Happy Holidays — A Few Lessons My Dogs Taught Me This December

December in the desert has always felt a little magical — cooler mornings, pink-lavender sunsets, and skies so clear you can see the stars, planets, and even the faint arch of the Milky Way if you look closely enough.

But this year, the best lessons didn’t come from the night sky.

They came from my dogs.

Every evening we head out for a walk — Bailey, Sydney, Emmi, and me — and without even trying, they’ve each reminded me of something important about life, patience, and the strange, wonderful season we’re all walking through.

Sydney: The One Who Stops to Smell EVERYTHING

Sydney does not care if we’re “making good time.”

She stops. At every bush. Every rock. Every invisible-to-humans scent.

At first, I tried to hurry her along. But eventually I realized… she’s right.

Sometimes slowing down is exactly what we need — especially in December, when the world gets louder, faster, and more demanding. Sydney’s gift is presence. A reminder to pause, breathe, and actually notice the moment we’re in.

Emmi: The Cautious Little Explorer

Emmi is my sweet rescue, and she still approaches the world with a bit of hesitation. New noises make her jump. New people make her pause. She wants to keep moving — but carefully.

And yet… she always keeps going.

Her gentle bravery reminds me that moving forward doesn’t require boldness or certainty. Just small steps, taken steadily. Especially during a season when we reflect on the year behind us and wonder what’s ahead, Emmi’s lesson is simple:

You don’t have to rush. You just have to keep going.

Bailey: The Butterfly Chaser

Bailey, meanwhile, has zero hesitation.

She’s pure joy — darting after butterflies, sunbeams, shadows, you name it.

She wanders. She explores. She zigzags. She finds adventure everywhere.

She reminds me that even in the middle of routine, responsibility, and the endless to-do lists that come with adult life… there’s still wonder to be found.

Her lesson? Joy is a choice. Sometimes a silly, spontaneous, chase-the-butterfly kind of choice — but a choice nonetheless.

And Somehow… We Always Make It Home

Three dogs.

Three totally different approaches to the same path.

One stops and savors.

One moves carefully and bravely.

One leaps toward joy without hesitation.

And despite the chaos (and the very tangled leashes), we always end up exactly where we’re meant to be: home.

That’s the lesson this December has given me — that life will tug us in different directions, move at different speeds, and surprise us constantly… but we still find our way.

Wishing You a Season Full of Warm Moments, Small Joys, and Gentle Steps Forward

🐾 A Quick Pup-Cake Note (Important!)

The pup-cake shown in this post is not made with chocolate or any harmful ingredients. It’s a dog-safe treat created with pet-friendly components only. Please remember that many human desserts — especially anything containing chocolate, xylitol, grapes, or raisins — can be toxic to dogs. Always double-check ingredients or consult your vet before sharing any treat with your pup. We want all our four-legged friends to stay happy and healthy this season! 💛🐶 

• Bailey and Sydney have been known to sneak off and nibble my microgreens and garden veggies 🥬

• Emmi, on the other hand, turns her nose up at vegetables entirely and sticks loyally to her dog food 😄

Different personalities, same priority: happy, healthy pups.

Happy Holidays from me, Bailey, Sydney, and Emmi.

May your season be meaningful, peaceful, and filled with just the right mix of pausing, exploring, and chasing the things that make you feel alive.