Thankful for...your Friendship!

A recent picture of our pack...missing one.  Hard to go back to our favorite place the first time without our littlest member, Libby.  Although dogs live so beautifully in the moment, I do have to say I felt a sense of the dogs missing Libby as well.  Both Ezra and Alli collie stayed close by us. These two, close...our two adventurers right by our side?  Interesting.  Libby was always by our side, right with us as we walked and Ezra and Alli were the ones to sniff out the chipmunks and run ahead blazing the trail.  Did they feel the need to stay by us, to take up Libby's place?  Did Libby staying close - watching over us - allow them the freedom to explore?  I don't know for sure, but I do believe they were trying to figure out how to accomplish this new way of walking...without our friend.  So were we, Matthew and I...but we did it and we did it together.

As we walked, almost with each step, my heart started to fill with such wonderful memories of our times here with our dogs, with Libby.  Matthew and I shared our thoughts together of all the many fun, sweet memories.  I started feeling this tremendous warmth of thankfulness, for the gift of sharing my life with Libby, with dogs.  Since before I can remember, my life has been graced with a dog or dogs sharing my days.  I do understand those who feel the pain of loss so strongly that they declare they will never go through "that again".  I feel for them, as I do truly know their pain, it's real and it's hard.  But, try as I might, I just can't think of life without them.  The wonderful ways in which dogs have enriched my life are almost too numerous to name...my sweetest friends.

As I was about to burst with a thankful heart, I thought how appropriate...for this month of November.  A time to be thankful.

I'd like to share some of the ways dogs have made my life richer.  Anyone who knows me knows how very thankful I am for my human family...my husband, my kids and now my grandkids are my most precious gifts.  They are number one and bless me beyond compare!  But, it's okay to thank those furry paws who climb into our hearts in ways that are so loving and so pure.  So here goes....

I am thankful for...

the love,

listening so intently while I shared my heart - whether it was breaking or about to overflow with joy,

for sitting up with me while taking care of my sick little ones, 

for helping me dry little tears and patch boo boos,

for getting out of your comfy bed to go with me on midnight runs to the kitchen for soda and crackers, for tylenol and water,

for snuggling with me when my fever spiked and somehow laying just right by my side to provide warmth and comfort to my aching back,

for seeing me at my worse and seeming not to even notice,

for dancing in the rain with me,

for sitting with me, just sitting together enjoying a sunny day, a beautiful sunset or watching the first snow fall,

for going with me to drop off the kids at school,

listening to all my worries, 

and keeping all my secrets, 

allowing me to cry in your fur,

and licking my tears,

for walking endless trails,

and taking wonderful journeys,

for being one of my greatest teachers,

for all the laughter, 

and all the fun...

...thank you, most of all, for being my friend.

So hard to say good-bye...

So hard to say good bye to our little lady, our beautiful and sweet friend Libby.  She passed quietly at home yesterday. I can't thank my vet Dr. Phil Dilts enough for coming to our home to help us end her suffering. It was time, she let me know.  So precious those last few hours, reminiscing, caressing her soft fur...telling her what a "good girl" she is and was and how I was so thankful to have had the gift of her...in my life.

I miss her so very dearly, a part of my heart went with her, but oh the flood of memories that bring me a smile and warm my heart. Libby was a lady from the start...

I remember the twist of fate that we welcomed Libby into our home.  I will forever be thankful that after a sore and sad disappointment we happened upon an ad in the paper for Jack Russell puppies and right down the road from our home.  After a quick phone call telling us they only had 2 females left, Matthew, Nicky and I hopped in the van.  When we arrived we saw two adorable little brown and white puppies.  I was smitten with Libby right away.  That sweet face and that darling smile, who could resist.  We stood there for some time while Libby was making it quite clear that she picked us. Matthew went to go to our van to get the check book and this tiny 4 inch long by 3 inch high puppy hopped through the grass, which was way over her head, and followed him the whole way to the van. She was making sure we got the message and were not going to leave without her. Oh, how glad I am that we didn't leave her behind, she jumped right int our hearts that day and brought us so much joy!

From the start she was an easy puppy.  She cried that first night in her little crate and I just could not help myself (after all I know better) but I scooped her up and put her in bed with us.  And that's where she slept every day of her life...  She slept through the night and woke me up at 5 am...I took her out to the potty and went back to bed with her.  All the while thinking this is not going to work...once puppies are up they are up.  But, not my sweet little lady...she promptly snuggled right in and went back to sleep and slept until 8:30 am.  I have never met another puppy so accommodating and one who loved her creature comforts.  So easy...and such a pleasure.

