Whale Eye. Nothing to Do with Whales.
I recently found the video below of my dear, departed Misty, illustrating a classic canine expression of fear, the "whale eye". In the video she is being circled by a huge Great Dane, both on leash, both set up for me to get a video of facial expressions in dogs. (I should note that both dogs were safe, the session lasted seconds, and Misty shook it off and behaved as if relaxed afterwards. Second note: I still apologized to her afterward. She listened, play bowed and looked for a treat.) I show it here because it's such a great example of what Sue Sternberg labeled years ago as "whale eye," along with what I call "tongue flicks" or "lip licks". ("Whale eye" after an observation Read More
Overweight Dogs & Healthy Holiday Food
Tragically, Jim and I finished up the stuffing (aka "nature's perfect food") last night. Honestly, if I had stuffing in the house all the time I would . . . Well, let's just say I would need a new wardrobe. I'm one of those people who has to watch what they eat to maintain a healthy weight, but I'm also aware that it's not that easy for some people, no matter how hard they try. We know now that it's not just "calories in, calories out". It's when you eat, what kind of bacteria are in your gut, how well you sleep, if you are stressed, and how your metabolism responds to different types of foods. And on and on and on. And now we know that it's not that simple for dogs either. Read More
Turning Thanks into Action
Okay, the photo is of a chicken not a turkey, but still, it's a roasted poultry item. I love Thanksgiving. How could I not? The culture has collectively given all of us permission to over indulge and it is the beginning of a chance to slow down, reflect and . . . eat some more. But most of all, I love Thanksgiving because it is a holiday whose very title focuses on what is important: The giving of thanks. It's good for us. I do it every week in my journal, and sometimes, lucky me, I get to do it here. This year, it doesn't feel like enough to just give thanks. I am compelled to turn my thanks into action. I may have my complaints, but I am a very, very lucky person, and I am Read More