Jack and Mack

I recently learned a great lesson from my little Pomeranian, Mack.  Being only one and a half years old – and a lot smaller than me – what could I possibly learn from him, right?

Jack and Mack are on a quest to become Therapy Dogs.

Our little trio was accepted for training due to temperament, attitude, and I’m quite sure, cute cuddliness – but we had to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen’s Certification.  Looking over the qualifications and the different tasks that needed to be overcome, I knew Jack could pass – no problem.  Jack has been in training off and on since he was about 10 weeks old.  His daddy, Big D, is very proud of the fact that Jack comes from Champion Bloodlines from reputable breeders, who kept Jack’s Momma and Daddy (may he rest in peace) and the resulting offspring in their home.  It was a family affair and not a breeding farm and the puppies were all very healthy, happy, and well-adjusted.  Jack shows it and tends to become the Darling of every trainer he works with.  Jack had the right start and has continued to flourish because of the solid foundation of training he was given early on.

Mack, on the other hand, came along as an accidental encounter while dealing with Big D’s medical condition.  We were far from home and in no condition to deal with another little creature, lavishing the same manner of attention as Jack had received.  Seeing those little eyes peering at me from over a worn stuffed toy, I knew I had to rescue the little guy even though it was likely he was from a puppy mill and I was breaking every rule – common sense included.  Big D had enough sense to try to talk me out of it – including invoking our vow to allow Jack to approve any and all additions to the family.  But that little Pomeranian stared at me from over that toy with squinty little eyes that melted my heart and I knew he had to come with us.  Pomeranians can be a real handful, especially for the unsuspecting pet parent.  They are big working dogs in a tiny body and will become spoiled and rule the roost if proper upbringing and training isn’t put into place at a young age.  I had visions of this little guy being shuffled around and returned by frustrated or inexperienced pet parents.  I couldn’t live with letting that happen – not now that I’d become aware of him and him of me.

So Big D drove all the way back to the house to pick up Jack to bring him to meet the little guy. You can guess the rest.  Jack gained a little brother.

We knew we really needed to get Mack into training and we did take him with Jack to a wonderful trainer in Indianapolis a couple of times.

Mack watched from his crate as Jack performed the Obedience Patterns like a champ.

The trainings became difficult to attend with everything we had to deal with for Big D and his condition, so that dwindled and stopped.  I vowed to take Mack to Puppy Class, just like Jack had done, and did make one class.  It was terrifying for tiny little Mack, but he braved through – even though he did not even walk on a leash yet – and I would have to pick him up to advance forward and set him back down in place.  He was in a loud, cavernous concrete room with lots of other dogs and people who towered over him.  He shook almost the entire time – especially when the trainer picked him up for his turn to learn to come to me from a little distance.  Mack would be placed gently on the floor – visibly shaking – and would creep with tail and ears down until he reached the safety of his pet momma’s beckoning hands.  But that was the one and only class we attended as we were expecting to leave for home the next week.

Happy Mack!

That week turned into a couple of months.  Not wanting to start something and have to stop again, I figured we would start again in Florida – and each hopeful week – turned into another – watching and waiting while Big D’s lab numbers reacted to medications.  So Mack did not get the proper foundation that Jack received.  Mack tagged along and watched, trying to keep up with his big brother, Jack.  He eventually even learned to walk on a leash just so he wouldn’t be left behind.  The two Pomeranians look like a miniature draft horse team as they trot along side-by-side in unison.  Faces light up with smiles when the Pom Team toddles by.

So it should be no surprise that the subject of becoming Pet Therapy Dogs should come up.  In fact, Little Mack accompanied me to one of my coaching events and was discovered by a wonderful woman named Gabrielle.  She got the process underway for us by giving me the information about another fantastic program called Canine Assisted Therapy or CAT for short.  Jack and Mack were subjected to unusual behaviors – being rushed up on, being nearly rolled over with a wheelchair, and nearly stomped on with a walker – all in a day’s work for visiting therapy dogs.  Both the Poms took it in stride and remained lovable and trusting.  But I had jumped the gun and still needed to have both dogs certified by the (AKC) American Kennel Club as (CGC) Canine Good Citizens before we could start the pet therapy training.

I knew Mack wasn’t trained enough, at no fault of his own.