She was mentored by our beloved collie Emma.  I know Emma had something to do with her sensibility and the way she just knew the order of how things should be.  I always laughed when people would say 'wow, you have a JR...they're tough, lots of energy'.  Libby did have energy like her breed describes but she was always so sensible, intelligent and well just such a lady...

I remember the year Nicky took Billy pony to the fair.  He also decided to take Libby to the fair for his dog project.  Nicky had such a tough week with Billy...he was frightened by the pigs from the start and he lost his little pony brain.  Nicky handled it well, but it was disappointing to say the least and not what he had expected.  He had put a great deal of time and preparation into Billy and nothing went according to plan. Then Libby showed up at the Fair Dog show and every time they walked in the ring they came out with a trophy.  Libby came through big...she and Nicky had already won a trophy in their pre-fair judging. That was only the start, they went on to win the agility class, the tricks class (a trick that Libby taught us and Nicky put on cue and might I add she delighted many people with this sweet begging trick and would use it very adeptly when she wanted attention) and a trophy for the cutest (of course!) in the costume class!  She really came through and put a smile on the face of my son, she saved the day in many respects...what a sweet, sweet memory.  How do you quite say thank you...

The first time we took Libby to the beach, she was only 10 months old.  It took her some time to get use to the sand and the water was so unpredictable, seemingly to invite her in one minute only to turn back around and wash over her the next. Such fun to watch her try and figure it all out. Camping wasn't really her favorite.  I remember taking a 2 week trip, Matthew only stayed with us one week and had to go back to Ohio to work the following week. Libby made it known that she had spent quite enough time in 'that box' and jumped right in the truck with Matt.  Unmistakably she was telling us...'I'm going home'. She was quite happy to return to pick us up the following weekend.  Our second trip to the beach was way more fun...she enjoyed the beach and even dipped her tiny paws in the water.  Perhaps it was because she was older and wiser, maybe it was sharing the experience with her friend Ezra, or staying in a lovely beach house suited her better.  May be it was simply just spending time with her family! So many sweet memories that week...all of us together.

Libby was a Delta Pet Partner.  This is one of a handful of therapy dog organizations.  I was so proud of her to pass all their tests.  If you don't know Delta is much more stringent in their testing than most of the other groups, very thorough and a bit taxing for the dogs.  She passed all their many "tests" with flying colors.  She brought much happiness and many smiles everywhere she visited.  The kids in the reading program at the Mt. Vernon Library especially loved her! Her little begging trick never ceased to bring an array of oohs and aahs and giggles. She just seemed to know how to make us all smile...

Libby was fortunate to travel with us often.  Her diminutive size and her love of a road trip just made her easy to take along.  She shared a great deal of our every day life, she was just a part of our coming and going.  I guess it's why it's so hard not to see her snuggled up beside me right now, or look down to see her lying by my feet when I type.  She greeted us with such gusto when we would arrive home...I remember often her jumping on my lap and standing with her paws on my chest while I scratched her back up and down and back again...she would chortle that beautiful song she did, letting me know how very much she enjoyed me, her family...just being with us...you are never alone or lonely when you have such a friend!

Libby was our agility partner.  Nick started her, I helped her along the way and she ended up doing her very best with Matthew.  What a sight on course...my tall husband and little lady Libby.  She never ceased to  make me smile when we ran agility together.  She would chortle and bark her way around the course and I would smile and laugh so hard I would nearly forget the course.  We truly just had plain fun together.  It wasn't about the ribbons or the titles (although she earned quite a few) it was about enjoying one another and having fun and that we did!  I remember just a few short weeks ago at my training center running a small course.  She gave it her all although I know she was in the throws of her illness.  She chortled her song and ran the course and then looked for her treat...I laughed and smiled the whole time and then wondered how she had the strength...I think she did it solely for me, one last time... Another sweet memory...

Libby was my inspiration in so many ways. Her love for her family, never failing to greet those she loved with abandoned. How could such a big heart be contained in such a tiny body?! She was also a trail blazer.  I remember feeling quite low one morning on our walk around the pasture.  It had snowed quite a bit the night before and the world was pristine and white.  The snow was higher, much higher than my little Libby...yet she blazed her own trail.  She didn't wait for Alli collie to pave the way or open a path....she went first and made her own path.  She didn't hold back or wait to follow anyone and it would have seemed that that would have been ok.  After all, she was so small and the snow was so high and cold...but off she went.  After our walk I found myself no longer feeling low...the huge heart of my little friend made my heart soar that day.  I knew whatever the day held, I could do it, I could face it, I could blaze my own trail...

