Life Lessons by Nike, the Shiba Inu

Ms. Nike and I walk every morning until it’s either too icy or way too cold for me. We talk a lot on our walks…well, I talk and she listens! But, the other day I got to thinking that maybe we can learn a lot from our dogs (or any pets)! And so, I give you Life Lessons by Nike!

Dear Humans, 

You think you’re the smart ones, but it’s really us that have life figured out.  Here’s a few things I think you can learn from me and my canine friends!  

1.  Do more of what makes you happy! 

You see, if I feel like sitting in my chair all morning and watching the birds and squirrels run around the yard, that’s what I do.  In the winter time, it makes me happy to lay right in front of the furnace vent!  Whatever it is at that moment that makes me happy is what I do!  I don’t have to worry about things like laundry and cleaning, but I also don’t worry myself if I’ve spent 6 hours looking outside and only 2

hours sleeping or vice versa.  What makes me happy, I do it and I think a lot of humans need to worry less about those fine details and learn to do more of what makes them happy!

2.  Only like the people who treat you well and fill your bucket!

I have my favorite humans, but generally I like them all as long as they pet me and give me some attention.  I REALLY like the ones that give me treats, rub my belly, and lots of attention.  I can tell you that I don’t like humans who tease me and ignore me.  They don’t fill my doggy bucket in any way, so why would I want them to be around?!  Most likely I will bark a lot at them and probably run away from them if they try to pet me.  Seriously, you need to bark and run-away from humans who don’t treat you well and fill your bucket!  You don’t need the ones that tease you and constantly take and don’t give anything in return.  

3.  Don’t take life so serious!  

Be silly every once in awhile!  I’m GREAT at this!  My favorite way to be silly is to lay on my back with my paws in the air and wiggle around and make weird snorting sounds…and then I’ll lay really

still because I know if I do one of my humans will come down and love on me! 🙂  So, see?  If you take life a little less serious and be silly every once in awhile, life will be more enjoyable and you’ll draw great people to you!  

4.  Be loyal and protective!  

While my breed is known for being very loyal and protective, I am pretty great at this, if I must say so myself!  I LOVE my humans!  I’m the happiest when everyone is under our roof together!  I shower them with my love and affection so they know how much I love them and how much I miss them when they are gone!  I urge you to do the same with those really great humans in your life!  Make sure they know you love and appreciate them.  And finally, be loyal to them, defend them just like I pretend to defend my humans (but, don’t run away like I do because I’m really a big baby!)  

I hope you’ve enjoyed Life Lessons by Nike!  I’m sure if we pay attention to our pets around us, we can all learn something!  I know I do!  After all, I’m Learning As I Go!