And what if your dog jumps up on you
And what if your dog is sound asleep on your sofa
And what if your dog eats tasty treats under your babies high chair
And what if your dog carries your shoes into another room and hides them
And what if your dog barks at a stranger, barking, oh barking dear god
And what if your dog is scared and runs into another room
And what if your puppy jumps into their water bowl and starts splashing around instead of drinking
And what if your dog watches you pee
And what if your dog digs a whole in the yard
And what if your dog hops in the shower with you
And what if your dog jumps into bed with you to snuggle in the morning
And what if your dog gets fleas
And what if your dog curls a lip and growls at another dog
And what if your dog tells you to stop whatever you are doing because it hurts
And what if your dog wanted to casually gaze into your eyes and look at you for awhile
And what if your dog had really bad gas
And what if your dog was uncertain
And what if your dog truly believed there was danger behind every corner, couch, chair, room, and shadow
Does the world all of a sudden stop spinning, gravity disappears, and life changes as we know it as we go hurling into space? Does it warrant a call to the police, a dog restraining order? Is your dog plotting and planning your demise, slowly but surely, one shoe at a time, article by article? Is your dog trying to win by gassing you out of your own home, in hopes of having the most choice spots to lay on? Maybe your dog knows all of your deep down hidden secrets, and is slyly trying to drive you crazy, ONE. LOUD. BARK. AT. A. TIME.
And what if we all took a deep breath
And what if we put things into perspective
And what if we started to see our dog with new clarity, new eyes, without judgement
And what if we stopped freaking out about the small things and learned to work together
And what if we formed healthy emotional relationships with our dogs, not based on winning or loosing
And what if we looked at all living beings with respect
And what if we all learned how to be better at teaching and learning
And what if we all learned to take the good with the bad and work through things together
And what if everyday was a new start
And what if we learned how to be more intentional, honest, and kind with every day that passes
And what if …
To a new year, filled with great possibilities. My wish for you all, with love, Nancy
Nancy Tanner 
Nice to see you, beautiful post and a Very Happy New Year Nancy!
I have loved all of your posts on cool things to try over the holidays. They have kept me inspired with my brief break from the office…
I am glad you are OK 🙂 HUGS
I could place a check-mark next to almost every one of those “issues” – and then some.
Terry you could also put a check next to everything compassionate and balanced as well.
That’s beautiful!!!!
Thanks Lisa
Are you describing Charlie? He fits your category 99 % of the time. love, Mom
Mom, you didn’t read far enough, keep reading… Love to you
Here Here to that! A toast to starting the new year TOGETHER with our dogs!
Yes, a toast to a great new year! SO fun having you over during the holidays
That was wonderfully written and hit home on almost all of it. Jeeves. P.S. As anal as I am. I hope you meant “hurtling” into space. The vision of the other, I can’t get out of my head ;-))
Jeeves thank you, it is hurling… throwing, flinging, tossing, chucking… You need to clear your mind of the other stuff… clear your mind Jeeves!
You know it all, and knows how to say it. 🙂 My best wishes for the New Year, Nancy!
Happy New Year to you Bente!
Just love this Nancy Px
Thanks Pauline!
What if we finally stop and really look and listen (which is what your post is saying) and see this wonderful ball of fur with real feelings and real needs and interest and excitement for the day and night to just be with us?
Lovely post, Nancy! Thank you!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Thanks Linda, Happy New Year to you!!!
Thank you, Nancy! I hope yours is very good also!
Linda
I have a ‘new’ (she’ll be a year old on the 15th) Shepherd, she has taught me to take a break and laugh at her, trow the ball, and take that extra minute to look.
My Huskies (8 years and 3 years) are too laid back to care about anything… The ‘puppy’ keeps us all on our toes and looking for the ear plugs!!!!
Happy new year!
Keep on barking!
Oh, sweet Nancy I love this post. And the picture is so sweet. Have a wonderful 2014. Hugs and nose kisses
and a very Happy New Year to you as well!
just wonderful as always!
Love ignores all the “what ifs.” There is nothing to do for it but love back.