Every day you email me with your incredible stories and your amazing photos, and I can barely keep up.

(OK I can’t, but I try.)

Finally, I have been able to build a place where we can all SHARE our stories, pics, and videos with each other.

It’s called I Remember Love and it’s here:

I Remember Love

You will LOVE IT if you are a dog lover.

You can post your own stories, photos, ask questions, start Groups that have a common interest and discuss discuss, discuss.

If you have heard of facebook or myspace, it’s like that, only just for DOG LOVERS who want to celebrate the way our dogs bring love into our life.

I am really excited about this, because I know how much all of you want to connect with each other directly.

Let me put it this way - if you all could read all the emails I do, you’d feel darn good about yourselves. It’s a lovefest everyday.

So please check it out and start posting - you can put up photos, videos, make prayer requests, tell stories … anything you like.

Please watch the videos I’ve already posted on the front page, and check out our sponsors, who make this free site possible!

I Remember Love

Please check it out now - I can’t wait to build this up. You’ll see me, Molly, Crystal, and Collette are the “first members” - join us!

I Remember Love

Warm Aloha,

James

I feel like it’s 1990 again, like I’m back to my former days as a television producer ;-).

You probably don’t know about my background in television, because I usually only talk about dogs in my emails … but it’s true. I used to make television!

Last year when I made Do You Remember Love? for Maui’s Valentine’s Day gift, I was calling on old muscles that haven’t been flexed in a while.

Well, it started something I wasn’t expecting and has turned into waaaaay more than just a little lark of a project.

So many of you have asked me for a DVD version of the movie since last February that it got me thinking maybe I should go back into production mode.

So I just “wrapped” on the DVD version. I wrote all about it on my blog, here:

www.doyourememberlove.com/packwisdom/watch-do-you-remember-love-on-dvd/

The DVD took six months to plan, create, edit, package, and replicate, and I love it.

The DVD can be played in - and looks great on - any television, including the new high-definition sets.

It also includes a fun “behind the scenes” movie that Molly and I made that answers a lot of the questions we get in our email inbox - like whether I mix up Molly and Maui’s names, and who the voice of Maui is in the movie.

We’re not releasing the DVD to the public yet, but I would love to get you, my loyal email readers and fellow dog lovers, to give me your thoughts on the DVD so I can tell others about it.

In order to do that, I want to make you a special offer to watch this DVD for only $9.95.

Now it’s available just for you guys.

Click to read more about it on the blog and get your copy direct from my fulfillment house before I release it to the wider public.

I hope you will because I treasure your feedback and endorsement of this DVD, which you can leave on my blog.

Read more here:
www.doyourememberlove.com/packwisdom/watch-do-you-remember-love-on-dvd/

Warm Aloha,

James
www.doyourememberlove.com/packwisdom/watch-do-you-remember-love-on-dvd/

In This Issue

A Note from James
How to Make Your Own Gravy List
Favorite Letters of the Month: My Answers, (Video)
Winner of the Pet Communication Drawing: Lynn L.
Pet Communication and Pet Loss Teleseminar with Alecia Evans: Pre-Holiday Gift for You and Your Friends
Dogspirational Quote

A Note from James

Aloha …

It’s November, when even here on Maui things get a little cooler and a little more cuddly as we head into the holiday season.

Molly has started me on a new tradition: writing a Gravy List. We’re each writing down everything we can think of that we appreciate and are grateful for. The person with the longest list on Thanksgiving “wins.”

So I’m starting my Gravy List today. I am grateful for the wonderful birthday celebration (October 30) I experienced yesterday.

I am grateful for Maui, who turns 15 next Tuesday, November 6.

I am grateful for Thanksgiving Day, my favorite holiday on the calendar.

I am grateful for the whole holiday season with my new family and all of my friends.

I am grateful to Alecia Evans, my Animal Communicator friend, who has agreed to do a free “webinar” with me next week (see the story below - based on your response to our survey from last week, you will be very interested).

I am grateful for all the letters I get from all of you (see the video below where I answer some).

I am grateful for you, my ohana.

Ohana (oh-hah-nah) is a Hawaiian word that translates as “family,” but it means much more than blood relatives.

There’s a saying that “In Hawaii, everyone is ohana,” and we mean it.

Small children in grocery stores who are lost look up to the nearest adult and say “Uncle, do you know where my mother is?” or “Auntie, can you help me find my daddy?”

They are taught that everyone is their tutu (grandmother), auntie, uncle, brother, or sister.

When I think of all of you who appreciate Do You Remember Love? and read these emails every week, I think of you as my ohana.

And I’m grateful to you.

Will you start your own Gravy List?

Enjoy this November, and I hope you join me and Alecia for our one-hour teleseminar on Pet Communication and Pet Loss - it’s our gift to you, and I’m really excited to share my friendship with Alecia with you.

