Dog-ma

Training Tip: Unwanted Barking

2010-01-07T13:21:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: Please seek the help of an experienced, professional trainer who can assess your dog and the problem(s) and provide you with in person help. I am all for seeking as much information as possible, but given today's dog training atmosphere, it's more confusing & contradictory than ever! It is important that your trainer not only be experienced, but that you and your dog connect with him/her. Two organizations that can help you locate a trainer in your area are:

International Association of Canine Professionals

Association of Pet Dog Trainers

Learning why your dog barks is key in helping him stop the unwanted barking. Dogs bark as a way to communicate (and this can include incessant whining, howling, etc.). Rarely does a dog bark for no reason. She is trying to communicate something.

Here are some of the more common reasons dogs bark:

Boredom: What is your dog doing all day? Is he getting enough exercise and playtime with you? If he's just sitting around the house, alone, barking may be a way to vent some pent up energy. In addition to appropriate exercise and play, training new behaviors is an excellent way to mentally stimulate your dog. If your dog is alone for over 8 hours, you might want to consider a dog walker or day care a few days a week to break up the monotany.

Frustration: While some boredom barking can be attributed to frustration, dogs also get frustrated when it is unclear what is expected of them. This is usually a human problem due to inconsistency in training (poor timing, for example, which can lead to confusion). A good training class or one on one lessons can help fix this problem.

Separation Anxiety: If your dog has true separation anxiety, please consult a professional, as this is something beyond the scope of this post.

Increase or Decrease Distance: Fearful dogs will bark in order to tell you "Stay away!", other dogs bark seeking attention. While you do not want to reward the barking at that moment (since that will simply reinforce it), you do want to address the underlying fear or need for your attention.

Alert Barking: This type of barking is very familiar to most owners and usually welcome. Many owners want their dogs to alert them to people coming on their property, for example. It's when the barking doesn't stop, that there is a problem (think about the doorbell ringing, your dog charging the door barking and continuing this as you let in your friend). Training your dog to realize that the doorbell is not cause for all hell to break loose is possible! Again, please consult a trainer in your area since there are numerous ways to address this issue.

Play/Hunger: Dogs will also bark as an invitation to play either with you or another dog. Your dog also may have learned to bark or whine at you when he's hungry.

So, can you stop your dog from barking? No! That is how dogs communicate...but you can train her to stop the excessive barking in certain situations. Understanding why she barks and that not all barks mean the same thing is the first step in solving this problem. Finding a balanced, experienced trainer is the second. Good luck!

January 2010 is Train Your Dog Month!

2009-12-31T09:11:00.000-08:00

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers has declared January 2010 as Train Your Dog month. Many dogs found new homes over the holidays. Let's get started training them, so they can stay in those homes! I will be posting training tips throughout the month, but feel free to email me or comment if you have any questions: romanizmydog at yahoo dot com.

By the way, I will be right there with you. While most consider my dogs trained, there is always something that can be worked on or perfected. So, this month I am working on Roman and Tikka's territorial behavior in front of my house and perfecting their Rally Obedience (maybe we'll even enter a real trial for a change!).

Paws for Peace

2009-12-25T16:48:00.000-08:00

Whether you celebrate the holidays or not, it is always a good time to pause and reflect on the simple joys in life. What better way to spend a gorgeous Christmas day than at Ft. Funston with good friends and good dogs? Wishing you all a New Year filled with peace and a better understanding of our canine companions. We focus so much on what we need or have to teach them, or bad behaviors we must break, that we forget what they have to teach us: the simple joy of being alive in the moment! (click on photo for larger image)

Reliable Off Leash Control Starts with a Solid Foundation Part I

2009-12-11T10:53:00.000-08:00

Many clients come to dog trainers with one goal in mind, "I just want my dog to come when I call him off leash!"

While this is an important goal, what many people do not realize is that a solid foundation needs to be built first in the basics: sit, down, heel (walk on a loose leash at one's side), stay. As new dog owners scour the internet on methods of training, it can be quite overwhelming and contradictory on actually how to train these behaviors. This is why it is important to find a qualified trainer that you and your dog click with; one who sees each dog and owner as a unique team and customizes the training as the lessons progress.

There are many ways to teach a dog the foundation behaviors. I prefer a method that uses motivational techniques coupled with fair consequences. In my experience, the dog learns exactly what I want from him (and how to get his reward) this way.

Breed considerations need to be taken into account. My German shepherd learned a lot quicker what I wanted than my shih tzu mix. Does that mean he's smarter? Not necessarily (and the topic of a future blog). I trained both dogs in the basics using food (and a clicker for my GSD). Once it was clear they knew the behavior, food/clicker was phased out and I introduced fair consequences (in my case, the word 'no, with a pop on the collar). This is how I achieved reliable obedience the first time I asked for a sit or down, etc.

Once these behaviors were solid (and this is where patience, time and commitment come in...I trained several times a day for very short sessions...first starting in non distracting environments and building up to more distracting environments over the course of several months), it was time to introduce the recall command (come).

(Check out the Association of Pet Dog Professionals and International Association for Canine Professionals for a qualified dog trainer in your area)

Gentle Leaders: Not so Gentle

2009-08-15T07:31:00.000-07:00

Head halters (Gentle Leader, Halti) have gained in popularity over the years as the perfect, non-abusive way to train your dog not to pull on leash. The dog training world is so fragmented these days, it's hard to figure out which "tool" to use or "method" to follow. Head halters, along with no pull harnesses, are popular with positive only trainers (I will define a positive only trainer as one who concentrates on bringing about good behavior through the use of positive reinforcement-rewarding with food, toys, etc. while ignoring bad behavior and avoiding the use of aversives such as a collar correction). If you put a bunch of dog trainers in a room and start talking about training collars, without a doubt the controversy over head halters vs. other types of collars will spark quite the debate.

People often ask me why I do not use or recommend head halters in training. After all, they work on even the most powerful dogs with the owner barely pulling on the leash. I do not doubt they work on most dogs but I am convinced they are not a training tool and provide marginal management at best.

I don't like or use the gentle leader for several reasons:

1. Dogs hate it.

Why do they hate it? It gives constant pressure around their muzzle if they even slightly move forward, and, since a dog's muzzle is extremely sensitive (unlike his neck), this is uncomfortable in the least. Why would I put something on my dog he obviously finds immediately aversive? If I won't put it on my dogs (and I have used it on both of them), I'm certainly not going to recommend it to a client.

2. The potential for injury and misuse are considerably high-imo, higher than with a prong collar. Injuries associated with the head harness include cervical injuries due to the torquing of the neck if the dog lunges, for example. I've also seen people correcting dogs with the GL (giving leash tugs/pops). In the GL insert material, it even tells owners how to tug upwards to get the dog to sit. One positive only training class I took many years ago, said we could 'gently' pull the dog's head towards us to make him look at us.

3. It's advertised as 'scientific and positive' based on how a 'pack leader' or mother wolf firmly grasps a subordinate wolf around the muzzle. First of all, when dogs or wolves do this, it is a quick correction...not a constant source of pressure & aggravation at best or pain at worst. The GL material also states they got the idea from how equestrians handle horses with halters and that equestrians don't use prong collars on a horse's neck. This is true but look at the physiology of a horse's (a prey animal, btw) head. Also, equestrians may not use prongs, but they most certainly use various metal bits in a horses's mouth to gain control when riding. Very few equestrians ride untrained horses in halters! Bottom line...Dogs are not horses.

4. Head Halters are not a training device at all. They are a management tool (and I am not against management tools while owners learn the skills they need to change their dog's behavior, but this is one I avoid as it rarely leads to success-a dog who does not pull while not wearing it!) only and it's very difficult to transfer from a GL to a regular flat collar. I have never had that problem with a prong.

I've used GLs and haltis on my own dogs and seen the result of their use on countless others. They either completely shut down (no matter how many treats or time I gave them to get used to the halter) or fought it. I have not had that reaction with any other type of training collar. Why would I use something on my dog that he immediately finds aversive? I choose not to use it or recommend it to clients. Of course, some dogs will not find it aversive, but usually those are not the dogs that I see for training!

the Power of Praise

2009-08-07T08:58:00.000-07:00

Praise. You hear that a lot in dog training circles. Seems simple enough, but, what exactly is praise and what is the best way to give it?

Human nature tends to focus more when things are going wrong. Whether it be the car not starting, your child not cleaning his room, someone cutting in front of you in line or the dog chewing the leg off Grandma's antique dining table. These events usually call us to action. Believe it or not, dogs are similar. Everything is copascetic until it is not, then they will let the offender know under no uncertain terms! By conserving energy, and reacting only when something is wrong in the environment, both canine and human species have survived and thrived.

My little mixed breed, Tikka, does not go around giving Roman, my German shepherd, treats every time she catches him being good (for Tikka, 'being good' means, basically, stay out of my face and away from my stuff!). She never 'praises' Roman for not eating her food, chewing her toy or staying off her bed. How did Roman figure out what he could and could not do around her? By trying to do what he wanted to do, then getting nailed with an air snap and growl. She only had to do it once, her timing was so good, and now the two dogs live in perfect harmony. If Roman 'gets out of line', Tikka only need to give him 'the look' and he backs off.

Understanding this aspect of a dog's nature can go a long way when training your dog. Human society has evolved and most people live pretty cushy lives. Many dogs live cushier lives than many people! If you are reading this blog, you and your dog are probably not worrying about your next meal or being a next meal. In order to live in harmony in our modern human world, I believe dogs need to know what not to do, and this can be taught in a fair and kind way. BUT, dogs also need to know what TO do and this is where many people have trouble. Owners can learn how to motivate and reward their dog for doing the right thing. This is where praise comes in. Verbal praise is one form of reward to let your dog know when she has done the right thing and to motivate her to work with you. While I do use other types of rewards (food, toys and games) during the learning stage of training, I always make sure my clients understand the power of verbal praise when working with their dog. It is impossible to be consistent with treats and toys, but you always have your voice. Once a dog learns a behavior, we gradually reduce the use of treats but we always maintain the verbal praise. Praising your dog when he does something right increases the liklihood that he will do that behavior. This may seem so obvious and simple, but not so easy to remember when working our dog out in the real world (see second paragraph!). (a note about physical praise or petting. This type of praise can be overstimulating for some dogs, like my dog, Roman. On the other hand, if you have a dog that needs more encouragement, a nice pat in addition to verbal encouragement can help motivate him...a good dog trainer can help you figure out what type of praise works best for your dog and how to use your voice & timing to praise appropriately).

So, next time you have your dog out for a walk, try praising him to the high heavens every time he looks to you. Don't just say a flat, "goodboy", say, "WHAT a GOOD boy you are! That's IT! LOOK at YOU!" If off leash, don't give him any commands but tell him he is AWESOME every time he comes running up to you. If your dog is lying down and calm at home, tell her she is sooo very good. Be your dog's cheerleader and don't worry if strangers think you are nuts. By the way, this works with human children, too! In my elementary school classroom, I hand out 'caught being good' cards when I catch students making the right choices. I believe dogs are also emotional beings and when an owner tells her dog "Good job!", that's usually all it takes to get the energy flowing in a positive direction with a tail wag.

http://www.angelacasey.com/

Dog Days of Summer

2009-08-02T16:59:00.000-07:00

Everest, the Tibetan spaniel who has been staying with me for 2 weeks now, did great at yesterday's Giants game vs. the Phillies. It was AT&T park's annual Dog Days of Summer and dogs are allowed (after buying a 'special' ticket) in the bleachers. There were 650 dogs there to watch Lincecum pitch a winning game. Tim Lincecum's own French bulldog, Cy, got to play and watch the game from the clubhouse.

I was grateful to Everest for warming my lap (he got bored by the 6th inning, and fell asleep) since the San Francisco "summer" yielded cold fog and wind. The dogs didn't seem to mind.

Funny Cats vs. Funny Dogs

2009-04-26T10:31:00.000-07:00

A Love Affair With Beauty

2009-04-20T21:22:00.001-07:00

This dog of mine, with Angel Island, Marin and the bay in the background...true love!

click on this pic to enlarge...what a face on Roman...can I bottle that joy, please?

I can never get enough of the Golden Gate bridge at sunset...

Counting Crows

2009-04-16T22:21:00.000-07:00

Please click on photo to get full effect...

Marin(a) Dogs

2009-04-11T16:34:00.000-07:00

After a week of rainy weather, we were blessed with a glorious spring day. Time to escape the marina and go hiking in the Marin headlands.

