Forgotten Dog's Christmas

Author Unknown. Anyone who knows authorship
please get in touch with us so that we may properly credit

Twas the nite before Christmas when all thru the house*

Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.*

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care*

In hopes that St. Nick soon would be there.*

The children all nestled all snug in their beds*

With no thought of the dog filling their head.*

And mamma in her kerchief and I in my cap*

Knew the dog was cold, but didn't care about that.*

Grab your tissues and read on.....

Product Review - Chuck It

By Kelly

If you have a dog who loves playing fetch, you must have this toy. The Chuck It has two main features - avoid touching the ball and thow the ball farther. This winning combination will tire your dogs fast and you can avoid having to pick up a wet slimey ball each time. It will be the best $12 you'll ever spend. I highly reccomend this product for owners of ball-obsessive dogs.

Get Your Own Chuck It Now
Type "Chuck It" in the search box after you click on the link above.

Dogs Should Come in Pairs

As a child my family always owned dogs. We always lived in areas where we could have large dogs and at times, more than one. Once I graduated from college and lived on my own I soon realized that having a dog is a must. A few years ago I realized that having 2 dogs is even better - for me and the dogs.

I've owned 4 Golden Receivers so far. I never owned this breed until I was an adult. I read that they tended to be calm and were easily trained. I was not disappointed and have since fallen in love with the breed. Currently I have 2 Goldens, River (age 3-4) and Charlie Brown (age 6-7). I adopted them both as adults from local Golden Retriever rescue societies.

I first adopted Charlie when he was estimated to be 2 years old. He weights about 85 pounds and extremely loving and calm (except when he hears his leash or sees a tennis ball). After spending 3 great years with him I realized he seemed a bit sad while I was at work. I decided to take the plunge and find him a brother or sister. After watching the dogs the local rescue group was taking in for months, I finally saw River. She is a blonde girl who tended to be dominate. After a 30 minute "meet & greet", they seemed to agree with one an other.

Now 2 years later I have realized that I should have adopted a 2nd dog sooner. Charlie and River are best pals. I recently went on a trip oversees and had to separate them as one dog sitter could only take one at a time. When I returned and reunited them (12 days later) I saw them jump for joy for each other. Although neither of them really barks or talks, they were talking to each other that day. I could see they were so happy to be together again.

Before I adopted River I didn't think it was possible to love 2 dogs as much as I did the first. I've happily proven myself wrong and am glad they have each other.

If you are considering a 2nd or even 3rd dog, keep this in mind - dogs are pack animals. They are social beings who need interaction and companionship. Giving them a "sibling" could be the best thing. And although it is more expensive and there is more mess to clean up in the yard, you'll receive more than double the love in return. For me it has been well worth it and as a result of my positive experience I doubt I'll ever go without having 2 dogs at a time for very long.

-Kelly

Tails of Maggie & Katie: Good Morning! GAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKK Bathroom Time

Tails of Maggie & Katie: Good Morning! GAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKK Bathroom Time

by B. A. Brown

I keep the bathroom door open (unless of course I have company).

I do this to protect my knees.

The bathroom is small. The porcelain facility is right next to the door.

If the door is closed, and one is seated, any attempt at opening the door is halted by one's knees. Any violent attempt to open the door is prone to cause damage to the occupant's left knee and thigh. Holding the door closed with a hand is ineffective. Using the human-at-party "Someone is IN here!" silliness does not work either.

Katie has determined that my visits to the bathroom are also Our Own Special Time Together.

.... continue reading Tails of Maggie & Katie: Good Morning! GAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKK Bathroom Time

Goose Down Races - Doo Dah, Doo Dah

Goose Down Races - Doo Dah, Doo Dah Maggie has discovered The Pillow

by B. A. Brown

Nice soft pillow, feels so good under her little head.

She used to like the lower left hand corner of the bed: she could rest her chin on the windowsill and look out.

Nope - now The Pillow is the best! When it is time for bed she races me to the room leaps on the bed and stakes her claim. At other times, she intimidates Katie - nudging, whining, face-licking (prelude to whisker-trimming, which is a whole other story: Katie is shorn of whiskers) until Katie moves off the bed. And a triumphant Maggie takes possession of the Prime Pillow Position.