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

How To Make Your Own Gravy List

It’s simple. Take a sheet of paper and write Gravy List at the top. Then list everything you can think of that you are grateful for … from the stars in the sky to the food on your table to the dog at your side.

Keep adding to your list every day until Thanksgiving.

On Thanksgiving, you will have a really deep appreciation (and a detailed list) of everything good in your life.

Favorite Letter of the Month: My Answer to Gypsy Rose, Video-Taped

Instead of writing this section, I thought I would try a video. Press play to hear my favorite letter and see my (and Maui’s) reactions.

Winner of the Pet Communication Drawing: Lynn L.

Last week’s survey on Pet Communication brought in such a huge response - wow, there are a lot of you out there who believe in it!

And some who are skeptical.

There were so many questions generated in my mind as a result of YOUR questions on the survey that I decided to beg Alecia to do an interview. She agreed, and she also agreed to let you all participate (details below, it’s free).

Meanwhile, the winner of the drawing for a free, private, one-on-one session with my friend Alecia Evans, Pet Communicator and Animal Wellness Consultant, is Lynn L. Lynn, congratulations!

Thank you to everyone who entered and filled out the survey. It looks like a lot of you will be interested in the free teleseminar on Pet Communication Alecia has agreed to give with me next week. Read on …

Pet Communication and Pet Loss Teleseminar with Alecia Evans: Pre-Holiday Gift for You and Your Friends

Have you ever wondered if it’s really possible to hear what your pet is thinking or feeling?

Have you ever wondered what your pet would tell you - if they could talk - about their illness or behavior?

Would you like to communicate with a pet that has passed on?

My friend Alecia Evans is a talented Pet Communicator and Animal Wellness Consultant. (This is a photo of Alecia with her dog, Indie.)

Sometimes called Animal Whisperers, Pet Psychics, and Animal Intuitives, Alecia is one of those special people who can immediately access animals’ thoughts and feelings without meeting them in person. She can “tune in” to pets and communicate to you, for them.

(She certainly can tune in to Maui!)

Alecia has been working with animals and their humans for nearly a decade as a dog trainer, wellness consultant, and intuitive. She has clients all over the country, including dogs, cats, turtles, horses, dolphins, whales, rabbits, birds, snakes, and iguanas. She’s even hosted her own television show.

I’ve asked Alecia to give a gift to you this month, and I’m grateful that she has said yes.

On Thursday, November 8th, at 6pm Pacific time, Alecia will join me on a teleconference call and let me grill her about all things Pet Communication.

And you can listen, for free, and even ask your own questions.

Alecia has promised to answer my burning questions on:

Pet Communication

Why pet communication is actually natural for all humans
What pets really want from their humans
The true intelligence and secret wisdom of animals
Why your pet chose to take a vow of silence
The 3 Secret Keys to unlocking your inner Pet Communicator
Where Alecia’s gift of pet communication really comes from

Pet Health

What pets have to say about their healthcare
Why pets have behavioral, health, and emotional issues, and how you can REALLY help them
How to find out from your pets if you are doing a good job taking care of your pets
How to “read” your pets to see if they need anything else

Pet Loss

How to help your older pet (and you) transition more comfortably
Why your pet chose YOU for their companion
If it’s really possible to communicate with a pet who has passed on, and how
Tips on how to process and heal after the passing of a pet
What pets want you to know about life after death

This teleseminar is free and will last for 60 minutes. I’ve set up a really easy website where you can get the call-in number or listen to the webcast live right on your computer. You don’t even have to use the phone!

If you cannot make the call on Thursday, November 8th at 6pm PST, you will be able to listen to the replay call on the website at your convenience later on.

Click here to get the call-in number and get the details:

Pet Conversation with James and Alecia

I promise this will be an enlightening, informative hour with Alecia. Every time I talk to her I see Maui in a whole new way … she will really bring out the Pet Communicator in you, too.

Pet Conversation with James and Alecia

Please don’t be shy - come to this free teleseminar on Pet Communication and Pet Loss, and bring your friends. Send them to this link:

Pet Conversation with James and Alecia

Dogspirational Quote

“If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater…suggest that he wear a tail.”
- Fran Lebowitz

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

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

Did you enjoy this newsletter? Pass it on to your friends!

Have an Easy and Restful Labor Day Weekend!

In This Issue

A Note from James: Dogs Days of Friendship
Favorite Letter of the Month: A Poodle Talks
Dogspirational Quotes
Cutest Video of the Month: Dog Endures Friendship with Kitten
What I Learned From Dogs This Month: Be a Better Friend
Not That Your Dog Has Problems …
In the Beach or in the Car

A Note from James: Dog Days of Friendship

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life; and thanks to a benevolent arrangement of things, the greater part of life is sunshine. -Thomas Jefferson

Aloha, Dog Lovers,

The ancient Romans noticed that Sirius, the Dog Star, was prominent in the sky during the hottest months of the year. They figured the star contributed to the heat, and that’s why we call July and August “the dog days.”