When I see San Francisco through a tourist's eyes, it truly is the most beautiful city. Sorry, not-as-beautiful cities out there!
We hiked up above Rodeo beach at Ft. Cronkite...such a departure from our regular Ft. Funston hikes.
His magnificence overlooking his kingdom.
California poppies and a flower I don't know peeking out at the Pacific...
Roman and Tikka overlooking Rodeo beach and all the surfers.
Can you see the Golden Gate Bridge peeking out among the headlands? (click the pic for a bigger view).

Originally, I was going to go to Cataract Falls in Fairfax yesterday, but a friend said it was crawling with ticks. Yuck. So I thought this would be a better, tick-free venue. As I was sitting here typing this, with Tikka sleeping at my side, I found a tick crawling on my arm! Yuck. Treat your pets with Frontline (what I use on Roman and Tikka) or Advantix (not Advantage, which only kills fleas) to prevent tick infestation. The down side is, even though I have treated them, it doesn't prevent the ticks from hitchhiking on their fur and trying to make a meal out of me...

Training Cats

2009-04-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

Training cats: an oxymoron if I ever heard one...

Is He Good With Kids?

2009-04-05T09:19:00.001-07:00

Roman made yet another friend at Erik's baseball practice. Whether you have children or not, it's important to expose your dog at an early age. Get your dog used to the sudden and erratic movements of kids, so he won't become reactive to them (the same can be said for anything out of your dog's ordinary life: people with hats, in wheelchairs, men are some other common 'fears' of an unsocialized/desensitized dog).

This desensitization does not end when your puppy passes his socialization period. It's a lifelong process of reinforcement. We meet all sorts of people on our daily walks and I still will praise the dogs for being calm in different situations.

Save Money by Not Washing Dishes

2009-04-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

YES, I am a crazy dog person with probably too much time on my hands (not)...

Doga

2009-03-22T09:19:00.001-07:00

After too long a hiatus, I am back doing yoga. My sanity required it, despite the protests of my body. The dogs are quite interested and can actually get quite annoyingly in the way. Of course, dogs are natural yogis...they are already in balance (unless messed up by a human). There are now classes in "Doga". I sort of roll my eyes at this, as the yoga craze has taken fad to a new level (when I started doing yoga, there were maybe 3 studios in San Francisco...now there are who knows how many). Of course, who am I to scoff if someone wants to do yoga with their dog?

Eclectic Business Ventures

2009-03-19T18:58:00.001-07:00

Roman's trainer found this at a local dog park. I honestly thought it was a joke, but it's not!

AND, he makes business cards...

My son asked, upon seeing this (and in all seriousness tinged with a bit of excitement), "Does he bring the gun?!"

Maybe I should hire him to protect our place from the drunk weekend yuppies...

RainDay

2009-03-15T16:39:00.001-07:00

"Remember, when life's path is steep to keep your mind even." ~Horace

"I learn by going where I have to go..." ~Roethke

""A good dog observes his master so closely that he almost knows him better than he does himself, and he must often indeed wonder that the reverse occurs so rarely." Max von Stephanitz

" To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring - it was peace." ~Milan Kundera

" "If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience."

"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.-- Walter Winchell

"

Some people [and dogs] come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.-- Anonymous

"A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner." ~English Proverb

Shouldn'ts

2009-03-15T08:44:00.001-07:00

Many trainers tell owners they should never let their dogs on the furniture, especially the bed. One trainer gave me such an ominous warning. Pressed further, she shared that she had clients who were bitten in bed when their dog was startled awake! Hmmm. I doubt this is common among socialized/trained dogs. I have more problems with cats fighting on the bed.

Personally, I like having my animals on the furniture with me, and I can't sleep if Tikka isn't in a ball by my pillow. My philosophy is this: if a dog will get off when you ask him to, and does not resource guard the furniture or bed, then why not let him enjoy? I made sure our new furniture was made of microfiber and a neutral, tan color...sometimes I forget what it actually looks like since the couch and chairs are usually covered! Only a dog person can understand this, me thinks.

I'm so glad my animals like our new furniture. They certainly get more use out of it than I do, these days. Tikka claims the couch because it has the best view out the window. (bottom pic is from a year ago-old couch and before the hardwood floors were redone...it's so funny how Tikka just flops over when I point the camera at her).

Roman loves this chair...good afternoon sun and an ottoman for his tail.

The cats pretty much sleep anywhere but this recliner is a favorite.

Here's 6 month old Rammy enjoying Caroline's Chinese carpet...good thing this carpet cannot talk about it's liaisons with dogs and cats. He also likes to hang out in the bathtub; not sure what that is all about...

Healing Tikka

2009-03-14T10:29:00.001-07:00

Tikka had surgery-again-a few days ago. This is her fourth surgery in the two years I've had her. Poor girl has three suture sites (back, foot and chest) since she had various lumps and bumps removed. It's the one on her chest that has me concerned. This was a malignant tumor last year and it regrew. I'm thinking positive that the dr. got it all this time and it should not have spread. Tikka was pretty painful but was back to her happy self the first night, despite it all. If she's able to maintain such a cheerful demeanor through all this, so can I. My students were so sweet...writing cards and letters. One student even made her a scarf.

My Second Favorite GSD

2009-03-14T10:26:00.001-07:00

This is Jude. I am in love with Jude. If a dog can be sexy, Jude is that dog! Jude belongs to my friend, Marge, who is the office manager at Park Animal Hospital in San Francisco. This is a high drive, working dog, but he is content to sit like this all day while Marge works. Such an amazing temperament! Every time I see him I have to hug and squish him. In return he opens his mouth for a 'bite-kiss' (Tikka does this, too)...not for the faint of heart.

The Simplicity of Solitude

2009-03-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

I decided to take last Thursday off because Tikka was having surgery and I had report cards to write. I ended up at the beach with Roman. We had the beach to ourselves, which was bliss. I wish I was better at recalling moments like this when I'm under stress...moments of pure peace and joy with no negative thoughts competing for air time in my head...Just me and my dog and the sound of the waves rolling onto the beach.

A lone crow surveys the hang gliding take off point..

I'm still amazed at how far Roman has come. There was no way I could walk him at Ft. Funston a year ago. He would be charging and chasing dogs; causing general mayhem! This day, we passed no less than 50 dogs on our way down to the beach and 50 more on our way back up. Roman either greeted them politely, ignored them or played with them. Most dog owners take this for granted, but I am just so grateful to be able to have this privilege. (Roman is the cover dog for Grateful Dogs Rescue this month and he's enjoying his 15 minutes of fame).

A Thousand Splendid Dogs

2009-02-27T06:29:00.000-08:00

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

~Gandhi

"I care not for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it." ~Abraham Lincoln

"The question is not, "can they reason?" nor "can they talk?" but rather, "Can they suffer?" ~Jeremy Bentham

In my second grade classroom, we have a morning routine called the Animal of the Day. I have a deck of 'Animal Cards' and, each day, I pick a child to pick our animal. We discuss the animal and then children guess what he 'means'. In native american culture, as well as many other nature based practices, animals have strong symbolism. For example, the wolf is the Pathfinder and Teacher, the dove stands for peace and inspiration; the dog, not surprisingly, stands for Loyalty and Friendship.

Every day, animals are a part of my students' learning. If I am not teaching them about animals, they are exposed to our classroom 'pets' (fish tank, snakes, gecko, insects...). I have also brought my dogs, which gave the children incredible joy (dogs are now banned from the school at all times based on (probably) one teacher's complaint, but that is another post...it's interesting how much children love dogs (and how much they would benefit having them around the classroom all day...personally, I think many behavior problems would vanish) and how so many adults have lost this one connection to nature).

By teaching these kids about animals and how to care for animals, it is my hope that they will grow up and, not only care for animals, but their fellow humans. Compassion is universal.

It is my opinion that if a people (a nation, a tribe, a community...) do not treat animals with compassion, they are not going to treat humans compassionately. No matter what you might think, we are no better than animals. We DO have a greater responsibility, though, and that is to care for the animals and our planet. Isn't it a fact that man has ignored his role as nature's caretaker? Why is our planet in its current, sorry state?

I'm going to repeat myself: no other animal has aligned himself with man, for man's greater good, than the Dog. The Horse is a close second in his role helping man advance; but the horse did not choose to help us. He was forced. Unlike the dog who, according to many studies, did choose us over his wild brothers. I believe where dogs are revered and treated compassionately, humans are as well. Where dogs are not treated well, you find people divided and, in my opinion, women treated badly with less rights than men. In the cultures where dogs are seen as dirty, sadly, so are women. Every people has its problems. Certainly, the United States does. But it is also a nation where I, as a woman, have freedoms. I can have my dogs and share them with others...and my opportunities to do so are equal to that of a man. We are all one and the same in this life. We owe it to our fellow humans, and ourselves, to treat all of our planet's creatures with compassion and reverence.

St. Francis said it best:

"If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men." and, dare I say, women.

Hair of the Dog

2009-02-22T14:31:00.000-08:00

Unlike Roman, Tikka hardly sheds. She has fine, medium to long hair that I trim as it tends to get really muddy on rainy days and full of foxtails in the summer. Since today was a lazy, rainy Sunday, I spent the morning giving Tikka a haircut. The pic above shows only 1/4 of the hair I took off of her and it really doesn't look like she had a haircut. Me, on the other hand, had to have 3-4 inches chopped off a few weeks ago due to heavy damage (my own fault...stress was causing me to actually pull and break the hair...not a good habit but better than drugs or cigarettes, huh?). So, after straightening my hair and brushing Tikka out, we were ready for our photo shoot. Now we're ready for a nap before we brave the rain storm...

Somerville German Shepherd

2009-02-22T14:28:00.001-08:00

While retrievers seemed to be the breed that dominate the dog parks in the Boston area, we did see 4 or 5 GSDs. Interesting that they were all long haired German shepherds, a variety I rarely encounter in San Francisco.

Boston Dog Fancy

2009-02-18T17:57:00.000-08:00

My friend, Caroline has recently found herself in a whole new world. Little did she realize, when she and her husband adopted a puppy last fall, that they would be joining a cultish club. This new world exists parallel to our everyday world, but largely goes unnoticed unless you are in the know. This is the World of Dog. Now, Caroline and Cedric's days revolve around their dog's activities. Walks to the dog park, outings to acres of off leash space, visits to dog and cat boutiques, vet visits to get spayed and microchipped, the considerations of dog food, and days spent at doggie day care (for Lottie, not Caroline)...In short, they have entered my world. As first time dog owners, they were pleasantly surprised at how friendly and fulfilling this world is. Now, they can't imagine life without Lottie. Now, everything I've talked about over the years...comments I've made Caroline might have simply nodded and 'mmm hmmm' to...she now shares, "Oh, now I know exactly what you meant!"

And, if you are reading this and have to ask, "What is this Dog World? What is she talking about?" Well, you obviously need to get yourself a dog...
Here is the dog park in Somerville, MA. I was recently visiting this north Boston suburb. This was a cold and icy day, but the dogs didn't mind and the people were so nice.

Lottie, AKA, "The Best Dog in the World" (Obviously, she is the best dog in HER world...sorry Caroline, had to steal that line...cuz everyone knows Roman and Tikka are the best dogs in the world, LOL). Here is Lottie after the dog park and wanting to take a nap...I can't believe it, LOL, ON THE BED (never thought dog hair would find it's way to Caroline's immaculate home furnishings...btw, they are still immaculate...how does she do it?)

OK, the Middlesex Fells or Sheepfold, puts Ft. Funston to shame. It is 2500 wooded acres of open, off leash space with trails, ponds, etc. I would move here just to go to this 'dog park' every day. Still, Ft. Funston does have the beach and Pacific Ocean sunsets...yes, at least we have that...

A Massachusetts professional dogwalker. I didn't get a chance to talk to her, but I couldn't help wondering what happens when it is storming out and the snow is thick?
Lottie has the best temperament around other dogs. She's not a butt like Roman or an old bitch like Tikka. She's all about love and play and the squeaky toy. Her mom is a boxer and her dad was MIA. I think ridgeback or pittie or both. Either way, she is gorgeous.
Look at that face! Lottie's...not mine (not liking the short hair, ugh...but that's another story). See that smile on Caroline's face? It's the Power of Dog!

Stump Stumps the Dog Fancy

2009-02-11T06:05:00.001-08:00

Stump, a ten year old Sussex Spaniel won the coveted title, Best in Show, at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog show. Proof that youth is not always the sole possessor of beauty.

Shipping off to Boston

2009-02-11T06:05:00.000-08:00

Dogma is shipping off to Boston to check out Beantown dogs. I'll be back next week to share my findings. In the meantime, have a great Valentine's Day. Tell your dog you love him.

