I just got this list from Crystal, and I had to share it with you.

(Crystal runs customer support for me.)

She’s heard from many of you who are taking advantage of the $5 per book holiday special on “How to Meditate with Your Dog” for your holiday list … and you’re being really creative in who you get the book for.

Are any of these people in your life on your holiday list?

After all, dog lovers come in all ages, relations, and professions.

Get “How to Meditate with Your Dog” as a $5 holiday gift for:

best friend
office Secret Santa
doctor
veterinarian
favorite waitress (love that idea, what a tip!)
neighbor
dog park friends (you can start your own meditation group)
hairstylist
banker
mailman/woman
favorite checkout clerk
favorite librarian
teacher
bus driver
hostess gift
church staff
priest/minister/rabbi
animal shelter staff
pet store owner
dog walker
dog sitter
nurse
hot dog vendor (a New Yorker thought of that one!)
boss
coworkers
book club members
exercise partners
bartender (a dog walked into a bar and started meditating …)
doorman (another New Yorker)
security guard
high school janitor
football coach
swimming coach
band leader
principal
yoga instructor
science teacher
brother
sister
mother
father
grandfather
grandmother
stepmother
stepfather
stepbrother
stepsister
brother-in-law
sister-in-law
mother-in-law
sister-in-law
cousin
daughter
son

Can you believe that? Dog lovers are everywhere.

Get your $5 copies (up to twenty) at

http://www.howtomeditatewithyourdog.com

Much peace, love, and Aloha to you this holiday season,

PS: Join me and Maui for a live group meditation on Christmas Eve Eve! Everyone who gets at least one book during this $5 Holiday Special will be invited via email later this month. I’ll tell you more about it later, but here’s the link now:

http://www.howtomeditatewithyourdog.com

Bookmark to:

Are you still Christmas shopping? If so, I have the perfect gift at the perfect price.

I got the idea at the mall over Thanksgiving weekend. I was so overwhelmed by the high prices and commercialism - even here on Maui - that I left without buying anything.

But the trip was worth it, because I got a great idea for Christmas.

It inspired me to work out a way that you can get my book - which is normally $16.95 in bookstores - for only $5 through this special deal from my distributor.

http://www.howtomeditatewithyourdog.com

If you have wanted my book “How to Meditate with Your Dog” but haven’t had enough money or have put it off for one reason or another, this holiday season is the time to buy a copy for yourself and one for every dog lover on your list.

Here’s why:

Right now I am able to sell directly to you - no middleman bookseller - for just $5 per book, plus shipping.

Since the book costs $16.95 in stores and $12 + shipping on Amazon, this is a really good deal.

(Shipping for one book is $6, and the more you order, the less you pay per book. For instance, shipping two books costs $8, and ten books costs $12, and twenty books costs $15, or $.75 per book.)

Would you like to give your dog loving friends a gift that “keeps on giving” for a lifetime … but only costs you $5?

These days $5 doesn’t get you much more than a trinket or a box of candy (I found that out at the mall on Friday).

But with this deal my distributor is so generously extending, you get

1. a beautiful hardcover book that shows a cover price of $16.95, (your friends will think you spent three times as much as you actually did)
2. an hour-long meditation cd that comes with the book for free (a $10 value)
3. a simple, non-dogmatic (pun intended) way to connect with your pooch and yourself, resulting in better health (lower blood pressure, an increase in good brain chemicals and a decrease in bad brain chemicals, peaceful feelings, and much more) and a calmer, more relaxed, less anxious dog.
4. because I use personal stories about Maui to illustrate every super simple step of meditation instruction, readers tell me that this is “not a boring how-to book”
5. a fun, simple, easy way (and free - meditation costs nothing once you know how) to connect more deeply to your own life (there is no religion or spiritual teacher that does not include meditation or some form of silent prayer as a core practice)
6. peace of mind knowing that your gift will really contribute to your loved one’s life, not gather dust in a closet or pile extra pounds on their thighs

You can’t buy the book anywhere else for $5, and it’s all because of a crazy idea I had on a bad trip to the mall.

I didn’t think my distributor would help me out, but they are. I’m really grateful for this opportunity, which would not be possible without them.

