ICWIB has a new column! It is called, Alex’s Insights.
In this column Alex, Nancy Marie’s medical Alert dog, will share his unique perspective, and innovative, and sometimes humorous solutions for human challenges.
We recommend you follow his wise and sometime zany column where he will help get you thinking about your own current beliefs and approach to life and how you might change it.
To learn more about Alex visit: https://icreatewhatibelieve.com/about-alex/
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I think most puppies think they are powerful and invincible, but with proper parenting and training they can learn to use that power purposely instead of destructively. I have seen dogs intentionally pee and poop in their owners’ house and refuse to obey. When they never suffer consequences this then sends a message to the…
Even though Easter was this past weekend I want to talk about it because it holds some insights and tips for us surviving these difficult times. The tradition of decorating of Easter eggs was a way to bring friends, and families getting together to celebrate creativity, joy, and love. From this tradition, remember bringing friends and…
Many years ago, when my trainer and Nancy first met, they discussed what kind of dog would serve Nancy the best. The trainer suggested a poodle for two reasons; Poodles are hypogenic and we would be around people you might be allergic to dogs, but more importantly they are clowns. This is true. I love…
In the beginning, my trainer told Nancy to never, never, never take me to a dog park. What was her reasoning behind this direction? She had said that dogs can smell the fear left behind from other dogs and that can trigger aggressive behavior. Her second reason was that many people take their dogs to…
My very first friend was a cat. Her name was Lilly. Lilly was not like a lot of cats, I think it was because she had lived with lots of large dogs, and she considered herself the alpha animal. The day I first met her she was sprawled out on Nancy’s friends’ living room floor…
The story of St. Patrick began when he was captured by Irish raiders at the age of sixteen and brought to Ireland as a slave where he herded and tended sheep for six long years while in captivity. He eventually fled captivity then years later and then he received a letter saying the Irish people…
I don’t understand and am deeply concerned by the behavior of some of our leaders today. My thoughts stem from the fact that I am a descendant of wolves and learned how to harmonize with humans in my Alert Dog training. I often live by similar rules. In my opinion, true leaders are clear, compassionate,…
I was trained to alert Nancy whenever her cortisol levels are low. This can happen whenever she encounters more stress than her system can anticipate or handle. What I have observed over the years of monitoring her is that just getting her to move away from stressful situations can improve her cortisol levels. Most people…
When I was a pup, I was like most puppies. I was full of energy and lots of mischief. When I discovered the toilet paper roll, I would sneak into the bathroom grab hold of the tissue and run through the house wagging my tail in delight. Then when I discovered the drip lines in…
I love kids, but not when they behave like entitled adults. Here is my story: It was a warm and sunny day. Nancy and I were on our patio. She was pruning plants and I was basking in the sun watching the neighborhood kids ride their bikes and shooting baskets. Then suddenly a girl, around…
I started my Alert Dog training when I was nine weeks old. I was first taught to respond to a lot of common commands like- sit, down and stay. Nancy added a hand motion for each word so if we were in a noisy place, I could follow her hands and she did not…
We were at a large conference where Nancy was scheduled to speak. As we waited Nancy reached down, stroked my chest and said, “You are with me”, making sure we were connected because she felt this was going to be a challenge for both of us. Then she slapped her knee and I slid my…
Nancy’s son played baseball, so he knew how to throw the ball hard and fast. I loved it. It was like a ‘dare’. He would fake throwing the ball with a grin on his face. Every time he would fake a throw my body would leap up into the air anticipating catching it while it…
The world seems crazier than usual these days, and people also seem more stressed than usual. Is this a chicken or egg situation? Do you feel like life is pushing in and compressing or depressing you? Do the events of your day make you want to recoil, retract, and pull away from life? Does the…
I love water! I love playing in the water and retrieving in the water, but when I was young, I didn’t know I could swim. I would play in the water and felt very comfortable in the water if the water wasn’t deeper than my chest. Now this didn’t make sense to me or Nancy…
What does New Year Day mean to you? Is it the ending of a year or the beginning of a new one? Do you see it as a bridge to walk across or a cavern you must jump or straddle? Do you like to party and celebrate what you have survived or what you envision…
Today I want to talk about Christmas. I have been told that traditionally Christmas is celebrated on December 25th which is four days into the winter season. Now if you live with the seasons, it is easy to see the way this Holiday is currently celebrated contradicts the meaning of this season. Instead of running…
When I was younger, Nancy would often take me to visit preschools for several reasons. First, she saw it as an opportunity to educate young children about what a service dog can do for someone with a disability. It also gave me an opportunity to learn how to stay calm and centered around rambunctious children.…
