Awaken -Wednesdays with the Wisdom of Dog

Posted by Barbara Techel

Awaken - Wednesdays with the Wisdom of Dog

As I sat outside on my deck today for just a few moments, I was reminded of all the life going on around me.

How easily distracted we can become in our everyday lives and miss this.

But spring is like an awakening and a reminder to live a more conscious life. I watched as Gidget chased around the deck after the noise of the birds in the shrubs.

And Kylie sensed the new smells in the air as her snout lifted toward the sky.

And then I saw the leaves dancing in the wind.

And the hummingbird hover above the feeder.

And a butterfly gracefully flutter by.

And the sun soaking into my skin.

And geese honking in the distance that are nesting in the field behind our house.

The petals of flowers that are opening right before me even though I can’t really see it happening – but it is.

I sat there, just like Kylie and Gidget do so instinctively. So awake to what is around them.

Such a beautiful way in which to be reminded of seeing grace right in the place that you are – and nature and pets as our teachers.

Awaken - Wednesdays with the Wisdom of Dog

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My “She Shed” a.k.a. my Zen Writing Cottage Featured on TODAY.com

Posted by Barbara Techel

techel_writing_cottage_outside_1_-_copy_07100d544dcb61f16071df1b39371062.today-inline-largeMy “Zen Writing Cottage” or the trend right now called, “She Sheds.”

It’s pretty exciting to be picked up and featured on Today.com – yup, The Today Show website! You can see my writing cottage featured here on their home page.

I was contacted last week by their Editor, Amy wanting to feature photos and stories of the latest craze called “she sheds.” She had come across my post titled, “How My She Shed Improved My Marriage.”

It’s kind of cute because I guess I was in trend way before there was even a trend with these fun and inviting places just for women, when John built mine in 2009.

I was inspired to have one after over two months of visiting my Life Coach, Diane, for my coaching sessions in 2005, at her lovely and endearing space above her garage overlooking Elkhart Lake (thank you, Diane!).

I hope my space inspires more women to carve out a place of their very own. Thank you, Amy and The Today Show!

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Review: Waterproof Blankets for Paralyzed and Senior Incontinent Dogs

Posted by Barbara Techel

Review: Waterproof Blankets for Paralyzed and Senior Incontinent Dogs

Gidget almost blends right into her waterproof blanket!

Every now and then I get to test a product for special needs pups. Well, I guess you could say Miss Gidget got to test this particular product!

Catherine of Blankets in Bloom sent me one of her very soft, well made waterproof blankets to give it a test run.

From her etsy shop some helpful information about the blankets:

This new line of WATERPROOF dog blankets is convenient to use and provides an added layer of comfort for your dog. These blankets are made with a flexible, durable, quality waterproof barrier fabric, known as PUL, as an inner lining. The PUL used is environmentally safe is flexible, durable fabric is as PUL, this quality waterproof barrier fabric is made with a process that uses no toxic solvents, and it is environmentally safe.

waterproof dog blanket with ties

I like the fact that with an incontinent dog that if overnight Gidget has an accident, the urine soaks into the PUL lining, leaving her drier until morning. I’ve washed the blanket a few times now and I must say, it washes up really nice and has retained it’s softness and shape.

This particular blanket shown above comes with ties on the corners, so if you have a burrower, like doxie’s are prone to be, you can secure it in each corner of a wire crate.

Also from Catherine’s description about her blankets serving the needs of paralyzed dogs:

We have also learned from the paralyzed dog community and those who have dogs with incontinence issues, how this product is beneficial. It is great to be able to put the blanket where it will be helpful, then stick it in the wash with fewer issues of wetness soaking through to the floor, crate, furniture or other place on which it is set.

If you plan to use the blanket on the floor or furniture and have a dog who loves to burrow, I would suggest getting two. Gidget immediately burrowed under hers when I placed it on the floor for her to check out.

waterproof dog blanket

I now keep it in her mesh crate she sleeps in overnight. I just place it over her bed inside the crate and she leaves it in place because I have another blanket to cover her.  If you know dachshunds- they can never have enough blankie’s!

Thank you to Catherine for allowing us to give the blanket a try and share with our readers. Miss Gidget and I approve with a thumbs up and a tail wag!

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