Doggie Diva Diaries

2010-05-11T15:36:00.001-07:00

Life is short, wag more, bark less! We can learn a lot about living from observing dogs!

2010-05-07T10:59:00.001-07:00

Keep you pets safe during the summer! Learn more at www.mylocalhomeshow.com go to the "From Our Experts" page to read my articles under Pet Care.

2010-04-15T19:44:00.003-07:00

It's rattlesnake season! Get your dogs snake avoidance trained! It may save their life!

2010-04-15T19:44:00.001-07:00

Wags n Licks- dogs need calm assertive leadership to feel safe and peaceful!

Check out my booth on My Local Home Show!

2010-04-07T15:34:00.000-07:00

I just joined a local online home and garden show at www.mylocalhomeshow.com that helps me market my business through TV, radio, billboards, networking and social media marketing at a fraction of the cost that I would pay on my own. Plus, there are lots of other local Tucson home and garden related businesses as part of this unique community! Check it out and be sure to visit my booth under Pet Care- Doggie Diva Pet Care, LLC! You can also find me at www.facebook.com/doggiedivapetcare or www.twitter.com/doggiedivaDeb if you would like to read up on some of my wags, barks and licks tips!

Preparing for Spring and Summer

2010-04-02T04:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring! The birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees are a buzz and a bloom exploding with fragrant color! Thank God for all the rain this winter! It has made for a beautiful spring!

And, although the new birth of spring brings with it all the beauty of a waking world ready for a new season, there are also dangers to beware of! The rattlesnakes will be coming out of hibernation soon! I hike with my favorite pal Pepper, my English Spring Spaniel, off leash on the Aqua Caliente trail. This year he is going to get rattlesnake avoidance class so I know he will be safe if he ever encounters a snake on the trail. These classes are VERY effective and remain so for many years afterwards. You can even have your dog retested. You will be pleasantly surprised at how well the training sticks! The best places in Tucson for these classes are the Humane Society (my first choice so the class fee supports them), Garvin's and Asso. Pet Plaza and also Jimmy Dog Company all offer these classes that range from $65-75 per class.

Also, please make sure you stay current with all your dog's vaccinations, most importantly their 3 year rabies (needed for keeping their dog license current) and also the 7 in 1 annual vaccination that covers all the really nasty bad stuff like Parvo, Distemper and the doggie flu!
Bortadella is a nasal spray vaccination for kennel cough, otherwise known as the doggie cold.
Keeping your dog current on these vaccinations protects them from getting sick with life threatening diseases, some of which are very difficult to treat. In fact, rabies is 100 % fatal and completely avoidable.

In Arizona, there is an epidemic of rabies in the wild. If you ever see a nocturnal animal like javelina, coyote, skunks or rodents during the day that don't seem to be afraid of you, seem drunk, or are swerving when they walk STAY far away from them and report that siting to animal control immediately! That animal most likely has rabies and is extremely dangerous!

The desert does pose some threats for us to beware of so be careful out there and yet enjoy being out there exploring, hiking, camping, and living life. Afterall, life is short so wag more, bark less!

2010-03-22T20:21:00.001-07:00

Sniffing around? Check out my blog www.doggiedivadiaries.blogspot.com

2010-03-22T20:20:00.001-07:00

Here's a bark- never ever leave a dog or a child unattended in a hot car!

2010-03-22T20:19:00.001-07:00

Here's a lick- when you adopt or rescue a pet you are saving a life!

2010-03-22T20:18:00.001-07:00

Here's a wag- you will live a longer, happier, less stressful life with a dog as your pal!

2010-03-21T10:47:00.003-07:00

What's your wag? Dogs can be trained at any age!
I just trained my 4 1/2 yr old Springer Pep to speak!

2010-03-21T10:47:00.001-07:00

What's your lick? There is doggie ice cream called Soft Paws.

2010-03-21T10:46:00.001-07:00

What's your growl? Never ever break up a dog fight with your bare hands near there sharp teeth!
Throw water on them!

2010-03-16T13:06:00.001-07:00

My Local Home Show welcomes Arizona Rolling Shutters as a new exhibitor!

