In today's world more and more people feel a growing longing to become closer to nature. As the leader of the dog walking group I can tell you that I have felt this need for decades on end. All of you, members of my dog walking group, live in villages amidst the Montañas Alicantinas, the mountains of the province of Alicante. It allows us to keep in touch with nature, and while walking to smell the flowers and the herbs, to bask in the beauty of sunsets, to feel the wind in our face and to admire the natural elegance of our dogs.
Today millions of persons express an interest in the wisdom of a people we now call NATIVE AMERICANS. When I was a boy we called them INDIANS, which was still a linguistic remnant of the mistake made by Cristobal Colon more than 500 years ago. They call themselves THE FIRST PEOPLE and they were certainly present in Northern America during thousands of years, long before white men arrived.
It is one of the most cruel ironies of our contemporary history that the more we, white men, lose touch with nature, the more we turn to wisdom hidden in the ancient traditions of THE FIRST PEOPLE looking for answers. White men are responsible for the genocide of the FIRST PEOPLE and the descendants of these white men are now turning to their descendants asking them for spiritual help.
In the ManKindProject we have been allowed to learn from the lessons taught by the FIRST PEOPLE. We are their humble students full of admiration, respect, love and gratefulness.
All native inhabitants of the North American continent strive to improve their relationship with Mother Earth and her creatures. The spiritual goal of all Native American religions is to live in harmoney with the Universe. As a result all objects and beings that surround the individual deserve our attention and respect.
While studying the significance of the four archetype energies (Lover, Warrior, King and Magician) that are present in every man, I discovered the link between the Warrior and a totem animal. That totem animal is the DOG, symbol of faith, loyalty and reliability associated with the Warrior energy.
According to Heike Owusu in her book Symbols of Native America, the dogs basic instinct is to serve his master and even though (s)he is often mistreated, (s)he always answers with love. Since the dog strives to be respected by its master, it is, of course possible to spoil it with the wrong training. Ultimately, the dog is the guardian of its master and willing to do anything for him, possibly even follow him into death. Traditionally, the dog is also the guardian of secret areas and ancient knowledge.
The dog's heart is filled with compassion and it is willing to overlook human weakness. The dog can help bring these qualities to life in a person. The dog also teaches one to examine one's loyalty to oneself and others. (from page 263)
Years ago I came to the conclusion that dogs are among my best teachers.
Allow me to repeat what Heike Owusu writes: The dog can help us bring compassion and the willingness to overlook human weakness to life in a person. The dog also teaches us to examine our loyalty to ourselves and others.
If you do not believe this, that is ok for me. I accept that.
But consider this - in the Middle Ages anyone saying our planet was not a flat pancake would probably have been burned at the stake.
I have a suggestion to make: from now on, when walking with our dogs let's meditate (even if it is only for a few minutes) about which qualities they have brought to life in us.
BENIMELI 07.08.2011
For Sunday 07.08.2011 I invite you to walk with me in Benimeli, where we will start walking at 19.30.
A few days ago I took the van, put my bicycle in it and drove to Benimeli. Cycling I "discovered" a small walk that will allow my dogs to participate.
However, on Sunday evening I will be sitting on the terrace of the bar in front of the church from 19.00 to 19.30. So if you want to buy me a drink, you're welcome.
If you cannot come that early you can tell me (after the walk)all about what you discovered with the new connection you established with your dog.
Looking forward to your comments in Benimeli.
Kindest regards from Bruno
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Intelligent Dogs
A few days ago Béatrice called me because she discovered a program about "intelligent" dogs on the German/French channel "Arte Entdeckung/Arts et Découvertes".
The program confirmed what I have believed for a long time: dogs are very intelligent sentient beings. The more I communicate with them the more I consider them to be very good teachers for me.
Look at what scientists have been able to discover while observing dogs.
1. Dogs can predict earthquakes up to 4 hours before they happen, because they can feel the faintest vibrations in their paws.
2. Dogs can learn more than 200 different words. Years ago a German client, watching a television program, saw how a dog could recognize dozens of different "toys". She felt inspired and started teaching her dog to do the same. Soon he was able to identify and retrieve dozens of different toys during the many shows I organized all over the province of Alicante.
3. Thanks to the 220 million receptors in their noses (we have only 5 million)dogs can smell the difference between a healthy person and a cancer patient. This enables them to detect cancer cells before they are visible on x-rays pictures.
4. The more we teach a dog in a playful manner the bigger her/his brain will be. Allow me to make the comparison with what Canadian scientists discovered years ago: Canadians who speak two languages are not affected by Alzheimer disease or Dementia (or get it only when much older), compared to Canadians speaking only one language.
5. Dogs are very balanced and centered sentient beings, as long as they are not being abused by unbalanced human beings. Allowing mentally handicapped children to carress and cuddle a balanced and centered dog makes them less nervous and anxious. Allowing ill people to do the same makes them regain their health faster. Strange isn't it that dogs are not allowed access in most hospitals of the Western World?
6. It is a well-known fact that hundreds of millions of dog owners are projecting their own character traits into their dogs. Methinks it is called mimicry in English.
