AS 2016 DRAWS NEAR...

A dog may be man's best friend but our new pet cum chief security Spike, wants more than that. Spike just came to the family five days ago but is already rallying to be a major stakeholder. It doesn't want to be left to sleep alone, it wants to share the room with us. It has already 'colonized' a space on the couch for itself and always wants someone to play with it, like it is the last child of the house.

When the puppy (before we named it Spike) arrived the house, it was really quiet and withdrawn. Apparently it was missing its old home where its mother and other siblings were living. Everyone took turns to hold it and play with it and slowly it began to warm up to us. As the days go by, Spike's behavior exposes certain truths that I believe will help us all in 2016. Here they are:

1. To make reasonable progress, you must adapt and be receptive to change and that you must do fast. Spike understood that it is in a different environment and it had to change to fit.

2. Be ready to let go of the past and work/walk in the present to favour you. Instead of being a sad puppy, it learnt to accept its new owners.

3. Study your environment and know what is acceptable and what isn't. Spike knows where not to 'drop' after the first day it 'misdropped' in the living room.

4. Be able to identify friends from foes. Some friends are actually foes waiting to be unveiled. Spike knows strangers and knows unfriendly strangers.

5. Know your limits but don't let it be a limitation. Spike always runs at the sight and sound of a bigger dog in the area but that doesn't stop it from going outside. 

6. Dominate your area of influence. Spike wouldn't let any dog cross into the compound. It chases them away, and I feel it's it saying "This is my space, I control here."

7. Never give up! Every mountain is surmountable. Persist till you get over those challenges.

2016 is a great year... Soar in it!