LAKE WALK

Hannah and I took a wonderful walk around the lake about 2 miles from our home. She can't wait to get in the water! The joys of a Lab!
There are many beautiful wildflowers. I loved the blue of this one, but I don't know its name.

There are shaded, natural trails. It is a great place to walk because Hannah can go off leash. We rarely see anyone else. I subscribe to the philosophy that dogs need time off leash in safe places. Dogs need to be dogs.

I was experimenting with my camera, and I liked the clarity and reflection in this photo. I underexposed the shot to add some drama.

This is one view of the lake. I used to ride around this lake when I lived on the farm which bordered it. I could easily spend nearly two hours on horseback. Bliss!

Hannah suddenly heard something and was looking everwhere. It was mother duck with four babies enjoying the water.

This is another shot where I underexposed to get the silhouette and catch the color and sky reflection on the water.

I thought the moss was gorgeous, and I managed to capture the actual color. The moss was growing entirely around the tree. I thought moss only grew on the east side?

I attempted to capture the sunlight and shadows on the trees but maintain depth of field so that the lake was also in focus. I was thrilled with this result.

"It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know of wonder and humility." (Rachel Carson)

DR. ANDREW JONES, DVM, SPEAKS

I was reading a canine blog and was linked to yet another vet who is questioning the wisdom of traditional allopathic veterinary medicine. As we all know, human allopathic medicine tends to make people sicker, and the same is being proven with some traditional veterinary care. Read what Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM, learned after losing his young dog.

It seemed ironic that I should come across this the same day I posted Dr. Jean Dodds' vaccination protocol. I checked this information on Snopes and Hoaxbuster before posting it and did not find any references to false information.

I am sometimes reluctant to post controversial information that departs from the norm, but that is the only way we can start to consider embracing new ideas.

Dear Fellow Pet Lover,

If you're not ready to make some simple changes to the way you provide veterinary care to your pet, beginning today... your dog or cat could become seriously ill and live a "shortened" life! Here is how I know. My dog died young, only 8 years old. He was a specimen of health, given a ton of attention, exercised three times a day, fed only Veterinary approved food, and given all his vaccines...

Hoochie passed away in my arms from a massive tumor bleed at 12:02pm on April 12, 2003 - the saddest day of my life. I asked myself... why? I thought that he was incredibly healthy.

But I later discovered I may have contributed to his death, because I believed ONLY in conventional veterinary medicine. You see, I am a Veterinarian. I'm Dr. Andrew Jones, and I have practiced Veterinary Medicine for over a decade. Over the past 17 years I have treated thousands of pets for a variety of problems, and I currently own the Nelson Animal Hospital in Nelson BC, Canada.

Today, I'm going to explain why conventional veterinary medicine is harming your pet and step-by-step what you must do to prevent it. "Regular" veterinary care has lost its effectiveness over the years, and in some cases is causing illness in our pets.

Although alternative pet health care has grown, the simple truth is that Veterinarians have STRONGLY discouraged pet owners from treating their pets outside of the vet clinic. The entire pet health industry has a vested interest in discrediting alternative medicines which can safely, naturally, and effectively allow pet owners to care for their pets at home.

STOP AND READ THIS!
Slowly, I began to notice something unusual about Hoochie. He just wasn't the same. He was reluctant to go for his morning dog walk, which was always the highlight of his day. I dismissed it as him feeling a bit off or maybe a touch of arthritis... but it didn't pass. In fact, it got worse.

I eventually did a blood test on Hoochie, thinking that he had a tooth infection. However, much to my horror, I quickly found out that he had a spleen tumor. I performed surgery on Hoochie right away, and removed the tumor. But it was too late - the cancer had already spread to his liver, and I knew that very soon, he would die. How did an apparently healthy mixed breed dog die so young?

I did all the "right" things - or so I thought. After grieving, I came to realize that I had played a role in him dying at too young of an age. I came to question exactly what I did to my own pet and what was I doing to other people's pets. Eventually, I realized the obvious - that most Veterinarians (including me as well, at the time) are just not "getting it" - that in the process of trying to heal pets through technological advances, we are actually making them sicker.

There are 3 mistakes that I made that contributed to Hoochie's early death...are you making these same mistakes with your own dog or cat?

Mistake #1:Vaccines - Given Every Year
I gave Hoochie his combination of vaccines every year until he died. I advised pet owners to vaccinate their pets yearly, so I gave my own dog the same vaccines. The vaccines likely contributed to him developing spleen cancer. "Recent vaccinations with single or combination modified live virus (MLV) vaccines are increasingly recognized contributors to immune-mediated blood diseases, bone marrow failure, organ dysfunction and cancer."

Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM, one of the world's foremost experts in canine vaccine reactions.

Mistake #2: Diet -
Hoochie was fed a veterinary approved food exclusively, yet he developed spleen cancer at the age of 8, and died shortly after. The "Bright Minds" in the pet food industry have created unwell pets, producing increasing incidences of diabetes, cancer, and allergies. Remember the Pet Food Recall of 2007? This is the trust that we place in pet food companies... we assume that our pets' food is safe, that the 'powers that be have our pets' best interest at heart. In the case of those companies, that is definitely not the case. The food that Hoochie ate was filled with chemical preservatives. The unnatural preservatives played a role in the cancer. "BHA and BHT are known to cause liver and kidney dysfunction and are banned in some European countries. Ethoxyquin is suspected of causing cancer, and that propylene glycol, another common pet food ingredient, causes the destruction of red blood cells."