2010-03-16T13:05:00.001-07:00

My Local Home Show welcomes Arizona Concrete and Hydraforce Powerwashing to our community!

The Heart of a Dog

2010-03-12T14:48:00.000-07:00

My purpose on this planet is to love. Will you love me? Even if you don’t, I will love you. I will love you because I am a dog and that is what we do as dogs. We love. That is our humble errand and purpose on this planet. We are the zen masters reincarnated to teach unconditional love. And, you humans are our chosen companions to love. We chose you and have led you to believe that we need you. That is because you have egos and we don’t. We don’t mind. We are here to teach you. We are here to be examples of unconditional love and humility. It is our mission and our hope that it is not too late to influence you humans and show you just how wonderful the world could be if we all just wagged more and barked less. We are the masters of the universe when it comes to unconditional love. That is what our destiny is ordained by God. And, we don’t even need credit, recognition or awards for it. For loving is what we do best. And, although we are humble and seemingly beneath you in status, under your rule, we surrender to you out of choice, because that is our station in life, to serve through humility and to love.

Even if you are not worthy, I trust you and I am willing to give you all of me heart, soul and body and surrender my will to you. You have the power and control and that is okay with me. So, please be kind to me. For I feel pain even though I may not show it. That is what we do to protect ourselves. But, I do feel physical and emotional pain and disappointment. Even if you abuse and neglect me, I will still love you. But, there will be wounds that develop that will need healing, if I must endure neglect and abuse at your hand. But even then, I will still love. I will hurt and you may break my heart, my bones or my spirit but with love in return, I can pretty much heal from almost anything if given the time and good old fashion love and care.

I would prefer however, to be loved and cared for in return by a trustworthy, strong and calm leader of my pack. But, if you are all I have for my pack, I will accept it, because I am a dog and have a heart full of unconditional love that must be expressed even to the undeserving. We do not discriminate when it comes to something as important as loving. I can’t discriminate or sensor. I can’t reject or judge. It simply is not in my nature. I can tolerate a lot but, all I really want is a secure position in your pack, direction, companionship, affection and love. And in exchange, I will love you unconditionally and be the most loyal friend you will ever have in your life. The added benefits will be a life of entertainment, fun and amusement for you and for me. For when I feel loved and safe and my needs are met, there is nothing I won’t do to show you how grateful I am. Just show me, tell, train me but most of all learn to love me and you will receive blessings you can’t even imagine.

I am a dog and I need to love. I also need to be loved. But, that is not a prerequisite for me loving unconditionally with abandon and enthusiasm, the likes of which a human could only aspire too. I am a dog, and therefore a lover of life. There really isn’t much more to say. I am here to love and be loved and teach love through my example.

Oh and by the way, my heart is more vulnerable than you may be aware of and my mind more alert and cognizant than you give me credit for. So please consider that the next time you may raise a hand in anger or move somewhere where I am not welcome or yell at me for something I don’t understand. It hurts and I do feel it. My heart breaks whenever you are not happy with me or hurt me but I forgive quickly and easily. You don’t ever have to worry about me holding a grudge. We just don’t do that. Another one of God’s great design features hard wired into us dogs. We just forgive, shake it off and move on. We like being in the present moment with no regrets. It is simpler and more fun that way.

Did you know that it scares me when you leave me too? Will you come back? I have to admit we do have abandonment issues. We dogs are just hard wired that way. It is a survival thing in our DNA. We never know and just wait and wait and wait, hoping for your return. Every time you do come back to me, I am so very grateful! Thank you for having me in your pack and providing and protecting me. There was a time when I could do that for myself but since I chose to surrender my will to you, I agreed to trust you in exchange for my surrender. We have a deal you and me. You lead, provide for and protect and I will love you and be your loyal companion and friend and probably surprise you when you need me most and least expect it.

The important thing is to love and hopefully be loved in return. The challenge is loving without condition and hopefully receiving love in return but if not, to keep loving and loving and loving anyway, not in hopes of getting something in return. I love because it is as natural to me as breathing. I can’t help myself. I am a dog and therefore, I love. I need to love. I can’t help myself. I have to love no matter what your response may be. Do you see? It isn’t conditional because I can’t help myself. I have to love because I am a dog. And, to be a dog means to love unconditionally. Think about is. What is dog spelled backwards? G-O-D. There are no accidents, God intended for us to be the teachers of unconditional love. We are dogs therefore we love.

