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The Main Event

Bark Pouch Chief Dog Officer Gavin enjoying time at the park

It’s fairly easy for me to be 100% focused on Gavin on our walks. I love watching him bebop along, especially since we’ve worked really hard on his confidence amidst random dogs, lawnmowers, helicopters, and other unpredictable, scary things (to him). And, there’s always this moment for me when we arrive at the park’s entrance where I feel my whole body relax under the canopy of trees. It feels like mother nature is embracing me with every step. As I look up at the full emerald, moss, chartreuse, and sage leaves, it’s my daily reminder that peace and abundance are all around us.

I relish the silence and the sight of cardinals and sparrows fluttering from tree to tree. I also want to be aware of our surroundings, Gavin and I endured a brutal attack in 2015 when two dogs broke out of their backyard. It took four people to pull them off and allow us to get away safely. So, I give him plenty of space when seeing another dog and want to be ready to protect him if the occasional person we encounter who’s breaking the park’s rules doesn’t heed my plea to “please put your dog on a leash.”

But, at home, where I know we’re both safe, he’s happy to nestle against me while I work on my labels and website, watch a little NetFlix, or catch up on emails, texts, and social media. I’ve recently noticed that because I always seem to be multi-tasking or consuming or producing something in front of a screen during our time at home, I’m not as happy, clear-minded, or productive as when I dedicate quiet time to snuggle with him.

When I allow myself the gift of doing nothing except sitting next to my dog and rubbing his shoulders while thinking about how grateful I am that he’s here, happy, relaxed, and loving his massage, I’m naturally more joyful. Or, when I lay next to him and rest my eyes for a few moments, my soul seems fuller because his snore is one of my favorite sounds in the world, add the I’m-chasing-a-squirrel-in-a-dream warble, and well, there’s a reason he has me wrapped around his paw.

So, tonight, rather than turning on a YouTube meditation before bed, I’m going to make my Gavin snuggle time the main event, really tune in to what his fur feels like while I massage his giant noggin’, enjoy his smell; it’s like warmth and sleepiness wrapped in a blanket, and treasure the sacred moments that feed my soul and help me be my brightest self. I hope you do the same.

Glorious Gratitude

My kitchen days start at 4:51 am, and I often don’t fall into bed until 1 or 2 am the next day. I’m not working the entire time, of course. But given that it takes about three hours to set up and tear down in the rent-by-the-hour kitchen, it makes sense to make as many pouches as we can each day we’re there.

When my mom agreed to watch Gavin all day on my kitchen days, I promised I’d make her dinner. It was the least I could do to show her how much I appreciated knowing my dog was being loved on, taken care of, and completely happy because Gavin LOVES his nanny. I loved having a regular date night with my mom to hear what crafty things she’s been creating or get her opinion on how to get air pockets out of my recipes that are thick when they’re hot or any other process improvement I was trying to make. Gavin’s daily rundown was always the same—sleep, eat his beef taffy, sleep more, follow her around, or stare at her while she ate. Often, he’d stand by the door like he needed to go out, but as soon as she dressed him in all his gear, he’d run and jump on her bed and roll around on his back like a potato bug.

As the days became longer and later, my mom started making me dinner, despite my pleas to the contrary. Even if I’m fighting a bit of guilt, I still love our post-kitchen dinner dates. And something absolutely amazing has transpired. My sister now comes over and often makes some delicious concoction that she spent far longer than I’d spend searching for each ingredient at the grocery store. My brother also joins us, often chiming in with hilarious anecdotes or funny videos he’s created of the family.

They didn’t choose my business, yet they’re there for me, caring for my dog while I’m lifting heavy pots, hoping not to drop what I’ve spent hours creating. They pick up a refurbished crate that I thought was going to be the perfect silencer for my air compressor in the new space, or they help me transport my piston filler, or they run around to grocery stores because many of my ingredients have been difficult to procure, and SO much more.

Most importantly, they’re there, at the end of the day, with their beautiful smiles, presence, and love. I don’t know what I’d do without the love and support of my family and friends. And, please know that this small business owner is also very grateful for you.

Beautiful Encounters

Pitbull Gavin smiling before meeting two new people

It’s amazing how the dog(s) in our life helps us find and become the people we’re meant to be. When Finn was still here, our walks were long and fast. My lug loved to move. And, while he liked people, he was more interested in the walk, so he breezed past human pedestrians with a happy glance. I needed the silence, I was training dogs at the time, and our walks were time to replenish my introverted energy.

