TALKING TO A DOG ABOUT DANGER
A family of coyotes has taken up residence in our quiet city neighborhood. They live in the wooded area of a nearby park. We see them roaming up and down alleys and between houses early morning and late at night.
Because our little cocker spaniel Leaf is a tiny fellow, it concerns us that he could get hurt if one of the coyotes attacked him.
As many of you regular readers know, Leaf has a unique personality and a mind of his own. He's the kind of guy who needs explanations. It doesn't work to give him a command. He's like a teenager in that he requires a reason. When he understands what you want and why, then he complies (usually).
So we have been looking for an opportunity to tell him about the coyote. Every night one of us goes outside with Leaf before bedtime to stand guard in case the coyote is roaming our neighborhood.
Last night, the coyote walked down the alley behind our house while Leaf was in the backyard. Our alpha dog barked at him. The coyote wasn't fazed by Leaf's bark but saw Linda watching him from our back deck. Her glare persuaded him to walk in the opposite direction.
Linda called Leaf back to her with urgency in her voice. He stood on the porch while she explained about coyotes. She said something to the effect: "He is a dangerous animal. He will hurt you. If you see him, run to the deck as fast as you can. Bark and bark and bark."
Leaf has a way of looking deeply into the eyes of the human who is talking, if he's interested in what she has to say. Last night, he was interested. He saw the coyote for himself and got a good whiff of his scent. He instinctively knew that this predator spelled trouble with a capital T.
Have you explained a situation to an animal? What were the results?
You can post your answers at our Angel Animals Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/angelanimalsnetwork and "Like" Angel Animals while you're there.
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network -- Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net
Has a dog inspired you to selflessly serve the greater good?
ANNA AT GROUND ZERO
Excerpted from "Whispering Secrets to Anna at Ground Zero" by Sarah R. Atlas from ANGEL DOGS WITH A MISSION by Allen and Linda Anderson (New World Library, 2008). Reprinted with permission.
No billboards advertise, "Here's how to get involved in search-and-rescue work." Yet I had wanted for a long time to give this type of service. I remember watching a television program in which search-and-rescue dogs responded to an earthquake in a far-off land. The handlers and dogs worked under the worst conditions to assist those in life-and-death situations. I wondered whether I ever would be in the right circumstances to find the best dog to fulfill my dream.
I had been involved with my older dog in schutzhund, a sport that originated in Germany for demonstrating a dog's intelligence and courage. It involves competing in a dog triathlon that includes obedience training, tracking, and protection work. So I had some idea of the time and energy commitment required to train a dog to a high level of ability.
I decided to add a puppy to my household of two dogs. In February 1998 I went to look at a litter of German shepherd puppies from imported bloodlines. As I pondered which to choose, a little bicolored pup marched over, grabbed my pants leg, and tugged on it. I said, "I guess I've been picked." Her name was Anna. With that first connection, we would begin the journey of a lifetime.
I'd had quite a few dogs over the years, but right away I could tell that Anna was different from all the rest. She seemed to know what I was thinking before I asked her to do things. Also, she was very protective. Anna and I were in tune and so connected with each other that, even when separated physically, I felt her presence with me. This was a unique spiritual experience for me to have with a dog.
While at my job one day, I happened to have a conversation with a married couple, Sharon and Rich. They were both emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and were also involved in search-and-rescue work with their dogs. I told them about my puppy, Anna, and that she would be perfect in this type of job. They rolled their eyes, because everyone thinks he or she has a perfect dog. "Maybe your dog can find you," Sharon said, "but search-and-rescue dogs must look for strangers."
Rich and Sharon invited me to come to their house so they could evaluate my dog to see if she would be suitable for search-and-rescue training. An important trait for the dog to have is a hunting drive. They repeatedly threw balls into the woods to see if Anna would keep focused on hunting for and finding them. They also had me take Anna away after they threw a ball and return with her five minutes later to see if she continued to look for the ball. To my delight Anna tested extremely well.
Sharon and Rich spent hundreds of hours teaching Anna and me the skills we would need to become a search-and-rescue dog team. One day Rich told me that New Jersey Task Force One, the state's urban search-and-rescue team, was holding a screening for dogs and handlers to become new members. There are only twelve positions on a search-and-rescue team, so only the most talented dogs are selected to join.
Anna was six weeks pregnant when I took her through the screening process. Not only did we make it onto the team's roster but we also passed with high marks. Soon afterward, Anna had her litter. A year later, we were called to serve at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Anna at the World Trade Center
Within hours after the airplanes had crashed into the Twin Towers, Anna and I were part of the first search-and-rescue teams arriving at the World Trade Center. As we entered the search area, all that was left of the magnificent Twin Towers were mounds of twisted steel, cables, and white ash, which covered everything. At one point we were halted in our progress with the search as World Trade Center building 7 collapsed onto the pile of debris.