Dr. Wendell O. Belfield, author of How to Have a Healthier Dog.

Mistake #3:Conventional Medication -

He was on anti-inflammatories. Hoochie was showing signs of arthritis, so I had been giving him a conventional veterinary medication. He responded to the medication, but it likely played a role in damaging his organs, making him susceptible to cancer. These are also known as Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs. Here is what Dr Stephen Sundlof of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has to say about them... "NSAIDs carry a risk of side effects, or adverse reactions. Most adverse reactions are mild, but some may be serious, especially if the drugs are not used according to labeled directions. Some reactions result in permanent damage or even death. It's important for pet owners to be aware of the risks and benefits of all drugs, including NSAIDs, so that they can make informed decisions about their pets' health care," says Sundlof. "Owners who give their dog NSAIDs need to know the side effects to watch for that indicate their pet needs medical attention. The most common side effects from NSAIDs include vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, lethargy, and diarrhea. Serious side effects include gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, perforations, kidney damage, and liver problems.

Stephen F. Sundlof, D.V.M., Ph.D., Director of the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM)

A very popular NSAID is Rimadyl. It has resulted in all the above reported side-effects. In fact it was first created as a human anti-inflammatory product, but due to the incidence of serious liver side effects in clinical trials, it was pulled from the human market. The drug company, Pfizer, then brought it back to life in the pet industry. It has caused a huge number of serious side effects in pets, including death. Here is what Chris Adams of the Wall Street Journal had to say... "Since Rimadyl's 1997 launch, the FDA has received reports of about 1,000 dogs that died or were put to sleep and 7,000 more that had bad reactions after taking the drug, records and official estimates indicate. The FDA says such events are significantly underreported."

Chris Adams, Wall Street Journal

I, a knowledgeable veterinarian with over 15 years of experience, contributed to my pet's death.
I came to question exactly why I believed in utilizing only "conventional" veterinary medicine to heal pets. I questioned all the "scholarly information" that I had been taught in veterinary school. I did some deep soul searching... WHY did this happen?

It happened because I didn't question modern veterinary medicine, and I gave Hoochie harmful medication. I fed him "veterinary approved" food, and I injected his body yearly with cancer inducing vaccines. WHO was to blame?

I gave him the medication, the vaccines and the carcinogenic food. Yes, my profession, the large drug companies, and the food companies played a role. But, I should have known better.

HOW can I prevent this from happening again to another pet? From the anger, the pain and the despair, a switch happened. I began to read, to research, to discuss with other colleagues the pitfalls of the current state of modern veterinary practice, and I wrote a book. I spent thousands of hours exploring ways for pet owners to administer first aid, improve behavior problems, and even treat illnesses using readily available household products. I began using my "newer" style of medicine in my practice, and my patients benefited tremendously from this research.

July 23, 2009
Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM

CANINE VACCINATION PROTOCOL

When you adopt a puppy you are confronted with a vaccination protocol recommended by your vet. Recently, vaccinations and their frequency have come under fire; many believe we over vaccinate our pets. I am one of those.

Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM has publicized a vaccination protocol after extensive research, and she updates it as needed. It is worth reading, considering, and discussing with YOUR vet. I have long been afraid of the consequences of over vaccination, and did not take my cats for annual shots. I am faced with a dilemma given that my dog Hannah is a therapy dog. Therapy dog organizations require health certificates each year when membership is renewed. Without membership, the therapy dog cannot work or be covered with liability insurance.

Hannah got her boosters in June, but I think from now on I will have my vet run titers. At least she will not be over vaccinated if her titers are within safe range. I believe the therapy dog organizations will accept titers on a health certificate.

What do YOU think? The most recent Dodds' protocol is pasted below. In addition here is a link from Web Vet addressing the same topic.
http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1419

Dr. Jean Dodds' Recommended Canine Vaccination Schedule

Distemper (MLV) Initial (e.g. Intervet Progard Puppy) 9 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 - 20 weeks 1st Annual Booster At 1 year MLV Distemper/ Parvovirus only Re-Administration Interval None needed.Duration of immunity 7.5 / 15 years by studies. Probably lifetime. Longer studies pending. Comments Can have numerous side effects if given too young (<>

Parvovirus (MLV)Initial (e.g. Intervet Progard Puppy) 9 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 - 20 weeks 1st Annual BoosterAt 1 year MLV Distemper/ Parvovirus only Re-Administration Interval None needed.Duration of immunity 7.5 years by studies. Probably lifetime. Longer studies pending. Comments At 6 weeks of age, only 30% of puppies are protected but 100% are exposed to the virus at the vet clinic.

Rabies (killed) Initial 24 weeks or older 1st Annual BoosterAt 1 year (give 3-4 weeks apart from Dist/Parvo booster) Killed 3 year rabies vaccineRe-Administration Interval 3 yr. vaccine given as required by law in California (follow your state/provincial requirements) Comments rabid animals may infect dogs. Vaccines Not Recommended For Dogs

Distemper & Parvo @ 6 weeks or younger Not recommended.At this age, maternal antibodies form the mothers milk (colostrum) will neutralize the vaccine and only 30% for puppies will be protected. 100% will be exposed to the virus at the vet clinic.

