Peaceful Paws Massage

05/22/2024

SASSED BY A SHEPHERD
In my experience - so far - some dogs make some make groaning/happy/relaxed noises, or they are perfectly quiet - or there is snoring which is always great.
This is Pepper and she is the first dog to talk to me and give sass the whole time! It was hard to not laugh and keep focused. I'm sure she was telling me a good doggy tale, and I tried to respond correctly but I'm not sure if it went well.
Pepper is a sweet senior gal who seems to be suffering from the dreaded degenerative myelopathy that many shepherds get. For this, I spend as much time on her hips and legs, stimulating circulation and stretching. She watches me and talks for all of it. The funniest was when she REALLY wanted me to stay on her lower back area and if I deviated she looked right at me and sassed away - then stopped when I went back to where she wanted me to be! As my reiki teacher says - let the animals lead!

05/04/2024

UPDATE: STANLEY ADOPTED!!! Sweet Stanley will be taking interviews for a new human companion tomorrow at Pet Smart South (4919 S. Regal) from 12-4. If you think you will be a good fit for the position, please stop by the store to meet him! He is 3 years old and his adoption fee is $225. He is neutered, microchipped, fully vaccinated and gets a free wellness exam!

04/22/2024

Let the animals lead - which is why I'm in a kennel!
As an animal Reiki practitioner - in addition to massage - one of our precepts is: Let the animals lead. Here are some photos to prove that I will be led anywhere! This is Lily and she was SO EXCITED to have her first massage, that she could hardly contain herself - that it, until she did! First sessions can be calm and easy, or they can be a bit more disjointed since its all new to the pup - me, the strokes, etc. After some time of jumping around and getting up and down, having her person sit with us, she finally headed to her GIANT kennel. Having trained for
one of my courses at the Oregon Humane Society where they just said - hop in the kennel - I was ready and able to follow her in! Very spacious and it helped Lily calm down since that is her safe place. She then allowed all the introductory strokes and even some stretches. Afterwards, she was exhausted by the fun and excitement and had a nice long nap!

04/08/2024

The Love of a Hound
About TEN years ago I met my first real hound - I mean the baying, focused type of hound. It was my first foray into doing overnight pet sits. Our introduction went okay - if being semi attacked upon entry! The first evening I made a sandwich and left it on the counter while I grabbed a drink - it was taken. By who? I don't know. Then I set my glasses down - gone. Those I found and still have them with two perfect teeth points in one lens.
Since then, we've become close and comfortable - altho on the first meeting I am still semi attacked, but the duration is much much shorter. And my food and glasses are now safe - we've all learned some manners.
I love these hounds - Hitcher and Brixie. Maybe too much - especially since they aren't mine. Luckily, their wonderful people, Allison & Ted seem to completely understand this and don't think its weird at all - which makes me very lucky and appreciative.
Sweet Hitcher in his younger days!
Sadly, after getting cancer - but surviving way past his given time left by almost two years- Hitcher transitioned suddenly last week. I mean, we all knew it was eventual, but it happened quickly which is both tragic and a relief - no decisions to be debated. My heart is broken. I am SO thankful to have been a small part of his life and that I just got to love on him for a couple nights just three weeks ago. It was very touching to me that I was notified almost immediately - his people truly understand my attachment.
Hitcher was a very reserved, sort of stoic kind of dog - but an excellent snuggle hound! He would let Brixie lick on his ear when she was nervous or upset - and I mean lick and lick till it was a gooey mess. He could hear me open a bag of treats from upstairs in a bedroom and race down to get his share. He was also sneaky. If he wanted a treat he would pretend he needed to go out and then come back in to get one. Then look up on top of the fridge and back to me several times in case I wasn't getting the hint!
When it was time for bed, there would be a race into the bedroom to get the good spot - or for me - to HAVE a spot at all! The last time this happened, I got there first and established my two feet wide of space. He jumped up, did three or four turns -then lay down with about a 1/3 on him on my hip - then looks at me as if to say - checkmate!
Our last couple evenings together will live in my heart for their simple contentment. Sitting on the couch watching a movie with a warm hound on either side of me. This is my sweet spot- cozy and able to pet both dogs at the same time. This is how I will remember our time together.

