If you’ve read my blog over the years you’ll know I’ve had several dogs since my blogging days began in 2004 – Shadrach (Neo Mastiff -my primary muse and inspiration, now deceased), Meshach (Great Dane – sweetness incarnated who broke my heart and my ego, now deceased), Schatzie (Carolina Dog aka American Dingo – my beauty queen girl who makes me smile), and King (American Bully – keeps my emotions and attitude in check) who is the focus of this blog post – all of their photos are on this site. He is my Bubba-tude monitor!
I have always had nicknames for my animals. It’s just a “thing” in my family to have lots of nicknames for each other and our animals. On Shadrach and Meshach’s memorial pages I have their multitude of nicknames listed. And each has a song I make up for them with its own tune – good thing no one can hear me sing them but the dogs and my poor husband lol. So of course King couldn’t go without nicknames and a song. Don’t worry I am getting to the “Bubba-tude” but it needs some explanation first. King has several nicknames and I sing a little “ditty” to him and Schatzie that includes several of King’s nicknames and one of Schatzie’s. His is Bubba King Dusty Miller. His sire’s registered name is in part, Bubba, and well King just seems like a Bubba lol. Everyone who meets him agrees! Dusty Miller is because he LOVES to roll in the dirt here. He’s something else this boy – and ALL boy.
So what the heck is a Bubba-tude then? Well I won’t go into ALL the details but we’ve had King over two years now and my journey with him has been entirely different than his with my husband. He is a man’s dog no doubt. He is comfortable in the company of men. His breeder is a man. My friend Mike who bought him and kept him for us as a surprise gift and who trained King, is of course a man. He also immediately bonded with my husband – they are a perfect match with each other. When my husband is home, King has eyes primarily for him 🙂
You can do some reading through past posts over the years since we got King and see how I was working with him using quality, branded essential oils for HIS attitude because he had gotten the “growlies” with me. A low, warning rumble in his throat. And it was happening more in the beginning until I learned that it was ME not him. My attitude. My anxiety. My too high energy. When I gather myself in and calm down, King is fine. He’s a very easy going boy who loves every dog and person he meets. So what is up with this thing with me?
Well I believe that every single dog I’ve gotten, especially as an adult, has been a gift from God to teach me something I need to learn. It’s the premise of my book, Animals Taught Me That. Each one has had their mission and purpose to fulfill just as we do. I’m just blessed that I was their mission. King is the therapy dog I never knew I needed. He helps me stay grounded, calm, gathered and focused. When my attitude gets into the gutter and my energy all over the place, his low warning growl will bring me back up. Just as any other type of therapy dog will do when needed for their specific function, King is my “therapy dog” warning me of my Bad-ittude.
My husband has even noticed this! Recently I have been stressed over a multitude of things going on in my life. My husband said that I had been grumpy and complaining again which is most likely why King had done that low growl at me a couple of times. After he said that, I sat back and reflected back on the past couple of days and could see that it was indeed true. I also then realized King and I hadn’t played the Howling Game for a few days – something he always initiates with a game of tuggie first to get Schatzie involved. He knows if he engages me in play of any kind she’ll come to get in the middle of it all too. So he’s really trying to get HER to play not me lol. Then the barking and howling ensues.
I also noticed he’d not visited me in my office for a few days. He will come in and sit by my chair, stare and we have our little “chats“. He will place a paw on me or lays his big old head on my arm – makes it kind of hard to type :-). That’s when I knew I needed a Bubba-tude adjustment. I had gone and gotten a chiropractic adjustment last week but I had not had my attitude adjustment!
As soon as I gather myself in, focus and let go of all that angst, resting calmly knowing God is in control, it’s like all the energy flows correctly, smoothly. King then comes back to visit me in my office. He plays the games, and turns his belly up for me to rub. And I know, all is right again with the world.
King has helped me tremendously with my emotions. I thought HE was the one who needed help but it has been ME all along. Most of the time, what is wrong with our animals IS us. Did you know that? Even their illnesses. But that’s another blog post for another time. I am using the “feelings” essential oils such as Gratitude, Valor, Harmony, etc. I use the AromaDome weekly now to really get those emotions handled. Transformation oil blend has been amazing to use and I even used the “scary” one (lol), Release. Also Believe and Abundance. This keeps me with a Bubba-tude instead of a Bad-ittude.
