Of Dogs and Cats - Part Two

"You may have a dog that won't sit up, roll over or even cook breakfast, not because she's too stupid to learn how but because she's too smart to bother." - Rick Horowitz, Chicago Tribune

Of Dogs and Cats - Part Two

By Alex Levin
Originally published in the Conway Daily Sun

Dogs and cats of course have different positions on the food chain, which may explain their different attitudes toward life. While the dog is almost always the hunter (Fifi's and Pepe's excluded), the feline walks a fine line between prey and predator.

Cats are really bad at crossing roads and not apt to learn by their mistakes. Even their prowess at climbing is way over-rated, as are their mousing skills. Considered graceful by some, I've witnessed many misguided jumps and much sloppy footwork that have resulted in broken dishes, scattered papers, and curtains yanked from the wall. And while we can only hope that the omnivorous puppy will begin to narrow his food selection down to at least exclude inorganic items like rocks, shoes, and family heirlooms, he doesn't get into too much trouble.

To the contrary, feline critters eagerly engage in more than their own share of malicious mischief. Socks are always missing around here and several house plants have been intimidated into withering. And there is still the incident of the missing spoons to which I personally think John Jacob is party.

While dogs sleep their share, they are amateur snoozers compared to cats who can shamelessly lay about in one spot for twelve hours at a time. Guilt is not part of any cat's consideration. Shaming a cat is about as useful an exercise as shaming a congressman.

Cats do require less effort to maintain and it doesn't require a station wagon to buy food for them. Dogs do slobber more. They both drink out of toilets, but the dog is far less likely to fall in.

Maybe neither of them understand what we say when we seek their confidence, but dogs at least listen. Cats couldn't care less about your problems. However, if they could talk, they'd reveal all your personal quirks to Geraldo for half a can of tuna. Dogs like grandmothers are givers of unconditional love, cheerful and full of optimism, concerned only for their master's well being. No matter how many people you piss off the night before, you know that your dog will always be glad to see you in the morning.

Soon Ryu will get up, take two steps towards the door and pee on the carpet. And any instant now the cat will attempt to make confetti of my fingers as they fly about the keyboard. "He's just trying to tell you he's hungry," the cat people will say. So I will have to stop to clean up the piddle and feed the cat who probably won't eat

The dog and cat will learn to coexist. And the cat fanciers in our house will learn that puppies don't toss well and I'll have to accept the fact that I exist strictly for my cat's amusement.

Photo: Stunt cat - Chloe
Credit: wendy

Mutts Join Pure Breeds at AKC Competitions

Nice to see the times are changing to allow more pets (and people) to join in the fun. For some breeds, this is a great opportunity to showcase their true talents. Details on Paw Nation:

Mutts Mingling With Pure Breeds at AKC Competitions

Get more AKC information and sign up for AKC Canine Partners before the May 31st deadline.

Some Benefits with each Canine Partners Listing Include:
• Eligibility to participate in AKC Agility, Obedience
and Rally events
• Complimentary 60-Day Trial AKC Pet Healthcare Plan*
• Lifetime enrollment in AKC CAR Lost & Found Recovery Service

- Follow the AKC the link for the complete list of benefits.

Of Dogs and Cats - Part One

"Anyone can buy a dog, but it takes a kind owner to set its tail wagging." - Dog Quotes.com

Of Dogs and Cats - Part One

By Alex Levin
Originally published in the Conway Daily Sun

At the risk of alienating many a reader, I'll tell you up-front: I'm a dog person. I believe that house cats are genetic aberrations who have freakishly survived on this planet despite serving little or no purpose what-so-ever over the last three or four millennium.

To my mind, cats are like the eccentric relatives we are always making excuses for. "He didn't mean to shred your hand; he was just showing his affection." Dogs on the other hand are the great enablers; whatever you do, no matter your fetish, it’s okay by them.

I write this column with Ryu, the thirty pound puppy resting on my feet and John Jacob, the middle-aged Tom, curled up in my lap. Ryu shares my concern for making deadline and will fret and strut with me. John Jacob on the other hand is at best amused.

When we brought the puppy home a few weeks ago, John Jacob was asleep on the couch exactly where we had left him nine hours earlier. He cocked an indifferent eye at our return, gave some consideration to a yawn, then caught sight of the puppy and went from lazy bag of bones to ceiling fixture in a nanosecond.

