Category: Dogs

Creature Thoughts, July 2019: Ditch the Dish

Many of my doggy clients have heard me speak of “Nothing In Life Is Free (referred to by many trainers as NILIF).” That is the process of teaching a dog to turn over control of his resources (and as a result, his anxieties over territory, food, and a slew of other stresses), by asking the dog to “say please” (by sitting) for everything he wants. Part of this plan is to hand-feed your dog his dinner, which builds a relationship of trust.

Ian Dunbar’s approach (along with a few other trainers who follow a similar philosophy of relationship-building) is to eliminate the food bowl altogether.

Emergency Funds Needed for Saluki Rescue

Recently, a Saluki person passed away in the southwest, US, and one of the dogs in need of rehoming was found non-responsive in the owner’s yard when the volunteers went to pick him up. This boy is now in critical care, but recovering, and his prognosis, though guarded, has improved.

However, the situation has led to vet bills that are already high and climbing daily. STOLA is in need of donations to cover this poor boy’s bills, and I would be so grateful to anyone who might visit their website and make a donation.

April Update

I have had a few people email recently to ask if I’m still living on planet Earth. My apologies for not having sent out a Creature Thoughts in a while, and for the website/blog having been so quiet. Life in general has been keeping me on the sidelines — or perhaps it has pushed what used to be life in general to the sidelines. Either way works.

Creature Thoughts, January 2016

I know that many of you have been through similar situations. You have adopted animals who, for one reason or other, had their worlds turned upside down. Some had families who had to move and couldn’t take the pets. Others got lost themselves, and never found again. Others, like Ryder, were grieving for the loss of their owners to age or illness. Ryder’s presence in our home, and in my heart, have given me a greater appreciation of what I’ve attempted to help so many of you through.

How courageous these dear beings are. It is truly an honor to be chosen to provide the comfort and love the animals need to once again trust that their world, this new world, is a safe one.

Ryder Joins The Family (& an update)

I have lost the dog of my heart. Ryder has lost his heart-human and the only mum he has ever known. Two lost souls are come together, to help one another to heal. I have no doubt that our angels, Lin and Kai, have arranged this journey for us.

Welcome, Ryder, good boy. You are loved.