Yoga Room

ARE WE YOGAING? DON'T FORGET ME

Yes, it is possible to have a Yoga Room in one's home. I thought of it and searched around the Internet to see what others do...Apparently this conversion of an existing room is the trend. See link for pix of yoga spaces created in homes; they are from rooms and places designated for other purposes.
http://www.pinterest.com/explore/yoga-room-design/

LIAM READY FOR YOGA

And what is this room?

In a late 1940's house this was meant to be a bedroom...
since used as

dining room, has a chandelier
guest room, had my parents
wine room, has wine at times
party room, people have hung out in here
museum room, display room, garden room-permanent collections of treasures, plaques, plants, etc.

The table is now pushed to the wall. The walls show collector's art, representative souvenirs

Treasures and memory items, gifts from life and travel,  photos, books, china, flameless candles, wine, plants, trees, recharging area (devices)

All creating ambiance for yoga and for another kind of recharging...emotional, spiritual, physical

Now a chair yoga room. Yes, we use a chair. Start out seated, then end on the floor, some standing poses on the way down...
That is how we do in it class and we repeat at home.
Here is the link to our teacher's website; you'll see my testimonial (Carol M)
http://www.myholistichaven.com/Home.html
Liam tries a few poses.

UPWARD FACING DOG?

I am not surprised by the interest Liam has shown. We know dogs love being on the floor. And to engage in sniffing any spot their human has been. His low height has spared him entanglements with the chandelier. Not me. I whacked the chandelier several times while doing my warrior poses. A bit of mindfulness while swinging into position has brought peace between us.

It all works!

HERE IS A DOWNWARD FACING DOG

Woof, Woof

Bark about a Book-TRAVELS WITH CASEY

TRAVELS WITH CASEY WITH LIAM

It sounds like that famous one. The iconic Travels with Charley by Steinbeck. Sounds like, but is not like. Travels with Casey is the tale of the journey of a dog and his writer parent as they travel around the country meeting other dog folks. The Steinbeck book apparently was more fiction. He allegedly wrote a lot of it without actually visiting any of the places. Here is a link to the author's Travels with Casey page.
http://travelswithcasey.com/

and to his own
http://benoitdenizetlewis.com/

It is a 13,000 mile, 3 month trip in an RV.

I followed geographically on my iPad map.
I now follow virtually on Twitter and Instagram.
See screenshot of the Twitter exchange between the author and me. I sent a pic of Liam reading. So did many others.

Not sure how to refer to the author. The formal book reviews use Denizet-Lewis. Other reviewers refer to "the author." Still others leave out his name completely. This blog story is about connections I felt when reading. More informal and not a summary or a cover blurb. I feel it will be okay going with the author's first name, Benoit, pronounced Ben wah.  His mother is French, father is American.

My Personal Highlights

Benoit starts out in the Northeast from where he lives, Provincetown Ma. He journeys down the East coast across the South to the West and back across the Midwest. Benoit tells us at the outset that he thinks Casey does not like him very much. I appreciated his worry and his thoughts of inferiority about his dog parenting skills. I have similar thoughts and often think that Liam is bored, sad and lonely when with me. Conversely, he is alert and content with Daddy Paul. My fix to offset Liam's malaise is not a trip around the country. I book him into day care for some canine companionship.

DADDY PAUL AND LIAM, HAPPY BOYS

LIAM AT HOME WITH MOM, YAWN

HERE I AM AGAIN AT BEST IN SHOW- MOM FEELING PARENTING INADEQUACIES

Dog Parks
Benoit does dog parks, I did when Liam was a puppy. I remember the hierarchy and the judgment as well the camaraderie and kindness. They can be tough places as well as nurturing ones. I learned how to be a puppy parent from the people there. Fond memories of the early dog days.

