The Journey of Being of Service

When people find out that I am a professional pet sitter, they usually have one of three reactions: Their eyes roll back; they giggle; and then the usual words are: “Can someone really make enough money to live on doing that.”

I am really not much into conflict, but I want it read right here that pet sitting and dog walking and dog training and everything else I do with animals is a means to my very selfish wants. I have found what makes me happy, and that is being of service to people and their animals. It is a wonderful combination for me.

My favorite thing that causes me to do the Happy Dance is when one of my clients tells me, in alarm, that they have to stay after at work and they really need me to help them. Could I please feed and water Brutus? No problem and no worries, I always tell them!

“Wow, you are the best” is always the response.

I am of service to them and I get to spend some time helping out that family to let them know they are not alone in the world. I love it!

When you are called to serve, you can not turn your back on the demographic that you serve. I serve companion animals – dogs and cats – but I am starting to get more equine clients, also. I love these animals. When I serve, I must remain loyal to their owners and be in a team-ascending parallel with the people or source energy that is being served.

While I have some down time, I will just share my dream for you, reading these words, that you also will be called to serve.

To find out who you need to serve, you must first find out who you are. Be appreciative for every tiny thing that happens to you or has ever happened to you. Every single action in your life has led up to this point, when you find out your Life’s Purpose. Animals were always in my life, but I was most interested in showing the horses and dogs on our South Dakota farm. I did not really see the point in trail riding or even riding for pleasure as a child. Now, I have a goal to devote my time to the animals and ensure their needs are met to the highest possible good of service, with pleasure in my heart and deed. I love this new way of life and I hope it continues until my next new life’s purpose is discovered.

To continue on to my next life’s purpose, I will need to be inspired. I am sure my purpose will definitely include companion animals, but maybe in another capacity. My library is filled with books for inspiration. I just have a few quotes here that you may have to start your own library to call upon while you begin your journey to find your place in this world.

•Gandhi said, “The fragrance always remains on the hand that gives the rose.”
•Anthony Robbins said, “Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s deepest joy: true fulfillment.”
•Emily Dickinson wrote, “If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Up to his nest again, I shall not live in vain.”
Good luck on your journey to be of service. It is the ride of life and it keeps going – and you, my friend, will be smiling from head to toe the whole way.

A Tear Washes the Way for a Smile and a Tail Wag

I sit at my computer this morning just humbled from the experiences of the last 4 days at Gunflint Lodge. So many dogs came to experience Dog Lover's Weekend at Gunflint and perhaps get a little help with some particular habits. What surprised me most were the dogs that did not come for any help but left with a little seed planted of love and understanding that might just grow into peace and trust from their guardians which always ends up being confidence in both. I did not mean to cause people to cry but this weekend, as I became much more to the point as my skills are advancing, the tears were rolling and the dogs were feeling more secure at each training. As humans, it is so much easier to not feel and just go with your day to day drudgery of work and toil and suffering and being misunderstood and ultimately, being alone. Loneliness is what the ego wants us to believe that we are completely alone and must fight to be understood. But when you plant a seed of love and understanding and just say, "I get what is going on" it is the same thing I suffer with, too. We can look someone in the eyes, see ourselves, and say let's help your dog feel our love. Who are you going to make cry today?

I Saw A Man About A Horse Yesterday

What a terrifying experience it must have been to come into this world and not feel safe or know the purpose of our planned trip. I call it unplanned because I still don’t exactly know what I am here to learn. Each moment that my feet touch the ground, I learn something. Some moments come to fruition and I am learning important skills. Others I spend my time in a struggle for understanding. And other moments are like this, pure bliss.

Emotions comes to us in many ways but today the bliss and peace I feel pouring through every cell in my body came to me quietly and meekly but full of love. The bliss was delivered by a farm hand in ripped Carhart jacket, Baseball Cap, worn out Jeans, and boots that had done there fair share of learning on this Earth taking one step at a time and educating himself when he is most in balance on the ground. Larry is the man and Little Girl is the horse and Kirstin is my friend and Kola is her horse and I am grateful and humbled by grace.

Kola is a beautiful Trakehner which Kirstin my friend loves to the core of her essence. A Trakehner is a type of horse called a Warm Blood, and Dressage is the discipline that Kola had been trained and succeed in. Kirstin’s purpose on her arrival to this planet was to learn from her Mother, everything there was to know on this planet about love and pass on while expanding that love. She learns these lessons daily from her Earth Mother, Betsy, who epitomizes love. I am blessed that Kirstin and Betsy permit me to call them my friends. On this day, Kirstin invited me to meet Kola today and to have a horse’s body under my hands and feel the grounding with the earth as I groomed Kola along side of her. What a blessing it was to be! All week I was excited to meet Kola and be able to help Kirstin. I counted the minutes until I met Kola but I had my day was too planned, and a profound encounter with a Mystic named Larry also entered today.

