New Look!

I've been trying to figure out a way to show off Silver's shimmering fur and this is what I finally came up with.  And I had to get away from that white background.  lol  It was nice for a little while but I just couldn't take it anymore.  Tell me what you think.  I would like to hear how it feels to you and if it is OK on your eyes.  I have sensitive eyes and always try not only to make our blog appeasing to the eye but also easy on them as well.  I would love to hear your thoughts. 

In the meantime, we're taking short blogging vacation and we'll be back before you know it.

Thank you to all our readers, old and new.  Dog bloggers are the best!

Just Visiting...

Today Fiona and I decided to take a day off and just visit our friends.  Here are some of the sights.

Was Brut created for me?

When I saw Brut I knew.  Every fiber in my being was drawn into his vibe when the breeder held him up.  And even though he was sleeping in his hand I felt the love returned.

Three days after picking Brut up I was in tears and was scared to death of him.  I didn't want him anymore.  Brut's puppy hood was a horrible gnashing of teeth.  He wasn't a normal puppy.  He was wild and crazy.  Insane scary.  He had been so uprooted from his mother and his security that he was fraying all over the place.  And I didn't know that and I didn't understand.  It took several years to understand the full implications of what that separation from his mother and siblings did to him.

And his aggression...was so scary and terrifying that I ended up having a love/hate relationship with Brut for a long time.  Another works in the making of years to understand the fight he had to fight when he was young to survive living with older, aggressive dogs and having to fend himself at the tender age of four weeks old.

Both of these things, the separation anxiety and having to fend for himself that drove his aggression against other dogs, played a huge part of his life.  I was still scared of him, but my feelings change from that of hating Brut to not liking the behavior.  And I went from wavering on the fence of wanting to keep him and thinking about getting rid of him when he acted out to trying to understand him more.  And I questioned many times why I was given him.  Why I picked him over any of the other dogs.  For a long time I held that light that shone on him that day in the breeders hands very close to my heart, because sometimes it was the only thing I had of him to hold on to.   There was a part of me that always knew he was created for me, no matter what I thought or how bad it got.  There were too many times that connected to deeply it was almost scary, but beautiful.

That little light has grown and thrived as Brut and I have worked together on both of our issues.  Coming from trying childhoods we struggle to trust each other, yet we held on with a death grip to each other at the same time.  Through many trials and errors the fears have given way and we have blended into one another.  I knew he was my Heart Dog even before I knew there was a word for it.  He has never been an extension of me, Brut is a part of me, like my arms and legs.  So ask me today if I think he was created for me and I will tell you, Absolutely!!

Do you believe your dog was created for you?

With all the millions of dogs and people out in the world, how do we end up with the dog we were meant to be with?  Sure we might have put some effort into picking out 'just the right one,' but how do we really know?  Have you ever felt that you got a dog that wasn't meant for you?  How did you decide?  What was different?  Or have you ever felt you got the right dog for you and then suddenly it didn't seem like?  Did it turn around after while?  Or did you never connect after that first moment?

What do you find to be that connection?  A look in your dogs eyes?  A touch?  A listened command?  What did your dog do that plucked your heartstrings and you knew this was forever?  Or was just the opposite true, a look that passed, a rough touch, or not listening at all that lead to a disconnection that couldn't be brought back together?

Or is it a mix of the two?  Believing you should be together, feel your hearts connected, yet there is still a discord that clashes between you and your dog?  Where are you at today with your dog?  I would love to hear your stories.  I'll share mine tomorrow.

WW-Caption This!

(zappa and fiona at 4 months old)

My Therapy Dogs-A Touch of Love

Therapy dogs are used for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) all the time and even though my dogs aren't certified they've proven they are my own personal therapy dogs in my healing.  My doctor told me to find a way to make them my therapy dogs to bring me out of my PTSD, I didn't know how.  I look up ways, but I didn't know how to do it, because when you're in a flashback you don't have the capacity to give a cue or a signal.  But my dogs are so amazing and know me so well, they already knew how to connect me back to the present.  This is one of many examples.

What other pets would you like to have?

Is there any animal or pet you'd like to have in your future, that maybe you don't have today for whatever reasons? 

I have this dream of having an indoor pool, with all of my house plants surrounding it, in a large sun room of sorts.  And somewhere in that room would be a large fish pond.  I picture it mostly with goldfish, probably for the color, but I would love to have an array of fresh water fish.  Maybe a gentle waterfall that flows into this pond with aquatic plants, sand and rocks.  I think that would be so cool.

Maybe something that looks like this...

So how about you?  What kind of other pets would you like to have? 

Solitude

Brut and I sat just apart from each other with him sitting on the top of the snow hill while I was a few notches below him.  The temperatures had been warm and all day we shovel snow off the roof that created our current seating arrangements.  A quarter moon shone above us, stars sparkled about as we listened to the sounds of the turning night.  Brut sat up high on top of pile looking out around him, his ears rotating to and fro, trying to keep his balance on the slushy white snow.  His eyes were soft, like his demeanor and he was deep in peace.  It was a rare moment for him not being on guard or even on high alert and he was full of contentment.  He bowed his head for a moment as if humbled.  And was caught up in this perfect solitude we were sharing and the awe of our relationship we have.  It still blows my mind.

     

Therapy Dogs and PTSD

Therapy dogs are used for all kinds of forms of therapy and situations.  One way therapy dogs are used is for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.  You've probably heard that war heroes are among the many who encounter PTSD after coming home from war.  But did you know there are also many who suffer from PTSD who have never been to war?  They are survivors of a different sort.  Survivors of childhood abuse or traumatic events which they endure most likely silently and alone.

One of the main symptoms or causes of PTSD is reliving past events as if they are really happening in the here and now.  Now image your worst nightmare or horror flick and not being able to turn it off.  EVER.  It is constantly running in your head and terrifying you so much you can not function anymore.  This is what is like living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Wordless Wednesday-I Wuv My Toesies

Sorry about that whole 507 comments.  You didn't know Fiona was so popular!!  Bol!  Had a bit of a glitch with comments.  I redid post so you can comment. :) 

Zappa Zingers-Versatile Mommy

Gee Mom, out of all of the things you do,

being my butt cushion is my favorite!

B/W Sunday-I See You

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p.s. Just a quick update...Brut's muzzle visit with vet went well.  No fighting with muzzle and he took his shots like a champ.  The worst part was trying to hold him still to get his blood drawn, but when I finally gave him some treats he settle down. My boy did good!

thanks for your support.  :)