Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

On a wet, cold night, a full stomach and a comfy end of the sofa are the best solutions ...

Jacob Marley

Until it's time to move to the other end ... 

It's deadline time of year!

Between now and January 15, I must prepare 50% of the high school yearbook for submission to the publisher. Needless to say, things are wild and crazy at work and at home. I apologize for the inconvenience, but posting will likely be a bit spotty between now and then. There have been some amazing - and some terribly frustrating - experiences in recent days that I truly want to share. I hope to have the time to write coherently at least a few times this week.

Thanks so much for understanding!

-pj

Canine resolutions

Resolutions never work out too well for me, for any number of reasons. Most often, I set too many expectations for myself, given extremely limited time and resources.

For 2013, I have tried to avoid that trap. My personal resolutions are more works-in-progress than concrete plans and, while most involve the dogs, I felt like I should make some dog-specific resolutions, as well. This wasn't quite as easy as I expected it to be, although I did come up with a few.

First, all dogs will be brushed, nails trimmed and teeth cleaned on a regular basis. It's more hit-and-miss now. Not only will the dogs look and feel better, but I am hopeful this can help curb the fur bunnies all over the house!

Next, walkies will be taken. Regularly. With the temperatures as cold as they are at the moment, I am hesitant to be any more specific. But it WILL happen - for all of us.

Finally, each dog will serve as my TTouch practice partner, on an ongoing and rotating basis (probably every week). I will work on one specific touch for a week on one dog, same touch the following week in the second dog, and the same touch for a third week on dog number three. This gives me time to really work on each touch, discovering nuances and differences in pressure, hand movement/placement and so on. At the same time, I hope to see changes in the dogs based on the ongoing work. I plan to keep a journal and will update here regularly.

So, what resolutions - if any - have you made for and with your animals in the new year? We would love to hear about them; in fact, we're all ears (and black nose!).

Saddest dog ever ...

My son returned to college this morning, after just arriving back home from a week at his father's last night. Blue was SO HAPPY to see him, then promptly fell into a state of moping as items began streaming from the bedroom to the car. The energy coming from Blue was clear: "You told me you were staying with me a while and now you are already leaving again. I don't like this."

It makes me sad, but I don't know what to do - or how - to help Blue over these humps. About the time he really settles into a rhythm, the boy comes home again for a day or a few days. Blue is ecstatic and gets into a groove. Then he's gone again. I try to tell him, to explain to him, but there isn't a schedule and he simply doesn't understand why his boy has to be gone so much. It makes my heart hurt for him (and for me, if I'm honest). I need to ponder it some more and try to figure out how to ensure our reigning senior citizen understands and accepts that this is how life is now.

Poor guy!

Easing into 2013

It is a quiet morning here on our little hill - cloudy, wet and cold. Of course, Carson always gets up at the same time, regardless of the weather or what may have happened the day before to make the humans especially tired and hopeful for extra sleep.

And so I spent a leisurely morning catching up on the blogs I follow and website I visit regularly. One of those is the Kripalu Center in Massachusetts. An author by the name of Brian Leaf was discussing his recently published book. His words hit home with me because I realize that while I will never know all I want to/would like to/maybe even should know about animal behavior, I do know a fair amount. And, as the author mentioned from his own experiences (with yoga), it is always a balancing act to share that knowledge as a gift, offered (and accepted) freely. And I need to love and accept what I know as a gift, regardless of anyone else. THAT is my reality - to love and accept, as Leaf writes, "every one of my experiences, feelings and thoughts."

Isn't that what our animals teach us, as they live in the present. They accept all gifts with love and acceptance. They offer their own gifts in the same way. So simple and, yet, so complex.

I do believe I would like to read Brian Leaf's book. His writing style seemed accessible and engaging. For those interested, it is titled Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi.

Our lessons

As we leave 2012 behind, I would love to know the greatest lessons you have learned from your animals. I am still a toddler in this walk, but have learned so much through the years, from humans and those who wear fur, feathers and many other "coats."

I remember a boss in the Dallas area who told me he didn't feel his day was complete unless and until he had learned one new thing each day. Isn't that a wonderful way to go through life?

My two biggest lessons (and ones I am still learning, believe me):
1. Slow down
2. Be present

What about you?