There are a lot of things to learn from a dog ...

There are a lot of things to learn from a dog ...

A little dog is a great tutor to us in more than one way. At least for me, my Word 2003 Office Assistant ("Rocky") is a great helper to correct our language, grammar besides helping us in arithmetic (Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access).

Thanks to Mohan Chandran for sharing a nice email on what all things we would need to learn from a dog. I would like to summarize them here:

1. When loved ones come to meet, always greet them with a pleasant smile. For that matter, it never harms to greet anyone with a gesture ranging from a simple friendly smile to a formal handshake.
2. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
3. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
4. Take naps.
5. Stretch before rising.
6. Run, romp, and play daily.
7. Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
8. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
9. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
10. No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout…run right back and make friends.
11. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
12. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
13. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
14. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. ("Awake, arise, stop not until you have reached your goal.")
15. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

In India at least in Chennai, I have heard a lot of people using the Tamil word for dog ("நாய்") as an expletive to scold and harass others. This is basically because people from this region regard this poor little animal at a very low level without realising the gentleness, smartness and lovely cuteness of him. Now, since we have discussed a good deal of things about what we should learn from dog, let us try and spread the message of not using misusing dog's name to scold.