"One thing I've learned is that you can always make the decision to start over..."

I recently received my monthly Cesar's Way magazine. I am a subscriber because I enjoy having many different types of resources for my training business. I believe you can glean good and useful information from many different sources and Cesar is one I enjoy.

I was struck by an article that appeared by Cesar entitled, "My Darkest Day...Cesar reveals the untold story."  In this article Cesar talks about having to apply the same principles he would use if he was rehabilitating a dog...only applying these principles on himself.  It was strikingly honest and candid.  I can't imagine it was an easy thing to do.  I wanted to share a bit of his story because I think it strikes at the heart of every man's story in some form or fashion.  I hope too that it will encourage someone who may read this blog.

Right after losing Daddy, Cesar's beloved Pit bull who taught him so much and was his partner in rehabilitating other dogs, Cesar was called to Ireland and England to do some shows there.  He hadn't had enough time to properly mourn Daddy's loss before he headed back to work.  While in Europe Cesar received news from his wife of 16 years that she wanted a divorce.  And upon his arrival home he learned that because of some bad business deals he had next to nothing left (monetarily) after seven years of his Dog Whisperer tv show.  He shared how his weight dropped dramatically in one month's time and that because of his weak energy he was even unaccepted as a leader to the many dogs he had at his Dog Psychology center for rehabilitation.  He went to his home he shared with his wife to try to work things out and that went badly.  So much so he found himself in a Psychiatric hospital for three days because he was told he took an overdose of pills.  I love how he described being lost but that he had a Pack Leader who had his eye on  him.  "God still had a purpose for me."  He met a gentleman in the hospital who had also experienced great loss and Cesar was encouraged by his faith and that he found strength in reading his Bible.  Cesar began reading the Bible again!

I so appreciate Cesar's honesty and I am thankful for the hearts he will touch with His story!  We all know this man as a very successful and visible celebrity dog trainer.  Someone who was balanced and seemed to have it all.  And yet...he too is human and struggles with the difficulties that come with being a part of this wonderful,complex thing called life.  It comes at you, full force, no matter who you are... We all struggle...we all have challenges we face...heartaches, worries, failures...but I am thankful for the One who has come to help us solve each and every challenge we face!

I thought about how puppies can be such a challenge, young children and teenagers...  And how with age comes wisdom because we learn and grow through each and every phase of life.  If I had a $1 for every time I heard someone say their old dog was perfect and now they had this unruly puppy who just wasn't like their perfect dog, I would be rich. I always smile and say some day this puppy will be perfect too...and how do I know this? Because I have experienced it with my own dogs and seen it over and over again with the dogs I have had the privilege to work with and guide through their puppy years well into adulthood.  I think also of the scripture that states, "train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."  It really is all about the Journey...the learning who we are and how we fit in this great big world...both human and canine.

I am thankful God has a purpose for each and every one of us.  I am thankful that He sends helpers along the way and I believe we receive the dogs we are in most need of.  He also sends people and children in our lives who challenge us to love more deeply and to grow in our faith!

I agree with Cesar...you can always make the decision to make a change...to start over...  May this New Year 2013 be the year you see God's plan, for not only your life but also the people you love the very most and yes, even your canine companions, more clearly!

                                Happy New Year from all of us at Pawsitive Journey!
                   
,

A Star is Born

Alli loves the stage!  I would have never guessed she would love this experience so very much!  I have a new appreciation of my sweet collie girl and her abilities.  Alli, as you know, is a therapy dog.  She is so laid back with everyone from the very small to the very tall and everyone in between.  It doesn't faze her when someone mistakenly steps on her or accidentally pokes, pulls or pushes her, wheel chairs come really close to her and people who walk differently or with canes pass right by her. Nothing fazes her and I suppose this is why I thought we might try the theater when this opportunity arose.  I did wonder what she would think of the bright lights, big stage and all the people in the audience.  I have trained two dogs for other theater productions and enjoyed the process and the challenge behind the scenes.  This was my third opportunity and this time I had the happy privilege to use one of my dogs.  Alli fit the part of "Wolfe" the dog perfectly.  From the start Alli seem to enjoy herself; I wonder if she thought it was one big therapy session; helping the actors where she was needed whether it be on stage or in the Green Room.  She brought me to tears many times throughout this process and they were very happy tears.  The heart of a collie was so evident to me again; that sweet, gentle and kind spirit, trying her very best to figure out what was needed and meeting those needs.

I wanted to share a few of my favorite moments....

We practiced our scenes in a smallish room at another building for months leading up to the play.  We were only in the large theater on the big stage three nights prior to opening night.  I wondered how Alli would react to this new place.  The surround sound and new lighting. She seem to adapt immediately and didn't skip a beat.

Alli was in the first two scenes of the play and in order for us to be on stage timely, we had to stand behind the curtains on stage quietly and calmly well before the play started - almost 20 minutes. The reason...there is only so much room and the actors were standing on the stairs and in the small area off the stage waiting for their turn on stage. Also, a choir sang before our performance started and they also needed room to get to their places and off the stage before our music started.  The music for our play was a long intro as well. There simply wasn't enough room for us to come on stage at the last minute we had to wait in line and we were first in line.  I was amazed at how Alli led me to the stage each and every one of the three performances...she wanted to be there.  While we waited quietly in a very small area between two curtains right on the stage with the scenes all set to go; Alli just relaxed and watched the stage and listened. No panting, no whining, no signs whatsoever she wanted to leave...she knew this was her part and she relished it.  I stood there amazed at her...she kept me calm. And when it was her time to go on the stage; she very happily trotted by my side to her place each and every time.  Amazing!

There were three performances.  The first performance was spectacular and was more than I could have hoped for...Alli was very thoughtful and it was evident she was trying her best to do her part. One of Alli's lines was to bark on my cue when a young actor walked on stage.  Alli is very aware that barking isn't usually something I ask her to do; being quiet and reserved when we visit schools and hospitals is the order of the day.  Alli picked up the cue to bark very quickly but seemed to be a bit inconsistent while on stage during practice.  I wasn't worried about her barking; she learned to bark on a visual cue and we practiced but the director had a dog barking on the audio ready to go if Alli didn't bark.  We were prepared.  The first and second performances Alli didn't bark.  I did wonder if Alli could quite see me give her the cue to bark with the dim lighting of the scene; as I saw her looking for me when the actors spoke the lines that she had heard many times before she was asked to bark.  She seem to know; I suspect it might have been lighting or perhaps because it was her first time on stage and she sensed all the people now in the theater she thought it would be rude to bark, but she made that decision and I respect her for it as it is really something way outside her comfort zone.  I might add Alli is completely off lead for the first scene, stayed in her down stay (even when two young people run over by her to talk to another actor...so cool!) AND she was on the other side of the stage from me as well...Alli arose when she heard the familiar line of the lady who enters onto the stage and started heading for me, right on cue. The 2nd scene is a dreamy kinda scene - this is when she is to bark and the lighting is way different; kind of darker and bluish...she walks out on stage off lead with the character that owns her in the play and stays with him while he has a little exchange with her.   There is a part where the country dutchman do a bowling sequence and she just watches. She was engaged and did so well...way to go Alli!

Our second performance was in the afternoon. When we practiced our scenes it had always been in the evening.  Repetition is so important to dogs and everything matters; time of day; place etc etc. So our 2nd performance was a matinee.  I had a busy morning and our time to leave for the stage came very quickly.  In all fairness I did not drain Alli's energy and in retrospect that was my mistake.  Alli was very energetic very up and happy on stage.  She came up on her down stay...uh-oh...but she stayed on stage and then proceeded to visit with all the actors.  The second scene she was a bit eager to receive her treats on stage and wandered over where I couldn't see her when the actor came on stage she is to bark at...I thought for a minute she was going to leave...but she did not, she got back on track and everything else went rather well.  Just not quite as planned.  Everyone said it was great...a dog milling around is what dogs do...we even got very good reviews after that performance while in line greeting the people who attended.  Most didn't know anything went wrong.  Alli and I knew...I let her know I was a bit disappointed and we practiced our down stay on stage between performances, took a walk and went home to rest.