This is my Christmas gift to you. I hope you get a copy for yourself and one for every dog lover on your list.

Then I hope you and your canine companion join me and Maui on Christmas Eve Eve for a very special group meditation (I’ll tell you more about it in another email).

Let’s spend Christmas doing something that really makes a difference, and let’s *not* spend a fortune on it.

I can’t believe I can sell my beautiful gift book at stocking stuffer prices - only $5 per book - but as my friend Mary (a minister) always says,

“Christmas miracles happen all year round.”

Visit this website to get your copies today and see a cuuute Christmas picture of me, Molly and Maui:

http://www.howtomeditatewithyourdog.com

Even if you only get one book for yourself, you are still saving a lot of money over other options.

http://www.howtomeditatewithyourdog.com

Much peace, love, and Aloha to you this holiday season,

James

PS: By the way, since you are buying through me, not a bookstore, I can offer you an unconditional money-back guarantee. If for some reason you are unhappy or unsatisfied with the book, just let me know within 30 days and I will refund every penny (and you can keep the book). I’m a member of the Better Business Bureau here in Hawaii and online, and I will always stand by this promise. Get your copies here:
http://www.howtomeditatewithyourdog.com

PPS: Group sales (more than 20 books) are possible through this arrangement, too. If you know an animal shelter or other organization - or a dog trainer or pet sitter - who would like a lot of copies of my book to give away as premiums or holiday gifts, just let us know here:
http://www.howtomeditatewithyourdog.com

Bookmark to:

My favorite little doggie really tested my patience yesterday.

Tuesday, November 6, was Maui’s birthday. Molly and I told her the night before that she could have “anything she wanted” on her birthday. She took us seriously.

Here’s what happened.

Maui woke up at 5am with a full bladder and woke me to go out. After her business we crawled back into bed and I fell back asleep almost immediately. But Molly’s peaceful slumber was disturbed.

Maui licked her face until Molly woke up, then whined. Molly thought “She wants breakfast.”

And since it was her birthday, Molly got up early to feed my little doggie.

She mixed her supplements, chicken, rice, veggies, a little cottage cheese, and a nice little gravy together in a bowl. She replaced her stale water with fresh cold water. She watched as Maui feasted.

Wide awake now, Molly decided to meditate. Maui declined to join her, as she was busy sniffing around for the last bits of her breakfast.

When she emerged from the silence, Molly came out to the kitchen to join me in making our breakfast. We puttered around, but Maui kept distracting us with her rather manic scratching at her “nest” of pillows on the floor in the corner.

Molly went over and cuddled her, giving her a little massage to calm her down. Maui did. She rolled over onto her back for a belly rub.

Then she sprawled on her side and sighed deeply before dropping into a doze. Molly said

“She feels great after that breakfast … she just needed to work off some excess energy.”

I said “She didn’t love her breakfast, because there wasn’t any chicken!”

(A meal without chicken is not a full meal, according to my dog.)

Molly looked at me and said “Did you feed her breakfast?”

I said yes, I had. Molly said “So did I.”

I told Molly that Maui had come into the bedroom and barked at me until I woke up, with a bark that definitely means “I’m hungry! Feed me!”

When I got out of bed, I saw that Molly was meditating, and assumed that she had not fed the dog yet.

So I made her a scrambled egg, rice, and veggies. I gave her supplements and mixed everything with a nice little gravy.

And Maui ate every single mouthful. Every mouthful of her second breakfast.

Molly shook her head and murmured “Audacious behavior.” We both turned to look at our very full, very content dog.

We told her she could have anything she wanted on her birthday. Apparently she wanted two breakfasts.

Now is there any doubt in your mind that Maui can “communicate” with us?

To celebrate my smart, if slightly sneaky, dog, I’m dedicating tomorrow’s free call with Alecia Evans to honor Maui’s birthday.

I think I know what Maui would say to that:

“Very nice gesture, dad. Now can I have some more chicken?”

Ha!!

I love my dog.

Can’t wait to “hear” you tomorrow, Thursday, at 6pm Pacific for my conversation with Alecia. I know we have a lot to learn from our animals, and Alecia’s skill at accessing their “minds” is mind-blowing.

