Many good things come in small packages* and this includes Doggie Language by Lili Chin.

This cute little hardback volume will look smart on any shelf or coffee table and makes for irresistible reading too.

Described on the cover as ‘a dog lover’s guide to understanding your best friend’ it is filled with superb illustrations, showing clearly how your dog may express him or herself and what the visual signs may mean within a given context.

Think of it as an essential cross-species language translator; section by section you can check what your dog’s eyes, ears, mouth, tail and posture are signalling and learn how to tell the difference between a happy and relaxed or stressed and anxious dog.

It’s a book for all ages and you will never tire of looking at Lili Chin’s wonderful artwork. The ultimate benefit is that by understanding your dog’s language the better you will be able to provide them with an even more relaxed and comfortable living environment.

*With the exception of my Juniper who at 30kg and growing, is very much of the good thing in a large package variety!

Translated by Anke Terbruggen for Pompom (and Kim)

Pretty quiet week at our side of the fence; we’re ok, Tiny Babe and me!

So for once, just this once, I’ll let Big Old Girl tell you about her time here, though she is not a Girl of many words.

Hey,.. it’s me, Kim! Not sure why the Yappie one calls me Big Old Girl. Sure, I’m Big, but Old? Well, maybe in years, I’ve been around for a while.

I don’t say much, usually. And have been getting used to life here.

But here it is.

Not going to go into life Before, it was rough. And then everything changed, and it was even harder. It was almost too much, thought about just giving up. So tired.

But then I woke up, and I was here. Can’t even remember the first days, I was just trying to stay alive. 

And then it got better, I felt stronger, there was food and there was a big soft bed that I slept on until I started to feel less tired.

I got up but didn’t know where to go, so I turned in circles until I started to get to know the place. Where the boundaries are, where the food is, who the people are. It seemed safe, so I could stop turning.

There is grass, it smells nice. There are other smells, that I had never smelt before; animals. It is quiet, nice.

The pain in my head subsided, and my eyes feel better, even though I still don’t see a lot.

There are people. But not as many as Before. I like that. There is one that is always here, that is good, I like it when things are always the same.

Life was getting better all the time, I got stronger, starting to like the space, the smells. I love the grass, I love rolling in it. 

There are other dogs; noisy, yappy little things. Don’t care for them much. 

But then two others came. I do like them. One seemed a bit weak like I was at first. But he is a pleasure to have around; he doesn’t bother me like the Yappy one. He’s sweet, kind, and happy. It’s nice, and makes me happy too. The other one isn’t happy yet. He is scared, and won’t settle down. He needs my help, so I let him come near me. He hides behind me sometimes. That is ok. 

These two boys need me. I’ll take care of them. 

Translated for Pompom by Anke Terbruggen

Noooooooooooo,.. No! No! No! That wasn’t supposed to happen; I specifically said: GIRLS!!! I want GIRLS!

I take a little nap and what do I see when I wake up; a BOY! Right there, in the field next to us, some black skinny hunt dog type Boy, with MY Big Old Girl!

And to make things even worse, she likes him!!! Fancies him!! How could she fancy this bag of bones, and not ME, gorgeous, handsome, smart ME,..

I told him, through the fence, to bugger off, but he just stood there, wagging his skinny tail and being all “oh, but I’m so cute, I’m so sweet, please like me”,..

Ok, to be honest, he’s actually not totally horrible; he seems to be ok with me being the Boss. In fact, it was kind of hard to stay angry with him, so I decided I would let this one slip.

So I’m being good, right?! I don’t kill him, I don’t shout at him, I’m being totally cool, and what happens? What happens?! I’ll tell you what happens: they bring us ANOTHER ONE!! 

At least, I think there’s another one, I can smell him! He’s far away, in Big Old Girl’s field, but I’m sure it’s a boy!

Sigh,…

I give up, I’m getting too old for this stuff. They can do what they bloody well like, fill up the place with boys, what do I care? As long as they stay out of our barn, and my cuddlers and treats keep coming, and everybody realises who’s in charge, it’s ok, too hot to keep fighting anyway.

