Wednesday, April 6, 2011
It's Been Almost a Year...
I have decided to dust off this ol' blog and write down some of my thoughts as of late. I still have a pack, although the players have changed a little. My Golden Retriever wasn't getting along with everyone else, and it was cause for consideration and a little bit of reading on my part. I think we have a tendancy to forget that the furry little things bouncing around by our feet, following us on walks, and wearing cute collars and sweaters are animals. They are remincsent of wolves-and I think when we forget that, we leave ourselves open to trouble. Dogs speak their own language, and it is a complex language at that. They look for us to speak it as well, and although seldom realize it, we're telling them things we may not want to. Dogs don't understand English. They can learn commands and some listen so closely it seems like they are comprehending, but they don't understand it like we think they do. Take for example, when you're out on a walk with your dog-someone comes up to pet him. Even though they are smiling, holding out a hand, and saying "Hi!"-all polite things to a human-in reality, they are displaying dominance and maybe even aggression to your canine friend. Take a minute, read a book on some dog language, and try to put yourself in your dogs' mind. It's amazing how much better you will communicate when you can learn to align your body properly and speak to your dog how he speaks. As for Brody, he hasn't been taught his own language, or he refuses to speak it. It's a shame that we deny dogs the basic luxury of being around their own kind when they are developing, at the time they need it most. Puppies need to meet other dogs and people and learn how the world works, just like a child does. Isolation is one of the cruelest things we do to our dogs-and most of the time we don't even realize we've done it. Instead of fussing at my dogs when they bark, I'm going to respond cooler and calmer. I'm going to run around the yard with them. I'm going to try to open myself up to being a dog as much as they open themselves up to being a person. It's the least I can do for them.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Volunteer and Help Homeless Dogs!
There are literally hundreds of ways to help out rescues and shelters in your area. People often assume that the only way to help is to clean up after animals in the shelter or donate money. Those are great things to do, but they're the tip of the iceberg.
You can always foster a dog if you want. Fostering is great for the dogs, because it helps them better integrate into a family when they are adopted. It also helps the rescue volunteers to learn the dog's personality and what family would be best suited for them. It's a great responsibility but it's also very emotionally taxing.
If you can't foster, maybe you can transport dogs. Many shelters call breed-specific rescues when they get in purebred dogs so they get out of the shelter. Someone has to physically get those dogs to the rescues, and you could be that person! They also need to be taken to the vet and to adoption events. It's a great chance to help dogs and make a difference.
Donate your dogs' old collars, beds, leashes...anything you don't use for your dog anymore. Shelters need old towels, paper towels, cleaning supplies, dog food (any brand. Those dogs need their bellies full!), dog toys, blankets...the sky is the limit! These rescues and shelters are operating off of the kindness of strangers, so help them out! Even $10 will help. Some grocery stores offer programs where they donate money to shelters-Schnucks' in St. Louis does it.
Clean up after the dogs in the shelter. It's not bad work and you get to play with the dogs after! They need to interact with people as much as possible to get adopted-donate your time.
Spread the word about dogs who are available for adoption. Post them to your Facebook, post them on Craigslist-get the word out!
Remember guys, don't shop, ADOPT!
You can always foster a dog if you want. Fostering is great for the dogs, because it helps them better integrate into a family when they are adopted. It also helps the rescue volunteers to learn the dog's personality and what family would be best suited for them. It's a great responsibility but it's also very emotionally taxing.
If you can't foster, maybe you can transport dogs. Many shelters call breed-specific rescues when they get in purebred dogs so they get out of the shelter. Someone has to physically get those dogs to the rescues, and you could be that person! They also need to be taken to the vet and to adoption events. It's a great chance to help dogs and make a difference.
Donate your dogs' old collars, beds, leashes...anything you don't use for your dog anymore. Shelters need old towels, paper towels, cleaning supplies, dog food (any brand. Those dogs need their bellies full!), dog toys, blankets...the sky is the limit! These rescues and shelters are operating off of the kindness of strangers, so help them out! Even $10 will help. Some grocery stores offer programs where they donate money to shelters-Schnucks' in St. Louis does it.
Clean up after the dogs in the shelter. It's not bad work and you get to play with the dogs after! They need to interact with people as much as possible to get adopted-donate your time.
