Really Important Stuff Our Dogs Have Taught Us

“Make it squeak until someone pays attention.” Chew-toy noise is how dogs get you to notice them, but when you think about it, it’s also a useful tip for everyday life: sometimes you gotta keep speaking up until your voice is heard, and even Fido knows that. Just because dogs get scared of thunder and think it’s perfectly acceptable to sniff the butts of fellow canine friends doesn’t mean they don’t have a whole lot to teach us. Cynthia L. Copeland shares some of the life lessons she’s taken from dogs in her indie-bestselling book, Really Important Stuff My Dog Has Taught Me, and the examples are accompanied by heartwarming photos of pooches being both cute and goshdarn life-affirming. We asked around the dog-loving Workman offices for more examples of “stuff I learned from my dog;” here are the pearls of wisdom Workmanites shared.

• “Making eye contact gets results.” –Suzie
•  “My dog, Zimme, has taught me the importance of holding hands. Sometimes it’s just a nice way to be close to the people (and animals!) you love!” –Moira

• “My dog has taught me that someone else’s pillow is always the warmest, to always enjoy the scenery, and that I can always count on her to be the most excited when I come home, no matter how much time has passed.” –Rachael

Two lessons from Sam:

• “Always greet loved ones with enthusiasm, no matter how long they’ve been gone. There’s nothing better than seeing Vincent’s happy dance at the end of a hard day (or even after a two-minute trip to the bodega).”

• “Swagger goes a long way. Vinnie may be small, but all the dogs on the block respect him. He’s tough, he stands up for himself, and he holds his head high. He also struts. I’ve never seen a dog strut like my dog. He’s basically Tom Haverford as a terrier. If I can live my life with a fraction of Vincent’s self-confidence, I’ll be okay.”

And a list from Sarah B.:

• “No matter how dumb you look, if it makes your mom happy, it’s worth it.”

• “Take risks, even if they’re small.”

• “Stand next to someone less photogenic than you.”

• “If you’re appalled at someone’s behavior, a subtle side-eye is the best way to express it.”

• “Put your best face forward every day.”

And a contribution from bookseller Lynn Riehl:

• “Don’t let obstacles get in the way of living.”

For many more pup-inspired tips and truisms, seek out a copy of Really Important Stuff My Dog Has Taught Me.