Walking and Reading: 9|20|13
Delivering dinosaurs for exhibit at the Boston Museum of Science. Arthur Pollock, 1984.
For the Dogs: Teaching my dog to “touch” has been pretty handy (pun intended) and I use it often with the dogs I walk. Here’s a Whole Dog Journal piece all about targeting if you want to give it a shot.
I’ve been sad to read that many of my fellow bloggers have recently had to say goodbye to their beloved dogs and cats. If you’ve lost a family member, go easy on yourself as you grieve.
Stuff like this makes me really glad I live in Maine these days. And I heart humane education. Also, not enough dogs are named “Garry.”
For the Humans: 10 things you should know if you want to be happier. Who couldn’t stand to be a little happier now and then? Go for it.
I bet these two read those 10 tips. This is some happy shit. I cannot stop looking at this lady’s face. I’d like to be her when I grow up.
For the Laugh: Have you read this yet? If not, you should. Warning: if you own anything with the word “Namaste” on it, you will probably hate this.
And Offline: I’m reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman and Turning the Mind Into an Ally by Sakyong Mipham.
What about you guys?
Comments are closed.
notes from a dog walker 
American Gods is one of my favorite books. You’ll enjoy it I’m sure.
I’m half way through it and enjoying it a lot!
Great post! Two of my friends have recently said goodbye to beloved pets in this past month — one of them today — and I shared the link with them. As I read it myself, my own grief from nearly 10 years ago came flooding back. The poodle I helped cross over the Rainbow Bridge was my constant, loving, non-judgmental companion for all but the first 16 weeks of her life. I cried for four months, and the grief re-surfaces every time a friend loses their own pet. Yet, it also reminds me once again to give my current dogs as much love and time as I possibly can.
And you reminded me, too, that I need to get back to using the “touch” cue with not just my shelter pup but also her two senior Golden Retriever sisters.
I’m glad both of those links turned out to be well-timed for you (and your dear friends). Wishing you all well!
Loving your posts!! I’m learning to always read them & to make tim to savor them.
=========================== Tracy E. Collins 105 Highland Ave Farmington, Me 04938 Phone: 207.779.1696 Email: addiemae4@gmail.com
*”What have you done today to make you feel proud?” Heather Small*
How nice of you Tracy – thanks!
thanks for the useful and amusing info – Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
Whilst waxing intellectually with a co-worker about the benefits of targeting with my dogs during our walks, I simply cannot stop giggling over the Whole Foods article. She looks at me as if I have lost my flipping mind, which we both know I did that eons ago, and I explain to her the evils of Whole Foods. We banter back and forth for quite some time about the uber-happy employees, how they make you feel guilty for buying something that may not be 100% organic, and the parking lot shenanigans. Apparently, parking lot wars are a requirement for shopping at Whole Foods, or the new “Earth Fare” that has popped up in my area. All I can say is that while the chrome front-end of my luxury SUV is ready to get all up under the Prius’ ass while she waits for the closest spot (isn’t walking healthy?), I can relax knowing that I am a better person for not obnoxiously honking at her for wasting my precious time, but quietly giving her the finger as I pull in the open spot that was next to the one she was waiting for the whole time. Namaste, bitch.
‘American Gods’ is fantastic. It’s so good to have this website full of like-minded pet lovers! Keep up the good work 🙂