I think there’s more to this ancient phrase. There is no doubt that Maui is one of my very best friends, and that her love for me shines with the light and heat of the sun no matter what else may be happening.

Late for her dinner? She’s still all warmth.

Air conditioning blows out, and we’re all “dog hot”? She still wants to cuddle. I leave for an entire day, and she’s all alone? She is still wagging her tail to greet me.Maui’s friendship for me … and the slower, hotter days … make me think more about all of my other friends. Is there anything better than staying up late on a summer night after it’s started to cool down, and sharing stories with friends?

(Here in Maui our big nighttime fun is watching geckos catch bugs on the porch ceiling while we chat.)

On Monday I drove my dear friend Mary Omwake to the airport for a several week stint in Thailand. Mary is very important to me. We even call each other “hanai” Mom and “hanai” son (hanai means adopted in Hawaiian). Her absence over the next few weeks is significant. Not only will I miss her wise counsel and unconditional love, I will miss working with her. For the last four years we have co-hosted a radio show together, Conversations with Friends, here on Maui. She has been the minister at Unity Church on Maui for several years, and this show was a way of reaching out the community. Reverend Mary has decided to step down from her position at Unity, and so the show is going on hiatus.This leaves me suddenly with a big hole in my schedule (it was a weekly show), and almost a feeling of disorientation.

I hope to do another show with Mary someday, and perhaps we will. After all, as Warren Buffett once said in a television interview, you should always “do what you love to do, with people you cherish.”

I cherish Mary with all of my heart, and I cherish all the people I work with. And, of course, I cherish Maui, too.

Cherish your friends, and be well this long, slow, lazy dog day month. 

Aloha,

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

PS: The radio shows from the last two years are all up at http://conversationswithfriends.com/. Enjoy.

Favorite Letter of the Month: A Poodle Talks

Hi James,

It is so true that dogs offer unconditional love … My dog, Chrissie, is a poodle … and from the beginning she was a partner, a friend and a comforter.

She meets me after work with excitement. Before being fed or let out she always wants time with me. She looks at me like she really understands what I say. I believe she does.

I am anxious to start the meditation. In a way, we already do that. We spend one on one time just “talking” to each other. I am a Hospice Volunteer and many times find both cats and dogs to be a great comfort to the patients. Bless you for your loving kindness, Jewel

Dear Jewel,

Dogs really do understand us, especially when we speak their language of unconditional love. Their constant and faithful assumption that the world is a loving place (in other words, their Pack Wisdom) reminds us to live that way, too.

Chrissie sounds like an incredible companion and friend. She’s a lucky girl to have you for her human.

Thank you for your work as a Hospice Volunteer. I used Hospice services when my father passed two years ago, and I know firsthand just how comforting it was to have people who understood what was happening and were comfortable with my chaotic, overwhelming feelings of sadness and anger. No wonder Chrissie likes you so much – you must have a lot of patience and love yourself!

Hospice volunteers are nearly as friendly as dogs are

Maui and I look forward to hearing about your experiences with meditation. You seem to already have the hang of it, so be sure to drop us a line and let us know how your experiences are going.

Dogspirational Quotes

“No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does.” - Christopher Morley

“Some of my best leading men have been dogs and horses.” - Elizabeth Taylor

 

Cutest Video: Dog Endures Friendship with Kitten  

If you haven’t seen this yet, you have to. A tiny white kitten plays with a very patient, very sweet golden retriever.So cute and funny!

What I Learned from Dogs This Month: Be a Better Friend

I went out for a walk with Maui the other day and we met up with one of her best (and biggest) friends, a Standard Poodle named Star.

Star bolted for Maui as soon as she saw her, but then halted within two paws length of Maui and bowed down to greet her. Star is a year and a half old, so she’s still got a lot of puppy energy in her. Yet without any prompting at all, she just about laid herself at Maui’s feet and I swear Maui could have done anything she wanted to her.

Star knows that Maui has some trouble seeing these days and so she adjusts her behavior and energy level to make Maui comfortable.

I recognized in this behavior an essential quality in really good friends. My very best friends are the ones who are this supportive and respectful of me. I like to think that I’m this supportive and respectful of them, too.

I don’t know who said it, but I’ve heard that in order to have a friend, you have to be a friend. Over the years I’ve learned how to be a better friend – and I’ve noticed that my friends seem to be better friends to me, too.

So in the end, the act of friendship is a beautiful gift we ultimately extend to ourselves … because it always comes back to us through deeper, more nourishing friendships.

Maui and I have been friends for quite some time now, and I’m so glad that I’ve learned so much about being a friend from her.

