Happy birthday to me! I’m 27 today and I’ve had the BEST birthday ever! It just goes to show how priorities change and one gets older. No longer does it matter if there arent masses of presents to open, but rather the people who take the time to call/msg you to wish you a Happy Birthday.
I truly am blessed! Blessed blessed blessed!
If you’re a dog lover, or even just any animal lover, then you have to have heard of Cesar Millan: The Dog Whisperer!
No? You havent? Where have you been!?
Ok well then let me explain. He is someone who has dedicated his life to rehabilitating dogs, and training people. Yes, you read correctly. He trains people.
He has a strong belief of Power of the Pack and approaches his cases with a mindset of Dog Psychology, rather than Human Psychology, which so often we try to ulitlise on our pets.
The truth of the matter our dogs are not “babies”, nor human. They’re dogs. We need to be their pack leaders, and its when we achieve this, that the dog has true stability of mind. And while it might sound outrageous, you can see the weight lifted off a dog’s shoulders when they no longer feel they have to be Pack Leader.
Cesar himself has a pack of around 37 dogs, each who have been rehabilitated, mainly for aggression. His dominance over his pack is amazing, and you can literally feel the respect they have for him as you watch his episodes.
For us in South Africa, The Dog Whisperer is currently showing on DStv on the National Geographic channel, and you can catch the next episode on Thursday 29th July at 16:00 (‘S4/E29 – Woof And Wheels’. Follow more problem pooches through the audition process as Cesar attempts to cure a chocolate labrador of its fear of buses) and then another episode at 17:00 (‘S4/E30 – Widow’s Dilemma’. Can Cesar Millan curb the resentful behaviour of an Italian greyhound and help a widow whose two dogs have started acting up?), then further episodes on Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon.
If you have DStv, do try and catch at least one epidose – even if you dont have dogs! His work is simply amazing!
I suppose I should mention I’m in no way affiliated with Cesar Millan (I wish!), but merely a very big fan of his. If you want to know more, check out his website, Cesar’s Way, or become a fan of the Dog Whisperer on Facebook.
I know I’m well on my way to helping our family dog, Max, with his problems, and soon he too will be able to relax as a follower and not feel like he has to lead our Pack.
If you have watched it, and have some opinions, please do share in the comment area below. I would love to hear from you!
I got a great surprise last night when the bf came home. He presented me with a toy to play with for the weekend…a 50mm f/1.8 aka the Nifty Fifty (nifty because its the best value for money for decent glass…its only R1299!)! For those who dont know, its basically a prime lens (one that doesnt zoom but stays at 50mm) that stops down to f/1.8. My current lens stops down to f/5 or so at 50mm, and f/3.5 at 18mm. Ok ok I can hear you saying “huh!??” already. Basically the f/1.8 makes the background in a photo blurry. The higher the number, the more in focus everything is. So at f/22, the background will be sharp (best for landscape photography) and at f/1.8, the background will be nice and blurry.
Got it?
Good.
So I get to play with it this weekend, and have already been harrassing my dogs for some nice photos, but they’re just not having any of it. In fact, Gizmo keeps looking away…purposefully! I didnt know dogs could be mean like that, after all, they’re supposed to be (wo)man’s best friend. Hurrumph.
Anyway, by Monday I’ll have to pass it back (boo!) but hopefully I’ll have some nice photos to show y’all. Some more good news is that I’ll be getting to play with a Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L lens on the weekend. That lens retails for around R14000!! Wee I am a lucky girl!
Anyway, cheerio, I’m off to play with my camera!
