“A warm, engaging, deceptively simple tribute to innate wisdom. May we all learn from such loveable teachers.”
— Dennis Palumbo – screenwriter My Favorite Year, author the Daniel Rinaldi mysteries
“A beautiful, heartfelt, and entertaining book, that gives the reader a deep understanding of the profound relationship between the human psyche and the souls of the other animals with whom we share this planet.”
— Linda Buzzell, co-editor Ecotherapy – Healing with Nature in Mind
From the Author:
- Dating Advice from a Crazy Dog Guy“Oh no, you’re not one of those, are you?!” We all know the phrase “crazy cat lady,” conjuring images of bathrobed bitties sprinkling cat chow into bowls as hordes of filthy yowling tabbies descend. And we hear more and more of “crazy cat guys” too. But there’s not much talk ... read more
- Unconditional Love – As Taught by the Four-Legged MastersAnother Valentine’s Day is upon us – a day when it often appears that everyone else in the world has a perfectly happy committed relationship based in deep, abiding, and playful love. In other words, a day when most of us writhe in disappointment. It’s not that we’re saying we’re ... read more
- Straying into a Better New YearHow would you like you like to spend 2016 as contented, as centered, as… your dog? As a psychotherapist, I spend a lot of time dealing with people and our big-brained problems. On most issues, like how to create a telephone that uses 3D touch to show birds ... read more
From 
- Too Much of a Good Thing? … how to wish betterEver heard the old saying “Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it?” I have spent most of the past three weeks indoors. Not because I’m sick or injured or in trouble (yes those do happen, but not in this case!). But because it’s been raining here. ... read more
- Will I ever be able to love again?pkt asks: My boyfriend and I decided to completely break it off. Because of his family, he feels like there is no chance for us in the future and it will be good if we don’t stay friends because that will help him to move on. I still feel little ... read more
- To Dance in Silence … the majesty of daring it allHandsome came home a couple of days ago, more excited than I’d seen him in months. “You won’t believe what I just saw, Shirelle! Remember I told you I was going to a ballet?” Now I have to admit, while I’m often jealous of Handsome’s ability to go ... read more
- How to deal with an inept parentSoumyaguna asks: I have always wanted a good father, at least a sensible one whom I could look up to. Until now, I have been thinking maybe I have given less effort, or maybe I’m not understanding mine, but his ego is so big and it has overshadowed him as ... read more
- What to do when self-consciousness makes you lose sleepHey Shirelle – School is starting very soon for me. I’m going into 8th grade! Lately it’s been really hard to go to sleep. I’m actually typing this at 3:39 am. I talked with a friend of mine earlier and we started talking about uniforms and stuff. (I go to a ... read more
- The Pain Worse than Pain – the struggle against stressI lost my best friend. I’ve spent the last few weeks trying to come up with a way to sugarcoat that, but I can’t find one. Aria’s cancer got better, then worse, then better, and then lots worse, and finally her human friends had to kindly help her ... read more
- Should you accept someone back after they ghost you?Pkt asks: My boyfriend ghosted me almost 10 days ago. We were together for 2 years, and the last couple of days I’ve been feeling really terrible. We did have a few small fights before he ghosted me, but we sorted them out so I thought everything was fine (and ... read more
- Why do our parents irritate us so much!Akenn asks: I really love my parents and they love me too but sometimes they bring out the worst in me. Why am I feeling this? Hi Akenn – What you’re describing isn’t just normal, it’s universal. It’s been true as long as parents have had children. Think of it ... read more
- Does wishing for things push them away?Bts army asks: I like to create fake scenarios in my mind about how my future will look or how I want it to be. Sometimes I think doing this will take me further from achieving, but other times think that I’m creating my future, so it’s okay. But I ... read more
- What to do when your spouse has unacceptable activitiesPunita asks: This is my second marriage, and I am going through a bad situation. My husband is a video game addict and smokes at home, and we have fights often. Today I found he had plans to meet a sex worker, and I’m sure this isn’t the first time. ... read more
- How to free yourself from a toxic relationship with a narcissistHezlyn asks: I know that am in a toxic relationship, recently found out my partner is a narcissist, they also admitted that they are, I truly know that they aren’t good for me. And the truth is I don’t want them either because I know I deserve better. But my ... read more
- Wretched asks: Hello Shirelle! It’s been a long time since I last reached out to you. Hope you’re doing well. Anyway, I am really conflicted right now if I should cut off my long time friend or stay as is. She’s been my friend for 6 years now but I ... read more
- What to do when your Anxiety makes all the things that cause your Anxiety worseNatalie1615_17 asks: I’m a student, 17 this year. Since last year my symptoms for anxiety have been obvious, I kept complaining about how my tummy aches, and mom just brushed it off, until, at the end of last year, things worsened and I was sent to the hospital immediately. The ... read more
- What to do if you’re an introvert in a job for extrovertsoceanne asks: I have started a job for a company as a promoter – my first job. I wanted to try because I am a university student and the hours were good for me. But I feel like it is not made for me. I am big introvert and I ... read more
- How to move past a loved one’s suicideVaughn asks: I need help dealing with my emotions. I’m not used to this. I lost my dad in November last year to suicide and I’m having trouble dealing with what I feel. He was the only person I could speak to about anything. Now I find myself bottling things ... read more