31 in 31 #31 Completing The task

31 in 31 #31 Completing the task in 31 days – what I learned and what next     

I really enjoyed the process. I am already comfortable with writing so that part was relatively easy. Also the topics seem to flow along probably because I am in the middle of several projects and trying to organize them as best as I can. I liked the limitation and also the freedom of no more than 350 words. It made it much easier for me. There were some challenges and I expect more in the one year course starting next week. Technologically, I am still a bit all thumbs about loading pictures, using videos, uploading to youtube and generally making the blogs more lively and interesting. I am still in the “brain-dump” phase of learning to blog. I would hope that the blogs become more fun to read and that I can organize the blogs to support my various businesses. I have thought of a title for the blog Transitions & Transformations / Pets & People. However, the free blogs don’t like capital letters or strange signs like “&”. Skipping that minor problem for a moment, I would like to write about transitions, transformations, pets and people and that will cover all the aspects of my businesses as well as my deeper interests. It is important to me to be conversant with the modern ways of communicating such as blogging, social networking etc. Not only is this the current way to communicate but it will become even more in the future. I think about my mom who will be 96 next month. She lives completely independently and is a bit of political junkie in the best sense of that term. However, she is afraid of computers, does not have email and so must use the methods of her youth to get information such as the library, magazines and newspapers. It works for her but she misses out on a lot of things she would love. So again, thanks for the opportunity and on we go.

31 in 31 #30 A little mediation seminar

31 in 31 #30 A little “mediation” seminar          

The school where I received my mediation training has seminars each month on mediation topics. I went to my first one last night and want to share what I learned. The seminar was titled CPR for Communications – A better framework for conflict resolving conversations. If there is a trick to mediation that I am discovering, it is to discern the interests which underlie a position. CPR in this seminar means Content, Pattern, Relationship. Let’s say there is an argument between husband and wife. Content refers to the story or the “facts” in the situation. Pattern goes deeper and sees if there is a history of similar incidents and looks for what underlying need is not being met. Finally, how is this pattern affecting the relationship? So, if you can follow this, there are 6 different answers that are given that will probably NOT be the same. The husband gives his take on CPR and the wife gives her take on CPR (imagine a chart with 6 boxes). A crucial aspect of the mediator’s role is to be able to help the parties identify the patterns and also help them focus on this affects the relationship. It is very easy to get caught on content. A simple example will help – The wife says she will be home at 6PM and the husband has made a delicious dinner. She does not call and arrives at 6:30. As she walks in the door, he yells at her, she yells back. It does not sound like the meal will be happy. If it was ONLY a content issue, I suppose he might be concerned and ask what happened before blowing up. However, if we look toward a pattern, we may find that he can’t rely on her word and perhaps she needs more leeway in their relationship. By the way, in this encounter, it turned out that she had forgot her cell phone at home and did not realize it until she tried to call on the ride home

31 in 31 Looking Back One Year

31 in 31 #29 Looking Back One Year 

It is hard to believe how much has happened in one year since I retired from my career job. Originally I had the thought to simply do dog massage, one dog at a time, very loving, very meditative – I am actually doing that and I am invited to do it as much as I like in a variety of shelters and doggy day cares. That part is all volunteer. I also teach classes to dog owners about the basics of massage and I work on dogs that have medical needs. All very good.  Six months ago, I added mediation to my goals. I am a reconciling being and it is in my nature to see issues from many sides at the same time. I thought mediation would b e a good vehicle for this. I took the required course and now am going through my paces in both Small Claims and Eviction Court to help people and to hone my skills. I expect to do at least 50 mediations in the next year and eventually specialize in pet related issues. Finally, I started a business with a person I met this year. We called it Forever care for Pets and it is in its infancy. It essentially addresses the question, “what will happen to my pet when I can no longer care for her.” One of the marvelous things of all these adventures is the new people I have met as well as the situations I find myself. Dog massage alone would not have provided for the variety, the challenges and the opportunities. Each of these businesses is now launched and so to speak step one is complete. Step two will be highly intensive, taking a lot of time as I make specific commitments to help each grow. More to come.

31 in 31 #28 The Launch

31 in 31 #28 The Launch         

Today I launched a business and website called www.forevercareforpets.com and I have been reflecting on launching anything. Perhaps the most profound meditation I have seen on this subject comes from a surprising source. It is from a book and website called “Journey of the Universe”. It is a most wonderful narrative about the narrative of the universe itself containing everything. Quite a scope. And what I am calling a launch, they poetically refer to the big bang as a “flaring forth.” Don’t you love that? And wait, it gets better. If the universe itself flared forth in a way that billions of years later allowed for a planet Earth and still billions of years after allowed for humans, then we are, in the deepest sense, the universe in its manifestation as a human. This one thought is so large and comprehensive that it can change a life if we can meet it with the required energy. Let me say it another way, on a deep and true level, I am not the person writing this blog (although there is an aspect of myself that is certainly writing this). But in the sense of who I actually am, my larger self I am the universe itself. – the trees, the mountains, the rocks…How could it be otherwise? So my little launch of the website which is certainly a big deal in my little “self”, on a deeper level, it is the universe itself acting and in some way, a launch is a launch whether it is the great flaring forth or something much smaller.

