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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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...

Dogs Are a Part of the Family.

If you read my blog and find me more funny than crazy, you probably agree with that sentiment. Dogs are a part of the family, although I don't honestly see them as a replacement for my children, or people in general. They have different needs and they are, after all, animals.

I understand that all a dog really needs is water, food, and shelter. That's all any of us needs, although we're on this strange clothing kick. If you ever have the pleasure of calling Animal Control to report a neglected animal, I'm sorry to tell you, as long as he has food, water, and shelter, they're unlikely to do anything about it. There might be laws about dogs on chains, and you might get lucky that way, but for the most part, that's the big three. Outside dogs break my heart. You know the ones, they bark when you walk by, almost pleading for attention, they're without manners and socialization and almost seem like wild animals. They are not loved and cherished members of their families.

So, then, what does a dog require? Beyond the silly outfits and the designer leashes, what do they need? When someone says their dog is spoiled, and their dog is missing out on one of these basics, my heart goes out to that dog.

A dog requires good food. I'll go into this in more detail at some point, but suffice to say, if you can buy it at the grocery store, it's probably not good food. You eat something other than McDonald's, give your dog good nutrition too. His coat will shine, his muscles will grow, and he will be a healthier, all around better dog for it.

Dogs need to see the vet. There are different schools of thought on the vaccination schedules a dog should be on, but the fact still remains, your dog and the vet should be on a first name basis. She needs to go once a year for a heartworm test, at the very least. I don't care what you've been told or heard, all dogs need a heartworm test once a year and they need preventative. Some places don't require the preventative year round, but follow your vet's advice on that. The vet can see things you might miss about your dog's health and he's a pretty good person to have on your side. He is also the only one who can spay or neuter your dog. You have all spayed and neutered your dogs, right?

Dogs require training and socialization. Trained dogs get to go places that an untrained dog wouldn't be accepted. Trained dogs are easier to live with. Trained dogs don't end up in shelters for very long. Socialized dogs are more fun to be around, no one likes to be around a dog that doesn't like to be around them. They also get to have more fun with other dogs and who doesn't like that!

Dogs need exercise. Going outside to take a pee isn't exactly exercise. Running around the yard isn't, either. Games of fetch, obedience, hide and seek, and the old standard of walks wear your dog out, which makes him easier to live with and happier, too. Fat dogs die early and are prone to a lot of diseases and illnesses that rarely plague thin dogs.

Dogs need to be groomed. Don't let your dog get full of fleas and mats, have long nails, or have dirty ears and poop stuck to him because you're lazy or don't think he needs it. My dogs all are on different grooming schedules, but they get baths once a week, and their nails done. Bella the Poodle gets brushed every day, Brody the Golden Retriever gets brushed every other day, and Ellie the Boston Terrier and Pug the Pug need a good brushing twice a week. It's more than looking good, well-groomed dogs shed less, smell better, and their owners are more likely to notice cuts, scrapes, and lumps before they are a problem. Dogs with well trimmed nails are less likely to become arthritic.

Dogs need love. I know it's been said a thousand ways, but dogs need you to love on them. They live for those pats on the head, make out sessions, and hugs. They need you to tell them what they do that's good so they can keep doing it. They want you to be happy!

That's really not that much of a commitment, right? You do most of that with yourself, you go to the doctor and you brush your hair and bathe. You are nice to other people (I hope!) and you generally behave appropriately in social situations. Give your dog those same tools!

The dogs outside, barking for attention when I walk by, they aren't getting this kind of treatment. Don't leave your dogs outside. Let them come inside and warm up or cool off. Give them a nice place to sleep, and most importantly, keep them healthy and happy. Make them part of the family. You'd be surprised what a good companion a dog makes!

Pick Up Your Damn Poop.

Few things bother me more than someone not picking up after their dog. I won't get into hyperbole, but I can't think of anything in my daily life that bothers me more.

When I am out walking my dogs, I always carry the brightest colored (biodegradable!) bags I can find. When I am out walking, I want everyone to know that I pick up after my pets. I pick up the huge quarter pounders Brody pinches off, and the little Tootsie Rolls that Bella ever so daintily drops when she feels the need. I always try to carry the bags with me after I've used them so people will see them, and know that I did not leave the giant, steamy pile that is sitting on the curb and attracting flies.

I don't understand why more people won't follow my lead.

Poop is disgusting, but it needs to be talked about. I don't want to touch it, smell it, or find it on the bottom of my shoes. I'm not asking for pet owners to pick it up with their teeth, wipe it on their hands, or keep it for show and tell. I'm just asking them to take responsibility for their pets so a child doesn't end up touching poop and getting sick, or Heaven forbid blinded from roundworms. It's just part of pet ownership.

Pet supply manufacturers understand the responsibility and they also understand the inconvenience of carrying a bunch of bags and trying to fumble around with them and leashes. They also understand that it does not look terribly adorable to have a walmart bag tied to your belt loop. So they have solutions.

Look at how cute this bag is! You put your roll of bags in the little dispenser, attach it to your leash, your purse, or your belt loop and LOOK AT YOU! You are responsible and fashionable. What is more awesome than that?



These ones have diamonds and matching bags! Fashion! They attach to just about anything and don't require you to bring a fanny pack when you walk (unless you like your fanny pack, which in that case, be who you are!)

Mine has little skulls and crossbones. I ordered it about two years ago and never regretted it. I loved it so much that I bought my dad a camouflage one, and a back-up one for myself that became my boyfriend's bag. It has white skulls on it. Very manly.


