High Maintenance?

TAYLOR’S TIPS Newsletter for a more productive you…(from Mom Peep and not from Charlie Bear):

Dear Friend,

Have you ever had a high maintenance dog? Our Rex was a short-haired Golden Lab who never needed anything more than a good bath once in a while.

Not Charlie Bear. His fur grows and grows! When I broke my elbow I was out of our normal routine. Charlie usually goes to the groomer at least once a month and he gets a haircut about every third month.

Well, we didn’t get his hair cut in the winter months (too cold for the little guy we figured), and just last week I looked at him and said, “Charlie Bear, you are one shaggy dog!” His fur was oily and thick and he looked scruffy (cute, but scruffy!).

So off to the groomer we went. With a guy like Charlie, if his fur becomes too long it gets matted. The groomer prepared me. “I’m going to have to cut him down to about 5/8” in order to clip out the matted parts,” she said.

When I picked him up he looked like a new dog.

“Skinny Boy,” I called out to him and he ran into my arms. We came home and he raced around the yard. It was as if he had a weight lifted (when I weighed him before and after—he’d lost a whole pound), plus, he looked years younger! Okay, he’s only 3 ½, but he looked and acted like a puppy again.

That’s when I wondered if I also needed to have weight lifted off of me, and I’m not just talking physically. Oh, sure, I need to lose that stubborn 5 pounds, but there are other things weighing me down as well: my way of thinking about things, my lack of self-confidence sometimes, my attitude toward work or a project or a person. Maybe I could become a new me and feel younger too if I “shed” some of what was bothering me.

You see, I’m high maintenance too. And in the rush and hurry of life as it spins, I need to take time out to work on me. How about you?

Hugs and love, and blessings on your work.

Follow your dreams…
B.J.

What’s Happening:

Charlie Bear’s story is in Guideposts magazine! There’s also a cool picture of him with us:
http://www.guideposts.org/inspiration/pet-stories/learning-to-love-charlie-bear

A recent review:
5.0 out of 5 stars

This review is from: Charlie Bear: What a Headstrong Rescue Dog Taught Me About Life, Love, and Second Chances (Paperback)

“An inspiring, well-written story about the healing power of love and how patience, affection and care can triumph over neglect and abuse. I was especially comforted and encouraged by her insight on dealing with the heartache of pet grief — when to let go and be willing to start again. Thanks, BJ!”

Sandi Olson
Freelance writer & journalist

Want to know what Charlie Bear is up to?
Go to: www.facebook.com/charliebearwigglesandwoofs or @CharlieBearY2K on Twitter.
He loves “likes” and “follows.”

Website: www.bjtayloronline.com
Email: bj@bjtayloronline.com
Blog: www.bjtaylorblog.wordpress.com