31 in 31 #27 - Massaging at the MSPCA walk

31 in 31 – #27 Massaging at the MSPCA Walk

It was three years ago that my wife and I brought our two dogs to the MSPCA dog walk with about 300 other dogs. It was a wild and crazy time with contests, vendors, and of course, food. One of the vendors was a wife / husband team focusing on dog massage and hydro-therapy. Our two dogs got a nice massage and the thought occurred to me – “hey, this is a pretty cool thing to do.” I asked them how to become a dog massage therapist and they suggested the Bancroft School which I eventually chose a year later. I kept in touch over the years and emailed them a few months ago that I would be happy to join them in their tent massaging dogs making it a complete circle. Well, today was the day and it was so much fun to be with them as people came by and we massaged sometimes three dogs at a time. I felt fully comfortable having massaged hundreds of dogs at similar types of events over the past eight months. As often happens, someone says their dog is not comfortable with men and I say, let’s give it try and see how it goes. At least half of the time, the dog really loves it and the owner is surprised and happy and so it went today. The energy at these types of events is quite joyous and the love that people have for their dogs really comes through. For me, it is like a bath in fresh clean water – very refreshing.

31 in 31 #26 Being with a superstar

31 in 31 #26 Being with a super star

Today I had the fun and privilege of being with a super star. Many articles have been written about her, she has own face book page, there was a line of people and dogs who wanted to take a photo with her, and she has a tee shirt with her picture. I got to give her a massage surrounded by her adoring fans. Her name is Lilly and she is a pit bull who rescued a human from the railroad tracks last May by pulling the person to safety. In the process the train hit her and crushed parts of her body including her legs. She was rushed to the animal emergency room and a team of wonderful surgeons put her together with a steel plate and other surgical procedures. Miraculously she fully recovered and became a sensation in the Boston area appearing at many events, winning awards for courage and being a fantastic ambassador for pit bulls. If you know pit bulls, you will know that many simply ooze sweetness and kindness. Lilly is great with children, puppies and pretty much everyone else who wanted to be near her. My wife and I had discovered how wonderful pit bulls can be several years old when we were volunteering at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah. We took one for a “sleepover” in our cottage and she immediately jumped into the bed took a big sign and said OK, let’s all sleep together. In fact, my wife wrote a great article about her which led to her being adopted by a wonderful family. It is heartening to see that little by little the general public is beginning to be educated about pit bulls. For wonderful stories and photos, google Lilly the pitbull and enjoy.

31 in 31 #24 Dog Massage and Human Massage

31 in 31 – Dog Massage and Human Massage

A few weeks ago, a human massage person (Lyn) invited me to join her in her tent at a weekly on-going farmer’s market. She would do human massage (in a massage chair) and I would massage the dogs on a soft pad on the ground. We originally thought a person would come by with their dog and it would all happen at once. What has happened is that the people who want massages go to her and other people with their dogs come to me. For example, yesterday I got to massage a Mastiff. What a wild and fun event. Many children came running over as the large and gentle Mastiff lay down on the pad and drooled happiness. I explained to the children and the adults how to do massage and why the dog was so happy. Noticing all this Lyn asked if I would like to teach a seminar to dog owners at her wellness center and we are now planning the details. I told her about my idea to do in-home care for recovering pets and she was interested in participating. Turns out she has a lot of medical experience and knowledge. As with so many people I meet these days (myself included), the key word is TRANSITION. Lyn and I will think and plan together over the next few weeks and I won’t be surprised if something very good emerges over the next few months.

31 in 31 #25 Moving at the speed of kindness

31 in 31 #25 Moving at the speed of kindness

Food is a big deal to my wife and I. We love to shop for food, cook and eat. For the past many years, we cook together on the weekend and make enough delicious and nutritious food for the week. The preparation is relaxed and creative and we make wonderful meals of all sorts. We go to a nice supermarket near us as part of the adventure and are experts in efficiency knowing where everything is located. Almost every time we go I become very quiet internally as we navigate the aisles moving quietly and attentively with the other shoppers and their carts. I love the experience. Today as I was shopping the phrase “moving with the speed of kindness” came into my mind. I had my own intentions to buy bananas and yogurt and other things and so it was with every other person in the market. I noticed that part of the joy of the shopping experience for me is taking into account all the other people who are moving through their intentions. Some are tense, some relaxed, some speaking on the phone, some with children and so on. “The speed of kindness” is a way of being congruent and adaptive to everything going on and also not losing the thread of my own intentions (say, the bananas and are they too ripe). This phrase, this notion completely generalizes to everything and everywhere. How attentive and adaptive can I be to what’s going on around me? Can I be so blended that there is a hardly a separation between myself and others – or in massage, between my fingers and the dog’s breathing. What a beautiful mediations to carry through life.

31 in 31 #23 Max Crosses the Rainbow Bridge

31 in 31 #23 – Max Crosses the Rainbow Bridge

Yesterday was our 15 year old dog, Max, last day. He already had one paw on the rainbow bridge and yesterday the quality plummeted and my wife and I decided OK, this is it. Although we have done this many times before, each time is difficult and profound. We approach death a little bit differently but agree on one important thing – it is all about the quality of life of the dog (or cat, or horse, or chicken or..) We try our best to balance our own inconvenience (poop in the house, no sleep, lots of medications and so on) with the quality of life - Are there more good days than bad, is there enough joy left, is he telling us to let him go? What we have seen over the years is that the final process is a series of set-backs and rallies and we try to accompany our pets through the process. Occasionally there is what seems like a miracle, or miracle drug that helps for a while and our lives follow the rhythms of the pet. Our current household consists of a 17 year old dog, a 15 year cat and a 20 year old cat. It is at best like a senior center but often like a nursing home or more recently hospice. All of these animals are rescues and they have been bonded for many years. We keep our eye on how they will react when they fully notice Max is gone. Typically there is a grieving period – actually we all go through that together. So thank you Max for being part of our lives as you venture into the great mystery.

