Dogs are a gift to this world. You can play fetch with them, snuggle with them when you're sad, or teach them cool tricks. Dogs may seem like simple creatures, always happy, always affectionate, always hungry. But they do have valuable lessons to teach us humans. Here are five of those lessons:

1) Ask For What You Want

My dog unashamedly stares at my food when I'm eating. It's as if he knows I'm weak to his big pout-y puppy eyes, and wants to take advantage of my susceptibility to cute things. Sigh. Too many poor souls also fall prey to dogs' merciless, adorable begging. But we have to hand it to them, they aren't afraid to ask for what they want (and sometimes go after it... but that's considered stealing. Don't do that).

Often I find myself incapable of expressing my needs because I'm afraid of imposing on others. Dogs don't think like that-- they see something they want, and they ask for it. They strike a healthy balance of recognizing their needs/wants, and respecting others' spaces. Dogs teach us that it's okay to ask for what you want, as long as you respect the answer you get back.

2) Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously

Dogs are on this earth to have fun. They make weird faces, and eat food too quickly, and sprawl out on the floor. They have almost a child-like innocence about them, and that quality is often lost in humans when they become adults. With the pressure to get a job, get a car, get a house, and pay taxes, it's easy to become cynical and closed off. But dogs know there's more to life than (well for them I suppose...) visits to the vet. They face struggles too, and have fun in the face of it all. Dogs dance in the rain, and perhaps we should join them.

3) Try New Things

This summer my family and I went on a five mile hike, and I watched my little chihuahua-pekineses dog hurl himself over a giant log three times his height. There was no hesitation in his tiny little body. No fear. He'd never climbed a log before, and he went for it. I was so proud of my dog that day for trying something new, and not letting fear stop him from going on a hike.

Additionally. I think it's fair to say dogs will eat anything-- even the inedible. Should people adopt this excitement of eating new foods, and trying new things, a lot of them would end up experiencing world views, and obtaining a better understanding of different cultures.

4) Stop To Smell The Roses

It's easy to drudge by, day to day, week to week, absorbed in the constant, rhythmic chaos that is life. I know, because I forgot what day it is today.

Dogs don't really interpret time the same way that we do. Sure, they know when dinner is supposed to be served, but the existential dread that comes with growing up as a human doesn't really apply to dogs. They live life one beautiful day at a time. They appreciate something as simple as a walk, or dog treat, or a belly rub. They don't think too far ahead, and they always make time to let you know they love you.

5) Love Unconditionally

It seems like no matter how long I've been gone, my puppy-dog is always excited to see me when I come home. It could be a couple hours, or a couple minutes, but still his ears perk up, and he runs over to greet me when I walk through the door.

The love from a dog is so pure, and kindhearted. Dogs genuinely want to befriend everyone they meet. I haven't made a friend as easily as dogs make friends since I was maybe five, and the only requirement to be friends was liking the same kind of ice-cream.

Even dogs who have been abandoned still find a way to love. They don't let what has negatively impacted them in the past crush their doggy spirits. It's as if it doesn't even occur to them that they are vulnerable. That their owner might not love them in return. Dogs are resilient, loyal, and love with all of their hearts no matter what. If we loved our fellow humans as much as dogs loved us, imagine how much sweeter the world could be?