Month: July 2015

Why oh why…A Dog’s Opinion

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 31 Comments

IMG_1947     Sam here. There seems to be a lot of moaning and whining about dog behaviors from their human’s point of view lately. Well I thought I should defend  my canine brothers and sisters and give our side of the behavior that you find so grievous.

  • First, why is it a problem for me to lay in freshly spread mulch in the garden and get it all over my hair? You know I need some cushioning to sleep in the garden supervise your work lest you miss something. I know you’ll brush it off me before we go in the house.
  • And why don’t you want me in your lap when it’s 95 degrees out and I’m panting my head off? I just want to be with you as close as possible. Why don’t you get that? Surely you can cool me off when I’m on top of you, right?
  • If you’re doing yoga and I come by and give you an ear lick or stick my nose in your face when you’re doing downward facing dog, how come you collapse laughing hysterically? I’m just checking on you since you’re breathing so deeply loud.
  • I don’t see a problem with drinking water and walking across the room with my mouth halfway open dripping that water all over. I love you and want to show you at that moment. The dripping water is just a coincidental thing, ok?
  • Why do you yell, hop around on one foot and say bad words in the middle of the night when you step on one of my antlers? Doesn’t it make more sense to turn on a light then move those antlers from the spot where I left them? Or just stay in bed and cuddle with me?
  • Nose prints on the glass front door is not my way to making you do extra work, it’s me showing you how talented I am. Like snowflakes, you should remember that no two nose prints are the same. I do that on purpose because I’m so cultured and clever. You’re welcome.
  • I must be close to you at all times, particularly when you need a private moment to take care of bodily functions in the bathroom. That door between us breaks my heart because I hate obstacles keeping us from each other. Besides, you need me to keep your knees warm. Why are you in there anyway…there’s running water in there. Yikes.
  • Why are you so obsessed with me being clean? A little dirt never hurt anyone. There’s no need to vacuum all the grass and sand I track in every single week. You need to stop being so OCD about clean floors.
  • Why can’t you control that chirping sound from that thing in the ceiling? Isn’t there a remote control for that like the TV? I can’t bear that sound and waiting for you to drag out a step-ladder to replace the battery only wigs me out waiting.
  • On those occasions when I actually am allowed to sleep on the bed, I only take up a lot of space and the pillow because I’m not sure if or when you’ll let me do it again. Remember the closeness thing I mentioned above? Same thing here too.
  • I especially appreciate it when you’re bending over trying to put on shoes. That why I give you lots of dog kisses, wag my tails so much and weave in and out between you legs. It’s not because I’m deliberately trying to make you fall over-I just want to express my love for you. Is that so hard to understand?
  • It’s super important for me to jump around like a pogo stick and on you when you come home. I’m deliriously happy, I mean, what if someone snatched you and I was left all alone?  Who’d feed me? Ok, so you were only taking the trash out? And sure it’s only 25 feet away and you were gone only 27 seconds but it’s possible someone could. kidnap. you. I don’t understand this whole time concept thing anyway.
  • I don’t understand why walking outside the yard is not acceptable. You wig out because I’m on a great scent trail like it’s some big deal with me wandering half a block away. Chill out, mom-it’s a just a raccoon or fox I’m hunting.
  • Why can’t I sniff to my heart’s content when we go on our walks in the morning. I’m only reading pee-mail and catching up with all my BFF’s. I can’t help it you woke up late and are now making me rush before you abandon me go to work.
  • Why must we walk in the rain? You know I hate water, even puddles on the sidewalk, besides it makes my hair kink up. I’m not as handsome then and feel self-conscious. Please, please don’t make me walk in the rain; the only thing it makes me want to do is shake it off…once we get back into the nice dry house.
  • I absolutely know the mail lady is a serial murderer and must protect you with the loudest and most vicious barking possible. Once you open the door and I see who it is, you get handed a pile of junk mail and bills and I get the ear scratch. What’s wrong with that?
  • And finally, you always make a big deal out of me sneaking coming up behind you when you’re in the kitchen and turn around and trip over me. I can’t help it you don’t have super hearing like I do. Besides, I think all rustling of plastic means I will get a bite of cheese. I’m only there for your companionship but also for the cheese. I am Ninja dog.

So there you have a few of the things I’ve heard you and your fellow humans complain about. What other beefs do you guys have that I may have missed? I’m sure mom will have more to add to this list after she reads it.

