We’ve all had some pretty ruff days, haven’t we? Looking back, I sometimes wonder how I got through some of those days at all. But, I did. I’m here now, facing the start of a brand-new week, full of possibilities.

So, I’m not worried about what might happen, I’m not thinking about what has happened, I’m just thinking about what’s happening right now.

Do you think you can do the same?

What do I mean when I talk about finding meaning in adversity?

As you know, I’m a rescue dog and I had a pretty rough start in life. I can choose the lessons that I take from those early years though. Every painful experience contains a lesson and it is completely up to us what that lesson is.

You see, whatever the lesson is, we’re making it up, so it makes sense to choose something that makes us feel better, not worse, right?

It happens. I’m sure you know that feeling, when everything seems to go wrong all at once. You get taken to the vets, lose your favourite ball and realise that your human has cancelled your playdate with your best friend. One of those things is bad enough, but all three? Life can be unfair.

It’s easy to get grumpy, to think that the universe is conspiring against you, to get into your bed and vow to stay there, not even emerging for a biscuit. Well, let’s not be silly about this, but you take my point.

Well, my human friends, I think it’s ok to acknowledge that sometimes, life is a little bit rubbish.

On those days, we need a plan of action.

You know when you feel really rubbish, when you have those days when nothing is going your way and you just want to cry?

Well, when you have those days, how do my canine friends make you feel?

We’re there for you, aren’t we? We know when you’re down and we know that we can try and make you feel a little bit better.

I was listening to my human over the weekend. I know, that shouldn’t be news, but what she said upset me.

She walked past me as I was chillaxing on the sofa. She stroked my head and said ‘you’re so beautiful’ as she continued on to the kitchen. She’s not wrong, I’m cute. They were not the words that upset me, obviously...

We are all a work in progress. All of us.

Every day, we need to be kind to ourselves and remember that we’re doing our best.

As a reminder, here are Three Ps of human training that I have devised after careful observation of numerous perfectly imperfect humans.

Would you like to know one of my (many) secrets to happiness? Yes? I thought so. It won’t surprise you to read that it’s simple. After all, us dogs don’t like to overcomplicate things. That’s your job. Here it is. As a general rule, I do what I love and I love what I do. Simple.

I’d like to take a moment of your time this morning to talk with you about freedom.

Now, I’m not just talking about some off-lead fun, playing in the park and checking your pee-mail whenever you want. I’m talking about real freedom.