Spread the word about dogs who are available for adoption. Post them to your Facebook, post them on Craigslist-get the word out!
Remember guys, don't shop, ADOPT!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tips for Bringing Your Dogs to the Groomer.
Okay, so I'm a groomer when I'm not writing in here. I love it. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world-even on the worst days. No one wants to make me have a bad day, right? How can you help?
-Brush your dog in between groomings, especially if you bathe him in between. Water just tightens the knots, and brushing him keeps his coat in better condition. It will make sure I don't have to shave your dog down, as well. If you have a long haired dog, don't skip combing! Sometimes brushes miss little knots that can easily turn to big knots! Brushing is also a good time for bonding, checking for parasites, and checking for lumps, bumps, and scratches.
-Handle your dog. Play with his feet, look in his ears. If he has a beard, get him accustomed to it being handled (we have to hold it to cut his bangs. There's no other way and they don't usually mind). Touch his face, lift his tail, handle him as much as possible. This makes my job so much easier. If I can't get your dog to stop fighting, it's very hard to get him to look even.
-Don't worry your dog about grooming. It's not a big deal. I'm very nice and I'm very good with dogs. I wouldn't still be doing this after 8 years if I wasn't good at what I do. I will take great care of your dog. We don't do anything scary. They love getting baths for the most part, and they know when they look good. It's a good thing! Treat it like a spa day!
-Keep your dog on a schedule. If you make standing appointments, you'll keep them, and your dog will look and smell better. Who doesn't want that? Your dog will be used to me and the shop, behave better, and take less time to go home to you. Everyone wins!
-Be realistic about hair cuts. If your dog spends a lot of time outside, playing with the kids, and being active in general, a long hair cut may not be his best choice. If you have time to brush your dog every day, then go for a long hair cut, by all means. Go with the best hair cut for your dog and your family.
-Keep your dogs free of parasites! There's nothing worse than getting a dog in and realizing that it's full of fleas. Itchy dogs don't come out as well and fleas suck. It's true.
Keep these things in mind and you'll have the best kept dog on your block and he'll be your groomer's favorite!
-Brush your dog in between groomings, especially if you bathe him in between. Water just tightens the knots, and brushing him keeps his coat in better condition. It will make sure I don't have to shave your dog down, as well. If you have a long haired dog, don't skip combing! Sometimes brushes miss little knots that can easily turn to big knots! Brushing is also a good time for bonding, checking for parasites, and checking for lumps, bumps, and scratches.
-Handle your dog. Play with his feet, look in his ears. If he has a beard, get him accustomed to it being handled (we have to hold it to cut his bangs. There's no other way and they don't usually mind). Touch his face, lift his tail, handle him as much as possible. This makes my job so much easier. If I can't get your dog to stop fighting, it's very hard to get him to look even.
-Don't worry your dog about grooming. It's not a big deal. I'm very nice and I'm very good with dogs. I wouldn't still be doing this after 8 years if I wasn't good at what I do. I will take great care of your dog. We don't do anything scary. They love getting baths for the most part, and they know when they look good. It's a good thing! Treat it like a spa day!
-Keep your dog on a schedule. If you make standing appointments, you'll keep them, and your dog will look and smell better. Who doesn't want that? Your dog will be used to me and the shop, behave better, and take less time to go home to you. Everyone wins!
-Be realistic about hair cuts. If your dog spends a lot of time outside, playing with the kids, and being active in general, a long hair cut may not be his best choice. If you have time to brush your dog every day, then go for a long hair cut, by all means. Go with the best hair cut for your dog and your family.
-Keep your dogs free of parasites! There's nothing worse than getting a dog in and realizing that it's full of fleas. Itchy dogs don't come out as well and fleas suck. It's true.
Keep these things in mind and you'll have the best kept dog on your block and he'll be your groomer's favorite!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Lost Dog!
If you're in Delaware, Dover to be exact, there is a Boston Terrier on the loose. He needs to come home to his family! There are thousands of people all over the country praying for his safe return.
What steps can you take to make sure your dog doesn't get lost? How can you ensure he will come home?
First and foremost, microchip your dog. It's a foolproof way to make sure he comes home, it can't fall off, and it can't be removed or altered. It also can provide indisputable proof that you own that dog, which means everything. It also helps your dog to be identified if his collar slips off.
