Use my name

Using someones name gives them a sense of self.
Using someones name gives recognition and acknowledgement.
Using someones name takes "ownership" out of the equation.
Using someones name gives worth.
Using someones name gives equality to each.

I am not "the" dog. I am Emma Zen!

(Side note: This works with humans too!)

She taught me that too.

I found Mom's new writing table. It wasn't hidden. It's didn't say "don't read". It was just sitting there in the open. So I picked it up and read some. Now I am positive that putting it on the Internet is not my permission to do. However I found it lovely and something maybe the other humans on this site would relate too. So when she gets mad at me, I would appreciate it if someone has my back.... Emma Zen

And she wrote:

Being a woman who was brought up on a horse, I would have never guessed that my Black Beauty would turn out to be a Labrador. But that is exactly how this story goes. By the time I began this tale she was already three years old. She already had a name for herself. A bit of a local celebrity. A Shelter Survivor turn Therapy Dog. A model, a role model, a fundraiser and a most cherished Biker Dog. Her presence spanned the covers of newspapers, calendars, books, magazines, social portals and web address. If you doubt her standings, someday just "Google" Emma Zen.

She is my everything!

From this creature I have learned more than those before her have tried to teach me.

With this dog by my side I have been able to accomplish that which I use to just dream.

For the love of a dog how many can relate? Oh the answers of live that lie between our relationship, I see you.. :-)

This clarity gave me the opportunity to become me. It gave me a reason to concentrate on someone other than myself, and who emerged was... me! :-)

Such a momentous finding to be credited to a dog!

No wonder some societies worship them. I am not saying that I think my Dog is God, however she is the closest to Heaven I have even been to here on Earth. :-)

My life thus far has been grand!! I have had fortune and heavy baggage. I have seen success and tasted failures. I have loved and I have lost. I have stood atop a mountain and laid rock bottom. We all have. I have learned to be and have stopped trying to be. And yes, she taught me that too.

Anyhow building yourself and your life or your standing up is a lot of work, and can leave you with a hole inside that isn't pretty. Standing in the shallow with your hair combed, you can feel pretty good. (I have no idea why I just said that.) But yes, this too she taught me.

Oh I could write a book! (LOL) Giving each chapter of our lives a title and drawing out a picture in words. It would be fabulous. I believe so many would connect.

But why does it need to be our story? why does it need to be about us? Everyone has a story. And yours is just as important to you as mine is to me.

so I decide to stop talking, I decided to listen. She taught me that too. I leave the rest of this notebook empty, giving the next person a place to record your personal novel. So much of the life I have with my dog is documented and the feelings I have I get to acknowledge to myself. I hope you May do the same with the pages that are left.

I am in love with my dog, my everything, my Black Beauty. And that is exactly how my story goes.

Debra Jo Chiapuzio
(Then she drew a tiny picture of me.)

It's okay to say!

I know I haven't written for awhile. I have been busy doing Therapy for causes I never dreamed I would have the honor to represent.

Today, some one referred to me as "a celebrity" and I have to tale you how that made me feel. If I were human, I would have shed a tear!

I have had wonderful, incredible opportunities to enjoy my own life and to help some many other lives in so many diverse ways. I was just being myself and stepping one paw at a time in front of myself. It wasn't until recently that I looked back and realized I had laid a path.

A path for others to follow. A path for my human to continue when I am gone. A path whose road is lined with the happiness, the hearts, the hopes of many. In looking back I can see why someone might refer to me in a name I haven't called myself.

I am not full of myself but I am proud of my accomplishments, and that's okay to say.

Thank You.

Emma Zen

SEEING is beautiful

I have an advantage as dog for I can not video tape, I can not hold a camera heck I can not hold a phone. My eyes are my lenses and my memories are my pictures.

I heard my human tell a story about the first time she went to Italy. After her return she had hundreds of pictures and years later it was those pictures she remember not the experience of that first trip. She is lucky, she returned many times.

I do understand the concept of what is coming tomorrow. I only understand today.

Today was beautiful. Technicolor. That is what I believe you call it. The greens where so light they looked fake and trees came in orange and white and red. Mustard weed field fields with yellow and the air with sweet aroma. Orange fields, the Apple fields looked as good as they smelt. Raccoons crossed the street and the sky was abundant with birds. The unfamiliar sound of hooves on pavement lead way to the smells of a horse. The winds were gentle, the sun warm upon my fur and my paws tingling cold with feel of the snow. Today was an experience I saw with my eyes and I heard with my ears and I smelt with my snout and I touched with my pads and I tasted when I eat. Today was beautiful

Try to be as nature intended once in awhile. Put down your camera, stop talking outwards and let what be in. For all that I am, I am made of my experience and they linger as long as your film.