Wolf Dogs
Benoit visited a man in Appalachia who raises wolf dogs. My artist aunt in New Mexico has a tenant who owns a wolf dog. As a result of her proximity to his wolf dog and her fearless admiration of the species I have educated myself about these gorgeous animals.
Here is some info
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/w/wolfdog.htm

DOG + WOLF, LIAM WITH HIS WOLVES

Uga at UGA of course! A visit to the bulldog in Athens Georgia named Uga. My connection here is my BFF and my godchild. My friend a former Professor at University of Georgia (UGA) and my godchild UGA grad, a double dawg (two degrees) Liam spends a lot of time under, near or surrounded by our Georgia bulldog blanket. Benoit meets Uga. I have Uga embedded on my Tervis cup.

Uga

The present Uga is a successor of the Uga he had met on a previous visit. Benoit writes of the controversy about bulldog breeding...there have been a series of Ugas with too soon deaths. Health issues affect the breed.
Here is a link to info about all the Ugas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uga_%28mascot%29 

Cesar Millan
Benoit visits The Dog Whisperer on the West Coast. Benoit recalls how he moderated Cesar's Times Talks discussion in January 2012. I was there! I cannot believe it! This discussion took place a short time before Benoit set out on his RV journey. I remember that Cesar strode onto the stage with his dog Junior and we all went crazy. Now here it is 2014, the journey done, the book written...see the You Tube of the Times Talks program. .A few minutes will have you smiling.
 http://youtu.be/sqvtHcT9Czw

In what category should this book be? It is currently on the New York Times best seller list..in the travel group. Makes sense, travel is in the title. Travels with Casey has so much...I see it also in the Relationship, Self Help, Inspiration, Psychology, History, Spiritual, Pets, Romance, Automotive, Humor...there is something of everything and something for everyone in this story

MOM, READY TO GO TRAVELING?

Woof, Woof

Latte Switch

LIAM LATTE LICKING

It happened August 18th, and it has shaken up the routines. Mine, Liam's, Starbucks, friends who treat; the ripple effect has been unexpected yet in hindsight of course predictable. What happened? Decided I had to switch my latte...I have been a grande non-fat latte since 2004. A decade of one drink...ten years of no fat...At some point over the last year the non-fat had become non-friendly.

CAROL LOVES LATTES

I loved this drink for so long. Had a strong coffee element tempered by non-fat milk. And the best, it bragged of totaling only 130 calories. And I believe it.

I had a routine. Drink the latte. Liam waits. Liam barks for the foamy cup. I hand off. Gnawing stomach pain. Chug some Mylanta (actually CVS generic antacid) and it's a wrap for that day.

It was so routine that it seemed okay. No it was not. I started noticing how often I was replenishing my liquid antacid remedy. The latte was lacerating my insides. Starbucks coffee is strong and apparently over the years had become a tad too much for my stomach lining. So I attempted to fix it. I needed some fat protection.

First Fix Attempt- 

Grande Soy Latte

Thought I would try soy. A friend does the soy. A lot of soy was being ordered while I waited on line. It boasts of health benefits for women. I know some studies say no, not so, but I disregarded those in favor of the studies which supported soy. My new drink would be a grande soy latte. Tastes like a mocha coffee drink...sort of sweet...was okay. Caused a disruption in my ordering. My home Starbucks has my latte ready as I walk in the door. Frantic waving and apologies to stop production of the non-fat. My baristas are on board in no time. 

SWEET SOY, NO!

But there was a sad fallout . Liam hates the soy latte licks. He showed such disdain that he pushed and kicked the cup instead of wearing it on his nose. Sticking out his tongue to get the soy away. 

I kept it up for a week or two. I missed our drinking/licking bond. And I was missing the coffee component which the soy superseded.  I had to keep experimenting.

