A Dark, Rainy, Winter Evening

Meanwhile, after hours at the InterUrban Building.... Devi and Rusty decide it's play time!

SEEing part of BEing

This morning as I was barreling down the short stretch of the Interurban Trail, on my way to the bus terminal at 6:45 am, I realized that my line of sight had been a tunnel straight ahead since I started the walk. I looked up at the sky, above the streetlights and ambient haze to see a beautiful predawn light creeping into the dark blue-black and tiny pin pricks of crystal clear light twinkling through. An audible chuckle came from my throat as I got this deep down feeling that nature was smiling on me,almost like a game of peek-a-boo.
My stress of catching the bus and the day ahead rolled away. Water over a pebble. I am thankful.

Help Our Local Economy, Shop Locally This Holiday Season

Please think about helping your local businesses this holiday season. How about gift certificates for things people love, like massage, or a movie at the Edmonds Theater. We have so many great restaurants...Think of one you have heard good things about but haven't been to yet (like Caravan Kebab maybe) and take a friend to lunch or dinner. Glorious Treasures at Firdale Village is what it sounds like; a treasure trove of eclectic items someone on your list will love! Don't forget about the sweet animals... How about a day at The Whole Pup, or Peanut's Pals (for small dogs). The Whole Pup also offers grooming and has training available that is fun and productive (I can attest). How about a holiday meal for your dog at The Dining Dog? It is a one of a kind experience for you and your dog! SplashDog has gift certificates and (shameless plug) so does Works with Dogs if your pup needs some cozy physical therapy.
So, happy holiday season to everyone and thank you for shopping locally and supporting your friends and neighbors!

Coming to Terms

Okay, I should be working. I have a lot of work to get done and feel like there is no end to the additional projects that pop up. But, right now I have to stop, reflect and acknowledge what I have been dealing with lately.

As someone who works with dogs professionally to try to ease pain and discomfort I am very often working with old dogs and disabled or mobility challenged dogs. When I say often, I'm talking about probably ninety percent of my canine clients fall into that category. I feel good about what I do. My clients and their guardians are usually helped and most often report success to some degree. The difficulty comes from the fact that they are old.

Old dogs are special. Like elderly humans the dogs sometimes change in ways we can understand if we put thought into it. They can become more demanding, more stubborn, more dependent on a strict routine and other mental changes occur that can be tough to deal with. They also start showing signs of physical changes like difficulty getting up and down, general mobility problems, change of sleep patterns, and weaker bladder and control of bowels plus loss of hearing and site. It isn't easy growing old and these dogs, our family members, need more care and attention as they go through these changes. They deserve our patience and understanding.

Caring for an elderly dog can be challenging to say the least. As a complimentary care health practitioner who works with these dogs my challenge is to deal with what is going on with them and their family through the aging process. Seeing them once a week or every other week, it doesn't take long for me to become very close to them. I develop a special feeling for each of the dogs I work with. When the time comes that I won't see one of them again it is painful.

Recently one of the beautiful dogs I have worked with for 4 years passed away. I was allowed to say goodbye to him. I am so grateful to his family for allowing me to have some one on one time with him and touch him one more time. I loved this dog very much. My pain is nothing compared to what his family feels I know. I've been on that side too.

Just as I move on and begin to book new clients and meet more dogs that need care, I am surprised to find out that another of my clients has failed. The circumstances are beyond the guardians means and probably beyond the point of any Veterinary care other than palliative or hospice. The dog's guardian was distraught and defeated. He didn't know who to call or try to contact. We discussed options and I was able to give him some referrals of in home Vet.'s that could help him help his dog pass on.

After hanging up from this last conversation I feel a strange detachment. Not from the dog or the guardian but from daily life. Almost as if I am moving out of a home. That feeling I get when I have been comfortable for a long period of time with my surroundings and now I have to walk away. That is how I cope. Sometimes it is much harder to do than other times. Today is hard. I will allow it to be but tomorrow I must walk.