I have an advantage, I know seeing is beautiful.


"What touches us, lingers." Emma Zen!

Leftovers

Knowing me as you all do, you probably all assume this is about food! It's not. Today I had to wait around. My Dad had to go get something from Harley Davidson. My Mom had to get this and that too. It got me to thinking: Why do humans need so much?

If you take away my collar, my leash and my toys what is leftover is me. And I, am dog! If you were stripped of your things who would you be?

Just curious. (The cat is wearing off on me.)

Emma the dog.

The Day After

Ever have a day so exciting? Or a day you had just been looking forward to for a long time? And then the next day comes.... How do you feel?

If you feel down, is it because you thought the excitement was over? Is it because you lack anticipation? Why is it that looking forward is more exhilarating then looking at today?

I think it is that basic desire to want, to crave, to yearn. That keeps you humans looking ahead. I too have the ability to foresee. Teach me how to do a trick and reward me at the end and soon I will be doing tricks on my own without any commands given. I too anticipate.

The difference? Canines are looking at what's going to happen in 10 minutes, not in 10 days. So start writing the "big" stuff on the calendar and mark 4 days before it happens as the day you can start to say "hooray". Next time make it 3 days before, then two and finally one. I think a day or two before, if all humans could do that they would multiple their happiness by a thousand.. For when your not off in the future you find happiness in today!

Today, I went to dog park, had a bath, tested new agility equipment, took a funny picture, took a nap, meet a little dog named Chico that was black with a small white mark on his chest (not to friendly thought) and play with my GrandMEM, all before dinner. I am so glad I wasn't in next week!

Emma Zen

Responsiblity

If I were a human, today I would be stressed. I have an exciting engagement the type you need to prepare for and I have a new venture the type that takes planning and outlook. If I were human, my fur would be falling out.

But, I am dog! I act as if nothing is different. No pressure, no expectation of others or self. I am just, dog. I know the difference for I am the one actively participating in today's event. On the other paw, it is just what I do and no different from any other day I do the same thing. My piece of mind? Well, it's a peace!

Seams to me to be a lesson in that, something humans could take or learn from. How do I do it? By not doing whatever it is you people do. So just stop. It is always the little stuff that is the hardest or the last thing you remember to see. Just stop. Stop stressing, stop putting pressure on yourselves and stop expectations. How do you do that? Redirection, a training technique that works on canines. Every time you get distracted I suggest you sing yourself a little song, "I am dog, I am dog, I am dog." Bet you can't sing and smile and stress at the same time.

Then as yourself you can do your thing. If you are stressed your going to show up as someone different and they may not like that person as well. (Did I just say that?) Anyhow, just sing, just stop and just be at peace!

Not that I am barking out orders or anything, just a thought.

Emma Zen

The Dog Gardener

Out of the thoughts of canines! This morning a quick tap/tap and I had updated my facebook status to read: "This moment is powerful it is like a seed planting the fruits for my next moment. I am the Dog Gardener!" The truest statements come to be when you speak what you feel, inside of talking what you've rehearsed. (See there's another one.)

I want to point out how all good dogs are always good and all good humans are always good. And bad dogs and bad human, well they are just mostly bad. It is because of their seeds they are planting.

So it is not my labor or effort to create lifelong change for someone. We each need to find our own ways. But for today I shall make sure someone plants a seed with more morality, less judgement, more compassion, less selfishness, more peace and less negativity. In hopes that their growth turns to a direction more positive, more in tune, more canine! And with that flower, may you run....

Farmer Emma

Recieving

Do you know what I admire about my dog? We have a treat jar and it is near the living room so whenever we give her a large milk bone she holds it in her mouth and she trots off proudly to the other room to eat her gift with pride. Funny thing is you can give her one of those little round peanut butter circle that she loves so much and she holds it, trots off and eats in with the same pride! It is the size of a dime! This is one of the things I love about my dog.

It's not the treat that dictates her pleasure. It's her desire to be pleased with each and every treat she receives, regardless of what is being received. She is happy in times of plenty and it times of biscuit recession. She wears the same smile and trots with equal enthusiasm. She feels delight, regardless.

This is one of things I love about my dog. One can learn so much from nature, one can learn so much from "her" nature.