 

Not That Your Dog Has Problems …

So many of you have written lately asking for help with dog behavior issues, so I thought I’d tell you about a great site I recently discovered.

http://www.dogproblems.net/

There are amazingly helpful discussion forums here, plus really solid professional advice. The downloadable book is really helpful, too. 

Check them out:

http://www.dogproblems.net/

Listen in the Car or at the Beach
Summer road trips cry out for an audiobook, and people keep writing to tell me how much they enjoy the audiobook version of How to Meditate with Your Dog.

I’m glad so many are enjoying it - I’ve listened to it often enough, (smile), so I’m currently enjoying the new Harry Potter on my beach jaunts. If you want to get the audiobook (instant download, no cd’s or messy environmental impact), click this link now:

Audiobook Version of How to Meditate with Your Dog

July 2007
Vol. 1, Issue 3
Published Monthly
www.DoYouRememberLove.com

In This Issue

A Note from James: Can We Really Be as Free as Our Dogs?
Favorite Letter of the Month: Skeptic Tries Dog Meditation
Dogspirational Quote from Milan Kundera
Cutest Video of the Month: Cat Shows Dog Unconditional Love
Intention for this Month: Silent, Unconditional Love
Screensaver Getting Rave Reviews
Audiobook Version Available

A Note from James

Can we really be as free as our dogs are?

Aloha, Dog Lovers,

July is one of my favorite months. We kick it off with fireworks and a celebration of our nation’s birth in freedom … and freedom is the one thing I cherish most.

Dr. Viktor E. Frankl wrote “Everything can be taken from a man but the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” Every July as I start to meditate about freedom and what it really means to me, Maui’s face always comes to my mind’s eye.

Under Dr. Frankl’s definition of freedom, Maui is completely free.

She is blind. She is getting older and slowing down. She may not be as big as a Doberman or as fluffy as a Pekinese … but she always chooses her own attitude.

She doesn’t let any external limitations take her freedom. She chooses to love, love, love, love, love.

Maui’s choice is the same choice we have.

No matter what the situation, we have ultimate freedom. We can choose how to see it. We can choose how to react to it. And we can choose what action to take. (Maui chooses love.)

When I’m meditating, I often receive guidance about difficult situations. Sometimes the guidance seems very obvious and easy to follow. Sometimes, though, it seems more difficult to receive. It may require me to be a little braver or stretch myself beyond my comfort zone.

Whenever I follow my inner guidance, things turn out well.

Giving myself the freedom to choose to follow my own inner guidance seems to me uniquely American. Our founding fathers made the decision to follow their own guidance, despite tremendous pressure — and an entire nation was born.

This month, I celebrate their pursuit of freedom at great cost. I celebrate that they established my inalienable right to freedom. And I celebrate that I can use that freedom to make my own choices today.

Maui, as always, is my inspiration. I’m freely choosing Unconditional Love. Enjoy it, because there is a lot of love in this edition of Pack Wisdom.

Aloha,

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

Favorite Letter of the Month: Skeptic Tries Dog Meditation

Dear Jim,

I was skeptical when I heard the term “dog meditation,” so I thought I would try an experiment.

My Basset Hounds were very agitated as I stood on the other side of a 6 foot fence from them … I began projecting calm assertive thoughts to them without verbal communication and three minutes into their barking and nervousness they stopped and peace reigned once again.

I have to admit I was truly surprised that it had this quick an effect on them. They are scent hounds and probably knew I was there but the power of meditation is amazing.

Debbie

P.S. Little Maui is adorable!!!!!!

Dear Debbie,

Thank you so much for sharing your creative experiment with me and Maui.

I love the visual of you on one side of a big fence, your dogs on the other, still in constant communication.

It’s true that meditation instantly transforms you into the “calm, assertive” leader dog trainers say you should be.

And there’s no doubt that Caesar Milan, “the Dog Whisperer” is right when he says that dogs understand our energy better than our words.

What you did was to really put meditation skills (remaining calm no matter what) into practice with your dogs.

And you bring up the most important factor to meditation being successful: practice. Which means … keep doing it over an over. That’s why it’s called a meditation practice.

Even if you only have 10 minutes a day to sit with your dog, use that time to build your meditation muscles and you will see incredible results — for you and for your dog.

I can’t think of a better way to give Maui my unconditional love. Happy Fourth, where we’re all free to love as much as our dogs do!

Dogspirational Quote

“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

Cutest Video: Cat Shows Dog Unconditional Love

A chocolate Labrador puppy gives and receives tender kisses from a sweet, very tolerant cat. These two animals really know how to show affection — until he goes too far.

So cute and funny … go here and scroll down to see the video:

Intention for this Month: Silent, Unconditional Love

Does a dog really love unconditionally?

Does a bear really love honey?

A friend told me that “dogs love us so unconditionally that they took a vow of silence in order to best serve us.”

Do you remember your mom or grandmother ever saying ”If you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all.”

Or the adage “Silence is Golden”?

