The 3 C's

Camelot, Cooper and Carlee

Today was our final session...well officially it was. I have no doubt I'll be seeing these sweethearts again down the road. My goal for today was to make sure that Cathleen was comfortable doing the touches and answer any questions she had.

As usual Cooper was first on my lap but Cami made sure she got her's too! Carlee is very laid back and really enjoys the touch but at the same time takes a back seat to Cooper and Cami.

The last couple sessions Cami has been doing something quite unusual. Something I've never seen with any other dog. At certain points in the work, when I'm doing Heart Hugs or touches to her chest her ears take on a life of their own. Normally they hang down like Doxie ears should.

Then as I start to work on her chest she starts moving her head almost like she is stretching and then the "ear thing' happens. The left ear kinda folds over itself and the right ear sticks straight out!



Here she is stretching her head and the ears are beginning to transform.










I'll be asking others involved in the work if they have seen anything like this before. I'd be curious if it has any significance.




I'd like to share something Cathleen said:
Cooper really likes TTouch.... which makes quite a bit of sense, seeing how his poor little body was so disconnected from itself for the first 5+ years of his life that he battled with a liver shunt, bladder stones and multiple infections throughout his body. I truely believe TTouch felt so wonderful to Cooper because it helped him to finally be one with his whole body...Cami on the other hand is a different dog from the first session to today.

This case study has really taken on a life of its own. Some may say "by chance" and others may say it was "in the plan" but a simple email asking a local rescue if they had a dog I could work on has really brought joy to my life. I have met some very knowledgeable ladies who are dedicated to the health and well-being of dogs. I have learned much from them and there is so much more to learn.

When people say that you receive more than you give doing this work they couldn't be any more correct!

Cami and Friends

When I visited Cami and her friends yesterday I got to see her in all her glory! This little girl is completely different from the one I met at our first session! She is really feeling great and running and playing. Such a joy to see.




The Doxies seemed to know I was there for their benefit and promptly got up in my lap for their TTouch. As I hold all three, Carlee, Cami and Cooper, I switch off on who is actually being worked on and who is having a pause to process. It actually works out quite well.









Cooper enjoys his ear work. What better ears for Ear TTouch than those of a Doxie? I do believe he looks like he is going to fall asleep!












Carlee has a very BIG yawn during the Abalone TTouches I'm doing on her chest.













I made another wrap for Cami and I think she looks like a little present. She is a little present to all those who know her so it is very fitting. Doesn't she look pretty?

Soon little Gertie stopped by for some TTouch before heading to the vet. Gertie has been having some trouble that does not appear to be related to her tumor. This sweet one sure doesn't need another thing on her plate. Thoughts and prayers are with her as they look for answers.


As for her tumor, even though it looks large and I couldn't really SEE a difference I absolutely could FEEL a difference. The tumor felt very full and tight before. Now there is relaxation in the lump. According to Lee Anne it has shrunk quite a bit. Before when Lee Anne would cup her hand over the tumor her hand would be full. Now there is a significant difference in how much of her and the tumor fills. We are happy for any reduction in size or pressure that we can get for her.


Gertie would benefit from a few more sessions

I think Cami is pretty much back to normal. She seems to be feeling fit as a fiddle which you can see in this video clip of her playing. We will most likely have one more session where I can make sure Cathleen can carry on the work on her own. Then I'll be around on an as needed basis for this sweet girl for as long as they need me.

- Camelot, Cami, The Princess -

This has really been a fantastic case study. Not only had Cami benefited but so has Cooper. Cooper was described to me as a nervous boy that was cautious of women and would leave the room when company came. I never met that Cooper. The Cooper I know is quite confident, loving and the first to hop on my lap and the last to leave. As for Carlee, I think she just plain loved TTouch and how good it feels to her. Gertie has had a reduction in size and pressure of her tumor. On top of all these things I've met two very nice friends in Cathleen and Lee Anne. What more could I ask for?

The Princess and her Court

Me & Cooper

Saturday I had the pleasure of working with Cami, Carlee and Cooper again. Not only that but we also had a very special senior girl, Gertie.




Cami was quite the different dog this week. She was playful and sassy! It is clear that she is really feeling better. Must be all that lovin' from her Momma, the fantastic food, excellent vet care and a healthy dose of Tellington TTouch.

She has the most beautiful ears for doing Ear Touches!
















Here she is modeling a special body wrap for the tiny types. Please say a big prayer for this special girl. Tomorrow she goes back to the doctor where they will draw fluid from her joints to see if she is in remission.












Obviously this is an uncomfortable procedure but the body wrap and the touches made her so relaxed that her Mom is going to see if the wrap alone is enough too avoid having her sedated. The less meds for this little one, the better.

Tonight I made Cami her very own little wrap and dyed it purple for her. Hopefully it will make her procedure a little more comfortable.

Here Cami enjoys her TTouches while Cooper makes sure he is next in line.

