PHOTO: They don’t live long, but they live good

If you can start the day without caffeine; if you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains; if you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles; if you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it; if you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time; if you can take criticism and blame without resentment; if you can conquer tension without medical help; if you can relax without alcohol; if you can sleep without the aid of drugs… then you’re probably the family dog. Photo by Darrall Slater.