Long-Lasting Animal Friendships

At long last, scientists and animal advocates are finally recognizing that animals have strong emotions.  They feel grief, joy, sadness, excitement, and most of all,  love.  They are extremely compassionate and unconditional of all species by nature. 

A few nights ago I watched a PBS special called  "Nature:  Animal Odd Couples".  The documentary showed that love apparently knows no boundaries in the animal kingdom.  The couples  from the wild featured on the show were quite remarkable.

Despite the odds, there were stories of the most unlikely cross-species relationships imaginable: a goat guiding a blind horse; a doe's regular visits to her Great Dane surrogate mother; a juvenile gibbon choosing to live with a family of capuchins, a lion and a coyote as playmates, a goose as best friend and protector for a tortoise, and so on. Instincts gone awry?   

This subject has mystified scientists for years.  The film investigates why animals form these special bonds.  Informed by the observations of caregivers and noted scientists Temple Grandin and Marc Bekoff, the film explores what these relationships suggest about the nature of animal emotions.

As we humans grieve for our loved ones, so do animals grieve for the companions they have lost.  There was a beautiful story of a goat who took care of his horse friend who had first gone blind in one eye, then the other.  The goat was the eyes of his horse friend as the horse's illness progressed.  When the horse passed away, the goat grieved for his friend for quite some time.  Elephants are known for their intense grieving and need for ceremony after their friends have passed away.  They have a circling and bellowing ritual they do to honor their deceased. 

I was so impressed by the beautiful creatures in the film, their love for each other and their openness to fun, joy, play, adventure and love.  These creatures didn't care if they looked alike, if  they ate the same food, or were the same size;  companionship and love surpassed all. Below is a famous you-tube video of the great friendship of an elephant and a dog.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjyb0t5Jm44

Many of us don't need to look far to see evidence of the benefits of cross-species companionship.  Our cats, dogs, birds, fish, hamsters, and others can all get along just fine without our help. They make their own fun together if they feel lonely, bored, adventurous, or just need companionship.  Perhaps human genders, races, and political parties could learn from their example!  If they can do it, why can't we?

Nature

 As I feel 2012 coming to a close, I am desiring to slow down and follow my animals' example of listening.  

There is so much in the silence and sounds of nature from which to learn.

Have you ever wondered why animals are so attuned to nature and aware of what is happening outside?  Even when they are relaxing and snoozing, they shift to high alert immediately if danger is near.  They don't miss a thing.  Their animal nature respects adventure, noise, aroma, surprise, beauty, and last but not least, silence.  

I once had a very amazing teacher who said, "Nature always gives back, go to nature and ask for what you want.  It will return to you twofold".  This last sentence I added because although I couldn't remember his exact words, this was certainly the essence of his message.

I know when I go out in nature, I always feel better . Yesterday I rolled on the grass, and found the experience to be both fun and relaxing.  As I reflected upon my teacher's message about communicating with nature about what you want, I also recalled his suggestion that if you can't get out in nature or onto the earth, you can bring nature inside to you.  He suggested that to do this, you can take a large bowl or pan, fill it with Mother Earth, put in under your desk or wherever you spend time, immerse your bare feet in the dirt, and feel the relaxation Mother Earth brings to you.

Our animals seem to know this well.  They can spend an eternity simply observing and relaxing in nature.  I find following this advice a bit challenging, but also healing.  My mind seems to stop whirling, my senses seem to calm, and my intuition seems to heighten when I immerse myself in silence and in Mother Earth.

Give it a try and see if you agree!

Lessons on forgiveness

 We mere mortals spend so much of our lives hanging onto things, harboring resentment and regret, and criticizing ourselves and others.  But do our pets carry such burdens?  Well, I admit to having a few cats who have let me know after I have been gone for a few days that they are not pleased.   But for the most part, my experience with pets is that they forgive quickly and let go. 

Why in the world do we two-leggeds  hang on to what we perceive as righteous criticism?  This has come to mind recently because the pain in my shoulder has brought my attention to resentment that I have been shouldering.  Are there lessons to learn from my shoulder pain?  And are there lessons to learn from our animals?   

Yesterday I spent the day writing down what had been bothering me, things that I felt resentful about and justified in feeling about others in my life.  Through forgiveness, I physically alleviated some pain that had been stuck in my neck and shoulder.  I didn't get rid of all of the pain, but I had an opportunity to observe and feel a difference.  

And yes, I have lessons to learn from my animals as well.  My heart melts at their ability to let go of any annoyance, regret or anger.  Their brains don't hold onto it, I believe, because they live in the moment.  How wise they are not to hold resentment in their bodies!  Their patience and acceptance in life is admirable and in turn, serves them well.  They don't look at life through filters as we do, filters which are typically clogged up with familial behaviors and patterns that skew our perception of people and circumstances.  Our animals don't waste time looking through rear-view mirrors, questioning choices about themselves and others.  And when we humans slip into this mode, does it serve us? 

Life is too short not to forgive.  Forgiveness is truly the way to joy and healing.  Our pets are living examples of the joy of living with a forgiving heart.  Watch them, be with them, play with them, and try not to smile.

Opinionated Dogs and Politics

What can I say......My dogs and I have been watching the presidential campaigns on television, and wow, are they opinionated!  Perhaps they are recalling Governor Romney's road trip with his dog on the top of the family car.  Who says dogs don't have a good memory!  As I listened to their interesting take on the upcoming elections and the potential impact of superstorm Sandy on both parties, I found myself in agreement with their belief that the superstorm was a wake up call for our country.

Romney's plan to shut down FEMA and leave all disaster relief to the individual states was definitely in question.  As Miss Baley pointed out, "So Mom, wouldn't the affected states be in terrible shape without Federal support now that Sandy has had her way?"  I agreed that FEMA was extremely important and necessary for relief in the Eastern States.  My dogs observed that the excellent progress of President Obama and FEMA might be just what our incumbent needs to win.  Even Governor Christie of New Jersey, a keynote speaker at the Republican convention, has referred to Obama as his new best friend. A Republican and a Democrat as BFF's? OMG!!

Bodhi, my very large mixed breed, added that while the Red Cross had asked for cash rather than canned goods for hurricane relief, that Romney had instead done a pseudo fundraiser/campaign rally in Ohio requesting canned foods be donated.  Was this about helping hurricane victims, or winning votes in an important state?

