We have been busy!

It's been forever since we wrote a blog post, but that doesn't mean we haven't been busy. I attended my fourth Tellington TTouch class in Pflugerville, Texas, in early June. And, I leave on Friday for my fifth class - at the beautiful Icelandic Horse Farm in Vernon, British Columbia.

Since I can now work with paying clients, I have a business name - All Creatures TTouch - and, as of this morning, my own website, All Creatures TTouch Behavior & Training. The website is definitely under construction, but I hope to have basic information available in the very near future.

I have also pulled together an editorial calendar so I can post here regularly. The day-to-day details tend to pull me away from the computer. And I have found that being tied to a desk (I gave up my laptop for a new Mac desktop in January) isn't nearly as convenient as I had hoped. Maybe I can supplement with another laptop very soon ...

The dogs are healthy and happy. The week I returned from my Texas training, I drove to Kansas to collect a new rescue girl, picked up as a stray in the western part of the state. I cannot thank Airedale rescue volunteers enough for helping with transport, vetting, and grooming of this little one, named Joan Jett (JJ) in honor of the little town where she was found, Jetmore. JJ has been with us for a month now and is slowly coming around. She is extremely timid and untrained in all manner of living with humans - using a leash, pottying outside, walking through doorways and on varying indoor surfaces. I'm thankful to be available to work with her this summer, to help her learn confidence and to embrace the world around her. It's a slow process, but she is teaching me, too - as have so many wonderful canine teachers - to go slowly, with presence and with an open heart. As Ram Dass says, "Be here now." She is learning and then we backslide and then we learn again. One of my teachers and mentors, Kathy Cascade, sums it up like this: "It's about moments, not minutes." So JJ and I try to focus on the moments. JJ is listed on the national Welsh Terrier rescue website, WTCARES. She will stay here with me a while longer, but soon she will be ready for her own loving forever home.

The dogs and I thank you for reading our infrequent ramblings and for being our friends. We are grateful for your physical and your online place in our lives and in our hearts. And so I leave you with a couple of photos from our recent mornings outdoors. Oklahoma weather is being kind to us this summer. We have had more than a few mornings of absolute coolness and beauty in the midst of what is normally stifling temperatures 24 hours a day this time of year.

Blessings.

Goodbye, friend

Last fall, I wrote a post about our all-too-short time with the animals in our lives. At the time, my parents' little terrier-mix had begun having seizures and coughing at any exertion. For a brief while, Sandy improved but, a week ago, the seizure frequency increased, she became frightened rather than shaking off each episode, and she could no longer control bodily functions as she seized. It was time, and she told my mom in no uncertain terms.

Mom and Sandy

Mom said she felt at peace after she made the call to the vet. She, Sandy and my dad spent a lovely weekend together. The weather was good, I cut up steak in small chunks so her very few teeth could chew. Mom fixed her lots of scrambled eggs with cheese. They snuggled on the sofa and in their favorite chairs, with Mom massaging her for hours on end. I took some pictures on Sunday and will have one framed for Mom to keep.

When Monday morning came my dad, who was scheduled to go to the vet with Mom and Sandy, needed to go to the doctor.. So, I went instead. I used some lavender essential oil, as Sandy had had a couple of severe seizures overnight. I also began Reiki, as she was shaking almost uncontrollably, a habit that began about 18 months ago, and continued it throughout the next hour.


We both stayed with her and our vets - family friends we have known forever - were in tears, too. Sandy was most calm. Her eyes, always huge and brown, were calm as I held her. Her shaking was absolutely gone for the first time in months. She looked in my eyes the entire time the anesthesia was taking effect and she simply went to sleep. Once the second injection was administered, her heart stopped almost immediately. It was tired. It was time.

We planned to lay Sandy to rest in my parents' backyard, where she could keep watch over the neighborhood cats. But, a family friend who helps them a lot in the yard and house offered to take her to his home in the country and lay her to rest with all his animals. She is now among many friends and I know she is also sticking close to Mom, as she has mentioned hearing her footsteps coming up the stairs several times this week.

Thank you, Sandy. You were a beautiful little companion. The hole you left is huge. Keep watch over Mom and Dad and visit when you can. You are missed.

Too tired to even hold herself up for long

Resting

Celebrate the month of love with your pet!

