Merry Christmas

Canine Hero

READY, SET

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Ogle, a military police dog handler, and his working dog Liaka, a Dutch Shepherd, prepare to patrol the streets in the Hadar community of southern Baghdad's Rashid district along with Iraqi national police, Nov. 29, 2008. Ogle is assigned to the 4th Infantry Division's Company C, 2nd Battalion attached to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Todd Frantom

Friday's Furry Friend in Need

Teddy #12
Labs4Rescue, CT

Teddy is a mid-size (45 lbs) female black lab mix who is 7 years old - although you would guess she is closer to 3-4 in looks and activity level - she is always ready for outdoor fun, but is a calm companion indoors. Teddy is house-trained and is trustworthy when left loose in the house alone. She loves to go for car rides, and long walks and hikes in the woods. Teddy is very loyal, intelligent and affectionate - she is friendly to everyone she meets, and will bond closely to her owner. She loves affection and will try to gently nuzzle her head in your lap, or just lay close by your side. Teddy's family is heartbroken to give her up, but she needs a new home due to an unfortunate family housing situation.

For additional information about Teddy please email Erin Smithies at erin_smithies-AT-yahoo.com.

URGENT: Mandy is Missing!!!

A friend of Mom and Dad's told us that her Mom's dog-friend, Mandy, is missing! She got a little too curious and squeezed out of a gap in the backyard fence. Although the neighbors have spotted her several times since, no one's been able to help her get home yet.

Please take a look around if you're in the Torrington, CT area, and help Mandy get back home. Her Mom misses her terribly, and there is a reward for her safe return.

More from Mandy's family:

PLEASE HELP AND CROSSPOST-MY MOMS DOG MANDY HAS BEEN MISSING SINCE SUNDAY 12/7

MIGEON AVE. AREA OF TORRINGTON- LAST SEEN ON MONDAY MORNING BY SEVERAL PEOPLE.

SHE IS A 3 YEAR OLD BLACK AND WHITE PAPILLON WEIGHING ABOUT 13 LBS AND ANSWERS TO MANDY. SHE IS WEARING A WHITE COLLAR WITH PINK BONES AND HAS ALL OF HER TAGS ON. SHE SQUEEZED THRU A LITTLE AREA IN THE FENCE WHEN SHE WAS LET OUT. MY MOM RECENTLY HAD SURGERY AND MANDY HAS BEEN HER CONSTANT COMPANION. WE ARE ALL HEARTBROKEN AND NEED OUR LITTLE GIRL BACK.

MYSELF AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR HER IN THE AREA. WE ARE BEGINNING TO BELIEVE SHE MAY HAVE BEEN PICKED UP BY SOMEONE ON MONDAY MORNING.

WE ARE OFFERING A REWARD----PLEASE CALL 860-482-2159

THANK-YOU SO MUCH,

MARIETTE

http://www.hotwaterrescue.com/

Here are a couple of pictures of Mandy:

********************************************

UPDATE: Mandy is home!!! She was found shortly before Christmas, not too far from home. She has been checked out and is O.K. We're really glad she's home safe with her family.

Note to Self: DO NOT EAT

OK, so Mom and Dad were getting ready for bed, and there was this package of Chips Ahoy lying on the table, and I figured that no one would notice one or two missing...

...only I didn't stop at one or two...

Yes, I know Mom said I can't have chocolate.

Yes, I know Mom said chocolate is bad for me.

Yes, I know Mom said chocolate chip cookies are people food, not dog food.

But they smelled REALLY good, and Mom eats 'em....how bad can they be?

So now Mom and Dad are trying to figure out how many I ate (how should I know? I didn't count them - I just ate them) and how much the chips weigh and how much I weigh and all of this complicated math stuff.

Dad says that semi-sweet chocolate chips aren't as bad as baking or dark chocolate (milk chocolate is even less dangerous), but no one is sure quite how many I ate (not even me).

Theobromine, Mom says, is in chocolate, and if a dog gets too much of it, it can cause all sorts of bad things.

Most likely, I'll get bad gas, diarrhea, a tummyache, and maybe throw up.

I have bad gas anyway, and I don't have to clean up the other two. And they tasted REALLY good.

And so now Mom is making me blog about how dogs shouldn't eat chocolate.

You can find out more about what can be dangerous to dogs at the ASPCA's Poison Control Center website.

Oh, and while frantically searching the internet for the uh-oh formula on chocolate, Mom found this site where you can get vets to answer your questions online (way cheaper than poison control): http://www.justanswer.com/.