2010-03-12T14:45:00.001-07:00

Check out my latest article, "The Heart of a Dog" on my blog at www.doggiedivadiaries.blogspot.com

Dogs are Better than People- continued

2010-02-03T09:07:00.000-07:00

Dogs are better than people continues. As I think off all the wonderful characteristics of my own dogs as I watch them play, sleep and eat, I become more convinced of their superior characters.
They are authentic about who they are and what they need. Have you ever witnessed a dogs trying to be a cat or feeling insecure it was a dog? Perhaps there is insecurity about how someone has treated them as a dog but never for just simply being a dog.

The thing I am amused by most about dogs is how in the present moment they are and how easily they literally shake things off after a little scuff with another. They could be growling and fighting with another dog one minute, then shaking it off and ready to play the next. They don't hold grudges. They forgive, forget and move on, giving you another chance to love and engage with them.

ANother thing I absolutely adore about dogs is that they are always happy to see you when you return home, no matter how long it has been since you left. They never interrogate you about where you were and what other dogs you've been seeing, demanding to know whose smell is that on your clothes? Which could be a problem when you're a pet sitter and around other dogs all day long. My dogs even seem grateful that I have brought home some new and interesting smells for them to gorge their sniffers on when I first arrive home. Ah, yes, dogs are better than people in so many delightful ways. Tell me one of your fun stories about how dogs are better than people for you.

Storm Anxiety in Dogs

2010-02-01T16:25:00.000-07:00

It's thunderstorm season and with thunderstorms comes, well thunder! Like fireworks during the 4th of July, thunder can be a very scary thing for some dogs while others are oblivious. If you've read or seen the movie "Marley and Me," you are aware of poor Marley's extreme fear of thunderstorms to the point of mass destruction! When dogs are afraid they are thrown into their basic animal instincts of fight or flight. They are either searching to take cover somewhere they feel safe or they may go on a wild frenzy of destruction trying to escape their fear. In either case, your poor canine companion is experiencing extreme stress.

What makes storm anxiety so terrifying for our sweet canine companions is that they have no one to fight and in most cases no where to flight to, so they are imprisoned with no relief of this debilitating fear. They can’t see or smell the object of their fear so there isn’t a way for them to check it out for themselves to satisfy their curiosity or conquer their fear. There is no escape!

Can you imagine being terrified and not having any where to run to or no control over your escape to a safer place? It is up to us to take this fear seriously and help our furry family member adjust through training, as well as providing a safe environment to help comfort them through the worse part of the thunderstorm. Playing soothing music in the back ground to help drown out some of the thunder noises helps. But, oddly enough trying to comfort them usually doesn't. Dogs can be trained out of their fears and should never be allowed to dominate you or your household by holding you prisoner to their fears. The remedy is to find a qualified dog trainer to help train you on how to work with your canine companion to hopefully either eliminate their fear all together or at least minimize it substantially. This will help them be more at peace and cope better during the stormy season as well as help strengthen the bond between you and your favorite furry friend. Sometimes, if the fear is beyond reproach you can ask your vet to prescribe your dog a mild sedative or find an herbal tincture that may help calm your little pal down until the storms pass. One way or the other, your dog is worth the time and attention it will take to help them overcome or, at the very least, lessen their fear of thunderstorms. And perhaps, you won’t be singing in the rain together, but maybe sitting in front of a nice warm fire peacefully enjoying each other’s company instead. Life is short, wag more, bark less!

Back Yard Dogs are Sad and Lonely Dogs

2010-01-26T20:45:00.000-07:00

Dogs are pack animals. That means they are social and need interaction with others. They are not hard wired to be all alone day after day trapped behind walls or fences they can't escape from.

If we are going to have dogs in our lives we should learn about and understand them so that we can care for them just as we would any other family member. When we bring pets into our lives they become part of our family. Therefore, we are responsible for their well-being in all respects. That means their emotional well-being as well as their physical health. It breaks my heart everytime I see one single dog who lives in the back yard all by itself. I guarantee you that is a very sad and lonely dog. I don't understand why people who banish their dogs to their back yards even bothered to get them in the first place, if they aren't going to have them be part of their family. Even if they are loved, they certainly aren't getting the time and attention they would if they were living in the home with the rest of their pack.

