Lying Leopard

It is interesting that Lying Leopard is described as being less invasive than Clouded Leopard and so many animals like it better if they are sensitive to touch. We had kind of a mixed reaction here.

Lying Leopard is supposed to allow a larger area of "warm contact" with the hand. I often hold my breath when I'm working - something I try to recognize and change, but it's a work in progress. I think that probably affects how my dogs feel about it overall.

Blue liked it the most. I'm not sure that it wasn't too much like a massage for him, so I need to keep that in mind, although you do need to get through the fur to the skin. He doesn't like the circles too fast or too slow. The trick is finding his "just right"!

Blue

This is another one of those touches that Blue really likes along his hindquarters. He totally backed up into me and wanted this experiment to continue.

Marley

The terriers weren't so sure about the whole process. Maybe because they're smaller so it seemed like I was covering a larger area? Maybe I should increase the speed of the circles, slowing down once they relax. I need to spend more time to see how they react long-term. And I think I need to make sure I'm more on the level with them rather than working from a standing position, which can always be an issue.

Beginning today, we are going to start doing mouth work. This may need a couple of weeks, as it's a slow process and I don't want to push too much or too soon. Basically, we will begin with Lying Leopard TTouches on the outside of the mouth and make tiny circles on the gums, working on both sides of the mouth. I want to do multiple short sessions to keep stress levels down. Mouth TTouch is used extensively for aggression, barking, biting, chewing, dental woe, emotional upset, fear of vet offices, hyperactivity, licking, nervousness and stress - most of the emotional issues. I have seen it used with absolutely wonderful success on dogs, and have seen it magically calm down my own Carson. My friend Cynde Van Vleet, a TTouch practitioner in California, used it to work miracles on Carson during a stressful point in a class a couple of years ago. Carson has recently started barking a lot when outside, so I hope this will ease that a bit.

In other news, the new computer purchase, migration and set-up is complete. I really didn't want to replace my laptop just yet, but it made the decision for me. After long conversations with my children and writer-friends, I opted for the Mac desktop with a 21.5" screen. I have to admit it is nice to write, edit and proofread on it, but I do miss the portability of the laptop. I'll just need to get more comfortable writing on the iPad mini. At right is a photo of the new digs in the sunroom.

The cold and grey continues in Oklahoma. The dogs and I are in desperate need of sunshine and warm breezes (not winds, but breezes would be nice).

(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday (only not today!)

The only kind of snow day I like (and even then, it's too cold!).

While not directly pet-related, I learned my love of animals - terriers, in particular - from my parents. We had any combination of dogs growing up, a couple of stray cats, fish, gerbils.

Three weeks ago, we had a setback when the doc found my dad had a bladder tumor. Fast-forward to today, and the man who, at nearly 93, had never had anesthesia or surgery sailed through and the tumor, while cancerous, was caught early and is extremely slow-growing. And so today, I am celebrating my not-so-Wordless-Wednesday with a photo of my folks, who will celebrate another anniversary together next week. Happy day!

Pet holidays - January 2014

Do you celebrate holidays with your pets? More and more people do just that, so we'll take a bit of space each month to let you know what's going on and where you can find more information.

January is nearly done, but there is still time to celebrate together!

National Train Your Dog Month 

Walk Your Pet Month (although I will admit I'm not doing much about this, what with the really cold weather and all!)

January 29, 2014: Seeing Eye guide Dog Birthday

Technological interruptions

I'm sorry to report that we will have a brief interruptions in posts as my primary computer crashed over the weekend. I hope to make a Tulsa run this afternoon to buy a new one and then will go back in a few days, after they have (hopefully!) transferred all my data. Until then, I can't access my posts and/or photos.

Keep your fingers crossed for us! We have had a lot of interesting adventures in recent days and can't wait to share them.

Stay warm and safe. It was 70F here yesterday and 0F by this morning. Oh, Oklahoma ...

Belly Lifts practice

This was definitely my biggest challenge yet as far as practicing on my own dogs. I would love to actually have photographic evidence but, since it's just the dogs and me, I don't have enough hands!

