Magnetic heart fields - dogs and humans

Dogs: “It came to me that every time I lose a dog, they take a piece of my heart with them. Yet, every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.” …Unknown

Run Free Stormy - You are loved
March 2008 - July 3, 2012

Storm waiting by the chicken house May 2012
Born March 2008 -  fierce, loyal, smart & loving, he suddenly left us July 3, 2012
to be on his way to where he must go 
Run free and happy Storm - you are loved

Last evening (July 2, 2012) something special happened between me and this dog that lives where I do, little 4 year old rat terrier Storm - though most of the time I called him Stormy.
I had been working with him, a terrier true to his word, for a while, using Natural Dog Training techniques with really good results, including most recently him being close and starting to relax with the chicken babies. It went really well yesterday morning, he even turned towards me wanting to push after staring at them for a few moments, rather then charging the fence :) I dare say Natural Dog Training transformed our relationship. Dominance techniques, very briefly tried - seemed to have an adverse effect, and treats only went so far, and that was not very far in some situations. Anyway, I  put the chickens to bed ( = in coop :) last night and it was getting quite dark when I got back to the house, but not too dark for a walk, and of course, Storm was up to it ...loved it and I even had some of his favorite treat for pushing. I could barely see him come running up the driveway at full speed. In the last couple of days, because our other dog is on very restricted activity due to an ACL injury, I had made it a new habit to sit with both of them out on their porch at bedtime, and that is what I did last night too, after our little late walk, Shakti on my right, Storm on the left.

Back to last night, which turned out the last night he was to spend with us here on earth. I sat down with them and as before, I  had a couple of treats to start, then I stroked them and talked to them, telling them they are such good boys, that I love them. Skakti actually has a smiling kind of mouth. I recalled the image of the magnetic field of the human  heart that went around in some fb posts and imagined it to reach beyond and include both the dogs, and  it was a very loving field. I invited them to feel it. So this went on for a while and they relaxed, Storm too, and he eventually laid down and then - he put his head to rest on my thigh - something he had never done.  He sometimes lifted his head to look at me, get some scratching under his chin. We looking at each other, I told him I loved him and what a good boy he was. I still see him, faint barn light reflected in his eyes and these were such a sweet moments with a feeling I cannot describe. There was trust in there, relaxation, being home - being here-ness. A couple of times he musta heard something, sat up and had that deep low growl ... and I thought what a good little guy, watching out, all alert and ears up - but it was nothing and soon he laid down again, resting his head on my leg. He even got up at some point to greet Shakti  nose to nose, saying hi. It was so sweet.

We sat (I sat, they were lying down) there for a while and then I got up, told them goodnight,  all done, stay there - and they did.

The next morning, he went with me to the chicken house and for short a walk, then I left for the shelter soon after, did some cooking and then there were some plans for later, involving treats. But - while sniffing around in the backyard at lunchtime - something musta happened. He went over the rainbow bridge - so suddenly, so young.

Run free - I have seen you in such joy so many times, racing up the driveway or bouncing in anticipation - happy trails, good company and food and a mission and job to do - good voyaging through the macrodimensions. May you be often as happy as I have seen you here.

I am also reminded of  a thought that crossed my mind seeing him this morning - wanting to go outside the gate (were we used to go a lot in the spring). I had to call him into the garden a couple of times, before he came running. Something felt different though with him wanting to head out and I thought - "..as if he is on his way somewhere, and I could see his beingness as his own, with his own path.
So as a special treat, after feeding the chickens this morning, we went out there a bit before he happily headed back up the driveway with me.

I am grateful having worked with him, spending time with him and having found NDT as a method. It really worked well for us, when the other 2 methods did not when it came to resolving his charge in some situations. He was sooooooo happy to do stuff together, go to "school", hunting or running ahead on our walks - checking things out. He was actually a working dog. Such a smart, fierce, loyal, protective  little guy, loved seeing him bouncy in anticipation and I loved seeing him running as full speed, the hear the sound of his feet, ears flapping  - pure joy. And then - he took his rat terrier job very seriously and he was excellent at it. In fact, hunting rodents together was one of the best times.

Walking on the property  - it feels like a there is a big hole or empty space - he's missing - big spirit, big energy - and I noticed that even the chicken garden project feels now incomplete. From the very beginning, it was through the dogs, that I found my love and passion. They were always a part of it. It was never meant to be chickens instead of dogs - but dogs AND chickens. I am not sure where that leaves me. I don't understand the timing of his departure. -  just as things were getting into a working routine, the connection deeper and the path looking clear - and he did have an important job too with his rodent patrol. Still, on some level and for some reason, this was his time to go. Safe travel dear Stormy, and may you always find what you need and be happy being you.

And for you dog owners out there: when in doubt - take the extra time with your buddy. Their lives with us here are so short anyway - and then, there is that thing where you suddenly might find yourself without any time at all left. And take lots of pictures ..........

Happy traaaaaaaaaaaiillss to you - until we meet again
happy traaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiillllls to you - til we meet again

In his new house March 2012

The gang April 2011

April 2012

He ran at full speed trying to catch up :) - June 2012

Progress: fetching the ball and came to love this morning game

Surly not an early riser :) - especially in coolish weather

They LOVED this

Storm LOVED car rides too - here with Skye

He learned fast, loved it - and positive reward worked well for this kind of stuff

A truly delightful afternoon in May 2011

May 2011

He literally asked her to play :) - April 2011

Waiting by the chicken coop in April 2012

Being out there hunting with the crew on Easter weekend 2012  was a really good thing for him

Easter weekend - hunting while the crew worked for the chicken garden

Watchful

Here a video from the beginning pushing times with Storm - he learned to really love it and it was great to ground/diffuse charges in various situations.
While this video was make with Skye in mind - it does contain footage with them hunting/digging and playing together - they so loved both There are some fun clips from when Storm was a young pup: