Communication from our animals comes in many forms. Narrowing to believe the vibration of the vocal chord is the only means of communication limits the ways in which we receive knowledge wtith more than the mind at the helm of our existence.  In simpler terms, our entire life vibrates with more than what speech can bring us.  Below I would like to share one such observation from a friend I am having the pleasure of working with in a class I teach.  In the simplicity of observing two cats, much was captured. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

Next Sunday I will be highlighting an interview with Dr Lynn Peck D.V.M and her two cats.  I hope you will join us. Dr Peck was a featured speaker in the tele-series The Evoluiton of Animal Health Care.

This week is simply a few pics of my guys.  I hope you will consider joining us fror the series this afternoon at 5 PM ET, the info is on Saturday’s blog.

 

This week’s interview finds us still in Billings Mt. I spoke with Ellie Whitney owner of Lovable Pets Bakery Boutique http://lovablepetsbakery.com and her co-owners Max her 3 yr old Beagle and store spokesperson and Tyee her 5 yr old Rat Terrier. Both dogs came from a “puppy mill.” After aquiring Max and the illness he came with, Ellie began her journey that brought her to opening her store and web site.
Ellie, and Jeremy her mate, had began looking in shelters for a friend for Tyee. They could find nothing that was appropriate for their present living arrangements and lifestyle. They wanted a puppy and on a whim stopped at a local pet store. Upon walking in she saw a small sickly dog in a large pen with many many other puppys. Max captured their attention from the first look. He was very sick and underweight, they brought him home. So began the journey to opening the store to offer other pet owners quality products that had brought Max to the dog he is today.
I asked Tyee if he would like to speak first he said “no” he prefered Max be the one to participate in the interview.
Max let me know he is an older soul, and a thinker. He is a wonderful store ambassador. He conveyed he was willing to share what he thought would help others, not anything personal. I told him again, he was guiding the interview.
Max said “ Ellie has always let me be who I am, she didn’t make me into a victim.” He appreciates that deeply. Ellie told me he is very loving and kind and he shares that very freely with those that come into the store. Max shared he is always a gentleman. He assures other well mannered dogs that come in the the store it is a good place to come, people care here. Max said “I am partners with Ellie and the rest of the family. Ellie has always respected who I am and never asked me to be anything else.”
“Max inspires people with his weekly tips in the newspaper, and children and adults that come into the store.” Ellie shared. I asked Max about that and he says “I can help people and show them who I am now, and where I started. Its not about the place I came from, but what I have chosen to do with it.” He went on to tell me that “Ellie cared enough to do what she does for me in my food and nutrition.”
Beagle Sanctuary of Montana is a dream Ellie is creating, because of Max. It is still in the planning stages. “I look forward to helping Ellie let these animals know they are loved and can be whole, and not see themselves or let others see them as victims.” Max went on to say “Ellie cares deeply and we mirror each other.”
Max what would you like people to know: “ Because Ellie honored who I am, it changed my world. She never saw me as broken and needing to be fixed. My eating habits challenge her but she works with me. It means all the difference to me. I have a great deal of respect for my family. I know the work I do every day at Lovable Pets is important. When I look up into my Mom’s eyes when we’re working together, I know she recognizes my value. I do my best to welcome people and put a smile on their face by wagging my tail, and try to comfort and welcome dogs that are nervous and scared. My presence always seems to lessen anxiety and fear in other dogs. I appreciate so much that my Mom chose me out of all the healthy dogs—no matter where I came from—and together we can help other dogs that are also less fortunate. “
I would like to thank Ellie, Jeremy, Max and Tyee for sharing with us the love they share and what they have created because they came together.  Ellie, Jeremy, and Tyee offered Max a place to become whole again and share his life with their family.

 

Deb Bouwkamp  has been  the director of the Prison Paws Program for the last 5.5 yrs.. She has been a member of the Dog Community and bred Golden Retrievers for 27 yrs.  Deb has an extensive background working with dogs not only having been a dog Groomer  for 7 yrs. But has also facilitated community Adult Ed Obedience classes in Laurel and Billings for more than 15 yrs and been a Service Dog Trainer for 14 yrs. 

The program does some rescue work, along with training Privately Owned Dogs; for which they always have a waiting list.  The program gives the ladies a trade to work on to hopefully take into the public when they are released.  Several have gone on to start their own businesses, or get jobs working in the Dog Training field.  

The program teaches the women to have patience, to get in touch with their feelings, to learn responsibility, and get ready for the working world.  

The dogs that they rescue are usually from owner turn in, some puppy mills, and dogs just in need of help from the situation they are in…….  We just had a total of 35 golden retrievers , mostly pups and 3 adults rescued and turned in by breeder who just got over whelmed  from Oct. 08 - April 09.  last one being adopted just a couple of weeks ago. we took a couple and trained them for service dogs. 