31 in 31 #22 more about in-home recuperation

31 in 31 – More thinking About In-Home recuperation services

This blog looks at in-home recuperation from the point of view of the dog or cat owner. What does the dog owner needs to do after say cruciate (knee) surgery. One excellent protocol suggests a 9-12 commitment which goes something like this: Prepare the house for restricted movement, avoid jumping or stairs. Use a harness or belly support for lifting the dog. Already, this is not so easy to actually accomplish. For the week following surgery notice if there is abnormal swelling, bruising discharge, bleeding and discomfort that needs veterinary assistance. Weeks 1-3 involve massage, passive range of motion, short and controlled leash walks, cold therapy, and moist heat all in a thoughtful sequence. For example, the recommendation for week 1 is to do gentle massage for 5-10 minutes 3 or 4 times a day. Similar with passive range of motion and short controlled walks. If the owner has a job, doing these different activities several times of day is probably not going to happen. This may lead to owner frustration as well as delayed recovery for the dog. Weeks 4-6 move to longer walks, determining when to level off with massage (if at all) and more complicated exercises such as figure eights and stair work. For anyone who has participated in the recovery and healing process of their pet, you will know how challenging all of this can be. My in-home visits would accomplish several goals at once. We would go through the protocol in detail, at least for that day. At the beginning, we would observe together if anything appeared abnormal and needed veterinary care. I would teach the owner basic massage and range of motion techniques. Perhaps most important is that I would be a support, both emotional and practical, for the many week / month challenge of helping their pet recover.

31 in 31 in-home recuperation

In-Home Recuperation and Massage Therapy for your Pet

After your pet has surgery or experienced an injury, there is a recuperation period. Depending on the circumstances, this can last from a week to several months. Almost all in-home recovery protocols include the following

:

a)           limiting and restricting your pet’s activity

b)           applying therapies including cold, moist heat, massage, passive range of motion and stretching

c)           Strengthening exercises including controlled walks, hill work and stair climbing

d)           Balance exercises including weight shifting, figure eights and outside obstacles

I offer assistance with any part of the recovery protocol. In addition to my certification in therapeutic small animal massage (dogs and cats), I bring over 25 years of caring for my own menagerie of pets on my small farm. In addition to performing therapeutic massage for your pet, I show you some basic massage you can do for your pet. All work is done in consultation with your veterinarian and the recovery protocols they specifically recommend.

This service offers you the comfort of having a caring professional help you and your pet through the recovery process. And this is done at your home.

For further information go to www.skillfulhandsdogmassage.com.

31 in 31 #20 A wondrous dream

31 in 31 #20 A Wondrous Dream

Every now and then a dream has the quality to affect an entire day or maybe longer by both its meaning and atmosphere. I had one of these last night. I was driving in a car holding a very nice baby and I was with my friend and mentor from my youth. (My friend had actually died several months ago and I have had many dreams about him throughout the years.) We were going back to a place where we had started our spiritual work – a house where many good things had happened. As we started walking up a small hill to the house (still carrying the baby very lovingly) I saw a somewhat strange house construction made of concrete blocks and plywood. It was like a “house in the raw” or perhaps just the very essence of a house. It was clear that it had been built by a group of us and it was still there. Moving up the hill we saw several more of these constructions and I realized that others had been building houses also. And then it happened – I looked up the hill and it was infinitely long, going up and up towards the sky and there were thousands of these houses and we both realized that whatever the dreams of our youth it had carried on. I began to cry and so did my friend. We cried and hugged each other. And I woke up in such a beautiful state of hope and appreciation that has lasted all day so far.

31 in 31 #19 The dog-walkers

31 in 31 #19 Meet the dogwalkers

A few weeks ago, I was doing massage at a fair for a dog park. There were many vendors including a dog walker booth run by a nice young couple. We chatted for a few moments and I suggested “a cup of coffee” together sometime in the future to talk about ways to work together. This morning we met for the coffee in a pleasant outdoor café. They have been walking dogs for seven years and have built a nice business with 60 dogs a day and a small staff to help them. We found a series of ways to work together including potential “in-home” care for people who can’t take care of their dogs due to some type of disability or sickness. In addition, they were happy to send out my course information to their current clients. I simply love to work by “connections.” Little by little patterns emerge on what we can do for each other. They told me that they are trainers and meet with a training group in Cambridge (big city 50 minutes from my home) and perhaps I would want to add massage to their classes or at least present it to their group. That would be my entry into Cambridge and the gigantic market for all of my dog adventures. Also I was touched by their good will and would be happy to help them grow their business if they wish.

31 in 31 #18 deepening relationships

31 in 31 - #18 – Deepening the dog park relationships

Last night I met with the Board of Directors of a dog park just getting going in a nearby town. I had helped them with a fundraiser last spring by giving dog massages in a fair type situation. They are a well organized group with a good following and a nice website. My intent was to get to know them a little better, see what their needs are and also have them publicize my courses to their members. As it turned out, they are having another fundraiser in a few weeks but I am booked. However, I asked if they would like me to offer a “free massage” as a raffle type prize and I was happy to do so. I also told them that I would participate in their big fundraiser in the spring. They happily and unanimously agreed to send out my course information to their group. I also introduced my new business of ForEverCare for Pets as well as Mediation for Pet issues. This was totally new to them so it will take several; times for them to truly get the idea. It helps me in my planning of what type of information they will need and how to simplify it for their members. I am currently working on the ForEverCare website which will be completed soon and we will be off and running. One similarity between mediation and dog massage is that it is important to build a market for each of them. I think that they can support each other since both ventures focus on helping animals and their owners. Also on a deeper level, both ventures focus on wellness, transitions and transformations.

