It's FUN to have FUN, rain or shine! Animals can teach us a lot about having fun. Just look at how happy your pet is when he or she is playing with a toy, running around in the yard, or just riding in the car. Animals are never too busy for fun! Unless they're not feeling well or are REALLY tired, they will always take the time to play with another person or animal. A benefit that comes from having fun is laughter. You know what they say - laughter is the best medicine. Are you the only one that hasn't seen the laughing penguin?: http://youtu.be/2Fbt1fVfi-gYou know that dogs laugh, don't you? It sounds like a long, loud pant, and they look like they're smiling. A researcher did an experiment to see what effect the sound would have on a group of 15 barking dogs at an animal shelter. When they played the sound of a dog panting over the loud speaker, the dogs continued to bark. When they played the sound of a dog laughing over the loud speaker, all of the dogs went quiet within a minute! They say it works every time!
Caesar loves his yard and can play ball all day (and all night) long! Sometimes, he just can't decide which ball to play with, as you can see by the picture on the right. Only when he gets really tired, will he sit down and chew a bone, but he still has his ball close by, in case someone wants to toss it again!
Charlotte, on the other hand, is a social butterfly (or flutterby) and loves to go on walks, go to the dog park or doggie daycare, and chew on her bones and squeaky toys! She also loves to get brushed, hide in the pampas grass, and roll in the grass.
Take a hint from your animal friends - never pass up an opportunity to play - that goes for adults, too! Go outside and play ball or just roll around on the ground (BDD would love a picture of that!) On a rainy day, play a board game with your family or friends. With programs like the Wii Fit, you can play all kinds of sports and learn how to dance and do yoga! Caesar wants to show you another yoga pose called pigeon.
Below is a list of some of the top-rated board games for 2011 - see if your favorite is listed. Don't be shy about writing a comment and tell Dan about your favorite game. I'm sure a lot of readers will agree and say, "Oh, yeah, I love that, too!"
For kids ages 3-8
- Monopoly Junior Edition
- Trouble
- Hi-Ho Cherry-O
- Chutes and Ladders
- Candyland
- Sequence for Kids
For kids ages 8+- Blokus
- Hedbanz
- Scavenger Hunt for Kids
- Operation
- Don't Break the Ice
- Uno Card Game
Check out this talented pup playing the piano and singing: http://youtu.be/PiblYasnzWE