Corona Not recommended.1.) Disease only affects dogs <6>

LeptospirosisNot recommended1) There are an average of 12 cases reported annually in California.2) Side effects common.3) Most commonly used vaccine contains the wrong serovars. (There is no cross-protection of serovars) There is a new vaccine with 2 new serovars. Two vaccinations twice per year would be required for protection.).4) Risk outweighs benefits.

Lyme Not recommended1) Low risk in California.2) 85% of cases are in 9 New England states and Wisconsin.3) Possible side effect of polyarthritis from whole cell bacterin.

Bordetella(Intranasal)(killed) Only recommended 3 days prior to boarding when required.Protects against 2 of the possible 8 causes of kennel cough.Duration of immunity 6 months.

Giardia Not recommendedEfficacy of vaccine unsubstantiated by independent studies There are two types of vaccines currently available to veterinarians: modified-live vaccines and inactivated ("killed") vaccines.

Immunization SchedulesThere is a great deal of controversy and confusion surrounding the appropriate immunization schedule, especially with the availability of modified-live vaccines and breeders who have experienced postvaccinal problems when using some of these vaccines. It is also important to not begin a vaccination program while maternal antibodies are still active and present in the puppy from the mother's colostrum. The maternal antibodies identify the vaccines as infectious organisms and destroy them before they can stimulate an immune response.Many breeders and owners have sought a safer immunization program.

Modified Live Vaccines (MLV)Modified-live vaccines contain a weakened strain of the disease causing agent. Weakening of the agent is typically accomplished by chemical means or by genetic engineering. These vaccines replicate within the host, thus increasing the amount of material available for provoking an immune response without inducing clinical illness. This provocation primes the immune system to mount a vigorous response if the disease causing agent is ever introduced to the animal. Further, the immunity provided by a modified-live vaccine develops rather swiftly and since they mimic infection with the actual disease agent, it provides the best immune response.

Inactivated Vaccines (Killed)Inactivated vaccines contain killed disease causing agents. Since the agent is killed, it is much more stable and has a longer shelf life, there is no possibility that they will revert to a virulent form, and they never spread from the vaccinated host to other animals. They are also safe for use in pregnant animals (a developing fetus may be susceptible to damage by some of the disease agents, even though attenuated, present in modified-live vaccines). Although more than a single dose of vaccine is always required and the duration of immunity is generally shorter, inactivated vaccines are regaining importance in this age of retrovirus and herpesvirus infections and concern about the safety of genetically modified microorganisms. Inactivated vaccines available for use in dogs include rabies, canine parvovirus, canine coronavirus, etc.

W. Jean Dodds, DVM, HEMOPET

938 Stanford Street

Santa Monica, CA 90403310

Note: This schedule is the one I recommend and should not be interpreted to mean that other protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be less satisfactory. It's a matter of professional judgment and choice. For breeds or families of dogs susceptible to or affected with immune dysfunction, immune-mediated disease, immune-reactions associated with vaccinations, or autoimmune endocrine disease (e.g., thyroiditis, Addison's or Cushing's disease, diabetes, etc.) the above protocol is recommended. After 1 year, annually measure serum antibody titers against specific canine infectious agents such as distemper and parvovirus. This is especially recommended for animals previously experiencing adverse vaccine reactions or breeds at higher risk for such reactions (e.g., Weimaraner, Akita, American Eskimo, Great Dane). Another alternative to booster vaccinations is homeopathic nosodes. This option is considered an unconventional treatment that has not been scientifically proven to be efficacious. One controlled parvovirus nosode study did not adequately protect puppies under challenged conditions. However, data from Europe and clinical experience in North America support its use. If veterinarians choose to use homeopathic nosodes, their clients should be provided with an appropriate disclaimer and written informed consent should be obtained. I use only killed 3 year rabies vaccine for adults and give it separated from other vaccines by 3-4 weeks. In some states, they may be able to give titer test result in lieu of booster. I do NOT use Bordetella, corona virus, leptospirosis or Lyme vaccines unless these diseases are endemic in the local area per specific kennel. Furthermore, the currently licensed leptospira bacterins do not contain the serovars causing the majority of clinical leptospirosis today.I do NOT recommend vaccinating bitches during estrus, pregnancy or lactation.

Dr. W. Jean Dodds, DVM

RULES OF TRAINING

Hannah, still damp after a swim. Wonderful Labrador expression.

Jon Katz recently posted these rules of training dogs on his blog. I LOVE his approach even more now than when I first read his book KATZ ON DOGS in preparation for bringing home a black Lab puppy named Hannah. We must remember that our animals MIRROR us, and by looking into that mirror we can understand where our approach and training have been ineffective. We, the owners, are usually at fault for the problems we experience with our dogs.

If you are a dog owner, reflect on these rules and think about how you approach training and how you read the reflection your dog is mirroring.

Katz's Rules of training:

l. Be patient.
2. Use few words.
3. Be positive.
4. Be even more patient.
5. Take responsibility. The problem is often yours, not the dogs.
6. Lead, don't overpower.
7. Be committed. Training a dog is a spiritual responsibility that goes on everyday of the dog's life. It never ends, and cannot be accomplished in a few classes.
8. Be wary of gurus. You know your dog. Trust your instincts. Use what works.
9. Be more patient.