Second Attempt-

Grande Fat Latte

Is there such a drink? Not usually heard as an order but I ordered it. My thinking was that if there is a non-fat the opposite must be fat. I was asked if I wanted 2%. No I want the fat one..I explained I needed the fat. Who would order that? Not calorically correct in today's weight sensitive culture. I was told to say grande latte. Okay got it... and at a bigger calorie count of 190. That's the fat. Whew...I will still take it. No stomach pain. Or minimal. And the 60 extra calories will be fine, I think.

                                                                        Drink Fixed 

                                                                     Stomach Fixed

                                                         Dog/Parent Relationship Fixed

FAT FOAM

Liam is back as my latte licking partner. CVS might lose some antacid business. Think they will survive the loss. 

Here is an active latte foam licking Liam on video. Listen closely and you might hear the action. As he pushes away the cup it is with contentment not annoyance.

                          Woof, Woof

Summer in September

SEARCH FOR MORE SUMMER

Is there summer in September? No. The calendar may say so but summer began its wane July 4th weekend. The fireworks announce it blow by blow. The days lose a bit of time that third week of June and then the minutes pick up steam and become slices of an hour until we are looking at an early twilight by the end of August.
Didn't notice? The daylight is summer steady strong in June almost reaching 9 pm. Now we are dimming around 7:20pm.
And this last week's baking heat does not change my story. The hottest day of the year was this past Tuesday. Nice try. It was a fake summer day. Call it a hot fall day.

LIAM IN THE LATE LIGHT

After July 4th weekend, not long after Joey Chestnut shoves in that winning hot dog at the Nathan's Coney Island contest, we are looking at the demise of summer. Here he is...if you watch you will feel the end of summer in your gut.
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/07/joey-chestnut-nathans-hot-dog-contest

The Stores know The first Monday after the Independence Day weekend shows a drift away from the citronella candles, bug repellents, and sunscreen. Sale signs are posted. A dearth of summer themed items available. Within a week or two all lose their prominent place in displays.

I have long ago adjusted to this trick of the alleged September summer. Liam and I sit out in early spring, jacketed and bug free. I start thinking summer crocs in March...these are some of my dress crocs; my everyday crocs are wider and traditional. Link and pic follow.
http://www.crocs.com/

DRESS CROCS

When my crocs arrive, I have my summer mindset. Revving up more in April and May, peaking in June and ending with July 4th festivities. BTW, they have been on sale for a while because summer is over.

Nature knows The grass starts growing again in late August just as it did in the spring. In June and July it is spiked and scorched; not a welcome bed for rolling and Liam avoids doing his rollovers. He did a roll recently and I knew summer was on its way away. Liam moves his spot away from the spring/summer venue and heads to the Buddha statue.
The Birds know His new rolling place is also the bird feeding area. The birds show up but do not speak.

The earlier You Tubes featured loud singing birds. Now a chorus from the crickets and a snort from Liam to signal the end to his roll. Our early evening sit outs have an urgent feel. Liam does not wander; he stays by my side, listening, sniffing.

LIAM, LABOR DAY WEEKEND

The Pumpkin Spice latte knows  It created its own Twitter account in August and left enough hints and obvious clues that we knew it was coming earlier this year, August 25th!  The earliest Pumpkin Spice latte ever. It did say it may be iced for use at the beach. Pumpkin Spice at the beach! See screen shot of its Twitter account.

IT'S THE REAL PSL

The Kids know  The play is more frantic, louder and longer and later. Squeezing every minute out of the shortening day.
Liam has missed the kids walking by on their way to school. Gets a peak in, through the hole he has cracked in the blinds.

SCHOOL KIDS ARE BACK

LIAM TRIES FOR A SIDE VIEW

We all know Time to hit the books and learn about new places, dogs and people. We are reading Travels with Casey and will share a review when done. It is a book about a journey around the country meeting dogs and people, famous and not so. Casey is the dog. The author and Casey's parent is Benoit Denizet-Lewis. A new book for a new semester. Not summer.