Oliver Goes Swimming

Hi my name is Oliver. You may have seen my picture on J's site (although I am much handsomer in person) as I occasionally get massages from her

About a month ago my mom picked me up at The Whole Pup (another good place to see pics of me) and said "you are going to see J Linn tomorrow and swim!" Huh I thought-me swim. Oh no I don't think so. I am a Lhasa (ok mix but still) not a LAB-what was she thinking??

Saturday arrived and off we went-yippee. I have been to Splash Dog before Tully Girl used to go there to swim. I smelled the air and thought I am outta here no swimming for this dude!
I see J Linn and think ok, not so bad a massage which I could use after a hard week playing at TWP.. Egads, I have to get in the water first- no way Jose! Well, of course I was overruled and into the water went. Now I love my mom but she acts like a cheerleader-"come on Oliver you can do it." Geez, how embarrassing. Then she makes fun of my unique use of my tail as a rudder. How rude is that I ask you?

Well, finally I am done and let me tell you I ran down the ramp and was excited to get into the tub for a bath-which I am usually not-who wants to smell like that shampoo? I like my manly ala naturale smell.

Low and behold two weeks later and there I was again. It was not as bad this time but still-I am a cool dude and messing with my "do" is just not right. My mom tells me I am swimming better-Tully must me helping me. Well, maybe a little. She was old and she could swim like nobody's business.

Then last Saturday there we were again. I was excites this time though because I had been practicing my technique during my many naps. And let me tell you I was a sight to behold! I swam and swam. No rudder needed! I swam around the pool 3 times! Not bad for a pup with crooked front legs. J Linn said I am buff like I work out in the gym (thank you for noticing!) but with more swimming I will have a body like a runner! I may be neutered but I am still a chick magnet. Devi, Char and all The Whole Pup girls like to spend time with this dude!

So now I like going to Splash Dog and seeing J, grabbing a massage and SWIMMING! If I can only keep my mom from putting Tully's yellow ducky robe on me after my bath! I mean really.. a yellow duck on this buff bod? What is she thinking??

The Paw Rating System for Vehicles

Over the last month or two I have been shopping for a different car. My 1990 Subaru Legacy wagon had served me well over the last 8 years and I am grateful that I had such a low maintenance vehicle. It has over 200 thousand miles on it and lots of little, head-ache repairs that need to be done to make it as lovable as it used to be. That could be a story in itself.

I will jump to the current. In the beginning of my search I was sure I wanted another Subaru wagon. What better car for someone who is prone to lugging around lots of stuff and who takes her dog pretty much everywhere? Okay, I hear all of you suggesting mini-vans and SUV's, but I like a wagon.

A friend of mine has a Forester and I suggested that if she wanted to sell it, I would be interested. I love the 1 owner, used cars. She told me it was a '4 paw' but the new ones she has looked at are definitely '3 paws'. What?! Oh, the paw rating system. On a scale of 1-5 how well does the car accommodate dogs and the needs we have with our dogs, 1 to 5 paws. Now that she mentioned it, there are more considerations than I had originally thought.

The next step was searching Craigslist and hitting car lots. The first thing I noticed was that big paw rating reducer, the seats did not fold down flat in the cargo area. Not great for several reasons. Another downside, cloth upholstery. My '90 Subaru had beautiful dark blue brushed upholstery...with little white furs stuck in it, everywhere, thick. Hmmm, to increase paw ratings my next wagon needed a flat cargo surface and leather or vinyl upholstery.

As I began looking at other makes of cars, I got choosier and could tell with a glance whether it was dog friendly or not. Too high off the ground, nope. No sunroof, huh-uh. You get the idea.

All of this lead me to what seemed to be the perfect choice, the Volvo wagon. Skip ahead now as I knew that was what I wanted and was on a mission to find the right match. Mileage, wear and tear and price were the main considerations. Found it. Bought it.

After getting it home and transferring the important stuff like the "wag more, bark less" stickers and the dog beds, I was ready to take Devi for her initial ride in the new, luxury, 5 paw wagon! Da-da-da-DA! She jumped in and sniffed it over, saw her stuff in it and knew we were going somewhere. She jumped into the front seat a little precariously due to the new feel of leather under her paws. She settled into her co-pilot's seat, sitting up straight, looking out the front window, occaisionally checking out the sides. Wait a minute! She couldn't see out the front window and barely out the side. The seat is low and the dash is high. She stood up and stretched as high as she could but slipped and crashed back down to an awkward sit. Feeling unsure of herself, she curled up in her nap position and rode the rest of the way without standing up.