The vet Mom got said:

I dont think it will be a problem. For your dog to show mild signs of chocolate toxicity he should eat 445 mg Theobromine, to show moderate signs 880 mg Theobromine and to show sever signs 1320 mg Theobromine. He ate 5 oz of cookies, which may be maximum 2 oz of it is chocolate. If you say the worst case scenario it is baking chocolate in the cookie which has 393 mg theobromine/oz. it makes total of 786 mg Theobromine which causes mild signs. But I think the chocolate in these cookies are milk chocolate, so it makes about 112 mg Theobromine ingested.

I would still keep an eye on your dog for tremors and shaking.

Mom is not happy with my dietary indiscretion.

Note to Self: Chocolate Chip Cookies (though tasty) are not for dogs.

Amazing Canine Hero

Some scientific-types are fond of saying that we dogs don't have emotions, and we don't reason, or plan, or do a lot of things that people do.

I wonder how they'd explain this then? Check out this amazing video of a dog coming to the rescue of a friend, who was hit by a car. WARNING: This video is difficult to watch, since it shows how this hero's friend was injured. But watching this dog come to the rescue of his friend, all the while dodging traffic himself, is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

And yes, both dogs survived, and the injured one recovered.

Lucca Look
Lucca, a military working dog, looks at his handler, U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Chris Willingham, waiting for a command during cordon and knock operations in Afak, Iraq, Nov. 30, 2008. Willingham and Lucca are assigned to the 4th Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eric Harris.

Happy Howl-oween!

Tonight Mom and Dad are taking me trick-or-treating!

I am dressing up like a K-9 cop and will post pictures later.

Have a safe and Happy Howl-oween!

Farewell to a Friend

We got some very sad news yesterday. My friend, Dino, was hit and killed by a car. He was a great dog; a Pit Bull mix and a lot of fun to play with.

We went to classes together, and we got to wrestle sometimes.

His Mom and his sisters, Pebbles and Roo, are very sad - they loved him very much.

We're all very sad too. We'll all miss you, Dino.

The Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown

Sometimes I'm So Cute...

...I even amaze myself:

Friday's Furry Friend in Need

Ruthie
Hound / Terrier Mix
MA

Ruthie's mix is very uncertain but she is definitely lovely. Ruthie plays well with other dogs once she knows them, she may bark at first. She is very playful but she is also very kind and loving. Children over the age of eight are great for Ruthie because she is still very much a puppy and has a tendency to be over playful. This may be overwhelming for a small child or baby. Ruthie is a sweetie! She knows several commands but could use some help on a leash. Like most hounds, she is very interested in everything.

Our organization offers 24PetWatch microchips, which include free registration into the 24PetWatch pet recovery service. For more information visit www.24petwatch.com or call 1-866-597-2424. This pet also comes with 30 days of pre-paid pet health insurance. For more information please visit www.sheltercare.com or call 1-866-375-PETS.

More pictures of Ruthie here.

Contact information:

Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton Inc.
Hopkinton, MA
(508)435-6938

Send an email

Seeore pets from Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton Inc.

Friday's Furry Friend in Need (a day late)

Tasha
Double Dog Rescue
Harwinton, CT

Tasha is such a sweet girl. She gets along with other dogs and is just waiting on a home to call her own. As you can tell from her pictures, she is quite the beauty! She can go over a fence so leash walking is a must!


More info - and pictures - here

Friday's Furry Friend in Need

Here's a senior citizen who needs a loving home in which to live out his sunset years:

Thunder

About Thunder:
Hi, my name is Thunder, and in my younger years I certainly lived up to my name! I have travelled all over, spent many of my nights under the stars, and have loved my life! And, I have been loved and cared for in return! But now I need to find a new home. At the age of 16, I'd love to love with an older couple who would like to have a quiet companion who loves just to be outside and live a calm life! Contact: Guilford Animal Shelter 400 Church St Guilford, CT 06437 203-453-8083 (Guilford, CT Animal Control)*


Thunder needs a home without children. For more pictures of Thunder, visit Petfinder

* Links open in new window

DANGEROUS TOY ALERT: Four Paws Pimple Ball with Bell

This is horrible! I can't imagine my Mom and Dad giving me a toy they think is fun and safe, only to have something like this happen:

On Sunday, June 22, 2008 my 10-year old lab mix, Chai, sustained a severe injury from a product that the company Four Paws Inc, produces. The toy I'm referencing is the pimple ball with bell. (Item #20227-001, UPC Code 0 4566320227 9)

While chewing on the toy, a vacuum was created and it effectively sucked his tongue into the hole in the ball. From speaking with my vet, this likely occurred because there is not a second hole in the ball preventing the vacuum effect from happening. I became aware of this when Chai approached a friend at my home whimpering with the ball in his mouth. She tried unsuccessfully to remove the ball but the tongue had swollen and could not be released.

