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14 SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2022 By Linda Weiss, Resident I found a little book called Really Important Stuff My Dog Taught Me by Cynthia Copeland in a small novelty store. I would like to share some passages; I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. "Love is an action word. Dogs don't just feel love, they show it consistently with enthusiasm. They try to lift us up when we are down and they celebrate with us when we rejoice. They treat old friends with kindness and approach new friends with optimism and enthusiasm. Dogs never withhold affection, nor do they suddenly decide we're not worthy of their love. Loyal to the end, they love us unconditionally, with deep and everlasting devotion." "Appreciate life's simple pleasures. In return for a pat on the head or a quick belly rub, dogs reward us with boundless appreciation. Thankfulness is a habit for them, and gratitude is a way of life. Leftovers are greeted with as much enthusiasm as a gourmet meal. A trip to the dump is as thrilling as a trip to the Grand Canyon. Because they are not burdened by what could be, dogs are fully able to enjoy what is." "Every Day is the Best Day. A dog's life is blessedly uncluttered. He has no regrets over what happened yesterday, and he doesn't fret about tomorrow. He lives in the present, eager and optimistic. His world is not as frantic as ours: he lingers on an interesting scent and stops to greet a new friend. He is clear about what he wants: to go out, to come in, to have lunch, to play tug-of-war. There are no ulterior motives, no hidden agendas. Fetch is just about fetch. He doesn't tally favors or withhold affection." "Age gracefully. Age neither defines a dog, nor overwhelms his thoughts. Because they live in the present, dogs don't see time the way we do, regretting years gone by and obsessing over the days that are left. An old dog doesn't focus on what he can no longer do, but what he still can do. Dogs cope, they adapt, they look for reasons to wag their tails. And no matter what, they never do the math and figure out how old they are in dog years." Thoughts to Ponder Have you ever heard the saying, "Nothing good ever happens after midnight." There is scientific evidence to back this up. Neurologists at Massachusetts General Hospital reviewed evidence regarding the link between brain function, the body's sleep/wake cycle, and human behavior at night. They discovered chemicals in the brain change driving negative shifts in both attitude and behavior. They add, people tend to think more negatively of the world at night than during the day making them more likely to act out on violent behaviors like homicide and rape. Substance abuse is also higher including illicit drug use and binge drinking. It is for these reasons I am asking you to take caution, especially while we have longer hours of darkness. If you don't have security cameras at your home, at least have it lit up to deter unwanted stalkers. Most homes here have dusk to dawn carriage lights, but if you don't, the big box stores sell light bulbs that have that feature. While you're at it, add one to your front porch. Lastly, each night before you turn in, be sure to walk around your house securely locking doors and windows. I grew up not locking any doors and inviting strangers into our house due to them getting stranded on the icy roads, but that was then and this is now. Things are different now. Times have changed. Remember: Lights, Camera, and Action. Lights, C amera, Action By Clare Mendez, Resident