Ellen Galvin's Blog

Bow-Wow-Wowza! A Great Book Deal for the Dog Days of Summer

Ahhhhhh, the dog days of summer. Who has the time to work on a sales and marketing plan when the sun is shining and there is hiking to be done? Not me! That’s why you can now get a pawtographed copy of my book, Secrets of a Working Dog: Unleash Your Potential and Create Success, for just $8.99 (that includes free shipping in the U.S., too). The books will sell themselves...and I can spend more time on the hiking trail. Good plan, right?

Speaking of hiking, here I am in the Columbia River Gorge. Days like these are what remind me that I am a lucky, lucky dog! I hope that you, too, are able to get out and enjoy the warm summer sun with the people (and dogs) you love.

Here's to a happy, successful rest-of-summer. 

Bella

P.S. You can buy pawtographed copies of my book directly from my website for just $8.99 plus free shipping in the U.S. Click here.

Walking the Dawg: A Collar for Nighttime Safety

“A dog is one of the remaining reasons why some people can be persuaded to go for a walk.” – O.A. Battista

I’ll admit, there are some days when all I want to do is indulge my inner canine couch potato (especially after I’ve convinced my humans that I should be allowed to sit on the living room couch). But nothing rouses me from a deep slumber like someone dangling a leash in front of my nose and saying, “Let’s go for a walk.”

Walking is one of the easiest ways for dogs and humans to get into shape. With just a little bit of leash training, dogs make excellent walking partners, too. That’s because we’re supportive, nonjudgmental and dependable. We don’t care where you are going, what you are wearing or what kind of shape you are in—we are just happy to tag along and keep you company.

All we ask, however, is that you keep us safe. Walking a black Labrador in the pre-dawn hours while dressed in black like a Ninja is not a smart move. Yet, it happens all the time in my neighborhood. My advice? Spend a few dollars and buy proper reflective gear for you and your fur baby so that people, especially drivers, can see you no matter what the weather or time of day!

Clearly, nighttime visibility (or lack thereof) is one of my personal “pet peeves.” That’s why I could not resist when my friends at SafetyGearOnline.com asked whether I’d like to try the Night Dawg LED Light-Up Collar and write a review. Of course, I barked an enthusiastic “yes.” A few days later, a snazzy (and super strong) red collar in size medium arrived in the mail. I could hardly wait to drag Mom around the block to show off my new gear, but since it’s the middle of summer we had to wait a few hours for it to get dark. This gave us the chance to read the accompanying materials and test out all the collar’s cool features—the adjustable sizing, the easy push button, the replaceable battery, and the LED’s three light modes (glow, flash and off).

Finally, it was dark—time to head into the night. Believe me, this is NOT the product for you if you are a cat burglar (and really, who wants to be a “cat” anything?). That’s because it’s bright! It does exactly what it is supposed to, which is make your four-legged friend highly visible to cars, trucks, other people, and fellow dogs. Plus, it’s comfortable. As for Mom, she is really excited to take it camping with us next month, given my bad habit of sneaking away at dusk to check out what the neighbors are grilling up for dinner. She says this collar will make it easy for her to track me down from a mile away.

My opinion? This is a doggone smart product, and at $14.95 at SafetyGearOnline.com it’s a real bargain, too. It's also weather resistant—perfect for the dark, rainy days of fall and winter (when I can be coaxed off the cozy couch, that is).

Woofs, wags and wiggles,

Bella The Boxer

i.m.bella, you are bella, life is bella…woof!

The i.m.bella t-shirts are here!

How do you capture the joyous, positive, life-is-bella spirit that is a Boxer (besides sharing your life with one of these four-legged love bugs of your own)? You put it on a t-shirt!

Well, that’s exactly what Mom and I did (a big shout-out to talented designer Alicia Mickes and the folks Ink Brigade screen printing).

Our t-shirts will make their big debut here in Portland, Oregon at the “Last Thursday” event on Alberta Street on Thursday, June 28. That evening, the pawsome people at pet-friendly Umpqua Bank Alberta are hosting a lively, fun and FREE gathering from 7-8 PM where I’ll share some of the secrets from my book. (Okay, my spokesperson Patrick will be doing the talking…I’ll be working the room, shaking hands, kissing babies and begging for treats.) 

When: Thursday, June 28 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM

Where: Umpqua Bank Alberta, 1745 NE Alberta St., Portland, OR 97211

Why: To meet me, of course! I'll share secrets from my book, Secrets of a Working Dog, and talk with other dog lovers about what their dogs have taught them about working smarter and being happier.

In addition to my books, I'll have brand new i.m.bella t-shirts for sale in navy blue, berry pink or heather gray. They are $20 each and 25% of all sales that night (t-shirts and books) will go back to Northwest Boxer Rescue.

So stop by and say "hi," or "woof, woof!"

