3 legged dog helps special boy

http://bit.ly/SgkSxi
Here is a great story about a dog most might have considered putting down.

Skinny kitty needs a home

Look who showed  up and howeled at my sliding door last night. This baby is about 10-12 weeks old with shoulder blades and hip bones showing. I have never seen a cat eat so hungrily as this little girl did last night. She cried, purred and gobbled all at once. She has not stopped purring since. She trusted me for a bath, and does not appear to be affraid of the big kitties dispite thier spitting and cursing at her. If anyone wants an adorable new kitty let me know, I need to find a loving home for her. Downsy Dude Rescue will help pay for spay and first shots if need be.

 

Contact: Merilee Dodson

merdodson@yahoo.com

Would you trust this man with your dog?

Hello fellow animal lovers. I am writing today to make a clear statement. When I opened my blog page this morning, I was appalled to see that Mitt Romney, a well documented dog abuser, had purchased adds from google which ended up on my animal rescue blog. Apparently he is trying to do some damage control to the knowledge that he strapped his own dog, in a carrier, to the top of his family car and drove twelve hours. He apparently  thought the fact that he had to stop half way at a car wash to hose down the diarrhea from the windshield that resulted  from the dog's terror was a funny story to tell, which has now backfired on him.

I want to make it crystal  clear that I do not support any person who is an animal abuser and then tells of it as if it would be an amusing story. I do not have control of the adds that go on my blog and if I find a way to report it as offensive I will certainly do that.

For those of  you who may doubt the truth about this, here is just one of the articles that appeared in well established and credible magazines such as TIME.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1638065,00.htmlr

Please look your dog in the eyes before you go to vote on Tuesday.

Free spay or neuter for cats

 

Please pass this forward to anyone who has a cat that needs this.


Did you know that two unaltered cats and their offspring can add up to the following statistics?

1st year =12
2nd year=66
3rd year=382
4th year=2,201
5th year=12,680

Cat with a Crinkled ear

In June I discovered a frightened  black cat hiding in the corner of one of the cat suites at the shelter. She was clearly terrified and was very shy. She resisted coaxing for a few weeks but each time I would go in, I would make a tiny bit of progress with her.  She was eventually moved to an individual cage to see if this would decrease her stress. Well, it did reduce her stress but she continued to hide. This is the type of behavior that makes adoption very unlikely. In addition this kitty is named "Krinkle" because one of her hears is collapsed. Needless to say, she may not appear as cute to most people as some of the other kitties. She has, however, recently gotten over her hiding behavior. The the last few visits with her indicated that she was ready for adoption. She greeted me at the front of the cage and even flopped onto her back  and purred as a stoked and doted on her. She has turned out to be just a little sweetheart now that she trusts people.  She does still have one strike against her  in regard to her adoption potential. That ear! For this reason Downsy Dude Rescue Ranch Project will be paying large portion of her adoption fee. She will be available for only 10% of the regular adoption fee.We are so thrilled that our project is beginning to able to afford to help in ways other than the volunteer hours we have been putting in.

If anyone knows a family in the Lansing area who would love a  kitty with a "special ear". Please forward this information to them.

Tragety, Serendipity, and Love = A heart touched

As we were leaving the shelter today, we paused in the lobby to pet a lucky dog named Gus who was being adopted. His new owner's were setting in front of the desk filling out the paper work and telling a story of how they had just lost their beloved German Shepard to an illness that took it very suddenly. My hear ached at thought  of it. We chatted a bit and I learned that they always had German shepards. They had actually come to the shelter to adopt one that was on the web site, but by  the  time they arrived someone else had adopted it. On the way out they noticed Gus, an Australian Shepard. As they filled out paper work, I could not help noticing that Gus was leaning on the leg of one of his new owners. In fact when I walked into the lobby I thought Gus was there dog and had come with them to the shelter. He seemed to know that these were "his people" that he had been waiting for. 

I started thinking about what a lucky dog this was. If his owners had come earlier in the day, he would still be back in a cage waiting for somenone to notice him. If the new owners had not just lost a dog, he would not even have met these folks. In my mind, it kind of gave a sweet meaning to the death of the other dog, as sad as that was. So many times I have seen the universe work this way. There is always a gift in every tragedy, and I stood there looking at the threesome  in awe.

I was so moved by the fact that these folks we so willing to love again so soon after their hearts were broken, and how Gus looked so happy to be going home. They said they had been told that Gus had live outside, .but at their house he would live inside. They live behind a big park were they planned to take him to play. The woman reached down and kissed the dog's back and said "we love you." My hear broke wide open and I cried in front of complete strangers.

What an upgrade for this dog, and what a demonstration of the fact that there are so many loving people in the world. Also a demonstration of how sometimes hard things turn out good. Not to mention the luck of being in the right place at the right time. This was true today for Gus, but it was also true for me. I got to see serendipty  in action and was very touched by it.

That sweet kiss on the back of that shelter dog is something I will always remember.

192 shelter cats

Lewis and I have a goal of giving comfort and lap time to 300 shelter cats this year. Our list so far consists of 192. We spend time with kitties to make their wait for a home more bearable. Lewis likes the playful ones and I am a magnet for the fearful or hard to adopt ones. We both love what we are doing and look forward to each visit. The goal is to make the kitties look forward to human interaction. It makes them more likely to be adopted if they are friendly and engage with  guests. Many of them have good social skills all ready and just want a comforting lap or a brushing and some love. Others need trust building and a patient trainer. Some kitties hate being there, but for  many it is a step up from where they were when they were brought in.

Each week on our drive over we discuss who might still be there and who might have gotten lucky and went to there forever home. There is nothing more gratifying than discovering one of kitties on your list is not in there cage when you arrive. It means they have connected with a human in a positive way and been given a second chance for a free and happy life.

 If you love animals please consider volunteering or donating to your local shelter. There is a cool dog walking program at Capital area Humane Society. After a short orientation you can walk a dog of your choice on a very nice trail out behind the facility.  The program is so popular that they expect each caged dog to be walked 3 times a day. What a wonderful thing for the  pups waiting to find their forever humans. The other great thing about being there is that you are surrounded by a small army of animal lovers.

We get way more out of it than we give, and it also demonstrates how one special needs guy can make a very positive impact on animals who are experiencing trauma.  At the same time, Lewis' life is so enriched by the experience and he knows he is achieving something wonderful. This is the foundation of what Downsy Dude Rescue Ranch Project is all about.

A bit of humor for balance

http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqIQb70NQDRIAkEb7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTBrc3VyamVwBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQD?p=funniest+dogs+youtube&vid=18B7C6132F1BBC16702D18B7C6132F1BBC16702D&l=1%3A20&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts4.mm.bing.net%2Fvideos%2Fthumbnail.aspx%3Fq%3D4876162973302795%26id%3D904b8294a27cf4ed4dc16dd77012d783%26bid%3DLXAWvBsvE8a3GA%26bn%3DLargeThumb%26url%3Dhttp%253a%252f%252fwww.youtube.com%252fwatch%253fv%253dnGeKSiCQkPw&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DnGeKSiCQkPw&tit=Ultimate+Dog+Tease&c=0&sigr=11aq6gflc

Loyalty

Wolf rescues in the wildfires

I read this article bawling my eyes out. Thank God for good people!


http://www.wildanimalsanctuary.org/news/newletters/fall2012/page12.html?utm_source=Fall+2012+Newsletter&utm_campaign=fall+2012+newsletter&utm_medium=email

Dogs and Babies= better health

Here is a good read for anyone who ever thought a dog would add to much burden to a family.
http://news.yahoo.com/babies-dog-owning-families-may-healthier-041915748.html

Angels!