There’s a cuddler here right now, she’s really sweet, has a nice soft touch and gives Tiny Babe and me lots af attention and keeps us apart a bit (good thing, ’cause Tiny can be a bit jealous). 

Oh well, it seems my life won’t change that much after all, so I’ll just chill and go with the flow,..

I DO hope this is the end of it though, no more boys please!!!

Translated by Anke Terbruggen

Girls,.. can’t live with them, can live without them!! 

They’re so hard to understand sometimes! And so bitchy,. why can’t they be like us boys? If we get into an argument, we just knock each other about for a bit, then makeup and just go ahead with our business, but not them, noooo, they just keep on nagging and plotting and scheming and never leave each alone!

So, Tiny Babe has decided that she doesn’t want Big Old Girl living with us (probably jealous, she wants me to herself, no doubt). She just suddenly turned on her and tried to fight with her! Fortunately, the Chief was there and caught her before she could touch her, but now we can’t go into Big Old Girl’s field anymore! Well, we get the field in the morning and evening, which is actually fine, because it’s too hot during the day anyway, I really love being in the barn when it’s hot, with the big wind-blower and my cool blue vest on. Fortunately, we all have our own space, and maybe after a while, Tiny Babe will make up with Old Girl (not holding my breath though). I wasn’t really getting anywhere with old Girl anyway, so I’m cool with it!

Cuddlers have been good this week, a new one came* (we like him!) and most of our regulars were there. One of them tried to brush me, made it very clear that is NOT OK! However, 2 days later, the Chief came and put me on a table (I don’t like that table!) and not only brushed me, but even cut my nails!! I considered telling her off, but then thought it might not be too bad, as I know her and I know she won’t hurt me. And she brings food, twice a day, and treats, so best to stay on her good side!

The old ticker has been playing up a bit, made me cough every now and then, and the heat isn’t helping. Love the evenings though, sleeping outside, on the terrace, on my big soft bed, under the moon,.. All in all, a pretty good week, lots of tasty treats and chews, plenty of cuddles, and I have to admit; I DO look even more handsome when I’ve had a brush,..

Wonder what next week will bring, I’ve heard rumours about others arriving. Gosh, I hope they’re girls! (Although,…)

* Welcome to Pom’s personal cuddlers team, Bob!

Translated for Pompom by Anke Terbruggen

I know, I’m late,.I’m sure you were waiting for me to tell you about my week, but we’ve had visitors and have been busy keeping them occupied!

The visitors were small people and they were here all week! Every day they came to cuddle me and give me treats, it was great! I love small people, I can jump up and lick their faces and play with them! Tiny Babe and Big Old Girl were really happy to see them too, but of course, they liked me best!!

It was a nice distraction also because I’ve decided to play it cool with Big old Girl and stop charming her,. she’s just not paying attention to me, I really don’t get it!?

Maybe she doesn’t see me or hear me, that must be it! If she saw me, she’ll love me, like everybody else! But I can wait,. she’ll come around, she won’t be able to resist me.

Had a chat with the Mongrels through the fence; they are fine, they said. They really like hanging out with Fluffy’s crew. Strange thing, for a moment I think I saw 3 of them?? Must be seeing triple,.*

We had an intruder a few days ago,. a cat! I HATE cats!! But before I could even get to it, Tiny Babe attacked and fought the enemy! And won too!! Though I’m a bit gutted that it wasn’t me, I’m proud of my little roomie! The cat ran off, doubt she’ll ever try that again!

Let’s see, what else happened?

The heat, not even going to mention that,.. (but sooo glad we have a fan and cooling vests!)

Chicken Nuggets,.. LOVE them!

Cuddlers,.. they’re just the best.

Life is good!!

* Pom wasn’t wrong; Tim & Nellie’s sister Peggoty was here all week, with the small people and their mum!

