My Heart Dog

New “coat” !

admin — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:36:16 +0000

Welcome to our new blog! Borias and I have been meaning to move to wordpress for some time now, and happily, the move has been made! I have a little time this three-day (birthday) weekend. I kind of want to skip over the birthday part. I’ve been feeling older, and so has Borias. Very disheartening to say the least. I’m hoping part of it is the heat, he’s having bad allergies, and was on antihistamines. That made him drink more, and it’s harder for him to hold his bladder then. It wasn’t helping, so we’re stopping those now.

It’s shocking how fast dogs age. Seemingly right in front of your eyes. Ten is by no means ancient, though many people seem to think so. “Oh, that’s OLD for a Shepherd!” they’ll gasp. I tell them his mother lived to 16.7 years old. So there. He’s from tough stock. His bad back takes it’s toll, though. I saw an eleven year old GSD running after a frisbee, during a photoshoot the other day. Made me wonder if it weren’t for his herniated disk, would he be doing that, too ? I’m grateful that he has mobility still. But I’m bummed to see the vigor and stamina wane. Gone are the days he could walk to Hillcrest, the park, and back home. We could cover a lot of ground in our day.

He still likes to dance, though. It’s just a little less crazy and spazzy. And watch out! He’s the pigeon police!

We’re Back!

admin — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:24:00 +0000

Well, hard to believe my last post was the first of the year! Life got in the way, I apologize. And it’s the damned Facebook ha ha. Borias actually has a page there, now http://facebook.com/HeartdogBorias. So go “like” him

I was also meaning to switch over the blog to a different, larger format, and just haven’t gotten to it. So for now, I’ll just go back to posting here until I get that done. It’ll be the same URL and everything, just larger images, which will be nice. And, Borias himself will be posting in his own ‘voice’! He does have a lot to say, after all hehe.

So if you’re here from the segment on San Diego Living that aired this morning– Welcome! Stay tuned for a post from Mr. B on being a third year Comic-con veteran! It’s been a busy year for Borias so far. Up for the Hero Dog Awards, being on the news, going to events. What a life!

We are in fourth place on the Hero Dog Awards, for Service dog. I’ve been pulling out all the stops to get votes for my boy, but a few dogs have managed to get several thousand votes ahead, so not so sure with just less than a week left to vote that we’ll make it. That’s a lot of ground to make up. But maybe we can make it to third! So please, you can vote once a day til it’s over… http://bit.ly/VoteBorias. And be sure to vote for his pal Surf Dog Ricochet, too, in the Emerging Hero Dog category

And stay tuned, I promise to turn back into a prolific poster….at least semi-prolific!

Happy New Year!

admin — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 07:59:00 +0000

Hard to believe it’s a new year already, eh? I swear, the old you get, the faster the year zips by. When it comes to life with a dog, that can be a very sad reality. Their time with us is so damn short! I’m so grateful that at 9.10 years old, Borias is still going pretty damned strong. With a little help from our friends. His acupuncturist Dr. Keith Weingardt, is chiropractor, Dr. Cheryl Mulvey, and the Healing Hands of Ann, his masseuse.

OK, I know it how it sounds, my dog has a masseuse. But seriously, when you see his blissed out face when getting a deep tissue massage, and how frisky he feels afterwards, you wouldn’t giggle. I have to budget to afford these things, but to me, it’s so worth it. (Let’s not discuss how I have put off some dental care for myself, here. My boy comes first!)

People often remark how amazing Borias looks for his age. Not having had a dog live this long, I’m baffled by such comments. I’ve seen dogs younger than himself look quite old, indeed. But his mother went to nearly 17, and was still mobile. That’s just my hope. I wish for him to stay mobile for the remainder of his years, however many he will make it to. He does still love to go “zoom zoom”, especially since I got a new wheelchair. But he’s not a spring chicken any longer..nor am I !