Gavin, on the other hand, loves him some people. Anytime, anywhere. And, I enjoy the random encounters we have after a nice stranger indulges his need to wiggle, smack them with his tail, and love on them because now my job requires a lot of alone and focus time.

Wednesday morning, Gavin and I had just finished his ten-minute decompression time/water break/snuggle session at the park when I noticed a man walking towards us with a woman in a wheelchair. The woman and Gavin both were so excited to meet each other that I could barely contain Gavin as I walked towards the sidewalk where they stopped. The man’s eyes sparkled, and he had one of those smiles that seemed so natural, he may not have even been aware he was beaming.

I learned that her name is Robin, and she has aphasia (a condition affecting her ability to communicate). When Gavin approached her, she grinned, leaned over, and petted him like they were old friends. Gavin continued his usual wiggle-shimmy-I-love-you dance while she rubbed his side then looked towards me. She pointed at my leggings, which had photos of dogs on them, including Gavin. I explained that they were part of a fundraiser for Faithful Forgotten Best Friends, an organization run by a lifelong family friend that helps homeless and low-income people by providing food and medical care for their pets. Robin’s smile grew bigger. The man’s eyes sparkled more. And Gavin continued to show them what a lovebug he is.

We said our goodbyes, and Gavin and I walked a bit further, and I stopped again to give him more water. As I sat on the grass, under the shade of a tree with Gavin, I turned around, not knowing why. And, I saw Robin waving emphatically from the window as the smiling, sparkling man drove them out of the park.

If it weren’t for my amiable dog, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet those two beautiful people. May your next encounter be just as joyous.

Treasure the Small Things

When we were kids, by this time in the summer, all three of my siblings and I were whining that we were bored. And, my dad always warned, “when you get older, time moves so fast that you’ll wish you had time for boredom.” Man, was he right.

We may not be able to shred our to-do lists or delay our responsibilities but what we can do, is savor every second we share with those we love. I live with a dog who easily and happily allows me to put on his collar, UV shirt, cooling collar, and sunscreen before we go for our hour and a half 1.4-mile walk. Yes, he’s that slow. And, he’s always been that slow, sweet as pie but pokey beyond pokey. Gavin helps me learn patience every day.

It would be easy to check out during our pre-walk routine or take for granted that Gavin doesn’t fuss, fidget, or stress during any part of his pre-walk ritual. So, I’m practicing more mindfulness during everyday, seemingly mundane activities by adding an extra stroke on his neck after I put on his collar, or kissing him on the head (he actually loves that) after I apply his sunscreen, or gazing into his beautiful brown eyes when I’m feeding him pills and telling him that I love him.

When I’m inserting more love and compassion into our day, I feel less guilt for not sitting and snuggling with him 24 hours every day. And, I feel much more capable of handling life’s little curveballs like losing electricity at our kitchen on Tuesday or the post office not picking up deliveries on Wednesday.

As a small business owner, it’s natural for me to want to do my best every second of every day. Still, if I’ve filled my cup, I’m going to feel better about how I treat the USPS customer service representative who happens to take my call about the no-show.

So, I hope today that you’ll find peace in the beautiful moments in your life, even if there’s only one. And, I hope you’ll feel love, for yourself, for your dog(s), and for the people you call family and friends, and I hope that because you took a moment to honor your need for love that when you go out into the busy world, you’ll be your brightest, kindest, most patient self.

The Things We Do For Love

Gavin was a big factor in where we’re currently living. We’d lived for five years without a backyard, and I knew he’d love having a safe space to lounge outside during warm months. And, our walk path is perfect for him, we pass only a few houses (fewer dogs to bark at him from windows), we see tons of people who want to pet him (his fave), and our path is popular with bicyclists, so, it’s rare that we encounter off-leash dogs (his fear).

It’s not uncommon for those of us who love our dogs to do what doesn’t come easy for us. When I trained dogs, I was always in awe of my clients’ sacrifices to help make life easier for their dogs. Some moved to quieter neighborhoods, so they encountered fewer triggers when walking. Some isolated themselves to manage stranger danger better. Some arose at ridiculously early hours to avoid crowds.

Shoot, even positive leash training is tough. I still remember trying to learn how to simultaneously talk to Finn, pay attention to what he was communicating, be uber aware of our surroundings, all while walking and treating. It was exhausting, and I’m sure he was confused while I figured out what I was doing.

