You are more than welcome to join our Facebook group PET PEOPLE at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=340106081693&ref=ts We have a really fun, inspiring and informative time!
8/12/09 This a.m. we skipped our walks since 'Mom' got caught up in a personal project. Sometimes I reserve that right!!
Today was grooming day (NOT for beauty but for maintenance)--and what a day it was! Several years ago I 'discovered' Carla after both dogs had become pretty unmanageable to groom for whatever reason. She's the BEST and yet the whole thing looks like a torture for everyone involved. We learned a while back that he is somewhat better when 'Mom' is there, so I get to participate, too--not only calming but trying to keep the jaws from Carla, the clippers and scissors. Think someone should 'invent' a permanent hairdo for these old guys so they don't have to go through this regularly.
Once at home I taught myself a lesson! Since Black Jack has always been so loving, would never do anything wrong and now appears to be so weak I haven't worried about his bite. Well, I gained a bit more respect for those jaws in spite of their having few teeth left. I was giving him a 'good boy' treat when it just about fell from his mouth. Being a great mom I shoved it back into his mouth but failed to withdraw before he thought my finger was a tasty morsel. No blood drawn but a bit tender...so I won't forget that when it comes to food, Herculean strength kicks in no matter what age. Life is just one big learning experience--especially when one does such dumb things!!
Not exactly a restful evening...both cleaned up, Jack walking in his food--TWICE..managed to catch him before much more than his tail went in. Also apparently I'm going to have to begin watching him the whole time he's outside, as he fell again and couldn't get up. Later after being outside plenty long he came in and relieved himself in the kitchen. Needless to say this turned out to be one of those frustrated to the point of tears day (HATE the situation LOVE the animal!)...just a bit extra tired tonight... still grateful for all the blessings 'tucked away' within all of this...
8/11/09 This morning Black Jack was up for his walk. It now takes him almost an hour to walk about 3 long blocks. In his younger days he was a 'force to be reckoned with' as a walker--always out in the lead (and Katie Lou always followed). He would have walked to the end of the earth at top speed just for the fun of it and to be with me. Speaking of Katie--what a silly sight we were with Jack in the lead, Katie bringing up the rear and me in the middle with leashes extended as far as they'd go.. Amazing what we adjust to... We were okay until another dog approached and Black Jack wanted to play while Katie was ready for a good fight! That was probably an even funnier sight to witness.
Rather slow 'dog day' today--no real 'highs' or 'lows', just lots of eating and sleeping. so on these days I want to begin sharing some flash backs to Black Jack's beginnings.
Back in 1991 along with the ill-advised purchase of a boarding/grooming kennel, came the a line of Lhasa Apsos. Ignorant of keeping a line 'pure' I agreed to breed a customer's beloved Benji, a Silky mix, with our eldest breeder, Sassy.The intent was to give Benji's offspring to a dear friend, but that friend wasn't able to take him after all, for which I'm now very grateful!Benji was reported to have lived a very long and active life as his son is doing.Sassy was 10 years old when she gave birth to Black Jack and his sister, so she was a very strong & healthy little gal, too.
Amendment to the day...a bit of in and out of bed last night, but more about that later...
8/10/09 I got Jack all ready for his walk yesterday morning and it was obvious that he just didn't want to go this time. Since I consider his walk a fun thing for him besides being good exercise, I don't push these days. Since he didn't use up that energy, he also only ate (or I should say 'lapped up') a few bites if his breakfast before his 6+ hour nap! Yes, weeks ago I was at my wit's end one evening to the point of crying when before I could go to bed I had to scrub not only the kitchen floor but the wall where he eats because he didn't seem to be able to keep his food in his mouth and was sort of 'chasing' it if that makes any sense--and boy does dried canned dog food stick like glue (he decided to give up the dry food he'd eaten all his life a few months before)! The next morning I had the brilliant idea that if missing or bad teeth (a possibility since putting him under at his age to address a tooth issue would be prohibitive) were no longer allowing him to keep the food in his mouth then why not try blending the food to make it easier on him and also help me maintain my sanity. I continue to find it strange that he can't or won't eat his dry dog food but can still chew on a moderately hard jerky chew. I danced a jig of joy when the blended meals WORKED! So the 'Magic Bullet' now gets lots of extra use--sure glad my daughter and her guy gave it to me as a gift.