LIAM WITH OUR BOOK

LIAM READY FOR FALL FUN

Woof, Woof

Dog Days of Dogust

Had to include Liam's featured star turn on North Shore Animal League FB and Instagram pages. This is how we started the month. With fans! So apropos for the Leo birthday month. Yeah...

We received a birthday gift basket the afternoon of August 1and I did a photo shoot, got our best shot and posted. Within minutes we were on social media both Instagram and Facebook! What follows are pix of Liam exploring his gift and the montage ends with him posing for his winning look.

OOH, WHAT'S THIS?

MAYBE IT WANTS TO PLAY

THE PHOTO THAT GOT LIAM HIS STAR TURN

More fun. A neighbor dog, Tango, visited while her humans were on a mini vacay. She's a big girl, older than Liam and enjoyed a short sit in the yard.

SIDE TANGO

FRONT TANGO

Liam's take
My vacay day away was at Best in Show Pet Resort. You know it from before...here is the refresher link
http://www.bestinshowpetresort.com/
Mom and Dad watch me on the FB site. Crazy humans! They save my pix... But there seems to be an issue...They have identified me twice but in some pix I have a collar and others I do not!  Hey, they do not know their own child!! Really??? Can I be both these dogs? I have a collar and then I don't all in the same play session. And mom tagged me as Liam in all... Yikes! Which handsome doggie is me? Sight is my least acute sense so I am as much in the dark as they are...Mom and I share the captioning in the photos that follow

LIAM?

YES, THIS IS LIAM FOR SURE, IN HIS LAZY SIT

SOMEONE SNIFFING ME

FAKE LIAM ON LEFT?

THAT'S ME UNDER THE LEAPING DOGGIE

ONLY DARK DOG IN THIS GROUP

THAT'S ME

LIAM LEFT FOREGROUND LOOKING

And after my big weekend of fame and my vacay it was all about my parents.  I sort of watched and waited as they came and went. Jones Beach, Bayville, NYC and lots of baseball watching.

My Mom also had a birthday which she seemed to enjoy, a lot of the fun coming from her FB greetings, Instagram, Twitter, texts and greetings all ways...

She has been reading and last night was petting me (so she thought) but it was her herbal bear Denali. He is a therapy bear. Unlike a therapy dog he requires no training. He gets heated in the micro and functions like a heating pad. He also has ingested some herbs so they are released when warm.  Mom has some sort of muscle ache so maybe she is not too focused, but really, she thought I was a stuffed animal???
I finally sigh loudly so she will realize. She looks up and laughs. I am not that fluffy or puffy.

DENALI BEAR AND ME

Then we had the Cellini Feast fireworks. I knew it was coming ...I heard them talking. Mom calls it Chellini and Dad says Sellini.  I don't care how they pronounce it is an awful 15 minutes of scary booms. And right across the street! Many happy neighbors walk by to attend the display. Normally I like seeing everyone. Not this night. It means the terror is coming soon. And then it starts. An explosive shot. I shake and quake in my thundershirt. There is a theory that the pet parent should not cuddle and hug the dog because it feeds into the fear. Luckily Mom does not subscribe to this theory and holds me tight the entire time, whispering in my ear and stroking my chest.

It is really loud this year. Shorter but louder. My heart hurts from pounding. Mom says she is going to complain to the New Hyde Park Patch, our online newspaper
http://patch.com/new-york/newhydepark
She believes deliberately created noises are unnecessarily cruel for vets, dogs and anyone suffering from anxiety and depression.
We get through it. Wine, thundershirt, closed windows, loud TVs, full throttle AC; whatever we need to mask the sounds and ease the panic.
No Patch complaints have yet been made. Think those passionate feelings Mom expressed were wine infused.

IN MY THUNDERSHIRT, AFTER THE FIREWORKS, CALMING DOWN

                                   The fireworks are a memory. I live in the present. So onward.
                                   Till next year the Dog Days of Dogust are done for LiamLicks 

SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER

Woof, Woof