Sniffing, Dumping, and Humping

2009-02-11T06:01:00.000-08:00

"Decorative medallions depicting dogs sniffing, dumping and humping each other have recently been added to the base of one of a pair of sculptures commissioned by the city on either end of the pedestrian and bike bridge over Interstate 80....

"I am showing dogs doing what dogs do at the dog park," said Scott Donahue, the Emeryville artist who was paid $196,000 from Berkeley's public arts program to create the sculptures."

$196,000 to show dogs sniffing, dumping and humping? Shizer...I would have done it for HALF that price! I'm seriously in the wrong business...

Fido: Friend or Food?

2009-02-08T08:32:00.000-08:00

A few years ago, I was talking about my dogs to my students (I was teaching a 5th grade class at the time). I am fortunate to teach at a school that has students from many different countries. Many are direct immigrants or 1st generation Chinese. All are wonderful and engaging, but this particular day brought a harsh realization to light. One Chinese student asked what kind of dog Roman was. "German shepherd," I replied. "They eat dogs in China, you know," This student shared with dismay. " They really like German shepherds."

There has been a lot of publicity recently on the eating of dogs and cats, and the use of their fur, in China. Many of us in America and other countries, where dogs and cats are considered family members, are appalled at this practice. I try to be culturally open minded, but this is one area that hits too close to home. Not only do I personally take issue with eating dogs and cats, but the way they are kept and killed is deplorable, not to mention inhumane.

My first question is, Why? While I knew the eating of dogs and cats was going on, I assumed it was a centuries old custom embedded deeply in tradition. I did some research on the practice and found out that in ancient China, dog meat was eaten as part of a ritual sacrifice among some tribes. In the early 18th century, eating dog was banned. Under Mao, dog meat was considered famine food. In the 1980's, increased wealth led to the promotion of dog meat by traders. Today, there is an increase of eating dog/cat among urban professionals along with a decrease among those who now keep dogs and cats as family pets.

While dog meat is not a daily staple, eating dog has never been as prevalent as it is today. According to one site, there was unconfirmed estimates of 100 million dogs eaten a year. While that figure seems unrealistic, even if it was only 1 million or 1,000, my feelings on the issue would be the same.

It's not just the eating of dogs and cats that I find appalling, it's the inhumane way they are kept and killed. Many are boiled and skinned alive for their fur. All are kept in cramped cages, many without food or water. NO animal, should be kept like this...let alone two species that have been friend and helper of man for decades.

Many might counter, "Well, you eat cows and pigs who are revered animals in Indian and Jewish cultures..."

Yes, this is true. But I only eat cows that have been humanely, grass fed and humanely killed. I was a vegetarian for 6 years and did not do well health wise, but when I decided to eat meat again, I made sure the animals came from local, humane farms. The other point that should be noted, dogs and cats are carnivores...higher on the food chain and thus, more prone to passing on health issues to us if eaten. Cows get their nutrition from plants. Personally, I feel there is a difference. In nature, carnivores eat herbivores unless food is scarce...not as matter of course.

A quote from the article "An Olympic Disgrace" discusses this issue better than I:

"Of course, one can say that some of these dogs and cats are being killed primarily for food, as was my friend the collie, their fur sold as a byproduct of Chinese culinary tastes, and so what's all the fuss? Asians eat dogs and cats; Americans and Europeans eat cows; and each of us can point a finger at someone else's gastronomic cruelty: the prisonlike conditions in American factory farms, the Japanese whaling, the French force-feeding of ducks and geese to produce foie gras...What seems particularly dismaying, though, about China's treatment of domestic dogs and cats is that these mass killings are perpetrated against two species that share our hearth and home and with which humans have had a long, familial and affectionate relationship, albeit an ambivalent one...

Set against the great human persecutions that China supports, the loss of these 2 million dogs and cats may seem insignificant. Nonetheless, each one of them is a life, full of consciousness and joy, as anyone who has lived with a dog or cat knows. Many of them are pets, mourned by Chinese families. It's one more shadow cast by the Olympic flame."

What does it say about a country or a culture that has such disregard for animals...especially animals that have aided man for centuries (would we have progressed as well without the help of our dogs, horses and cats?)? I admit to a bias here. I simply do not understand people who do not like animals and find that treating them cruelly is o.k. I personally see it as a character flaw. When someone tells me they 'hate' dogs, I know our relationship will go no further. Think about it. Animal lovers seem to be more open and kind. Yes, some can take it to the extreme...but in general, you have a population of people who want good for all living creatures and see themselves as stewards of the earth. Animal cruelty is accompanied by human cruelty, and neither benefits the soul of humanity and the preservation of our planet.

We humans are no better than our animal cousins, though many think we are. This has led to a disconnection within human society and spirit. Animals need us now more than ever. We have been given intellect and with that, power. It's been too long that humans have used that power to destroy, rather than create and preserve. I choose to use my power helping animal rescue and educating children on animal welfare. Maybe you will find your power is best used helping the homeless, or battered women, or teenage mothers, or volunteering at a local animal shelter...etc. Either way, the question to ask is: What am I doing to help? Are my actions moving me towards something good? There are many causes out there that would benefit from a few hours of your time. The feeling of helping a being in need is the best reward.

Ghandi said it all, almost 100 years ago:

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

Tikka Mark

2009-02-08T07:55:00.000-08:00

Exactly two years ago, Tikka made her mark on my family. I really wasn't consciously looking for another dog but when I came across her petfinder page...well...I had to make the call. Mr. Dogma was like, "Uh, uh...we don't need anymore dogs," I figured he just didn't realize he needed another dog and thought, "better to ask for forgiveness than permission." The first thing Tikka did when she arrived at her new home was give Mr. Dogma a big kiss. "I guess you are staying, " He said.

Tikka had heartworm and had started treatment. Grateful Dogs Rescue was thrilled I wanted to adopt her, but I needed to keep her quiet for several months. She had also suffered from 'subdermal emphysema' which caused her face to blow up like a balloon! She has had several surgeries since the adoption...two for mammary tumors and one for a low grade cancer, in addition to being hospitalized for a type of liver toxocis which really scared me. Through it all, she remained her happy, loving self. Granted, she doesn't like big dogs much; well, she doesn't like dogs much...which is a bummer for Roman. But, at least she is not attacking him anymore. She has been the easiest dog I've ever had. Tikka took to training well (all except stay, she mastered in minutes), was perfectly housebroken from day 1 and can be left alone for long hours (not that I like to do that, but if I have to...) without making any noise or damage (and I would know, since my mom, who is retired, lives upstairs). Tikka is the perfect example of the joy of adopting an older dog, since she was 5 or 6 when we adopted her. She sees her job in life as a couch warmer, a bed warmer, a lap warmer and a depression lifter. Everyone...and I mean everyone...who meets her is immediately taken in by her charm. She is the most kissy dog I've ever had and particularly likes to give 'sneak attacks'.

Many have asked, "What is she?" DNA test resulted in a mix of shih tzu and yorkie with a splash of Bernese Mt. Dog and a whole lotta mutt. I say she is a cross between cute and adorable.

Tikka came with her name. We kept it because it just fit her and my favorite Indian dish is Chicken Tikka Masala. A 'tikka' is also a hindu blessing given as a mark on the forehead.

She has certainly been a blessing for us.

Tikka today...

Tikka in the spring of 2007 after her heartworm treatment...
Her first night in her new home...

Her first week in her new home...

Random

2009-02-08T07:42:00.000-08:00

I finally had to get several inches cut off. My hair was just out of control and getting damaged. I'm not crazy about this length, but when my stylist straightened it, I loved the smooth, bouncy feel! Once the fog rolls in, it will curl up and be too short...Luckily, Tikka doesn't care how long or short my hair is.

The Many Looks of the German Shepherd Dog

2009-02-01T09:12:00.000-08:00

After last week's dog show, I became more curious as to why there are so many different looks to the breed. The dogs I saw were all American line. I just felt the way they walked looked painful! It seems back in the 50's, the breed started to diverge in appearance. There are three distinct lines and many feel these should be considered different breeds. The different lines are the American show lines, German show lines and German/East European working lines. Of these three, I really only find the working lines appealing. The American show lines have the long, sloping back and extreme angulation in the hind quarters when stacked. The German show breeders have bred a 'roach back'. Apparently, the pelvis is tilted slightly forward giving more rear drive.

A picture of the original GSD shows a strong looking dog with a straight back.

Here's an American GSD from 1967

...and from 2003.

Pictures of German show lines dating back to the 19th century...Look at the dog from 1946. There is no way the dog from 2007 can do a better job than the 1946 dog, simply based on structure. Here are more picture comparisons.

And what about temperament? A quality shepherd is loyal, of great stamina, courageous, confident, discerning and highly trainable. They should not be timid, nervous, gun-shy or vicious. A GSD, once bonded to his owner, will bond for life. It has been noted that many American line shepherds have less drive, tend towards nervousness. German show dogs tend to be more laid back. So, not only have we seen such a pronounced divergence in looks, but in temperament as well.

I can only assume that there are many in the fancy that like the looks of the American or German show lines. Most lay people that I've spoken with do not. It is my hope that responsible breeders will move towards (back?) what the founder of the breed originally worked so hard for.

Since Roman's heritage is a mystery, I am going to guess he is from mixed lines. He's of medium build but strong boned and muscled (only 68 pounds!). He has a level topline with minimal rear angulation...and he is fast and agile. He has a hard nerved temperament with high drive, but is also calm and loving to all people (and shows no aggression, even to small animals). He was the easiest dog I've ever trained but has some obsessions (due to his high drive) that must be channeled with work so they don't become behavior problems. Here is another interesting link on the GSD Breed types...including the "Panda shepherd"...which one does Roman look like?

Dog Show

2009-01-26T09:36:00.001-08:00

The photos came out dark, due to being indoors. Click on image to enlarge. Here is my next breed, the Papillon (which means butterfly...their ears make them look like butterflies...Mr. Dogma said I have an ear fetish...I just think they are so adorable! Plus, the are smart and great agility dogs)

I spent yesterday at the Golden Gate Kennel Club dog show. This is a 'benched' show, which means that all the dogs that are competing must stay in their assigned area (bench), partitioned by breed. The only exception is when the dog is in the ring, being exercised or groomed. While this is great for spectators and an easy way to meet breeders, it's a real strain on the dogs. I'm very impressed that most of the dogs we saw took the crowds of people and canine in stride. And, for those of you who feel all dogs need to be neutered to get along with other dogs, here were tons of intact males behaving perfectly fine. (Which supports my theory that training and socialization is what influences good behavior, not surgery. Many people at the dog park blame the intact dog for the problems, when it is the neutered dogs that are usually the ones going after the intact dog...just an interesting aside).

Another benched show is the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. This is the World Series of dog shows and I usually watch it every year. There is a lot of controversy in the Dog Fancy about purebred dogs and dog shows. In the United Kingdom, Crufts is what all breeders strive for. This year, the BBC is suspending it's televised coverage of the show due to a documentary, "Pedigree Dogs Exposed," aired last year. This documentary (which I have not seen) claimed that some of the kennel club's rules encourage the breeding of diseased and deformed dogs. Some of the breeds they claim are being ruined include the Basset hound, Rhodesian ridgeback, Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Neapolitan Mastiff, Bulldog and German Shepherd dog.

Yesterday, I noticed how different Roman and the American line German shepherds we saw, moved. This is something I do not understand and will need to do more research, since the German shepherd is one of the breeds that has changed dramatically in the past 100 years (along with the bulldog and bull terrier, for example). From the exaggerated slope of the American GSD to the 'roach' back of the German show lines...I don't see how either dog can do the work he was originally bred for. If you look at true, working shepherds, they are agile, strong and fast. I don't know anything of Roman's breeding, but I do know he could run and jump circles around those show shepherds.

But, I can't put all the blame on the AKC for the decline in some breeds. That blame lies squarely with the puppy mills, backyard breeders and the ignorance of the buyer. There are many responsible breeders working hard to better the health and temperament of their lines but their efforts are being thwarted by others who are out for a buck or who ignorantly want one of Fido's puppies since he's such a great dog (never mind all the health testing, etc. involved in responsible breeding). I am curious if the BBC documentary covered that dark aspect of dog breeding.

Still. I love watching dog shows. The dogs seem to love it, too. While I'm sure their is a snobby side to conformation showing, we met a lot of friendly dog people and some beautiful dogs. Then, I came home to "best in my show only" dogs and went for a run at Ft. Funston. Roman and Tikka may never earn blue ribbons, but they will always be number one in my heart.

