BOOK REVIEW: One Dog’s Faith: How My Dog Helped Me Trust in God and Overcome Chronic Worrying by Tom Baker

October 24, 2017March 22, 2018 / realmofvibes / 4 Comments

Disclosure: This review contains affiliate links.

I love my dogs, Bailey and Gino. We rescued Bailey from Caring Canine Connections when she was 10 weeks old. She was a stray in a high kill shelter in North Carolina. (She was going to be euthanized over Thanksgiving.) Apparently, she was bitten during transport up to New Jersey, leaving a tear in her ear. Gino, my Chihuahua mix, was dumped out on the street. I went with volunteers from CCC to save 19 dogs from a high kill shelter back in July. Gino sat on my lap the entire drive back home. He looked at me with his big bug eyes as I whispered sweet nothings like “You are okay, little man. No one will ever hurt you again.” into his ears, which were drawn back and down. He was supposed to be killed over the Fourth of July.

I often say that my dogs saved me from myself. They have come into my life when I needed them most. Anxiety and worry are both useless emotions, but have overcome me when I was frantic about finances, health concerns, switching jobs, and finding work. I tried to tell myself that I was living the American dream, but some days felt like a true nightmare.

I received an autographed review copy of One Dog’s Faith: How My Dog Helped Me Trust in God and Overcome Chronic Worrying by Tom Baker. The book is written from his dog, Mango’s, point of view, which adds humor and lightheartedness to the story. Tom adds his perspective at the end of each chapter. One Dog’s Faith is a Christian book, and has several references to God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible. (As most of you know from my previous posts, I was raised Catholic, but do not practice. I consider myself more spiritual and believe in the religion of karma and being nice to others.) Since I love dogs and have been successfully managing my anxiety for ten years, I figured it would be a good read. It turns out, I really loved this book. I have many tabbed pages with important life reminders.

I interrupted Bailey during her nap to capture the perfect picture.

Tom Baker writes in One Dog’s Faith: How My Dog Helped Me Trust in God and Overcome Chronic Worrying:

“He [God] allows us to go through some pain in order to progress toward improvement. He sometimes has to hold us down in the middle of our misery to help us find our comfort and happiness. God sees the big picture and knows what’s best for each and every being.” (p. 114)

“Fear is powerful if you let it take over. Fear and faith can’t live in the same dog house.” (p. 168)

“Michelle just said, ‘Give it up…Give it to God…God will provide…God will make a way,’ And He always did, without fail. I saw it; she saw it.” (p 191)

One Dog’s Faith: How My Dog Helped Me Trust in God and Overcome Chronic Worrying is a feel-good book. It put many things into perspective. I used to come home from a long day at work and instantly start preparing for the next day. I would lay my scrubs out, prepare a lunch and start dinner, set the coffeemaker, pay bills, fold laundry, empty the dishwasher. I was going through the motions, preparing for something that wasn’t even guaranteed. My dogs would be begging for my attention, showing their gratitude and happiness that I was finally home. Now, when I get home from work, I drop my stuff on the table and sit on the floor to give them lots of love. I take them for a walk outside and smell the fresh air. I silently thank God for giving me another beautiful day and the opportunity to be able to come home from a day of work and spend time with my husband and furbabies. I learned to not take life so seriously. One Dog’s Faith offers perspectives that make you think about your life and how to improve upon your relationships with others, as well as God.

Gino with One Dog’s Faith by Tom Baker

Mango reminds us that dogs live for the moment. They don’t take things seriously. They are happy with very little, and that they truly value their time with us on Earth. I watch Bailey and Gino in awe. They, like Mango, have taught me to let go, trust God, follow instead of lead, and the true meaning of unconditional love.

Be sure to purchase One Dog’s Faith: How My Dog Helped Me Trust in God and Overcome Chronic Worrying on Amazon. One lucky winner will win a copy.

ENTER THE

ONE DOG’S FAITH

GIVEAWAY

Rules: Must be 18 years of age or older and a resident of the continental USA. Winner must provide name, address, e-mail, and phone number within 24 hours of the close of the giveaway or another winner will be selected. You will receive one copy of One Dog’s Faith: How My Dog Helped Me Trust in God and Overcome Chronic Worrying. Contest runs from October 24, 2017 at 12:00 AM until November 7 at 12:00 AM. Good luck!