31 in 31 #17observation a mediation at Court -

31 in 31 - #17 Observing a Mediation at Court

As I am in the learning process mediation, I volunteer to go to various courts and offer my services. The first step is observing other mediators. I did an observation yesterday in Eviction Court. It was a version of the classic situation. The tenant had not been fully paying her rent for over a year. The landlord was trying to be understanding of the tenant’s situation. Both husband and wife (tenants) had lost their jobs several times over the past year and literally did not have the money to pay. However, they paid what they could such as $300 here, $500 there. Their rent was $1500 a month. However, the tenants had run up a debt of over $10,000 and the landlord had reached his “kind does not mean weak” extensions so he needed a resolution. There are two recurring issues in the eviction dialogue. The first is whether the tenants can make the payments going forward with some degree of certainty. The second is if the tenants cannot do this, then what is the best exit strategy that works for both? It became clear during the discussion that the tenants could not guaranty payment going forward. Little by little the landlord moved toward the position of “might as well cut losses with little hope of ever receiving the money owed for back rent”. Both parties tried varying solutions but neither could find one the other could live with. At the end the conversation broke down, the tenant leaving in tears and the landlord frustrated that he could not have worked something out. Since I was the observer and could not comment in any way, it was both frustrating and fascinating to watch and also think what I might have done differently to help the situation. I will get many chances in the future with probably similar situations and hope to be able to at least bring the parties to the place where they both feel they have tried their very best and sometimes will reach a settlement.

31 in 31 #16 a deeper perspective

31 in 31 #16 – A Deeper Perspective

I assume that all of on this blog group as well as all humanity asks the deeper questions to themselves sometimes although we don’t often bring it up – or perhaps only in special circumstances. The deeper question for me these days often presents itself as “how can I be of true service and who and what can I serve?” The answers and hints that come to address and expand this question are many, but for this blog, I will simply choose one. And that is “don’t resist or deny what is occurring right in front of me.” I have a kind of faith that going with the challenges and opportunities that life simply presents will lead to a life of deeper service and usefulness. I don’t know this as a fact but it seems worthwhile to follow. If not, I will fall back on my own preferences, points of view, opinions, etc. and get caught in a never ending vortex. But how to know which way to go? Sometimes it is confusing. So one simple example – I noticed there is a Tellington Touch class coming in October near to my home. I have read a great deal about TT and have been practicing with the dogs with some good results. I thought to myself I will sign up and see what I can learn. A week later I was at a dogfair and the American Cancer Society had a booth and saw me massaging the dogs. They invited me to massage dogs at a big fair they are sponsoring on the same day as the TT class. What to do? Both are in the direction I want to go. I said no to the Cancer Society. Then two days ago, a woman I am mentoring in dog massage emailed me that she would love to massage dogs at the Cancer Society dogfest and would appreciate it if we could do it together. Her email was so unexpected and not “arranged be me” in any way that it tipped the scales.

31 in 31 mediation, positions and interests

Mediation – Positions and Interests - #15

Since I see mediation as a question of transitions and transformations of thinking and thus feeling, it is important to point out a crucial aspect of what mediation does. It moves a person from a fixed position where the position is defended to a far deeper place where the real interests, needs and wishes of a person reside. A classic example that often occurs spontaneously of this shift happens to almost all parents when they have teenagers, Let’s make it more interesting and also realistic and give the teenager a driver’s license. The agreement is that the teenager will be home by 10PM. 10PM comes and goes with no phone call. The parents begin to get edgy and finally angry. “We should not have trusted her or he should have called no matter what.” And then the position emerges, he cannot have the car for a week or a month or until he is 18.. Now 11PM comes and the parents are nervous about the child being hurt or worse. The position, in and of itself, softens and the parents become aware of their deeper interests. They love their child and want him or her to be safe. This is NOT a position because it does not specify how or what. That means there are many ways this safety can be achieved. The parents also want to be able to live without anxiety every time the child takes the car. This again is not a position but a deeper interest. All is somehow made well when at 11:30PM, there is phone call explaining that the cell phone ran out of juice and there was a minor accident with no way to inform them. The child is highly distressed and there will be a lot to talk about at home. Through directed conversation, the goal of mediation is to reach a space where positions can soften and deeper interests can emerge. Then it is the parties themselves that can reach resolution.

31 in 31 #14- more about mediation

I am working on a new website for a new business called ForeverCare for Pets. One aspect of our service will be mediation. Below is a some useful info on mediation

What is Mediation?

Mediation is an approach to resolving disputes which is voluntary and confidential. The mediator’s job is to help the parties define their issues and explore options for resolution. It is the parties themselves who have the power to make decisions and define the terms of any agreement they may reach. Mediation is an informal and non-adversarial process that is sometimes described as assisted negotiation.

