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	<title>Blog - Karen Shanley</title>
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	<link>https://karenshanley.com/blog/</link>
	<description>Spirituality That Works</description>
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	<title>Blog - Karen Shanley</title>
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		<title>Time to Pick the Pears</title>
		<link>https://karenshanley.com/time-to-pick-the-pears/#utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=time-to-pick-the-pears</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Karen Shanley]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 30 Aug 2026 20:42:55 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[My Garden / Recipes]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://karenshanley.com/?p=19683</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>It&#8217;s that time of year.</p>
<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19685" src="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/TimeToPickPears2-2-1.jpg" alt="basket of asian pears under pear tree" width="450" height="600" srcset="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/TimeToPickPears2-2-1.jpg 450w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/TimeToPickPears2-2-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/TimeToPickPears2-2-1-56x75.jpg 56w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" /></p>
<p>And every time this year, while I&#8217;m picking our Asian Pears, I think of one of Cait&#8217;s favorite childhood books. If you have young children and haven&#8217;t discovered this series yet, you&#8217;re in for a treat. Click on the cover to go to Amazon.<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Putter-Tabby-Pick-Pears/dp/0152002464?tag=wwwkarenshanl-20/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19686" src="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/mrPutter.jpg" alt="Mr Putter climbing tree to pick pears" width="391" height="542" srcset="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/mrPutter.jpg 391w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/mrPutter-216x300.jpg 216w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/mrPutter-54x75.jpg 54w" sizes="(max-width: 391px) 100vw, 391px" /></a></p>
<p>If you love Asian pears as much as we do, you might also enjoy <em><strong><a href="https://karenshanley.com/what-to-do-with-a-bumper-crop-of-asian-pears/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">these recipes»</a></strong></em>&#8230; <a href="https://karenshanley.com/time-to-pick-the-pears/" class="read-more" target="_blank">Read More </a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://karenshanley.com/time-to-pick-the-pears/">Time to Pick the Pears</a> appeared first on <a href="https://karenshanley.com">Karen Shanley</a>.</p>
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		<title>The  Dog Cooling Mat I Use to Help Kenzie’s Hip Dysplasia</title>
		<link>https://karenshanley.com/honest-review-the-pcm-dog-cooling-mat-thats-helping-kenzies-hip-dysplasia/#utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=honest-review-the-pcm-dog-cooling-mat-thats-helping-kenzies-hip-dysplasia</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Karen Shanley]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 15:12:08 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Dogs in General]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://karenshanley.com/?p=19621</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19623" src="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/rywell-mat600.jpg" alt="cavalier dog laying on cooling mat" width="600" height="377" srcset="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/rywell-mat600.jpg 600w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/rywell-mat600-300x189.jpg 300w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/rywell-mat600-500x314.jpg 500w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/rywell-mat600-75x47.jpg 75w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></p>
<p>There’s nothing worse than watching your dog struggle to get comfortable. If you’ve been following our journey, you know Kenzie is dealing with hip dysplasia, so finding a spot where she can lie comfortably without overheating or resting directly on the hard floor is always a priority.</p>
<p>I was recently sent the <em><strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G6ZC76W1?tag=wwwkarenshanl-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thick PCM Dog Cooling Mat</a></strong></em> for free to test out. I’m usually skeptical of pet products making big claims, but after giving it a try at home, I &#8230; <a href="https://karenshanley.com/honest-review-the-pcm-dog-cooling-mat-thats-helping-kenzies-hip-dysplasia/" class="read-more" target="_blank">Read More </a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://karenshanley.com/honest-review-the-pcm-dog-cooling-mat-thats-helping-kenzies-hip-dysplasia/">The  Dog Cooling Mat I Use to Help Kenzie’s Hip Dysplasia</a> appeared first on <a href="https://karenshanley.com">Karen Shanley</a>.</p>
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		<title>Just Because This is So Cool&#8230;</title>
		<link>https://karenshanley.com/just-because-this-is-so-cool/#utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=just-because-this-is-so-cool</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Karen Shanley]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:49:10 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Nature]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://karenshanley.com/?p=19573</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Long-time readers know my passion for looking up so I just had to share. One of the most rare types of lightning, the Red Sprite lightning. Enjoy.</p>