Could it be? After all of that searching for the perfect 5 paw wagon I got it wrong? Would any dealer let me take my dog along on the test drive? Next time I will check. But for now, we have a 4 paw wagon that has a new foam, non-slip, booster seat and some rubber, non-slip, covers on some key areas of upholstery. Devi loves the sunroof and the flat cargo area, oh, and the air conditioning (another must on my list of paw rating advantages). I am happy with the car and my decision despite the alterations. And Devi? Well, she puts up with anything as long as we are together :-)

My Demo Dog

Not only is Devi my (almost constant) companion, playmate, ambassador, and protector, now she has become my demo dog as well. I teach a class which introduces people to canine massage so that they can use some professional techniques on their dogs safely and effectively. Devi helped me demonstrate a few of the techniques for a class and did very well. She only had to help for a few minutes as we didn't have a chance to have a good exercise session before the class and I didn't want her get disruptive.

She also was able to help alleviate a fearful dog's anxiety about the pool at SplashDog. The dog is afraid to swim and is anxious about the pool itself. I have had 3 sessions with her standing on the entry stairs across my lap to receive massage and have gotten her comfortable enough to stop shaking and stand up on her own. We have begun to leave the steps and make a circle in the water. Baby steps. She did pretty good with the circle this last time, getting a few swim strokes in.

As we were getting out of the pool I had an idea. The client dog knows Devi and they have gotten along well. Devi has never liked to swim but she has learned to do it very well when I direct her. I brought Devi up and got her into the pool, swam her a few laps so the client could see. Devi did great and the client actually did watch her. Now we'll see if she has any more confidence next time.

I have my work cut out for me training her to help me demo the 1st aid/CPR class, but we'll start working on that and keep working her into the other areas more. Do I have to claim her as an employee? W2? SS#? Hmm. Maybe I'll just pay her in biscuits.

Devi's Tummy Scratching Technique

Safe Swimming - Part III

Devi, safe in her life vest

Now, what if your dog doesn't swim, doesn't calm down or continues to be frightened. If you have tried the method in Safe Swimming - Part II and kept the sessions short and calm while praising your dog and they still aren't getting it or wanting to it could be that your dog is not cut out for swimming.

You can try a couple of options to make it more fun and/or distract them. If you have a significant other or a friend your dog loves you can both get in the water and guide your dog to swim to that person. When they get there they get LOTS of praise and maybe even pick them up and carry them back to the starting point and do it again.

Another thing that may help is a toy or treat. If you have a pup that is crazy for tennis balls or loves cheese that might give them a little motivation to loosen up and go for it. Some dogs aren't interested in treats or toys in the beginning but after a session or two and they still haven't calmed down you can try introducing the treats or toy then.

If these methods don't help be safe and only put your dog in the water when you are with them and can retrieve them in case of an emergency situation. I recommend using a canine life vest, fitted properly, anytime your dog is on or in a body of water. The video at the beginning of Safe Swimming - Part II is of my dog Devi swimming in the pool at SplashDog. She wears a floatation device around her neck. In the photo at the beginning of Part I she is in a raft with me on a lake with her life vest on.

A few notes before I conclude the series. You might notice your dog shaking their head while they are in the water. Some dogs can be sensitive to water getting in their ears. Devi gets quite distracted when water gets in her ears. Her swimming becomes erratic. That is why she wears a flotation ring to keep her ears out of the water. The ring can also help if a dog can't keep their mouth up out of the water. These rings are sold as alternatives to the cones or elizabethan collars, but they work great in the water.

If you have any question about your dog's health, be sure to check with your Veterinarian before putting your dog in the water. Swimming is a good workout and if your dog has any health issues there can be safety concerns.

Take care of your family around water so you can all have fun!