It is Christmas. A time of year where ungratefulness is easier to spot. Many haven known someone unhappy with a gift they have received. Or spotted those that can only see a gift if it is of physical presents. I myself even knew a family member who made a strong statement as to what should ? be given to them for a gift and even why....

So I pick today. This time of year to remind us all that the joy is in the giving and the joy is in receiving. Though only you can choose to prideful for the act of receiving, irregardless to the package.

Merry Christmas and May you find this gift, a blessing.

Emma's Human

Sleep Overs

It has been at least a week since I have written and how much we have to share. A family member came over to visit at least a week ago and she is still here. Now I am pretty sure that it is no different for us canines as it is for you human.

There is the greeting period.

The "how fun to have someone to share everything with" period.

The "okay I have stuff to do get your own life" period.

The "showing off by demanding all of Mom's attention" period.

The "good Lord, your still here?" period.

Why is it that when they are not with us, we get all excited to see them come? And after awhile we get all excited to see them leave? And when they are gone we will be all excited to see them return?

What is the trick to being happy with the now. Heck, I thought us dogs were suppose to be good at that? All I can see now, is yellow. We even sleep together.

I shall do as you humans must have to do, I will give recognition only to the good.

THIS IS SHAINA AND WE ARE ENJOYING AN EARLY EVENING NAP IN THE OFFICE. LIFE IS GOOD!

Emma Zen

Be Still

My human remember Granny (in picture) telling her that if she ever needed more hours in her day: to slow down.

Now I know that may sound like funny advice if your runnin around like a chicken with no head but today I learned the truth in that.

My human also as a friend, Mary who told a story one time of her son who ran in yelling and screaming about everything he had going on in his head and how he had to "hurry up" and get some of it done so he could give his brain a rest. Mary told him to stop, sit and breath.

Be still.

This seams to be the advice of both. Today I sat for hours at the Senior Center where Granny lives. And everyone came and sat with me one person at a time. I had so much fun, so many laughs, heard so much advice, had moments of silences. Today was long, beautiful and fun. I was only there 2 in a half hours.

May you fill your busy life with moments of stillness... May you be happier, healthier and optain more beauty!

Blessing of the Animals

Today I attended Douglas Cook's Blessing of the Animals. He is a Catholic Monsignor. A short note on blessings, be you human or from the animal kingdom.

Don't spend your time or avoidance because you are not Catholic, or dismiss someone because you are not Buddisht, nor roll your eyes because you are not another religion or belief. Look at what they all have in common. They at least all believe that their is someone higher then themselves.

And in not quibbling I got an extra blessing! See I am not Catholic. Though that doesn't matter. You can never have too many blessings. And it came to me from the heart of another. And that is the most important thing.

Maybe we are all trying to get to the peak of the same mountain. And we are all just taking a different path up...

Emma Zen

Leaving without me?!.

When I was young my Humans Mother told her to leave me at home once in awhile so I knew what it was like to be alone. Neither one of us understood that then but now we do. It is a good suggestion if you take your dog EVERYWHERE with you. You don't want to create separation anxiety on purpose. You NEVER know what life brings.

I am lucky my human truly CAN take me everywhere. I am a service dog so I have special permissions. But I have to say when she leaves me on purpose I am the saddest looking dog you have ever seen. I know she does that so I don't become neurotic but truly I ask, is it necessary. Please don't leave me alone.

A year ago my human got sick. Not sick take me to the hospital and make her better. Sick, OMG I hope she doesn't die sick, no one though about taking me. I spent hours alone at home so worried, so worried. Had I already had these separate experience I probably would have just though I was in for some good nap time. So if you won't do it for yourself, do it for me, or for your dog. Just in case something happens you leave me, with a healthy state of mind.

As for me, it's too late. Today I trotted down the sidewalk as she drove away. And she stopped and opened the car door and let me in. I went to the place that does your nails, not petco the nail salon. I could have stayed home but... I want to, I have to be with her. This store may sound cute, precious and adorable but if you are creating a me at home you may want to take another look at what your doing. I am asking you to be aware. For our sake, not yours. And after all that is what you humans say that matter.

Just something to think about.

Midnight Ramble

Take into consideration my behavioral patterns and then work around them to suit your human needs.

See I have a friend whose dog gets up in the middle of the night and eats things, like the couch! But she doesn't think about him when she goes to sleep. She keeps him on a short leash all day and then when she sees me nodded out, she goes to bed herself. Three hours later he's up and having sofa snack. People, you can watch me in the day time but your proverbial short leash on me at night, if these are your issues, consider the behavioral patterns.

