HoneyBun, inspiration of Happy Dog Phoenix, passed away Sunday. She was 16 and had been in declining health. Here are just some of the lessons I learned from this wonderful dog:

1. There are some things worth getting up for at 4 a.m.
2. It doesn’t hurt to ask.
3. Eating a bag of dry Soba noodles and drinking a lot of water will give you the physique of a Sumo wrestler.
4. Don’t spend time on things that don’t matter. Just walk away.
5. Naps. Naps. Naps.
6. Investigate every crack, crevice, shopping bag and shrub. Something good is bound to be there.
7. Get excited to see your pals.
8. Just go for it.
9. You say it’s cat poop. I say it is delicious. It pays to think for yourself.
10. Grow old gracefully and enjoy every last morsel.