Alli's third performance...well gee, I get teary eyed just thinking about it, she was excellent.  She seemed to say Mom, I lost my head a bit...I enjoyed myself a bit too much...I am on it this time.  She did her down stay, she slowly walked over the stage to me, stopping and waiting until I asked her to come off when the line was spoken "Wolfe head for the hills boy!"!  She followed her owner actor and even peered out over the audience when he walked to the very front of the stage as if to say HI good to see you all and then went right back to her script. I almost laughed out loud, I would love to know what was going through her mind as she peered out at the people looking back at her!   And then her moment came, the one we had practiced for months and months; I gave her the visual cue while standing back between the dark curtains to bark and she barked!!!! YES!! She sniffed her owner actor at the end of the scene before walking off stage to me...she nailed it!!!

We had a few actors in place to help keep Alli on task and I have to give a shout out to her owner/actor of the play Rip Van Winkle aka Robert Calabretta, Canine Officer Mike for giving her a well timed treat and pat and to Country Dutchman Abbey (pictured below) who helped her as well to stay on task, Abbey's timing was perfect!!

What a relief...we did it!  I think of all the times she could have chosen to say, "I'm outta here" but she did not. It truly was a choice of her will to stay on stage and do her part.  I could not ask for more, each time she tried her very best.  I was thinking of how very important this experience was for Alli...it broaden her concept of the world around her.  It gave her confidence, allowed her to think and problem solve...  All dogs need these opportunities.  It doesn't have to be on a big stage...but the more we get our dogs out and work with them and ask of them through new and different experiences; the more they learn and think and grow!

I have to give another shout out to our friend Ping (pictured below).  Ping was a country Dutchman bowler and walked Alli out on stage for her curtain call.  All the clapping, whistling and yelling can be a bit daunting for dogs I learned from previous experience. I thought that perhaps Alli's owner actor would get quite a bit of applause as he had a very big part and wasn't sure how she would enjoy that. So I made the decision to have Alli go out with someone she already knew.  Alli has known Ping for years and Ping is a wonderful dog handler in her own right. I knew she would be perfect to give Alli the confidence she might need to face all the applause and it worked perfectly!!  Thank you Ping!

I will end this extremely long post with the most important part of this experience that warmed my heart...Alli's interaction with all the actors during our practices and in the Green Room between scenes.  I had quite a few tell me they were glad Alli was there with them.  And I had the lucky privilege to see many, many smiles.  I observed over these many weeks and months Alli doing her real work behind the scenes, bringing peace and calm and happy smiles...and that is what truly makes her a bright and shining Star!!

Thank you Michele Bayko and Orange Barrel Productions Co. for allowing Alli and I join you for The Legends of Sleepy Hollow!

The light is always brightest before it goes out

So, this is it in a nutshell, the challenge of training a dog for live theater.  I am working with a creature, a dog, who for the most part doesn't know English.  Mind you Alli knows sit, down, stay and some other behaviors and is able to do them when I ask her to do so.  But generally when we do this type of work, I am right by her side giving her the cues, both verbally and visually.  Now transfer this to the stage.  Remember, I don't have the privilege to simply tell her or explain to her that she should go out and sit with the kids after walking on stage with the man (even though he may forget to ask you to "let's walk" with him) while the curtain is going up.  Oh, and when you get to center stage have a seat and stay there.  Please don't mind the balls that the kids will be rolling right in front of you.  And when the girl comes out with the keg in hand, bark at her and then go and sit down until the man falls off his chair...then sniff him before you slowly walk off stage to me.  Got that Alli!

So, this is what I did...I transferred the cue "go to your place" and put a lid with a few treats on the spot that Alli needed to go to as the humans were walking out to center stage.  This was a fail proof so if the human forgot to ask Alli to "let's walk" she could get on stage without help from said human.  Good, she picked it up as if she had been doing it all her life.  With my cue "go to your place" Alli happily runs out on stage 10 feet away from me, takes her treats and turns to face me and I ask her to sit and stay...done. The kids that are playing the bowling ball game, never fazed Alli as I told her to "leave it" (the balls, that is, the first time one rolled by her long pointy nose) and she did so from the start.  Although, I did have to remind the kids not to roll the balls over Alli's feet and I had to insure that Alli's "place" was back far enough so that she could lie down and not be in the way.  During our practices I reminded the actors to please remember Alli is either sitting or lying down and don't step on her...it actually happened once, a hard cowboy boot heel too, which would be enough for any sensitive type dog to say forget this I'm out of here.  But with one reassuring look from me and a cue to stay...Alli didn't take offense and stayed like a champ.  Alli was staying at her place well and lying down on cue and sitting back up on cue.  AND I was giving her these cues from 8 to10 feet away...GREAT.  We had the cue for bark down when the girl with the keg came on stage...but then a  problem arose that the girl with the keg missed her cue a few times and then I lost eye contact with Alli because there was no room for me on the side lines and several people, including said girl with keg, walked in front of my line of vision with Alli and by the time I saw Alli again we missed our cue to bark completely.  This happened a few times right in a row and wha la...the behavior is extinguished before we ever got it marked and set. Ok, well...perhaps they will have to put the bark on tape. After all, repetition and well timed treats are the only way Alli, who remember doesn't understand English, knows that she did what we wanted her to do. 

But then this night came...I thought maybe we would be able to circumvent it and ignore it all together...maybe it wouldn't happened...not to Alli, she's been wonderful and making it all look so easy... wishful thinking.  Maybe I became too comfortable, too complacent?  But it came, we were visited tonight like an unwanted visit from Eddie (you know from the movie Vacation)!  Alli wandered around the stage...the man got in the way of Alli and her "place" so she turned back to me off stage, she forgot how to sit and stay... It happened...  It's a phenomenon that trainers talk about.  It happens during a 6 week obedience class...the dogs are all doing great and catching on and learning all the behaviors and then that 3 week time period inevitably arrives and the dogs act as IF they don't have a clue what you want them to do...they acquire selective hearing. It's amazing and can be very discouraging to the human part of the equation.  I've seen it happen over and over again.  It reminds me when a light bulb becomes very, very bright just before it burns out.  Just like the "I don't know what you are saying" is extinguished for ever and the dog gets it...they understand what you want and consistently perform the behaviors you are asking for.  I had to remind myself of this phenomenon tonight...as I felt discouragement creeping around me like a cloud. 

I have done this three times now...trained three dogs for live theater.  The first two times we had a great deal of time to work, on the stage.  But we don't have that luxury this time, another challenge for a dog who again, doesn't understand language. Oh, Alli by the way...you will be doing all of this on a very big stage, with very bright lights and lots and lots of people sitting in the audience looking at you.  I am asking a great deal of Alli and I trust she will do what I have asked her to do.  But, I have to remember it's not easy what I am asking of her.  I have to remember that she is doing this all out of the goodness of her heart and in honor of the relationship we have built. No failures here...just outcomes...and if we have to tweak outcomes...so be it.  I believe tomorrow night will be better and we will be able to practice our two little scenes and create some understanding with the humans on stage to be thoughtful of Alli and help her out, as they can.