Hope you get your equivalent of two breakfasts today!

Love,
James

PS: go to petconversation.com to submit your question and get call-in details on tomorrow’s call. And if you miss it, no sweat, I’ll send out an email with the replay page so you can “attend” at a later time.

Bookmark to:

Alecia says we should call Thursday’s free Pet Conversation teleseminar “Can You Hear Me Now?” (Go to www.petconversation.com to submit your question and mark your calendar.)

As an animal communicator and wellness consultant who has spent years studying and training in animal medicine, Chinese Medicine, nutrition, natural remedies, and animal communication, she says that’s a big question our pets ask her to ask us.

“Can you hear me now??”

Learning to listen closely and get clear answers is important.

I got this lesson on a new, deeper level the other day, just because I was following the advice Alecia gave me to help Maui see more. Here’s what happened.

Maui had just escorted me outside for her morning constitutional. It was a gorgeous morning on the ocean. The water was calm and the air smelled sweet. So after she did her business we sat right down on the back lanai (porch) to meditate.

But something distracted me. I heard a rustle in the still air. I peeked out of one eye to see what was up.

A kitten was creeping out of the gulch next to my house (lots of feral cats live in that gulch).

This little black kitty was stalking something, but I couldn’t see what. Then a little striped head popped up from the gulch - a sibling, also focused on something on the other side of my yard.

I gave up on meditating and opened both eyes to watch the drama. Maui’s head lifted off my lap and she sniffed the air, turning toward the kittens.

I looked where the kittens were watching. A momma cat was stalking something in the corner of my yard … and then she pounced.

Immediately the kittens streaked toward her, galloping so hard that one tumbled end over end.

Maui and I followed the action, turning our heads.

We watched as the Momma held up the little mouse she had caught, and then offered it to her kittens.

Now that I write about it, it sounds a little gross, but at the time it was just normal.

After the kill, the momma led her kittens back to the gulch, passing no more than five feet from us. I noticed that Maui’s head and sniffer followed the cats wherever they went.

It occurred to me that Maui was “seeing” the whole thing, just like I was. I checked it out with Alecia later, and she pointed out that yes, Maui can see energetically - she doesn’t need her eyes to know what’s going on.

At the same time, I was “feeding” her the images I was seeing with my eyes. Alecia suggested this to me several months ago as a way of helping Maui adjust to the hotel room during my wedding (she came with us). Ever since then I have “sent” what I am seeing to Maui … and it helps her to get around.

This morning, it was helping her to “see” this little drama.

Alecia also said that Maui’s calmness was giving me the opportunity to see the cats for what they are with no judgment.

Instead of thinking “ewww, they’re eating a live mouse” I thought not much. I just watched, with no thought about right or wrong.

In that little moment, I felt so connected to them, to my dog, and to myself.

That’s a gift Maui gives to me - just by being herself. No loneliness when you’re connected.

That’s just one of the messages animals are trying to get through to us when they ask “Can you hear me now?”

I hope you’ll come to the call on Thursday. I chose 6pm Pacific time because I figured the most people would be able to make it then. (9pm Eastern, 8pm Central, and 7pm Mountain)

You can call in or listen via the web, and there is no charge.

I can’t wait to find out more about what else pets want us to know.

Mark your calendars for Thursday at 6pm, and go here to find out how to call in or listen on the web …

and submit your question:

www.petconversation.com

Bookmark to:

I was sitting on the couch the other day, petting Maui.

She curled up in my lap and I found myself gently rubbing her ears between my thumb and forefinger.

All of a sudden I noticed that the softness of her ears had mesmerized me into a light meditation which left me feeling softer.

Then I must have slipped into a “deeper” meditation, because here is the photo my wife Molly sneaked:

Have you ever noticed how soft your dog’s ears are?

A friend of mine who is an Animal Communicator shared with me this thought about the ears of a pooch.

“A dog’s ears do double duty. Not only are they one of the most soft and exquisite physical objects on the planet to touch, they are also what a dog lends to a human to listen with a soft heart.”

Soft ears, soft heart.

Let’s all practice right now. If your dog is nearby, stroke their ears and feel how soft they are. Then see if your own ears “soften.”