How do you respond when your heart says, ‘yes’ and your mind says ‘no’? How do you respond when someone tells you to do something and at the same time something deep inside of you says, ‘no’? First and foremost, I think you need to realize that saying ‘No!’ is not an act of rebellion…
When I was going through my training Nancy would often ask me if I was happy. Did I like being a service dog or would I prefer to just being a dog. I knew she was just trying to make sure I was comfortable with my role and the responsibility of being a medical alert…
When I was a pup, my momma told me that it was important to be grateful and dogs had the ability to give unconditional love. She also said she thought the thanksgiving holiday served as a dedicated time to reflect on our blessings and gives us an opportunity to express appreciation for all we have…
When I was a pup, my mother would often remind us that our job was to help humans be authentic, compassionate, and clear on our purpose. Most of my brothers and sisters were going to homes to be the family pet and member of their family. I was the only one that was walking into…
Today I want to talk about Veterans Day, what it symbolizes and what you can do to help our Veterans and their families. To begin with, don’t confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day, because Memorial Day (the fourth Monday in May) honors American service members who died in service to their country or because of…
Several years ago, I found myself becoming overwhelmed by amount of cruelty, negativity and dishonesty that was becoming part of the fabric of everyday life. I could not ignore it and the stress was compromising my life. For those who don’t know, I have Addison’s which means my body doesn’t make the hormone that is…
Halloween is the day we can officially wear a mask and pretend we are someone else. I also think this is a time where we can reflect on how we allow or don’t allow other people’s appearances dictate our perceptions and judgement of them. The masks provide us with an opportunity to see the truth…
Nancy and I had flown back east to present the ICWIB program. It was a long and difficult trip since some individuals have presented their dogs to be service dogs and then the dog has exhibited behavior that isn’t present in real service dogs. After we landed, we left the airport and headed to the…
In a previous e-mail I talked about racing Nancy when she was on her bike and always winning when I was younger. I didn’t win because she let me win but because I was that fast and could maintain that speed for quite a while. I am older now and can still crank it up…
When I was still with my mom, she often would talk about the job or work we would do when we went to our new homes. She would ask what the word ‘work’ meant to us. She would ask if we thought it was something to avoid or if it was a means to an…
Several years ago, Nancy was getting a massage and as usual I was resting on the floor next to the table. Now it looked like I was asleep, but I was very much awake—just chilling and collecting data. At one point the massage therapist asked Nancy if she could put some cream on her back…
When I was a pup, my mother used to say that learning how to create good relationships was very, very important, because a good relationship can help you change your perceptions and transform your life and the life of your new owner. Nancy once told me that she began her artistic career as a sculptor…
When Nancy and I lived in phoenix Oregon there were several different trails that we would take on our daily walks. One trail was really an abandoned railroad track the ran behind the high school football field. There were lots of trees and shade and it felt peaceful, so we would stroll slowly down this…
My mother would constantly remind us that our job was to provide unconditional love and help our new owners learn to approach life from unconditional love. Humor is a wonderful antidote for stress, a delightful way to release bottled-up emotions, change your perceptions and ultimately help you open your heart to unconditional love. Some people…
In these times of increased stress and upheaval, I think it is important to remember that petting a dog can lower the stress hormone, cortisol and at the same time increase the feel-good hormone oxytocin in both the dog and the human. Petting a dog can also release endorphins which can create feelings of happiness…
What are we celebrating on Labor Day? Today Labor Day is no longer about trade unionists marching down the street with banners and their tools of trade. Labor Day also is not just a Holiday that marks the end of summer. It is a day that we celebrate the hard-working individuals that have helped build…
Why are some people mean and even cruel? Why do some people feel the need to pass their anger on to others? Don’t they understand how their actions are harming others? Here is my story: It was early morning, and we were in the JFK airport in New York getting ready to fly back home…
For those who haven’t been following my column my owner, Nancy Marie, has Addison’s Disease. This means that her body doesn’t make the hormone necessary for her body to handle stress. This also means she needs to administer it manually. Her doctor had suggested she get a Medical Alert dog to help her manage her…
Here is my story for today: Earlier this week Nancy and I went for her routine blood draw. During the blood draw Nancy chatted with the phlebotomist. Near the end of the visit the phlebotomist said she wanted to tell us a story that had happened recently. She said a person had taken their dog…
Here is my story. Today on my morning walk with Nancy, she found herself exploring a playground and reminiscing about the playgrounds she used to play on when she was very young. She said her two favorite pieces of equipment at that time were the titer totter and the merry-go-round. Unfortunately, they are no longer…