I was thinking tonight on my long drive home that perhaps I should prefer training dogs for film...I am increasingly liking the phrase "cut".  I like the thought of working only a couple feet away and doing as many "takes" as we need to get the behavior we want...such as "bark".  But on the other hand, where is the challenge in that...huh, Lassie? I am glad I took on the challenge...and I remember being at this very point when training with the previous two dogs.  We'll see what tomorrow holds...and I will remember to continue to thank Alli for trying her best.  IF only she could talk, I would love to have her write a post to my blog!  It might start out something like this..."can you believe what these silly humans had me doing tonight"!  Perspective is a good thing!

  

Photo Shoot!

Ezra and Alli were invited by good friend Scott Swingle, owner and videographer of www.westieproductions.com, to be in a local video of the Top 25 things to do in Knox County. One of the things to do in our county is to visit Wolfe Run Dog Park which boasts a very nice agility course for all dogs to enjoy.  Scott is doing this work for I-Conn Productions and asked if I would be willing to be involved...I jumped at the chance, pun intended. Ezra was very much in his element, loved every minute of it as he lives for agility.  He took the camera positioned, at times, on the equipment in stride.  I can always count on Ezra.  Alli was very good as well.  She seemed to pick up on Ezra's enthusiasm and enjoyed the shoot.  Alli noticed the camera and it did take her back a bit, but with encouragement she did her part very well.

Picard, a star in her own right, also joined us for the shoot.  Picard, a westie, is Scott's dog and is the reason that Scott and I met.  Picard played the part of Toto in MTVart's production of the Wizard of Oz which played live on stage in 2009.  I had been asked to be the trainer for Picard, my first attempt at training for live theater.  It went really well, thanks in great part to Scott's enthusiastic support and help in teaching and training Picard for her role!

We had a great deal of fun, always great to work with Scott as he puts both humans and canines at ease.  Scott does his job so well that we didn't do many takes, he seemed to get the shot he wanted the first time which was really nice for the dogs.  The dogs simply had fun and Scott worked his magic!

I am thankful to be a part of such a great community of people.  I am thrilled to have been asked to be a part of this video and look forward to seeing the end result!  Stay tuned...

"It's not the destination...it's the Journey!"

What a nice week!  I just finished up a very successful Canine Good Citizen's Class and am starting two new classes; AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class and a basic education class in Columbus Ohio.  Happy comments from my students and friends inspire me to continue to do what I love!

I was speaking to my new class today and what a great group!  So enthusiastic and knowledgeable.  I am really looking forward to our class!  As I was sharing with them something struck me and very strongly.  I can not guarantee they will have the perfect dog after our 6 weeks together but I can hope that they will have a better understanding of how to communicate and build a strong relationship through mutual respect with their canine.  

I was speaking with one of my best childhood friends the other day by phone.  She had just purchased a dachshund puppy and was telling me all about him.  So cute!  I then asked her how her older lab mix dog was doing and she said, "oh, well Boo is perfect!"  Boo is 11 or 12 years old now.  I laughed and a shed a tear all at once, as I remembered the phone conversation about Boo when she was a very young dog.  She jumped on people, she barked and she would get out of any fence they constructed and run the neighborhood.  The neighbors knew Boo quite well.  And now..."Boo is the perfect dog!"  And I would agree.  But the point here is that Boo was allowed to develop and grow into the perfect dog.  I commend my friend for sticking through the rough periods and building relationship, allowing for Boo to "grow into the perfect dog"!  We are such a throw away society and we want things right now.  We want the perfect life, house, job and kids.  But, life isn't always just how we planned. Life is a journey and we all grow and change and mature...or at least, we hope we do.  Right?  Isn't it wonderful that our parents allowed for our growth and change and helped us along the way to become the person we are today.  I am so glad I am not the person I use to be.  It is the very same concept with our dogs.  It is a journey and a joy to watch the transformation of puppy energy to a mature and just about "perfect" dog.  So many dogs in our society never get the opportunity to become that well loved, "perfect" member of the family.

Dogs learn when they learn...at their own pace.  They are as individual as you and I.  I have found training both dogs, horses and ponies to be a wonderful journey.  I have enjoyed each and every furry family member and am thankful for the wonderful life's concepts I have learned from each one of them.  I was reminded again, why I named my business what I did... Pawsitive Journey.  I hope my students laugh along the way and can view any training issue for what it is...a solvable problem that will go away as the dog, horse or pony matures, learns and grows.  And the journey...life is a wonderful journey...full and promising!

Ezra says, "Just do it!"

"The real point of being alive is to evolve into the whole person you were intended to be."

Oprah Winfrey

Ezra and I hope you have a great day...that you will be all you were meant to be...and that you will take wing and fly!

You oughta be in pictures...wa wa wa...

Alli pictured with cast members of the Legends of Sleepy Hollow playing in Mount Vernon Ohio at the Memorial Theater October 26 and 27, 2012.

Alli and I are having a great time with all the wonderfully talented cast members of the Legends of Sleepy Hollow!  Michele Bayko, of Orange Barrel Production Company (www.ohiodrama.com) is directing this great group of people.  So much fun to watch Michele as she brings the words on paper to life through the cast and characters now on stage.  She is the perfect example of someone who is doing that which she loves and it shows in everything from the writing, scripting, choreography to the cast members all the way down to the costumes.  Alli and I feel blessed that Michele has chosen Alli for the part of Wolfe the dog and we too want to bring our very best.

Alli has a whole new group of admirers...especially the young members of the cast...as you can see pictured above.  Tonight went really well.  I think it was only our fourth time to actually practice on set with the cast.  The first practice Alli was just thoroughly enjoying this new place to visit. She goes with me to visit many different venues so I think she thought it was just a place where people wanted to meet her and pet her.  No problem...I got this Mom.  Then I started to ask her to wait, stay and come and treating her for a job well done.  She thought...this is cool. I don't treat or bring treats when we are doing our therapy dog visits.  That was a new twist...you could see the wheels in motion as she figured out what I wanted.  During the week at home, I started marking her "barking" and naming it.  Next practice, I asked her to "bark" and indoors no less.  Can you imagine?  This isn't done...but she was a good sport and did what I asked which brought lots of praise and more cookies.  Well...okay...I can do this.  By the 3rd practice we had more time working on the behaviors at home and by the time she arrived on set, Alli was completely "over acting".  She gave me every behavior we had been practicing and all at once.  She was loving her job and so enthusiastic I couldn't help but smile at her.  I can work with enthusiasm!  And tonight our 4th time on set, was great.  She was thoughtful...thinking everything through...no willy nilly barking here and there...she was trying to do it all just right.  Well done Alli!  I couldn't be more pleased with the small amount of time and practice time on set that we have had.  We have another month to hone our skills...and...by George...I think we'll get it!!

Break a leg!

A Dog's life...

Libby and Ezra

Libby and Ezra enjoying an evening at the beach with Matt and I.  It's been a wonderful vacation...full of happy times with family, sun, surf and sand. We are having such a nice time! Ezra and Libby have thoroughly enjoyed their two walks a day.  Our beach house is just far enough away from the beach entrance that it makes for the perfect walk.  Morning jaunts to the beach are as eagerly anticipated by the humans as they are the dogs!  Libby is much more at ease than she was her first time at the beach 8 years ago when she was barely a year old.  Ezra is really enjoying the sights and especially the smells on this his first beach experience. Neither dog has fully committed to dipping their toes in the surf at all whatsoever. They observe us carefully when we venture too close to the ocean water and are content to sit up on the sand and watch as we dip our toes in the surf.