03/27/2024

It can take some time - but not much
I would say that 97% of my clients only take a few minutes to get acclimated to the wonder that is massage. But some take a bit longer - the stubborn ones, the ones that are reluctant to enjoy themselves or have issues with being touched by a stranger. This is Tucker - a cutie mix that was very hesitant to enjoy himself. He would just being to relax under my hands and his eyes would start to shut and then SNAP - he was tense and wide awake. He just couldn't or wouldn't give in, at least not all the way.
He'd give me the look over the shoulder -as if to say "and what do you think you are doing?" But the second visit he was more relaxed and not needing to get up and walk away. But the third visit, it was just a few seconds before he was relaxed and then giving me the look that says - "where have you been all my life?" Just love that! The owner had given him some CBD oil for his anxiety and that may have helped a bit, but I'm going to pretend it was all me!

03/15/2024

This family is amazing - providing a true sanctuary to differently abled animals that have no other place to go. They do it all the caring and the loving these animals deserve. Every dollar helps keep them fluid and able to continue this benefit - easy to set up a monthly donation - would you really miss ten bucks a month? Probably not and it would help them SO much!

Urgent Appeal from Calypso:
Help Us Save and Provide Sanctuary to Angels with Misplaced Wings

Dear loving and generous animal lovers,

I hope this message finds you well, for the situation I'm about to share is urgent and calls for immediate action. There is not a moment to spare.

Imagine a place where every wag of a tail, every gentle nuzzle, and every heartfelt glance tells a story of resilience, hope, and unconditional love. This is the world of Angels with Misplaced Wings, a sanctuary dedicated to providing forever homes to special needs, disabled, dogs, and farm animals.

In our sanctuary, every resident, regardless of their physical or mental challenges, is treated with the utmost care, compassion, and dignity they deserve. But today, I come to you with a desperate plea.

Our resources are stretched thin, and the demands on our sanctuary are growing by the day. From medical care to specialized diets, each animal requires individual attention and support. Despite our unwavering commitment, we find ourselves facing an overwhelming financial burden.

Without the generosity of donors like you, we risk being unable to provide the sanctuary and care that these angels so desperately need and deserve. Every dollar you donate goes directly towards ensuring these precious souls have a safe haven where they can thrive and live out their days surrounded by love.

Your donation, no matter how big or small, will make an immediate and tangible difference in the lives of these animals. It will provide them with food, shelter, medical treatment, and above all, the chance to experience the joy of being cherished and valued.

Please, don't let your Angels with Misplaced Wings suffer in silence. Your support will continue to transform their lives giving them the second chance they deserve and hopefully the opportunity to provide the same for more animals in the future.

Together, we can ensure that our sanctuary remains a beacon of hope for those who need it most. Discover at the end of this letter the multiple ways to make your monetary life saving donation.

Thank you for your compassion and generosity.

With heartfelt gratitude,

The Angels, Daddies and Gnomes
Angels with Misplaced Wings Sanctuary

💕💓💕💓💕💓 💕💓💕💓💕💓 💕💓💕💓💕💓

Donations Accepted Via:

Text: BORK to 53-555

or

https://givebutter.com/FIF

✅IG: Link In Profile
✅Accepting Credit/Debit, PayPal and Venmo and Bank Transfers

CashApp*: $MisplacedWings
Venmo*:
Paypal*:

*NOT Free: These platforms do charge transaction fees, even to nonprofits.