The puppy is relentless in his efforts to befriend the cat. The cat, unimpressed by his clumsy new stepbrother, has gone the route of terrorism, inflicting random acts of violence upon the perpetually naïve puppy.

While I understand the loyalty of dog owners to their pets -- as it is a reciprocal arrangement -- the one-sided loyalty of cat owners can only be explained by self-delusion. I know many allergic cat owners who are willing to put up with the itching, sneezing, and asthma attacks for house pets who regard them as large can openers and scratching posts placed on earth for their convenience.

If the proportions of size were reversed between people and their pets, that precious little pussy would knock us about until our limbs came loose and then eat us for a midday snack.

Dogs are not for truly private people. Dogs make everything their business and can be rather rude in their frankness. They are the original Forest Gumps. Those folks used to the blind obeisance of a dog are dismayed at the minimal impact words of any flavor have on the ears of a cat. In fact talking to a cat is not altogether unlike talking to a teenager.

In their defense, cats don't usually pee on the floor and wake you up at 3 AM with their barking, but then they're not apt to pull you out of a burning house either. I have no illusions about John Jacob. The house catches fire, he'll be out searching for a new home before the smoke alarm goes off.

(...to be continued.)

Animal Insight with Animal Communicator Nancy Kaiser

Noisy Neighbors

Last Friday Hana & Saba went ballistic scaring me to death. I was working upstairs and didn’t know what was happening. I heard some intermittent tapping sounds but continued working.

Saba joined me, but Hana stayed downstairs. Several times I looked down to see what he was doing to make such a racket. Each time, he looked up, madly wagging that Lab tail.

Once I finished, I went down to fix our dinners. As I ate, the commotion started again. I knew instantly who the perpetrator was; a woodpecker! One of my neighbors had decided my log house would suit his or her needs. Well, this was totally unacceptable.

In an effort to restore peace and quiet, I sent a message to the over-soul of woodpeckers with a request to stop the “attack” on my home. The hammering stopped for a bit. It is ironic, because my house is nestled in the woods offering thousands of trees to use as a home or food source.

Hearing it again I decided to communicate with the individual woodpecker. He or she wasn’t too chatty, so I simply and respectfully asked that he or she leave my house alone and look elsewhere in the woods for whatever he or she was seeking. Again, the jack- hammering stopped but not for long.

The annoying rapping sound wasn’t the only issue. Each time it started, the dogs went crazy barking and running all over the house looking for the culprit. Talk about disharmony; this was the ultimate.

Once again, I connected with the little devil. I went into great detail explaining that my house wouldn’t contain any food or provide a suitable home for his or her, or their, family, since I didn’t know if it was just one woodpecker.

The third time truly is the charm. Apparently, my expanded, yet respectful, request was what was needed to send the woodpecker(s) off to hammering on the thousands of options in the surrounding woods.

Communicating with wild ones always provides an added thrill for me. To see similar results with the wild creatures as with our domestic animals reinforces my belief that we are all truly related; merely brothers and sisters like the Indigenous cultures teach us.

Photo: Beautiful, yet noisy neighbor
Credit: Nancy Kaiser

Today's Viral Hit - Best Friends reunited

"Parts of one stupendous whole, Whose body Nature is, and God the soul." - Alexander Pope

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Friends

There is no such thing as too many friends.

The Orangutan and the Hound -



The story -- and an interview with the crew ...

And the tiger and the dog... if you keep looking on the sidebar menu ... you will find there is no lack of friendship role models.

Animal Insight with Animal Communicator Nancy Kaiser

When Least Expected

I am truly blessed to have discovered my soul’s purpose, but for those who haven’t, please don’t give up. I’ve learned that our souls reveal themselves when least expected.

While always loving animals, I didn’t discover my abilities in animal communication and healing until I was 42 years old. All the years leading up to my epiphany were preparing me. The perfect teacher, the filly: Love, then appeared to show me my purpose.

When I left my farm in New Jersey six years ago, I never expected to be divorced nine months later. In order to understand why, I began writing a journal. Four years after moving, Letting Go was published. I never imagined being an author. It wasn’t a lifelong dream. After all, I was a left-brained pharmacist not a right-brained creative type.