Marketing specialists will use (I might say "abuse")mimicry in order to make us buy more and spend more money for our dogs. But all of you, my enlightened dog walking friends, know of course that buying more things for your dog does NOT make her/him happier. Walking with our dog does it, certainly when we do it with the calm assertive energy of the confident pack leaders we all are.
ORBA
Our short walks in Campell and Murla are, according to me, an excellent way to spend a lovely evening together.
Let's do the same in Orba where I know a short cut enabling us to walk for 1 hour instead of during 1,5 hour or more.
This coming Sunday 31.07.2011 I will wait for you at the old parking lot of the Orba cemetery till 19.30.
See you there.
Bruno
The program confirmed what I have believed for a long time: dogs are very intelligent sentient beings. The more I communicate with them the more I consider them to be very good teachers for me.
Look at what scientists have been able to discover while observing dogs.
1. Dogs can predict earthquakes up to 4 hours before they happen, because they can feel the faintest vibrations in their paws.
2. Dogs can learn more than 200 different words. Years ago a German client, watching a television program, saw how a dog could recognize dozens of different "toys". She felt inspired and started teaching her dog to do the same. Soon he was able to identify and retrieve dozens of different toys during the many shows I organized all over the province of Alicante.
3. Thanks to the 220 million receptors in their noses (we have only 5 million)dogs can smell the difference between a healthy person and a cancer patient. This enables them to detect cancer cells before they are visible on x-rays pictures.
4. The more we teach a dog in a playful manner the bigger her/his brain will be. Allow me to make the comparison with what Canadian scientists discovered years ago: Canadians who speak two languages are not affected by Alzheimer disease or Dementia (or get it only when much older), compared to Canadians speaking only one language.
5. Dogs are very balanced and centered sentient beings, as long as they are not being abused by unbalanced human beings. Allowing mentally handicapped children to carress and cuddle a balanced and centered dog makes them less nervous and anxious. Allowing ill people to do the same makes them regain their health faster. Strange isn't it that dogs are not allowed access in most hospitals of the Western World?
6. It is a well-known fact that hundreds of millions of dog owners are projecting their own character traits into their dogs. Methinks it is called mimicry in English.
Marketing specialists will use (I might say "abuse")mimicry in order to make us buy more and spend more money for our dogs. But all of you, my enlightened dog walking friends, know of course that buying more things for your dog does NOT make her/him happier. Walking with our dog does it, certainly when we do it with the calm assertive energy of the confident pack leaders we all are.
ORBA
Our short walks in Campell and Murla are, according to me, an excellent way to spend a lovely evening together.
Let's do the same in Orba where I know a short cut enabling us to walk for 1 hour instead of during 1,5 hour or more.
This coming Sunday 31.07.2011 I will wait for you at the old parking lot of the Orba cemetery till 19.30.
See you there.
Bruno
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Do not feed my dog.
"NO", I shouted in a very loud voice.
We were having breakfast in a very nice coffee house in Moraira. I shouted because a very fat man, accompanied by a very fat lady, offered my dog a treat. He was surprised to hear me shouting,looked at me and said: "Your dog won't die from it, you know!"
That was exactly the point. Of course my dog would die from it, just like his dog is dying from the many treats he gets. The man himself is very fat and his seven year old dog is also very fat. Several times they were having breakfast when we were in the same coffee house. I had observed how his dog lies under the table and every time he barks he gets a treat. And I can confirm that the dog barks a lot of times. His owner has a pocket full of treats ready for the barking dog. No wonder the seven year old dog dog can hardly walk, has difficulty breathing and cannot get in or out the car without the use of a ramp.
Obesity is an epidemic for humans and for dogs.
Are you allowing other people to feed your dog?
Campell
This week I invite you to walk with me in Campell. Last week our walk in Murla took only an hour and it is my intention to do the same sort of walk in Campell.
On Sunday 24.07.2011 we will meet at the restaurant La Bruixa in Campell, where we will leave at 19.30. Having spoken to Ivan, son of the owner, he confirmed that the restaurant will stay open for the Sunday evening.
If you do not know where the restaurant is, do not worry (as a matter of fact NEVER worry)because I will wait for you till 19.15 at the Trinquet in Murla and show you the way.
Hasta la vista.
Bruno
We were having breakfast in a very nice coffee house in Moraira. I shouted because a very fat man, accompanied by a very fat lady, offered my dog a treat. He was surprised to hear me shouting,looked at me and said: "Your dog won't die from it, you know!"
That was exactly the point. Of course my dog would die from it, just like his dog is dying from the many treats he gets. The man himself is very fat and his seven year old dog is also very fat. Several times they were having breakfast when we were in the same coffee house. I had observed how his dog lies under the table and every time he barks he gets a treat. And I can confirm that the dog barks a lot of times. His owner has a pocket full of treats ready for the barking dog. No wonder the seven year old dog dog can hardly walk, has difficulty breathing and cannot get in or out the car without the use of a ramp.
Obesity is an epidemic for humans and for dogs.
Are you allowing other people to feed your dog?