I have to threaten dire physical harm before she moves off the pillow. She begins by ignoring me. She feigns sleep. She then stretches as though she is still dreaming. I repeat the demand. Then she graduates to smarmy "Oh please oh PLEASE don't make me move!" which escalates to shoulder-curling, two paws together, puppy fetal position upward look thru lashes "Oh please oh PLEASE???" and then the final ploy: fawning,
eyelash-batting gentle hand-licking.

....continue reading Goose Down Races - Doo Dah, Doo Dah Maggie has discovered The Pillow

free pet safety pack from the ASPCA

Help keep your pets safe with a free pet safety pack from the ASPCA!

In the event of an emergency, our pet rescue window decal alerts rescue personnel that pets are inside your home. The safety pack also includes an ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center magnet—a great way to keep the APCC's toll-free emergency number and website address handy in case your pets get into something they shouldn’t!

The Psycho Dog Springs Into Action

The Psycho Dog Springs Into Action
by Lorine of The Dog Team

Barley becomes frantic when put in the mudroom. It's a lovely room about 12x12 with huge low windows where she can see outside, plus two doors with windows. But she hates it.

That is 'her' room where she is to sleep at night. She has a comfy bed, several mats and of course a nice full dish of fresh water. But she hates it.

The first night we went up to bed and suddenly heard "Thump! Whack! Thud!" It continued for several minutes. Hubby went downstairs to investigate and saw Barley springing straight up in the air almost 6 feet, then throwing herself at the door which shook under her weight, then falling down to the floor.

...continue reading The Psycho Dog Springs into Action

Tails of Barley: Fetch! Run Human, Run!!

by Lorine of The Dog Team

Barley doesn't know how to play. I bought her toys. She ran, terrified, the first time I put one in her bed with her. I bought her a sqeaky toy. She cowered the first time it made it noise, then began running frantically in circles.

I bought a ball. Several balls. Barley sat and watched this silly display while the balls disappeared in the woods and long grass at the back of the house.

I bought a frisbee. She sat at my feet and watched me throw. I got a lot of exercise retrieving that frisbee.....

Continue reading Fetch! Run human run!!

Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Separation Anxiety in dogs manifests as dogs who are attached or dependent on family members in the extreme. These dogs become anxious and exhibit distress behaviours such as barking, destruction, soiling, apathy and self-injury. The greater the separation (in distance) the more anxious the dog becomes.

Owners of dogs suffering from separation anxiety may notice their dog follows them from room to room. They may crave constant physical attention, and are very demanding, often pushing or nosing their owners, pawing at them, to gain attention and petting.

During or just before separation dogs may began to pant and drool, salivating excessively. They can become destructive and vocal or witdraw and become very apathetic.

Read tips for dealing with Separation anxiety in What to do when a Dog suffers from Separation Anxiety

Alpha, Beta... Who's in Charge? Training Barley

Alpha, Beta... Who's in Charge? Training Barley
by Lorine of The Dog Team

When I leave the room Barley follows, stepping on the back of my slippers. When my husband takes her off the leash to go with him to do farm chores, or have a run, she refuses to leave the back deck by my office door. The only way to make her go with him is to leash her and she spends the whole time frantically lunging back towards the house, or staring at the back deck.

So I began a regime of training her in small doses to be separated from me. I wanted her to stay in one room while I moved a few feet away to another (still within sight). She simply leapt over the gate and joined me. I put up a higher gate. She leapt it with ease.

I tried a room with a door (she could still see me through the door window). She leapt at the door, throwing herself at it repeatedly - thump, whap, thump.

Contine Reading Alpha, Beta... Who's in Charge?

Assistance Dog Quinn Missing

After car crash, disabled man wants dog back
By Linda Goldston
Mercury News

A Los Gatos man is offering $5,000 for the return of his assistance dog, Quinn.

The dog, a 15-month-old golden retriever, darted off after Richard Gambord was involved in a one-car crash Sunday at the Interstate 280/880 freeway interchange in San Jose.

Quinn should be easy to spot. When he was last seen, he was wearing a purple cape with the logo for Assistance Dog Institute and a rabies tag. The institute, based in Santa Rosa, starts training future assistance dogs when they're about three weeks old, and most are ready to be placed when they're 1 1/2 to 2 years old.