Patience has never been one of my virtues, but when I am training Hannah, I am very aware of staying centered and quiet. If I feel myself getting irritable, I end the session on a good note and quit.

Using few words is so important. Everyone can relate to shutting out someone that yaks at you constantly. Our dogs do the same -- the more you talk at them and the more you repeat their name and commands, they eventually just tune you out. And then you are left with a dog that doesn't pay attention. One of my pet peeves is trainers who shout or yell commands. . .dogs have acute hearing. They don't need commands barked.

Take responsibility -- that means taking a hard look at yourself as a trainer and how you communicate with your dog. Be responsible for making training a life long philosophy and commitment.

I cringe when I see people get rough with their dogs. If I were a dog, I'd bite! I feel that the alpha concept has led to vast misinterpretation and negative reinforcement. "I'll show him who's top dog!" Overpowering often creates an insecure animal, and insecurity often leads to aggression.

Gurus? You can have them. My philosophy of training has come from trial and error and little nuggets taken from many different trainers and authors of books I've read.... and even Victoria Stillwell and the Monks of New Skete.

SITTING QUIETLY, DOING SOMETHING

I am always fascinated by Buddhist thought and practice, and I found this article refreshing and informative. LAUGH today and every day!

HAPPY DAYS
The Pursuit of What Matters in Troubled Times
July 16, 2009

Sitting Quietly, Doing Something
By Daniel Goleman

I recently spent an evening with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, the Tibetan lama who has been dubbed “the happiest man in the world.” True, that title has been bestowed upon at least a few extremely upbeat individuals in recent times. But it is no exaggeration to say that Rinpoche is a master of the art of well-being.So how did he get that way? Apparently, the same way you get to Carnegie Hall. Practice.

Courtesy of Crown Publishers I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Rinpoche a bit over the years, and always found him in good cheer. This meeting was no different. When I called him at his Manhattan hotel to arrange to get together before we were to discuss his new book, “Joyful Wisdom” at the 92nd St. Y, he told me he was in the middle of a shower – but not in the usual sense. The shower, he told me, had run out of hot water midway. When he called the front desk, he was told to wait several minutes and there would be more hot water. In this situation, I probably would have been peeved. But as Rinpoche told me this, he was laughing and laughing.The only momentary glitch I’ve witnessed — a few years back — was slapstick: he sat down in an office chair with a faulty seat that suddenly plunged several inches with a thump. Once when this chair had done the same to me I cursed and groused about it for a while. But Rinpoche just frowned for a second — and the next moment he was his upbeat self again. Quickness of recovery time from upsets is one way science takes the measure of a happy temperament.

While annoyances like these are hardly life’s greatest tests, handling them gracefully takes a composure that few of us seem to have at our disposal. Mingyur Rinpoche was not born into wealth and comfort. He spent his earliest years in a remote Himalayan village lacking even the most basic amenities. Nor was he a lucky winner in the genetic lottery for moods. In his book he recounts being extremely anxious as a child in Nepal, having had what a Manhattan psychiatrist would likely diagnose as panic attacks, and how he cured himself of this chronic anxiety by making his fears the focus of his meditation. He has had to earn his good cheer.

Rinpoche seems eclectic in studying paths to well-being, including Western recipes. A few years ago, he attended a five-day meeting at the Mind & Life Institute that brought together a group of neuroscientists and the Dalai Lama to discuss ways to overcome destructive emotions. He found that the Western scientific findings on emotions had much in common with his own approach to cultivating well-being.

But when it comes to his own pursuit of happiness, Buddhist theory and practice are Rinpoche’s chosen tools. He has done several years-long meditation retreats, under the tutelage of some of the most renowned Tibetan masters. Of course, what we mean by “happiness” can be elusive, what with the myriad varieties of good feeling running from ecstasy to equanimity. One flavor of happiness at which Rinpoche seems to excel has been well-studied by scientists specializing in how emotions operate in our brains.

Richard Davidson, who heads the Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin, has found one distinct brain profile for happiness. As Davidson’s laboratory has reported, when we are in distress, the brain shows high activation levels in the right prefrontal area and the amygdala. But when we are in an upbeat mood, the right side quiets and the left prefrontal area stirs. When showing this brain pattern, people report feeling, as Davidson put it to me, “positively engaged, goal-directed, enthusiastic, and energetic.” Mingyur Rinpoche came to Davidson’s lab as one of a dozen or so meditation adepts, each of whom had put in anywhere between 10,000 and 50,000 lifetime hours of meditation. Research on expertise in any skill shows that world-class champs have put in at least 10,000 hours of practice; these were Olympic-level meditators.

One of the first findings from the research showed that when these adepts meditated on compassion, their left prefrontal areas jumped in activity an average 100 percent — by contrast a control group who were taught the same meditation practice showed an increase of just 10 percent. Two of the adepts had spectacular increases, in the 700-to-800-percent range, in key neural zones for good feeling. The more lifetime hours of practice, the greater the increases tended to be. All this seems to confirm the idea that in the realm of positive moods, as in nearly every endeavor, worldly or spiritual, practice matters.
So can we all get a taste of Rinpoche’s bliss?