He had mastered “Sit” (and a lazy one at that) but never “Down” and I couldn’t even imagine “Stay” and my walking away.  To stop the procrastination I set the testing appointment, which forced me to make a concerted effort.  Making that appointment with Tory at PetLover Central was difficult.  Having four dogs in total – all who love attention and treats – makes it sometimes a challenge to fit in the individualized attention that Mack needed.  Instead, all four dogs (including my geriatric Miles and Chewie) lined up and proceeded to “work” for treats.  We had about a week to get ready.  At least three times a day, all four canines would “sit” and “down”, “sit” and “down” over and over.  Jack and Chewie had it down cold.  Miles sat and stayed sitting while observing the rest (yes, I make special exception with the OLD man.)

Mack had his “sit” but his “down” was totally foreign to him.

He sat and immediately popped his tail-end back up as his nose went down for his treat, toward down.  “Ooops!”  Holding his hind quarters down in the sit and coaxing him to reach down for his treat helped him understand.  Putting treats down on the floor and asking him to wait came quickly as well.  He would hang out somewhat patiently for several seconds before attempting to dive bomb the temptations.  Walking on a leash was do-able – particularly with Jack at his side – but alone withme and walking loosely?  Well…  Two days before Testing Day, Jack and Mack were each taken out alone for a walk in the morning to attempt to invoke a pattern of working with me alone as I knew would be expected.

Testing Day came.  I was sorely tempted to save the test fee for Mack and just not take him.  It would be easier with just Jack and I knew we would be victorious.  That way I could work more with just Mack and maybe then we could pass the test.  I mentioned my intension to Big D (Jack and Mack’s Daddy).

“Don’t count Mack out!  He’s smart and may surprise you.”

So I decided to blow the fee on him.  At least I’d know what he needed to work on and it would be good training for him.

Our trio showed up at the testing place, which is a Doggie Day Care in a corner space of a busy mall – Lots of dogs and lots of commotion – inside and out. The place was loud with dogs in the back area and so much to see and sniff in the store.  Tory – our tester – allowed Jack and Mack to roam around the storefront to check things out while she called someone from the back to stay with one of the dogs while the other was being tested outside in front of the store.  Even Jack was a bit overwhelmed by everything.  I’m sure my own uncertainty was rubbing off on both dogs.  It was hot and sunny and very busy outside.  We were next to a restaurant with diners sitting right next to the testing area.  Cars were rolling by a mere few feet away as the testing took place.  AND no treats were allowed to keep the Poms attention.  AND, horror of horrors, each dog would be required to be taken away from me by the tester and administered the distraction testing.  Each Pom was to be taken behind the store with shopping carts and loud scary stuff being bumped and banged around them while a stranger put them through their paces!  At this point, I wasn’t 100% sure either dog would pass. (Jack can be a bit of a chicken.)

Well, I thought, let’s just go for it and make it a good training exercise. 

Leaving Mack inside in loving hands, Jack and I were escorted outside to the elbow of the mall area by Tory.  Tory asked me to have Jack sit.  No problem.  Then we had to walk in a circle – right next to the diners and parking lot.  Not too big a problem, though not perfect.  Then came the “sit” “stay” on the long leash.  For some reason – likely the busy parking lot behind him or maybe he felt I was nervous so he needed to comfort me – Jack started toward me TWICE  – too early.  I replaced him and told him he knew better – because I knew he did.  (Remember, Jack is the one with all the training and champion bloodlines)  The third time was a charm.  I got to the end of the leash and crouched to call him in immediately.

Jack puffed out his chest and trotted up to me and sat at my feet as he had been trained to do.

Big Brother, Jack

Next, Jack was taken away to be further tested and I went inside to retrieve Mack.  After Jack’s less than stellar performance I was not certain he’d pass but I was even less certain Mack would make it through.   Tory and Jack came in from the back and Tory announced that we had a Canine Good Citizen!  Woo Hoo!  Now came Mack’s turn.

I felt almost sorry for Mack, as I felt I had really not put the necessary work into him to be successful, so I told myself to remember to celebrate with him no matter what the outcome and just be ready for the next testing date.   Mack and I followed Tory outside while Jack stayed inside in the air-conditioning with another babysitter and a bowl of cool water.  I gave Mack a couple of treats before we started and he dutifully accompanied me to the testing spot.  He gave me a prompt lazy sit and looked up at me and smiled his squinty-eyed Pom smile – little pink tongue poking out.  I started to relax.  Next, we were to proceed in our circle on a loose leash.