Campell
This week I invite you to walk with me in Campell. Last week our walk in Murla took only an hour and it is my intention to do the same sort of walk in Campell.
On Sunday 24.07.2011 we will meet at the restaurant La Bruixa in Campell, where we will leave at 19.30. Having spoken to Ivan, son of the owner, he confirmed that the restaurant will stay open for the Sunday evening.
If you do not know where the restaurant is, do not worry (as a matter of fact NEVER worry)because I will wait for you till 19.15 at the Trinquet in Murla and show you the way.
Hasta la vista.
Bruno
Friday, July 15, 2011
Temperament versus behavior
(From a Newsletter written by Cesar Millan)
All dog owners want to know why dogs do the things they do.
But many times the answer lies within the human behavior, not the dog’s. This is especially apparent when discussing the difference between temperament and behavior.
The difference between “temperament” and “behavior” can be defined in terms of the dog’s natural state versus learned behaviors. Yet, while these two terms have different definitions, they are not completely independent of one another.
Temperament = natural state
Behavior = action based on temperament
Sit, Stay, Down: Learned Behavior
A dog is capable of learning many things, both from mimicking other dogs and also by learning the commands it is taught by its owner. But a dog may be very well trained and still be unbalanced, just as a balanced dog may not be trained.
The communication and connection we have with our dogs through exercise, discipline, and affection is the foundation for maintaining a balanced dog. I am more concerned about a dog’s overall balance in order to prevent or correct problem behaviors than I am with the dog’s ability to answer basic commands, like sit, stay, come, down, and heel. So in order to correct their bad behaviors, you must first understand the dog’s temperament.
Temperament = State of Mind
Your dog’s temperament is dictated by whether or not they are balanced. This has a lot to do with whether or not you are balanced yourself. Are you a calm-assertive pack leader? Are you projecting nervous or anxious energy?
A dog’s temperament can change based on the moment and situation, and then their behavior will change as well. This is about leadership and energy. A dog who is nervous may not listen to the commands you give; because his temperament changed, his behavior (listening to commands) changed along with it. ATF Gavin is a perfect example of this. His temperament was calm and balanced on any given day, but as soon as loud noises or fireworks went off, his natural state turned nervous and he behaved in a negative way by running away and cowering.
So in order to keep your dog’s temperament and behavior balanced, you must first keep your own energy in check. And by fulfilling your dog, his temperament will remain in a balanced state and, as a result, his behavior will too
All dog owners want to know why dogs do the things they do.
But many times the answer lies within the human behavior, not the dog’s. This is especially apparent when discussing the difference between temperament and behavior.
The difference between “temperament” and “behavior” can be defined in terms of the dog’s natural state versus learned behaviors. Yet, while these two terms have different definitions, they are not completely independent of one another.
Temperament = natural state
Behavior = action based on temperament
Sit, Stay, Down: Learned Behavior
A dog is capable of learning many things, both from mimicking other dogs and also by learning the commands it is taught by its owner. But a dog may be very well trained and still be unbalanced, just as a balanced dog may not be trained.
The communication and connection we have with our dogs through exercise, discipline, and affection is the foundation for maintaining a balanced dog. I am more concerned about a dog’s overall balance in order to prevent or correct problem behaviors than I am with the dog’s ability to answer basic commands, like sit, stay, come, down, and heel. So in order to correct their bad behaviors, you must first understand the dog’s temperament.
Temperament = State of Mind
Your dog’s temperament is dictated by whether or not they are balanced. This has a lot to do with whether or not you are balanced yourself. Are you a calm-assertive pack leader? Are you projecting nervous or anxious energy?
A dog’s temperament can change based on the moment and situation, and then their behavior will change as well. This is about leadership and energy. A dog who is nervous may not listen to the commands you give; because his temperament changed, his behavior (listening to commands) changed along with it. ATF Gavin is a perfect example of this. His temperament was calm and balanced on any given day, but as soon as loud noises or fireworks went off, his natural state turned nervous and he behaved in a negative way by running away and cowering.
So in order to keep your dog’s temperament and behavior balanced, you must first keep your own energy in check. And by fulfilling your dog, his temperament will remain in a balanced state and, as a result, his behavior will too
Dog of war finds peace
(From the website of Cesar Millan)
A Dog of War Finds Peace with the family of his Fallen Marine
The day before they buried their Marine son Colton in the soil of his beloved Texas, Darrell and Kathy Rusk received the last letter he wrote them from Afghanistan. “At the top,” says Kathy, “was a little smudge on which Colton wrote ‘Eli’s kisses.’ ”
Eli is a Black Lab, trained by the military to sniff out improvised explosive devices, and Colton Rusk, a 20-year-old Pfc., was his handler. The two were traveling in a convoy in dangerous Helmand province on December 6 when one of the very bombs they were seeking went off under a vehicle. When the Marines deployed on foot to secure the area, a Taliban sniper killed Colton. Eli rushed to his fallen handler, crawling on top of him to protect him and snapping at the other Marines. According to Colton’s father Darrell, Eli, in his anguish, even bit one of them.
