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As a Labrador retriever I feel naturally drawn to certain things. I feel incredibly happy, joyful and in my flow when I am doing stuff that is my purpose. Mum says this is because I get a treat inside my brain called doggy-mine or something like that.

I am wired to love water, any water, from a fetid puddle to my mum’s steaming bathtub. I don’t know why particularly, it just is…..I feel connected to my ancestors even though I didn’t know them.

It feels soooooo good when I get to do what I’m here to do.

Like carrying things, I’m really good at carrying things, I carry dad’s gum boots, mums undies off the washing line and my absolute favourite….. a pine cone. Oh how I love carrying a pine cone!

I feel all dog, I feel I am living my purpose.

Mum just loves seeing the joy in me as I do what I love when I run bouncily free, ears a flap, tail up carrying a pine cone or stick.

It’s funny it seems that when I am living my purpose it brings other joy too? Maybe it reminds them to do the same?

I’m not good at digging holes, or running real fast after things, or biting people like some other canines nor at making beautiful art like the spiders, sweet music like the birds, or yummy soil like the worms.

This doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with me, they are just not my purpose.

My sense of purpose may change over the years too, but right now my purpose is to be by my mum’s side on the couch.

just being with.

I don’t need to do anything; my presence and love is all that matters. This too is very much a purpose.

To love and be with.

Sam

#zenpuppyblog#mindfulnessnorthcanterbury

” Mum says doggy lives are too short and that we therefore are great teachers on how to live well.

Here are some of my secrets to a happy life

Start the day with a good stretch and going outside, feeling the earth under your paws and sniffing the air

Be surprised and happy to see everyone (even if they only popped away for a few minutes.)

Don’t hold onto to stuff that isn’t happening right now or not yours…… shake it off.

See everyone through the eyes of love and what is good about them.

Always enjoy expressing your voice with a good bark in the garden or car.

Rest often and a lot and anywhere. Especially in sunny spots.

Enjoy just being with someone and resting still and silent together.

Make time for the simple pleasures in life : connection, moving your body, sniffing the air, drinking cool water, body wiggles and shakes, rolling around on the ground.

Allow all moods from full on zoomies of joy to total puppy slump and everything in between , restlessness , sleepiness, to come and go

When you feel like bouncing , do it! (just not on people…I got told off for that)

Share your love (even when the other is in the bath or on toilet)

Do something you love everyday even if it is for a few minutes (chewing my bone) as it releases dopamine the happy chemicals.

When someone is sad, its ok…. maybe try licking their face or hand, just sitting with them while they are sad.

Don’t hold in your love, let it out….I really think this is why humans are so uptight and get constipated?

Practice not following every urge, as I’ve found these pass and I feel like a good boy when I am less impulsive.

Treat each day as an opportunity for love.

Finally a word of wisdom from my experience…..do be excited to see someone, wiggle your butt…..but try not to pee on them ”

Sam the zen puppy

#zenpuppy

#mindfulnessnorthcanterbury

1st December 2020 Sam’s blog…..Being with visitors

” I noticed that mum felt like sadness was with her. She said a friend was visiting…..I could feel and smell the sadness as it wrapped itself around her heart and oozed from her eyes. She didn’t seem to want to take me for a walk or a run, but that was ok. Her visitor did not want to rub my tummy, but that was ok tooShe just wanted to sit there with the sadnessSo I sat with her, I lay with her ……and her friend sadness I snuggled them both, until sadness felt seen and cared forNo words, no answers or solutions, no pearls of wisdom. I snuggled them both, until she felt seen and cared forThen sadness leftWe went for a walk in the sunshineJoy visited Somehow it felt like there was now space for joy , now that she had been with sadness for a while. Maybe she had too much of the sad watery stuff inside her that needed to come out of her eyes so she could make room for joy to visit again?” Sam x

#zenpuppy #samsblog #mindfulnessnorthcanterbury

Hot off the paws: Sam’s blog #zenpuppy Showing the love in the momentOh the joy of seeing people I love (and I love pretty much everyone!) Even if they have only been gone for a few moments……..This moment matters I never want to miss an opportunity to let people know how much I love themWhen I see them all my love comes rushing outIn a burst of bouncy wiggliness (and sometimes a little wee) I have to let them know how happy I am to see them……. with my helicopter tail To let them know how important they are to me, how I appreciate them in my life…. by showing them how well I carry a pine cone. I want them to see that they are special to me and I cherish being with them. How sad it would be not to show this….. for us both. Every moment matters