Stranger things have happened

I live on a street that gets the same traffic everyday. It's a little group of houses with one way in and one way out so there doesn't seem to be a lot of unaccounted for passer-by's. Yesterday I was sitting out in the front yard, off leash, all by myself as I usually do. And even though I look like I am in my own world my over protective Mother is typically in the office, a room where she can see me but I can't necessarily see her.

Well, yesterday this pickup truck stopped right after it passed me and a big strapping 40 something male got out and look right at me and then sort of acted like he was checking his tires. The truck was newer and looked to me as if it were at age to be mechanical trouble. My Mother came flying out of the house like her hair was on fire! She saw me, the good dog who hadn't moved an inch, and the white truck (I know the picture is black.) The bed of truck sported 3 in poor shape dog crates and looked messy. Mom took out her phone and walked into the middle of the yard as if she didn't care at all what he thought and took a picture of the vehicle, the man and the plate! He didn't even say anything "how weird" Mom that was. Then he got back into the drivers seat, reeves his perfectly good engine as if to check it out and put it in gear and left... We have never seen this truck before and I hope he doesn't come back. Mom can be scary!

I heard about a famous dog last year that got dog-napped for ransom it was out here in Southern Ca that such a thing did happen! And how often are lose dogs picked up by people who just want to sell a soul to make a buck? This is just a reminder that just because you can be off leash doesn't mean you should be by yourself! Just a reminder of safety and well-being. How many times has someone told you not to go hike alone or not to talk to strangers or... you know the list goes on and on and sometimes humans get complacent or comfortable. The basics are still the basics! Be aware, weirder things have happened.

Emma Zen

What my human learned from me

Yesterday I had a bad day or at least that is what one could assume. You see, me at home all day without my human is stressful. I suffer from separation anxiety. But when Mom walked in the door I stood up and gave her my happiest slow, head down, ears cute, butt wiggle walk I could! I was so happy to see her and it was that happiness I wanted to share first.

Debra, my human, took off early in the morning. Early of a terrible morning, after a terrible nights sleep, with terrible news. Her head had so many things running through it. She was off though to lunch with a friend. She thought of the story above, or days like that where I had met her with such enthusiasm even after the following of a no good day and she though, I will not go to my "friends" house, lay my woes at her door. For then I will only have to complain and be more negative and no time to heal or be possitive. So she did this and yet even though it was a struggle it was far less traumatic then pouring out what made her day bad to begin with.

Then she left and her day got worse. Much worse and it wasn't much better the next day. But what I have seen my human do is to try. To know in her own head what has to been done and to do it and to not perpetuate the negativity by overly repeating it too much or everywhere she goes. I have watched her smile, hold back a snarly, listen to others and I swear today I saw her wag her butt!

I think it is working. She looks like she is getting grounded again.. My human has learned from my behaviors. Dogs, be good. You never know who you are affecting!

Emma

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

Now it's here, now it's not.

Have you ever seen a crystal clear water bowl? Filled with cool water on a warm summers day. Ice cubes gentle floating freely in the dish. The bowl sitting on a riser just high enough to meet you muzzle. Have you ever seen such a bowl of H2O? And then your visiting canine company comes charging by and whoops! the bowl goes crashing over and you sigh and get on with your play.

But, if you knew that bowl of water wasn't going to be there in ten minutes. You drink from it's fill, savoring the delights of purity. Enjoying all that it is.

Look at your day, your life, your friends, you family, your surrounds, your reality and partake as if you knew when it wouldn't be there anymore. Slow down and do, instead of speeding up and doing over. For sometimes the answers of life are simply found, in your water bowl.

Emma Zen

In high Gear!

Ever been busy ALL day from sun up to WAY past sun down? Never stopping.. Go Go Go.. Sometimes full, sometimes hungry, sometimes tired, sometimes energetic, sometimes cranky, sometime happy and you just can't stop?

That has been me today. I am a whirlwind!

Emma (not Zen!) But in a good mood and going strong!

Perspective

Someone said they were broken hearted and that they were so sad with out me in their life, but they didn't call. I saw a billboard with a negative drawing and the protesters were saying negative things, but they didn't say what the topic was about. I went to a place unfamiliar to me and asked them what they had and they said, "I don't know", I didn't work their and I wasn't required to know.

Just seams like somethings I have run across today have just been one off.

I know I am a dog but if you don't like the bones, just don't eat. Don't spit it out all over the floor and hank and make a huge deal about it. And if I want to kiss you, I will.

I guess that is all I have to say, you humans will have to read between the lines or figure it out for yourselves. But from my point of view today you all aren't doing very good.