Now Eli, like Colton, has come home to Texas, to the 20-acre spread the Rusks own in Orange Grove, near Corpus Christi. He arrived in February, and already he’s a beloved member of the Rusk family—Kathy, Darrell, and their boys Cody, 22, and Brady, 12. “He loves to play,” says Kathy. “It’s as if he’s been here all his life. He’s just a regular dog.”
After Colton was brought home and buried in December in his hometown with full military honors—and an honor guard of dogs and their handlers from law enforcement agencies and military branches—the Rusks knew they had no choice but to try to persuade the Marine Corps to let them adopt Eli. After all, as Kathy put it, “Every time Colton called home, it was always about Eli. It gave me some comfort knowing that Colton wasn’t alone over there.”
Indeed, Colton and the dog he called “my boy Eli” were an inseparable team, sharing a sleeping bag when they were on patrol and eating together back at the base after Colton discovered that dogs weren’t welcome in the mess hall. “He told a story of when they were in the chow line,” says Darrell. “One of the other Marines kicked at Eli and told Colton to get him out of there. They got into a little bit of a scuffle. From then on, Colton just took his meals outside with Eli.”
Even when a handler is killed or injured, however, it’s unusual for the military to give up one of their dogs, which cost thousands of dollars to train. But Colton’s commanding officer weighed in—as did Texas governor Rick Perry— recommending that Eli be allowed to retire and spend the rest of his days with the family of his fallen friend. The Department of Defense quickly acquiesced.
And so it was that on a blustery February day, in a simple ceremony at Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio—where Eli had been trained—the Rusks were handed his leash. Eli, even after the 7,000-mile trip from Afghanistan, headed straight for his new family and nuzzled them immediately. Kathy tells Cesar’s Way, “When we brought him home for the first time, he sniffed around the living room, then went straight to Colton’s room and jumped on the bed.”
Eli is settling in nicely with the Rusk’s three German Shepherds. “Sometimes,” says Kathy, “he gets a lost look on his face. You can tell by looking at his eyes that he’s sad, but he’s getting over it.
“Eli,” she continues, “has brought a lot of comfort to us—and he seems to know when you need it. It gets our mind off the sadness of losing Colton, just knowing we’re going to have a little piece of Colton in Eli. I wish he could talk and tell us some stories. But it’s a consolation just to know we’re going to be able to share the love we have for our son with Eli, who he loved so dearly.” She adds, “We’re Colton’s family, so it’s just right that we’re Eli’s family.
A Dog of War Finds Peace with the family of his Fallen Marine
The day before they buried their Marine son Colton in the soil of his beloved Texas, Darrell and Kathy Rusk received the last letter he wrote them from Afghanistan. “At the top,” says Kathy, “was a little smudge on which Colton wrote ‘Eli’s kisses.’ ”
Eli is a Black Lab, trained by the military to sniff out improvised explosive devices, and Colton Rusk, a 20-year-old Pfc., was his handler. The two were traveling in a convoy in dangerous Helmand province on December 6 when one of the very bombs they were seeking went off under a vehicle. When the Marines deployed on foot to secure the area, a Taliban sniper killed Colton. Eli rushed to his fallen handler, crawling on top of him to protect him and snapping at the other Marines. According to Colton’s father Darrell, Eli, in his anguish, even bit one of them.
Now Eli, like Colton, has come home to Texas, to the 20-acre spread the Rusks own in Orange Grove, near Corpus Christi. He arrived in February, and already he’s a beloved member of the Rusk family—Kathy, Darrell, and their boys Cody, 22, and Brady, 12. “He loves to play,” says Kathy. “It’s as if he’s been here all his life. He’s just a regular dog.”
After Colton was brought home and buried in December in his hometown with full military honors—and an honor guard of dogs and their handlers from law enforcement agencies and military branches—the Rusks knew they had no choice but to try to persuade the Marine Corps to let them adopt Eli. After all, as Kathy put it, “Every time Colton called home, it was always about Eli. It gave me some comfort knowing that Colton wasn’t alone over there.”
Indeed, Colton and the dog he called “my boy Eli” were an inseparable team, sharing a sleeping bag when they were on patrol and eating together back at the base after Colton discovered that dogs weren’t welcome in the mess hall. “He told a story of when they were in the chow line,” says Darrell. “One of the other Marines kicked at Eli and told Colton to get him out of there. They got into a little bit of a scuffle. From then on, Colton just took his meals outside with Eli.”
Even when a handler is killed or injured, however, it’s unusual for the military to give up one of their dogs, which cost thousands of dollars to train. But Colton’s commanding officer weighed in—as did Texas governor Rick Perry— recommending that Eli be allowed to retire and spend the rest of his days with the family of his fallen friend. The Department of Defense quickly acquiesced.
And so it was that on a blustery February day, in a simple ceremony at Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio—where Eli had been trained—the Rusks were handed his leash. Eli, even after the 7,000-mile trip from Afghanistan, headed straight for his new family and nuzzled them immediately. Kathy tells Cesar’s Way, “When we brought him home for the first time, he sniffed around the living room, then went straight to Colton’s room and jumped on the bed.”
