Ellen Galvin's Blog, page 7

Make Happiness Happen: I'm #3 on Amazon Kindle's Happiness List!

Aside from dogs, who are the happiest creatures in the world? Those who make it their business to be happy! As Abraham Lincoln once said, "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

(Speaking of Abraham Lincoln, here's some trivia that I uncovered while I was researching my book: Lincoln had a "floppy-eared, rough-coated, yellowish dog of uncertain ancestry" named Fido who followed him around the town of Springfield, Illinois. You can read more about Lincoln and his four-legged friend at the Abraham Lincoln Research Site.)

Thanks to the age-old human quest for happiness, Secrets of a Working Dog is now the #3 rated Kindle eBook on Happiness based on Amazon customer reviews.

Pssssst! What's that whirring noise? It's the sound of my little nub tail spinning around with happiness...

Wags and woofs,

Bella

A Celebration of Dirt: Bella's Tribute to Mother Earth

I really dig dirt. I especially like to eat the yummy, dark compost-like stuff that Mom spreads around the trees and plants in the backyard. She thinks it's gross, I think it's a delicacy. This just proves that some things never change, since I've loved nibbling on all of Mother Earth's bounty since I was just a wee little boxer pup.

To celebrate Earth Day I'd like to pay tribute to DIRT, GLORIOUS DIRT with a few (dirty) pictures from my past:

Well, there you have it: an Earth Day tribute to dirt. This weekend, I'll also be rounding up gently used dog toys and towels to donate to our local animal shelter instead of adding them to landfill. How will you honor Earth Day this year?

Woofs and Wags,

Bella

Working Dog Wednesday: Meet Puma, Blonde Bombshell and Tailored Dog

I consider myself a BIG dog. But since I weigh just 58 pounds, I hear comments like: "He's small for a boxer" (duh, I'm a girl) and "What a shrimp!" (please, have you seen that Bubba Gump Shrimp character? We look nothing alike!).

That's okay, though. I make up for my petite stature with attitude…which is why I relate well to other dogs with attitude, like my fashion friend Puma. She is the inspiration behind Tailored Dog which designs clothing and apparel for larger dogs.

Bella: Puma, I understand you are the inspiration behind Tailored Dog. What's your story?
Puma: Well, as dogs go I am a mixed breed: Chow-Chow and Golden Retriever. I'm 11 ½ years old, a blonde bombshell, a one-person type of girl, very alpha (just can't help myself), independent (almost cat-like), very-well behaved, calm, aloof (although I love attention on my terms), and very brave (I have muscle degeneration and had a malignant tumor/lobe removed from my liver last year). I try not to complain, though. I am always thinking, I'm naturally curious…and I can be very sweet if I don't feel threatened.

***

Bella: Tell us about the 'Canine Nudity Campaign'
Puma: My Mom and I feel that, when appropriate, dogs should wear apparel. One of the reasons we founded Tailored Dog was to raise awareness about protecting short-haired, infirm (like me) and senior dogs from the elements...especially when it is really cold outside.

***

Bella: What kind of clothes do you like to model?
Puma: Well, Mom has made me a bit of a diva. Because I have a complete wardrobe, I never get wet when it rains. I am protected by our Raincoat Supreme, which is a waterproof, Gore-Tex-like fashion statement. We designed it to have a hood because dogs have heads…and mine doesn't like to get wet! I wear the red one and it has the 'HERS' Audrey Hepburnesque bow that helps people distinguish me as a female. Mom suggested the gender distinction because, like you Bella, people always thought I was a HIM. Sheesh. Just because I have large paws and big bones...

Oh, and let me just add that size does not matter. My boyfriend Archie is a Bichon mix who only weighs 10 pounds. He's barely two years old, so I guess that makes me a cougar (M-E-O-W). We are both independent and curious, which makes the relationship work. 

***

Bella: Yowza! Good for you, Cougar, er, Puma… Okay, back to business. What does a 'typical' work day look like for you?
Puma: Because Mom and I believe in fitness, we begin each day with a walk. Upon our return to the office, we attack our keyboards and reply to correspondence, tweet and check social media. We purchase components as required and discuss matters of the day with our manufacturer. We discuss how to improve/grow our company and reach out to our clients for feedback. We also try to approach one media outlet per day.

