Had a great time walking the pups on Wednesday. There were 3 of us this time so I had time to rub ears and bellies and sweet talk vs just rush.

I also worked with Cesar's suggestion of "checking in" with myself frequently. I would catch myself feeling tense or frustrated or tired - then pause and take a couple deep breaths - reconnect and recharge.

His tip helped me stay grounded - I feel like I did a much better job meeting their needs this week AND I enjoyed it more. Win - Win - Win!

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Who adopted who?

1. Trooper. My husband Dave helped to rescue a dog likely thrown out of a car on Interstate 78 in New Jersey. Dubbed "Trooper", the dog spent months recovering from two broken front legs, repaired through complex surgery involving plates and pins to repair the fractures. Dave and I, along with the co-rescuer, agreed to split the $3000+ bill, but after two articles in local newspapers spurred generous donations, Dave and I only paid $500. The community's unexpected generosity resulted in excess donations, which went to the no-kill shelter where Trooper convalesced.

An injured 50 pound German Shepard/Chow mix with some issues stemming from previous mistreatment, Trooper was not easy to place into a new home. He occasionally would growl and snap when scared. On the other hand, he was house-trained. An energetic 6 1/2 year old, he loved taking walks and being pet.

After two months, Trooper was adopted, but the adoption didn't stick -- the couple returned him to the shelter after two weeks. As it turned out, this was their first dog, and they had bitten off more than they could chew.

His return coincided with 10 straight days of rain. . With 40 dogs to walk and short of staff, the shelter volunteers weren't able to consistently wrap Trooper's cast with plastic before his walks.Trooper's cast repeatedly soaked through and his recovery was at risk. So, Dave and we took Trooper home for "a couple of days", where we could better look after his leg. That was in October of 2005. Our other dog residents, Angel and Zoe, grew to accept him. With love, obedience training, lots of exercise and treats, Trooper has become a wonderful and easy to love companion.

2. Shadow. Shadow joined the pack in April 2006 when she was about one year old. My husband Dave rescued the black Australian Shepard mix from Newark, where she'd been on the streets for a good part of the winter. (He used a raccoon trap -- she had been fearfully eluding would-be rescuers for weeks.) We fostered her for a week while finding her a "forever" home. A young, attractive and timid dog with big brown eyes, she was easy to place. Unfortunately for the adopters, "forever" lasted only two days. She got out and turned up on our doorstep the next morning.

We don't know how Shadow found her way back to our home, but since she picked us, we adopted her. It's a Lassie-come-home story.

Shadow was very skittish at first, but she has become very cuddly and loving with Dave and me and her circle of trusted dog walkers. And her true temperament has emerged: not content with last place in pack order, she asserts herself with our other three dogs.

Thank you Gail for sharing your love story with us. Love works miracles ...
Anyone else like to share? Just send me an e-mail plus a photo to Viveca@GetReadyforLove.com

I tape, then watch The Dog Whisperer most days during my lunch break. Today I saw the transformations of Penny, Gym dog and the car shy Mastiff -- and their humans.

What I love about Cesar is how respectful and loving he is not only with all the dogs (which I understand) but also with their owners (which I sometimes find difficult to understand.)

Like one of the trainees said he is a "human whisperer" as well.

If one is a greyhound, why try to look like a Pekingese?
-Dame Edith Sitwell

Walking Clubs + Dogs that need to be walked = Win*Win*Win!

I had an ah ha! last night while trolling the Internet in search of a walking buddy. Why not connect walking clubs with dog shelters? Both need walking - both are looking for companionship ...

We could combine efforts and walk off the pounds while piling on the love!

Anyone want to join in - help develop this idea and get the word out? Click on "Comments" to pipe in and join the pack!

Just starting this -- Fund Raising Ideas & Opportunities!

Do you have a product or service that can be sold to raise money for animal shelters? If so please e-mail me a paragraph describing your product or service and a photograph. I will add it here. Thanks!

Email: Viveca@GetReadyForLove.com

Come a little closer

oooo ah ah

Let me whisper in your ear

oooo ah ah

Say the words you want to hear .....

I'm in Love with you -

You - you, you, you!

Did my first 2 1/2 hour dog walking session today. I am pooped! My goodness ...

I gave them my best - walked 20+ dogs - some of which were over powering. I am not a small or weak woman and at times I was holding on for their dear life.

I need help! Contacting the Dog Whisperer tomorrow for bottom line help. Could he donate some of his special collars? If it is hard for me to walk them how is someone going to take them home to their kids?

Read somewhere that the majority of dogs in shelters are between the ages of 1-3 and they are there because their owners couldn't or wouldn't handle this kind of behavior.

They are so lovable - I will do anything possible to help them get the best homes possible - FAST.

Dogs sniffing is like humans shaking hands.

When a new dog (or human) enters a pack's territory it is polite for them to remain still while everybody in the back comes up and cops a sniff. Standing still and calm allows for easier acceptance by the pack while running away is a sign of fear and anti-social behavior.

So - take it like a man, woman or dog. Or, be dogged until you do. You choose!

And, order your copy of Cesar's Way, The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding & Correcting Common Dog Problems

Here's Leo!



And here is his pack, John and Marcina.



Leo is their first dog and I am so happy for everyone!

Macrina got a dog! Macrina got a dog! John went to the pound today and brought home the cutest little black and white Shiatsu. I am so excited! Velvet really should get some credit. She paved the wave by being an ambassador of Love.

Here's Velvet. ASAP I'll post a photo of the new happy pack. Come back soon!

A Boy & A Basset

Perfection.

Say it again. Perfection.

I am almost done with my training at the SPCA in Fredericksburg. I love it! Will be going in on Wednesday afternoons to walk the dogs for a couple of hours. All the years dogs have loved and looked after me - feels good to be giving back.

If I would add a caption to this picture it would say ...

I'll watch your back. Will you please watch mine?
Spay * Neuter * Adopt me.