You can catch more flies with honey then you can vinegar. You can be for something instead of against something. You can be poignant instead of beating around the bush. Wives tails, Old sayings or truths. Just do better, even if you already are. Loose the drama use perspective and stop living your life as an optical illusion.


Emma Zen

Confused

Confused, What does it all mean? Another question for which somethimes you never get an acceptable answer.
Fall, I live in Southern California that is more of a term of time then an actual season. Fall, in colored leaves or leaves that are dying from heat and look like that belong in a seasonal category. Fall, as in to fall down at which point you should either just lay there and go with the flow or get up and do something. Fall, as in fallen, those we know that pass before us. Fall and in falling, the tears that flow for those who fell. I have the feeling this may not make sense but my for today my senses, fell.

In memory of a friend.
Emma Zen

Being Helpful

Today I went to the storage unit to help my dad work. I was active and walked with him from one unit to the next and help him move things around. I also was lazy and stayed in out of the way and in one place when he needed to work without me but still keep his eyes on me. So sometimes being helpful is doing and sometimes being helpful is doing nothing!

Know when which is applicable.

A Life Question is Answered....

Did you know that we are not afraid of anything. We just have no knowledge or experience of whatever it is we think we are afraid of.

So I listened to the noise it made first. Then I listen to my humans who said I would be okay. I sat on it with out it moving or being turned on. Then when I got comfortable I even eat some cheese on it before we went up...

After I knew the in's and out's, I wasn't afraid of the up's and down's!

WOW.. Now that is a statement, there it is out of the mouth's of canines: Life's Answer to How to overcome your fears?

That is my Mom and I 26 feet in the air

Missed a day

So I know this doesn't sound that important to you exceptially considering I only have 2 friends on this account. But it is important to me. However we must all choose in life when to go back and correct a mistake and when to just start over from where you at and move forward. It's the same thing you human's have to deal with. Interesting, isn't it...

Overload

I watched my human today, the good, the bad and the ugly. I am talking about life. It is a good thing she is healthy and balanced so she can go with the flow. It reminded me to tell you humans that is why you should create a dog who is healthy and balanced. That way we can go with the flow too. Your not the only one life gets to. So if I don't handle my day the way you like, give me more direction so next time I will have more at my disposal to rely on!

The Dog.

The Laws of Attraction

Yes, I know it is a whole line of spiritual belief and I am not hear to discuss religion or politics. But I have a funny story.

In the car I overheard my humans speaking. Dad said something and Mom told him not to think so negatively. His response was, "yeah, well every time I do something bad does happen."

She said nothing, do you see why she titled this post the way she did?!.

I attract great things in my life, but then again I feel I am a great dog! That is one of the whole and simple trick to life. Being proud and going out into the world with self confidences and a positive feeling and bring home only that which you have choosen. I only choose peace, love and possitive thoughts.

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.

Reel Dog

What a weekend! Skydiving, Pet Trek's, Wiggle Waggles and the movies! Yes, tonight I get to participate in one of life's lost greatest moments. The car is filled with ice chest and blankets, jackets and snacks, chairs and toys. We will be meeting my Dad, GrandMEM, Granny and Friend at a park. One person is bring soda's the other is bringing chicken dinner! My favorite! And we are going to have a picnic in the park while a dog movie plays on an outdoor big screen!!!

When was the last time you had a picnic? When was the last time you layed on the ground and looked up at the stars? When did you just sit and watch the ocean, the garden, the world. When did you last stop? Being a dog, I do stuff like that pretty frequently and I will let you in on a secret. You humans always seam to NOT have enought time busy running around like crazy. I think it is you, who chases your own tail. But anyhow, my secret, "If you want more hours in your day, S L O W D O W N. I know it sounds funny but try it. See how fast you can waste 5 minutes doing something, doing anything, and the see how long five minutes is when you do nothing.

It's a lesson best taught by a dog. Try it. Sit. Stay. Be a real dog!

Emma Zen

Nothing to Say

Ever have one of those moments (days) when you just don't have anything to say? Well on those days, say nothing!

Thank You

When is that last time you said thank you to someone? I mean just said "thank you." Not, thank for .... (naming whatever it was you received), just "thank you."

When is the last time you meant thank you, as in, an actually sign of appreciation. Appreciation for the actions of another? When is the last time your thank you was about another, not yourself?

Whenever you say thank you for this or thank you for that, aren't you sort of stroking your own back? If you just tell the person you are address thank you, and you haven't included your own excitement, enjoyment or gain. Then it is truly a thank you and the focus is about them. Isn't that what "thank you" is suppose to be about anyways?

