When Ladysmith turned this platform over to me, she reminded me especially, to count it all joy, as she did every day.
I hope I live up to her lofty expectation, considering my days are filled with such adventures as chasing horses, [often on my own!], rolling in unknown smelly green stuff, harassing and herding cats if I can, and howling and yipping at the bosses, to redirect them to the correct Heeler Way.
I’m always really busy and have a long list of to-do’s. But I try to remember the rules Lady gave me. She had some great Ladysmith Lists, and some good Cowdog Commandments to make this journey brighter.
So I try every morning, as I lay on the porch and watch the sunrise, to chew on advice from the cowdog’s code, like a good bone:
- Make peace with your past so it won’t disturb your present.
2. Time heals almost everything.
3. No one is responsible for your happiness – except you.
4. Smile – there are a whole lot of problems out there in the world that aren’t yours.
5. You’re never too old to dream a new dream. 
6. Attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure. 
7. The strongest among us are those who are still kind after the world has torn them apart.
8. Savor every sunrise, sunset, summer storm and fresh bone. There are just too few of such moments to miss!
Lady loaned me her wisdom, leaving it in my capable paws, to practice and pass on.
As she pointed out, I’m a Heeler – what could possibly go wrong?