(photo taken of ball after vet cut away portions in order to dislodge chai's tongue)

Chai was taken to the Animal Medical Center (an emergency care facility in New York City) and was treated by Dr. Nicole Spurlock to have the ball removed. Because the size of the opening on the ball was so small, all circulation to his tongue was cut off. The doctors had to sedate him in order to remove it. Once the ball was removed, his tongue swelled to the point that he could no longer put it in his mouth. Chai was sent home with care instructions and to be observed overnight for any changes. By the following morning Chai’s tongue had swollen even more.

[...]

He was taken to his regular vet, Dr. Timnah Lee, for treatment. He was admitted and kept sedated for a period of three days during which time they were treating his wounds and waiting to determine how much of his tongue could be saved. On June 26, 2008 Chai had his tongue amputated. He was kept in after-care for an additional three days. On Sunday June 29th I brought Chai home from the vet with a barrage of home care instructions, to last for an additional 7 days. His next visit was to have his mouth re-examined and have the feeding tube in his neck removed.

[...]

On the way home from the vet we stopped at Petland Discount where I purchased their product to speak to the manager on duty. Upon meeting Chai and seeing his condition, he removed all of the balls in question from the shelves. He also gave me the customer service number to their corporate headquarters to request that they refuse to continue purchasing all Four Paws products, but I have not called them as of yet.

Additionally, I shared my story with friends who have a French Bulldog named Petunia. Upon hearing my story their eyes widened. They explained that the same thing happened twice in one night with a smaller version of the same ball to their dog. Fortunately, they were able to pull it off before the tongue swelled, but not without tremendous effort and pain to the dog. They recalled how horrific it was to hear their dog screaming while they had to pry the ball from her tongue.To date, my veterinary bills total over $5000.00 and I will have regular follow up appointments for some time. Additionally, Chai now requires a much more expensive form of food because of this injury, averaging approximately $200 per month. Also - I am Chai’s sole caretaker and the regime required to care for him following his surgery has forced me to lose a great deal of business. I am a hair stylist and my salon is in my home. Given that Chai needs constant attention, and given that he has been wailing in pain, I have not been able to see clients. Additionally, I now have to re-teach my dog to eat, drink and adjust to life without his tongue. Just walking him requires about 30min twice a day and we only make it three blocks. Feeding him takes me about 90 minutes twice a day and for at least this first week he is not to be unattended for more than 20 minutes at time.

[...]

Yes, the above is true. You can read more, including updates on poor Chai, here. Four Paws has withdrawn the product - as of late August. So, while this particular toy may not be a concern anymore, let this serve as a warning about similar balls. And unscrupulous pet supply stores may still have some of these on their shelves. Owners of these toys may not know about the recall. Balls with a similar design may pose a similar hazard to your dog, so beware!!!

Pass this information around to dog owners you know - get the word out so what happened to poor Chai doesn't have to happen to another dog.

Who's Tough Now??

Mom got me this great toy yesterday:



It's a Tuffy. They're designed for dogs that are hard on plushies, like I am. Actually, all of us except Zoe are really tough on soft toys. Zoe doesn't play much at all. She likes to take everybody's toys and hide them in her bed, though. Weird.

So anyway, Tuffies come with ratings from 1-10. Li'l Oscar Octopus there is a 7.

Which, coincidentally, is about how many minutes he lasted before I had half of his fluff and three of his eight arm squeakers out.

Heh.


***Note from Bandit's Mom: If your dog isn't some space alien from the planet Destructo, which apparently ours are, Tuffy's toys might be a good choice. They're pretty sturdy (Simba's deconstruction of Li'l Oscar notwithstanding). They have all sorts of animal shapes (farm animals, sea creatures, etc.,) stuffed rings - one of those lasted about two months with Bandit - and a pretty cool tug.

The trio of terror apparently is going to need to wait until someone comes up with a stuffed dog toy made of Kevlar. Yeesh.

