One day in August I arrived home to find a baby snake on the basement floor in front of my dog Chase’s kennel. Any snake sets off a visceral reaction that usually makes me scream and jump out of my shoes. Somehow, a snake is always a surprise. It must be a survival instinct for my heart rate to go up and the hair on the back of my neck to stand at attention. But this guy was tiny, not much bigger around than a pen or pencil, and probably less than a foot long. He had rust red and gray and black markings. I think he was a corn snake. He was sitting in front of Chase, and I swear they’d had a conversation.
The snake apparently had the same reaction to me. He seemed to be concerned and very alert, but to my amazement, he didn’t move. I told him to “stay”, a natural thing for me to say since I often tell the dogs to stay. I went back out to the garage and got a shovel and a bucket. When I returned, the snake was still there (apparently an obedience prospect!) and even when I approached him, he stayed put. I gently scooped him into the bucket, took him outside, and released him in the long grass far from the house.
I could see that Chase was relieved. A few years ago, I found a baby snake in the basement and recognized it as the miniature version of a snake that can grow to be about five feet long. By the end of the summer I found 16 of the little guys in the basement and one in the living room (yes, a determined little snake can climb stairs!). We were doing construction on the front porch that year. Apparently the mama snake had been disturbed when about to lay her eggs and had left them in a place that allowed the hatchlings to drop into the basement.
I couldn’t catch these little snakes easily and I was afraid of them. Creatures that I can handle just fine in the wild can really bother me when I find them in my house. I’m not proud to say this now, but I ended up chasing the little guys down and beating them with a broom. I’ve noticed that fear of something different can make people react in extreme ways.
One day, after beating a little snake to death, I noticed Chase cowering in the corner. He was rescued from an abusive situation and must have been at the wrong end of the broom a few times himself. Seeing me wield the broom that way and knowing that I could suddenly turn into a crazy person had traumatized him. He made me realize that it was silly for a grown woman to beat a little snake to death with a broom. My adrenaline and my fear of finding these little snakes everywhere made me overreact.
So this year, when I found the baby snake, I swear that Chase had been coaching the little guy. I can feel Chase saying, “Just hold still and she won’t run you down. If she can catch you, she can set you free.” Seeing Chase right there in front of the snake made me realize that I didn’t want to traumatize him. And since the snake stayed still and was so easy to catch, I was able to gently put him in the bucket and set him free in the grass. I guess Chase was coaching me too! If you pay attention, you can learn a lot from your dog.
Chase the Snake Guru
Those who are familiar with spirit animals know that a snake appearing as a totem signifies that a transition or spiritual awakening will take place. Snake energy is said to be the energy of wholeness and the ability to experience anything willingly and without resistance. It is the knowledge that all things are equal in creation. It also signals a transition in your life, with new opportunities and changes. That is certainly true for me, with many transitions taking place this fall. I also think that perhaps Chase and the little snake created a spiritual awakening in me, or at least an awareness that I don’t have to react violently to a creature that frightens me. I don’t even have to experience fright.
With the wolf hunt controversy raging across our northern states, I’ve also been thinking a lot about how we might live in better harmony with the wolves in our country. They were removed from the endangered species list earlier this year. Their population in Minnesota has been steady at about 3,000 for the last ten years. In spite of an existing plan to ban hunting wolves for five years after they’re removed from the endangered list, our DNR is already planning to hold a controversial wolf hunting and trapping season beginning on November 3rd. Minnesotans have resoundingly spoken out against hunting and especially trapping wolves, with 79% of those responding to a 2012 DNR survey indicating that they are against a wolf hunt.
Wolf advocates argue that the wolf population is still fragile and that random killing with traps and firearms may destroy wolf pack structures, leaving packs weak, more desperate for food, and even more likely to prey on livestock. Indiscriminate killing of wolves that have not threatened livestock may take healthy alpha wolves and female wolves who are caring for pups, and thus also kill the pups. They state that the 400 wolf limit in Minnesota may be much more damaging to the wolf population than taking out the 400 weakest wolves of the stable population of 3,000. Wolf advocates here think that the hunting/trapping season needs to be stopped before November 3rd, when it may be too late for the health of our wolf population.
White Wolf (photo courtesy of Chuck Ashley)
Many deer hunters are also against the wolf hunt. They don’t see the morality in killing something you don’t eat just for sport (or a “trophy” pelt), and they think trapping is cruel. Some deer hunters have also defended the wolves because as the wolf population became healthy, chronic wasting disease (CWD) went down in the deer population and the hunters’ risk of being exposed to CWD was lower. The wolves took out the weak and provided a balance. Studies show that wolves are necessary for maintaining balance in the environment. When wolves are gone, other populations grow out of control.
Those who are against trapping wolves think that trapping is cruel. At least a mouse trap is designed to kill instantly. In Minnesota, the traps only have to be checked every 24 hours, so a wolf can be left in a snare or a leg hold trap to endure physical and mental torture for long periods of time. Hunters are required to report the wolves taken. But it’s possible that if more than 400 traps are set, we could lose a lot more than 400 wolves before the traps are even checked and the number of wolves killed is reported to the DNR.