Finally, wondering how long his little bladder could hold out, I awoke him at about 4 to begin what I call our "nightly ritual". Today, however the pacing, wanting out then in repeatedly (partly to ensure that I don't have to scrub the floor), deciding whether to drink his water, eat his food or walk or fall in it didn't begin right way. Instead he took another quick nap and then at almost 7 the routine continued which usually lasts solidly into bedtime.
On days like this I first get concerned that he doesn't want to walk, then that he doesn't want to eat and finally that the interruption in his 'normal' behaviors will change his nightly sleeping habit so that I also will be deprived of yet another peaceful night's sleep. So far not to worry, though, since apparently on some days he just wants to take it easy and the meals he misses he has so far more than made up for later in the day--sometimes the sleeping well part, not so much...
Sunday evening it isn't as difficult for me to adapt to his restlessness since it's not at the end of a busy day when I would like to sit uninterrupted with my feet up.
Well, I only thought we were 'home free' until, checking on Jack very shortly after putting him out to do his 'duties' I had to go running to him as he flailed in the gravel, trying to get back up after falling in the backyard--dug himself quite a niche. Of course I could get into how that makes me feel, but he always seems to forgive more easily than I do!!
Beginning to see how this feels "all consuming"...? Finally did get to put my feet up for a few minutes before bedtime.
8/9/09 What a great Sunday morning--got to sleep all the way 'in' until 6:30! Yes, there are SO many blessings that Black Jack is the one who has chosen to stay with me this long!! Even after 18 years and almost 3 months (nearing age 90 in human years) he is usually sleeping through the night (better than I do, I might add).
Somehow after posting my first Aging with a Canine blog entry yesterday I felt a great sense of satisfaction/fulfillment that I had accomplished some good 'work'. Frankly I haven't felt quite that good in a while. Interesting how our animals help guide us through our lives, as Jack so wisely put it a while back... He indicated that he's thrilled when I step into my strength--centered, balanced, confident, and moving forward--and commit to doing what I love as well as doing what is right for me. He likes how my energy and aura changes when I'm in that place. So no doubt that's exactly what I was feeling. Can anyone imagine better support than that?!8/8/09
"In partnership with an aging dog"
Changing colors--
the white/silver/gold shimmering light of an angel;
a warrior's red/black,
brown, tan and gray when the fearful small self appears,
and finally the purple, blue, green, a bit of orange/rose, and silver of the confident self
--fascinating this being in partnership with a canine.
This poem in part is words from the mouth of my little man/dog, Black Jack, when he was describing me 5 years ago at age 12 1/2. Now somehow they seem fitting for him, too, as we work our way through his 'golden' years together.
I just came from the movie Julie & Julia. Earlier the clerk as I purchased senior dog food to blend for Jack's meals commented that all dogs are considered senior beyond about the age of 7. Now I'm inspired to not only use this blog to share our experiences for the benefit of others who might also be facing some of the same things, but also for my own benefit in expressing some of my own feelings about it. In addition, my Katie Lou got her tribute after she passed over two years ago and so Black Jack gets his before he decides to leave.
Time out while I go fetch Jack from the corner he wandered into--will see if he's ready for a nap yet...
I am an animal lover and have an elderly terrier mix who is 17 1/2 yrs old. She stopped walking with me about a year ago when I noticed that her arthritic limp was much worse after a walk. I recently had to have her treated for possible pyelonephritis and cystitis which had caused 'accidents' in the house and most recently, diarrhea and vomiting alongwith loss of appetite. I don't know if checking this out might help with any of your problems with Black Jack but I thought I would offer it up. I do give Mollie a supplement for her arthritis called Triple Strength Joint Max which she thinks is a treat. I have had several Norwegian Elkhounds over the past 30 years and hope to find a puppy again soon. I have dealt with their 'going to their reward' several times and it is never without grief and mourning. I never think of the end of their lives when I welcome them into my life and that is a good thing. I endured this again with my beloved cat who was 20 years old. - I was reading Eckhart Tolle's book last night and he used the comment "This too shall pass" in a different way than I was used to using it. I have always used it when I didn't like what was happening. He suggested using it at all times so that we can remember that the good times won't always last either and to enjoy them to the fullest and not take them for granted. I thought it was a great perspective. Jeanne Gillespie, Denver, NC jgillesp@bellsouth.net
Thank you for your continued interest in my artistic gifts and passion for animals, travel and nature (it’s my honor to share my photographs, drawings, egg carvings, urns and more)!
