The Happy Papillon List

Okay - so my little dog is a bit snarky.

His name is JACS. And we've had him 7 years and wouldn't trade a thing for him. But he has this habit of griping at almost everything. And the result is what I call the 'alien face'. All it takes is for you to talk about his collar.

After putting up with a face only a mother could love, I came up with an idea. The happy list. I began to tell him all the things he likes - Mocha, [his girlfirend that lives next door, a chocloate lab I might add], PetSmart, biscuits, Grandpa, balls, riding in the truck, pizza, turkey, and whatever else I could think of that he loves.

As I was doing this, I could feel the Lord tap me on the shoulder. Hmmm, I guess I can get snarky, too. So now I have my Happy Patty List.

I encourage you --when the clouds of depression sit on your head, or when the storms of a life lived with those other people on the planet threaten to flood you with negativity, or maybe when your to-do list is longer than the Bible -- to start repeating your Happy list. In fact, this sounds a lot like the verse in Philippians.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

So how does it work? Look at picture #2, taken immediately after we started the Happy Papillon List.