Yappy Hour February 7

2009-01-24T15:24:00.001-08:00

Come have a drink or two and help benefit San Francisco's shelter dogs...bring your dog!

Where: Doc's Clock

Mission & 22nd in San Francisco

When: Saturday, February 7

4 - 8 p.m.

Benefitting Grateful Dogs Rescue

Meet some wonderful dogs available for adoption!

Peanut Butter Recall: Dog Treats

2009-01-21T11:34:00.000-08:00

The peanut butter recall due to salmonella contamination has been extended to dog treats. Petsmart is recalling several kinds of peanut butter biscuits.

Just to be safe, don't feed your dog ANY peanut butter treat!

Cat Dogs

2009-01-19T18:49:00.001-08:00

The cats have the dogs under complete control; see the hypnotic, vacuous look in their eyes?

I don't need to buy toys for Ramathorn, since he makes good use of Roman's tail...

Beach Dogs

2009-01-19T18:42:00.001-08:00

The first long weekend of the year was greeted with sunny skies and 70 degree weather. We decided to try a new park...which was nice...

..but nothing compares to the doggy fun of Ft. Funston...
click on photos to enlarge...

Sun Dog

2009-01-19T18:37:00.001-08:00

Osprey flying into the sunset

Nope, not Maui...but Ft. Funston in San Francisco.

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad...Cat?

2009-01-11T15:33:00.001-08:00

I did not think anyone could rival Roman's gaping maw...

...Ramathorn is giving it a good go...

Ramathorn is Growing Up

2009-01-11T15:25:00.000-08:00

"You woke me up for this?"

Our little kitten is not so little anymore. Rammy is now about 4 1/2 months old and loving his new lifestyle. He loves playing with Roman's tail but that has proven difficult to photograph. He is looking very Siamese-y and talks...a lot!

New Year's Resolution

2009-01-04T09:08:00.000-08:00

It is no secret to those in the know that I am terrible with New Year's resolutions. The mere act of making a resolution dooms it to failure. So, this year I am creating some goals. Goal Number One is to simply have more fun. I get so caught up in all I have to do, need to do, and...the worst...should do, that I forget to have fun with life.

Once again, we can look to our dogs for guidance. In the wild, wolves play with each throughout their lives. Our domestic dogs love to play as well. Not only with each other, but with us. Even dogs that seem to not be playful have this desire ingrained into their being. It is up to you to bring it out and nurture it.

Favorite games in our house include vigorous games of tug (where the dogs always win), fetch with a tennis ball, hide and seek, and chase. I always try to stop playing the game while Roman or Tikka is still high in drive; before they get bored. Games with your dog, as I'm learning from Kevin Behan's Natural Dog Training, are one way to bond your dog to you and make you more interesting than anything else. By fulfilling your dog's need to make prey (and playing games is one way to satisfy his prey drive), behavior problems begin to dissipate. In NDT, dog's develop problems when their prey drive is denied and they seek outlets for this energy.

So, go out and just have fun. We owe it, not only to our dogs, but to ourselves, to have fun every day. Let your dog show you how...

Happy 2009!

2009-01-04T09:03:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a year filled with joyful abundance, fun, peace, success, and learning!

If you want to know how to attain these things, just look to your dog...

Lazy Dogs on Christmas Morning...

2008-12-29T18:07:00.000-08:00

Roman giving me that German shepherd, "I just looove you!" adoring look.
Roman, squeezing himself into Tikka's bed...

You can really see Tikka's broken nose in this shot. Sometime in her past, someone broke her nose. The vet couldn't think of any other reason why it was broken...The cruelty of people is beyond me at this point in my life. I'm just glad Tikka is here and enjoying life to the fullest.

One of my dearest students made this blanket for Roman and Tikka. She is only 7 years old and did this all by herself. If you click the photo, you can see the pink bone she sewed in the middle. She'll be happy to know that the dogs and cats love this blanket!

The Cat is in the Bag

2008-12-29T18:06:00.000-08:00

Winter Tree Juxtaposition

2008-12-29T17:57:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, you can't see the flock of cherry head conures in the palm...
Never mind that neither tree is native to San Francisco, but what is that tree in the foreground? I walk by it every day, watching the leaves change...what is it?

Remember this (yet another non-native) tree?

Santa Sorting Hat

2008-12-29T17:48:00.001-08:00

Hmmmm...what could they be thinking?

"WTF is up with her putting clothes on me? Last Christmas I had to wear Uggs...this year, it's this stupid hat..."

"Hmmmm...I bet I look kinda hot..."

Vinny: "Huh? I heard sometin'..."

"Gryffindor!!!"

Dogs vs. Cats

2008-12-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

Many people are either dog people or cat people and view the other side with contempt and bewilderment. I like to think of myself as simply an animal person who has the strongest bond with dogs. The list is long, but in summary, dogs simply want to be with us no matter what. They have a strong allegiance to family and we humans eat that up. For me, my dogs provide a window into nature, heighten my dulled senses and enhance my communication skills (with canines and humans). They also sooth my body and soul.

Then there are the cats, the antithesis of dogs. My cats give me a different view into nature's soul. The very essence of being a cat makes sharing a home with one (or three) a joy. Their sleek stealthiness and honed predatory skills, the honor I feel when they deem me worthy of their affection, their independent yet dependent nature...My cats have very distinct personalities and all are very friendly and outgoing. No hiding from people here. Plus, they are so clean and easy to care for. I love taking the dogs on walks and I love not having to take the cats.

Living in a multi species household has given me a unique perspective on these two, supposedly, arch enemies. It is clear the cats rule the house, but it is also clear the dogs don't really care as long as they have me.

A Purrfect Christmas

2008-12-25T08:53:00.000-08:00

The kitten is now named...Ramathorn...a.k.a. Rammy...Strange, but it suits him. Rammy is settling in nicely. He and the older cats are now best buds. Tikka is tolerating him as long as he doesn't invade her space on the couch or bed. But, poor Roman! Roman, who was so gentle in greeting the new kitten. Roman, who gave up his food when Rammy rammed his face into his food dish. Roman, who gives the kitten a wide birth. Rammy is insistent on challenging Roman with hisses, swats and false charges. Roman just turns his head. A 70 pound German shepherd who was so dog reactive, he would pull me off my feet while lunging. While Tikka 'attacked' the kitten when he jumped on her face, all Roman does is turn away quietly. I am hopeful Rammy and Roman will become good friends, especially since Roman is displaying such patience. Who would have thought; this big, tough shepherd who illicits awe wherever he goes, is such a mushy soul when faced with a four pound kitten? Just one more reason why I love this dog!

He-Who-Cannot-Be-Named

2008-12-22T13:27:00.001-08:00

It's been less than 24 hours since HWCBN arrived, and he's already gotten into trouble. I've spent all morning playing and snuggling him, while helping the other animals get used to him (Kovu has gone from utter and complete hatred to simple dislike). HWCBN discovered the fireplace and is now covered in soot. He went in a flame point siamese mix and came out a charcoal point! He has also tried to pull down our dinner plates and steal our food in addition to employing sneak attacks on Kovu and Vinny's tails. He has no fear of the larger cats and is constantly trying to rub against them, despite the hissing.

The problem is, we cannot find a proper name for him that we all agree on. I think we are leaning towards Seamus (Shamey) but some other shot down suggestions have been Koa, Thai, Taz, Zazhou, Chang-Fu, Mr. Bigglesworth, Singha, Beer, Donut, Sparta, Titan...

I never would have guessed naming a 4 pound kitten would be this difficult!

Christmas Kitten

2008-12-22T06:34:00.000-08:00

It is just too hard to get a decent picture of this kitten! He's so busy...

It is never a good idea to give a pet as a gift. Even if you know the recipient wants a dog or cat, finding that forever friend is such a personal experience. Instead of giving the actual animal, a great gift would be items for the dog or cat (leash, toys, bowls, gift certificate to a pet supply store).

What is even worse is getting a puppy or kitten for your children. Shelters across the nation show a rise of surrendered 8 - 10 month old puppies and kittens (when they grow out of the cute stage and into the teenage stage) at the end of spring. Animals can be a wonderful experience for children, but it is the parents who really need to think about the lifetime commitment involved. Do they really want that dog or cat? What happens when the kids grow tired of the animal (and, they will lose interest)? You can't expect a young child or, even a teenager, to consistently care for the pet. You will need to be the primary caretaker and teach your child how to be responsible for the dog or cat. If you are a parent of young children, do you have the extra energy to provide all the training and socialization a young dog needs? What happens if the cat gets sick and needs surgery?

Recently, my sister mentioned that maybe she'll get a dog for her 6 and 8 year old sons because they love dogs so much. They own a perfect 'dog' house, too. Spacious, close to parks with a huge yard. A dog would have a grand time tearing around on the lawn and then curling up to watch TV in the family room. But what about those Persian carpets and expensive, new hardwoods? I could not imagine my sister cleaning up after the inevitable housebreaking error or bought of diarrhea. When I gave her the list of all she would have to consider and do on a daily basis, she quickly reconsidered. "But, your dogs don't mess the house and are always so calm." She stated. Well, yes...but it took a lot of work on my part to get them to this point. They didn't come that way. So, my nephews will continue to enjoy visiting my dogs.

Now, you may think I am a hypocrite because I have gotten pets for my son. While I grew up with a dog (which later became plural), I never had a cat because my sister was allergic. As a young adult, my three large dogs kept me busy and, given the high prey drive of my husky, a cat didn't seem possible. Of course, what does my son (who was born when I had these three dogs) want as soon as he could speak? A kitten. So, in 1998, I brought home Kovu. I was working as a veterinary technician at Park Animal Hospital and someone found Kovu, a 4 month old black kitten, on the side of 580. He was bold and confident and I fell in love. Three years later we adopted Vinny, a grey tabby who was found in a Buddhist temple in Chico. So, yes, I did get the cats technically for my son...But, I was prepared to care for them while teaching Erik how to be responsible for them. Even now, as a 15 year old, I have to remind him to feed them at night and clean the litter box.

So, now our family has increased by one more kitten. We adopted HeWhoCannotBeNamed , a 4 month old flame point Siamese mix . HeWhoCannotBeNamed is also a surprise Christmas present for Erik...

I can't tell you why I wanted a third cat. I have just been looking for the past couple of weeks. None of the kittens I met were 'mine'. As soon as I met HeWhoCannotBeNamed at SF Animal Care and Control, I knew he was 'mine'. He is friendly, outgoing, and, best of all...fearless. He has to be to live in this household. He hopped out of the carrier and strutted around the living room (most new cats slink around the perimeter), finally curling up on the couch, purring to sleep. I will anthropomorphize here that he was thinking, "Ah, I'm finally home."

Socialization

2008-12-16T22:25:00.000-08:00

As most of you know, it's vital to socialize your dog. A new puppy has a 'socialization window' from about7 to 16 weeks. This is the prime time to expose your pup to as many different kinds of people, dogs, and experiences (walking over grates, bikes, loud noises) in a positive way...every day. A trainer friend told me a pup should meet 7 new people a day of different size, sex, color and age. Socialization does not stop at 16 weeks, of course, but that window does close and it becomes more difficult. Ian Dunbar says a pup should have met 100 new people by the 12th week. This crucial time is when the puppy's basic character is set. Because this human socialization period occurs at the same time as the first 'fear imprint stage' (from about 8 - 11 weeks) it's imperative that all these experiences with new people are positive. If a pup shies away from a new person, don't coddle him "aww, it's ok"...that's how you make him afraid of people! Anything that frightens a puppy at this time will have a more lasting effect than any other time in his life! A second fear period happens between 6 and 14/18 months. You may notice the pup has become suddenly timid. They may also show reactivity/aggression and/or territorial behavior. In addition, this is also the beginning of the 'teenage' stage where all previous trained commands may fly out the window!

I have not raised a puppy for over 20 years. My current dogs had aggression/reactivity issues with other dogs when I adopted them...but, with consistent training and management, they have learned to be canine good citizens. They have no fear or aggression towards people. I got them as adults, so someone did something right when they were puppies. I am also grateful I live in a city that is so dog friendly. They get socialized 3 -4 times a day just by taking our walks. If we lived in the country or suburbs, I doubt this would ever happen. I still continue to socialize them and let people pet them whenever possible. Roman and Tikka love attention from all people but they are also polite and don't go soliciting it.

Tikka got to hang out with my second graders again and just stood there, wagging her tail. She had 16 pairs of hands petting her and she was happy to give a few kids a kiss.