If you're looking for wicked tough non-plush toys, try Westpaw's Hucks, Hurleys, and Tuxes, Kongs, StarMark Pet Products' Everlasting toys, Planet Dog's Orbees, or Petstages Orka toys. Although Bear took a chunk out of a Huck, the rest of the Westpaw toys are still going strong after months of daily play. Bear did tear two of the lobes off of an Orka jack, but the others have held up. And none of them have been able to significantly damage a Kong or an Orbee yet. Pretty darned impressive.

Friday's Furry Friend in Need

Rocky
Double Dog Rescue, Harwinton, CT

More about Rocky:
Rocky is a gentle gem. He aims to please and is very attentive on leash. Rocky loves water, other dogs, people, tennis balls, hiking (does well off leash while on the trail). He also loves to be inside and is so quiet and well mannered you hardly notice he's there. He may have a herding breed in his mix because when he sees horses, cows, or Simon (the only one of his foster home cats that will oblige) he wants to round them up! Rocky would do well in a home with at least one other friendly dog; or with folks who are not gone for long periods of time. He is neither destructive nor hyper; he just likes having a companion around. For an adoption application, email fetchyourdog-AT-yahoo.com


More pictures here; you can also visit the Double Dog Rescue website here.

Whoa....

Puppy Scares Off 3 Bears in Backyard

WYCKOFF, N.J. — If only Goldilocks had a cockapoo.

A 15-pound cocker spaniel-poodle mix named Pawlee scared off a mother bear and her two cubs Sunday morning after they strayed into his owners' backyard.

Whether his bark was worse than his bite, Pawlee's tactic worked just fine. These three bears got the hint and took off.

"We had just let him out for the morning and he ran into the yard and started barking his head off," owner Fran Osiason said.

Osiason said her 9-year-old son, Jacob, went outside to see what the commotion was about and came running back in to report there were bears in the yard.

She was worried that the mother would come after Pawlee to protect her cubs, but the pugnacious pup, just 8 months old, had other plans.

[....]

Read the Rest, at FOX News online.

Mom, Could We Get a Rope Swing...Pleeeeaaaase???

Friday's Furry Friend in Need

Rusty

About Rusty:
Rusty is a Shiba Inu that was surrendered to us after his owner passed away. He is a very energetic young guy. He is neutered and up to date on shots. He wants to chase some cars and trailer trucks when being walked. He will need a fenced yard or supervision - he cannot run free as he runs away. Rusty looks like a fox and is very much into the chase when he sees a chipmunk or squirrel! He would have to be an only dog as he does not get on with some other dogs. But he does not bother cats. He is crate trained, as are all of our other dogs. We think that he is 3 to 4 years old.


For more information, visit Petfinder. (opens in new window)

Hotwater Rescue Fundraiser

Thursday night, we went to a fundraiser for Hotwater Rescue (opens in new window), held at a local restaurant. The folks at Hotwater work with misunderstood breeds; they receive mainly Pit Bulls. We've had the chance to work with and/or meet a number of their dogs. It was a good time, spent with some great people.

Hotwater Rescue works with some of the breeds many tend to rule out as adoption prospects - Pit Bulls, Rotweillers, American Bulldogs, and Cane Corsos among them. Of those breeds, it is the Pit Bull that seems to find itself most often in need of a new home.

Unfortunately, Pitties have gotten a really bad reputation, and most of it is undeserved. Just like any other breed, there are well-behaved Pits, aggressive Pits, fearful Pits, and lazy Pits. Illegal dog fighting has thrust them into the headlines, and the media keeps the sensationalism way up (any "dog attack" headline graphic I've ever seen on tv has been the image of a snarling Pit Bull, even if the dog was some other breed).

Among the myths about the breed:

Pitties lock their jaws when they bite:
Not so. Physiologically speaking, there is no difference in the jaw of a pit bull and the jaw of any other breed.

Pit Bulls have a higher bite pressure than any other breed:
Also a myth. In fact, no scientific evidence exists for this, because no comprehensive study of bite pressure has ever been performed.

Pit Bulls are naturally aggressive:
Many do have a tendency to display aggression towards other dogs (a tendency that spans most terrier breeds). However, well-bred and well-raised Pit Bulls do not have a tendency for aggression towards humans - this is actually a desired trait in Pits and part of selective breeding. As an example, the all-time obedience trial record is held by Maddy, an American Pit Bull Terrier.

Pit Bulls are unpredictable:
No dog is unpredictable if you know what to look for. It is true that many Pit Bulls do not telegraph their intentions as dramatically as many other breeds, but they do give warnings. Aggression without any signs whatsoever is usually an indication of a medical issue.

