Being Like Ashton- The Happiest Dog Alive

Ashton is my crazy, loving, enthusiastic, cuddly, wonderful puppy. She is a Weimaraner and just turned 1 in July. She has an abundance of energy (that I hope decreases with age). She starts her mornings by sitting at my bed around 6:30 and crying until I get up with her. She also loves throwing ALL of her toys all over the house, playing fetch, and digging holes all over my backyard. My other dog, Lady, is almost 11, and they are inseparable (according to Ashton). Ashton can't stand being away from her for more than a minute, and she cries every time they get separated. Ashton is the best cuddle buddy, most annoying pest when trying to do something important, and has the meanest bark for such a kind dog. All those things though are the exact reason I love her so much.

Now that I have introduced you to the "happiest dog alive" let me get to what this post is really about. I know I talked about  happiness in my last post but I want to go back to it one more time. I'm doing this because happiness is something I've always struggled with. I want to share a struggle with you that I deal with and how Ashton's personality has showed me how to learn to get past it. I know your struggles aren't the same as mine. So just plug in your struggle, and she should still be able to help in the same way. 

I have never been the person that is full of energy and enthusiasm, or that always has a smile on their face. I tend to be sarcastic and push the people I love the most away from me. One of my biggest fears is people coming into my life only to leave it. I tend to push them away before they have the chance to leave. I know that people coming and going is a part of life, but it's still not easy. 

It hurts when you make friends and something happens that causes them to exit your life. It can hurt even more when people from your family leave your life. Sometimes you get into fights, sometimes people have to move away, and sometimes people even leave this life forever. I have had an the unfortunate opportunity to experience all of those scenarios. It's never easy; no matter how many times it happens. I focus on this negative aspect of life and end up missing out on so much joy. Ok, I know you are all wondering where does a dog tie into all this. Well after spending this past year with my wonderful Ashton I have learned you can find happiness in some of the simplest things. Ashton gets the most excited when she hears the ice machine, plays fetch, sees someone familiar, goes for car rides, and gets her ears rubbed. Why can't we as humans be content with things like that? Yes, I know we don't exactly do those things for fun, but I'm talking about the little things in general. It usually takes a vacation, a new car, a baby being born, or some other grand event for us to even catch a glimpse of happiness. We need to take a step back. We need to realize it's not that difficult.

For me I have to learn to not worry about the people who leave. I have to learn to enjoy the ones that are here. I don't know your struggles. You might have a hard time with change, a horrible boss, a painful memory you can't escape, or a million other things. The point is that we must try to be like Ashton. Be simple. Be content. Realize there is so much more in life to be happy about, like simply chasing a ball around the backyard or cuddling with someone you love. Change can be good, and you will never know if you don't take a leap of faith. That horrible boss is honestly probably dealing with a ton of his own struggles and just needs help. Memories are in the past. It's hard, but you have to let things go. You have to pray for a better future and not worry about the past. Stop letting your struggles hold you back. Learn to find happiness in the small moments of life again. Don't give up. The happiness is out there waiting for you to find it. You just have to try.

These are all some of my favorite pictures of Ashton that make me laugh (bring me happiness). 

I hope they do the same thing for you.