This past January, while doing a guided meditation on Debbie Ford’s “The 21 Day Consciousness Cleanse” conference call, I was given another piece to the puzzle of my soul’s purpose. The inner wisdom was that my writing holds the answer to all of my desires. Go figure! This was totally unexpected and still amazes me. I was two months shy of turning 59 years old; definitely, a late bloomer.

What was the most horrific event of my life turned into a catalyst for discovering another crucial part of my soul’s path. Six years ago, I thought my life had ended. I was drowning in fear, grief and anger. By learning to understand my pain, it enabled me to grow and then let it go. While I published my book in order to help others, Letting Go and all the articles, columns and guest blogs I’ve written have apparently been a part of my soul’s plan all along.

It doesn’t matter your age. Your soul will reveal your purpose in perfect timing for you. Don’t measure your development against anyone else. Your animals may hold the clues to your purpose, or perhaps a tragic event will complete the puzzle for you. Remember, the greatest purpose our souls have is to learn, grow and become better Beings. There is a method to the madness, so embrace the lesson of patience and let your path unfold!

Photo Credit: Nancy Kaiser.
Title: My last sunset on Fair Chance Farm, April 04

Can Your Pet Predict Your Personality?

Your Pet May Predict Your Personality - according to psychologist and study researcher Sam Gosling, PhD, of the University of Texas at Austin.

Some of the results posted on WebMD -

Cat People vs. Dog People -

According to the findings, self-identified dog people were 15% more extroverted, 13% more agreeable, and 11% more conscientious than cat people.

Cat people were about 12% more neurotic and 11% more open than dog people.

- The study will be published later this year in the journal Anthrozoos.

Of course, dogs and cats already know this and choose their two-legged companions accordingly.

Sponsors needed for the white horse

~ In the beginning of all things wisdom and knowledge were with the animals for Tirawa, the one above did not speak directly to man. He sent certain animals to tell men that he showed himself through the beasts, and that from them and from the stars and the sun and the moon should man learn. All things tell of Tirawa. - Black Elk - Oglala Lakota -

The Gentle Barn is an animal rescue group I found and started following on Facebook. There are lots of rescue organizations but this one has kept my attention and continues to earn my respect. The animals are each unique but they all have one thing in common - they are in desperate need for someone to care enough to step in and offer a change of scenery and a place to call home.

Time had almost run out for the white horse. Dumped and tied to a bumper at a horse barn, the owner was prepared to put him down. The grave had been dug. Even though the Gentle Barn was full, they took the call. Here is part one of The White Horse.

Sara loves to swing!

What does joy look like? Watch her face once she gets settled. :)



Sara smiles. Have a great day!

Learning to Allow the space for growing a friendship

As with our human encounters, there is no forcing a friendship. In learning to work with an animal companion, we learn to value, respect and honor the process of allowing. When we become less demanding and more interesting, the curiosity and wonder can help to bridge the fear and insecurity that might otherwise keep the wall between us.

Watching the interaction between the person and the horse in this exchange makes clear there is no rushing to hurry things along.

Animal Insight with Animal Communicator Nancy Kaiser

A Special Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day was yesterday, May 12th, eight years ago. My dearest mare, Squiggles, foaled just after dinner during a thunderstorm. I dreamed of a filly, since she’d already given me two huge, gorgeous colts. As soon as the foal was out, I checked, but it wasn’t meant to be. He was a perfect Mother’s Day gift in every other aspect.

Ushered into this life by a thunderstorm guaranteed his barn name of Stormy. When I asked for his approval he commented, “It’s a great name!” His registered name would be “Follow Your Heart.” If I hadn’t done just that I wouldn’t have celebrated this special soul’s eighth birthday yesterday.

By following my heart and Squiggles’ request for another foal, I convinced my husband to breed her once more. He was worried about her, since she and each of the first two foals had post-foaling issues that were dealt with using our expertise.

Little did I know that this decision would be integral to Squiggles attainment of her soul’s purpose for this lifetime; having offspring survive. Apparently, she’d lost all her offspring in her previous life experiences. When I learned of this, I felt humbled to have contributed to her soul’s achievement.

Two years later, my husband and I moved and then divorced. The story of my survival of these traumatic events is the basis of my book, Letting Go. Due to circumstances beyond my control, Stormy’s two older brothers were euthanized when each was three years old. All of these agonizing losses took their toll on me.

