On Saturday, I had a rare day off and decided to do some gardening. My dogs were out there with me, as was my granddog, Westley, who most of you know is going through a second round of chemotherapy for lymphoma. All three dogs were enjoying the sunshine, running around chasing bugs, and having my daughter capture their photos while they scampered about. Those are the little things I want to talk about today, the little things that spark joy for a dog.
While author Marie Kondo did her best to convince us that tidying up our homes, our closets, and our lives would spark joy for us, she's stepped back a bit on her original message, stating now that what sparks joy for someone isn't one size fits all. While the majority of people might like a clean house, for example, how clean is really about perspective. Now, back to dogs and their perspective.
What sparks joy for a dog? Little things like chasing bugs, laying in a warm ray of sunshine, sniffing the grass, finding a bone you forgot you buried, and squeaking a toy repeatedly. They enjoy meal times, and all the snacks in between. They enjoy walks; some even enjoy running and swimming. The bottom line is that dogs find joy in the littlest of things. You come home and they act like they've not seen you for a week when you've been gone just twenty minutes. Those kinds of little things spark joy for them and I love that. I think we need to be more like that. So, I tried it for myself.
Instead of mindlessly and efficiently digging those holes for my new plants, I put all of my focus into the actual process of digging, really tossing dirt around, laughing at how much fun it actually was. It reminded me of being a kid and digging in the sandbox with my best friend. Good times. And the best thing? The thing that really sparked joy? Westley came over, tail wagging, to see how my digging was going. He's not much of a digger himself, but he could appreciate how much I seemed to be enjoying it. Him checking on me sparked instant joy!
Our whole family knows that Westley's days are numbered. Lymphoma is a killer, particularly when it strikes a young dog. Westley was diagnosed when he was five years old, and though he's now six, we're preparing ourselves for the inevitability that he may not see his seventh birthday, though we hope with all of our hearts that he defies the odds. In the meantime, we're going to help him spark joy every single day. Saturday, it was garden time, a game of chase with Henley, and some ridiculously smelly salmon treats I bought for the dogs to share. Sunday, he wasn't feeling as well, so he came to my house where I could watch over him while his mom worked. I wanted to do something that would bring him joy, so I sat with him on my lap and rubbed his belly and his shoulders. He gave the biggest, deepest sigh and then burped! I knew, in that moment, that he had experienced a bit of joy (and relief) for sure.
No one knows what tomorrow will bring, so I think it's important to focus a bit more on the little things that spark joy, even if it's just a clean house, a freshly baked cookie, or watching your dog enjoy a bone. Focus on giving your dogs those opportunities that bring them joy as well. Don't rush their walks; feed them in puzzle feeders and snuffle mats for enriching fun; let them swim if they enjoy water and run if they are able. Show them love and attention without being distracted by your phone or the TV. Observe them, they'll show you the way to joy in the little things every day. Sit down next to your dog right now and take a deep breath, nose in the air, eyes closed, and feel the joy roll right off of them and into you.
As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.
My sweet granddog, Westley, in my garden.
I swear he was laughing at me while I dug holes in the dirt for my zucchini plants!
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