Dog Talk

When Dogs Get In Our Closet

“Hey Zoe, have you seen my red, multi-colored scarf?  I just had it!” 

Do Dogs Really Love Us?

Isn’t it just the best feeling to arrive home after a long day at work, a few minutes taking the trash out, or a few seconds to get the mail, and our dogs are all over us with enthusiasm and greetings of, “welcome home, we’ve missed you!”

Does it mean they love us or is there an ulterior motive? It’s probably better to just appreciate and adore them because we may not want to know the truth. The other day when I came in the door, I distinctly heard them excitedly saying, “our food source is home, our food source is home!”

I love them regardless of what they feel or don’t feel. I think there are certain truths we understand about dogs and the rest we make up as we go along. Considering the joy they bring to our lives, does it really matter – I didn’t think so.

Why Foster A Dog?

“Saving the life of one dog surely won’t change the world. . .but it will certainly change the world for that dog.” Author Unknown

It always feels good to pay it forward, to share our strengths, and to give in any way we can.  I believe it’s our responsibility to do what we can when we can (and sometimes when we don’t think we can).  Why foster?  Here are a few of my reasons. . .

Something They Didn’t Tell You About The Manger

It’s worthy of noting this holiday season even HE had a dog. . .in HIS bed!

Join City Dog Magazine – TakeThe Puppy Friendly Pledge

Gotta’ love Seattle when it comes to dogs!  Here’s an excerpt from an article in City Dog Magazine (great magazine by the way):

Thanks to the efforts of local advocates, over 60 Seattle area pet stores have recently signed The Humane Society of the United States’ puppy friendly pet store pledge — committing not to sell puppies, and instead support local animal adoption programs and provide literature that helps customers learn how to locate a reputable dog breeder. We applaud these retailers because their actions prove it is not necessary to support the cruel puppy mill trade to operate a successful pet-related business. 

Read More About The Puppy Friendly Pledge. . .

Little Dogs Can Be “Top Dog”!

If you have a small dog and a much larger one, and particularly if they are the same sex, you have most likely witnessed some form of competition and posturing for the position of “Top Dog”.  Sometimes, that positioning is demonstrated physically.  In this image Moby shows Mac, “he who is higher wins”.  I don’t think Mac knew he was playing that game, so we won’t tell Moby.  

Boomer – An Amazing Miniature Poodle

Anyone reading this blog is most likely aware of the horrors of puppy mills.  We may unintentionally encourage backyard breeding and the operation of puppy mills by purchasing puppies from unknown sources (breeders).  Here’s another Humane Society victory video that is wonderful.  For those of you who say, “I can’t watch this stuff”, I encourage you to at least see this boy at the beginning of the video and then fast forward to the end.  I had no idea he is who he is!  What a lesson for all of us.     Presenting. . .

BOOMER   

Teach A Dog To Walk Nicely On A Leash

I have worked with a lot of Standard Poodles, and have to admit they are very bright dogs and with consistency can learn just about anything you are willing to teach.  Sophie, a seven-month-old Poodle, had just completed her schooling and was demonstrating her leash walking training skills on her older brother, Hoover.  Good boy Hoover!

Why Dogs Dig

Dogs will dig out of boredom, to bury treasures for later re-discovery, and to create a cool, damp place to lie.  I learned from Sammy and Zoe dogs also dig for other reasons. . .