Oh hey internet. If it seems like I disappeared, that would be because I did. This whole running your own business thing.. was that my idea? Here's what I didn't factor in.. you ready? because this is a big time super amazing piece of advice: running a business centered around dogs and running a business centered around humans are very different.
More on this brilliance after an update on my life via instagram pics:
Tell me that's not some genius shit. No, but really, when I was running my own dog nannying business for the past 2.5 years, it was pretty easy. The dogs were perfect company, didn't mind if I had to take a phone call, were on a pretty solid routine, and were okay with sometimes not talking. People are very different. That being said, I'm pretty obsessed with coaching and am able to do it right alongside acting. Add in my other social media gig with, you know, life, and that should explain the disappearance. But today I realized that I really miss reading blogs and writing my blog so hopefully I'll be able to blog more frequently.
If you want to learn more about my coaching/consulting business, visit here.
The website is being redesigned soon so keep your eyes peeled for a re-launch!
If you're a blogger and want to be a part of a test run for a new part of coaching, write me.
Hello internets, Henry Elliot here. Thought I'd give you a little catch up since it's been awhile since I posted and-- AND LAYLA JUNE. Layla June here. Layla. Layyyyyla. Did you see my dress? Go see dress. GO! Layla dress. Ruffles. Rufffffles. Ruff-ruff-ruffles. Yes, ahem, Layla is here, too. LAYLA. Layyylaa. Yes, we all know your name, thank you. Now. Moving on. For the past few weeks, something very exciting has happened in our world, as we-- Is it my poop? Layla make poop! No, Layla, it's not your poop. Seriously? I'm trying to make a blog post here. Anyway, the exciting news is that we have been back with our mommy full time. MOMMY! Yes, she's your mommy, too, though lord knows why that is.. WHAT you say? You say hurtful thing to Layla? I poop on you. Moving right along, we have indeed been back with our mommy and it's been very exciting. Lots of time in the park and visiting the touristy places, taking in the sights, and so on. We've slept in the big bed each night, and mommy doesn't mind that we leave her approxamately two inches of space along the edge of the bed. She likes snuggling with us, so we try to sleep as close as possible. Layla sleep on her head. Yes, Layla likes to sleep on her head, while I enjoy just a bit more space. Perhaps a paw placed gently on her face. I'm considerate like that. Aside from the big bed, we enjoy the big park, and we do not enjoy the big trucks. Did you hear that, city? No more big trucks. Henry scaredy-cat. What was that? No, nothing, go on. Anyway, yes, it's been lovely. Things have been going smoothly, you know, except for the big trucks and when Layla throws up in the bed, and eats things on the street she shouldn't be eating-- CHICKEN. LAYLA LOVE CHICKEN. Sigh. No but really, does anyone want a little Chihuahua mix? She's tiny, you wouldn't notice-- YOU try to sell Layla?! You try to rid life of a Layla?! Brother. You pay for this. You sleep with one eye open. You never see it coming! Layla NINJA! You insult Chihuahua, you must pay. Okay, internet, well it looks like we're just about done here. Please do feel free to send treats to me. Er, us. To us. Have a nice day and-- TREATS! I hear TREATS! Henry Elliot, over and out.
It took us a little while at first. We had to learn each other. One of us liked to pull the other one down the street, feet lifting up from underneath, hair flying in face, beagle nose on the move. We had to learn how to talk to each other, give and take, like any relationship. But the love had been there from the start.
Caesar taught me some really important things. Like what happens when we release control and push ourselves to go a little further. And that it's important to be held a lot. And that playing is a 24 hour a day commitment. And that trusting can be scary, but you just have to keep trying.
When C and his mom moved out of town last week, we had just wrapped up our last few days together. Long walks, and toy tosses, and couch time together. And a final "you're a good boy, Caesar, be good, I'll see you soon" and you better believe I started to cry as I left. These dogs that I get to watch, to take care of, they aren't just a job. They're furry bundles of lessons and love, and while the job sounds like an easy out for some quick cash, it's always me who ends up unbearably lucky to have gotten the chance. C was even more special as I'm currently taking a pause from the doggie-sitting world (we'll see how long that lasts) and he could very well have been the last. Plus, I have a soft spot for furry little boys with eyes that tell you they've seen things, and a need to know they're safe. C is lucky, he's got a great mom, who loves him so much, and has kept him through endless moves and changes and years. He is absolutely one of the lucky ones, and one of the sweetest, too.
You're a good boy, Caesar, be good, I'll see you soon.
Lately, around here, my little weirdo babies are getting even stranger. Henry's been rocking a pumpkin tee in the middle of summer. Layla's taken to climbing onto my stomach and barking and howling all of her feelings out (before finally, finally, settling down to snooze on her momma). Henry even had a business meeting with monkey.. and then attacked him. We're trying to work on proper business meeting etiquette and discussing our feelings instead of eating the other person (er, monkey) in the meeting.
But... they've started to fall asleep closer and closer to each other. And my god are they cute. Seriously, have you seen cuter dogs? No? That is correct.
fostering a rescue dog in your home means that another one can be safely pulled from a local kill shelter and placed into a no-kill rescue group. it is selfless and takes responsibility and the ability to kiss them goodbye when they find their fur-ever family, but it is unbelievably rewarding, and a great way to try having a pup. and.. it's FREE.
find out how you can foster a dog from your local rescue groups! or email me :)
New York City's ACC (animal care & control) is wildly out of control.
They kill tons of animals every single day, their system is messed up, getting the dogs out is nearly impossible (most animals can only be pulled by an approved rescue group) & it's dirty and germ infested. These animals are sick. They are being killed for no reason. It's heartbreaking.
(stay with me here, things are about to get good)
But now, Manhattan Borough President, Scott M. Stringer (who, by the by, is my new favorite politician ever)
is standing up for these babies, demanding change and has released a groundbreaking report.
Here is how you can help. Ready? You're about to become a superhero, get your cape on please.
Sign the petition. Sign it please. Did you sign it? Sign it!
Here's the truth: this doesn't touch on the horrors that happen there & elsewhere every single day.
This doesn't tell you about the gas chamber nightmares, the abuse, the illnesses, the malnutrition.
This doesn't tell you of the 11,000 shelter animals that are killed every day.
It doesn't tell you what people are doing to animals every minute in this here country
that would literally make you throw up, or pass out, or become an activist.
And I'm not going to write about it here, because this is a blog and you didn't come here to vomit.
If you're reading this, I like you. And I don't want to bestow upon you information that will hurt you.
But if you decide to get active and get educated, I highly encourage it. Look up your city's guidelines and city shelter policies and the method used for putting the animals down.
And if you do nothing else, please get your pet spayed or neutered. Nonnegotiable. Do it.
(ONE female dog and her offspring, if all don't get fixed, can produce 67,000 dogs in 6 years time.)
Please always adopt and do not support breeders, puppy mills, puppy stores (which come from mills), etc.
Speak up. Get verbal, share this information, give it a good ol' tweet. Be their voice.
And now, if you stayed with me through that, you deserve some adorableness.
Sit back and watch as the Bill Foundation saves 15 lives in 15 minutes.
(If you happen to be of the belief that animals don't feel things just like us, definitely keep an eye out for the smiles on their faces once they know they're safe & the how the mommas are with their pups.)
"I looked at all the caged animals in the shelter.. the cast-offs of human society. I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread, sadness and betrayal. And I was angry. "God," I said, "this is terrible! Why don't you do something?" God was silent for a moment and then He spoke softly. "I have done something," He replied. "I created you." - Jim Willis