It was frightening with so much commotion. Normally dogs become very intense and excited as they pull ahead to begin their searches. But Anna remained quiet, even stoic, as she looked at the horrible scene in front of us. I confided to Anna that I was scared. I stressed to her that what we were about to do here was important work. She leaned against me as if she understood the gravity of the situation.
This was Anna's first mission. Although we had been through a lot of training, no amount could have prepared us for the sight that lay before us. Everybody looked like little ants against rubble piles of steel and pulverized concrete.
It was so tough. A lot of firemen and cops bent down and cried, whispering into Anna's ears that day. Anna licked the faces of people as she listened to their sorrows and kept their secrets.
Working at Ground Zero was bizarre and eerie. Something very strange happened down there that I have not told many people. Although there were no signs of life, I could hear high-pitched cries and moaning. I saw what looked like white clouds going to heaven. I thought that the moans I heard must have been final cries of spirits leaving their bodies though they did not want to go. Yet they were finally being released. Later on, a fireman who had also worked at Ground Zero said he experienced exactly the same things.
At night we stayed in the Javits Center parking garage, sleeping on blankets on the floor. That first night, Anna and I were exhausted, and I reached over to hug her. She leaned on me and whimpered as we comforted each other.
On the last shift we worked at Ground Zero, a fire chief came up to me and said, "I know remains are up there, but we don't know where to begin searching." So I sent Anna to search in places where none of us could climb. I had to use voice and hand signals to direct her.
She showed interest in two spots. She wasn't certified as a cadaver dog, but as closely as we had worked with our search-and-rescue dogs, we understood their body language. Anna stared back at me with intensity until I acknowledged that she must have picked up the scent of remains. Then she walked back down from the area, and I pointed out the locations to the fire chief.
By this time Anna's tongue was turning purple, her breathing was labored, and her eyes looked listless. She was showing signs of heat stroke. I called my task force leader and said that my dog needed medical attention and IV fluids. As I walked back to the vehicle for Anna, a man held up a picture and thrust it toward me. He said, "Please, have you seen my son? Don't leave my son. He's down there somewhere."
I tried to explain to the distraught man that my dog was exhausted, and other dogs were coming. The heat was unbearable from fires still burning. The man pulled something out of a brown paper bag and showed it to me. "This is my son's shirt," he said. I got emotional and had to turn away. Our task force leader explained to the man that rested search dogs were en route to the site.
After I made it to the search and rescue vehicle, I heard a call on the radio. A voice confirmed that the searchers had located the remains of two victims in Anna's search area.
After September 11
Following our service on September 11, we packed our belongings and said good-bye to fellow rescuers, well-wishers, and janitorial staff who had become like family. We thanked the police officers who guarded us and the Salvation Army volunteers who fed and consoled us.
Then we boarded busses with our tired dogs, their coats thick with soot and an awful smell that would be almost impossible to remove. As our bus pulled out of the Javits Center garage and headed down the West Side Highway, we passed people who began to cheer and shout, "Thank you. Thank you. You are our heroes."
Upon returning to our home base at the Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station, we were greeted by scores of television reporters who pushed microphones toward our faces. Families rushed to hug us. The U.S. Navy band played, and the New Jersey State Police performed "Amazing Grace" on their bagpipes.
Later
In 2007, for the first time, my foundation was able to give two $500 grants to assist search-and-rescue dog handlers whose dogs were unable to work or had died due to age, illness, or injury. Our goal is to give ten $1,000 grants per year to help handlers replace K-9s.
Not a day goes by without my thinking of Ann. I began Search and Rescue Dog Foundation in her honor, to help my fellow volunteer search-and-rescue workers and to encourage young people to perform this type of service. I think Anna would have liked that.
BIO:
Sarah R. Atlas from Barrington, New Jersey, is a member of the New Jersey Task Force One Urban Search and Rescue Team. She shares her life and home with search-and-rescue partner Tango; her other canine partner, Kaylee, a human-remains recovery dog; and Szara, who is a pet-therapy dog. Sarah is founder of the nonprofit 501c(3) charity, The Search & Rescue Dog Foundation, Inc. To learn more, visit http://www.sardogfoundation.org.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:
Has a dog inspired you to selflessly serve the greater good?