<div class="ast-oembed-container " style="height: 100%;"><iframe title="A Rare Sky Phenomenon Captured in Tibet ?#space #cosmos" width="563" height="1000" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/edqcBPqP1Zc?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>&#160;&#8230; <a href="https://karenshanley.com/just-because-this-is-so-cool/" class="read-more" target="_blank">Read More </a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://karenshanley.com/just-because-this-is-so-cool/">Just Because This is So Cool&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://karenshanley.com">Karen Shanley</a>.</p>
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		<title>All for One and One for All</title>
		<link>https://karenshanley.com/all-for-one-and-one-for-all/#utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=all-for-one-and-one-for-all</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Karen Shanley]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:32:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[My Dogs and Me]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://karenshanley.com/?p=19267</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Kenzie had a tough day at the Vet today. We found out that she has the hips of a 13 yo dog (she is 3 1/2) and will need hip replacement surgery. As soon as she got home, Riley rushed over to comfort her.<br />
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-19268 " src="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/kenz-riley-1.jpg" alt="" width="325" height="360" srcset="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/kenz-riley-1.jpg 500w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/kenz-riley-1-271x300.jpg 271w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/kenz-riley-1-68x75.jpg 68w" sizes="(max-width: 325px) 100vw, 325px" /></p>
<p>Arrow joined in to give his condolences. The bond these three have is remarkable.<br />
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-19271 " src="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/3dogs-1.jpg" alt="" width="325" height="425" srcset="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/3dogs-1.jpg 500w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/3dogs-1-229x300.jpg 229w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/3dogs-1-57x75.jpg 57w" sizes="(max-width: 325px) 100vw, 325px" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">All for one, and one for all.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-19272 " src="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/fam-dog-photo.jpg" alt="" width="501" height="347" srcset="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/fam-dog-photo.jpg 600w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/fam-dog-photo-300x208.jpg 300w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/fam-dog-photo-500x347.jpg 500w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/fam-dog-photo-75x52.jpg 75w" sizes="(max-width: 501px) 100vw, 501px" /></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16px;">PS: This is the first time I&#8217;ve ever gotten pet insurance </span><em style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>(</strong></em><a style="font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.akcpetinsurance.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><strong>AKC Pet Insurance</strong></em></a>&#8230; <a href="https://karenshanley.com/all-for-one-and-one-for-all/" class="read-more" target="_blank">Read More </a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://karenshanley.com/all-for-one-and-one-for-all/">All for One and One for All</a> appeared first on <a href="https://karenshanley.com">Karen Shanley</a>.</p>
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		<title>You Don’t Want a Dog, You Want a Furry Weighted Blanket</title>
		<link>https://karenshanley.com/you-dont-want-a-dog-you-want-a-furry-weighted-blanket/#utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=you-dont-want-a-dog-you-want-a-furry-weighted-blanket</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Karen Shanley]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 18:45:45 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Dogs in General]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://karenshanley.com/?p=19213</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<h2>The Lazy Person’s Guide to Dog Ownership: Finding Your Low-Maintenance Soulmate</h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-19214 alignleft" src="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/small-dog-232x300.jpg" alt="older dog snuggling against a woman" width="232" height="300" srcset="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/small-dog-232x300.jpg 232w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/small-dog-58x75.jpg 58w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/small-dog.jpg 406w" sizes="(max-width: 232px) 100vw, 232px" />I recently got an email with this request: &#8220;I want a dog, but it has to be easy, loving, not need much exercise, and mostly maintenance-free.&#8221;</p>
<p>If I&#8217;m honest, my first thought was, you don’t want a dog; you want an affectionate cat. But it&#8217;s not for me to judge. So&#8230;</p>
<p>You want the warm, snuggles in bed and the loyal shadow that follows you from the kitchen to &#8230; <a href="https://karenshanley.com/you-dont-want-a-dog-you-want-a-furry-weighted-blanket/" class="read-more" target="_blank">Read More </a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://karenshanley.com/you-dont-want-a-dog-you-want-a-furry-weighted-blanket/">You Don’t Want a Dog, You Want a Furry Weighted Blanket</a> appeared first on <a href="https://karenshanley.com">Karen Shanley</a>.</p>
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		<title>Why Does My Dog Pee When He Greets Me?</title>
