Bark Talk

It had a been a long, hard day when I finally flopped into the chair the other night. Olive, our still relatively new nearly 2-year-old black Lab mix came over, sat at my feet, put her paw on my knee and stared into my eyes so hard I thought she might actually start speaking to me in my native human tongue.

"What is it, girl?"

Urgent stare. Then she got up on her back legs and put her paws in my lap.

"What do you need?"

She delicately climbed up and carefully worked her 40-pound, muscular body into my lap, licking me calmly yet so hard that I'm surprised I still have skin left on my face. If she could've, I'm convinced she would have crawled inside of me. I had to peel her off and go play with her, despite the fact that it was 10 o'clock at night and I was beat. She was, I believe, trying to tell me that she missed me and wanted "her time." Or she could've just needed me to turn on American Idol. Or maybe she just wanted a cookie. Oh, how I wish I could speak "Dog."

Enter: the "animal communicator," Tim Link. In his book, Wagging Tales: Every Animal Has a Tale (which drops today, May 1, Emerald Book Company, $16.95), the Atlanta resident reveals 32 of the "conversations" he's had with a variety of critters, including a praying mantis.

Link is a former telecommunications executive who always had a strong bond with animals but didn't discover his "gift" until he met fellow animal communicator Judi Byers in February 2004. At a seminar, he discovered that he could telepathically speak to animals and "hear" their words. He quickly decided to leave behind corporate America and follow his new-found passion: to give animals a voice.

"When you realize you are meant to do something, it all came together very quickly," Link told me by phone today. Link can use a photo of the animal (or the actual animal in person) to connect with its energy. "It's like intuition, like a mother. She knows when her child needs something or wants something. It's that same type of connection. You can't really explain it, but all you can do is trust it."

In addition to the book and speaking engagements, Link consults with pet owners to help them resolve issues or to just find out what their pet is thinking, when, perhaps, they climb up into your lap and try to lick your face off (I'll have to check back to see if Olive would like to chat with him). He's worked with just about every animal, from snakes and lizards to horses and hedgehogs. He also helps owners find lost pets and to help when an animal is about to or needs to "transition."

"They fully understand the process," he says of the difficult and inevitable time when an animal is at the end of his life. "We need to communicate with them, explaining what the situation is, what they need to do and why this is best. Communication gets rid of all those doubts."

In fact, communication – and our own positive energy – is the key to having happy pets, he says. His "Cardinal Rule #1" is to always talk to your pets. When you leave the house, tell your pet where you're going and when you'll be home. "When we leave, animals go through a great deal of anxiety," he says. "Before you leave, stand in the room and say, 'I'm going to work. I'll be home in eight hours. I want you to lay down and take a really long nap. I want you to use your litterbox. Or I want you to count the birds.' They like to have a job."

Then visualize it – the animal will pick up the picture or the energy and get the message.

He adds, "Just talking to your animal will make a big difference."

OK, Olive, come here. We need to talk.

Take Mama Downtown

Whenever my mom comes out for a visit, she always asks – or rather demands – that we take a trek downtown. She easily looks past this slightly grittier, urban side of Los Angeles and rather focuses on the endless blocks of costume jewelry, clothing, bedding, craft supplies, fabric, food, attractions, toys and her favorite, assorted knick-knacks.

If you're wondering how to create a memorable Mother's Day (on May 10), consider these 10 nice little suggestions from the Downtown Center Business Improvement District (DCBID), many of which come with special offers:

1. Sample Downtown’s Culinary Delights: Celebrate Mother’s Day with brunch at the outdoor Blue Ribbon Garden at the Walt Disney Concert Hall or at the Grand Café at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel. You can also enjoy a special pre fixe dinner at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine. The Grand Café and Roy’s have created special deals exclusively for the DCBID.


2. Delight in Afternoon Tea: Relax in the afternoon and enjoy the wonderful tradition of aromatic tea, delicious pastries and desserts, finger sandwiches and delightful conversation with your mom with exclusive DCBID packages at the Japanese American National Museum and SipTea. Treat her to Asian-inspired treats and tea at the museum or healthy, organic dishes at SipTea. The Millennium Biltmore Hotel is transforming its Rendezvous Court into a live garden for this special occasion and hosting tea for Mom.


3. Wine Tastings in the City: Test your knowledge of colors, flavors and smells of various wines at the San Antonio Winery, the last of the 100+ producing wineries that once lined the L.A. River Basin. The winery is offering an exclusive DCBID package that includes free wine tasting, a winery tour and a Mother’s Day menu as well as complimentary glass of sparkling wine. You can also treat Mom with a delicious brunch, created exclusively for DCBID, at the new Corkbar. Check out its wide selection of wines afterward.


4. Shop Til You Drop: Make mom feel like a VIP with exclusive DCBID offers at Tiara Café, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Store and the L.A. Philharmonic Store. Known as the Fashion District’s trendiest spot, Tiara is the place to be to savor fashionably gourmet and healthy courses.  Also, receive a gift certificate for a personal shopping trip with Urban Shopping Adventures. End your tour of the MOCA at its store and receive a free gift or a 10% discount at the LA Phil Store by mentioning the DCBID.


5. Relax and Pamper: If your mom needs a day of relaxation, pamper her with spa services with the DCBID exclusive “Mother’s Day Mix-and-Match Spa Treatments” at the Hilton Checkers Spa on its sunny roof spa or indoors at its serene spa. Mix and match different 30-minute treatments for your mom and for yourself. If you’re planning to stay the night, just add a room for two at the very reasonable price of $149 per night, plus tax. Also, check out Neihule, a sophisticated urban oasis on Olive Street, and sign up for one of three different Mother’s Day spa packages, all exclusive to the DCBID. While being pampered, enjoy an assortment of teas and sandwiches.