The pending wolf hunt here seems to be set up for “Safari” hunters to bag wolf “trophies”. On taxpayer dollars, Minnesota DNR employees gave a seminar at a Safari hunters club on how to find and trap wolves. Did we really just protect the wolves for almost 40 years so safari hunters can “bag” wolf pelts for their walls? We may be about to reverse the 40 years it took to bring the wolves back.
Black Wolf (photo courtesy of Chuck Ashley)
What about those who are in favor of the hunt? While educating people at the Minnesota State Fair about the pending wolf hunt, I spoke with a number of people from around the state. One guy told me that a wolf killed his dog and his emotional reaction made him say, “Kill them all!”
It’s important to note that different areas of the state have different wolf populations and situations. I learned the most from two hunters from Itasca County in northern Minnesota. At first they didn’t want to talk to me and were antagonistic to my “Stop the Hunt” t-shirt. I asked them if they had a few minutes to tell me what’s going on in their area because I want to learn from people from other parts of the state. When they realized that I was going to listen to them and not argue with them, they had a lot to say. They told me that their area is overrun with wolves and that the deer population is down. Where they used to see deer scat, they now see wolf scat, with deer hair in it. They encounter wolves in the woods and one of them claimed that he has been surrounded by wolves when in a deer stand, and when sitting on the ground below a deer stand. He thinks that the wolves in their area need to be managed. He said that when guys are out in the woods and feel threatened by wolves, poaching occurs. Wolves are being killed without being reported.
As they talked, we found more common ground than I expected. We agreed that farmers and ranchers need the right to protect their livestock (which they already have). Surprisingly, both men agreed that trapping wolves is cruel and shouldn’t be allowed. They don’t want guys from the city setting traps up there. They love wolves and don’t want them to become extinct. Both men agreed that a wolf hunting season should focus on areas that are “overrun” with wolves, that the hunt should be managed more strictly by the DNR, and that firearms and bows are sufficient to manage the wolf population. They said that the DNR doesn’t currently have a good way to manage the wolf hunt, and that poaching will be inevitable, “as it is with deer”, because the hunting is not monitored closely enough. They said that guys who encounter wolves may shoot three wolves and only report the one they have a tag for. I found it interesting that guys who are out in the north woods all the time commented that poaching wolves is common and that trapping is cruel.
In all my conversations with people, most, even deer hunters, objected to “trophy” hunting for wolves. Many deer hunters don’t believe in killing something you can’t eat, unless it’s threatening your livestock, family or property. Most don’t like the idea that our DNR is using taxpayer dollars to give seminars to “safari” hunters to teach them to trap and kill wolves.
Black Wolf Pup (photo courtesy of Chuck Ashley)
Also at the state fair, I talked to a couple from north of St. Paul who raise sheep and have seen wolves, but have had no problems with them. I also spoke with a deer hunter who has seen and heard wolves in his area and thinks they’re beautiful. He hasn’t had any problems with wolves.
I live in the country 20 miles from St. Paul, with a state park in my backyard. To my knowledge, we don’t have wolves here, but we often hear coyotes and have had several encounters with them. One time a coyote ran my dogs and me out of the park. I was scared because the coyote didn’t act like a normal wild animal. It was defending territory within the park (probably had pups) and I was afraid that my older dog would become coyote bait. After yelling and waving large branches and trying to get the coyote to back off, I picked up my old dog, left the trail and ran cross country with my younger dog running beside me as the coyote followed us, too closely for my comfort, and ran us out. We got back to the truck safely and the coyote came almost all the way to the road. If I encountered wolves that were not elusive and were this aggressive, I might feel the need to defend myself and my home from them.
Our dogs descended from wolves, as people and wolves found ways to live that benefitted both species. Our domesticated dogs, although not wild, are genetically very similar to wolves. The bond and relationship between people and dogs grew from the relationship between people and wolves. So, what went wrong? Why do some now want to kill the wolves?
As a war on wolves raged in Washington State, Idaho, and Wyoming, and a hunt was pending in Minnesota, Michigan and other states, wolf advocates were relieved in late August when it was announced that the hunt in Wisconsin may be cancelled this year. The wolf hunt that allowed hunting (tracking) wolves with dogs was legally challenged as being inhumane and something that could result in a gruesome fight that a dog would most likely lose to a wolf or a pack of wolves. I doubt most hunters would want to put their good hunting dogs in the path of wolves.
Farmers, ranchers, and other property owners already have the right to protect their livestock, property, and families from wolves that threaten them. I thought the sentiment on this point was unanimous until I learned of those who graze cattle on public land in Washington State, where wolves are taking out cattle. Many are opposed to killing the wolves that kill cattle because the wolves were there first. Those who graze cattle on the public land knew the wolves lived there when they made the decision to graze their livestock there. So the right to protect livestock can be a gray area too, when the livestock are grazing on public lands where many feel that the priority should be to protect the wildlife.