Visit Tom Baker’s website: One Dog’s Faith and follow him on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn. Don’t forget to connect with the author’s dog, Mango, on Facebook!

Namaste.

Disclosure: I received a copy of One Dog’s Faith: How My Dog Helped Me Trust in God and Overcome Chronic Worrying complimentary for review purposes. All opinions within are my own. If you are interested in having your product on Realm of Vibes, e-mail realmofvibesdg@gmail.com for more information or fill out the form on my Contact page.

Ruff Rescue Rope Review

July 17, 2017July 17, 2017 / realmofvibes / 9 Comments

If you look in my coat closet, you will see an arsenal of leashes. I have a leash for every scenario and size ranging from a 3-foot leather leash to a 100-foot para cord for when Bailey wants to take a dip in the water during a hike. Selecting a leash that “does it all” can be confusing, aggravating, and an expense!

Ruff Rescue Rope is the most versatile leash I have ever owned. Ruff Rescue Rope eliminates the hassle of tangled leashes and buying multiple accessories for your dog(s). One leash can do it all!

Ruff Rescue Rope offers:

10-foot Multi-Function Leash (hands-free, slip lead, double leash)
10-foot Multi-Function Leash (hands-free, slip lead, double leash, harness)
Regular 10-foot leash
6-foot Multi-Function Leash (hands-free, double leash, slip lead)
6-foot hands-free leash (slip lead, hands-free)
Regular 6-foot leash
6-foot Training Slip Lead
Multi-function harness (No-pull harness, traffic lead)

Ruff Rescue Rope gives back, too. For every 20 leashes sold, Ruff Rescue Rope pays the adoption fee for a dog out of the shelter and pairs them with a veteran suffering from PTSD or in need of a companion.

Ruff Rescue Rope leashes are made from rock climbing rope which is extra-strong, waterproof and durable. It will last more than twice as long as a regular leash.

Ruff Rescue Rope leashes are very easy to clean. Simply rinse the rope with warm water and swish it around in a mesh bag and continue to clean until the water is clear. Hang to dry away from sunlight and you’re ready to go!

Review

I received the Ruff Rescue Rope 10-foot Multi-Function Leash that transforms into a hands-free leash, slip lead and double leash. The price is $34.99 USD.

Ruff Rescue Rope is excellent; I loved using it as a regular leash, a slip lead, and a hands-free leash. Although I do have an arsenal of leashes, I did not have a 10-foot leash, which is perfect to practice recall and for hiking.

Ruff Rescue Rope is one of the strongest, most durable leashes I own. I would trust this leash over any others for intense hikes, walks, or runs. After a muddy hike, it was very easy to clean in a mesh bag.

I like how Ruff Rescue Rope is environmentally friendly, too. You can learn how to adjust the leashes by watching the tutorials. I am not an auditory/visual learner, but it was fine since I could pause and replay as much as I needed. I also came up with my own hands-free, double leash creation. The Ruff Rescue Rope is easy to adjust and change from one leash setting to another.

I would strongly recommend purchasing a leash from Ruff Rescue Rope. Not only will you thoroughly enjoy your leash, but you will help a dog get out of a shelter and go with a veteran. Thank you, Ruff Rescue Rope!

Make sure you follow Ruff Rescue Rope on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: Ruff Rescue Rope gave me a 10-foot Multi-Function Leash complimentary in return for a review on Realm of Vibes and social media. All opinions within are my own. If you are interested in your products being featured on Realm of Vibes, please visit my Contact page or e-mail realmofvibesdg@gmail.com for details.

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10 Ways to Cope with Pet Loss

June 9, 2017June 13, 2017 / realmofvibes / 3 Comments

by Kelly Catalano, Master Energy Practitioner/Healer, Creator of Pet Grief Relief

Anyone who has had a pet transition can find it challenging to cope with the heart break, intense pain and emotional chaos. No matter what type of pet you owned, coping with the grief of losing it is an intensely personal process.

In order to understand how to process the grief, let’s briefly review the five stages of grief.

grief

You may move through these stages very quickly or linger in each stage for a prolonged period of time.

Pet grief is very dynamic and often misunderstood. The pet owner can be shocked by the intensity and emotional turmoil associated with the death of a pet. When the brain experiences emotional trauma it takes just a few seconds for an emotional response to kick in and become associated with it. That is why when we recall the memory, we get an emotional response no matter how much time has passed. The more physical response tied to the memory, the harder it is to release it.