When you find something is upsetting you, how do you react? If things don’t work out the way you want them to, do you get angry? Then do you become so stuck you become sore? Or do you shake off the unconstructive and negative feelings? My mother tried to instill in both my siblings and…
When I was very young and still living with my mom, she used to gather us all together in the evening and ask us as we drifted off to sleep, “Are you a catalyst, a bridge, or a practical application? Now that may sound like a strange thing for a mother of ten puppies to…
Here is my story today: It was mid-July and at the time Nancy, and I were living in Southern Oregon. One very hot day we were in Medford doing some errands. As we walked back to our car, we passed a veteran in a wheelchair going the opposite direction in the crosswalk. He seemed like…
Independence Day, also known as the 4th of July, is a federal holiday in the United States. It commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence and the establishing of the United States of America. By issuing the Declaration of Independence the 13 American colonies were able to sever their political connections with Great Britain.…
When you view or review an event do you focus only on the obvious or literally story or do you look for the metaphor or insight it might provide? Lisa, a friend of Nancy’s, told Nancy a story yesterday that I found to be very funny. Here is the story. When Lisa was young her…
It breaks my heart to see how lonely some people are. Many don’t even know they are lonely, nor do they realize that loneliness and isolation are not good for either their body or mind. Dogs are pack animals—meaning we know that we flourish in community and connection. I sometimes I think it would be…
When Nancy and I take our early morning walk we can choose from multiple trails and paths. Yesterday, Nancy decided to walk the path that weaved through a local park. As usual, Nancy had me on a leash because it was required in that park. I also was aware that Nancy was purposely keeping a…
My mother used to say, “Fear is contagious.” So, you need to learn how to settle yourself down when you feel fearful or anxious and, in the process, you will help your new owner settle themselves down as well. Recently Nancy was listening to a podcast where Kamala Harris said the same thing, “Fear is…
Today I would like to talk about Memorial Day. Memorial Day is about remembering. It is a day when we need to stop, reflect, and give thanks to the people who fought and died for the things and freedoms we have. Memorial Day started during the Civil War when women began decorating the graves of…
So here is my story: In a previous e-mail I talked about racing Nancy when she was on her bike and always winning when I was younger. I didn’t win because she let me win but because I was that fast and could maintain that speed for quite a while. I am older now and…
I have spoken about Hanks, my Portuguese water dog friend before, but today I want to talk about another remarkable talent he has. I think it is a window into what motivates Hanks. Hanks loves people and he especially likes to feel like he belongs. So, if two adults are talking in a room where…
When I was going through my training to be a Medical Alert Dog for Nancy we lived in Southern Oregon. Several miles out of town and at a higher elevation was Lake of the Woods. It was a beautiful lake and because of the higher elevation it was much cooler in the summer. Nancy and…
I meet Sofie when I was young. Nancy had taken me to see Rebecca, my groomer at the time, to get a bath and get my hair cut. That morning on the way to work Rebecca had seen Sophie running down the side of the road. She was obviously lost or had been abandoned. Rebecca…
Is your collar choking you?? So here is my story: Several years ago, when Nancy and I were attending a conference, a woman approached us during a break. She began telling Nancy about her background in dog training and her level of expertise. She also divulged that she really like dogs and she especially like…
Today I want to talk about Easter, well more specifically I want to talk about the Easter Bunny. Historians suggest that the Easter Bunny arrived in America through German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania. They brought with them the tradition of a rabbit who would go from house to house, leaving eggs and gifts in…
I love winter, and I also love Spring. So, why do I love winter? In winter the temperature drops and many of us often encounter snow. When this happens both the snow and even the temperature dropping can almost instantly change our perceptions. Once that happens, we can see things more clearly and respond from…
There are many stories about where April Fools’ Day and the custom of making fools and/or playing harmless practical jokes on April 1st originated. Some historians suggest that April Fools’ Day originated in the Middle Ages, while others have different theories. In my mind it doesn’t really matter where it originated or has been used…
When I was a pup, I developed a habit of kissing people’s ears that I really liked. (I am the pup with the purple ribbon.) Everyone one thought it was really cute, but assumed that this behavior would stop when I got older—but it didn’t. I can remember the first time I met Nancy’s son.…
When I was growing up, my mother said that everyone one has a purpose. You can see it in their true nature, what gives them the greatest joy, and how they move through life. I never realized the significance of what she was saying until I meet Hanks. Hanks was and is a Portuguese water…
Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? If you do, do you know the history behind St. Patrick’s Day? Here is what I have discovered: The story of St. Patrick begins when he was captured by Irish raiders at the age of sixteen and brought to Ireland as a slave where he herded and tended sheep…
