Thank you, Sergeant Rex!

I recently read this wonderful book, "Sergeant Rex" The Unbreakable Bond Between A Marine and His Military Working Dog by Mike Dowling.  I highly recommend this book, excellent, one of those books that you pick up and barely put it down until every last word is read.  I haven't had the pleasure of sharing a moment with this type of book in a very long time...it was a wonderful journey!

I will give you a little snip-it from the book, something I have tried to convey many times, a very important concept.  Mike writes about the ability of the canine nose.  Nothing matches it, although the armed services have tried to.  I so like his explanation...so much wisdom and truth when he writes -

"When it comes to tracking down explosives, nature has created in a dog's nose a device infinitely more precise than anything modern technology has to offer.  No one knows for sure, but people say that a dog's nose is one thousand times more sensitive than a human's.  Dogs have millions more scent receptors than humans, and the size of the part of their brain used for analyzing smells is 20 - 40 percent larger than ours.  They can literally sniff out the bombs.  A handler trains his dog how best to use his incredible abilities, so the dog becomes a bomb-detection device with its own mind and driven by a brain.  A good handler learns to trust his dog to lead the way, and to use his instinct and drive to track down the threat.  A mechanical bomb-detection device - like a metal detector - goes only where the operator takes it.  It offers a blunt, unintelligent form of search compared to a dog tracking a scent on the air."

Mike goes onto explain how often times when using a mechanical device you can be right on top of the explosive before it alerts you to danger...too late.  The dogs, on the other hand, tell you way before the threat can take your life!

This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat; crying, laughing and shouting "YES"!  I don't generally do book reviews, but this one has 2 thumbs up from me, plus four paws up from Alli, collie!  A must read!  It is always my pleasure in life to bring to light the wonderful ways in which dogs enrich our lives! And for those who know me well, you know how much of a soft place I have in my heart for our Military Heroes - one and  all.  My hat's off to Sergeant Rex..."atta boy Rex" and to his partner, Mike!!

I also want to take this time to thank all our Military Heroes; Men, Women and Canine!  I especially want to thank two very special WW II veterans - my Dad and Uncle - who are no longer with us - Robert H. Hankey and Robert Toomey (who fought in Patton's army).  I love you both and honor you here today - thank you!  Missed but never forgotten!

New Window Decal

Be on the lookout Pawsitive Journey Training has a new decal advertisement on my car!  So happy that a friend of mine knew a man who makes them and put me in touch.  Nice how you can just happen to say something and wha la...by just speaking up you are connected to someone who can help you!  I have wanted to do this for a very long time...

Really happy with the end result and just had to share!

Socialize, socialize, socialize

...did I mention how important socialization is for your puppy?  Socialization is top of the list important for your dog.  It would be great if everyone started when their dogs were puppies, but even older dogs can benefit from getting out and about.  Socialization isn't only about introducing your dog to other dogs it is much more.  Socialization is allowing your dog to have opportunity to use their five senses or at least, to see, hear, touch and smell the world around them.  I like to use the sense of taste too as I incorporate different treats and reward their good behavior as we travel and visit all types of people, places and things!

Here is what I share with my students, especially my puppy clients. Be sure all experiences are safe and pawsitive for the puppy.  Each encounter should include treats and lots of praise.  Slow down and add distance if your puppy becomes frightened by an object, thing or person.  By the time your puppy is 12 weeks old it should have

Experienced 12 different surfaces - wood, carpet, grass, dirt, mud, puddles, grates, sand, linoleum, stones, mulch, stairs etc.

Played with 12 different objects - fuzzy toys, big and small toys, rubber toys, cloth toys, hard and soft toys, cardboard, toys that make sounds, milk jugs, wood items, metal items etc.

Experienced 12 different locations - front yard, lake/pond/river, basement, elevator, car, moving car, other people's homes, school, vet (just to say hi), groomer (just to say hi), stores such a Lowe's, playgrounds, etc

Meet and Play with 12 different types of people (outside of family) - baby, toddler, young children, men, men with hats, men with sunglasses, men with facial hair, women with hats, women with lots of jewelry and perfume, people in wheelchairs, people with canes, people with walkers and crutches etc.

Exposed to 12 different noises(always watch puppies comfort level and stay pawsitive, be careful not to frightened the puppy) - garage door opening, children playing/laughing/singing, babies crying, loud motorcycles, car horns, sirens, vacuums, lawn mowers, clapping, washing machine, dryer, whistles, etc

Exposed to 12 fast moving objects/things/people(but remember don't allow puppy to chase) - skateboards, bicycles, roller blades, roller skates, scooters, people running, cats running, squirrels running, horses running, motorboats, fast cars/trucks, fast moving motorcycles, etc.