Well, Tikka and Roman are unofficial therapy dogs. I think this summer we will make it official.

That Dangerous Presidio

2008-11-26T16:14:00.000-08:00

Bill O'Reilly does not like San Francisco, and that is perfectly ok with me. I wish more people felt the same and move away. Then, maybe, I could actually buy a home in this town of my birth, during my lifetime. But, it's doubtful that will happen given The Bay Area's beauty, mild weather, and eclectic nature. Bill takes issue with the dirty streets and homeless. Yes, some streets are dirty and there are a lot of homeless in some areas. They don't bother me. They keep me humble and their plight is a social reality in this country.

"O'Reilly has now sent an underling to the city to make a documentary to show where, supposedly, the politics of President-elect Barack Obama will take the country." OK, this had me LOL! They are making a documentary of San Francisco NOW, when we've been under President BUSH for the past 8 years? Hello?

I did have to laugh when Bill mentioned "You wouldn't go to the Presidio at night,". Huh? I've been walking in the Presidio for over two decades. Yes, sometimes...gasp...even at night. If Bill ever wants to visit San Francisco, I'd be happy to give him a tour of neighborhoods with clean streets, working class people and the Presidio at night. I promise to protect him from the coyotes.

Here are some pics of a recent sunset walk in the Presidio...by the end, it was dark and foggy and...I loved it!
On our way down Greenwich Street (not too dirty, I might add and not a homeless person in sight!)
One of the former officer's homes that now rents for $6K+ a month!
Officer's row. GGBridge in the background...
Roman likes this house (click to make larger if you want to see Roman)

I like this little clapboard cottage...I would love to live in the Presidio...In fact, it has been a dream of mine forever...Now, you can rent in here for an exorbitant amount of money and you can only have ONE pet...One pet? I've never had only ONE pet!
Sunset at Crissy...ok, this was taken last May but it deserves a second showing...

Got Puppy part II

2008-11-24T18:39:00.001-08:00

Hatching of the Silkworm Moth

2008-11-23T18:36:00.000-08:00

OK, so I admit to being a little obsessed with these silkworm moths. But. Well. Their history and sad existence fascinates me. And. I was so excited to find one hatching before my eyes this morning! One of my main goals as a teacher is to teach the kids reverence for all life. After all, we are all connected; human, animal, plant, rock...If one species ceases to exist, I believe we lose a little bit of ourselves...

Man can no longer exist as if he, and he alone, is all that matters. Our purpose should be as guardian of the Earth and her creatures, not as selfish destroyer. If we want to save the Earth, we need to totally re work how we do things. Don't we owe this to our children and future generations?

What does this have to do with the silkworm moth? Um. Not much, I guess. But, the silkworm moth we have today is because of man. If we can create such beauty (silk) from the salivary glands of a caterpillar, if we can build amazing cities, invent penicillin, create art, split atoms, fly robots to Mars, invent the iPhone, and the internet; why can't we harness all that intelligence and create a world without poverty, hunger, wars, pollution and dying ecosystems?

(click on images to get more detail)

Got Puppy?

2008-11-22T08:47:00.000-08:00

A friend is fostering this mama chihuahua mix and her 5 week old puppies.

Needless to say, I seriously want one. Can anyone give me good reasons not to get one of these little things? :)

Shadow

2008-11-21T16:32:00.001-08:00

As I type this blog, Tikka waits at my side hoping for a belly rub. (Roman would be, too, but he's in a 'stay' on his bed). I just look down, and she rolls over. So, I better get off this computer and give the dogs some love. The weekend is here, and it's a beautiful afternoon...time to go for a walk to watch the sunset.

Roman Art

2008-11-21T16:31:00.001-08:00

Sad Life of the Silkworm Moth

2008-11-21T16:13:00.001-08:00

click on the images to enlarge!

My class is completing a Science Unit on the silkworm moth. We raised the caterpillars on mulberry leaves until they all pupated. Their cocoons are spun with one thin strand of silk almost a mile long. In order to harvest the silk, the cocoons need to be boiled in hot water, killing the insect before it can hatch. Then the silk is gently spooled. Because this has been the sole job of these creatures for centuries, we no longer find these moths in the wild. The adult moth cannot fly and has an undeveloped mouth, so he cannot eat. Once hatched, he only lives for 2-3 days in order to mate and lay eggs. So sad.

Our moths have started to hatch and they are so cute and soft. I'm saddened that they won't live past Monday :(

The Mayonnaise Jar of Life

2008-11-15T09:32:00.000-08:00

(an image from this beautiful morning before Roman and that yelling man ruined it for me...yeah, yeah, I know...I ruined it for myself but I need to blame someone else for my misery right now)

I'm a sucker for inspirational quotes and stories, but I admit to having a hard time putting them into practice...it must be the dark side of the Irish in me or some residual Catholic guilt...

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes".

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things in life. Your family, your children, your health, your beliefs, your friends, and your favorite passions - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car.

The sand is everything else, the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the garbage disposal.

Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Star Thrower

2008-11-15T09:04:00.001-08:00

I have had several positive things happen these past couple of weeks, so why am I having a hard time staying positive? Is it the depressing economy, the holidays looming (with my wallet lighter than ever), the overworked/underpaid thing, Roman's recalcitrance, exhaustion, the feeling of never being able to get anything done, the mounds of papers everywhere, the dirty kitchen, all of the above?

I'm angry at myself for not being able to count my blessings, but I just feel like I'm carrying this heavy load all the time. It doesn't seem to matter how hard I work; I feel like I am making no difference at all. I can't even take a vacation...just to escape and get a break... as hoped due to a serious lack of funds (despite working two jobs, 50-60 hours a week!).

This morning, a man yelled at me because Roman charged his dog, then Roman got attacked by three dogs (no dog was hurt, but our walk was soured)! It was a gorgeous morning, but these incidents seemed to symbolize how out of control my life seems right now, despite all I am doing, all I've done and I simply cut the walk short and left; ignoring the beauty the morning was trying to show me. Of course, in the grand scheme of things it is not a big deal; Roman needs to have his training tightened up. He's suffered from neglect due to my long hours (oh the guilt). He'll get back on track, but will I?

I then came across this story I had kept with my 'inspirational quotes':

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "I made a difference to that one!"

Good Charlotte

2008-11-15T08:55:00.001-08:00

This not so little spider has spun a huge web at the base of our front stairs. While I do not like spiders inside my house, I respect their vital role in our ecosystem and I more than welcome them outside of my house. Maybe she'll catch some of those nasty mosquitoes that seem to survive year round here (given that we are having 80 degree weather in the middle of November, it's no wonder).
It's too bad I could not capture the intricate beauty of her web...spun between the juniper and the house.
Charlotte's web is perfectly camouflaged as we pass under it several times a day...I just hope she doesn't decide to plop on my head or, worse, Erik's head gets tangled in the web now that he is almost 6 feet tall!

Retraining Recalcitrant Roman

2008-11-11T08:58:00.000-08:00

One tenet of dog training many owners do not want to believe is...the training never stops. If you have a working breed, like GSDs, it can't stop due to their need to constantly be learning and active. But, life happens and even this dedicated trainer slacked these past few months due to a heavy work schedule. See, trainers are people, too! What is that saying about the cobbler's childrfen not having any shoes?

After Roman got a naughty report card from his dog walker (not holding his stay in the back of the truck), I knew I had to do something and get things balanced again. We are back on our training walks and lessons. While rusty, Roman is thrilled to be 'working' again. Notice how naughty he is in the second video...can you point out his recalcitrance? He knows when mom is tired, that is for sure!

He is doing much better in the first video. He held is down-stay at a good distance. When I released him, he came running to me...not a requirement, but greatly appreciated and a sign he is paying more attention to me. If you would like help in getting your dog to focus more on you and not other dogs, cats, squirrels, etc., please contact me:

http://www.angelacasey.com

German Shedders

2008-11-10T06:45:00.000-08:00

German shepherds shed only once a year...but it lasts for 365 days! If you want a life without dog fur around, don't get a GSD...I'm still finding Lotte's white hairs around 4 years after her death. So, vacuums and swiffers are my friends and I have learned to live with the hair everywhere and enjoy the 5 minutes of hair free floors after a good swiffer.

Fall in SF

2008-11-10T06:42:00.000-08:00

Not a lot of opportunities to experience trees changing colors here, but this one is giving it a pretty good go.

Time for a New Pack Leader...Vote Obama if You Love Animals

2008-11-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

Roman, Tikka and I are waiting for the polls to open. They always come vote with me.

I'm voting for Obama for many reasons...one of them being that he is better for the animals. The Humane Society Legislative Fund endorses Barak Obama. This is the first time they have ever endorsed a presidential candidate. Their board of directors (composed of Democrats and Republicans) voted unanimously to endorse Obama because he is the better choice for the animals and their welfare. If you love animals the clear choice is Obama. If you are still undecided or leaning towards McCain/Palin, read more here.

Now, Obama does not have a dog...or any pet. To me, that shows responsibility since he is never home to care for the pet! He has promised his daughters a puppy if he is elected...and I hope he chooses to rescue a dog. McCain, on the other hand, does have 4 dogs and a menagerie of pets, but he's been quiet on his stance on many animal welfare issues. Palin is obviously no friend to the animals and certainly didn't help the poor pit bull's misunderstood nature (and how insulting to the pits).

So get out and vote for a new pack leader! It's time!

Soaking

2008-11-02T07:41:00.000-08:00

Ah. Well, nothing lasts forever. The beautiful, warm October weather was quickly ushered out and we have now been enjoying pouring down rain for three days. Yes, enjoying. At least, for now. Yesterday's storm didn't stop me from taking the dogs to Ft. Funston. They love running around in a downpour. Hair and pants plastered to my body, we sloshed back to the car. The wet dog smell reminded me of my old Catholic high school uniform on rainy days (wet herringbone smells a lot like wet dog).

In other news, I'm so grateful for that extra hour of sleep due to turning our clocks back.

Fall is finally here with Winter waiting down the path. Time to go inward. Cozy. Warm. Fires. Soup.

Lottie Reincarnated II

2008-11-01T07:11:00.000-07:00

Now I am truly weirded out. You might remember my post, Lottie Reincarnated.

Little Lottie is growing up quite well and I am going crazy since I cannot hug and squeeze her. While my Lotte was a white GSD and spelled her name sans /i/, this Lottie found a WGSD neighbor friend to play with. This gorgeous white shepherd's name is Mia...the name of another one of my dogs (she looked a bit like a black and white Tikka). I got Mia when I was 18 and she died when I was 33.

I certainly don't mind being haunted by my dead dogs. I do wonder about reincarnation in the animal world (and being a conservationist, it just makes more sense). I still can't bring myself to get another WGSD since Lotte was so special, I am afraid I would be constantly comparing the new dog. Anyway, dogs usually find me, not the other way around...maybe one day a WGSD will find I need him or her.

I digress.

Last week, while driving through the Presidio on a field trip, we passed the dog cemetery. One of my students asked me if my dogs were buried there.

"No," I replied. "They are buried under a pine tree in Lake Tahoe."

When I visit them, now accompanied by Roman and Tikka (who like to pee on this tree, btw), I pause. Remembering. Wishing. Hoping.

In Sickness and In Health

2008-10-29T22:38:00.000-07:00

When you make the commitment to share your life with an animal, it's not always good times. If you've read my blog so far, you are familiar with the behavior problems I've had to work on with Roman and Tikka. I have also had to deal with a lot of illness issues (Tikka has had heartworm, a liver toxicity, foxtail in the eye, two surgeries for mammary tumors and one surgery for another low grade cancer tumor since I adopted her almost 2 years ago). Luckily, Roman has been in relative good health...except for this week. He contracted a virus and was having explosive (I do not use that term lightly) diarrhea all Sunday night and into Monday, accompanied by some vomiting. Diarrhea turned to blood and a $280 vet bill later (thank doG I have insurance) has him on the mend.

The embarrassing story in all of this is that I brought Roman to work with me on Sunday (I didn't know he was sick, yet). Teachers have been allowed to bring their dogs in on the weekend, and Roman and Tikka love going. They are very well behaved; usually sleeping in my classroom and never out of my sight (rather, I'm never out of theirs). Unbeknown to me at the time, Roman snuck off and did a huge diarrhea on the second floor landing (must have been when I was in the hall janitor closet filling my bucket with water for the aquarium-the only time my back was turned, but he was right there when I turned back-clever boy).

