The Dog Days of October take on a new and specific meaning in the Yerkes household.

Five years ago my first canine companion, Buddah Bear, was born and came to live with me. His presence in my home and in my life brought huge changes, enriching each day and teaching me new lessons about love, life, and happiness.

And the icing on the cake, if you will, is that my mother Betsi came to live with the three of us four months ago. Today, our home is happy, filled with love, and alive with joy and constant new learning experiences.life, and happiness.

One of those experiences has to do with dogs in general. Scientists are reporting that dogs are far smarter than we give them credit for being. And are marvelous at taking care of watching out for their humans. They feed back everything we give them in geometric proportion.

When a dog looks at you, for example, it creates serotonin in their brains, much like a hug does for you and me. And when we return our dog’s gaze, it creates serotonin in our brains. That bio-chemical interdependency goes a long way to explain why dogs are often considered our best friends. And just like a BFF, they make us happy and healthier by encouraging us to let go of negativity.

An interesting corollary is that women who do not let go of bitterness, anger, or grievances are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer than those who exhibit compassion. Really. A dog can do that for us.

What else can dogs do?

I’m working on a new book, “Who Rescued Whom? Lessons from a Junkyard Dog.” Here are a few of my learnings.

1. Self-care is a prerequisite for a long and healthy life. We think we take care of our dogs. But just as frequently, it’s our dogs that are taking care of us. Assuming responsibility for their welfare requires us to stay in good shape mentally and physically. It’s the same thinking that has airline stewards remind us to put on our oxygen mask before we put a mask on a dependent in the next seat. If we don’t take care of ourselves first, how will we be able to take care of others?

2. Focus on the moment. The moment is all we have. While it is important to learn from the past and plan for the future, it’s most important to be aware of what’s going on around you, to you, and with you right now. When a dog is hungry, it wants to eat right now. When it eats, that’s all it’s thinking about. To me, the most powerful example of a dog focusing on the moment is image of a dog riding in a car with its nose out the window, overloading its senses with smells. To a dog, that moment is all there is, all there could ever was, and all there ever could be. And they are enjoying that focused moment to its fullest.

3. Be as good a person as your dog already thinks you are. A dog loved is a loving dog. And being that good of a person is truly something to aspire to. I am constantly asking myself if I can live up to my dog’s expectations. For me, that’s truly a worthwhile goal. And one I try every day to achieve.

 So, welcome to the Dog Days of October. Here are few questions for you to think about and share.

Leslie

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 Are you taking care of your self?

• What’s your personal best example of how you focus on the moment?
• Do you have someone to admire? Some one to live up to? A mentor to follow