The longer we hold on to emotional anguish, the more we poke it, prod it, recall it and relive it, the more embedded the detrimental emotions become.

How Grief Works

Our emotions become a tangled-up mess we are unable to process, let go of and hold us hostage in a time and place we no longer wish to be in.

They say time heals all wounds but in reality, in order to heal and recover we have to actually release the emotions tied to the memory from our body. There are a variety of ways to accomplish this. They are all safe, effective and work relatively fast.

As a master energy practitioner/ healer here are my favorite ways to help clients release pet grief.

EFT tapping…Emotional Freedom Technique
Distance Reiki
Chakra Clearing
TAT…Tapas Acupressure Technique
Guided visualization to connect with pet heart to heart on the spiritual plane

These techniques work all the time. No need to believe to receive.

grief2

In the meantime, here are 10 coping methods I find work well to start on the path to healing and recovery.

Take as much time as you need to grieve. Only you know what is best for you. Don’t let others dictate your feelings. Honor how you feel and the life of your pet in a way that celebrates your time together.
Be open to how you experience grief. Trying to repress feelings causes more stress and anxiety than expressing them.
Express your grief in a way that allows you to honor your pet’s life. Write a poem, a letter to your pet, create a memory book. Engage in a positive activity that will move you forward.
Have a memorial service for your pet or create a memorial for your pet. Celebrate your pet’s life in a way that makes the most sense to you.
Find your tribe. Connect with others who understand how you feel. There are many support groups on social media or locally to help you through this challenging time.
Get involved. Help organize a pet food drive. Volunteer at an animal shelter. Offer your support to someone else.
Write it out. Keep a journal. Journaling allows you to express and work through your feelings in a safe private nonjudgmental way.
Get professional help if and when needed. Use a program like Pet Grief Relief to help process, find relief, heal and recover. While intense grief is normal and natural, experiencing prolonged grief, sadness, anger, and depression is a sign more help is needed as well as lead to physical illness.
Ease into a new routine. Join a gym, take a class, engage your brain and time toward a new learning activity.
Be easy on yourself. No matter how your pet transitioned, your pet loves you unconditionally and knows you always had their best interest at heart. Our pets are always with us on the spiritual plane looking after us. They are always available to connect through visualization or meditation from their new state of being.

10 Ways to Cope with Pet Loss

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What I Love about My Dog

June 6, 2017June 13, 2017 / realmofvibes / 20 Comments

I never wanted a dog. I was so afraid of them that my hands would tremble and my heart would pound out of my chest, even at the sight of a five-pound Yorkie. (You can read more about my fear of dogs here). “If it is going to bite me, I don’t want to know about it,” I would think, as I close my eyes and enter a fetal position. The fear was most certainly real. Then, I met my husband. He made it very clear he wanted a wife, a truck, a house, and a dog. Fast forward almost 3 long years later, my dog, Bailey, is sleeping soundly on my feet as I type this blog post. I love her. She is my best friend and the reason I get out of bed every day (hello 7 AM wee wee time).

Have you ever considered a canine companion? I was afraid of dogs and now I don’t know what I would do without Bailey. Why? Continue reading…

My dog, Bailey

She is always happy.

I can come home from the crappiest day at work and she greets me with her tail wagging and butt wiggling. The stresses of my day suddenly disappear when I see her excitement to have me home.

She keeps me healthy.

Every morning, Bailey sits on my feet as I drink my coffee. She paws and nudges my legs then runs to the door then runs back to me and sighs. She wants her morning walk. I wake up an hour earlier to take her on a thirty-minute walk before work. I leave my phone at home, and take the time to enjoy the outdoors with Bailey.

Adventure with my Dog

She practices non-judgment.

Do you really think she cares what I look like as parade down the street for our daily walk in my fleecy pajamas and sorority letter sweatshirt from almost ten years ago? And newsflash, that coffee mug I’m carrying, doesn’t have coffee in it. Bailey gives zero cares, and quite frankly, so do I.

She is my sidekick.

I must admit, I am super happy she doesn’t follow my husband. For a man who wanted a dog, he got a part-time friend. She is my sidekick and follows me wherever I go. I love having my trusty companion with me and know that I am loved.

Bailey loves to hydrate

She is a fierce protector.

