More Happier: A New Barbie, Quality Screen Time & the Joy of Working on a Porch

Summary

Happier with Gretchen Rubin: Episode Summary

Title: More Happier: A New Barbie, Quality Screen Time & the Joy of Working on a Porch
Release Date: July 26, 2025
Hosts: Gretchen Rubin & Elizabeth Craft
Podcast Network: The Onward Project
Publisher: Lemonada Media

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1. Celebrating Diversity: The New Type 1 Diabetes Barbie

Timestamp: [02:35] - [06:38]

Gretchen Rubin and her co-host, Elizabeth Craft, delve into the recent release of Mattel’s new Barbie doll designed specifically for children with Type 1 Diabetes. This Barbie is not only symbolic but also functional, featuring accessories that resonate with those managing the condition.

• Gretchen Rubin expresses her enthusiasm:
  “It makes me so happy to see a Type one Barbie.” ([02:35])

She highlights the doll's realistic features, including a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump, adorned with blue polka dots—a recognized symbol for Type 1 Diabetes.

• Elizabeth Craft adds context to the representation:
  “This would be really nice if you were a child who had type 1 diabetes...” ([03:25])

Gretchen shares a personal touch, mentioning her desire to purchase the doll for herself, underscoring its significance beyond just being a toy.

• Gretchen Rubin remarks:
  “It just is something. It was so surprising that it existed that I just felt like, okay, I should have this.” ([04:03])

The duo celebrates the increased representation and discusses how such initiatives can positively impact children dealing with chronic conditions.

2. Enhancing Productivity: The Joys of Working Outside with External Monitors

Timestamp: [06:45] - [10:55]

Elizabeth Craft shares her journey towards creating a more conducive work environment by integrating external monitors, which has significantly improved her productivity and work satisfaction.

• Elizabeth Craft discusses her workspace transformation:
  “One of my favorite things is to work outside on a porch.” ([06:45])

She elaborates on the challenges she faced with her initial external monitor setup, describing it as "finicky" and "not user-friendly." However, the introduction of a new ViewSonic monitor has revolutionized her workflow.

• Elizabeth Craft notes:
  “I have started working outside my office. I have gone to the library... and I have worked outside by the lake in the rain, which I love.” ([08:05])

Gretchen supports by emphasizing the romantic and liberating aspects of working outdoors with the right tools, making work feel less restrictive and more enjoyable.

• Gretchen Rubin comments:
  “So sitting outside with your external monitor working away, it's very romantic.” ([09:42])

The discussion highlights the importance of eliminating minor inconveniences to enhance overall productivity and happiness, advocating for thoughtful adjustments in one’s work setup.

3. Personal Story: Barnaby's Surgery and the Path to Recovery

Timestamp: [21:46] - [26:47]

Elizabeth Craft opens up about her dog Barnaby's recent surgery, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into the challenges and emotional toll of caring for a beloved pet through a health crisis.

• Elizabeth Craft shares Barnaby's condition:
  “He hurt his leg and he needed something called a TPLO... kind of like ACL surgery for people.” ([21:46])

She explains the procedure briefly, likening it to human knee surgery, and discusses the postoperative care, including the use of a cone and medication to ensure proper healing.

• Elizabeth Craft expresses her empathy:
  “It looks like everything's coming along fine. So that's good.” ([25:00])

Gretchen responds with heartfelt concern, highlighting the emotional bond between pet owners and their animals.

• Gretchen Rubin remarks:
  “We'Re back and I have been meaning to ask you, how is Barnaby doing?” ([21:46])

The conversation delves into the practical aspects of Barnaby’s recovery, such as limited mobility, medication management, and the behavioral adjustments both dogs are undergoing.

• Elizabeth Craft offers insight into Barnaby’s resilience:
  “He's very cunning... he was very calm during the whole thing.” ([24:22])

This segment underscores the themes of patience, care, and the complexities of ensuring a pet’s well-being during a prolonged healing process.