Mack was very interested in everything going on around him and I was getting worried again.  He wasn’t so interested in me or what we were doing. 

“Try again and loosen up the leash.” Tory suggested.

This time, Mack seemed satisfied that he had seen enough and he almost “heeled” and stayed with me. But I knew what was coming next.

“Place him in a “sit/stay” or “down/stay” and walk back to the end of the long leash,” Tory commanded.

Just then, a big black car came rolling around behind Mack and I could tell he did not feel safe.  He kept looking behind him and getting up from the sit (I knew better than to attempt “down/stay”).   It finally dawned on me to move him in a couple of feet – away from the parking lot- and I put him in a sit and told him to wait.  Mack seemed satisfied and slipped into his lazy sit on his left hip and looked up at me panting and squinting as I backed away carefully reiterating stay and wait.  Mack just sat watching me – happy as a lark with his big silly grin on his face.  I got all the way to the end of the leash, crouched down and called him and he valiantly trotted straight for me – dragging the heavy line – like a perfect little gentleman.  You could have pushed me over with a feather.  I couldn’t believe it.  And I realized we had not had to do a “down”.  So my hopes soared.  I knew Mack was the courageous one and if Jack could pass the distraction part, Mack most certainly could.  Handing Mack off to Tory, I went inside to wait with Jack.

The wait seemed longer than Jack’s and when Tory and Mack reappeared Tory was not as confident as she was with Jack.  She handed me Mack’s leash.

“Mack did pretty well but I really need to see a ‘down.’”

My heart sank.

But I looked Mack square in the eye and told him to sit and swept my hand downward as if I had a treat in my hand.  The little trooper sat on his haunches and crept his front paws forward into a sweet little down position.

“Well, looks like we have ourselves another Canine Good Citizen,” Tory announced.

I gave a big whoop and grabbed up Mack.  I’m sure I turned into one of those embarrassing, gushing pet parents as I noticed the other employees looking at me with amusement.  In fact – I ended up rushing out and driving away, not realizing I forgot to grab our certificates until I called Big D to let him know.  I felt a bit sheepish as I returned to the store to retrieve our prize.  Tory just grinned.

As I sit writing this, Mack in my lap, I’m thinking about what I learned that day…  You can come from questionable beginnings, with a less than perfect education – but if you have heart and courage – you can accomplish great things.

Never Count Yourself out!

One of the things I love most about South Florida is how “Doggie-Friendly” it is.  Many places here – especially in Delray Beach – are tolerant and even happy when a dog accompanies you as you shop.  Many restaurateurs allow you to dine in outside seating with your canine pal.  Sipping on a beverage while kicked back with one of “The Boys” and people/pet watching is a fantastic way to relax for D and me.

I understand some folks are bothered by dogs and animals in general.  They feel that animals are dirty, or they may suffer from allergies.  Some folks may even assume that the pets will be disruptive and invade other people’s space.  But I would love to point out how many occasions I have had to “put up with” someone’s unruly child who decides to make a scene or demands my attention while I am merely hoping to enjoy my own personal space.  I am not being anti-kid; I am merely suggesting that well behaved pets, just like well-behaved children, tend to get a bad rap from ignorant or self-indulgent “parents.”  The fact is – some folks aren’t pet people and some folks aren’t kid-oriented and neither should be forced to deal with the other.  That being said, I do feel sorry for folks who never experience the magic of the human and animal bond.

Even science is catching up.  The effect that animals have on the health and well-being of humans is starting to become better known.  But so much more is out there to be explored.  Having witnessed so many “miracles” for which animals have been the catalyst – from turning the perfectionist/OCD/highly-driven businesswoman into the tender-hearted, happily-laid-back doggie momma with less than spotless floors who laughs and hugs her three Labrador “Ladies” and can’t imagine life without them – to the big, intimidating Type A real estate tycoon who put up with his girlfriend’s mutts but never even touched them (allergies…), who was turned into a baby-talking marshmallow by a tiny Pomeranian puppy who helped him keep his spirits high through a life-threatening illness and now rules the roost with his younger Pomeranian “brother.” (Take two – they’re small!)

