I went home and thought about it. Am I as happy as my dog? Hmmmm.

I began to observe my dog, Munchie, who is happy all the time. Munchie is the most joyful creature I have ever seen. He lives in a state of continuous delight and discovery.

It became clear to me that Munchie knew something I didn't know (or at least didn't remember). So I decided to study Munchie's attitude to see what he was doing that I was missing.

Here is what I learned from my pet about how to be happy:

Love Unconditionally

As soon as Munchie hears my car pull up to the garage, he drops whatever he is doing and zooms to meet me. He barks and cries at the same time, wags his tail so hard that he wipes up the garage floor with his fuzzy butt, and he tinkles. (Munchie taught me the meaning of the phrase, "I could hardly contain myself!")

Munchie gives me the same whole-hearted greeting no matter how long I have been away. When I come home after a long time he doesn't sit on his haunches with his arms folded and soberly announce, "I think it's time we discussed your commitment to our relationship." He is just happy to see me, and he lets me know it.

Seize the Day

Munchie regularly shows up at my front door asking to come in. Depending on what I am doing and how muddy his feet are, sometimes I let him in. The moment I open the door, he charges in. He doesn't give me a moment to change my mind. He knows what he wants, asks for it, and seizes his opportunity the moment it is offered. Munchie is a master of Carpe Diem.

Be Honest

I never have to figure out what's on Munchie's mind.

When he is happy, he wags his tail. If he isn't feeling well, he cries.

When he wants to play, he jumps into my lap. When he doesn't feel like playing, he walks away.

If he likes his dinner he gobbles it up; if he doesn't, he takes a few sniffs and walks away.

Munchie has never lied to me, and I trust him.

Quit Hiding

When we go to the beach, the only creatures without bathing suits are little children and Munchie. He is not ashamed of his body.

At social gatherings, he goes to sleep on his back with his underbelly and private parts showing.

When Munchie passes doggie gas, he doesn't blame it on invisible animals or "trouser ghosts."

When he sees a cute French Poodle, he gets visibly excited. He accepts his body as natural. Munchie accepts everything as natural.

Ask for What You Want

On cold nights Munchie jumps up into my bed and crawls under the covers.

When he sees me going for a walk he follows me.

When he spies an attractive tree he tugs on his leash.

When I open my car door he tries to jump in.

Munchie knows it's okay to have desires. When he wants something, he makes it plain and clear. Sometimes he gets it and sometimes he doesn't. At least he asked

Laugh at Yourself

Sometimes I would swear that Munchie is laughing. His little doggie lips pull back and he pants as if he knows something I don't.

What really annoys me is that he seems to laugh when I have taken myself too seriously.

Maybe he is trying to tell me something.

Choose Your Relationships

When Munchie trusts someone, he is fully present with them.

When he doesn't like someone, he steers clear of them.

He doesn't stay with people who hurt him.

He has no concept that he has to be with anyone. He does not suffer to pay off karma from past lives. He does not wrestle with codependency issues.

He is loyal to his friends and lets everyone else go their way.

Get to Know Someone Before You Commit

When Munchie meets a dog on the beach, they sniff each other for a while.

Sometimes they make friends and play for a long time, and sometimes they just keep going on their own paths.

I've met a lot of people who, after failed marriages, admitted, "I wish I sniffed him a little more before I went home with him."

Sometimes a few extra sniffs now can save a long time living with a really bad smell.

Let the Love In

When Munchie gets tired during long walks, I pick him up and carry him for a while. The moment he is in my arms, he rolls onto his back and lets me bear him fully.

Harboring no guilt or unworthiness, he does not protest, "You really don't need to do this," or "I will carry you tomorrow." He just lays there and soaks it in.

Munchie knows he is worth the love he receives, and he accepts it.

Give Your Heart to Someone

Munchie loves to be a lover. He doesn't withhold love from others, for he knows that he would lose it himself.

You need to love someone as much as you need someone to love you.

People in nursing homes, prisons, and rehabilitation centers become healthy more quickly if they have a pet to take care of.

Care for a person, plant, or animal, and sadness will disappear.

Just as it is impossible to whistle and chew crackers at the same time, you cannot give love and be depressed.

Dare to Be Yourself

Munchie doesn't need to impress anyone or prove himself. He is what he is, and that is enough.

He is not concerned about his social image. He is concerned with being happy.

He attracts hitchhikers, mud, and dingleberries.

I can usually tell what he had for breakfast, since it hangs out on his chin for a while.

When I take him to the beach he comes out of the ocean looking like the rat from the vat.

I think he is cute all the time, and he seems to agree.

Keep it Simple

Munchie deals with what is in front of him. He does not schedule [into the next decade] or wrestle with the decision over whether to lease or buy the car. None of his brain cells are occupied remembering various PIN numbers.

All of life is exactly where he is.

Don't Take it Personally

I can say just about anything to Munchie, and he doesn't get upset.

Sometimes after he eats dead frogs he comes home with breath that would make a camel wince.

When I tell him this, he just looks at me and laughs.

He has no ego. Maybe he is better off.

Get Over it

Munchie doesn't hold grudges. When you live here now, what do you have to remember?

Sometimes I accidentally step on his toe. He yelps for a moment and backs away. A few seconds later he is back.

After observing children, psychologists tell us that a healthy amount of time to feel an emotion is five to eight minutes. If it lingers past that, we are holding onto something.

Munchie could have told them that.

Don't Settle for Mush

If I run our of dog food and buy an inferior brand until I can get the good stuff again, Munchie refuses to eat it.

He sits in front of his bowl, looks at his food, and then looks at me as if to say, "Are you serious?"

Then he walks away. He knows what he is worth, and doesn't compromise

Think Big

No one ever told Munchie that he was little, so he acts big.

When I take him on walks through the country, he chases cows and horses. I think they are more surprised than intimidated to be corralled by a barking tumbleweed. But it works. Munch usually gets the critters to move at least a little bit, and he comes back with a triumphant smile.

Once he got a cement truck to stop. [(He sat in front of it and barked until it came to a halt.)]

Munchie thinks big, and so he lives big.

Think Possibility

Every few months Munchie disappears for several days. Once I went searching for him and found him at a house down the road, trying to mount a German shepherd. The little guy reached no higher than the big lady's knee, but that didn't stop him.

At least he tried.

Venture into New Territory

When we go for walks Munchie loves to poke his nose in holes, run into unknown fields, and meet new people.

He is not satisfied with the familiar.

Sometimes he gets his nose stung, but most of the time his world keeps expanding.

Believe in Yourself

Munchie assumes that his motivations are worthwhile. He lives as if he belongs here.

He doesn't dissect every thought and action, wondering if his desire for a bone springs from a deep unresolved Oedipal fixation.

Munchie does not lie awake at night wondering if he exists. He is here, and that is proof enough.

He knows that "DOG" is "GOD" spelled backwards.

He is enlightened, because he has never been endarkened.

As far as I can tell, Munchie is an enlightened being. He doesn't read a lot of books, has never gone to a seminar, and has no problem balancing his checkbook. Perhaps, if I play my cards right, one day I will wake up as happy as him.

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