At 6:30 Monday morning, a fifth grade teacher (not a dog lover) found Roman's present and called my principal (also not a dog lover), who had to call the custodian to clean it. Long story short, it got back to me and in a mortified state with my tail between my legs, I explained what must have happened to the principal.

While the whole thing is gross and disgusting, I am fortunate that the custodian is my friend and loves dogs. He was totally cool about it and understanding. I know he has cleaned up worse messes from kids but I'm still going to buy him a bottle of wine!

The moral of this story: Don't work on the weekends!

Dog As Teacher

2008-10-26T09:44:00.000-07:00

(Tikka as Teacher: Nap often, with wild abandon and always show the belly)

About 15,000 years ago, wolves decided to align their destiny with ours. Many believe ancient man domesticated the wolf by taming wolf pups but I agree with Coppinger's findings that wolves domesticated themselves and, with the help of man, created the most diverse species on this planet.

Native Americans revered the wolf and looked to him as a teacher. He is the forerunner of new ideas; returning from his journeys to teach the clan. They also recognized the loyalty of dog. I believe dogs decided to stay with us to teach us how to live a happy and balanced life...something many of us forgot on the path towards acquiring things, keeping up with our neighbors and selfish, personal pursuits.

In the rushed state I've been living, I usually jump out of bed at the sound of the alarm, racing against the day. My dogs are always eager to keep up with me, but still take time for a good stretch and yawn. In fact, left to their own devices, Tikka and Roman love a long stretch and belly rub first thing in the morning. Roman will then rub his body against the bed, hoping for an errant foot to scratch his rump. Tikka rolls around on her back, stretching her legs in the air, while letting out grumbles of pleasure.Then, they are ready to greet the day with such joy and anticipation, my cup runneth over with guilt as I close the door on their eager faces in order to go to work.

Amazingly, Roman and Tikka do not hold any grudges against me. In fact, they wait all day and greet me with such enthusiasm upon my return. Always. How many of us greet our loved one's return with such love?

Even children recognize how special dogs are.

A friend sent me the following email:
Upon the death of his beloved dog, a six year old's parents mused how short a dog's life is compared to ours. Their son said, "I know why...
People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The Six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass...

So, what has your dog taught you?

Roman has taught me the art of patience and understanding. He has truly helped me become a more calm and relaxed person, even during times of stress.

Tikka has taught me how to see others as individuals, with their own special needs and gifts.

They have both taught me that hard work and perseverance can overcome almost any obstacle...that my goals are within my reach if I remain true to my dream.

Tikka has also taught me that if I fall asleep before her evening walk, she will poop in the dining room and not feel bad about it. Poor Roman is more forgiving of my human failings, thank doG.

Both dogs are still trying to teach me to live in the moment; that life really is only occurring right now, so I better reach out and enjoy it.

(Roman as Teacher: Leap with joy, trusting that the net will appear...and if it doesn't, that you will still land on all four paws ready to try again...)

Geckos, Silkworms and Crickets...oh my!

2008-10-25T09:37:00.000-07:00

Whew. What a ride it has been. The parent/teacher conferences, SSTs (student success team meetings) and IEPs (Individual Education Plan meetings) are over (at least for the next month or so!) and I am hoping I can cut back the 11 and 12 hour days...I don't think I've seen the sun (or my son) in over a week (and we've been having gorgeous fall weather!). In the midst of this crazy time, Mr. Dog-ma decided to have a birthday and I was in need of a gift. Well, what better gift than a leopard gecko? Puka is a one month old, 'high yellow' leopard gecko. Though domestically bred, these geckos originate from the deserts of India and Pakistan. In order to keep "Puka" happy and healthy, he needs a good supply of food...live crickets (which I keep in a separate habitat until Puka is ready to eat).

Along with a gecko and crickets, I now have 25 silkworms munching away on mulberry leaves. These caterpillars are part of my next Science unit. Each child will get a silkworm and monitor its growth (they form silk cocoons, the adults hatch, mate then die, we harvest the eggs to watch the cycle all over in the Spring). The silkworm caterpillars are quite amazing. They are incredibly soft and use tiny pieces of silk to hold on. When they form their cocoons, they use a single strand of silk a mile long.

The web of life and life cycle these small creatures participate in humbles me. We humans are so caught up in our 'stuff' that we forget life's simplicity. I'm finding that in these uncertain times I need the powers of nature more than ever, and it's something I feel desperate to share with my students...others obviously agree.

Migration Meditation

2008-10-14T19:02:00.000-07:00

The fall raptor migration is in progress. Every year, thousands of hawks, eagles and falcons congregate at Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands before they cross the bay. October is peak month, and today was simply gorgeous...so, I headed up to the headlands hoping for a glimpse of some raptors. Unfortunately, the peak hours to see them are between 10am and 2pm and we got there at 4pm. Still. We saw some kestrals, red tails and one unidentified (Cooper's?). While I was disappointed I didn't see more hawks and falcons, the view provided a consolation prize. Can I tell you how spoiled I am? I hop in my car, and 7 minutes later I'm sitting on the side of a hill looking at the city, bridge and Golden Gate. Engulfed by the beauty, I was ever so reluctant to return to the daily routine.

As I sat, watching, tourists from all over stopped, took pictures, got back in their cars and left. All that time I was watching two kestrals and the one unidentified guy (or were they watching me?)...the tourists never even noticed the birds. Most people are looking towards the bridge and the city when they take their pictures, but I was looking west. How many tourists have a picture taken with the bridge in the background vs. the Golden Gate?

Overwhelmed with an emotion I couldn't identify, I vowed to return by bike this weekend...

Below are pics of a red tail and a kestral taken from the internet:

Celebrating Indigenous People

2008-10-13T16:24:00.000-07:00

The public schools were closed today, not because of Columbus (that fraud!), but to honor our indigenous people. I was just grateful to have a day off! We continue to have amazing weather...I just love October. What better way to celebrate than a day at the beach?

Roman was in heaven! He can be a little shit disturber, though. He is incredibly fast, especially for a shepherd, and does these drive bys. Slower dogs try to chase him, but then give up and he'll taunt them by racing by, while they bark at his heels...he'll slow down, let them catch up, then zooms off...leaving them barking in frustration.

Lottie Reincarnated

2008-10-05T08:49:00.001-07:00

I did not ask permission to post this picture, but I have a feeling Caroline will not mind.

My dearest friend (and Mr. Dog-ma's sister) Caroline has finally joined the ranks of dog owner! She and her husband adopted a 3 month old boxer mix (I also see shepherd and ridgeback/hound) named Lottie. Caroline told me she felt an instant connection with this puppy (though she was not seeking to adopt a puppy). After telling me about her, I encouraged her to get that pup!

So, they did.

Caroline told me she felt it was a good omen given her uncommon name, "Lottie" (Lottie was my soul dog who Caroline knew well).

Here is a heart warming excerpt from Caroline's email this week:

"so now we're off to puppy training class...LOL...does this remind you of your life? can you believe i've finally joined the ranks of dog owners? but it feels very natural....i kind of wish i'd done this before, it might have helped me to settle...It is true that knowing Lottie is here gives me a sense of 'home" that is rich..."

And, it is true. Dogs make our lives rich in a way no amount of money can.

So, welcome to the family, sweet, little Lottie!

Am I Making a Difference?

2008-10-05T08:37:00.001-07:00

It was a challenging week (euphemism for bad, LOL)..."maybe-I-need-to-seek-a-new-profession bad...

I love, love, love my students. But the array of academic need coupled with some severe behavior issues is pushing me towards the edge. Add to that my extra responsibility as the after school lead teacher and my induction program requirements it's no wonder I hit a wall yesterday. I simply cannot do it all. I don't think I've seen my own child in a week and my poor dogs are neglected.

I knew years ago that I would not be successful in a career unless I was making a difference in the lives of others (which is why I was always so bored and soul dead in office jobs)...but the question I am asking myself this weekend: Am I making a difference?

In the midst of this juggling act, I got an unexpected email from a blog reader:

"

Hi Dog-ma,

I just wanted to thank you for providing a little ray of hope during a very stressful time with my much loved dog. I stumbled across your blog while looking for dog trainers who specialize in fear aggression (towards other dogs). I really appreciated reading about your experiences with John Van Olden and based mostly on Roman and Tikka's improvements, I have an upcoming appointment with John. I've already done a huge amount of work to set boundaries and to be the alpha plus I've already tried a lot of training with our big dog, and he's only gotten worse so I was pretty demoralized until I read your post. I am thrilled that John seems so competent and has been around a lot of big powerful dogs with issues. So thanks for sending your experiences and trainer recommendations out into the blog ethers! Also, I really share your frustrations with other dog owners who haven't educated themselves enough to recognize their dog's rude (and therefore antagonizing) behaviors. Ninety-nine percent of our troubles arise out of other dogs approaching us head-on even as I'm calling to the owners to reign their "friendly" pooch in...

Thanks again - it was a boost not to feel so isolated during these stressful times with my big lug.

I wish you, Tikka, and Roman many lovely autumn walks!"

Here I thought I had about 5 readers reading my posts of miscellany and etcetera. I know this reader will be able to help her dog with John's help, so maybe I am making a small difference...though not always in ways I can predict.

Looking at these cute dogs and getting that email certainly lifted my spirits during a difficult time. I look forward to hearing about their training progress!

K9-Cops

2008-09-30T19:39:00.000-07:00

(Roman may not be a working police k9, but he sure looks the part in my not so humble opinion)

I can't wait for the premiere of "K9-Cops" on Animal Planet tomorrow night!

What is it about the German shepherd dog breed that is so attractive to me? I admit to having my head turned more times by a GSD than a SWM. And a GSD working is an awesome display of athleticism. Is it their intelligence? Loyalty? Versatility? Beauty? It is said that there are many dogs who can do a job better than a German shepherd, but no dog holds a candle to doing all the jobs (and doing those jobs well...shepherds excel at herding, police work, search and rescue, guide dog, therapy dog, obedience dog, tracking dog...) a shepherd does.

Roman so wants to please me that when a big male dog tried to dominate him, he tried to get away to me (I called him to me, which prompted the other dog to lunge with teeth, which prompted Tikka to lunge at aggressing dog's face! Guess she wanted to protect Roman...she may not like him, but she won't let other dogs not like him).

So, while I love many breeds of dog, including mixes, I will always share my life with a GSD.

The New Commute

2008-09-30T19:19:00.001-07:00

So, I've traded my four wheels in for two...I decided to try to help our environment, my aging body and sickly wallet by riding my bike to work instead of driving...a total of 10 miles round trip and includes many a San Franciscan hill (huff!).

What a different experience this has been. Instead of being insulated and semi conscious in my car, I'm out in the fresh air and feel a part of nature. While I do have to leave at 6:30 a.m., I got this lovely sunrise, still pond with birdsong everywhere, as a reward. You'd never know I live in a city...

On my way to my 'day job' as a teacher (in the Presidio)...

On my way home...

Ooops! Didn't see this today! But, oh...I wish! This pic is from another, slower commute along the Napali coast on the island of Kaua'i (the beach is Ke'e beach...glorious, love it, want to be there now). I'm afraid I have to wait until next summer to get to the islands again.

The Marina

2008-09-28T07:49:00.000-07:00

click on above image to see the Safeway, LOL

Alcatraz

My workshop was in this building.

Cool Globes vs. Uncool people

2008-09-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

I finally had the energy to take a short run down to Crissy to see the Cool Globes exhibit. It was...well, cool. But, many of the people were not! I was amazed how owners were letting their dogs urinate on these globes! How rude.

(click to enlarge...the kite surfers were very cool, too!)

Rude Dogs part 2

2008-09-21T09:52:00.000-07:00

Walking the dogs at Crissy Field on the weekends is akin to dealing with Sunday drivers. Everybody is out, walking their dogs, and it is apparent that many are dogs walking their people.

We first encountered a poodle on the-bane-of-my-existence flexi leash (this is a topic that needs its own post, but all flexis should be banned! I despise them almost as much as the "gentle" leader. Seriously folks, if you want to give your dog more freedom, train him so he is reliable off leash!). The poodle saw Roman and Tikka, and started whining and barking and pulling to the very end of the 20' lead to get to them. I walk my dogs at my side and they can only go ahead at my ok. I give the owner credit for asking if my dogs were friendly so her barking, whining dog could meet them. I told her they are not good on leash (not completely true, and she looked at me funny since they were calmly walking at my side, but I don't allow them to meet out of control dogs). As we continued, she continued to let the dog pull at the end of the flexi while telling little Charlie, "Oh, Charlie..." in a sing song voice.