Eli is settling in nicely with the Rusk’s three German Shepherds. “Sometimes,” says Kathy, “he gets a lost look on his face. You can tell by looking at his eyes that he’s sad, but he’s getting over it.
“Eli,” she continues, “has brought a lot of comfort to us—and he seems to know when you need it. It gets our mind off the sadness of losing Colton, just knowing we’re going to have a little piece of Colton in Eli. I wish he could talk and tell us some stories. But it’s a consolation just to know we’re going to be able to share the love we have for our son with Eli, who he loved so dearly.” She adds, “We’re Colton’s family, so it’s just right that we’re Eli’s family.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Nelson Mandela
"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his
head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart."
Nelson Mandela
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Worrying (anywhere but in Murla)
Being able to help clients offers me beautiful opportunities for healing, learning and growing. To heal the relationship between humans and pets, to learn from the experience and to grow in unity.
Not so long ago I have had the privilege to work for more than a year with a 75 year old lady and her dogs.
One day she told me the following story.
Sunday morning her neighbour took one of her dogs for a walk. "It would not take much longer than an hour", the neighbour said.
When the hour was gone and the neighbour had not returned with her dog, my client started worrying. In her mind she imagined all sorts of catastrophes like the neighbour falling into a ravine, her dog running off and not coming back, her dog being attacked, her neighbour being attacked, and other terrible things.
Her worrying became so intense she started to feel pain in her chest. But in the end the neighbour came back with the dog. She simply had walked a bit longer because the weather was fine and the dog behaved perfectly.
When she told me her story the following Wednesday, my client was still feeling the pain her worrying had caused in her chest.
"Do you realize how great the power of your mind is?", I asked. "Filling yourself with negative thoughts made you literally ill."
"Now imagine the following", I told her: "Would it be possible, instead of making yourself ill, to heal yourself by using that same power in a positive way?"
She had never thought about that possibility.
I published this fascinating story in my series of weekly letters and from a dear lady friend who read the story I got the following comments.
That was very interesting Bruno.
I was told yesterday that my small dog definitely has lung cancer. He has trouble breathing and I was told several months ago that this might be the problem or else a lung infection which was treated and he seemed to get better. However, he has been losing muscle in his back legs and has trouble getting up so I thought whilst I was at the vet I would get him checked again, hence the confirmation that his body is lacking oxygen.
What did I do?
I started worrying that he was going to suffocate and when I asked the vet he looked at me in absolute amazement. I said I thought the time was coming when I would have to put the poor old boy to sleep (that in itself worries me to death). The vet's response was: "Your dog will tell you when he has had enough and you need not worry now. He is happy, wags his tail, eats and still goes for short walks."
I should be looking on the positive side that I still have an adored pet who is happy and enjoying life don't you think?
I am sorry I have not been on your walks for a long time but my big dog is having trouble with his back legs now and can only do short walks.
I enjoy your emails and it reinforces the wonderful relationship I have with my two boys. Long may it last.
Reading these comments I bless that vet from the bottom of my heart.
At the same time I feel grateful I was able to help my lady friend a little by means of a simple letter.
By the way, I think that worrying is a denial of God. You can change the word God by Universe, Energy, The One, The Great Spirit or whatever you want to call it but the meaning of the saying will stay clear. I invite you to meditate of it.
(P.S. The origine of the verb TO WORRY is "wyrgan" in Old English, related to "wurgjan" or "wurgan" in Old High German and "wurgen" in Flemish and Dutch. It means : TO STRANGLE. No wonder that "to worry" can literally kill us.)
MURLA
Sunday 17.07.2011 I will take you for a walk in Murla. Having spoken to the owner of the bar El Trinquet I can confirm that he will be open Sunday evening. Therefore I suggest we start walking from the parking lot in front of El Trinquet at 19.30 and have some tapas under the big tree after the walk. See you there.
With love from Bruno
Not so long ago I have had the privilege to work for more than a year with a 75 year old lady and her dogs.
One day she told me the following story.
Sunday morning her neighbour took one of her dogs for a walk. "It would not take much longer than an hour", the neighbour said.
When the hour was gone and the neighbour had not returned with her dog, my client started worrying. In her mind she imagined all sorts of catastrophes like the neighbour falling into a ravine, her dog running off and not coming back, her dog being attacked, her neighbour being attacked, and other terrible things.
Her worrying became so intense she started to feel pain in her chest. But in the end the neighbour came back with the dog. She simply had walked a bit longer because the weather was fine and the dog behaved perfectly.
When she told me her story the following Wednesday, my client was still feeling the pain her worrying had caused in her chest.
"Do you realize how great the power of your mind is?", I asked. "Filling yourself with negative thoughts made you literally ill."
"Now imagine the following", I told her: "Would it be possible, instead of making yourself ill, to heal yourself by using that same power in a positive way?"
She had never thought about that possibility.
I published this fascinating story in my series of weekly letters and from a dear lady friend who read the story I got the following comments.
That was very interesting Bruno.
I was told yesterday that my small dog definitely has lung cancer. He has trouble breathing and I was told several months ago that this might be the problem or else a lung infection which was treated and he seemed to get better. However, he has been losing muscle in his back legs and has trouble getting up so I thought whilst I was at the vet I would get him checked again, hence the confirmation that his body is lacking oxygen.
