Happy Memorial Day

Topic: Service

In this week's dialogue, James, Alexia, and Sundance will discuss Canine Service and their contributions to society. 

L.A. Sheriff Holiday

Sundance: Just like humans, my fellow brother and sister canines are happy to be of service and work for what is right. They spend many hours providing safety and therapy daily for people who need help and seek assistance. 

Abby the Service Dog

James: That's right! When your mama and I worked at the UCSC pool, we were very fortunate to have met Nugent. Nugent, described by her owner as "Nooge the Scrooge," was a Seeing Eye dog, a.k.a. service dog, for one of the pool's patrons. He would wait patiently on the pool deck as his owner would count the number of strokes from wall to wall. He was of valuable service to his master and worked vigilantly, always making sure he did not lose his focus and maintain dignity, good judgement, honor, courage, and integrity all the time. 

Therapy Dog Sundance & George

Sundance: Is Nugent part of the reason why I have been trained to become a Therapy Dog, and am currently training to become a Search and Rescue dog?

James: That is some of it. Your temperament is ideal and one more reason why your mama and I selected a golden retriever.

Sundance: When you see a dog with a vest on, does that mean it's friendly and you can pet it and I can play with it?

James: Not necessarily. It means you need to stand back and respect what it's doing. We can ask the owner if we may approach, but we have to always assume that the dog is providing a service and must not be distracted. These dogs are trained to follow protocol, and if they deviate from the task they are providing, it can be costly or dangerous for the handler.  

Sundance: What about therapy dogs? Are they service dogs? What's the difference? 

James: Therapy dogs and Service dogs provide a service. This is where they share the same similarities. Both have been trained with specific reasons in mind, but do not share the same hours of training. Seeing Eye, Bomb Detection and Search and Rescue service dogs have been trained to aid handicap people or for safety specifications. Therapy Dogs, just as important to the overall scheme, carry the task of helping children read, bringing joy to the sick and elderly, creating a healthy and stable mind for those fighting post traumatic experiences and severe depression, in addition to simply providing joy to people who otherwise have limited contact with nature and animals.

Sundance and Alexia at Graduation reading

Sundance: So because these Service Dogs do such a great service for the community and nation as a whole, Mama does not have to go to work tomorrow?

James: Yes! In honor of all those Officer Canines who have come before us and continue to lead the way for our safety and health, we honor them with a Memorial Day.

Cover Page

Topic: Appearances

In this week's dialogue, James, Alexia, and Sundance will discuss how dogs and humans share physical facial features. Sundance will ask a series of relevant questions, and James and Alexia will provide answers.

Opie

Sundance: Why are humans fixated on physical features, especially facial ones? Dogs do not care what they look like in the morning or just before they go out. You will never hear me say, "I need to put on some makeup."  We remain the same throughout: always constant droopy eyes, running nose, drooling flews, and hot steaming breath.


James: So true. Humans are caught up and fixated with beauty. They spend billions of dollars on artificial fragrances and powders to make themselves glow. It is idealistic for humans to have everything around them be pretty and beautiful. Humans are the only species to pass complete judgement on someone or something based solely on beauty. It's not entirely their fault, most of it is cultural. Humans are taught at a young age what is pretty and what is ugly. You and I both know, Mother Nature does not create ugly. She creates life and appreciates true form. 

Apollo

Sundance: My newest friend Apollo has no problem with his beauty. He could care less. All he wants in life is a good shake and a mouthful of sticks, not lipstick.


James: Once again, you are so correct. Apollo and you share a common handsome trait. Your facial features are round and puppy-like. Humans love all things infant-like, perhaps because they know life has not blemished their spirit and soul yet with judgment.


Sundance: So there is an ideal look?


James: Well, each species prefers certain traits that signify health and strength. Most animals will take into account whether a potential mate looks strong and healthy, with a lot of potential. People are also attracted to animals that look strong and healthy. And most animals have a tendency to soften towards the infantile. 

Cock

Sundance: I saw a cock once at Avila Valley Barn. That guy thought he was the prettiest thing in the petting zoo. 


James: While many birds do strut and preen, the most fun animals, dogs, are carefree about their appearances. A healthy animal with a balanced mind and plenty of love and socialization feels so good about himself that his tail will be confident and his head held high, like some of the horses you've met, as well as you, Vixen, Opie and Apollo. 

Vixen

Sundance: But I've heard people complain about other people being confident. Why?


