Things I've Learned From My Chocolate Lab

I'll have to say, there has not been a dull moment since Gracie, the Chocolate Lab came into our lives. Within that great personality, she is the perfect combination of energetic & sweet. And now we know where they get the saying, "follow you around like a puppy." To top it off, she thinks she's a lap dog. Thank God she's a small 50 lbs.

As I've watched her, I've often thought what better people we would be if we were all like Gracie. 

Of course loyalty tops the list. She is after all, a lab. She has unconditional love and forgives in an instant. No matter how you treat her, she never focuses on the past. She loves you and wants to be with you every minute of the day.

She is focused and determined. When she gets her mind on something (whether a toy or something she's not supposed to have) or she's staring at the fishing line in the water waiting on the fish to bite, she does not give up. Even when you've long forgotten about it, there she is trying to figure out how to get it or relentlessly staring into the water.

Gracie never has a bad day. She is a never ending bundle of joy. And it's contagious. She gladly spreads it to anyone who comes near. From the time she wakes up in the morning to the minute she collapses after a busy day, her tail is wagging.  Often it wags so hard, her entire body is wagging too. One thing is for sure, you can always count on her being in a good mood.

The last lesson is one that seems simple, but is probably the hardest for most. Gracie girl knows how to enter the rest. She doesn't strive or constantly push herself. She doesn't get stressed about the situations around and could care less about what others think of her. She's content with today and never worries about tomorrow. Even in the middle of a thunderstorm, where is she? In a place of peace -- sound asleep.