In response to an online article about the pending Minnesota wolf hunt, one man responded, “I was an avid meat hunter for decades, but do not approve of folks who keep finding excuses to kill wolves, to include blaming them for lack of game rather than their lack of hunting skills. I have no problem with our predators having their share and I am convinced we need them in the natural order to maintain balance.”
A woman from northern Minnesota, responding to the same article, wrote: “Glaring and obvious purpose of the Hunts, going on all over the Country, is for a small group of people. It is not to protect the “livestock” because the methods chosen create will nilly shooting. The “hunters” also know nothing about the way wolves pack, mate or make families and NO consideration has been given to this either. Government and those who are supposed to make healthy decisions, have ignored the majority of the Country that oppose the hunts. So plain and simple, it is because of a small group of people that have given large contributions and put pressure upon politicians in order to attain funds for elections… I have many many years living in areas with wolves in MN and the whole hunt was built upon a lie. It is almost as if the idea of killing a “wolf” is akin to “killing the devil or evil”. Very stupid, ignorant and sinful all the way around.”
So is the wolf merely a villain, or, if we listen, is the wolf a spirit guide? Can people and wolves once again find ways to live that benefit both species? What can we learn from the wolf? The wolf totem signifies intuition, learning, and spirit. The wolf teaches us to learn about our inner self and to find our inner power and strength. To achieve this, we must take risks and face our deepest fears (as I did with the snake). A wolf totem demands sincerity. If we are listening, the wolf reminds us not to waste resources and to learn how to avoid trouble and confrontations.
White Wolf (photo courtesy of Chuck Ashley)
To wolf, family is everything. Wolf is a hunter, and wolf hunts not for sport or trophies, but for survival, and plays a very important part in the great Creative Order of things by taking out the old ones, the weak ones, keeping the herds strong, and swiftly ending the suffering of those whose time has come to an end. Wolf is absolutely at home in nature, and wolf is strong, intelligent, caring. Wolf hears and sees everything; wolf scents the air and knows the seasons; and wolf raises the voice to fill the night. Wolf is the spirit and totem of leaders, of those who take responsibility for the well being of the younger and weaker ones, who look out for them, protect them, provide for them and fight for them.
Perhaps if we listen to the wolf, we will stop ourselves from “going nuts with the broom” and find a different way, remembering that the bond and relationship between people and dogs grew from the relationship between people and wolves. Do we always need to react extremely and destroy creatures that are different, that maybe we don’t really understand? What will happen to the balance in nature, if we decimate the wolf population again? Can we leave the wolves alone, and find a way to gently and peacefully coexist, as I did when I released the little snake in the long grass outside? Is the war on wolves across this country really necessary, and will we stop it before it’s too late?
I’m working on living peacefully with snakes. I hope we can learn from and make peace with our wolves before it’s too late.
Note: This week the Center for Biological Diversity and Howling for Wolves filed a lawsuit against the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) challenging the agency’s failure to provide a formal opportunity for public comment on recently approved rules establishing wolf hunting and trapping. The conservation groups are seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent the opening of hunting and trapping seasons this fall.
Find more information on the pending wolf hunt in Minnesota at: www.HowlingforWolves.org.
Totem information excerpted from:
http://www.linsdomain.com/totems/pages/snake.htm
http://www.linsdomain.com/totems/pages/wolf.htm
http://spirit-animal.net/wolf_backgrounds_spirit.htm
Posted on September 21st, 2012
Filed under: General, News, Wolves | No Comments »
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In May I traveled to Bimini to swim with wild dolphins (dolphins willing, of course!). The trip was led by animal communicator Mary Getten, and included amazing people with powerful connections to dolphins and other animals. We swam with intriguing and playful dolphins. I was overjoyed, but not surprised, by the spiritual experience with the dolphins. What I didn’t anticipate was a deeply spiritual experience with three stray dogs. I call them the spirit dogs of Bimini.
Every afternoon we went out on a boat to snorkel, explore the sea, and seek time with the dolphins. In the evenings we had workshops on dolphins and animal communication. In the mornings we had free time to meditate, do yoga, walk the beach, kayak, or receive energy work or massages.
One morning after experiencing energy work, I was still thinking about what I had learned. I didn’t know that an animal communication workshop had already begun, because the workshop schedule had been changed due to the weather. I was late and was still trying to clear my head. I decided to go for a short walk into town, although I wasn’t certain that I should walk into town alone.
My 3 Dogs at Home
I had been in Bimini for a few days and missed my animals at home. I was thinking about them as I walked, when a yellow dog and a red dog appeared beside me. I strongly felt the presence of my yellow dog and two red dogs at home. When the dogs got ahead of me, they stopped, looked back and waited. When they strayed off, they looked up for me and galloped back to my side. They were escorting me, like four-legged guardian angels, like my dogs back home.
Yellow Dog and Red Dog
The two dogs stayed with me as I walked through town. Their playful spirits seemed as though they were on a mission to protect me, keep me company, and make me happy. When I entered a shop, they waited outside. I commented to the proprietress that they were waiting for me, thinking she would say that they follow and wait for everyone, but she didn’t. She seemed to think this was special.