James: Imbalanced people get jealous of other people, and are afraid when one might be stronger or healthier than them. But balanced people are attracted to other confident, balanced people. Everyone should stand head high, chest proud, confident walk, with a smile and no fear. Those people are fun, and make the world a better place.


Sundance: I do that. I must say, I feel healthy and loved, and I carry myself with pride. And because of my confidence, I make everyone around me feel happier! I love life!

Sundance

Happy Mother's Day

Topic: Moon & Art & Love

In this week's dialogue, James, Alexia, and Sundance will discuss how dogs and humans share the moon, love, and art. Sundance will ask a series of relevant questions, and James and Alexia will provide answers.

Sundance: So James, this week has been pretty luminous. I was surprised on Saturday to see the moon so bright. It made me feel so happy to see the power of the moon and the mystery pull it has on our emotion. Is there such a thing as lunar energy? 

James: Well, mushroomers tend to think so. But I have no idea. I've been told the power of the moon can create a heavy feeling  and kind of make things bounce off each other. Like two magnets trying to bond with an opposite polarity.  

Sundance: So if I try to put my nose on it, it will not stay?

James: Just like that. It has its own mind and wants to attract you to it, but it does not want you to have the power over it. It will change appearances to keep you wondering what her next move will be. The moon bounces around, and depending on how it feels, it will play a waiting game. 

Sundance: I tried to lick the moon to show her that I let her have my complete devotion and adoration. But even still, she would not let me. I don't think it's made of cheese.

James: Yes Sundance, I do not blame you for trying. You see, the moon is crafty like that. When the moon wants you follow her she will find you and bring you closer to the feminine. The feminine is what makes us fall in love. The moon is beautiful like that. 

Sundance: Is Opie part of this feminine mystery too? Because I think she really likes me. Just like the other day when we were playing in the ocean water. She could not keep her paws off me.

James: Opie is 100% feminine. She's been attracted to you since the first meeting. She plays and throws herself at you; she is smitten. This is called love. Frank Sinatra created songs for the two of you. 

Sundance: I don't have time for ladies right now. I'm focused on my athletic performance, you know, running and training, around town and on the beach. But I do have time for the women in my family, Mama, Moonie and Grandma. They help make me a better dog.  

James: And they love you too. They help all of us balance out, especially us guys, they remind us of the little delicate joys in life like seashells and smiles. 

Sundance: And we remind them to lighten up when they start to worry about the little things. It's fun to tease them and listen to them squeal! 

James: That's true. But in the end, we're all grateful for each other, and we're a big happy family. 

Sundance: Goodnight, Moon!

Finding the Special

Topic: Nature's Imprint 

In this week's dialogue, James, Alexia, and Sundance will discuss how dogs and humans share events. Sundance will ask a series of relevant questions, and James and Alexia will provide answers.

Sundance: How do we know if something is special, James? So many great things happen throughout the course of a day. How do we know if what we are attracted to has meaning? 

James: There is meaningful significance in everything we do; any moment could be a genuine event.  At the moment we get up, our inner batteries are charged and ready and willing to face new things. Our lives on this earth and the life of all positive and negative living beings keeps us grounded. The chemistry inside us guides us toward various events and choices. We are attracted to these life forces, and if we are open, an imprint occurs. 

Sundance: That's a lot of abstraction. Can you give me an example?

James: When I was a small boy, a very special life-force imprinted itself on me. Not a being, but an energy, the craving for a feeling of oneness with nature. I believe this happened because I was always exploring, just like you. I did not like being cooped up inside the house, although I did like togetherness with family and the security of home. Somehow, I figured if life were to have meaning, it would be through nature, and I would need to allow myself opportunities that would guide me toward special places and things.

Sundance: Tell me more about this imprint and how can I obtain one.

James: Think of a special time you had alone or a special place shared with another living organism. For example, the beach when you were a puppy and the beach now. A very special thing happens there for you. The many smells, the life force of the waves you jump in, the freedom to express your nature, the sand digging, the special bond between you and Mama, especially with a long strands of seaweed. All these events left an imprint on your soul a long time ago for you, and the resulting spirit you share is constant. The constant is a positive force that wills you. It does not contain you or coerce your next move, but allows you to be in the moment. This is special!  The beach contains no negatives for you, it represents life and joy. Even when the waves are powerful and unpredictable, you still have a strong desire to be one with the ocean. So Sundance, you have obtained an imprint. The greatness of this is forever yours, and now you share it with me, with mama, and with anyone else who comes along and is willing to embrace such boundless joy with abandon.