From the mail bag: Allie asks: Just wondering. What do you think of Jon Katz? As a person, a writer, and now a trainer?
Dear Allie, I can’t comment on Katz as a person; I’ve never met the man. And I know all too well how it can be hazardous to draw conclusions about someone who writes about pieces of his or her life. As a reader, it’s easy to think you know the whole person, when you really … Read More
I just had to ask where Winter was. Seems Mother Nature heard me.
“Here’s Winter for ya,” She said. “How ’bout a nice ice storm to start things off with a bang?”
Some dogs lend themselves to nicknames. Graidy is such a dog. He goes by The Graidster, Graidy-Gru (Cait came up with that one), Happy Boy, Circus Dog, Clown Boy, Barky Boy, Monkey Mon, Licky Boy, Dagger Paws (for as light as he is on his feet, when he stands on you, you’d think he weighs a ton), Funny Boy (he’s the funniest dog I’ve ever had)– and Frog Man, which is aptly descriptive, don’t you think?
Kiera, on the other … Read More
When I was growing up, we lived out in the country where there were a lot of animals, but not a lot of kids. Animals were my constant companions. When I wasn’t busy with my horses, dogs, cats, and the cows (not ours) out in the back pasture, I’d amuse myself with my mind. Like my daughter, Caitlin, I wasn’t a great sleeper, so while lying awake at night I’d often play “What If” games.
Some of my “What If’s” … Read More
I’m someone who needs a lot of freedom; I often find it a challenge to be locked into anything predictable or confining. I prefer to keep things open and flexible–and spontaneous. To satisfy these needs, I’ve always worked for myself so that I could keep my crazy schedule. I typically have several projects going at a time so I can move from one to another when I get bored or burnt out.
Being in possession of such a fierce streak … Read More
Just a few days ago it was 67 degrees here! Here, as in cold upstate NY here. It actually felt hot outside, and people were walking around in shorts and tee shirts. I know this is supposed to be from El Nino, but it’s just downright weird. So weird that I can’t even fully enjoy the balmy temperatures. It’s the middle of January for pete’s sake! It’s supposed to be in the teens with lots of white stuff on the … Read More
The integration of Finnegan, Cait’s kitten, into our home as gone better than my wildest dreams. Both Kiera and Graidy have pretty high prey drives, so there was no guarantee that it would work out, never mind work out smoothly.
Now, wherever you find one, you’ll find the other two. They’ve become inseparable.
The usual bedtime at the Shanley’s.… Read More
As I struggled to make it through the Holiday hoopla with a good attitude, I had a momentary lapse during an especially tiresome gathering.
Briefly moving away from the crowd, wanting to catch a second wind, I stepped outside, looked up at the stars, and quietly sighed, “God help me…”
Cait, never more than a few inches away from me in these kinds of social situations, and not missing a beat, said, “God can only help when there’s a problem, … Read More
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