“Animals run from the dangers they actually see, and once they have escaped, they worry no more. We however are tormented alike by what is past and what is to come.” — Seneca
Some philosophers have said that dogs embody the teachings of Stoicism better than any other animal. In fact, the oldest Stoic parable is about a dog tied to a cart (with the dog representing our choice to fight or follow, and the cart representing the fate that pulls us along).
Dogs are undeniably graced with a spirit of enduring joy that reflects Stoic teachings about “anchoring” ourselves in the present. Once an unpleasant experience is over, a dog doesn’t sit and ruminate about it. It doesn’t feel sorry for itself, decide to hold a grudge, or develop a guilt complex.
For the most part, a dog just forgets about the bad experience and goes back to focusing on what’s happening right now. Its brain quickly resets to the norm — which, for a dog, is usually just a simple excitement for being alive.
Obviously, it would be unwise for us to completely erase our memories of challenging experiences. But if you want an example of how living in the moment can make you happier, take a look at man’s best friend. There aren’t many challenges that can keep a dog down for long.