Welcome to The Daily Quote—a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I’m your host, Andrew McGivern for December 2nd.

Today, we’re raising a toast to two fantastic holidays: National Mutt Day—a day dedicated to celebrating the charm and uniqueness of mixed-breed dogs and National Bartender Day.

It’s a chance to celebrate both the lovable, quirky mixed-breed dogs who bring so much joy into our lives and the hardworking bartenders who know how to pour a perfect drink—and sometimes, offer some good advice but more importantly a listening ear.

Full disclosure: I used to be a bartender and I have a mutt, so this one hits close to home.

The quote I’ve chosen today is from Charles Darwin, and it goes like this:

"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change."

Now, this feels tailor-made for National Mutt Day, doesn’t it?

Mutts are practically evolution’s poster pups for adaptability. They’re a blend of traits, a cocktail of canine genetics, and they thrive because of their versatility. Whether it’s chasing a tennis ball, herding kids in the backyard, or being your couch companion, mutts are ready for anything. And speaking of adaptability, bartenders embody this too.

A good bartender knows how to handle a crowded bar, switch gears when someone orders a complicated cocktail, getting the drinks to your best regulars just as they pull up a stool, and remember that people who sit at the bar sometimes want a conversation and some don't. Let me tell you, in my days behind the bar, I learned quickly that surviving a Saturday night rush required more adaptability than intelligence—though both help when you’re juggling martinis and margaritas.

Darwin’s quote isn’t just about survival; it’s about thriving in an ever-changing world. Whether you’re a mutt making the most of your mixed heritage or a bartender handling every curveball life—or customers—throw your way, it’s the ability to adapt that sets you apart. So today, give your favorite mutt a belly rub, tip your bartender a little extra, and think about how you can roll with life’s changes a bit better. Maybe even pour yourself a drink—responsibly, of course—and toast to the beauty of being flexible.

Thank you for spending part of your day with me here on The Daily Quote. I’m Andrew McGivern, and I’ll see you tomorrow with more inspiration to keep you going.

Cheers to you—and the mutts and bartenders who make life better.