The skies the limit as long as your dog is safe at all times.  And the good news, it's never too late, you can go over this list with older dogs too.  Remember when you see a new person, place, thing, object or another dog be aware of your body language, don't tense up or put tension on your puppy's lead.  If you feel uncomfortable about a situation, take a deep breath and be proactive by redirecting your puppies attention to something else and ask them to follow you away from the scary situation (use a lure such as a treat to help redirect their attention).

Have fun enjoying life with your dog...a well socialized dog is a pleasure to take anywhere!

Watching...

I had just received my hubby's call telling me he was on his way home.  I am always so happy to receive this call as his days are very busy and sometimes he is delayed for some reason on another.  As I disconnected my cell phone from his call, I came around the corner to see our Alli, collie sitting on the chair looking out the window.  Was she waiting for him?  And did she know he was on his way?  I believe she did know Matthew was on his way home.  Scientist have done studies on this, even when the person comes home at a time that isn't normal, their dog knew they were on their way and went to their spot to wait and watch.

Alli is the guardian at our house.  She watches over everything and everyone in the house.  I have heard her and watched her make her nightly rounds.  If Alli barks, I pay attention...always.  So nice to know she is watching...   Which reminds me of the One who watches over all of us.  I am thankful that I was reminded today, through Alli, of this truth as I wait and watch for someone I love to return...

What, me worry?

Took this picture of peace and contentment of collie, Alli last evening.  I took it in the midst of all the warnings blaring from internet, tv and radio that the apocalyptic ice storm was approaching.  I scrambled to fill buckets, as often when it's icey or windy here our electric goes out and when this happens we have no water.  Matthew was busy chopping more wood to bring in before the ice encased it outdoors.

As we were finishing with our preparations, I noticed Alli...so peaceful, so content.  I decided to join her by the fire and enjoy the moment.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with preparing reasonably for the storm.  But after you have done all you can do...just stand...relax, have peace.  I so often forget to live in the moment, I can easily work up a storm right in my own mind of "what if".  I also find that so often the things I think up that could happen, never really do happen. I get so busy worrying about what could be...that I don't enjoy the moment with those I love right next to me.

I am working on it, I have opportunity right now to put living in the moment into practice.  There are storms about me, but I choose to do what I can do...pray mightily, stand, relax and find peace.  Life will never be without storms...but we can choose to live in the moment even in the midst of them.  Thanks for the reminder, Alli!

Billy and I - day 5

Thankfully, our ice storm turned to rain today.  Unfortunately, with the slippery surface remaining under the rain, Bill and I decided to take another day off. I looked for a picture to share from outdoors, but then quickly decided there really isn't a good picture to share when it's raining at the barn.  As I walked past my beautifully cleaned leather harness lines and bridle hanging on my laundry room door...I instantly thought it would be a good picture to share.  I just cleaned our driving lines and the entire harness.  I kept the lines and bridle hanging, not sure why, perhaps just for inspiration and encouragement.  Each time I view them, I dream of the nice driving weather to come...

I was thinking how disappointing rain can be.  I can't tell you the times I prepared for an event and then had to show in the pouring rain. My outfit, my tack, my beautifully groomed and braided horse coming in from our jumping round muddy and soaking wet!  I can distinctly remember riding a green gelding at a hunter show.  It seemed that our turn for jumping coincided with a tremendous downpour.  I also remember my sweet horse almost sliding into a fence and at the last minute deciding he could jump it - thankfully the jumps were low.  We made it around, it wasn't pretty but this sweet boy, who really was not yet keen on jumping these obstacles, kept me safe.  In hindsight, we probably should have retired...ah, youth and the feeling of being invisible!

But then there is something so sweet about coming in from the rain, that comforting feeling of peeling off those wet clothes, soaking in a warm bath, followed by a lovely cup of hot chocolate.  Of thinking about the day and how you made it.  You met the challenges of the day.  There is something so good about that feeling of knowing you did it!  Another way in which rain helps us to grow...if you think about it.

Tomorrow the temperature is suppose to rise close to 60 degrees.  I look forward to Billy and I getting back to work.  Until then...have a great day all!

Billy and Alli - day 4

A happy visit from granddaughter, Alli this weekend.  No walking this morning with Billy but a wonderful visit by his favorite little girl last evening.  Matthew was taking pictures of all the ponies with Alli. As I walked up to Billy he was a bit ahead of us and I asked him to back up and he did and just stood with us for the picture!  My eyes got as big as quarters...'did he really just back up like that when I asked', Matthew said, 'he sure did, that pony would do anything for you'!

Alli took a quick sit on Billy...he stood like a gentleman and didn't move a muscle.  A great time was had by all!  Love that little grandlady and that pony too!

Happy Sunday to you!!