What happens when you listen to the world like your dog does - with soft ears?

Warm Aloha,
James

PS: Check out the Important Links section in the column to the right, especially the audiobook version of How to Meditate with Your Dog. I’ve received several emails this week about how much listening to the book helps people to be with their dogs in a new, deeper way, through meditation.

Bookmark to:

In This Issue

A Note from James
Favorite Letter of the Month: Frances Worries About Me
Dogspirational Quote
Maui’s Top 5 Relaxation Tips
Paws Up, Paws Down
All Is Well When You Do This

A Note from James

Aloha Dog Lover,

September blew by, didn’t it? As my birthday month, October, draws closer and closer, I find myself becoming more and more grateful.

That’s because I made a commitment to marriage on September 8, and I’m so happy about it, and that happiness grows every day.

But I made another commitment, too: to peace and relaxation. And that commitment was unexpected, and very useful. Here’s why.

I learned something on my honeymoon that I didn’t know before: I have a habit of making stress out of peace. I’m not as “zen” as I think I am!

I’d heard that from friends and loved ones, on occasion. But I just really realized it for myself on my honeymoon.

There I was, at a full-service Hawaiian resort. Lazing by the pool, swimming with the dolphins, no schedule, no agenda, no worries … but I kept finding reasons to get stressed out.

One morning I spent an hour agonizing about whether to have breakfast at 9am or 10am. Molly listened patiently for a long time before she picked up Maui and said “It doesn’t matter when we eat.” Then she started howling like a wolf. Maui joined her.

I don’t know whether the neighbors heard or not (we didn’t get any complaints). But without that howling from the two most important women in my life, I would probably not have come to my senses.

I spent the rest of the day noticing that I look for opportunities to get stressed out - even when I have absolutely nothing to do but listen to a good book on tape.

Thank God I had Maui with me. She spent the week showing me how to relax and enjoy life even more deeply - and has continued to do so since we came back home to Maui.

So this newsletter’s theme is “Don’t Worry, Be Happy, and Definitely Don’t Get Stressed Out If You Don’t Have To.”

It’s a hard lesson for me to learn, but I’m ready to dive in. I hope you will join me!

Warm Aloha,
James Jacobson
Creator, Do You Remember Love?
Author, How to Meditate with Your Dog
Creator, Paws Up Paws Down

Favorite Letter of the Month: Frances Worries About Me

Dear James,

I enjoy reading your messages and I think both of you [James and Molly] must be very special people and I will contact the Oprah show.

My biggest concern is Maui’s age. She won’t be around forever and I just hope James is prepared for this happening. I guess he could be like the dogs and live in the moment.

He seems so attached to her, more so than some people with their animals. I just hope he has everything in perspective and has prepared himself somewhat.

Congrats on the nuptials!

Frances M.

Dear Frances,

Your letter brought up a lot for me. Not only is Maui advancing in age (she’ll be 15 in November), but she’s been less than healthy for years now. You raise the exact question that I come up against when I am in my most anxious moments:

“How will I possibly live without Maui?”

I have had people tell me that I’m too attached to her, and that I should pull back on my feelings. It makes sense, in a way - if I don’t get “too attached” I won’t be as sad when she’s gone.

But in my experience, the opposite is true. In 2005 my father passed, after a harrowing four month battle with lung cancer. I dropped everything else and spent those months getting as close to him as possible. It was like we squeezed decades of communication into those few weeks.

When the inevitable happened, I felt drained and terribly sad. I probably still haven’t quite gotten over it. But on the other hand, I didn’t feel regretful. My father left this life knowing how much I loved him, and having told me how much he loved me. When I was a kid it was harder for him to express himself, so I feel lucky to hear him say it.

Maui doesn’t have any problem expressing her love for me - one of the blessings of being a dog - and I feel lucky to have had 14+ years with her close to my heart.

But no, I don’t know how I can prepare for her leaving. How could I? She’s still here. I literally can’t imagine it.

But yes, I know it will happen. And I assume it will be very sad. I’ve never had a dog before Maui. I didn’t even have any other pets as a kid. So I don’t know how one “gets over” the loss of a pet.