Visit the following link to view a photo of Anna and Sarah: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150289594094845&set=a.10150289593854845.343361.84755854844&type=1&theater
A Question for the Sandman
Overcome Overwhelm
Allen and Linda Andeson on FACEBOOK
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Allen and Linda Anderson
ANGEL ANIMALS NETWORK - Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net
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Inspirational Writing and Publishing Today By Linda Anderson -- NEW CLASS
ANNOUNCEMENT - NEW WRITING CLASS
Inspirational Writing and Publishing Today
In this spiritually hungry world, people long to be comforted and inspired. Self-help, New Thought, religious books, daily meditations, memoirs, and personal true story anthologies top the bestseller lists. In this class, you'll learn the forms, elements, and markets for inspirational writing and read samples from masterful writers. You'll get tips for moving from self-expression to service by writing about your life's experiences in ways that help others.
We'll also talk about a system for framing chapters in a book-length work or for organizing an article. This class offers nurturing feedback and suggestions for rewriting, polishing, and getting published. It includes individual review of your assignments or book in progress. For intermediate and advanced writers and beginning writers who want to explore the inspirational genres. Individual consultation with the instructor. Small copy fee.
30% Lecture or Presentation
25% Writing Exercises
25% Sharing of Student Work
20% Review of Master Works
Teaching Artist: Linda Anderson
Age Group: Adult
Location: Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave. So., Minneapolis, 55414
(near The Guthrie Theatre)
Day: Mondays
Date: July 11-August 15
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Level: Open to All
People who have taken the inspirational writing class in the past say:
"I received more information through Linda and this class than I could possibly have imagined. - Sherry
I was very impressed that Linda took the time to meet outside of class with every student. She was extremely organized and thorough. I'm leaving with a wealth of information for when I'm ready for it. Thank you."
"This class exceeded my expectations. The instructor was excellent and really had a great teaching style. I felt I learned more about the genre, where and how to get published, and I also gained valuable knowledge with 'how-to' tips from an experienced writer."
Linda Anderson is coauthor of the Angel Animals ongoing series of 12 inspirational books, plus articles, blogs, newsletters, and columns about the benefits of human-animal companionship. She is a regular contributing writer for Beliefnet. Linda and her husband received the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) Outstanding Book Award for Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster and they each were awarded a Minnesota Governor's Commendation for their contributions to the state as authors. Linda is the author of 35 Golden Keys to Who You Are & Why You're Here. Her Writing on the Run website was named by Writer's Digest magazine as one of the best for writers. She has taught at the Loft since 1998 and won an Anderson Center Residency for Outstanding Teachers. www.angelanimals.net
Register: In person at Open Book. Online www.loft.org/classes-at-the-loft/register-now. Phone: 612-379-8999, Fax: 612-215-2576, Mail: The Loft Literary Center, Att: Education, Open Book, Suit 200, 1011 Washington Avenue, South, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Allen and Linda Anderson
ANGEL ANIMALS NETWORK - Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
Time Well Spent
In this world with so much hustle and bustle, we sometimes get lost in the rapid pace. Caught in the whirlwind called -- getting things done, we forget to stop, breathe, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. That's where our Angel Animals come in.
This morning, although we had a long to-do list, we stopped the madness and went to the big dog park by the Mississippi River with our cocker spaniel Leaf. Watching his enjoyment at chasing balls we threw for him, rolling in the mud and dirt, and playing with other dogs lifted us out of our daily routines.
We sipped on our coffee as we walked the trails behind Leaf and marveled at the newly budded trees that promised spring might actually be here. Because it was raining when we left, we almost didn't go, but Leaf would have been so disappointed. After we arrived at the dog park, although it was still drizzling a bit, we were glad we went. A few raindrops were worth the laughs we got whenever Leaf ran with abandon with his long, floppy ears sailing in the wind.
He always stopped and turned around to make sure we were within sight. Assured that we were right behind him, he would run again for the next stretch.
After we returned home, we sat on the living room couches with cats on our laps and the day's chores still unfinished. Yet somehow, it just didn't seem to matter as much as it had when we woke up, feeling stressed about accomplishing everything. As the rain continued to gently fall, we thanked our Angel Animals for reminding us to relax, move our bodies, appreciate nature, and spend quality time with them.
What are Angel Animals doing to help you enjoy life more?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network - Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net
WAG, WALK, and RUN EVENT
YOU ARE INVITED:
Visit us at our Angel Animals Booth at the Wag, Walk, and Run Event to raise funds for the wonderful therapy dog organization, Helping Paws. We'll be there on Saturday, May 21 at Purgatory Creek Recreation Area, 13001 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota. There will be a lot of fun activities including dog contests, Kid's Run, Six-Legged Run, Walk, Music, Doggy Demonstrations and more. Visit www.helpingpaws.org for details.
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network - Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net
HOMELESS DOGS AND AT-RISK TEENS
HOMELESS DOGS AND AT-RISK TEENS
By Deborah Dobson
In the mid-1990s, I was working as a youth counselor for at-risk teenage girls as part of a preventative program designed to minimize their risk of pregnancy, drug use and abuse, and truancy. Much of my job was providing support and guidance to these girls in the hope of redirecting their behavior.