Considered the nature, cats are nocturnal. My sister Sam, a Siamese, is up all hours of the night cruising the house, batting her stuff mouse around, eating cat food and being mouthy. Now you wouldn't expect this furry bundle of joy to sleep all night would you?

I am a good dog. I do not eat anything that isn't mine. I do not play with my humans things. I take myself outside to potty. I am a good dog. But I am also a Lucky Dog! You see my human Dad has worked a lot a night during his life, so his nature is to be up at all hours. So in my house, me, Dad and Sam do this little thing we like to call, The Midnight Ramble! We all sneak out of the bedroom and go into the living room together and we play indoor games and we all get belly rubs and we have cheese snacks and watch TV together. DON"T TELL MOM, but one time we were all on the same couch! We all get it out of our system and we all go back to bed where we will find Mom sound asleep.

So if it is your animals nature or behavior to be a night owl, wake up with, or provide for or set boundaries during those hours. Don't wake up and yell at him just because he eat the couch. You sort of let him, by doing nothing. I guess I am feeling sorry for my friend who eat the couch. He was just being himself. We are not perfect or human and you must be guiding us every minute if you want a perfect dog, even the minutes you are asleep.

Not everyone is lucky enough to Ramble!

One foot in front of the other

Keep on trucking. One day at a time. Baby Steps. Just try.

Things you hear over and over whenever you run into a rock and a hard spot. Excuse, good excuse and poor ones, all used a reasoning to validate why you did or didn't do something.

It's priorities, that will say what you pay more attention to. It's the one with the priority status that you care the most about.

I said I was going to write something everyday for a year and tonight I almost forgot. TV and kicking it in the hall were more important.

Doesn't mean that you can't skip. But admit to it. Know "why" you skipped something, failed something, didn't do something. You may feel the urge to hide in the face of others but why lie to yourself?

Persistence's, Little Steps, One moment a time, I just do it.

The Dirt on Dogs

In the following of yesterdays post, enough is enough, I still lay here... still. Unattended to and left alone. Sleeping away in the dirt because to me, a dog, I find it cool, refreshing, quite, and of my nature. No one made me go anywhere. No one woke me up. No one bothered me at all. It has been a sleepy, boring, perfect beautiful day!

Enough is Enough

Sky diving, Dog events, Dog Movies, Dog Walks, Visits, Play Time, Bath Time, Get in the car, get out of the car, get dressed, eat now, eat later, say hello to..., say goodbye to..., Sit, Stay, Stop, Down, Okay.

Left, Right, Up, Down... Enough is Enough!

I do not know if you are one of these dogs. But does your human take you EVERYWHERE? Are you going to the store, going to Grandmas, going to the dog park, going to the beach, going down the street? Are you just... Always going?

I do not know how many of you are out there but I can't be the only one. But if your human is reading this for you I have something to say, "Leave me alone!" :-) I mean, goodness I am a dog, a dog sleeps a lot. In fact according to Sleep and Dreams in Dogs and Cats: Under controlled laboratory conditions both cats and dogs sleep about 13 hours per day but they wake up more frequently than people do.
According to Planet Dog: • Adult dogs spend approximately half their life sleeping, typically 12 hours a day.• Some breeds need more sleep than others – as much as 18 hours per day! (typically larger breeds).

In other words, even though this may only apply to the 1 percenters of this world, if you are doing or over doing PLEASE give me a rest. A day to myself to sleep. To you it may seam like I am doing nothing but believe me... Sleeping all day can be heaven!

Therapy What?

I am sure you humans have had these kinds of days before, I know my human is having one today. Ever feel like your chasing your tail? Yesterday was suppose to be all about me, turned out to be all about my friends. Today was suppose to be all about them, as I went to a local convalescent hospital to do some therapy and it turned out to be all about me. In a selfish sort of way, you see it was so hot today all I could do was lay on the nice cold tiled floor. It's a good thing humans enjoy being in the presence of an animal, even a lazy one. So what the heck will tomorrow bring?

Oh I see.... I just noticed the problem. Why the heck to I want to know about tomorrow, when right now it is today?!. I have been hanging around you humans so much I am starting to think like one. (Goodness save me) My dog head in one moment different from the one it is. Doesn't matter if it is in the past or the future anything "not now" is not going to work. I have been chasing my tail.

Well enough of that. Lets all say it together, enough of that. Take some advice given to me today by one of my fellow therapy pets Mother: Just Be!