It’s a Dog’s World

Once TDI Certified, we will be bringing the dogs to the Radiant Health main office for use with clients. We may bring them periodically in the meantime to acclimate them to the office environment.  I’m proud to announce that both dogs PASSED their Canine Good Citizenship test and will be receiving their official certificates from the American Kennel Club (AKC)!  Ed and I expect to hear cheering so let it out!  Whoot!  Now we have to get serious in our practice.

While taking the dogs for training the last few months, I’ve had a lot of time to learn and to think about Husker, my relationship with my dog and what I can learn from him.  Here are a few key learnings:

• Forgiveness first. No matter what happens between Husker and me, he forgives and gives me the space to try again.  It’s important that WE, as humans, do this for one another.
• Be consistent. My dog’s tail only stops wagging if he is asleep or deep in concentration waiting for a piece of pepperoni.  He is consistent in his attitude of joy and expectancy.  This makes him a pleasure to be around.  I need to be more like that.  At times I allow the events of the day to cast shadows on my mood.  Being consistent and predictable in our moods makes us more fun to be around.
• Play. Both alone and with friends.  Husker will grab a toy and toss it in the air, catch it, shake it and do it all over again until he tires.  He’ll also chase and tumble with our other dog, Max, when he’s in the mood to play with friends.  Sometimes, Husker grabs a tennis ball and just drops it in my lap—a slobbery invitation to play!  This is my dog’s reminder that play is an important part of our lives.  Play gives us a reprieve from the day to day challenges and restores our sense of contentment.
• Show affection. Husker will approach our cat, Frank, lick him on the head then move on.  He’ll lay his head in my lap awaiting a good ear rub; or he’ll snuggle up with the kids to let them know everything will be okay.  Our lives are busy and affection can begin to disappear if we are not intentional about it.  Give hugs to your loved ones (bi-peds and quadrupeds) EVERY day.
• Rest. When Husker is ready to rest, he FLOPS on the floor with a loud thump, closes his eyes and he’s out.  His sleep is restorative and is probably the reason he is able to be so consistent in his joy.  I often get caught up in “I’ll just do one more thing then I’ll go to bed.”  By Friday this leaves me physically tired and emotionally drained. It also prevents me from executing on goals because I’m “too tired” to do the more important work.

This week I challenge you to be “dog-like”!  Forgive. Be Consistent. Play.  Show Affection.  Rest.  Doing these five things will positively influence our work and our relationships with friends and families.  Here’s wishing you the BEST week yet!

Once TDI Certified, we will be bringing the dogs to the Radiant Health main office for use with clients. We may bring them periodically in the meantime to acclimate them to the office environment.  I’m proud to announce that both dogs PASSED their Canine Good Citizenship test and will be receiving their official certificates from the American Kennel Club (AKC)!  Ed and I expect to hear cheering so let it out!  Whoot!  Now we have to get serious in our practice.

While taking the dogs for training the last few months, I’ve had a lot of time to learn and to think about Husker, my relationship with my dog and what I can learn from him.  Here are a few key learnings:

• Forgiveness first. No matter what happens between Husker and me, he forgives and gives me the space to try again.  It’s important that WE, as humans, do this for one another.
• Be consistent. My dog’s tail only stops wagging if he is asleep or deep in concentration waiting for a piece of pepperoni.  He is consistent in his attitude of joy and expectancy.  This makes him a pleasure to be around.  I need to be more like that.  At times I allow the events of the day to cast shadows on my mood.  Being consistent and predictable in our moods makes us more fun to be around.
• Play. Both alone and with friends.  Husker will grab a toy and toss it in the air, catch it, shake it and do it all over again until he tires.  He’ll also chase and tumble with our other dog, Max, when he’s in the mood to play with friends.  Sometimes, Husker grabs a tennis ball and just drops it in my lap—a slobbery invitation to play!  This is my dog’s reminder that play is an important part of our lives.  Play gives us a reprieve from the day to day challenges and restores our sense of contentment.
• Show affection. Husker will approach our cat, Frank, lick him on the head then move on.  He’ll lay his head in my lap awaiting a good ear rub; or he’ll snuggle up with the kids to let them know everything will be okay.  Our lives are busy and affection can begin to disappear if we are not intentional about it.  Give hugs to your loved ones (bi-peds and quadrupeds) EVERY day.
• Rest. When Husker is ready to rest, he FLOPS on the floor with a loud thump, closes his eyes and he’s out.  His sleep is restorative and is probably the reason he is able to be so consistent in his joy.  I often get caught up in “I’ll just do one more thing then I’ll go to bed.”  By Friday this leaves me physically tired and emotionally drained. It also prevents me from executing on goals because I’m “too tired” to do the more important work.

This week I challenge you to be “dog-like”!  Forgive. Be Consistent. Play.  Show Affection.  Rest.  Doing these five things will positively influence our work and our relationships with friends and families.  Here’s wishing you the BEST week yet!