I have had a spiritual epiphany. I have been working hard to return to my spiritual roots. Part of what I have been asking the universe is how I am to fund Downsy Dude Rescue Ranch. As I was meditating the answer came to me, but I was unsure if the answer was the path I should take as it involves some work with breast cancer victims and I was not sure if I should linger there.


Those of you close to me know that I have won a 3 year battle with breast cancer and have had a pretty nasty case of PTSD due to the experience. As a mental health practitioner, I had lots of tools in my arsenal but was still overwhelmed with fear. I went looking for help and could not find it. In the end, I created my own program, which I am being lead to share with others. I was resistant to think that the answer to funding the Downsy Dude Rescue Ranch was somehow attached to breast cancer. I wanted nothing to do with it and have worked hard at distancing myself from it, and focusing on wellness.


On a whim one day recently I called into a radio talk show on Hay House radio. There was a man by the name of Kyle Gray who is well known as "the angel whisperer". Not even knowing if I really believed in angels, for some reason I decided to call and ask him how I was to fund my project. He blew me away by not only telling me that the arch angle Ariel is with me, but describing the courage I had to use to get through the past 3 years. Next he had a vision that described the key elements of my PTSD program and told me that this was going to be key to funding Downsy Dude Rescue Ranch.


I had not shared with him what the rescue project was about nor, the PTSD program I have been putting together. After I hung up, I googled the arch angel Ariel. I was shocked to learn that she is considered the guardian of the animals and nature. Within few days, I was offered a chance to use my PTSD program with a prominent medical practitioner in my area. I did not solicit this invite and it took me by complete surprise.


When I first got cancer, and over the 3 years of beating it back, I have continually ask the universe "why is this happening to me?" It seemed so wrong. I know in my heart I am a good person and I felt very picked on and devastated by the whole situation. Could it be that it's purpose has now been revealed to me?


I would love to hear your thoughts about this if you are willing. I also need help naming thePTSD program. I welcome feedback and suggestions. Breast cancer and animal rescue.....does this add up?



Merdodson@yahoo.com

Lost pets, Lansing area

While looking for places to post a photo of a dog that found me and needs help getting home, I have discovered that there are no good local forums for posting a lost or found pet in the Lansing  area. The Michigan humane society has a page but no contact numbers included (only an office number) and they are closed on the week end. The dog that found me  is a match to one listed on their page but I have no way of contacting anyone about the dog.

So I have decided to include a free service on the Downsy Dude Rescue Ranch blog for people who  have either lost or found a pet in the Lansing area. Anyone can email me with information about a lost or found pet and I will share it with my extensive network of animal lovers, post it on the main page of the Downsy Dude blog, share it on facebook and put it on Craig's list in Lansing.

Please share this with your network of contacts. Information can be sent to me at merdodson@yahoo.com.

Thank you helping me with this, and for helping those sweet little lost pets find their way back home.

                                          I am lost and afraid, please help me find my way home.

Do dogs have emotions?

If you are a dog lover you all ready know the answer to this question. What about a memory? How long do they remember things or people? Ever hear anyone say "ah, it's just a dog, they don't know what's going on?  If you are a person who has said something similar, here is a convincing  video that illustrates a dog experiencing joy. Dog lovers, I'll warn ya, it may require a tissue or two.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xZSrLyWzxVI

Cat courage

Volunteering at the shelter returns my efforts ten fold with adorable moments of animal behavior that I am privileged to witness. Today I arrived to find two new kitties, hiding behind one of the play structures. They are 4 1/2 year old litter mates and almost identical twins. Both raised in the same home by the same owner. Yet It was very clear that Della and Rock each  had a unique role in their relationship.

I knelt on the floor next to where they were hiding. They were backed into a corner each one looking in a different direction as if playing sentry duty. I approached Della first as she seemed to be the less frightened of the pair. I am never certain about whether my approach will be welcomed or  not so I always offer the back of my hand for a sniff first. Della allowed me to touch her, and within a few minutes she was accepting pets and chin rubs, all be it, still in the hiding place. She could not be coaxed out.

After a bit I moved the play structure just enough to be able to see Rock's face. The poor guy looked so rattled. as I offered the back of my hand for a sniff it spooked him and jetted under his sister for comfort. He crawled right under her and she allowed it, calmly. His face was buried in her tummy. Not being one to give up on a cat, I offered my hand again to Della who gave me a knowing look and a head butt, then began to purr. I continued petting her for a few minutes hoping that Rock would get a sense that it was OK, and that I was a safe person. The side of Rock's cheek was exposed and I gently rubbed it and cooed his name. Next I had his eyes, then much to my surprise, he bolted under me, just like he had done to his sister. So I stayed there, crouched, with him allowing me to give him comfort and pets for a good long time. Someone came in and he darted back behind the play structure, his sister followed and cuddled him like he was her kitten.

I have to say that was one of the cutest exchanges I have ever seen between two cats. Della clearly has more courage than Rock and she also knew exactly how to comfort him-Just adorable!

                                                                     Here is Della

Here is  Rock

Please choose adoption

Free pet Neuter in Ingham County

LANSING, MI --- The Capital Area Humane Society is pleased to announce, thanks to grant funding from PetSmart Charities totaling $120,910 over two years, CAHS is able to offer free spays and neuters for cats living in Lansing zip codes 48910 and 48911.

WHAT:

1. The Capital Area Humane Society Spay & Neuter clinic is offering free spay & neuter cat surgeries for Lansing residents living in 48910 and 48911 zip codes.
2. All cats and kittens must be at least 8 weeks old and weigh two pounds.
3. Rabies vaccines and microchips are included at the time of surgery, if needed.
4. Proof of address is required.
5. People who live in other ZIP codes, but need help, are encouraged to call the clinic to discuss other options
6. Residents in 48910 and 48911 wanting to schedule free surgeries for their cats can call 517-908-0756 be 517-908-0756.

WHEN: Now and over the next two years.

WHERE: All surgeries will be performed at the Spay & Neuter Clinic located at 5919 South Cedar Street in Lansing.

WHY: Spay and neuter is the only effective way to address the pet overpopulation problem in mid-Michigan. According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture, about 250,000 animals end up in Michigan shelters every year.

I am a "lunatic", it's official!

Every Wednesday afternoon Lewis and I go to the local shelter and work with the "shy" cats to try and make them more adoptable. Recently because of one very shy kitty we have been going in twice a week. Oden was brought to the shelter on March first of this year and has spent months hiding behind his littler pan. He was clearly traumatized and very dispirited, to the point he was at first refusing food. He was on the top of every one's concern list. His only comfort was another little kitty named Mittens who was brought in 3 weeks before Oden and also very shy. Much to every one's surprise these two little trauma victims found one another and buddied up. They would curl up together and try to hide behind anything they could find. As time went by it was clear that  these two would do better in a separate cage away from the busy activity of the other cats. They were put in side by side cages with a pass through to each others cage.

Volunteers worked hours and hours to gain Oden's trust. Finally he learned to trust that hands of respectable humans. He would allow petting but still hid as soon as his cage door was shut. Last week Sunday I made a special trip in to the shelter to see Oden. After all, he and mittens had been there in cages  for nearly 4 months. I worried that time was running out. Oden had made great progress, sometimes eating while I had his cage door opening and on Sunday he did not hide when I left. I was able to view him through a window on my way out. I thought to myself " I wonder if my friends would think I am weird if I asked them to pray for a cat to find a home?" I thought, well I have never prayed for a cat, but I think I will try envisioning this kitty with a quiet loving home, that includes his best buddy Mittens.

A few days ago when the moon was full I went outside for my usual spiritual ritual. I use the full moon to remind me to pray for my hearts desire. As I stood there looking up at the moon I said " This one is for Oden and Mittens." What could it hurt to make a wish for them right? After all I have everything I need and time may be running out for these poor little kitties that nobody seems to want.