Both Dogs Ahead
Both Dogs Ahead–Waiting
When I left the shop to walk back to Wild Quest, the two dogs were right there with me. When I turned around as they followed me, I noticed that a third dog, another red dog, had joined us. Now I was walking with a yellow dog and two red dogs, just like at home. Looking down at them, I imagined surroundings of field and forest instead of sand and sea, and felt right at home. Curious. Or was it?
Both Dogs Galloping Ahead
Third Dog–Another Red Dog
We had been studying animal communication and telepathy, and I wondered if my dogs at home had sent these spirit dogs to take care of me. They certainly made me smile and feel safe. That’s why I call them the “Spirit dogs of Bimini”. They brought the spirits of Bandit, Chase, and Cayenne to me. Although their lives in Bimini are probably much more difficult, they gave me a sense of play and comfort.
Red Dog Ahead–Checking Over His Shoulder
When I reached the gate, I thanked the dogs for the walk and their company, then said goodbye. I closed the gate and decided to join the animal communication workshop after all. I climbed the outside stairs to the second floor classroom and took a seat with my back to the door. Momentarily, people were pointing to the doorway behind me. The yellow dog had found his way inside the fence and followed me upstairs! He was clearly on a mission to find me because others had tried to get him to leave and he wouldn’t go. I understood his need to find me and told them the story.
Yellow Dog in Bimini
Yellow Dog at Home (Cayenne)
The people at Wild Quest thought this incident was strange. This dog hadn’t come inside the fence before and they didn’t understand why he wouldn’t go. I had to get up and go downstairs and out the gate to convince the dog to leave. Once I got up, he followed me right out. I assured him that I was okay, gave him my love, thanked him again and asked him to go back into town to help an older ailing dog I’d seen there. I thought maybe he needed another mission to send him on his way.
It’s curious that the only yellow and red dogs that I saw in town joined me on my walk. Or is it? Animal communicator Mary Getten said that the dogs were feeling my love for dogs and were attracted to my spirit. I believe they were also connected to my dogs at home and were somehow sent. Although their lives were no doubt very different, they carried the spirits of my dogs, and for the short time that we spent together, I felt those spirits.
We are just beginning to understand the complexity of dolphins. Perhaps dogs know more than we think too.
Posted on September 1st, 2012
Filed under: Dolphins and Whales, General | No Comments »
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I wrote this in June and want to share it with you now.
My Own Story of Dolphin Healing
~ Jenny Pavlovic, June 9, 2012 ~
I went to Bimini for the amazing opportunity to swim with wild dolphins. Animal communicator Mary Getten was leading the trip and she had been urging me to go for a few years. I finally got the chance! I had studied animal communication and had visited the gray whales of Laguna San Ignacio with Mary. On the Bimini trip, I was also going to gather ideas for a college course to teach math, physics and engineering through dolphins, and to explore how dolphins might provide a sense of calm and help relieve math anxiety.
I had never been to the Bahamas, or snorkeling, nor had I jumped from a boat into the open ocean before. On the first day out, I panicked a bit after first jumping from the boat into the sea, and swallowed some salt water when first learning to snorkel. I couldn’t see well in the water because I didn’t have my glasses, but the water was very clear. Even in twenty to thirty feet of water, visibility was clear all the way down to the bottom.
When the dolphins first joined us in the water that day, they “SONARed” me. I felt vibrations aimed directly at my midsection, as a strong buzz, like an electric current, ran through my middle. It felt good, like being in a whirlpool bath with strong jets of bubbles aimed directly at me.
I became nauseous later that day and vomited several times. I had never been seasick before, and attributed my nausea to swallowing salt water and to a poorly-timed trip below deck while the boat was moving. The vomiting felt like a purging, and afterward I felt better.
It wasn’t until weeks later that I understood what had happened.
I had read about how dolphins have helped people heal physically, mentally, and spiritually. As a biomedical engineer, I’m aware of the use of ultrasound to treat swelling, and of vibrations to accelerate bone healing. But although I hadn’t gone to Bimini seeking this sort of healing, I realize now that something powerful and intentional occurred.
Swimming with Wild Dolphins in Bimini--Those are my knees (top center)! (Photo by Atmoji of Wild Quest)
Each day that I was in Bimini, we swam with wild dolphins. Although I felt their echolocations in the water many times, I was only treated directly by the strong buzzing that one time on the first day. Now I think it was intentional. You see, I had a surgery to remove tumors in my abdomen in 2006. The tumors were benign, but were very painful. As one of the tumors grew, it felt like I had a bowling ball wedged between my kidney and my spine. Of course, the tumor wasn’t that large, but it felt like it! Since the surgery, I had never recovered my previous abdominal strength. In certain positions, like while lifting something, doing yoga, or sitting up from a reclining position, my abdominal wall muscles often went into a complete, uncontrollable spasm. When this happened, I had to lie on my back on the floor until the muscles relaxed again. I couldn’t release them.