What did I do?
I started worrying that he was going to suffocate and when I asked the vet he looked at me in absolute amazement. I said I thought the time was coming when I would have to put the poor old boy to sleep (that in itself worries me to death). The vet's response was: "Your dog will tell you when he has had enough and you need not worry now. He is happy, wags his tail, eats and still goes for short walks."
I should be looking on the positive side that I still have an adored pet who is happy and enjoying life don't you think?
I am sorry I have not been on your walks for a long time but my big dog is having trouble with his back legs now and can only do short walks.
I enjoy your emails and it reinforces the wonderful relationship I have with my two boys. Long may it last.
Reading these comments I bless that vet from the bottom of my heart.
At the same time I feel grateful I was able to help my lady friend a little by means of a simple letter.
By the way, I think that worrying is a denial of God. You can change the word God by Universe, Energy, The One, The Great Spirit or whatever you want to call it but the meaning of the saying will stay clear. I invite you to meditate of it.
(P.S. The origine of the verb TO WORRY is "wyrgan" in Old English, related to "wurgjan" or "wurgan" in Old High German and "wurgen" in Flemish and Dutch. It means : TO STRANGLE. No wonder that "to worry" can literally kill us.)
MURLA
Sunday 17.07.2011 I will take you for a walk in Murla. Having spoken to the owner of the bar El Trinquet I can confirm that he will be open Sunday evening. Therefore I suggest we start walking from the parking lot in front of El Trinquet at 19.30 and have some tapas under the big tree after the walk. See you there.
With love from Bruno
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Homeless Harmony
Who do you think wrote the following sentence?
"It is not always easy to surrender to your weaknesses and tackle personal issues, but once you are able to connect with those emotions, you then open yourself up to the opportunity to connect with others and continue to build meaningful relationships with those in your life."
I love the man who wrote it.
I love him because, according to me, he is the first one who started talking and writing about people and dogs in a totally different way. He is not speaking about dog training or dog training schools and more of that stuff! He is talking and writing about calm assertive energy and about connecting with our emotions.
Many authors also write about our two brains. The brain in the head is the one we use in order to lie, worry, blame, wage war, kill, destroy the planet, etc...
But there is a second brain situated in our heart.
With that "brain" we cannot lie because it always tells us the truth. So what do we do with this heart-brain? We suppress, we negate and hide it.
Some people are very very good at it.
Two friends of mine have been doing it for decades. Now both have had a heart attack. Beautiful word "Heart Attack". They attacked their own heart and they still are in denial about the vital necessity to connect with our emotions.
I have written it many times but I repeat: I have learned to do that during my work in the ManKindProject. Any man who wants to know more about that only has to reach out and I will help him getting in touch with MKP.
The man who wrote the sentence (quoted above) in one of his newsletters is Cesar Millan. In the same newsletter he includes a video about a homeless man in Santa Barbara (California/USA)who is accompanied by a dog, a cat and a rat who live in harmony with him.
The homeless man, it goes without saying, does not have a Harley Davidson motor cycle, no 4x4 jeep, no mansion with swimming pool, and no.....traumatized pets. He has a very meaningful relationship with his dog, his cat and his rat.
Have you?
LUV
Bruno
"It is not always easy to surrender to your weaknesses and tackle personal issues, but once you are able to connect with those emotions, you then open yourself up to the opportunity to connect with others and continue to build meaningful relationships with those in your life."
I love the man who wrote it.
I love him because, according to me, he is the first one who started talking and writing about people and dogs in a totally different way. He is not speaking about dog training or dog training schools and more of that stuff! He is talking and writing about calm assertive energy and about connecting with our emotions.
Many authors also write about our two brains. The brain in the head is the one we use in order to lie, worry, blame, wage war, kill, destroy the planet, etc...
But there is a second brain situated in our heart.
With that "brain" we cannot lie because it always tells us the truth. So what do we do with this heart-brain? We suppress, we negate and hide it.
Some people are very very good at it.
Two friends of mine have been doing it for decades. Now both have had a heart attack. Beautiful word "Heart Attack". They attacked their own heart and they still are in denial about the vital necessity to connect with our emotions.
I have written it many times but I repeat: I have learned to do that during my work in the ManKindProject. Any man who wants to know more about that only has to reach out and I will help him getting in touch with MKP.
The man who wrote the sentence (quoted above) in one of his newsletters is Cesar Millan. In the same newsletter he includes a video about a homeless man in Santa Barbara (California/USA)who is accompanied by a dog, a cat and a rat who live in harmony with him.
The homeless man, it goes without saying, does not have a Harley Davidson motor cycle, no 4x4 jeep, no mansion with swimming pool, and no.....traumatized pets. He has a very meaningful relationship with his dog, his cat and his rat.
Have you?
LUV
Bruno
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Home Alone
Many dog owners believe that once they close the front door to go to work in the morning, their pet stretches out on the sofa.