I picked up Gail (not her real name) up at her home one day and felt some relief that she was at least keeping her appointments with me. We'd met two or three times before, and our lack of progress was evident in her reluctance to talk with me.
As we drove away from her house, I wondered what to do to open the door between us. Suddenly I had an inspiration to take her to a local no-kill animal shelter that I often enjoyed visiting.
When we got inside, Gail completely changed. She smiled, laughed, talked animatedly, and wanted to adopt several of the four-legged residents.
It was such a success with Gail that I decided to bring my other clients there. Over the next several months, I realized that our visits to the shelter were helping tremendously. The teens relaxed in the animals' presence, and we were able to make deeper progress in our counseling conversations together.
I knew that I had stumbled onto something helpful and started researching therapeutic methods designed to unite at-risk teens and animals. Out of this came C.A.R.E. - Canine Advocates for Rehabilitation and Education, an experiential animal-assisted therapy (AAT) program in which teens train homeless dogs in basic obedience and make the dogs more adoptable. In return, the dogs provide a steady stream of unconditional love and acceptance -- something many of these teens have never experienced.
C.A.R.E. is the result of hundreds of hours of research and many conversations with people across the country who run similar programs. It stresses safety and understanding canine body language, being a responsible dog owner, the severity of the problem of unwanted puppies and dogs, positive training methods, and the long history of companionship that dogs and humans have shared over the centuries.
The C.A.R.E. program runs for eight weeks. After the first week each C.A.R.E. session is held in two parts: the actual hands-on dog training followed by a group therapy session during which training challenges are discussed and used as a springboard for real-life challenges a teen might encounter.
For example, if a teen had difficulty teaching her dog to sit, how did she feel? What did she do with that feeling as she pursued her goal of teaching sit? And how can she apply what she learned about patience, anger management, leadership, etc., as a dog trainer to frustration she may feel at school? With a sibling? A parent?
My theory is that when the teens realize how their patient work with the dogs brings positive results, their own self-esteem will improve. This will increase the likelihood of them making healthier, more life-affirming choices.
Currently, we have several agencies ready to refer teens including our local juvenile probation and child protective services offices. We are also working with a local dog rescue group that will provide the dogs for C.A.R.E.
In these tough economic times, dogs and teens are often vulnerable populations and need more help than ever.
***
Visit www.angelanimals.net/nlimage63.html to view photos that were taken last summer at a simulated C.A.R.E. training session in Deborah Dobson's backyard with some of the teens and dogs from her neighborhood. They were working on the training commands: sit and sit/stay.
BIO:
Deborah Dobson, BSW, is founder of C.A.R.E. She has loved dogs all her life. She lives in northern Arizona and is currently working on launching C.A.R.E. and looking for her next furry, four-legged, canine companion. She needs another $3000 worth of donations to cover the cost of liability insurance and equipment for the teens and dogs. Visit the C.A.R.E. website www.caredogs.org for more information about where to make a secure tax-deductible donation online. C.A.R.E. is located in the area of the Verde Valley and is looking for volunteers to foster a C.A.R.E. dog or serve on its board of directors. Any support can provide help to launch this much-needed program and is greatly appreciated.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:
How have animals inspired you to help people?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network - Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net
Kitty Dream Protector
Kitty Dream Protector
One night, Allen was awakened by Linda having a rough dream. Her arms were thrashing about, and she was mumbling in her sleep.
Then Allen noticed that our black-and-white cat Cuddles had jumped up on the bed and hovered over Linda's pillow. With great gentleness, Cuddles put her paw on Linda's forehead in the spot between the eyebrows. (Some religious teachings call this area on the forehead the spiritual eye.) Cuddles kept her paw on the forehead for a moment until Linda quieted down and returned to a peaceful sleep.
Linda's kitty protector must have chased away the dream monsters. The next morning, when Allen told her what he had observed, Linda didn't remember the dream, but she was grateful for the nocturnal presence of her cat friend.
Visit www.angelanimals.net/nlimage50.html to view photos of Cuddles and Speedy.
How have animals protected you in ways that may have been ever so gentle yet ever so effective?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network - Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net
Allen and Linda Anderson
Allen and Linda Anderson are authors of a successful book series. They want to help other writers by sharing their Writing on the Run concept. Allen and Linda say that Writing on the Run is the art of simultaneously living, observing, and writing about life as it happens. It means to free your creative writer -- the part of you that cannot, will not be deterred by society, sickness, humiliation, or lack of time -- to express thoughts, emotions, and wisdom any time, any place.