4. Reflective Quotes and Closing Thoughts

Timestamp: [26:47] - [28:43]

As the episode draws to a close, Gretchen and Elizabeth share inspirational quotes and personal reflections that encapsulate the essence of striving for happiness and fulfillment.

• Elizabeth Craft presents a quote from Eugene Delacroix:
  “A man does not work only for the sake of producing, but to set a value on his time...” ([26:50])

Gretchen resonates with the sentiment, reinforcing the importance of valuing one’s time and the satisfaction derived from meaningful work.

• Gretchen Rubin confirms:
  “I know you feel that way.” ([27:08])

Elizabeth further shares her appreciation for Lena Dunham's portrayal in her memoir, connecting it back to the episode's themes of ambition and personal growth.

The hosts conclude with warm interactions, encouraging listeners to embrace the present moment in their happiness journeys.

• Elizabeth Craft aptly states:
  “The best time to start a happiness project is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” ([27:38])

---

Key Takeaways

• Representation Matters: The introduction of a Type 1 Diabetes Barbie serves as a meaningful step towards inclusivity, providing children with chronic conditions a relatable figure.
• Optimizing Work Environments: Simple tools like external monitors can drastically improve productivity and job satisfaction, highlighting the value of investing in one's workspace.
• Caring for Loved Ones: Whether human or pet, navigating health challenges requires patience, empathy, and adaptability.
• Valuing Time and Ambition: Aligning one’s work with personal values leads to greater fulfillment and happiness.

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Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions and insights shared by Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft.

Transcript

[Gretchen Rubin]

If you're like us, you love discovering habits and systems that make life better. That's why we're excited to share this opportunity. It's perfect for anyone trying to design a career that works for them, not against them. Intuit, the maker of TurboTax and QuickBooks, is expanding its world class network of tax and bookkeeping experts. As an Intuit expert, you get to work virtually, select your hours and be part of a mission driven culture focused on helping customers prosper to plus, you're supported by a team of experienced tax professionals who are there to help you succeed.

[Elizabeth Craft]

They also offer Intuit Academy, a free and self paced training program through which you can advance your tax and bookkeeping career.

[Gretchen Rubin]

So if you're looking to design your future with a flexible and supportive tax career, visit intuit.comexpert to learn more or apply that's intuit.comexpert from fitness routines to mental resilience, navigating personal goals to tackling burnout, we all need a little help being human. That's what the Life Kit podcast from NPR is here to do. If you're looking to move with more intention or just need thoughtful guidance on living better, Life Kit delivers strategies to help you make meaningful, sustainable change. Life Kit offers real stories, relevant insights and clear takeaways to help you meet those decision making moments with confidence and clarity.

[Unknown]

I find that so often when I listen to Life Kit, it answers some question that has been burning in my mind. But recently, because we've been spending a lot of time outside, I was like, how do we avoid mosquito bites? And sure enough, there was an episode how to avoid mosquito bites just in time. Get help tackling common issues like relationships, finances, parenting and your career. Then walk away with a game plan you can implement right away. Life Kit isn't just another podcast about self improvement. It's about understanding how to live a little better. Starting now. Listen now to the Life Kit podcast from npr.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Lemonade.

[Unknown]

Hello, we're here for More Happier, a podcast where we get happier. Join us for some weekend listening. It's a conversation with a bit of a looser vibe. Hey, Elizabeth.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Hi Gretchen.

[Unknown]

Today we'll talk about a show that we're both watching and some of the challenges of having dogs. But first, something making us happier. Elizabeth, what is something that is making you happier?

[Gretchen Rubin]

Well, Gretch, first of all, I have to say thank you to so many listeners who wrote to tell me about this and it is making me happier, which is that there is a new Barbie from Mattel who has type 1 diabetes.

[Unknown]

Wow. Okay. That's great.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yeah. So she comes with a continuous glucose monitor, which you know, I wear. So it's a little monitor attached to your body. Hers is heart shaped, which I get a kick out of. And she has an insulin pump around her waist or at her waist, which many people with type 1 diabetes have. And then also her outfit is blue polka dots, which I didn't know is kind of a symbol of type type 1.