“Dog cuddling again?” enquired the goat guardian.

“Yup.” I replied, just as excited as last time.

“Well, you know the way.” it replied and continued chomping some grass.

I passed the Sheep Supervisors, and the Donkey Directors, and finally made my way to the cuddle lounge where Anke and two little excited dogs were waiting.

“They’ve been expecting you.” Anke told me, as Pompom danced around her feet, waiting for me to open the gate at the top of the stairs.

“I’m so looking forward to spending time with them. And how’s Kim doing?” I asked.

It’s no secret that my heart has always been drawn to Kim. There’s something behind that gaze of hers which makes me think there’s a ton of wisdom, resilience, and untapped potential hiding, even if only on an emotional level.

Anke had taken me into Kim’s enclosure yesterday to introduce me to her and to explain how to behave with her (Kim that is, not Anke. Anke is fine). Because Kim’s skull is damaged on one side, her visibility on that side is restricted so she can get jumpy if something happens and she doesn’t see it coming. I’m to be gentle, always try to approach her from her ‘good eye’ side, no stroking as she hasn’t got used to that yet, and just to let her approach me.

Anke left me with my two miniature companions and I settled onto one of the couches and started to relax.

There’s something about sitting in this room with the gentle breeze and the distant sounds of animals outside, that I find so soothing.

If you’ve read my recent article up in the news section, you’ll know that I am a Reiki practitioner. Animals are incredible to experience Reiki with, their extra-sensitive nature often feeling it on a much deeper level than us humans. I decide to offer it to both Pompom and Titi who are relaxing in the cuddle lounge with me. I remain where I am as my approach with Reiki for animals is to ‘be in a Reiki state’ and allow the animal to approach me, rather then try and chase after the animal with my hands in the air.

Almost as soon as I start, Pompom sits bolt upright and looks directly at me. I tell him calmly that he’s welcome to it, but there’s no pressure to accept it. He lies back down.

Titi at this point, jumps up on to the sofa with me. I ask her if she fancies joining me and she settles down next to me so I place my hands gently on her back. Almost instantly, I feel the heat in my hands. I take this as a positive sign, relax and close my eyes. After a few minutes, she flops over and shows me her tummy. I adjust my hands accordingly, and we spend around 15 minutes blissing out. That would have been a sight for Anke had she come in then – dog cuddler and two dogs fast asleep in the lounge!

After a time, Titi sits up suddenly, and gives herself a good shake. Pompom too sits up and heads outside. That’s my signal that we’re done, so I use this opportunity to visit Kim. Remembering what Anke told me, I enter the enclosure and find Kim sheltering under a tree in some shade. She sits up as she sees me and I crouch down, say hello gently, and look at the ground so I don’t appear confrontational. She trots over and sniffs me, then heads off to her ORIGINAL enclosure up the slope. Clearly, I’m meant to follow, so off I go.

Inside this enclosure, which was her original home when she arrived, I find load of toys scattered around. I ask her which one is her favourite and she looks at me with a tilted head and quizzical expression. I make a note to work on my animal communication…

I crouch down in the shady corner and roll a ball up the slope a few metres to her. I don’t want to do anything too energetic, it’s way too hot to be running around today. Suddenly the ball is back with me – did I miss something? I roll it back up and am overjoyed to see Kim nudge it with her nose back down to me. This is all we can manage for a few minutes before we both plonk ourselves down here in the shade and enjoy being out of the sun. I talk to her, tell her about the other dogs, ask her questions, tell her about my cats, tell her I’ll be back regularly to visit her, and much more.

We walk back to the spot in the shade where she was when I entered and I see her plate of food piled high. I have no idea what possesses me, but I sit myself down, grab a piece of the sausage and place it in my flat, outstretched hand which I put in front of her. She sniffs and then ever so gently, takes the sausage and eats it. I do the same again, and again, so gently, she takes the sausage and eats it. I repeat this until all the chunks of sausage are gone, I’m over the moon she has eaten but I look at the plate and decide not to continue with the peas and carrots or I’ll be here all night. She seems happy and returns to her shady spot. I say my goodbyes, tell her I’ll see her again, and head back to the cuddle lounge.