Dogs need socialization and interaction to learn and be healthy and happy members of the pack. They learn from each other and they learn from us. When they are quaranteened out back they miss out on the interactions and opportunities to learn and grow. They are disconnected and isolated and therefore not really part of the pack. They are more like a frustrated prisoner who is forced to witness a pack they long to be part of but aren't accepted in. They are trapped with nowhere else to go, so they make the best of the situation and eagerly accept whatever scraps of attention are thrown their way occassionally. Really! That is no way to treat a dog. They are far too deserving a creature of love than that.

Dogs deserve to be loved like a fmily member and therefore treated like a member of the family pack. When they are they reward us with protection, loyalty, companionship and unconditional love like no other could master. Dogs are social, intelligent, pack animals who are hard wired to be part of a social community so please invite them inside and let them stay. You will love the results and so will they!

Why Dogs Are Better Than People- Continued

2010-01-25T21:06:00.000-07:00

Dogs are better than people because they are great listeners who never judge. In fact, they could care less what we say but are more concerned with how we say it. It is quite amusing to say anything you want to them in a kind tone of voice no matter what the content and they will wag their tails and follow us anywhere.

They are content to just be with us no matter how attractive, thin, old, rich or poor we are. They love us unconditionally. They are happy to simply have us around to be their companion. It is so simple to love and be loved by a dog.

Dogs Need Exercise

2010-01-23T06:11:00.000-07:00

I have a lab puppy staying with me right now who is becoming a dog right before my very eyes. He is growing huge fast! He looks like a dog but still acts very much like a giant puppy! Like most labs I've met, he's a lovabe and fun dude to have around- most of the time. This weekend however, I notice he is more unruly and frustrated as he tries to engage the other dogs to play. He is annoying them because he has not been getting enough exercise to help him burn off all his playful, puppy energy. He can't help himself as he tries to engage the other dogs or me to play, play, play! He is just doing what comes naturally to him. He is just trying to burn up all that energy that has been building up in there from lack of exercise and proper daily discipline and training.

I agree with Ceasar Milan, The Dog Whisperer's, philosopy that dogs first need exercise, then discipline and then affection in that order. When we exercise dogs to burn up all their pent up energy then they can relax, focus and pay attention to us. Then we can train them into the appropriate behaviors that make them loving, well-behaved companions. When we don't help them burn up all their energy, it gets stuck in them. They aren't able to focus their attention on listening to us because they are like a hyper-active child who has not had their medication. Exercise is the medication almost all dogs need in order to be happy and then be trainable. It starts there. If they aren't given a regular way to release all their instinctual hunting, mating energy, they start looking for ways to release all that pent up frustration. They start to misbehave and do things we deem as "bad."

What they are really doing is just trying to exercise their natural tendencies. If we don't give them a regular, daily, healthy outlet to burn up all their natural energy they will find a way to burn it up that we don't care for. So, if you want your dog to be better behaved then you have to start with commiting to and following through on a daily walk of at least 30 and preferrably 60 minutes each and every day. This is not only a way to help them burn up all their energy but also a time for you to bond and be their pack leader. When they get the exercise they need then they are freed up to give their mental attention to listening to and following you, their pack leader. Walking them each day can satisfy all the elements of a healthy, happy bond between you. While you are walking, you are giving them the physical as well as mental stimulation they need but you also can use that time to train them on the leash as well as to sit, stay, and focus their attention on you primarily. Once they are exercised and you have spent some time bonding with and training them on your morning walks then reward them with a treat and some of their favorite smooches like ear and belly rubs. The added benefit to you in helping your dog be happy, healthy and well-behaved through daily exercise is that you improve your health too and may even drop a few lbs along the way. It is a win/win practice for you as well as your favorite canine companion.

Life is short, wag more, bark less,

Doggie Diva Deb

Dogs Are Better Than People!