Then, we encountered a husky in a harness dragging his owner towards us. The husky was giving my dogs direct eye contact and the owner was oblivious. Since I was on a bridge, I moved to the side to let them pass. But the owner kept coming directly towards us despite my warning, "why don't you pass?" The dog got within a few feet and my dogs did bark at him. I was angry at this point and didn't care. Roman barking is not for the faint of heart and finally the guy got the picture and pulled his dog away. Ugh. Why do people put harnesses on their dogs that are not trained?

As we continued our walk, off leash, down the beach, passing numerous dogs, when we met up with two large dogs (also off leash)...Tikka veered off to go behind me while these dogs charged Roman...I moved quickly, calling Roman, since these dogs barreled into him, growling...I did not correct him as he tried to follow me, but had to turn and growl with hackles as these dogs kept coming (not listening to their owner's wimpy command, 'oh, come on guys') at Roman, head on...They are lucky he has a long fuse. I got myself between the dogs and my dogs and they ran off.

Maybe this is why I spend more time at Ft. Funston, as much as I love Crissy. It just seems there are more dog savvy owners that frequent Ft. Fun.

I love Suzanne Clothier's article on this subject of rudeness!

Rude Dogs vs. Tikka

2008-09-21T09:28:00.001-07:00

Well, they say things happen in threes. Yesterday, Tikka drew nose blood for the third, and hopefully, last, time. I admit to being a little lax with the training due to a heavy workload, but I also wonder...was she really in the wrong?

First offense: Dog from Tikka's walking pack started nosing my pockets of treats...Tikka launched herself in defense of said pocket.

Second offense: Doodle made a beeline straight for Tikka's face to say 'hi'

Yesterday's offense: Setter bounded up to her, again head on, to say "hi" while she was on leash.

While the first time was a resource guarding issue and she did get corrected, I feel the last two times were cases of rude dogs not heading her leave me alone signal.

Many people do not realize that dogs don't like direct eye contact from dogs they don't know and it's considered 'rude' or threatening to run straight up to another dog, face on. A polite (or rather, well socialized) dog averts her gaze and greets a new dog slowly through the back door, so to speak.

That is why it is so important to socialize puppies with well socialized, older dogs. A dog learns best through other dogs. The older dog never hurts the pup, but will growl or snap while teaching the exuberant pup manners. Owners need to let this happen and not 'protect' their pup. If pups are not allowed to learn this way, he will grow up not understanding the subtle signals other dogs give off. What's discouraging is that the dog this unsocialized dog 'offends' is usually seen as aggressive or in the wrong, since offending dog is 'friendly and just wants to say hi'.

Here is an excerpt from Suzanne Clothier's article on the subject:

"Sitting quietly on the mall bench beside my husband, I was minding my own business when the man approached. I glanced up as the man sat next to me. He was a bit close for my comfort, so I edged a little closer to my husband who, busy reading a book, ignored me. Still feeling a bit uncomfortable with the strange man so close, I then turned my head slightly away from him, politely indicating I was not interested in any interaction. To my horror, the man leaned over me and began licking my neck while rudely groping me.

When I screamed and pushed him away, my trouble really began. My husband angrily threw me to the ground, yelling at me "Why did you do that? He was only trying to be friendly and say hi! What a touchy bitch you are! You're going to have to learn to behave better in public."

People all around us stared and shook their heads sadly. I heard a few murmuring that they thought my husband should do something about my behavior; some even mentioned that he shouldn't have such a violent woman out in public until I'd been trained better. As my husband dragged me to the car, I noticed that the man who had groped me had gone a bit further down the mall and was doing the same thing to other women."

Roman did not have this opportunity as a young dog and it was a lot of work, and quite tricky, to socialize and teach him appropriate dog manners...but learn he did. Tikka likes to avoid large dogs, and there is nothing wrong with that. Since she is only 22 pounds, a 75 pound dog charging at her is quite a threat. The setter's owner made a point to track me down the beach to tell me she drew blood. I offered to pay for any vet bills, but the injury was minor and the dog was fine, otherwise. Interesting that he didn't think his dog was in the wrong at all (I saw the same dog running up to several other dogs that obviously did not want his attention, and the owner had to pull him off). So, while I do have to work more on lengthening Tikka's fuse, I will not correct her in situations like this (I need to correct myself for not protecting her better).

If Roman did that to a small dog and got bitten, I would feel he got a much deserved lesson.

AM PM

2008-09-18T18:28:00.002-07:00

12 hours ago. Sunrise. After a week of fog and overcast skies, Thursday yielded bright sun. Made getting up in the dark somewhat bearable.

12 minutes ago. Mr. Dog-ma needs to unplug by watching TV. Luckily for me, he fell asleep so I can enjoy the slow sunset in silence.
Tikka stands guard against pugs, chihuahuas and the neighborhood labradors who would mark her Chinese Elm. This tree was planted when Erik was born and I love how it dominates our living room window. The leaves catch the morning and evening light and hummingbirds dance among the branches. I try to catch nature where I can, since I don't have a garden. Sigh. One day.

Sunset Stroll

2008-09-18T18:28:00.000-07:00

Sunset stroll at...well...guess!

See the GGB in this pic? (click to enlarge image)

Rare photo of Mr. Dog-ma (shhhhh....he'll kill me...)
Hang gliders continue to fascinate me. Who are these people that can step off a cliff into thin air? How much is their life insurance (I just bought a 20 year policy for $361...but then again, I lead a pretty boring life...)?

Roman contemplating the sunset...or...where to take his next dump...
Why I live here...

Wall Art

2008-09-06T09:58:00.000-07:00

I decided not hang any artwork over the desk in the living room after it was painted. No need, as I get to see this natural art in the morning light (our desk is right below). We are still working to try to get the house in order, but 10 hour workdays keep getting in the way; so, I live in a mess, but something as simple as the morning light gives me pause and peace. Hopefully, I will have the energy to set up my new 75 gallon aquarium this weekend. Watching my fish is an instant stress reliever.

In other news, we had a 4.0 quake last night which had Mr. Dog-ma jumping for the door frames. It had this native San Franciscan yawning. After all, I've been in one that was almost twice as strong.

Mr. Dog-ma was wondering why the dogs didn't warn us. Well, they are natives, too.

Present and Future Fightin' Irish

2008-09-06T09:57:00.001-07:00

Back to School, Misc. and Etc.

2008-08-30T08:04:00.000-07:00

8:00 P.M.

2008-08-24T20:41:00.000-07:00

(Roman doing what he usually does inside...at least until 8:00 P.M.)

Just about every night, at approximately 8:00 P.M., Roman gets the 'heebee jeebees' on our bed. It seems he likes a good roll in the hay after dinner. I found him doing this in Lake Tahoe, too, so he is not partial to a particular bed...but it's always at 8:00 P.M. or so. I haven't been able to get a photo of him, since he stops once he sees me...but if I quietly sneak up on him, I catch him digging in the blanket and rolling on the pillows, interspersed with spins, yips and play bows.

I guess he is in touch with his inner puppy.

Beagles CAN be Trained!

2008-08-17T08:12:00.000-07:00

Sid is a one year old beagle who is sweet as can be. His owner contacted me this summer because she was having trouble with him running away from her at the beach and jumping on the coffee and dining room table. "Oh, and he also pulls really hard on the leash." I further discovered during our consult. "I just want him to come when I call him...I don't care about the other stuff. He's a beagle, they can't be trained. I will be surprised if you can do anything with him." First of all, I had to convince her that yes, beagles can be trained. All dogs can. While beagles may be a little more independent due to their original breeding purposes, they are still smart dogs that can learn.

Because I take a holistic approach to training dogs, I can't just teach a dog to come or walk on a loose leash, while ignoring everything else that is going on in his environment. Basic obedience commands ("sit", "down", etc.) are useful and necessary, but are really only one means to an end. My goal for my clients is a dog who is well behaved in and out of the house. Sid pretty much had the upper hand in his family and most of what his owners were doing with him was reactionary. Sid gets in the garbage, "NO SID!", Sid runs away at the beach, "Sid, come, come, come here now! No Sid!" Sid jumps on the dining room table, "No Sid, get off!"

What Sid needed to learn was what TO do in a positive and motivating way. I believe dog training is really about communication. Once Sid's family was able to have better communication with their young beagle, Sid calmed down since it was clear what was expected of him.

I am happy to report that Sid now comes when called, walks on a loose leash and no longer runs amok in the house. His family now has the tools to handle him in all situations and Sid has a lot more freedom.

Walking at Ft. Funston in San Francisco...again

2008-08-15T19:05:00.005-07:00

Meli is up for adoption

What Dogs Need

2008-08-12T17:45:00.001-07:00

How many of us have gotten a dog, filled with romantic notions of long walks in the woods, Rover gracefully bounding ahead but always coming when called? His loyalty and enduring friendship is evident in his loving gaze as he heels by your side, greeting everything life has to offer with equanimity.

How many of us have had that romantic notion thrown back into our face when our dog wees on the new carpet, chews our coffee table, refuses to come when called, has separation anxiety, aggression issues, is afraid of inanimate objects, is afraid of animate objects, is hyperactive...well...the list goes on.

Living with a dog should be a joy...and, it is...but that joy is not a given. There is some groundwork involved on the road of Life With Dogs. After all, they are a living being with their own genetic makeup and temperament. Anytime we merge our life with another living being, adjustments have to be made.

Training your dog should be a simple task, no? You show him what to do, reward him, and voila, he's trained. Sadly, not so simple. Otherwise, I do not believe thousands of dogs would be given up each year to shelters and rescue groups. In fact, many people never train their dogs and expect them to just behave. When they act, well...like dogs...the frustrated owner can't or won't deal with the issue. "I thought if I loved him enough," has been said quite often.

Parents know that love is not enough to raise a child; partners know that love is not enough to keep a relationship strong. So, it's really no surprise that love is actually the last thing a dog...especially a rescue dog...needs. In fact, loving a dog too much is usually what leads to behavior problems. What?!

So, what does a dog need?

There are so many theories and methods regarding dog training and behavior out there, it will make one's head spin.

"You should only train using positive only techniques! They are based on science!"
"You must be the alpha and dominate your dog-be his pack leader, or he will dominate you!"
"There is no such thing as an alpha wolf/dog/pack leader."
"Correct your dog each time he does not obey."
"Never correct your dog. If he does something wrong, ignore it."
"Clicker train your dog, it's how they train whales and dolphins!"
"Crate train your dog; he'll feel safe since he is a den animal."
"Crate training is cruel!"
"If you become more prey like, your dog will do anything for you, since he only has a prey drive."

...and on it goes.

It's amazing to me that any new dog owner is able to navigate this mine field of information. No wonder so many give up, and either live with the bad behavior or get rid of the dog.

So...back to what a dog needs.
Besides the obvious - good food, daily, structured exercise, medical care - a dog needs to trust his guardian and have consistency in his life. You get this trust and consistency through training and structure. I don't train my dogs because I want little robots who will obey my every command. I train them in order to communicate with them. When I am able to communicate with them, I am better able to provide for their needs and they have more freedom (for example, since Roman has a solid recall, he is able to run off leash with other dogs-getting much needed exercise and socialization). When a dog's needs are fulfilled, he rarely gets into trouble. The structure is obtained with a daily routine (new dogs are always introduced to a crate and not allowed on furniture or have free run of the house for several months-Tikka was an exception to this rule as illustrated in the photos :).

Another thing many dogs need is to be loved less. This means less affection (again, Tikka is an exception to this rule, but it applies to every other dog). I know! It's so hard! But, by giving your dog free love all the time (without the consistency, structure, etc.), you are actually hurting, not helping your relationship. Dogs actually do better in an environment where they are not simply given free run and affection all the time. I've spent a lot of time ignoring my dogs on purpose. Dogs also appreciate silence. We humans simply talk too much. Try simply being with your dog and not speaking.

Of course, all of this is really more important at the beginning of the relationship. Once the dog is reliably trained and has a respectful, balanced relationship with his people and environment (he looks to you for everything, instead of taking things into his own paws), things can loosen up a bit. Personally, I do not mind my dogs on the furniture and I like having them sleep in my bed - but, the rule is that they have to be invited and they have to get off when I tell them.

Now, you can finally have that romantic walk in the woods with secure knowledge that Rover will always come when called.

Canis Latrans Makes an Appearance

2008-08-04T08:48:00.000-07:00

I've been visiting Lake Tahoe for decades and I've only seen a coyote once. In fact, I've seen more coyotes in San Francisco (granted, I live there year round) than I've ever seen in the Sierra. I figured this was because the coyotes were naturally wary of people in the mountains but have learned to live and survive among us in the city, where we continue to encroach upon their habitat.

