This week's adoptable dog...

It's that time again to feature another dog from the Gulf Coast Humane Society...we picked "Tuesday" this week as she sort of resembles Bode! She wasn't there when Blackey was, so we had to ask the shelter for more information about her!

Tuesday is a 6 –year old Boxer mix who came in with her brother Junior. They did however decide that they would prefer to go their separate ways and stopped liking each other.


Tuesday is house-trained and seems to get along with some dogs, a meet and greet is definitely necessary. We do not know if she has lived with children, so we recommend her for families with children 8 years or older. She walks on the leash very nicely.

Don't forget it is also the last week of Delta Family Counseling's "Pay it Forward" in 2010 campaign where we are collecting wish list items for the Gulf Coast Humane Society. If you aren't ready to adopt and provide a forever home, consider donating your old blankets and towels, a bag of dog food, or even a roll of papertowels to help these pets in need!

Taking time to breathe....

Do you remember to take time to breathe? We remind Tara of this when we are feeling frustrated! A deep sigh can make you feel better or focusing on breathing with something like Yoga can help even more. We have learned that taking time for us makes for a better time for our clients!


Every day we have good and not so good things happen. If we can know how to handle these situations by taking a breath and acting, instead of reacting, a sense of calm is sure to follow! The challenge is catching this happening within us and learning to act! Tara teaches these skills to many of our clients and we often demonstrate deep breaths and relaxing with them! One example is for our clients that are asked to go to court. We ask that the client take a breath and breathe out before answering questions that cause them discomfort or for any question if they are anxious.

Won't you take a minute to do a breathing activity with us? Sit tall and close your eyes (after you finish reading this). We lay down and roll on our backs when we do this! Breathe in deep and count to five while you breathe in. Blow out for a count of five. Do this several times to calm your mind. As you practice and grow more comfortable, you will learn that you can increase the time from 5-10 seconds.


Keep breathing...

Abbey and Bode

Bode to the Rescue!

Yes, that is me...Bode...I am back at work! Today I was able to work with two clients before I got tired. Tara thought it was funny that I was a landing pad for helicopters and took this picture! I was the rescuer to help everyone get to where they were going. The people in the helicopter still had trouble getting to the ground once they landed on me and my tail became a slide.

Sometimes we seek someone bigger to help us feel safe. Many times our clients have Abbey and I fill a safey/rescuing role as they process their trauma. We love to to be able to help and if it means being a rescuer, then there we are!!

The good news is at the end of the session, the helicopter was able to safely fly to it's destination with everyone safely arriving! That's a sneak peek at play therapy in our office....

Until next time--
Bode

We are still "Paying it Forward"

This is the last week of our "Pay it Forward" campaign. Just a reminder that we chose the Gulf Coast Hutmane Society to collect donations from. If you are in our area and can bring by some dog treats, dog food, old blankets and towels, or anything else on the list...it would really help us help the shelter that we foster Blackey from.

Donations can be brought to our office this week and we will bring to the shelter next week!

Thanks for all your help...remember to "Pay it forward" and in March we will announce our next non-profit that we will pay it forward to!

Onward through the week....

Abbey and Bode

Ten Commandments of our fellow dogs....

We didn't create this, but sure want to share it!

Ten Commandments for a Responsible Pet Owner


WebSleuths.com ^ Paul Harvey [?]

Posted on Sunday, January 24, 2010 3:29:06 PM by Slings and Arrows

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, and yet I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old.
10. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so.

Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them.

Life would be a much duller, less joyful thing without God’s critters. Please pass this on to other pet owners.


We could add to this, but would love to hear what you would add to it!

Abbey and Bode

This week's adoptable dog...

It seems not too many are looking to add to their family, but please consider sharing this with others that might be! If you aren't interested in Blackey, then check out his friend "Cape".

He has been with the Gulf Coast Humane Society forever and ever. He is not terribly  well trained as he lived most of his life outside, but during his stay at the GCHS he HAS learned to be potty trained. That means there is hope for him if he just could get a little attention and TLC.

A volunteer at the GCHS shared this: VOLUNTEER OBSERVATION:

"Cape is a highly awesome dog and one of my favorites. He seems super well house-trained and probably tries harder than any other dog at the shelter to wait until he's outside to go potty. He's a pretty perfect dog, because he's very sweet and affectionate and loves to cuddle, but he also loves to go outside and run around and play fetch. He also loves having his back scratched. He'll pull on his leash on the way outside, because he really has to go potty, but once he does his business he walks very nicely on his leash. He's been at the shelter for far too long and will make a wonderful pet for whoever ends up adopting him."