		<link>https://karenshanley.com/why-does-my-dog-pee-when-he-greets-me/#utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=why-does-my-dog-pee-when-he-greets-me</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Karen Shanley]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:51:12 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[The Mail Bag]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://karenshanley.com/?p=19217</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p><em><strong>[From the Mailbag: Thanks to Jill and her new puppy, Drew, for this question.]</strong></em></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-19218" src="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/puppypee-220x300.jpg" alt="puppy peeing while greeting owner" width="220" height="300" srcset="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/puppypee-220x300.jpg 220w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/puppypee-55x75.jpg 55w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/puppypee.jpg 406w" sizes="(max-width: 220px) 100vw, 220px" />You walk through the front door after being gone for a few hours. Your dog races over, tail wagging so hard their whole body wiggles. They jump, lick your hands, and then&#8230; there&#8217;s a puddle on the floor.</p>
<p>The good news is this behavior is pretty common, especially in puppies. Even some adult dogs do it. In most cases, your dog isn&#8217;t having an accident on &#8230; <a href="https://karenshanley.com/why-does-my-dog-pee-when-he-greets-me/" class="read-more" target="_blank">Read More </a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://karenshanley.com/why-does-my-dog-pee-when-he-greets-me/">Why Does My Dog Pee When He Greets Me?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://karenshanley.com">Karen Shanley</a>.</p>
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		<title>An Aussie with His Flock</title>
		<link>https://karenshanley.com/an-aussie-with-his-flock/#utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=an-aussie-with-his-flock</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Karen Shanley]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 11:52:33 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[My Dogs and Me]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://karenshanley.com/?p=18984</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;ve often said that if you don&#8217;t give an Aussie a job, they will give themselves one. Case in point. Arrow has appointed himself guardian of his dog flock.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18985" src="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_0687-1.jpeg" alt="2 caveliers and an aussie sitting in the grass looking out at a pond" width="600" height="450" srcset="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_0687-1.jpeg 600w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_0687-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_0687-1-500x375.jpeg 500w, https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_0687-1-75x56.jpeg 75w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /><br />
And I couldn&#8217;t be more thankful. Don&#8217;t have to worry about Eagles swooping down or weasels sneaking in. I know with Arrow on duty, I have no worries.&#8230; <a href="https://karenshanley.com/an-aussie-with-his-flock/" class="read-more" target="_blank">Read More </a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://karenshanley.com/an-aussie-with-his-flock/">An Aussie with His Flock</a> appeared first on <a href="https://karenshanley.com">Karen Shanley</a>.</p>
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		<title>If You Build It, They Will Come</title>
		<link>https://karenshanley.com/if-you-build-it-they-will-come/#utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=if-you-build-it-they-will-come</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Karen Shanley]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 11:12:51 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Nature]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://67.225.138.180/~kashan/blog/?p=138</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>If you&#8217;ve been a regular reader, you&#8217;re probably almost as familiar with our pond as we are; it&#8217;s in nearly every outdoor shot. If you&#8217;re not, here are a few pics through the seas<span style="font-size: 16px;">ons.</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" id="image407" class="alignnone" style="font-weight: inherit;" src="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/pondspring.jpg" alt="pondspring.jpg" width="337" height="251" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" id="image408" class="alignnone" style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;" src="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/pondsummer.jpg" alt="pondsummer.jpg" width="339" height="254" /></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" id="image409" class="alignnone" style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;" src="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/pondfall.jpg" alt="pondfall.jpg" width="338" height="253" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" id="image410" style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;" src="https://karenshanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/pondwinter.jpg" alt="pondwinter.jpg" width="335" height="251" /></p>
<p>What you may not have guessed is that we built it. The year before Cait was born, we reclaimed it from a mosquito-infested swamp. For the first year, there was no life in or around the pond; all was still. In the second year, the &#8230; <a href="https://karenshanley.com/if-you-build-it-they-will-come/" class="read-more" target="_blank">Read More </a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://karenshanley.com/if-you-build-it-they-will-come/">If You Build It, They Will Come</a> appeared first on <a href="https://karenshanley.com">Karen Shanley</a>.</p>
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