Will superstorm Sandy affect Presidential election results?  Is this a wake up call for our country?  November 6 is right around the corner, so we are soon to find out. 

Written July 12, 2012, posted July 25,2012

Easier and more fun than you think!!!

It has been a while since I have posted a blog about my garden, but not due to inactivity here at Paradise Ranch.  Lots of friends visiting and consistent comings and goings.  I think the last time I posted I was beginning a vegetable garden that was promptly eaten by rabbits.  They had quite the salad bar, and undoubtedly invited over neighborhood friends to finish off the lettuces.  The snails also feasted on leaves from other veggies.  But ah ha.... I credited a solution by putting up a rabbit fence and sprinkling on some "slug-o" around the seedlings. I replanted everything with the help of a dear friend visiting me from San Miguel, Mexico. Together we created a wonderful new garden with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, squash, beets, broccoli, beans, peppers and lots of herbs. We also added lots of animals statues to guard the garden and add their wisdom.  Colored solar lights that shine all night add a feeling of magic and a finishing touch.

I then put up a snake fence around most of the perimeter of my property, which became mission critical after my Welsh Terrier went after a baby rattlesnake.  The baby rattlesnakes are the most dangerous because they strike randomly.  Thank God another good friend was here at the time.  After several unsuccessful attempts at my screaming at my dog, my friend threw his glass of wine on her, and she jumped back and the snake scurried away to hide. Since my Welsh Terrier Baley is a ratter by breed, she has an instinct to capture and kill anything that moves.

That was it for me.  I immediately decided that it was time to get the snakes out and protect my sweet animals.  So after many trips to Home Depot, I bought snake wire fencing and hired a wonderful man named Angel to install it.  Seemed rather fitting and just the man I needed. 

To date I have harvested lettuce, onions, beets, beans, and herbs.  Here are some pictures of the garden during the day. It is so satisfying to be able to go out and pick my own vegetables for meals.  I also harvested peaches from my tree and made a delicious peach pie, my first.  Everything  you hear about home-grown fruits and vegetables tasting better is indeed true.  Plant them with loving care and taste the difference! 

If I can do a raised bed garden, anyone can! 

Healing opportunities where you least expect them

A few weeks ago I was on an early morning walk with my neighbor, an animal lover like myself.  Perhaps that is why when we walk together, we frequently come across lost animals.  

This particular day as we were walking home through a not-so-great neighborhood, an older red haired dog wandered into the street. He looked lost, and was not at all street smart as cars approached. He followed us for several blocks, and I became convinced of his need for help. 

I phoned my handyman, who picked us up to take us to the local veterinarian's office.  They found a microchip in the dog, and left a message with the person to whom the dog was registered. I brought the dog home with me and waited for a return call.  I also decided to keep the dog separate from my own three dogs, wary that their comfortable family "pack" might be a bit scary or intimidating for the lone dog.

Mid-afternoon I received a message from the dog owner's sister, who said the owner was in Alaska and she was taking care of the dog.  She said that the dog's name was Reggie and that although she greatly wanted him back, she was babysitting for her grandkids and couldn't pick up Reggie until late that evening.  I agreed to keep Reggie until then.  I hung up feeling relieved, but also a little weepy and overly affectionate toward this dog.  

In the early 90's, I had a wonderful Airedale named Reggie who I deeply loved, but tragically lost.  My live-in boyfriend ran over and killed my Reggie in my driveway.  I never had a chance to say goodbye to Reggie.  He was only six years old at the time and so full of life.  This stray dog Reggie was older, very sweet and loving, and definitely a reminder of my deceased dog Reggie.  And this new Reggie and I had the same color hair!  For the next several hours I spent precious time with this Reggie, and somehow in the process, healed my broken heart.  Reggie savored all the love and attention during these hours together. It seemed that his need for love from me was also just what he needed.  

Around 10 pm, the owner's sister and her teenage niece arrived at my home.  It was apparent that Reggie dearly loved this teenage girl.  As the young girl and Reggie reunited, the woman explained that her brother's wife (this teenage girl's mother) had recently passed away and that the same week, their family cat had passed away as well.   OMG.... Reggie had probably been looking for his owner or his feline friend, and thank God I had found him and returned him to his family.  This young girl had already experienced two losses in one week, and she needed Reggie.  And Reggie clearly needed her.  I felt truly blessed to have been able to reunite them.  And for me, the gift of this Reggie was truly heaven sent.

Cats and Dogs and Politics

I just never know what my animals might be discussing in their inter-species talks in our home.  I do know that the cats devoured a lot of catnip and the dogs ate plenty of dognip before they decided to have a mixed breed discussion about the political situation in our country.

Although I wasn't privy to the entire talk, I was given a few amusing "what if's" from my cats and dogs.  Neither my pooches nor my kitties are too fond of Romney, apparently because of his dog on the roof to Canada experience.  "Totally outrageous!" they all observed. "What if we tied him to the roof of his car on the way to the Republican nomination ceremony?"  

My pets agreed that they would love to see Romney choose a female Mexican Chihuahua as a running mate.  This was an idea shared by their uncle Richard from Washington state, and all of my animals agreed that it was a great plan.

How perfect for Presidential hopeful Romney!  A female Chihuahua could teach him how strong and steady a female can be.  She could also give him greater perspective about those less fortunate, and convince Romney that they are not taken care of. 

It was decided that Rosalita (the name we will call her) should have a pedigreed boyfriend, an obnoxious 25-generation pure bred Irish Setter who has no idea what abandoned and rescue dogs go through.  Rosalita's boyfriend dog of course takes a liking to Romney.  He totally agrees with Romney's desire to help the wealthy;  it fits right into his own belief system as a spoiled and entitled dog.

I disappointed the animals when I told them that the running mates must be human. "Why, we thought the planet was evolving!" they exclaimed.  I explained that sometimes with progress, it appears that we are taking temporary steps backward until we get every human out of their previous belief systems.  I explained that it may appear that we are not marching forward, but that I believe we will eventually make it happen.

My animals expressed great interest in Bo, the President's dog.  They noted that he seemed like a very happy dog who got plenty of love and good care.  My white as snow American Eskimo and Corgi mix, Little Bit, had more to say about Bo.  "He is so cute and just my type!  We would make a fantastic black and white couple!"