What the mediator does

The mediator performs many functions including the following:

-         tracks issues as they arise

-         helps parties clarify their interests by asking questions

-         reframes information so the parties can see things in a new way

-         encourages brainstorming

-         encourages reality testing

-         sometimes asks hard questions with diplomacy and tact

-         helps parties negotiate face to face

The Advantages of mediation

Some of the more significant advantages are:

-         Time and money can be saved

-         The parties can resolve disputes on their own terms

-         It offers a confidential forum for sensitive issues

-         The parties retain control over the outcome

-         It allows for creative and flexible solutions that work for both parties

Although we offer a broad array of mediation services, we also specifically focus on animal and pet issues. Some of these include custody issues, boundary disputes, end of life care, and other important issues in an animal’s life.

31 in 31 mediation intro #13

Mediation Intro

In addition to starting my dog massage venture last January, I have also begun my “second leg” of my three-legged stool, It is a mediation and consulting venture called “Transitions and Transformations. I have chosen this name because it truly captures what I care about, the transitions and transformations that all beings go through. It is often at the transition points that there is great challenge, often suffering and most important a possibility, an openness that sometimes becomes available. I have seen so many times in myself and others and it never fails to move me deeply. My understanding of mediation is that it is a process that invites the participants who are usually in some type of fixed position conflict to get a new perspective, at least for a moment if not permanently. And that perspective is that the other person may have a valid point of view which is not the same as mine which is also a valid point of view. To be able to hold two (or more points of view) at the same time and embrace them both as valid and acceptable is, in itself a step towards maturity and transformation. What is particularly interesting about the mediation model is that is the parties themselves who make the decisions both as to process as well as to substance. This is very different from the court model where the process is already set and it is the judge who makes the final decision. Just this one difference is significant in terms of empowering the participants that they can actually solve their own issues especially if there is going to be an on-going relationship. Another important facet of mediation is that it is voluntary. Both sides need to agree to try it and both sides have to option to leave whenever they wish. In one sense, this makes it challenging because a party can simply quit the process midstream. However, if both parties can get through the challenges, the result will be far more permanent and satisfying.

31 in 31 when things line up #12

When things are working everything lines up

A beautiful new animal shelter opened up nearby a few months ago after years of planning. I thought it would be good to connect with them by doing dog massage like I do in the other large shelter in my area. Wouldn’t you know, they read the wonderful article about me in their local paper and gave me a call to participate in a big fundraiser? How wild that I am booked doing another massage gig for the MSPCA in a gigantic fund raiser the same day. I enjoyed that and also made an appointment to see what we could set up together for the future .When they were taking me on the tour, one of their dogs “escaped” a bit and I joined the small posse to get her back which we did. We then made our arrangement that I would be a “bonus” whenever I arrive. That would give me lots of flexibility with everything else going on in my life and they agreed. They asked if I had time to massage one dog and I agreed. Wouldn’t you know, it was the little dog who escaped and whose was quite freaked out after arriving a few days before from Puerto Rico. She moved as far away from me in her kennel as possible and faced away. I laughed as I have seen this behavior many times. And little by little within 15 minutes she was laying with her feet splayed out in front of her quite close to me and I was working gently on her back. It was time to go and I told her that I expected she would be adopted by the time I visited the shelter again. Her eyes softened asking whether I would be willing to adopt her. I told her that a nice family was on the way and she would be happy there. What a life!

Dog Massage and Human Massage - a combo

Dog Massage and Human Massage – a combo offering

It was a year ago last summer as I was conceiving this whole dog massage gig that I wanted along a river walkway with people playing guitars, people walking their dogs and even a person doing human massage. I thought to myself “hmm, maybe I could just put up a sign and say “dog massage” and see what happens. My daughter was visiting and she said “that sounds like fun. Perhaps you even combine human and dog massage like $1 a minute for human, ½ price for your dog. I let the idea simmer, finished my certification in dog massage, performed several hundred massages in a variety of venues until I now feel comfortable meeting new dogs and offering a massage. And yesterday it actually happened… I met a person who does massages at a farmer’s market, got to know her and she invited me into her tent to do dog massages. She actually charges $1 a minute and I choose an alternative route for fees. After doing the massage, I simply asked the person for a donation if they wished. I got anywhere from $2 to $10 and also lots of kisses from the dogs. I’ll share just one story. A little Boston terrier came over (with his mother0 but was shy and jumpy. I told the owner that sometimes this works and sometimes not but let’s give it a bit of time. Right at that moment, a golden retriever barged in, lied down, took a deep breath and said, OK, my turn now. We all just laughed and I gave the golden a lovely massage. All this time the terrier was watching. When the golden moved on, the terrier moved in, took his place, lay down, splayed its legs and said – OK, now MY turn. Now how fun is that!

31 in 31 Making friends - a larger view

“Making friends” (Cont) – the larger picture

If you have followed my last four blogs, you know that I have connected with shelters, doggy day cares, vets and dog parks. In one way or another I have supported their goals with dog massage and they are very appreciative and wish to return the favor. From my perspective I now have friends connected to literally thousands of dog owners in my area who would be happy to send their dog owners information I give them. Three of these groups have already offered me space (for free) to teach classes to dog owners. I appreciate the offer and will give them a percentage of what I get. I have already taught five classes (4 sessions each) and I am offering three classes this fall. The information will sent out by all my new friends and I am hoping to fill the classes and possibly set up additional classes in the late fall. In addition, I am starting a new business called ForEverCare for Pets which specifically addresses the issues raised when an owner can no longer take care of their pet due to disability, sickness or impending death. We will be offering a complete service from initial consultation, to finding caretakers to writing pet trusts. I have checked with my new friends and they think it is a terrific service and will be happy to send information to their clients when we ask. So, in order words, I have set up a marketing / distribution center going directly to pet owners who may wish the services we are offering. I will give more information on ForEverCare in future blogs.