2010-01-19T22:38:00.000-07:00

The more time I spend with dogs, the more I discover that they are superior to humans in many ways that we could learn from. For example, as I have mentioned previously, they respect each other's space. I have watched them many times while trying to get past another dog who is comfortable and has claimed a certain area. They give each other a wide berth or they find another path or give up trying to get past them. Watch out for those young, ignorant pups who charge gleefully through a space, when they run right over an elder who doesn't take kindly to the intrusion! They learn quickly!

Dogs are better than people because they forgive and forget and shake it off. Due to my business as a pet sitter, Doggie Diva Pet Care http://www.doggiedivapetcare.com/, I get to observe animals, mostly dogs all day long. Yes, it's a tough job but someone has to do it. What I have come to appreciate about dogs is once they have had an upset with another dog they literally shake it off and move on. It is a fun and fascinating process to watch. In fact, I've noticed that dogs shake things off as a way of transitioning from one event to the next. Which segways nicely into how in the moment they are. They live in real time. And yes, for those of you who have wondered or doubted if dogs have memories, of course they do! How could we train them without a memory? How could they remember where they live and get all excited as they get closer to their favorite dog park to visit?

They are in the present moment, ready for the next invitation or content to "just be" and lay around and relax. They conserve their energy when there isn't anything fun or interesting for them to bark at, sniff or chase. They have an interesting way of being able to just go with the flow and just be in the moment, relaxed and happy to lay at our feet yet, they are poised for action as soon as something intersting captures their attention. Then up they go barking to the new exciting event of the moment. It's a nice balance don't you think? They are relaxed yet alert!

This is just the tip of the iceberg on this post! There is so much more we could blog about on this one subject. I have just gotten the converstion started. How about you? I am interested in hearing your thoughts on the subject.

in your opinion, what makes dogs better than people? :-)

Keeping Pets Safe for the Holidays

2009-12-10T08:15:00.001-07:00

Happy holidays and season greetings! With all the hussle and bussle of all that we have to do in preparation for all our holiday festivities let's not forget to keep our beloved furry family members safe during the holiday season. There are many hazards that await our innocent and unsuspecting canine and feline companions that we may take for granted. Please keep in mind some of the following to keep your pets safe during the holidays:
1) Your Christmas tree may be a thing of beauty that you are enjoying but may be too much temptation for your cat to climb or your dog and cat to use as a new toy store to grab ornaments from to play with or even try to eat! So, take precautions to keep them either away from the tree or at least not have access to it while you aren't home.
2) Oraments can be ingested by pets they can also get entangled in garlands, ribbons and other long string like wrapping items that could end up choking them. So please keep these items safely tucked away when you aren't using them.
3) Chocolate is a girl's best friend but not a dog's. In fact, chocolate, raisins, and onions are all lethal to dogs. And, artificial sweeteners, even in the smallest amounts, are very deadly to cats and dogs as well.
3) Heaters should never be left unattended especially while away from the house. And, make sure you have your local gas company come out each year to check your gas lines and gas fireplaces to make sure there aren't any carbon monixide leaks that could be a silent but deadly killer for not only you but your pets.
4) Christmas lights should be left off when not at home due to the fire hazard but also all the energy they are using unecessarily.
5) Make sure you keep your home at a safe and comfortable temperature for your furry family members. Remember their body temperatures are a few degrees higher than ours so they should be ok between the temperatures of 60-70 degrees.
6) Even though the weather is cooler in the winter months it is still important that your pets are well hydrated. Don't forget to leave them plenty of clean drinking water while you are out shopping or away at work.

Well, I think that's it for now. I just wanted to leave you with a few things to consider about keeping your pets safe during the holiday months. Enjoy this festive time of year with your family and friends as well as your furry, feathered and scaly family members as well.

And remember, life is short, wag more, bark less,

Doggie Diva Deb

P-mail are for Dogs

2009-09-29T10:08:00.000-07:00

I was walking my little pack of pups this morning and noticed that they, and any other dogs I walk in the neighborhood, always stop at the same bush every time we pass it. It occurred to me that this was a community doggie p-mail portal that they all convened at to catch up on the latest doggie gossip. They don't use computers because they have noses that don't need further development due to their highly efficient orfactory technology. Thus p-mail is their way of keeping up on the latest with all their pals around the neighorhood.