But he is a proud boy. He makes sure the world knows that, every day. I just wish not so loudly…every year I make the resolution for him to not bark so damn much. But, he just believes in living out loud. What can I say?

Tis the Season to be Furry!

admin — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 18:48:00 +0000

Been a little span between posts again. So busy with photo sessions, and editing said photo sessions, ordering stuff for clients. Think I’m finally wrapping it up, though. Haven’t even started on what I need to get for presents for my family, and Borias of course. And my kitty, too. Though with him it seems the simple joys, like a box, are good enough : )

Not sure what to get Borias this year. He’s been pretty naughty ha ha. Though, he usually is! Or, make that a really good boy, with naughty overtones! I’ll probably get him a few small things, because he loves to unwrap presents. That’s the fun part for him!

As usual, I’ve been taking the yearly holiday themed images of him whenever I can. Here we’re in Balboa Park, his favorite, with his “I’ve Been a Good Boy” scarf (yeah, right).

Borias goes to the hospital with me

admin — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 08:57:00 +0000

I’m no stranger to hospitals, unfortunately. However, it’s been many years since I’ve had to stay in one, long before I’ve had Borias. He’s been to the ER with me several times in his life, but never had to stay in one with me.

Until recently.

I came down with a kidney infection, that hit me like a ton of bricks. One minute I was sitting here editing photos I took of Borias at the beach, then suddenly I was shivering uncontrollably with chills. I had been drinking the night before, and my kidney was feeling a little tender, so I chalked it up to excess, and went out and got some cranberry tablets the next day. But I had only a brief respite until I felt even worse.

So a friend of mine, who has Leash Your Fitness, Dawn, works at UCSD Thornton in La Jolla, and told me to come there, as I wouldn’t have to wait. So I left Borias at home, thinking I’d only be a few hours, get some antibiotics, and be home. Well, that’s not exactly how it went down. I was given some pain meds, and had to submit to an IV- which I hate, because my veins suck. It took several tries, and a different person had to be called in to finish the job.

Then I got the bad news, I needed to be admitted so I could get fluids and antibiotics.

They wouldn’t let me go home with the IV needle in me, so in order to go get my dog, I had to have it removed, and put back in again somewhere else. Argh. But, had to go get my boy, so at 3 am, he and I went back to the ER, where I was to sleep til morning and a private room was made available. They wouldn’t let me stay with Borias unless it was in a private room. Fine by me. Except they kept bothering me every hour on the hour to “check on me”, so it was hard to rest. I also had to get an CT scan, and get wheeled there on the gurney. That kind of freaks Borias out, not knowing quite how to walk along with it. So the nurse suggested he get on the gurney with me, and lowered it so he could get on. It was SO cute, Borias riding in front of me down the hospital hallways!!

Thankfully some great neighbors bought some kibble to feed Borias, and would feed my cat for me while I was there. They even brought me some photography magazines to read. I was so grateful for this…my whole family was in Hawaii for my cousin’s wedding. So nobody in my family was around to visit or help.

I felt like crap, and with the pain meds I think, got a really bad headache- which ended up lasting the whole time I was there, 3 days! The fluids also made it hard for me to breathe, since they overdid it. Had a big scare where I felt like a fish out of water, not able to take in any air. They gave me a diuretic to ‘fix’ that. Sheesh. The hospital wasn’t very happy about me taking out my own dog, and said I should have an ‘assistant’ do that. Um well, that’s kind of what my dog is for? So I blew them off, and would take Borias downstairs to relieve himself on the grounds.

He did great. Probably got quite bored, laying around in the room all day without much of a walk. But being 9 years old probably helped that a bit. I entertained him at one point with a tiny paper pill cup, which I would toss for him to bring back to me. He knew I felt bad, too, and would come check on me, looking deep into my eyes with his soulful gaze. He’s such a great dog.