I have had the pleasure of watching a normally cranky elderly woman,  who says she doesn’t want to be bothered with company, light up when Jack, and now Mack, trot up to say hello with their smiling faces and puffed up personalities.  Fannie would laugh and allow Jack to sit up in her lap or on her bed and announce to anyone who happened by that she was being visited by her favorite Grandson.

“He doesn’t talk back and lets me hug on him.”

The other patients and staff members also light up when we take the Poms to visit.  One of the most amazing things to witness is a person,  who is assumed to be nearly catatonic, reach forward toward one of the pups with what sounds to be a little chuckle.

The therapy work that is now being done with pets is not new but is maybe less exploited than it could be.  The use of horses and dogs with so many different applications – from Cerebral Palsy to Alzheimer’s to Autism to severe Depression – are just a few of the conditions which have seen improvement through the use of pets.  Take a moment to “Google” pets + (anything) and you might be surprised with what you find.

We know animals are used in positive ways as partners and protectors in many fields such as police work, bomb squads, military work and even as detectors from everything from lost people to the discovery of cancer in a person to the whiff of peanut products in an allergic person’s food.  We all know we also use animals in less widely accepted roles such as product and drug testing.  And if you ever want to become seemingly charming and easy to talk to just have a puppy in your arms or ask someone about their pet.  Notice how easily the ice is broken and how eager your companion is to share with you?

This may help you understand my own wild proposal for world peace…
What do you think could happen if we placed opposing/feuding leaders together in a room with a couple of well mannered lovable mutts?  Do you think a bit of infectious smiling might break out?  Maybe a shared chuckle?   Baby steps…

Or… If You Laugh When You Tease Your Pet… Don’t Cry When You Get Bit!

I am amazed when some Pet Parents are surprised and annoyed when their pets act up.  If you laugh when your dog jumps up to greet you or your horse grabs your shirt pocket for a treat, how can you blame him for doing this at less appropriate times or to other people?  You trained him!

Jack, our 2 1/2 year old Pomeranian Prince, was teased mercilessly by being subjected to awful ring tones on a cell phone at a very early age.  Someone (don’t worry, Kalli, I won’t mention any names) would take Jack into her room and demonstrate the hilarity of the torture to her little friends.  (No wonder Jack lives with us now, right?) Little Miss would egg on her poor Pom to “sing” when the phone would shrill.  Even though this was made to stop, the damage was done and now Jack freaks out every time the phone rings.  (It can prove difficult to talk to clients during the initial chaos but we’re working on it.)

This is a lot of the problem with the “dangerous” dog breeds.  It can be argued that many of these dog breeds, such as Pit Bulls and Akitas, are bred to be aggressive – it’s in the genes.  But I feel quite certain that even these breeds are highly influenced by good owners and proper parenting.

You may be able to imagine my initial wariness when an Akita the size of a pony strolled into our “puppy kindergarten” class.  I immediately picked up all four pounds of Mack (Jack’s baby soul-brother) to protect him.

I have had personal experience with ignorant Akita owners who could not stop their dogs from attacking and killing other dogs the size of Labs.  Once they clamp those jaws shut, it is about impossible to pry them open.  Mack could have made a puffball of an appetizer.   I was pleasantly surprised when the Akita’s owner saw my reaction and calmed my fears by bringing the huge beast over to meet Mack and the giant dog was gentle and sweet with my tiny boy.  Again, reinforcing my opinion that dogs are not the problem, ignorant owners are.  (Yes, I am still having a difficult time warming up to Vick.)

And pets don’t just get a bad name for being dangerous or mean.   Pomeranians were never high on my list until Jack and now Mack.  I had worked with a dog groomer for a while and was not very impressed with the yappy little land sharks.  But D was smart and read up on the breed as soon as his daughter, Kalli, expressed her unquenchable need to have one.  D found out that Pomeranians are extremely smart and will take over the house as the alpha if you let them.  They come from the working breeds and used to be as large as the sled dogs.  Poms are convinced they still are big dogs and love to work.  D was smart and got Jack into training with Laura, through Nolan Obedience, at a very young age.  Later, working with Jack and his trainer Barbara Jolliff, both the trainer and I were surprised and impressed at how happily and how long Jack liked to “perform.”   Barbara, who has a passion for Golden Retrievers, even decided to make her next puppy a Pom, all because of Jack and how easy he was to work with.

