Interview with Lisa Spector, co-creator of Through a Dog’s (and now Cat’s) ear music…
About Lisa Spector
Lisa Spector is a concert pianist, Juilliard graduate, and canine music expert. By combining her passion for music with her love of dogs, she co-founded Through a Dog’s Ear.
As a concert pianist, Lisa has won first prizes in Chopin competitions in New York and Los Angeles and has performed in China, Poland, Spain, France, Italy and throughout the U.S.
Note: July 4th and Fireworks. Many dogs have issues with loud noises from thunderstorms and fireworks. Many run off and go missing on this holiday. My Cici does not usually have any issues with fireworks unless big noises are up close and personal… and this year, it sounded like some big KABOOMS were right outside our door… she was looking a bit concerned. so I put on our Through a Dog’s Ear calming canine music (thanks to the wonderful Lisa Spector and Cici calmed down, was sleepy, then I jumped into bed with her and cuddled, and we both just slept thru all of the noisy fireworks for about three hours)… zzzzzzzzzzz… the music really conks Cici and me out…
Lisa has been busy creating an IPawd for doggies with ALL kinds of canine calming music… Through A Dog’s Ear is clinically demonstrated to relieve canine anxiety issues. ICalmDog is a portable, compact player with built-in speaker and battery. With an auto-repeat function, the 4-hours of pre-loaded Through a Dog’s Ear music can be played for 12 hours at a time.
http://throughadogsear.com/icalmdog/
and she has also created music for felines that is similar to the doggie calming music CD’s but specifically for cats.
what is different (between the cat and dog music)?
from Joshua Leeds
Joshua Leeds is a sound researcher, music producer and educator. He is one of few published authorities in the field of psychoacoustics—the study of the effects of music and sound on the human nervous system. Publications include Through a Dog’s Ear (Sounds True, 2008), The Power of Sound (Healing Arts Press, 2001), and Sonic Alchemy (InnerSong Press, 1997).
Sonic Anchoring is experimental. Our goal is to create a mental and emotional sense of safety that arises from familiarity. We accomplish this through a recognizable sequence of notes. The music on Through a Cat’s Ear is repetitious by design. Of fifteen tracks, six interludes are melodic fragments from Bach’s “Rondo Espressivo.” While people hear these interludes as repeating melodic intervals, cats may categorize this information as a familiar frequency matrix. As much as cats are hearing the music, they are feeling a sequence of vibrational frequencies. Like sensory information we instantly recognize—a favorite taste or aroma, our best friend’s voice, a mother’s touch— familiar sensory cues can have a profound and calming impact on the nervous system while providing psychological security.
Frequency Modulation (FM) can be defined as the alteration of sound. To further focus the therapeutic impact of Cat’s Ear, we’ve removed higher frequencies from the re-arranged piano music. FM also takes place in the mid- and low-frequency ranges. Through progressive modulation, “arousing” frequencies are reduced and “soothing” frequencies are increased.
how are people responding to the cats music?
Initial response is wonderful. Like Through a Dog’s Ear, people are also finding Through a Cat’s Ear very relaxing for themselves.
Comments from an email today:
“Thank you for this fabulous CD for cats. I am having construction in the house and my Abyssinian cat, Simba, has been extremely distressed about being locked in a back bedroom and hearing loud construction sounds. He has been a nervous wreck with poor appetite, howling, and he even tried to run away. Your wonderful cat CD came yesterday and I have been playing it for him this morning in a calm setting. That cat is limp. Purring. Smiling.
By the way, I love the music. Thinking of using it myself to help with sleep issues. And my dog, Suki the mini-poodle, is draped upside down in her bed listening to the CD.
I think this is one of the best CDs you have done. You and your colleagues have created something truly special.”
do cats hear differently from dogs?
Yes, they hear a much higher frequency than dogs. Their hearing range goes up to 65K Hz. However, the most important thing is how the frequency of sound affects the feline nervous system.
do cats have different traumas/fears phobias than dogs?
Yes, cats rarely have separation anxiety. But, they have much more of a need for consistency than dogs. Most dogs get very excited when a visitor comes to the front door. Many cats run and hide under a bed when visitors come in. Changes in their environment cause them stress.
what kinds of music do cats like?
That conversation is still up for exploration. When clinical studies of Through a Dog’s Ear were done, it was based on research in the shelter environment by a behaviorist, Deborah Wells. She tested a variety of types of music in the shelter environment and it showed that classical music calmed the dogs. So when we went into the recording studio, I played a variety of types of classical music, including re-arranged, slowed down, simplified versions of classical music that later became Through a Dog’s Ear.
However, there hasn’t been any music studies on cats. So we are not starting from the same place. We are very eager for researchers to run with this project and to put Through a Cat’s Ear and other music through clinical testing.