We have met so many friendly dogs on our beach walks; a papillon/schipperke mix, lab, goldens galore, newfie, chihuahua and an akita mix who was the only one that didn't want to say a nice hello.  I was pleased with how many friendly and well socialized dogs are sharing their lives here with the people in our little beach  house community.  It does my heart good.  Dogs truly do love sharing our lives and if given half a chance can learn to be good travelers, friendly greeters to human and dog and just all around great companions to share our lives.  But, you have to give them a chance to learn and grow...it doesn't happen overnight.  I am especially pleased at how dog savvy my 9 month old granddaughter is becoming.  She is learning how to play nice with her doggy friends. We have to keep in mind that her body language is still very erratic and can be easily misunderstood by the dogs.  She is learning how to approach the dogs and where she should pet the dogs.  It's going really well...but again, it takes practice, time and lots of supervision...teaching moments!

Kitty Hawk Air field where Orville and Wilbur flew their plane, starting at the big monument in the forefront the plane started from this point and flew to the small monuments in the distance

We visited Kitty Hawk where Orville and Wilbur Wright flew the first plane for 58 seconds, they made history here.  I love history and love standing on the very spot where it all took place.  What a privilege to see it all first hand. I am always amazed and inspired by the passion and perseverance of those who make history.  Imagine the odds against them, the naysayers who are always so willing to share their thoughts and ideas on how it can't be done.  To be a trailblazer...to do that which has never been done before...  One brother had not completed high school yet they not only built but flew the very first plane!  I was especially interested that during the short film shared about what took place here in 1903 they made mention that in attendance on that very historical day where a young boy and a dog. They even had a picture as Wilbur Wright enjoyed the budding art of photography and took a picture of those attending that day.  The young man had a hat on and the dog looked to me like an airedale terrier black lab mix - he had a white patch of hair on the front of his chest and he was quite tall. They didn't mention a name...but I was happy that they made mention that the dog was there on that day watching history take place.

It reminds me of all the many dogs who have had a front row seat to history in the making.  I think of Seaman the dog who traveled with Lewis and Clark, of Sallie the mascot of the 11th Pennsylvanian Infantry.  I think of the story I read in a diary of a Civil War officer who took note of a lovely "specimen" of a dog who had wondered onto enemy territory during a heavy days battle.  He recognized the dog to have been the breeding of a Northern officer he had known in "more happier times".  He made sure to return the dog with a note to his old friend with his "kind regards and appreciation" of the beautiful dog that wondered into his camp.  I think of President Roosevelt's dog Fala, who is described at the time as "the most famous dog in the world" and a "beloved witness to history."  Dogs have shared our lives for centuries and they seem to be the very best part of them. Dogs and their people have been written about, featured in paintings and movies.

Alli baby and I, Ezra, Libby and Matthew

 Ezra and Libby will probably never be famous...but I am writing about them and taking note of their presence in our family's life and history.  I am inspired again to continue to think of new and innovative ways to bring humans and dogs together...to teach new ways to expand our dogs "vocabulary" so that they can be a very meaningful part of family (as opposed to being tied in the back yard or stuck in a kennel hours on end).  I am thankful to be a student of dogs, to observe them and work with them daily AND to teach my students how to invite their dogs into their everyday lives in a happy and meaningful way! It really isn't about the destination...it's all about the journey!  And what a happy journey we are on this week...one for our family's history books that will be fondly remembered for years to come...

I am a dog trainer

I bought a book a while ago at a used book sale in my hometown of Gettysburg, Adams County Pennsylvania (this is what is stamped on the top of the book).  As I read the forward and flipped through it that summer day standing in the cafeteria of my old Junior High School, I knew this was a book I would really enjoy.  It's called, "Adam's Task - calling animals by name" by Vicki Hearne.  This book has sat on my "to read" book pile by my bed for a couple years. I have to note and give this book credit as it was worthy enough not to be set on the bookshelf of  "I will eventually get to these" books. It was afterall special enough to be placed by my bed.  This book has dutifully kept it's vigil, waiting for me.  I went through that pile just this week looking for something really "good" to read during vacation and after reading the forward again, I picked it out of the pile, placed it on top and will be packing it along with me as I go and have some fun in the sun with my family - grand baby and dogs included!

Here is a quote from the forward by Donald McCaig (a favorite writer of mine and dog trainer in his own right).  "I believe that training any dog to anything like his full capacity is an intricate, heartfelt, deeply intellectual undertaking which deepens the trainer's soul as surely as it satisfies the dog's.  The conversation between trainer and dog is so subtle and satisfying that I have known great trainers whose ordinary human speech has atrophied." Yes, yes and Amen!  What I wouldn't do to sit down and have a conversation with this man.

I've ventured into the first chapter of the writing of Vicki Hearn, who is also a fellow trainer of both dogs and horses, and I am excited (fairly shaking with anticipation like my sweet Ezra tends to do just before enjoying an agility course) to explore the thoughts she has written down on page. I am fairly giddy at the prospect of sitting with her on the beach next week allowing her to continue to speak to me through her writing.  I found myself stopping to think of the deep meaning of what she is conveying through her writing.  I find myself having so many questions flip through my mind as quickly as I flipped through the pages and finding myself asking these questions out loud.  I am hoping as I read further she will, in fact, answer my questions.

I have come to the realization that my entire life has been a study in training dogs...it started when I was very young (I can't remember a time I didn't know dogs in my life) and had the happy privilege to be surrounded by dogs of many different sizes, mixes and breeds.  And thankfully I observed working dogs first hand, truly intelligent dogs who made the life of my family easier by the work they did for and with them. It was natural for me to see dogs as working dogs, dogs sharing our lives, having purpose far greater than being tied to a tree out in the backyard.

When reading the works of people like Donald McCaig and Vicki Hearn, I am proud to say that I am a dog trainer.  Training dogs isn't just something to do, it is a part of me...who I am. It isn't making or pushing the dog to do what I want, the snatch and jerk method...it's a thoughtful conversation, it's intricate, working with individuals who deserve my care and respect to reach them where they will learn best, it's building understanding for both dog and human...it's spiritual, intellectual and oh, so satisfying.

I am a dog trainer...I am part of a pretty amazing community of thoughtful, intelligent people.  I am so pleased to continue in my journey to bring the best training principles and practices and to articulate them in a way it will make a difference to both human and canine.

And another thing...

...I love about dogs is the pure simplicity of the friendship we share!  Pictured is my most tenacious terrier, Libby.  She allows me to share her life and I could be nothing more than pleased.  She is so honest too and it is the thing I most admire about her.  She lets you know how she feels and is the leader of our small pack as well.  Such a big personality all wrapped up in a small package.

I set my agility equipment up again in our front training area.  The dogs watched as I worked to put everything in place.  They were chomping at the bit to get back to something they love.  I kind of felt a twinge of guilt for keeping them away from this happy activity for so long.  I worked Ezra first as his excitement could barely be contained.  Next was Alli and it was nice to see her so forward and excited to be back to this fun. Both dogs just picked up from where we left off last year.

By the time I got to Libby Matthew was home and came out to join us.  It was one of the evenings last week that Fall came for a visit and the cool temperatures flirted with us and added to the joy of the moment.  Finally, Libby's turn.  She was so good...I asked her to take up her starting position and she went to her spot and sat trembling waiting for me to say "Libby come jump".  The moment arrived and she sailed over each obstacle with the greatest of ease.  As I ran with her I felt the worries of the day just fall from me and I truly was wrapped up in the joy of the moment.  As Libby flew over the last jump and I stopped to praise her she ran by me and took not one, but two victory laps around the entire field.  I stopped and the joy I felt could not be contained as I clapped and laughed.   As she got the true "zoomies" running with that joi de vie, with every ounce of her being...my laughter turned into such a deep belly laugh I nearly fell to the grass in a spasm of laughter!!