Well, today is Wednesday and I made my usual trek straight to Mitten's and Oden's cage only to find them empty! My heart leaped and then sank-I went to the desk to ask where they were, bracing myself for the worst. But much to my surprise I learned that someone had taken them in to foster them, both. I choked back tears and tried to  go find other kitties to work with but I ended up having to leave so I did not burst into tears in front of all of them and leave them to think I am a lunatic, no pun intended.

Here is Oden after much work on trust:

Here is Mittens:

Here is a cute little video the staff made that I think proved very helpful in getting these to long term cage cats, some much needed love and freedom.

http://www.petango.com/webservices/adoptablesearch/wsYouTubeVideo.aspx?videoid=2trwlGJXxV8

So, now I will ask you to pray for these two- that all goes well and a  blessing to the person who took them in. May their good Karma be ten fold! And next time you see the moon, remember this story.

How and why Downsy Dude Rescue Ranch was conceived

This is a story of trauma, joy and enlightenment. I have had my share of "bumps" in the road. In 1989, having a child with Down's syndrome certainly shook my world to the core. At first I was angry. "Why me?" I asked, "why my son?" "Why at all?" "How could a creator who is supposed to be all loving do this to anyone?" I shook my fist at the sky and wept for nearly two years. There is a grieving process that happens when you give birth to a child who is not what you were expecting. I had no prior notice that there were any issues with the pregnancy. "No fair! I am a good person!" I said over and over again. At a time when I most needed my spirituality, all my beliefs about Karma were ripped away from me. I felt picked on by God, and it hurt so bad.

My marriage failed, I lost my house, and I could not function well enough to continue the business I had worked so hard to build. Lucky for me, I had two darling babies at home who kept me going. They, with their never ending sparkle every time they looked at me, saved me. My daughter, with her early development of language, and mobility would dote and kiss on her baby brother several times a day. She was oblivious to his disability. She adored him, and it taught me that love is love, plain and simple. My son, thrived under here tiny leadership, always trying to keep up with her, he strived to obtain the skills she had at 14 months his senior.

As the years went by they quietly, by their very nature, helped me come to realize that I had not been picked on by God after all. I had been picked out by God, and what an awesome life the three of us have had since. I went back to school earned 3 degrees, and bought another house. We raised several rescued animals together joyfully, and I was able to provide a living for us by working with children in one capacity or another over the past 20 years.

Recently another "bump" made me take a step back and really think about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Breast cancer reared it's ugly head, and once again I questioned "why does this happen to people?" "What is the meaning of all this?" I did get my answer, but it came a little bit later. After my third recurrence and more doses of Chemo therapy than I care to recall, I decided it was time to take some time off work and get my health in check. It was scary resigning the job I had worked so hard to acquire, but my gut was leading me. Chemo took its toll, and I got a mortality pie in the face so to speak. I was shown clearly that life is not to be taken for granted. It made me think hard about how to spend my remaining days.

I knew I still had goals and ideas that had taken a back burner do to obligations over the years. I also wanted to find a retirement activity that I could involve my son in so that I could spend as much time as possible with him, and also demonstrate to the world what I knew about him. He is a teacher. He teaches love on the highest level.

In his community based education program in high school he had two favorite placements. One was in a daycare, and the other was at a local animal shelter. Epiphany! He loves the same things I do. It was staring me in the face, and I would not have seen it had I not been forced to take time off from work and given myself the luxury of time to think.

Downsy Dude Rescue Ranch will allow me to take all the skills I have acquired, all the therapeutic experience I have been privileged with, as well as all my favorite passions and apply them to the world in way that includes both my children. My daughter holds a degree in Zoology, and is excited about the project as well. She knows she will inherit the project some day and her little brother, who is now 22, will be by her side as a seasoned helper.

Suddenly all the "bumps" made perfect sense.

This is why I love kids!

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/highschool-prep-rally/inspiring-elementary-schooler-cerebral-palsy-runs-amazing-400-154523256.html

Cat Fishing Downsy Dude style

In preparation and training for Downsy Dude Ranch Lewis has been practicing cat enrichment. Here is a clip of him cat fishing with the famed Spinner Lure.

Check out this brave little beast-

Here is one of those stories that makes you cry in exasperation, then cry with joy for the outcome.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/blind-dog-rescued-trash-pile-gets-eyesight-back-141952873.html

Please join me in sending a thank you note to Hope for Paws in L.A.
http://www.hopeforpaws.org/?page_id=54

Shy Kitties at the shelter- Intervention update

A month ago I wrote about 3 very scared kitties at the shelter who had very little chance of being adopted because they would hide when people came in to select a cat. To refresh your memory:
Dede:


Millie:

Bella:

 Well I am ecstatic to report that after a month of intervention both Dede and Millie have found their forever homes and Bella is out of her igloo (where she was hiding) and greeting people as they come in. I am sure she will be adopted now that she has some basic trust of human hands. I have not felt so gratified in a long time. I actually wept with joy when I showed up to work with Dede yesterday and learned that she had gone home. Good stuff man!

A rat, a cat, and a lesson in confidence

Last year when my daughter, Ashley, had an extra part time job working with a snake breeder, she came upon a tiny feeder rat that apparently "looked at her a certain way." Well, to make a long story short, the tiny rat ended up in her pocket rather than as the planned meal for one of the large snakes she was care taking.

Since then MoJo the rat has grown into one of her most beloved pets. His cage is adorned with  a giant running wheel, a sling hammock and he has many toys to play with outside his cage as well. Mojo is so used to human interaction that he travels with Ashley. At home his cage is left open where he has two cat friends as companions. Mojo and Ashley are visiting my home this week, and I was worried about my three cats who are all  sharp mousers.

While Ashley was out visiting friends she asked if I could play rat grandma and baby sit her beloved white and camel rodent with red beady eyes. I have actually grown quite fond of Mojo, as his personality is quite apparent and cute. I agreed as long as we could clasp Mojo's door shut so I could be sure my cats would not bother him. I would be mortified if one of my cats were to hurt him. I also put him in the living room and shut the door between spaces to keep my cats out, just in case.

Well, one of my cats, Patchouli, has been known to stalk a mouse for hours if one happens to mistakenly end up in the house. She will perseverate like  protective gargoyle until she either drives the mouse out, or worse.  Yesterday I came in from the garden  and Patchouli had pried open the living room door and was on the desk behind Mojo's cage. I gasp at the thought of her having access to him and immediately went to the case to see if there were any limbs missing.

Much to my surprise MoJo was on the side of the cage checking out Patchouli. He appeared very confident and showed no fear what so ever. He was just as  interested in her as she was in him. When Patchouli put her paw on his cage, he lunged at her with a nip to let her know that any attempt at getting him would be met with bitten toe pads. The look on Patchouli's face was priceless. It was a mix of apprehension, curiosity and respect.

I could not help but be amazed at the power of Mojo's confidence. It took Patchouli by surprise, and she immediately respected Mojo, even though she is a giant in comparison to him. She has visited him on the desk several times since and shows no aggression what so ever. There is something valuable to be learned from this little rescued rat. Confidence is power.

Finally: MiMi the cat goes to Mexico!

Here is a guest article written by a friend of mine who is living out her dream. She tells a story of transition, courage and wonderment. Using her cat as a frame of reference, Benne  Rockett gives us a glimps of her exciting new, self directed life.  

