Look Between The Bars

Posted May 16, 2011 By Ande and has 3 comments.

english springer spaniel look between the bars Look Between The Bars

Whenever you feel confined or limited, you have some old beliefs that are keeping you stuck.

Joyful Springers look between the bars.  They seek out new beliefs that expand their perceptions and allow them to see possibilities they haven’t considered before.

Most of what you take to be true is just a set of thoughts you’ve been thinking for so long that they seem true.  When you peer past the bars of those thoughts, you find new ones that let you see the freedom that can be yours.

[Sweet Pea is back. This sweetie's mom, Denise, says about this photo, “I don't know what the deal is with sticking her head out through the stair balusters - just wanting attention, I think.” icon smile Look Between The Bars   And with a face like that, I bet she gets it! ]


Look Between The Bars

the secrets of dog training2 Look Between The Bars

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Categories: Focus, Freedom, Perspective, Springer Spaniel
Tags: English springer spaniel, limiting beilefs, Perspective, Possibility, spaniel, Springer Spaniel, springers

Reconnoiter When Necessary

Posted August 26, 2010 By Ande and has 2 comments.

english springer spaniel reconnoiter when necessary Reconnoiter When Necessary

Sometimes we just know something is the right thing to do.  Sometimes we’re not so sure.  When we’re not sure, it’s tempting to back away and not take a risk.

But we don’t have to use this either/or approach to life.  We can follow a middle road.

Joyful Springers reconnoiter when necessary.  When they aren’t sure of the next step, they move ahead slowly and investigate each possible direction.  They take a peek at options, and they don’t back away from any possibility.

Even if something you’re thinking about doing doesn’t seem quite right yet, don’t give up on it.  Explore it a bit. You might find an opening to a project, business, or relationship that feels comfortable enough risk.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Jackie is back. This lovely girl from the San Francisco Bay area is usually ready for a good time, but sometimes she has her cautious moments too. Thanks, Jackie, 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, Decisions, Possibility, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, Joy, Possibility, Risk, spaniel, springer, springer spaniels, springers

Face Doorways

Posted August 25, 2010 By Ande and has no comments yet.

english springer spaniel face doorways Face Doorways

The only thing we can see is what we’re looking at.  Sounds obvious, right?  So why, if we’re unhappy with where we are, do we keep looking at where we are?  Why not look for a way out of where we are?

Joyful Springers face doorways.  They know that they’re never limited to where they are in their life, and they turn their attention toward openings to something better.

You’re never as trapped as you think.  There is always an opening to something better.  If you don’t look toward the opening, though, you’ll never get through it.  Get your attention off the unwanted place you’re in and on the possibility of where you want to go.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Muggins would stand in front of my parents' pantry door and talk until you opened the door and got a treat for her from the jar that was just inside the door.  She trained us all very well.]

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, Focus, Possibility, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, doorway to possibility, English springer spaniel, Focus, Joy, Possibility, spaniel, springer, springer spaniels, springers

Run With The Baton

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

english springer spaniel run with the baton Run With The Baton

It’s a cliche, but it’s one worth repeating:  Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.  Or as author and speaker Og Mandino said, ”Take the baton, now. Run with it! This is your day!”

Joyful Springers run with the baton.  They grab hold of opportunity when they spot it, and they charge forward.

When you see possibility, don’t hesitate.  Embrace it.  Act on it. Race on into your best life.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Ducky has discovered the joys of carrying sticks on the beach.  We have to show her how to find the balance point so she doesn't drag them, but once she has a good hold of it, she's off and running.  Keep away is one of her favorite games.]

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, Goals, Opportunity, Possibility
Tags: Dogs, don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today, English springer spaniel, Joy, og mandino, Opportunity, Possibility, run with it, run with the baton, spaniel, Springer Spaniel, springers, take the baton

Scan For Possibility

Posted July 10, 2010 By Ande and has 3 comments.

english springer spaniel scan for possibility Scan For Possibility

Extraordinary things can come into our lives, but if we’re not looking for the extraordinary, it will pass us by.

Joyful Springers scan for possibility.  They look past “what is” in their lives, and even as they’re content with what they have, they’re open to finding something better.

If you’re caught up in your troubles and challenges, you won’t see opportunities when they come your way.  Lift your gaze from your worries and be open to spotting a miracle today.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Muggins was a Field Springer spaniel, which meant she was bred for hunting.  I don't hunt, so she found a way to satisfy her instinct.  She hunted insects.  She spent hours on top of the backs of our sofas scanning the walls and ceiling for creeping mosquitoes or crane flies or spiders.  When she found one, she pointed at it until I went to get a broom or flyswatter.  Then she barked as I "bagged the bug."]

