They are not Children

I've heard people say it. I've read it, but the last time it was directed at me and it was my Achilles heal I guess. While in session with a physical therapist, chatting about my work, she blurted out that she has a dog, she loves her dog, but she would not spend "that kind" of money on him After all, he's not a child.

This statement brought up several uncomfortable issues for me. First being the feeling of a personal attack. I mean, she basically just invalidated my work, what I believe in. Second, why did she think it was appropriate to tell me that at all? I am her patient for crying out loud. We weren't on a personal level. Quite unprofessional. Third, what does that statement really mean?

"He is not a child". As in; a person between birth and full growth; a boy or girl: a son or daughter; a baby or infant? No. But in the sense that many people feel the emotional bond with their dog, the important relationship they have with their animal means the world to them.

Our 'pets' are dependent on us for nearly everything, food, water, shelter, companionship, the basics of life. Quality of life for them is where the biggest differences arise, between 'pet ownership' and our dog being an equal member of the family. Most people I know equate love with the emotional bond and level of closeness they feel with their animal. For instance, it is hard to believe that a person who leaves their dog outside, rain or shine, hot or cold has the same level of loving relationship with the person that sleeps with their dog.

My point is that we have 'adopted' this living, breathing being, brought it into our home and family. By doing so we have committed to caring for it. The level of care is open to interpretation, just as it would be for a human child, as long as the basics are met. But it was a decision we made and it was a life changing decision. Much more so for this animal than for us. They are our dependents, who rely on us and want nothing more than to please us and be with us. For many people that is the difference. Their dogs love them unconditionally. I can't say that for a biological child. So why is that not important enough to some people?

Many of my clients have children but they had their dog first. Others have children who have grown and moved on, living their own lives. And there are others who have no children. Many of these people, men and women, have confided in me that they love their dogs more than they can express. The dog is their 'child'. That does not mean they love their biological children less, but that these amazing animals bring a kind of love to their lives that no one else has.

I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY by Janine Allen, as posted on the web

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering
apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew
I had to help her.

I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.
As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little
accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know
that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the overworked shelter
keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about
my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make
a difference in someone's life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I
shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to
comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate
for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I r aised my paw
to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I
instantly jumped into her arms.

I would promise to keep her safe.
I would promise to always be by her side.
I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile
and sparkle in her eyes.

I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are
out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be
saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today."

The new year is a time for taking stock, for affirming what is working out and seeking change for what isn't. Every year brings new challenges. Some years more than others. The one constant is change whether we welcome it or not.

2009 will be challenging for most all of us. The economy is a big factor in our lives. Our health and the health of those we love is a major concern. With the cost of health insurance rising and our jobs hanging on by threads we question what we really need and what we can do without.

I have been in this same situation. Dealing with my arm pain has been a priority so that I can continue to do the work that I love. Other issues have taken a back seat. What I realize after the last several months of this routine is just how much our body relies on balance.

My regular massage and chiropractic visits have been on hold and my routine acupuncture has been stopped as well. My yoga practice has become my only balance. Between occupational therapy, doctor visits and prescriptions, my healthcare budget is stretched to the limit.

The time has come to re-evaluate the situation and decide where to go with my path to well-being for the new year.

I understand the distress of having to decide how much wellness care to pursue. It can be spiritually draining. My personal goal is to continue to re-incorporate the therapies that have been so helpful to my over all health, albeit on a less frequent, but regular basis.

Moderation is my theme for 2009. The visits to my massage therapist and chiropractor may be scaled back, but I will continue to do what I know my body needs. I have found out that stopping all together is not the answer, financially, physically or spiritually. If I cut back on the activities that I don't need, I have the ability to enjoy and be rewarded with the things I do need. What a concept. I seem to vaguely remember my Mother telling me this many years ago:-)

I wish everyone a healthy year to come, including laughter, love and stability. Namaste

Greetings from the Rock of Gibraltar

"Departing the Rock of Gibraltar on a fine and sunny day.  I wanted to thank you for all your work tom make this possible.

I Have been pain free since last in your good care."

From Kevin, a massage client who came in to see me after throwing his neck out and was in terrible pain.  Between massage and the physical therapy he received he was out of pain and ready to return to work in a short time.  I am happy to have been able to help.  

