Sunday, May 30, 2010

Novelty or Nostalgia?

The boys bought a record player at the church yard sale this weekend. They managed to find a few old records to try and I could hear the music pouring out of Rory's room at various speeds as they flicked the speed button up to 78 and down to 16.

They think it's the coolest thing since they've never seen one before. It's such a novelty for them. Cathy can't understand the novelty but it does make her nostalgic and she remembers her youth spending many angst filled hours in her room with her record player for company. She'd play her single 45s with the little clip in the middle that always fell out. She'd sing along with the Carpenters and play her flute along with movie soundtracks. Okay, Cathy. You can stop now. I think my readers get the idea. They don't need to hear about everything you listened to. Don't want to scare them away or make them fall asleep.

Readers tell me I'm getting a little heavy handed and serious with my posts lately so I will try and lighten up a little. I am a fun loving dog after all. Must be all that Proust I've been reading lately. That guy sure can get serious about the most mundane daily experiences. I must say I'd like to try a Madeleine Cookie though. They sound yummy. Wonder if I'll revel in nostalgia about it like Proust does. I doubt it. Maybe a dog biscuit would do the trick.

Cathy gets very nostalgic lately. Must be part of the aging process. She is getting on in years, it's true. I try to tell her that looking back at the past too much isn't healthy. Live in the moment, girl! That's all you've got and you have much less of it left than you did in your youth. Don't waste it in the past. Oh, I'm getting heavy handed and preachy again. Sorry.

Interesting to see how old things like record players make a comeback again. "What goes around comes around" One of Cathy's friends said that. Seems especially appropriate when talking about a record player. BOL! Sorry. Can't resist a good pun though it might make some of you cringe and stop reading. I apologize. Or maybe you stopped reading before this.

The boys saw some record players for sale in the stores with new features like mp3 conversion capabilities. Things from the past get recycled like gadgets and clothes. The young people view them as a novelty while the older folks revel in nostalgia.

Nostalgia gives an idealized view of the past as a happier, gentler time "the good old days" as they call them. Like a faded photo with fuzzy edges, nostalgia tricks us into thinking that times were simpler and happier. The painful parts are forgotten.

I suppose one day I'll be like Cathy when I'm older and be thinking about the good ol days when Tyna tried to steal my paddling pool from under my nose and Tanner picked a fight every chance he could.

It's hard for me to be nostalgic when I'm only three and haven't been on the planet that long. Plus I live in the moment and don't think about the past much. I'm having too much fun now! Everything is a novelty for me.

Wanna ditch the nostalgia for now and come play "old sock tug-of-war" with me? I'll be waiting!

Friday, May 28, 2010

Gratitude

Gratitude

Today I'd like to focus on gratitude. What does a dog know about that you're probably wondering? Well, I am quite brilliant and have a great self-help library as well as all the classics in English and French so bear with me.

Every day I try to practice gratitude as a habit.

I'm grateful for having wonderful owners like Brian, Cathy, Rory and Eric. Some of my fellow dogs aren't so lucky and suffer neglect and abuse.

I'm grateful for Tyna most of the time. *rolls eyes* except when she's acting possessive of me or stealing my pool.

I'm grateful for Alex who is growing old with dignity. Hope I can do as well when I'm 15.

As for Tanner, welllllll... No comment. GRRRRR. As for the cats welllllll. Again, no comment. I'm not much of a cat lover. Hey, it's in the DNA. Can't help that much.

I'm grateful that Brian took me in and gave me a good home or I might still be wandering the dusty back country lanes seeking my fortune.

I'm grateful for my doghouse and for my food and water. Some dogs aren't as lucky. Some people, too.

I'm grateful for being healthy and robust, able to endure most things. They don't call me "Husky" for nothing.

I'm grateful for living in a great country such as Canada though the extreme temperatures are a bit hard to take but hey, I'm tough, I'm a husky as I said.

I even have a gratitude journal I write in. It's a little muddy and "dog" eared (Cathy just groaned when I wrote this) but I still write in it. Even people like Oprah keep gratitude journals. I think they're a great idea. If you're feeling grateful for what you do have in your life, you're not focusing on what you don't have.

If you're constantly thinking of what you're lacking in your life, you're bound to be miserable. We're especially guilty of this with the constant urge to have new things. Consumerism and materialism constantly make you feel you're lacking unless you have the latest fashion, the latest gadget, the latest technical gizmo. We keep buying in our quest to feel happy about our lives and try to fill that void that never seems to get filled.

That ol "keep up with the Joneses" syndrome is bound to leave a person feeling inadequate and lacking. So what if your neighbour has a brand new car and you don't? They probably have a lot of debt and have to work long hours to pay for it. It all breaks eventually and that new car will end up in a junkyard soon enough.

Comparing yourself is a self defeating behaviour, too. I never compare myself to others but then I'm pretty great so why do I need to? I've never wanted to trade my life with any dog but I know some dogs do, poor things. I know some dogs would love to be me and I fully understand it. I'm pretty fantastic, it's true.

Maybe that other person looks like they're richer, slimmer, smarter, prettier, and happier but are they really? Appearances are deceiving. They have their problems like everyone else and they're definitely not perfect even if they seem that way from outward appearances. The grass isn't always greener as they say. Cathy says to cut out all the tired cliches like "appearances are deceiving" and the grass is always greener". Sorry about that, Cathy. Them's the breaks. That's the way the cookie crumbles. Every dog must have its day. Those cliches, gotta love 'em!.