Live, love, bark! <3

A Dog Walks into a Nursing Home

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 24 Comments

I know, the title of this post sounds like the beginning of cheesy joke. It’s not and in this case, it’s not about Sam either (well, for the most part). What I am referring to is the book, A Dog Walks Into a Nursing Home by Sue Halpern (Riverhead Books, 2013) which was a gift from my dear friend, Cheryl. She saw a review of it and thought of Sam and I since she knows how passionate I am about pet therapy (and dogs in general). I’ve known Cheryl since our days when we worked together for a global healthcare company some 12 years or so ago. Cheryl is the kind of friend you can only dream about. Funny, smart, beautiful, loyal and wise beyond her years, she’s the kind of person you’d hate if she weren’t such a terrific human being. She reads people and situations like no one I’ve ever known and every time she shares one of her patented Cheryl-isms, I think “oh my god, you’re my hero.” Her observations have been spot on over the past years I’ve known her and she was definitely right about this book once again proving what a terrific friend she is and for which I’m very grateful. Love ya, Cheryl! Thanks again for the book but more importantly thank you for your ongoing gift of friendship. I am truly blessed.

dognursinghome_cvf_med A Dog Walks into a Nursing Home is a story about Halpern and her Labradoodle facing life at a cross-road. Pransky was her under-occupied and bored older pet and Halpern herself was suffering from soon to be empty-nest syndrome. Upon reflection, she decides the two of them will become certified as a therapy team and volunteer at a Vermont nursing home. Their adventures proved insightful beyond expectation and they wander around the infinite possibilities where love of life and openness shine. This story deals with self-discovery of one woman’s quest to invest in others as a way to fill her day. The book is keen and insightful without being sappy for its description of the infirm and elderly. It doesn’t gloss over thoughts on aging and companionship. Soon Halpern learns to stretch her comfort zone by discovering death isn’t something to be feared through acceptance with dignity from an enthusiastic dog with a distinctive face who was happy to spend time with people who could use some love and affection. An even bigger lesson that Halpern discovered was how simple acts of kindness transform not only the recipient but also to the giver.

This book impacted me in a number of ways. Oh sure, I thought of our shared experiences. We have engaging, clever pets who force us out of our comfort zones and we both visit patients, visitors and staff though Sam and I aren’t afforded the luxury of developing ongoing relationships with patients. Initially I was somewhat envious until I realized Halpern and Pransky watched their patients slowly decline over time and in the case of dementia, witness a slow dreadful death I wouldn’t wish on anyone. When older people die, the general consensus is “this is the circle of life, an inevitability.” When someone passes who was “simply too young to die,” we view it as tragic, like an icy wind that stays with us. Acknowledging the difficulty of returning to the room of a young resident who had passed, Halpern felt disloyal. Many of their visits were to patients suffering from dementia and when I see those kinds of patients, my thought is “but for the grace of God, there go I.” It’s humbling to view an eventual outcome many of us fear. Not the mere idea of death mind you, but how we get there. Living life is truly all about the journey.

Sam and I see patients once and the majority of them heal and go back to resume their regular lives. There is always someone new in their rooms, and for Sam and I, it’s like Day 1 all over again. We’re granted a fresh new slate every time we arrive. I’m not sure I could handle repeat visits especially when I see patients at hospice who are left completely alone. It would leave me feeling too sad. I cannot imagine leaving life with no one to see you on the path to wherever that next chapter goes and more than once the thought has left me heartbroken.

One thing I came away with after reading this book, was that both Pransky and Sam make no judgment on the people they see. They love unconditionally for that exact reason and make it look so effortlessly. They have love to spare. Goodness is theirs to dispense yet the distance between giving and receiving is sometimes murky.  And although we share memories, these remarkable creatures on the opposite side of the proverbial coin known as pet therapy, show us that living in the present is the most valuable lesson we can learn.

Bottom line…I highly recommend this book. It’s a quick and easy read but it will make you think about mortality and whether you are misusing your gift of life. Read it. You’ll be glad you did and you’ll smile at the thought of a goofy dog walking down a hospital corridor ready to dispense love and a tail wag to any and everyone he comes in contact with along the way.

Live, love, bark! <3

 

Tuesday Trivia ~ July 7, 2015

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 16 Comments

It’s Tuesday and that means it’s time for some interesting obscure trivia.

Did you know that spiked collars were invented in ancient Greece and were designed to protect dogs throats from wolf attacks?!

The phrase, “man’s best friend” is thought to have originated from a Missouri courtroom speech in 1870 involving a farmer who sued a neighbor who shot his dog.

And lastly, In our last trivia post, Sam shared about seeing eye dogs learning to pee and poop on commend. Well…there’s something about a seeing eye goose for a blind boxer! Buttons, a 4-year-old goose leads her buddy around by hanging on to him with her neck or honking at him as to where to go. Aren’t animals are simply amazing?!

