Everything You Need To Know About Life Can Be Learned From A Dog

By Heather Whittaker

50 Life Lessons to Capture the Hearts of Dog Lovers!

If you treat your dog like family, consider your dog to be more than just a companion, or share a special bond and love with canine characters, this book is for you. Everything You Need to Know About Life Can Be Learned From A Dog is an amusing book filled with life lessons that will keep your tail wagging both at home and at work. Dogs can be great teachers and this book shares just a few of their many lessons. Follow their lead and you'll find a life filled with happiness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heather Whittaker
• Release date: Mar 21, 2013
• ISBN: 9780982096239

Heather Whittaker

As a motivational speaker and author, Heather Whittaker shares with groups and organizations of all sizes the amazing benefits of living your life ‘Unleashed’! Combining 15 plus years of operations management experience, a Masters degree in Organizational Leadership, and a love of nature, wildlife, and animals, she inspires audiences to live the lives they deserve through the principles of passion, people, and purpose. Heather is the proud author of ‘The Tazie Effect’, 'Everything You Need to Know in Life Can Be Learned from A Dog’ and ‘A Different Little Doggy’. Connect with Heather, learn more about her furry friends, and purchase physical copies of her books at www.heatherwhittaker.com.

Book preview

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Everything You Need

to Know About Life

Can Be Learned

From a Dog!

by

Heather Whittaker

Copyright © 2013 Heather Whittaker

ISBN – 978-0-9820962-4-6

Pen-Tech Professional

PO Box 67

Greenville, WI 54942

All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author and publisher, except for brief quotations in a review.

This book includes information from personal experiences and is intended as a general reference. The book is sold with the understanding that the publisher and author claim no liability, directly or indirectly, for advice or information presented within. Although the author and publisher have prepared the manuscript with the utmost care and have made every attempt to ensure accuracy and completeness of information presented, they assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or inconsistencies.

Cover and Interior Page Design: Daniel Barrozo, the Ink Studio

Illustrations: Robbie Short

Copy Editing: RJ Foster

Attn: Quantity discounts available to your company or educational institution. For details regarding reselling, volume incentives, gifts or fundraising campaigns, please contact the publisher at:

Pen-Tech Professional LLC

PO Box 67,

Greenville, WI 54942

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Several of the stories and lessons included in this book were submitted by other dog lovers, family, and friends. A special thank you to the following people and organizations for sharing their stories and allowing me to include them…

Mary Waschow, New London, WI

Stacy Walker, Appleton, WI

Fox Valley Humane Association, Appleton, WI

Dr. Jeff Popp, Lakeside Animal Hospital, Oshkosh, WI

Alonzo Kelly, Kelly Leadership Group

Colin Berry, Hagerstown, MD

Alistar Faul, West Bend, WI

Table of Contents

For the Well Being of You and Others

1. Make Time for a Nap

2. Drink Plenty of Water

3. Never Leave Home Without ID

4. Be Proud of Your Appearance

5. Keep Moving to Stay Healthy

6. Spend Time Outside

7. Protect Yourself

8. Trust Your Instinct

9. Sliding on Newly Waxed Wood Floors Can Be Dangerous… (and FUN!)

10. Running in Circles Makes You Dizzy

11. Appreciate the Joy of a Long Walk

12. Dirt is Dirt; Food is Food; Dirt ≠ Food

13. Routines Are Important

14. Everyone Deserves a Day at the Spa

More Wag, Less Bark—Lessons on Communication

15. Sometimes You Just HAVE to Tattle

16. Greet Others As You

Would Greet Your Dog

17. Don’t Judge a Book (or People) by the Cover

18. Be Direct and Tell People What You Really Feel

19. Be Who You Are vs. Someone You Are Not

20. Give Hugs and Kisses Freely

21. We May Fight, but It’s Not Necessary to Bite; In Lieu of Being Nice, a Growl Will Suffice

22. You Get What You Give

23. Push Your Boundaries and Live Outside the Box

24. A True Friend Sits Quietly and Listens When You’re Hurting

25. Talking Is Better Than Texting

Living the Dogs Life

26. Happiness is a Simple Life

27. Live In the Moment

28. Simple Things Matter Most

29. Some Things in Life are Worth the Wait

30. The More Expensive the Toy, the Less the Joy

31. Perseverance and a Positive Attitude Make All the Difference

32. You’re Never Too Old for Fun!

33. Dig Deep to Find That Which You Want Most

34. Don’t Approach the Day Slowly; Crash into It with Excitement

35. Today Is a New Day

36. Live Each Day to the Fullest

37. We All Face Challenges; How They Affect Us Is Our Choice

38. Living a Full Life Involves Some Pain

39. Size Doesn’t Matter – It’s All about Attitude

40. Treats Should Be Earned

41. If You Always Do What You Always Did, You Always Get What You Always Got!

Love and Friendship

42. You Can’t Be Something to Everyone, but You Can Be Everything to Someone

43. Time and Attention are the Greatest Gifts of All

44. Take Time for a Joy Ride

45. Life Is More Fun with a Buddy (or Friend)

46. True Love is Unconditional

47. Be Giving… of Compassion, Empathy, and Second Chances

48. The Importance of Trust

49. Work as a Team

50. Gifts Are All Around Us

"Dogs are not our whole life,

but they make our lives whole."

-Roger Caras

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Dedication

Dogs are a blessing. A simple fact I’ve come to know that twenty years ago I would have disputed, however, today, the pure, total, complete joy they have brought to my life is amazing. If you are a dog lover, I’m sure you will agree. Their unconditional love and spirit does wonders for the soul teaching us valuable lessons without saying a word. Their love, loyalty, warmth, kindness, and even protection are all things we’ve come to connect with emotionally. Regardless of the size, regardless of the color, regardless the breed, dogs are a blessing.

Personally, one of the blessings for me (or more accurately 50) is the lessons they have taught me about life. Lessons of friendship, love, communication, fun and many others, this book is an account of many of those lessons dedicated to Erin, Tinker, Taz, Sadie, Roxie, and all future dogs that will bless my life.

Dedicated also to you, my fellow dog lover; may the stories renew, energize, inspire and motivate you in new ways.

I truly believe animals were put on this earth to inspire, fascinate, and provide joy. Their unconditional love allows me to see a tiny glimpse of God on a daily basis. Truly amazing to watch, with an open heart and mind, they will teach you everything you need to know about living a happy and fulfilling life.

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For the Well Being

of You and Others

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"I have caught more ills

from people sneezing over me

than from kissing dogs."

-Barbara Woodhouse

1

Make Time for a Nap

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So little time; so many decisions. Should I lay in the sun or the shade? Should I stretch out on the couch or mom’s bed? The blankets were just washed so they’re soft and fluffy. Is that a better option than my kennel? Maybe I should go outside and stretch out in the grass for a while? So little time; so many decisions.

For various reasons such as not being independently wealthy, a love of food, and a desire to stay warm in the winter, I’m one of those people required to work. Called away from home by my job, my dogs are left home alone during the