Continue reading

New Dog on the Farm

by Lorine of The Dog Team

It's been over 5 years since my old dog Suki had to be put down. Suki was a Benji lookalike, very sweet but terrified of everything. We got her from a shelter when she was about one year old. In her past home she'd suffered physical abuse and any sudden movement or noise terrified her.

She was a great dog but after she died I wasn't ready for another one. Until now.

In May I started looking seriously for a dog that would fit our lifestyle. We live on a hobby farm and I wanted a dog that was good with our animals (donkey, sheep, birds) and that might help my husband with farm chores. I had a Suki clone in mind of course.

The shelter brought out a scruffy, terrified, skinny dog with wolf-eyes (nothing like my little Suki!) and that was it. I told my husband she was so ugly that no one would ever adopt her so we had to! Besides she had lived on a farm, was used to animals and best of all was a herding dog! I figured she could help hubby when the sheep got out.

Continue reading New Dog on the Farm, the first in a series: Tails of Barley The Psycho Dog & Webley

Tails of Maggie & Katie: Anchors Aweigh!

by B. A. Brown

Directly behind my yard lives Vicky - a nice little b & w dog. ABout the size of a pug, maybe a tad larger - but not with the pushed-in face. Very cute.

Katie & Maggie love to go out (when called by Vicky - "Vicky needs our help NOW!") and run along the fence line, back and forth, barking like idiots.

This goes on until Vicky gets tired, and goes to sit on her patio.

Vicky is very overwieght, and does not have much stamina. Once she gives up, Katie & Maggie get bored, and wander aimlessly about the yard until they decide to come in.

Next door to Vicky lives The Bad Dog. We do not know The Bad Dog's name.

The Bad Dog is a pit bull. Apparently, when we first moved in, TBD made some uncomplimentary comments about Katie's easterner accent, or maybe she made fun of petey, or its a black/white thing, or - who knows. It was instant hatred on both sides of the fence.

Fortunately, there is only a limited span of fence which the properties have in common. Fortunately, TBD's owner has her on a pretty strict schedule: out at 8:40 am, again just after 5 PM, then again at 11 PM.

I do not let my dogs out at these times.

Occasionally, he lets TBD out off-schedule. I can tell right away because of the sounds: Katie & TBD both with deep-throated menacing growls and barks, Maggie [safely] behind katie, barking very loudly and earnestly ("Get her katie! Kill her!").

Accompanying the to-the-death sounds are the thumps of katie flinging her body against the fence, scrambling, scrabbling, nails digging in,trying to vault the fence, or knock it over by sheer will power.

I would really prefer that Katie not succeed in meeting TBD personally.

I run (jog...ok, walk fast) out to the backyard and start grabbing tails.

Evidently, when engaged in such important pugilistic activity, dogs become deaf. Therefore, I need to be present and in the immediate vicinity before I can get their attention.

Continue Reading Anchors Aweigh!

Protecting Your Dog from Fleas

Fleas are the most common parasite affecting dogs. They are almost impossible to see. Fleas love warm humid conditions and are attracted to pets by their body heat.

Once your pet has been infected, fleas can spread anywhere your dog goes, including your home!

Contine reading about fleas and how to protect your puppy or dog

Maggie the Musician

by B. A. Brown

Katie is sprawled across the bed; I am at the computer. Maggie is quiet
somewhere.



I hear toenail clicks. Adagio. They pass from the living room into the
spare bedroom and back. Silence

Again, toenail clicks. Moderato. From living room to spare room and
back. Silence

Silence is brief. Toe nail clicks, allegro. Living room, spare room and
back.

OK. Now I am getting interested. I get up, yawn, stretch, go look.

Maggie is standing in the living room. Just standing there. I make a
move toward the back door, thinking that perhaps she needs to go out.
She is disinterested

I stand at the doorway from kitchen to living room.

I watch Maggie trot into the spare room, presto. She returns, also presto.

She stands in the living room.

A moment later, she trots into the spare room, prestissimo.

Continue reading Maggie the Musician

Firehouse Dog

Insidetoronto.com readers are invited to win one of two copies of Firehouse Dog.

The movie is about Rex, Hollywood's hottest canine action hero, who finds himself lost and alone in an unfamiliar city after an aerial movie stunt goes wrong.

To enter the Firehouse Dog contest, people must send in their names,complete addresses, daytime telephone numbers and the answer to this skill-testing question: Who plays the rebellious 12-year-old? via e-mail to contests@insidetoronto.com by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19.

