4. MY OWN NEWS: SPECIALS, TELESEMINARS, DISCOUNTS & MY SENIOR PET BLOG
Most of you received my short questionnaire on some new services I was considering to help both you
and your pets live happier and more connected lives.
I've received many responses to my questions and I want to thank each of you who took the time
to reply. Your answers were very helpful and I've as a result of your feedback,
here are two new offerings I hope you like.
The first is my new Check-In Service. This is a service that includes a full consultation and three
follow-up visits with a good discount off my regular rates. This is a very good service for situations
that are helped with follow-ups such as pets with serious health issues, pets nearing transition
or pets that experienced a trauma of some sort.
The next is something I'm excited about, and that is the creation of a new community of like-minded
people who are interested in strengthening their connections to animals, and that is the creation
of my Animal Connections Community. You can read about this new community here.
I've included some extra goodies for those of you who are interested and act quickly. To see what
your great suggestions wrought and see the goodies I've included for you, visit here.
Another thing that several people asked about were teleseminars, and if I had any new seminars
planned.
I'm pleased to announce that I am resuming my educational teleseminar series for next year
and to kick things off I have a very special guest lined up for January. I know this seminar will fill
up very quickly.
To find out who our very special guest is and to register, visit my teleseminar registration page.
My Senior Pet Blog: I'm pleased to say both Desi and I are mending quite nicely these days.
There have been some interesting improvements with Desi that you'll read about in the blog
including how Desi's is responding to his own 'check-ins, and what result these are having on
his health and general state. What's that you say???? Charlene is having someone do
check-ins with her own dogs?
You can read all the details by visiting my blog.
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5. A STORY FROM MY FILES: PHILLIP, MY YOUNGEST BEARDIE TESTS BEING ALPHA DOG
Here is a story from my files about a personal experience that I am having (I bet you thought that I had perfect
animals--not!) and how I'm working through it.
As you know, there are no "perfect" animals! I struggle with issues just like you do at times. Phillip, our youngest
dog has been a nearly perfect pup in every sense of the word. A sweet, gentle dog who I went to Australia to get.
Desi is his father, Brooks his brother. All in all, they bring us much joy and happiness.
I noticed a couple of weeks ago that when we take them to the soccer field to meet up with other well-mannered
dogs, Phillip was getting less mindful about coming when called. Let me add right here that he used to turn on a
dime when called. Better than the other two!
There is a small open area on the field that has access to the street but none of the other dogs pay any attention
to it. Well, a lady was walking by with her little dog on a leash. Phillip LOVES little dogs no end. Phillip took off
to cross the street to see the little dog, said hi and then finally turned around and ran across the street again to
come back. Let me add that you NEVER scold a dog when they come when called. If you do that, they will not
want to come when called and then you have an even bigger problem. Let me explain that the soccer field is an
informal dog park when it is not used by soccer teams. Retirees and stay-at-home moms bring their dogs. We have
at the most 8 dogs at any one time. The city knows about it as city worker are always mowing and/or do maintenance.
I sat down and almost cried from sheer relief. Yes, I was furious at him and knew I had to devise a plan to stop this
ASAP. I love herding dogs because they are smart and independent, and therein lies part of the problem.
They must be able to handle a flock of several hundred sheep, far away from the herder. They have to be able to
think on their feet and move the sheep without any direction from the shepherd. Phillip is herding certified, but
being a city boy, does not work sheep. He is beginning to not listen to either me or my husband when on the field.
Simultaneously another problem has developed at home. As you know, I have had my foot surgery and have been
in a wheelchair, walker and now a boot. Dogs perceive energy much more keenly than people do. To Phillip, my
energy was weak. Those of you who watch Cesar Milan know he uses the term "weak energy."
Desi will be fourteen years old Dec. 10 and is slowing down. Phillip wants to mount him a lot. In the dog world,
that is a very dominant display of energy. I know that after we lose our Desi, Phillip will be the alpha dog. He is
testing the waters now. Up to this point in time, Desi has been the alpha dog and until he passes in our home he
will always be.
So how do you fix this? First of all, Phillip is starting obedience class next week. He has gone through puppy
kindergarten, but he needs more. He needs to know that my husband and I are in charge, not him! He will learn
that he is not to dominate Desmond. His time will come, but it is not now. He also is slightly bored, so after he
does a brush up work in obedience, he will start rally and when my foot is stronger, we will do agility.
Why am I sharing this with you? To let you know that sometimes we need to step back, remove ourselves from
the emotion of a situation and get good, professional help. Fortunately we live 10 minutes from an excellent facility
here is Orange County, Wags and Wiggles. I really enjoy doing competitive activities with the dogs, so with
practice and direction, Phillip will get his act together again. Dogs, as I have told some of you before through
consultations, like to work and have appropriate jobs. The best part is it really bonds you to your pet too.
Love to you,
Charlene
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Ah, the power and awesomeness of Mother Nature! the dreaded Santa Ana winds have been blowing
since Thursday. The Santa Ana winds have caused over 100 luxury homes to be completely burned
to the ground around Santa Barbara.
Fires have no respect for the value of homes; trailer parks and mansions are at equal peril in these
fires.The big problem is that the embers are carried far from the fires, only to start new fires.They
change direction erratically, testing the training of the wonderful firefighters.
Southern California is my home. I'm a native, born in Los Angeles. I love our proximity to the
beaches, mountains and desert, all easily accessible from where we live.The fires are scary for all
people. Yes, some are caused by crazed people but some are truly accidents.
Power lines blown down by the winds, sparks from generators or power tools, something no one should
be using outside with single-digit humidity.
As I am writing, all the dogs are asleep, the cat is asleep by the computer, on his back, dreaming of
chasing mice or whatever cats dream about! We are safe! But we are always aware of the presence and the
force of nature. For me, it is a time to be grateful for the safety and peace in our lives, knowing how quickly
things can change. Right now, all is well and I give thanks. I give thanks to the brave firemen who put their
lives on the line to save what we hold near and dear; our homes and the memories that live within.
I don't need to wait until Thanksgiving to be thankful, gratitude is a daily occurrence that I honor each and
every day.
Until next month, have a blessed Thanksgiving with family, friends and your very special pets,
Charlene
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