They make the bags themselves in all different colors and prints and sizes. They're biodegradable and sanitary.

Once, I was taking Brody and Ellie for a walk, and they had both pooped along the way and I had used the bag I brought. Pretty routine for a normal walk. I am a ninja and can scoop two dooks in one bag. I forgot my dispenser and didn't think anything of it because I was in a rush to get them home and go to dinner or something equally unimportant. About 4 blocks from my house, there is a nice sit down restaurant with outdoor seating, which we always walk by. Ellie must have been just overcome with the smell of food or the chance to embarrass her mother (both?) and popped a squat right there. I thought she was on empty! I became Poop Maguyver at this point and decided to try and get the poop with whatever was handy. I found a piece of paper and a trash can near by, so I scooped the poo up with the paper and tossed it into the trash. Everyone at the restaurant clapped, and I laughed the whole way home. (It should be noted that I usually don't condone throwing poop in the trash cans of others, we're trying NOT to be rude here, but this was a desperate time.) I went from being an obnoxious girl with too many dogs to a socially responsible person in an instant.

So next time you are out walking your dogs, bring some bags and pick up after them. It's the cool thing to do. It helps ensure that dogs are allowed in parks, on the sidewalks, and that dog owners are looked upon favorably. It's also the hygienic thing to do.

Good Oral Hygiene.

I don't like anesthesia. I don't like it for myself, so I certainly don't like it for my dogs. They're all spayed and neutered, and it was a trial when we had to go through it, because I was convinced my dogs would be the one of the thousands of dogs that are neutered every day to die. They all lived.

Dental cleanings are done while dogs are under. This doesn't sit very well with me, so every day, I brush all my dogs' teeth.

I started off with normal brushes and doggie toothpaste that was flavored like bacon or something like that. The problem with this was that they had terrible breath afterward. Meat breath is not my favorite.

CET makes a vanilla mint toothpaste. Why don't more companies make minty or vanilla toothpastes? Or cupcakes or something? Those are things that I like my dog's breath to smell like. Bubblegum, cotton candy (someone could be making a mint!), even peanut butter would be marginally better. So thank you, CET, for making a delicious toothpaste.

I switched to battery operated toothbrushes and my whole life changed forever. HOLY crap! Not only is it hilarious, because I'm a crazy dog lady using mechanical brushes on my dogs, but it works a million times better! The dogs don't mind it, because I laugh and act like we are having great fun doing it. It is fun and it's hilarious.

I'm sort of an advocate for dog dental health. I feel like a hobo if I don't brush my teeth every day, so I'm sure my dogs do too. Nice breath makes for better kisses, and for cuter smiles too.

When clients come in and we get talking about brushing teeth, everyone laughs at me for being the crazy dog lady and brushing my dogs' teeth every day. They usually tell me that they can't remember to do it every day, or that their dog hates it. If you can remember to brush your own teeth, you can remember to brush your dog's teeth! Do it at the same time! Most dogs can learn to love it. You're putting something that tastes good in their mouths! Laugh about it, have a good time doing it. Act like it is literally the most fun you can have with a toothbrush.

This isn't funny, and I'm sorry. I have to get on my soapbox about it though. Brush their teeth and then kiss them on the mouth.

Testing, Testing...

I have 4 dogs. I am that crazy woman you sometimes see dressed like a hobo with 4 tangled leashes all attached to different breeds of dogs, with poop bags and not a trash can in sight.

I don't exactly know how I ended up with 4 dogs. I started grooming dogs after high school, because it seemed pretty easy, and since I don't care for dealing with people, it was a great choice. Seven years later, I think it I'm stuck with it. Anyways, in this time, I met a lot of different types of dogs. I didn't have a dog of my own (I did have my parents' Cairn Terrier, but she is a story of her own) so I decided to get one. Then two. Then so on. They all have long stories, but this is their abridged version.

I found the newspaper ad for the Boston Terrier puppies almost immediately. The woman said she had rescued the male and female from her mother in law, and they had accidentally been bred. Whether this is true or not wasn't really a big deal to me, so I went to look at her puppies. I wanted a nice, big Boston Terrier, because they didn't need too much grooming and seemed to be generally nice dogs. I brought home the fattest puppy there.



I was OBSESSED almost immediately. Look at the fatness of her face and the cuteness of her toes. Smitten. I named her Eleanor Mae and she was my little companion.

After some time and issues passed, Ellie was an only child, save one boyfriend and one cat. I told the boyfriend I wanted another dog. He was pretty cool with this idea. So, I scoured petfinder, because I was now educated about the evils of backyard breeders and puppy mills. I found this terrified toy poodle at a shelter near my parents' house.



That's her after I got her cleaned up. Isabella Jade the toy poodle. She was terrified of everything and kind of mean. Now she's apprehensive and slightly aloof.

Then, my boyfriend decided he wanted a dog. He acquired a pug puppy. She is a creature who likes her tongue petted, poops out of spite, and eats leaves.

She's gross.

I decided somewhere along the way that I wanted a big dog. I had several awesome reasons and enough arguments to win the case, and I got a Golden Retriever, Chief Brody.


I assume his pic is bigger because he is a bigger dog.

Sometime after having all four of them in my house, I realized that this is not the norm. Normal people don't have to buy over a hundred dollars worth of dog food, or pick up three different dogs' vomit, or do "poop patrol" at least twice a week, and to normal people, my life is insane. So there you have it. That's my pack and this will be our story.