Stop the Noise!!!

Good Morning!  When we went for our morning walk, my human Sheila told me that some folks mentioned that I am having a typing problem and spell things incorrectly.  So here I am sitting down to do my blog and I asked her to check out my work before I send it out.  She did something strange with her hand and walked out of the room.  What's that about? Go figure...Humans! So I am on my own...a poor little dog with no thumbs.

Here is this weeks letter. And by the way keep sending them in!  It motivates me to write more often!
Dear Liddy,
        I wish I had written you before the forth of July.  I just can't understand what comes over me when I hear fireworks or thunder! I just fall to pieces.  I pant, drool, pace, shake and sometimes even....I am so embarrassed...pee!   Its just terrible.  Do you have any suggestions on how I can get over this?  Summers should be fun, not horrifying!
Signed - Terrified in Tiverton

Help with Hot Spots

Before Liddy takes control, I (Sheila) would like to say something to the public.  Liddy was right - she is a better blogger than I am.  I posted 12 blogs and got a bit of a nice response.  Liddy posted 2 blogs and received over 200 replies, and 3 offers from animal related industries asking her to represent them.  Frankly, I hate to admit that she was correct. There will be no living with her from here on out.  She will really rub my nose in it now. Dominated by a 14 pound hound ! Okay Liddy are you satisfied?!

Oh were you talking...Yawn...I must have dosed off. 

Well, back to business - 

I received a letter yesterday from a self proclaimed "redneck" hound from FL called Smith.  Here he is in - big surprise - his truck.

Dear Liddy, 

I have been having an embarrassing and bothersome problem.  I have a great big Hot Spot on my back leg.  It is raw and red and I just can't stop licking it.  It is driving me crazy!  To make matters worst, my humans are kicking me off the bed and allowing the stupid Yorkie to stay up there with them!  I am disgusted, humiliated (the Yorkie is telling every hound he sees!) and in a lot of pain.  Help!!

Signed...Freaking in Ft Myers

Gross Eating Habits

A lot has happened in the last few days. My Dogs, I have gotten a grand response from my blog, (folks are wondering what "Rock Pushing " is all about - see You Tube of me in the sidebar.  I might not be the only hound pushing rocks, but I think I am the smallest dog with the largest rock!) and I got in a bit of trouble.  Brigit, alias "The Dope" got really ticked off, and that's not good when you weigh 16lbs and she weighs 120 lbs.  So in order to remain on the outside of her stomach, I have to give her the floor (or keyboard) for a minuet. Then we will get on to "Gross eating habits."

Brigit here....OK  I just have two things to say-
1- Just because I am tall and fast and extremely gorgeous, it does not mean that I am Dumb!
2- Ugh...what are we talking about....was that a squirrel!

Like I said...Dope.  Now that we got that over with...lets start!
Here is a letter from a dog who is always grossing out his human.

My business has gone to the DOGS!

I just can't take it any more!  There she sits, staring at the computer screen begging for inspiration. The She I am speaking of is my human Sheila Ryan.  She likes to think that she likes to write but I know she is full of S#*%.  She hasn't a clue as to what to say!  Me, on the other paw...I am completely different.  I have a ton of things to say, and do so, all day every day.  I know that other than being the best rock pusher on earth, that I am one of the most intelligent and cutest beings on earth!  So I have pushed her away from the computer and have taken over.  Starting today I will be answering questions from dogs and their humans about everything under the sun, cause like I said I am a geniuses, but if perhaps a question is asked that I can't handle, I have a pack of experts from around the country that can help.  I have been traveling with my human for eight years now and have made many great contacts.  Besides pushing rocks I have many other hobbies so it will be fun to explore them also. So lets get started. Here is a question from a dear friend who has a "problem"  A big "problem"!

Dear Liddy,
I have been developing a problem for several years now. I am a 4 year old male Corgi with a terrible weight issue.  Its getting to be a real issue! My human is starting to use me as a hassock!  How demeaning...I go from being a hiking partner and best friend to being a foot rest.  Its all very sad, but I can no longer keep up with him.  What should I do?

signed, Rotund in Rhode Island

Spring time allergies?

Oh the wonders of spring!  The delight of warmer weather, the beautiful blue skies, the wonderful new growth on the trees!  Oh the amazing pain in the sinuses!  Just bending over to put a plant into the ground makes your head want to explode!
I have received numerous phone calls from clients desperate for help with their springtime allergies.  Here are a few things I recommend.

Use a neti pot twice a day. By flushing the sinuses you help to break up the congestion and relieve the pressure. Into the pot add distilled or previously boiled water and a teaspoon of natural non iodine salt. Adding more salt or a bit of baking soda is fine if that cuts the sting of the water.  Many prefer warm water, I like mine on the cooler side (less of a gag reflex with cooler water). If I really have a stubborn sinus congestion I add a 1/4 teaspoon of colloidal silver.  It may sting-but it does clear up the congestion.