Make sure your tags are all up to date with all your information. Include tags that show that your dog is microchipped (there is a database where you can plug in numbers to find out who owns the dog) and your number. Rabies tags alert anyone who finds your dog that he or she is cared for and needs to go home! Some people recommend putting a tag on your dog that says that they need medical attention, medication, or that there is a reward.
If your dog ever gets lost, get the word out. Post on craigslist and facebook. Network. Cross post on any website you can. Call radio stations, newspapers, TV stations...get the word out!
The missing Boston is named Brady. Get the word out. His mom misses him.
What steps can you take to make sure your dog doesn't get lost? How can you ensure he will come home?
First and foremost, microchip your dog. It's a foolproof way to make sure he comes home, it can't fall off, and it can't be removed or altered. It also can provide indisputable proof that you own that dog, which means everything. It also helps your dog to be identified if his collar slips off.
Make sure your tags are all up to date with all your information. Include tags that show that your dog is microchipped (there is a database where you can plug in numbers to find out who owns the dog) and your number. Rabies tags alert anyone who finds your dog that he or she is cared for and needs to go home! Some people recommend putting a tag on your dog that says that they need medical attention, medication, or that there is a reward.
If your dog ever gets lost, get the word out. Post on craigslist and facebook. Network. Cross post on any website you can. Call radio stations, newspapers, TV stations...get the word out!
The missing Boston is named Brady. Get the word out. His mom misses him.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Let's Talk About Food and my Favorite Collars.
If you go to your local pet specialty store (please buy local!), the amount of food on the shelves can seem overwhelming. There's kibble, cans, freeze dried, frozen...literally hundreds of choices. What sort of food do you buy? How do you know which is the best?
The short answer is that no food is the best. What works for your dog may not work for another. The most expensive food may not be the best food, either. All my dogs eat different foods for that reason. I'm lucky that they all get to be on the same formula at least!
So, you start by making sure your food doesn't contain wheat, corn, or soy. That's a good start. Dogs don't need that in their diet. They can survive on it, but they won't thrive. There's a huge difference. Look for foods without by-products and "meal". This is a great place to start your research. It is a wealth of information about different foods, but take it with a grain of salt. Anything in the 4-6 star category is going to be awesome if it works for your dog.
My favorite pet food companies are Champion Pet Foods and Naturapet. Champion makes Orijen and Acana, while Natura makes Evo, Innova, Healthwise, California Natural, and Karma. These are all good jumping off points. They have foods for every budget and every dog between the two of them. My dogs eat Evo right now, although we feed Orijen sometimes too.
It's a good idea to rotate foods if your dog's stomach will allow. Buy chicken one time, and buy fish the next. I like having variety in my diet, so why shouldn't my dogs? I switch between brands as well, to make sure that there are no deficiencies in my dogs' diet. It's just a good idea.
Why feed kibble as opposed to a raw diet? In a word, convenience. I like the fact that kibble stores well and travels well. It's economical with four dogs and it's easy. I'm grossed out by raw meat and I like kisses, so no raw for me. It seems complicated, as well.
This is just an overview. It's a good jumping off point. I am not an expert by any means, just a girl with some dogs.
Let's talk about awesome collars now. My favorite collars are made by Lupine. They're AMAZING! They're tough, adorable, and the company replaces them even if they're chewed. My dogs have an obsene number of these collars, because they're so amazing! They don't get dirty and worn like most nylon collars, and they can be washed and still look great. They're awesome. I like the fact that all my dogs can wear them, and they come in two different lengths per width, so your dog never has to have a too-tight or too-loose collar. Thumbs up! All my dogs wear them. They also make cat collars.
Dublin Dog makes my favorite collars for dogs who love to get dirty. They are durable and don't get dirty or stink. They roll over Brody's hair so nicely! They make some amazing tags, too. They're thick and hold a lot of information. The customer service there is so wonderful. They really care about their clients! The collars are thicker and work well for big dogs.
Walk-e-Woo collars are freaking adorable! They are durable as well (I don't buy any other kind!) and come in a bunch of sizes and each one is cuter than the last. They wash really well and keep up with all the trends. Personally, I'm in love with the tattoo and dots lines. They don't lie, the bitches do love 'em!