Do you celebrate holidays with your pet? I'll be the first to admit that while my dogs are definitely spoiled, we rarely have special pet-centered celebrations. They like to chew things too much to have gifts for them to unwrap. They don't like being dressed in costumes (coats/sweaters are tough enough when the weather is cold!). Lots of folks love celebrating with their pets and have elevated it to a high art form. It this describes you, here are some special celebrations you can share with your pet this month. Be sure to fill out the survey at the end of this list and we will share how others celebrate with their pets, then you'll have even more reasons to throw a party!


February is ... Spoil Your Pet Month. Join BlogPaws (www.blogpaws.com) for ideas on spoiling your pet!

National Pet Dental Health Month (http://www.avma.org/anim​al_health/npdhm/default.​asp)

Responsible Pet Owners Month

National Wild Bird Feeding Month

Opening of the Winter Olympics, February 6

Westminister Kennel Club Show, held the second Monday and Tuesday of February (this year, that is February 10-11)

Have A Heart for Chained Dogs Weed, February 7 - February 14 (http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/2007/02/have-a-heart-for-chained-dogs-week-february-7-14/)

Pet Theft Awareness Day, February 14 (http://www.stolenpets.co​m/day.htm)

Valentine's Day, February 14

Great Backyard Bird Count, February 14 - February 17

World Whale Day, February 15

National Justice for Animals Week, Week of February 24 (http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/2011/02/national-justice-for-animals-week/)

Love Your Pet Day, February 20

Walking Your Dog Day, February 22

International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day, February 23

Spay Day USA, February 25

World Spay Day, February 25 - 20th Anniversary!

International Polar Bear Day, February 27

National Polar Bear Day, February 27

(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday

Celebrating dog beds!


We have five for three dogs, with two located on my bed and another on the floor of my bedroom, one in the living room and the big one in front of the dining room window.

How many are in your home and where?

Post-holiday letdown

The holidays are gone and now the college-age children gone, as well. My son left on Thursday for a four-month internship in Florida. As he does each time he leaves, he spent some quality time with Blue before he headed out, talking and telling him to "take care of the terriers and the girls." Then, yesterday, my daughter headed out for her second semester at college.

The dogs played all afternoon, taking advantage of sunshine and warm temperatures. I left the back door open so they could come and go and they got plenty of exercise. But it was much more quiet that it had been in recent weeks - no voices, no guitar and singing, no television.

We were all a little blue. Marley couldn't get close enough, as this picture shows. It will take everyone a bit of time to find our middle ground again. Of course, by then, the kids will probably be back home!

(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday

Celebrating the holidays, time together, rest and relaxation - and trying to keep the cold away!

Cold weather tips from the dogs

I realized this weekend that the dogs are masters of how to be truly successful in cold weather. Here are how the dogs at my house deal with cold weather:

1.  Drink plenty of water. I tend to forget to drink anything. So, when I get up to move around (see how I remember to do that, below), I heat some water for tea. I try to make it herbal so it counts for my total glasses of water for the day. 




2.  Keep moving. It may be too cold to walk those 10,000 daily steps outside. If that's the case, get up from the desk, sofa, chair every hour or so. I have an alarm set on my FitBit (www.fitbit.com) to remind me to move around.













3.  Get outside, but don't spend a lot of time out there when it's really cold. Even in the winter, we need a certain amount of sunshine to stay healthy and keep our bones strong.













4.  Nap. Yep, that's right. If I'm tired and I have the time, I curl up for a nap - usually on the sofa with a book and a dog to provided added heat. I always say I would make a good bear when the days are short and the temperatures are in the "It's too cold for me" range!

5.  Eat lightly. I can't give in to those urges to eat lots of heavy food during the colder months. It makes me feel awful - kind of like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man. And I dislike that feeling more than I like heavy food.

6.  Play. Even if it's only for a few minutes, I try to throw a ball for the dogs and just breathe. It elevates my heart rate just a bit and gives my soul a chance to soar.

7.  Bundle up. I have come to realize that, living in Oklahoma, we often don't have the best clothes to brave the cold weather. I'm going to try to add some thin layers to my wardrobe in the next couple of years so I can face the cold a little more positively. But, as I mentioned before, I really hate that stuffed feeling that comes with lots of bulky clothes (or too much food!), so I am going to take my time and buy carefully.