It's Swim Season

Finally, the weather trend is looking a bit warmer, the sun is shining more and the days are definitely longer.  Our bodies are waking up to the potential of warm weather activities.  We have many opportunities for entertainment outdoors, camping, hiking, going to the beach.  Many of our dogs love water and want to swim and frolic in the summer fun as well.

Swimming is one of the very best forms of exercise.  The resistance of the water, the full range of motion and the cardiac work are the main reasons.  Even if you are not a strong or good swimmer, there is still fun and great exercise to be had.  Wear a life jacket or floatation belt to help you out and you can have just as much fun as the good swimmers, even if you don't look as cool.  

Safety is everything in the water.  Always be safe and make sure the kids and pups are safe.  Admittedly, I really know nothing about child safety other than make sure they always stay with their Mom or Dad.  That way I don't have to worry about them:-)

Now dog safety, that's a different animal, literally.  As a canine water therapist, one thing I hear a lot that is simply not true, is that all dogs know how to swim.  What all dogs know how to do is kick their legs when they are in the water.  Many of the dogs I work with at SplashDog splash around, kicking their legs and straining to keep their heads out of the water in the beginning.  This works pretty well for a while but I can tell you, they will tire quickly.  If there is any kind of current this is an even faster recipe for disaster.  At SplashDog we do teach dogs how to swim and swim safely. 

The only way to know if your dog is able to swim safely is to watch them do it.  I don't advise anyone to throw their dog in the water as I have heard of some people actually doing.  They have the opinion that the dog will sink or swim.  Well, that is pretty harsh.  The shock of being thrown into water will create a panic and, more than likely, create panic swimming which is what I described above, not safe.

A better way to see if your dog can safely swim is to walk them into the water, or if in a pool, lift them in.  Be sure you are fully covered, not in a bikini or just swim trunks as you could possibly get pretty scratched up.  Once the dog is in the water far enough to need to swim let go of them but keep close enough to be sure you can grab them if need be.  They could swim the wrong direction, away from you or begin to sink.  If either happens, lift them up a bit under the torso and steer them by holding the chest as well.

If the dog turns out to swim on their own relatively well, still keep an eye on them in case they tire before they get to an area that they can stand up. We tend to feel that dogs are capable of climbing up on docks, boat steps and big rocks after they have been swimming.  That is a dangerous assumption.  Be ready to help your dog out of the water after a swim.  I've seen many dogs at SplashDog have a great swim and then collapse when they tried to walk up the steps to get out. 

One way to be assured that your dog is safe is to use a canine life vest.  There are several on the market.  The only way to be sure to get a good fit is to try it on.  If you order one and it doesn't fit snug and close securely, be sure to return it and get a better fit.  The last thing you want is to be in a dangerous situation and have the dog slip out of the vest.  Most vests have handles built in to the top of the vest that help if you need to grab your dog.  Many now have reflective strips which are especially great if you boat and are out with your dog after dark.

One website I found, listed below, has several types of vests.  

http://www.pontoonspecialists.com/c-76-your-pets-page.aspx

I did a search for "canine floatation device" and came up with quite a few sites.  Or you could check with local pet supply shops and sporting goods supply stores to find a vest that you like. 

My last word on this subject:  not all dogs like to swim, even Labs.  Don't force your dog to swim.  If you want them to swim or want to know they can for safety, be patient and help them learn.  This is the kind and safe way to enjoy the water with your dog and your dog will probably appreciate the time with you in the process:-)

Have fun, enjoy summer and stay safe! 

Training Successes and Not So Much

For those of you who know Devi, you may know her as the sweet, happy, playful little girl that I know so well, or you may know her as the little Tasmanian Devil dog that has become a handful of twisting growling fur and teeth.

Thankfully, the latter is very infrequent, although never okay.  It began with some growling and posturing when she was on her leash and another dog would get close enough to smell.  She did great at the dog park right off the bat.  Once in a while she would get in a tussle, but not bad and who knows why or who started it.  

As she became more secure at home and with me, oddly enough, she began getting fiestier.  The one that really set her off was my Mom's little dog Lady.  Lady is approx. 14/15.  She was a rescue in the fall of 2006 from Paws and it took awhile for her to bond with Mom.  No one seems to know much about her past but she obviously decided she needed to be courted.  