One of my older female Balinese cats said, "We like Obama, but wish he would be more outspoken and definitive about what he knows is right for our country."  My oldest (a sixteen year-old yellow Tabby nicknamed BB, short for Big Balls) spoke up.  "Where are Obama's balls?  Who throws his balls? Why doesn't he speak up?  He needs to tell it like it is and fight for what he believes is right!"  

I explained to BB that the President's balls are thrown by the big corporations, and that decisions are often tied up in Congress.  I also told them that although all presidents make deals with corporations and special interest groups in order to get elected, once elected and in power, we share the hope that they are able to instigate bigger changes when elected.

"How come you keep those old fogies in Congress for so long?" BB asked.  "Is it because they are effective, or do people forget they can vote them out?   It would be great to get animal lovers in office.  Animal lovers are heartfelt people who support humanitarianism and can help America prosper!"

Once again, my animals had some great questions and insightful observations.  I think I will go have some coffee-nip and ponder.

Do our animals understand change better than we do?

What is most on my mind today is the thought that as a nation, we are up for some changes.  Or perhaps I should say as a global society, change is upon us whether we like it or not.   

I wonder why we resist it so much.  Our animals don't seem to mind change as long as they feel safe and loved.  They certainly don't fret over making "correct" decisions.  If we take the time to help them feel protected and nurtured, animals seem to adjust to change very well.  We humans are a bit more complicated.  We don't always feel safe and loved mentally, physically or emotionally before and during our changes.  We tend to hang onto the past, because it is familiar and easy.  Sometimes as soon as we get comfortable, our life changes, and we resist.  We forget that that change is inevitable from the minute we are born until the minute we die....change , change change.

So many things around us seem as if they are positioned for change in 2012.  We have become a consumer nation, and as our need and desire for more things increases, our need for simplifying decreases.  We may not feel safe and question whether we have enough.  If we really ponder that question, we might be quite surprised to find that we have more than we really need!

Change is something that is happening everywhere, all the time.  Yet as humans, we seem to resist this notion.  Change somehow equates to letting go and giving up what we already know.  Scary, but also exciting at the same time.

As our economy and our world seem to reflect what we hear in the media and online, I find myself needing to take long breaks from the propaganda, especially around election time.  It helps to listen to John Stewart or other comedians for a quick dose of humor.  Fear seems to be a subtle, but an underlying backdrop in our world right now. Or least that is what we read and hear in the news.

Sometimes I find it difficult to commit to a firm decision. Feeling uncertain about what to do sometimes means that I have a fear of failing by making the wrong choice. Then I find the need to tell myself to imagine things working out.  When I remind myself that any decision I make can lead to greater insights about me and about my life, the decision making process feels easier. 

Sometimes I consider what my life would be like if I didn't act on any difficult choices and always played it safe. Hmmm. Today I have decided to create a community organic garden in my yard to share with friends.  I have raised beds in my garden that I haven't fully utilized in years, so why not enlarge and use this space and share it with others? I know very little about vegetable gardening, but "If not now, when?"  Raised beds with organic vegetables of all kinds, planted and harvested by my circle of friends, I'm going to go for it. I have imagined what I want and how it will turn out, and the answer is Yes!

As I celebrate my decision, I enjoy some time with my dogs and cats. They are always in the moment, and they never play it safe when it comes to the possibility of joy, adventure and love.  They often give me a look that says, "Is there any reason we should not be relaxed and enjoy life?"  I think they are on to something. 

A Morning Blessing!

Have you ever sat in silence and just marveled at the incredible beauty of your dogs and your amazing connection?  I did this morning before jumping out of bed, I just watched for half an hour at my three loving dogs.  My heart couldn't help but smile looking at these babies. A great way to start my day.

I recently read a book,  Pack of Two: The Intricate Bond Between People and Dogs. Caroline Knapp 1959-2003. In her book she recounts her experiences of what it is like to study a dog you love, "you find beauty in every small detail, and so it is with Lucille my dog, I have been enchanted by the small asymmetrical whorls of white fur on either side of her chest, and by her tail which carries in a high confident curve, and by her eyes, which are watchful and intelligent, the color of chestnuts.  I am in love with the dog belly, where the fur is fine and soft and tan. I seem to spend a great deal of time just staring at the dog, struck by how mysterious and beautiful she is to me and how much my world has changed since she came along."

Caroline also talks about something I find very true.  When you fall in love with an animal in many ways you enter a new orbit, a universe that features not just new colors, but new rituals, new rules, a new way of experiencing attachment. A world that is qualitatively different from the world of people, a place that can transform us.  "The dance between dogs and their owners is about love". As Caroline so beautifully stated,   "It's about attachment that's mutual and unambiguous." 

With the help of my four leggeds, I have had to rethink many things i.e. ......how I often hurry through life and forget to smell the roses along the way. With a dog your walking definitively changes, they stop and sniff every other leaf, peeing at every possible calling card that the last dog left and most importantly they get us into the magic and wonder of nature as they excitedly scamper along a path or sidewalk.  Each time I walk with my dogs or see a dog walking with their owner, I smile and feel a bit of their happiness. And of course seeing a dog with their head out the window of a car just enjoying the breeze through its hair and nose, makes me appreciate life much more.  There isn't a day that goes by that I don't see a dog somewhere on my daily travels that doesn't totally bring me into a moment of joy.  Their unassuming manner and innocence together with their curiosity about life and their wonder and awe of the now, allows me to enjoy the wonder and awe of the now also.

This past week one of our television icons passed on and to my surprise Dick Clark was a huge dog lover.
Apparently he had more dogs in his office than any other person had in Burbank, Ca.

"Today we mourn the loss of a dog-lover extraordinaire: Dick Clark. He was 574, in dog years.

Clark was a big-time dog person. He designed his Malibu home so that it could accommodate all his dogs -- he sometimes had as many as five at a time. The showers were extra large so that he could wash the pups himself, he told LA's Pet Press in 2001. It was even his dog, he'd said years earlier, who'd picked out the place: His lab, Mort, got loose one afternoon on the beach, and Clark found him on a beautiful piece of beachfront property. He liked it as much as Mort did, so he called the owners and arranged the sale. There, he and his wife Kari celebrated each dog's birthday with plates of meatballs with candles in them. Kari was in charge of the party hats. He would take photos."

Photo credit: AP Photo/ LENNOX MCLENDON

In recent years the Clarks had a pug named Mrs. Jones, and Henry VIII, a 110-pound Weimaraner. There was also Lucille, a Dalmatian who was a gift from Gloria and Emilio Estefan -- they flew her to him via private jet. Bernardo was a Dachshund mix the Clarks found on the streets of San Bernadino. They dropped him off at the pound and then made a U-turn and picked him up. (He would become their fourth Dachshund.) Many of the Clarks' dogs were named for songs: Maybelline was a pup birthed by Mort's girlfriend, Molly; Eleanor Rigby was a stray who the Clarks took in.

In the office of Dick Clark Productions in Burbank, dogs roamed as they pleased. They took the elevators rather than the stairs; they trained human staffers to push the buttons for them. They also convinced all Clark's employees to feed them leftovers, leading Clark to affix "Don't Feed Me" signs to his charges when they made the rounds in the office.

"There are a few people that don't like dogs, so they don't pay any attention to them. But for the most part people pet them, feed them, bring them presents, and talk to them. It has a nice effect on a place that tends to have a lot of tension," he told The Pet Press' Lori Golden. "When the dogs enter, it breaks the ice. I'll say sorry, we're in a meeting, and they'll turn around and leave. But everybody sort of laughs and it loosens up the meeting." "They're pressure relievers," he continued. "You'll be on the phone at work dealing with something stressful and they'll just walk up and want a pat."

As his health began to decline in 2004, Clark told the Associated Press that he didn't think that he'd had a stroke; when he awoke partially numb one morning, it was a feeling he was familiar with: He thought a dog had slept on his side.

Dogs truly open our hearts and minds to a genuineness in life.  What really matters! And sometimes a new way of experiencing the world from their delightful and honest perspective. They ground us in ways that often humans can't because we can't just operate from our minds we must bring in our heart and senses in order to be in tuned with them.

Messages are all around us

Change, change, change.....wow, how quickly things can change when we ask and are ready to receive. How fast and furiously the messages may arrive when we ask for them. The universe always says "yes", and so do our animal friends.

Very recently I ended a relationship with an ex-boyfriend. His departure from my home was long overdue, but I was doing my best to preserve what I thought would be a valuable friendship. Change is sometimes hard for me, and this was particularly tough. I knew that we had long been in a rut, but the familiarity of it all kept me safe (or so I told myself). And of course if one hangs in there, there is always the possibility that the relationship might get better! This was not to be the case. And if the relationship is not right for one person, how can it be right for the other, even when they think it is?

But back to my point of our animal compatriots. My live-in male friend moved on, and it was a difficult parting. At almost at exactly the same time, another person whom I thought was a dear friend got over reactive about a past experience, extremely angry, and ended our friendship. Interestingly, several hours later I walked out my front door and learned that my Catrium contractor had just found a 6 foot long rattlesnake. It had been hiding under a tarp in my driveway, along with three mice. The snake scurried away when uncovered, but I did not overlook his significance as a messenger from the animal kingdom.

All animals have wisdom for us. Snakes are symbolic of death and rebirth, because they shed their skin as they outgrow the old. In ancient times, snakes signified the mysterious; they were primitive symbols of the Great Mother Goddess. When a rattlesnake appears in your path, there will be significant changes in some area of your life, and you will go through a major transitional period.

I am extremely afraid of snakes of any kind, not just rattlesnakes. But I must say that the snake's message was sheer perfection, as was his timing. What about the three mice? Were they relieved to escape as the tarp was lifted? Did they have a message for me as well?

Mouse wisdom is examining life's lessons, shyness, understanding details, seeing double meanings in things, stealth, discovery and the ability to be unseen. As I thought about these little mice messengers, I couldn't help but see one of my biggest life lessons. Now that I had let go, imagine the discoveries I could begin to find in life! The three mice got out alive, and so did I!

These unusual creatures appeared in front of my home for good reason, and I received their messages loud and clear. If you find yourself having unexpected encounters with animals, I encourage you to visit websites on animal wisdom and shamanism. You might be surprised to see your own life's lessons staring back at you.

We are ultimately not separate, not from one another or any living thing....the flower, the tree, our crops, the cat, the dog, the snake. You can sense yourself in them, the essence of who you are.

"Having an animal in your home is great for your heart, your waistline, your immunity, and your blood vessels"....Dr. Oz

I have found a famous, extremely intelligent com-padre who loves animals as much as I do;  Dr, Oz, America's Favorite Doctor!  In a recent issue of Oprah magazine, Dr. Oz explains that when he comes home after a long day at the hospital or the studio and sees his black Lab Rosie with her enthusiastic greeting, Rosie always makes him smile, no matter how exhausted he feels.  Dr. Oz's household is like mine, with family pets(12) outnumbering the humans (6) in his home.

Dr Oz expressed his excitement about the mounting evidence that our animals can improve our physical well-being.  Dr. Oz is not alone. Former president of the Mayo Clinic staff, Edward Creagan, M.D., is also convinced of the healing power of pets. He has literally prescribed them for a third of his cancer patients!

Dr Oz explains that the simple act of petting an animal, or even gazing at an aquarium, results in a drop in blood pressure.  He believes that pets can have a long-term impact on the cardiovascular system as well, as researchers discovered in tracking two dozen stockbrokers who adopted a cat or dog.  Surprisingly, while pet ownership blunted the blood pressure response to mental stress in the stockbrokers, the traditionally prescribed hypertension drug had no positive effect.

A study published in the Western Journal of Nursing Research found that even pet fish can help by facilitating healthy weight gain among Alzheimer's patients, who often suffer from a lack of nutrition. In the presence of an aquarium, patients who paced tended to sit still longer, while patients who were typically lethargic became more attentive. Both effects led to better eating at mealtimes. Alzheimer's patients also have fewer outbursts if an animal is present, and research shows that caregivers feel less burdened as well.

Dr. Oz advises that if pet ownership is not possible, that volunteering with rescues who are in dire need of attention can provide the same health perks. Go to petfinder.com to find shelters near you.

