In my garden playing ball with my dogs, always makes me happy, even if I’ve been having a terrible day. The dogs pull me right into the joy of the here and now, and away from too much thinking nonsense.
Walking with the dogs next to the river, and paddling along beside them in my wellies, makes me as happy as a little girl. Carefree and without concern for the future just for a while, I splash around among the beautiful reflections, forgetting the world of people. Here I’m soothed by nature, the best nurse of all.
Walking through familiar woodland paths with my happy squirrel chasing dogs, makes my heart bright and light. The colourful tumbling leaves of early autumn bring an extra dose of pleasure, as the year gently breathes out and lets go of another summer.
At the beach with the dogs and the restless salty sea, I am at my most playful. The grown up world of responsibilities and decisions seems far away, and I happily let it all go, dissolving into the beauty and joy of the moment.
With a flask of hot tea, and my gorgeous doggie friends, anything can be put right. If it’s sipped with a soft sea breeze in our hair, then the joy is doubled, and the whole world can find a way to sit happily in my head.
I think you might have noticed a theme emerging here. I’m at my happiest with my dogs at my side immersed in nature and all her joyful beauty. Time away from the busy demands of people, with the whisper of waves or leaves in my ear, and the soft pad of furry paws beside me, allows my happiness levels to rise and my stress levels to drop away. The world around us is full of wonderful healing gifts if only we take the time to notice and accept them….
Where are your happy places?
Kat also wrote about dog filled happiness in nature
breathofgreenair 
Pingback: Stress Reduction: 5 Tips on Taming your Stress Monster | breathofgreenair
What beautiful dogs you have! They look so soulful.
The only thing that make my heart soar more than time with my dogs in nature is seeing it from the back of a horse. I grew up riding horses and there was no problem too big that a ride over roling hills and confessions in a silky mane couldn’t fix. I’m horseless these days, but one day, soon, I’ll throw leg over leather and all will be right with my world again.
I used to horse ride too as a girl, and very occasionally I have remounted as an adult and I love it💕It very freeing and yet very connected to the earth. Perhaps we can take a ride together😊
Thank you for this heart-warming excursion. I love your dogs and the beach and everything about your walk.
Oh thank you, delighted you enjoyed coming along with us! It’s been rather soggy and wet for the last few days, so walks have been rather muddy affairs of late😊
I know the feeling so well. Alone with My dogs and Nature – works magic on any troubles, fills my soul with joy and freedom and my body doesn’t exist. Thank you for posting and enjoy a lovely weekend!
Beautiful! I find that sometimes I like my friend’s dogs better than I like them.
I can never get enough of the photos of your lovely dogs, Seonaid. Happy hugs for all of you.
Marion that’s so lovely to hear…and obviously I agree wholeheartedly 💕
Yep, I go with the dog thing, too. Honey and I communing with nature, though she understands a lot more of it than I do. She saw a deer the other day, a young hind, I think, and it actually played with her in the woodland area beside a path we often walk. I had wondered why she was so attracted to that particular patch of greenery – now I know. Here at my desk, with a story at my fingertips; that’s also happiness – delirium sometimes. But then, my wife would argue I’m mostly delirious….
Well I think I will have to defer to your wife😊💕 and as for dogs, I believe they always know a little more of nature than we ever will…
Yes I agree, life is better with dogs. 🙂
Everything is better with dogs Helen💕and thanks for taking a look at my girls😊
A loving pet by your side out in nature, where better place can you be happy. I love your beautiful lyrical words Seonaid
Thank you so much, I’m delighted you enjoyed the post and the dogs. They make nature even more joyful somehow💕
Ah yes – dog-filled joy is the best kind of joy!
I knew you would agree Fi…nature is always enhanced by dogs joy of the earth💕
Kindred spirits, indeed! Our four-legged friends are mindfulness embodied, helping us do the same.
