Here is Desi in his birthday hat! This is an important birthday for Desi and all of us!

My wonderful vet gives a free birthday bath to the pets he cares for which I appreciate more than you can ever know. Desi is too old to go to a groomer that would want him there around 8, keep him in a cage until he was ready for his bath, bathe him, dry him and then send him home. For an old guy, that is just too long a day! He is deaf, so it must be bewildering to him, to say the least.

He had a blood panel done for his birthday (probably not what he wanted!) and the results came back very good for which I was very grateful.

You can see Desi with his birthday hat on, and it was quite an ordeal to get this photo, trust me! My special blessings and happiness is when I see him still able to trot around the backyard, head held high, smelling the air and feeling happy, happy, happy! Yes, he might take a very long nap, but these are very good days for him and for me as well.

To me, that is the best Christmas gift of all; more time with Desmond.

We are old, dear friends together and no words need to be spoken. I treasure each day as a special gift to me and his family. His mere presence brings joy and comfort. It is the very best Christmas gift of all! With a little bit of work and planning, senior pets still have much to teach us and to share with us, as Desi can attest to.

Tags: animal communication, senior pet, senior pets

As I was working out the details of the new services I am offering, and I thought about the check-in service in particular, I realized that one of my own dogs was benefiting from this service right now, and I had not even realized it!

Boy, this was a real wake up call to pay attention to what is going on right under my nose with Desmond! I am very pleased with what I did not, on my own, noticed immediately.

As many of you know I am a former teacher, so it was fairly easy to apply the principles and methods of teaching to “big” people when I began my own classes for pet owners in Animal Communication. While I love teaching young children, teaching adults has been a pure joy! I have taught quite a few animal communication classes, some through teleseminars, others in face-to-face workshops. I have had the pleasure of meeting some amazing people in my classes and have helped some of my communication students practice with other animals to hone their communication skills. I’ve also asked some of my students to help with animals if I did not have the time to work with a case, getting them familiar with a variety of situations and owners.

Recently I asked a very gifted student to “check-in” with Desi to see how he was doing health-wise, with his medications and anything else that he might have his attention on.

It is usually much easier to work with some other animal other than your own. Another communicator can many times be more objective than you can be with your own animals. Desi felt very comfortable with my student and shared some of his fears and worries regarding aging and leaving me when that time comes.

Of course I watched him to see what results these quick sessions had on him - but since this was happening in the middle of my own surgery and recovery, I was not quite as alert as I usually would be (hence my opening comments in this blog posting).

What I did notice was a definite lightening of his demeanor and much more joy in his eyes. He began to run through the house and I would often mistake him for one of the other dogs!

Desi is feeling pretty happy these days, especially right after talking to my student who he has come to love and trust. But the biggest change is the marked reduction in his wetting incidents in the kitchen after he eats his dinner. I was not even aware of it until he did have a little accident recently and then I realized that this was the first one in quite awhile. I blush to admit that I had forgotten to give him his medicine for that particular problem for some time too which makes this even more remarkable.

Anyway, it is a most pleasant change for all.

I give most of the credit to my student for the “check-ins” with Desi. I really don’t know how long this change will last, but we are happy, but more importantly, Desi is filled with joy and has as my husband would say, ” has a waggy tail.”

I wanted to share this success with Desmond, due in part I feel to his “check-ins” by my very gifted communication student, and to offer this same service to you, particularly for those of you with senior pets or pets with chronic health issues. Check-ins are flexible, easy, and can bring a much greater sense of peace and comfort to all. If you’d like more information on what this service is, you can click here.

Speaking of blessings, may you and your family have a most blessed Thanksgiving!

Charlene

Tags: Add new tag, animal communication, animal communicator, senior pet, senior pets

I really thought that when I retired from education, my days would be defined by leisurely lunches with my friends or with my husband, traveling and just being a lady of leisure.  Boy, was I wrong! Because of Desi and his guidance, I was able to start a second career that allows me to make a difference in the lives of people and their pets. For me, it is the work of my heart and I thoroughly enjoy it.