I dread that day when she is gone. But I have to “live in the moment,” as you put it, right now, not just when she’s gone. So I’m going to go cuddle her now, and maybe do a little howling. She only howls when she’s happy, after all.

Here’s the video:

Thank you for writing, Frances. You sparked an excellent question, and I appreciate your sweet concern for me. When that times comes, I’m sure I will be writing about how it goes. Until then … I’m just howling with my dog.

Warmest Aloha,

James

Dogspirational Quote

“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring - it was peace.”
- Milan Kundera

Maui’s Top 5 Relaxation Tips

Maui really wants us all of us to sloooooooow down in October. The holiday season is coming, and it’s good to enter into it with a relaxed, open attitude, not a stressed out one. So here are her Top 5 Relaxation Tips:

Tip #1: Lap at your water bowl.

Maui likes to hang out with me in my office during the day, but I’ve noticed that she heads upstairs frequently to get a drink from her water bowl. To save her the trip, I put another bowl down here, which she appreciates. She likes to drink a lot of water to keep herself hydrated and happy. Without enough water, you may pant with thirst, beg for too many treats (overeat), get itchy and dry under your fur, feel like a sluggish puppy, bark at the pain in your head, or get a cramp in your paws.

Tip #2: Shake it off.

Shaking yourself from head to toe may look silly, but it sure feels great. Dogs do this to “reset” themselves. It puts the nervous system back on “all systems go” and the muscles and bones in their proper places. Try it, I guarantee it will help.

Tip #3: Wag your tail.

No matter what is going on in your life, the most important thing is to honor others. Maui always takes the time to properly greet others. Just today our friend Ramon came over, and she woke up from a nap to lick his face when he picked her up for a cuddle. Then she promptly fell back asleep.

Tip #4: Take naps.

A short snooze can be the difference between a bad mood and a contented one. Taking even five minutes to drift off can reboot your brain and emotions. My friend Phoebe, a great dog lover, takes her cue from her pooches and curls up underneath her desk at work for a short nap every afternoon. Most of her coworkers have never even noticed - it just looks like she’s stepped out for coffee!

Tip #5: Hound lounge.

Hound lounging is the canine version of meditation. She likes to stare off into space and zone out for a bit, just focusing on her breathing. I do, too. Ten minutes to start the day, and everything just works better. If you want to learn more about this practice, it’s the basis of my book: How to Meditate with Your Dog

Paws Up, Paws Down
I have been having a blast rating dogs at http://pawsuppawsdown.com. There are some real cuties there. Go check it out now:

http://pawsuppawsdown.com

All Is Well When You Do This

As much help as Maui has given me, sometimes I need to help her. That’s when I turn to the incredible knowledge bank at DogProblems.net. Check them out:

http://dogproblems.net

Bookmark to:

Aloha Dog Lovers,

This morning Maui and I took a break and walked on the beach.

(Well, to be more accurate, I carried her on the beach … her sight isn’t good enough right now to risk her tumbling over the sand.)

A woman ran past with one of those “Life is Good” t-shirts.

You have probably seen them. A smiley-faced stick figure surfs, canoes, skis, hikes, or runs … there are a lot of them!

Anyway, the “Life is Good” message struck home for me.

“Life is Excellent,” I thought.

“I am a newlywed, my dog is alive and healthy, and we are on the beach!”

The stress I’d been feeling just minutes ago started to drain away.

I plopped down on the sand and put Maui on my lap. We listened to the soothing sound of the surf breaking, and eventually we both closed our eyes and began meditating.

We spent about 15 minutes listening to the surf and reconnecting with our breath.

By that time, we were both relaxed and I was able to focus and get a lot more of my office tasks completed when I got back home.

Meditating with Maui makes me “a new me” everyday.

Maybe there is a natural anti-aging cure after all.

Next time you think of it, take a few minutes to let yourself breathe and rejuvenate, whether your dog joins you or not. Let me know how it goes.

Aloha,

James

Bookmark to:

In This Issue

A Note from James
Favorite Letter of the Month: In Memory of Dexter
Dogspirational Quote
Cutest Video of the Month: Baby Shares Crackers with 2 Dogs
The “Secret” of Dogs: Focus on What You Want
Screensaver a Big Hit
DogProblems.net Rocks My World!