🎁 Gift Donation with Hand-written Card 🎁

https://givebutter.com/TheGiftOfGiving

Mailing Address:

7720 NE Highway 99
Suite D #191
Vancouver, WA 98665

03/14/2024

SOMETIMES THE PEOPLE ARE NICE TOO!
I see that almost all of my posts are just about the animals - which is mostly how I feel. And their people are always nice too - but once in a while I feel a click with the people - in that we are all on the same page when it comes to our animals.
Last night I had the pleasure of massaging two super sweet dogs - Cooper the Golden and Beans the Great Pyrenees. In addition to them both being PERFECT first time massage recipients - their people were great too.
I like when the people stay with me during the first massage since we can chat about the issues the dog has and I can explain what I'm doing and why. In this case, during our two hours together, I was so entertained by stories that I possibly enjoyed myself MORE than the dogs!
Vanilla "Beans" is my first Pyrenees and I was fascinated by her coat - a double coat and very different texture. They agreed it was different and then shared that it was amazing in that she could be rolling in mud and then it just all falls off when it dries. Or - my favorite - of how it collects things like leaves and twigs and bug and even a FROG! I don't know why, but this struck me as hilarious! Especially if you are one to sleep with your dogs - SURPRISE! A frog visitor in the middle of the night!

03/08/2024

ALMOST IMMEDIATE RESULTS
This is Charlie girl - she is being fostered by Stephanie at Pawsitive Connection Dog Training. She is an older girl with some issues including the loss of use of her back legs. At first it was thought she was paralyzed, but it turns out she was just so malnourished and sick that her muscles atrophied.
It was my pleasure to visit her on a Sunday afternoon and see if we could bring some comfort to her as well as do some stretching and help with the circulation to get those muscles built back up.
She was an ideal client, all cuddled up and on her bed and ready for me to get to work. She relaxed right into the massage and allowed me to do some good work on her freshly washed self. I am in the midst of learning and being certified in Reiki - and energy work system - so I employed what I knew so far and she seemed to enjoy that.
Once I was finished and she was asleep, she started dreaming. And like most dogs, she was dreaming about fun stuff like chasing a ball! And sure enough, both her back legs and feet starting "running" - it was so cute and a wonderful example of how massage can help. Very rewarding to me. Stephanie told me that she was all perky and wanting to eat after she woke from her nap!
So while not all sessions result in immediate responses, this was a wonderful treat! Look at that cute tongue sticking out!

03/01/2024

EVENTS! EVENTS! EVENTS!
One of the ways I try to meet pet people is by doing events throughout the year. And while I tell people its to increase my business and clientele - mostly, its so I can pet all the dogs! Since becoming a massage therapist, I feel its my duty to lay my hands on each and every dog I come across. This can be alarming to people just out on the street and I approach them (sometimes from across the street) and especially when I'm on vacation and missing my dogs, but much more natural when I'm vending at these doggy events. This photo was taken by Mary of Washington Basset Rescue and this is Sadie, a former rescue. Isn't she darling! I love me a low-rider dog!
This was the Dog Festival at the Southside Community Center in Spokane. Its one of my favorites because its indoors and they provide a table and chairs for me - so its easy to set up alone.
**Please note that this was several years ago prior to the covid madness. Not many events are happening anymore - so sad.

02/14/2024

REKI WITH ANIMALS _ A DELIGHT
For those that don't know, Reiki is an energy work system that is
accessible to all with just some study and dedicated practice. For me, its being in a calm and inviting space with the animal for as long as they like. Animal just know and the more I work with them, the more I understand this.
This class was two days in Santa Rosa, CA at the Brighthaven Sanctuary (www.brighthaven.org) an amazing and wonderful place that offers homes to all types of animals including horses, cows, pigs and even a goose! It was such a treat to be in such a welcoming and positive place with an excellent teacher and fellow students that made the class even better.
Yes I'm in a hat. I hate hats - but it was 90 both days - and why I'm also under a tree! But it was worth every sweat drop! I've never worked with horses in my massage practice or personally, so it was quite the experience to be standing in an open pasture with a dozen horses and one donkey meandering about! With my fellow students, we offered reiki and received it as well from these well-experienced animals! There is more on reiki on the instructor's site - www.animalreikisource.com - to find out about her and all her classes and books.