From my own personal experience, closely observing animals in the wild can have positive effects as well.  The other day I was walking with a friend down to our local cafe when we spotted two hawks singing and coming together to mate on top a a huge palm tree.  What a beautiful site to see.  The energy from their coming together was spectacular.  The Native Americans and many Indigenous tribes throughout the world believe that animals carry important messages for us. Hawks represent "the messenger", and the message to me seemed to be to trust in my truth and creativity.  Other messages that hawks are known to carry include clear-sightedness, overcoming problems, wisdom, courage, and wise use of opportunities.  To learn more about animal messages, google "Spirit Guides and Shamanism".

If we are open to their gifts, the animal world has so much to offer.  Thank you, Dr. Oz, for your wisdom and for your appreciation and love of animals.

My animals perspective on the Republican Candidates

Have any of your animals expressed opinions on the Presidential race?  Have you asked them?  You might be surprised how opinionated they are, as I found out.......


A few days ago after I got home from my relaxing vacation in Hawaii, my dogs and cats requested a meeting to discuss the political shenanigans happening among the Republican party presidential candidates and the media.  I reminded them that I had been relaxing in Maui, hadn't seen or heard the news, and was a bit out of touch.  I promised that once acclimated back home I would read up on all the news and listen to their viewpoints.


So yesterday all 15 of us sat in my living room for a meow-bow-wow.  We sat in a circle, and the animal on my right spoke first.  My cats and dogs continued in a clockwise manner to air their points of view.


My outspoken Welsh Terrier, Baley, spoke first.  "Why all this ruckus and arguing about religion?  Why does one religion have to be better than another?  Why do there have to be right and wrong viewpoints on things?"


BB, my older grandfather cat, replied, "Why does it matter anyway?  I thought freedom of religion could also mean freedom from religion."


My Lab mix Bodhi interrupted.  "What does religion have to do with politics anyway?"


My American Eskimo/Corgi mix chimed in and asked, " Isn't religion a private thing?  What does it have to do with choosing a leader to fairly and honestly run our country with integrity?"


I agreed with my 4-legged friends, that religion should have nothing to do with politics.  Church and state do not belong together!


Before I had a chance to finish, Miss Jinxy, my elder female cat said,  "In our world, we love and accept everyone.  All breeds, half-breeds, mixed breeds, sizes, shapes, colors, and all creatures of the earth.  Our religion, so to speak, is unconditional love, honesty, truthfulness, integrity and loyalty."


I thanked Jinxy for her wise observation that religion, race, creed, and color should have no bearing on a candidate.


I sensed the excitement in the room as all the female cats and dogs began speaking at once. Their discussion revolved around why a president or any political system should be determining rules regarding sexual conduct, sexual preference, or birth control choices for humans.  They knew that animals had to be spayed and neutered immediately if they were coming from a shelter, but always believed that humans had more legal and moral rights.   "What about freedom of choice?" they cried.  "Isn't this the 21st century?!!!!!"


"Many of us have already e-mailed our support to Sandra Fluke, the Georgetown University student blasted by Rush Limbaugh in the media.  He called Ms. Fluke a “slut” and a "prostitute" after she argued that birth control should be covered by health insurance at religious institutions." all the animals professed.


"Appalling in our book," my female four-leggeds all replied.  "We are glad so many people have criticized him for his outrageous statements.  We would call him a fat pig, but we don't want to insult our beloved pig family."

Sam, Dave and Midnight, three of my male teenage cats then said, " And to think one of the candidates says Global Warming isn't real!  Gives us a break mom, just tell the guy to go outside and feel and smell the earth, then he will know."


All the animals agreed that the Republicans' childish behavior is proof that fighting and name-calling never wins.  They also agreed that they are relived that I don't pollute our home with too much television news.


My Welsh Terrier Baley suggested an alternative, a great television channel devoted to dogs.  Dog TV Channel 2635 (Cox Communications) is quite relaxing.  Images of beaches, waves, beautiful colors, and soft music soothes the senses.  I expressed my gratitude to Baley and turned on the channel for all to enjoy.


While Dog Channel is highly recommend for humans and dogs, my cat Rufus likes it, too.  A neighbor friend of mine leaves the channel on 24/7 for his dogs.  All family members enjoy the soft wonderful music that fills their house.  Check cable television channels to see if Dog TV is available in your area.


I am again humbled and inspired by the insight and awareness of my animals. I will leave you with an acronym of hope for our term "human being" jointly crafted by my animals and me.

H   Humanity

U   Unconditional love

M   Magical

A   Altruistic

N   Nice

B   Benevolent

E   Empathetic

I    Innocent

N   Nature loving

G   Generous

Kenny Kitty Spa

I've read that once you begin re-decorating one room in your house, you somehow end up re-decorating more rooms than you had planned.  That is definitely the case at Paradise Ranch, which seems to be morphing into the Kenny Kitty Spa.  My goodness, as soon as I finished the outdoor cat addition, my two older cats wanted their own private rooms and spaces.  These two old gals could no longer tolerate one another, and they convinced me of this by peeing on my bed on a regular basis.  Sad to say, this was an effective way to get my attention! 

Miss Jinxy got her own new two-room suite, one room outside and one room inside, and she loves to go through the window between the two.  Zoe is now the only cat in my master bedroom.  They are both absolutely thrilled, and there has not been one accident since they have been separated!  Thankfully they are now playing like young ladies again.  In fact, I think I saw one doing sit-ups and looking in the mirror to see if her bikini still looks good!

Seeing Miss Jinxy, Zoe, and the other cats appreciating the new outdoor space so happy, I couldn't help but wonder about the kitties that stay primarily in the garage.  Were their digs in need of an updating?  And could the garage ever be separated in such a way that the kitties could have their space, and my workout equipment could be separated from them so it would not become covered in kitty fur? 

My handyman extraordinaire Ross made this all possible with wood, drywall, and a lot of ingenuity. Within the next few days, my indoor kitties will be enjoying a cozy new den. There will be climbing shelves, cupboards for hiding, planks for walking and balancing, pillows for sleeping, and scratching posts for exercise.  Kitty dishes will sit on shelves a few inches off the floor so as not to invite ants.  Even temperature has been addressed, with extra insulation to keep the den warm in the winter and cool in the summer.  The kitties will even have their own portable air conditioner for the summer months.