Maui is the only one in my life who gets what these sayings really mean.

Who else but a dog could live with us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and never have a bad word to say about us … even when our tails are in a twist?

I know Maui loves me because who else would be willing to kiss my face when I have morning breath or lick my feet after an evening run?

That is unconditional love.

As I’ve continued to meditate with Maui, I notice that the feeling of unconditional love I get during meditation stays with me throughout the day. (OK, sometimes I lose touch with it, but it’s easier to get it back then it used to be.)

Start meditating with your dog, and you will quickly notice a deeply peaceful feeling settling into your very bones. This feeling is the opposite of what we feel when we are comparing and judging.

When I feel particularly upset and judgmental, I can sometimes say things I regret later. That’s why I just decided to set an intention for this month. Hold me to it!

I intend to stay silent when I am comparing or judging, blaming or criticizing. Just like Maui would.

I think my fiancée Molly will enjoy that!

Screensaver Getting Rave Reviews

“I love the screensaver!” - Jewel

“The screensaver is wonderful - it’s so precious to watch - it takes me away from my work sometimes, though. Thanks for sending it to me!” - Lynne

“Thank you James for the beautiful screensaver and poster”
- Debbie

I’m so pleased that so many people (over 2,500 so far!) are enjoying the screensaver version of Do You Remember Love?

If you haven’t downloaded it yet, please visit here to get your free copy:

http://www.doyourememberlove.com/screensaver.html

Audiobook Version Available Here

I never made a CD-version of my book, because I just wasn’t sure it would sell well enough to cover the production costs. But friends kept saying that I should record the book, so I did, and made it available online as a digital download. That was over two years ago.

Since Do You Remember Love? came out on Valentine’s Day, 2007, we have started selling the audiobook version like hotcakes!

I like this for a few reasons:

1. Some people (like me, actually), prefer to listen to a book than read one. This unabridged version is perfect for those of you who like to listen to your books.

2. It has no impact on the environment. Nothing is cut down, liquefied, or used up in the making of the digital files or the downloading and listening of them. No planes are flown or trucks driven to deliver the audiobook to you. That’s really important to me, because I want my future kids and my current kid (Maui) to have a safe world to live in.

3. You can get it instantly and start enjoying it right away.

If you haven’t checked out the audiobook version of How to Meditate with Your Dog, go here now:

Audiobook Version

June 2007
Vol. 1, Issue 2
Published Monthly
http://doyourememberlove.com
Subscription by Request Only: To change your subscription options, see below.

Would you like this delivered to your inbox each month? Fill in the fields to the right and we’ll send you a free chapter of How to Meditate with Your Dog as a gift! Please add james@doyourememberlove.com to your whitelist or address book in your email program, so you have no issues receiving future editions of Pack Wisdom!

 

In This Issue

A Note from James
Favorite Letter of the Month: Dog Rescues Micki
Dogspirational Quote from Harry S. Truman
Pet Food Recall Webinar
Cutest Video of the Month: Baby Laughs at Swimming Hot Dog Dog
Unleash Your Inner Puppy This Summer
Screensaver Finally Finished! and Free for a Short Time (click here)

A Note from James

Aloha, Dog Lovers,

I love June. I feel almost legally obligated to play during this month. Even in Hawaii, where we have summer weather all year long, there’s still something special about this month. I have an urge to put on my sneakers and take a hike, or my flippers and take a snorkel.

Maui thinks I should have June all year round. Her playful approach to life (even at her advanced age, and with creeping cataracts) is a permanent attitude, and I would do well to model her … even if it’s September. Or January. Or March.

Anyway, it’s June now, and I’m at Book Expo America in New York City (far from snorkeling heaven). I’m here just to play … no work to speak of except to meet with friends and connect with other authors and publishers. I miss my doggie playmate, but I’m glad to see that even in our biggest cities we still have lots of opportunities to get out and enjoy the sunshine (ever walked through Central Park on a sunny day? It’s more crowded with sun worshippers than the beaches of Maui).

This month’s letter is short so that I won’t keep you at your computer for one minute longer than necessary. Get out and play!

As always, please email your feedback to james@doyourememberlove.com.

Aloha,

James Jacobson
Creator, “Do You Remember Love?”
Author, “How to Meditate with Your Dog”
Maui, Hawaii

Favorite Letter of the Month: Dog Rescues Owner

I received a lovely letter from a lovely woman this month. Micki writes eloquently about how her dog rescued her after tragedy struck.

“My husband died suddenly in August of 2001. I was
devastated. Tragedy struck again 6 months later,
when my faithful Labrador Skimmer had to be put down.
I sank into a deep depression under the two great losses.
I even started questioning the mercy of God.

