It's a crisp, cold, clear day and my dog finds possibly the best spot in the house: she is sitting as though beside Queen Elizabeth, poised and quite pleased with herself on the wool oriental in my foyer. Contentedly, she is basking on the rug where the morning sun is falling onto her through the leaded glass door, creating a kaleidoscope of warm, fuzzy sunlight which sprinkles dapples of gold onto her. I watch her momentarily before she spots me. She gives me the look, the same look she throws me when we cruise together in the car with the top down. The look that says she's very pleased. The one that says she is happy with her life and diggin' this moment. She may be "just" a dog, but she has taught me one of life's most important lessons: happiness is a series of moments basking in contentedness. Just throw your head back and howl at them.