[Unknown]

Oh.

[Gretchen Rubin]

So it makes me so happy to see a Type one Barbie.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Well, Type one, it used to be called juvenile diabetes because it is a kind of diabetes that can be diagnosed in children. And so this is really nice if you think of. Well, you know, it's a toy. So this would be really nice if you were a child who had type 1 diabetes and you would see the monitor and the pump and yes, the polka dots.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes. I think it would be a great thing for a kid with type 1. And I will say I went to order one for myself to that point. Even I, as an adult woman thought, oh, I really want my own Type one Barbie. And they were sold out everywhere.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Is that right?

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Isn't that interesting?

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yeah. So I love that. And then while I was looking, I saw there are also Barbies in wheelchairs.

[Elizabeth Craft]

I knew that I have seen those.

[Gretchen Rubin]

So I love this representation. It's great. And it also really just touched me that our listeners wanted to make sure I saw this because I don't think I would have seen it if people hadn't alerted me. Barbie is not normally on my radar, so was really nice.

[Elizabeth Craft]

I hadn't heard about it either. So I have two questions for you, Elizabeth. First is, I think people would be curious when you say it's attached to your body. Explain how that works. Cause I think that makes it sound maybe a little bit more intimidating than it is in practice. I remember before you got it, it seemed like a really big deal and then you were glad that you did it.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yeah. So for the continuous glucose monitor, it's like a sensor that comes attached to sort of a shot. It's very small, like an inch by inch, maybe or less. And I can just put it up against mine goes on my arm. I can put it up against my arm and push the button. And it's attached and then it has a little adhesive around it to keep it attached.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah.

[Gretchen Rubin]

But I can, you know, wear it in the shower, swimming, etc, and it's pretty unobtrusive. And some people wear them on their stomach, which is even less visible, obviously, because it would be covered with A shirt. And I used to do that.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah.

[Gretchen Rubin]

So, yeah, it's really not a big deal. The one I have now is a Dexcom, and it lasts for like 10 days. And then a pump is a little bit more of a thing. It's bigger, but again, still not obtrusive.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Well, and this is just so great, I think, for parents too, because it is a lot of monitoring. It's a lot to deal with with a kid. And now these tools are just so much more advanced even than when you got it. But you were diagnosed, like, at 27, so you were kind of unusual.

[Gretchen Rubin]

No, at 34.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Oh, 34. I've always been telling people it's 27. Oh, it was 34.

[Unknown]

Oh, right.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Of course.

[Unknown]

That's right.

[Elizabeth Craft]

That's right. Okay.

[Gretchen Rubin]

And what's great now, Gretchen, is that for my glucose monitor, I just have it on my phone. So I don't even need a separate receiver. I just literally have it on my phone. And my doctor can log in and see all my numbers. So it's extremely convenient.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Oh, that's great.

[Unknown]

Okay, now my second question is, what were you gonna do with the Barbie?

[Gretchen Rubin]

Just put it in my office. I just felt like I should have it.

[Unknown]

Keep it in the box, but just have it there. Yeah, I can do that. That's fun.

[Gretchen Rubin]

You know, it just is something. It was so surprising that it existed that I just felt like, okay, I should have this. Now I will say I don't need it.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Right.

[Gretchen Rubin]

But it just. I thought, oh, that'd be fun to have. But I was happy to see that it would sold out. That made me happy.

[Unknown]

Good team spirit.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Type one.

[Gretchen Rubin]

So anyway, so Type one Barbie. Who knew?

[Unknown]

Yes.

[Gretchen Rubin]

All right, Gretch, what's making you happier?