Right now, I should be in Northern California for our breed club’s National Specialty. They are educational, fun and exhausting! If you have a purebred dog, you really don’t know your breed until you have attended a National Specialty. There are seminars, general meetings, every kind of event imaginable. It is a chance to renew old friendships and make new friends as well. Think of it as a big family reunion with over 200 dogs and their owners! Amusing when you watch a novice owner trying to show a rambunctious 6 mos. old puppy, or nostalgic as you watch the veterans being shown. To be a veteran, your dog needs to be at least 7 years old. Our breed holds together well; Desi won the veteran sweeps and his class at the national 2 years ago. Wonderful, wonderful memories! We also have a Rescue Parade where Beardies who have been rescued from shelters, irresponsible owners and deplorable situations parade around the ring, heads held high, happy to be given a second chance at a new life with loving owners. Those of you who read my monthly newsletter remember that the Beardie Casey was a rescue dog fromn a puppymill situation. You can’t help but shed a tear or two, definitely a Kleenex alert. There is always a standing ovation for these dogs and their owners. It is a testimony to what love and a new start can do for a needy dog.

As much as I would like to be there, I can’t in a clear conscience, leave Desi at this time in his life. I know there will be other National Specialties that I will attend, but this year my heart tells me that I need to be here with my boy. I want to be here to know that he receives his medication on time, eats all of his meals, goes outside to go to the bathroom and doesn’t walk into corners and not be able to figure out how to turn around. Yes, I wish I was at the Specialty, but the days, weeks and months with Desmond are winding down and I want to be able to squeeze every moment I can with him.

So we spend quiet time together; I watch him having “doggiemares”(where he twitches, growls and runs across fields in his sleep) bringing back memories of his younger days. I watch him rolling around on the rug and trotting in after doing his “business” in the yard, feeling pretty chipper. I know that the day will come where things will change dramatically calling for tough decisions, but it is not today! Today is a good day and there really isn’t any place I would rather be, so it really wasn’t a difficult decision to make. I smile, filled with love for my old, dear friend.

On the nightly network news, I heard another sad story regarding pets left behind in our national foreclosure disaster. As you know, shelter are overflowing with unwanted pets and some hard decisions are being made regarding who stays and who will be “put to sleep.” Before you go to adopt a younger, more lively pet, please take  minute and think about how an older pet would fit into your life. When I say “older,” i meazn any animal over the age of 7 years. At that point, they are considered senior, but believe me, most have alot of love and bounce still in them.

Here from the Senior Dogs Project are some of the reasons to consider an older pet. They are referring to older dogs, but older cats should also be considered. Remember that cats age even more gracefully than dogs.

1. They won’t chew inappropriate objects like a puppy will

2. They are housetrained!! Big plus right there for most people

3. Older pets can focus well(paying attention) because they’ve mellowed and can learn quickly

4. Older dogs hace learned what “no” means.

5. Older pets settle in more quickly. They have leasrned how to gt along in a household

6. Older pets are good at giving love. They are grateful for the second chance they have been given

7. What you see is what you get! That older pet has grown into what size and personality he will be. No surprises taking a small dog on and having it turn into a much bigger dog than you had expected. 

8. Older dogs are instant companions, ready for a car ride, a walk or whatever you want to do

9.Older pets leave you to have time for yourself, unlike young animals who want every minute of your time.

10. In closing, they let you get a good night’s sleep because they are accustomed to human schedules and don ‘t generally need nite time feedings, comforting and potty breaks.

So maybe that dog in the shelter is a little gray in the muzzle, but inside that heart is a yearning for a second chance at a family. In exchange you will get loyalty, companionship and comfort in knowing that you made a difference in a dog’s life and also in your own.

Tags: benefit of adopting older dogs, benefit of older dogs, older dogs, overcrowding in shelters, rescuing older dogs

I talked to Desi’s vet about his restlessness during the day and wanting his dinner at 1 pm! I am wondering if feeding him 3x’s daily would help him manage his confused state re. meals. I would not give him any more; I would take his daily ration and divide it into 3 meals a day.That is one of the good things about working from home, I have more flexibility than many people.The Proin has not been 100% successful, we are taking specific steps to manage his life, making sure he gets outside on a leash, leading him to the most fragrant bushes in the backyard that are hit by the other two dogs on a regular basis. We have increased the anipryl by 1/2 tablet, so we are waiting and watching…….