By following my heart, the Universe provided me with one of the major players in my return to happiness. Stormy forced me out of my pain each time I worked him. He filled me with joy and purpose while diminishing my self-doubt. His presence during the worst time in my life was crucial to my personal growth and recovery.

I am so thankful that I listened to my heart and Squiggles’ plea for another baby nine years ago. Had I not, Squiggles wouldn’t have achieved her soul’s purpose, and I wouldn’t have one of my greatest teachers. By not following your heart, you might be eliminating a key component for a successful life.

*Photo - courtesy of Nancy Kaiser -- "Stormy and I doing what we love!"

Labradoodle Creator Regrets

This little blurb from Paw Nation might surprise Labradoodle enthusiasts.

Labradoodle Creator Has Massive Regrets Over the Craze He Started

"I don't regret the dog, not for the purpose I bred it for," Wally Conron tells Paw Nation, "I regret all the people who got on the bandwagon willy-nilly. People who are breeding poodle crosses for the money, who have no concern for parentage." He says he feels that the labradoodle trend started a gold rush for unscrupulous backyard breeders with no knowledge of proper dog breeding.

"One of our litters had 10 pups in it and only three were actually allergy-free," says Conron. "Let's face it: they're a crossbreed. You never know what you're going to get. It's a bit like buying a pig in a poke, yet people all over are charging more for labradoodles than purebreds."

more...

Modoc - a timeless tale of love

Just happened to catch a glimpse of the title on the (Borders) bookshelf over the weekend and sat down to peruse ... ended up staying put to read the whole thing ... wiping tears from my face through the closing dedication. What a wonderful tale.

The story connects on so many heartfelt levels, but the most for me is the metaphysical interlink, mentioned several times, that we are one, and no matter what happens in the physical plane, we are united in spirit - animals and humans. All is one.

Modoc reminds us that humans are not the only beings undergoing a spiritual journey on the earth plane. And the view that animals and humans are kindred spirits produces extraordinary results in extraordinary circumstances.

Review edited from Amazon.com: Modoc is the joint biography of a man and an elephant born in a small German circus town on the same day in 1896. Bram was the son of an elephant trainer, Modoc the daughter of his prize performer. Boy an Elephant grew up devoted to each other. They battled bandits, armed revolutionaries, cruel animal trainers, and greedy circus owners in their quest to stay together. Hollywood animal trainer Ralph Helfer rescued Modoc from ill-treatment and learned her astonishing story when Bram rediscovered her at Helfer's company. His emotional retelling of this true-life adventure epic will make pulses race and bring tears to readers' eyes. --Wendy Smith

And so it does. - wendy garrett

And for some more amazing animal stories of past and present day, read the blog by Ralph Helfer's daughter, Tana : "I endured years of having my tackies (sneakers) torn off and chewed, my pants torn from wrestling around, but I learned everything from my animal family, especially how to be a better HUMAN." - Tana Helfer Herbert

More info -
Recap of a Safari Tour with Ralph Helfer

World's Best DeSkunk Recipe - will explode if bottled - seriously

Warning: DO NOT BOTTLE this stuff (or put it into a closed container) to save for another time!!!!

[That said, here is the best way to deskunkify your pet after a close encounter of the stinky kind. Max, my German Shepherd, loved to chase skunks. After two encounters, he apparently learned to give them a bigger head start... wendy]

By Stacy E. Smith, edited for reprint by Wendy Garrett

Arguably, the smelliest thing anyone can encounter has got to be skunk spray. There is no mistaking it. I am here to tell you that the odor you detect from the car is NOTHING compared to the freshly sprayed version, an assault on your olfactory system that really puts your gag reflex to the test.

When your dog comes happily bounding toward you smelling like he just tested every bottle of “eau de skunk” in the department store, it may very well officially be the single worst, gross thing that happens to you.

You’d think that if you had actually created, the hands-down, bar-none, best way for dealing with a pet who has been skunked, you’d be able to sell your formula for a tidy sum and be set for life, right?

Wrong. Chemist Paul Krebaum, who created just such a magic formula in the 1990’s, hasn’t gained a single thing for his trouble -- except the gratitude of pet lovers everywhere.