[Unknown]

Okay, so one of the things that was on my 25 for 25 list is I wanna work outside my office. The library near my apartment, the New York Society library. I love, love, love to work there. At our lake house, we have a porch that has a table where I can sit and everything that I love, love, love to do. One of my favorite things is to work outside on a porch. And my very favorite way to work outside on a porch is to have it raining, but be on a deep porch so that you can work outside in the rainbow. For some reason, I just find this completely magical. But here's the thing, and I've talked about this so many times, is now I have three monitors at my desk in my office. And the way that I work this is hugely helpful, some people. And I thought this before I got three monitors were like, oh, it'll just distract you. But in fact, for me, it's like, I'll have a notes document and then my, like, actual working draft, and then I can be looking up things on the Internet, or I can have my calendar up and my emails up, so I can be going back and forth. And I just find that it's incredibly helpful to the point where just using my laptop makes me feel cramped in my mind. And so I was never wanting to work outside my office. And I really didn't like working when I traveled because I just felt like my mind was boxed in. So I had this external monitor, but it was really, really finicky. And so I would always be like, oh, gosh, okay, fine. And then it just stopped working altogether. But now I have a new external.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Monitor that is by ViewSonic.

[Unknown]

If anybody wants this and this, it's very easy. The other one was really hard to attach. This one. I just, like, attach it. And now I have started working outside my office. I have gone to the library. Not as many times as I would want to, but I have gone more. And I have worked outside by the lake in the rain, which I love.

[Gretchen Rubin]

That's awesome.

[Unknown]

But it's a good example of a couple things. One is you can love to do something and yet forget to do it. Yep, I love doing this. Why don't I do it? I don't know. I forget to do it. Or I. Or it's just how a little bit of inconvenience can have a completely disproportionate consequence on our actions or making something even slightly more convenient. Because it's just the little bit of packing up that I have to do to go out. To be not working at my desk really puts me off. Even though it takes, like, five minutes. I act like it takes 35 minutes. I have to save all my documents. Then I have to run this program that syncs my laptop to my desktop because it's really important that my documents are always completely up to date. That is my worst nightmare is that they would go out of sync and I would be working on them both simultaneously. So I have to do that, and then I have to stick it in my backpack. How long does this take? I should time it. You know, this thing, like, time it so you really know, instead of thinking, oh, it takes 10, 15 minutes, and it probably takes 90 seconds.

[Gretchen Rubin]

So, Gretch, here's my question. When you work outside at the lake, are there bugs?

[Elizabeth Craft]

There really aren't bugs, which is Miraculous. At least so far. I wonder as weather conditions change over the months, but so far, so good.

[Gretchen Rubin]

That is amazing. Yeah, you need to do that. That is so great.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah.

[Gretchen Rubin]

So sitting outside with your external monitor working away, it's very romantic.

[Elizabeth Craft]

I know. There's nothing more romantic than an external monitor.

[Gretchen Rubin]

That's right.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Like, what's more picturesque than that for some people?

[Gretchen Rubin]

It's true.

[Unknown]

It's true.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Well, it's making me happy.

[Gretchen Rubin]

All right, Gretch. Coming up, we're going to talk about quality screen time. But first, this break. Gretch, Being a TV writer, I know so many people who travel for work for weeks, sometimes months at a time when they're shooting on location. I have a lot of great memories from being in Vancouver for weeks on end shooting a pilot. I love being in Vancouver. It's so gorgeous. Very different from la. Really fun. But when TV people are away, their houses and apartments just sit there in LA with nobody using them. Well, this year, as we are all trying to work smarter and not harder, I know people who are hosting their space on Airbnb while they're out of town. Otherwise the place is just sitting there empty. It honestly feels like a no brainer way to get a little more spending cash.

[Elizabeth Craft]

I mean, who does not want a little extra income these days? Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how [e-mail] host.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Introducing the new Dell AI PC powered by the Intel Core Ultra processor. It's not just an AI computer, it's a computer built for AI. That means it's built to help do your busy work free for you, so you can fast forward through editing images.

[Unknown]

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[Gretchen Rubin]

Emails, leaving all the time in the world for more you time and for the things you actually want to do. No offense, Jim, get a new Dell AI PC starting at $699.99 at Dell.com AIPC how those ahead, Stay ahead.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Okay, Elizabeth, you've been bringing up some quality screen time. What are you watching?