They find certain spots and messges more appealing than others. They don't stop and sniff every bush nor even every pile of poop they see. Some seem more appealing than others for them. Some they want more time to smell and others they just want to sniff on the run. By the end of our walks they seem to have had their fill of the smells around the hood until the next time.

I have a pet sitting business where I have some boarding clients and doggie day care clients who come to my house. Check out our website for more information at www.doggiedivapetcare.com The first thing the visiting dogs do when they arrive is get checked in with their p-mail accounts by sniffing out all the latest smells around the yard and house. It seems to help them acclimate and get comfortable with the new environment they find themselves in. I always ask my people clients to remove their dog's leashes immediately. It helps their dog feel more at ease to be able to have the freedom to roam and sniff when they arrive. And, it is always a great sign to me when they start adding their little messages to the yard with a pee here and a poop there (doggie versions of emails and tweets). That shows me they are joining in the communication and wanting to be part of the pack. Their people parents sometimes are embarrassed and worried about them leaving their little p-mails behind. But, I always assure them it is a good thing because it means they feel comfortable there. So, let your pups add to their doggie message boards with their p-mails. It helps them feel part of their community to add their p-mails. Just make sure their poop-mails are picked up for health reasons, plus it is the law to clean up after your dog. And, remember, life is short! Wag more and bark less!

Grieving the Loss of our Beloved Furry Family Members

2009-09-11T15:50:00.001-07:00

Recently I have been supporting friends and clients through grief over th eillness or death of a beloved pet. Unless someone has a pet they can't empathize with just how significant the loss is. We develop special bonds and endearing relationships of unconditional love with our pets. So, when they leave us, which is inevitable, we feel a void in our lives where their physical , daily presence once was. Although our pet is free from pain and suffering once they have passed, what there is for us to deal with is the loss of their loving companionship and presence in our daily lives. It is an adjustment to get used to that empty space that only they could fill for us.
I encourage my friends and clients not to rush through the grieving process because by grieving we are honoring and respecting their lives and how much they touched us. We are paying tribute to the unconditional love and companionship that they so generously blessed our lives with. Grieving also is a way of experiencing just how much we loved our pet companion. To the degree that we experience th ejoy and love that they bring is the degree that we must be willing to feel the pain of loss when they make their transition over the rainbow bridge. It is all the cycle of life that when we accept and honor it by being willing to feel the grief, we allow for more love to enter into our lives in a constant flowing cycle. To shut ourselves off from rescuing or loving another pet we restrict our heart's ability to expand and love even more and greater. So, celebrate the grief when you have had a courageous enough heart to love and love deeply the precious furry, feathered and scaly companions you have chosen to share your life with! It is a testament to your open and loving heart and makes the world a better place to live in! Your grief honors your love! Life is short, wag more, bark less and love without limits!

What would you like to chat about with regard to dogs?

2009-06-25T07:20:00.000-07:00

This is a forum to discuss our four legged furry companions- how we love them and what we learn from them about living. Any thoughts? Let's have fun with this thing. I look forward to hearing from you. Go for it! We are ready and interested to hear from you, yes you!

Happy tails wagging,

Doggie Diva Deb

Teachers of Unconditional Love

2009-06-25T07:10:00.000-07:00

What is this often used phrase called uncoditional love we toss around so easily these days? Let's break it down unconditional-without conditions, no need for qualifying, just because, no matter what. Love is the undefineable experience of feeing so deeply for someone that we are willing to surpass all reason and allow and forgive and continue to accept someone due to such deep emotions. Dogs provide unconditional love no matter what! Have you ever noticed that even if a dog has been severely mistreated by someone that it will still listen and be loyal to the offender, even though they definitely don't deserve it! Have you noticed that even when we come home late and or have not had much time for them that they are always happy to see us and never scold us or withhold love and affection from us? Have you ever noticed how enthusiastic they are to see us when we return to them, no matter what? No matter what we do or say, no matter how long we have been away, no matter if we have been grouchy or upset they are there loving us, no matter what! Pretty cool deal for us don't you think?