My favorite book says that laughter is good like a medicine and I can attest it surely is!  Libby then came over to me and jumped in my arms.  As I sat down by Matthew we took in the magic of the moment...of the joy, the place and the possibilities of what we could envision.  Matthew said this is a good place, something to be shared...I agreed.

I am thankful for my friends...they love me...purely and simply...when I am happy, blue, silly or serious when I am...just me.

Sweet Moose aka Alli

So the other morning I see out of the corner of my eye Alli standing at the door way, patiently waiting on me.  Why?  Apparently on her way out that particular morning she snagged a panel of our fancy smancy magnetic screen door. You know the ones as seen on TV where the dogs can let themselves in and or out, depending on their mood.  The magnets that open and then close.  Well, I am sad to say that this is the 3rd magnetic screen door and the last.  All have failed our tenacious terriers and large collie, who is nicknamed Moose for good reason.

Alli cracks me up...look at that expression.  Sometimes the looks she gives me...I could write a book on the conversation I hear from her sweet expressions.  So patient is she that she waited until I could untangle her from the screen panel.  I wondered if she had taken the screen with her as she went to relieve herself?  Funny girl!

I feel compelled to make this a public service announcement...the tenacious terriers, the collie nicknamed Moose and I want to let you know that when you see the fancy smancy magnetic screen doors...smile, think of Moose tangled in the panel and pass them by...

Your beautiful

My son showed me this picture a couple days ago of grains of sand magnified.  He was amazed at how beautiful they were and I agreed.  I hugged him and said, "if God took the time to design such beauty in a grain of sand - how much more beauty did He design in you, gifts that are just waiting to come forth to be shared with the world!"

Who ever thought to look at a grain of sand under magnification?  Who thought that they would find anything notable or beautiful in a tiny grain of sand.  Amazing...  Amazing that the Creator of the Universe would take the time to design such beauty in something so small and something that we trample on while walking on the beach without a single thought of the beauty that lies within each tiny grain.

"What each must seek in his life never was on land or sea. It is something out of his own unique potentiality for experience, something that never has been and never could have been experienced by anyone else”.  Joseph Campbell

I read this quote recently on another blog.  It struck me.  God designed in each of us such beauty, purpose and gifting.  There are many who would tell you that you don't have a story to tell or a gift to share. Sometimes we allow others to make us feel small and insignificant.  Sometimes in life we feel trampled on and what we have to offer isn't good enough.  Although, some may not see the beauty in what we have to offer, it doesn't mean that it's not there.  I read of a gifted painter who after having someone critique her work in a negative way, she locked her paintings away and never again showed her work.  

Your beautiful...your talents, your gifting is beautiful.  Don't let anyone tell you otherwise...tell your story...share you talent with the world because there will be those who need to hear and see what you have to share!

And thank you, Son...I needed to see the beauty in the grain of sand too!

I wonder...

I wonder...
why Father's leave their little babies (and Mother's too, in some cases), how do they sleep at night?
why things don't work the way they're suppose to and you have to spend hours on a phone waiting for help from someone who often can be so very hard to understand
why people treat other people like they are lowly servants, instead of someone who is simply trying to help them
why people frown so much when it's so much easier to smile
why people tell me I'm too nice...how can you be too nice...really?
why we have to have so many pills, procedures and doctors appointments as we age...really, is it necessary?
why people play games...isn't life hard enough without thinking up ways to "play" with others?
why honesty is something to be avoided rather than celebrated
why we don't often know our value or our worth
why we allow others to define us
why you have to have days that seem so difficult at every turn
why you can't have "do overs" more often

I wonder what the world would be like IF we truly treated others the way we would like to be treated...

I wonder...

My partner...

Alli is my partner in every sense of the word.  She goes to work with me when I teach training classes, dog bite prevention seminars, dog lessons at churches (www.pawsitivejourney.com) and the list goes on and on.  She goes with me everywhere my training business takes me and is my friend, helper and teacher.

Last week I had the joy of welcoming a couple new dogs to an already established training class.  One of the new dogs was a large puppy complete with all the happy puppy energy that comes with that age.  The other dog was a young dog but a bit more mature and small in stature.  I thought I might give Alli the night off as we had already been to a class earlier in the day (and it was hot, hot) and she was a big help as we were teaching a young student and her dog, preparing them for a big competition the next day.  Lots of fine details to go over and Alli was spot on as she and I showed both dog and young girl just how to do what they needed to do.

But when the young puppy was having a hard time fitting in...the smaller dogs were taking offense of his off the wall energy...I knew this was a job for Alli.  I went in the house and brought her out.  Alli was most interested in helping the young pup and went to him immediately to say hi.  She is amazing as I watch her read the new puppy and present herself in the best way so as not to intimidate but to say "Hi and by the way, why don't you relax a bit son...life isn't all that bad."  She was then interested in the younger dog who was showing signs of insecurity and seeming as though he might give a bite.  Again, Alli through her body language, allowed this small dog to know that she meant no harm - in fact, no one in the class meant him any harm and he could be a part of the class in a good and kind way.  Alli then greeted her friend in the class that she has known for sometime and that was pure sweetness.

I was amazed at her body language...the way she stands, the way she turns her head is read loud and clear by her doggy counterparts.  She in just 5 minutes or less helped me to have a cohesive group...from pent up, insecure energy that isn't good...to oh, I see everyone here is cool.  The other dogs then took turns to say hi with Alli watching over the proceedings.  Interesting, to watch her step in when I could see body language and energy beginning to spill over into an area not wanted.  I was pleased to see one of the student's Mom notice Alli's ability to help the group become comfortable with each other.  I could have struggled and interjected myself and it would have taken much longer...but Alli did something so amazing and far better than I could  have in just a matter of minutes.  We went on to have an amazing class...

A couple weeks ago Alli and I worked with a rehabilitation situation with a dog.  He was way over the top and so insecure.  Alli let me know that he wasn't ready to say hello to her in a nice way.  She told me loud and clear what was up with this guy and I listened.

It really is quite hard for me to put into words how much I love and respect Alli.  She helps me do what I do...I always listen to her and never ignore her responses to dogs or to people.  Just last night Alli and I were out on a trail in the country with Libby and Ezra.  A man came around the path and the dogs saw him.  I was alone and it was just about dusk.  I asked the dogs to sit and stay and watched them as the guy passed us.  I felt a bit vulnerable, but Alli was fine.  No response from her.  He was fine.  I've seen her react to people who she preferred we stay away from and thankfully no such reaction.  I immediately felt a calm, all was well.  She amazes me when she works a classroom of children and I am so astounded at how often the teachers say that Alli seems to bring calm to the young classroom of high energy children.  She makes my heart skip a beat when I see her lock onto that one who needs her most and works her magic.  

When I was a little girl, I dreamed that one day I would work with dogs and horses.  That I would have a partner to help me and it would be a collie.  I have had a couple pretty wonderful collie partners.  Emma and now Alli who has seemed to pick up the banner where Emmy left off.  I'm blessed to call Alli my partner and my friend!

the dance continues

This is Gracie, my pony.  As you know she is two years old and we are beginning our training to harness.  She will be my next driving pony.  She is more than I could have ever hoped for...another pony I could only dream of...  I've admired her sire for a very long time and many of the ponies in her pedigree.  I have looked at shetland ponies with her lines for years - well bred, lovely ponies that were far beyond my budget.  But, I could dream...   Again, my Father who gives such great gifts (and often at the most unexpected times) allowed for me to have this lovely pony in my barn.

