She Wore Pearls…
by Denise Anthes

I was first introduced to Emma at a family wedding last summer. Like other females at the
reception, she was wearing a pearl necklace. She shied away from the dance floor, preferring to spend
the evening sitting next to her Mom & Dad.

I wasn't clear whether she really wanted to be there or not…it was a happy occasion, but there were so
many strangers around. Emma seemed to be quiet and demure. We did not interact much that day.

Emma wasn't the first dog I had seen at a wedding, but she was the first Dachshund I'd seen in a pearl
necklace. I must say, the pearly white luster did compliment her reddish-brown coat quite nicely. She
was well dressed and well behaved.





This past spring, another family wedding brought me back in touch with Emma's family. Emma had
stayed home this time, but she was a topic of conversation. Her family members were quite concerned
about some recent behavior changes. They knew I work with animals and their human families, to
understand and change unwanted behaviors, so they sought me out in the crowd. They asked me many
questions about animal communications, eager to find out what it entailed (no pun intended…weeell,
maybe…).

Emma's Mom requested that I connect with the dog and find out the cause of her snapping at customers
in their shop. Two of these folks had literally "woken a sleeping dog" (not a great idea in any species!).
The other two strangers had not done anything to tease or annoy her, it appeared. Emma had snapped at
all four people - not making contact or breaking skin, but still inappropriate behavior. (I asked about
gender, loudness, and conduct of the customers. I inquired as to Emily's age to determine if senior
hearing problems and startling might be a cause - not so - she is 4 years old and hears very well.)

A few days later, in my long distance session with Emma, I came to see that she is a very alert, calm and
determined canine. She is very serious and sees her job as protecting the family. She showed me that
she sits up on the back of the couch and visually "patrols" the neighborhood, when she is at home. She
is a proud, "eagle eye" type of watchdog. She doesn't like change. She doesn't enjoy meeting strangers
She just wants a safe place, and to be left alone by people outside her family. Unfortunately, her dog
bed at the shop was out in the open area….and little doggies are so cute….

I explored the snapping incidents further. She showed me that when these folks came in to the shop
they created a cold draft, which was very annoying to her. She was associating these strangers with the
annoying draft. Then they would approach her and the combination was too much for her to
handle…SNAP!

I thanked Emma for conversing with me. I told her that her family appreciated all she did for them. I
reminded her how deeply they loved her. I also told her that the snapping was not acceptable. I
informed her that Mom was worried that she would actually bite someone and that that kind of behavior
was not allowed. I also reminded her that she was able (permitted) to get up and walk away from any
human who came into the shop. I let her know that I would suggest that Mom move her bed into a more
private space - perhaps a back room or behind the counter. I asked if she had any other requests.

I spoke with her Mom, via the phone, later that day. "Mom" verified my impressions of her pet-sonality;
her "job"; the favorite couch view; the placement of the dog bed in the shop, etc. She agreed that Emma
doesn't like change or strangers. She also determined that customers opening the shop door did cause a
cold draft - which flowed right over Emma's bed.

Mom was happy to have a better understanding of the situation and respected Emma's point of view. She
moved the dog bed to a private area. Emma still "comes to work" every day and seems to be happy in
"her space". No further incidents have occurred. Clients and canine all feel safe.

Emma is still the only Dachshund I've seen wearing pearls, but I don't get out much!


© 2008 Denise Anthes - all rights reserved. Adapted from an article previously published in Critter
Magazine, May, 2008.

Denise is a registered nurse and certified healing touch practitioner. Her knowledge of the universal
connection among all beings led her to explore communication links between humans and animal
companions. Her passion is to share educational opportunities that demonstrate this vital link with all
beings. Denise offers Beginner and Advanced Animal Communicaitons Workshops.