Bailey’s Corner: Find the Hidden Treasures

I love early spring. Know why?

Because regardless of the temperature, there’s still piles of snow around. And each new day I find new treasures. As the snow begins to melt, a different layer is revealed. They may complain that it’s just different layers of my poop that have accumulated over the winter. But I know better. The poop is just guarding all the hidden treasures!

I find something new each day – perfect chewing sticks that fell from the storm a month ago, the kid’s toy she thought she lost, scents from a whole bunch of animals that wandered through our yard over the winter, the Christmas tree that disappeared in the blizzard, large amounts of tennis balls that fell in a snow bank and never found their way out. The other day I even found a flower trying to push its way up! The list could go on and on.

Every day they let me out has a fresh adventure waiting for me. New growing scents fill the air each day. An old toy becomes new again. New life and a new start emerge from the piles. It might appear ugly outside until nature finishes cleaning itself, but if you actually take a look around, you’ll find all kinds of hidden treasures. Take a minute to really notice your surroundings. What do you see? Dig a little – what can you find? Even within yourself – what kind of treasure is waiting to be found?

It doesn’t matter how the day starts, or what it may initially appear to be. It doesn’t matter if it is cold, dark, sunny, stressful, too long, too short, etc. – Each day holds a “hidden treasure.” We just need to open our eyes, stretch our paws, and search. It’s there somewhere. And when we find it, we are as rich as a king – even if only for a day.

Advertisement

Bailey’s Corner: Sometimes You Just Have to Rip a Toy

Do you ever get that crazy pent up energy feeling?  Either the super happy, feelin’ great, life’s good feeling where you want to just zoom around and around the house, barking the entire time? Or, the super frustrated, I can’t take it anymore, about to claw my way up the wall, not-so-good feeling? Either way – the good one or the bad one – you need to get that energy out. You need a release. And running barking (or screaming) around and around the house is not always an option.

So instead, I suggest ripping apart a toy. Seriously. You humans are much too refined for your own good sometimes. Take that toy, clench it in your teeth, shake it around so hard your brain rattles in your head. Give a little growl for good measure. Bat it against the couch and/or floor a few times. Hold it in your paws and pick it apart thread by thread until you get that stupid squeaker out and parade around the house like you just won the Olympic Gold. Then lay, victorious over it, panting in pure contentment. Trust me, you’ll feel better!

Sometimes it’s ok to hold things inside and try to act all cool and calm. But sometimes that just makes things a whole lot worse. Find your safe outlet and use that energy in a good way. Guaranteed it will make you a much more productive, calm, and happy person. Because really, sometimes you just need to quick rip apart a toy. And there’s nothing wrong with that….

-Bailey

Photo Credit: Silverpen Productions, LLC.  Photos should not be used without prior permission & license from Silverpen Productions, LLC.

Bailey’s Corner: Run in the Snow/Take a Nap

My dog, Bailey, is a constant inspiration to me. Not only is she my best friend, she is my writing companion, a muse, comfort when I am low, humor to keep me going, and often a source of encouragement and motivation in my daily life. I think dogs have life much more figured out than we do. Bailey certainly seems to have it all figured out. She has told me that after watching me for so long, she also wants to try her paw at “this writing thing.” So, SP now presents the new feature, Bailey’s Corner – brought to you by the furry cutie herself….
-JC

Play Hard, Rest Easy

I always hear humans complaining about the winter. Not really sure what the big deal is. I think it’s the best time of the year. Nothing is prettier than a nice fresh blanket of snow. I get excited just thinking about those big flakes falling down from the sky. I sit and stare out the deck door until they finally, finally take me out to play. Then the whole yard is just begging for me. Completely smooth and untouched. There is a muted quiet to the air. The trees are heavy with the new weight on the branches. But they look so regal. They bow down to the beauty surrounding them. The scent in the air is so fresh. My nose quivers trying to take it all in. I don’t know if I should sit and let the world surround me or go tearing through the white fluff.

My legs take on a mind of their own and suddenly my body is flying through the snow. Like a race car at Daytona, I zoom at breakneck speed around and around the house. I burrow my nose into the mounds. I swat snow up from the ground onto the Kid. She squeals with laughter so I do it again, then take off once more. Mommy gathers some in her hand to make a snowball, but I can’t even wait for her to throw it. I charge right into her hands, sending the snow flying. Everyone is covered. Everyone is happy. All is right with the world.

I hate when they say it’s time to go in, but I don’t mind too much. Whether if I want to admit it or not, I’m tired. And hopping onto that nice soft bed is almost as good. Curl up. Wrap your tail around you. And drift off to sleep only to dream about being outside chasing snow balls again.

Why don’t people do these things? They complain it’s cold. (They complain when it’s hot too.) They grumble about shoveling. They don’t want to drive. (Come on, people, nothing is better than a good ride – no matter what the weather is like!) They can’t stop talking about summer or an exotic vacation. They should just enjoy what they have right now.

It’s not cold – it’s fresh. Shoveling isn’t a chore, it’s a gift, because you’re well enough to do it. Don’t just go from your to-go coffee, to shoveling, to work, and back again. Take a moment to look around. Wink at the trees. Sniff the new air. Chase a squirrel. Pull a child in a sled. Throw a snowball. Lie down to make an angel, and in the process, notice the marshmallow clouds in the sky. Run till you can’t run any more. Let yourself be breathless. And laugh. Laugh like a child. Live like a dog. Rest easy. You’d be surprised how much better you sleep at night.

-Bailey

Photo Credit: Silverpen Productions, LLC.  Photo should not be used without prior permission & license from Silverpen Productions, LLC.