There will soon be no excuse not to use my exercise equipment in my gym. My treadmill, Pilates 

machines, and weights will have a place of their own, and they will not be covered in kitty fur!  Why didn't I think of this years ago?

It is amazing how easy it is to build or add on for your animals without a lot of money or time. Animals don't need expensive toys, they love the little pleasures like balls, sticks, cardboard, shelves, and especially boxes.  Have you ever bought an expensive toy for your child only to watch them enjoy the oversized box it came in more than the toy? 

Many holidays ago, a friend of mine bought a game table and chairs to accomodate her sons frequent chess and checkers games.  For hours Christmas Day they played with the oversized shipping box, about half the size of a refrigerator.  They drug each other around in it all over the house, and when they were tired of that, they made the box into a fort.  When several days after Christmas the box was still being enjoyed and the table and chairs had not yet been used, my friend returned the table and chairs, apologizing that she was not able to return the box. 

Give your animals (or kids) the simple things, and let their imaginations take over.  Watch them climb, roll, scratch, and have a ball being in the moment.  

Logan my cat whisperer

A young friend of mine who is a seven year-old cat lover paid me a visit before I left for Hawaii. Logan’s family bred dogs for many years in Washington State and now the are living in England, but Logan clearly has an affinity for cats.  He has many times in my presence proven himself an expert in non-verbal communication with cats.  I affectionately refer to  Logan as “the cat whisperer”.

Several years ago during a visit to my home, Logan crawled out through the small series of tunnels leading from my garage to the outside kitty condo.  Within minutes, he was totally immersed in kitties’ world and they in his. It was total bliss for all of them, and simply incredible to witness. Last year Logan visited again.  Despite several years passing between his visits, Logan remembered all the cats’ names and ages within minutes.  This is no easy feat given my large collection of cats.    

During this visit, I once again marveled as I watched Logan and my eleven cats pick up where they left off, seemingly understanding one another immediately. Logan observed that the new expanded kitty condo reminded him of a Hyatt Regency (pretty sophisticated seven year-old!).  He sounded like an experienced physician diagnosing the situation when he explained, very matter-of-factly, that he had checked with all the cats and that they were all very happy.  And as you can see from the photo, Logan checked out the shelves and boxes first hand! 

Today, and everyday, seize the day and savor the moments!

 

 click on picture to enlarge

The Granny Cat Flat

If there’s one thing that’s constant at Paradise Ranch, it is change.  The cats are loving their new outside digs.  The new cat-trium is so spacious, and the cats really seem to enjoy having more room to play, bask in the sun, and run! The day after the cat-trium was completed, I began a new project finishing a Granny Cat Flat for my oldest rescue, Miss Jinxy.  Miss Jinxy is very advanced in her years and quite overweight.  However, one should never underestimate an athlete, no matter how much they weigh.  Miss Jinxy reminds me of a Broadway Musical character I marveled at many years ago.  He was extremely overweight, and totally surprised me by dancing throughout the play with great ease, abundant energy, and a lightness to his step. He seemed to defy gravity!  Well, Miss Jinxy is quite the same. She is so hefty it appears she would have difficulty walking, but Miss Jinxy’s agility defies all logic.

I tried my best to socialize Miss Jinxy with the other cats when I rescued her.  I tried countless combinations of cats and locations around my home in the hopes of finding a suitable companion for her.  Miss Jinxy loved human contact, but she wanted nothing to do with any of my ten other felines.  My teenage cats retaliated against her aloofness by taunting and teasing her, so I was forced to move Miss Jinxy out of the main cat area.  I brought her up to my bedroom to join an older kitty who has resided there for many years. Miss Jinxy proceeded to do what the teenage cats had done to her, she aggressively teased and taunted my cat Zoe.  A few nights when I went upstairs to bed, I found Zoe’s potty accidents awaiting me.  Given these accidents were just a few feet from her litter box, it was clear to me that Zoe was unhappy.  Almost as unhappy as I was cleaning up smelly kitty messes before retiring at the end of the day!

So I have now come to the conclusion that Miss Jinxy must have her own space.  Two rooms with a view! Given she is older and overweight, if put into a public shelter, she would be euthanized in a heartbeat, clearly not an option I would consider. Which brings me to a very important point...

California Governor Jerry Brown has proposed a repeal of Hayden’s Law, an action that would endanger the lives of all animals entering California’s pounds and shelters. Since its introduction in 1998, Hayden’s Law has successfully raised humane standards in California’s pounds and shelters and worked to reduce the number of animals killed. Repealing this law would undo progressive legislation and return California’s animal shelters to killing tens of thousands more animals each year. Three days in the shelters and they would be euthanized. Repealing this law would mean pounds and shelters would not be required to provide prompt and necessary veterinary care. It would mean they would not be required to hold animals for an extended period to increase their chances of adoption, being returned to their owners, or being transferred to a rescue group. It would mean that the minimal reporting that keeps Californians informed of what’s going on in their shelters would be lost.

Please contact Governor Jerry Brown today to tell him that you oppose the proposed repeal of Hayden’s Law.  It is so very important that we take action now.  Please watch this You Tube.

I am so grateful that I can play my small part in helping to rescue cats and dogs. And to be able to give my young cats a new playground and Miss Jinxy a comfortable new place of her own. She is indeed the queen of her own granny cat flat, complete with carpeting, comfortable beds and couches, and playthings. Sometimes it pays to be a granny!

 God Bless All Living things and please sign the petition to prevent this from happening.

Super Bowl ads go to the dogs and first play day in the Cat-Trium

Did any of you notice that many of the Super Bowl advertisements included dogs?  Seems we have gone from babies to dogs as the actor’s in the game’s famous ads. Some viewers say the Super Bowl commercial breaks are looking more and more like the Puppy Bowl.  Perhaps that is because the television commercials with dogs have the most bark and the biggest bite for their sponsors and viewers.

I was interested in the game, but actually more interested in the type of ads corporations spent millions on this year. The key to the success of these spots, the ad business executives say, are the dogs.  "The pooches act like nice people. Dogs seem to be more personable.  People can relate to them. The love for animals is universal."  A Great Dane for Doritos, a scruffy cute terrier-like dog named WeGo for Bud Light, a fabulous St. Bernard/Australian Shepherd mix named Bolt for Volkswagen, and an unforgettable cast of dogs singing the Star Wars song were all very heartfelt and entertaining.