So practice a bit of gratitude each day and don't be surprised if you instantly feel happier and more content. It's a good life and we have much to be grateful about.

Gratefully yours,
Loup

Monday, May 24, 2010

Confidence

Cathy often asks me how I can be so confident. Since it comes so naturally for me, I had to stop and think a while.

When you're as good looking and smart as I am, lack of confidence and low self esteem aren't problems for me.

I've been told I'm sometimes arrogant but hey, when you got it, might as well flaunt it, right? *puffs out chest and struts along*

I present myself with confidence and I think that is one of the most important steps to feeling confident.

Stand tall and look people in the eye. Speak clearly and don't be afraid to ask for what you want. Works for me! Uh, Cathy, isn't it my breakfast time? Honestly, where is she? It's 9:30 am already!

Where was I? Another thing is to focus on the good stuff in your life and not dwell on the bad.

Think of your strengths and achievements. That's what I always do. Be happy with who you are and get rid of that negative voice lurking in your head who tells you that you're no good. I don't have an inner critic myself but I've heard they're a big pain to have. A real nuisance. Kind of like Tanner who is always a thorn in my side. (Pardon the cliche! Hey, I'm a dog, not Proust. ;))

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars, you have a right to be here...... Oh sorry, I got carried away. I just love that Desiderata poem and the music is great. Cathy played it for me once and now I have that song stuck in my head.

Here is the Max poem to end this post. I'm sure you're all just drooling in anticipation. I know I am. Or is it that I'm hungry and thirsty. OHHHH, CATHHHHHEEEE! WHERE ARE YOU???????? TIME TO FEED ME! Honestly that girl spends way too much time on the computer. How do Brian and the boys put up with it?

DESIDERATA

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.


--- Max Ehrmann, 1927

Until next time, and remember Max's wise words, "Strive to be happy." That's what I do. Arf, arf, ROOOOOOOO!

Love Loup

Saturday, May 22, 2010

So superficial!

I just finished watching MTV Cribs with Eric. Talk about superficial with all that luxury and materialism! All those rich young people living the good life.

And all the commercials were for pimple cream, shampoo, underarm deodorant, and teeth bleaching. Everyone so obsessed about their looks. What about what's inside?

Luckily I'm authentic and don't need any of that.

So whaddya think? Is my photo showing my good side or should I use another one? Maybe I should get a portrait done in a studio by a professional. I mean, Cathy tries her best but she is an amateur. Luckily my amazing good looks shine through, despite her mediocre photos.

And I don't even need pimple cream with my perfect skin. I don't need fancy shampoo either. Mud baths do the trick for me.

The teeth bleaching might be an idea though. I am getting a bit of tartar buildup. How am I supposed to smile in photos?

The agony of living with such perfection weighs heavily on me but I have strong shoulders so I can bear it.

Til next time, have an authentic kind of a day!

Love Loup

Friday, May 21, 2010

It's almost the weekend!

I thought I'd put aside my hole digging for a moment to write another blog post just to keep all my readers happy. (Cathy just informed me that I don't have any readers. Oh well, a dog can dream, can't he? Bet you I'll be on the best seller list before Cathy is.)

Woohoo! A long weekend coming up and it's springtime. Everything is green and the lilacs are bursting into bloom. Long sunny days. What's not to like? I just love this time of year even if it is a bit hot for me. PANT! I am a snow dog after all.

So it's Victoria Day weekend they tell me. What's with this Queen Victoria stuff? Wasn't she some British queen who lived way back when? Funny we get a holiday and they don't over in England. Oh well. No one is going to argue about a long weekend now, are they? I think they should have a long weekend to honour my birthday but I'm not the one who makes the rules.

Speaking of rules, I bet you'd love to know my rules for living, wouldn't you?

Here they are:

1. Never regret mistakes but learn from them. (I regret fighting with that German Shepherd last week but I've learned not to walk on that street again).
2. Try and get along with everyone and accept that we're all different. (I do try to get along with Tanner but he's got it in for me and a dog can only take so much before he loses it!)
3. When you do have a difference with someone, resolve it quickly and don't let it fester and become worse. (Hear that, Tanner! GRRR!)
4. Keep an open mind and a positive outlook
5. Keep a song in your soul and realize that it's a good life despite the struggles. Arf, arf, roooooo!

And by all means, don't worry about stuff that isn't worth worrying about. It takes way too much energy that could be used for more fun stuff like catching balls and jumping in mud puddles.

Enjoy your long or short weekend wherever you may be!

Loup

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Live in the moment

I just don't get it. All these people worrying about tomorrow and regretting yesterday. Meanwhile now is going by and they're missing it.

Why can't people be more like me and live in the moment?

Do I regret? No. (Except I do wish I had that bone I dropped on my walk last week. Oh well.)

Do I worry about tomorrow? No. (It does help that Brian rescued me or I might still be wondering aimlessly on the back roads of Vernon. Then I'd be worrying about tomorrow but I knew someone would take me sooner or later.)

So many people also suffer from "Some day syndrome". Sure, I'll live my dream "some day" and they keep putting it off and "some day" never comes. Do it now is what I say!

If it isn't attainable all at once, at least do a little each day towards your dream so you feel you're gradually getting there.

And they think dogs aren't wise. Until next time, live in the moment like I do!

Loup