Zen Dog Master Life Teacher

2009-06-24T22:52:00.000-07:00

Observing dogs teaches me so much about how to live life! By observing the simplicity of the day to day living activites of my three dog companions I learn some many simple and profound lessons about living. For example, the concept of being present in the moment is so rich and rewarding when I take the time to just be with my ufrry family members and watch how much joy they experience by simply living each moment as if it were the only one. They are so content to go with the flow, yet so ready for something new and exciting to happen too. They accept what is with grace and peace. If I leave and my little Springer Spaniel Pepper really wants to come with me, he tries like the dickens to escape and come along but will sit and stay on my command even though he wants to come with me. He is of course disappointed that he can't come but he accepts it too and in a short period of time he either lays down and relaxes and sleeps or finds something else to amuse himself until I return. Then the party begins again for him. When they can't go and do what they want they are content to sleep when there isn't anything worth taking action about. Sleep is a great tool of acceptance for the dog. When there is no activity grabbing their attention then they conserve their energy by sleeping, waiting for the next exciting opportunity to re-engage in life.

Probably most interesting for me in observing m sweet canine companions is how gracefully they accept pain ad illness. They don't fight it. They just deal with it as best they can. I had a neighbr whose little dog Lobo had a very aggressive bone cancer that they caught early enough to save him. But they had to amputate one of his front legs in order to save his life. For all of us human beings observing this story unfold it was quite traumatic. For Lobo it was simply something to adjust to. In fact, their vet even commented, "Him losing his leg is going to be harder for you than it will be for him." And, as we watched the little guy heal, sure enough the vet was right. Lobo just accepted his new condition and adjusted. Now he runs around on three legs as if he never had four. And, we are all happy we are blessed with his presence for a little while longer.

Dogs can teach us so many things about acceptance and living life in the moment and just being with what's so. They bring us so much joy and so many profound lessons about living. I feel very blessed to ot only have my three canine companions to share my life with but also to be doing work that surrounds me with these amazing creatures everyday. As a professional pet sitter I get to live my dream of doing work that I love and get paid for it too. If you would like to know more about us please visit our website at http://www.doggiedivapetcare.com/ Life is good! Wag more, bark less!

Dogs Respect Each Other's Space

2009-06-24T22:48:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed how dogs respect each other's space. Watch them next time you are hanging out with a bunch of them for a while. The have an understanding with each other. When dogs share a limited area of space notice how they will not intrude on another dog's body bubble. They will walk around givng plenty of space. If there is not enough space they will try an alternate route. If a dog does dare to infringe upon another's space they are greeted with a growl and back off.

They have an inate respect for boundaries. In fact, come to think of it, boundaries are an instinctual thing tha animals protect in the wild. That is interesting to me when I think about all the times I was given a hard time by someone in my family about my need for space and having my boundaries respected. Instead of avoiding the rolling eyes in the to future and feeling like I am weird I can now refer to animals and dogs as an example of how honoring ones personal boundaries and space is simply a natural and instinctual thing that all living beings need.

We can learn so much about ourselves and life by observing our dog companions. If you would like to see some of our favorite animals clients please visit our photo gallery at http://www.doggiedivapetcare.com/

Hello all you dog lovers!

2009-06-08T10:22:00.000-07:00

Welcome dog lovers to an open dialogue about how we can learn to live from our dogs.

This blog is designed to share the wisdom we gain from observing the dog companions we share our lives with. Dogs have so much to teach us about living, such as loyalty and gratitude, as well as, how to be happy by living a simple life. Dogs have been such a blessing in my life and brought me such joy and healing that I have devoted my life work to them. And, it is my love and appreciation of them that has inspired me to start this blog to share the many life lessons I have gained by observing how dogs live their lives. I hope this blog serves to be an informative and valuable yet fun and amusing venue for like minded people to gather and share wisdom, appreciation and amusments from observing our doggie companions.

Please share any special stories about any specific dogs in your life, or join the ongoing discussions as they appear. I look forward to hearing from you and of course your doggie companion. Photos and stories are welcome and encouraged!

Have a happy day tail wagging kind of day!
If you would like to learn more about Doggie Diva Pet Care, LLC please visit our website at www.doggiedivapetcare.com.