So, this holiday weekend, while I chill with Gavin in his man cave, I’ll raise a glass to you. I commend you extroverts who turned down plans to stay home with your dog during fireworks. I celebrate you night owls who get up far earlier than your body prefers to beat the heat. And, I praise you if you’re learning to leash train for the first time or with a dog who’s new to you. It’s laborious multi-tasking, but it gets easier, I promise.

Presence and Peace

Pitbull Gavin enjoying some down time at the park

Up until last summer, Gavin and both worked hard to keep him relaxed and happy on walks. He’s unbelievably sensitive and doesn’t handle ANY change well AT ALL—no matter how intricately I planned and managed his walk times. A helicopter flying overhead, a lawnmower starting, or a dog getting too close despite my asking (sometimes pleading) the human for more space would cause him to need decompression time.

But, lately, it’s been dreamy. I still reward Gavin, give him space from random dogs, and sit with him in predictable spots because it helps him and reminds him that he can always trust me. But, our walks are less work, they’re easier, for both of us. And, the weather has been absolutely perfect for a Midwest summer, not too hot or humid.

Yet, I caught myself yesterday feeling stressed after our walk because the majority of the time, I was crunching numbers in my head for a couple of places I’m considering moving our kitchen. The move will help us be more efficient, productive, and in the long run, will be more cost-effective. But, in the short term will be expensive and a ton of work.

And, I thought, why would I rob myself of time I’ve worked hard to enjoy? Why would I miss these magical moments with my dog to think about something I really couldn’t finish until I sat in front of my computer again? Why is it so darn hard for us humans to allow ourselves to just be in the moment?

So, today, on our walk, every time I thought of my to-do list or planning my day, I took a deep breath, and I let it go. Then I listened, really listened, to the birds chirping, the leaves rustling in the breeze. Even the distant highway noises had a meditative quality to them.

When Gavin stopped to sniff (as he frequently does), I didn’t check my phone. I wondered, with curiosity, what he smelled. Then I felt a smile naturally grace my face as he trotted a little faster to catch up with a walker that we often pass. I was happier after our walk, and because I felt refreshed, I was much more productive. I don’t want to miss my time with my dog, precious time looking at his face, sharing his delight, and feeling the connection that we’ve built together over the years.

So, I hope my setback in finding more peace helps revive yours. May you be in the moment the next time you play with your dog. May you laugh when your dog does something silly, mischievous, or looks at you with the cutest derpy face. And, may you feel the love you share, whether it’s new and budding or whether it’s a bond that you’ve treasured for years.

Magical Moments

It was a Sunday morning, and I’d just finished an hour of pulling weeds. I asked Gavin if he wanted to go inside and get breakfast. He gave me that look that told me he wanted to stay outside. It was a beautiful day. I wasn’t in a hurry, so I sat on his blanket with him. As Gavin nestled into me, I realized I was tired, so I laid down on the ground.

As a kid, I loved being outside and often laid in the grass as a break during day-long bike adventures with my friends. I forgot how freeing it is to give in and just let the earth hold me. As I relaxed (something I’m TERRIBLE at doing), I thought about how lucky I am to have shared 8+ years with the amazing soul that is my Gavin.

And I thought about those early days when we’d both come home from walks exhausted because he didn’t yet understand the world around him and that he could trust me to do everything I could to make his days as safe and peaceful as possible.

Phew, those early days, Gavin jumped ten feet in the air in excitement at every person we passed (we lived by a school, so we passed A LOT of people), then he’d bite my butt or hurl himself at and chomp down on trees when every person didn’t greet him.

But, at home, we both learned how to communicate with and love each other for exactly who we are. And, I felt my patience growing, my compassion evolving, and my heart open to the simple, magical moments like his sing-song snore, his desire always to be as-close-to-me-as-possible, and the peace in knowing he did want to please me, even when the moment got the best of him.

I truly believe that if we pay attention to what we’re learning and doing, we’ll find more magic and joy in our lives and with our dogs.

May you find more magical moments with your dog(s), no matter what you’re doing, teaching, or enjoying.

For the Love of the Walk

My sister and mom made this photo set of my beloved Finn and my sweetheart Gavin. I see it every morning when I wake. It’s my reminder of why I do what I do. I love walks, specifically with my dog.