Ellie loves her Walk-e-Woo and her Cuz.
Get out there and get shopping! If you buy or own a collar from one of the brands I talked about, send me a pic! I love seeing dogs in cute collars!
The short answer is that no food is the best. What works for your dog may not work for another. The most expensive food may not be the best food, either. All my dogs eat different foods for that reason. I'm lucky that they all get to be on the same formula at least!
So, you start by making sure your food doesn't contain wheat, corn, or soy. That's a good start. Dogs don't need that in their diet. They can survive on it, but they won't thrive. There's a huge difference. Look for foods without by-products and "meal". This is a great place to start your research. It is a wealth of information about different foods, but take it with a grain of salt. Anything in the 4-6 star category is going to be awesome if it works for your dog.
My favorite pet food companies are Champion Pet Foods and Naturapet. Champion makes Orijen and Acana, while Natura makes Evo, Innova, Healthwise, California Natural, and Karma. These are all good jumping off points. They have foods for every budget and every dog between the two of them. My dogs eat Evo right now, although we feed Orijen sometimes too.
It's a good idea to rotate foods if your dog's stomach will allow. Buy chicken one time, and buy fish the next. I like having variety in my diet, so why shouldn't my dogs? I switch between brands as well, to make sure that there are no deficiencies in my dogs' diet. It's just a good idea.
Why feed kibble as opposed to a raw diet? In a word, convenience. I like the fact that kibble stores well and travels well. It's economical with four dogs and it's easy. I'm grossed out by raw meat and I like kisses, so no raw for me. It seems complicated, as well.
This is just an overview. It's a good jumping off point. I am not an expert by any means, just a girl with some dogs.
Let's talk about awesome collars now. My favorite collars are made by Lupine. They're AMAZING! They're tough, adorable, and the company replaces them even if they're chewed. My dogs have an obsene number of these collars, because they're so amazing! They don't get dirty and worn like most nylon collars, and they can be washed and still look great. They're awesome. I like the fact that all my dogs can wear them, and they come in two different lengths per width, so your dog never has to have a too-tight or too-loose collar. Thumbs up! All my dogs wear them. They also make cat collars.
Dublin Dog makes my favorite collars for dogs who love to get dirty. They are durable and don't get dirty or stink. They roll over Brody's hair so nicely! They make some amazing tags, too. They're thick and hold a lot of information. The customer service there is so wonderful. They really care about their clients! The collars are thicker and work well for big dogs.
Walk-e-Woo collars are freaking adorable! They are durable as well (I don't buy any other kind!) and come in a bunch of sizes and each one is cuter than the last. They wash really well and keep up with all the trends. Personally, I'm in love with the tattoo and dots lines. They don't lie, the bitches do love 'em!
Ellie loves her Walk-e-Woo and her Cuz.
Get out there and get shopping! If you buy or own a collar from one of the brands I talked about, send me a pic! I love seeing dogs in cute collars!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
RIP Cool Hand Luke.
I was going to write a big post today and I still might, but first, a tribute to my dad's dog. He had to be put down today. It's sad for a few reasons, but mostly because he was so nice 95% of the time. He was unpredictible and aggressive, but he was so cool.
Rest peacefully, Luke. I hope there are many squirrels to chase and doorbells to bark at.
Luke the Vizsla-June 6, 2006-May 4, 2010.
Rest peacefully, Luke. I hope there are many squirrels to chase and doorbells to bark at.
Luke the Vizsla-June 6, 2006-May 4, 2010.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Eleanor Mae
So, if you've kept up with me this long, you know I have 4 dogs. Each one has a completely different personality and is around for a different reason.
Eleanor Mae is my Boston Terrier. She's a three year old seal brindle (seal means she looks black in dim light and red in sunlight, it's very fashionable.) with pretty markings. She's awesome. Here's her adorable mug.
She's very cute and very serious.
She gets more offended by baths than any other dog I've ever known.
Why did I have to get a bath? I didn't do anything wrong this week.
Ellie loves her tennis balls and to pull the squeakers out of Cuz toys (which I don't mind, they are annoying anyway). She is so in tune to what's going on that when I talk for her, she often looks the correct direction and acts as if I am talking for her. It is very cute.
