Be More Zebra

We’re not big on new year’s resolutions in our house. From past experience I’ve learnt to keep them realistic and small for fear of a massive failure! But you can’t help but to think about things you’d like to change and build on at the start of a new year. This reminded me of a conversation on our safari holiday last Easter. We were watching a dazzle of zebra (what a fabulous phrase!) quietly grazing and my sister commented on how relaxed they were and yet how a lion could be just around the corner. It was a brilliantly vivid way to remind ourselves of the importance of living in the moment; not worrying about what may or may not happen. This got me thinking of other ways we could learn from animals that would help with new year promises.

Importance of regular exercise – dogs love their exercise and yes, I’m fairly active walking my own dog, Otto and being out training with my clients each day but there’s always room for improvement and perhaps increasing the pace every once in a while, wouldn’t be a bad thing!

Mental challenge – I talk a lot of about the balance of physical and mental exercise for dogs and this is just as important for us humans. Keep learning, challenge yourself to learn something new each month – it can’t be a bad thing to try. This month, my focus is on learning new gundog training skills and in testing out new recipes at home each week.

The joy in the simple – I love watching Otto out on a walk and at home – his excitement at the girls squealing as they run beside him or his love of a game of hide and seek with his favourite toy. There is a lot to be said for the love of the ordinary.

Drinking lots of water- being serious this is actually one of my own new year’s resolutions that I am determined to follow. Otto drinks gallons of water at a time. It’s a standing joke in our family that when he starts drinking, we all stop and time how long he drinks for. But how wonderful is that – he simply hydrates fully when he needs to. I’m hoping for less headaches, better concentration and that, fingers crossed, the link between drinking plenty of water in helping to lose weight will stand true for me!

And finally, to remember that above all, there’s nothing better than being curled up on your sofa at home with those that you love most in the world.

Happy 2019 to you all!

Pippa