31 in 31 - making friends (cont) - dog parks

“Making friends” (Cont) – Dog parks

Many towns in my area now have or are in process of setting up dog parks. For example, in my town, Ipswich, MA, my wife and I were part of a group that helped set up a dog on the beach. It is simply an incredible opportunity for dog to run free on a beautiful beach in the winter months. To raise money for their dog parks, the leadership teams of the various towns often sponsor events, usually dog fairs of one sort or another, to raise money for the park. They have booths with vendors and usually some demonstrations. I have been volunteering at these events in several of the towns nearby doing dog massage. As you might imagine, dog massage has terrific entertainment value because it is so much fun to see a dog truly settle in (or not sometimes) with the simplicity of massage. In the process I have been making friends with the leadership teams all of whom have extensive electronic connections through facebook, email etc. with dog owners in their town. They have been publicizing my dog massage business to their membership and some people have specifically come to these events to get a massage for their dog. I have been handing out my cards and some info and “letting the word go forth”. In my next blog, I will explain how all these marketing efforts may come together in a symphony of massage

31 in 31 - Making Friends (cont) Veterinarians

“Making friends” (Cont) #8– Working with Veterinarians

Like human massage, dog massage has an accepted place in the veterinary world. It is considered an adjunct to physical therapy which can be performed by the physical therapist or a specialist in dog massage. I connected with own vet and her entire staff by giving them an hour long presentation / demonstration of massage. Although vets are highly skilled in certain arenas of medicine, massage is not one of them. I love my vet and she is a very sensitive human being but knows very little about the techniques of massage. The group presented me with one of their dogs and as luck would have it, the dog was highly receptive indeed. This led to vet sponsoring a night at the local library for dog massage. And this led to a class at the vet’s place. So far so good. And yet I have another idea to push this forward. What if we took the “idea’ of a visiting nurse but made it a “visiting massager”. This would be particularly useful after surgery with the long healing process that involves cold, heat, massage, confinement, slow walking, hills, etc. It would also be useful where there is injury or trauma not arising to the level of surgery. I envision myself being both a coach and a teacher for the many dog owners whose dog is in process of recovery. I am not aware of any service quite like this for dogs so it is a bit cutting edge. I plan to propose it in the near future and see what she says.

Making friends #7 - doggie day care centers

“Making friends” (Cont) – Doggie Day Care Centers

Doggie day care centers have come into their own in the past 15 years. What used to be considered a frivolity is now a necessity for many working individuals who love their dogs. A typical daily fee for a suburban doggie day care is $25-$30 and the cities can be twice or three times more. While the goal of a shelter is to get their dogs adopted, the goal of the doggie day care is to provide a safe and enjoyable place for the dog. I approached two doggie day care places and offered to do free massages with full write-ups as a “value-add” for their business. We allowed any of  heir owners to opt out if they did not want to participate but none did. The word started to spread which led to a free evening class to introduce dog massage. This was followed up for a “for pay” series of classes. In both of the places I worked, I formed a class and even gave the doggie day care owner some of the proceeds. I am offering a second round of classes starting in September. In addition, I am becoming part of the fabric of the day care center. Owners can sign up and pay for a massage whenever they wish and we work out the logistics with the intent of having several massages to do at the same time. I always remind myself that I am in the “ambassador and pioneer” phase of this venture and my inner mantra is “let the word go forth.”

31 in 31 - #6 Making friends - no-kill shelters

“Making friends” - How I market my dog massage business to a no-kill shelter

Dog massage has not fully arrived as a viable option for owners who simply wish to provide a wonderful experience for their dog. Nor has it really arrived as a standard veterinary option after surgery or to help reduce stress or to deal with problems of old age. At the Bancroft School where I received my training, we called ourselves “ambassadors and pioneers” for dog massage. I saw our task as getting the word out knowing it would probably take a while. This is different from human massage (even horse massage) both of which have achieved general acceptance in the culture. So my approach has been to affiliate with excellent dog related businesses whose clients would benefit from massage. My first connection was with a large no-kill shelter in my area. I did my internship there with the plan of helping their dogs get adopted more easily. I asked to work with some of their more challenging dogs, either frightened or aggressive, to see if massage would help them settle down. I was fortunate to have good results with some of these dogs which led to people in the shelter wanting to know more about massage. I taught a general session to over 20 volunteers showing them what they could do for the dogs in the shelter. This then led to teaching a four-week (for pay) course going more deeply into what owners can do with their dogs. I gave 25% of what I got back to the shelter. I became part of the shelter team and attended some of their outdoor events. Dog massage is a very good “draw” at a dog fair and brings people over to the table. For my next course which will start in September, the shelter has used their excellent resources to connect with several thousand people telling them about dog massage