6. Absorb the Arts: If your mom enjoys live theater and musical acts,  surprise her with tickets to a classical concert, “Bronfman Plays Prokofiev,” at the Walt Disney Concert Hall or snap your fingers and tap your toes to “Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Weller Musical Show” at the Ahmanson Theatre.


7. Marvel at Rare, Museum Collections: If your mom likes to take in some history, modern or ancient, then she can peruse the new GRAMMY Museum, which offers an exciting and interactive celebration of the power of music. Mention DCBID on Mother’s Day, and moms get in for FREE when accompanied by their children. Nearby, learn about Dan Graham, a central figure in the development of contemporary art since the 1960s, with a free Mother’s Day tour of the “Dan Graham: Beyond” exhibit at MOCA.  Or check out the Central Library and awe at the sketches, figure drawings and building renderings by Richard Neutra, one of modernism’s most important architects.


8. Dabble in Downtown’s Diversity: If Mom likes exploring, then hop on a nighttime bus tour of neon signs, movie marquees and permanent installations of contemporary neon art through Downtown and Hollywood, offered by the Museum of Neon Arts. Also, explore the rich architecture and history of the magnificent Biltmore Hotel, which was known in its early days as the “The Host of the Coast.” Over the years, the Biltmore played nonstop host to high society, international political figures, movie stars and royalty.


9. Pack a Picnic: If you’re looking for something low-key, then laze around on a grassy knoll at Elysian Park, a green haven right in the back yard of Downtown L.A.  You can also try Downtown’s Vista Hermosa Park, which features walking trails, streams and picnic grounds amid native Mediterranean vegetation. Both are free!  You can purchase a basket of goodies for a picnic at Ralphs Fresh Fare, Bottega Louie or any of the Famima locations in Downtown.


10. Downtown Getaways: For the mom who wants to stay and make a weekend of her trip to Downtown, several marquee hotels are offering DCBID exclusives. The Wilshire Grand is offering the “Just for You Package,” which includes an Executive Jr. Suite, $50 food and beverage credit and other amenities for just $229.  At the Millennium Biltmore, whisk your mom away for a relaxing weekend in one of the Classic or Club Level rooms, from $239-$289.  For quality time for both parents, check out the “French Kiss Package for Moms and Dads” at the Omni Hotel. The Omni is sealing the special getaway with champagne and French toast breakfast in bed.

On the Road Again

The last time I had to travel without Kate and Jack, they scarcely seemed to notice I was gone. Granted, it was a brief getaway. But still, I'm not sure whether I should take comfort from that or feel hurt that they weren't clinging to my legs as I dragged my suitcase to the car.

Most of us do feel a pang of guilt when we have to travel, which seems to become even more acute once I find myself reclining peacefully in a quiet hotel room to watch a grownup TV show. I miss them terribly (and I know they miss me ... or I'm pretty sure, anyway), but in a way, I feel as though I bring them back a better mom in the process. It might sound like justification, but as my kids' major source of guidance through their lives, I show them the world through my eyes. If I'm not seeing the world, then their scope is limited, too.

Not surprisingly, you'll find some good resources out there that can help manage the guilt and other stuff associated with our business (and pleasure) travels that don't include the kids.

Tom Daly, an Atlanta-based marketing executive, is the editor of the Traveling Parent, an informative and well-written blog that offers help, resources, good anecdotes and the voices of other traveling parents. Check out the brief Q&A he did with me.

E-Coupon Clipping

Brace yourself: I'm going to give you a peek inside Carolyn's purse. Among the critical items such as wallet and six shades of lip gloss are: one pair of boys' Thomas the Tank sunglasses, one broken bracelet, 37 hair clips, three "emergency" lollipops, a battery, and about a pound of coupons. The great irony is that I am much more likely to use Jack's sunglasses and eat his lollipop way before I'd use one of those coupons.

And why? Because I NEVER EVER EVER remember that I have them when I'm making that purchase that I'm making because I went to some store specifically because I had a coupon.

Enter a new iPhone application that I can really get behind: the Coupon Sherpa. Just scan the list of stores and find the offer that suits your purchase. You can email it to yourself and print it out or merely show the clerk your iPhone so she can scan it or get the number. The reviews are somewhat mixed on the results of handing over your phone to the person taking your cash, but the technology will catch up with them before long, I'm sure of it.

And in honor of Earth Day and all the paper saving you can do (and so we can all clean out our purses!), you can get the app for free through Friday, April 25. After that, it's $1.99.

Tea Party Time

Looking for a good excuse for a road trip after tax time? Check out the week-long tea party that is being held not in protest but to celebrate this long-honored beverage – and positive vibes.

The Blue Tea Company is having a tea party the week of April 20 at its San Luis Obisbo headquarters at 793 Higuera St., adding a slightly different twist to the recent tax-protest tea parties.

Blue Tea, which is brewed from the blue heart wood from a tree grown in Mexico and known for its medicinal properties, has been the tea of choice at L.A. galas and fundraisers for the LAPD, the Screen Actors Guild and L.A.'s Best afterschool program. The tea is comprised of a blend of malva, cyanus, lavender and palo azul (which gives the tea its blue hue).

“This is a wonderful way to get the benefits of our tea to the public,” says Dave Reyes, one member of the brother team who founded the herbal tea company. “My brother John and I are family men and were always involved in programs to help kids. Our goal is to help create a colorful but incredibly healthy product that gets young people away from junk food and drugs and violence and channeled towards a good-tasting beverage for their health.”

I'll drink to that.