I spend the remainder of my time, chatting to PomPom and Titi, and relaxing on the sofa. I also have a crazy burst of creativity when I spot some chalk and the blackboard in the lounge – sorry, Anke!

Before I leave, I sweep the steps and check if there is any rubbish I can take with me on my way out. I think Anke and Ali have enough to do already…

I manage to catch Anke before I go and I thank her and promise to be back. I am also over the moon to discover that there is a possibility that I might be able to cuddle sheep (if you remember my previous post) so I shall report back on that at some point.

I’m always sad when I leave, not because the dogs aren’t happy, but because I can’t stay longer, do more, contribute more. But that’s why there’s a team of volunteers. The volunteers fill in the gaps, to help with the little bits that make lives for these precious souls enjoyable, comfortable, safe, healthy and clean, for the rest of their days.

Until next time…

Translated for Pompom by Anke Terbruggen

She loves me, she loves me not, she loves me, she loves me not,.. Does she love me?? 

She’s stopped growling at me, that means she loves me, doesn’t it?! I’m sure it does!!

Big Old Girl with her long legs and gorgeous grey fur and me, we would make such a great pair!

Not giving up, though I do need a break every now and then, from following her around,. so glad she’s living with us now, because Tiny Babe and me, we don’t dislike each other, but it’s just not the same! Big Old Girl sleeps under our terrace now, she has three beds there (which she isn’t sharing with me *yet*!!). I keep telling her to come into the barn, but she insists on sleeping outside, I guess she’s just used to that life. 

Haven’t seen much of the Mongrels this week, but in the evening, I can see them play with Big White Fluffy and his gang. Hmmm, not sure I agree with that and I do tell them that, but they don’t seem to listen!! What it is with all these dogs, I swear, everybody just seems to just do what they like and nobody listens to me??

Oh well, at least the people are good; everybody knows to scratch my belly when I roll over and they all know what my favourite tickle spots are. I trained them well!

All in all, a very good week, a bit less hot and my Personal Cuddlers have been coming over nearly every day.

Wonder what next week will bring? Life certainly never seems boring here! I’ll let you know,..

Love, Pom

Team member Sarah Shephard, our UK representative has kindly agreed to write a book review each month (dog related). This helps not only you, the reader in finding a useful book but also Sarah in her quest to learn everything ‘dog’ and with that the need to buy lots of dog books. For Sarah’s first review (and one I have not got!) she has chosen to help guardians at the beginning of their dog’s life, the puppy, who can resist a bundle of cuddly cuteness (obviously us humans seeing as our relationship goes back a few thousand years (18,000 Payne et al 2018) but the evidence is even longer.

We hope you enjoy Sarah’s review and find it useful.

Life Skills for Puppies by Helen Zulch and Daniel Mills

We hadn’t had a puppy in the house for 10 years when we committed to giving a home to 12-week-old French rescue Juniper (who is now a sleek, silken, big, clever, and beautiful, one-year-old, with enormous paws, a ridiculously long tail and a huge, loving heart….).

Despite having had dogs all our lives my husband and I felt our knowledge of puppyhood and training was rusty; so much is changing about what the world knows about how dogs communicate, how they learn and how they respond to circumstances on an emotional level, and I wanted to bring myself up to speed on the best possible ways to give Juniper a secure and loving home where she could blossom with confidence.

A knowledgeable and well-read friend (I am ever grateful to you Cessi) recommended several books to prepare us for Juniper’s arrival and Life Skills For Puppies by Helen Zulch and Daniel Mills fast became a favourite.

Don’t be deceived by the fact that it’s a thin volume because it is packed with golden nuggets of advice, based on positive reinforcement. It is divided into ten sections, each covering a key skill to help your puppy to ‘practice appropriate behaviour choices within day-to-day situations’. The chapters include: ‘I have confidence’, ‘I like to be touched’, ‘I can be calm’ etc.