Swimming with Wild Dolphins in Bimini--That's me, upper right! (Photo by Atmoji of Wild Quest)
Although I was still very active outside, and especially with my dogs, I limited certain activities to avoid these uncontrollable contractions. Sometimes I still experienced the spasms, especially when I was tired. In May of 2012, 5 ½ years after the surgery, I had gained weight and had not regained my previous abdominal strength.
In Bimini, the first time I entered the water from the boat by sitting on the ladder and sliding into the water, I noticed that this position might cause the dreaded abdominal contraction. I usually held back until others entered the water, and then took my time going in. But that first day I was “SONARed” by the dolphins, and I never had any problems entering the water from the boat.
Spotted Dolphins that We Swam with in Bimini (Photo by Atmoji of Wild Quest)
After I got home from Bimini, I began to notice that I could lift heavy things and sit up from a reclining position without the uncontrollable contraction. My yoga teacher commented that I looked stronger. The yoga positions and ranges of motion that I’d had to limit before weren’t giving me trouble. I began to test my limits, and found that my previous limits didn’t seem to exist! Tonight in a swimming pool, I treaded water, did the crawl, and even tried underwater flip turns, something I haven’t done for many years. The flip turns require me to quickly pull my legs into a tucked position while rotating my body, then using my tucked legs to propel me off the pool wall. This use of my abdominal muscles would have caused spasms before. In fact, I wouldn’t even have tried it. But tonight I was in the pool swimming and playing for over an hour, pushing my limits without one uncontrolled contraction! Something significant has changed. I feel like I have been healed!
I believe now that when I first entered the water, the dolphins gave me the “SONAR treatment” to heal me. Whether they sensed the scar tissue and damage from the surgery, or just that I was sick to my stomach that day, I don’t know. Perhaps their intent was to heal my scar tissue, and the vomiting (which occurred later) was a purging of sorts. Somehow they knew that I was hurting inside and gave me a treatment that healed me.
Fondly Remembering the Spotted Dolphins of Bimini (Photo by Atmoji of Wild Quest)
Since this was my first time in the water with dolphins, I hadn’t known what to expect. I thought maybe the buzzing feeling happened all the time. But after being in the water with the dolphins for a few days, I realized that the very direct and targeted treatment that I felt on the first day was unique and likely very intentional. I had read books by Horace Dobbs and others about dolphins healing people, but I hadn’t thought about seeking that type of healing for myself. The dolphins seemed to sense my need and focus right in on it to take care of me.
Swimming in the sea made me feel stronger again. I have always loved to swim. Now I seek more opportunities to swim even here in Minnesota, many miles from the ocean. In the water, I feel closer to the dolphins. I can swim now without concerns about muscle spasms, and swimming is helping strengthen my core again.
I believed before that dolphins can heal people. Now I know from personal experience, from my own unexpected gift from the dolphins, that this is true.
I must also give credit to Tara of Wild Quest, who did energy work on me toward the end of my week there. Tara helped balance my energy and, I’m sure, contributed to my healing along with the dolphins. What a magical team and a beautiful experience!
Note: I plan to visit the wild dolphins of Bimini with Mary Getten and Wild Quest again in 2013. If you would like more information, please email me at [email protected]. fine more information at http://www.marygetten.com/ (Click on “Trips”) and http://www.wildquest.com/.
Posted on August 30th, 2012
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First, a quick note: A few weeks ago I discovered that Bandit’s tags were missing. I keep them in a tag pocket on his collar to protect them, and the entire pocket with all the tags was gone. I immediately got him a new ID tag. After my experience with hundreds to thousands of lost dogs after Hurricane Katrina, I wanted Bandit to be easily identified from a tag (even though he is microchipped), if for some reason he got lost. For more information, check out the Not Without My Dog Resource & Record Book.
In May I had the amazing experience of swimming with wild dolphins in Bimini, on a trip hosted by animal communicator Mary Getten. In 2008, I had amazing encounters with gray whales at Laguna San Ignacio on a trip with Mary. I’ve been reading books by Rachel Smolker and Horace Dobbs about encounters with wild dolphins. I knew that dolphins are remarkably intelligent, and reading these stories impressed me about just how connected they are. We’re often ignorant of other species’ capabilities and needs unless we take time to observe them and get to know them.
Touched by a Gray Whale in Laguna San Ignacio (2008)
Smolker wrote about a wild dolphin, called Holly, in Australia. When Smolker was in the water with Holly one day, Holly tried to get Smolker to swim down into deeper water, but she didn’t follow the dolphin because the water was murky and she couldn’t see well. Holly then dove down alone and carried something up from the bottom of the sea. It was the toolkit that had been lost from Smolker’s boat in a recent violent storm. Holly the dolphin had retrieved Smolker’s lost toolkit!
Dobbs wrote a similar story about a dolphin, called Donald, in England. Dobbs had lost his new underwater camera when the strap had broken. He’d been searching for it for a while when Donald dove to the bottom of the sea and pointed to the lost camera, finding it for Dobbs. This is another example of a dolphin helping a person find something they had lost! After spending much time swimming in the ocean with wild dolphins, Dobbs hypothesized that they used their sonar to identify the heartbeats of their human friends from a distance.
