A Tired Dog is a Good Dog
After a day of play with Graidy, and her evening run, Kiera’s contentedly conked out for the night.… Read More
Welcome to the Paws & Play Side of Life
While much of my work centers around spiritual teaching and inner exploration, my dogs are the ones who keep my feet firmly on the earth. Off the meditation cushion and out of the classroom, I’m just a regular person who is entirely devoted to her dogs. Here, you’ll find stories, lessons, and everyday moments from the journey of loving, learning from, and sharing life with four-legged companions. Just real life, dust bunnies, and unconditional love.
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New Zealand Anyone?
Cait says from the backseat of the car, “Mom, there’s a tick on your shirt.”
Just having gotten into the car after a family hike through the woods, I get back out, find the tick (it’s a deer tick of course), and pick it off. Climbing back into the car, I say to Andrew, “Can’t blame that tick on the dogs.”
Andrew, who’s just contracted Lyme disease again from a tick he believes he picked up from one of the … Read More
Best Place to Get Herbs & Spices
With the holidays coming up, I thought you might enjoy discovering Penzeys. It’s an online herb and spice store that has the best herbs and spices I’ve ever come across. The flavor is superb. If I don’t grow it in my garden, I get it from Penzeys.… Read More
Grandfather
Cait dreamt about my father last night, which she does on occasion. My father and Cait had a thing for each other while he was alive. She often expresses how much she misses him, and how she really wishes that she had a grandfather. (Andrew’s dad died several years ago as well.)
Though my daughter has the most wonderful grandmother, my mother, in her life (and that counts for a lot), I feel badly for her that she doesn’t have … Read More
Finnegan-4, Mice-0
I came downstairs this morning to find Finnegan having great fun tossing around one of his toys in play. Upon closer inspection, I saw that it was a dead mouse — the forth in as many months. I felt a mixture of sadness and relief. Sadness at the loss of a life. Relief that Finn is cleaning up the place; something we haven’t been able to do with all our have-a-heart traps.
We live in an old farm house. It’s … Read More
The Turkeys Are Back!
The wild turkeys are back — for the first time in several years!
When we first moved here fifteen years ago, they beat a regular path through our property. Then the coyotes moved in. I thought that was the end of them. I’m so happy that they’ve made a comeback! And that they’re once again part of our little wild kingdom.… Read More
Cesar Millan – Take 2
Seems Cesar has a way of stirring things up wherever he goes. He’s attracted a fair amount of attention here in Shanleyville. Irma, a thoughtful reader, left a comment on why she found Cesar’s approach useful for certain situations. She brings up some valid points.
Different trainers become popular with different people for different reasons. Obviously, the Dog Whisperer show has struck a nerve. I don’t find that surprising; there are a lot of dogs who need more training. And … Read More
Reflective Dog Wear
Sometimes Andrew doesn’t get to his run until he gets home from work (he usually tries to go at lunchtime). That means running with Kiera in the dark. It’s pretty easy to find reflective gear for people, but not as easy for dogs. Here’s a great site for reflective dog wear.… Read More