We are starting to teach her voice cues..."walk up", "trrrrott", "easy", "aaanndd walk", "whoa"...  Building on all the previous lessons she learned as a yearling.  Driving ponies are in front of you 3 to 4 feet.  Other than the driving lines, you only have your voice to give direction, to guide and to calm.  I love to teach my ponies in the softest voice I possibly can.  I use my body position to reinforce what I am saying and it all comes together like steps to a dance.  As I watch her ears, her body position, her tail...I can see her thinking, trying to understand what I am asking of her...she tells me at each step how she feels and if she is ready for more steps.  At first, it is so awkward...but as we practice our steps they start to become a lovely well-timed, in sync and rhythm dance!  Often I can barely contain my joy as I see that understanding growing and the confidence building.  I am always amazed, astounded, and humbled at the good nature of horses and ponies.  I understand that I am asking a fright flight animal to put their trust in me, to ignore their instincts and look to me for guidance and I never, ever take that for granted nor do I ever stop realizing what a blessing and a privilege it is for me to guide such sweet spirits.

Tonight our practice went so well...I got lost in the moment, in the rhythm, in the magic, the communication and the connection...  The time spent with my pony Gracie was rejuvenating...just what I needed...  I needed to let go of the worries of the day, the week and dance with abandoned joy...and dance we did!

Pittsburgh!

I am in the city of Pittsburgh enjoying the beautiful skyline as I type!  I'm here to celebrate my husband, Matthew's achievement.  So proud of him as he is winning a National Achievement Award for an innovative program he has begun in our county.  I just couldn't miss seeing him accept his award.  So proud of him...not much into crowing...but just can't resist in this case.  I think the measure of a man or woman is to have those closest to them, the ones who see them at their worst and best, be their biggest cheerleader and fan! And that would be me...my sweet husband so deserves this award, this recognition of a program that was put into place soley to help people with their most basic needs. Very cool!  He probably won't be too happy with me sharing it, but it's not his blog...it's mine!


The last time I had the pleasure to be in this beautiful city I was 10 years old and visiting with my Father.  I was staying with him for the week and he wanted to show me the city.  I didn't have a great many visits with my Dad nor did I get to see him that often. The memory of our visit here together is a very fond one of time spent with my Father in a place that he seemed to love and enjoy sharing with me. So it feels a bit like coming home, warm and welcoming.  What a lovely city, a mix of old and new.  I especially enjoy the architecture of the old churches that are nestled in among the large modern high rises.  There is a small church across the street from our hotel that just speaks to me.  I've taken quite a few pictures of it, but darn if I didn't forget my cable to connect camara to computer...I'll have to share the pictures later.  As I walk past it images flood my mind of weddings, baby baptisms, Christmas Eve services and funerals that took place there.  Generations of families who called this church home and celebrated their family's most precious events in this place...  Beautiful images...beautiful thoughts of the way things once were...

Last evening, after a day full of meetings for Matthew we went for a walk down in the heart of the city.  As luck would have it we found ourselves in the middle of the Art district and they were having a Friday night celebration of local artists. Perfect, just my cup of tea!  Artwork; paintings everywhere - guitarists, bongo players on every corner. A wonderful treat!

But, the best part of my visit so far (Matthew hasn't received his award yet), was meeting a gentleman who was socializing his 14 week old german shepherd puppy last evening in the city during the Art Festival.  I asked if I could greet his puppy and he was very interested in me doing so.  He asked if I'd like to feed her a little kibble and I jumped at the chance. I asked the beautiful Silka to do a few simple behaviors and rewarded her success. What a smart puppy!  She seemed so pleased that I spoke her language. He noticed, thanked me and asked me how I knew to do this. I explained that I was a dog trainer/instructor and a very nice conversation ensued.  Turns out he knows a friend of mine who is also invovled with german shepherds and training.  What a small world...

As I walk through this city filled with so many people from very different walks of life, I'm reminded how important it is to do what you love! When you truly look into the faces of people you can see so much. I can see people who are happy, sad, elated, weary, rushed...I wonder where they are going, what's ahead for them...what their day holds. I am reminded that life is too short to live a life of worry or fear...you fill in the blank.  I'm remined in such a strong way to do what you love, that which makes you come alive.  Trust me, I know it's not always easy to pursue what you love, but it is very worth it.  There would seem to be a magic age where people stop asking what you want to be when you grow up and start telling you what you should be "to be successful". 

I am here to celebrate my husband and his achievement.  I am blessed to see firsthand through him, someone who is doing what he loves, what makes him come alive.  It wasn't always easy, the journey to this happy moment, but the reward of sticking with it, pursuing what you know is right, not allowing the little detours to defeat you, but to set your resolve to get back on track.  I'm thankful I have someone in my life to inspire me to do the same!

 So many wonderful things last night, but what most made me come alive was spending that moment communicating with the sweet shepherd puppy.  I am reminded again, to focus, to see the detours as opportunites for growth in my determination to do what I love!  I am exactly where I should be, pursuing what I love...and I encourage you to do the same!

If I asked your dog how your week was...

...what would they say?  Our dogs know us best, they know us very intimately actually.  They are masters of observation and body language.  They know when you come and go.  Some studies have shown that dogs have a sense of when their owners are on their way home from work without looking at the clock or having any other clue other than a sense(that we don't have) that someone they are waiting for is about to return to them.  They know when we are about to go on a walk, or leave the house, they have observed our rituals over and over again.  Some dogs who have had no training whatsoever all of a sudden understand and alert when their owner is about to have a seizure or their blood sugar is about to go too low.  Amazing!

I read a research article recently that states dogs and apes are the only two species who can read human facial features.  I believe this to be true.  They know when we are happy or sad, elated or disappointed.  They may not feel the very exact same emotions in the way that we do, but I do believe they have an understanding of our basic state of being.  In fact, I know they do...I have seen dogs come alive when their owners are happy with them, when they show joy.  For instance, in class...that moment the light bulb goes on for the dog and understanding of what is being asked takes place and the owner/partner smiles and laughs and says 'good dog'!  I've seen the joy that can spread from the very tip of the dog's tail completely through their body to the tip of their tongue as they give the one whose happiness means the most to them a big wet kiss.

I'm going to ask this question this evening to my class.  My reasoning is twofold.  First, I want them to understand that their dogs see them everyday; at their very best and worst.  I want them to know that their dog takes note of their state of being and it can and does affect them.  I was at a meeting today and a lady at our table asked me why her daughter's dog hates her in-laws.  She went on to explain that the in-laws are animal lovers and very involved with animals.  "Do you think it's because they often come to take the grandchild away with them?  The dog knows and doesn't want them to take the child away from him?"  Very good and thoughtful questions.  But, I could only answer with a question.  How does your daughter feel about her in-laws?  What is their relationship like?  Our dogs are a reflection of us.  And so very often when they are exhibiting confusing behavior, it's because they are following our lead.  If we allow them, they can and will teach us.  Help us to look at our relationships...the way we do things and perhaps...change those things.  Bring calm to unresolved feelings or situations.  I love that about working with dogs!

And secondly, I want my students to think of time with their dogs and working in class as a happy moment.  A moment in their day when there are no hidden agendas, no manipulations, and no drama.  I don't want them to think of class or training as military precision, but as a time of bonding, building trust and understanding with a species that has been known for centuries as man's best friend.  I want them to experience shear joy, of letting their guard down, of dancing with abandoned...of being in the moment!  I want PJ to be a place where everyone is welcomed and safe and where relationships between dogs and people flourish and grow.  There will never be a person or dog who flunks my class...

So...what would your dog say about you today...

Dancing with the ponies...

                                                       The "sweet fillies" - 2 years old

Matt and I are still cleaning up a bit from the big storm that hit our small county on Friday.  We are very thankful and fortunate to have electric and things are returning to normal.  Our barn is continuing to dry out with the help of a fan and ponies are back to the routine they know and love.  We'll get fresh sawdust by this weekend and hopefully all will be comfy again for the ponies.