Written in a clear, compelling and uncomplicated style, Life Skills For Puppies is illustrated with helpful photographs so that you can properly visualise the skills you are enabling your puppy to learn. There are tips and worksheets for each section too, to help you track progress.

So keen and hooked was I that I read the book twice before Juniper had even arrived in our lives! And then I asked my husband to read it too. It gave us both the confidence we needed to give Juniper positive and consistent learning experiences from the very first day.

It was also the start of my knowledge-gathering obsession with all things dog behaviour and training! Giving Juniper a home has enriched my life in so many ways (and I do hope she might say the same about us if she could speak!) and Life Skills For Puppies set us on a great path from the outset.

If you are about to give a home to a puppy or want to give a great gift to a friend who has a new puppy, this book is essential reading in my view. It will help to steer you and your puppy towards a happy, harmonious and lifelong relationship from day one.

Do you believe in Serendipity? By chance now volunteer Colleen came to visit Dawn & Dusk. I am not sure if it is the residents who need her or Colleen meeting the residents that have made her decision to reinstate practising animal reiki (Colleen presently practices human reiki ). But we are rather excited that she has so that she can physically, (eg when a dog has pain) and emotionally, (eg a dog suffering trauma) help a dog if they wish, when needed.

Plus Colleen is willing to help dogs outside of Dawn & Dusk. I asked her to give a simple explanation of what Reiki is, what is involved and how it can help not only our dogs but us too. You may want to get a drink and take a seat while you read. For more details or to book an appointment, please contact Colleen via her website www.authenticpathways.net or colleen@authenticpathways.net

Colleen writes –

Everything is energy, energy is all around us.

Before you roll your eyes and dismiss this statement as some new-age nonsense, remember that everything is made up of atoms. And those atoms don’t just sit there quietly being atoms, they jiggle around, and because they move, they give off a vibration and vibration creates energy, so…

… everything is energy.

Figure 1 Universal Life Energy E

Every inhabited continent has some sort of cultural relationship with a ‘universal life force energy’. According to these traditions, this energy sustains all life and is referred to in various ways – in the western world it’s good old ‘life force’; Qi/chi in China, Prana in India, Mana in Polynesia, Nyama in West Africa, Ki in Japan, and many more.

Everything has this life force, and because of that and the previously mentioned jiggling atoms, everything vibrates at its own frequency, and therefore is able to affect other things that vibrate as frequency around them.  Sometimes this frequency can be used to fix things, like broken bones ¹, and sometimes it is used to destroy things, like cancer cells using radiotherapy.²  A form of vibrational exercise has even been proven to improve dementia symptoms.³ Herein lies the link between frequency (vibration) and health.

A generally healthy human body vibrates at approximately 7.5Hz. If it’s SUPER happy, it vibrates higher, and if it’s ill, it vibrates lower. Basically, you give off a ‘low vibe’ when you’re feeling poorly.

So… people have energy frequencies, and these frequencies are susceptible to being changed by a variety of things which all help towards ensuring one’s life force (or energy) is free flowing.  Many ‘therapies’ deal with unblocking the flow of this universal life force inside the body. The belief is that when it cannot flow freely, it manifests itself in various physical, emotional and mental symptoms. When it does flow freely, the body has the ability to heal itself.

You may have heard of Reiki (pronounced ray-kee), you may have seen it in massage studios, yoga retreats or perhaps in spa facilities. Or even offered as a treatment, wait for it, in a hospital! (St George’s Hospital, SW London, for example).

Reiki as defined by the Oxford English dictionary is: “A healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the patient by means of touch, to activate the natural healing processes of the patient’s body and restore physical and emotional well-being”.

“A healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the patient by means of touch, to activate the natural healing processes of the patient’s body and restore physical and emotional well-being”.

