As I’ve shared in previous posts, my family adopted a sweet goldendoodle puppy who
we named Ralph. Ralph was supposed to be a mini and mellow. He’s neither of those.
He’s huge, wild, highly emotional, and seems to never be tired. He loves his family,
other dogs, and digging in his yard. Ralph is consistently muddy. We’ve tried to clean off
his paws when he comes in, but he’s squirrely and often we can’t catch him as he runs
through the house tracking big, muddy paw prints everywhere.

I do like a clean house. I like clean floors. My kids call me a tornado because when I
walk into a room I can clean it up in seconds, tornado style. And yet, I can’t keep up with
Ralph. I can’t seem to keep the floors clean and neither can my family. Ralph and his
muddy paws have won the clean game. On any given day, if you come to my house you
will see distinct paw prints on our floor and, sometimes even on our beige carpet.

Here’s the crazy part. Those paw prints both drive me crazy and fill me with
outrageous joy. Ralph was an ignored puppy living in a puppy mill and soon to be
euthanized if not for the amazing rescue agency that saved him and his siblings.
Watching Ralph make our home his and, watching him play in a yard that he now
seems to own has brought endless happiness to me and my family.

I’m not sure if it’s my age and my awareness of how quickly life goes by, but I never
thought I would find happiness in a dirty floor or a smelly dog. Ralph’s dirty paws have
become my happiness litmus test. Or he has actually changed my litmus test for
happiness. Dirty paws and dirty floors have become not only acceptable, but actually joy
filled. Why were spotlessly clean floors ever so important to me?

Watching my sweet puppy revel in his yard and joyfully run into his home that is filled
with people who love him has changed how I look at the world. If I can find happiness in
muddy paws and dirty floors, then why can’t I find happiness everywhere? What if
happiness has been residing in me all along and it really never had anything to do with
dirty floors or crazy dogs? What a concept that I’ve been able to choose my own litmus
test and ultimately choose my own happiness. Ralph is a miracle worker, and I’m
grateful.

Love,

Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC 

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Do you need help finding your voice, developing confidence and solution-centered plans to unlock the next chapter of your life in fulfilling ways that bring happiness and increased self-esteem (so that you’re not as affected by the crazy making behavior of others?) If so, I can help. Click here to learn more or inquire about my leadership and empowerment individual coaching options.