The document discusses 5 lessons the author learned from his dog Daisy. Daisy teaches him to not let labels define you, be resilient in the face of challenges, respect your elders, celebrate each day, and practice gratitude. Daisy greets each day with enthusiasm, checks on the older dog, and is always thankful even for small things. The author aims to follow Daisy's example of appreciating life's gifts.

1. 5 Lessons Learned From Daisy
What Our Bichon Frise Taught Me
By Mike Barzacchini
Monday, January 17, 2011

2. 1. Don’t Let the Labels
of Others Define You
✤ Daisy is a Bichon Frise. She’s often mistaken for a
poodle.
✤ She’s also big for her breed. Bichons average about
10-18 pounds. Daisy is 25 pounds of solid, sweet,
raucous dog. Often people will mistake her for
another breed because of her size
✤ Daisy is comfortable in her own skin. She doesn’t let
the labels of others determine how she sees herself.
✤ Throughout our lives, labels are applied to us at school or
work, and sometimes in our own homes. Daisy reminds me
that what matters most is how we define ourselves.
Monday, January 17, 2011

3. 2. Be Resilient
✤ When Daisy was just one year old, she was viciously attacked by two
larger dogs. We didn’t know if she’d survive.
✤ Then, after a long recovery, we wondered about the lasting effects of
this trauma. Would Daisy be frightened or hesitant around other dogs
and people?
✤ Daisy’s zest for life and love of her family fueled her recovery. She reminds
me that bad things will happen, but we can endure.
Monday, January 17, 2011

4. 3. Respect Your Elders
✤ We have another dog, Izzy or Isabella, a yellow lab, who is 16
years old. She’s near blind and deaf and orbiting senility.
Another dog might become impatient with Izzy or ignore her.
✤ But not Daisy. She checks on her “older sister” first thing each
morning, nudges her up the stairs, goes back to encourage her if
she’s fallen behind, reminds her when it’s time to eat or go for a
walk.
✤ Following Daisy’s example, I try to make even the smallest actions a
celebration of the people in my life, especially the people who were here
before me and who have made my journey easier and more enriching.
Monday, January 17, 2011

5. 4. Celebrate Each Day
✤ Daisy greets each morning like it’s cause for a parade and fireworks
display. She waits in bed like a coiled spring for one of us to stir, so
she can begin again her morning dance.
✤ Each day is a blessing, even the challenging ones. Like Daisy, I’m trying to
develop my own morning dance to greet the day, give thanks and prepare me
for the the adventures ahead of me.
Monday, January 17, 2011

6. 5. Practice Gratitude
✤ Sometimes we’re late with dinner or slow to take her for a walk, but
you’d never know it by watching Daisy. She goes out of her way to
give a big, sloppy thanks for even our smallest actions on her behalf.
Sometimes I think she gets more out of saying “thanks” than we do
by receiving her gratitude.
✤ I know I can be more mindful of the things done each day by others for me,
and like Daisy, clearly display my appreciation. And she’s right -- the act of
saying “thanks” to others is often the greatest gift we give ourselves.
Monday, January 17, 2011

7. Daisy Knows Best
✤ Maybe by following the simple examples shared by my dog, I can learn to live
more fully and appreciate the small, meaningful gifts each day gives.
Monday, January 17, 2011

8. Thank You.
✤ Mike Barzacchini
✤ Email: mike@mikebarzacchini.com
✤ Twitter: twitter.com/mikebarzacchini
✤ Web: mikebarzacchini.com
✤ “Life’s a classroom. Take notes.”
Monday, January 17, 2011