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, Miracles, Possibility, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, Miracles, opportunities, Possibility, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel

It’s Okay To Be Wet Behind The Ears

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

English springer spaniel its oikay to be wet behind the ears Its Okay To Be Wet Behind The Ears

The phrase “wet behind the ears” is hundreds of years old, and it supposedly originates from the fact that many animals are born with a depression behind the ears that is the last thing to dry out after the wet birth process.  The phrase means innocent or gullible.

Joyful Springers know it’s okay to be wet behind the ears.  What better way to go through life than to be open and innocent and willing to believe, ready to soak in as much knowledge as possible?

Go forth today proud of that moisture behind your ears.  So you don’t know it all.  Good for you.  That means you have room for new information and your mind is open to possibility.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Wallis is back, along with her sisters, Sidney, 8 1/2 years old, and Betsy, 2 years old.  From South Carolina, these lovely ladies get along like most normal sisters, according to their mummy Catherine Jones--they are "sometimes friend sometimes foes." They do agree, though, that the bath time that preceded this photo, isn't their favorite time. Thank you, Wallis, Sidney, and Betsy, 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: Dogs, Learning, Possibility, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, Learning, open minded, Possibility, spaniel, Springer Spaniel, springers, wet behind the ears

Glance Over Your Shoulder

Posted July 2, 2010 By Ande and has no comments yet.

english springer spaniel glance over your shoulder Glance Over Your Shoulder

By the time we become adults, we’re pretty sure we know how the world works.  We have some rock-solid ideas and opinions.

Although, there’s nothing wrong with conviction, having an immovable perspective can be pretty limiting.

Joyful Springers glance over their shoulders.  They check out other perspectives as often as possible because they know that adventure lies in the unexpected.

Is it possible that what you KNOW isn’t true after all?  Think about shaking up some of your ingrained beliefs today. Opportunities for pure delight could be lingering just beyond your limited perspectives.  Glance around and see what new things you can discover.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Muggins loved checking out new perspectives, although she always returned her focus to me.]

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, Possibility, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, ingrained beliefs, Joy, Opportunity, Possibility, shift perspectives, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel

Open Wide

Posted June 2, 2010 By Ande and has 1 comment.

English springer spaniel open wide Open Wide

An old proverb says, “The door of opportunity is wide open if you are prepared.” In order to be prepared, you must remain in expectation of wonder.

Joyful Springers open wide to the triumphs of life.  They leap toward delight with abandon.

Possibility can’t get past the barriers of negativity and fear. Drop your barriers today and open yourself to the happy experiences you want.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Jackie is back.  Jackie's mummy says this eight-year old girl plays ball, even though "she's not very good at catching it and would rather eat grass ."  Thanks, Jackie, 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.

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, Opportunity, Positive thinking, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, door of opportunity, English springer spaniel, Joy, negativity, Possibility, spaniel, Springer Spaniel, springers

Put Your Paws On Your Passions

Posted April 22, 2010 By Ande and has 11 comments.

Mixed breed put your paws on your passions Put Your Paws On Your Passions

German poet, Hebbel said, “Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion.”  Passion has an energy that can blast through limitation.  Passion creates miracles.

Joyful Springers put their paws on passion.  They look for things to be excited about, and they put all their attention on those things.

If you haven’t had much energy lately, go looking for your passions.  They’ll lead you back to extraordinary power.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful MUTT.

[Meet Jake Bart, a self-described joyful mutt, who loves what he calls his “bananaphone.”  Jake, one of Harry McCatley’s bros, lives in North Carolina, where he frequently talks on his bananaphone and holds fast to his belief in George Carlin’s Frisbeetarianism, the belief that, after death, the soul flies onto the roof and gets stuck there.  You can read more about Jake on his Facebook page.  Thanks, Jake, 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.

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 to 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, Energy, Passion, Possibility, Power
Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, hebbel, Joy, Miracles, Passion, Possibility, spaniel, spaniels, springer, Springer Spaniel

Defy Gravity

Posted April 17, 2010 By Ande and has 2 comments.

english springer spaniel defy gravity Defy Gravity

Gravity is useful when it comes to walking around in the world.  It might be a bit bothersome to float all the time.

But when it comes to ideas, you don’t want to be held down.

Joyful Springers defy gravity.  They let themselves soar into possibility.

When it comes to what you want to do in life, let yourself float away from convention and limitation.  Go ahead and fly!

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer spaniel.

[Rio is back!  This HAPPY 3 year old Springer embodies what Springers are all about.  She's the pride and joy of amateur photographer, Kathy Morris.  Check out Kathy's photos on Zenfolio.  She takes great shots!  Thanks, Rio, 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.

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 to 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.

pixel Defy Gravity
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Categories: Dogs, Possibility, Springer Spaniel
Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, gravity, Possibility, spaniel, spaniels, springer, Springer Spaniel