Some time ago, I came to realize that in creating the best life I could for my pups, I was also creating the best life for myself. Oddly enough, it’s often easier to motivate ourselves to do the things that would benefit us most when we’re doing them for our dogs rather than for ourselves.
I’ve tailored just about every part of my life so I can spend as much time as possible outdoors with Alberto and Shakira. Most days, we’re hunting, fishing, mountain biking, camping, and breathing in fresh air. Along the way, I’ve learned that less is more in nearly every sense. The fewer possessions I own and the less crowded my schedule becomes, the more space I have to be fully present with these two critters.
Their existence makes me believe in miracles, and experiencing the world alongside them fills me with endless gratitude.
My pickup truck is streamlined for adventure. I keep everything I need for a simple overnight camping trip, an afternoon of fishing on the river, or an impromptu trail run organized in my DECKED Drawer System. The pups each have their designated Kennel, and I always carry plenty of water to fill their Kennel Bowls and cool the Fan Kits I attach during the warmer months.
I’ve worked hard to minimize the friction between deciding to go outside and actually getting out the door. No matter how tired or unmotivated I may feel, spending time in nature always does me and the pups a world of good.
I will never regret the moments I spend outdoors with Alberto and Shakira. Their love of adventure, curiosity about the world around them, and remarkable ability to remain fully present inspire me every day. These pups are my greatest teachers.
Each night before we fall asleep, when the three of us are tucked into bed, I make a habit of counting our blessings. It’s a simple practice, but our lives are ultimately shaped by what we pay attention to. The more I focus on the good, the more beautiful life becomes. Alberto and Shakira are masters at this.
Of course, the big adventures we share stand out as highlights, but it’s often the smaller, seemingly insignificant moments that stay with me the longest: sipping tea outside in the morning while listening to the birds sing their first songs of the day as the pups curl up at my feet; noticing wildflowers begin to bloom along our favorite mountain biking trail; admiring the colors of a cutthroat trout as it slips through my fingers and back into the river after taking my fly.
Most of all, it’s witnessing Alberto and Shakira engage with the world so completely and so joyfully.
What’s good for my dogs is good for me. And together, we do each other a whole lot of good.
