Mantra Pet Pals Highlights: Chloe

As we run about to meetings, create partnerships and make friends in the community, and continue to get things rolling here in JC, we once again can't give enough thanks to the people and pets in RVA that we've known over the years. So with that said, it's highlight time!

I met Chloe, a cattle dog/anatolian mix when Rowan first started coming to basic manners classes, and despite being a bitty tween at the time, Chloe graduated and excelled at not only Basic Manners, but Calm Dog as well. We all still laugh about Chloe showing her skills on one of the many manners courses, giving Settles when other dogs gave standard Downs, and then learning to differentiate between the two. I can still hear other students in my head right now:

"Wait, are we supposed to have our dogs do that?"

Nope! Chloe was just showing off her extracurriculars.

With a move that took two months instead of a few weeks, Rowan reached out when we were scrambling to make things fit and stepped in to help out, further showing that people can and will go above and beyond to help one another (something we all share in common).

Our Bowie is still missing Chloe and Rowan (Mudra adjusted a little faster, but that's Muds for you), and we often joke about the fluffkids skyping together. We look forward to Chloe growing into an adult, and all the antics that will come her way (especially with her new kitten pals).

Miss you both (and Tilly too)!

In An Awesome Wave

It has only been four days, and in that time I have met so many people that already have made me feel that not only have Ian and I done the right thing by going through the "two-month move of terror" as I now call it (or hellmove when I'm really needing a laugh), but that this was meant to be.

My SCORE mentor Sue Melamud is a dream, I can already say I can't adore her enough. She was just the additional confidence booster I needed. Talk about positive reinforcement! Next week we head into the SBA offices and paperwork continues rolling.

Ian and I hit up both Hound About Town locations on Wednesday (I actually had to check my calendar to be sure of what day it was - it's been that full of a half-week!) and got our furkids their bags of food, and started chatting about getting in on the Force-Free Trade initiative, where owners can trade in their prongs, shocks, chokes, and other equipment for more humane and reliable means (Freedom harnesses, Gentle Leaders, etc). Next week we'll be sitting down and getting things rolling!

Thursday I met with Jeff and Steve of Club Barks and toured the daycare/boarding facility, talked classes and major donation event opportunities to give back to the community, and was invited to Dog Days of Summer down by Zepplin Hall. Ian and I will be there tomorrow talking to people in the community, meeting ups and their people, and likely enjoying plenty of photography from Ian later!

Just as I thought the week couldn't get any more full of meeting some fantastic people, I was contacted by Mary Ann at Downtown Dog Walk (who was on my email list to contact Saturday or Sunday - she beat me to it! I love it!) and we had a fantastic talk on the phone. Can't wait to sit down in people and trade stories and ideas.

And to top it all off, our google listing launched just an hour ago. I know my clients back in RVA are waiting in the wings to give their reviews, and any excuse to talk to them about life in general is an excuse I take, so they'll be hearing from me bright and early tomorrow morning.

On a totally separate note, expect pictures soon of Mudra in his TokiDoki travel bag, which I picked up today showing a friend around Chinatown. He's already pretty hyped to get rolling on the Lightrail, but I as usual want to make sure he's truly comfy before we take our first trip. That said, I think between his stepping into the bag and giving my the "let's work!" eye and the fussy face I received when the bag was put away (hey, training time was over!) means I might need to take my minimutt down to Liberty Park and Paul's Hook for long-line recalls, freestyle, and settle work a little sooner than planned!

Thanks for being amazing, Jersey City. I'm pretty sure I'm already in love with the place.

Reaching Out

With the apartment unpacked and the myriad of things finally in place that come with getting a new apartment situated, I was able to finally sit down this morning and start contacting people in the area (beyond just Liberty Humane) to start networking with.

I was looking forward to networking most of all with Jenna Teti, but was taken by surprise that she's headed out to Colorado! Seems the past few months is a whole lot of passing others while they do their own major life changes (behaviorist Hannah Mercurio in RVA who was once a LI resident being another example). None the less, I sent a good-luck and networking email her way, and the morning was spent full steam ahead on contacting shops, rescues, daycares, and the like to start getting to know everyone here in Jersey City and in NYC (I can never get called under-zealous, can I?).

Like everything else, this networking is another reminder to remember to be mindful of my own limits. Emails get spread out to minimize the typing and keep my arms healthy, and exercise about town (walking and arm exercises) is constant while remaining respectful of the heat. I can't wait to get the boys out to Berry Park and Liberty Park to get their own fun work in (long line recalls, freestyle, settling, etc), but hopefully, next week will be cooler.

Mudra is already walking along the Light Rail platforms with no issue, and soon he'll be learning to hop in a bag to wander the city with me. Brings back memories of Chen back in the day and how much he loved the 6 train and the L in NYC ❤

Emails from clients & friends back in RVA are a nice morning reminder, but always have a tinge of sadness as everyone adjusts to the transitions of my not being there to help out. My hope is things will smooth over quickly, and any ripples in the water will make for great changes for everybody.