Meet Mugsy, Vinnie and Brandie!They are among the first beloved ‘adopted kids’ of my friend who is now actively working with the AZ Basset Hound Rescue.They put on a BASSET BALL every year.Check out the details!
Arizona Basset Hound Rescue celebrates 10 years saving over 1200 hounds. Last year’s vet bills were $100,000 with 176 dogs saved. This year AZBHR has saved over 100 dogs with 30 from puppy mills.
Arizona Basset Hound Rescue Basset Ball pre-online auction to help the hounds and bid on many great items including VIP Tickets to Dr. Phil, NASCAR tickets, Basset and Dog products, Mexico resort stay and so much more July 18 to August 1 at www.azbassethoundrescue.cmarket.comPlease share this link with all your family and friends…post on Facebook and Twitter if you are on there too!
Join us if you are in Phoenix on September 12th for Basset Ball 2009 for Silent, Live auction and sit down dinner.www.azbassetrescue.com
Fill what’s empty. Empty what’s full. Scratch where it itches.
Alice Roosevelt Longworth
From: The Universal Bank of Infinite Abundance (UBIA)
Officially approved by the CEO of the Universe
Administrator:Angel of Abundance
July 20, 2009
Deposit into YOUR account:$131,000 - One hundred thirty-one thousand Dollars
Living in PEACE
“QUIET TRUST” is a phrase John Randolph Price used in a talk I heard a few years ago.
And his wife told of when she first learned that surrounding in light really DOES protect when she surrounded even her garbage cans so the neighbor’s dog wouldn’t get into them!
John said they do a weekly “radar sweep” to uncover ANY conflict, bad feelings, feelings of insufficiency, lack etc. in order to ‘change their minds’, BELIEVE and live again in PEACE.He added that once we’re clear in this way we discover that there really is PLENTY of everything--even money!
They suggest listing (which is even more powerful than speaking them) their intentions is critical for manifesting their desires.They list even ‘mundane’ things (like fixing the deck, wanting to drive a new car for the summer, etc.) because Spirit will do that work for us, too.
Their constant statement is “I do all things for the glory of God!”And when we think about raking the yard, dealing with large companies, etc., that puts a whole new slant on things, huh?!
Interesting idea:any good desires cannot come from the ego!That seems to relieve some of the ‘pressure’ to figure out whether the ego or the mind is ‘speaking’…
Mr. Price adds that only in the quiet of meditation can we communicate with spirit.Meditation means ENJOYING quieting the mind for this communication, however it works for each person.He GUARANTEES if we allow our spirits to speak to us/guide us in meditation and 'work' the Laws of the Universe with our intentions and affirmations, miracles HAVE to happen...Let’s ‘quietly trust’ this is TRUE!
LET’S KEEP “WORKING THE LAWS”!!!By being grateful for the small things, they multiply and grow!
SO Mr. Randolph suggests THIS affirmation:
“In joy I go within to my quiet place where Spirit reveals to me the life it chooses.
All my written intentions happen easily and effortlessly because my ego is no longer in control.
I now go forth in quiet trust to live my life for the glory of God” (OR whatever works for each of us)!
With quiet trust let’s spendALL of our $131,000 deposit knowing we are always and in all ways loved and taken care of!
