Lesley Osborn Canine Consulting

Sep 19

Yesterday was a grooming day for Arwen. I haven't had a dog in need of a groomer, ever. With time and patience, I've learned how to trim the hair on her paws (tricky but doable), the hair around her muzzle, a snip here and there when needed, all as she sits in my lap. Trimming her nails is another ...Read more

Yesterday was a grooming day for Arwen. I haven't had a dog in need of a groomer, ever. With time and patience, I've learned how to trim the hair on her paws (tricky but doable), the hair around her muzzle, a snip here and there when needed, all as she sits in my lap. Trimming her nails is another thing—no way will this happen. Many don't like their nails cut, and I respect this. Others have been fine over the decades. One two three—DONE! Different dogs, different personalities make the lives of dog parents interesting. We trimmed our English Setters ourselves. In the 1950s, we had an adjustable grooming table and the proper grooming equipment required to maintain them in show trim (for those being exhibited). Those not being exhibited still required routine trimming to avoid those mats. Their grooming experiences began slowly as puppies. Anyone with long-coated canines should understand the importance of keeping their coats combed/brushed to avoid those mats. Untangling matted hair hurts. Ah ha, I thought, if she'll let me do these things, then maybe I can groom her myself!💡 After watching several YouTube videos on grooming a Yorkie, each presenting a different approach, it was in her best interest to leave this to a professional. Plus, that grooming table was given away years ago. She's fortunate to have a groomer she loves. I sit in the car during her appointment, and she's done in 20 minutes. I've never had a Yorkie, and I've learned a lot. Arwen's a teacup Yorkie. I've seen others who are 3 times her size. In summary...I'm a dog parent, just like you, regardless of the breed. I've learned as I go, out of necessity (7 decades of different breeds, ages, sizes, and personalities). Follow ⬇️ #lesleyosborn #lesleyosborncanineconsulting #dogsarefamily🐾💞🏡 #doglovers #storyteller #canineconsultant #author #TiaTalksBook I offer my knowledge and expertise to anyone—whether you’re looking for your first dog, adding another, or need advice about your present canine family. Having dogs in my family for so many decades, I've probably experienced many of the situations you are facing. Message me with your canine questions. I'll be happy to help you. 😄

Sep 18

Sometime in 2004, the biggest, blackest, and sweetest male greyhound suddenly appeared at the gates of a greyhound sanctuary on the west coast of Florida. He appeared to be a stray, so they took him in and gave him a home with the hopes of eventually finding the perfect home for him. Little did the...Read more

Sometime in 2004, the biggest, blackest, and sweetest male greyhound suddenly appeared at the gates of a greyhound sanctuary on the west coast of Florida. He appeared to be a stray, so they took him in and gave him a home with the hopes of eventually finding the perfect home for him. Little did they expect that due to his enormous size and color, it wasn’t going to be easy. It seems that a black greyhound is not one of the more popular colors. Many are familiar with the words Black Dog Syndrome, something I’ll never understand. But more of an obstacle to his placement was his size. He was almost as big as a Great Dane! He remained at the kennel and was deemed unadoptable. This rescue named him Thunder and moved him back to their South Florida location. In 2005, we relocated from South Florida to Ocala, Florida, with all our dogs. All of our greys had been adopted from this rescue group over the years, which was where Thunder was now located. In 2006, we lost Simon, one of our seniors, due to lumbar stenosis. We called this group and asked them to send us the dog that they had no hopes of adopting. As luck would have it, they had a bus traveling north, which was transporting several greyhounds to another rescue that weekend, and they were going to put Thunder on that bus for us. We had never seen a picture of him. The only thing we knew about him was how utterly sweet and gentle he was and how long he had been at the kennel. They told us when we met the driver at an exit off I-75 that he rode shotgun because he didn’t fit in a crate, and he talked for the entire trip. When they took him off that bus, we couldn’t believe our eyes: he was huge and my Mom and I are so short! The driver escorted him into our van, and we headed home with Thunder in the back, but still wanting to ride shotgun in OUR car this time. Here's Thunder, who settled into our family very quickly. And, yes, he needed a Great Dane-sized crate, which remains in our home. I believe the bonds between dogs and "their people" improve each other's lives—physically and emotionally. #caninehumanbonds Follow ⬇️ #lesleyosborn #lesleyosborncanineconsulting #dogsarefamily🐾💞🏡 #doglovers #storyteller #canineconsultant #author #TiaTalksBook I offer my knowledge and expertise to anyone—whether you’re looking for your first dog, adding another, or need advice about your present canine family. Having dogs in my family for so many decades, I've probably experienced many of the situations you are facing. Message me with your canine questions. I'll be happy to help you. 😄

Aug 26

Aaron was a 9-year-old brindle Greyhound roaming the streets of Miami, Florida, in the 1990s. He was rescued by a local Greyhound Rescue. We were volunteers giving forever homes to many of their dogs. Once again, we received a call and drove down to meet him. He was a big Greyhound with a head la...Read more