8.  Smile anyway. My Airedale, Mattie Rae, always lived her life with joy. This winter, I am going to try to channel her philosophy of appreciating the little things and remembering to smile.

The lonely walk

A dear friend is traveling final days with her beautiful Saluki. As those who love and give themselves to others, we all travel this path. It can be dark and lonely but, as we shoulder the grief, we also know we can and will do everything in our power to ensure our loved ones do not suffer.

And so today I offer my musings to these two. May their love stay strong and shine brightly, may it break the bonds of Earth and fly free in this life and beyond.

Renewal

I seem to have a lot to write this week! I hope it will make up for the times I average my "normal" three posts a week.

A week of changes and realization of so many changes to come. Happy, sad, regretful, contemplative. It is what keeps each of us moving along the road, isn't it?

A beep and simulated roll of thunder woke me this morning. I read the message: "It may begin raining in 28 minutes in your location." I admit, I ignored it and burrowed a little closer to my pillow, knowing all the time there would be 12 muddy paws as penance.

Before too much longer, paws were wiped and coffee was brewing. The sun peaked from behind the clouds and, even though rain is promised today and the wind is blowing, the temperatures aren't bad for mid-November.

In an hour I will attend the memorial service of a woman I have known for most of my life. She is the mother of someone I graduated with from high school. For a while, they lived next door to us growing up. She and her husband (he's been gone for a few years now) were friends of my parents. In recent years, he had an office in the same building as my dad and they shared coffee and stories each morning. She was a school library media specialist, lived down the street from the kids and me until health concerns took her to Florida to live with her older son a little over a year ago. According to my daughter, her deep dish apple pie is the absolute best thing EVER.

And so this morning I drew deep breaths of renewal from those who offer their lessons freely and abundantly - the dogs who live at Dragonfly, our home.

Here is a bit of Saturday morning at our home (and, by the way, we are anxiously waiting for our son, brother, friend to come for a visit this afternoon. We will celebrate his new path in life and shed a few tears that he will soon leave us for a semester on the east coast of Florida).

When time is short

The Autumn season is present in more than one way in our lives right now. My parents are affected; after all, they are 91 and 92. But so, too, is their dog feeling the effects of aging. She is both an inspiration and heartbreaking to watch.

Sandy came to my parents more than a decade ago. She was at a shelter and a family friend made the match. Sandy is tan with a few darker areas around her feet and ears. She has some terrier in her, but she also has several other splashes of canine DNA. Her teeth have always been bad. At her advanced age, there may be four teeth in her mouth. My mom moistens her food and makes sure she has soft treats to allow for her inability to chew.

About a year ago, Sandy started to get a bit bald in spots. Now her entire tail is pretty much hairless. In addition she has a black square just above her tail, remnants of a skin irritation and the subsequent veterinary treatment. They never have determined what caused the loss of fur or this particular irritation.

More recently, though, Sandy has begun to cough, mainly in the morning and at bedtime. My suspicion is her heart is involved. Her groomer suspects the same (my mother believes the groomer more than me!). The rest of the day she acts fine - eating, drinking, playing with her toys. At her age, my parents are not inclined to put her through a lot of testing, so a definite diagnosis won't be forthcoming (I have discussed her symptoms with the vet, however, and she pretty much agrees with my thoughts).

This week brought a new twist and has me worried. Twice now, Sandy has "fainted." Once in the morning just as she got up for the day, the second time as she again stood to start upstairs to bed. As my mother describes it, she simply folds over then, in less than five seconds, is awake and moving again (in my mind, I think of it almost like a fainting goat!). She doesn't seem to be in any pain and her quality of life hasn't changed.

Still, I know that her time is growing short. As much as I hate what I know will inevitably come, it also breaks my heart to know Sandy will be the last dog my parents have in their home, as they are simply no longer able to care for animals safely. I watch my mom's eyes fill as she says she knows Sandy "won't be around" much longer. I listen as she mentions more frequent accidents in the house. I nod to acknowledge what each of us does in similar circumstance, that is, make accommodations to ensure our animals still feel safe, secure, clean and loved. And I know that very soon Sandy and I will make one last trip to the vet, as my mother has long since turned over that particular duty to my care. 