Six months ago I packed my car and moved to the Yucatan.  That’s in Mexico ya’ll!  My little toaster car, a 2005 Scion XB, can hold almost as much as a 5’x5’x10’ storage space.  I managed to bring an IKEA futon by deconstructing the frame and sucking the life out of the cushions.  Thank You Space Bags!  I packed towels, bed linens, kitchen supplies, and a few personal items into three green 20 gallon plastic totes.   Under front seats, I slid two packaged sun shade cloths, jewelry placed in a cupcake covered pan, and a canister filled with Non-GMOs from Humble Seed.  Filling the backseat floorboard, was  my beautiful mandolin, my grandfather’s Singer sewing machine, a crate full of tools, a divided tote with art supply do-dads’, and two 4’ multi-drawer towers filled with cookware and spices.   My dear friend, Jessi, was squished into the front seat.  Her bags, a kitty litter box and a tote for cat food, were placed on either side of the backseat items.   Finally, Mimi the Cat, who rode inside a soft, luxurious crate, was wedged securely between the two front seats.   This configuration was well rehearsed weeks in advance.  Still, I barely managed to squeeze three changes of clothes into the mix. 

Mimi the Cat has achieved international notoriety.  She may not be the first kitten to sleep in a sex motel, but she is certainly one of the first house cats to do so.    Her first evening was spent behind the security walls of a no-tell-motel in Matehula, MX.  Given a half dose of cat Benedryl, she came out of her carrier with the grace of a sea sick ships’ captain.  By the time we turned in for a nights rest in the single king sized bed built for twenty people, she was back to her fluffy fur ball self.

For her second night in Mexico, Mimi the Cat elected to stay in a very posh and super expensive hotel, the former home to one of the Pre-Revolutionary Spanish governors of Puebla, Mexico.   And why not!  Puebla is home to more churches per captita than any other city in all of the Americas and houses the first ever library on this continent.  Mimi the Cat loves shinny things and prefers sleeping on any book I am reading, thus, Puebla made her “A” list.  After a pleasant evening spent with spinning frescoed angels, gilded concrete molding, and a quick shower in the fully converted contemporary bathroom lounge, she was ready to hit the road.  

Not one to miss an opportunity to hear the magnificent tales of NAFTA truck drives, she bought a bottle of tequila, stored it neatly alongside her Ziploc packet of Benydryl, both tucked into her Hello Kitty backpack, and made it all the way to Villahermosa, MX.   Looking particularly glamorous after a head to tail-tip brushing, Mimi the Cat was ready for the shimmering sleaze of a red hot night in her second no-tell-motel.   Behind paper thin walls, fellow flea baggers enjoyed her night of singing a beautiful rendition of “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina”, a favorite of her mother.   In the morning she apologized for not having song “Las Mañanitas” to the very handsome Pero Gãrgola, the rooftop watch dog .

Finally arriving in the Yucatan, she was challenged by a two Mexican Federales.  While one searched her papers, the other taunted her by calling her a tiger – he put his hand up like he was going to claw her and let out a low growl.  Mimi the Cat remained calm.  Once at the beach, she shed her coat, and gazed at the magnificence of the Gulf waters.  After a leisurely week of tanning, she finally met the village idiots.  Not afraid of their dogged attempts to steal her fur coat, she casually approached the leader, the local garbage man and leader of the deadly La Basura gang, lifted her paw to his muzzle, and challenged him to a dual.  Some members of La Basura were so fearful that their shaking caused imediate loss of fur and teeth.  One poor fellow lost the tip of his tail.

Now, the village idiots are persuaded that Mimi the Cat is an extraterrestrial raccoon, sent down by the Mayan gods to change their fate.   Images of her likeness have been posted on the sides of many fishing boats at the Ria, and fisher man from all around bribe her with tasty morsels.   Life is Good in Mexico.

http://www.newsfromabroad-online.blogspot.com/

What Benne does not mention in the article is that she is a very savvy and talented mental health professional who is now using her experience to assist other ex-patriot woman in the huge adjustment (and sometimes the hazards) of moving to a new culture. Be sure to click on the link at the end of the article and check out her site. It makes a good uplifting read.

Reality Therapy

Reality Therapy: William Glasser is responsible for the development of Reality theory which is based on Choice Theory. This theory asserts that individuals determine their own fate. Our perception controls our behavior and we behave appropriately or inappropriately to fill our needs. In this theory there are five genetically based needs. They include survival, love, belonging, power or achievements, freedom or independence, and fun. Our behavior is based on our attempts to meet these needs. Problems occur when we don’t take responsibility for our behavior. Taking responsibility is a key goal. The counselor’s role is that of teacher and model. The counselor strives to assist individual to become psychologically strong, clarify goals, make a realistic plan to meet needs, eliminate excuses, and focus on present behavior. Techniques used include confrontation, role playing, humor, avoiding blame, and feedback to client generated plans for change. Strengths of this theory include the ability to use it with different populations, it is very concrete, it is short term and solution focused, it focuses on the here and now, and promotes client responsibility. Limits of this theory are that it ignores the unconscious, personal history, and mental illness.

Transactional Therapy

Transactional Analysis: Key figures in Transactional analysis are Eric Berne, Carl Steiner, Thomas Harris and Graham Barnes. This theory asserts that people can change. The individual is composed of three interacting ego states.  These ego states are child, parent, and adult. Our transactions with others come from these three states. Key to this theory are the concepts of ulterior transactions and psychological games. A simple example of an ulterior transaction might be “has anyone seen my purse?” This really means “look for my purse!”  Psychological games occur when a series of ulterior transactions are used to create a predictable outcome. The goal of Transactional Analysis is to assist the client in becoming aware of games, eliminate the need for ulterior transactions, and therefor gain the ability to have game free, genuine, and healthy relationships. The role of the counselor is to teach and make agreements with the client for change. Techniques include contracting for change, confrontation, and concentration on early memories which are believed to create the frame of reference from which the three ego states operate. Often Gestalt techniques are also used. Strengths of this theory include the fact that the concepts are easy to understand and clearly defined, it is easy to combine with other theories,  it put responsibility on the client, and is goal directed. Limitations of Transactional Therapy are that it cannot easily be used with persons of limited cognitive functioning and there is a lack of emphasis on the qualities of the counselor.

Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt Therapy- Fritz Pearls is responsible for the development of Gestalt Therapy. This approach is based on existential principals as well, and has a here and now focus.  Gestalt is a German word that means something as an organized whole is perceived as more than the sum of its parts. Pearls believed that people have needs and when these needs are met it contributes to the wholeness of a person, but then another need takes its place. The goal of Gestalt Therapy is for the individuals to become “whole beings.” Focus is on the inner wisdom of the client, the importance of emotion, and a keen awareness of the here in now. The counselor must be authentic, exciting and energetic. The focus on the here and now is believed to help the client complete unfinished business. The counselor assists the client in being aware of their verbal and nonverbal messages in order to bring them to congruence. The emphasis is on making choices now, growing up mentally, and shedding neuroses.  Techniques include the use of experiments, frustration actions, fantasy, role playing, psychodrama, dream work, exaggeration, using the phrase “ I take responsibility…” and the empty chair technique. The empty chair technique is used when the client has a conflict with another person. They imagine the person setting in the empty chair and have a safe place to examine the dynamics of the conflict. The client can shift between chairs and imagine they are the other person. The key goal here is self-awareness of how one is functioning in regard to the conflict. The strengths of Gestalt Therapy include the many techniques available to use, and the fact that it stresses doing and being in the here and now. Limitations of Gestalt Therapy include the lack of a strong theoretical base, it does not allow for passive learning, does not allow for testing or diagnosis. In addition, Gestalt Therapy  has a self-centeredness to the approach.