We all end with senior pets through many avenues.Some come to us as puppies, some a bit older, but the ones that pull at my heart are the older pets who end up in shelters. You’ve heard the grim statistics about the small percentage that are ever adopted, I won’t go onto that today, but I came across this poem about the value of older dogs up for adoption and the hope you can bring into their lives. Unfortunately,  I have no idea where I got the poem from so I can’t give credit where credit is due. It is poignant, but filled with love and hope from a dog’s viewpoint.

ONE BY ONE….

One by One, they pass my cage,

Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.

Way past his time, he can’t run and play.

Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.

A little old man, arthritic and sore,

It seems I am not wanted anymore.

I once had a home, I once had a bed,

A place that was warm, and where I was fed.

Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.

Who wants a dog so old and frail?

My family decided I didn’t belong,

I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.

Whatever excuse they made in their head,

Can’t justify how they left me for dead.

Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,

The younger ones get adopted away.

When I had almost come to the end of my rope,

You saw my face and I finally had hope.

You saw through the gray, and the legs bent with age,

And I felt I still had life beyond this cage.

You took me home, gave me food and a bed,

And shared your own pillow with my poor, tired head.

We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,

You love me so dearly, you want me to know.

I may have lived most of my life with another,

But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.

And I promise to return to return all the love I can give,

To you, my dear person, as long as I live.

I may be with you a week or fur years,

We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.

And when the time comes that God deems I must leave, I know you will

cry and your heart,it will grieve.

And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,

My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.

And I will brag to all who will hear,

Of the person who made my last days so dear.

Senior pets still have so much to offer us, no matter what their age. The love and the wisdom garnered over the years. Let’s not forget loyalty that knows no limits. There is a saying around rescue workers: a rescue dog is eternally grateful. I sincerely believe that from the bottom of my heart.

Tags: Add new tag, adopting older pets, rescued dogs, senior pets

I included these questions in my October newsletter and I’d love to have you share your answers with my other blog readers.  To answer, please click on the word Comments just below this posting to see what others have written and to make any comments you’d like to.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF???

Tags: economy, foreclosure, pet's in distress

I just finished - (working with Linda, my wonderful web mistress) - the October edition of Talking-To-Animals newsletter and after one final proofread, off it will go.

As I focus on recuperating from my recent foot procedure (I know, you are all scratching your heads and thinking, again???.) I am very optimistic about this one, but the doctor told me I had to stay off my feet and keep it elevated above my heart level. I have a ski-boot type of thing I wear around the clock and a wheelchair when I have to move from point A to point B. Things are looking up though, I can now take a real shower and not bag my foot and have my husband sit outside the shower. Well, enough about that! My dream is to be able to walk with comfort, walk my wonderful dogs (they are saying to themselves, how many surgeries has our mom had??) Answer: three all total. My dream is to walk with my husband and just go to Costco and walk the store, eating samples as I go.

My biggest complaint is that energy is not really good these first days so I have to cut short many of the things I normally enjoy doing, especially during this time of year. And even with my shortened activities, the doctor said I was doing too much—how can you be doing too much when you are on the bed or in a wheelchair??

My wish is that we all enjoy vibrant health - this includes our beloved pets - up to the point we decide we are ready to move on to our next spiritual destination, and that is what I am spending my energies on right now, make that wish of vibrant health a reality for myself and Desi and I send it to each of you too.

Tags: Charlene Boyd, Talk-To-Animals

Although I am limited in being able to use the computer(doctor’s orders) I wanted to bring you up-to-date with how Desi is doing. As I mentioned before, I increased his medication to one whole pill and that seems to be doing the trick. He is a pretty happy camper these days, his main job as always, is keeping an eye on me. I only wish he was not completely deaf, otherwise he could hear the loving ways we talk to him and about him. Yet I  know that he understands on a very deep and accepting way–words are not really needed. He knows by the way we look at him, hug him and make accomodations for the losses that he experiences and will continue to experience in the days and weeks ahead. I put a little extra meat in his dinner, give him colostrum to help his immune system. I always make certain he is not suddenly startled. We give him extra attention and are always, always patient when he becomes confused. He has a natural dignity and grace that I truly hope that I have when I get up there in years. Our animals have so much to teach us about life and aging.

How have your pets helped you see a more complete picture of your own life and being more accepting of yourself? Do you see yourself as the warm, loving person that your pet(s) see you as?

Tags: anypril, cognitive disorders, proin, sensory losses in dogs