02/06/2024

How many dogs are too many?
During the holidays I am called upon to do many sits and visits for folks heading out to do their holiday celebrations. This year I only had two clients but as one of them was SIX dogs, it seemed like more.
I've always only had a maximum of two dogs myself. I've thought to have more, but always felt I would not be able to give enough attention to all of them. After spending time with this herd - I stand behind my decision.
These are all sweet and loving pups - so that makes it easier. The two on the bed are Mushu and Tsov Me (jaw me) and on the couch are Spikey, Mitsy, Joey and Fluffy. By the time we were into our fourth interaction, we had our routine down. Quick potty break, kibbles, second longer potty break and then cuddle time.
I would sit in the middle of the couch and the pups would arrange themselves all around me to receive as many pets and rubs that I could hand out. If I was neglecting Mushu, she would stare at me and make little growly noises. If I took my hands off of Mitsy, she started squirming around to get on my lap. I finally figured out how to put two under my arms and pet with my hands and then they felt like they were getting rubs. It was quite the operation. But they liked it and so did I.
Luckily this family has enough members to pass out just the right amount of attention.

01/30/2024

I'm ready for Spring
Wouldn't it be nice for winter to be confined to specific dates? So you would know exactly when to get out your boots and when you could stop worrying about being pulled to your death while walking a dog on the snow/ice/melting areas? I know I would.
This weekend I sat a cat and dog - Zoomie (a ragdoll) and Felix. Both darlings, easy to watch and hang out with. Sadly, due to our city's weird plan of where, when and how to plow a street, you never know what you area going to encounter. In other news, I caught Zoomie up on the bathroom counter licking my toothbrush - I think that means he likes me - right?
It was a nice sunny weekend so I was in the mood to take little Felix for a walk. Sadly, that did not work out.
The plows had come down their road and then for some reason, stopped right before this house and the one next door. Their driveway they had cleared nicely but there was a huge sheet of ice on the sidewalk at the end of the driveway with huge solid snow/ice berms to either side.
I had Felix. I had my boots on. Surely I could manage to walk the five feet carefully over the ice to the clear and dry road - right? That shouldn't be too much of an issue for a grown person who's been walking in the winter for years. No biggie. The ice had other plans. In addition to being ice, it was also very uneven, wavy and covered with water from the sun. I took a step, then another and my feet started going every which way till finally I did a slow, graceful fall to my side. I could hardly gain my footing to get up!
I'm sure Felix rolled his eyes at me because being he has built-in four-paw drive and nails, he didn't have this issue. He just waited for me to get back up and tell him - sorry pup, we'll be playing indoor games up and down the stairs. I may have heard a puppy sigh.

01/24/2024

SWEET STACHEL & PLAYFUL PAIGE

Last night I had the chance to visit these sweet pups and take this terrible picture! They are not alien dogs, but lovely critters! They are traveling to a new home with their people so I wanted to give them some goodbye loves and their person happily and generously agreed. I've had a couple clients move away and for some reason, they never think to tell their sitter or massage person! Not that I blame them, but I wish I would know so I could plan to say bye. I wish the best for these people and their pets on their new home!
From January:
I really love working and caring with animals. Many times the owners provide for their pets in a different way than I might be inclined to do - but sometimes there is a unique story behind the reasons for the set up.
Paige is a cute, bouncy, pudgy black terrier with a white chest splash and Satchel is her companion and he looks like a golden lion - right down to the amber eyes! They live in a garage and are outside dogs. At first I was like - WHAT!?! Keeping dogs outside all the time is just no fun. But then I learned their story...
While on vacation in the southwest, these two came to their people, starving and injured. They kept coming back and in the end they were rescued and brought to Spokane to live. It was attempted to integrate them into a household of three cats - two of them older and set in their ways. It didn't work out so instead of just shipping them off to a shelter for someone else to deal with, the owners created a nice hacienda for them in the garage.
They have it insulated, plenty of beds and blankets, a doggy door to a small patch of yard so they are never cooped up and then they have run of the entire yard during the day. They have a heater, a we**am and even a night light! They are in heaven!
It seemed odd to me at first - since my dogs are super spoiled and sleep in the bed with me when they are not in one of the other three sleeping areas - but now I see how lucky Paige & Satchel are - how content. For being rescue dogs and probably starving at one point - they are sweet, not aagressive and take treats GENTLY from my hand - which is a nice treat.
I am glad there are pople like this that open their hearts and homes (or garages) for animals who really need them.