Davidson worked with Jon Kabat-Zinn, a teacher of mindfulness meditation from the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, to see how a group of novices might gain from these methods. Kabat-Zinn, who has pioneered this contemplative method with medical patients to ease their symptoms, taught mindfulness at a high-stress biotech company; these beginners meditated for 30 minutes a day for eight weeks. Davidson’s measures showed that after the eight weeks they had begun to activate that left prefrontal zone more strongly — and were saying that instead of feeling overwhelmed and hassled, they were enjoying their work. So while the Calvinist strain in American culture may look askance at someone sitting quietly in meditation, this kind of “doing nothing” seems to do something remarkable after all. Of course, there’s no guarantee of greater happiness from meditation, but the East has given us a promising path for its pursuit.

Another fruit of these spiritual practices seems to be a healthy dose of humility. When Rinpoche told my wife that he was being billed as “the happiest man in the world,” he laughed as though that were the funniest joke he’d ever heard.

Daniel Goleman reported on the brain and behavioral sciences for The New York Times for 12 years. He is the author of several books, including his most recent, “Ecological Intelligence: How Knowing the Hidden Impacts of What We Buy Can Change Everything.” His Web site is http://www.danielgoleman.info/

40TH ANNIVERSARY -- APOLLO 11

The Apollo spacecraft reached Earth parking orbit after 11 minutes. After one and a half orbits the Saturn thrusters fired and the astronauts began their journey to the Moon. This spectacular photo of the Earth was taken from 158,000 km (98,000 miles) during the Apollo 11 translunar injection on July 16. Most of Africa and parts of Europe and Asia are visible.(NASA photo ID AS11-36-5355)

July 20, 1969 -- I was 11 years old when the US astronauts landed on the moon. I recall my Dad being glued to the television, fully absorbed in the magnitude of the moment. Afterwards, my Dad ordered a photograph of the Earth taken from the lunar module. Today, I realize the historic impact of that moment.

This morning's local paper had a article about the 250 ton centrifuge at the old Warminster Naval Air Development Center. All of the lunar astronauts came here to train in the centrifuge which simulated G-forces they would experience during the take off and thrust into space. It is the largest space training centrifuge in the world. This base is about 5 minutes from my home, and a group of citizens have saved the centrifuge and the building as a museum. Ouside of centrifuge located at Warminster NADC

Astronaut John Glenn being prepared for a centrifuge run at Warminster.

MAIRA KALMAN

I had picture books by Maira Kalman in my library at Hillcrest Elementary. At first I thought she was an older author-illustrator because her illustrations were kind of funky. They are unmistakable, though, and if you see a Kalman book, you know it is hers without seeing the name.

About two years ago I met Maira's mother in law who was a friend of a friend. She asked me if I was familiar with Maira, and fortunately I could say yes.

In some of my recent cyber-ramblings, I came across her NYTimes blog, "And The Pursuit of Happiness."

Known for vibrant illustrations that illuminate

everything from popular children's books to notable New Yorker covers, she partnered with Robin Hood's Library Initiative to create an alphabet installation at PS 47. Her son, Alex documented the process and the inspiration behind her work. Follow the link below for more information on this creative project.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7KDSFQy5Mk

THE LAYERS

Stanley Kunitz is one of my favorite poets, and I find this comment on aging extremely powerful.

THE LAYERS

by Stanley Kunitz

I have walked through many lives,

some of them my own,

and I am not who I was,

though some principle of being

abides, from which I struggle

not to stray.

When I look behind,

as I am compelled to look

before I can gather strength

to proceed on my journey,

I see the milestones dwindling

toward the horizon

and the slow fires trailing

from the abandoned camp-sites,

over which scavenger angels

wheel on heavy wings.

Oh, I have made myself a tribe

out of my true affections,

and my tribe is scattered!

How shall the heart be reconciled

to its feast of losses?

In a rising wind

the manic dust of my friends,

those who fell along the way,

bitterly stings my face.

Yet I turn, I turn,

exulting somewhat,

with my will intact to go

wherever I need to go,

and every stone on the road

precious to me.

In my darkest night,

when the moon was covered

and I roamed through wreckage,

a nimbus-clouded voice

directed me:

"Live in the layers,

not on the litter.

"Though I lack the art

to decipher it,

no doubt the next chapter

in my book of transformations

is already written.

I am not done with my changes.

RORSCHACH IN NATURE

A friend sent me this photograph after reading my post on PHOTOGRAPHY AS ART BY ACCIDENT.

What is it? I think it is a tree trunk, but it looks like a lady caterpillar fossilized within the wood. Interesting. . . the longer I look at it, the more images I see. Now what would the Rorschach test results say about me?

Let me know what YOU see.

AN AFTERNOON AT NESHAMINY CREEK

Hannah is hoping I will throw a ball for her to retrieve

Hannah charges into the water

Dam and reflection

Looking upstream

FLYING PETS

Has your pet traveled in cargo? Have you been uneasy with the unpreditablility of cargo noise and temperature fluxuations? Is your pet too large to travel in an airline cabin? Then you may be interested in the new concept in air travel for pets.

PET AIRWAYS was the inspiration of Alyssa Binder and Dan Wiesel, and the company flies pets among five major cities -- New York, Chicago, Washington, Denver, and Los Angeles. Pets receive individual attention and travel in a less stressful environment. Airline cabins have been specially designed for pets to travel in comfort.

For more information, click on the Pet Airways icon.