I used her as an example over and over again when teaching my students and their dogs.  Libby was the leader of our small pack, all 12 pounds of her. And she was a fair leader.  I remember often if I called everyone in and Alli and Ezra didn't hop too...she would head out barking and chortling and round them up, as if to say, 'did you not hear her, get in the house'!  Alli was probably 5 times her height and weight, Ezra was double and yet when she spoke, they listened.  And by speaking I mean...she used her body language, a look, a stare, only adding vocalizations if needed.  If she could get what she wanted using her body language...why could we "smart intelligent humans" not do the same.  I started using more visual cues in my training classes with much success.  Asking my students why in the world do we feel we have to jerk and push our dogs around when my sweet 12 pound Jack Russell Libby can do it all with a look.

Libby was always the first welcome anyone new to our family both canine and human. She was the first to understand my new grand lady Alli.  The first to welcome her to our home, Libby was the first to get close.  She didn't understand this new spastic kind of body language but with my guidance, she figured it all out quickly and welcomed my grand babies with her sweet friendship and special kind of love.  This past summer knowing our Libby was ill, Alli (granddaughter) and I took Libby to the "bankery" each week.  Alli got her lollipop and Libby received her cookie too.  Alli and I both delighted in taking our Libby with us...such good memories...

Libby also taught us about small dogs.  She taught us to be gentle and thoughtful when picking them up.  It is overwhelming to snatch a small dog up without any notice, thought or care.  Libby was picked up by a young person once without notice and Libby let us know in the best and kindest way that that had scared her. It never happened again. We then helped people to understand how very large we are in comparison to her.  Matthew realized if you simply asked Libby if you could pick her up, she was fine with it.  She would sidle up beside you and wait to be picked up gently. She actually loved to be held and snuggled.   (This ones for you sweet girl...helping your fellow small ones...)

Our dear canine companions, our friends mark the passage of time with us.  They share the most precious and intimate moments of our lives.  How can I be anything but grateful, thankful that my Father God would give me and my family such a wonderful gift, the gift of Libby in our life.  Sent to earth to teach us about his true, unfailing and unconditional love.

We laid you to rest last evening under the most brilliant and vibrant rainbow I have ever seen, sweet Libby.  In your pasture, your home, by Emma and Tucker so you can watch over your ponies...  I don't believe in coincidences and Matthew and I laughed through our tears and smiled once again that our littlest angel would send us such a beautiful sign...

My dearest Libby thank you my sweetest friend and teacher for the inspiration, for the smiles and the laughter, for the fun, the joy and all the love!  I have the most wonderful memories to keep me and warm my heart when I miss you the very most...happy trails sweet puppy...until we meet again...our dear Little Lady

Just 30 Minutes

I recently heard an advertisement for a new language program.  Being a lover of languages, this commercial caught my attention.  Just 30 minutes a day and you too can learn a new language.  I'm in, I should get this program.  Only 30 minutes a day and I am speaking another language fluently.

But then it struck me, I thought about the true commitment of time.  Just 30 minutes, 30 minutes is a chunk of time.  I began to count all those things I do each day that I have committed to.  They add up, feeding the dogs, ponies, cleaning stalls, cooking dinner and the list goes on.

I thought about encouraging my students to practice with their dogs just 15 to 20 minutes a day. Doesn't seem like a great deal of time. But, very often my students share with me how busy their week was and how they just could not squeak out 15 minutes a day to work with their dog.

I started to think about practicing anything for 30 minutes a day.  You name it, practice for 30 minutes each day and you are going to become pretty proficient.

So often when I speak with young people about dogs, I hear about how high energy their dogs are, how they don't listen, they bark and the list goes on and on.  I ask them if they think that therapy dogs, seeing eye dogs, bomb detection dogs are special.  Each and every one nod their head yes!

Then I explain to them how I trained my Alli collie to become a therapy dog.  How she has been everywhere with me, well socialized, had opportunity to see many sights and sounds. In other words, I have spent a great deal of time with her.  I then tell them how she used to jump on people when she was a puppy, bark at the ponies, get into the trash.  They look at me with total bemusement.  "No way!"

I also explain how seeing eye dogs are in training from puppies.  Hours and hours spent on socializing and training.  My conclusion is this, I believe these dogs are no more special than the dogs they have in their own backyard.  The difference is...time spent.

Just 30 minutes a day...and your dog can become the good dog they were meant to be and the dog you always dreamed of.

As always, Happy Trails!

Back to School

I have this beautiful tin hanging in my kitchen.  It makes me smile each time I look at it.  I'm not sure you can quite read it but this was an actual Post magazine front page picture from Septemeber 1944.  The title of the picture is "Best Friends".