"There is a wonderful, mystical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life -- happiness, freedom, and peace of mind -- are always attained by giving them to someone else." Unknown
From: The Universal Bank of Infinite Abundance (UBIA)
Officially approved by the CEO of the Universe
Administrator:Angel of Abundance
July 5, 2009
Deposit into YOUR account:$130,000- One hundred thirty thousand dollars
Recently my daughter, a counselor, brought the following story to my attention. It became an opportunity for me to make a humanitarian gesture to not only support this family with my prayers but also a monetary gift. A story like this one is another wake up call for all of us to be thankful for all that we DO have—putting into practice the Laws of the Universe, knowing we have “plenty to share, with some to spare”! Afterall, what portion of $130,000 would we share with someone who is reaching out in time of need?
Since you may also be a personal friend of ours, you may get an email as well.If so, please just delete one--thanks for understanding!
Robyn says:“Hi all! This email comes as a shock to me and a reminder of how things can change in a hurry. As I am in the same position as Dr. Matthew Johnson in private practice, I can too clearly imagine some of what he is going through not being able to do what you love and what feeds the family! This is a man that I have met, have consulted w/ on the phone about starting my private practice as well as regarding clients and families. His book (check out the website, it is awesome! www.family-rules.com) is fantastic and I have been using it, giving it to clients, and referring families to his program for 2-3 years now. Since I know him, I have not called any of the phone #'s he lists to verify this story, but would not blame you if you wanted to. All I ask is that you search your hearts and do what is right and feasible for you. I feel moved to send what I can (maybe more than once). He is right w/ the statement too, that we cannot assume others are helping him out, especially w/ the economy and things tight as they are. Whatever small amount we can send WILL help out, and his work deserves to continue to help others all over the world and in turn help him in a time of need! THANK YOU, and again, do what feels right!
Robyn Yost, MA, LPC
P.S. And one last thing.....he very generously offers an autographed copy of his new book. I know the book is PHENOMENAL, and highly recommend it, but at the same time, if it doesn't apply to you or someone you know, maybe you would like to indicate that he keep your copy to sell? Up to you all.........!”
Dr. Johnson writes:I'm desperately begging for your help! Please help my family too!!Dear Family, Friends, and Professional Colleagues,
First things first: This is NOT a scam letter. I’m a married man, a psychologist, and I have four children. In January of 2009, I sustained
a SEVERE CLOSED HEAD BRAIN INJURY and I’ve been without work for the past six months. I know some of us Americans are all going through economic hard times at this point in our lives. However, out of major medical and financial desperation, I am writing you because I strongly believe that my present circumstances are more emotionally and physically overwhelming than you could ever imagine. As I have already shared with you, I have been without work for 6 months. I have depleted all assets, and at present, I do not qualify for unemployment benefits or social security disability. Please believe me. I’ve tried and tried. I have creditors calling me every day and my credit is shot. I swear to you, this is a true story. If you feel it necessary to verify whether or not this is a true story, please consider calling the following contact phone numbers: Dr. Matthew A. Johnson (Cell: 1-541-499-2816/Hm: 1-541-956-5942); My wife, Amanda Johnson (Cell: 1-541-499-2821/Hm: 1-541-956-5942); My elderly father, Arthur H. Johnson (Cell: 1-541-450-0980); My best friend, Dr. Marquis Nuby (1-940-536-9059); and my family physician, Dr. Robin Miller (1-541-842-9433).
Prior to sustaining my Severe Closed Head Brain Injury in January of 2009, I was a psychologist in private practice in beautiful Grants Pass, Oregon (i.e., southern Oregon). I also wrote a parenting book, “Positive Parenting with a Plan (Grades K-12): FAMILY Rules. I spoke in 80 cities per year for eight straight years all over the USA, Canada, and in some parts of Europe too. Life was going very well. My parenting program was being used in public and private schools, university and seminary settings, state agencies, foster care agencies, juvenile court agencies, adoption care agencies, and even the Los Angeles Superior Family Court System was mandating their parents to use my parenting book as a part of their
divorce settlement. Group Homes, Residential Treatment Facilities, and Psychiatric Hospitals were using my “Positive Parenting” program too. This was the fastest growing parenting program in the USA.