During the same week I was reading the dolphin books, while out doing errands I heard snatches of a cancer researcher speaking on the radio. I later looked up the broadcast and found the podcast at http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/04/27/mpr_news_presents/. Dr. David Agus, cancer doctor and best-selling author of the book The End of Illness, spoke about diet and exercise and genes, but what jumped out at me the most is what he said about dogs. He said that the landmark Framingham Heart Study showed that the most protective factor for our hearts is having a dog. People who have dogs are healthier because dogs keep us on a regular schedule. He stated that having a regular schedule for diet, sleep, and exercise is even more important than how much food or sleep or exercise we get.
When asked how this helps, Agus said that our bodies don’t like surprises. Our bodies care about surviving, and having a predictable and regular schedule helps our bodies know what to expect. Stress hormones are more likely to be activated when our bodies are surprised or miss something. When we have responsibility for a dog, we’re more likely to go to bed and get up at a certain time, have regular mealtimes, and go out regularly to walk the dog. We have to get home by a certain time to let the dog out and are less likely to stay out late because we have to get home to the dog (or we know that the dog will wake us up early even if we stay up too late!). This regular schedule is good for our bodies.
I knew that having a dog was good for my heart, but I hadn’t thought about it this way!
Next Dr. Agus said something that I hadn’t exactly heard before. He said that if you work out for an hour per day and sit for the rest of the day, all that sitting negates the benefits of the one hour of working out. Sitting for too long isn’t good for us because our lymphatic system has no muscles. When we walk around, the rhythmic contractions in our leg muscles circulate the lymph, helping our bodies get rid of waste. Helping the lymphatic system drain regularly by moving around makes us healthier. People who go to the gym for an hour per day may be fit in some ways, but their chance of getting cancer isn’t reduced by exercising unless they continue to move around throughout the day. People who have dogs tend to move around more regularly. This helps drain our lymph nodes and keep us healthy. Of course, this probably only pertains to people whose dogs live in the house with them and who spend time with and pay attention to their dogs.
According to this thinking, Bandit hitting me on the leg with the rubber chicken or dropping the ball in my lap when I’ve been sitting at the computer for too long is actually helping me stay healthy. Every time I take a short break to go outside, run around with the dogs and kick the ball, I’m milking my lymph nodes, helping clean junk out of my system. I always thought Bandit was a genius. He’s even more of a genius than I realized. I call him my recreation director, but perhaps I should call him my personal trainer too.
In turn, I do many things to help keep my dogs healthy. I give them off leash exercise, with room to run every day. I take regular breaks to play outside with them. I let them be dogs, don’t give them junk food, don’t use harmful chemicals on the lawn or the carpet or the floors of our house, avoid exposing them to toxic substances, let them express their natural instincts like tracking and herding, take care of their basic grooming needs and veterinary care, feed them high quality grain free food, and, of course, give them Omega Canine Shine® and Omega Nuggets™ to help meet their nutritional needs.
Dolphins and dogs are more intelligent and aware than most people realize. They give us their best. In turn, let’s take good care of them too. Next I’ll report on my visit and healing experience with the wild dolphins.
Announcements:
Great gift for dog lovers. Do your Christmas shopping early! Signed, hard cover copies of The Not Without My Dog Resource & Record Book are available for $15 each (40% off). Email me at [email protected] with “BOOK ORDER” or “BOOK INQUIRY” in the subject line. Quantity discounts are available for orders of 10 or more books. Find more info and the book trailer video at http://www.8statekate.net/wordpress/?page_id=1542.
Posted on August 25th, 2012
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In April my truck went in to the shop for a few days and I had the use of a brand new, very nice 4-door sedan. I’ve always been a truck person and I soon realized why I was uncomfortable with only having the car at my disposal. I knew that I couldn’t fit my three dogs and cat safely into that car. My truck has three kennels, one for each dog to ride safely, and room for the cat carrier too. It also has martingale collars, leashes, and water bowls on board. The weather was calm that week, but just two days after I picked up my truck, tornados broke out across the country and severe storms hit our area. I knew then that if I had to evacuate, I would be able to safely take all of my pets along. Learn more about how to safely restrain your pets in motor vehicles at http://www.petsit.com/pet-vehicle-safety.
After Hurricane Katrina, I helped take care of rescued animals in Louisiana. I met many people who were searching for their lost pets. Many had lost everything they owned and were desperately searching for the animals they had lost. I learned so much about what not to do in a disaster situation. This led me to write the Not Without My Dog Resource & Record Book to share what I had learned and maybe spare other families and their pets the agony that so many experienced after Katrina.
Read more…
Posted on August 17th, 2012
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We all want to belong and feel useful. Most of us are happiest when we have meaningful work. Our dogs are descended from long lines of herders, retrievers, hunters, guard dogs, and other dogs who became companions to people because they did useful work. Nowadays, sleeping at home all day while the family is at school and work can leave a dog restless and bored. A dog needs plenty of exercise and a purpose in life. Of course our dogs are great companions, but when they don’t have the opportunity to do the jobs they were bred for, they can get into trouble, or even invent their own jobs.