A top advertising executive has been quoted as saying that "the only thing that trumps sex is a cute animal"!  If this year is any indication, this has become a basic rule of Super Bowl advertising.

In addition to the “cuteness” factor, advertisers may have chosen dogs for yet another reason. Last year one major advertiser chose Kim Kardashian as their spokesperson.  Dogs may indeed be a safer bet than celebrities.

After the game was over my Welsh Terrier Baley, who is quite taken with her own looks and personality, asked if she could audition for next year’s Super Bowl ads.  Hmm….she is quite the poser.   The thought of my one of my dogs financially supporting me for the next few years is indeed tempting.  But then I recall Baley’s lack of cooperation with commands and going along with anyone’s idea other than her own, and I come back to earth!

Long live the dogs of Super Bowl XLVI!

And no, I haven’t forgotten about my cats…..below is a photo from the first day of a cat-trium play.  The contractor finished yesterday, but because cats don't like change and noise very much, it took a few hours after the boxes were completed for them to begin venturing out to play and explore.  They actually had a great time smelling, investigating, and crawling through the wooden boxes and shelves.  It was the first time in a long while that many of them had stepped out of their comfort zones, even if it were only to perch on the overhead bridge watching the others. The young ones (my teenagers) are running and jumping all over the cat-trium, seemingly inspiring the others.  Teasing the older cats and scratching the furniture is no longer as tempting now that they have their very own outside jungle-gym.  So glad I created this!

All 2012 Presidential Candidates must pass the sniff test

click on image to make larger

My dogs and I watched the results of the Florida Primary on television this week.  They were quite perplexed at the whole "dog and pony show" of American politics (pardon the pun).  The dogs were very vocal about the human condition in these debates. "The fighting goes on and on!  When we have fights they are over as quickly as they start!  Is there ever any forgiving and forgetting?  We see elephants and donkeys......maybe what these humans need is to have a Dog Party!!

And all this talk about parties.... it doesn't look like these people are having fun at all!"  

My dogs had many questions that I could not answer.  They remained in heated discussion long after I went to bed.   

The next morning I awoke to a dog-scratched note requesting that I consider their ideas about how to better judge our presidential candidates.  The note suggested I have several cups of coffee before considering their points of view.

Baley, with her Welsh Terrier ancestry, was convinced that no money should be put toward campaigning as is done in England.  Why should billions be spent on elections when that money could be used to build and maintain animal shelters?  Little Bit, a mixed breed like many Americans, was discouraged and saddened that candidates needed so much money to even be in the race.  Bodhi, my special needs dog, calmly asked why peace and harmony did not reign in these debates when every one of us should share the common goal of a stronger, better country.

The dogs agreed that if it were up to them, two simple questions would determine a candidate's appropriateness:  1) Does the candidate think before he barks? and 2) Does the candidate wag more or bark more?   They also drafted other potential questions that could be used by the more complex human voters. 

Does the candidate get along well with others?

Does the candidate keenly sniff out danger and trouble the way dogs do?

Does the candidate clean up his own messes or have others clean up after him?

Does the candidate bark before he bites? Or whine when he does not get his way?

Does the candidate need a Rottweiler to make him feel strong and in charge?

Does the candidate consider his bowl half full or half empty?

Is the candidate well behaved when no one is looking?

Does the candidate have anything buried in his back yard?  Like we do?

And one last question!  What candidate can spell their name backwards and it spells GOD?

Cat-Trium Progress at Paradise Ranch

Here we are and almost finished with the Cat-Trium for eleven very lucky cats. However, my cats and I are now negotiating about who should reside here.  As I stand inside this wondrous structure and look out at 180 degree views, I am considering turning over my bedroom to the cats while I move into this state of the art facility!  Sunrises and sunsets right in front of me!  Sounds of nature, birds singing, and Mother Earth right under my feet.  But then again, there are the sounds of coyotes howling, cars passing by, and occasional military planes flying over nearby Camp Pendleton.  And the Cat-Trium has no bathroom attached.  Perhaps I'll stay in my bedroom!

A teacher of mine from many years ago often stated that "all creatures' feet should touch the ground everyday".  I have never forgotten that, but I did underestimate my indoor cats need to run.  Two wonderful animal communicator friends, Samantha Khury and joanranquet.com,  reminded me that this was particularly important for my young cats.  Giving the cats more room to run and climb was essential for their sanity as well as my own.

My contractor friend loved this idea, and together with another friend, we created quite the structure for my kitties.  We enlarged the existing indoor/outdoor space to just over 450 square feet, more than double the structure's original size.  Now there are areas for both shade and sun, places to climb and hide, and most importantly, a large space in which to run, chase, jump, pounce and rest.  Huge dead branches from ficus and pine trees were assembled and secured to create a natural climbing jungle gym.  Several of the cats' climbing apparatuses were positioned along one side of the enclosure for fun and familiarity.

Materials were carefully chosen;  pine for maximum scratching, roofing that protects yet allows for sunlight and warmth, and terracotta siding from the ground three feet up so that coyotes can't see the cats running around on the ground.  We did our best to leave no detail undone.

I look forward to watching the kitties explore and chase each other, getting their exercise while hopefully having fun.  Having managed several young children's schools and daycare centers, I vividly recall the need for young ones to not be cooped up for long periods of time.  I shudder at the thought of eleven three or four-year old's not being able to run everyday.  OMG!

My contractor is so devoted to this project that he is giving up watching the Super Bowl to complete our Cat-Trium.  As I write this, he is building shelves and boxes for the cats to play and hide in, to be installed in the Cat-Trium this weekend.

I asked him how would he feel if every one of my blog followers asked for his help in creating their own Cat-Triums. No answer from him, just his warm, wonderful smile.

So with fingers crossed, prayers to Morris,Garfield, and all other famous felines, here's hoping the Cat-Trium provides enough space for peace and harmony for all four-leggeds and two-leggeds at Paradise Ranch.

More photos to follow on Super Bowl Sunday, with the promise of no wardrobe malfunctions or corny advertisements.

