Dog Decoder has reached 10,000 likes and while that’s really exciting, for me it’s more about your eagerness to learn and share for the sake of the human – dog bond.
I am humbled by your support and blown away by your thoughtful comments and willingness to speak your mind, ask questions, share your sorrows, joys and most of all your open mindedness when I write about something controversial, (hehe).
The Dog Decoder smartphone app was a team effort. I couldn’t have done it without my amazing tech guy, Jeff Bellsey and the ever so talented Lili Chin, of Doggie Drawings. Lili’s illustrations take on a life of their own. She worked tirelessly to re-create real every day life situations that I gave her, taking much care to put an ear this way or eyes looking sideways, a low horizontal tail, etc; you name it… whatever body language I asked her to draw, she did it flawlessly and why it’s being used in dog communities, worldwide.
Learning to read dog body language has been my passion for 40+ years now and to see it becoming more of the focus and in use, in these communities; veterinary, dog trainer, groomers, rescue shelters, pet parents and in children’s education; makes my heart sing.
My favorite example: I was moved beyond belief when a teacher from India emailed me thanking me for the app because now they don’t have to get on their hands and knees to teach dog body language. Having the app enabled them to expand this education to their students, in a brand new way. You see in India, many street dogs have Rabies. To see the app being used as a humanitarian effort by having fewer people bitten by potential rabid dogs was a totally unexpected and miraculous surprise.
We are growing leaps and bounds within the dog culture but we still have a way to go and with your continued support of the app and this education; dogs will be happier, healthier and will thrive under our greater understanding of how they move and speak in our world.
So….I’m thrilled that you love the Dog Decoder app and know that I plan to continue educating, by blogging here, writing in other venues, sharing other bloggers’, trainers’ and veterinarians’ words of wisdom, I ask that if you have something you’d like me to write about, a story you want told or to get more info about something, please don’t hesitate to ask.