[Gretchen Rubin]

Okay, Gretch, so I just finished Lena Dunham's new show called Too Much. It is on Netflix.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Jamie and I have started that, but we haven't finished the season yet.

[Gretchen Rubin]

So just for anybody who doesn't remember, Lena Dunham created the show Girls on hbo, which is One of my all time favorite shows. I am a Girls fan. And now Lena Dunham, who's, you know, a lightning rod figure. Some people love her, some people do not. I happen to love her. Is living in London. She moved there years ago and. And she met a musician and got married. And this show is loosely based. Very loosely, I'm sure, on her experience.

[Elizabeth Craft]

It's really good. But it's the main character too. That actor is so great.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes. So it stars Megan Stalter, who is also in Hacks. I want to mention Hacks is on hbo. It's about a standup comedian who's sort of a Joan Rivers type, let's say. And she is a standout on Hacks, which I guess everyone is a standout on Hacks. So fantastic. So she stars in too much and she is just wonderful. And I should mention, by the way, Gretch, that the show actually is co created by Lena Dunham and her husband, which is interesting.

[Elizabeth Craft]

That's interesting. Well, and also people don't know the character that Megan Stelter plays in Hacks. She's the loudmouth, incompetent assistant to the agent who then has her own arc. But she's just this hilarious. You're always happy when she appears in a scene because she is just very, very funny and kind of over the top in Hacks and very, very good in Too much as well. She's great.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes. I definitely think that the cast really makes this show. There's a lot of it is about the romance between the main character and the guy she meets in London who's played by Will Sharp. And he's great too. I really love the parts where she's out just in London, like at work or at a dinner party or at a wedd, just because it's really fun to see that fish out of water. But the romance is nice too.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah. Somebody said to me that it was like Emily in Paris, only darker.

[Gretchen Rubin]

I think that's a good description.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Well, here's a question for you though, Alyssa. Just in your Hollywood brain, you say that the cast is great. How do you judge that? What are examples of good casting and bad casting? Because I always think I say that, but usually I just mean like that. I like a character and feel like the actor is believable. I don't exactly know how a professional would judge that.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Well, I mean, I think it's all very subjective, of course, but a great cast are people who just really stand out and who you really just want to go back to. For instance, I saw Lena Dunham recently talking about casting Adam Driver in Girls. Adam Driver played her love interest in Girls. And she was saying when he walked in the room, it just changed the whole energy of the room. And I think Megan Stalzer probably has that characteristic as well. And then, of course, Adam Driver went on to star in Star wars, you know, one of the biggest franchises in history. So I think there's just people who. What we. We call it, they pop. Yeah, we say they pop, and it just means that when they're on screen, you just can't look away. And they could have a small part, and if they do, they might just, like, totally take the scene, or they could be the star of the show and just shine. And that's why they're the star of a show. It's funny because there's this guy, David Boreanas, who starred in Buffy as Angel, and he is just a born TV star. I mean, any show he's on ends up having many seasons because people just love watching him on tv. So it's. I don't know. It's interesting.

[Elizabeth Craft]

But don't you think a lot of that is the writing that, like, yeah, they did a great job, but they also have a great part. Are people so good that they could.

[Unknown]

Have a boring part and make it really, really good?

[Elizabeth Craft]

Because, I mean, like, a lot of times people have great lines, for sure.

[Gretchen Rubin]

The things come together, and that's like the lightning in the bottle that can happen on an amazing television show. But it is also true, and I have enough humility as a writer to say this, that a great actor, or let's say just an actor that people want to watch, can absolutely elevate so. So material.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Oh, interesting.

[Gretchen Rubin]

100%. And a boring actor, and I don't want to name anyone, can mute great material. So both are incredibly important. But some people just, you know, they just shine.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Well, it's funny, I don't even know.