Months went by and coming home from work to
a empty house just reminded me daily how much I
missed both. The following summer my sister’s neighbor
bought two puppies for his children and one week later
his wife left him. He works 12 hour days so my sister
volunteered to let the puppies out and exercise them
while he was at work. I would occasionally go to help
her before going to work myself. The day finally came
when her neighbor started looking to find new homes
for the puppies.

My sister asked if I would take one and immediately I
said “No” because I worked 3-11:30 daily at my nursing
job. I was afraid to commit because the loss of a dog
hurt so much.

Thanks to my sister’s persuasion, I finally gave in
and took a lab collie mix and started the training process.

I can’t tell you how grateful I am that I did.
Buddy gave me something to live for and it’s such a joy
coming home to someone who loves me as much as I love
him. I know it sounds crazy but I think I could have died
during those tragic and lonely days of such deep grief.

We are totally bonded now and I love this dog sooo much.
Yes, I do believe that this dog gave me the strength to
go on with life and I am so grateful.”

~Micki K.

Micki, thank you for writing and sharing your story. I don’t think you sound crazy at all. I’ve often wondered what magic dogs carry that makes it possible for them to ease our grief.

Is it their steadfast loyalty? That we can count on them to love us no matter what is happening in our lives, how bad we feel, or how bad we mess up?

Maui has eased my broken heart on several occasions. Everyday losses and big life-changing losses just seem easier to handle when I scoop up her little white body and let her lick my cheek.

Something about her just helps. I can keep my heart open and draw strength from her ability to love me no matter what is happening. Maybe that’s her magic.

Dogs keep loving, no matter what.

I hope my pitiful human self can get as good at loving as Maui is. Sounds like you’re well on your way to being as good at loving as Buddy is, Micki, and I salute both of you.

Dogspirational Quote

“Children and dogs are as necessary to the welfare of the country as Wall Street and the Railroads.”

~ Harry S. Truman

Pet Food Recall Webinar

A few weeks ago I grilled Dr. Andrew Jones on the Pet Food Recall. He recorded the whole thing, and it’s available now.

We covered everything from why over 4,000 pets have died to how to feed your pet at home - and what the best commercial pet foods are.

To learn more, go here:

http://doyourememberlove.com/PetFoodRecall/

Cutest Video: Baby Laughs at Swimming Hot Dog Dog

Want to see what real joy is? Watch this video of an infant cracking up over the antics of her little dachshund Max.

Perfect to get you oriented toward PLAY! To laugh out loud, click play:

Unleashing Your Laughing Inner Puppy This Summer

My friend’s dachshund taught her a lesson about play and joy, too. They were on their dog beach in Santa Barbara, CA, and Indie started zooming around with a huge smile on his face tail wagging high, ears flapping with each stride.

She called me to tell me about it, saying over and over, “Jim it was so much fun. I haven’t laughed so hard in years, I know Indie was reminding me to play more often.”

Play is essential to our health, vitality, self confidence, sense of freedom … and it just plain feels so darn good to move our bodies for fun.

When I get too busy working, Maui often scolds me by bringing over her frisbee or tennis ball.

Sometimes I resist because I think what I am doing is terribly important, (like I’m finding the cure for cancer or something). I say “Not now.” Or I give her a treat from the stash in my desk, thinking that will hold her off.

But she still insists, barking little barks to remind me of how vital play is to helping us humans stay balanced and healthy. Play is NOT just for dogs!

I smile and pat her on her head for being a good guru.

My advice is to let your inner puppy come out and play at least once in awhile. Put on your sneakers and go outside to sniff the fresh breeze. Then do the first thing that comes to mind. Skip around, or ride a bike. Bounce a ball a little. Take a swim … or just float and stare at the clouds.

Your dog will be so proud.

What are you waiting for?

Do it now! Go out and play!!

Screensaver Finally Finished and Free for a Short Time!

The designers have been really burning the midnight oil making the screensaver version of DoYouRememberLove.com. I think it looks great!

After a lot of thinking, we’ve decided that the screensaver should be free to anyone who wants it (despite what our accountant thinks).

The amount of email we get from dog lovers telling us that they want the movie on their home computer is just too overwhelming. So we’re just going to give it away, at least for now.

I hope you pick up a copy, it’s really easy to download and install (just two clicks, really).

You can pick up your free copy (while it’s available) here:

http://doyourememberlove.com/screensaver.html

Pass It On

If you want to share this newsletter with your friends, feel free to pass this on.

Thank you for sharing.

http://www.doyourememberlove.com/

May 2007
Vol. 1, Issue 1
Published Monthly
www.DoYouRememberLove.com

Would you like to have Maui’s Pack Wisdom Newsletter delivered to your inbox each month? Enter your name and email address in the form on the right and you’ll receive new issues whenever they’re ready! (NOTE: Please add james@doyourememberlove.com to your whitelist or address book in your email program, so you have no issues receiving future editions of Pack Wisdom!)