A NEW LOOK

The other day I visited other blogs, and on several I noticed these really great backgrounds. I wrote to Rich Rosenshein on his blog LIFE THROUGH MY EYES, and he was kind enough to give me several URL's and a tutorial. The hardest part was deciding which background to use, but the actual transfer was simple.

So if you are feeling creative, you can give your blog a new look. Refer to Rich's links and instructions on his March 14th entry.

I'm not sure how I like this particular template, but I'll live with it for the time being.

What do you think?

PHOTOGRAPHY AS ART BY ACCIDENT?

Am I a photographer or just someone who takes pictures? When does photography become art? Does a real photographer carry his/her camera at all times? Does a photographer "artist" go out on a photo shoot as a painter sits down to paint? Is it planned or spontaneous?

I like to "think" I am a photographer. I'm serious about my work -- constantly experimenting with light and my camera. I have purchased equipment to enable me to capture or create the photographs I envision.

But I often walk out of the house without my camera... and live to rue the decision. In two cases over the last several days I have picked up my camera to take with me and then decided to leave it behind. In both of those situations I lost a wonderful opportunity to photograph wildlife... one was a red tailed hawk sitting just twenty feet from me, and the other was two white tail fawns, still speckled, who burst out of the underbrush in front of me, easily within fifteen feet. When will I learn!?

What do you think? Is photography art, or is it only art by accident?

HAVE YOU BRUSHED . . .

. . . your dog's teeth today?

Hannah is only two years old, and she has lots of "teeth and gum cleaning" chew toys. She does not eat table food nor wet dog food. Yet I saw some tartar build-up and smelled doggy breath. Given that Hannah is a therapy dog, I don't want the children to be put off from sitting close beside her to read, so I did something I never thought I would do. . . I bought pet toothpaste and a finger brush (see picture) so I could start brushing her teeth.

I started by getting Hannah used to having my finger in her mouth. I first dipped my finger in some chicken broth before going into her mouth -- yum, thought Hannah. After she became accustomed to that, I started taking my finger and rubbing it along her teeth and gums in a brushing motion. The next step was to get her used to the toothpaste (NEVER use human toothpaste!). She didn't like it at first, but the chicken broth on top of it made it a non-issue. Yum!

Eventually she accepted all this willingly, and I started using the finger brush. I'm actually beginning to think she likes it! The last challenge is for me to become more adept at getting all the teeth brushed which may mean learning to use the brush on my left hand finger as well as the right. I do have a toothbrush, and she may eventually accept it. There are also dental cleanse pads for dogs that may resist brushes.

Follow this link to an instructional video.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=20680

LARK PHOTOGRAPHY

“To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”
(Elliott Erwitt)

It is my hope to set up a blog or website for my photography. I have had quite a bit of interest in my notecards and prints. Many people have said they would love to purchase these items as gifts. But before I venture forth, I need to find out if there are any legal concerns to be addressed.

My friend Wendi has been one of the most encouraging and enthusiastic about my work. She has asked me to do numerous photo shoots for her and her friends. She has also used some of my photographs in Labrador Quarterly to advertise her kennel and breeding services. One day I arrived at her home for a photo shoot, knocked on the front door and announced myself as LARK PHOTOGRAPHY (after my horse Lark) . . . and it stuck!

I enjoy photographing nature, animals, families, and children. Here are a few for you to enjoy. Leave a comment below and let me know your reactions.

Lilly

Bromeliad

Primeau

Purple Leaves

KREATIV BLOGGER

We received the Kreativ Blogger Award from Cindy at Chloe Honeygo Beasely. Thank you for honoring us! Cindy asked that I share several blogs that I follow and seven facts about myself that you may find interesting.

I only follow two blogs:

Chloe Honego Beasley -- a blog about a cute Bichon and her life and adventures with her human mom, Cindy.

Bedlam Farm Journal -- a blog and photography by author Jon Katz who is one of my favorite writers. He inspired me to start blogging again after a year's absence.

Seven facts to share:

1. I am a hobby photographer and enjoy sharing my photography on my blog.

2. I am retired after 37 years in public education.

3. I love walking in the woods with my Labrador Retriever, Hannah.

4. Hannah and I do therapy dog work in the public schools with children in special education classes.

5. I am co-director of the therapy dog program called Nor'wester Readers.

6. I enjoy fly fishing.

7. I owned horses for 43 years -- enjoyed cross country trail riding and showing competitively in dressage.

MAREMMA

Do you know what a Maremma is?

I had never heard of the Maremma Sheepdog breed until I visited a friend who lived on a farm on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, near Lake Superior. At the time, she and her husband raised sheep because she used the wool in her knitting and weaving. When I first saw the dogs I mistakenly thought they were Kuvasz, a Hungarian breed.

The breed has always fascinated me, and when I saw a news clip about Maremmas in the June 2009 issue of Audubon I was immediately intrigued.

According to the article, a farmer on Australia's Middle Island called in his two Maremma Sheepdogs to help protect a fairy penguin colony that was being decimated by foxes. His dogs wander the penguins' territory for approximately two hours daily, and scientists belive the dogs' lingering scent deters the foxes. As a result the penguin population has rebounded.

It's an odd method of conservation, but this Italian canine has been bred to protect flocks from wolves, bears, and thieves. For more information, follow the "Maremma" link.

DISCONNECTED FROM THE NATURAL WORLD

Yesterday I was driving in a lesser developed part of the county when I spied a red-tailed hawk sitting on a telephone wire that stretched across an intersection marked with a stop sign.

