Mom did not know it but I came to her life to teach her a few things just as she taught me to be a service and therapy dog. Dogs are great teachers when humans listen to the lessons! Here are the top things I taught her:
1) Listen with your head and heart!
When a person speaks to you, cock your head, open your ears, mind and heart, close your mouth and LISTEN! This is a skill dogs perfected long ago and humans who use it are most helpful to friends and family.
2) Share your joy and your toys! We dogs wag our tails often and wildly when we see our beloved masters and friends. We bring our toys to play fetch and to show them off and share them. We share our food. Dear Humans, compete less and share more. Be joyful and share the blessings in your lives not the sorrows. Share your meals with family and friends. Play games together and share your workload making it a game. You will find so much joy your (imaginary) tails will wag!
3) Take a walk! Yes, exercise! Get outdoors and walk with a friend or your children. Tell stories and match wits! Look at nature. Breathe deeply. Race one another for ten yards. Spin in circles. Life is worth living – and dogs do provide good examples! A mere 15-30 minutes a day and you will feel much better!
These simple things that I taught Mom really changed her lifestyle and she thinks it is for the better. She listens to everyone with her heart and hears their stories. Mom shares with all people in a variety of ways, and not just family, friends and students. She has learned from me that exercise, especially a walk, makes her a happy and healthy person!
Hope these tips help you!

Woofs and wags,
Bella