HAPPY EARS31 in 31 #5 HAPPY EARS

 HAPPY EARS

Most dog owners know that the ears are a “happy place” for their dogs but what they really appreciate are the specific techniques they can use. Although many approaches are viable, I like to start from the part of the ear closest to the body. Using just one hand glide your hand SLOWLY toward the outside of the ear very gently letting go when you reach the end. Depending on the dog, the ear is usually pressed against the body when you use one hand. Repeat this move 3-5 times. The next step is to use two hands. Put the ear between the palms and make an “ear sandwich” slowing moving from the body to the end of the ear, holding a moment at the end before letting go. Repeat this 3-5 times. Then repeat the whole procedure on the other ear. Done slowly enough, this takes about 5 minutes for both ears. Typically the dog’s breathing slows and so does yours. The next area for massage is directly behind the dog’s ears. There you will a deep depression . If you apply direct pressure and hold it for 10-30 seconds, most dogs will deeply relax. To apply direct pressure (think acupressure), use your thumb at a 90 degree angle and put enough pressure so there is just the beginning of resistance. Then back off a little. Do this one ear at a time placing your other hand on the dog’s head for stability. Repeat with both ears. Next, make circles in both directions one ear at a time. Finally, as a closing move, gently glide along both ears at the same time similar to how you began. Check in with the dog to see how they liked it.

31/ 31 #4 Teaching by regions of the dog's body

TEACHING DOG MASSAGE BY REGIONS OF THE BODY

I have discovered in my teaching that dog owners no almost nothing about their dog’s anatomy. I originally started showing them which muscles connected with what bones, etc. but their eyes glazed over. The strategy that has worked much better is to look at the dog’s body by regions. The four regions I have selected are 1) scapula and back, 2) head and neck 3) hindquarters and 4) legs, belly and sides. I teach a four session basic course at the moment focusing on a major landmark or two in each of these four regions. I find that starting with the scapula has clear and easy results because everyone can pretty well find the scapula and outline it as part of the massage protocol. The dogs generally like this a lot also. Then the owners can see how the muscles connecting to the scapula affect leg extension and retraction and they can both see and feel this as a reality. I even like to get more granular if possible and have them feel the spine of the scapula. Most owners find this interesting as their sensitivity increases. What is even more wonderful is that the dogs tune into this exploration and become interested themselves.” Hmmm, they think, my owner never did this before”.  I also like to show how the longissimus muscle fits into the picture and begin showing the basic massage techniques on that long and wonderful muscle. It gives us a chance to talk about the importance of spine flexion, exercise and general overall dog health. The basic techniques of effleurage (which I call gliding) or petrissage (which I call kneading or perhaps circling) can be practiced very well on this long muscle.

31 posts - #3 - massage at a dogfair booth

I was volunteering at a booth to help raise money for the Gloucester MA dog park and a reported / photographer came by. The first woman came up to me with her terrier and said he does not like men, is impossible to calm down but is a very lovely dog. As is my custom I said "let's see how it goes". After connecting with the dog for just a few minutes, he leaned in against me settled down and gave me a lovely kiss. The woman owner was very surprised. I then proceed to do a gentle massage explaining to the owner what I was doing and what she might try at home. The reported got inspired took lots of photos and decided that dog massage would be her story. The next person who came was a woman who had a mini-dachshund named Pricess Aurora (go figure). She said that Aurora was not in a good mood that day. I invied her to sit on my little cushion with Auroa and that I would do my best. Aurora was immediately receptive. I asked her what part of Aurora is most difficult for her to touch. She immediately said that Aurora won't let her touch her toes. I asked how it goes when cutting her nails and she made a wincing expression. I showed her a technique for the toes and Aurora had each toe on all four feet individually massage, top and bottom, including the webbing between the toes. The reported took the photos and wrote the article which is included in the PRESS link on my website www.skillfulhandsdogmassage.com

31 blogs #2 - "Settling"

Just to be clear, I am working with dogs, not humans and there is a very big difference in massaging dogs and humans. For humans, you simply ask them to settle in, relax, roll over etc. For dogs, and especially dogs I don't know and who have never had a massage, settling in is a big deal. In fact, you could say, it is the gateway to a deeper experience. So my first goal with any dog I massage, even ones I have done before is to see if they will settle. That usually means they will get themselves comfortable either sitting, leaning against me, or best of all lying down comfortably. For an owner to watch this process is usually educational and entertaining, sometimes even magical if their dog finds it difficutl to relax or settle. I like to begin the settling process quietly, hanging out with the dog, letting my own breathing deepen and relax and simply noticing the dog's behavior. Simply things like moving towards me, moving way, soft eyes, general look of the body are all helpful signs and owners like this process very much as they really observe their dogs in detail. I work on the basis that "everything" the dog does is a form of communication and my job is to listen. Depending on the situation, I usually place my hand on the dog's back or scapula and let it rest their a bit to see what happens. At this point, whatever the dog does is furthering our communication. If and when the dog settles, I proceed with the massage.

31 blogs in 31 days

I just received an email challenge to post 31 blogs in 31 days. I have accepted so I can learn more about blogging and also share some of the wonderful things that are going on in my dog massage adventure. The one rule is that the blogs have to be 350 words or less. I am not sure how to do word count in the blog but I will surely learn. For the moment I will approximate 25 words per line so I don't run over. This post will be an overview. I started the dog massage adventure when I began the Bancroft School of Massage, (Worcester, MA) course in April 2011. The course finished in November 2011 and I began my business in January, 2012. So it has been only 8 months since the business started. Including my internship during my Bancroft training, I have done approximately 300 massages in that time. Some were short done at fairs or fund raisers for dog parks or shelters. Others were longer with extensive write-ups done at doggy day cares or shelters and still others were at people's homes. I have also taught 5 one hour seminars and had 5 four-week (once a week) classes with dogs and their owners. In addition, I consistently volunteer at a wonderful shelter called NorthEast Animal Shelter in Salem, MA. They are a large place with room for 100 dogs and 80 cats and are very well run with both satff and volunteers.