And so, as the days become shorter and the night falls earlier, I hold my parents and Sandy close to my heart. I hurt for them and marvel at the lessons Sandy is still teaching each of us - to bask in moment, to play often and with total abandon, to savor our meals and treats, to relish the touch of others, and to love fully each and every day.

Presence

I was reminded today that life is short and that we too often work - or wish - away our time here. It isn't always that we want time to go faster; sometimes we are so caught up in the moment and still not present in it. We are caught in the stuff and not in the living.

There are those who would say animals are less encumbered by higher-level thinking and that is why they live in the moment. More and more research proves just how highly intelligent animals are, proving what those who live with animals have always known. But, somehow, animals simply do not seemed concerned about much outside what is happening RIGHT. NOW.

It is cold and windy again today, but the sun is shining. I took a short drive at lunch and just let the warmth of the sun touch my skin. I thought about those whose paths I once considered lined with gold and how their journeys are not without some pretty wicked twists and turns. I thought of how all the dogs I am blessed to know are present in each and every moment, whether chasing a ball or chewing up the sandstone in the backyard. (ugh!)

Each of us in given a gift. So many gifts - life, love, laughter - maybe not in the amount or the time frame we would wish, but it truly is there for the asking and for the taking. But we do have to take that gift, accept it, for the presence and the present to be ours.

Mud dogs!!!

We have had a couple of days of rain here in northeastern Oklahoma. The moisture is very welcome, what with a couple of years of drought and all. It will take a good amount of time and rain for the water tables to refill, even though the past few months have been "wetter" than normal AND the Farmer's Almanac is calling for a wet winter:

          "Winter temperatures will be slightly colder than normal, on average, 
          with precipitation and snowfall a bit above normal in Oklahoma and 
          north of the (D/FW) Metroplex." 
          (www.almanac.com/weather/longrange/zipcode/74010)

So it's all good, right? Mostly. Rainy weather means the dogs can't (or won't, in Blue's case) spend as much time outside, getting fresh air and exercise. It also means the one who adores the rain (Carson) spends more time in her crate drying off. I was thinking about all that in the morning when I decided the terriers needed some running around time in the yard as I got dressed for work. Moments later, I began to hear the banging noises. Getting closer to the back door, the noise seemed to be shaking the entire sunroom. Open the door, call the dogs. Nothing. Nada. Grab a jacket and head out: There they are, in all their glory. Up to their eyeballs - no exaggeration - in heavy, wet, Oklahoma red clay with a bunch of torn-up grass thrown in for good measure. Trying their best to dig under the lattice surrounding the sunroom. Their goal (prey)? Probably toads or field mice. They tend to ignore the toads who perch on the steps on late summer evenings but maybe the allure of digging for them is just too much to resist.

By afternoon, when these photos were taken,
the sunshine made them a little less "huge."

 Of course, all this happens when I need to leave for work in, oh, say, five minutes!



Race inside, grab a towel and slip into garden clogs. Hope the jacket will somewhat protect my clothes.

Evidence of Marley's participation
in the digging!

Marley is easy. Offer him a treat and he's willing to give up on the digging. I wrap him in a towel and hold him - feet facing out - as far from my clothes as I can. Bonus: let's consider this a workout for my biceps! 

Carson, of course, isn't so easily swayed. Her entire nose is covered in clay. It's hanging from her ears, her furnishings, her tail (how did that happen?). And it's a game. Get within two inches and she takes off at a full run. I remind myself I adore her, keep from looking at my watch to see how late I now am, consider my wet hair will only get more curly standing in the rain, and take a deep breath. Several minutes later, she is mine. Yay! Sorta ... My black and tan terrier is now a definite shade of barn red and smelly - wet dog, wet earth, WET. I carry her the same way as Marley and toss her into her crate, hoping she keeps at least some of the drying clay inside the crate during the day. I close the back door and head to school.

A little aside about Carson: She tends to get distracted and forget what is important (to me, obviously, not to her). When I return home after work, her crate not only has dried clay, is also has a little gift since she forgot to "take care of business" while she was busy digging to the other side of the county. Sigh ...