I pulled over to the shoulder of the road, grumbling about not having my camera with me, and watched the hawk. It was alternating between watching the tall grass and weeds on the side of the road with swiveling its head to take in its surroundings.

The amazing thing to me was that while I was sitting there, numerous cars went by, stopped at the intersection and then drove on. I watched to see how many people would notice the hawk. Not one! All eyes were staring straight ahead.

It only affirmed my long held feeling that the majority of people living in today's world are truly disconnected from the natural world. So much is lost when one does not observe, interact, and appreciate nature and the wildlife that is a part of it.

I am fortunate that I had a father who was an environmentalist before it became vogue. He gave me a love and appreciation for the outdoors.

"Alienation from nature accounts for the human ability to destroy it without conscience."
(Laurie Tarkan)

The above photograph of a red-tailed hawk was taken at a fund raiser for the Audubon Society.

PRAYING MANTIS

Yesterday while walking around the reservoir with Hannah, I spied a young praying mantis about one inch long. When I had a flower garden, I had many in my yard, but it has been awhile since I've encountered a mantis. I'm always curious to know the Native American animal totem symbolism of creatures which cross my path.

Keynote: Power of Stillness

Mantis has shown up in mythology and lore. In China, a system of the martial arts evolved around the activities of the praying mantis. Kung Fu is based upon the imitation of animals and aspects of nature. One form of it is the praying mantis.

Most prominent though are the tales of the praying mantis found within African lore. To the Kalihari Bushmen of Africa, Mantis was a Bushman. There are abundant tales that speak of Mantis and his adventures. In many ways, they are similar to the coyote tales of the plains Indians and the raven tales of the Northwest Indians. Whenever Mantis got himself into trouble, he would go off and hide. He would then go to sleep and dream a solution to his problem.

This epitomizes the keynote for this insect - the power of stillness. Through learning to still the outer mind and go within, we can draw upon greater power - physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. That stillness can be simple contemplation, a meditation, or even sleep and dreams. The ancient mystics spoke of seven levels of silence that can be used by us, the first being simple contemplation and the last being death. In between them are dimensions that can add tremendous power to our lives. This is part of what the praying mantis teaches. It teaches how to still the outer, so that when it is time to act (in any form) it is done with surety, accuracy and great power.

According to the Random House Dictionary of the English Language, mantis comes from a Greek word meaning "Prophet". If we learn to go into the stillness, we can open ourselves to prophecy. One form of meditation sometimes taught in conjunction with traditional Kung Fu is called "chi kung". This meditation helps the individual to go within and direct the body's life force along specific avenues, strengthening and empowering it through the various organs and systems of the body. This has healing and strengthening applications. We can learn to use the stillness in varying degrees - whether for creativity or for healing - and this is part of what the praying mantis teaches.

It is this ability that makes the mantis a great hunter and enables it to survive. It will wait motionless, blending into its surroundings. Then at the most opportune time, it will suddenly grasp its prey in its long forelegs, which fold over its victim like closing a jackknife upon it.

For those with this totem, some examination may be necessary. Are you letting others know your plans before they are even laid? Are you being indiscriminate in what you say and to whom? Are you being impatient? Are you needing help meditating and quieting the outer mind? Are you missing opportunities to grasp life's rewards because you act or speak too hastily? All of these things praying mantis can help with.

Ted Andrews: Animal Speak, 1993

LIFE

"Life is really good sometimes, if you make room for it." (Jon Katz)

While reading one of Katz's blog entries I came across this quote which really made me stop and think.

I believe sometimes we are so consumed by what we feel our life should encompass that it, indeed, does pass us by. Suddenly we look back and wonder, "What was that all about?" "Was it really worth it?"

Ironically, I came across this quote while I was reflecting on Katz's musing. "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards." (Soren Kierkegaard)

A BEST FRIEND

I found this link MAG MY PIC on a friend's blog, so I was inspired to create my own magazine cover featuring Hannah. What a fun way to use favorite photographs, and it is FREE! It makes a cute gift if you have a special photograph of a pet, person, or place.

Hannah is definitely one of my best friends. She is there if I am lonely or blue. Her joie de vivre is a constant reminder that animals have mastered living in the moment -- a lesson we all can learn from them.

If I am feeling lazy Hannah always knows how to get me outdoors for play or a walk -- the best tonic for sluggish blood.

As much as we cherish our animal friends, human friends are even more important.

DEPENDENCE

I have read several articles on "dependence" as part of the July Fourth newspaper issues. Most of us like to think we are "independent," but we use the term loosely. It is a given that we all are dependent in many respects -- we depend upon stores to provide us with food; we depend on institutions to support our employment; we depend on utilities to provide living comfort; we depend on family and friends for emotional support....

In spite of these dependencies, we exist under the illusion that we ARE independent.

As a caregiver to my 96 year old mother, her dependency upon me is draining. No matter how much someone WANTS to provide for a loved one, it is still a tremendous investment in physical and emotional energy.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Here is a fun quiz to test your knowledge of Independence Day trivia.

http://www.livescience.com/php/trivia/index.php?quiz=independence-day

THERE YOU ARE!

WHEREVER YOU GO THERE YOU ARE!