So after three days, I felt better, and they decided it was OK to go home. Boy, was Borias happy about that! My cat was sure happy to see us, too. He’s an independent fart, but I know he’s distressed to be alone that long. Sure wish I could get him a buddy for situations like this. I’ll have to work on that…

So, it’s clean living for me. I make sure I feed Borias the healthiest foods, and supplements, and yet I wasn’t taking care of myself. Dumb. No liquor, and a LOT more water for me, and back to a plant-based, whole food diet. A week later, and I’m already feeling a lot better

Happy Howloween!!

admin — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:05:00 +0000

Wow this year has zipped by so fast! This is my favorite holiday, Halloween. A tradition going back three dogs, is having them carry around a severed fake hand all month. It gets the funniest reactions! Then I have the Jack Skellington scarf, and this year, I found a bright orange necktie with polka dots! Rad!

For Halloween we went to The Original Paw Pleaser’s party, where all manner of pups came in costume! Both humans and dogs got to have cake, and there was even pumpkin dog ice cream. Yum!

After that, I took Borias to Balboa Park, where we showed off our costume. I made a t-shirt that said “Service Human”, and put on a collar, then let him hold the leash attached. Real smart, he delighted in jerking me around vigorously, the leading me down the road by the neck ha ha! Now that really got some laughs!

Last night, we went dressed to a party for Second Chance Dog Rescue, where I had donated a photo session and print credit for silent auction. That was so much fun, and there was even another German Shepherd Service dog there. Bill Griffith from Channel 10 News was MC, and he and his wife bid on my auction donation. I hope he won, though I forgot to check. They have a huge menagerie of Papillions and Chihuahuas. That would be a fun session!

I think next year, Borias is going to be Count Barkula. Yeah, that fits!

Say NO to Cesar’s methods Part 1

admin — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 03:02:00 +0000

I’ve been formulating this type of post for awhile. I definitely am an opinionated gal, and especially when it comes to dogs. I guess I feel I know dogs so well, in my way of course, that it’s impossible not to be opinionated when it comes to my favorite thing on earth! I think I have learned so very much about dogs throughout my life, but also that I do have much to learn still.

Who doesn’t? A friend of mine who manages a huge pack of dogs he cares for with his wife, that I’ve known since Borias was a mere pup, and who’s also come a long way said this… That dogs are still the most misunderstood animal on earth.

I agree. Though it’s strange, since we’ve spent centuries with them. We have made leaps in understanding, I believe, and these days it’s better than ever to be a dog, given that dog friendly methods of training and communication have grown so prevalent and popular.

But, despite this, the old school way of thinking clings to our consciousness like an octopus that won’t, or can’t let go.

When Cesar Millan first came on the horizon, I was intrigued. The first season of The Dog Whisperer, I watched with interest, and the primal type of view of dogs seemed to appeal to me at the time. Much of it made sense, and I can see why I fell for it. But then I began to see through the surface, and realized it’s a lot like the Koehler view of dogs wrapped up in a New Age package. That is, dogs are to be dominated, and if we communicate through a dominant “energy”, they will give us the utmost respect and be perfect and happy ever after. If we don’t show them that we are supreme beings, they will slyly take over that position, and make our lives miserable.

Thankfully, I had a good few years of being immersed in positive reinforcement training methods, having gone to an APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) conference when Borias was just one. I met some folks I highly looked up to, like Ian Dunbar, Patricia McConnell PhD., Suzanne Clothier, Karen Pryor, and others. I’ve devoured all their books, and implemented the methodology with my boy since I brought him home. Well, since before, even. I clicker trained him to sit, in 10 minutes, when he was 5 weeks old.

When I had him picking up my keys the first few weeks we were together, a mere 10 weeks old, I was hooked. What an amazing way to communicate and teach!! This boy was so eager, that he figured out that he could unzip my backpack, and give me my wallet, trying to be helpful! He found my dropped wallet at that tender age, as well, at a grocery store. This was fun stuff!