It's such a hot day, full of flies for the ponies, so we decided to head out to the barn and brush, fly spray and trim bridle paths.  My heart always leaps when I walk into the pasture and see five ponies running toward me. This isn't always so...  It would seem I am reminded of the fact that ponies are "ornery" and "mean" by people all the time when I mention I own and love ponies.  This gives me great opportunity to tell them about my pony farm!  Our farm has once been described, by a vet, as "shangri-la".  This description blessed and humbled me beyond words...  I had to stop and think about it, what a beautiful description of what we do here.  Ponies are loved and respected - simply - and they return that love and respect ten fold.

The sweet fillies are growing into lovely, trusting ponies.  It was hard for me to take this picture, even after trimming their bridle paths, as they kept coming up so close to me.  Being with me is their pleasure in life.  How cool...  They are doing very well with tying, loading in the trailer, being brushed, feet picked up and cleaned, fly sprayed, well any kind of spray you want to spray them with, including nice cool showers with the hose.  Sweet Grace just stood in the middle of the field yesterday when I brought the fly spray out to give everyone a spritz before heading to work.  They also stand very well while clipping bridle paths...ears are coming along...but that usually takes a bit longer in general (and in all fairness I haven't been vigilant at working on it).

They are wearing a small bitting rig (no bridle or bit yet) and will be wearing a full harness this week.  We'll introduce the bridle and bit a little later.  They walk with us everywhere, through anything...

It's such a beautiful dance really...one I have been blessed to do with many different equine partners throughout my life. I remember the lessons each equine teacher has taught me, make it a part of me and then use those lessons to teach the new ones...growing in my experience to make the learning easier on my newest student.

When I think about my experiences...the many dances I've had to pleasure to participate in...I would NOT trade one of them...I had some bruises along the way and learned some hard lessons...but I always got back on the horse, so to speak and rejoined the dance...

Leader of the Pack

I did my first power point presentation today.  My 8th speech for Toastmasters.  I had such fun putting it together.  I am really hooked on power points.  I'm now thinking about doing power points for my Pawsitive Family programs -  K9 Bite Prevention and Welcoming Baby K92.  Power points are a wonderfully creative way to share a great deal of information (who knew). We are very visual as a society and I think it will bring great understanding to the information I am trying to present.  Plus, it's just plain fun!

My presentation was inspired by the smallest of our pack, Libby (pictured).  I spoke about how the principles of the pack relate to the principles of leadership.  Libby inspires me!  She is the leader of our pack; all 12 pounds of her. Leadership is not about size, power or might...it's about knowing where you are going and becoming a leader worth following.  Libby is determined, confident and courageous.  All great attributes of a leader.  She brings out the best in everyone, both human and canine.

The power point went really well and I received good and constructive feedback.  If some one would have told me a year ago I would join Toastmasters and really enjoy it, I would have laughed and said "no way".  Dare I say I really enjoy public speaking.  I realize that it is a chance to share my story.  To share my thoughts and ideas with others through my observations, experiences and understanding of the world around me.

I've come a very long way from the child who was described as "backward" and extremely "shy".  Good leaders are made not born.  If you have the desire and will power, you can become an effective leader. I am so thankful that I've found my voice...in large part because of the lessons I've learned from the animals in my life.

I followed my power point presentation with work I love...ending with a wonderful group of dogs and people who are building relationship and progressing by leaps and bounds.   A very good day here at Pawsitive Journey!

You Matter!

My son Nicholas graduated from High School.  I am so pleased and thankful that our family were able to attend - both Grandmas, Nick's Aunt and Sister and new niece...it was a true celebration of Nick and his accomplishment!

My sister gave Nick a wonderful book entitled, "The Butterfly Effect".  What an incredible book with a message that I pray nestles deep inside him, blooms and grows!  Here is an excerpt from the book, "Every single thing you do matters.  You have been created as one of a kind. You have been created in order to make a difference.  You have within you the power to change the world."  You matter and what you dream matters!  He goes on to talk about a life of "permanent purpose".  "When you know that everything matters, that every move counts as much as any other, you will begin living a life of permanent purpose."  Basically pursuing that which makes you come alive, living a life that was meant for you and only you.  Reaching for the stars, pursuing your dreams, staying focused, running your race and telling your story.  It all fits together!

As Nick was finishing his senior school projects and getting his final papers into school before he graduated, we had a bit of a drama unfolding on our small farm.  Maui kitty, the little kitty who Nick brought to our home almost 3 years ago on the brink of death vanished.  Seemingly into thin air.  I was devastated and Nick was crushed.  As we searched all over the neighborhood, we were thankful that we did not see our Maui kitty on the road, at least we knew she hadn't been killed by a car and there was still hope.  We checked every culvert pipe and all the ditches and hiding places within a square mile.  No sign of Maui kitty.

Maui isn't like other kitties. When Nicky intervened she was malnourished, far too young to be without her Mama and suffering with a terrible upper respiratory infection.  She was so bone thin it was hard to hold her and pick her up for fear you would crush her little self.  She never grew beyond the size of a 6 month old kitty. She hadn't had a very good start in life, but she filled out and was blooming none the less.  She was just small and would always be so.  But, she had this strong spirit, the want to live and be loved by this gentle giant of a man...my son.  She adored Nick from the very start...he was her hero, her rescuer and she knew it.  Nick adored her as well and he was mourning her loss.  At one point he asked me, why would God take her from me?  A reasonable question, a hard question.  So many kitties out there unloved and uncared for...why this one.  I told him that there was still hope and that I was praying for her return.  I was also praying for my son, who needed to see God's hand at work in his life.  I remember silently asking for God to bring him a miracle.  As I could see him wrestling with far more than just his kitty missing...  Oh, please Lord allow my son to know how very much You love him...I whispered through tears.

Maui went missing on a Tuesday and by Saturday I was losing hope...  To top it off I woke up early Saturday morning to see this sitting in the very back of my pony pasture...

I had a friend who had just shared a drama that unfolded on his farm...a story about a fox and a chicken.  The chicken lost.  This fox looked right at me as you can see, even when I went on my deck to take a picture.  She was bold and determined.  Was she coming back to see if I had any more kitties to offer her?  It was afterall the season for pups and she had mouths to feed.  Oh, no!  My heart sank deeper...oh, Lord I so wanted Maui to return...  I searched my thoughts and realized that perhaps, maybe this was a sign to me to stop looking for Maui.  To have closure.  To understand that Maui was not coming back.  The fox was her end.  I have never ever seen a fox be so blatant as to sit in my pasture.  I have seen them running here and there, I know we have a healthy population.  I can smell them from time to time...but never have I had one look up at my house as if to ask...more please?  I didn't say a word to Nick.  I wanted to believe beyond what my eyes had just seen.  I prayed again...  Tuesday a week had past.  I cleaned Maui's litter box for the final time and put it away in the garage.  I put her dishes up...  I was so sad, as I really did feel that God had a hand in this somehow...that He wanted to reach out to my son and let Him know that he would never leave or forsake him...but...  Oh, yea of little faith...

We continued to make preparations for our celebration of Nick and his achievement.  My Mom and sister were set to travel to our home and stay with us to join the celebration.  We were so thankful and appreciative that my Mom would travel at 85 years young to be with her only Grandson.  We were all busy preparing...moving forward.  But, I knew that Nick was still mourning his kitty (yeah, me too).