Now Jack wins over most people we meet.  He is not the yappy little Land Shark I thought all Pomeranians were.

Jack will proudly ride down “The Ave” as D pushes him in his blue Doggie Stroller.  Pair him up with Mack and you have a show-stopping team of love.  At a recent Delray Beach Festival, D and I volunteered time for one of our favorite local foundations, (the CJ Foundation).  While I worked out front of the booth, D and “The Boys” drew a pretty big crowd of kids and parents behind the booth.  The Poms were spreading their eternal happiness and love by playing with the little kids and kissing many hands and faces.  It was such a joy to watch the two fur balls walk up to the folks with their tails wiggling and big sunny smiles beaming.  The reactions from the humans were equally joyful as “The Boys” melted many a heart with their Pom magic.

Now, I wasn’t lucky enough to adopt Chewie or Miles at a tender young age.  Both rescue mutts have adapted well to life with me and now D, Jack, Mack and me, but they are not the easy-keepers that Jack and Mack are.  Chewie (my Wendy’s stray) still tends to flare up with aggressive fear around other dogs if we are out and about on the leash.  I did not put the old girl through the work and training that “The Boys” receive.  Miles (my Tri-County adoption) is ancient and though he is pretty perky and friendly with other dogs and people in public, he would just as soon lift his leg on an inquiring snout and mark his territory about every three steps.  His polite social behavior is no longer so polite.  His tolerance for other dogs and people only goes so far the older he gets.  One of Mack’s favorite games is to try to sneak up under Miles’ muzzle and give him a kiss.   Which sends the hard- of-seeing old dog into a frustrated frenzy as the old dog tries to grab the hairy fur-ball with his Muppet mouth (he only has four teeth left) while yelping doggie curses at the pint size Pom.  So, though I know I could work with the Old Dogs and they could learn New Tricks, I choose not to. I adopted Chewie and Miles for life and will see that they get the best from it.  I allow them to live out their golden years as a somewhat cranky and decidedly spoiled old couple and leave the public social activities to “The Boys.”

So, I stand corrected about Pomeranians.  I am also more convinced than ever that there are no “bad” dogs, just “bad” dog-owners!

All dogs, when adopted young enough, can turn into wonderful companions in the care of the right humans.  And it’s usually the owners that need the training as much, if not more, than the pets.  Jack and I are proof.

Voting for the Next Top Self-Help Author is going on now, and I’m in the running! My book is called “Life is Like a Trail Ride…You Can Take Control, or Be Taken for a Ride”.  I would love your support. To learn more about me and my book, the competition, and to vote, please visit the Next Top Self-Help Author site

Thanks in advance!

-Janus
www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=232

Here are my ten best tips about keeping your dog healthy, happy and safe:

Good Advice – Learn from the experts! Read books.  Talk to Pet Professionals
Good Food with Supplements – Nutrition, food allergies
Good Preventatives – Flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives but also immunizations
Good Grooming – Skin and coat care, bonding and “feeling good”
Good Exercise – Better health, weight, and your attention
Good Work – Mental stimulation – more alert, less prone to get into trouble from boredom
Good Socialization – Become comfortable in various situations and around other pets and humans
Good Attention – Attend to needs, less likely to be hurt, stolen, or in trouble
Good Basic Training – For safety’s sake – Come, Leave it, Down, Stay
Good LOVE – Positive acknowledgement and praise, bonding, and human therapy

These ten tips will help you make the best life possible for your pet. I will elaborate on each tip in coming writings to you.   Each tip is very important and should not be overlooked.  It is all part of our commitment to our pets, who become another member of our family.

Some times we run into situations that abruptly remind us how different people have different perceptions due to different personalities.  We have to step back and reevaluate how best to communicate with this person and her personality. Whether you subscribe to the fact that we come by our personalities through nurture, nature, or a combination of both, personalities are formed, we all have them and we are all different. The same can be said for our pets.

Our pets – like people – have different personalities. Pet Peeps know this.  And Pet Peeps with multiple pets are reminded of this every day.