[Unknown]

What I mean by this exactly, but sometimes people look anachronistic, and you're like, what are you talking about? But like, I remember in Game of.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Thrones, every once in a while, a character would come, and I'm like, you.

[Unknown]

Just have a modern face. You just don't look like you belong in that world. I mean, I remember even the Night King, the way he moved. I'm like, you don't move like the Night King. You move like a guy.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Mm.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Interesting.

[Unknown]

And there were some people whose faces just didn't fit in the show. They're like, well, how can a person look Anachronistic. We're all alive right now together.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes.

[Unknown]

Why is somebody believable to me in that world and other people are not?

[Gretchen Rubin]

Well, it could be the quality of their wig.

[Unknown]

Oh, really?

[Gretchen Rubin]

Their wig could have been off, and that made you think they looked interesting.

[Unknown]

I picked up that something was wrong.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah, well, I can't, because, you know, I love a great quotation. I cannot resist adding this quotation that's haunted me ever since I read Lena Dunham's memoir, Not that Kind of Girl, because she was writing about a period when she was younger, when she was working as a sales clerk at a fancy children's clothing store in New York City, and she was working with two of her friends, and it was, like, super, super fun. And she writes about why she stop doing that. She wrote, but ambition is a funny thing. It creeps in when you least expect it and keeps you moving even when you think you want to stay put. I thought that was a great description of ambition.

[Gretchen Rubin]

I love that. That stuck with me, too. We talked about that. Yeah. An interesting detail about that store, Gretchen. You know, it's owned by Jemima Kirk's mother, and Jemima Kirk was one of Lena Dunham's best friends from high school, and she played Jessa, one of the main characters on Girls.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Lena Dunham's ambition kept many people moving, it seemed like.

[Gretchen Rubin]

That's pretty interesting. That's exactly right.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Oh, that's interesting. Yeah. I'm excited to watch the rest of this season. I'm really enjoying it, and so is Jamie. You know, we like to watch TV shows together.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes. So, yeah, that's Lena Dunham's Too Much on Netflix, and the whole season is out, so you can watch it now. All right, Gretch, what is our spotlight on a tool this week?

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Summer is well underway, and if you want a simple way to bring more intention and fun to the season before it slips away, I have made a free Design youn Summer worksheet to help you plan. You can fill it out with what you want to read, watch, learn, celebrate, whatever you want to do. You can get your free [e-mail] SummerGuide it's never too late to really make sure that we make the most of what is left of the summer.

[Gretchen Rubin]

It's going so fast.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Oh, yeah.

[Gretchen Rubin]

All right, Gretch, coming up, there is something I've been meaning to ask you. But first, this break. If you're like us, you love discovering habits and systems that make life better. That's why we're excited to share this opportunity. It's probably perfect for anyone trying to design a career that works for them, not against them. Intuit, the maker of TurboTax and QuickBooks, is expanding its world class network of tax and bookkeeping experts. As an Intuit expert, you get to work virtually, select your hours and be part of a mission driven culture focused on helping customers prosper. Plus, you're supported by a team of experienced tax professionals who are there to help you succeed. Succeed.

[Elizabeth Craft]

They also offer Intuit Academy, a free and self paced training program through which you can advance your tax and bookkeeping career.

[Gretchen Rubin]

So if you're looking to design your future with a flexible and supportive tax career, visit intuit.comexpert to learn more or apply. That's intuit.comexpert this is an ad by BetterHelp. Workplace stress is now one of the top causes of declining mental health, with 61% of the global workforce experiencing higher than normal levels of stress. I know here in Hollywood many of us are very stressed out about work and taking a holiday is great, but it isn't a long term solution to stress. Don't forget that therapy can help you navigate whatever challenges the workday or any day might bring. I know for me, when I am the most stressed out about work is when I most need therapy. It helps immensely just to talk about things and get another perspective.

[Elizabeth Craft]

As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise. Our listeners get 10% off their first [e-mail] GretchenRubin that's betterhelp.com GretchenRubin okay, Gretch.