Safe Swimming - Part II

Teaching Your Dog to Swim

There are ways a person can safely determine what kind of swimmer their dog is and teach them proper, safe swimming form. The easiest of these is to call the closest canine water therapy pool or equivalent in your area. SplashDog in Edmonds, where I work, gets plenty of people who want to 1. find out if their dog can safely swim, 2. teach them the safe and effective swimming techniques and 3. get them comfortable with water.

Having worked with many of these dogs, I have found one thing that is going to make the process go faster and that is to be in the water with the dog. You can do that in any safe body of water, but at the canine pools, the water is warmer, more comfortable. When you work with any dog in the water, especially for the first time, expect to get beat up a little. Their flailing paws and unpredictable movement can get you scratched up. Wear clothing that will cover your arms and your upper legs. I wear water shoes as well as it gives me better traction in the water and it can be a challenge keeping up with a panicked dog.

The key is to be calm yourself. Don't get frustrated and force your dog into the water. If they won't walk in, don't pull them in by force right off the bat. Pick them up and walk in with them. Stop when you can stand them up in the water without it being over their shoulders. Try to get them to stand up. that may involve physically putting their feet on the bottom and holding them there for a few seconds so they can feel the ground. If they won't do it or begin to become anxious begin the swim training right away.

Staying calm, breathing and speaking in a soothing and happy tone of voice is a must. If you find yourself getting frustrated or frightened, stop the session promptly. Be sure to let the dog know they are doing a good job (even if you don't think they are). Some dogs can be very anxious about the unknown. If they are not typically around water they have no idea what is going to happen. The trust between you and your dog is key to making this process work well.

Once you are at the point of the dog standing in the water or have gotten to that point and they will not stand, proceed by putting one hand under them on their belly and a forearm or hand across their chest. Gently but purposefully pull them as you walk into slightly deeper water. Don't lift their belly or propel them through the water or they will allow you to do all the work. Your contact is only for support and steering. When they begin moving their legs, keep their forelegs in the water with your forearm,, or hand for smaller dogs across the chest. If the rear end begins to sink low, lift it a bit but don't constantly hold it up.

Steer the dog back to where they can stand on their own and encourage them to stand up without letting them run off. If you let them run onto shore now, it could be a struggle to get them back into the process. Repeat the process several times. When you feel the dog begin to relax with the paddling, not flailing as much, and they are swimming back to your starting point without a lot of steering on your part, then you can let them try swimming without full contact.

Safe Swimming - Part I

Springtime. One day is warm and sunny, the next cool and rainy. This is a great time to think about summer safety, before summer is here. If you spend time around the water with your dog be sure your dog is going to be safe. There are a variety of ways to help insure their safety in most water and weather conditions.

Many people still believe that "all dogs can swim". Uh, not true. This misinformation has been around forever. It seems to be based on the idea that if someone throws a dog into a body of water the dog will paddle and keep themselves from drowning for a while. I cringe whenever I hear that idea. Working with dogs in water regularly has shown me just how untrue it is.

Back in the days when dogs were considered working animals more than family members people didn't think much about how the dog felt, especially psychologically, about being forced into a situation that they weren't comfortable with. That is still the case in many people's opinions.

Let's put this in personal terms. Think back to when you were a child and you looked up to your Mom or Dad. You were about 4 years old. You were at a lake for a picnic on a warm day and all was fun and comfortable. Then suddenly Mom or Dad pick you up and toss you into the water. WHAT?! Do you know how to swim?? Uh, NO! But you kick and flail your arms and are able to keep your self from drowning for a few minutes. How would you feel? Probably scared to death, confused, and if you are lucky not scarred for life.

It may not be different for your dog. Yes, some dogs are naturally drawn to water and have more of a natural ability to swim properly. It isn't always breed specific as we are inclined to believe. I've worked with Labradors that didn't like to swim, and Dachshunds that loved to swim. It isn't always predictable. Even if a dog loves the water, he or she may not know how to swim well enough to swim safely, especially if they are in water with any kind of current or left alone.

Please read the upcoming posts to help insure your dogs safety while enjoying summer fun around the water.