Gertie is a lady of a certain age. What age we really aren't certain and besides a lady never tells her age. Although Gertie has no vision it really doesn't seem to bother her much. She walks slowly and very gently bumps into things, adjusts her path and off she goes again.

The main problem Gertie has is a tumor on her neck. You can see it quite clearly in this photo.

Her Mom has taken her for treatment and learned the risks of surgery outweigh the benefits. Like Cami, Gertie is on a specially prepared diet for cancer patients. The tumor itself is not terribly large and it does not impact her breathing or cause her any pain. What you see in the picture is the blood and fluid that surround the tumor.


I showed Lee Anne how to do Raccoon Touches all around the area to reduce the fluid in that area and call upon the body to address the issue as only one's body can do. The touches are done very lightly.

Today I had an update from Lee Anne that the area is not nearly as tight as it was on Saturday! Fantastic news for this sweet little girl.

The Princess

Camelot, Cami, or you can just call me "The Princess"

I love working with all animals. In fact I've not met a dog or cat I haven't liked along this journey of mine. Maybe it is because of the tough road we have traveled with Sammi and Marley's backs that I have an extra special spot in my heart for those with physical difficulties.

Tellington TTouch is no substitute for veterinary care but it can be quite complimentary to it. A supportive and comforting care to go along with what the Doctor orders.

Focusing on this special place in my heart my desire was to bring in more cases that have physical pain, those recovering from injury or surgery or issues that impair their mobility. The other day I started giving this some serious thought followed by an action plan. I asked myself what breed may fall into this category. Although there are many the Dachshund immediately popped into my mind and I ran a Google search of rescue groups in my area.

2nd Chance Dachshund Rescue of San Diego - www.2ndchancedoxie.com/ - caught my eye. 2nd Chance Dachshund Rescue is very special. They are local out of San Diego and only take 4 or 5 dogs at a time. The reason is they provide exceptional natural care. The dogs are fed the highest quality diet and an array of supplements. They are raised naturally without chemicals. They are given the best of care for mind and body. I sent them an email of introduction and an offer to assist any Doxies that may benefit from spending time with me. In a matter of hours I had a reply. They had such a dog. A little girl named Camelot, or Cami, or Princess as people tend to call her.

Saturday morning, bright and early, I met Cami and her "Mom", Cathleen.


Cami was born with a spine that has a 45 degree angle to it! As bad as this sounds Cami's spine doesn't slow this little girl down one bit. The big problem is that she has been diagnosed with an auto immune disease called Immune Medicated Polyarthritis that is requiring her to have some pretty nasty medicine. She has also had some painful episodes and some lameness. To read more about this disease please click on this link:
www.fecava.org/files/ejcap/678.pdf

There is something else she has that I'm going to talk about for a moment. This is something that did not have to happen to her. There is a breeding practice called Color Dilution where mutated genes are matched to produce unnatural colors. Beautiful unnatural colors, in fact.

So, what the heck is wrong with making these pretty colors?

The biggest problem is that by 2-3 years old the dog will begin to get bacterial infections (folliculitis) and require antibiotics. That will work for a time. The hair will begin to fall out and this alopecia will spread. The skin in the effected areas tends to be scaly and be at risk for sunburn and extreme cold temperatures.

Breeding a purebred dog should be done for the betterment of the breed. This practice is not in the dogs best interest and needs to stop.

Back to my visit with Cami.

Cami shares her home with two other Doxies, Carlee and Cooper. Rumor has it that Cooper tends to have some nervous tics to him and is particular as to which women he trusts in his life. Carlee is as cute and affectionate as can be.

It is nice when I have multiple dogs to work with at a time because Tellington TTouch is all about moments and not minutes. The pause between the work is as important as the touches and gives the brain an opportunity to process what has just happened. So, having multiple dogs to work with provides these pauses naturally.

I have a tiny little body wrap that was perfect for Cami. She has tried a Thundershirt before but because of her hump it was not as comfortable as it is for other dogs. The wrap was perfect as we could avoid it all together.

I did short bursts of touches on Cami because this little girl is a bundle of energy and had other things to do~ A Princess' work is never done.

Cooper was a delight. Far more shy and calm than his sisters but he was not too shy to crawl up on my lap and get his fair share. While Cooper melted into my lap Carlee squeezed in for her turn.

One thing I noticed about these long nose dogs is they had no problem letting me know what they liked and where they wanted it. If I took the touches to the back end they would use those long noses to lift up my hand and flip it up toward their heads! All three did this and being a momma to "no nose" Frenchie boyz I got a smile from it.

Cami would look on and even "nose" the other Doxies when I worked on them but it was beneath her to come over to me so I'd reach out to her. It was an enjoyable juggling act.

Holding an intention of what you want to see in Tellington TTouch is very important. My intention for Cami is to help her through her treatment. When her body is in pain or swelling we can do Snail Tail or Raccoon Touches. Wraps can comfort her and generally help her feel better.

By the end of my visit all three dogs were relaxed and I hear had quite the late morning nap.

I look forward to seeing these special little ones next week.