Ticks and Lyme

           I recently returned from Ohio where I was honored to be a guest speaker at the Equine Affaire.  I did four presentations and all were very well attended. Thank you Equine Affaire for inviting me and thank you to all that attended my talks.  I enjoyed speaking to you and hope to hear from you often!

Ticks, ticks and more ticks...

Are they making your hair stand on end?

           Here in my neck of the woods, in Rhode Island, the tick population has in my opinion, never been higher.  After my daily walk I will take at least 40 of the tiny deer ticks off my dogs and I. Its creeping me out! When I hold a tick I feel a strong tingle between my fingers, and when I touch a living being that has Lyme, I feel that same tingle.  Subsequent testing confirms my "tingle".  Having worked on over 3000 clients over the years and I am finding that over the last year approximately 60% of my clients are Lyme positive. My bet is that  the number is higher than 60% and as testing improves we will have that confirmation.
            There are many symptoms and diseases that are now proving to be from the effects of Lyme that were not considered so in the past, such as digestive problems, nerve issues, brain fog and of course pain. There are many theory's as to why the incidence of Lyme is on the rise, such as EMF's, toxins in the body, poor food choices to name a few. Whatever the reasons, there are natural ways to bring yourself back to health.  Detoxing the body is a huge start with any form of disease.  Consider cleaning up your body and boosting your immune system so you can have the power to ward off disease.  Consider the use of herbs and vitamins to build strength.
             I have been working closely with an herbalist in Maine who has been an amazing source of information about Lyme and many other health issues of animals and humans.  Take a look at Joyce Belchers site Herbs For Life Inc. On my site www.sheilaryan.org you can go to my store and link to Dynamite Vitamins and Young Living Oils, both which carry products to detox and boost immunity.  If you suspect or know that you or any of your critters have Lyme, give me a call and I will be happy to discuss the options available.  If you need any help in deciding what products you may need, feel free to contact Joyce or myself for information. We will be happy to help you!
            Would you would like me to get into more details about this subject?  Let me know and I will write more about it. In the meantime-enjoy your spring cleaning, inside and out, and STOP SCRATCHING! :)

Spit Shine

            I haven't written in a couple of weeks because I have been working on simplifying my life.  Why does it take so much energy to make things simpler? Every morning I spend time connecting with spirit-meditating if you will.  I use a variety of cards and runes that help me focus and learn what spirit wants me to hear for the day.  For weeks I kept getting the card "Simplify Your Life.  So I cleaned out closets, got rid of magazines, cleaned up my office and tossed out old paperwork...still "Simplify Your Life".  So I cleaned up the barn and cleared out the car and truck and picked up the yard...still "Simplify Your Life".  I obviously wasn't getting the message.  My place was looking great, but I wasn't getting it.  Then through a series of  "coincidence's"(which I don't believe in)  I was speaking to a neighbor and we got to discussing how in business many of us want change, but in the interest of keeping things moving we keep doing the same thing over and over again.  We want things to be different but we don't change direction. There's to much fear, to much rush and to many obligations.   He asked what I wanted to be different in my practice.  I talked about how for decades I have been chasing my work all over the country and how after 20 years of travel I would like to spend more time at home.  He mentioned that he had an empty room in his practice and if I wanted to, I could use it.  You could have blown me over with a feather!  This was what I have on my vision board, what I had been talking to the universe about for years!  Here it is! It finally manifested! So for the past couple of weeks I have moved my focus to creating my new reality.

Horsing Around

      

     I just got home from a working trip in Maine.  There were many, many hours of driving and many hours of work with horses, humans and hounds.  The hours on the road were simply beautiful.  The sun was beaming, the sky as blue as it could be, and the snow and mountains breath taking.  I was delighted to meet up with a client/friend that I haven't seen in years and work with her and her shaggy horse. From there I drove on to work with two small dogs that made us laugh and cry, and then an off the track Thoroughbred that was full of wisdom. That was day one. When I get home from these trips I am exhausted, relaxed and happy all at the same time.  For me, its all just horsing around.  I am having the time of my life.  

           In 1988 I was introduced to Joseph Campbell.  He was a writer who researched cultures around the world and worked on comparing the myths.  This man and his writings formed my life from then on.  One of his famous quotes is "Follow your Bliss"  This has been my mantra ever since.  When I am not following my bliss the same long drive that I recently completed would have been a painful hell and the clients frustrating.  I have learned to look at life as a game. Just like a game, this life has victories and defeats, aches and pains, planning and training, but most of all joy and laughter.  
            If what you are doing each day of your life doesn't give you a bit of joy, perhaps its time to look at what gave you joy as a child.  Campbell said that what you enjoyed as a child is what your life path should be. For me it was caring for animals and plants, reading and exercising.  If I keep all of these things in my daily life I am living the life of Bliss.  Sometimes, in order to remember what gives you joy, you may need to go out and Play.  Go out and Horse Around...find that spark of joy and do whatever you have to to hang on to it!

Horsing Around

Play time!