So here is my story today: A couple of months ago, Nancy was having a conversation with one of the workers at Trader Joes. In that conversation the worker told Nancy about an incident that had happen in their store. Someone had brought their dog into the store under the pretense that it was a…
I think we have all experienced scary and even traumatic moments. In these experiences we can feel crushed or gain the ability to breath deeper and feel more deeply loved. So here is my story: Nancy and I were heading home after a long morning walk. We were about 3 blocks from home when out…
I think we have all experienced loneliness and the need for someone to witness the challenges we face at one time in our life. In the witnessing, we can provide the gift of listening, not giving of advice, but rather the gift of being present and open-hearted compassionate listening. Here is my story: It was…
It is hard for me to grasp the lack of sensitivity in some humans. Here is my story: Nancy and I were walking across the parking lot to go into a store. Ahead of us I saw a man and a woman walking out of the store and walking towards us. The gentleman was walking…
I love music! I love dancing! I love weddings! Whenever Nancy brings out my sparkly red bowtie, I get excited and begin dancing around the room. Why do I get excited? I know we are going to do or go someplace special. We have gone to parties, and special events, but on this day, Nancy…
When my trainer was discussing what kind of dog would be good for Nancy Marie, she suggested a poodle. Nancy asked why. The trainer said two things: First they are hypoallergenic, and you will be in a lot of places where people are allergic to dogs, so you are thinking about them. The second reason…
When I was young, I used to run like the wind. I would race Nancy on her bike and would always win even when we were on a downward path. I can remember it like it was yesterday. She would carry her bike over the railroad tracks to get us on a trail that wrapped…
I know I am not supposed to interact with other people when I am wearing my Medical Alert jacket, but this day was different. So here is my story: Nancy and I were walking across the parking lot heading to a store when I felt this deep impulse to head over to a specific car.…
I like people, but their behavior often confuses me. They say they want to accomplish something and yet they never find the time to develop the skill set necessary to accomplish their desired outcome. When I was in training, I had to learn a lot of unique skills. This didn’t happen miraculously. This was…
Do you know that the celebration of New Year’s Day on January 1 is a human-made creation or a civil event? This is because it is not precisely fixed to any natural or seasonal marker. For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, where daylight recently ebbed to its lowest point and the days are…
Winter is the time when all of nature takes a deep breath and goes inward. It is a time for self-reflection, deep healing, changing of perceptions, and gaining clarity about who we are and what we want to do in the future. It is a time of great joy over what we have accomplished and…
I love to travel, but sometimes difficult situations arise. Now before I proceed with my story you need to know that when I fly, I need to fast for 24 hours before the flight, because there isn’t any place for me to relieve myself when we are in the air. Okay so here is the…
To begin with, I love people, especially the short ones. Their hearts are pure, and they tend to have clarity about what they want and/or need. Here is my story for today: It was early in the morning, and we were in a big box store. As we moved down a large aisle, I notice…
Over the years I have attended a lot of I Create What I Believe (ICWIB) workshops. Learning to be on stage and not respond to any of the attendees that tried to connect with me—even though they were told not to, was hard sometimes- because besides enjoying my job, I also love to play. One…
When I was a pup, my momma told me that dogs are gifted with the ability to give unconditional love and that medicine is great for the heart and soul of a person. She also said that it was important to pay attention to how we give and how much we give. This awareness is…
We have very sensitive noses, and we like to smell!! We also like a variety of smells—don’t you? Now sometimes a dog really likes to roll in a smell they discover on the lawn. I personally don’t. Often humans find the practice of rolling in a certain smell “gross” but then they go home and…
Have you ever felt stuck or slightly boxed in? And wished a new life soon would begin? Did you feel trapped, confused, or upset? Were you filled with sorrow, anguish, or regret? And did you know how to set yourself free? And be the one you were meant to be? We are constantly bombarded with…
It seems to me that many people today are so used to being stress that they no longer know when they are stressed. They also don’t seem to know how to approach life in a relaxed and unstressed out state. Now consider that science has found that when you pet a dog, and I think…
Does the Truth Matter? As we roll into the USA election on November 5th, ask yourself: what is your truth, how can find your truth, and finally does truth matter? It appears that we have two different people with two very different policies and approaches to life and governing. Which one resonates closest to your…
I can’t believe it! Tomorrow is Halloween! This is the day we can officially wear a mask and pretend we are someone else. Are you going to choose to magnify an aspect of yourself or someone completely different. Are you going to be a mystical being, animal or something completely different? We all wear masks…