[Gretchen Rubin]

We'Re back and I have been meaning to ask you, how is Barnaby doing? I feel like Barnaby has been through a lot this summer. For anyone who doesn't know, Barnaby is your dog, your older dog, you have Taffy, your puppy, and then you have Barnaby, who I think is 10, right?

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah, he's 10. First of all, he's had this puppy come into his life where he's sort of like, oh gosh, he's kind to her. But I would say he's not enthusiastic. But what really happened, unfortunately is that he hurt his leg and he needed something called a kind of surgery called tplo, which stands for Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy, which is super common apparently in dogs. I call it the torn piece of leg operation because that's what makes the most sense to me. But it's kind of like ACL surgery for people. But apparently it's less about sudden injury the way we would think of somebody tearing their ACL and more just gives out. Kind of like a str. Strand of yarn getting frayed. And so, you know, he had to have a surgery. He has to have a cone, which he really doesn't like. He has to take medicine. Fortunately, now he's taking less medicine. At first he was taking many, many pills. Now he's down to just a few. He does not like taking pills. He loves to, like, walk around outside. He's very social. He likes seeing other dogs. And he has done a very limited exercise while the leg is healing. Unfortunately, the medicine helps him to stay calm. And he's good at napping if he's just, like, hanging around the apartment. But, you know, it's hard. It's hard to be a dog. It's hard to. I'm sure the cone is just. It looks incredibly uncomfortable. And, you know, I feel bad for him. Poor little guy.

[Gretchen Rubin]

I know you wish you could just make them understand. Hey, if you wouldn't lick this.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah.

[Gretchen Rubin]

You wouldn't have to have this cone on. Don't you see?

[Elizabeth Craft]

Like, I know.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Just listen to me, and everything will be so much better. But unfortunately, they just don't do that.

[Unknown]

No.

[Elizabeth Craft]

And, you know, and the thing with medicine, like, he really doesn't want to take the medicine. Thank you. So many listeners sent good suggestions about how to give medicine to a dog. So we're kind of working our way through those suggestions. He's very cunning. But you can't say to a dog, like, I know the pill doesn't taste good, but it'll make your leg feel better. Or, I'm sorry that you're in this scary place that you don't want to be. But in the end, this is gonna, like, take away your pain. He was very calm, like, during the whole thing. You know, Some dogs shake. I remember Paddiwack.

[Unknown]

Oh, my God.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Our dog growing up, she would shake the minute you got her in the car.

[Unknown]

She had, like, sixth sense about whether she was going someplace good or going someplace she bad. She always knew. Yeah.

[Elizabeth Craft]

So you just wish you could say, oh, you'll feel better. Just, it's just a couple weeks. But then again, I guess maybe to them it's every day is just a new day.

[Unknown]

So they're not thinking, oh, my gosh.

[Elizabeth Craft]

I've got five more weeks of this. But of course, we feel incredibly fortunate that we were able to give the surgery to Barnaby. Cause he was really. He wasn't whining or whimpering or anything. But he was definitely just not using.

[Unknown]

The leg at all. He just kept it lifted all the time.

[Elizabeth Craft]

So clearly it was really bothering him.

[Gretchen Rubin]

So how long will this recovery take?

[Elizabeth Craft]

So it's two weeks with the cone and when he can only go for five minute walks two to three times a day.

[Unknown]

So that's very limited. It looks like everything's coming along fine.

[Elizabeth Craft]

So then the cone will come off. So that'll be big.

[Unknown]

Oh, another thing he can't do is he's not allowed to jump on furniture.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Oh, that's.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah. So we have to, like, keep all these doors closed.

[Unknown]

And we had to work out this.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Whole system so that.

[Unknown]

To put him in a place where.

[Elizabeth Craft]

He couldn't jump on the furniture.

[Unknown]

And then, of course, he does anyway behind our backs.

[Elizabeth Craft]

If we slip up even for a.

[Unknown]

Second, that's been hard. I mean, because, you know, some people.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Are like, they don't let the dogs.