Anyone looking to buy or adopt a particular breed of dog should learn about the traits of the breed before hand. With Pitties, this is probably even more true, as a Pittie owner also has to contend with society's perceptions. This manifests itself most notably in breed banning, practiced by many insurance companies and some localities.

While we've never bought into breed banning, worth noting is the fact that while Pitties have been the unfortunate victims of most of these bans, even the CDC doesn't have statistics on the breeds of dogs most likely to bite. They do list "Pit Bull-type" dogs and Rottweilers as the breeds most likely to be involved in fatal attacks, but as with any statistic, the numbers don't necessarily take into account a number of factors. How many Pit Bulls are owned? How many Rottweilers. If more houses own Pits than own, say, Afghan hounds, the Pit is obviously going to be more likely to be involved in a fatal attack than an Afghan hound. How many Pits are owned by people that don't get training for their dog? Fail to train your Min-Pin, versus fail to train your Pit. Which breed do YOU think is more likely to be involved in a fatal attack?

From my own experience growing up in a neighborhood filled with dogs, and as a trainer, I will tell you that if the CDC based its statistics on my encounters with dogs, you'd all see small fluffy white dogs banned - the bites I've received in training have come largely from Malteses, Westies, and the like. I always joke that it's not the Pits that scare me - it's the tiny harmless-looking dogs. Does that mean that all small fluffy white breeds are more dangerous? Of course not.

Some dogs are inherently more willing to enforce their intentions - usually because that's what they were bred to do. In many, this translates to a willingness to bite or otherwise use physical force if need be. A tendency to bite has a lot more to do with the owner than it does the dog. Responsible dog owners provide training and structure for their dogs, and deal with behavioral issues. Any dog can bite, and any dog will bite under the right circumstances. The simple fact is that a larger dog, like a Pit Bull, can cause far more damage than a smaller dog, say, a Teacup Yorkie.

Sadly, some of the Pit Bull's most wonderful traits have been completely ignored. Here are a few things I'll bet you didn't know (from austinlostpets.com):

Pit Bulls serve as therapy/service dogs. The Chako Rescue Association has Pit Bull therapy dogs in Texas, Utah and California. Helen Keller even had a Pit Bull as her canine companion and helper. Cheyenne and Dakota are a team of hard-working Search-and-Rescue Pit Bulls in Sacramento, California. They play an important role in their community by locating missing people in conjunction with the local Sheriff. In their off-duty hours, they do charity work as therapy dogs.

Petey, the faithful dog on the TV show, The Little Rascals, was a Pit Bull. He spent countless hours with children day after day and never hurt anyone. He was one of the most intelligent Hollywood dogs of all time.

There are quite a few celebrities who have Pit Bulls as members of their family including: Rosie Perez, The Crocodile Hunter, Judd Nelson, Usher, Alicia Silverstone, Cassandra Creech, Sinbad, John Stuart, Amy Jo Johnson, Linda Blair, Vin Diesel, and Bernadette Peters.

Pit Bulls are heroes! America's first war dog was a Pit Bull named Stubby. He earned several medals during World War I and was honored at the White House. The Ken-L-Ration dog hero of 1993 was a Pit Bull named Weela. She saved 30 people, 29 dogs, 13 horses and a cat during a flood in Southern California. A Pit Bull named Bogart saved a four-year-old child from drowning in a swimming pool in Florida. Dixie, the Pit Bull, was inducted into the Georgia Animal Hall of Fame after she saved some children from a Cottonmouth snake.

Pit Bulls are one of the most stable people-friendly dogs in existence. The National Canine Temperament Testing Association tested 122 breeds, and Pit Bulls placed the 4th highest with a 95% passing rate!

Many insurance companies are now abandoning breed banning (largely due to the impact of customer feedback and breed advocacy). For those that still do, achievement of the Canine Good Citizen designation may mitigate the ban. And as for Pitties who were fighting dogs, who many deem impossible to rehabilitate, there's no better response than this video of one of Michael Vick's former dogs - now a therapy dog (link opens in new window).

So if you're willing to consider the facts about this versatile breed rather than the suspicion and stereotyping, if you're willing to be a responsible pet owner, and if you've got a place in your heart for bully breeds, you might want to consider adding a Pittie to your family. And if you live in CT, you might find that special new friend at Hotwater Rescue.

If you're not ready to permanently adopt a new friend, how about fostering?

In any case, please consider donating to this special rescue program for misunderstood breeds.