Enough of all this serious work.

When was the last time you

took a break, not to rest but to play?

Explore a new landscape or swim

in a distant lake – anything

that is not what you do every day.

Kick up your heels and race around

a bit, just for the fun of it.

The rewards will be a light heart,

a relaxed body and good memories.

Just horse around for a while!

Show Time!

            I just returned from a working trip to Wellington FL.  Its a different world down there. Every road has a bridal path beside it and everywhere you look you see beautiful horses and their riders.  It is a community of horse lovers with various passions, polo, jumping and dressage.  They flock to Wellington to compete against the best, to see where they rank in the group and to train with the top instructors. Being a horse lover, its like going to a Rocky movie, extremely motivating and very exciting.  One thing I noticed while watching the events, is how most of the winners are focused, calm and relaxed.  I am speaking of the riders, trainers and horses. The competition is intense, the amount of money spent is insane and the pressure is thick in the air, but they enter a zen like space and keep it together.  
           When we think of our day to day lives, its really not that much different than what they are facing.  We all have pressures in our lives, the stories and environments are different, but all the same issues are on the line.  We must all keep our health in balance, we must all keep our positive attitudes and we must all stay focused on our goals...but most of all we must all love what we are doing and have fun at this adventure of life!

Have a great adventure this week and and have it in joy!

Here is another of my Horse Wisdom Cards

Show Time!

You’ve been practicing….endlessly.

Now it’s time to trot out there

with the others and see

the progress you’ve made.

This is not a test – it’s a measure

of how far you’ve come.

Most of all, it’s fun!

Feel confident in your power and

strengths and move out towards

the show ring with

your head held high!

Teamwork

                  Here is a view that I have the privilege to experience on my morning walk.  This morning, a strong warm wind was moving away yesterdays rain clouds.  The feeling was delicious.  It is here that I feel closest to my God, Spirit as I call it.  I held my arms up and prayed out loud into the rushing wind, my thanks, my love of my life and my asking for help.  Like everyone else, I have my days of wishing that the wind would just take me home to where spirit resides and get me out of my mess.  On other days like today, I am so glad to have the opportunity to be here doing my work, having the pleasure of my friends and surrounding nature. But every day, no matter what my current emotional condition,  I pray for help.  Spirit, like a good friend is always there to help us find our way.  Sometimes we don't like what we hear, but the information always comes from love.  However like a good friend, its important to ask for the help.  No one likes to be told what to do, but once help is asked for the suggestions come to a heart welcome to receive.   
                  Yesterday I spoke with a dear friend who finally asked for help with an elderly parent.  She was so relieved.  Why is it that we feel that we need to do this life the hard way...alone? Even those in partnerships, often have difficulty asking for assistance.
"No thanks, I got it!" That's me, help being offered-me saying no.  Weird...Okay, I'll carry that 50 pound bag to my car, instead of accepting the help of a young man who is getting paid to do this ...Why?  Because I can?  So silly!  
                  Its okay to ask for help...from your neighbor, from your family, from your God.  Its there for you if you are only willing to ask and then to gratefully receive.  

Here is another of my Horse Wisdom Cards

Teamwork

You have been working at

this alone for much too long.

A partnership of some sort is at hand.

There is no shame in asking for help.

You are always giving assistance but

now it’s time to receive some, so let

yourself accept the help of a teammate.

Keep your eyes open and your partner

will appear. Together you can

do just about anything

Whoa

 Look at these dogs.  Isn't this how most of us feel after the holidays? 

Exhausted? yes, Happy? hopefully!

              The beginning of the year has always been a time for me to regroup.  I start the year off by making up my Vision Board.  A Vision Board is a collection of images and words that represent what I would like to create into my reality in the year ahead.  Dr. Wayne Dyer once said, " I have good news and I have bad news.  The good news is, you get whatever you focus on.  The bad news is, you get whatever you focus on!" I choose to focus on the positive and what I want, not what I don't want.  Make a list, cut out pictures, take the time needed to think about your life and where you want to go.  Become the director of your movie, instead of an actor with lines written by someone else.  
               When working with my clients, I find that many folks are approaching a time in their lives where things are changing or completing.  The kids are grown, the retirement is looming or the career path is at a crossroad.  When we discuss, "What do you want to do when you grow up?" many are stumped, they don't have a clue.  This leaves them feeling lost and in despair.  Often times illness sets in and that where I come into the picture.  This inner dialog of "Where do I want to go?", needs to be an ongoing project.  When you plan a vacation, most folks have at least a rough idea of what they want to do and see, if not a detailed schedule.  So why not take some time to dream up your year ahead?  Just take time to stop, get your balance and reach for the stars!

The following is another of my Horse Wisdom Cards

WHOA!

Stop!

Just stop and take a breath!

Relax.You’ve been going too fast- a

bit out of control.Take a moment to

regain your balance and get yourself

grounded and calm. It will be worth

a few lost minutes to gain a clear

perspective of how to move forward

in balance, with grace.