We have had a couple of new born litters brought in from the Shelter for the girls to raise train, and place in new homes.  They have taken care of several very sick groups of animals, including a few of the Linda Kapsa  puppy mill seizure dogs from Ballantine Mt. 

The program is in its 6th year and is going strong.  They do no advertising, and business is by word of mouth.  for info you can contact Deb at 406-247-5162 or email at sercom@itstriangle.com .

 

We will be speaking today with:

·    Bubba a 2 yr old Lab/Dalmatian and his trainer Kelly

·    Oliver a 1yr old English Setter and his trainer Jess

·    Sturgis a 1 ½ yr old Lab/Dalmatian and his trainer Patty

 

Sturgis and Patty

When asked if he wanted to participate Sturgis said “ Well, OhhhhKayyy!”

Why are you afraid of honey bottles?

I showed Sturgis a picture in my head of the honey bottle.  Sturgis cocked his head to the side when I asked him the question.  I saw a picture of a hive on a ranch, a small one and an older man. It is possible he was near one as the honey was being gathered and he definitely did not like the bees that were swarming.  Deb asked him if he ate any honey. Sturgis dropped his head and I felt his stomach and it was upset. He wouldn’t come out and say it direct but his change in demeanor indicates it was strongly possible he ate honey and did not feel well. 

Before coming here, what was your life like?

Sturgis showed me the same older man he had shown me before. Sturgis was way to big and way to exuberant.  He was treated like a “dog”, not ignored but left to his own devices.  The man realized he was going to be very large and way to much dog and was surrendered him to the  dog pound.

Were you separated from your mom and litter mates too early?

Sturgis wasn’t sure what that meant.  So we asked in a rephrased question.  What was it like to be separated from your mother?

I didn’t like it much but it was ok.  He said he could have stayed with her forever.  No change would have been fine for him.

Was it hard for you, did you feel lonely?

  He said yes, the man left him alone allot.  He likes to be busy.  He would love to explore life with someone.  He would love to go hiking and explore.  He loves to explore in his learning as well.

What is the best way to get Sturgis to stop play biting me?

He wants her to be connected and engaged with all of her.  Not to just connect from the head.  Sturgis wants total connection from whomever he is with.  He wants to be understood for who he is.  He wants Patty to be very present with him.  He also wants her to be a leader, he sees her as a litter play mate right now.  If she sees herself as a leader and envisions what she wants then he will begin to understand.

Why do you dislike Bubba so much?

He thinks Bubba can get more attention and is more demanding. Sturgis is very clear.  He sees Bubba as a weak link. Sturgis is top dog.  Bubba to him is a weak link.  Sturgis comes from the essence of his pack energy. 

Are you happy?

He is trying to figure out how to be on top. He is not unhappy, he would just like things more his way. He wants to be totally connected to someone.

Thank you Sturgis.

Oliver and Jess

Do you feel Safe?

It’s not easy for him to understand the question. He has been deaf since birth. He is being taken care of and doesn’t understand feeling unsafe in the way we understand it.  So I asked if he is happy there, comfortable there?  He feels comfortable in being with people and that he can count on certain things.

Why did you chew the hair off your tail?

Oliver felt that he will be placed in a home soon and was threatened by the change.  He didn’t fully understand it and chewing his tail was a way to let out the anxiety. 

Are you happy?

Yes.  He loves that he has been able to show them what he feels in his heart.  That they received it and gave it back to him and made the love he feels even bigger.  He is sad that he has to leave them

What do you think when you look over the wall when you are outside?

He is looking for someone.  He feels sadness in having been surrendered.  He has a longing to belong.

What was your past like?

He would play with his litter mates as a puppy. There is a strong possibility they did not know he was deaf until he was placed.  These are the things he showed me about his past. He has a strong longing to belong and for who he is. 

Have you been deaf since you were born?

Yes.

What can I do to make you happy?

“I’m already happy.”  He wants Jess to understand that it is longing she senses from him, not unhappiness.  He wants Jess to sit and confide with him and they can share about longing.

What would you like in a new owner?

He didn’t understand owner so I asked about the human he could stay with, his forever human.  He wants someone who is not judgmental of him or themselves. Someone that he can be kind, and soft with.  He needs someone to watch out for him in the physical.  He wants a family or a woman with allot of love in the home.  A man would have to do that as well.

Do you love me?

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He said he sees things about her that she does not see in herself and that is love.

When we are training how can I keep your attention?

He feels all that people do around him. He hasn’t had anyone try and connect to him.  If she sends the energy out and envisions his energy field be hooked and pull him to you.  Imagine it being thick. It is something that needs to be done separately and often.

Do you know I love you?

Yes he does.  Jess understand his world.

What is your favorite toy?

YOU!

Thank you Oliver.

Bubba and Kelly

What breed are you?

 Bubba showed me that meant nothing to him. He has no clue.  I did see quite a variety of dogs mixed together.  Mom looked like a small longish haired dog. Dad was large and mixed breed.