Existential Counseling

Existential Counseling: Key figures in Existential Counseling include Rollo May, Victor Frankl, Abraham Maslow and Irvin Yalom. This theory finds it basis in Phenomenology. Or in layman’s terms the study of our experiences taken at their face value, and what they mean to us. We have freedom of choice and are responsible for our fate. We search for meaning and struggle with being alone or not being connected to others. Anxiety and guilr are central concepts. Anxiety is thought to be the threat of non-being and guilt occurs when we fail to fulfill our potential. The goal of this type of therapy is to help the client understand who they are and who they are becoming, bring awareness to the freedom of choosing responsibility and other personal goals. The role of the counselor is similar to that of a Person Centered therapist. There is a focus on the uniqueness of the client and on an authentic personal relationship. The counselor assists the client in moving from an outward frame of reference to accepting responsibility, and understanding the power off one’s own choices. Techniques include building a trusting and genuine relationship with the client, assisting in awareness on one’s uniqueness, confrontation, imagery and awareness exercises. Strengths of this theory are the use of philosophy and literature to inform and direct,  and it is particularly effective with anxiety. There is a stress on continuous growth and is effective in cross-cultural counseling. Limitations include the fact that Existential Counseling is not fully developed, therefore there is a lack of training available for counselors, and it does not mix well with other theories, and does not allow for diagnosis or testing.

Rational-Emotive Therapy

Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy: Key figures I Rational-Emotive Therapy include Albert Ellis, Maxie Maultsby and Janet Wolfe. This theory asserts that humans are both inherently rational and irrational, people can disturb themselves by what they think, that children are the most vulnerable, and that the words people use to describe themselves are often a mistake. This theory supports the belief that it is not the events of our lives that disturb us but our interpretation of those events. It teaches that self-talk is the source of disturbance. The goals of REBT include helping the client live more relational and productive lives, stop irrational thinking, stop self-defeating habits, gain tolerance and acceptance of self and others, and the elimination of thoughts such as, “I ought, I should, I must” which are viewed as wants that a person makes into demands in their minds. The role of the counselor is to teach, confront and correct irrational thinking. The counselor teaches the client how to analyze their self-talk. One very popular technique is called the A-B-C-D-E system. It is used to assist clients in evaluating how their thoughts or belief system are affecting them, and how to gain rational control of it.  A=an event or “Activity”. B=belief-a form of self-verbalization. C=consequent affect or feeling which can be rational or irrational. D=Disputing of the irrational belief causing the affect. E= effect or thoughts that change the self-verbalization once analyzed. Other techniques used in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy include role playing, bibliotherapy, imagery, and home work.

Strengths of this theory include the concreteness of the methods which are easy to teach, it is short term and it combines well with other theories. The main limitation of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy is the fact that it cannot be used with all clients, especially the mentally impaired.

Adlerian Counseling

Adlerian Counseling: Key figures are Alfred Adler, Rudolph Dreikurs, Don Dinkmeyer, and Thomas Sweeney. This theory focuses on social interest as a primary motivator. It asserts that birth order has a major impact on individuals and assumes that future goals are major influences on growth and development. Neurosis is viewed as a failure in learning which results in distorted perceptions.  The major goals of Adlerian Counseling include bringing about client insight, cultivating social interests, correcting faulty assumption and/or mistaken goals, and bringing about behavioral change through acting “as if.”  The counselor is viewed as an equal partner in therapy, models, teaches, and also assesses the client’s situation, shares hunches, assigns homework and encourages the client. Techniques include the use of empathy, support, warmth and collaboration. The therapist focuses on the client’s strengths and responsibility through confrontation, as well as examination of the client’s memories, dreams, and priorities. Adlerian counselors ask the question “What would be different if you were well?” Strengths include the major contribution of ideas to the counseling profession, the encouragement and support of the counselor, and the partnership view of the counseling process. Limitations of Adlerian Counseling include the lack of a strong research base, the vagueness of the concepts and the narrowness of the approach.

Next post: Rational-Emotive Therapy

Person Centered Therapy

Person Centered Therapy: Key figures include Carl Rogers, Angelo Boy & Gerald Pine. This theory focuses on the person as being basically good, positive and trustworthy. It asserts that under the right conditions the client can grow. The therapist is key to creating this condition. The therapist concentrates on the uniqueness of the client and creates a model of personal warmth, empathy, acceptance and genuineness. Goals include self-exploration, openness, and acceptance of oneself and others.  Self-direction is strongly encouraged. Techniques are acceptance, reflection, active listening, open ended questions and unconditional positive regard. Strengths of Person Centered Therapy include openness, it can be applied to a wide range of human problems, it is effective with specific disorders such as adjustment disorders, it is a short tem treatment, and holds a positive view of human nature. Limitations include the lack of concreteness, it ignores the unconscious and innate drives, and it works best with verbal intelligent clients. Person Centered Therapy addresses only surface issues.

Next post: Adlerian Counseling

Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral therapy

Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral therapies: Key players are B.F Skinner, Joseph Wolpe, Albert Bandura, John Krumboltz, Donald Meichenbaum and Aaron Beck. Goals include helping the client make good adjustments, modify mal-adaptive behavior, learn productive responses, set and achieve concrete goals, and change behavior and/or thoughts. This theory asserts that all human behaviors are learned, and that old behaviors can be extinguished. In this theory, the counselor is viewed as teacher, director and expert. The counselor is active in assisting the client in clarifying goals and modifying behavior and thoughts. There are a wide range of techniques that can be used in sessions depending on what the client is trying to achieve. For example if behavior changes are the goal, both positive and negative reinforcement is used. There is a focus on extinction of undesirable behaviors using self-monitoring and environmental planning. For fear based behavior such as phobias, one might use systematic desensitization, flooding, stress inoculation, and thought stopping techniques. Strengths of this theory include a focus on symptoms, focus is on the here and now, an abundance of available procedures, is based on learning theory, it has a well documented success rate, and it  can be used in combination with other theories. Limitations of Behavioral and Cognitive-behavioral therapy include the fact that it does not include the total person (just behaviors), it ignores past history and the unconscious, and does not consider developmental stages.

Next post: Person centered therapy

How to choose a therapist

 Did you know that not all therapists use the same theories to do counseling? In fact there are several theories that therapists base their practices on. These theories are the basis for techniques that will be used during your counseling session. There really isn’t one best theory, just a variety. In fact, a good therapist should know all of them and use the one that is most appropriate to fit your needs. The reality is however, that most therapists do tend to use the one that best fits their beliefs. So, the answer to the question of how to select a therapist depends largely on what it is you are looking for. The most common forms of therapy include Psychoanalysis, Behavioral & Cognitive-Behavioral,  Person centered, Rational-Emotive, Reality, and Existential, Gestalt, Transactional analysis and Adlerian. This 9 part article will outline each, with a note of who the major players were in developing the theory, and give a general idea what you can expect from a therapist who comes from each perspective.

Psychoanalysis: Key players are Sigmund Freud, Anna Freud and Heinz Kohut. Goals of Psychoanalysis include making the unconscious become conscious, working through unresolved developmental stages, helping the client cope or adjust and the reconstruction of the personality. There is an emphasis on early childhood and stages of sexual development, as well as ego defense mechanisms. The counselor is viewed as the expert and encourages exploration of the unconscious. Techniques include free association, dream analysis, interpreting resistance, and analyzing transference. Transference refers to the thoughts or feelings that are from past experiences that are transferred to the therapist during therapy. Strengths of this theory include a focus on childhood experiences and a battery of instruments that can be used to interpret unconscious thoughts. Limitations of this theory include the fact that it is focused on pathology, is limited mainly to psychiatry, is long term, and therefore is usually expensive.

Next post: Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral therapies

Jelly donut heaven

Could not resist posting this wonderful picture. Check out the hole in the box were this guy gained entry LOL!