It isn’t easy being a law enforcement officer’s wife. You spend a lot of time alone. I like being alone, but when you are alone and awakened at two o’clock in the morning, you are happy when your dog starts barking, alerting whomever it is, that she is present. I truly believe dogs have a sixth sense and will protect his or her owner.

She reads me like a book.

If I am happy, she is happy. She wags her tail and paws at me. If I am sad, she licks my tears away. If I am angry, she retreats to her dog bed, lies down, and looks at me, as if to say, “Are you done yet, Mom? Life is too short.” Whatever my emotion, she reads me and finds the perfect way to respond to my every need.

Dogs Just Want to Have Fun

She is fun.

Let’s rip open a new toy! Let’s go for a hike! Let’s play fetch! She is ready for anything at any time. She can’t contain her excitement for adventure, and neither can I. We have fun together. She teaches me to never pass up a fun, or new opportunity.

Final Thoughts

I love my dog. Bailey is truly my best friend.

I don’t know what I would do without her by my side.

Share what you love about your dog in the comment section. (If you don’t have a canine companion or a pet, what are you waiting for?)

Namaste.

What I Love About my Dog

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How to Run a Successful Dog Rescue Fundraiser

May 5, 2017June 19, 2017 / realmofvibes / 22 Comments

Fundraising is an optimal part of running a dog rescue organization. Funds are required to assist with all aspects of care including, but not limited to, veterinary bills, food, treats, collars, leashes, bowls, grooming, flea, tick, and heartworm medication, shampoo, beds, and toys. Running a successful fundraiser does not have to be stressful. Here are some tips on running a smooth fundraiser for your organization:

Breweries or Wineries

This is a fun and easy way to raise money. Ask the brewery or winery for a portion of each beer, tasting, growler fill, or wine bottle purchased to be donated to your rescue organization. Some breweries and wineries will let you bring dogs to hang out; it is a great way to raise awareness of your organization while sipping on delicious beers or wines. The last fundraiser I ran at a brewery raised over $450 in four hours. We received $2 for each pint purchased during a set time period and had donation cans located throughout the brewery.

Dine to Donate

Many chain restaurants have a dine to donate program where a percentage of the total food purchased is donated to your organization. You may have to show a flyer or a ticket for the donation to count. Most restaurants have application forms online; creating a no-hassle progress for the organizer. The dine to donate fundraisers may not bring in an exorbitant amount of money, but little work is involved besides handing out flyers.

Consultant Events

This is the new wave of fundraising! Companies that sell clothing, essential oils, kitchen utensils, and cosmetics on social media, often have fundraising programs on Facebook! Login to the consultants’ event from the comfort of your own home and shop ‘till you drop. A percentage of all items sold will be donated, and the company may match total proceeds. I have worked with two consultants and we have raised over $500 on Facebook.

Need food?

Many supermarkets will provide food for your fundraising event. Bring in a 501 (c) (3) paper and a letter stating that you are requesting the supermarket to make a food donation. Some stores will offer you a sandwich or cheese platter, while others will provide you with a gift card to select your own items. Make a sign that reads “Help Yourself to (insert food here), Donations Greatly Appreciated & Accepted” and place a donation jar next to the food you have available. This will encourage people to eat, but also remind them to donate to your rescue organization.

Marketing

Give yourself six to eight weeks to adequately promote your event through flyers, word of mouth, and social media. Ask the venue or restaurant if you can distribute marketing materials such as pens, pencils, magnets, business cards, dog waste bags and dispensers, and other dog related items. If you are doing a virtual fundraiser, ask if you can do a giveaway. It is also important that you have a clipboard ready to obtain e-mail signups for future adoption events and fundraisers. If you set up a table, make sure you have appropriate signage and a donation jar. All volunteers should look uniform; t-shirts with your organization would help you to stand out amongst the crowd.

Have fun!

The word fun is in fundraiser for a reason. Mingle with your supporters, bring awareness to dog rescue and your organization, hand out promotional materials, and network to obtain potential adopters, foster parents, and volunteers.

Fundraising is key to making sure a constant flow of funds enters the bank account to meet the needs of the dogs in the organization. Assign one or two fundraising coordinators to start planning your next event today!

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In order to understand how to process the grief, let’s briefly review the five stages of grief.

These techniques work all the time. No need to believe to receive.

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