***

Bella: How important is giving back?
Puma: Giving back has always been an ingredient in Mom's life. When we met, she was volunteering at the shelter where I briefly resided. When we founded Tailored Dog, we decided we wanted our collection to be BRED in the USA. Unfortunately, manufacturing operations like the ones required to produce our products are no longer common in the US. After Mom did some research, she found a workshop in Chicago (our hometown) called Envision that provides training and jobs for adults with developmental disabilities. Amazingly, the woman who did much of our sewing was not only developmentally disabled, but also legally blind. Her name is Pearl and she is an amazing person with great courage, too. We are very sad because Envision was forced to lay off many of their people due to budget cuts. We are, just now, beginning a new relationship with another manufacturer who will be able to accommodate some new features. And we hope to announce a new collaboration with a foundation that assists families who are confronted with treating canine cancer.

***

Bella: What can you teach humans about balancing work and life?
Puma: When selecting a companion (either 2 or 4 legs), identify someone who is complementary. My Mom is TYPE A and I am TYPE C (calm). Between us we have a balance. We are in sync with each other and we are soul mates. Mom has my back and I have hers. This reduces stress and allows us to work/live with trust (an important element of balance, longevity and good health). Every day we share expressions of love and tell each other how much we appreciate the other. Vocalizing our feelings reinforces our commitment to each other and reminds us of our priorities: try to make each other a better person and be grateful each day.

***

Bella: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Puma: People watching—I'm a great observer! Give me a park or plaza with activity and I will sit/lay down all day and watch people come and go. Also, I like being in front of the camera and have been on our local NBC news (weather permitting) for the last six years. I just lay there and the cameraman puts the camera in my face. For some reason, I have a calming effect on the viewers and they look forward to my appearances.

Thank you Puma, you're not just a fashion icon but also a very wise girl!

Woofs and Wags,
Bella

 

Red Balls, Tomatoes, the Multitasking Myth and the Power of Concentration

I've talked about my obsession with little red balls, but now there's proof…Check out this video made by my friends at Dogs In the City (which gets my vote for the most awesome doggie daycare in Portland):

As you can see, that little red ball is the object of my full and devoted attention. Multitasking? Puh-leeze!! Multitasking is a myth, no matter what humans say or how many things they try to juggle. In fact, it's impossible to do many things at once and do any of them well. Brains simply aren't wired this way (it doesn't matter whether you have two legs or four). Plus, the constant switching between tasks can be as frustrating and unproductive as doing nothing at all!

My advice to frazzled humans? Sharpen your focus by dumping the distractions. If you are addicted to e-mail, turn it off. If gossip headlines are your Achilles' heel, close your browser. If you can't let a ringing phone go unanswered, pull the plug.

Right now you are saying, "Easier said than done." Yes, dogs, especially successful dogpreneurs, know firsthand that removing temptation takes a lot of hard work and discipline. If you are one of those people who lose focus and don't know why, start taking notes. Write down everything you do during your workday. Like dieters who keep food journals, time wasters are more likely to change their ways when they see evidence of their bad habits in black and white.

Here's another idea for people and dogs who like round, shiny red objects: Francesco Cirillo created a time-management technique called the Pomodoro Technique that uses a basic red tomato kitchen timer to break tasks into 25-minute increments called "pomodoros," which means "tomatoes" in Italian.

Boy, do I love tomatoes. Especially the little cherry tomatoes that come straight off the vine. But I digress...

The goal of the technique is to keep you focused and working in increments, one pomodoro at a time, until a task is completed. At the same time, you keep track of every single interruption on a sheet of paper so that you can eliminate them over time. It's simple and clever, and there is a free instructional booklet at www.pomodorotechnique.com.

So there you have it, a dog's advice for keeping your eye on the (red) ball. For more ideas on how to sharpen your focus and achieve better work/life balance, read my book Secrets of a Working Dog: Unleash Your Potential and Create Success.

Ciao for now,
Bella

Working Dog Wednesday: Cosmo, Canine Ambassador

Friends, meet Cosmo—a handsome Boxer boy with a wicked sense of humor who is also one of the faces of Florida Boxer Rescue, an organization of angels dedicated to helping the Boxers of central and western Florida. (It's also one of the rescue groups to which I'm donating proceeds from my book. Check out the details here.)