When Devi and Lady met I made a big mistake.  I had just had Devi about a week.  We entered Mom's apartment with Devi on leash.  Lady was asleep on the floor next to Mom.  The living area where we all were is pretty small.  Lady sleeps pretty deeply, is hard of hearing and possibly has some loss of sight.  Devi and I were about 3-4 ft. away from Lady when she woke up.  The first thing Lady saw was a dog right there in front of her, in here house, watching her sleep!  Man, who wouldn't have been grumpy.  

Lady barked at Devi and that was all it took.  Devi immediately went after Lady.  It scared the heck out of me and I pulled her frantically back with the leash and yelled at her.  Mom grabbed Lady and there was no damage except to my ego and all or our emotional states. 

That incident set the tone for the relationship between Lady and Devi.  Lady is a forgive and forget girl.  She will bark and grump at Devi whenever they get face to face, but mostly she is happy to just stay out of Devi's way.  Devi, on the other hand, even though she forgot about the immediate threat, will still go after Lady with, to my eye, no provocation.  Just out of the blue.  One minute every one is fine, going about their business, the next Devi is ready to pounce on Lady. 

Obviously, this is very upsetting and so I have not taken her back to Mom's since the last nasty incident.  Instead I called an animal behaviorist and have begun working with her on the leash aggression.  After we get somewhere with that then we'll confront the issue with Lady.

After we began the training routine, which she seemed to respond to nicely, Devi had digestive trouble due to the treating involved.  I got help and ideas from the behaviorist, Christine.  Devi began to backtrack.  Since I had to begin giving her treats that were basically her regular diet to keep from upsetting her, she lost interest.

Now, happily, we have found that microwave cooked, skinless chicken breast cut into tiny pieces is working great.  We have also incorporated the "gentle leader" head halter which will help control her if she decides not to cooperate with the training.  So far this system is working well.  We are working hard to be polite canine citizens so that everyone will know her as the sweet girl that she is.

A Weekend at the Ocean

Last weekend was my first trip back to Copalis beach without my boy Bud.  Bud loved it so much.  I'm so happy that Bud and Rusty and Joe and I were able to make 2 trips to Iron Springs last year, one in April and one in Sept., both beautiful.

Last Saturday Joe, Rusty, Devi and I went, arriving about 3pm.  We dumped all of our luggage and gear then hiked the short hike to the beach.  Copalis beach is about 30 miles north or Ocean Shores.  It is a huge expanse of soft, light colored sand bordered by picturesque red bluffs.  Iron Springs Resort sits on one of those bluffs, overlooking the ocean and beach.

Bud loved to feel the sand between his toes, the sea breeze in his face and to trot all over the beach, leash-free.  Little Rusty was always just behind Bud, following his "buddy" everywhere, fully trusting that the journey would be fun and safe.

This was Devi's first ocean visit as far as I can tell.  She was excited but not overly so, to the point of getting too far away from us.  She was such a good girl.  Joe and I enjoyed throwing the flying disc as far as possible for her and watching her run fast and free.  We encouraged Rusty to go too, to run after Devi, or the disc.  He stayed close to us, running out close to Devi when she wasn't too far from us.  He was doing it for us.  Poor little guy.  I think he missed Bud.  He hasn't bonded with Devi much yet.  

Our second day was a rainy, grey Sunday.  We braved a walk on the beach anyway.  The tide was way out and we actually made it pretty close to Copalis Rock and got completely soaked.  The dogs were not only soaked, but caked in sand.

A couple baths later and after a short nap we found Devi's left eye was swollen shut.  After my initial panic, I was able to track down the one emergency Vet. on call within an hours drive in Hoaquim.  Dr. Westby was great.  He found that she had cut her 3rd eyelid, probably from grabbing and shaking the crab legs she found on the beach earlier.  An eyewash and antibiotic ointment treatment helped her out and I felt much better knowing she was safe.

During the journey back we were pulled over by a State Trooper for speeding!  Crap!  What a day.  After Joe explained the whole story and the Trooper saw the dogs, especially Rusty and his smiley little face, he let Joe off with a warning saying that we were lucky he was a compassionate person:-)  Nice guy.  Joe was careful to keep the cruise control engaged as much as he could after that.

We had a really nice time even with the rain and the health scare.  A day on the ocean is a good day, regardless of the weather.  Can't wait to get back again.