This Won’t Be A Post About Clicker Training. It Will be a Post About Sunbathing. And Dogs.

May 17, 2013 By 7 Comments
"white female whippet laying in grassy back yard in the sun"

This won't be a post about clicker training with my three dogs: the one out of the three that doesn't need it because she's 14 years old with a grade 3 heart murmur which means that she gets a treat for watching the antics of the other two, the one that kinda, sorta, does need it but because she's been with us for four years, she's already grasped the benefits of reward-based training behavior and the one that is enrolled in a "manners" class out at Lollypop Farm for the next six weeks, the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Adoption And Rescue, Tessa The Wonder Dog, Women And Dogs Tagged With: , , ,

Green Is The Color of my Neighborhood. Life is Good.

May 7, 2013 By 2 Comments
"dogwood tree with white blossoms"

My neighborhood is greening up, the dogs are lounging in the back yard instead of zooming around like crazed speed merchants; windows are open, skiess are blue and there's a bumper crop of dandelions sprouting up faster than you can say, "Wow. Look at that." Once again, we've come out of winter to an early spring. It's good to be here. The farmer's market opened last Saturday which brought back one of my favorite vendors, Sweet & Woodsy Aromatherapy. This year I'm determined to bring … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Life Lessons Tagged With: , , , ,

Victoria Stilwell’s Dog Book Teaches Self-Development & Leadership

May 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment
"photo of one Victoria Stilwelll book and two John C maxwell books"

Like many of her peers, Victoria Stilwell understands what it takes to develop awesome, healthy relationships with dogs. Understand, communicate effectively, always be positive and consistent.  Embrace life long learning.  She says, "A good relationship is based on cooperation, not dominance." Why is it that humans mess this up? What is it about the human condition that guarantees each one of us will fail, not just once, but many times before we get this right? Stilwell didn't think … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book And Product Reviews, Life Lessons Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Gracie Learns That Garages Aren’t So Scary

April 23, 2013 By 2 Comments
"head shot of female pit bull terrier"

How to desensitize a scary experience:  Remember the story about Gracie's reaction to the very loud blaring radio music pouring out from the garage? Here's what we did yesterday on Day 18 of Gracie's new life. As my son backs his car into the driveway, Gracie and I watch from the fenced back yard.  A.  gets out of his car, gathers his things, walks to the side gate, and waits. Gracie watches his progress and meets him on the other side. I open the side door to the garage, reach in and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Adoption And Rescue Tagged With: , , , ,

The House on the Corner, Pet Sitting, Gracie And More

April 22, 2013 By 2 Comments
" 2 story house on tree shaded lot"

  This house sits on the corner at the end of my street. Years ago, I knew the couple that lived there. She had Great Danes. He had two vintage Rolls Royce cars. The fence hiding the house from view was a stockade one, stained a light beige. The family that lives there now has regular cars, a Collie and (I think) a Boxer. Both dogs have beautiful yard manners, quietly coming up to fence to poke their noses through to sniff the dogs on the other side. I took this photo earlier in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dog Stories, Life Lessons Tagged With: , , , , ,