Reiki was first ‘discovered’ by Mikao Usui, a Japanese man, way back in March 1922. He apparently received this gift of healing after spending time fasting for 21 days on a sacred mountain north of Kyoto. He claims that at midnight on the 21^st day, a powerful light suddenly entered his mind through the top of his head and knocked him out. When he woke, he felt refreshed, alive, and had a new level of awareness. Shortly afterwards, he discovered he could heal by placing his hands over an affected area.

Now, if you’re thinking, “Okaaaay, THAT’S a little weird.”, you’re not alone. I remember the first time I heard it on my training, I thought, “Wait…what the …? How exactly does THAT work?”

It sounded weird. It sounded woowoo. But do you know what? Lots of things in life sound woowoo, and by the time I’d finished my training and had experienced sensations by both giving AND receiving Reiki, I was less worried about how ‘woowoo’ it sounded, and thought more about, “Who can I help with my woowoo hands?”.

The UK Reiki Federation quotes:

“When giving Reiki, practitioners have been shown to emit electro-magnetic or bio-magnetic energy from their hands. The frequencies of the energy emitted vary from one moment to the next; but many appear to correspond to those that medical researchers have identified as being the optimum frequencies for stimulating the healing process in tissues, bones, and other body parts so far investigated.”¹  (UK Reiki Federation)

Reiki is not a religion, there is no dogma and you don’t have to hold certain beliefs in order to give, or receive, Reiki. It is always done with the best intention of the person or animal involved, and always done with permission. Always!

What happens during a Reiki session?

In a ‘person Reiki’ session, the person is either seated on a chair, or lies down on a therapy bed, and the practitioner places their hands on (or just above) the body in the area of the main energy centres or chakras. The chakras are referred to a lot in Eastern traditions, but in western traditions, they correspond to various glands in our body.

The practitioner starts at the head and works their way down to the feet. It’s relaxing treatment, so there’s not much talking. Sessions last roughly an hour.

When working with animals, you can’t just go ahead and start placing your hands all over their body. Animals are extremely sensitive to touch, and also to energy and anyone will tell you that you have to build trust before you touch an animal.

I follow a principle coined by Kathleen Prasad of Reiki Source, called ‘Let animals lead’.¹ So rather than ‘give’ Reiki to an animal, like you would give it to a person, you ‘offer’ it to the animal, and allow the animal to decide if they’d like to ‘join’ you. This is vitally important if you want to build trust with the animal.

When working with an animal, if it’s a bird, dog, cat, or horse, I always meditate beforehand so that I’m not thinking of washing the dishes when I get home; how much laundry I have; or how angry I am at something someone said earlier. I want the animal to sense calmness, serenity, love, and trustworthiness, not be thinking “Oh my goodness, what on earth is going on with this woman! There’s no way I’m letting her touch me!”

Once I’ve meditated, I would start the Reiki session near the animal by simply ‘being’ in a Reiki state. The animal will feel the Reiki and will decide if they want to partake, or not. If they growl, or show agitation, then they’re not happy or ready to join in, and the session would stop immediately. However, after a few minutes, I’d try gently again to establish whether the growling was “Hey, quit that right now!!” or rather “Hey, what’s going on?”

However, if they’re calm, they’ll settle down and do what they need to do which might not be what you expect. I have had animals sleep and sigh their way through an entire session, I have had others who got up and walked around every few minutes, and others who didn’t move from their bed from the moment I arrived to the moment I left. It’s vitally important to allow the animal to lead the session. For this reason, sometimes a session lasts 10 minutes, sometimes an hour!

It’s also very important to note, that I never approach an animal with an “I’m going to fix you.” mentality. Not only is that arrogant, it’s not allowing the animal to lead, and it’s a terrible approach to an animal, having an attitude that they’re broken. The mental approach is, “I’m here to offer Reiki, if you’d like to join me, you’re welcome. YOU are in charge.”

One very special little dog, Elliot, has a very tender spot on his tummy/ribs area, and despite not liking anyone to touch him there, always offers that same area to me for treatment.