I did, however, find a challenge in a few things, that I couldn’t figure out how to solve. Borias kept balls and frisbees to himself, and would not, for the life of him, give them up. This made it hard to use as rewards in training. When we began Schutzhund, I started to use some aversives to manage his behavior. Being a GSD, and in drive, I knew it wasn’t going to dampen his personality, and to me, I was being more clear. Consequences to behavior. I was still using rewards the majority of the time to influence his choices.

Choices. That’s one thing that is a big part of this. I would rather influence choice, so that the right choice is made on the dog’s part, that it’s his idea. Not making the outcome so that they think if they choose other than what you want, they will have consequences that hurt, or are extremely unpleasant. Coercion. I believe that training a dog can be accomplished without using force.

So while Cesar’s methods can seem appealing with the primal view of dogs, it’s quite flawed, and based on outdated ideas of pack theory and dominance. Dogs do what works, and they’re not looking to overthrow us at any second if we show an ounce of weakness. If that were true, thousands of people with severe disabilities, and children would not be able to live life with a dog, let alone have a working relationship with one, like an Assistance dog! These methods rely on force, dominating a dog into being “submissive”, fearing repercussions if they “misbehave”.

I do like that he places the responsibility for how a dog behaves on the owner, it’s just highly misdirected in how he advises people to change their behavior. Since dogs do what works, providing motivation that’s positive and pleasurable will modify behavior better, with lasting results (an important component!) rather than punitive motivators. It offers a dog the opportunity to choose the right behavior, and tells them what they can do, rather than simply what not to do.

I see, pretty much daily, the fallout of using punitive methods such as Cesar’s. It causes human and dog to be at odds with each other, and to be in a power struggle in which there must be a clear “winner”…the dog loses. I see dogs being given no information whatsoever on what it is that’s desired of them, but are being bullied for showing behaviors their human’s caused in the first place- and are continuing to cause. Talk about frustration for the poor dogs! People that are lead to believe that their dog showing interest in another dog, or walking a few feet ahead of them is trying to lord over them and become “alpha”. How is that any way to have a good relationship?

After all, isn’t that why we have dogs? To have a great relationship, a best friend, cherished family member?

We Won!! WOOF!

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 09:04:00 +0000

I’m thrilled and excited to announce, the results of voting in the 10 News A-List were tabulated, and out of 95,000 votes, Heart Dog Studios won first place !!!! Whoohoo!! I wanted so much to win this year, trying for the third time.

Thanks to Facebook and social networking, this year it happened, all with a little help from our friends. I have a big huge thanks to Surf Dog Ricochet, for posting on her fan page! Not only has she helped me get a new wheelchair, she sure helped with this win, too! And all of our friends at local hang outs that me and Borias go to frequently. It means a lot to me that so many voted for Borias and I. Thank you all !!

I love photographing dogs. I truly do think each is a work of heart : ) If you want to check out my work, please visit Heart Dog Studios.

"Typical" Child

admin — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 02:03:00 +0000

Last night, I was looking on Craigslist, for a handicapped shower chair, actually, and came across a very disturbing ad. Like nothing I’ve ever seen before.

It was a couple, with two disabled children, looking to adopt a “typical” child, so they can experience them calling them mommy and daddy. So I suspect their two have fairly severe disabilities, possibly impairing their relating to their parents.

Still. Well, here’s the ad:

My husband and I have two very disabled children, and want very much to adopt a typical child. We love our girls, but want a chance to also parent a child who can call us mommy and daddy, who can go to the beach, who will grow up and get married, etc. We have much in home nursing help with our disabled girls, and do have the love and time for a baby, child, and member of the family. Every agency we explore, says that no birth mother would want to choose us, because we have handicapped children, and it makes us “undesirable”. That is crushing, because we REFUSE to abandon our girls to an institution just to pursue the hope of experiencing parenthood as we had hoped it would be. Please consider a private adoption, if you are expecting and confused. We are a Christian home, loving with each other, and our girls.

