The Best Bulldog Brother on Earth

Katy's Greek Hero, loving known as Hercules or Herk the Jerk Mueller, was born on April 2, 2004 to Hammond's Monty Cristo and Russell's Raging Reba. He comes from a long line of champion bulldogs and even holds a first place blue ribbon of his own.....however, to us, he is simply THE BEST DOG ON EARTH.

Herky came to live with us in 2006, but we officially adopted him in 2008 from Steve and Cyndi Laster. Hercules was quite the ladies man in his younger days, as he was a real stud, and fathered many children.
He always got excited if he saw a rubber glove ( bulldogs can't mate in the traditional way and need assistance) without getting extremely happy.
Hercules  loved a good sun bath, a trip to the parlor for pampering, a long belly rub and hot cheetos. He also loved getting brushed on his backside  and nibbling or "corndoggin'" the kids arms (like corn on the cob) when he was being playful. He hated Halloween Masks and not being the center of attention. He rarely barked, but when he did it was for one of those two things.He made us feel safe and was always underfoot. He had horrible gas and he slobbered a lot, but his "dirty dog" kisses will not be forgotten.

He is survived by his people, Melissa & Jason Mueller, Mckayla & Mason Espey, Olivia, Victoria, Gabriel Mueller (Gabriel has never lived on the earth without his "brother") and his Grandfather, Ruben Dominguez. He also leaves behind his fur sister, Rowdy Rhonda Mueller and Dasher the Wonder Cat.
Waking up to a world without him will be heartbreaking but we are thankful, that of all the people, we were chosen to love and be loved by this magnificent soul. He is all the things you could ever wish for in a friend and he will forever be a part of our family.


Tomorrow we will be beside him as he makes the transition to everlasting life, unlimited sun bathing opportunities, and a never ending supply of hot cheetos....we hope that he will be welcomed as the Champion that he is.

In dog years, Hercules would be nearly 91 years old. He has loved us without condition and supported us through births, deaths, separation, laughter and tears. If you wonder how a bulldog lived so long, Gabriel will tell you its because; "He's living on Love" and I think he is totally right.







We thank you Hercules for being our dog. There will never be another you.

We love you.

We miss you already.

Goodbye for now...

but not Forever.

True North

I have been asked more than once about the reason I decided to choose the name North Dallas Doula Associates . For the last 18 years I have served all over the DFW metroplex and on a few occasions considered dropping the word North.... but then I remind myself of the meaning behind my initial choice and decided the New Year was as good a time as any to share my heart with you!

The word North has nothing to do with the geographical location on the map in this instance, but instead, was chosen in reference to True North.

 The meaning of "True North" according to Merriam-Webster is as follows:
north that is calculated by using an imaginary line through the Earth rather than by using a compass :  the direction that leads to the North Pole.
To most True North is a navigational term,but to me it is a symbol of my true self. A point of steadfast orientation when the rest of the world spins constantly around me. True North is the pull, much like gravity, that will always lead me in the right direction. It is my guiding force, my alignment toward my own authentic, sacred path. It is my gut instinct, it is the little voice inside my head, it is my innate self.

I feel that my journey to finding my own True North has seen challenges and rewards. It  has allowed me to be more conscious of my own internal navigation system and  more trust worthy of my divine destination. It has placed me in the right time, at the right place with people who I am certain needed me...and/or vice versa.

So, when I was brainstorming many years ago about what I would choose for a business name, I decided that I had to include the word North. The meaning was important to me because when I found my true calling as a doula, I also found my own true north. It was when I became a servant of women that I genuinely began serving my purpose and sharing my God given gift.

I believe as a doula, and most importantly as the owner of the BEST doula practice in Dallas, that we are all servants with a shared purpose. A doula serves as a guide that helps a woman discover her own journey. Our job is to support her in trusting her own powerful internal compass while she finds her own true north. It is not our job to direct her in a certain direction but instead to help her find her own sacred path, be it ever so bumpy.

In fact, we would be doing her a terrible disservice if we tried to pull a woman away from her own gravity.

We, as doulas, must not share our own map or compass....but instead put all our trust in her.

And so... the word North will remain as a part of us, steadfast like the North Star, guiding explorers when all other landmarks have vanished; encouraging them to rely on the beacon of light that is, and has always been, within us all.


Happy New Year, from North Dallas Doula Associates