Check out Daisy Peel and Solar’s agility runs!  Impressive!

http://www.youtube.com/user/cflyrun#p/a/u/0/gR0MqqVMTKQ

http://www.youtube.com/user/cflyrun#p/a/u/2/k9dvATBVIn8

DAISY AND SOLAR’S WINNING RUN!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVy_Ol-g_Qo&feature=related

Also on the show today: A Beautiful Story about Poodle Love

Read more stories like this and find out more about Mental Health Assistance Dogs and Heeling Allies at: www.mentalhealthdogs.org

“I have suffered from severe depression, anxiety and agoraphobia for over seven years with things seeming to get progressively worse every passing year.  Eventually I even stopped going into stores or restaurants, waiting in the car while my husband shopped.  With three small children, I was painfully aware that I was creating a negative impact on my kids’ lives and memories.  Being a military family, moving and family separation is always a factor and I knew that I needed to find more help than just my current medications in order to take care of my family.

I discovered Heeling Allies entirely by chance while doing a search on assistance dogs from a recommendation from my doctor. Darcie called me immediately and I felt hope for the first time in years as she talked me through the process of choosing and training the perfect dog for me and my needs.  Darcie encouraged me to write a letter of support to send out to my friends and family since money was a barrier in my desire to find a medical alert dog. I was overwhelmed by the financial support that was given by family and friends!  None of them had been aware of my issues, I had worked so hard for so many years to hide my fears and anxiety by creating excuses to avoid social situations and many other activities.

Darcie has been my angel and found Blue, my handsome black standard poodle.  At first I was a little nervous about a stranger choosing the dog that will be by my side constantly but Darcie seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to dogs and pairing them with their owner.  Blue wakes me up in the morning either by alarm or when my youngest son cries, reminds me to take my medications twice a day, Blue is by my side throughout the house helping me to feel as if I’m not alone in my anxieties and most of all he provides a calming presence and distraction while in stores. Now I can go freely into stores once again and not feel as if everyone is pressing in around me.  People automatically give us a wider berth and when it does get crowded, Blue presses up against me which automatically turns my attention to him rather than the crowds.  I had forgotten what this type of freedom felt like and I am thankful every single day that I found Darcie and Heeling Allies.

Darcie continues to check in with Blue and I, she is always willing to answer questions that arise, offer advice and support.  She is an amazing woman and I would refer anyone who is considering a service dog to contact Heeling Allies.  It is a decision that I will never regret.”

Download The Dog Talk Show for free on iTunes.  Five shows available now - over 50 more coming soon!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dog-talk-show/id361545164

CityDog Magazine

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Cooking Classes at The Natural Pet Pantry!

The Natural Pet Pantry is now offering Pet Food Cooking Classes, Monday nights, starting March 29th.  Space is limited so RSVP ASAP!  To find out more email The Natural Pet Pantry’s animal nutritionist Laney Poire at: laneypoire@gmail.com or call The Natural Pet Pantry Shop at (206) 248-1079.

Julie’s Tip of the Week:

Check out www.bokashicycle.com to find out how you can turn your dog’s poop into nutrient-rich soil for your garden!!  AMAZING!  Help save the environment and grow the most robust garden in your neighborhood!

I don’t know how many times I’ve said in the past several years, “Walking through the woods with my dogs off leash is one of my favorite things to do.”It is.

There is something so simple, and right, about footsteps in a forest with dogs galloping around you - the feeling of walking together as a unit, a pack, a family.

I am beginning to think it isn’t just because I love my dogs, that I love this experience. I am beginning to think it is genetic wiring.

Dogs have been living with people for potentially over 100,000 years. If the two species have been living together, day in and day out, for SO LONG, wouldn’t it make sense that we are evolving together as animals?

Dogs seem to be getting smarter and smarter and in some cases, almost human-like with the way they relate socially to the world. As we pull dogs closer to humanity, I think dogs are pulling us closer to them.

Consider this: Dogs have measurable, positive psychological and physiological effects on people when they are with them.

There are many positive physiological effects that people benefit from, when with a dog. To generalize: People are more relaxed in the presence of a dog.

I believe this is genetic wiring. When dogs first started transforming from wolves, their roles with us quickly developed into these basic jobs: alerting us to the presence of a threat: cougar in the neighborhood, hunting partner: making our hunts easier and more fruitful, and herding: helping us manage large flocks of livestock.

Dogs have made things easier for us. Imagine being in the wilderness among dangerous predators. Wouldn’t the presence of a dog that barks when he senses a threat, allow you to relax and not feel like you have to be so vigilant? Are you a woman who lives alone and finds comfort in having a dog with you to alert you/deter any potential threat when you feel vulnerable? This phenomenon has been happening for tens, and tens, of thousands of years.

Yup, we are wired to live with dogs. I think our reptilian brains think that our survival depends on it!

Welcome to the Dog Talk Show blog.  This blog provides insights and information for people and their dogs.  In the blog I will disucss a variety of topics, including:

• Animal welfare
• Dog behavior
• Dog alterntaive health
• Dog massage
• Dog shows and events
• Dog stories
• Kids and dogs
• Dog nutrition
• Service and therapy dog training
• General dog training

. . . and much more.  The Dog Talk Show also provides access to all of my Dog Talk Show radio broadcasts (click the Podcasts menu item).  Most of all, I would like to hear from you - whether it’s to share stories, ask questions or express your point of view on a topic. 

I hope you will enjoy the Dog Talk Show and share it with others.