For more info and for listening samples:
http://throughadogsear.com/samples/
Blog Hop time…thanks to Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume… grab the blog hop link
Tag Archives: felines
Pet music
Filed under cats, dog health, dogs, interviews, keep pets safe, music for dogs, pet blog hop, pet care, Uncategorized
Start a Foot Licking Spa Salon for Fun & Profit
Start Your Own Foot Licking Spa Salon (Shoe Cleaning and Tail Lashing Extra) a Lucrative Home Business …
You can make a big pile of cash at home with a FOOT LICKING, (SHOE CLEANING and TAIL LASHING ) spa salon business! This is perfect for multi-tasking dogs everywhere, honest. Utilize shelter dogs, for a bonus and/or give a small % to animal rescue groups and you will have a faithful following. HIRE HOMELESS MUTTS !!! You will get TONS OF PRESS. You will never have to be concerned about cash flow again !
Wild exotic sounding spa treatments take place all over the world every day. Hot stones on backs. Mud spas. Seaweed, sea salt, herbal, even chocolate slatherings.
In Japan, tiny fish that nibble away all the dead skin on the feet, and in other areas of the body are all the rage at foot spa salons. The Japanese find this very relaxing and pools of foot nibbling fish are everywhere. Well, here in America, with our CAN DO spirit, we can make our Best Friends Foot Spas that offer FOOT LICKING a Huge Success!!
Here in California, folks are known for being the first in the country to do just about anything. We have raw sushi places on every block or mall, koi fish in our pools (similar to gold fish, only bigger and different colors) plus whales and dolphins in the ocean, some we swim with. None of these sea animals would work for a successful foot licking spa salon.
Have a menu of services and tell people what to expect. Give them what they pay for and more.
First, when people come inside your foot spa, if they have shoes on with laces, NO PROBLEM ! Your dog, if she is anything like mine, probably can untie the laces in a flash. Then s/he can help with taking the shoes off the feet, already beginning the spa treatment with some showing off.
Have a bowl of warm water ready for spa participants to put their feet into after your dog gets to cleaning the feet. Meanwhile, another dog can clean their shoes.
The dogs will take care of the shoes, put them in a special place. Then the customers feet are put in a pan of warm water. Very soothing. Feet are greased and wrapped as suggested below. After that, the foot licking treatment begins. Wonderful! The dogs are happy, the customers are, too. And you are making loot, to boot, Heavenly!!
Felines welcome?
Some people may also like the feel of a different type of licking. One done by a very special tongue, a feline’s. Yes, you heard me right. The sharp razorlike cat tongue treatment may precede the canine licking or happen afterward, whatever the customer wants ! Be sure to let them know that toe chewing or clawing is an extra benefit.
Similarly, tail lashing can happen at the beginning or the end of the process and may or may not be included in the spa treatment. No more than three dog tails are advised at any given time. And if you can train the dogs to wag in sync with one another, the better the effect.
A foot licking salon just might become your American dream. Your ship will have come in. All you need is a few enthusiastic dogs, a comfortable room with relaxing reclining chairs, some soothing music, incense, aromatherapy and/or a few scented candles to set the mood.
Put up a website, invite customers to your Open House and let them try their first treatment free or with a discount.
Your family pets can help earn their keep, utilizing their foot fetishes for good and help you make a small fortune in the foot licking business.
This could be a very lucrative full-time or part-time venture. Whatever floats your boat. And you can charge whatever the traffic will bear.
If you grease the feet with a thin layer of butter and then wrap them doggies (feet) in meat (hot dogs, turkey, sausage, bacon, chicken or deli meat, even spam will do), the dogs will be motivated to lick longer. Foot licking can be a lot of work for a working hound. I can see the signs… Will work for hot dogs or Hot dogs lapping up the luxury. Creamy peanut butter is another possibility, depending upon the dog. Cheaper than meat, to cut your expenses when you are first starting out.
A NEW TYPE OF PET THERAPY
I would suggest that you call these spa treatments pet therapy for your clients. So they can tell all of their friends and brag about how special it is. Every American loves to prove their high class status and tell their friends and relatives about the new therapy treatment they’ve gotten and the more expensive, the better the therapy. And, soon you will even be writing off your vet bills, butcher and dog food as business expenses. Win win woof.
BEV HILLS ADJACENT
Your dogs will be pampered and revered. When you relocate to Bev Hills, and Paris Hilton, Doris Day, Betty White and other dog loving celebs jump on the foot licking bandwagon, you will know that you have ARRIVED. You can also offer these foot licking services as part of a Doggie and Me package, part of your B&B. Also, when your dog has its own cell phone or beeper and Martha Stewart, Animal Planet and/or Oprah ask you to come on their show for a demonstration, your 15 minutes of fame will have begun.
Give the dogs whatever they want so they’ll treat the customers right !
Little yappy dogs may be too pampered and cause too many ego problems. Not showing up for work. Nipping at feet. Big, sloppy or medium dogs may be the best dogs. The kind of dogs that love to please and will lick feet all day long, every day if you let them. Doggie heaven and money too.
AN ECO FRIENDLY FOOT SPA!
You can advertise that your spa is green and eco friendly, too… Dogs cleaning up the planet one foot at time!