Then in January of 2009, while on a speaking tour in Georgia, everything changed. I arrived at a hotel at 11:30pm at night. The entrance doors
were locked. I got the attention of the hotel clerk behind the counter. She pressed a button and waved for me to come inside the hotel. I opened the door and ducked to walk under the standard 6 foot 8 inch door jam. I stand 6 feet 10 inches with my shoes on. Well, unbeknownst to me, hidden behind the closed door (and without a warning sign) was a solid metal four inch magnetic box hanging down from the door jamb which lowered the clearance level down to 6 feet 4 inches high. WHAM!!!!! I caught the full impact of the tip of the pointy corner of the solid metal box onto the top left frontal lobe of my head and ended up in the EMERGENCY ROOM 15 minutes later.
Yes, I hit the floor and passed out. Everything was white and fuzzy. Afterwards, the hotel clerk said that my head hit the box so hard that it sounded as if my head should have come off my body when I hit it.
Well, I got my complete speech back three months later. However, I've been really struggling to get my short-term memory and my cognitive-processing abilities back ever since then. I'm also struggling with light sensitivity (i.e., I have to wear sunglasses about 90% of the time) and noise
sensitivity issues. I also have emotional regulation problems which means I'm in the running for "A-Hole" of the year. Finally, I've been experiencing non-stop pain since the day I hit my head in January of this year. On a scale of 1 to 10, without medication, I'm constantly experiencing a 7 or an 8. When I'm on pain medication, my pain level is as low as a 2 or a 3.
Ever since January of 2009, my pain levels have spiked up to 10's on several occasions. In the past six weeks, they have escalated to 10's on three occasions and I have ended up in the emergency rooms in order to break the pain cycles. Recently, I was in the RogueValleyMedicalCenter in Medford, Oregon for eight straight days due to pain management. Imagine how much those medical bills are going to be for eight total days? Do you feel like crying yet? Because I cry every day. By the way, imagine experiencing your worst migraine headache and then multiplying that x100. Then put your brain in a vice-grip and squeeze it really hard, then pour acid on your brain and set it on fire. Finally, have someone plunge a butcher knife into your brain and wiggle it back and forth and then you'll begin to understand what my "spiked 10" headaches actually feel like.
The reason why I am writing you this letter of desperation is because I have been an unemployed psychologist for six months. I have not been able to see any private practice clients for six months because it would be unethical for me to do so (i.e., severe short-term memory and cognitive processing impairment issues along with emotional regulation problems). Also, I have been unable to speak in my usual 80 cities per year all over the USA, Canada, and Europe as I have been doing for the past eight years because my body just can't physically take it right now. Not only haven't I not been working for the past 6 months but I was just told by two doctors earlier this week that I most likely I won't be able to work for the next six to eighteen months either. This is truly heart breaking for someone like me who has always been a “go-getter-done” type of guy my whole life. The good news is that we finally have an excellent aftercare plan team established which involves a pain specialist, a psychiatrist, and a brain
specialists in Bend, OR and Seattle, WA who understand "Post-Concussive Syndrome."
I’ve pretty much already told you just how bad my finances are. I cry myself to sleep every night. Yes, I have an attorney to help litigate the case in Georgia. No, there won't be any pay out for another four years and that's if they don't appeal. This could go on for six to ten years before the appeals processes have been exhausted. Yes, I've looked into financial assistance. No, we don't qualify because of my past income levels and bad credit caused by my current crisis. We are truly stuck between a rock and a hard place. That's why I've resorted to this humiliating process of
begging for money. Are you beginning to catch on as to how desperate I truly must be to have to write a letter like this to you?
In the mean time, my only means of making any kind of an income is by selling my self-published positive parenting books (English and Spanish)
and my seminar on DVD via my website. The nice thing about the six months of down time is that I've had plenty of time to revise my book, "Positive Parenting with a Plan (Grades K-12): FAMILY Rules". I've had several friends with healthy brains to help me catch all of my editing mistakes. My parenting book is being used all over the USA, Canada, Europe, Africa, India, Central and South America, Australia, and Asia. The problem that I'm having is that you have to spend money in order to make money. In other words, I have to order books to create an inventory in the warehouse in order to sell them in bookstores or on line via my website (www.Family-Rules.com). My inventory is running dangerously low and I don't have the financial funds to replenish my inventory. I NEED MONEY!!!! No inventory = no books to sell = no money to pay bills or feed my kids.