As Kola was groomed by Kirstin and I watched until the steed would invite me to touch, Larry called for me to come and work with him. His call was not to be heard from his voice but the energy of a calmness and love and being in tune with himself that draw me close like a magnet. Kola and Kirstin already had the calmness together and Larry had the calmness by himself and I would seek to find it for myself upon this magical horse farm. I observed Larry’s gait, his movement with the earth, his calmness as he greeted other horses and was amazed with his being. He was the teacher for me. I would have to get really dirty to learn everything from him because only a hard working sufferer can toil and work and be in the present moment, I thought. This would be my own sanctuary out here and there will always be work for me to do. Larry must have done something wrong, I thought, for him to slowly work in silence but be so overly in presence and a state of joy.

As I interrupted Larry with his work, I asked if there were any chores I could do to help him. He was so sure there was nothing I needed to do. Just enjoy myself spending time with Kola. I was a little miffed. I told him I really wanted to do chores and I love being back around horses and there is not much more for me to do with Kola. But you are working hard and this work must be special for you are special and I want to help. I thought all of this but I might have well as said it. He then brought me over to show me a horse that needs some attention, Little Girl. She was going to the trainers in a couple of months and I can come out her to work on her with him because she needs some attention. Little girl is a barrel racing Appaloosa/Thoroughbred cross and just the horse for me. I smiled because I knew that meant he knew I was a worker and he was giving me a job, and Little Girl was to teach me so much. I agreed as I went to start grooming “my horse”.

I had a day full of grace and wonder and stillness filled with balance of love and goodness and hardwork and diligence. Larry was going to teach me, for that was what he did, he was a teacher. He was not a servant but the owner of the entire estate that he let others use and rent so he would continue to find himself meeting people like me so he can teach. Of course he did not say this nor would he even acknowledge this, but his gait and his smile and his warmth told me this and I know it from the core of my being.

So that is my story about a Man and a Horse, now it is time for you to find your story.

Could Elvis Presley have known the secret to dog training? Read this lyric. I am going to pet my dog right now!

Lyrics to Treat Me Nice :
When I walk through that door
Baby be polite
You're gonna make me sore
If you don't greet me right
Don't you ever kiss me once, kiss me twice
Treat me nice

I know that you've been told
It's not fair to tease
So if you come on cold
I'm really gonna freeze
If you don't want me to be cold as ice
Treat me nice

Make me feel at home
If you really care
Scratch my back and run your pretty
Fingers through my hair

You know I'll be your slave
If you ask me to
But if you don't behave
I'll walk right out on you
If you want my love then take my advice
Treat me nice

Make me feel at home
If you really care
Scratch my back and run your pretty
Fingers through my hair

You know I'll be your slave
If you ask me to
But if you don't behave
I'll walk right out on you
If you want my love then take my advice
Treat me nice

If you really want my love then treat me nice

Divine Canine

My dog has issues that need to disappear
She is naughty, defiant and cavalier.

I have taken her to trainers and behaviorists, galore.
She will listen for a day or two but sadly no more.

I am frustrated and my mood is always black.
I am tired and the breeder won’t take her back.

With screams of anger, I yelled at the ceiling,
“Why is my life so hard? I hate this feeling!”

Just then a soft muzzle licked at my hand,
She was the teacher and I listened for her command.

Embody the essence you seek in me
And we shall live in harmony.

When I am afraid be present and strong.
Loose your sense of right and wrong.

As I jump up on you and scratch your arm,
Give love to everyone and wish me no harm.

When I am distracted and hard to reach,
Caress me gently with hands that teach.

I am your dog but I will lead the way.
I will teach you peace without delay.

Breathe and let your troubles disappear,
Resistance may come, but we shall persevere.

All the answers of the universe are near,
All we have to do is choose love and not fear.

I knew my dog was special you see,
For she laid back down and winked at me.

Our future is glorious, for this woman and her canine.
Inner peace and stillness is now mine.