Serendipity at the animal shelter

Some of you know that I am a very spiritual creature by nature. I am also a therapist. Over the years I have gathered many tools of the trade. One of them is the use of vision boards. The idea is that you create a board that has images that remind you of what you want, and of course my image board has many images related to Downsy Dude Rescue Ranch. However I am going to write about this image that I did not initially relate to the project but rather to meeting like minded people.  Little did I realize just how this would manifest.

My most recent visit to the shelter was to finish my cat personality analysis training. I was to do a personality inventory on a shelter cat while under the watchful eye of a trainer. This way the shelter could allow me to then do cat  personality inventories on my own.

I went in an hour early to spend some time with a few kitties I have identified as frightened. One little new shy kitty caught my attention because she was missing about  a third of her fur. It appeared that she had been shaved in several locations on her body. Sometimes cats come in with mats or debris stuck to them and the kindest way to remove it is to shave them. This poor little kitty only had the name of "Six" indicating that she came in from a home or location where there were too many cats. She actually looked almost exactly like one of my tortoise calicoes, which is very interesting, given what happened next. If you have read my blog before you know that I have a Down's syndrome son who has a favorite kitty named Daisy. Daisy is the torti.

While I was setting on the floor in the cat suite, a Down's syndrome young man came in and sat on the bench very quietly. We said hello and he just smiled at me, not quite knowing what to say next. He was beaming with positive energy and it showed on his face. Before I know it Six was on his lap, closed her eyes and went to sleep purring. He quietly stroked the kitty, bald spots and all, with out ever commenting on the condition of her fur.

The door opened and the Young man's mother stepped in. I gave her a knowing smile and just went back to my work. After a while I shared with the mom that I also had a son with Down's. We talked about the many gifts that come with it and we both agreed that the extra chromosome that both our son's were born with should be called "the love Gene." We laughed in a way that only two mom's of Down's kids could do. As we talked we discovered that we had more and more in common. Both of us had recent terrifying experiences with illness, both are at a cross roads in our lives. I told her my plans for Downsy Dude Ranch and she nearly cried. She told me that she can not continue at her current job and has been praying for answers about what she was to do next. As I explained the concepts I was basing Downsy Dude Ranch on, you could just see the light bulb come on in her eyes. We agreed to stay in touch and exchange email information. She thanked me for the inspiration and then she told her son they had to go look at kitties in a few more locations before deciding on an adoption.

Her son spoke up and said "this one likes me, I want this one." I have to tell you it was very hard to not burst into tears at the sight of this young fella holding this ragged little cat with half her fur gone. He never noticed the fur. He only noticed that the cat instinctively knew she should belong to him. He knew, and the cat knew.

When I asked the universe to surround me with like minded people, I never dreamed I would be in the right place at the right time to see this very special, nonjudgmental young man demonstrate what I feel in my heart. I never dreamed I would meet his mother who needed the message I had for her. The experience has filled me with gratitude and affirmed my belief in the use of vision boards.

If you are interested in reading more about how I use my Vision board, and how to create one for yourself,  you can look here : Vision Boards

Shy Kitties at the shelter

As you know I love Wednesdays because that is the day that Lewis and I go to the pound to give TLC to the animals there who are waiting for their forever homes. Yesterday we spent time with 3 kitties. One who wants to hide behind a structure, one who is choosing to live inside a fabric igloo and one who just needed a warm lap and some kindness.

Dede is in Suite one. She is very stressed and wants to hide behind  a shelf structure. Last week I was able to coax her out with treats but this week she was not willing to come out. I moved the structure and got behind it with her . She enjoyed the company and allowed me to comfort her. Dede likes other kitties and often will have one or two others in her hidy place with her for snuggles.

Bella is the igloo kitty who has claimed a fabric igloo as her safe place. I could not coax Bella out of her igloo so I picked the entire thing up and set it and her on my lap on the floor. I slowly peeled down the side to expose her and she allowed me to pet her for a few minutes but had the kind of nervous purr a cat gets when they are very stressed. She let me know when she had enough and I set her down. I stayed in the suite and in a few minutes she emerged from her igloo to get some additional love and a few treats I had in my pocket. Progress is such a heart warming thing to experience.

Millie is a sweet little fuzzball. Just look at the length of the fur on her cheeks! Millie had a rough start at the pound with another kitty attacking her when she came in. She is clearly traumatized from her  changes in her life and just needed a kind lap. She allowed me to groom her with a glove that has a rubber side. She enjoyed the petting, and buried her head in the crook of my elbow as if she just wanted to forget where she was, and if she didn't see it, maybe it was a bad dream. I think she would have stayed in my arms indefinitely if I had more time.

Lewis spent time playing with the kitties that  were more outgoing. He managed to give every cat in the 3 suites at least a few minutes. I also met another volunteer who is willing to coordinate efforts with me in regard to the shy kitties. I am so loving the experience of comforting these little underdogs (or undercats as the case may be). I am also enjoying making new friends who share my values regarding animals. I love that  I have the time to share myself with these shy shelter kitties

Cats will get equal time with trainers at Capital Area Humane Society

Like most shelters CAHS is over filled and understaffed. The staff and volunteers work very hard but at the end of the day there is just not enough time to work with each animal each day. That is where the volunteers become a key part of the shelter dynamic. Typically in shelters dogs get the majority of rehab because there is always the underlying fear of dog bites. Dogs at the shelter are involved in behavior training, and many volunteers come in each day to walk dog on the nice trail out behind the building. The goal is for each dog to get walked 3 times a day and there is a system to indicate when you have walked a dog that involves putting a card with a 1,2, or 3 on the cage door. It is an awesome program that gives the dogs at least some normalcy, and really helps dogs become more desirable as adopties. Many dogs move in and out of the shelter rather quickly in this system.

Cats mean while often linger for weeks on end, sometimes months. There is a definite over fill in the cattery, always. Often when people come in to look for a cat they are overwhelmed with how many there are and have such a difficult time figuring out which cat will be a good match for their house, that some times they leave with out anyone. CAHS recognised this as an area of concern and has taken a step to help cat adopters narrow down which kitties might be a good match for them.

Yesterday I was trained in a program that evaluates a cat's personality. Each kitty will now get a personality evaluation that will result in a color coded card being placed on the cage front or on their spec card in the cat suites. When potential cat adopters come in they will be given a survey to evaluate what type of kitty they are looking for. The survey will produce a color ticket for them to bring into the cattery. They can then look for the cards that match their color and thus narrow down Their  choices to say 10 kitties rather than trying to look at 50. This program has shown good results in other shelters and we have high hopes for it at CAHS. I will be one of the cat evaluators which I am very pleased about.

I am also helping to start an intervention program for the very shy kitties who hide, or are afraid. They have very little chance of being adopted if they are crouched in the corner while other kitties are interacting with visitors  trying to schmooze their way out of the shelter.

Here is one kitty that I have taken on as a project along with another volunteer. I will document progress and what we do as her program evolves. Like many shelter cats she is clearly terrified and has zero chance of being adopted at this point. She was looking like this just getting her picture snapped.

More dog training at the shelter-Comedy and insight

Yesterday I went for the next phase of clicker training at our local shelter. We started with a dog named Augustus who has had a few weeks of training. Augustus is a  large pitbull/terrier mix with some kind of brindle marble coat. Just a beautiful dog who loved the attention of the six ladies in the room. We took turns practicing the commands sit, lay down, and stay wait while opening a door. Next we moved on to crate training. The idea is to reward the dog for going into his crate so that he would view it as a positive friendly place to be. Well, as dogs often do, Augustus decide to clown around a bit. When the trainer moved toward the crate, Augustus decided he would take a leap and jumped up on top of the crate. We all howled with laughter and he beamed setting up there wagging his tail with the pride of a performer who just nailed a good punch line. Of coarse August immediatly picked up on the laughter and jumped down and back up 3 or 4 times before we could contain ourselves enough to redirect him.