Funny thing, as this was being written with the idea in mind of saying to Dave from I like Vinyl, "Thank you." We received a text message from someone who is on her way here and when she arrives my human will keep her mouth shut and just say to her also, simple "thank you".

We all want to talk about ourselves. But sometimes the message is clearer when we don't say much at all.

So when I am passing down the hall or come into the room you are in and I rub against you and then walk away. Don't say: funny dog, or strange dog, or unsociable. Maybe it is my way of just passing by for a few seconds to say nothing more then "thank you!"

Balance

I was going to be cleaver and write about balance. And then I decided to just remind us all to have some in our lives.

Emma Zen

Canine Human

I am not sure if it is because I am a therapy dog or just because my human can't seem to go anywhere without me, but I do a lot of things you humans do. It has served to make me well adjusted and behave with integrity through numerous situations that might throw a less seasoned dog into turmoil. However today someone called me human.

I know they meant well but I have never been so insulted. Don't take that the wrong way, if I was human I would love to called human. But I am dog and there for prefer the term canine.

This is were so many pet vs. person relationships go bad. It is more then okay that you love me with all of your heart. It is perfect that you hug and play with me. I even like it when you introduce me as your "furry child." Baby talk as much as you want just understand, I am not you.

I am dog. I need direction. I need discipline. I need exercise. I need food. I need love. All the stuff you give are extra and icing on my cake. But if you want me to be a canine human, treat me like a well seasoned dog!

Stand in your own shoes

I wrote this ---l---o---n---g--- old blog and then hit the delete button on purpose. Maybe it was just for the sake of writting and getting it out of my fur, I just don't know.

But now I don't know what to write about now.

My purpose was to look at myself and not others. I wrote about standing in someone else's shoes. But sometimes you have to check your words and the direction from which you approach a story. My blogs shouldn't result from someone else's negativities. Or from me taking anyone else's inventory. You need to be responsible for your own actions, even if your a dog. It's just sometimes it's hard not to judge someone else's tail!

So I deleted it and started over. Let's see something about, me...?....

Last night, I eat the cat food. (Yep me, I did that. I don't even know why? I never even go in there.) But, I did!.... It's so hard to say "I did it! I had a weak moment, it was me, I did it" when it is so much easier to say, "It was your fault for leaving it where I could get it." Today this is my purpose to stay inside me, to stay centered, to stay... a dog!

So later I will say what small thing I did today that was important for me. It would be nice to hear your comments on your accomplishment too. Never to small. We learn from each other. We learn from experience.

Remember it's is the simple things that are important not the beauty queens desire of world peace. Look for inner peace, the rest.... will follow.

Emma Zen

Made them smile.

Were to start? Today was "It's all about me day" so let me tell
you what I did. This morning my friends Denise & Haiku came
over to visit. And I did 2 things. First I gave Denise the chance
to be away from work for a while, she got "a break". She seamed
so happy to just be with us dogs. Then my friend Haiku, well even
though I refer to him as the second thing I did today. I think we
did more for him then anyone.

He learned to behave in a car with another dog. (That was me.)
He learned how to jump the fence! (That is so much fun.)
He learned how to confront his fears. (The statue is sort of weird)
And he learned how to eat off a tortoise! (That's Daisy)

He had a day he need too. I love that I could
be there for my friends. It makes me happy!

Then we went to Anaheim Feed & Pet Supply, the worlds greatest pet store. Mom can get everything she wants or needs and I get to wonder around and sniff everything. And all the employees know your name! They say "Hi Emma" My favorite person was there Harrison and I gave him a huge kiss. (He said he needed that.) and then his baby "DUFFY" was their too. He is so so cute and tiny and he doesn't shake at all. He is very comfortable but he is a little shy about big dogs. So I laid on my side and let him crawl all over me! His dad said he needed that lesson.

Then my "boyfriend" Jake came

over. (He is SO handsome.) and

Jake needed to cool off so we

played around in my pool. We got

really dirty and had to take baths.

Jake's dad had errands to do so he

was so happy that he could stay

over at my house with me.

So, that is what I did today. I helped Denise. I helped Haiku. I helped Harrison. I helped Duffy. I helped Jake. I helped Jake's dad.

Isn't that funny. Today was suppose to be all about me and spend it helping others. No wonder I turned into a therapy dog, seams to be in my nature. But it is also a lesson. When it truly is all about you, it is generally about someone else. Try it and see how good you feel.

Emma Zen