I thought it might be difficult to book an interview with Cosmo, considering that he's a bit of celebrity after his recent media appearance with the members of TV's Rescue Ink. They are the tattooed, motorcycle-riding street guys from New York who have their own TV show. They might look tough, but Cosmo tells me that they are real softies when it comes to animal rescue and they have zero tolerance for animal abuse and neglect. (They were in Tampa in early March to kick off a fundraising and awareness effort that was hosted in part by Florida Boxer Rescue.)

Nonetheless, Cosmo was very gracious with his time and didn't mind fielding questions from a lesser-known celebrity like me.

Bella: Cosmo, I understand you are a spokesdog for Florida Boxer Rescue. How were you elected?
Cosmo: Well, my Mom Sandra thinks I hung the moon and that I am the most handsome boy in the entire universe….so I guess that is how I got "elected!"

***

Bella: Tell us a little bit more about yourself.
Cosmo: I will be 9 years old on April 14th (hard to believe, I know). I was surrendered to Florida Boxer Rescue at 7 months old because the young couple I was with was getting a divorce and was more interested in partying than in me. As a result, they left me on a porch to fend for myself and fed me when they remembered. Sometimes, days would pass without food. I was so stressed that I got Demodex (puppy mange) and lost all my hair and had sores all over my body. (It was so bad that people would cross the street to avoid me. My Mom Sandra would tell them it wasn't contagious and we'd keep walking. Man, she loved me like nobody loved me.)

My Mom was also the one who came to rescue me. She was just going to foster me but I had other plans. I made sure my head was tilted just right so I looked extra adorable so when she pulled up and saw me sitting in the yard looking so darn cute...bang! That was it. Right away, I knew I was home. Now, she tells me every day while she's hugging me that if she could, she would breathe me into her lungs! Is she weird or what???

(Oh, and I have a Dad who is an architect—best in the world—and a sister named Katie who I love a lot and like to sit on.)

***

Bella: What are some of the things you do as part of your work with Florida Boxer Rescue?
Cosmo: I go to rescue events to show how special the Boxer breed is, accompany my Mom to home visits, and tag along to shops and restaurants to show everyone how wonderful Boxers are.

***

Bella: What's your favorite part of the job?
Cosmo: Meeting people, getting lots of attention…and being told how handsome I am.

***

Bella: Least favorite?
Cosmo: Getting showers and having my picture taken. On a more somber note, it's seeing the rampant abuse that people subject dogs to. Every day, my Mom gets calls about dogs being chained outside, abandoned, beaten, burned. Just last night she picked up a sweet white Boxer girl who had been left out all alone and unprotected in a crack neighborhood, covered in dirt and loaded with fleas, with every kind of worm imaginable. I guess that's why educating people to turn in abusers and prevent abuse in the first place is such a huge part of what we do as a group. The good news is that Mom took this little girl to the vet and drove her to a new foster home where she was finally able to lay her head down and dream sweet doggie dreams!

***

Bella: Alright, give us the real scoop on those Rescue Ink guy. What are they like?
Cosmo: They are the coolest. They act all tough but have the biggest, softest hearts. We had a blast together—I even did a 2-hour photo shoot with them…and I don't like having my picture taken. They always begin their talks to groups by saying they aren't angels but that is so not true. Their wings are just hidden under their tee shirts…

***

Bella: Do you think you'll ever retire as a spokesdog for Boxer rescue? I mean, you live in Florida so isn't it time to take up golf?
Cosmo: Never. This is my calling. I guess it's just one of the downsides of being so darn handsome! Seriously, though. My message is too important: Dogs need to be with their families for life, not just when it's convenient—especially Boxers. You know, my Mom answers the 800-number for Florida Boxer Rescue and gets a zillion calls a day with every lame excuse in the book for giving up their beautiful Boxers. It makes her so angry that people don't research the breed so don't understand our energy.  Don't they know that this is what makes us special? Sadly, too many humans are lazy and don't want to take the time. When people see how well behaved, handsome and fun I am, my Mom always lets them know that I am a rescue dog…and the light of her life!

***

Bella: Well, Cosmo, I sure wish every dog were as loved as you are. One last question: What do you like to do in your spare time? 
Cosmo: I like to go on walks with my sister and Mom and Dad, and I like the dog park, too (I'm not only handsome but very social too). I especially like going boating with my family and jumping off the boat for a refreshing swim. Oh, and I like to practice my mental telepathy skills by staring at Mom until she gives me here food. I am the master—it never fails.

Thanks for your time, Cosmo!