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Beginning next month, I’ll be selling i.m.bella t-shirts online. Again, 25% of sales will go back to animal rescue groups, including many of the Boxer rescue groups I’ve worked with in the past as part of the "Bella Gives Back" program. More details to come. 

Come Meet Me! Bella The Boxer at Umpqua Bank Alberta on Last Thursday (6/28)

Come and meet me at the “Last Thursday” event on Alberta Street in Portland, Oregon on June 28! The pawsome folks at the pet-friendly Umpqua Bank Alberta Arts Store are hosting a lively, fun and FREE gathering where I’ll share some of the secrets from my book on working smarter and being happier by thinking like a dog. (Okay, my spokesperson Patrick will be doing the talking…I’ll be working the room, shaking hands, kissing babies and begging for treats.) 

Date: Thursday, June 28, 2012

Time: 7-8 PM

Place: Umpqua Bank Alberta Arts Store - 1745 NE Alberta St., Portland, OR 

Stop by and say "hi"...Woof! Woof!

Think Like a Dog: 14 Life Lessons For New Graduates

As a graduate of puppy kindergarten, I know the feeling of pride that accompanies a hard-earned diploma. It didn’t matter that I lunged on my leash and chewed on my classmate’s ear during the graduation ceremony. My Mama was proud—and that’s all that mattered!

Thankfully, I’m older and wiser now. My advice for new graduates? Think like a dog. You’ll work smarter, be happier and find the success you deserve. Here are some practical tips:

Concentrate your time and energy on the things that you love and that you are good at—the things that make you “zoom.”

Practice the “law of dogtraction” with focused, constructive thoughts. Concentrate on the positive, no matter how small or inconsequential.

Get enough sleep—without it, you’ll be unfocused, unproductive and unhealthy. Not to mention too tired to play with your loyal, four-legged friend!

Run with the ball. When an opportunity comes along, gather enough information to make a decision and make a decision.

Become a better listener by wagging your tail more than your tongue.

Broadcast your own success by never speaking negatively about someone else’s.

Shake off setbacks like a dog shakes off water. If you don’t fail, you don’t learn.

Follow your own instincts. Other people’s opinions shouldn’t keep you from taking risks and pursuing your dreams.

Step outside your digital bubble and make real-life connections.

Assemble your pack. The most successful people are those who surround themselves with a network of colleagues, coaches, mentors and friends.

Don’t just be grateful—show it. Appreciation is gratitude in action, and it makes everyone feel good.

Don’t think of play as an escape from daily life, but rather an important part of learning and development. If you don’t play, you don’t grow.

Seize the opportunities that are under your nose right now, instead of digging around in the past or sniffing at the future.

Savor life with all your senses. Slow down and tune in to the wonderful world around you.

Excerpted from Secrets of a Working Dog: Unleash Your Potential and Create Success by Bella The Boxer with Ellen Galvin and Patrick Galvin

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Special Offer! Do you have a favorite graduate who could use some DOGGONE good advice? Save 35% when you order a copy of my book directly from my website using “GRAD” as the discount code. That’s just $12.95 per copy, with free shipping in the U.S. Good through June 15, 2012. Order here.

Meet Eve, A Very Special Dog

I’m a lucky Boxer, and I know it. I wish that I could help every single Boxer in need, but there are some whose stories just really tug at my heartstrings—and Eve’s is one of them.

Eve was found on Christmas Eve as a 5-week old stray puppy. She barely weighed 2 pounds and was in dire need of help.

Luckily for her she found her way to Adopt A Boxer Rescue, the group that saved her life and made her its unofficial mascot. And even though Eve lost a leg in 2010 (after several unsuccessful surgeries to repair a torn ACL), she never lost her spirit—she still doles out wiggles and kisses wherever she goes!

Unfortunately, Eve also suffers from a condition called megaesophagus, or mega-E, that affects her ability to move food through the esophagus and to keep it in her stomach once it gets there. She’s been very sick over the last few weeks, and has lost a tremendous amount of weight due to her disease – in addition to the heartache, the financial costs are huge (the vet estimate is over $5,000). So, please send your thoughts, prayers and, if possible, financial support to Adopt A Boxer Rescue (no donation is too small!).

I’ll be doing my part, too. Between May 17 – 20, I’ll give back 30% of ALL paperback and e-Book sales from my website at www.BellaTheBoxer.com (and Amazon and BN.com) to help chip in for Eve’s care.

Please, spread the word and let’s help this sweet girl get better! 

With gratitude,

Bella The Boxer

Giving Back to Northwest Boxer Rescue: Won't You Help Me Help the Boxers of WA, OR, ID and CA?

I'm a Northwest dog, through and through. I love hiking, going to the beach, watching episodes of Portlandia and drinking cups of good, strong coffee (okay, so I'm not really allowed to drink coffee which is okay since I'm pretty jazzed up on life already…).