In This Issue

A Note from James
Favorite Letter of the Month: Dog Kept Mother Alive Until 97
Dogspirational Quote
Pet Food Recall: This Vet Tells it Like it Is!
Cutest Video of the Month: Puppies Corner a Cat
Maui Recommends: Because of Winn-Dixie
Take 30 Second Survey and Get a Free Screensaver of Do You Remember Love?

A Note from James

Welcome to the first edition of DoYouRememberLove.com’s monthly newsletter. I get hundreds of emails every day from people who have seen the movie I made about my dog, Maui, and I feel like this is a small way to give back to all of you.

I hope you like it. My goal is to make it a five minute read. Full of fun and touching information about dogs … and how we can live like they do.

So this morning I sat down to write this newsletter. I thought about what should be in it, and how it should flow, and what kinds of kibbles, bits, and bare bone material you might like to get once per month in your email inbox.

As I puzzled and pondered, I stared out the window at the Pacific Ocean and the whitecaps on the waves. A tranquil scene … but I sure didn’t feel tranquil.

I was getting stressed out. I was getting worried about doing it well enough.

My mind got more and more knotted. I started to get a little headache. Suddenly, I felt my foot getting chilled. I looked down to see Maui licking away.

She was very methodical. She started at the heel and licked all the way up to my toes.

I realized that she had been licking for a while, and I hadn’t noticed.

I thought “What on earth could she be thinking?”

(I always think that when she licks my feet. You couldn’t pay me enough to lick anyone’s feet, especially mine.)

I watched for a little while longer, and decided it was something like “Lick Jim’s foot. Lick Jim’s foot. Lick Jim’s foot.”

I smiled and stroked her tiny head. I’m so grateful to her.

She always knows how to get me back here … to this moment … where my life is lived.

It reminded me of that Zen saying:

“Before Enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.
After Enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.”

Meditation teachers can go on for hours about what this means. But I don’t have time for that - and I bet you don’t, either. What it boils down to is this: whether you are enlightened or not, there are always tasks to accomplish.

Tasks don’t change. Our attitude does. Maui’s (imagined) thought “Lick Jim’s foot,” reflects this enlightened attitude perfectly.

She was focused on what she was doing. No doubt about it.

An enlightened attitude toward my newsletter, I decided, would be to simply sit down and write about what is uppermost on my mind this month.

That is: how our dogs can keep us alive and healthy, the pet food recall, a pack of puppies cornering a cat, and Maui’s new favorite movie.

So here, it goes. Please email your feedback to james@doyourememberlove.com and let me know how you liked it!

Aloha,

James Jacobson, Author
Creator, “Do You Remember Love?”
Author, “How to Meditate with Your Dog”
Maui, Hawaii

Favorite Letter of the Month: Dog Kept Mother Alive To 97

I get tons of letters every day, but this is my favorite from April.

It hits me right in the gut (and opens my heart).

“Aloha James,

Things happen just as they are supposed to …
I know that receiving all of your emails at this time
is as it should be. Your words are so helpful to me.

My mother, who was 97, died three weeks ago.

I would think that when someone lives to be that old,
it should be OK for those she leaves behind.
It doesn’t work that way. I have such a hole in my
heart right now.

I want to tell you about her special little dog, Grover
… we are sure he was the only reason she was still
alive. We don’t know where he came from - he just
arrived at her house one day.

She always said she could never get sick or disabled
because she had to be able to take care of Grover.

She meditated with Grover all the time.

About four weeks before Mother died, Grover quietly
went to sleep and left us. I always said, “As soon as
Grover is gone, Mother will be gone.” And that is exactly
how it happened. When he died, she quit.

I’ll bet you’re receiving tons of mail, but I just wanted
to express a special “Thank you.” Give Maui a special
hug for me.”
~LuAnn, Little Rock, AR

It sounds like LuAnn’s mother had a really close relationship with Grover. She called him a “little four-legged angel, sent by God” and I believe that must literally be true.

LuAnn also shared that her mother overcame several major illnesses in the last few years. I know that taking care of Maui has been a big motivation for me to get well when I’ve been sick, too.

Just this past January, I came down with pneumonia. Maui would not leave the bed. She snoozed all day by my side, and sometimes licked my chest, as if she could take the pain away.

Actually, my gratitude for Maui during January was what inspired me to write the poem for “Do You Remember Love?” I released it on Valentine’s Day, 2007.

And here I am, writing this in response to another little dog who helped his owner feel better. The circle is complete.

My fiancee Molly says that I would not actually die of a broken heart when Maui goes (in about ten years - right?), but I’m not sure she’s right.

I can’t imagine life without my special little dog.

So thank you, LuAnn, for sharing your story. My father passed in 2005, and I know the hole in my heart hasn’t quite closed, and probably never will. But it does get easier.

Maui helps. I hope your little papillon, Daisy, helps you.

Give her a special hug from me and a little sniff from Maui.

