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What My Herding Dogs Have Taught Me

I was recently asked by an interviewer what I’ve learned from my dogs. Since he was referring to Dogs of Dreamtime, he was specifically asking about Kiera, Magic, and Molly.

To put into context some of what I’ve learned from my animals, it helps to know that, left to my own devices, I gravitate toward intense herding breeds. Kiera is an Australian Shepherd. Graidy is a Border Collie mix. Magic was an English Shepherd mix, who died from Lyme … Read More

Silver Linings and Thanksgiving

I learned a long time ago that, when I’m paying attention, I can always find a silver lining in the most difficult of circumstances.

The silver lining in Kiera not fully recovering from Vestibular Disease is that it has given me the push I needed to decide to work from home rather than going into the office every day.

As I’ve watched Kiera’s age finally catch up to her big time, I’ve been feeling that I don’t want to be … Read More

On the Move

I love nature. And I feel fortunate to live in close proximity to all that the great wilds of the Adirondacks have to offer.

But, um, this is perhaps a tad too close for comfort. Yep, this is a very big black bear sauntering through my mother’s front yard. Thankfully, all dogs were safely inside.

And here’s a lovely doe in the backyard. Both passed through within minutes of each other.

Over the years, we’ve seen more and more of … Read More

The New Normal

It’s been a month since Kiera got hit with Vestibular Disease. As most dogs resolve on their own within two weeks, it’s looking as though Kiera has probably improved as much as she’s going to. Which means she’s permanently left with the head tilt and unsteady gait. Which means no more stairs. Which means we now live with ramps everywhere inside and out.

Which gives me a new business to start. Because the ramps that are available for sale are… … Read More

Geriatric Canine Vestibular Disease

I’ve been nursing Kiera through a mean case of Vestibular Disease for the past two weeks. Oddly enough, it came on at the Vet’s office while we were there for her annual exam. From the time she jumped out of the car and got into the exam room, from all appearances, it looked as though she’d had a stroke. Her head tilted, her gait was unsteady, her tongue hung out to one side. By the end of the visit, she … Read More

Saved by My Dogs

I was in the middle of a really frustrating dream in which I had an important meeting to get to and this well-meaning but bothersome person was causing me more and more problems. Just as I was about to lose it, a big, wet, dog tongue came into the dream and slurped my face. Then another. And another. Until, in the dream, I was laughing so hard that I woke myself up.

Both Kiera and Graidy were huddled on top … Read More

How to Prevent Cats from Using Your Garden as a Litter Box

I’m finally at the end of my gardening season. Harvesting is complete and garlic for next year has been planted. As I ready the rest of my beds for next season with weeding and composting, Finn is having a field day! Imagine his excitement at seeing pristine rows of dirt all fluffy and ready for his “deposits!”

Don’t get me wrong–I love Finn. I just don’t love the potential health problems his natural cat behaviors present for my garden. And, … Read More

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