.  (Who has bootstraps anymore?)  Do these sage bits of wisdom sound familiar?

We were trained to try and control what happens in our life with effort and struggle.  We were taught to fight and wrestle our problems.

Not everything we learn is good for us.

Joyful Springers go limp.  They give up the need to work so hard, to struggle, and to attempt to control every part of their lives.

When you trust things to work out and you follow inspired guidance, you’ll not only be more relaxed, you’ll have more success in everything you do.

[Lofty is back.This happy nine-year old boxer from England clearly hasn't a care in the world!  ]

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Sometimes those we love get into “cages” of struggle and pain, and it seems like we can’t do anything to help them.  But we can.

Joyful Springers are there.  They understand that sometimes the best thing you can do for someone is simply be nearby.

You can’t solve everyone’s problems, but you can offer your comforting presence and your loving energy.  Today and everyday, be there for someone you love.

In Memoriam

Angel Riley

August 1, 2001  – April 20, 2011

[It is with great sadness that I share that one of our regular guest stars, Angel Riley (with her adopted sister, Pump, in the photo above), a sweet girl from Whispering Pines, North Carolina, passed away last month.  On April 5, she suffered a seizure indicative of a brain tumor (she had other related symptoms as well).  Over the next two weeks, she went quickly downhill until she crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Her momma, Helen, took the photo of Pump & Angel above and the two photos below during the last two weeks of Riley's life.  In the one above, Pump had gotten into the crate to lie with Riley after Riley had ducked into the crate, not feeling well.  In the first one below, Butch laid down by Riley (she's on the left) and stretched out so his head touched her. In the second one below, both Butch and Pump got between Helen and Riley when Helen was lying with Riley.  They took over Helen's spot at Riley's side.  Helen said,  "The love and compassion for the those two sad weeks were incredible.  I think Springers love you until the end and then some!!"  And we love them the same way.

Please take a moment to send Angel Riley loving blessings for everlasting joy and love and a moment to send loving comfort to Helen, her husband, Rich, as well as Butch, Pumpkin and the rest of people and animals who knew and loved Riley as they go through these rough first weeks and months without her. ]

“A Treasure”

Angel Riley spent the first six years, eight months of her life with a family who eventually had to give her up to English Springer Rescue Association (ESRA).  Rich and Helen Gibbons took in Riley as a foster dog, but they “failed” as foster parents;  Rich and Angel Riley fell in love, so she became a permanent part of the Gibbons family.

Helen and Riley’s relationship unfolded more slowly.  Helen had wanted a younger dog, but she discovered the joys of a more mature “girlfriend.”  Riley weighed 76 pounds when she joined Helen and Rich, but with the addition of her 9 month old adopted sister, Pumpkin (Pump) and the fun sport of dock diving, Riley became 55 muscular pounds of “Caroline Dock Dog.”

“Everyone said she had such a sad face but a happy inside,”  Helen says of Angel Riley.  Winner of a tail-wagging contest, passionate about balls, Frisbees, swimming and diving, Riley was an obedient girl who loved life.  On her 9th birthday last year, Riley took fifth place in the junior division of a Carolina Dock Dogs event, and later in the year, she got first place in “Junior Big Air.”

Helen says about Riley:  “What a great dog!!  What a smart dog!  What a treasure; maybe that is why she was a pirate for Halloween and an angel the year before!”  Helen says they won the lottery when they got Angel Riley:  “She was a giver…a giver of love and happiness.”

The Gibbons’ only had Angel Riley with them for a little over three years, but they cherish every minute of that time.  Their experience is encouragement for anyone thinking of rescuing a senior dog.  As Helen says, “Rescuing an older dog has so many pluses…they outweigh the negatives.”

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It doesn’t take that much to make a powerful connection with someone.

Joyful Springers hook up.  They know that sharing just a little bit of themselves invites others to do the same.

The best interactions start with just a simple hook of authentic revelation.  Let others get a peek at who you are, and you’ll create relationships that will last a lifetime.

[Ollie and Murphy are back.  Lee Linenberg's dogs are connected in more ways than one!]

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Never underestimate the power of your nose to make you feel better.

Joyful Springers treat themselves with aromatherapy.  They understand that scents can be soothing, healing, or rejuvenating.

Aromatherapy is a gentle, enjoyable way to nurture yourself and improve your life.

[Pump is back.  This gorgeous  four year old from North Carolina loves sniff out new things. ]

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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).

[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.  ]

Happy Easter from Ducky, Tim, and Me!

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Too many of us live careful lives these days.  We’re so aware of what could go wrong, we hold back and don’t engage with the world the way we would if we felt totally safe and excited about life.

Joyful Springers trample it.  They don’t focus on what could go wrong.  They focus on the fun to be had.

Life was meant to be savored.  Don’t tiptoe through your days.  Trample them with passion and enthusiasm.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[I know it's Spring, but I had to get in one last snow picture.  Ducky was so excited about her first ever encounter with more than a dusting of snow that she had it trampled down in a matter of minutes. ]

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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