Don't let that adorable face fool you though. She has a dark addiction to eating poop. Forget all the remedies you've ever heard of, the girl just wants to munch some dooks. She's in rehab right now for the third time this month. Sometimes I catch her eating hair and she says it's her methadone.
Even though she's a poop addict, there is something about this dog that is magical. She charms the pants off of everyone who meets her. She's soft, she's squishy, and she just has IT. I have a tattoo of her face, I wear a necklace with her name on it, and I carry her picture everywhere but it never feels like enough. That pup is an extension of me. She is well-mannered and awesome. My dad threatens to steal her, as does everyone else who meets her. It's hard not to love her though, she is very polite and loves to sneak kisses.
I guess she's my heart dog. I love everything about her. She taught me everything I know about being a good dog owner and being a good person. She gave me something to live for when my world was falling apart. She was my reason to smile when everything else made me cry. She is a great ambassador for her breed and for dogs in general, because she makes every person she meets into a dog person.
My favorite Ellie story is from when I first got her. I took her to my parents' house so my family could meet her. My sister came running down the hall to see her (she was sitting in my lap) and Ellie turned, looked at her, and promptly threw up. Awesome. It's hard to find a dog with a better sense of humor.
I named her Eleanor Mae when I was driving home with her. I was holding her like a baby and softly whispering to her that she was my baby. The person who was with me reminded me that I would not be happy if I named her Baby. Right as I was conceding that he was probably right, the song "Eleanor" by The Low Millions came on. The chorus says "I won't call you Baby anymore, Eleanor" and so it was.
She's around because she keeps me in check. It's hard to be depressed when there is a dog softly snoring next to you. She snuggles like a mug, too. She's my little couch commander and always ready for a walk. She's the first dog that ever felt like MY dog.
Join us later when we discuss the next addition...
Eleanor Mae is my Boston Terrier. She's a three year old seal brindle (seal means she looks black in dim light and red in sunlight, it's very fashionable.) with pretty markings. She's awesome. Here's her adorable mug.
She's very cute and very serious.
She gets more offended by baths than any other dog I've ever known.
Why did I have to get a bath? I didn't do anything wrong this week.
Ellie loves her tennis balls and to pull the squeakers out of Cuz toys (which I don't mind, they are annoying anyway). She is so in tune to what's going on that when I talk for her, she often looks the correct direction and acts as if I am talking for her. It is very cute.
Don't let that adorable face fool you though. She has a dark addiction to eating poop. Forget all the remedies you've ever heard of, the girl just wants to munch some dooks. She's in rehab right now for the third time this month. Sometimes I catch her eating hair and she says it's her methadone.
Even though she's a poop addict, there is something about this dog that is magical. She charms the pants off of everyone who meets her. She's soft, she's squishy, and she just has IT. I have a tattoo of her face, I wear a necklace with her name on it, and I carry her picture everywhere but it never feels like enough. That pup is an extension of me. She is well-mannered and awesome. My dad threatens to steal her, as does everyone else who meets her. It's hard not to love her though, she is very polite and loves to sneak kisses.
I guess she's my heart dog. I love everything about her. She taught me everything I know about being a good dog owner and being a good person. She gave me something to live for when my world was falling apart. She was my reason to smile when everything else made me cry. She is a great ambassador for her breed and for dogs in general, because she makes every person she meets into a dog person.
My favorite Ellie story is from when I first got her. I took her to my parents' house so my family could meet her. My sister came running down the hall to see her (she was sitting in my lap) and Ellie turned, looked at her, and promptly threw up. Awesome. It's hard to find a dog with a better sense of humor.
I named her Eleanor Mae when I was driving home with her. I was holding her like a baby and softly whispering to her that she was my baby. The person who was with me reminded me that I would not be happy if I named her Baby. Right as I was conceding that he was probably right, the song "Eleanor" by The Low Millions came on. The chorus says "I won't call you Baby anymore, Eleanor" and so it was.
She's around because she keeps me in check. It's hard to be depressed when there is a dog softly snoring next to you. She snuggles like a mug, too. She's my little couch commander and always ready for a walk. She's the first dog that ever felt like MY dog.
Join us later when we discuss the next addition...
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