You know, back in 2019, I made a decision that everyone in my life thought was completely out of character. I got a dog. That’s right—me, allergic to dogs, raised in a family of “definitely-not-dog-people,” decided to throw caution, logic, and my sinuses to the wind and bring home Oliver Van Winkle Tinkle. Yes, that’s his real name. And let me tell you, Ollie didn’t just chew through my favorite shoes—he chewed through my old way of life. 

Fast forward past middle-of-the-night potty breaks, chewed-up underwear, and a global pandemic, and guess what? This single mom who once swore she’d never be “a dog person” is now that dog person. You know the type. The one talking to strangers at the dog park. The one organizing playdates for her dog like it’s preschool. The one whose dog has a better social life than she does. 

But here’s the thing—Ollie didn’t just change my life; he taught me how to live it. And if you’re also a “dog person,” you get it. Dogs have this uncanny ability to teach us humans some pretty profound life lessons—things like living in the moment, finding your pack, and never underestimating the power of play. 

Which brings me to today’s guest: Michelle Waitzman. Michelle is a writer, dog lover, and the author of Be as Happy as Your Dog: 16 Dog-Tested Ways to Be Happier Using Pawsitive Psychology. That’s right—she took all those little nuggets of wisdom our dogs offer us and turned them into a guide for living your best life. 

So, whether you’re a dog owner, a dog admirer, or just someone trying to figure out why your Labrador is happier than you are, stick around. Michelle’s here to spill the tea—or should I say, the kibble—on how we can all live a little more like our dogs. 

In this episode, Michelle is going to show us how to: 

1. Humans spend 50% of their time obsessing over the past and future. You can't change the past, nor can you control the future. The present is where happiness lives. Embrace the present like your dog chasing a squirrel. 

2. Savor the small joys in life—because honestly, if your dog can lose their mind over a squeaky toy, you can get excited about that first sip of coffee and experiencing and savoring joy for 20 seconds daily changes your brain chemistry.

3. Find your pack—and that includes cutting loose the energy vampires who don’t bring joy to your life and finding people who boost your joy with a love of common things.

4. Play like your happiness depends on it (because, spoiler alert, it does). 

5. Embrace serendipity—because sometimes, the best things in life aren’t what you were chasing in the first place. 

To find more of Michelle:

Website | beashappyasyourdog.com

Facebook | beashappyasyourdog

Instagram | @beashappyasyourdog

And if you find yourself feeling stuck and wondering my YOUR dog is happier than you are...join us. We are a tribe of like-minded, women in midlife who are trying to build connection with one another. You see, the more connections and friendships you have (and we're talking with people here...not our furry friends), the happier you will be as well. We will be launching a membership in 2Q2025 and we want you to be a part of it. Our goal is to connect women from around the world for friendship and fun...virtually and face-to-face (where possible). If you're interested in being a founding member, email me at Shelby.bybee@gmail.com to get in on the action. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram to stay tuned for more fun info!