6a00d8341bf67c53ef014e88060286970d-450wi

Live, love, bark! <3

Hospital Howlidays

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 21 Comments

IMG_1918 Even though it was a few days before July 4th, I didn’t get a chance to share our adventures last weekend when we had shifts. Sam brought the same red, white and blue spirit to hospice and hospital as he does every time we go. When we went into the gift shop to say hello to the volunteer high school girls he loves so much, I spied a battery operated necklace that would show off Sam’s ‘howliday’ spirit. Everyone seemed to love it especially when Sam cast a handsome pose my patriotic buddy in the lobby, all lit up.

A young woman came down from visiting her mom while Sam was posing and asked if we wouldn’t mind dropping in to say hi to her folks-she thought they’d both enjoy the visit. Of course, I said and we went up to her room; sure enough she was right. The mom and dad very much enjoyed Sam’s visit (even though he seemed pretty interested in the dad’s roast beef sandwich-oye that dog!). Then we went off to our assigned floor to visit the short-term behavioral patients. When we arrived, “Mary,” was one of the patients who instantly captivated with Sam. He patiently allowed her to hug him repeatedly around the neck while she practically squealed with delight. Both her and the therapists kept saying how calm and sweet he was to allow all that neck-hugging attention. It’s always rewarding when we can put a smile on a patient’s face and make their day a little bit brighter for them, both literally and figuratively. The light-up necklace was a huge success. 🙂

Live, love, bark! <3

Yankee Poodle Dandy

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 17 Comments

Happy Birthday, America from this red, white and blue pup. As we celebrate America’s 239th birthday, remember to be safe and protect your pup from the stress of fireworks. Today, of all days, make sure his collar is especially secure and ID tags visible. And don’t underestimate the power of Bach’s Rescue Remedy and lavender essential oils to calm your pets. Have a great weekend!

IMG_1938

 

Live, love, bark<3

Leader of the Pack

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 33 Comments

Remember that 1964 pop song ‘Leader of the Pack‘ by The Shangri-Las (dear lord, did hair really look like that back in the 60’s-OMG!). It was a pretty decent hit for the girl band and a moderate cover hit for Twisted Sister in 1985 (among others) about teenage tragedy. But what I mean by leader of the pack here relates to ‘leadership.’ Wikipedia says this about leadership:  “…described as “a process of social influence in which a person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task.” The dictionary defines leadership as  a person who guides or directs a group, providing guidance or direction. When it comes to our dogs, we definitely provide support and direction. We are their caretakers, making sure they remain safe. As owners we are charged with their safekeeping, we provide a pack that they may thrive, shelter from storms, food and love. This is what they need, this is what we do if we’re responsible pet owners.

Another aspect of the dynamic relationship with our fur-kids is loyalty. We are faithful and devoted to them and they to us. It’s a unique bond between biped and canine and I had an opportunity to view the two side by side the other evening when I was out in the garden. I often let Sam hang with me in the garden while I putz around pulling Sumac seedlings (will they never end?), watering, etc. He loves being outside keeping an eye on me, sniffing to his heart’s content without me nagging him to move along but mostly he loves to greet passers-by. A couple of women who live nearby stroll by frequently with their pup and Sam absolutely adores both of them. He’s isn’t all that crazy about their pooch who even after 2 years still goes immediately for Sam’s ears, but any chance to see either of them, well he’s more than happen to split from the yard to say hi, tail furiously wagging with a big goofy grin on his face. They always laugh at Sam’s goofiness and we chat about the latest goings on in our ‘hood. As soon as Sam spied them, he was gone in a flash, despite my calls to stay screeching. That dog was on a mission and it didn’t involve me. Luckily he didn’t run out into the street and no one was hurt, other than my ego at my lack of ‘leadership’ with him. He leaned heavily against on Roxann’s leg, looking longingly up into her face. He was in heaven with his friend. I called him repeatedly to get back into the yard but my pleas voice went unheard. I walked out to the sidewalk to bring him back and he still refused to budge. We all chuckled about it but it got me to thinking. Why was my dog ignoring me (beyond usual)? Did he not respect my leadership where his interests collided with my commands and his needs?

Then I said, “ok for you, I’m going back inside,” and started back up the walk toward the porch. He then came galloping toward me immediately and then leaned against my leg looking up with those adorably sweet amber eyes. I realized that while my ‘leadership’ may be hit or miss sometimes with Sam, his loyalty can never be questioned. He’ll always be my lap dog, peacefully snoozing away on top of my legs and yes, probably dreaming about the next encounter with one of his neighborhood BFF’s but I know he’ll always be completely mine.

Hanging with my loyal buddy
Hanging with my loyal buddy

Live, love, bark! <3

Wordless Wednesday

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 23 Comments

DSC00531 [Before…otherwise known as late May]

IMG_1895 [After-1 month later]

The lupine has been taking over the yard and are now swallowing up the dog. BOL Not that I mind (the taking over the yard part). 😉

P.S. One of these day, Wordless Wednesday will be actually wordless, I promise.

Live, love, bark!