I am reminded when I look at this picture of my time as a child.  Although, I didn't ride a bus everyday to school, I had a dog that sent me off in the morning from home and greeted me afterschool.  This little poodle gave me great courage to walk into an empty house, as my Mom didn't arrive home from work until an hour or so later than me.  I remember, oh so well, Buffy's wonderful, happy greetings. I was the best thing since sliced bread. No matter what type of day I had, Buffy made me smile, made me feel good, happy and very welcomed to be home!  I remember the conversations I had with my sweet Buffy about my day.  She seemed to be able to help me sort everything out.

I think of the dog at the horse farm where I worked from the time I was 11 years old until I graduated from High School.  Gretchen, a most beautiful Golden Retriever, went with us everywhere...to the barn, on trail rides, swimming in the pond all through our wonderful summer days on the farm.  Wherever we went Gretchen went too.  What a happy life for a dog and a kid.

This picture also reminds me of my children getting on the bus everyday.  Our sweet Emma collie stood by them as they waited for the bus and watched them as they drove away down our road.  I wonder if my kids remember looking out the window at her watching them.  She never left her spot until the bus was out of sight and I almost always had to call her away.  We, my kids and I, had happy summers together with Emma collie.  I have to think she was a bit sad to see school start up and take her kids away.  Emma always seem to know when the bus was returning.  She would wait at the front door, telling me it was time to go greet the kids from the bus!  What a happy time and a precious memory.

I've always felt a little pang in my stomach when school started.  I remember the feelings of getting back to a routine and leaving behind my happy, carefree days of summer.  I remember feeling sad to have my kids return to school, no more swimming, 4H, playing with dogs and ponies.  I was one of those Moms who loved having my kids at home.

My kids, my students, that I have the privilege to teach are heading back to school.  Our scheduled classes are changing.

My son is off to college this year too.  All the way on the otherside of the country.  Some of my former students are also off to college. I find myself feeling that familiar pang in my stomach...  I can't help but miss them.

I wish them all a wonderful new year of school, of new friends, happy times and new challenges.  Challenges that will help them to grow and know how very strong and awesome they truly are!

I also hope they will remember their "Best Friends" they have left behind whether for a day or months at a time.  I pray that when they think of their "Best Friends" it will bring them a smile, make them feel good and make their hearts happy.

Happy Trails!!

Chips, the War Dog

Often I come across a story that I just have to share.  There are so very many of these inspiring stories. This story is about Chips, a German Shepherd/collie/husky mix.  He was a war dog hero and this is his story.

At the height of World War II, Chips was assigned to the Third Military Police Platoon, Third Infantry Division. He toured in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany.  Chips served as a sentry dog, alterting his handler to the approach of enemies.

On July 10, 1943, Chips and the Seventh Army, under the command of General George Patton, boarded amphibious crafts off the coast of Licata, Sicily.  In the predawn twilight hours, the craft came under heavy fire and became trapped on a beach.  Chips broke free from his handler, defying his training, and stormed a machine gun nest, capturing an enemy soldier by the neck and sending several others scattering. After the battle, Chips was taken to a hospital and treated for scalp and hip wounds and powder burns in his mouth.  It was a pretty good bet that the powder burns in his mouth were a result of direct contact with smoldering enemy firearms.

Chips later received the Silver Star for bravery and the Purple Heart for wounds received in action by General Lucian Truscott.  However, these awards were revoked when the military determined that Chips was classified as "equipment" and therefore ineligible to receive such honors.

Upon returning home, at the age of 6 years, Chips adapted smoothly to civilian life but passed away several months later from complications of his war injuries.

As one who has the privilege of working with these magnificient creatures on a daily basis, I am not surprised at Chip's ability to sense danger and act upon it on his own. He broke free "defying his training".  He knew his job well and took matters in his own paws.  Amazing!

My approach to dog training is to utilize that magnificent brain, ability of a dog.  To become a thinking partner rather than an entity on the end of the leash to be snatched and jerked into submission.

Dog's are amazing...  I see this everyday.  I share Chips story to encourage you to see your dog in a different light.  To understand that when we provide adequate amounts of organized exercise AND create value for the correct choice and reinforce that good choice...we in essence allow our dogs to become a thinking dog, a dog very able to make the right choice.

Chips is a special dog, absolutely, and it's right that we honor him here. But, I have to tell you that he is no more special than that furry friend of yours on the other end of the lead.  Spend time with your dog and with good training move from what you have now to what you want to have on the other end of your lead.  You can do it and I know your dog can do it!

If you need help...feel free to contact me.  In the meantime, Happy Trails!