Unfortunately, not all Boxers here in the Northwest have it as good as I do—at least, not until they make it to Northwest Boxer Rescue (NWBR). Started in November 2011, NWBR is already making a HUGE difference in the lives of Boxers in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California. (They recently transported 17 dogs from high-kill shelters in Southern California up to Washington, with more transports planned soon!)

NWBR wants nothing more than to see wiggle butts out of shelters and into warm houses, snoring on the laps of loving family members. All of NWBR's dogs are in foster homes, with volunteers who dedicate their time and love to Boxers and can't bear to see them in kennels, cages or shelters.

The downside? There are always more Boxers needing help. That's why I am donating 50% of every book sale from my website during the month of April to Northwest Boxer Rescue. So tell your friends that now is the perfect time to get their paws on their very own, "pawtographed" copy of my book Secrets of a Working Dog, which Publisher's Weekly called "delightful and insightful." That's $10 per book that goes to helping Boxers in need. And guess what? Shipping is free in the U.S.!

Please remember to order at www.BellaTheBoxer.com to ensure that NWBR gets the giveback.

Also, check out Northwest Boxer's website and Facebook page for more about the history of the organization, the story of its founders, and the dogs that have been helped and those that are still looking for their forever homes. Boxers like Thor (below). I have a BIG FAT CRUSH on Thor because, seriously, who can resist a manly man who has a pink blankie?

Woofs, wags and wiggles ~ Bella

How to Network Like a Dog: Dig Out What's Different

Want to know how to create long-lasting, meaningful connections in work and life? Take a tip from my book Secrets of a Working Dog and practice thinking like a dog. Woof, woof!

I love driving out to the country with my humans for a chance to chat with the locals...the cows, the horses and the deer (but never, ever the skunks). They don't always appreciate my efforts, but I always try.

The key to making friends like a dog is to always be curious. Never pass up an opportunity to meet someone new just because they don't walk, talk or look like you. Dogs know that mutually-beneficial partnerships come in all shapes and sizes, and they have no problem looking past (or searching out) differences that most humans would think were too big to ignore.

Have you reached out to someone new today?

How to Network Like a Dog, Tip #1: Dig Out What's Different

This month, I'm going to share tips from my book Secrets of a Working Dog on how to create long-lasting, meaningful connections in work and life by thinking like a dog. Woof, woof!

I love driving out to the country with my humans for a chance to chat with the locals...the cows, the horses and the deer (but never, ever the skunks). They don't always appreciate my efforts, but I always try.

The key to making friends like a dog is to always be curious. Never pass up an opportunity to meet someone new just because they don't walk, talk or look like you. Dogs know that mutually-beneficial partnerships come in all shapes and sizes, and they have no problem looking past (or searching out) differences that most humans would think were too big to ignore.

Have you reached out to someone new today?

Self-Promotion, Or When It’s OK to be a Hot Dog

Mmmmm, hot dogs. My favorite food group (the ones not made out of plastic, that is!).

Anyway, I digress. This is a post about effective communication…

Dogs don’t question their own instincts. If we believe in something, we go for it; we don’t need to drum up interest or support with what people call dog-and-pony shows (honestly, the terms they use!). And even though I believe in the “less is more” philosophy, I also know that the times they are a-changin’. Sometimes, you just have to put yourself out there and strut your stuff!

Why? Because a degree from puppy kindergarten, even if it’s Ivy League, is not enough to get you noticed anymore. As big companies slash jobs and all the “traditional” places of employment start to disappear, it doesn’t do you any good to be the strong and silent type. In the modern working world, you have to be your own best marketing machine. Nobody can, or will, promote you as well as you promote yourself (unless you are a Beverly Hills Chihuahua, with enough pocket change to hire your own agent).

Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not talking about strutting around town and bragging about being the biggest or fastest dog at the dog park. Instead of talking about your own accomplishments, self-promotion is about letting people know that you love what you do and that you do it better than anyone else. It’s about sharing your ideas so others can learn from you and be inspired to take action.

For instance, animal behaviorist and veterinarian Dr. Ian Dunbar didn’t invent positive reinforcement training, but he was the first to popularize it for most people. His books, videos and training sessions have helped millions of humans turn away from dominance training and communicate with their dogs in a fun and positive way. Dr. Dunbar's dog-friendly methods have influenced many dog trainers—and, through them, people who live with dogs.

The bottom line? You can’t share your message or your ideas with the world if people don’t know who you are or if they take you for granted. People like to be around other talented, confident people because those are the people most likely to recognize and appreciate talent in others. So don’t be afraid to engage in self-promotion when it’s well deserved and appropriate. Just make sure that you have something to say and that you say it well. And follow Franklin D. Roosevelt’s advice and “be sincere; be brief; be seated.”