Consider Cape, Blackey, or one of the other amazing dogs looking for a forever home with you!

It's so hard to say good-bye...

We have talked about the loss due to death, however we have never discussed the loss at the end of a therapy session. Many times we grow attached to our clients, just as they do to us. There are times when we don't want the sessions to end, just because we don't want to lose the relationship.

This week we had a couple of our clients terminate (fancy word Tara uses for end) their counseling sessions because they met all their goals. I really struggled with one of these clients because I always worked with her and even got to play with her puppy during one session.

In our counseling practice, we prep our clients in advance to ensure a smooth transition. Tara always says "The door is never closed forever, but you are doing so great on your own with the tools you have learned". I love knowing our door is never closed all the way.

Have you ever had a relationship stop and have difficulty adjusting? We can make it through this, but it is just so hard to say "good-bye".

On a side note: For those who are wondering, Bode is slowly recovering from this doggie swine flu. He tried to work Friday but just got too tired in doing so. He hopes to see some clients this week and build back up to working full time! Thanks for all the well wishes!

With Love....

Abbey

Florida Freeze...

I am finally up and writing, but not feeling great! It has been so cold here that I have not wanted to move. My cough is going away, but I hate taking my medicine. I keep shaking and going under blankets, so Tara and Geoff tried one of Geoff's sweatshirts on me and it fit! I love sweatshirts. It is cozy and keeps me warm!

Hope the rest of you are staying healthy and warm.

Bode

**PS for those that are wondering, Abbey and Blackey have not caught this doggie flu!

This week's adoptable dog...

Here we are again featuring another great pup from Blackey's Humane Society. Tipsy is a great 3 1/2 year old mixed breed dog that is looking for a forever home. Tipsy needs a home who will love him and give him some great training. He has been at the shelter for a long time without too many people looking at him. Tipsy also doesn't do well with children.

Give the Gulf Coast Humane Society a call to take a look at Tipsy or any of his friends needing a forever home.

Doggie flu....

Did you know there is a doggie flu? Bode had to go to the vet for not feeling well and got diagnosed today. He won't let us take a picture and keeps hiding under the comforter...actually I am not allowed near him, only Tara and Geoff can! He is under something called quarantine so that Blackey and I don't catch it---very contagious!

I hope I don't get this! Bode acts fine for a little but, but really doesn't like being by himself! Tara had to wash our blankets, beds, and toys today...oh and all our water and food bowls go rewashed!

I got to work the afternoon today and some of the kids that were scheduled with Bode were asking where he was and got really worried when they heard he was sick! We have such great, caring clients!

I hope Bode feels better soon! Here is the link to info on the doggie flu, in case you are interested! http://bit.ly/flao5

Stay Healthy!

Abbey

This week's adoptable dog...

Have you gone to see the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society? Lucy is a great dog for a family used to dogs! Lucy gets nervous if she can't see your hand and has some fears, but is very sweet with the volunteers at GCHS.

Blackey doesn't remember her, but says he and many of his friends have had some rough pasts with owners that didn't care too much about them. They are all seeking a home with a family that wants to love them for who they are! Is Lucy the dog for you? Go see her at GCHS!

Abbey and Bode

Pay it forward....

Happy New Year!

Delta Family Counseling would like to wish you a happy and prosperous 2010! Our New Year's goal is to promote community giving through an initiative of "Pay it Forward". Lily Hardy Hammond wrote: "You don't pay love pay; you pay it forward!" During each of the odd months of 2010 we will feature a local non-profit and their wish list. We will have a collection box in our office to fulfil the wish list and bring to the non-profit at the end of the month. We encourage you to share this with your family, friends, co-workers, and those you encounter to "Pay it Forward" in our community.

For January, we are featuring the Gulf Coast Humane Society (http://gulfcoasthumanesociety.org/). The wish list is below, some of which you may already have in your home (old blankets and towels).

We look forward to bringing the community together in 2010 and are excited about your help with this!

The Delta Family Counseling Family:

Abbey, Bode...and Tara, Julie, and Robin too!