My lug, my Finn, created that love. His endless energy, adventurous spirit, and into-everything-naughtiness inspired me to walk him, A LOT. It was bonding time, great exercise, and I noticed my mind was clearer and calmer after our strolls. One night, we were attacked by two dogs who pulled their person across the street to fight Finn. It was noisy, scary, and heartbreaking. Fortunately, we were both physically unscathed, but our walks changed. Finn was scared (for a good reason) and began barking and lunging at every dog we saw, even from blocks away.

I wanted to help him, to ease his stress, so I began calling trainers. One trainer told me that he could completely fix Finn’s reactivity with a shock collar. I knew absolutely nothing about training, but I knew I didn’t want to shock my dog so, I continued searching. After finding the trainer who helped me rebuild Finn’s confidence, my love also grew for my mischievous, brilliant dog. That’s when I fell into dog training.

After Finn peacefully passed, it took me a few months to feel ready to love another dog. When I rescued Gavin, my only two requirements were that he liked walks and was older than two years. Well, Gavin’s insatiable love for humans fooled me during our meet-and-greet into thinking that he loved walks. He loved meeting me and was happy to accompany me because I was new and novel. However, I learned quickly that Gavin was easily frustrated on walks, wasn’t food motivated at all, and was only six months old.

I tried every smelly dog treat I could find. I spent countless hours cutting up various cheeses, hot dogs, meatballs, deli meat, and more. My hands were always greasy. I ruined clothes. And, still, Gavin refused to eat treats when we were outside.

That’s when I began concocting Bark Pouch blends. I wanted Gavin to feel confident on walks, despite his sound sensitivity. And, for his safety, I wanted him to learn to walk on a loose leash happily and as easily as possible.

My walks with Gavin look very different from Finn’s walks, but looking down at his beautiful chocolate brown eyes while he smiles up at me, trotting along, brings me so much joy and peace.

And, my wish for you is that your walks with your dogs—no matter what stage your training—delight you in some way.

Face of a Demure Dynamo

I met this dazzling dog when she was a wee little tyke. Even as a puppy, Kaia carried a lot of weight on her gorgeous shoulders. She absorbed every sound and sight that came her way and stashed them away in her canine crock. Fortunately, she landed in the perfect home, for her. I still remember saying and thinking simultaneously “that’s BRILLIANT” when her mom announced that she taught Kaia to alert her that the train was approaching to help overcome her fear of the “L” noise in their neighborhood. Read on for Kaia’s story.

How did you and your dog find each other?
I found Kaia online after our last dog passed away from illness. I couldn’t sleep without a dog in the house and wanted a dog that I could start agility with who had no genetic health issues. We were going to pick up her sister but fell in love at first sight with Miss Kaia.

What is the biggest assumption people make based on your dog’s looks?
That she’s friendly and enjoys being pet, but she just wants to work. Kaia is super snuggly with our immediate family and naturally thinks her job in the house is to be our service dog. If someone is hurt or sad, Kaia tries her darndest to comfort them. She hates when we’re walking, and random people try to pet her. I keep her a bit scraggly on purpose because it seems to prevent strangers from touching her. I tried to tell them “no, ” but it wasn’t working. My Shaggy Strategy works great to help keep random hands from invading my sweet girl’s space AND helps keep her in a better place.

What personality trait does your dog possess that contradicts his or her physical appearance?
She has the collie wobbles (physically shaky, fearful, and uncertain) so we can’t do agility. We didn’t want Kaia to get hurt or reinforce her nervousness. She also has food allergies. We’ve trained her very well, but stubborn Kaia can be sneaky when bored—she has a deadly taste for chocolate. Kaia can open any fridge and climb any counter. She’s pushed a chair across the room to open the refrigerator so she can eat the sweet treats she watched put away for safekeeping. We have to outsmart our dog DAILY to prevent her from figuring out our McGyver, steel proof containers, and super-sleuth hiding places.

What are the biggest obstacles you and your dog have overcome together, and what was most helpful?
Whew! We’ve dealt with a lot! A short list: collie wobbles, gastro issues (she is allergic to beef and gets pancreatitis flares quickly), sound fears, and reactivity, dislike of other dogs and strangers, a hearty, independent streak, consistent need to be mentally stimulated, my own health issues, and sharing my attention and time with a child with my very physically and mentally active border collie.