Yesterday, at about sunset, the dogs went ballistic on the deck of the cabin (we are staying in South Lake Tahoe, but the cabin is right up next to a national forest). Figuring a dog was out there, I looked over and saw a young coyote under the neighbor's deck. I had never heard Roman bark and growl so deeply. Tikka was charging the fence and least she become a coyote crunchie, I ushered both dogs inside. When I came back out, the coyote looked at me as if to sigh, "Thank you"...visibly more relaxed, and obviously not scared of this human above him, he slowly disappeared among the trees.

Excited to be so close to a wild creature, I silently wished him well.

The Coyote's role in Native American culture is one of the trickster; his lesson is trust and seeing through illusion. Like Wolf, he is a teacher spirit but his lessons are taught with humor; wisdom is found within folly.

River Dog

2008-08-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we went on a Russian River Adventure.

All involved survived fairly well intact physically, not so much mentally. We are, after all, simple city folk and not used to full days of clear, sunny skies, lush foliage, cool river water with no sign of civilization in sight for six hours. I barely managed to escape with a sunburn (despite frequent applications of sunscreen... I was so stupid not to bring a long sleeved shirt) and bug bite on my foot.

Roman had the best time (Tikka had to stay at home due to her recent surgery) and discovered he could swim.

He wants to go again. I agreed to go again if the end of the day involves a hot tub and nice, local cab.

Adopt a Beautiful German Shepherd!

2008-07-31T09:33:00.000-07:00

Gracie is a sweetie. When I met her in the shelter, she was sitting calmly and licked my hand. Who could dump such a beauty? Due to their innate desire to be with their people, shepherds do NOT do well kenneled. They are extremely intelligent and need a job (ie. training) and daily exercise...but the rewards of living with one of these dogs is immense. Steadfast and uncompromising loyalty, love and devotion. Who could ask for a better friend?

Do you have room in your life for Gracie? Contact SF Animal Care & Control.

Puppy Brutally Murdered in SF

2008-07-31T09:11:00.000-07:00

Reward offered for fatal stabbing of puppy

Who could do such a thing? The sickness and evil of human beings never ceases to amaze me. This poor pup was friendly as can be and was being fostered until he found a new home. Sadly, pits are often taken, along with other breeds, to be used as bait dogs. My guess is some sick predator was looking for exactly that at Ocean Beach (which is right below Ft. Funston, where tons of dogs congregate every day).

If one reads the comment section on SFGate, you will see many with their panties bunched up that a reward was offered in this case. They cite other murders...of a boy stabbed in the Excelsior, the Bologna family, etc. All horrific tragedies that no reward was offered. But Grateful Dogs Rescue and Friends of Animal Care and Control, who put forth the reward, feel strongly that the slime that did this should not be walking free. It's common knowledge that violence to animals is indicative of future violence to humans. I'm glad our society is slowly taking animal cruelty cases more seriously. In the end, it is not about the value of human life over animal life (the topic of another post but you can guess my stance-we are not more important than animals or trees, etc. and our pride in this matter is our downfall...), it's about securing a safe and peaceful earth for all of us.

Beagle+GSD=BFF

2008-07-29T09:31:00.000-07:00

Area Woman's Life Gone to Dogs

2008-07-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

San Francisco, CA: Bay Area resident, Angela C., admitted on Tuesday that her life has truly gone to the dogs. Currently housing four dogs (not to mention the two cats, two snakes and various fish tanks totaling 75+ gallons) in a small flat with no yard, her son and significant other are considering forcing her to seek medical treatment.

"I don't need treatment! The dogs are all I need!" Angela exclaimed while picking up another dog poo from the kitchen.

"I'm hungry all the time," He son shared. "She never misses giving the dogs a meal, but she hasn't cooked dinner for me since...since...I don't know when!"

"I'm worried Animal Cops will be knocking on her door soon to take her away for hoarding." Her father was caught saying, shaking his head.. "Not to mention the fact that she and my grandson now live in a urinal..."

Angela simply rolled her eyes. "Here we go...exaggerating again..."

"Then, what's that smell? Why have your friends stopped visiting? You have a problem..." Her father drifts off in order to push off a dog humping his leg.

"I do NOT have a problem," Angela muttered, as she stepped over a urine puddle on her way to the refrigerator, while dogs following her stepped through it. "If other people have an issue with it, "she continued, while feeding dogs bits of cheese and trying to keep two from fighting. "well, then, it's their problem, isn't it?"

Three Becomes Four...

2008-07-21T19:24:00.000-07:00

Sidd is here and is settling in quite nicely. He has a few pounds to lose (as most beagles do) but embraced his new exercise regime with gusto. He and Roman are best buds and raced around the dunes for two hours. Meli almost played with them, too!

The weather is still gloomy, but the dogs don't mind. In one month, I am back at work but I shoved that thought out of my head. Staying in the present moment, I was able to simply be and not think. What a glorious feeling!

This is Tikka's tree. She loves climbing it every time we pass!

The Best Dog Trainer

2008-07-20T20:27:00.001-07:00

(Tikka (left) shows foster dog Meli the ropes at Ft. Funston)

Our foster pup, Meli, is settling in so it was time to introduce her to the joy that is Ft. Funston. Given that she is still a bit fearful outside (expressed by barking at anything or anyone that scares her) and still growls/snaps at Roman if he gets too close, I had not idea how she would do.

Well, she exceeded my expectations. I kept her on leash, but she kept play bowing to Roman as he ran circles around us. Good sign! She was so happy to be out there. She tentatively met some big dogs, too. While she's still fearful of new people (she barked at a few that wanted to pet her. Not good PR, Meli!), I'm encouraged by how she trotted along and took things in stride.

Roman and Tikka really deserve the credit. They have been her "trainers" and are doing a much better job than I. Despite her aggression towards him, Roman will simply stand there and turn his head, while Meli snaps and barks at him, teeth and all. By not engaging her, and giving her a calming signal (turning of the head), she stops her display and then they go about their business. When Meli gets too rambunctious with Tikka, Tikka simply shows her teeth and Meli backs off. When Roman and Tikka are resting and calm in the house, Meli is resting and calm.

So, I decided to try Scott's (Roman's walker) trick and tied Meli to Tikka. Meli is very attached to me now, and I don't want her using me as her security blanket. This technique worked great! Tikka has nice energy and Meli picked right up on it. They walked side by side and still looked to me for guidance.

Tomorrow, our pack increases by one. Sid, a whirling dervish of a beagle, will be staying with us for a week of boot camp while my cousin is in Hawaii. Yes, I will have four dogs in a two bedroom flat with no yard. Just like old times.

Nature's Miracle is standing by...Stay tuned.

Distraction Training

2008-07-18T19:41:00.000-07:00

When teaching a dog a new behavior, it is important to use a lot of positive reinforcement and keep the environment free of distractions. During this learning phase, I ignore mistakes and heavily reward correct choices which increases drive in my dog. I also only work him for short bits of time after getting him in drive (basically, this is when he is 'on' and wanting to work, something I can achieve after a game of tug or fetch) and I always try to end a session while he is in drive and performing a behavior correctly. After I am confident he knows a behavior with no distractions, I slowly add various distractions, then I take the behavior on the road...further proofing and polishing. During this proofing phase, I still do not correct for mistakes. If Roman is making a lot of mistakes, that means I need to back up.

Today, Roman has an incredibly solid sit/down stay and recall. I can down him from a distance while dogs are running by. I can call him to front while he is mid chase. His solid obedience is due to many hours of distraction training. Training also provides me with a positive, uplifting distraction. I once had a woman say to me that she does not train her dogs because she doesn't want 'robots'. I would hardly refer to Roman as a robot. The more training he has, the more freedom he has. Our off leash walks are usually in silence. I never even have to command him (or Tikka). They can run off ahead without me worrying they will run off. They always stop, looking back, "Hurry up!" they pant. If they get caught up with a pack of dogs at the dog park, and I walk off, they chase after me. Our walks have become a silent meditation.

The Fog Creeps In

2008-07-17T07:28:00.000-07:00

(yes, once again I can't resist the poetry of paw prints in wet sand)

Sensing my treacherous mood, the fog crept in yesterday cloaking the city with its dreariness. I find some peace, if only for a moment, walking the dogs in the evenings. At that time, I can relish the stillness of Ft. Funston as the dogs chase ravens across the dunes. Walking with dogs doubles the experience since,not only am I taking in everything from my human perspective, but I try to experience it from the dogs' point of view, too. Checking their daily mail, Roman and Tikka silently trot along ahead of me leaving replies. At various points, they stop and wait, air scenting. A dog's eyesight is worse than ours and things that are not moving can be virtually invisible. But, their sense of smell is so intense (humans have 5 million scent receptors; a German shepherd has 225 million!) and provides them with a unique way of interpreting the world.

(click to enlarge image)

The fog and slight wind played havoc with my hair and I surrendered. My unruly mop never stands a chance in frizz weather. We walk down to the beach and watch the fishermen battle the rough waves. I take a detour back to the car and we watch the hang gliders shift deftly through the fog. Rather, I watch and the dogs continue their never ending scent exploration. We see the lady with five pugs, whom we see every day at this time. I take comfort in that.

The day ends apathetically with humans all over experiencing joy, sadness, depression, anger...the day doesn't care and simply goes about its business. It will be here again tomorrow.

Facing the Pain

2008-07-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

Six weeks ago, my brother in law was told his brain tumor was back (which explained why he suddenly was losing feeling on left side). "This time, " his doctor said. "You won't recover." He was given three to six month which turned out to be six weeks. He just turned 51.

Vahid was a kind, stoic and giving soul who was always there for everyone, especially during a crisis (something my family cannot do without, so he was often busy). He was an eclectic artist that created art in everything he did. His best creations are his two little boys. How many dinners did he cook me as I moaned about some inconsequential problem or another? Really, how did I ever complain about anything? How selfish of me! As my aunt used to say, "If you have your health, you have everything." Vahid was so brave through this terrible illness. Even when he lost the use of his body and could barely speak, he still whispered jokes to ease my sister's tears. He fought until the very end. He did not want to leave his family, but he lost the battle.

I have left religion long ago in favor of a more spiritual existence. Facing this tragedy, though, I am not feeling very spiritual. Is there a God? I don't know, but if there is, he has a shitty way of doing things.

My sister contends with the well meaning words of friends:
"This will make you stronger."
"It's all part of God's plan."
"He is in a better place."

She wakes up alone now, not feeling very strong. She has the kids, of course, but who is prepared to be a widow at 41 raising a 6 and 8 year old? I hang my head in shame for ever bemoaning my single mom existence. Divorce cannot compare to this untimely loss. I got over the divorce but how can my sister ever get over losing her love of over 15 years?

Today, at the grave sight, watching his coffin being lowered into the ground, his youngest said, "But how is he going to get out?!" Erik and I were quietly sobbing as we hugged Vahid's parents. What cruel god would let a parent bury their child? Then, I backed up and stepped on poor "Jose"'s grave stone while my nephew tripped over "Edgar's" flowers.

I told Erik, "Burn me when the time comes and take a vacation to Maui. I want to be fish food."
Poor Erik seriously thought about this. "But, what about the dogs? Do I bring them, too?" (I used to keep my dead dogs' ashes in my fireplace...Mr. Dog-ma called them Angela's Ashes. They are now buried in Lake Tahoe). I asked my mom where she wanted her ashes thrown. "The Bay?" "No, I hate the water (true, she never liked swimming)." "The mountains?" "No, I hate the mountains." (True, she was never into nature). "Neiman Marcus?" "That's a thought...No, just use me for cat litter." My dad, the stoic Irishman, was aghast at this morbid talk, but my family always had a mix of odd humor.

Part of me believes we choose this human life, knowing all the suffering...and joy...we will experience and everyone we will experience it with. Why are we here? The only feasible answer, to me, is to learn and grow. You can't learn and grow without suffering, which life happily supplies by the truckload. Then we move on with our journey.

I don't like to think that this is IT...but it's hard to imagine what else is there. I guess we all find out in the end.

I do know that Vahid would say, "Stop all that crying! Here...have some food (he was a wondeful chef) and try this new wine. Get on with it!" He lived a full life, fully. A message to us all. If there is something you want to do, what are you waiting for? Is there something you want to say to someone? What are you waiting for? Death is always with us...While he is not a pleasant companion, he is a constant reminder to live the life you are meant to live.

Not that this will be any comfort to my sister, but Rumi believes in embracing the pain:

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorabley.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the same, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.