The Benefits of Being Positive

“It's one thing to say you need to feed the positive dog. It's another thing to truly understand why you should be positive in the first place,” Bubba said as he stopped under a large tree and began to dig. After a few minutes he lowered his head in the hole and, using his nose, he scooped up a large book that had been buried underneath the dirt.

“This is a book that was left by Jade, one of the college students that volunteered at the shelter a few months ago,” said Bubba. “She was a pretty, young thing and not only did she smell real nice but she would also read the book out loud to us during quiet time. I learned all about the latest research on the positive effects of being positive and the negative effects of being negative from her and this here book. In fact, I've read the book so much I pretty much have it memorized. And you know what?”

“What?” asked Matt who was really curious to learn what Bubba knew.

“The research is clear,” Bubba proclaimed. “It really does pay to be positive. Positivity makes us happier and healthier. It helps us live longer and improves our relationships. It makes us better leaders and leads to greater success. Being positive is not just a nice way to live. It's the best way to live. Best of all, the research doesn't just apply to humans. It also applies to dogs because, as everyone knows, dogs have thoughts and feel emotions, too.

“Not only does it pay to be positive,” Bubba continued, “but the research says that there are also big costs to being negative. For example, negative emotions increase our risk of having a heart attack and stroke. Negativity weakens our immune system, makes us feel more stressed, and saps our energy. It is also associated with feeling more depressed and making fewer friends. The simple truth is that no one wants to be around a negative person or dog,” Bubba said, knowing Matt needed to hear it.

“I guess that's why no one wants to be around me or take me home,” Matt said as he put his head down and started to cry. “That's why I'm still here at the shelter.”

“Well, that's probably true,” said Bubba as he put his paw on Matt's head. “I ain't going to lie to you. Your attitude certainly hasn't been one that would win friends and influence people in a positive way. But the great news is that now you know the benefits of being positive and the costs of being negative. And now that you know the importance of being positive you can be positive.

“You don't have to be mad and sad anymore. You don't have to focus on your problems. You don't have to feel sorry for yourself. You can feed the positive dog and starve the negative dog on your way to a happier, successful, and more fulfilled life. You can be the kind of positive dog that every dog in the shelter wants to be around and every family wants to take home.”

Matt looked up at Bubba as his eyes opened wider. For the first time in a long time he felt a sense of hope. Bubba gave him a vision for his life and everything he said felt like the truth. He didn't want people to walk away from his cage anymore. He didn't want children to think he was mean. He wanted to love and be loved. He wanted to enjoy all the benefits that came from being positive. Most of all he wanted a family to fall in love with him and take him home. If he could be more positive, then perhaps his dream could come true.

As playtime ended, Barry, the man in charge of the shelter, called the dogs back into the building. Bubba nosed Jade's book back into the hole and covered it with dirt, for safekeeping. As they headed inside, Matt decided he was ready to start feeding the positive dog inside him.

“Is it hard to feed the positive dog?” he asked.

“It's a lot easier and simpler than you think,” Bubba said. “Tomorrow, first thing in the morning, we'll begin our positive feast and your life will never be the same!”