New publicity

I just finished my first tri-fold for Skillful  Hands with the enormous help from my friend Sherri. It looks OK for version1 and we are already working on version 2 which is more personal and better in many ways. Working on the brochure obliges me to clarify what exactly I want to say about what I am doing. It is a good exercise in clarification., I am just focusing on dog massage in the brochure but it is clear to me that that will only be part of what I wish to offer as I go forward. Not sure how to put the tri-fold brochure on this post or connect to it. Lots to learn.

Being of Service

Today one of my clients called and asked if I could arrange my schedule and give her dog a massage TODAY. I could hear the urgency in her voice. On arriving, she told me that she had done everything she could think of for her 10 year dog whom she loves. Traditional and alternative methods, medicines, potions and acupuncture but her dog was not doing well - not eating. I gave her dog a long and soothing massage and she fell deeply asleep. The owner talked alot, cried, laughed and was very happy to have some company and to know she was doing everything possible for her dog. It is not clear if her dog will make it. I hope so. She has done her best. I felt privileged to be there and be of service.

Changing a Life

I had a very fulfilling experience this week. One of my students at a course I taught at the animal shelter decided that she would become a certified dog massager. She loves animals and is towards the end of her first career and was looking for a way to do what she loves. She wrote a very kind email to the coordinator of the shelter explaining how much the course had helped her finalize her decision. She chose to go to the same school I attended (Bancroft) which is certainly one of the best in the country. I offered to be a "mentor" to her as she navigated the first steps of her new career. I forwarded her emaill to Bancroft's coordinator and she replied simply "you changed a life." What more can you ask for than that.

beverly dog park

I received an email last week from a woman helping to organize a fundraiser for the Beverly dog park in May. She asked if I would be willing to offer a 1/2 hour presentaiton at the fund raiser to be held in Lynch Park. "Yes indeed" I said and also offered to do some massages at the Park and any donations would be given to the dog park. "How did you hear of me" I asked. She said I was all over the internet. So my marketing and networking approach is just beginning to take root. Each place I work with has face book and other internet connections and the name goes out.

This weekend I am working with the Ipswich Humane group at Petco and UnLeasehed, doing massages for dopgs that come in. Both organizations are sending out notices to  their many clients. I had really wished to do the marketing in a modern fasahion and that is what ios happening. More to come.

Making Connections in the community

I have spent the last two months making connections. Here's what I accompished
1) presented 4 free one hour intro to massage seminars - one at a shelter, two at doggie daycare places and one at a community center.
2) This has led to starting 2 (for pay) mini-courses (4 sessions each) teaching the dog owner how to massage their own dog.
3) This has led to a few private clients that I massage because they need extra care.
4) I am planning to continue this approach of free intro and 4 session follow-up course over the next few months.
5) I have just made by first Veterinary contact and my own Vet thinks massage for her clients would be a great idea. Also she would like to offer my intro free demo to her patients. This will open up an entirely new dimension for me working with Vets. Lots of learning and hopefully I will be able to help.
6) Have agreed to help a breast cancer group for a fund raiser by making my doggie demo class the "entertainment / educaiton part of the fund raiser. That should happen in June.
7) With help from a dear friend, I now have a beautiful color flyer and within short order, a color tri-fold brochure.
8) I have accepted the invitaiton to advertise in the BorthEast Animal Shelter's pamphlet they give out to the adotpers. perhaps 2500 a year. Lots of opportunities may arise from this.
9) I have teamed up with the Ipswich Animal Shelter to give free massages at Petco and help them raise a little money. I did this once already and several more are planned.
10) So lots going on and more planned. I will attempt to make a Blog entry at least once a week going forward.

Strating the dog massage business

I have discovered that there is no already existing built-in market or demand for dog massage. As one friend put it, looks like you don't have much competition, on the other hand there is no market. So I have set myself the task to help create a market for this service. Intuitively, dog owners know that massage would probably benefit their dog the way massage benefits humans. However, it is simply a bit before its time perhaps like doggie daycare places were 10 years ago. Now we have 3 doggie daycare places in my little town of Ipswich.

After having received my certificaiton from the Bancroft massage school, I defined 2 specific areas that dog massage will be useful. They overlap and support each other. The first is to actually PERFORM the massage on the dog in the same spirit as going to a massage practitioner or massage therapist. This could be done at a person's home or at an already existing place like a doggie daycare. The second is to TEACH dog owners how to perform massage on their own dogs. To facilitate both of these I have set up 4 different mini-events to get the word out. The first is at a local community center where they will invite their members to a one-hour intro to dog massage. They can bring stuffed animals with them or VERY social and easy dogs. I will use the dogs they bring for demos. The second is at a large animal shelter where I volunteer. They have invited their staff, volunteers and adoptive parents for the one hour intro seminar and I will use the shelter dogs for demos. The third is at a doggy dacare and I will use the owner's dogs for demos. The fourth is at petco where I will do a little fund raiser for a small shelter and offer free massages.

I am expecting to learn alot from these experiences and adapt my approach as I go. One more thing, I have this fun idea of "puppyware" parties like tupperware parties" where one person invites a few frineds and their dogs to her house. I would come and teach them a multi-week massage course and then we would have tea and cookes or something like that. It combines the social, spiritual, educaitonal and fun components of the whole venture. We'll see how that goes.