A Note from James

Aloha, Dog Lovers,

This year, September is a big month for me, for a couple of reasons.

I’ll start with the most important: I’m getting married this month! My beloved, Molly, and I are going to have a teeny tiny ceremony with our closest friends. Although our families are far away, we know they will be with us in spirit.

Luckily, our dog Maui will be with us in person - or dogson? - she’s part of the family, and she will be our Best Dog. Here is my favorite picture of the three of us:

The second reason September is such a big month is because we are finally launching a cool new website, www.PawsUpPawsDown.com.

It is just for pure fun, and I hope you check it out. You can post your favorite dog (and cat!) photos and have others see them and “rate” them.

I want to find the cutest pet on the web … so make sure you email all your friends and get them to vote for yours and post their own pictures.

Check out the new site here: www.PawsUpPawsDown.com.

Meanwhile, I really love this month’s newsletter. Not only is it the newsletter that comes out during my marriage month, but it is packed with sweetness.

Beautiful Sharleen wrote to me about the passing of her sweet dog and meditation partner, Dexter.

I got to see “the secret” of dogs in action through the crazy antics of my friend’s dog Jake.

And one of my friends forwarded me a “meditation on sharing” video that I just loved - a darling baby quietly feeding her two dogs crackers.

I hope you enjoy, and look forward to hearing back from you really soon.

Warm Aloha,
James Jacobson
Creator, Do You Remember Love?
Author, How to Meditate with Your Dog

PS: Check out www.PawsUpPawsDown.com and share your photos - I can’t wait to see this site grow!

