Ask Strider: The World's a Wonderful Place – Ashland News

I feel bad? Chosen? Curious? Our advice columnist is here for you, whatever your mood

By Strider Dog

Dear Strider,

The news there is bad. I know I should stop reading/listening/watching, but I can't. There are days when I don't want to get out of bed, I just want to pull the covers over my head and hide.

Do you ever feel like this? What do you do when depression hits you?

Sad Ashlander

Dear Sad,

Do not be sad. Be happy! Every day is a new one, and a new chance to find something wonderful outside. There are good things to eat. There are wonderful things to smell. There are people to meet, many of them with sweets in their pockets. There are dogs to pet!

I hate that you're sad. I mean, sadness has its place and there are reasons to be sad. You don't want to pretend you're happy when you're not. But you also don't want to waste any of this time we have on the planet. Dogs don't want to waste it either. Come to think of it, there are all these dogs in shelters here that need to be walked. They are sad for a real reason. But it wouldn't take much to make them happy.

I'm thinking if you take off those bed covers, turn off your phone and go outside to volunteer as a dog walker at the Jackson County Animal Shelterthe happiness you bring to every dog ​​you take out for a walk will make you feel so good.

Either way, it will make the dog feel good. This is added value for sure.

Just saying.

Dear Strider,

Every picture I see of you shows you smiling, even laughing. You are definitely a happy dog. Do you share what is your secret of happiness?

Grumpy Gus

dear anger,

It's no secret! Every day since finding my forever home and knowing Todd will always be there has been filled with happiness. All that good stuff to eat! All those wonderful things to smell! All those people to meet, most of them with sweets in their pockets. Well, I repeat myself, of course, but it bears repeating, don't you think?

(Look up.)

All those trees, that grass, those flowers, those birds. The ocean! The river that flows into the ocean! Laying on the deck in the sun! Hanging out with the Old Cedar Tree! Waiting for Todd to finish breakfast to see if he has a plate of eggs to lick.

Duck treats from Bi-Mart.

My best friend, Koda, comes to stay when his caregivers have to go somewhere and it's too hot to leave him in the car.

I could go on. The world is a wonderful place. It keeps coming back, and sometimes it's sad, sometimes it's hard, and then, all of a sudden, when you least expect it, a squirrel comes out the window and gives you a wink, or Tapper the Junco lands on you and does a spin in the sky just to remind you that you are friends. I mean, I laughed out loud when that happened.

It sure pays to be a street dog, I can tell you that.

What about you, Grumpy? What makes you happy?

Inquiring dog minds want to know. Seriously.

Dear Strider,

My brother drives me crazy. He always criticizes the kinds of things I like: books, music, TV series, everything. He never has a nice thing to say about any of them, but gets this kind of superior look on his face when he tells me what bad taste I have.

How do I get it to stop doing this? Do you have any advice for me?

Annoyed sister

Dear Boredom,

The next time he does this, just say, “Thank you for spending so much time worrying about my life choices.” Then, when he does it again, just look at him blankly, give him a vague smile, and say, “Thank you.” That should slow it down. Eventually he will tire of the game and turn to someone else to help him feel superior. And then you can get back to enjoying life without the mess.

Good luck.

Dear Strider,

I am curious. I love music. Do dogs do? Do you like music? If so, what is your favorite type?

Musically inclined

Dear Musician,

I really like Taylor Swift. But who doesn't?

Also, my favorite song is “Time is a Healer”. (Editor's note: Strider actually thinks this song is called “Time is a Heeler.” Don't tell him I changed the typo.)

Thanks for asking.

Got an itch that needs scratching? Want to bark or even howl? Share it with former street dog, our Ashland.news advice columnist. Email [email protected].