John Bradshaw, director of the Anthrozoology Institute at Bristol University, who has spent 25 years studying the behaviour of our pets, estimates that 1,5m dogs in Britain suffer from separation distress.
"Being alone at home can be a real and ongoing crisis for dogs", Bradshaw writes in his new book titled " In Defense of Dogs".
Well folks, for once it is not Bruno saying or writing it, but a professor............so it must be true.
It is my experience that so many nice (You do remember that "nice" originally meant "unknowing", do you?)people are behaving with their dogs in such a way that their pets become traumatized.
If you are not receiving my weekly letters and you do not know how to teach your dog to stay alone at home, send me an email.
It is also my opinion that dogs must never be punished.
Once more I quote John Bradshaw: "Dogs cannot associate being punished with something they did even a few minutes before. Indeed dogs often see punishment as a means of getting attention."
Are you still punishing your dogs when for instance they pull on the leash?
Then it is very clear you are just showing your frustration. Not your leadership.
Your dog's mother never punished her pups. She corrected them.
If your communication is unclear do not blame the dog, or the Spaniard or any other person not speaking English.
Learn your dog's language.
Learn how to understand your dog.
Learn how to communicate clearly with your dog.
At the same time you can learn from her/him, things like loyalty, honesty and clear communication.
Rest assured your dog will never teach you blaming, projecting, denial, critisizing, judging. Therefore I consider (my) dogs to be my teachers.
Do you agree?
Trevor suggested in Lliber that this coming Sunday 10.07.2011 we will walk in Font Salada where we will start at 19.30. Respecting the age of my dogs and the high temperatures, I will only walk part of the "caminata" but I am already looking forward to having tapas with my friends.
Nos veremos en La Font Salada
Un abrazo de Bruno
John Bradshaw, director of the Anthrozoology Institute at Bristol University, who has spent 25 years studying the behaviour of our pets, estimates that 1,5m dogs in Britain suffer from separation distress.
"Being alone at home can be a real and ongoing crisis for dogs", Bradshaw writes in his new book titled " In Defense of Dogs".
Well folks, for once it is not Bruno saying or writing it, but a professor............so it must be true.
It is my experience that so many nice (You do remember that "nice" originally meant "unknowing", do you?)people are behaving with their dogs in such a way that their pets become traumatized.
If you are not receiving my weekly letters and you do not know how to teach your dog to stay alone at home, send me an email.
It is also my opinion that dogs must never be punished.
Once more I quote John Bradshaw: "Dogs cannot associate being punished with something they did even a few minutes before. Indeed dogs often see punishment as a means of getting attention."
Are you still punishing your dogs when for instance they pull on the leash?
Then it is very clear you are just showing your frustration. Not your leadership.
Your dog's mother never punished her pups. She corrected them.
If your communication is unclear do not blame the dog, or the Spaniard or any other person not speaking English.
Learn your dog's language.
Learn how to understand your dog.
Learn how to communicate clearly with your dog.
At the same time you can learn from her/him, things like loyalty, honesty and clear communication.
Rest assured your dog will never teach you blaming, projecting, denial, critisizing, judging. Therefore I consider (my) dogs to be my teachers.
Do you agree?
Trevor suggested in Lliber that this coming Sunday 10.07.2011 we will walk in Font Salada where we will start at 19.30. Respecting the age of my dogs and the high temperatures, I will only walk part of the "caminata" but I am already looking forward to having tapas with my friends.
Nos veremos en La Font Salada
Un abrazo de Bruno
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Appeal Tony Dean
Hi Bruno,
Please find e mail as requested for your blog!
We have rescued a one year old Male Breton Spaniel who we thought we had found a home for. Unfortunately the new owner is old and is not up to looking after a young dog, plus he has a cat which is causing all kinds of problems! We have managed to have him boarded at La Solana Kennels until Monday, but they cannot look after him for any longer than that as they also are very busy right now!
Please can you help, as this is now getting urgent!
Our contact numbers are :- 96558 1474 (Landline) or 679 601 743 (Movil)
Many thanks
Tony y Vivienne Dean
Please find e mail as requested for your blog!
We have rescued a one year old Male Breton Spaniel who we thought we had found a home for. Unfortunately the new owner is old and is not up to looking after a young dog, plus he has a cat which is causing all kinds of problems! We have managed to have him boarded at La Solana Kennels until Monday, but they cannot look after him for any longer than that as they also are very busy right now!
Please can you help, as this is now getting urgent!