Once Augustus had trained us on the basics, we brought in a dog who had not received any training. Duke is a mastif chow mix large enough to drag me across the floor with my feet skidding, and he did. LOL. Much to my amazement within only a few minutes this smart boy was getting the basic commands about 90% of the time. Remember this was his first training session. As I worked with Duke I was taken by the ease of trainning and what a shame it is that the owners who surrendered him did not take advantage of the free training that would have enabled them to keep this dog who came in looking buck A wild. I have no doubt that both of these dogs will make fabulous companions for the right owner who is willing to spend the training time, which from what I have seen so far, can actually be very minimal.

I have to add the joy and gratification I feel after being privileged to behavior train these pooches keeps a smile on my face for hours after I leave the shelter. I think I am benefiting as much as the dogs.

Happy news

Here is some good news. The two kitties that Lewis and I worked with last week have both been adopted.
The next three days we will be in training. Two more involving dogs and then Saturday we begin training on how to evaluate a cat. I can't wait.

The other big news is that we may have found a property for the Downsy Dude Rescue Ranch. Miss Ashley will be seeing in on Monday. I will post it if it looks like we found the right spot. Wish us luck!

Cats know what time it is

People who know me know that I am a morning person. I love to get up while it is still dark, check out the moon and watch the sun rise. Generally, I am up by 5am. Heaven for bid I sleep longer than that! At least according to my cats. Every morning I wake up to 2 of them setting on my bed waiting for any indication that I may be waking. For example, one of them can detect a blink. And the moment it happens she literally leaps for joy, usually from some where by my feet to the top of the bed where my head is. This is the signal for her sister to start parading like a tight rope walker on the wooden headboard next to my pillow. This of coarse causes just enough worry, about an accidental slip onto my head with toe nails as a catching  tool, to rouse me. By now they have me aroused enough to speak, trying to break the circus clown of her act.  I might say something like "stop that!," which brings a third kitty zooming into the room with the zeal of a lotto winner. What's the prize? Breakfast.

The next event in the house is a procession to  the kitchen with all motors buzzing and plenty of drive by lovings on my ankles while trying to navigate sleepily in the dark. My only hope of declinging them is to bust out a can of cat food and divvy it up. Only then do I get to have my coffee in peace. Oh yes, cats can tell time!

Lewis-finding more of his Down's syndrome gifts in volunteer work at the animal shelter

I love Wednesdays. Wednesdays have always been the day that Lewis and I tweaked out of my busy schedule to make a committed effort to spend good quality time together. I learned raising two kids that time goes by in a flash and we must cherish the time we have. Often we would struggle with what to do on our Wednesday outings. We generally looked for free or low cost stuff to do, just because budget required it.  Now we are spending time volunteering at the animal shelter every Wednesday.

It is so wonderful to see the spark light up in Lew's eyes when Wednesdays come. He emerges from his room proudly sporting his T-shirt that says Volunteer on it. The anticipation that is apparent in his demeanor is so beautiful. He can't wait to get  to the shelter to give of himself to cast away animals.

Down's people often do not have the part of our personalities that cast judgement. He is the most accepting and forgiving person I have ever met. He can work with animals that others may avoid because of the way they look. Often shelter cats, for example, come in with issues that have made them loose patches of hair or even have wounds. Many would avoid the animals with the worst issues, but not Lewis. He goes in every week and seeks out who seems to be in the worst shape. He spends time with those animals before he goes on to play with the cute kitties etc...  If a kitty growls at him or another animal, he simply states, "this one is a little grumpy" and carries on. He knows the growl does not belong to him. Brilliant compared to the rest of us LOL. Just another example of how a Down's syndrome guy can teach the rest of us. So often I aspire to be more like him.

3 legged dog becomes therapy dog

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nbc-news/46070947#46070947


Here is a very sweet clip I found on MSN- I love a happy ending! I will warn you the first clip is a bit sad, but look what happened with a little TLC.

Animal behavior training success

Those of you who have been following  this blog know that we have been involved in clicker training at our local shelter. We have had very little training but are already making progress in upgrading the adaptability of cast away animals. Lewis and I have taught a very scraggly cat to give high fives with very little effort. I have asked that  this talent be added to the card that is posted on the cat's cage so that those looking for a new kitty will at least pause long enough to give this kitty a chance at stealing someones heart. This particular kitty came from a home that had several animals removed for sevier neglect. She is still under wiegth and is just now growing back the fur she lost due to malnutrition.

Now, there are others who are more advanced in their training. We saw  a demonstration of just how effective this training can be when were asked to step in and observe a pit bull who has been in clicker training. This pit bull was surrendered to the pound for being unmanageable. What I observed brought tears of joy to my eyes.

This pit bull named Diesel (for a reason LOL) was strutting proudly around the room doing tricks that he had learned through clicker training. He first went to just about everyone in the room and sat quietly at their feet gazing into their eyes. One thing we teach dogs is to keep all four feet on the ground and to look at the trainer. This dog was so smart he figured out that he could get a treat from doing it for every person available LOL. When he was done with the people, he moved on and self initiated going into a crate for a treat, then coming back out and shutting the door with his nose for another treat. He proudly looked around the room and I am sure he felt the joy that was on all our faces. He beamed with pride and confidence. Next he went to a desk in the room and was nosing the drawer. The trainer opened the drawer and he promptly closed it with his nose, sat back and gazed eagerly at his trainer waiting for his treat reward with his tail wagging really fast. Just adorable!

This dog has gone from being a cast away due to poor behavior habits to being able to figure out how to self initiate positive feedback. I am sure that he will be adopted and make  wonderful pet for some lucky person. This is a perfect example of positive animal behavior training success.

Cat love-a Purrrrrfect day at the shelter with the Downsy dude

Today we spent another afternoon at the shelter. Lewis  decided we would focus on the cats for now so we started in the kitten nursery. Our job was to coax the kittens to the front of the cage. We had toys and canned food on a tongue depressor as tools. Kittens who hide are rarely adopted so it is important to create a desire for human interaction. Today there were six cages of kittens with the youngest being 12 weeks. These are pretty big kittens and the bigger they get the less apt to become adopted they are. We had so much fun with the kittens (and them with us) that all the kittens were at the front of the cages by the time we were done. One smart kitten even learned how to give a high five in less than ten minutes.

As we were leaving that area a young couple came it and spotted two of the kittens still frolicking full of energy from our play session. Guess who went to their forever homes today.

Next we moved into the grown cat area. There are suites there were several cats are allowed to play in larger areas. Lewis loves the '"cat rooms" and spent a good deal of time in there just playing with the cats. I was summons to a cage by a small gray howler. She was clearly distressed. I opened the cage and she quickly climbed into my arms. For a few minutes she tried to climb all over me, even on my head. When she would calm down and just let me hold her I would slip her a cat treat. She very quickly adjusted her behavior to maximize her treat experience. She was so happy and grateful to be held that she started giving me hugs- literally put her paws around my neck and planted her cheek on mine. She settled into my arms and fell asleep purring like a maniac.

 Time and attention is such a simple gift to give to a needy animal. In return I had a per-fect afternoon and came home with cat love all over me.

Next post: Wait till you hear what I saw a pit bull do today, it will warm your heart

Animal behavior training with the Downsy dude

Yesterday Lewis and I went to our first animal behavior training at our local animal shelter. The goal of the program is to train volunteers to help train animals waiting for their forever homes. Experience has shown that well trained animals are more apt to be adopted and stay in there new adopted homes.

