As a birthday gift this year, Ken bought tickets for us to see Cesar Millan/Dog Whisperer seminar in Atlanta Dec 6 – the day after my birthday. He talked mostly about the same things he talks about on his show – dogs as animals > species > breed > individuals; exercise, discpline, affection and what that means specifically; how dogs view the world (nose, eyes, ears) vs humans and our respective ’space bubbles.’ Plus, he incorporated quite a bit of personal stuff about his family, background in Mexico, his wife, his own pack and of course, Big Daddy, who is 15 years old this month.

I can’t say I really learned anything new or earth-shattering in the seminar since I’ve seen every season of his show on NatGeo. But Cesar is extremely funny and quite entertaining, so it was a really fun way to spend an afternoon. One thing I did learn was that he had 13 rotties when he met his wife! That would be quite a pack!! Now…on with the pictures!

The stage. No flash allowed so most of the pics I took came out too crappy to post…

The stage

Cesar gives a thumbs up about something

The ‘working with dogs’ session. The yorkie next to him growled and bit him a few times. He offered to take the dog home with him to rehabilitate her. Then send her back the adoption group. I know that I fell in LOVE with the blue great dane on stage!

Adoption dog on stage

Anyhoo…as part of my present, (and because he’s the bestest hubby in the world!) Ken upgraded our tickets to include VIP passes which allowed us to meet with Cesar after the show. He seems like a genuinely nice guy and, of course, I asked him to give Big Daddy a hug for me! It was really neat to feel his ‘energy’ in person. That’s always the intangible part of what he does that is hard to understand and even harder to learn/perfect.

Heather and Cesar

(I know, I know…I’m ridiculously pastey white)

Ken, me and Cesar

Cesar autographing a book

I had him sign a book to donate to a greyhound adoption auction. He signed it: I love greyhounds! Cesar Millan

Love him or hate him (I like him!), I thought it was a pretty neat thing to do! Though, if given the choice between another Cesar seminar and another Suzanne Clothier seminar, I’d pick Suzanne hands down. Much smaller venue (30 people vs thousands of people) and I learned a TON from the Clothier seminar I went to a few years ago.

Popularity: 59% [?]