(Remember, I'm donating 40% from the sale of every book that is marked "Florida Boxer Rescue" to the work being done by Cosmo and his mom Sandra along with all the other people who volunteer their time on behalf of Boxers in central and western Florida. I'll personalize and pawtography every copy, and you'll have the book in a jiffy! The purchase details are here and you can read the latest raves and reviews here.)

Boxer Bragging Rights: Publishers Weekly Reviews My Book!

I'm not one to brag. Okay, that's not exactly true....I'm a Boxer, after all. So please allow me to WIGGLE with joy while I share this excerpt from a review of my book by the editors of Publishers Weekly, for their second quarterly issue of PW Select:

"Delightful and insightful, Bella's pearls of wisdom will entertain while imparting more than a few valuable lessons."

To read the full review, please click here.

Bend It Like Beckham: A Boxer's Advice for Getting Off Your Backside

Last week, the #1 article on the website of The New York Times was "Forget the Treadmill. Get a Dog." by Tara Parker-Pope. Apparently, new research shows that dog owners are more likely to take regular walks and are more active overall than people who don't have dogs.

Well, duh!!

Dogs know that physical exercise is the key to staying healthy, happy and balanced. Personally, I like nothing better than a good game of soccer in the backyard with my humans. (Hmmm, I wonder if this is why the lawn looks as bad as it does? And what's the deal with all those yellow stains on the grass.....)

You don't have to be a soccer star, though. Walking is one of the easiest ways for dogs and humans to get in shape. In fact, dogs often make better walking companions than humans. Why? Because we don't complain about the weather or come up with other lame excuses to avoid going outside and getting some exercise.

No sirree, we don't take kindly to excuses. If you have an excuse, we have a counterpoint:

Human: I'm just too tired to walk.
Dog: Just take me out for 15 minutes of fresh air—you want me to have fresh air, right?—and then I promise we can go back inside unless you suddenly find the energy to keep going (which, of course, you will).

***

Human: Walks are boring.
Dog: OK, I'll make it interesting. I'll dawdle to sniff a blade of grass and then I'll take off running after a squirrel. It's called interval training, and I'll be your own personal trainer.

***

Human: Sorry, I forgot—things got really busy today.
Dog: Pick a time of day and put it on your calendar. I promise to remind you daily by thumping my tail on the floor, barking at the door and/or yanking  your computer cord out of the wall. Walking will become a new habit in no time.

***

Human: I don't feel like it.
Dog: Here's the deal. I don't feel like dressing up for Halloween, but I do it because I love you and it makes you and all your YouTube friends crack up. Now lace up your sneakers and let's go.

***

What if you don't have a dog? Well, borrow a dog or find a loaner by volunteering to exercise a neighbor's pet or to walk dogs at the local animal shelter. Most shelters desperately need people who can give dogs the physical activity they need to stay happy, healthy and adoptable. I've mentioned this before, but our own local Oregon Humane Society even has a program where you can run with the dogs.

Like what you hear? Get a copy of my book for more tips on exercising your body and your mind.

Now, go grab a leash and exercise with your dog!

Help A Blessed Boxer Give Back to World Vets

Thank you for your St. Patrick's Day greetings! Despite the humiliation of posing for the camera wearing a green scarf and a shamrock headband, I feel like a blessed boxer indeed.

At the same time, things in Japan go from bad to worse and it's hard to not to feel helpless. I'm especially awed by the selflessness of the search dogs who sniff through the rubble in a fight to find survivors. I wish I had that kind of focus and talent but alas, I do not. I'm way too hyper and easily distracted. I mean, it was hard enough for me to sit still and write a book.

I'm glad I did, though. Even if it was just one paragraph at a time, I had the chance to interview great people doing fantastic things for animals. One of those people is Cathy King, DVM PhD and CEO of the international non-profit World Vets (her interview is on pp. 101-3 of my book and her testimonial is on the front cover…right below the picture of my head!).

Cathy is on the ground in Japan right now, working frantically to rescue animals who've been left behind. There is a good CNN article that came out today that describes the situation and what Cathy and her peers from other animal welfare groups are doing to help the animals that are dying by the day (click here to read the article).

I might not be a search-and-rescue star, but I think I'm a pretty good writer (check out my reviews online and you'll see that this is not just the usual boxer braggadocio). Nothing makes my little nub tail wag with happiness more than using my book to help organizations that need help. This time, it's World Vets.

