Lively Dog Blog

I like my dogs lively. Ready to go, ready to run, ready to play at a moment’s notice. Able to relax and just be when the situation warrants.

My beloved dog, Muffy, who shared almost half my life, was a lively dog even at sixteen. She’d sleep all night with me, sleep most of the morning with my mother, and then be ready to run and spring and sproing and delight us. She loved to go for walks despite her aging limbs and would follow me happily until she’d reach a certain point and sit down, refusing to budge. We had gone, she decided, exactly half of the distance she could comfortably walk, and it was time to turn around. If we did, we would trot home; if I coaxed her to go further, I would find myself carrying her home the extra distance.

This was a dog that was in tune with herself.

My current babies aren’t so blessed. Fergus, 5, and Smitty, 2, are terrier mixes and , while fabulous, have some anxiety issues, a few neuroses, and uneven energy. Sometimes Smitty is so excited to see me I have to give him a time out because I’m afraid his little heart is going to burst. Other times I can’t interest him in play at all, nor can his furry buddies. He lies with his head between his bed and the wall and won’t rouse even for visitors.

Fergus takes issue with loud voices, displays of affection, and looking out windows. I also worry about future arthritis pain from a leg broken in puppyhood.

It is for them that I learned Reiki. I hope that by balancing their energy and clearing their blocks I can make them more comfortable in the world, more comfortable with themselves. More lively. I hope I can hold off Fergus’ pain for as long as possible. Forever, if possible. That I can share energy with them without depleting my own is a wonder. That I can share this with other animals and people was a revelation, an entrance to a wonderful career. I owe it to Fergus and Smitty. And Muffy.

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