My older dogs, Chewie and Miles, have been with me for a long time.  Especially Chewie.  Chewie has mellowed out with age.  Even my great friend, Greg (Uncle Greggie) has mentioned it. And Miles, he is ancient!  So when I get the rare chance to sleep in, Chewie and Miles are curled up in their little cushions right next to my bed. But not Jack! The two year old Pomeranian sees things differently…

Chewie and Miles: “ZZZZZZZZ, ZZZZZZZ, ZZ, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ…”

Jack:  “Mom! Get up! Get Up! GET UP! Come on!  I wanna play! Mom! Mom!  Let’s go!!”

When anyone walks in our door and the barking subsides…

Miles, indifferently: “Oh, it’s you.  Come in if you must.”

Chewie, politely: “Hello, there.  Please come in.”

Jack, hysterically:  OMG, OMG! You’re here!  I haven’t seen you in decades! OMG! Pleeeease reach down and pet me!  OMG! OMG! See me!  See me!  Pet me! OMG!”

When it thunders and lightenings…

Chewie: “Yikes, Mommie help me!  I’m scared!”

Miles:  “How dare that noise wake me up!  Where is it?! Let me at ‘em!”

Jack:  “What the heck are those two so worked up about?”

When the Fed Ex Truck stops or Mike rides in on his Dixie Chopper…

Chewie:  “Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom!”

Jack:  “Oh, No! Oh, No! Oh, No! Big Noisy Thing! Oh, no! Oh, no!”

Miles: “Let me at ‘em! Let me at ‘em! I’ll take care of this!”

But shake the vitamin bottle or treat bag and all three dogs come running. The tough old man, the angel princess and the Energizer Pomeranian all sit silently at my feet looking up at me expectantly.

Even the most diverse personalities can find common ground…

D and I took Jack to visit trainers recently. We are looking for the one that “gets us.” Our favorite trainer, Barbara Jolliff, really connected with us. She uses positive reinforcement. Barbara took the time to explain the different training techniques and why they worked. She used a positive motivator to teach Jack to come around her, heeling, while she turned a tight circle. She used a bit of string cheese and Jack was eager to comply. She also pointed out that some trainers tend to jerk their dog’s choke collar while dragging their companion around them in a tight circle. Gee, which method do you think would work better on you? Jack has been receiving training since he was a little pup and really seems to enjoy it. D wants to further his education as well as keep him happy because we all know what happens with unhappy pets….they let us know it in their own special way.

I remember having to leave for work in a rush one hectic morning, in a place I had just moved into with Chewie and Rusty. I had forgotten something in my storm out the door and had to turn around before reaching the office. In the five minutes or so that it took for me to jump in my car, drive 100 yards and return to my apartment, Chewie had taken it upon herself to live up to her name with the end cushion of my Italian leather sofa. Rusty just lay calmly watching. He had been through a few of these moves with me. But Chewie hadn’t. She was upset with me. She felt abandoned. Chewie rebelled by taking her frustration out on the giant brown rawhide that she knew I liked to recline on with her.

Not too many years ago, scientists tried to convince us that dogs had no “feelings” or “emotions.” Any dog owner that has bonded with their companion knows better. I specify dog owners that have bonded because you would be hard pressed to convince me that dog owners that keep their dogs chained up outside have any type of emotional bond with their “pet.” (But don’t get me started… on with the topic at hand). Since then, most scientists have caught up with reality (bet they weren’t pet peeps!) and we understand that dogs definitely do have emotions. They react to us and “read” us probably even better than we read other humans. Our dogs are in tune with us with pure frequencies that are so fine that we cannot hide our feelings or hide behind a facade that could fool our human counterparts. Our dogs react without filtering or second-guessing their actions. They don’t play mind games trying to figure out what might be considered politically correct. If Nikki sensed you needed a hug, the big hairy dog jumped up next to you and wrapped her neck around yours. She didn’t sit back and contemplate the correct hug etiquette. Dogs are uncomplicated like that. They don’t stand back and over-analyze a situation to death before taking action.

When it comes to people, it is proven that a group of people witnessing another person in peril will usually let the person be hurt without getting involved. Everyone is waiting and watching to see what someone else will do will the poor victim struggles. Now what do you think your dog would do? or WWYDD? In my mind, I am convinced that our dogs are guided by instincts and unconditional love – something we all could do better to use. Trusting our instincts and acting with unconditional love could solve many of our challenges, don’t you agree? But we tend to get all caught up in the social/political gunk, right? So next time you are faced with a situation, think WWYDD! It is most likely the right thing to do!