It left me cold. This is a Christian family so they say. Yet, they’re obviously not fulfilled having children with a disability, and yearn for a “normal” child. I don’t know what agencies would tell a couple that anyone would find them “undesirable” for having children with different abilities, but, if that is indeed true? Shame on them.

A little backstory. My mother had me nearly five decades ago. Back then, doctors urged her…a mere 19 years old and single, to give me up to institutionalization. How could she possibly care for a child with a disability? Well, she did, and a bang up job I might add. Oh sure, she made mistakes. Hell, what parents don’t? I can tell you that after five grades of going to a special school, where I was not learning squat, and hungered for knowledge, she pushed and pushed hard to have me “mainstreamed” into regular school. By sixth grade, I was going to classes with “typical” children, and eating up what I was being taught.

Having a disability is simply a challenge in life. We all have those. Whether it’s physical, mental, or whatever, life throws us challenges. I believe we are to rise up to those, and become stronger because of them. Can you imagine a life with no obstacles to overcome? I can’t! I’ve learned SO much from having obstacles in my path. And believe me, I’ve had a lot.

What is that communicating to these two girls, that their parents yearn for a “typical” child? That they aren’t good enough? Normal enough? Don’t fulfill their dreams? It seems to me, that perhaps they aren’t focusing on what they CAN do. What they might be gaining by having children with special needs. Clearly this communicates that their children are not good enough for them. Oh yes, they’re loved, but still, they are lacking. Can you imagine if they read this later in life?

Folks, there is no normal. No “typical”. Is it really all that important that a child be able to verbalize that you are mommy and daddy ? Isn’t that obvious?

Well, I just don’t know what else to say. I’m grateful for a mother who had the spirit and guts to raise a child with a disability as if I was any other child. No coddling, making sure I was as independent as could be. I’m so grateful to her for that. Because that would be the true disability, raising a child to think that because they’re not “typical”, they are less than. That they are not capable individuals, who indeed can achieve and be all they can be.

A Dog’s Loyalty

admin — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:57:00 +0000

I know firsthand how devoted and loyal dogs are. The bond I share with my dog is so incredibly profound. We are inseparable. Even when one of us passes to the other side, our souls will remain bonded, until we reunite.

I rented the movie, Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, tonight. I’ve been wanting to see it, since I adore dog films that depict the incredible bond between us. I was finally pressed to see it, after witnessing something that made me deeply sad, the other day.

I was at the local shelter, discussing volunteering my photography skills for their adoptable animals. At the first door, there was this scene…. a bowl of food and water with jug, leash, and a note on a paper plate. Ironic, on a disposable item. The note says “We think she’s Eastern German. By the way, we also live in my RV and we don’t want her to be tied up most of the time! A home with a back yard and a kid or 2 would be a great place for her. We are very sorry to do this, but maybe (we pray) she finds a happy place. I know we’ll miss her especially my 3-5 year olds. We love you ‘name’.“

I realize that times are tough for so many people. I just don’t understand how someone could tie up a family member to a door, when no one is around, and leave, hoping for the best. Well, I suppose she maybe wasn’t a family member, or really thought of as one. It just left me cold. Particularly that it said they thought she was Eastern German…a Shepherd, like my Borias? I know that poor dog must be heartbroken.

I pray she indeed does find a better family, a forever family that she can be loyal and faithful to, and love with all her heart and soul.

The movie made me cry. A lot. I think about 30 seconds into it, even! I love the idea that a human and a dog can find each other, be meant to be together. Pair bonded for life…and beyond. I know that might seem strange to some people, but when you’ve experienced that kind of relationship with one, where the two of you are like the same soul in different species, it resonates.

Hachi was so deeply, profoundly bonded to his person, he waited for him at the train station for nine years, despite being separated by his sudden passing. Such incredible love and loyalty. And the film was a great antidote to the scene at the local shelter. And boy, it sure made me hug my boy tightly, sniffing into his ruff of fur.

Dogs give a great shoulder to cry on.