Take Bandit, for instance. He comes from a long line of Australian Cattle Dogs, hard headed, smart, intense dogs who are used to taking charge and are not intimidated by a herd of cows. Bandit has had opportunities to herd cows, but we don’t have our own herd, so those opportunities don’t come often enough for him. Thus, Bandit carries one jolly ball while herding another one around the yard. He tries to herd me to the door when he wants me to go outside. He sometimes herds the other dogs, especially if he thinks they’re in my way and wants to clear the way for me. He barks at the deer that come to the bird feeder, wanting to control those hoofed animals. When I’ve been sitting at the computer for too long, he whacks me on the leg with the rubber chicken or drops a tennis ball in my lap. It’s time to take a break and play ball! I call Bandit my recreation director.
Chase has created some interesting jobs for himself. I think Chase is a mix of collie and cattle dog, two herding breeds. He has had the opportunity to work sheep and ducks, but not often enough. Herding dogs are especially alert to anything that is out of order because they’re used to watching over their flock. Chase likes to notify me when anything is different. He hears the garbage truck and snowplow coming long before I do and lets me know. He barks in a unique way when the feral cat is around. When we go outside, Chase patrols the perimeter as a collie will. He follows his nose, which tells him what other creatures have passed through. He spots birds way up in the sky and has alerted me to a bald eagle soaring high above. Chase is currently in training to become a therapy dog. I’ve felt for a long time that this is a calling for him and I’m finally giving him the chance to do it. We plan to volunteer at the library where kids can read to Chase, and we may also visit an eldercare home.
One job that Chase takes very seriously is one that I cannot figure out. He goes bonkers when I crack a hardboiled egg. I can crack a dozen raw eggs with no response, but when I get ready to crack a hardboiled egg, Chase springs up and barks like it’s the end of the world. He has even learned what it sounds like when I take a hardboiled egg out of the refrigerator. When I flip the lid of the fridge compartment he comes running, anticipating that I’ll soon crack a hardboiled egg, and prepares to go bonkers. The only reason for this that I can think of is that this cracking sound reminds Chase of something from his early life in an abusive home. But I just don’t know. He is very sensitive to different sounds.
Cay is more into play than work, but she has created a couple of jobs for herself. She loves to steal Chase’s favorite ball and scamper around the yard holding it just out of his reach. Since we only have one of these balls and Chase is quite serious about it, Cay enjoys the role of “bratty little sister”. The more Chase gets upset, the more she prances around with his ball, just out of reach. Having played the role of bratty little sister myself once, I tell Chase to pretend like he doesn’t care and the fun of the game will go away for Cay. But he goes into fits knowing that she has ‘his’ ball.
When we go up to play in the pen on the hill, the dogs often take balls with them. The result is that our backyard would be empty of balls to play with if we didn’t bring some back down the hill every day. Cay has figured this out. Each day when we turn to head back to the house, she runs around searching for a ball to bring back. She never comes back empty handed (or should I say empty mouthed?). I can’t remember when or how Cay chose this job for herself, but she takes it very seriously every day.
In the winter, at least one of the dogs jumps up on my bed before bedtime, warming it up for me. Sure, this is a perk for them, but it’s also a perk for me. I never have to feel cold sheets on a cold winter night.
And I’m ready for a three dog night too.
Sometimes my dogs work as a team. When I offer a large yogurt carton to be licked out, Chase licks the inside rim around the top, Bandit licks around the middle, and Cay, with the longest, narrowest muzzle, licks out the bottom. When I think about it, I notice more and more jobs that my dogs have created for themselves. What jobs do your dogs help you with?
Of course, my dogs are great companions. Besides being my friends, one of the best jobs they have is leading me to new friends—through dog activities like obedience, agility, tracking and herding, and through their stories. Now that’s what I call meaningful work!
We recently reconnected with Cay’s brother Zander’s family when they read an Omega Fields article about her. I’m happy to hear that Cays’ brother is also getting the great nutrition provided by Canine Shine and Omega Nuggets.
Wishing you and yours the benefits of great nutrition and a Happy Spring!
Posted on April 18th, 2012
Filed under: Cayenne/ Zulu, General | No Comments »
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We haven’t had much of a winter here this season, at least by Minnesota standards. Not much snow, not very cold weather. It seems like the temperature has hardly even dropped below freezing. By the time you read this, I might be trying to dig my way out of a snowstorm. But while writing this in mid-February, we’ve gotten off easy. I suspect that March may bring a barrage of snow, and April may fool us yet. So far, though, most of our winter walks have been on slippery mud and ice, not snow.
I’m always surprised to hear that some people stay cooped up inside all winter. With three very active dogs, I need to get out every day. I would get no rest on the sofa with three dogs bouncing off the walls. They need to run and play off leash to get worn out, so we go out for our daily walk/run no matter the weather. The dogs usually lose weight in the winter because they’re doing the same things, except in the snow. They’re less active when it gets very hot in the summer.
