Consider a senior animal companion when adopting

Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog."
- Sydney Jeanne Seward

Our animal companions can be wonderful teachers for us if we open our hearts to listen. Their practice of unconditional loving, being present in the now and optimistic outlook are just a few of the things I try to incorporate into my daily life.  Imagine having years of practice at the items above, and then adding a few more to the list and voila, you have the makings of the perfect animal companion for your family.

I came across this wonderful site while researching senior pet products for a client. The Senior Dog Project  is a comprehensive website with a wealth of resources for adopting a senior dog including the top ten reasons why to adopt a senior dog.

It has been more than a decade since our rescue rat terrier Casey joined our family. Casey was in her early forties in human years when she came to be with us. Just like the list said, she was patient, an instant companion, knew what "no" meant, good at giving love for having been given a second chance. More than that, she instantly made her way into our hearts to stay. Now 119 in human years, Casey continues to be a great teacher, especially with my daughter Kayman.

Won't you consider adopting a senior pet today?

luxepets::pet loss and other thoughts: Explaining death to a 3 year old

luxepets::pet loss and other thoughts: Explaining death to a 3 year old: "This morning, our 17 year old rat terrier did not want to eat her breakfast. A home cooked meal of brown rice, ground beef and broccoli good..."

Explaining death to a 3 year old

This morning, our 17 year old rat terrier did not want to eat her breakfast. A home cooked meal of brown rice, ground beef and broccoli goodness. Casey has been spending more and more time sleeping in her crate, her favorite spot in the house--the warm kitchen. Our daily walks have been getting shorter and shorter. In human years, she is 119.

My daughter, a spirited 3 year old toddler that she is, wanted to chase her "sister" down for a hug. Casey wanted none of it. How do you explain to a 3 year old her "sister" is at the tail end of her golden years? Kayman loves her "sisters". We've talked about death in general terms, as both of her grandmothers died before she was born. We've chatted about dead snails and slugs we've seen on sidewalks after a rainstorm. We've never had the opportunity to discuss it as it is happening, until now.

As I am putting finishing touches on a new workbook for parents to explain pet loss to their kids, I realize I will get to be my own focus/test group by using it with my daughter Kayman.

Below are some of the things I will be discussing with Kayman.
-Write down what are some of Casey's favorite things to do, foods to eat, funny expressions of love.
-Draw pictures of Casey with her family.
-Write down "feelings" Kayman has around death.
-Explain what happens when an animal dies. They stop breathing. Their fur/coat is cold. They look like they are asleep but they are not going to wake up this time.
-Plan a good bye part for Casey.

I feel the gifts and the blessings of being able to share this with Kayman. And the gifts of this upcoming book with all of you.

Love at first sight--What do you remember about the day you met your animal companion?

I recall the day I first met Sophie. I woke up one morning deciding it was the day I was going to get a dog. I had never had a dog but have always wanted one. I really had no idea where I was going to look. I felt guided that this was going to be THE day. My compass was a list of animal shelters in the Los Angeles area. Starting from the beach area, I made my way through shelters from the west and headed east. I made many four-legged friends that day. But none spoke to me like she did.

There are some who say that we don’t pick our animal companions. They pick us. This was the case of Sophie. It was in the afternoon when I found myself in East Los Angeles.
The last stop of the day, I did not know what I was looking for. She was a ball of white fur on the docket for euthanasia based on her mixed pit race. Sitting at the end of the kennel, she walked towards me and peered up with dark solemn eyes. Then she leaned in, her fur pressing against the chain link. A soul of goodness who somehow ended on the wrong side of the tracks. These are the details of our first meeting. It was love at first sight.

What do you remember about the day you met your loyal animal companion?

Canine Cancer Campaign--Help us Support Morris Animal Foundation

It was around this time 8 years ago that Sophie was diagnosed with Liver Cancer. I remember bringing her home from the vet with the grim news that it would be weeks at best. As the inspiration behind Luxepets and my grief counseling practice, it was kismet to receive the call from the Morris Animal Foundation this past Fall to co-brand and license products from the Luxeblessings collection.

Morris Animal Foundation's Canine Cancer Campaign is an unprecedented global effort to prevent, treat, and ultimately cure cancer in dogs. The campaign is giving scientists genetic tools to study cancer, helping them test new treatments and supporting their efforts to determine ways to prevent cancer. Morris Animal foundation believes that working together, we can one day cure canine cancer and give dogs longer, healthier lives.

A portion of each purchase of this best friends charm goes to the Morris Animal Foundation. Just as Sophie was my best friend, my loyal companion, confidante, it felt a natural fit to dedicate our best friends charm towards fighting canine cancer. With much loving, we dedicate the re-launch of our best friends charm this month to her, my canine hero.

To shop, click here. http://www.luxepets.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=0_14&products_id=47

RE:the pug attack a la superbowl---could that be your dog?

I did not watch the superbowls yesterday, but a friend turned me onto some of the ads he enjoyed. One in particular stayed with me was Doritos's Pug Attack. Determination, fearlessness, resilience, loyalty (to the Doritos in this case), focused are some words that comes to mind in describing the pug. It could easily be shifted to any other situation between animal companion and caregiver.

Our animal companions are loyal. How many times have we walked down a street to see a pooch faithfully waiting outside for its caregiver and friend?
They are fearless. While on a walk with 17 year old Casey this morning, she was not buying the looks of a german shepherd across the walk and decided to give her a piece of her mind. Mind you, she could have easily walked under his legs without skooching down.
They are resilient. Ask my border collie Lulu, who likes to bury certain treats and bones in the backyard. Later, she is happy to spend an exponentially longer time looking for them.

The same could be said when they are under stress or in time of illness. Our animal companions are amazing souls who always rise to the occasion. In my playbook, they win every game, always giving it their best, without complaining. Even as they come into their senior years, and eventually, their own transition. They are loving, strong, compassion and ACCEPTING.

What can we learn from this commercial? The strengths of the above mentioned? If you have a senior pet, what can you do to assist them in keeping experiencing anticipatory grief ? Apply the same loving, compassion and kindness to yourself as you have done for them. What else? Would love to hear from owners with senior pets on this topic.

Here is a link to the superbowl ad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5YrxeskZt0

Share the love --Mizpah/Best Friend's charms

While we were out on our daily walk today, I noticed that Casey was missing her half of her mizpah. The inspiration behind this charm, Casey has been a loving presence to her 4 legged sibling Lulu since they met. Both rescues, I am full of gratitude for every day that I get with them. Since we are in the overflow of love at the office figuratively and literally ;), I outfitted them with a new charm AND was inspired to add a valentine's day special of a 2 pack of the charm. This way, we can gift an animal companion, or share with 2 or more of our furry angels.

Our animal companions, our best friends, our family, our greatest teachers. For the month of Feb, we will donate 10% of every Best Friend's charm sold to Much Love rescue here in Los Angeles.