Hello and welcome to Happier, a podcast that gives you strategies and tips for how to

become happier, healthier and more productive.

Or at least try.

This week we'll talk about why you might pick a one word theme for the year and why the

best time to start a new habit is now.

I'm Gretchen Rubin, a writer whose studies happiness, good habits and human nature.

I'm in New York City and with me is my sister Elizabeth Kraft, the long time witness and

sometimes recruit to my experiment.

That's me Elizabeth Kraft, TV writer and producer living in Los Angeles and Gretchen.

I don't know if you can hear a sort of worrying on my end but I'm coming to you live from

my much talked about treadmill desk.

Excellent!

No, you're coming to your lab and clear, that's great.

It's real and it's happening now.

Coming to you live.

Before we dive into everything Gretchen, in episode 24 we talked about whether or not you

should get a dog.

And we asked people to weigh in and wow we've gotten such amazing response.

Yes, I put out a desperate call for advice and many listeners very kindly weighed in.

Yes, they not only sent their awesome dog photos but they also sent their advice.

So let's just hear a little bit of what people had to say.

Hi this is Leanne from Jacksonville, Florida and I know I'm getting a dog for the kids.

...