I bought Cayenne a wonderful new dog coat from Duluth Trading this year because she tends to be a freeze baby. We haven’t had much occasion to use the new coat this season, but when the temperature dropped, we were glad to have it. I keep Cay lean because she was born with some minor joint problems and I don’t want extra weight to make them worse. Her leanness and her fine coat make her more sensitive to the cold than the boys. She came from Tennessee and apparently wasn’t made for harsh winters.
Cay loves to run and play in the snow and doesn’t want to miss a thing, but when it’s just time to go out for a potty stop, she makes quick work of doing her business. When she first joined our family, she was even afraid to go out in the dark. She doesn’t like the early morning and late night dark and cold temperatures. She runs right back to the door, willing me to let her back in.
Bandit, on the other hand, stays out to play with the jolly balls in any kind of weather, apparently not noticing crisp cold air or bitter arctic winds. He has a thicker coat, but more importantly, he has focus and a strong work ethic. True to his Australian Cattle Dog ancestry (with middle name “Cattle”, not “Careful”) , he was born to focus on the task at hand, whether it is herding cattle or carrying one jolly ball while herding a second one around the yard. His play is his work and his work is his play, no matter the weather.
Without Bandit, I probably would never find myself playing ball out in the yard at 11 o’clock at night, experiencing the wonders of nighttime. I would have missed the quiet stillness of the night, the amazing clear night skies with astounding arrays of stars, and the bright full moon casting its light across the yard. I would have missed seeing the northern lights and listening to coyotes howling, prompting my own three dogs to join in the song. Without Bandit, I probably wouldn’t spend much time outside at night at all; I likely wouldn’t even know what phase the moon is in.
Chase has a good thick coat to keep him warm. He looks like a cattle dog-collie mix. When we go out, he keeps track of the birds and animals, including the crows that fly overhead and the rabbits that live just outside the fence. More of a border patroller, he checks the perimeters each time he goes out. He uses his nose extensively to keep track of everything in the neighborhood. He has shown me a bald eagle way up in the sky, one that I would have missed without his help. He also notifies me of anything that seems different or out of place, and pesters me until I check it out.
Without my three dogs, I would have missed so much of the day time and night time beauty of winter. No matter the weather, I appreciate what my dogs teach me. I’m comfortable knowing that Omega Fields Omega Canine Shine® and Omega Nuggets™ give them the optimum nutrition they need to cope with the varying weather conditions here in Minnesota. I’m taking good care of them as they are taking good care of me.
Posted on April 8th, 2012
Filed under: Cayenne/ Zulu, General, Kate's Family, News | No Comments »
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On Hurrying
Hurrying from one thing to the next
used to feel good,
Like a person was important and in demand,
like things were happening in one’s life.
But
Hurrying makes one look ahead to the next thing,
Multitask, multitask, multitask
and forget to be here. Now. Read more…
Posted on February 17th, 2012
Filed under: General | No Comments »
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Sometimes I still feel her presence,
Riding behind me in the back seat of the truck
Like she used to.
When her back legs got weak and she couldn’t walk very far
She rode in the truck behind me
And looked out the window,
Feeling the breeze, inhaling the smells.
She was a Bernese Mountain Dog
Beautiful, majestic
Too big for me to carry
As she had carried me through so much of life.
I knew she would leave her failing body soon.
So we went for rides
With the windows open
and enjoyed each other’s company,
using all of our senses,
longing to hold on to that feeling
Forever.
When it was time to let her go,
God sent a blizzard
for she loved the snow.
She stayed out on the deck all day
Turning white like the ghost she would become
Lying in her patch of snow
Loving it.
When we let her go
Her spirit took flight
And Rusty jumped straight up in the air, startled
Putting an exclamation point on her exit,
leaving no doubt that she had gone.
For a while
I found clumps of her black hair
in corners of the house
But I didn’t want to vacuum up
this part of her.
That is why I don’t shovel all the snow
I leave a patch in the middle of the deck
Where she used to be
And I imagine her there yet, enjoying the day.
Sometimes I still feel her presence,
riding behind me in the back seat of the truck
Like she used to
I look over my shoulder and I don’t see her
But I know she is still there.
Zena
Posted on February 10th, 2012
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In January, Chase and I started taking a therapy dog class. The point of the class is to familiarize the human-dog team with the exercises they need to pass to become a Delta Society Pet Partners team. Chase has been waiting for me to get my act together for years. He loves to meet new people, is very sensitive, and seems like a natural. I’ve thought for a long time that he would make a good therapy dog, visiting the elderly, or kids in the hospital, or anyone who would feel better by having a dog’s company for a little while, a dog to cuddle up with, pet, and talk to. He’s a great snuggler and a great listener. He’s a sensitive guy—his favorite ball is even pink!
Read more…
Posted on February 3rd, 2012
Filed under: Adopted, General, News, READ Dogs, Therapy Dogs | No Comments »
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