Long ago in a small, far away village, there was place known as the House of 1000 Mirrors. A small, happy little dog learned of this place and decided to visit. When he arrived, he bounced happily up the stairs to the doorway of the house. He looked through the doorway with his ears lifted high and his tail wagging as fast as it could. To his great surprise, he found himself staring at 1000 other happy little dogs with their tails wagging just as fast as his. He smiled a great smile, and was answered with 1000 great smiles just as warm and friendly. As he left the House, he thought to himself, “This is a wonderful place. I will come back and visit it often.”

In this same village, another little dog, who was not quite as happy as the first one, decided to visit the house. He slowly climbed the stairs and hung his head low as he looked into the door. When he saw the 1000 unfriendly looking dogs staring back at him, he growled at them and was horrified to see 1000 little dogs growling back at him. As he left, he thought to himself, “That is a horrible place, and I will never go back there again.”

All the faces in the world are mirrors. What kind of reflections do you see in the faces of the people you meet?

Author Unknown

GOOD CITIZEN

Dogs can become good citizens too! The AKC has a Canine Good Citizen or CGC test. When the dog passes the test, CGC is then automatically placed behind the dog's name -- like a degree.

Hannah was young when she passed her CGC test at the age of 13 months. More information about the Canine Good Citizen program can be found on the AKC website.

Is your dog a good citizen?

A NEW NAME

When I began this blog in 2005 horses were still a very vital part of my life. Since then I have lost my beloved Lark to the infirmities of age. This was one of the last photographs I took of her.

Horses have been among my greatest teachers, and this is why the blog was originally named OF HORSES AND ZEN. These karmic animals have a way of bringing oneself to a quiet, balanced place within.

But life changes, and after forty plus years with horses, I am now horseless. There is not as much a void as I expected. The lessons I have learned from my equine friends have influenced the person I've become.

As I have reinvented my life as a retiree, I have rejuvenated my love of photography and thrown myself to the dogs. . . and the blog needs a new name.

FRACTURE

In June of 2008 mother's failing vision caused her to become entangled with the dog gate in the family room. She fractured her femur just below the hip. After surgery she was released to Twining Village Health Center (nursing home) for rehab which dragged on for two months before she was discharged. Not only is a fracture a physical thing, it is also an emotional thing. It fractures hope, determination, and life's routine. It is a challenge for both the patient and caregiver.

RENEWAL

It has been over a year since I've blogged. Recently I discovered John Katz's "Farm Journal" blog. Katz is one of my favorite writers, so it was a real treat to discover that I can enjoy his wonderful photography and shared thoughts each day. It has encouraged me to return to blogging, realizing that a photo or two, perhaps a quote, or thoughts are often enjoyed by the reader.

I bought a new lens for my camera -- a 50mm f1.4 -- in hopes that I could capture better images in low light. The other day I was experimenting with the lens, and this is one photo from that session. Now I think I would like to have a "close up" lens. I guess it never stops...

LOVAGE

LETTERS AND LOVAGE

He came in
smelling of lovage –
The gentle scent of celery
was like a delicate after-shave.
Revived memories of the day we met.

We sat across the table from each other
as the herb lady
spoke of culinary plants –

Thyme
Sage
Dill . . .
“And this one is lovage,”
she said,
urging us to taste.
We did;

The lovage becoming
an unexpected connection.

Two days later,
he arrived on my garden step
with a small pot of lovage for me.

The lovage now grows in my garden;
Firmly established
and aggressively
shading the other herbs.
The love letters no longer speak
of connections
and commonality,
But the lingering scent of celery persists.




Lovage is a wonderful herb, but aggressive. Enjoy the information shared at this link. http://oldfashionedliving.com/lovage.html

The Right Amount

My mother and I often disagree on what is considered clutter and unnecessary "stuff" in our home. She likes to accumulate things while I love to clean out and rehome things that I no longer want or need. I have always preferred a sparse home environment while my mom says "things" make a home interesting and look lived in ... we will never agree, and because we share the same house, I have learned to look the other way when I see her piles of stuff stacked horizontally.

In the last issue of Creating Community there is an article titled "The Right Amount," by Alan Atkinson who works in accelerating sustainable development. He talks of wandering about a Costco or Sam's Club which invokes several radical feelings within him -- "raw consumer lust, great moral outrage, and aching environmental angst."

He continues by sharing a phrase he learned from a Swedish friend, " Det ar lagom." The word lagom means something like, 'exactly the right amount.' Atkinson continues by saying, "Most people in the world do not want enough; they want more. The desire for more seems to be deeply wired in the human organism. To have more has been our first defense against the vagaries of an uncertain future. Hoarding is the first act of those who believe themselves to be in the path of an impending disaster."

Synchronicity, perhaps, led me to the GLOBALONENESS site where I viewed a short video clip on materialism presented by M. C. Mehta.


M.C. Mehta is an attorney in the Supreme Court of India, one of the founders of the Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action (ICELA), and director of the M.C. Mehta Environmental Foundation in New Delhi. M.C.’s landmark environmental cases in the Supreme Court of India have resulted in the protection of India’s natural and cultural treasures – including the Ganges River and the Taj Mahal – from the adverse effects of pollution. An ardent supporter of alternative energy he brought about the transition of New Delhi's transport system (buses, rickshaws etc.) to become the largest green based transit system in the world.

To view the video see: http://www.globalonenessproject.org/videos/mcmehtaclip4