By Pamela Schmidlin, Certified Health Coach, Certified Dog Trainer, Professional Photographer and Videographer
April 28, 2013- Today, I will be introducing you to yet another "business" partner and best friend, a canine. Her name is Sandy.
Sandy is a Cocker Spaniel/ Golden Retriver mix. She is 14 years old. Sandy came to me way of North Shore Animal League. She was approxiamtely 2 years old. It was shortly after 9/11, that she came into my life. I walked into NSAL, and our eyes met and from that point on, we became the best of friends. She rescued me from that point on. Several weeks before I had lost my dear Sammy (a sheppard mix who I got from Smithtown Animal Shelter), and although Sammy could never be replaced.....Sandy filled a void in my heart!
Sandy also had a similiar look that my dear Candy had, and once again although Candy could never be replaced she filled a void there as well. Candy was a Cocker Spaniel, who came to me through a reputable breeder, one look into her eyes and I knew that we would be forever!
Sandy came to be a Certified Therapy Dog, and had many patients who longed to see her every week at the local nursing home. She would go in and visit with her patients, and let them pet her and cuddle close to them, and get them smiling in her visits! She taught me that a kind word and smile can go such a long way. She taught me that giving someone the time of day, and having just one conversation or visit can change so much! So becoming a health coach, I keep this lesson in mind. So that I can help change the world, or someone else's world one client at a time!
Sandy has also come to be another running partner, as well as yoga or rather Doga partner. She has taught me to the Downward Dog pose, the Cobra pose (as seen in the photo to the right), and to take the time to properly meditate and to relax! Such doga poses can be seen with Sandy by my side in the video below! Enjoy!
Email me and tell me what your up to and what you want to me to blog about, at
By Pamela Schmidlin, Certified Health Coach, Certified Dog Trainer, Professional Photographer and Videographer
April 27, 2013- Today, I'm introducing to you another "business" partner, and best friend of mine, a canine. His name is Candycane.
Candycane, is a black lab/ chow mix. He is 13 years old (yet once again, he doesn't think he's older than a puppy!) Candycane came to me way of an (I must admit it as well)....I walked into a pet store, and although I HIGHLY suggest you go to your local shelter and adopt and rescue a dog that needs a home there.....I ended up with Candycane, and whether it was against my best judgement to do so or not, we have been together since he was 6 months old and ever since. And have not regretted the move since.
(Although, I do not support puppy mills! And support visiting you local animal shelters first and foremost!)
Anyway, moving on....Candycane and I have also become running partners, we ran in pack together at our local trails, and on local roadways. Candycane has even joined Skyler and myself at a few races.
Candycane, is a protector and has taught me to be discerning when it comes to who to embrace and who to be weary of. (He still is teaching me of course! Dogs have a sixth sense, oh wait that may be their seventh sense....on knowing who is good vs who is dangerous.....they can actually sniff it out, we on the other hand have to hone in our skills a bit more to do so!)
Candycane, has also helped in the dogpark establishing process.
Candycane is also part of the taste testers for all the wonderful treats that come your way. And part of the pass and move on stage! If he doesn't like the treat, until it passes his palate you will not hear of it!
As you can see from the photo above, he teaches great oral hygiene and reminds me to brush and floss after every meal. He teaches me to be considerate and playful.
Email me and tell me what your up to and what you want to me to blog about, at pamelaschm@optonline.net
By Pamela Schmidlin, Certified Health Coach, Certified Dog Trainer, Professional Photographer and Videographer
April 26, 2013- Today, I will be introducing you to one of my business partners, Skyler. One of my best friends, a canine- and someone that has helped me in so many ways while having fun. She teaches me lessons everyday about life and living a healthy one. And together with me wants to help others live that same healthy life.
Skyler is a Sheppard Mix, who is about 12 years old (shhhh...she still thinks she's a puppy though!). We found each other when she was about 1 year old. I walked into the Huntington Animal Shelter, and she saw me, gave me this look and I was taken in by her. She decided to rescue me and that day she took me home with her. Since then she and I have been inseparable!
Skyler and I soon became running partners, we would run the trails at the local park, we ran around town. After years of training together we found some races that were very dog friendly and we started racing together. (I think she has won more awards than me!) We raced thoughout Long Island (she is known throughout the Greater Long Island Running Club now!), NYC- Manhattan, and New England!
Sadly, a few years ago she literally retired from the running scene, while we were on a trail run at our favorite park, she and I were running when all of a sudden she stopped, sat down and wouldn't budge until I said "okay, we'll walk the rest of the way (we only had a mile left at that point, of a short 6 mile run)" so we walked the rest. Good news though, we still walk everyday and enjoy every step together! Her longest run to date was a 18 mile trail run!
Skyler and I were an active part of getting our local dogpark established, and after a few years of working on our own, we joined together with H-Dog (now LI-Dog, www.lidog.org) which definitely helped in making our dream a reality, the Blydenburgh Dogpark- which is now been a truly active dogpark for several years! We still enjoy the dogpark together with my other dogs as well.
Together we play ball, and come up with tasty treats to share with our YouTube and blog followers. Skyler is instrumental in taste testing my treats, if they pass her discerning palate they will make their way to you, but only if they pass!
The fact that she is respectful of her pack members, shows and teaches me to be respectful of others. The unconditional love she gives to me and others shows me that in this world we need to embrace the love and share what we can without expecting anything in return many times!
I call her a Swiss American Rescue Dog because as part of my family now, and being part German Sheppard- she definitely has the Swiss traits embedded in her (not to mention her neutrality in certain cases!).....An American being born and raised in America!......She truly is a Rescue dog in that she has saved my life, and continues to help others (human and dog alike)! Oh and Vegan, she is Vegan and going strong!
I hope you enjoyed the videos above of Skyler, the Swiss American Vegan Rescue Dog, and Six Legged Athlete and Companion. Check back tomorrow for another introduction to another Swiss American Vegan Rescue Dog!
Email me and tell me what your up to and what you want to me to blog about, at pamelaschm@optonline.net
Sandy came to be a Certified Therapy Dog, and had many patients who longed to see her every week at the local nursing home. She would go in and visit with her patients, and let them pet her and cuddle close to them, and get them smiling in her visits! She taught me that a kind word and smile can go such a long way. She taught me that giving someone the time of day, and having just one conversation or visit can change so much! So becoming a health coach, I keep this lesson in mind. So that I can help change the world, or someone else's world one client at a time!
Sandy has also come to be another running partner, as well as yoga or rather Doga partner. She has taught me to the Downward Dog pose, the Cobra pose (as seen in the photo to the right), and to take the time to properly meditate and to relax! Such doga poses can be seen with Sandy by my side in the video below! Enjoy!