Aaron was a 9-year-old brindle Greyhound roaming the streets of Miami, Florida, in the 1990s. He was rescued by a local Greyhound Rescue. We were volunteers giving forever homes to many of their dogs. Once again, we received a call and drove down to meet him. He was a big Greyhound with a head larger than his body, the result of being a stray without food. Nobody wanted him because of his age and his dark color. Nobody wanted the responsibility of the care he needed. But we did! Without any hesitation, Aaron had found his forever home with us. It didn’t take long to rehabilitate him to a healthy weight. We were well-established clients of this veterinarian, with a trusted and professional relationship in place. During a much-needed dental, he noticed a tiny spot on his tongue, deciding to leave it alone. His vet tech encouraged him to remove it. He obliged and had it biopsied. His dental was successful. We returned for his follow-up visit, and the technician shared the discussion that occurred in the operating room. ⬆️ In walked our veterinarian with Aaron's results - ” It’s nothing to be concerned about; he’ll outlive this spot.” Aaron had no symptoms, no signs that would lead us to believe that there was anything to worry about. He was a happy and healthy boy who loved sleeping on the furniture, the dog beds, and resting on my feet. Four years later, as he was having his dinner, we noticed a sudden weakening in his hindquarters. While making plans to get him to the emergency room, he settled down across my feet as he often did and passed away within minutes. The ER staff was waiting. After his examination by the on-call vet, she introduced herself with his medical records in hand. Imagine hearing the following… “His spleen ruptured, and he bled out.” She looked at our expressions, apologizing because she thought we knew. The spot on his tongue was a hemangiosarcoma. It was far from a “nothing to be concerned about” issue. For those not familiar with Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs, this is a blood-seeking cancer. Stories like these are difficult to write, but they are very necessary. This can happen to the healthiest of canines. Aaron in one of his favorite spots. Rest in Peace, dear Aaron. You were loved beyond measure, remaining another beautiful memory in our GREYSETT family. I believe the bonds between dogs and "their people" improve each other's lives—physically and emotionally. #caninehumanbonds Follow ⬇️ #lesleyosborn #lesleyosborncanineconsulting #dogsarefamily🐾💞🏡 #doglovers #storyteller #canineconsultant #author #TiaTalksBook I offer my knowledge and expertise to anyone—whether you’re looking for your first dog, adding another, or need advice about your present canine family. I provide proven and practical solutions for the issues dog parents may face. Message me or schedule your free 20-minute consultation call. I'll be happy to help you.

Aug 26

Ellie was a senior Greyhound deemed unadoptable at a Greyhound rescue group for one reason... She refused to leave her crate at the rescue group for 6 months. This was back in the 1990s. I received a call and drove down to meet her. Even my soft voice wouldn't coax her out of her self-confinement....Read more

Ellie was a senior Greyhound deemed unadoptable at a Greyhound rescue group for one reason... She refused to leave her crate at the rescue group for 6 months. This was back in the 1990s. I received a call and drove down to meet her. Even my soft voice wouldn't coax her out of her self-confinement. She was frightened of everything. What to do, I asked myself. I established enough trust and slowly crawled into her crate with her. We sat together. I was successful in getting her out of that crate, and home she came. We had many dogs in our home back then, and each had a crate of their own. The doors remained open. They came and went as they chose. These were their safespots. The doors were closed only when we went out for errands. This was for their safety. She refused to leave her crate at the rescue for safety reasons. She did the same in our home, and this lasted another 6 months. Ellie is an example of the reasons why dogs need time to adjust to new surroundings on their schedule. She was given as much time as she needed. Slowly, she ventured out, step by step, as her fears disappeared. Eventually, secure that her crate was always there, she joined the others in our family. So why the coat, you wonder? It provided a feeling of safety for her. She wore one year-round. The only thing that changed was its weight. This photo was taken in December 2005 with the fireplace logs aglow. Ellie lived a long and happy life with us at GREYSETT. Why? Time, patience, and understanding her fears resulted in a well-adjusted and happy Ellie. Someone didn't want her, but I did. When you have questions about your canine family, present or future, DM me. 🐾I believe the bonds between dogs and "their people" improve each other's lives—physically and emotionally.💞 Let's work together. Canine Families Are Forever! #dogsarefamily🐾💞🏡 #doglovers #storyteller #author #canineconsultant Follow #LesleyOsborn Visit and follow my company page. Lesley Osborn Canine Consulting LLC #lesleyosborncanineconsulting

Jun 20

Many dog parents have shared their lives with one breed - their favorite. I've been privileged to share mine with a variety of breeds. When Arwen joined my family, I wasn't familiar with Yorkshire Terriers. A variety of Sporting dogs, hounds, a mixed breed, and each had personalities unique to t...Read more

Many dog parents have shared their lives with one breed - their favorite. I've been privileged to share mine with a variety of breeds. When Arwen joined my family, I wasn't familiar with Yorkshire Terriers. A variety of Sporting dogs, hounds, a mixed breed, and each had personalities unique to them. Along came Arwen (a teacup Yorkie). This was a breed that was new to me. Situations like these happen more than you think. Unexpected changes in family dynamics happen. She went from a loving home to my home and we adjusted together. You may be reading this thinking my #canineadoptionguidance isn't for you. You're correct. It isn't for everyone. But - remember this ⬇️ Circumstances can change for anyone at any time. I offer my knowledge and expertise to anyone—whether you’re looking for a first dog, adding another dog, or need advice about your present canine family. I provide practical solutions for issues you haven't been able to resolve. Message me with your questions or schedule your call. The link to my calendar appears in the comments and my featured section. While you're there, scroll through my Featured section to see My Canine Adoption Guidance Service, the link to my calendar, and other interesting things. #dogsarefamily 🐾💞🏡 #doglovers #storyteller #author #TiaTalksBook Tia Talks - My Life in a Multi-Breed Family [ Available on Amazon/Barnes and Noble ] Follow me #lesleyosborn Follow #lesleyosborncanineconsulting Follow my Company Page ⬇️ Lesley Osborn Canine Consulting, LLC