Filed under aromatherapy, au natural dog, B&B's, big dogs welcome, California, canine reflexology, comedy, dog kisses, dog reflexology, dog spa, dog treats, doggie healing center, dogs, eco friendly/green, funny, holistic healing for animals, money, natural health remedies, Oprah, organic, women with dogs, zen dog
dogs just wanna eat nasty things…
tried to post this yesterday but could not … we finally left Oregon and are now in California, at the beach and going to the redwoods, yay !!!
found this post amusing… all you gotta do (mostly is substitute the word Cat with Dog and Feline Animal with K9, Big Woman’s House in Rosslyn, Virginia with Travel Writer Woman in the wilds of Oregon, ok, there are a few more substitutions to make and I will make them… this post is edited for the amusement of Cici the wonder dog… while working on this post, she has barked at me twice, licked my leg and now has resorted to sticking her head under the bed and growling at me… poor neglected dear, never gets enough attention, nor walks, nor treats, nor near enough food… quick, someone call the ASPCA … neglected dog on the loose… so far this morning, she has ONLY been on three walks, had her belly rubbed, played with her ball and stuffed bear, eaten, had treats, and head scratched 65 times… poor dear… it is already 8:30 am !!!
Note: for some reason, am not able to post any images this morning… perhaps it’s K9 Karma.. for all of those funny furry photos of other dogs besides Cici…
http://whoinventedroses.com/
Official Notice of DOG Adoption
(Edited to say: If I didn’t love the ADORABLE animal so much, except when she eats poop, I might actually be serious. But I’m not…)
NOTICE IS HEREBY officially given that the K9 ANIMAL currently known by the alias Cici the Wonder Dog (hereinafter DOG) and whose date of birth is approximately August 1, 2007 and whose current place of residence is Traveling with Travel Writer Woman in the wilds of Oregon, is now made available for PUBLIC ADOPTION.
ANY PERSON(S) NUTTY enough to actually want to ADOPT said DOG (hereinafter APPLICANT) are hereby requested to contact the current CUSTODIAL DOG PARENT known by the alias Travel Writer Woman (hereinafter CUSTODIAL PARENT) via email, certified letter, or smoke signal no later than 9:00 a.m. EST on September 30, 2008. All applications received thereafter will be summarily dismissed. All applications must be made and submitted in GOOD FAITH.
ALL APPLICANTS shall be expected to DEMONSTRATE a working knowledge of proper DOG care giving abilities including, but not limited to:
1. FEEDING THE MOST EXPENSIVE DOG FOOD ON THE PLANET (ORGANIC, RAW FOOD, DEHYDRATED)
2. Frequent dog walking and amusing the dog’s every whim
3. Treating the dog in the manner she has become accustomed ie, frequent treats from banks, gas stations, and fast food places
4. Ability to sleep in the same bed despite frequent woofing, paw kicking, sleeping on the head and/or doggie breath in the face
IN THE EVENT OF Hell freezing over and multiple APPLICANTS coming forward, the interested parties will be asked to submit an ESSAY of no less than 500 words, detailing the motivation(s) behind said application for custody. If the ESSAY is accompanied by a BRIBE, preference will be given to the application with the best BRIBE, as determined by monetary value and/or CUSTODIAL PARENT’s preference.
FAIR AND FULL WARNING is hereby given that all APPLICANTS must possess:
1. A sound mind
2. Sainthood
3. Vast financial resources for vet bills, replacement toys and large quantities of Treats (raw hide bones, raw bones and other bones)
4. Connections with Hollywood movie producers to film the DOG in action so it can become THE NEXT DOGGIE STAR
IN THE EVENT that this August and Official Body determine APPLICANT does NOT possess the items enumerated above, and knowing this CUSTODIAL PARENT still desires to relinquish custodial responsibility, and assuming DOG is still driving CUSTODIAL PARENT bonkers, the ADOPTION will proceed. CUSTODIAL PARENT will be under no obligation to resume care of DOG post-ADOPTION, regardless of MISTAKE, INSANTIY, or INEBRIATION at the time of application submission, ADOPTION, or otherwise.
DOG IS ADOPTED in “as is” condition. NO WARRANTY, GURANANTEE, or SURETY will be offered by CUSTODIAL PARENT. APPLICANT is also advised there is a NO Exchange Policy irrespective of DOG’s behavior or health. CUSTODIAL PARENT will NOT accept LIABILITY for any INSANITY, LOSS OF INCOME, DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, etc. which may result from ADOPTION.
AT ALL TIMES, FULL RESPONSIBILITY for the DOG will reside solely with the APPLICANT. At no time in the future will the DOG or APPLICANT be deemed to possess any right to meet, contact, or otherwise HARASS the CUSTODIAL PARENT under any circumstances.
IT IS ADVISED that all APPLICANTS BLINK THREE TIMES before proceeding.
Filed under belly rubs, California, cats, chew toy, dog friendly, dogs, four paws up, K9 approved, pet care
Stumble It!
Have dog blog will travel 