The next half hour was spent cleaning crates. This is the view from inside Marley's crate, as I was wiping up dirt. On a positive note, dirt doesn't usually "stick" to hard terrier coats; it tends to dry and end up on the floor. I'll spare you a glimpse at Carson's crate, however!








In the afternoon sun, the culprits were happy and playful. I filled in the holes as best I could (what, exactly happens to dirt that there is never as much to put back in a hole? I will never understand that!).

You can see from this photo that Marley is just happy to have me home, to be out in the sun and is secure in the knowledge that the treat wagon will soon visit. The ringleader, on the other hand, wouldn't stay away from her beautiful creations, so she was relegated to "hard time" in the run. I don't know about you, but I honestly don't see one smidgen of remorse on her face!

The next few days are supposed to be dry and sunny, which will give the ground a chance to dry out. I can only hope we won't repeat this scenario too many times during the months ahead. Happy Friday and a wonderful weekend to all.

(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday

Advance holiday food preparation, canine style. Assistant cooks, hard at work.

Fall itchies

Two weeks ago, Carson and I got to visit the vet. It isn't a visit we make very often. I am blessed with dogs who seem to be pretty darned healthy at the moment.

Carson waiting patiently for her exam.
You can see the spot between her eyes.

Carson had just healed from a scrape on her side. Whether it was caused from a scratching herself with a jagged nail or something else, I successfully treated it at home. But then, after a grooming session, she developed raw spots on her neck (I probably clipped too closely there when grooming!) and on her head (I don't think I did the same on her head, however!). It was bloody and crusty and didn't do much for her darling countenance and it kept getting bigger. Time for reinforcements!

Good grief!

The verdict was hot spots, perhaps caused by some seasonal allergies. Not sure there is a true allergy tie-in, but we will work with what we have for now. So, we came home with an armload of medications, both oral and topical. The vet wanted to shave the spot on her head, but I decided against that. It would have made it a bloody mess and it just wasn't worth it to make her that miserable. So, we came home with all this: 

There were antibiotics and free form fatty acids (those are a trip to watch her eat; she chews on the capsule for a good 2-3 minutes!). There is also Betagen which, had I been more attentive, I would have known that I already have a bottle at home. And then there is a skin care regimen of a shampoo and spray. The shampoo is supposed to be administered on days 1, 4 and 7. We then use the spray for two weeks. Welllll, did I mention that little bout with shingles I've had? Hmm. That means the thought of wrangling a wet, wiggling terrier into and out of the tub would be nearly impossible. We brought those products home, but have yet to use them. And, Betagen. Do you know one of the primary ingredients in it? Yeah. Alcohol. No wonder Carson reacted like she had been shot when I spritzed it on her poor head. After all, once I cleaned it regularly, it looked like this: 

Poor baby girl

I opted out of that, which means I now have TWO nearly full bottles of Betagen at home. I used Calendula spray instead, much easier on a little girl, although she still tried to rub the top of her head on the rug after every application. Wish I had video of that!

The last dose of antibiotics on Wednesday night. We may begin using the shampoo regimen this week if, for no other reason, than to get rid of the residual flakes and crusty areas. Carson's neck is completely healed and her head is well on its way, although it will take some time for her fur to fill in completely. Here's what it looks like now, two full weeks after this saga began:

Not perfect, but certainly looking better!

Geez, it's been a while ...

That whole "forming a habit" thing hasn't been working so well for me recently. Seems like the days fly by and I am certainly not taking the time to slow down and appreciate what is. As a friend posted recently, it is time to stop worrying so much about making a living and think about making a life. Hmm.

One of my teachers (Carson this time) gave me another reminder recently. I came home, fed the pups, took her out and did a few chores. When I returned to bring her in, she was frantic, displaying behavior I haven't seen in a very long time - jumping, head butting, nipping at my hands. Her message was clear: I am here and you obviously are not. Get with the program, mom!

With these graphic reminders firmly in place, I humbly return to what matters most: the lessons. As such, I will begin posting three times each week, beginning tomorrow, October 30. Welcome back, me. :)

Summer priorities

We have been noticeably absent/quiet/whatever here in the past six weeks or so. We are making plans, setting priorities and, in general, enjoying life with the "last" teen at home before she leaves for college in mid-August. We are also working on training, spending lots of time together just "being," and thinking about how we want to spend the rest of our lives. It doesn't leave much time for writing, although I do think about it often.

