My Fat Dog: The Book

Can Dogs Meditate?

I'll be doing something a little different with this blog at the end of next week:  it will become the virtual home to another author. Here's the story:

Can ten seconds actually change your life?

A number of years ago, before I became an internationally known pet health author simply covered in dog hair, I plunged deeply into the study of creativity.  I read and reread Catholic girl gone Hollywood hack Julia Cameron (damn you, morning pages!), I alternately cursed and blessed whiny, brilliant Anne Lamott, I wondered if it was possible to have a wild mind like Natalie Goldberg's if you lived in guilty type A New York, not sleepy Buddhist New Mexico where they don't generally let you linger over your coffee while you ride the back of your muse.

One of the most interesting people I have read, and continue to read, is the therapist and creativity expert Eric Maisel, whose own writing seems to embrace both the difficulty of getting ready to make art, and the dizzy sexy pleasure of actually making it.  I even took an on-line creativity coach class from him, and learned, among other things, that I am REALLY bad at doing on line coaching of people I have never met face to face.  That is a good lesson to learn.

Now Eric has written a new book called TEN ZEN SECONDS, and it is a splendid one.  TEN ZEN SECONDS refers to a series of "incantations," as Eric calls them, short phrases that you repeat to yourself as you breathe deeply in and then out.  Unlike a lot of meditation techniques, you don't need a cushion, a mat, a room, a candle.  You can, in fact, be running for the damned subway while you are doing them: in fact, Eric encourages you to do just that. 

The  12 phrases include:

• "I expect nothing,"
• "I return with strength," and
• "I am doing my work."

You can repeat one, or string them together like beads.  Despite their brevity, they are the very opposite of quick fixes.  While generally people--including me--find relief in the very first 10 second incantation, the point is to keep doing them, and notice how you shift when you interrupt your big old patten of stress with a generous thought, and a deep in and out breath.  Very portable, and you don't have to carry around a sticky, possibly bacteria-laden mat to do it!

Eric was kind enough to include me in on his "virtual blog tour," where he answers questions from a variety of gifted bloggers.  The whole schedule is here.

Leading up to May 3rd, when I'll have an interview with Eric on this site, I'll be talking about individual "incantations," especially as how they relate to dog training, where I have actually used them.

Then, on May 3rd, Eric and I will chat about what Ten Zen Seconds can do for pet owners...

And whether dogs really meditate.

Stay tuned.

We Interrupt This Weblog to Show You..A Picture of A Dog..But First:

Very shortly, I'll have something to say about the whole pet food scandal..

No, I have something to say now:  if this affected you in ANY way, make sure that you are registered to vote, make sure that you vote, and make sure that you make it clear to  your elected officials that you care about this issue.  The late Tip O'Neill used to say all politics is local, and what could be more local than wondering and worrying about your cat or your dog, because, at least at last report, somebody somewhere wanted to make a buck, and somebody else simply didn't test for a poisonous chemical.  And now your dog is in the hospital with organ damage...or your cat simply isn't around.

Senator Dick Durbin has already begun to respond to the obvious holes in the system.

And you can do something about it.

Our dogs and cats would thank us, if they could.

This is a very cute video..and this dog needs my help...

This Jack Russell knows how to use the Force.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjKN6-fTVJY

Now his owner needs to learn portion control (because he'll live longer!).

Why the best pill for your pet...may be a walk

On the Pet Connection blog, the deeply sensible Gina Spadafori weighs in on the proliferation of pet drugs, (and kindly mentions my books):

Link: Pet Connection Blog � Fat pets and pills for everything: More food for thought.

Here’s the rub: While we humans have no end to the ways we can help ourselves put on weight, our pets can’t even open the refrigerator for themselves. And although we can find a million reasons not to exercise, you rarely meet a dog who doesn’t leap for joy when the leash comes out or a cat who can’t be tempted by the laser pointer.

Which means this is a drug that’s being given to the wrong animal: Obesity in pets is a human problem, not a pet one.

Organic and natural pet food business prospers...

Well, here's a little bright spot amongst the gloom of the pet food recall:  a friendly, caring natural pet food manufacturer AND delivery service in the Twin Cities has doubled its business in the last month.  There's also a lot of good information about what exactly you're getting--and not getting--in  your pets' food.

TwinCities.com - Burnsville / Door-to-door, naturally.

P.S.: The owner of one location, Mike Kukla, admits that he has tried everything he supplies...except the Bully Stix.

The Fundamentals Still Apply: No Grapes or Raisins

It is likely that in the past few weeks, you have considered feeding your dog organic food, cooking for him, or even going to a raw food diet.

And I wouldn't blame you.  It's scary out there.

While you are researching the safest possible nutrition, remember the fundamentals:  while your dog may seem to like eating everything, several types of nice natural food can be quite toxic to your dog.

Most especially including grapes and raisins, which have caused kidney failure, and even death, in some dogs.

More info about toxic "natural" substances can be found here.  Or call the ASPCA poison control center at 888) 426-4435.

Can a Meditation Teacher Help You Help Your Dog Lose Weight?

We'll find out next month.

Here's the scoop:

I have long been an admirer of Eric Maisel, therapist, writer, and creativity coach. On May 3rd, he'll be appearing on this blog talking about his new book, Ten Zen Seconds.

Ten Zen Seconds is a series of "incantations" (simple phrases you repeat to help you do inner work) combined with slow, deep breathing. The result is a delightful paradox: nearly instant mindfulness. The phrases include "I expect/nothing," "I embrace this moment," and "I return with strength." I've tried them, and they work. For an ADDish meditator like myself, they are a godsend. I can do anything for 10 seconds. On the blog that day, we'll be talking about applying Ten Zen Seconds to mindful pet ownership. Sort of, "Zen Mind, Dog Walker's Mind." Stay tuned.

What a Cool Tool: A Dish That Slows Your Dog Down

The very cool people over at Handicapped Pets are offering this on their web site:

The bowl is designed to slow down your fast-chowing hound.  So far, our dog has avoided any health issues. But food-gulping can lead to vomiting or even life-threatening bloat, a major cause of death in large breeds, particularly Great Danes.