01/22/2024

Who's the worst client?
Most of the time I am working with pups who are not known to me, especially at first. They may take a few to get to know me, sniff around, circle, etc. But eventually they lay down, relax and allow me to move them around throughout the session.
Who doesn't let me do this? My OWN dog. I know, not a good recommendation to my skills! But it's a fact. Trixie is very feisty to begin with. And in all honesty, she's my husband's dog. She was supposed to be mine - handed to me by my brother. She was just that - a handful. But she'd already imprinted on men folk and that's who she likes, so there.
She will come to me and lay down, sort of. There has to be some time spent convincing her its okay and that it will be fun. She will let me get into the session a bit and then suddenly roll over so all I get is her belly. So belly rubs happen for a spell and then I move her back into position.
And heaven forbid I want her to flip over - or try to move her myself - then there is growling and looking at me out of the corner of her eye. It's all for show and I'm not worried that she'll bite me or anything. I just find it highly amusing that my OWN dog mostly refuses and fights me for getting a massage!

01/20/2024

Call to set up an appointment for your critter!

The smallest gestures can bring the greatest joy. Discover the art of massage for your beloved pet - a gentle touch that says, "I care." Schedule a session today and watch your pet's heart melt.
509.768.5939
🐾💖

01/18/2024

CHECK THOSE P**P BAGS1
I've been walking a sweet Great Dane named Dexter. He's spotty and strong and I have to walk/run just to keep up with his loping gait. I've worked with big dogs before and mostly I prefer them, but he is by far the tallest with his back just about at my waist.
We've gotten into a routine and he's lucky enough to have a person who has chosen not only a very pet friendly apartment, but it's also right next to a trail that is easy to get to.
Dexter is a bit skittish around screaming kids and lots of activity. Today being Sunday, there were lots of people out, so I took a different route to avoid them and make it easier on him. Usually, he has his certain spot for the p*e and another for the p**p - which is great because it's usually right next to the nicely placed "poo station" that features bags and a can. Very convenient.
Well, today he had to go before we got to his usual p**p spot. He backed himself up to be perched on top of the rock wall that led down to a grassy area - where kids play. It was placed just so that the p**ps casually rolled off the rock and down into the grass. Well, only half of them did - remember, this is a big dog so things are big that come out!
Luckily, I had two bags with me, so I scooped the ones on the rock and then we climbed down to get the others. Well, this bag was one that had been in my pocket for a while, and perhaps had gone through the wash. Given that these are biodegradable, they don't do well in hot water. Which became instantly evident, when I realized I was scooping with my bare hand!
Dexter was not concerned and was ready to go. Not to worry, I'm not too squeamish and was able to adapt the bag - sort of - and get it to the can. I wonder if there were people watching me do this and laughing merrily!
So rule number two in regards to p**p bags - check them before you scoop!

01/16/2024

Massage for your pet may seem like a frivolous thing to spend time and money on - at first glance anyway. Being that animals share the same problems and diseases as humans, doesn't it make sense that they would benefit from the same types of healing treatment? Massage has so many physical and psychological benefits for your animal that it should almost be an essential part of healthcare like grooming, feeding or exercising.
Massage can be used at every life stage of your dog. There is almost no condition or situation that doesn't benefit from massage.

Is your pet suffering from loss of appetite?
Are they sluggish and lack energy?
Do they suffer from anxiety?
Can they run up and down stairs like they used to?
Are you and they not sleeping through the night?

There are just a few of the issues massage can address. If you are uncertain whether or not this type of treatment is right for your pet, please contact me and we can discuss. Remember, I am not a vet nor can I give any medical advice or diagnosis.

01/16/2024

Hello! Just a business update = I've cancelled my website to focus on my FB page. I am still here and still doing massage! You can contact me here or text to 509-768-5939. Thanks!