Bubba did give a clue that he has frustration over being asked questions that do not make sense to him. He wants to excel but has never found his way through the “key hole” to his way of thinking.

What was his background before coming to Prison Paws?

He came from a background of lack. There was not much attention paid to him.  There was not allot of nurturing. Was left to his own devices in a city.

What makes Bubba happy?

Bubba runs deep.  There is sorrow.  Bubba wants to be understood for that.  He was raised to believe he was a victim.  He wants to know he is important and matters to someone.

How can I make him feel safe?

He could benefit from being spoken to from the heart.  He would like Kelly to talk from deep inside in private with him.  He would benefit from exploring trusting himself. He longs to understand something he knows is different but has been unable  to find it.   Deb shared that with Kelly taking over as leader has helped Bubba. Kelly has something wonderful to give to Bubba because she can share her understanding of trying to find her way through.

Why does Bubba defecate on fences and up higher?

To leave a clear visual of his existence. He is a street dog and you had to put an exclamation point on things.

Why is Bubba so aggressive?

On the streets if you didn’t go on the defensive first you could be killed.  He had to be tough to survive in the jungle of his darkness.  He learned it is a “Dog eat Dog “ World.  He has very deep anger and it comes out as a school yard bully.

How old are you?

Five.  I questioned him because he is not five years or months.  He didn’t have a concept so he wanted to be able to answer something correctly that he didn’t understand.

 

Bubba: will reflect peoples toughness.  He wants people to be honest about what they are feeling deeper inside of them, it will help him not to have to go on the defensive so quickly. If he does it will be of benefit to bring his attention back into the heart space and the human to feel their own. Talking to Bubba about what there needs were to be tough. Bubba blames outside of him and is longing to begin to know, love, and trust himself.  It will take time and dedication for Bubba to decide to be a partner to one person.

Sturgis: I will never forget all of you here at the program

Oliver:  I have said everything I need to say.

In closing I would like to thank the dogs and their handlers for opening their hearts and sharing their very special insight into the growing, learning and teaching that extends beyond the dog program.

 

 

This week is part two of last weeks Interview with Major, Max, and Bonnie.  Iwanted to share Bonnie’s words with out editing.  Her communication with her horses speaks to the heart of their relationship.  Thank you yet again, Bonnie, Max and Major.

. I loved the interview. I feel the entire process has been part of my journey with Major & Max. And that flying feeling that Max gets? That is where he & I meet. In reading the interview I could recreate and look at the feeling I sometimes get just in anticipation of the asking. It seems to start in my head and rushes thru my body and that is what I must send down the reins. I also feel that sometimes he tries to take me there when I am not asking him to. Other times I have to support him after we start the transition. It’s almost as if he’s asking me how to do it. He can start it with me, but sometimes he doesn’t know where/how to take it. It’s like he can do a great leap, but has no idea how to land. But on the really special moments, he and I can take Major with us. We can’t keep it for very long, but it is a heady feeling. It takes the time training from being work to something magical! I don’t know how to say it any better. Thank you for opening the door for me.

 

 

I did write it as a follow up for you, but feel free to share it with anyone at all. I all too clearly remember how at wits’ end I was last year with Max at this same time. I was on the verge of giving up and I cried many tears of frustration and the fear of having to lose Max because he was unsafe for me. I can feel it like it was yesterday. If this can help anyone thru their horse/animal desperation I feel that Major and Max would heartily approve!

            You were my last resort when I first called you. And I was very skeptical of the whole “communicator” thing. Reva very quietly told me to call you; that you had helped her with Boomer. I respect Reva, so I threw caution to the wind (and my normal repertoire of horsemanship that didn’t work!) and called you for help. I can’t tell you how glad I am that I did! I shudder to think where Max might be right now if you hadn’t shown me how to go “thru the looking glass” and reach my horses. That’s how I view it, you know. The whole communication with animals thing is like holding your breath and taking the risk to just step thru the looking glass. Like Alice in Wonderland did into this magical place that has always been there, but I just didn’t see it. And, once having glimpsed it, I couldn’t get enough.

             I remember you telling me that Max might not ever be able to make the progression he needed to do to compete at the level I wanted to go to; that he’d be a lot more work than I might be up for in an entirely different way than I had ever encountered before. Once again, I threw caution to the wind and just went with it. What an incredible experience this has been. It makes me want to learn and do more. My awareness level is on an upward spiral. I have learned so much with my animals….because you showed me how.

            I am careful who I talk to about my whole experience of last July, because some people are not ready to hear it. The analogy I use with people who are skeptical (but open) is this: I have no idea how a microwave works, but I sure do use it everyday! You don’t have to understand how it works to get the benefit!  Just be open to try it.

There’s my “thought for the day”! Ha-ha.

            So go ahead with the follow up and feel free to use my words…I sure wish I could send you photos that you could open up larger. The boys are magnificent! And I’m proud of what we are doing. Thank you again…

 

Bonnie