As I mentioned, Belly Lifts have a number of uses, including digestive issues, sore backs, nervousness and gait problems. It's best to use a towel with animals like dogs and cats. The idea is to gently and slowly lift the abdomen from underneath, hold for 3-5 seconds, then release very slowly (taking twice as long as the lift is recommended). Starting behind the front legs, the towel is moved along the body towards the hindquarters.

Carson was my best participant this week. She stood quietly as I worked with her, then wiggled and shook it off when we were done. She seemed to like the gentle pressure. Marley sat down after the first lift and had to be persuaded to stand again. I felt like he was tolerating me practicing on him each time I tried it, but he wasn't thrilled. Not surprisingly, Blue was definitely uncomfortable. First of all, I put something unexpected (the towel) around him. Then I lifted his abdomen - not once, but THREE times! He backed into a corner whenever possible, although her was more comfortable with having the front part of his body worked. As we moved closer to his hindquarters, he got more antsy. But that area continues to be a challenge with him, so not surprising.

This is one I need to work into the rotation fairly often so the dogs get more used to it. That way, when and if it is really needed, they may accept it more easily.

Week 4 will focus on Lying Leopard, which is a variation of the Clouded Leopard. The main difference is the curve of the hand is more flat, so there is a larger area of contact. This touch is good for animals that may be too sensitive to Clouded Leopard, as it feels less invasive.

bugRIGHT, Made in Oklahoma

[This post first appeared on my sister blog, Pawsitive Places. But in the interests of doing less and doing it (hopefully) better, I plan to write only this blog for the time being.]

Even when the temperature dips well below freezing, most Oklahomans know it simply doesn't get cold enough here to kill off "critters" in our homes, yards and on pets. And now there is a new, natural solution for Oklahomans and their pets – an organic, non-poisonous bug repellent called bugRIGHT. Even better, it’s made in Oklahoma!

bugRIGHT products are natural and safe for people, pets and the environment. The bug repellent powder utilizes natural ingredients, including essential oils, to kill bugs and discourage future infestations. According to inventor Paul Goss, essential plant oils attack the central nervous systems of insects, killing them within a few hours. These same dosage amounts are harmless to humans, birds and mammals, and the environment. bugRIGHT utilizes clove thyme and wintergreen essential oils, along with soybean oil, diatomaceous earth, sodium chloride (table salt), sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and 2-phenethyl propionate (a derivative of peanut oil).

It's tough to find a balance between a nice lawn and a safe environment for pets. Vegetable gardens are most abundant when free of pests like squash bugs. The same is true for inside spaces. No one wants to live with ants, fleas, roaches, scorpions or ticks. And bugRIGHT offers an option. It is important to note that a study presented in the January 2012 issue of the Environmental Research journal found that exposure to professionally-applied lawn pesticides was shown to a significantly higher risk – 70 percent – of canine malignant lymphoma (CML). While the study did not contain many specifics, there was enough information provided in the results to raise a red flag. And there is certainly enough concern to show a link between CML and pesticides. In reporting the study, Whole Dog Journal noted that dogs “can serve as sentinels for human disease because they are our close companions and are subjected to many of the same environmental influences.” The article, authored by Barbara Dobbins goes on to say that while the goal of the study was “to identify risk factors for CML from exposure to environmental chemicals … for humans,” it is important to note that canines and humans experience different exposures to lawn care products. Humans generally do not come in direct contact while dogs – their bodies and their toys – do.

Goss and his wife, Freda, developed bugRIGHT after they recognized their own need for a nontoxic alternative to garden chemicals. bugRIGHT is safe to use inside and out and even directly on pets. While made of food-grade materials, bugRIGHT should still be kept away from children and pets and should not be ingested. The dust from bugRIGHT powder could be irritating to respiratory systems and because the product contains essential plant oils, it may cause reactions in those sensitive to fragrances.

bugRIGHT comes in two containers so users may select method of delivery.

The 11-ounce shaker canister (suggested retail $15) is best for spreading evenly on gardens or carpeted areas.

Even though it seems like winter will never end, it won't be cold forever. Look for bugRIGHT today. You won't be sorry.

bugRIGHT is available at stores throughout northeastern Oklahoma. Distribution is expanding east and into Texas. To find out where you can buy bugRIGHT and to read more about the product, it's history and plans for the future, visit bugRIGHT

(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?