When he’s had enough, he licks my hand, gives himself a good shake, and then trots off and that is my signal that he’s done.

Please note, this particular dog is happy with the ‘hands-on approach’; I do have doggy clients that I don’t touch, but simply sit nearby.

Reiki is not meant to be a substitute for medical or veterinary treatment, but as a complementary therapy. A Reiki Practitioner is not trained to diagnose or prescribe, and a client should speak to their doctor, or vet, directly if they have any concerns about their health, or their animal’s health.

Remember Reiki itself doesn’t heal; it simply creates an environment that promotes the body’s natural ability to heal itself. For that reason, I don’t call myself a Reiki healer, as I don’t heal. I call myself a Reiki Practitioner.

And besides, “Reiki Sharer so that people and animals can heal themselves” is awfully long for a business card…

Here are some of the benefits of Reiki for both people and animals:

• Helps the body release stress and tension which, in turn, improves sleep
• Provides pain relief
• Creates deep relaxation; reduces anxiety
• Boosts natural immune system
• Helps with post-surgery recovery process
• Reduces some of the side-effects of medicines
• Eases mood swings, fear, frustration and anger
• Provides relief during emotional distress, e.g., before, during, or after bereavement

For animals, some additional benefits include:

• Stress relief
• ‘Settling in’ for new homes
• Helping rescue dogs feel ‘safe’
• Transition (preparing both you and your animal for the time comes when they’re ready to leave this life

Well, I’ve kept you long enough. My cats are already starting to wonder why my thoughts are filled with dogs so much recently, and if you’re a cat owner, you know you’ve got to keep your feline-kids sweet, or there’ll be trouble.

I hope I’ve explained Reiki in an easy-to-understand way. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

1https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5243970/#:~:text=In%20summary%2C%2050%20Hz%20is,bone%20injury%20repair%20in%20vivo.

2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3845545/

3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6165986/

4https://www.reikifed.co.uk/reiki-info/your-reiki-journey/

5https://animalreikisource.com/animal-reiki-information/the-approach/

Translated for Pompom by Anke Terbruggen

Hot, hot, hot!! What a week we’ve all had,… feels like the air is burning and even the ground is hot!

Inside, in front of the big blowing thing, it’s not too bad, but I also want to see what the Chief is doing and when she’s coming back, so have to stand guard in my own spot outside. It’s not in the sun, and there’s a nice cool mat and the Chief cools everything down sometimes, with water. I hate water, so I wait inside until she’s done, but I have to admit, it feels better afterwards! And a few days ago, we got these really cool jackets; wow, that feels so good!

This week, it was Tiny Babe that wasn’t well. They left with her and when they brought her back, she was in a right state,.smelling of blood and other stuff (reminded me of that place with the doctors!), a weird thing attached to her, and really, really sleepy! I left her alone because she didn’t seem to react to my attention and wanted to be left alone. She’s better now, happy to have my little roomie back! 

The Mongrels and I have been sleeping outside on the terrace, which was really nice!! It’s so cool out there at night! We all sleep together on a huge bed, kind of nice,..and in the morning (don’t tell anyone) we play and run around the picnic table, though I will deny that if anybody asks! Can’t lose my Cool!!!  

And… I got to meet Big Old Girl!! Finally!! Bit disappointing though, as she didn’t seem to be interested in me!! How can anyone NOT be interested in me? I’m soooo charming and gorgeous!! Oh well, you just wait, I haven’t given up yet, I’ll make her like me!

Haven’t seen the other big girl walk past today, and the Mongrels have been out for quite a while, wonder what’s happening? I think I can hear them, on the other side of the house, maybe they moved? Don’t really feel like sleeping on my own tonight, hope Tiny Babe will come and sleep on the terrace if the Mongrels don’t come back,..

(note; Dolly and the pups did indeed move, to their own private little area. And yes, Titi will be sleeping on the terrace with Pom, of course!)