[Unknown]

Jump up on the furniture. But I'm like, what is a dog for? Yeah, they're just living their lives alongside us on our furniture. So after two weeks, then he'll be.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Able to go for a little bit.

[Unknown]

Longer walks, But I think he still can't run or jump or play with other dogs. And then it sort of gradually tapers down. I'm not 100% sure when we can stop giving him the medication. That might be a while. It hurts.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

So it's helping him manage that and also helping him just stay calm so he stays up the legs. So by eight weeks, assuming that everything's going well, and it looks like, I mean, just from my amateur eyes, like, it's healing well. And they said he should be using it. And at first he wasn't really using it, but now he's definitely putting it down and putting his weight on it. So that's good.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Well, Gretchen, I have to say, having two corgis, they're notorious for, I think, having some kind of hip surgery when they get older. So I'm definitely watching this and seeing possible surgeries in my future for these dogs. So I will learn from you.

[Unknown]

Yeah. The cone is just. They said there were three risks. One was they would lick the incision and it would get infected. Two was that they would get too much exercise and wouldn't take the implant or whatever. And the three was that they didn't take their medication. And so the thing about the cone is it completely takes care of that first concern. But you just feel bad for them.

[Gretchen Rubin]

You do. Well, I hope Barnaby's better. Soon.

[Unknown]

Yes.

[Gretchen Rubin]

He'll be so much happier when he can use his leg.

[Unknown]

That's true. That's true.

[Gretchen Rubin]

All right, Gretch, finally, what is our quotation this week?

[Elizabeth Craft]

This comes from the diary of Eugene Delacroix. He writes, a man does not work only for the sake of producing, but to set a value on his time. We feel more satisfied with ourselves and with our day if we have stirred up our minds and made a good start or have finished a piece of work.

[Gretchen Rubin]

I know you feel that way.

[Elizabeth Craft]

I know you feel that way.

[Gretchen Rubin]

True.

[Elizabeth Craft]

So, Elizabeth, are you feeling happier?

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes, I am feeling happier. Thank you to Chuck. And if you haven't subscribed to Lemonada Premium yet, now is the perfect time. Because guess what?

[Elizabeth Craft]

Guess what?

[Gretchen Rubin]

You can listen completely ad free. You just tap that subscribe button on Apple Podcasts. Or you can go to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe on any other app. That's lemonadapremium.com. bye, Gretch.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Bye, Elizabeth. The best time to start a happiness project is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Oh, Gretch, I forgot to say, when we were talking about too much, that Lena Dunham herself is on the show as the main character. Jessica's sister.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes.

[Gretchen Rubin]

And I love seeing her back on the screen. I love her role. And Andrew Rannells, who was also on Girls and who I absolutely adore, plays her husband. So that's really fun.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Well, I like all of the whole family of the main character. They're all very, very funny.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes. Rita Wilson plays their mother and she's fantastic.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Oh, is that Rita Wilson?

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Who's married to Tom Hanks.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes.

[Elizabeth Craft]

I did not know that. Okay, I gotta read the credits more.

[Gretchen Rubin]

I always look up the cast when I'm watching because I, you know, I'm not great with faces, so I always look up so I know who's playing what.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Interesting. From the onward project.

[Gretchen Rubin]

If you're like us, you love discovering habits and systems that make life better. That's why we're excited to share this opportunity. It's perfect for anyone trying to design a career that works for them, not against them. Intuit, the maker of TurboTax and QuickBooks, is expanding its world class network of tax and bookkeeping experts. Experts. As an Intuit expert, you get to work virtually, select your hours, and be part of a mission driven culture focused on helping customers prosper. Plus, you're supported by a team of experienced tax professionals who are there to help you succeed.

[Elizabeth Craft]

They also offer Intuit Academy, a free and self paced training program through which you can advance your tax and bookkeeping career.

[Gretchen Rubin]

So if you're looking to design your future with a flexible and supportive tax career, visit intuit.comexpert to learn more or apply that's intuit. Com Expert.