I mentioned this book in my last blog “how to say goodbye”. The chapter in Canine Spirit: Love of Dog, by BJ Allen on saying goodbye to beloved pets was so helpful and supportive. The book is intelligent and insightful on so many levels I thought it would be good to do a mini review.

Throughout, Barbara emphasises the need to have a good relationship with dogs, these beings in our care, and that they are part of your family, not something to be bought just for company, novelty or amusement. It is a commitment, similar to having a child, possibly for a very long time. Barbara discusses what this good relationship consists of…. meeting your dog’s needs for good nutrition, adequate exercise, play, stimulation, and company; the awareness that training is 2 way… she says she is not so much a dog whisperer as a dog listener… as we all could be.

On a practical level:

Feeding, training, a list of dog rewards other than food, walking, leads, manners..so much useful information. An example:

I walk a neighbour’s much neglected dog, loved but bored to death, home alone, not trained to walk on a lead. I thought I was managing well until Barbara followed us, made a few suggestions… what a difference, both of us enjoying our walk, both paying attention in different ways. Barbara refers to training as ‘learning together… a process of translation, the development of shared understanding, mutual learning and willing cooperation.”

I remember once I said in frustration to one of my dogs, “don’t you have any common sense!”. I realised at the time how silly this sounded but now, I feel particularly ignorant, as Barbara points out the original meaning of common sense…” the ability to be equally aware… and responsive to information coming from the 5 outer senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch: a rare ability in humans but common in animals. I was the one at fault, no doubt rushing, half paying attention, multitasking… I wonder what my dog thought of me?

On an emotional level:

“Perhaps the power of dogs is their silent ability to see right through us and with a glance illuminate the darkest corners of our hearts and lighten our souls.” and… “It is comforting to be in another’s presence where we feel accepted unconditionally, knowing we are understood without needing to say a word. Dogs evoke feelings of comfort and inner peace just by being there.”

Dogs give us such support when we are tired, sick, or lonely. How much love and care do they show on nursing home visits, as assistance dogs, guide dogs. They are absolutely delighted when we come home, as if we’ve been away for years even though it may have been only 20 minutes… we rarely get that kind of homecoming greeting from humans. It is often weighted in our favour, but dogs need their emotional needs met too, for instance, they need their alone time, their rest not to be disturbed, they need playtime and company, to be included in the family. Many dogs like being touched, brushed, massaged but there is a way to do this, and not all dogs do like this intervention, it is up to us as caretakers (not “owners”?) to be aware of our dog’s individual personalities, to communicate, not impose.

On a spiritual level:

In another wonderful book, Anam Cara, the author John O’Donohue says “The animals are more ancient than us. They were here for millennia before humans surfaced. Animals are our ancient brothers and sisters. They live outside in the wind, in the waters, in the clay. The Celtic mind recognised the ancient belonging and knowing of the animal world.”

Really being present with an animal can be meditative. We learn so much by slowing down, being in the present moment with our animal friends. This can be such a gift, and so healing… as opposed to “ I have to take the dog for a walk” or, standing in the park on our mobile phones while the dogs amuse themselves.

Barbara refers to Morphic Field Theory, by Dr Rupert Sheldrake… a fascinating interpretation of how we are all connected in a unified field of energy, how we ”know things” e.g. how we can know who’s ringing before the phone rings, how dogs know when their owners are coming home etc. The communication across time, space, between species… what a gift to be able to explore and experience this.

Finally, soulmates are not necessarily in human form. “Sometimes your soulmate is a dog”. Barbara dedicates her book to her beautiful dog Kirra, her soulmate and teacher. I have had at least 2 clients who , whilst loving their partners, stated that their soulmate had been a dog (you know who you are, ladies!). This demonstrates the very profound ,interspecies communication that is possible.

AND this picture from another wonderful book, “Unlikely Friendships” by Jennifer S. Holland, is amazing evidence of what is possible.

Dog, cat and duck

It goes without saying that I highly recommend Canine Spirit… easy to read, profound, and full of wisdom to draw on whenever needed.

Many thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed this article.

Warm regards,
Kristine Edwards
Owner and Director
Sydney Animal Physiotherapy