The Benefits of a Light Heart
Foreword
The impetus for writing the Barking Dog Index of Problems was quite mundane . In amongst dealing with life and the universe , I had overlooked a small but significant change in my work situation , which , when it finally came into force , caught me quite a long way off guard . Once I had settled down again , one colleague offered laughing opinions on my Dismay and Dilemmas , and passed comment on going barking mad , the dangers of barking dogs , and the need to pay more attention to critical points about one ’ s schedule .
‘ Fair enough ’, I said , but then I said , ‘ so how big was the dog that was barking its head off ?’ Was it a very big one , which would be worse than a little , yapping thing ? And then , how big was big , and which small ones would be tolerable , rather than tiresome ?
And so , The Barking Dog Index of Problems was born . First there was a website www . barkingdogindex . com , and now there is a book .
The exercise to turn distress to mirth has drawn upon my training in psychology , my interest in what makes for a happy old age , and a lifelong acquaintance with dogs of all shapes and sizes ( and a dear cat or two ). Could I imagine the range of problems from sensible to life threatening ? What then would you do with The Dog ? Could you do anything with The Dog ? Would I stop laughing long enough to get it done ?
Yes , well it depends , yes , and fortunately , no !
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