Shadrach taught me all about natural health. Meshach taught me all about ego and spiritual warfare. King has taught me all about ATTITUDE and how to have a Bubba-tude instead!
THE PODCAST AUDIO OVERVIEW
Discover how a simple shift in perspective can change your whole day. Insights from my journey.
This audio is from my former podcast, the DOGgone Truth that was about our attitudes…and how our American Bully, King, (who sadly passed away on December 26, 2024) taught us about having a Bubba-tude instead of a BAD-atude! He always helped me keep my emotions and attitude in check.
Hey there, friend,
It feels like just yesterday I was sharing about the deep connection I have with my dogs, and today I have another story that’s been on my heart. You know how much my furry family means to me, and how they often teach me more than I could ever imagine. This time, it’s all about my American Bully, King, and a powerful lesson he helped me learn about attitude.
We all have those days, right? The ones where it feels like everything is a struggle, and a good mood seems impossible to find. I’ve certainly been there. But King, my little “Bubba King Dusty Miller,” as I affectionately called him, had a unique way of keeping me grounded. He wasn’t just a pet (NONE of them are JUST that – they are family); he became my own personal “Bubitude Monitor.”
Key Takeaways
It’s so easy to get caught up in our own struggles and let a negative attitude take over. I’ve found that the simplest shift – choosing to focus outward instead of inward – can make all the difference. King, with his easygoing nature, constantly reminded me of this. When I was feeling off, he often mirrored it, or rather, he showed me that I’m the one who’s off kilter not him!
He’d give me these little warnings, like not coming into my office for our usual games or not wanting to cuddle in my lap. It’s his way of saying, “Hey, something’s not right with you.” It was a humbling experience, but incredibly valuable. It forced me to look at my own emotions and where I might be letting things slide.
King came into my life after we lost our Great Dane Meshach (pic above), and honestly, I didn’t realize at first how much he would teach me. I thought he was going to help me understand canine emotions, and while he does that, he’s primarily teaching me about my emotions and my attitude. It’s a beautiful, raw, and sometimes uncomfortable process.
I had been leaning heavily on essential oils to help navigate these emotional shifts, using blends like Harmony, Surrender, Valor, and Gratitude. They were incredibly supportive, especially when combined with King’s gentle nudges. It’s a reminder that we have so many tools available to help us, both natural and animal-assisted.
What’s Next
I hope sharing this journey inspires you. Remember, the only difference between a good day and a bad day can truly be your attitude. It’s not always easy, especially when life throws curveballs, but we can choose our response. We can ask, “What do you want to teach me through this?”
So, next time you’re feeling a bit off, take a moment. Look around you. Maybe your own furry friend has a lesson to share. Or perhaps it’s time to explore some tools that can help you shift your perspective.
Me and my sweet Bubby Boy in 2019 after our girl Schatzie passed away – King looking up at me during prayer in the workout room
Background: I have always had nicknames for my dogs and songs I make up about each one. King had several nicknames and I used to sing a little “ditty” to him and our then Carolina Dog, Schatzie (she also sadly passed in 2019) that includes several of King’s nicknames and one of Schatzie’s. One of his many nicknames was Bubba King Dusty Miller. His sire’s registered name was in part, Bubba, and well King just seemed like a Bubba. Everyone who mets him agreed! Dusty Miller is because he LOVED to roll in the dirt here. He was something else this boy – and ALL boy.
What’s the point in sharing this with you all and what does it have to do with being well? After listening, why don’t you tell me?!
Have a pawsitively tail waggin’, BUBBA-tude day!
So until next time….
Photo Attribution: King the American Bully by Dr. Kim Bloomer, All Rights Reserved.
Kim Bloomer, V.N.D., N.D. is an animal naturopath as well as being certified in small animal nutrition, with years of experience in animal wellness. Dr. Kim is a published author, writer, and blogger. Copyright ©2005-2026 Aspenbloom Pet Care, Dr. Kim Bloomer, All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the Author/Publisher. This article is intended to be educational. However, it is not intended to be a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified animal health professional. Dr. Kim Bloomer and Aspenbloom Pet Care, do not assume any legal responsibility for misuse of the products discussed in this article. The only essential oils referenced on this website are Young Living.
