The eager eyes. The wagging tail. The soft lick. The dancing paws and jingling dog tags. How can anyone resist that furry little creature – the family dog?

I will admit right up front that I may not be half as crazy about your dog as my own. In fact, I never imagined being a dog owner. I am a neat freak – and dogs are so… messy. However, in an effort to “complete” our happy, growing family and answer the pleading from two insistent children (three, if you count my husband), I relented, and the rest is doggy history. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.

The kids hand picked a fuzzy, buff-colored Cocker Spaniel from a sea of puppies at the breeder. We named her Shane (boy name, girl dog – whatever). And she stole our hearts. Thirteen years later, she still greets us at our bedside every morning as if she is thanking us for another day to share together.

Thirteen years is OLD in Cocker years… way past “senior” and “mature”… she’s into “borrowed time.” Shane is deaf, has limited vision, sports an army of warts beneath her curly coat, limps and is an impossible snorer. She is showing all the tell-tale signs of aging. But, this beautiful female canine can teach us all a thing or two about aging gracefully:

1. She never complains or broods. Whatever her ailment, she adjusts to the new circumstance and moves forward.
2. She has an incredible pain threshold. The ONLY time she demands attention for her pain is if it is a serious situation… she never cries wolf.
3. She has abundant enthusiasm. She will always say “yes” to whatever the family suggests.
4. She has NO guilt about napping when necessary.
5. Even with her arthritic legs and back, she gleefully takes her walks every day. She intuitively understands that no matter one’s age – daily exercise is important until the day you die.
6. She maintains a proper diet… dutifully eating the prescribed, appropriate meals.
7. She remains social and loyal to her friends and family.
8. She harbors no grudges. She displays unconditional love with every rush to the door to greet us – and with every wet, messy lick.

The kids are grown and gone now. That shift in family life seemed natural. But I can’t imagine life without Shane. Every day with her is a blessing. She has no idea what she means to her family. I am grateful for her unwavering loyalty and for the lessons she is teaching me daily.

The moon was perfectly round and full tonight on this January evening. As I drove my car, I kept glancing at its brilliance. The clouds were passing over the great orb – but just ever so featherly. Instead of obscuring the view, the vapory wisps-o-clouds were highlighting the illumination. This scene appeared to be a painting of an evening winter sky; it seemed way too perfect to be real. I playfully thought about this marvel for several minutes. These moments of revelation awakened me from my everyday commute – they reminded me that I want to admire the fascinating details of life more often. I want to slow my day, my breath, my observations and my general pace in life.  As they say, I wish to “live in the moment.”

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Some folks call it mindfulness. If only we all could pay attention to what’s really going on and being said… there would certainly be less frustration in the world and more appreciation. I believe that if we go about our day with a focus on minding what we do, we will find greater pleasure around every corner. For we know, both natural and man-made miracles and mysteries abound. We just have to be receptive to them.

Yoga helps tune your mindfulness radar. My instructor, Michelle, is incredible. She is teaching us at practice to regard each day as a gift. I imagine the day unwrapping itself and its many beautiful contents spilling out. Yoga is good for my tight muscles AND my mind through meditation and reflection.

Living in the moment and mindfulness requires acute senses. The ability to appreciate the scent of wet earth, the sight of geese in flying formation, the sound of crickets on a summer evening, the feel of freshly laundered bed linens, the taste of freshly squeezed orange juice… it takes practice.

1.  Sense it.
2.  Experience it fully.
3.  Account for its wonders…
4.  Consciously appreciate it.
5.  Repeat.

If I truly do follow through with my intentions, I wonder just how rich my days will feel and how much more satisfied, happy and relaxed I will be as I lay my head on my pillow at night.

I can see that same full moon now – only from a ninth floor perspective. Off the ground, I feel that much closer to the warm glow… perhaps I could lean out over my balcony and grab that moon. The moon will be my new symbol for viewing ordinary life in an extraordinary way.