My First Canine Massage Seminar!

This Thursday, May 28, I've been asked by a local pet supply store, to give a talk on Canine Massage. http://www.wholeearthpetsupply.com/ .

The shop is billing the evening as a 'Pet Wellness' event and has also invited a raw food manufacturer to speak about raw food diets for dogs. http://www.rawhealthpetfood.com/

The shop has 'sold out' all available tickets . Twenty-five guests/customers will attend. I've really enjoyed creating the presentation and demonstration of my massage techniques and have been thinking about other venues for my talks. Hmmm...living in a retirement area as I do, there are countless opportunities to improve pets' lives and spread the word about holistic healing and the power of touch.

For more posts on my Canine Massage journey, click here~ http://17fairway.blogspot.com/search/label/Canine%20Massage

Family ~ The Way They Were...

That skinny tall kid on the right? My Dad, circa 1935.

It's been a roller coaster these past few months. Stresses galore. Heavy Life stress. My mother passed away two months ago. My daughter's new baby was (mis) diagnosed with a possible blood disorder (thank goodness it was a mis-diagnosis). And last week, my father was diagnosed with colon cancer. And I thought these years were going to be a cakewalk! Balancing these stresses with my own health as a cancer survivor has been nothing short of a daily commitment to living and being joyous regardless of what's going on 'out there.'

But during my father's diagnosis, his siblings bonded together in a way unknown to me in my immediate family. His sister, the family's matriarch, was front and center. His youngest brother also called me with great concern. When I think of my Dad's childhood, the difficulty of raising five children during the depression years, I think they share a 'survival' bond unbeknownst to me and my modern-day sisters. In times of stress and actually, in holiday times as well, Dad's siblings rally 'round with a strength, resiliance, compassion and love that supercedes all my sibling squabbles. Something great has been instilled in this family raised in the '20's and '30's. Something strong, forged in bygone but difficult times, that has emerged as a model for those of us a generation away.

My prayers and love are with you, Dad, and all your wonderful brothers and sisters!