Dogspirational Quote

“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional
love. For me they are the role model for being alive.”
~Gilda Radner

Pet Food Recall: This Vet Tells it Like it Is!

Over 100 pet foods have been recalled due to toxins. Thousands of pets have died (see more on that below).

Thankfully, Maui’s food is safe and we haven’t been affected. I hope that’s true for your family, too.

The Pet Recall is really scary news for pet owners. Pets are members of our families. They need safe, nutritious food.

I was going to write an article about how to make your own pet food for this newsletter. Since I work from home and cook most of my meals, I tend to give Maui a lot of fresh-cooked food. She’s so little that it’s never a lot of work, and I love to cook, so I don’t mind.

But as I considered the article, I got a little nervous. What if I made a recommendation that wasn’t good for your dog?

I’m not a vet. I know how to feed Maui healthy food at home, but I’m far from a professional pet nutrition expert.

So I thought I’d just give you a resource I use everyday. Dr. Andrew Jones is a Canadian vet. I receive almost daily updates from him about pet health (especially the pet food scare) and I read them all.

(They are that good.)

He’s been very helpful keeping us up-to-date on the Pet Food Recall. Last Friday he sent this message out:

“I just finished reading the front page of USA Today,
and the story is about China finally admitting
that tainted food came from their country..

It’s not really news though.

The FDA is testing six ingredients imported from China:
wheat gluten, corn gluten, cornmeal, soy protein, rice
protein concentrate

And likely there will be even more recalls.

They then use this line:

“The FDA has said 14 pets died after eating recalled pet foods”

Give me a break. Multiple sources put that number
in the thousands.

Pet Connection reports 4515 deceased pets as of today.

A well respected Veterinary Member Site gives a similar estimate
based on a survey of veterinarians who have been seeing the sick
and dying pets.

The FDA is clearly not doing the public any favors by playing
down the extent of this crisis.”
~Dr. Andrew Jones, Friday April 27, 2007

I really appreciate Dr. Andrew Jones and his work. I like his tell-it-like-it-is style. I like his rebel-with-a-cause stand on veterinarian topics ranging from nutrition to vaccine to antibiotics to end of life care.

If you want to learn more about Dr. Andrew Jones and stay up-to-date on everything vet-related, especially the latest pet food scare, you can go here:

More About Dr. Andrew Jones

Cutest Video: Cat Cornered by Puppies

After writing about the pet food scare and the passing of little “angel dogs,” I thought it would be good to stick in something just plain funny and cute. I found this video … you have to see it.

At least six puppies - facing down an adult cat.

Maui’s New Favorite Movie: “Because of Winn-Dixie”

I was skeptical about watching a kid’s movie until my fiancee said “It’s got a cute dog in it.”

She knows how to get to me.

She slipped the DVD in, and we watched “Because of Winn-Dixie.”

It’s Maui’s new favorite movie. How do I know?

Because normally she sleeps through movies. Even when they have dogs in them. For one thing, she is blind.

For another, she is smart. She can tell the difference between a live dog in the dog park next door (which makes her perk up) and a recording of a dog on the television.

Well, during this sweet little movie about a lonely 10-year-old girl and her horse of a dog, Winn-Dixie (yes, named after the grocery store), Maui paid full attention.

She barked a little when the Bacardi Shepherd (what a beautiful breed) appeared on screen. Then she howled a little when Winn-Dixie howled with loneliness, like she wanted to reassure him. Then I think she got it … that this was a movie.

Still, she asked to get off the couch, and sat next to the TV stand. It looked like she was watching, although we know her cataracts are really thick.

I’d rent “Because of Winn-Dixie” the next time you’re looking for something sweet and tender. This gorgeous stray dog brings love and life back into a motherless girl’s life … and into her nearly-abandoned town.

I told Maui that next week we’re watching “Terminator,” so I can get back in manly mode, but she just cocked her head.

I’m pretty sure she was thinking “You are man enough.”

And also “Maybe I wouldn’t mind another dog … as long as it was a Bacardi Shepherd.”

In any case, Winn-Dixie is our new favorite movie. It’s good enough that Maui actually stayed awake.

I can’t think of a higher recommendation.

In Exchange for 30 Seconds You’ll Get A Screensaver of “Do You Remember Love?” For Free

My designers are burning the midnight oil working on a screensaver version of the movie “Do You Remember Love?” but they aren’t quite finished, so there’s still time to give your input.

I’ve set up a short survey (it takes 30 seconds to fill it out) online. If you help me out by filling it out, I will happily give you a free version of the screensaver as soon as it released.

You can take the survey and tell me you want the free screensaver here:

www.doyourememberlove.com/survey.html

Pass It On!

If you want to share this newsletter with your friends, feel free to pass this on! If they want to sign up to get this direct to their email inbox, they can do so at www.DoYouRememberLove.com.

Thank you for sharing!