“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 
- Tyna asks: I just feel awfully worthless. I recently broke up with my online boyfriend just because I couldn’t get myself to send him nudes. I tried to explain to him that I wasn’t comfortable with it. I hoped he would understand, but it turns out I was wrong. It somehow hurts. Actually it does hurt. Because he is not the first guy who has shown very little interest in me as a person. I feel horrible. Most guys that come into my life see me as a sex thing I guess. They talk about one or two things and the rest is about sex. All my friends have boyfriends who are committed to them. It hurts me because I don’t have one at this age. (22) when they receive phone calls from their boyfriends, I can’t help but admire them. I keep wondering how it feels to have someone who cares about you and checks on you from time to time, someone you can share everything with. I don’t know what to do. I feel demotivated to do anything. I just feel like no matter what I do, no one will appreciate me or notice me anyway.Hi Tyna – Ouch! This letter hurts to read! On a few counts! So first I want to talk about him. Obviously, I have nothing against online connections – you and I have one, after all! But our relationship is very open. I’ve offered to give you advice, ... read more
- Sauvik asks: I am trapped in a relationship where I can’t even come out of it. I am in a situation where I am not happy without my girlfriend and also with her. What should I do?Hi Sauvik – I’m sure you’ve heard lots of songs that talk about your situation. One of my favorites goes I don’t like you But I love you Seems that I’m always Thinking of you Oh oh oh you treat me badly I love you madly You’ve really ... read more
- Dollar in the Road – the worth of loveI was riding in the back seat of Handsome’s car yesterday. We were on a freeway, so I was hunkering down (let me tell you it is NO FUN to be standing on all fours when some dummy cuts in front and Handsome has to hit the brakes! Dogs were ... read more
- sapearl asks: I notice that I attract men so easily – even when am not wearing makeup, no hairdo, most of my male friends always tell me that I have sexy eyes, charming voice, height, etc. I get embarrassed and laugh it off, but even with all of this I can’t get a man to be my own. Am I doing anything wrong? what should I do? I keep meeting the wrong guys. I need a man who is God-fearing, romantic, understanding, and financially ok. Please what do I do? Or should I just relax and have fun until the right person comes?Hi sapearl – You are learning something that lots of girls take a lifetime to grasp. That all those great qualities in your face, voice, etc., are attractive, but aren’t everything. There’s a great old movie called “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” where a gorgeous woman says (I might have the exact wording ... read more
- naj asks: I’m a girl, 18 years of age, doing my graduation in physics. I have just been in a new relationship and to be honest, this is my first one. I found him from Instagram. I’ve known him for two months now. It’s been only three weeks since we started the relationship. He was very committed and caring and all. But then one day he met his ex-girlfriend’s friends and they said something and made him feel guilty for being in a relationship three months after their breakup. Now he says that he needs some space. He doesn’t show the same affection as he did in the beginning . He needs a break and he says that he’ll come back whatever happens. But he’s not sure about how long it will take. Would you suggest something? Should we actually break up?Hi naj – So you probably know the famous question, where someone fills a glass exactly halfway with water, and some people say it’s “half full,” while others say it’s “half empty.” This is one of those situations. The guy likes you, you like him, all’s great. But these friends ... read more
- Fehyii asks: I have a guy who loves me but I am not too sure I love him. I like all he does for me. I feel I should be patient for him to get mature and start to look good then have some money. I don’t want to leave a good guy but I don’t feel love for him. I had a crush on him first and I don’t want him to be hurt or see me in a whole different way (bad way) when I tell him it does not feel the same. I don’t know if I should just be patient and see how things turn out or just leave him. We are not in a relationship yet but he’s the told me times and over that he loves me.Hi Fehyii – This is a tough situation. You’re liking the potential for this guy, but not turned on by what’s there now. As you say, you like all he does for you, but that’s not enough. If you were drawn to him, but just not feeling “in ... read more
- Tracy asks: I’ve come to realize that I’m an abusive partner in my relationship; it’s been going on for a while now and I really need help. What can I do?Hi Tracy – Wow. Well here’s the good news: you’ve already done 90% of the work. With an issue like this, by far the biggest part of the job is realizing and admitting the problem. What comes now isn’t easy, but it’s easier than what you’ve done. ... read more
