Quote:
|
Always give people a friendly greeting. A cold nose in the crotch is most effective
|
This defiantly applies with Lucky!
Here's something interesting I found stating 8 top life lessons learned from dogs from Cesar Millan;
Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan's Top 8 life lessons learned from dog
It seems fitting that Cesar Millan's arrival into the world was heralded by a hurricane that ripped the roof off his family's home in Culiacan, Mexico, according to IMG Speakers. The man is a veritable force of nature.
Since starting out as a penniless dog groomer in San Diego, California in 1990, Cesar has transformed himself into a world-renowned dog behavior specialist, best-selling author, and pop culture phenomenon.
In a memorable South Park episode, Cesar helps Cartman's mother attempt to control her precocious son by imitating Cesar's finger jabs and vocal bursts of his trademark "Tssst!"
In addition to Cesar's popular TV show, The Dog Whisperer, he is C.E.O. (and his wife, Illusion, President) of Cesar Millan, Inc., a multinational company bent on world domination via DVDs, books, merchandise, international syndication of his show, and speaking engagements--commanding upwards of $25,000 per appearance. He and his wife also started a foundation to rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for abused dogs.
Cesar's success has not been without controversy. His detractors such as Mark Derr, disagree with Cesar's confrontational training style, calling him a "charming, one-man wrecking ball directed at 40 years of progress in understanding and shaping dog behavior and in developing nonpunitive, reward-based training programs..."
Nonetheless, Cesar's influence is widespread. As he often says, it's not the dogs that need training, but their human owners.
Recently writing for Parade Magazine, Cesar shared the eight critical life lessons that dogs have taught him, summarized and paraphrased, below. For the full article, go to the magazine's website.
1. Live in the moment: Copy what dogs do and live in the Now. Don't regret the past or worry about the future. You'll be a lot happier and more peaceful.
2. Nurture a balanced life: Apply Cesar's canine mantra to yourself; give yourself daily doses of exercise, discipline and affection. (Have you had a hug today?)
3. Trust your instincts: Don't let your giant brain talk you out of something you feel in your gut. "Pay attention to nonverbal cues such as body language and energy." Dogs don't second guess themselves; we shouldn't either.
4. Be direct and consistent in your communication: Cut out the passive-aggressive business. State what you need openly and directly. It's okay to do so. Is there ever any doubt when your dog wants a treat or a pat on the head?
5. Learn to listen: Make some room in your busy schedule for a loved one who needs a heart-to-heart. You don't need to fix their problems. Just learn to give your full and focused attention, instead of going, "Huh, what did you say? I was just thinking I forgot to pick up my dry cleaning."
6. Don’t hold grudges: Ohhhh-weee! This is a big one for us humans. Dogs, according to Cesar, "resolve the situation when disagreements arise, then move on. Holding onto negative feelings tends to make them multiply and prevent us from moving forward." We should do what dogs do and just shake it off--literally flail our bodies around for a few seconds, as dogs do--then just let it go.
7. Live with purpose: If you feel bored, aimless, anxiety-ridden, and are starting to chew the furniture, find something meaningful to do with your time. "All animals," Cesar believes, "including humans, have an inborn need to work for food and water." Moreover, If you don't derive fulfillment from your job, find a hobby or a new career. As Spencer Tracy says to the Hedy Lamarr character in I Take This Woman, "It's very hard to be useful and unhappy at the same time."
8. Celebrate every day: "Our pets rejoice in life's simplest moments," Cesar writes. "For a dog, every morning is Christmas morning. Every walk is the best walk, every meal is the best meal, every game is the best game." These may not be the best of economic times, but maybe there is some little tiny thing we can find to be grateful for every day.
Life Lessons Learned from a Dog
Linear Mode