In my career as a dog trainer, I often have clients come to me at their wits end with behavioral problems their companion animals are exhibiting that are a disruption to their home life and in some cases, potentially dangerous. After each session with my clients, I find myself becoming more deeply grounded and peaceful and sharing this work has become an integral part of my career and life. My tool kit for working with companion animals does not include shock collars, prong collars, or a lot of gadgets to sell people. I come to the client’s home with my two hands, a peaceful heart, and a willingness to see the companion animal in their own unique perfection.

Up until 2 years ago, I was like most dog trainers – demanding that the dog behave as we the human intended. Controlling the situation and there was no ifs, ands, or butts about it. Then a miraculous event occurred which has changed my relationship with companion animals profoundly. As a volunteer of a Twin Cities Humane Society that was having a fundraiser, I was asked to bring a dog and a cat from the shelter out for a woman to work with in front of a large group of people. I had no preconceived ideas nor did I have the time to research who the famous woman was that I was to meet. Using only her hands, Linda Tellington-Jones allowed that dog and cat that were just shells of their true selves with medical conditions and terrors of being found roaming on the streets and now locked in a shelter, to find their confidence and sense of calm so they could become aware of their surroundings and become grounded and balanced. It fascinated me – more so because I was the one who had just moments before taken the terrified dog and cat out of their kennels and had seen the fear they both exhibited. I signed up that day to become a part of the Tellington TTouch program and that has lead me to continue to work with dogs and cats and share this gentle work with their guardians.

Tellington TTouch or TTouch (Trust Touch) was developed using a simple but profound idea. The potential for learning could be enhanced and learning time shortened dramatically by a person moving his or her own body in non-habitual movements. Linda immediately thought, if this works for humans it will also work for animals. Linda developed precise touches and now presents lectures sharing these techniques all over the world. She continues to mentor thousands of students each year in her training program to become a TTouch Practitioner. To become a certified Tellington TTouch Practitioner takes a minimum of two years and involves six complete weeks of week-long courses. Between classes, case studies are completed to lessons in real-life experience. Classes are taught in many locations and to find a course location in your area, you can visit the Tellington TTouch website at www.ttouch.com. There are also many day-long and weekend-long seminars that you can take to learn more about the work. Linda has written many books about TTouch, also.

The basic TTouch is a circular touch, with your hands exhibiting a light pressure on the animal. Being calm and relaxed while practicing the touches is key. The touch brings about a sense of awareness to the companion animal. Once the animal feels safe and secure, a new way of seeing the world happens, one TTouch at a time.

What I most enjoy about TTouch is sharing with people the techniques so they also can change their relationship with their companion animals. I recently was hired to work with a Yorkie that barked when the door bell rang. A very common problem with dogs. I think you could have knocked the owners over with a feather when I started our session with practicing some deep breathing. What was astonishing, was that Betsy, a very hyper active dog began to lay down at my feet within 45 seconds of us breathing and not paying attention to her. When we model for our pets the behaviors we require, they find their calmness on their own. We then worked on having Betsy sit and stay on a dog bed when people came to the door and after a short time, the solution was at hand. The owners were so relaxed when I left and they thanked me for showing them a new way to see their dog.

A major part of my TTouch and dog training is putting on seminars for people to learn TTouch. I organize canine events at Gunflint Lodge and also local places in the Twin Cities. Recently, I was at Gunflint Lodge and one of the activities was dog sledding. The musher introduced me to one of his dogs that he had adopted a few weeks prior but was extremely scared of people. The Musher had not even really touched it but a handful of times. He was hoping over time, the beautiful grey husky would begin to relax. With a dog like this, I could not touch the dog myself but I did not want to let the opportunity go without just trying something. I stood by the Husky as it was cowering in its little kennel, and while the Musher took my husband for a dog sled ride, I started to do Touches, the circular movements on my arm. I was deeply breathing, and encompassing a feeling of safety and security. Within about two minutes of deep breathing, a nuzzle began to gentle touch my hands. As I continued to touch my own left arm with my right hand doing the specific touches, I occasionally drifted to touch the scared dog. I allowed the dog to feel the touches when the dog felt safe and if he wanted to leave he was free to go. Within the next 20 minutes, I continued to touch the husky and worked all of the way to the tail area, covering many areas of tension while I continued to breathe and send out a feeling of calmness and safety.

When the Musher came back, he came over to where I was sitting and the once fearful dog, began to lick his hand with a wagging tail. I had been with the dog for 40 minutes, did I do something? Was the Musher different this time when he approached? Are there mysteries of the human animal bond that we don’t know? I think all may be true but this I believe, when we are present and mindful with pure intention, anything is possible.