This is where you come in. I am desperately asking and/or begging you for your help. Due to my Severe Closed Head Brain Injury, I have no income. Due to my Severe Closed Head Brain Injury, I have no potential of working for another six to eighteen months. Therefore, I'm asking and/or begging you to consider helping me and my family out. I'm asking and/or begging you to consider simply writing out a $25, $50, $75, $100, or a larger check out to (PLEASE mail the check to my self-publisher – NOT to me):
Intermedia Publishing Group
PO Box 2825 Peoria, Arizona 85380 (In the Memo Section of your check, Please designate Dr. Matthew A. Johnson as the recipient of your very generous gift). In return, I will send you a FREE autographed copy of my revised book. This is NOT a tax deductable gift but I will give you a BIG hug! ....and that's a BIG HUG coming from someone whose 6'9" tall and 320 lbs.
Please understand that there is no way on God's green earth that I would ever be writing you a letter like this if I wasn't in an extremely
emotional, physical, and financial desperate situation. It humbles me to the point of tears to have to write this letter but I don't know what else to do in order to feed my children. What I am asking you do be mindful of is to NOT be that one person who thinks there’s going to be enough other
people doing your job that you don’t need to step up to the plate and be your brother’s keeper. If there’s a still small voice inside your mind
encouraging you to write that check, will you please listen to it and please help out my desperate family? PLEASE!!!!
If the situation was reversed, I promise you that I wouldn't even hesitate to send you a check because that's the kind of guy I am. I seriously need
your help right now. I wouldn't be asking if I didn't need your help. If you would like to forward this e-mail on to your family, friends, loved ones, church, synagogue, and/or other listservs or the media, I would appreciate anyone's and everyone's help that I can get. In the end, by helping me out by increasing my book inventory, you're ultimately helping to make my book available to parents so they can do a better job of parenting with their children which makes our world a better place to live in for all of us. I promise that I will send you a FREE autographed copy of my book.
Thank you for your time and careful consideration. If you need to talk with me about my request for your financial help, please feel free to call me
on my cell phone: 1-541-499-2816
God Bless!
Dr. Matthew A. Johnson
P.O. Box 1801 Grants Pass, Oregon 97528 Phone: 1-(541)-956-8585
Fax: 1-(541)-955-7165
http://www.Family-Rules.com
P.S. Please don’t put off sending in your check. Every little bit helps and my family sincerely needs that little bit of help right now. God bless you for taking the time to respond!!!
Intermedia Publishing Group
PO Box 2825 Peoria, Arizona 85380
I would really appreciate it if you would take the time to forward this e-mail to all your family members, friends, coworkers, church members,
and other listservs in order to share our story as well as our needs. Thank you!!!
Suggested AFFIRMATIONS
I receive by giving to others!
I give and always have more to give.
I trust that when I do my share, life always supports me.
YOU'VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE! The animals with whom we share the planet have not lost the wisdom each soul was born with! Every day they attempt to be good role models, imparting that wisdom through their actions...and now their words here.
Let's listen to them and enjoy the journey of the imagination found here!!
Katie Lou, Judy & Black Jack
"Who's the wise one?"
Judy's story!
“Life is for JOY! The world is TO SEE! Come along WITH ME.. and our animal travelers on this planet!!"I've always loved being this sort of a cheerleader and love to motivate, inspire and help create prosperity.
Now more tuned in, my animals want to share with us humans through me.
They've also assisted me to be an artist of a variety of fine arts some of which include pet & animal portraits, eggshell & wood carvings. I also take photographs of scenery, sunrises, flowers, travel adventures & family. Everywhere we go we can find a unique energy, love and beauty to absorb and recreate along with a joy that becomes a lasting part of us. There are so many wisdoms that are yet to be realized ‘out there’. The world is, indeed, our larger community of family—reminding me always that we are One in spirit. So it seems to be my mission to be of service capturing the infinite moods and teachings of this planet and its inhabitants in words, on camera and in artwork. This way perhaps those who can't or won't create these experiences for themselves have a place to come to absorb some of it. Please also enjoy your journey within the pages of my website, www.JudysArtAdventures.com.
"In partnership with an aging dog"