I am Blessed to be a Witness

My first trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. So nice to take a break from your everyday cares and step into a new and exciting place, almost like entering another world. I have observed great wealth and great poverty within feet of one another. I find myself happy and sad all at once. 

I feel deeply and am very passionate.  I often ask, why does it have to be this way?  Why can't we do better?  Well, let's just change it, make it happen.  As I grow older and wiser, I have come to the realization that some times, most times, things just take... time. People often grow and change and gain wisdom by experience. Some of the most beautiful works of art, music, writings, and poems have been born out of great struggle. I realize I have learned and grown the most as a trainer through experiences with very difficult dogs. They often grow into exceptionally well behaved dogs, with time, miles and patience. 

I suppose all along I possessed understanding, at least subconsciously, about "the journey". I talk about "the journey" all the time. The name of my blog, my business and my training theory involves this journey in word and deed. A journey takes time, can be daunting, involve ups and downs, mountains to climb but it also brings about great beauty, confidence, understanding and dare I say wisdom.

As I think about all I have seen and heard here in New Orleans I have had an epiphany.  Instead of being sad about what I am seeing, viewing as a pity or a tragedy, I suddenly realized I can only change me and how I respond to the pain, the struggle and the beauty.

I decided to embrace the moment, realize that I am only seeing a part of a person's journey, a part of their story.  Things can change for the better. We've all heard and read about miraculous stories. I have witnessed first hand the goodness of people.  I have hope and trust in the One who gave us all a unique race to run. It's not for me to say how things should be or to make judgements (oh, my this has taken me far too long to learn), only to offer a smile, a prayer and lend a helping hand when, where and IF needed.

I started to view things differently and became overwhelmingly thankful by what I was witnessing. Amazing musicians sharing their art, artists proudly displaying their works on the street, working mules and their people lovingly sharing their city and oh, the very, very many sweet dogs doing what they do best and that is loving their humans unconditionally.  The dogs are a very obvious bright spot and companion to their people in all types of conditions and circumstances.  Amazing...really truly....amazing!

I have had a wonderful journey here in New Orleans, I feel blessed to be a witness to it all.  Life is beautiful!

I feel a renewed sense of excitement to return to what I do... for the sheer privilege of speaking into the lives of my students and their dogs.  Each one on their own journey of growing in communication, building understanding and relationship with their dogs.

I am truly blessed to be a witness!

The Nose Knows

I have long been fascinated by the power of a dog's nose.  A dog's olfactory system (their sniffer) is as big as an 8 x 11 sheet of paper, while ours is only as big as a postage stamp.  For instance, dog's can smell 1 part of urine per 60 million parts of water (4-Hers remember this fact, it's in your Dog Project book and you might just be asked this very question at State Fair).  Let's break that down into something we all can understand; dogs can smell 1 teaspoon of sugar in the water that would fill 2 Olympic sized swimming pools. Their noses are amazing!

 When my dog receives and leaves his "pee mail", he both can receive information about another dog and leave information about himself.  Did you know that when your dog smells another dogs pee (or bottom for that matter) he can tell if that dog is male or female, young or old, in good health or ill health and much more?  Did you know that the United State Military relies solely on the dog's sense of smell to keep their soldiers and our civilians safe from explosive devices?  Did you know that dogs have been trained to sniff out cancer and alert a child that a seizure is coming?  Again amazing!

 Humans and dogs "see" the world differently.  While humans see and view the world, a dog smells the world around him.  Are you starting to get the picture of why, so often, human and canine are not on the same page?  Why we can become so frustrated by our dogs actions? We actually view the world differently.

Although I believe strongly that your dog should learn to walk politley on lead with you, I also believe you should allow for some freedom for your dog to view his world.  Here are a couple of ways to allow your dog to view the world around him...

Play your "Find it" game often and in varied places.  If you have taken a class with me, I have shared with you three different versions alone of the "Find it" game to play at home. This game can be played indoors as well as outdoors in your yard.  For a real thrill take the game on the road and to a local park. Set up your game in and around the trees, picnic tables and playgrounds. Allowing your dog to use his sense of smell while spending time with you is a true jackpot!

Take a Sniff walk.  Plan a walk specifically to allow your dog to sniff and smell the world around her.  Visit a new park, a new trail and allow your dog as much time as she would like to view her world. This walk will get you no where in particular, but it will give you both an opportunity to slow down and "smell the roses". While your dog is enjoying his smell-a-vision, take time for yourself to relax, see the beauty around you, listen to the birds, a running brook, crickets and locusts and smell the rich summer foliage. You get the picture.

Allow your dog to give you the gift of living in the moment!  Winding down from a busy day, taking in deep breaths and truly enjoying and embracig the beauty that is all around you.

Happy trails!