You got the warning. REMEMBER that.

Now, the recipe:

1. In a plastic bucket using plastic utensils mix together 1 quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (This is available from any drugstore. DO NOT USE ANY OTHER STRENGTH even if you happen to have it around the house for some reason – the result may be a trip to the emergency room), 1/4 cup of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate for you science types which is not the same as baking powder) and 1- 2 teaspoons of liquid soap. Notes: Krebaum suggests “Softsoap” or “Ivory Liquid” because they are less inert. Grease-cutting brands such as “Dawn” are less inert and hair shampoo is probably the worst. For very large pets you may add one quart of tepid tap water to enable complete coverage. The reason for using plastic containers and utensils is because metals will encourage auto-decomposition of the peroxide.

2. Apply Immediately to stinky pet (the solution will get weaker with time). Wash thoroughly, working solution deep into the fur. Leave solution on for about 5 minutes or until odor is gone. Heavily oiled or “skunked” areas may require repeat washing. Note: skunks usually aim for the face, but try to keep the solution out of your pet’s eyes – it stings! If you have any cuts on your hands, consider wearing latex gloves for the same reason.

3. Rinse pet thoroughly with tepid tap water.

4. Pour all leftover solution down the drain with running water.

The result is by all accounts astonishing! Unfortunately, so will the explosion if you try to bottle your leftover solution. The merging of the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda creates lots of oxygen in a big hurry. This chemical reaction is actually the key to how the solution works, but it’s also fierce enough to explode in a closed container.

Unfortunately, that is why Krebaum hasn’t been able to capitalize on his discovery. There’s just no way to sell something you can’t put in a bottle.

Since Krebaum’s findings were published in a trade journal in the early 1990’s (Chemical & Engineering News, K.M. Reese published it in the “Newscripts” section on Oct. 18, 1993), his magic formula has spread far and wide, offered up by agriculture officials and hunting magazines, and touted by folks on the Internet (which is where I found it).

read more.

Thank you Stacy!! Max never looked good in Tomato Pink.

Animal Insight with Animal Communicator Nancy Kaiser

The Season of Thunder Beings

With spring in full swing and summer fast approaching, the presence of thunderstorms is ever-increasing. Many pets are terrified of thunder and sensing the energy fluctuations know that storms are imminent. My own mare, Squiggles, was more accurate than the Weather Channel.

Fourth of July celebrations cause grief for many animals as well. The fear our animals exhibit is intense and leaves us with a feeling of helplessness. My old Lab, Licorice, developed this problem the first July 4th after we moved. It had been quiet near us, so I let the dogs out for the last time; that’s all it took. Bam! Licorice was so frightened he tinkled on the porch and came back in trembling and drooling.

I ran to get flower essences and gem elixirs to help calm and relax him. The more I tried to comfort him, the more he trembled. I felt so guilty, but it had been silent all night!

The next morning, I cleared Licorice with Spiritual Response Therapy specifically for sudden loud noises, such as fireworks, thunder and gunshots. I tested him for vibrational remedies for the same thing to be used as needed. The ideal situation is to give the animal remedies a half-hour before the “attack,” which is hard to determine with thunderstorms.

I’d done this healing work for numerous clients’ pets with wonderful results. Licorice was providing me with a firsthand look at the power of these two healing modalities. The combo of SRT and remedies reduced Licorice’s uncontrollable trembling, drooling and hiding to a tolerable level of anxiety and tension. Even I was astonished with the change and no longer felt helpless. Now, I could comfort him without making him shudder worse. With each successive storm, he improved.

While I hated that Licorice experienced such trauma at his advanced age, I was able to watch my healing skills up-close-and-personal. I know everything happens for a reason and my friend created this so his person could learn from it. Licorice was a consummate teacher. I can’t believe he’ll be gone four years this July. His lessons remain, and I’m forever grateful that he chose me to share his life with.

Photo: Licorice at 14
Credit: Nancy Kaiser

Great photo ops with Cooper

The idea was novel - put a camera on a cat collar and see where he goes. He went...and he found a following, sprouting a blogsite, museum showings and publicity tours. Cooper, it turns out, is entertaining to have around. My fav in this mix: Garden Gnome backside...



Check in with Cooper here. It just keeps getting better. Maybe he knows people are watching?