10 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com JULY | AUGUST 2018 If you are a dog lover, you can relate to the feeling of unconditional love your precious pooch puts forth. They need so little and give so much. True confession? I was not always a “pet person,” but when I began dating my husband 22 years ago, he had an oversized and quite human-like sidekick, Brandi, a golden retriever. David and Brandi were quite a paw-fect pair, and I fell for both of them hook, line and sinker. Brandi soon became a great protector of our three toddlers, even when they’d try to ride her like a pony. Then came Patti, an unruly but affectionate rescue who loved with all her might. Now we have Aspen, our full-figured and precocious seven-year-old snow-white lab who adds unbridled joy to our world (and too many gigabytes of hilarious photos on our cell phones)! Living with a dog has helped me formulate many life lessons for myself and for my kids. Here are some of my favorites: Listen more, talk less. Pets always appear to be engrossed in your soliloquy. Likewise, sometimes the best advice is no advice. Be a sounding board and allow others to express their thoughts and ideas aloud. Venting is healthy! Don’t gossip. Emily Dickinson said, “Dogs are better than human beings because they know but do not tell.” True friendship lies in knowing how to hold a confidence. Show compassion and be empathetic. When you’re having a bad day, there is one go-to who has your back no matter what. Dogs seem to say, “I’m sorry you are dealing with this, but look into my dreamy George Clooney eyes and we will get through it together.” Have a positive body image. You think my dog cares that she’s overweight? No! She KNOWS she is FAB-U-LOUS. To prove it, she’ll take all 90 pounds of herself and snuggle right onto your lap. Be fearless. Sometimes you just have to go for it. (But look both ways and wash your paws.) Be dependable. When my kids were little, “dog duty” was on our chore chart right along with other responsibilities. It taught them that someone is counting on them. Be grateful and pay it forward. Mark Twain said, “If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man.” Dogs remind us to remember from whence we came and to be thankful for the people who helped us along the way. The best pleasures cannot be purchased. Some people think money buys happiness. Pets know this is not true. Just some kibble, fresh water, a game of fetch and a kind word will suffice. Be an optimist. Cheer for the underdog. Dogs show us that nothing is unattainable. Unlikely? Perhaps. Impossible? Never. Aspen sits patiently at your feet while you eat your ice cream cone. You could drop it. YOU. COULD. DROP. IT. DROP IT! (Alright, maybe next time.) Get your rest. Dogs sleep an average of 50% of the day. Obviously, this would be overkill for humans, but we can still learn something here. Anytime is a good time for a snack. Needs no explanation. Pass the queso. Enjoy simple pleasures. Soak in the good stuff. Doggonit. Sometimes nothing can beat a good cheeseburger, a long walk with a friend, or a big warm hug. PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sheryl Lilly Pidgeon Sheryl@goodlifefamilymag.com Direct: 214.476.8131 EDITORIAL TEAM TriciaWhite ManagingEditor Tricia@goodlifefamilymag.com Direct: 214.725.1981 Elle Parks FashionEditor Elle@goodlifefamilymag.com Rick Seaney TravelEditor Rick.Seaney@farecompare.com COPY EDITORS Audra Glidewell Tracy Graivier Bell WRITERS Lisa Beach Karyn Brodsky Kristin Cicciarelli Barbara Glass Kerrie McLoughlin Erin O'Connell Lindsey Pidgeon Deb Silverthorn GlenW. Spielbauer AliciaWanek CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jennifer Melton Jennifer@goodlifefamilymag.com MARKETING TEAM MichaelTinglin ChiefMarketingOfficer Michael@goodlifefamilymag.com Katherine Ingram Digital Marketing Coordinator Jaxie Pidgeon Marketing Assistant ADVERTISING TEAM Amy Lendl Advertising Manager Advertising@goodlifefamilymag.com Melinda Bogoslavsky AdvertisingAccountExecutive Melinda@goodlifefamilymag.com Direct: 214.603.9478 Mendy Lea AdvertisingConsultant Mendy@goodlifefamilymag.com Direct: 214.228.5052 Jean Lewis AdvertisingAccountExecutive Advertising@goodlifefamilymag.com Direct: 214.208.6857 - Sheryl THE GOOD PEOPLE at goodLIFEfamily GoodLifeFamilyMag.com LIVE. LEARN. LAUGH. (DOUBLE DOG DARE YA!) REPEAT. goodPOINT Paws-itive Life Lessons ASPEN PIDGEON