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Authors: Susan Ettinger Demian Dressler
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massage. If her muscles grow heavy and soft under your hands, you are likely doing a great job. If she shifts, edges away, or stiffens, you are probably going too deep or working an area too hard. Dogs with cancer can be extremely sensitive. Back off and see if she relaxes. If she does, continue with the massage. If she stays stiff, let it go for another time and give her a few gentle pets, instead.
There are certain areas that dogs really like massaged. You can try:
the muscles on the top of the neck,
the muscles on the left and right side of the spine,
the muscles on the left and right side of the skull,
the shoulders,
the thigh and hamstring muscles on the thighs, and
the muscles on the front and back of the calf and forearm.
Keep your distance from cancer tumors themselves as you massage. Sessions can last as long as your dog can tolerate and enjoy the massage.
This is one of the best ways to counter your feelings of numbness, sadness and guilt. It also helps your dog, by reassuring him that his pack cares for him. You probably cannot give your dog too many Message Massages.
PLEDGE OF THANKS
Duration: 10+ minutes
Indication: every feeling
Expressing gratitude can have profound positive effects. Studies have shown that expressing thanks on a daily basis makes us feel proud, hopeful, inspired, forgiving and excited. It directly increases our sense of satisfaction with life, makes us more optimistic and more likely to reach out for social support.
Our dogs pick up on our attitude and, the more positive we are, the better we can help our dogs. The Pledge of Thanks is very simple.
Set aside a time to be with your dog. Pick a quiet place where you can both be comfortable and feel safe.
Thank you dog for everything you can think of, big and small. Say “thank you for _______, and thank you for _______, and thank you for ______.” Thank her for playing with you, eating her food, sleeping next to you, and for the time when she growled at the guy who came in the back yard. Keep going until you cannot think of one more thing for which to give thanks.
Do it out loud, because speaking out loud can prompt our mind to remember things we wouldn’t if we are silent. While you speak, allow yourself to feel your gratitude. Tears are allowed – and smiles are, too. Don’t hold back.
When you run out of specifics, you might still be “on a roll of gratitude.” If this happens, you can say “thank you, thank you,” until your urge to speak slows and the words stop.
This exercise often reconnects guardians to a sense of unconditional love. Once you are finished, take a moment to enjoy the feeling of love you have unleashed. Enjoy your recognition of the gifts your dog has given.
I would allow at least ten minutes for this exercise and that may not be enough time. Many readers have written to say that this one exercise is the most important one in this book.
DYNAMIC DOG EXERCISE
Duration: 10+ minutes
Frequency: daily
Indication: every feeling
As anyone who has raised a puppy can attest, dogs naturally love to play and learn. However, a dog with cancer may feel slow and depressed. Gently stimulating her with daily challenges can shake her “back to life” and raise her self-esteem. It can also serve as a reminder to you of just how powerful your dog’s will to live can be.
Becoming excited or optimistic – about anything – directly improves your dog’s state of mind. You can see this, for example, when you offer your dog a treat she really loves, and her whole body responds with a wiggle.
Challenges do not have to be big. In order to get the blood pumping and the nervous system firing, they should be manageable and achievable. Pick one thing each day to change, just a little, for your dog. When the task is achieved, even a little, create a big, celebratory commotion with a huge amount of cheering and praise. This recognition is a key to building your dog’s innate strength.
Vary your walk route by a
There are certain areas that dogs really like massaged. You can try:
the muscles on the top of the neck,
the muscles on the left and right side of the spine,
the muscles on the left and right side of the skull,
the shoulders,
the thigh and hamstring muscles on the thighs, and
the muscles on the front and back of the calf and forearm.
Keep your distance from cancer tumors themselves as you massage. Sessions can last as long as your dog can tolerate and enjoy the massage.
This is one of the best ways to counter your feelings of numbness, sadness and guilt. It also helps your dog, by reassuring him that his pack cares for him. You probably cannot give your dog too many Message Massages.
PLEDGE OF THANKS
Duration: 10+ minutes
Indication: every feeling
Expressing gratitude can have profound positive effects. Studies have shown that expressing thanks on a daily basis makes us feel proud, hopeful, inspired, forgiving and excited. It directly increases our sense of satisfaction with life, makes us more optimistic and more likely to reach out for social support.
Our dogs pick up on our attitude and, the more positive we are, the better we can help our dogs. The Pledge of Thanks is very simple.
Set aside a time to be with your dog. Pick a quiet place where you can both be comfortable and feel safe.
Thank you dog for everything you can think of, big and small. Say “thank you for _______, and thank you for _______, and thank you for ______.” Thank her for playing with you, eating her food, sleeping next to you, and for the time when she growled at the guy who came in the back yard. Keep going until you cannot think of one more thing for which to give thanks.
Do it out loud, because speaking out loud can prompt our mind to remember things we wouldn’t if we are silent. While you speak, allow yourself to feel your gratitude. Tears are allowed – and smiles are, too. Don’t hold back.
When you run out of specifics, you might still be “on a roll of gratitude.” If this happens, you can say “thank you, thank you,” until your urge to speak slows and the words stop.
This exercise often reconnects guardians to a sense of unconditional love. Once you are finished, take a moment to enjoy the feeling of love you have unleashed. Enjoy your recognition of the gifts your dog has given.
I would allow at least ten minutes for this exercise and that may not be enough time. Many readers have written to say that this one exercise is the most important one in this book.
DYNAMIC DOG EXERCISE
Duration: 10+ minutes
Frequency: daily
Indication: every feeling
As anyone who has raised a puppy can attest, dogs naturally love to play and learn. However, a dog with cancer may feel slow and depressed. Gently stimulating her with daily challenges can shake her “back to life” and raise her self-esteem. It can also serve as a reminder to you of just how powerful your dog’s will to live can be.
Becoming excited or optimistic – about anything – directly improves your dog’s state of mind. You can see this, for example, when you offer your dog a treat she really loves, and her whole body responds with a wiggle.
Challenges do not have to be big. In order to get the blood pumping and the nervous system firing, they should be manageable and achievable. Pick one thing each day to change, just a little, for your dog. When the task is achieved, even a little, create a big, celebratory commotion with a huge amount of cheering and praise. This recognition is a key to building your dog’s innate strength.
Vary your walk route by a
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