What a Place, Especially if You LOVE Dogs!

I will stop short of saying that we live in a dog lovers paradise. Definitely not...but compared to much of the country Seattle and the surrounding area is pretty pro-dog. I sometimes get frustrated by rude comments and the people and businesses that are not open-armed about my dog, that is until I remember how many advantages we do have.

A person can hardly go a block in any residential area without running into at least 2 or 3 dogs. I live on the Interurban Trail and enjoy a steady stream of dogs and their people in all kinds of weather and all times of day (I don't go out there at night so I can't report on that). I would venture a guess that about 1 out of every 10 vehicles I see on the road has a dog in it.

We have doggie daycares in nearly every neighborhood, self wash dog washes, dog parks within a 10 minute drive most anywhere in the greater Seattle area. We are lucky to have some of the very best health care around, including Veterinary acupuncture and chiropractic, homeopathic practitioners, massage therapy, canine water therapy, pet 1st aid and CPR classes, nearly a dozen 24 hour emergency clinics, specialists in eye surgeries, cancer care and treatment, and more.

I have attended parties for dogs (yes the dogs) in honor of their birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations of life and farewells before death. Many of these include multiple dogs and their people, but it is all about the love of the four-legged (usually 4, sometimes 3), furry family members that many of us think of as our dependents. I have partied at The Dining Dog more than any nightclub, where we buy rounds of 'chowtini's' and gnosh on 'puppy pate' (and sometimes have some people food around for the humans). We sing to them, give them gifts, photograph and videotape them, play games with them, and share their unbridled joy at the attention they receive.

If this makes us crazy, then so be it. Those people that say we are demeaning our dogs by putting sweaters or jackets on them don't know the dogs I know. The ones I know that wear any kind of clothing would not have it left on them if they minded it. What is the difference between putting a pink sweater on my dog and some poor little kid having to wear their Sunday best and keep their hair perfect? The difference is, my dog gets cold without her sweater and once it is over her head she couldn't care less about it being there. If anything, she enjoys the attention.

When I hear people say that we spend too much money on our dogs I wonder why anyone would care about what I spend my money on. If I decided to spend everything I had and went into debt for a car no one would bat an eye. If I decide to spend a few thousand dollars to help my dog live longer and without pain, that is crazy?? Sorry, that is what doesn't make sense.

Our dogs have unlimited love to give, unbounded loyalty, they help keep us active, make us think about something/someone other than ourselves and bring us joy and comfort.

People who really love their dogs grieve the loss of their companion as much and often more than many other family members because of the closeness and unconditional love they give us. When I lost my 3 dogs my heart tore with each death. When the last of the 3 passed I felt like I was a balloon that had lost most of its air. So much of what I did in any given day was with, for or about my dogs. Coming home wasn't relaxing anymore and I didn't have a sidekick following me around the house keeping an eye on me. The joy of walking, riding in the car, arriving at a location and going to parks were all pretty muted. I spent months saying good night to each one of them before I fell asleep at night and feeling the tears when I realized I couldn't feel their fur or ears or breath anymore.

Then one day, I moved through the worst of it and began smiling again as I saw all of the other dogs and people who love dogs around me. Once I found my little girl and brought her home, I began the deeper level of healing. Although I still miss my other dogs often, sometimes painfully, I know we had one another to take care of and we were happy with that. My girl Devi is the focus now and I'm back to the routine of daycare, lots of walks, dog park visits, new doggie friends, everything that keeps me smiling and sane.

Yes, we live in a really good place. I can work with dogs professionally, recreate with them, so many dogs, so little time. We have a long way to go to become a dog lovers paradise, but we are on our way friends! Celebrate Dogs! (and dog lovers)

My Elusive Neighbor Makes an Appearance

Devi has been telling me for many months that there are otters out there! I have had a couple of clients who have seen otters on the dock on their way in for a session but I've never been quick enough to get any pictures.
That has changed. This one is pretty average sized. I saw an enormous one once that I hope will come back sometime and let me get a photo.

NEW WEBSITE IS LIVE

Please check out my new website at www.workswithdogs.com