Hope derived from one of the happiest places on earth

mondog-11, originally uploaded by Tipping Point Photo.

When we got a dog,our lives changed drastically. There were the standard things, like getting up early and climbing the stairs at least two additional times per day, and making best friends with your broom and your lint brush. But there were non-standard things, too: less TV time and more outside time, for example. And meeting our neighbors, which has been important as we continue to settle into our new neighborhood.

Above all, I am amazed at how dogs truly simplify life. It's all about eating, playing, maybe working hard if there's a treat involved,and spending time with loved ones. This simplicity is welcome on days like today, when I come home with a brain full of work stress, and my wiggly best friend escorts me to the beach, where there's no denying the beauty of the light on the water, and the simplicity of this beauty overwhelms me and whisks my perceived problems far, far away.