We plan to be back by the end of August, but probably not before then. Lots is happening, so we will have much to write about! To contact Paula or the pups between now and then, please write to us at blkntan@mac.com.

Woof!

Small moments

[This was originally written on May 17 but, for some reason, did not publish.]

Moments of quiet have been at a premium in recent days. It's a race to the finish at home and at work - the yearbook supplement must be competed and submitted, the main yearbook must be distributed (that started today), book inventory, equipment and furnishings inventory, grades, banquets, assemblies. And. Graduation. The day that looms - happy and heartbreaking - on our immediate horizon. The commitments and emotions swirl. We are all tired and sad, taking the next tentative step into the future. 

So when Carson offered a moment of shared solitude one recent evening, I grasped it with both hands. She simply sat next to me on the bed and stared with her midnight-black eyes. Soon we were joined, nose to nose, softly touching. Eyes soft. BEING in that singular way canines seem to possess. For nearly five minutes she sat in stillness, inviting me to do nothing more than breathe and remember how to be.

It was beautiful and fulfilling in such a simple way. The memory of it sustains me in the last stages of this march towards the inevitable family changes.

Of course, the next night, she tried to eat as many June bugs as possible on her way in for the night! This girl is nothing if not unpredictable!

Could it possibly be Spring?

We have had several days of sunshine. In a row. After days and weeks of rain and unseasonably cold weather, it's a blessing. It also means that some little girl dog I know is actually a little bit tired when it's time for bed. Or, she would be if the human's schedule isn't also following a typical Spring pattern.

On the bright side, tennis season is pretty much done. Prom and graduation loom on the horizon, but there was a break in the schedule last weekend and that could mean only one thing: Time for a little girl to start getting beautiful for the warmer weather!

Carson has been getting progressively more woolly as the weeks go by. I didn't worry about it too much, given the cold and gloom. But give us just one sunny day and I knew she would be miserable. I started to trim her a couple of weeks ago and realized my #7 blade was absolutely shot, so she got a bit of a reprieve. But, as you can see from these photos, she would soon be unable to negotiate her way around because of the curls in her eyes.

Ready to play to keep away the winter doldrums!

Starting to look at little hairy ...

What do you mean this fur adds pounds?

Okay, starting to get out of hand!

So, we spent about an hour on the table on Saturday and took of enough hair from her body to make another complete Welsh Terrier. Whew. We will save her legs and her tummy area for later this week. But we can see her eyes again! And she is such a cute girl! Here's ... Carson!

Look at how cute I am; may I have a treat now?

"April showers ..."

Our rainy weather continues. As any dog-person knows, that means laundry and mopping goes up exponentially. We certainly can't (or shouldn't) complain; after close to two years of near drought conditions, the moisture is critical to the state and the region. What has happened at my house, however, is that nothing but red clay and pasture weeds have survived the lack of water, which makes for a nice "mess" in the yard. At least the weeds keep the clay - wet or dry - somewhat in place!

Here's a peek at what red clay looks like. As we traveled to a tennis match yesterday, the ponds, lakes and rivers in the area are simply a wet/liquid version of this. As you can imagine, the pigment is strong and, once your clothes or carpets are stained, there is little chance of ever getting it out.

Our temperatures are heading lower again today as well. Lows in the low 30s are predicted for again tonight, so we will refrain from actually putting tomatoes, peppers, herbs and strawberries in the ground for a little while longer. The dogs would love to have tomatoes and strawberries available for their personal picnics, but I don't think that would be very prudent, do you?

I do hope that spring is arriving in your part of the world. I managed to sleep through another thunderstorm last night, complete with hail. At least no tornado warning this time! We are also arriving at the end of the spring tennis season; another two weeks and we will be done. That will free up quite a bit of time to return to working with Blue, Carson and Marley on recalls and general manners. My hope is the weather will also begin to cooperate and we can spend some quality time together in the days to come. We do have a resident mockingbird in the backyard to likes to dive bomb anyone who irritates her. There have been years when she would actually sit on the fence of the run to intimidate Carson and Blue. Thankfully, that hasn't been her m.o. this year!