Thursday morning dawned bright and sunny.  It had been rainy and cold for several days and we were happy to be wakened by the warmth of the sun.  My husband, Matthew put the dogs out and sat on the deck to be greeted by this loud meow...and then another until I could hear this frantic meowing coming from the deck under our bedroom window.  Matt yelled, "Maui"!!  She had returned!  I ran down stairs and looked her over...no worse for wear.  A bit thinner but not a scrape or scratch on her tiny self!  I scooped her up and headed for Nick's room... and he heard her meow and what a happy reunion.  At first, Nick was so sound to sleep that he thought he was dreaming!  Is it really her, Mom?

 Here is our sweet Maui  home at last.  And to Nick - you matter...God loves you so very much!  If He loved Maui enough to take care of her and return her safely home...how much more does He love you!  It was a powerful message not only to my son, but to this Mother's heart!  God says that He knows, "the number of hairs on our head."   He has a purpose and a plan for my son and for each of us.  IF he could keep Maui from the wiley fox and who knows what else while she was gone...He is able to keep us, guide us on this race He has set for us.

Every single thing matters...

An Unexpected Pleasure

There are few pleasures in life for me than meeting a true gentle giant in body and soul.  I met such a dog this evening and his name was Moose.  Moose is 195 pounds of all Newfoundland dog.  His human is named Kurt.  Moose used to have his own webpage. Kurt forgot to renew his domain name for his site and lost it, unfortunately.  He's thinking of restarting the page for Moose and I hope he does.  I'll be watching for it and will share the site name if and when he comes back on line. The first thing I noticed about Moose was his shear size and that he lumbered, like a bear, as he moved through the pack of dogs at the park. I stood for the longest time just watching him move. The second thing I noticed about Moose was his gentle nature. What a lovely dog. I was totally and completely smitten the moment I laid eyes on him.

I had an opportunity to visit a city dog park tonight.  What a great field study.  I enjoyed myself tremendously.  I stood there watching all the dogs interacting, cuing in on their body language and communication. I couldn't help but think, we can learn so very many important lessons from dogs.  There were outgoing dogs, shy dogs, large and small dogs.  Dogs of all breeds and mixes of breeds.  Humans smiling while watching dogs playing.  It was good.  All the dogs got along well.  A couple dogs were bit obnoxious but no dogs took offense.  They did, however, ask the dog who was a bit out of order to relax in a calm and assertive way. No muss, no fuss.  When a dog would give a cue that he would prefer not to play or take part in play, the other dog moved on.  Simple. I saw and felt a great deal of joy, of being in the moment, of not taking offense or feeling sorry for oneself (one dog appeared to have a permanent limp), of not noticing differences or making fun. What I did notice was a great deal of acceptance, of getting along. I also observed that our dear Moose was a peacemaker. It was amazing watching him greet each new dog as they entered the small park.  Watching him place himself between two high energy dogs; bringing order. Well done, Moose!

I wondered as I stood in one of the most important cities in our United States.  A history rich place where leaders come together to meet, to plan, to make laws that affect our nation, the way we live. A place of great men and of not so great men who have influenced our nation for the good and the not so good. Unfortunately, the leaders I speak of don't always seem to be able to work together, to get along, to come together in such a open and accepting way, no personal agendas just focusing on what is best for the whole. I wondered; if we lived more in the moment, if we truly did to others that which we would have them to do us, if we could truly see the intent of a person's heart rather than judging the outside wrapping and if we could just let go of our own personal agendas. If we could focus on what was important, my goodness, what we could accomplish.  Harmony.

We had the nicest conversation with Kurt. Kurt is interested in Moose becoming a Therapy Dog.  I shared about Alli and my adventures in Therapy Dog work. It was such a pleasure as Kurt knew all about the R.E.A.D. program and the benefits for children struggling to read. He said the program was flourishing in this part of the country.  What a true joy to speak with someone who understood all about the program. I am still educating people in my area and it has been a slow process. Most do not know a thing about the program nor understand the benefits.  They have no idea how fortunate they are to have Alli and I right in our community ready, willing and able to run with this program. So many communities, all over the country, are looking for dogs who are able to do this.  The demand and need seems greater than the dogs ready to fill that demand. It just did my heart good to talk with someone who understood and appreciated what we had to offer.

Turns out Kurt is originally from a small town in Ohio very close to where we live.  We walked Kurt and Moose home as it was on our way.  I watched people's expressions as they passed Moose - so fascinating. So many smiles.  I wondered what would happen if Moose showed up on Capitol Hill, might he bring out a more gentler nature in people such as I saw this evening.  I vote for Moose! I felt so privileged to walk with this most beautiful of God's creations. Sometimes you come up close and personal with a creature so magnificent, so gentle and stunningly beautiful it takes your breath away.  Being around dogs has always grounded me, they make me feel at home no matter where I may be. What a lovely evening, what a nice unexpected pleasure.

A story about a Lady

I don't have pictures of the real life Lady in my story...so I thought a picture of Emma and my daughter Natalie might suffice.  Lady inspired me to one day have a collie just like her and so it was to be, I was blessed with my own tri-colored collie, Emma.  I was around 9 years old when I first realized that Lady was a working dog, just the age Natalie is in this picture.  So in a sense, this could be Lady and me...

It was 1972 when my first thoughts of Lady are clear.  I was around 9 years old.  Lady was a tri-colored collie with beautiful pricked ears and a long pointy nose, just like Emma pictured above.  She was my Uncle's collie and lived on his Long Meadows Dairy Farm - in Pennsylvania. I was lucky enough to spend weekends and a week here and there at his farm with my cousins and Aunt. Lady was the first working dog I ever met. It was her job to bring the cows in to be milked two times a day and without fail she performed her job flawlessly.  She seemed to have an internal time clock, as she was always on time...never late. No matter the weather...in the cold icy wind of the winter or the hot humid sun in the summer...Lady did her job.  I never saw my Uncle call her or remind her.  I would see her heading out to the pasture and I would look up and think..."oh, it's milking time already".  One day, I remember asking my Uncle if I could go out with Lady to bring the cows in.  He said, "sure, but stay along the fence line."  I'm glad I was the kind of kid to listen, as I saved myself a great deal of grief and trouble in life. It served me well on this particular day.  I was walking along the fence line, kind of grumbling to myself..."gee, I'm way behind, I can't even see Lady.  I'll never catch up...it doesn't help that I have to walk the whole way over to the fence line and not just follow Lady's path..."  As I was bemoaning this fact, I felt the earth tremble, I could hear the thunder of many hooves beating the ground and it was then I looked up to see a herd of cows running right toward me.  Had I not been along the fence line and in the middle of the field, I might have been trampled. The thought made me shutter but only for a second as my breath was taken away by the sight of Lady.  I stood in awe, as my hand grasped the fence, unable to move, to breathe as I saw this beautiful tri-colored collie at the back of the herd driving the cows toward the barn.  This little dog was moving a whole herd of very large cows! I was simply stunned and amazed by this working dog! I heard myself say out loud..."breathe, Barbara, breathe"!  I knew then that I wanted a tri-colored collie just like Lady...one day.

Galatians 5:7 and 8 says: "You were running a good race.  Who stopped you from following the true way?  This change did not come from the One who chose you."  

I was reminded of Lady's story this past weekend as I read the scripture above.  Her determination and focus, a true inspiration. I lost a bit of my focus this past weekend, a little of my determination. But thankfully, I was once again inspired by Lady as I remembered that day when my heart was so young and full of dreams. If God can give a collie a job to do, a race to run...then how much more does HE have in store for me and you. He can help me build my small business, help it to flourish and grow. My job is to breathe, listen, stay focused, be determined and stay in the race.  It would seem tri-colored collies have been inspiring this heart of mine since 1972.  What a wonderful race I'm in...and thank you Lord for sending Lady...the very first collie to inspire, guide and teach me.