Our contact numbers are :- 96558 1474 (Landline) or 679 601 743 (Movil)
Many thanks
Tony y Vivienne Dean
Yasmina en Denia
hola te envio unmensaje muy rapdo porq estoy muerta d sueñoooo!!
estoy trabajando en denia desde abril y trabajo de 11 a 20 horas es un sitio muy bonito ya sabes q puedes ir a verme cuando quieras se llama zensa lounge es un sitio de cocteles y de copas, solo bebidas
bueno te escribo porq ya hecho de menos ir los domingos con vosotros y RITA TAMBIEN!! pero bueno asi es la vida
espero q esto cambie pronto
si hay algun curso de karate y no voy ya sabes porque es asi por favor diselo a el resto de gente
chaoooo
estoy trabajando en denia desde abril y trabajo de 11 a 20 horas es un sitio muy bonito ya sabes q puedes ir a verme cuando quieras se llama zensa lounge es un sitio de cocteles y de copas, solo bebidas
bueno te escribo porq ya hecho de menos ir los domingos con vosotros y RITA TAMBIEN!! pero bueno asi es la vida
espero q esto cambie pronto
si hay algun curso de karate y no voy ya sabes porque es asi por favor diselo a el resto de gente
chaoooo
The world of James Herriot
Hi Bruno,
I loved the tales of this vet (=James Herriot). I cant remember the books as it was a long time ago when i read them but they were made into a tv series back in the 70's 80's
http://www.worldofjamesherriot.org/jamesherriot.htm
sue
I loved the tales of this vet (=James Herriot). I cant remember the books as it was a long time ago when i read them but they were made into a tv series back in the 70's 80's
http://www.worldofjamesherriot.org/jamesherriot.htm
sue
Friday, July 1, 2011
James Herriot
My good friend Jeni from Oliva gave me a copy of a book written by James Herriot titled "Dog Stories". I enjoyed every of the 541 pages of the book. Thanks Jeni.
More than a decade ago I started writing articles in several languages about canine education and communication.
According to me, the main obstacle for clear communication between humans and pets is the fact that most of us refuse to accept the dog as a dog. We mostly prefer to handle our dog as if it is a stupid, furry human being with four legs.
No wonder I was thrilled to find on pages 240-241 of James Herriot's book, an example of how the world famous vet could understand the reason why a dog was attacking him. He writes about how he treated a small dog who had swallowed a sausage filled with rat poison. As there was no time to take the dog to his surgery, he grabbed a pot of mustard and diluted it with water to the consistency of milk. Then he seized the astonished dog, shot through the door and dumped him on the cobbles. He poured the liquid mustard into the side of the dog's mouth whence it trickled down to the back of his throat.
I quote from page 240:
"After a single affronted glare at me the terrier began to retch, then to lurch across the smooth stones. Within seconds he had deposited his stolen meal in a quiet corner."
Since then the small dog, remembering what the vet had done to him, started nipping him on the ankle as soon as his "enemy" was in the vicinity. The dog was indeed lying in wait for the human who made him vomit.
I quote from page 241:
"When I thought about it, I couldn't blame Timmy. Looking at it from his point of view, he had been sitting by his fireside digesting an unusual meal and minding his own business when a total stranger had pounded on him, hustled him from the comfort of his rug and poured mustard into him. It was outrageous and he just wasn't prepared to let the matter rest there. For my part there was a certain satisfaction in being the object of a vendetta waged by an animal who would have been dead without my services......So I suffered the attacks with good grace."
Thank you James Herriot.
He was very clearly looking at what happened from the dog's point of view.
He did not call the terrier a BAD dog. He did not blame the dog.
If the world's best-loved vet could do this, are you willing to do it too?
Are you willing to look at your pet from the dog's point of view?
Or will you continue to call your pet a MAD dog, or a BAD dog when he does not understand you?
Kindest regards from Brunothedoglistener.
More than a decade ago I started writing articles in several languages about canine education and communication.
According to me, the main obstacle for clear communication between humans and pets is the fact that most of us refuse to accept the dog as a dog. We mostly prefer to handle our dog as if it is a stupid, furry human being with four legs.
No wonder I was thrilled to find on pages 240-241 of James Herriot's book, an example of how the world famous vet could understand the reason why a dog was attacking him. He writes about how he treated a small dog who had swallowed a sausage filled with rat poison. As there was no time to take the dog to his surgery, he grabbed a pot of mustard and diluted it with water to the consistency of milk. Then he seized the astonished dog, shot through the door and dumped him on the cobbles. He poured the liquid mustard into the side of the dog's mouth whence it trickled down to the back of his throat.
I quote from page 240:
"After a single affronted glare at me the terrier began to retch, then to lurch across the smooth stones. Within seconds he had deposited his stolen meal in a quiet corner."
Since then the small dog, remembering what the vet had done to him, started nipping him on the ankle as soon as his "enemy" was in the vicinity. The dog was indeed lying in wait for the human who made him vomit.
I quote from page 241:
"When I thought about it, I couldn't blame Timmy. Looking at it from his point of view, he had been sitting by his fireside digesting an unusual meal and minding his own business when a total stranger had pounded on him, hustled him from the comfort of his rug and poured mustard into him. It was outrageous and he just wasn't prepared to let the matter rest there. For my part there was a certain satisfaction in being the object of a vendetta waged by an animal who would have been dead without my services......So I suffered the attacks with good grace."
Thank you James Herriot.
He was very clearly looking at what happened from the dog's point of view.
He did not call the terrier a BAD dog. He did not blame the dog.
If the world's best-loved vet could do this, are you willing to do it too?
Are you willing to look at your pet from the dog's point of view?
Or will you continue to call your pet a MAD dog, or a BAD dog when he does not understand you?
Kindest regards from Brunothedoglistener.
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