How I got to paradise
Always being somewhat of a “seeker” I have changed careers and relocated at key points in my life. Once at 35 and again at 47. As a homeowner and business owner, this could have been a scary decision. Developing a mental picture, and a net to support more of what I wanted were keys to living my dream in Hawaii with my 2 dogs and my life partner.
Before my last move, I was living in San Diego running a successful dog training business. My garage was stuffed full of sporting equipment and I had 4 closets full of clothes for just myself. I was running in so many directions that I didn’t have time to enjoy any of what I had. I thought stuff and busy-ness would make me happy.
After meeting the love of my life and spending weeks or months at a time in his home in Taos, NM, I realized that I had more fun with one suitcase of clothes and a couple of pieces of sporting equipment than I did with an entire 2700 square foot home full of stuff. All of that stuff, that I thought would make me happy clouded my mind and compromised my health and happiness.
Once I realized that “having more” wasn’t the answer, I started getting rid of the things I didn’t use. I re-built my life around the people that made me the happiest and only kept the things that I truly loved using. During that process of decluttering, Gary and I began to define what we wanted our life to be like. That included moving somewhere that would bring us daily joy and support a healthy lifestyle.
We were looking for that rush we found when we completed Ironmans or climbed Mt Everest, but in a healthy way. We wanted balance, joy, warmth, sun and tropics. Hawaii was the answer.
I now remember visiting Kona thinking how awesome it would be to live here. It was the dream. So we made it happen. I now live on the Big Island, HI with an Aloha lifestyle, and only one of anything. I have less stuff but get more of what I want out of life everyday, including time and space to give back.
Why I am who I am
I am a 47 year old women who believes that we all spend our lives addicted to something. It’s just a matter of choosing things that are not only good for our health, but also provide a sense of true passion and fun along the way.
Growing up in an environment that included alcoholism and depression without the support of a good family role model, I decided at a young age that I wanted something different. As a way to escape, I entered every athletic and extracurricular activity I could find. Learning new activities and participating in sports is how I began my life long journey to discover what was good for me, the places I wanted to live, and the careers that fulfilled a passionate place for me.
Now, I can look back and clearly see that the journey I chose is why I am compelled to help others realize that no matter what your situation, making choices that aren’t normal or are outside of a comfort zone is a matter of creating a net and going for it.
About Me and Dogs
My dogs are here in Hawaii with us and I attribute big pieces of what I’ve learned in my practice as a professional dog whisperer and trainer to why we are here.
I believe the best dog trainers or the real whisperers out there have a way of understanding from the inside out. Much of what our domestic dogs have adopted is a way to cover up misunderstanding how to follow the family dynamics, or know what the real rules are even supposed to be. They keep trying to do what is expected of them without really ever getting a real definition of what the expectation is.
The dog does something wrong. You react. Usually in a negative way. Sometimes to the point of actually feeling sort of pissed off about even having to deal with it. Dog does it wrong again. You react. It becomes routine. It’s a habit. You both fall into settling with the underlying irritation daily. Sound familiar?
It’s remarkable how dogs learn by repetition and how much we are the very same way. Changing what you do with your dog is the same as changing any habit. Practice what ever it is you want for your dog or for you with the goal of getting it right 10,000 times, starting with just a few times every single day. It becomes a habit and you fall into it the easy feeling of it. You’ll forget all about what you were doing that you didn’t want anymore.
Working with dogs inspired me to help people
Dogs often reflect their owner’s behavior. While I work with people who have dogs (or not), I know that understanding how dogs behave helps me understand people better. It’s one of the reasons I’m good with helping people to break through their fears. I listen and watch dogs enough to know how to teach them to do something different than focus on their fears. Through that process they always get better and the same thing happens with people.
While my focus is now working with people through customized retreats, I will always have a deep connection to dogs. They have taught me so much and I am so grateful to have an opportunity to share my lessons with you. As well, I will continue to work with dogs on a limited basis through my K9 Cross Fitness class and in certain cases, private sessions.
Graduate & Member of:
- California Holistic Health Practitioner
- Dog Training for People
- That’s My Dog
- Extreme K9 Search Academy
- GCNM Holistic Animal Health/Behavior
- Arizona Canine Academy
- Animal Behavior College
- Int’l Assoc. of Canine Professionals
- No Limitations Dog Training School
- K9 Narcotic Detection Certification
- American Red Cross Dog First Aid