Perfectly put Kat💕 Great minds think alike😊
How fun to see them having fun in such a beautiful place. 🙂
Thanks Amy, and when they have fun somehow I always end up smiling 😊
Perfect combination: Sloppy Buddhist’s latest post, about joy, and yours about happiness. Being open to it, celebrating it in simple things. (Like a chewed green tennis ball…)
Oh that chewed green tennis ball has played a part in many hours of doggie fun Penny! Must look at the other post you mention…..the simple things are usually the best I find😊
Truly adorable! I am sure they are happy during the walk with you 🙂 I love walking with my dog as well- thus I can relate your feeling! 🙂
Indah, walking with a dog for company surely has to be one of life’s great pleasures, and I feel decidedly odd if I’m walking without canine company! Delighted you share my pleasure😄
Beautiful happy photos, Seonaid. Your doggy companions are gorgeous. 🙂
Thank you, and I have to agree about my doggie friends. They know all the best places😊
Sunrises, sunsets, and looking up at the moon and the stars….these always fill me up with happiness and peaceful stillness.
Each one wonderful in its own way Esther, although somehow I prefer a sunset…..but we are moving into that phase of the year here where sunrises happen at a much more sociable hour😊 As for the stars they always make me smile too, especially if I can see the wonder of the Milky Way 😍💕
At times, just what the doctor ordered.
Indeed, and often more pleasant than other remedies he can order😉
Wonderful post, Seonaid! I smiled all the way through. Such happiness! 🙂
Great to hear that Lemony, job done 😆💕
We are made from Mother Nature so she heals us and raises our vibration, love and light C.
Indeed, her medicine is joyful💕
Seonaid, your posts make me happy.
Well that’s a job well done then John😊💕
We haven’t had a dog in a few years, but this post brought a smile just remembering those good pet times with our Ginger, a collie mix rescue, who just loved to walk around the property with me and keep me company. Good times.
Goods times indeed Judy….always improved by the company of a good dog😊
I hope the little cloud has lifted, I know that nature always works for you, happy days Seonaid ❤
Thanks Gilly, and although the cloud may be here to stay for a while it’s easy to escape it’s gloom for a while with wild nature and wild and woolly pups on hand💕😊
This post reached deep into my soul. This is exactly how I feel with my dog and nature! Thank you for your wonderful ability to express these thoughts and bring these feelings to the surface.
My pleasure Deanna, dogs are such wonderful companions to experience the world with, adding an extra beautiful layer . Thanks for letting me know this post resonated deep within you, that’s another thing which makes me happy💕
What can be better than a happy pup! They do make me smile! Thanks!!
My pleasure Linda, and they make me smile too every day…perfect antidote to stress and strife💕😊
You transported me back to days with our dogs growing up! Especially our first dog, William, who was my constant companion outdoors and very often had extra bits of colour in his tail feathers from brushing up against one of my oil paintings 😉 I think the blue tail was the funniest! No photos but precious memories of very happy companionship 🙂
Dogs are such great companions Sarah, and they sound like wonderful memories….always wanting to be fully included can lead to many additions to coat, nose or tail and the blue one sounds hillarious💕😊
It really was a classic! Being oils we just couldn’t get it completely out 😉 I should have taken him out to London and paraded him as a piece of performance art lol! He had the waggiest tail you’ve ever seen on a dog 🐶
Your area is gorgeous and I would LOVE to have four-legged, furry friends too. I miss mine. However, like you I walked my waterfront today. I think your Lochness Monster has moved to Poulsbo as the sea churned, rippled, and then a huge silverfish body momentarily appeared. Heavens knows what it was, but it gave my imagination an opportunity to go WILD!!
Otherwise, I basked in the sun, watched the seagulls bob in the bay, and listened to the ravens argue over something delicious. I truly understand your love of nature; and I LOVE your pictures! Thank you!
Gwynn, thank you for getting me, and always letting me know 💕Always a pleasure to read your thoughts on my posts😊💖