Favorite Letter of the Month:
~~~~ In Memory of Dexter ~~~~

Hi James,

My name is Sharleen and I read your wonderful and loving stories every time you send them.

The time has come that I must put my beloved dog Dexter down.

My heart is breaking but I know it is the best thing I can do for him given the circumstances.

He has been a most loving companion, along with his adopted brother Quincy…I am thankful that I had the opportunity to have him for 15 years.

I learned how to sit and meditate with him and I’m 100% sure that it was the best experience that we had together … I’m so grateful for that.

Please accept my thanks for doing what you do. It is a service that I’m sure has been well received by many.

If not for meditation I would not have had the pleasure of having the best relationship ever with Dexter.

It will be sad without him, but now it’s me and Quincy who will sit together each day and share the special moments that God has blessed us with.

This very moment he is pressed against my back just waiting for me to finish so that we can spend our final time together. So again I say thank you and ask for your prayers in this most difficult time.

Sincerely,

Sharleen, Herb & our best friends Dexter & Quincy

Dear Sharleen, Herb, Quincy, and of course, Dexter,

Your letter brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your last moments with Dexter with me.

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this most challenging time. Dexter is so lucky to have such a kind and loving human as you to acknowledge his beautiful life and share such gratitude and peace with him.

I know words are rarely a comfort at times like this, so I’ll just say that I think you must have given Dexter a great gift by taking the time to be present with him and see him off into his next life. He must have passed with a heart full of love and peace.

I admire your courage and strength, and please know how much love is coming your way from me and from the tens of thousands who reads this.

I know that Dexter is blessed, but I also send many blessings to you, Herb, and of course Quincy, your new meditation partner.

Warmest Aloha,

James

Dogspirational Quote

“The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.”

- Samuel Butler, Higgledy-Piggledy

Cutest Video: Baby Shares Crackers with 2 Dogs

This video is a great example of how loving and tender dogs can be with baby humans - and how easily humans share before we are “trained” to be selfish!

The video is so sweet - and a little long - but I think it’s a meditation on loving kindness, a quality you develop through meditating with dogs (or sharing your crackers with them).

The “Secret” of Dogs: Focus on What You Want

There has been a lot of fuss lately about the “secret” revealed in the movie and book The Secret. The idea is that what we think about happens to us. Whether we want it to happen or don’t want it to happen, what we focus on becomes a reality.

When I saw the movie I thought “Wow! So humans have finally figured out what dogs have known for millennia!”

Most dogs are already masters of intention. I have a friend that belongs to a border collie mix named Jake. I have known Jake for about three years now and I have never witnessed a more masterful focus-er. This dog can make anyone give him food.

Just the other day I saw him do it again. I stopped to say hello to Jake and his human, Sarah, when we passed in the street. While Sarah and I chatted, Jake casually parked
himself in front of a little boy in a stroller eating little pieces of Tofu Pups (the little hot dogs made of tofu).

Sarah is a vegetarian, so Jake has had many Tofu Pups in his life. He stared at this little boy with such deep intent that I could almost see his thoughts in cartoon bubbles above his head.

Jake was thinking “Give me a piece of Tofu Pup.”

The baby looked positively mesmerized. He stared back at Jake as if under a spell. After a few minutes he giggled and let a piece of Tofu Pup fall to the sidewalk. Jake dashed over to snap it up.

I’ve seen him do this with full-grown adults, too. About five minutes into their conversation with Sarah, they start rifling through their pockets, looking for a cracker or a snack for Jake.

Maui shows up at my office door promptly at 4:45pm everyday to start her dinner intention session. She sits staring at me until I finally get up to give her some chicken and rice and veggies … and she will sit for ten, fifteen, thirty, or sixty minutes. However long it takes.

If we could be as focused on what we want as our dogs are focused on what they want … if we applied their “secret” … what would this world be like?

Screensaver a Big Hit

If you haven’t downloaded your free screensaver of Do You Remember Love? the time is now!

I’m getting flooded with emails about how helpful it has been for people, who say it reminds them of the universal love we all share with our dogs every time their computer takes a rest.

Go here to get your free download - it’s a no-brainer to install, and if you have any questions, Crystal (my assistant) has made a tutorial for you. She’s also available to help via email if you need it.

You can get your screensaver here:

Do You Remember Love?

DogProblems.net Rocks My World

I cannot tell you how often I use this site to look up advice for everything from helping Maui to take her medicine to keeping her from rushing neighborhood dogs (even though she’s almost 15 and blind, she thinks she’s in charge of the world).

Please seriously consider checking them out. I really appreciate their advice and help.

DogProblems.net

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Have an Easy and Restful Labor Day Weekend!

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NOTE: So many of you have written lately asking for help with dog behavior issues, so I’ve made a recommendation about a wonderful site I recently discovered - check the PS at the end of this email.

Aloha Dog Lover!

Best-selling author Eckhart Tolle teaches people that the path to inner peace lies in surrendering to The Power of Now. After just having woken from a refreshing little snooze with Maui, my natural meditation guru, I’ve realized that she’s also right … the path to inner peace lies in surrendering to The Power of Nap.

Ever watch a dog after they wake up from a nap? They get up, stretch all their limbs up to the ceiling, shake themselves off and perform a Down Dog Yoga move.

Then they shake themselves vigorously, wag their tails and smile.

My friend Sarah swears that her Golden Retriever, Sam, taught her The Power of Nap as a way to heal herself when she was experiencing a headache.

>>– QUOTE:

“Jim, it was so strange! I was laying on the couch, restless because I didn’t want to be couped up and I was in pain. Sam was staring straight at me from across the room on his bed. The next thing I knew his eyes started to get droopy and so did mine and all of a sudden I fell into a deep sleep that lasted about 20 minutes.

When I woke up the pain was gone and I felt so refreshed and present. Sam was awake, too, nose on his paws, watching me like he knew what I was feeling. Since then, I try to take a 20 minute power nap each day. Sam taught me to deeply relax, and it really helps.”

END QUOTE <<–

Maybe naps are a secret key to inner health in the dog world.

(((Do you remember when you were a little kid? Naps were a requirement, otherwise we would be cranky. Somehow as we grew up we trained ourselves to need less naps and do more work, even when we were exhausted and could really use a 20 minute breather.)))

Naps just plain make sense. They help keep our mind and body balanced and refreshed. Even if we don’t fall asleep, just allowing our brain to unwind for 20 minutes during the day is a great way to lower our stress levels.

Test out The Power of Nap for yourself and let me and Maui know how it goes.

PS: Here’s the site I mentioned:

http://www.DogProblems.net

There are amazingly helpful discussion forums here, plus really solid professional advice. I love this site!

Check them out: http://www.DogProblems.net

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