- Anu asks: If guys are so shy that they might shiver in front of you while having an in-person conversation, and they are really bad at texting, how can a girl even try for him? The girl has already made the first move. He shows signs of liking her, but the problem is that he is a hardcore book nerd. What to do next?Hi Anu – I have a few pieces on my website about how to approach shy guys, but as you say, you’ve already done that. And it’s worked. So what next? Well, I have a few thoughts, but I can’t guarantee any of them; they’re just ideas. ... read more
- bssk2412 asks: I’ve been married for 34 years, living with our family. About four years ago l met a divorced mother, and we got emotionally attached. I got involved in this because l wasn’t having the emotional connection with my wife. Everything was good between this lady and me, we really got close to each other emotionally and physically. But over the last few months suddenly she started behaving guiltily. I’m really attached to her and love her. But suddenly she’s making me realize, after four years of a steady relationship that I’m cheating on my wife. I’m so disturbed and confused. Please advise me on this, what should l do.Hi bssk2412 – If you’ve looked around my website, you know that I live with a human named Handsome, and we adore each other more than anything. I would never do anything to hurt him or myself. But if I see a cat or squirrel across the street, and I’m ... read more
- Spiky 401 asks: I like this dude. He is actually a Libra, as am I. I researched everything I can about my zodiac sign and it fit his description exactly. He convinced me into telling him I like him, and his reply was “aww I like you too,” but from there everything went back to normal conversation. I couldn’t understand what it or he means. He is very flirty, but one thing’s for sure – when he sticks to one person he is very devoted. I like him, I really do. How do I go about attracting this Libra dude without he really knowing I’m putting an effort to, and without talking to him – a way that will make him come to me instead of me going to him?Hi Spiky 401 – I have to confess, I don’t know a lot about Astrology. We dogs are so affected by the skies, the stars, the earth, and the moon, that it’s hard to keep the effects of a single thing like a constellation straight. But I checked up on Libras, and I ... read more
- Lila asks: I’ve been in a really screwed up relationship, and now I have an awesome understanding supportive boyfriend. How can I tell him I can’t trust his female co-worker around him? She just tried opening the bathroom door while she thought he was in there! How can I bring this up to him without getting mad or him thinking I’m crazy?Hi Lila – Well I think you answered your own question. If he’s awesome, and understanding, and supportive, then he ought to not get too mad when he finds out you have concerns about his co-worker. Even if he doesn’t agree with your worries, he shouldn’t be angry about ... read more
- My pack asks: A year ago I introduced a girl as my said sister (a term like “best friend”) to my parents as well as hers. This means we told our parents we’d never become romantic with each other, so they’d let us hang out. But for the last eight months our relationship has deepened, and we love each other a lot. We didn’t know we’d fall in love. We can’t live without each other. Now we have to convince our parents to accept this relationship, as we want to marry. And even beyond our parents, other people might say bad things about her family, that this girl said this guy is like her brother, and now she wants to marry him.Hi My pack – I have to confess, this might be a case where, even as a dog, I don’t have enough cultural understanding. Where I live, in the United States, the most acceptable and “clean” way for a couple to get together is to be friends first. ... read more
- Aishwarya asks: My boyfriend left me few weeks back. And now he texted me that his dad is not well and uncle is on deathbed. Should I show him some sympathy?Hi Aishwarya – This is a fascinating question, so great I have three different answers for it, depending on different situations. I wish I knew enough to give you just one, because they’re all pretty different. But hopefully this will help. Okay, first situation: You’re close with his ... read more
- Shirley_av asks: My boyfriend’s family came to know everything about our relationship and gave him a choice to choose between family and love, and so he chose his family over love, and her mother made him promise not to talk to me. But I want to save my relationship. What can I do?Hi Shirley_av – I wish I had a great, clever answer for you, but we pups are just not that smart. I can certainly relate to the feeling you’re having – it feels like every time I’m locked in a cage. Whether at the pound, or at a veterinarian’s hospital, or a ... read more
- PERFECTION asks: I want to tell someone how I really feel, and I just want to make it honest and sincere but the only thing that I’m worried about is that I don’t know how to do it, any tips?Hi PERFECTION – I’m never one to call my Pack members liars, but I’m going to break that rule and call you out, my friend: HOOEY! PURE HOOEY! PURE LITTERBOX MATERIAL!!! Not that you don’t like that person, or have strong feelings for them; I’m sure that’s true. ... read more