Here are the details: Go to the order page of my website and buy your very own, "pawtographed" copy of my book, Secrets of a Working Dog: Unleash Your Potential and Create Success. During checkout, you'll see a space on the PayPal order form where you can enter a promotion code. Type in "WORLDVETS" and I'll make sure that 25% of every book sale goes directly to World Vets.

If you have any problems or questions, send me an email at bella@bellatheboxer.com and I'll straighten it out for you. Dog's honor!

(Unfortunately, I can't track Amazon sales or e-Book sales to be able to give back to World Vets. But, the paperback copy of the book is "pawsome" and makes a snazzy gift, too. You can order it from my website here. The cost is just $19.95 and this includes free and fast shipping in the U.S.)

Working Dog Wednesday: Meet Shilo, Fashionista

Today's interview is with the stylish Shilo. She's the creative genius behind All For One, a clothing company in Southern California that designs cool t-shirts and donates a portion of each sale to help shelter animals. Here she is with her Dad, Brandon, modeling some of the company's designs:

Unfortunately, Shilo knows a thing or two about shelters:

"My life started off pretty tough. I was left in a brown paper bag with my three brothers and sisters outside the Jurupa Valley Animal Shelter in Riverside, CA. The morning after we were dropped off, my Dad came in looking to adopt a puppy. He walked by the area where I was and I caught his eye. He asked if he could see me and when they brought me into the observation room the first thing I did was walk head first into the wall. My Dad started laughing and knew he had to have me. Hearing my story, he decided that he wanted to find a way to help other homeless dogs so we created a clothing brand to raise money for animal shelters all over the country."

Shilo's job is to help her Dad come up with designs that dog owners will want to wear. They go to the dog park a lot, where Shilo models her special shirts and talks up the brand. As for other perks of the job, Shilo is just happy to be able to spend time with her Dad.

"The last few years my Dad was working a full time job and going to school so I love that I have been able to spend more time with him the last few months. I also have a sister who is a terrier that I spend almost every waking minute with. We have a basket full of toys and we play tug of war with each other all the time. My family says I am spoiled because of all the toys but I tell them I work hard and that I've earned every toy I have."

I agree, Shilo—you've earned all your toys, plus all the toys you'll be getting for your upcoming 4th birthday!

Visit All For One on Facebook and Twitter, too!

Trouble Concentrating? Learn to Nap Like Bella the Boxer...

Yesterday, a lovely lady in brown pulled up in her delivery truck and brought me a brand new, fluffy dog bed. As you can see, it didn't take long for me to get comfortable:

Now that I'm wide awake and well-rested, I thought I'd share one of my tips for staying energized and focused throughout the day. Today's lesson is called, "How to Take the Perfect Power Nap."

You see, humans are busier—and more distracted—than ever. Many have trouble concentrating. One of the reasons is that they are "dog tired" (a misnomer because dogs know when we need to rest). Humans, on the other hand, are exhausted. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders or constant sleep loss.

Take it from a dog: Catching a few Zzzzzzz's during the day is a good way to rest and refresh the body and mind. There is evidence that naps improve mental alertness, boost productivity, reduce stress and lower the risk of heart attacks. Still, many people resist. They think it's a sign of weakness or laziness, but I think that famous nappers like Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill and Bill Clinton would disagree.

So, here's my challenge: Take a power nap today. I'll make it interesting, too: For every 20 minutes you sleep, I'll sleep for another 20!

Embrace the nap . Dogs don't make excuses for napping, and neither should you. Don't try to "steal a few winks" or "get caught napping." And for heaven's sake, don't "catnap." Be a proud napper!





Listen to your body . Biologically, most humans feel their energy dip about eight hours after they've gotten out of bed, which makes the afternoon a perfect time to snooze. Scientists say a 20-45 minute nap anywhere from 1 to 3 p.m. is what the body and brain need for energy and creativity.





Create a nap zone . Not everyone is as lucky as I am to have such a big, fluffy dog bed. But try to find someplace comfortable where you can lie down and stretch out (research says that it takes 50% longer to fall asleep upright than lying down).





Calm your body and your mind . Let go of the thoughts that scurry through your mind like squirrels. I like to think about running along a sandy beach where there are no squirrels. When it's time to wake up, open your eyes slowly and take a few more deep breaths while stretching your limbs.

Feels good, doesn't it? Now that you have the energy, go take you dog out for a play session before getting back to work.