Winners, who must live in one of the communities in which Toronto Community News distributes, will be chosen by a random draw by a TCN representative after 8:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20

Tails of Maggie and Katie: I really gotta get a life

by B. A. Brown

I was chuckling merrily over my own little cleverness.I then realized that I was talking to Katie, making a joke.

And obviously expected her to understand and join in the mirth.

I was opening a new bag of kibble. 40 pounds, Costco's best Lamb & Ricemeal. I used a scissors because those damned easy-open string thingsnever work for me.

Katie kept sticking her snout in where I was about to cut.I remonstrated: "Get your face outta there! You're going to get cut andthen you'll have a damned bloody nose."

I started giggling at the picture that evoked.

"You'll have to lie supine on the couch, ice bag behind your neck, andwith your paws holding a bunch of kleenex to your nose."

And that started me laughing rather than giggling."

... continue reading "Tails of Maggie and Katie: I really gotta get a life"

Tails of Maggie & Katie: Maggie is on a Diet

by B. A. Brown published with permission on DogDoogle

Maggie is on a diet. A strict one. Has been for two months.

She has not lost an ounce.

Katie weighs 122 pounds, Maggie weighs 94 and should be 80 pounds. Vet says Katie is lovely. Big and lovely and sleek. No diet required.

Yes, they are sisters. Both black with tan points. And the similarity ends there. Different coats, different body structures ( For horse people, Katie is a Trakehner, Maggie is a Quarterhorse). And Maggie now has hip problems which are exacerbated by excess weight.

Katie being the larger gets more dinner. Lots more.

Katie gets two large biscuits in the morning. Maggie gets two "small dog" biscuits. If I could find "toy dog" biscuits she would get those instead.

No plates to lick, no pots to clean, no hand-feeding. (It has been a very difficult few weeks for Mom!)

.... continue reading Maggie is on a Diet

McGruff the Crime Dog

National Night Out is on August 7, 2007

McGruff the Crime Dog, icon of the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), appears at more than 300 National Night Out events this month.

Visit McGruff's Blog!

The Tail of Maggie & Katie

Author: B.A. Brown, published on DogDoogle with permission

Introducing Maggie & Katie.......

Maggie :
7 years old, born in New York of mixed working class parentage; lives with her sister Katie and her human mom on the West Coast. A tad overweight at 92 pounds (not her fault, she has to eat what is put before her); uneducated - missed school due to family moves; older than Katie by several moments and, as the elder sister has many responsibilities. Very attractive, black with brown points and a unique ear placement. Single. Hobbies: napping, snacking, grooming Katie, collecting French Impressionists.

(That last one is a lie, but her Studio Publicist said she had to include something cultural).

Katie:
7 years old, born in New York of working class parents. Self-educated,has read the Harvard Five Foot Shelf Classics. Single. Lives on the West Coast with her sister Maggie and her Human. Hobbies: Napping, snacking, bird-watching, moth hunting. Very attractive. Has a sweet tooth. Black with tan points, svelte, naturally standy-up ears.

Tomorrow I'll tell you about Katie's diet and share some great tips with you!

Signs of Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Dogs with the disorder separation anxiety exhibit panic and anxious behaviour when separated from their owner(s). They may engage in destructive behaviours such as chewing and digging, soiling, excessiv barking, salivating, panting, drooling and pacing. Dogs suffering from separation anxiety may also suffer confinement anxiety so be cautious in the use of crates.

Read more on separation anxiety and tips for dealing with it in your dog

Ride 'n Walk Car Harness & Barley

I just bought the Ride 'n Walk Car & Walking Harness for my Australian Shepherd. I was pretty excited about getting it, as Barley is 5 years old and was rescued from a shelter just a few months ago.

She doesn't sit still in the car, anxiously pacing and jumping from seat to seat while we're driving. So I thought the Car Harness would be the perfect solution.
Sadly it isn't. Yes it restrains her. Does it keep her safe? No.

The first time we used it she managed to twist her legs and body so much that her front leg got caught in the car seat strap. Then when we rounded a corner she lost her balance. If my husband had not stopped the car quickly, she might have broken her leg.

I haven't figured out if we are harnessing her incorrectly or if it simply can't cope with such an active dog as Barley!