Chewie peeking over the outdoor recliner reminded me of how we all need to keep our eyes and ears open for possible opportunities that groove in with our passions. You may already know that my passion is pets, particularly rescue dogs. If you’re like me, I want to share a neat article that was posted by one of the organizations I am involved with – Shure Pets. Article for Pet-preneurs – This article talks about stay-at-home Moms, but believe me, I’m a pet mom not a human mom and I love it, too. If you decide to take a look further at becoming a Pet-Preneur, feel free to look at a couple of great opportunities I’ve come to love called Shure Pets and Pet Junkie. Neat stuff and fun people to support pet passions!

Have a Wonderful Week!! And Cheers to YOUR SuCCess!!

Miles is supposedly a 2006 model…right. We tell people that he is about 150 years old, mostly blind, with four teeth left but the courage of a lion and heart of puppy. He will still run off the FedEx truck that dares down our cul de sac. He shoots off after it if it passes our place when he is outside and as long as it moves on down the road, he will let it go, scratch the ground with his hind legs and trot back to me with his tail waving and head held high! (You can imagine my alarm – “he wouldn’t do that – he’s too old…” Surprise! That was the first and last time. On the ready now!)

Miles is an OOOLD dog. And you know what they say about Old Dogs and New Tricks, right? Can an ancient old Florida dog with thin blood be transported to snow country and be expected to survvive – let alone thrive? It can be tough enough for the strongest of constitutions to go from sunny hot days to the cloudy freezing temps. The extra time necessary to apply layers of protective clothing to venture outside is enough to make a person really contemplate if running out to do that errand is really so important. Many decide to just forget it and stay inside. This can lead to many more days of giving up and just staying inside… or giving up and staying on the porch instead of getting out and running with the big dogs.

How can we assure old dogs (including ourselves) will continue to strive and thrive? It’s simple. Why would anyone that lives in tropical beautiful Delray Beach take an extended vacation in freezing Indianapolis during the winter months? Same reason. The mission – a purpose – a reason to do what we do – a reason to get out of bed – to venture out into life. We all need our “Missions.”

So what about poor Miles? What might become of him when he can only tolerate 60 degrees as his freezing point and patrolling the world from the patio or open doorway is not an option? What will become of him? Well, Miles has taken on a new mission…He has claimed the bay window next to my office desk…Watch out FedEx Truck!

So what is your Mission? I’d love to hear about it!

Make it a Rockin’ 2010!

Cheers to YOUR SuCCess!!

Janus

Janus Moncur CPC – The Co-Creative Coach™

So, the people that really know me know that I can be pretty reserve – downright shy around those I don’t know. But when it comes to folks needing my help, I will go the extra mile. I’m not tooting my horn, I’m just saying that I can rally and be an extrovert when I need to be, and I realize it takes courage!

So many of us in business tend to keep getting ready to get ready… We need to be perfect, look perfect, have the perfect systems, have the perfect products…you know the drill – When the best thing is to just throw yourself into the situation and learn to swim – fast!

That’s how Aisha and Corey’s dog, Lucky, does things!

Lucky was a gangly little black “Lab” Denny and I picked up from the Hoot an’ Holler Rescue League some ten years ago. Denny – not being an animal person, was rather horrified but tried not to show it when that little girl promptly threw up on the leather upholstery in the back seat of his spotless Intrepid.

Lucky was a present for Denny’s kids – Aisha, Derek, Farah and Kalli. Lucky did not know she was being adopted by a family that was less than stellar when it came to dog-care etiquette of the super-dog-addicts – but the kids and Lucky grew up together. Today, Lucky has gained a little gray around the muzzle and has lost a bit of her stride, but let there be anything that needs her attention (snake, iguana, lizards, food, other dogs…) and she is right back in the hunt – leading the way! She has never been one to have to keep getting ready to get ready…. So take a bit of extra Lucky Courage and get out there today…and the day after that…and the day after that…

And remember the Love stays with us, too!! Just like Lucky is showing Uncle Derek here!

Cheers to YOUR SuCCess!

Janus

Janus Moncur CPC – The Co-Creative Coach™

www.TheCo-CreativeCoach.com