One example  of what we will be doing is taking  tongue depressor and placing cat food on the end of it to entice cats and kittens to get in the habit of coming to the front of their cages when they see people.

We will also be learning how to clicker train dogs. Clickers are used to reinforce desirable behaviors such as following a command or keeping all four paws on the ground. The clicker creates a universal sign for the dog that can be easily transferred to the new owner. Often the differences in voice pitches between trainer and new owner can confuse a dog and make it less likely to obey a command. The clicker eliminates that confusion.

Lewis preferred to work with cats yesterday so we spent most of our day teaching grown cats how to give a high five in exchange for a cat treat. Lewis seems to be a natural at this and has taught all four cats at home this trick. He has also taught one of our cats to fetch a ball. Yesterday he had pretty good luck with two cats learning this trick after just a few tries.

We ended our day with a visit to the kitten nursery where we were able to take two very frightened
 6-8 week old kittens and play with them in a visitation room. The goal was to get the kittens to associate humans with fun cuddles and play, rather than hunkering down and hiding in the back of their cages. So far we love the animal behavior training.

Animal behavior training

Lewis and I start our animal behavior training today. I am very excited as this marks an important cross road leading to our dream future. I will post later what we learn today

Dogs that bite

On another forum I frequent we had a discussion about dogs that bite. Should they be put down? Anyone with a pet knows that this is always a last resort. A few alternative suggestions would be to mildly sedated or use a muzzle if needed. Usually animals who bite do so out of fear, but sometimes it is a form of possession guarding. It can be a favorite toy, food or property.

If you have taken in a stray often there is no way to know the back ground  of the animal and there may have been a reason that the animal learned to bite. This is common in severely abused dogs as they have had to defend themselves from beatings and such. It may be a form of hording if your dog has gone hungry some time in its life.

Many of the large shelters have behavior specialist and often offer this service free of charge as an attempt to keep dogs in their homes and keep numbers down at the shelter. Before deciding to put your dog down if it bites consider at least one consult with a professional.

Volunteer training at the animal shelter

Yesterday Lewis and I went to the volunteer training at one of our local animal shelters. We will be providing enrichment activities to the animals waiting for their forever homes. We will also be involved with an animal behavior specialist who will teach us how to teach the animals things that will make them more desirable for adoption.

Lewis did really well with the exception of a bit of a sensory issue when several dogs would bark at once. He is very enthusiastic about spending every Wednesday afternoon with the animals. Wish us luck, this is the beginning of our new adventure and I am very excited about it!

Is your pet theraputic? Call for stories

Hi everyone

Thanks so much for supporting the blog and coming here everyday. Those of you who know me know that I am an animal lover and advocate. I would love to hear about you and your pet. I bet the other readers would too. If you would like to share a story please send it  to merdodson@yahoo.com
Also please feel free to write a comment on any stories you see here.

How has your pet been theraputic?

Sample consult involving a Down's syndrome teen and a new puppy

First let me say that I am a trained observer. When I am asked to consult, the first thing I do is look for natural strengths. Everyone has them, even the most severely impaired individuals. Once strengths are identified, goals are set that build on and use those strengths.

I was recently asked advise about how to integrate a new puppy into the lives of a very special family. There is a teen boy in the family who has Down's syndrome, ADHD, OCD, sensory issues and tourette's. His mother was looking for ideas of to involve him in the care of the new little fluffer. Mom was concerned that her son would not like the puppy.

After some conversation, I learned that the son, who I will call S, loves  to read. Aha! Books are a great tool when planning any type of intervention. Again, we look at natural tendencies and strengths. I recommended that mom make a trip to the library for books about the type of dog that would be joining the family. Next I asked her to make a simple  book about the new dog and S. I suggested that the teacher at school be asked to support S in bringing the book to school for show and tell. I also suggested that the teacher give daily positive feedback to S about the new dog and let natural conversation happen with S and his peers for a few minutes each day at school.

In addition, I suggested that mom look at the Nurtured Heart approach, which focuses on positive behaviors and fills the child's self esteem, as they are observed doing good things. An example of how this might look would be, when S shows kind behavior towards the puppy mom could say something like "wow S, you really are good at being a kind friend " then she would describe exactly what he did that was kind. "You remembered to use a gentle hand when petting. Thank you for being a gentle friend, it makes me feel very proud of you." The key to this approach is strong and frequent  attention focused  on positive moments.

This is a case study at the beginnings of the working stage for us to follow and I will post again, as things evolve. My plan over time will be to transfer the skills S learns befriending the new puppy to human friendship skills. This is an area that mom has shared as a challenge for S. I want to thank S's mom for allowing me to post about the family's adventure with a new puppy and a very special Down's syndrome young man. This is a great example of how pets can be used as an intervention for special needs kids.

Thanks for reading today. Here is a link to information about the Nurtured Heart approach:

http://difficultchild.com/

Walking Scotties

Recently my son and I were invited by my best friend, Teresa, to go for a walk with her and her 3 dogs. She has a pair of twin Scotties and a black spaniel. One Scottie is black and one is blond. The black one is know to be the easiest to manage on a leash so she was given to my Down's son for the walk. The spaniel is the most insecure of the group and also the most demanding. She can be very difficult to walk. About half way through our walk, my son volunteered to give a try to the spaniel as she was pulling and giving my friend a very hard time. Interesting, as soon as my son was handed the leash, the spaniel was a perfect angel.

My friend had become annoyed with her, and I am sure that she was picking up and reacting to that energy. My son, being the calmest most loving person I know, seemed to calm the little spaniel right down. It has been a few days now since the walk and my son is still talking about how much he loves that spaniel. They seemed to connect.

Starting in a few weeks my son and I will be volunteering at one of the local animal shelters. One of the things that will be an option for us is walking dogs on a trail they have out in back of the facility.
What a difference this will make in the lives of the dogs who are confined. Just another example of how Downsy dude is making this world a better one.

Thank you Teresa for the practice walk, it was lovely and affirming.

A special baby kitty for a special young man-right on time

When our rescue kitty, Bella, surprised us with kittens there were five total. The first three came quickly, and the last two many hours later. Number four was still born and had a deformed face. Number five was tiny but seemed ok. She was clearly the runt, and had some trouble finding mama's nipple.  Before her eyes were open I would find her lost and away from the others at  times. She was also the first kitten to be rejected by Bella when It came time to ween her kittens.

 We found adoptive homes for number one and two, but I knew I was in trouble when we named the remaining two kitties. One was my favorite, a cute little  calico girl who I named Patchouli. The other, much smaller kitten was named Daisy by my Down's syndrome son Lewis. Daisy is a tortoise shell calico and she loves to be held. If fact, it seemed like she would prefer to be held by Lewis over being with her mother. There was an almost instant bond between  Lewis and little Daisy.  She seemed a bit slow compared to Patchouli but she was my son's favorite. There was no way we could give up daisy or Patchouli.


Over the next two years, I was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time, and then a third occurrence. My son watched his mother, the only parent he has, wither  and weaken. He watched me loose my hair, and be as sick as a person can be. He wanted to help and would often make my bed and tenderly place books on it  for me to find. He also started taking responsibility for caring for the kitties. I was proud of him for stepping up, and was very grateful to have him there the help.

Many nights I would hear Lewis talking to Daisy in his room. He would talk about his worries, and tell her how much he loved her. He would  hold  her like she was a baby. She, all the while, purring and blinking sleepily. I often wondered how Lewis would have coped with my  illness if he did not have Daisy to love, hold and talk to. Not to mention the hours of laughter both the kittens have given us with their crazy cat antics.  Looking back, I realize that Bella brought in a very special gift by coming in pregnant. My good deed of taking her in was repaid by the gift of a cuddle friend for my son at a time when he needed it.