Training, training, training, and more training has and continues to help. Not so much for my brilliant girl, but for ME! I had to learn to adapt to situations as they come up and not walk around nervously anticipating what MIGHT happen or I make her more nervous. I had to learn to listen to what she wants and to meet that by giving her what she needs. She acts as a service dog to me because of my health issues and enjoys it. Although, she’d never pass training or be able to travel on a plane because of her sound fears. So, we’ve worked on the things we can do, and with a border collie, the sky is the limit. For example, she would not walk under the L train tracks until I figured out to make it her JOB to alert me when she hears a train approaching. Then we trained to not alert me to planes, ambulances, fire trucks, and all the other city noises that are tough on a sound-sensitive dog. It’s always a work in progress. And tons of fun.

If you could make a sign for the world to see to understand your dog’s individual needs better, what would it say?
Do not pet!

Anything else you want to share?
You do not always get the dog you think you want. You DO end up with who you need and who needs you. Had I not learned any of this from my pup, mostly by listening—I would not be a good mom to my kiddo who has especially sound reactive SPD (sensory perception disorder). Had we not put so much into dog training and tried to do it all on our own, after I had a kid…wow, everything would have been so much work. My girls (pup and kiddo) though are the best!

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Face of a Growly Goober

Sammie, the golden, treat each dog as an individual

It’s no secret. I melt like a chocolate bar in the glorious sun when I see a grey-faced dog. I met delightful Sammie when he was a blossoming boy and man, did he LOVE jumping on people. How could he not? Sammie was such a happy guy who had to share his excitement at the sight of a “PERSON!” Then, I had the golden opportunity to see him again nine years later to help teach this choosy canine to learn that other dogs were not as despicable as he seemed to think they were. Here’s Sammie’s story.

How did you and your dog find each other?

I saw a man walking a golden retriever puppy a few blocks from my house when I was driving to the store. I stopped to let the gentleman know that a fox was walking around the neighborhood. I’m not in the habit of stopping strangers on the street. But I had seen the pair strolling before and thought it was essential to keep that cutie-pie puppy safe.

We started talking about Sammie, the puppy, and he said: “Do you want him?” He continued by sharing that his girlfriend and her kids loved him. But they weren’t home often, so they felt guilty about the extensive amount of time Sammie was alone and cooped up in his crate. While this may sound awful to die-hard dog lovers, they did love him and took excellent care of him. He was healthy and well-trained in obedience at just 4-1/2 months old! They knew their limits, and I was lucky to have landed my darling dog.

What’s the most significant assumption people make based on your dog’s looks?

He likes dogs! Sammie loves people and will do ANYTHING to be near a human being. But he has absolutely no interest in interacting in ANY way with neighborhood dogs. If another dog dares to sniff Sammie, he makes sure the dog understands his displeasure with a warning growl and lunge.

What personality trait does your dog possess that contradicts his or her physical appearance?

Sammie is a big golden retriever, so people cross the street when they see us coming. If they only knew, he wants to lick them from head to toe and lean in for a good petting session!

What are the biggest obstacles you and your dog have overcome together, and what was most helpful?

I adopted Sammie when he was almost five months old. He was well-trained but not socialized at all (there’s a difference) and was fearful of other dogs. I shared my home with a 10-year-old Eskie mix and spent the necessary time and effort properly introducing my dogs. I wanted to make sure my home was peaceful, and my dogs were happy. But the sight of other dogs in the neighborhood turned Sammie into a barking, snarling, lunging lunatic.

The biggest obstacle came on walks with Sammie. If he saw a dog, he would bark and growl and lunge like a crazy boy! It took a lot to control him and get him to calm down even after the dog had passed us.

Enter Brandi and the “touch” cue. Redirecting Sammie’s focus from the dog to me using “touch” was a game-changer! Being the smart dog that he is and with Brandi’s fantastic guidance—it didn’t take long for both of us to enjoy our long walks.

If you could make a sign for the world to understand your dog’s individual needs better, what would it say?

All dogs stay away, PLEASE.

Anything else you want to share?

Sammie is almost 14 years young now. He’s no longer dog reactive. I still do “touch” with my sweet senior for mental stimulation. But now I only need to put my hand in a position for him to nose my fingers. He knows what I want, which is excellent because his hearing is starting to fade— unlike my love for him and his adoration for people.

***This article is a re-post from 2016, sweet Sammie has since passed away but I’m so grateful to have met him and his amazing mom.

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