The Cat-trium

2012, the year of change for the nation and paradise ranch.

We all know people who have either added onto their home or hope to.  Kitchen expansions, sunrooms, porches, mother-in-law flats, extra storage rooms.  In my case, my home expansion is a bit out of the ordinary. I am adding onto the indoor/outdoor space for my cats.  I am creating a Cat-trium.

Why, you may ask, is this such a priority for me in this new year?  My eleven cats have indicated they need more space.  Can this be true?  After all, cats sleep 23 hours a day, right?  Well, not my cats, who seem to have an extraordinary sense of adventure and need for freedom.

Let me back up a bit to November and December 2011, when a few of my younger cats escaped to the outdoors and ran around like wild cougars.  My cats sleep very little.  They are too busy watching, listening, and studying the traffic patterns of two-leggeds and four-leggeds as they approach doors  leading to the outside.  My cats would sit patiently for hours, waiting and most certainly strategizing, as to how they could best escape in the few short seconds a door was opened.   After several  totally stressed out weeks with frequent cat escapes, I found myself contemplative.  Then one day my all black kitty Midnight,  who I call My Escape Artist, escaped.  It took two humans and four dogs to corral him back inside. How could I give the cats more sense of the outdoor life while still keeping them safe from the coyotes that roam the local terrain?

Another indication that the cats gave me in their need for more space was the unpleasant surprise of several of them urinating in front of me to get my attention.  And no, it was not in their litter boxes.  All indications were that the cats were not going to give up until some negotiations were made.  After cleaning up cat urine more than a few times, I was definitely ready to negotiate.

An outdoor expansion to the cats' present space would provide more area to run, more room for adventure, and a greater taste of nature.  I would include a few branches to climb upon, and nature would provide countless bird species to watch.  While initially I believed that my partially filled three-car garage and the cats' present 200 square feet of protected outdoor space was enough for them, they were clearly telling me otherwise.

I put the word out for help, and a contractor friend of a friend just happened to have free time before beginning his next job.  And lucky for me, he was an animal lover.  His talents quickly revealed themselves.   His initial observations were, " Let's add 200 more square feet and take very large branches from your overgrown ficus trees and bolt them onto the sides for the cats to climb.  I will add wooden boxes for the cats to hide in and high shelves for climbing and sleeping.  And since we are expanding out into the yard significantly, let's put three feet of translucent plastic boards around all sides of the structure, so coyotes can't see them."

I think what we are building may the best of both worlds!  Plenty of outdoor adventure for the cats while also keeping them safe from predators.   We are in the first stages of this Cat-trium,  Stay tuned!

All visitors must pass the sniff test

 As I continue to write my blog, I am finding so many qualities to admire about my wonderful four legged creatures.  It is hard to choose which aspect I enjoy the most!  Perhaps my favorite thing about my dogs is their adept ability as people readers.  I must admit, oftentimes my dogs are far better than I at discerning two leggeds and their true nature.

Now of course I realize that all animals, not just my own, know and understand energy.  They have a great sense of people's energy, and seem to sense immediately whether a person is safe and worth getting to know.  I trust this in my dogs.  In fact, I have a sign outside my front door that says "All guests must be approved by the dogs".  Funny, but also true.

Recently I had a computer expert come to my home to work on my computer.  I had never met this guy, but a friend had seen his car with his advertisement and phone number painted on his car door and suggested I call him.  She gave me his number and I made an appointment with him.

He came to my house the following week.  The dogs, of course, barked ferociously and as he got out of his car.  I looked out to assess the situation and saw a mixture of an old military man (grey crew cut) and red neck (one hanging cross earring, tattoos and strange clothing).

I felt a bit nervous as I opened the front door, but the dogs liked him immediately.  They were wagging their tails before he even greeted them.  What did they know about this man that I didn’t?

This man and my dogs were ecstatic in meeting one another.  It was clear that he was a genuine dog lover, and he had such a warm smile.  I relaxed the minute I saw the dogs’ interactions with him.  I knew to trust their instinct.  Indeed, he turned out to be not only a fine computer expert, but a kind and pleasant man to have in my home.

While I write this, I can't help but wonder;  what if instead of searching for dates on "match.com" we instead consulted "sniff & sense.com"?  Imagine the possibilities.  You could meet your prospective date in a park with your dog.  If your dog doesn't like the date, find a reason to end the first date early and do not so much as consider a second date.  And if there is a second date,  ask your date to bring his/her own dog along to see how everyone gets along and also to witness how the date treats his/her own animal.  A special note of caution for those of you owning a ball-loving/ball-chasing Lab or Golden Retriever.  These dogs will likely love anyone (even a jerk) if the date shows any potential for a ball throwing opportunity.  Hmmmmm......

Just don't take my word for it, it is a scientific fact that animals sense energy fields of all beings.  The famous British Scientist Rupert Sheldrake has stated that animals can sense the morphogenetic field, or  huge energy field, around all living things.   His book Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home explains dogs' natural and adept ability to sense human arrivals before they actually happen.  Often before we pull into our driveways, or just turn the corner to head home, our dogs sense we are coming home and get excited about our arrival.

I recently met a woman whose poodle always knew when her husband was just about to arrive home.  When her husband was a block away from the house, the dog would go to the front door and wait for him.  Night after night the wife witnessed this,  and finally mentioned it to her husband.  Much to her surprise, her husband also confirmed for her that he had witnessed the same actions from their dog.  When she was away from the house, her husband would  know she was close to home when  the dog would go to the front door to wait and wag his tail.  According to Sheldrake, this was possible due to the dog's sensing their master's morphogenetic field.

Getting back to dating, if you have cats, and your date is allergic to cats, stop right there!   Do not pass go!  Do not collect $200!  Simply look for another date.  Oddly, I tend to attract houseguests that are allergic to cats.  With eleven cats in my home, I end up doing a lot of cleaning and a lot of peacemaking with the cats, who are typically quarantined in the garage and in their indoor/outdoor fenced-in "kitty condo".   It's a good thing my houseguests who are allergic to cats have been in my life for many years, otherwise I would be giving them the number to the local Holiday Inn!

Our animal friends truly have a special gift, one from which we can all learn.  Looking for "the one" in 2012?  Listen to your animal friends!