You can visit them at http://www.hotwaterrescue.com

Friday's Furry Friend in Need

Maybel
New Britain, CT

Age: 1 year
Sex: Female
Breed: Puggle (Pug/Beagle)
Color: Fawn

About Maybel:
Maybel is a 1 year old fawn puggle. She is super friendly and full of energy, as this type of breed is. Maybel currently lives in foster with other dogs and cats as well as children and is great with all of them!! Maybel would do best at a home with a fenced in yard so she could run. She would thrive with another canine companion to play with. If you are interested in adopting Maybel, please contact Lauri at 860-622-9775. You MUST own your own home and a home visit is required prior to adoption.


For more information, visit Petfinder.

Friday's Furry Friend in Need

Friday's Furry Friend in need is a real cutie who comes from Hotwater Rescue. Hotwater is a great group of people near us who work to find good homes for some great dogs. They work with misunderstood breeds, and Mom and Dad have personally met a number of their dogs.

BUZZ
Age: 4 months approximately
Sex: Male (neutered)
Breed: APBT
Color: Black & brown brindle

From Buzz's foster mom:
I want to touch base to let you know how "Buzz" is doing. He is getting along great with all of our family members (neighbors as well) and loves to play with my lab. He is not shy at all and is super friendly. He is definitely coming into his own and developing a great personality. He has been doing well with the potty training, only having a few accidents. He is not chewing on things although he likes to take my kids stuffed animals and run away with them. Buzz has been eating very well and weighs a little over 22 pounds. He is a very healthy little puppy. I've been taking him for walks around the block to start working with having him on a leash. He does pretty good. He has learned how to sit, lay down and give paw (kind of). He loves giving kisses and running around.

Housebroken: Almost there!
Good with kids: Yes
Good with dogs: Yes
Good with cats: Yes

For more about Buzz, including adoption information, visit Hotwater Rescue

Check it out!

OK, I have looks, talent, all that, but this, I can't do:

Somebody get this guy a REALLY big cookie

De-Wackifying Update

Simba is continuing to make progress - and get bigger. He's already bigger than all of the rest of us, and he's only seven months old! He's pretty skinny, too - the vet said that she likes to see large breed dogs somewhat skinny when they're younger 'cause it helps to avoid the problems if they grow too fast.

Doesn't seem like we're avoiding growing to fast, if you ask me - it seems like he wakes up bigger every single day!

He's doing pretty good at food time now. Mom and Dad had to board him for a week so they didn't get to practice manners. He was a little growly when he came back, but he's good again now.

He knows how to SIT, WAIT, STAY, COME, DOWN, and knows "crate." He is also getting better at "Drop it." And he met Hobbes, one of the kitties. He was OK for a little while with that, but then he wanted to play with the kitty.

If he'd asked me, I'd have told him that kitties don't play like dogs do. I know from personal experience - one of Cricket's favorite games is to have me chase him, and then he chases me back, and swipes me in the butt! I don't think that part's very fun.

Mom still practices meal manners with him every time we eat, and practices all the other stuff every day, too. He knows how to stay at Mom's side when we go for walks, and he's practicing his manners when we meet new people, although he sometimes forgets.

One new thing Mom discovered is that he got scared whenever people touched the leg where he got hit with the baseball bat. I can't say I blame him for that! Mom has been practicing that for a couple of days now, and he doesn't growl anymore when she picks up that foot.

Mom let him up on the bed with her the other day, and he snuggled up and laid down on his back right next to her. Cuteness factor maxed out. Ugh. Puppies.

When he was boarding, they said that he wasn't very good for his bath; he was afraid of the dryer, and he didn't like being rinsed. Mom worked with him on the dryer, so he got over that, but she says they need to do some bath practice. I'm going to make sure I'm somewhere else when they do that, so Mom doesn't think I need one, too.

Friday's Furry Friend in Need

Meet Brewster:

8 year old. Neutered Male. Siberian Husky/Golden Retriever mix. 90 lbs. I’m a big fella and I’m looking to take it easy! I am pretty laid back and I enjoy going for walks. I know a few tricks and enjoy a nice snack! I arrived at the shelter on June 5. I was surrendered by my family because they were moving and couldn’t take me with them. I have lived with cats before and we got along fine. My previous owner said that I do not like male dogs so if your family already has a dog, a dog-to-dog introduction will be very important. I am a large dog who hasn’t lived with children before so it would be best if I went to a home with children 12 years old or older. I should not be left off leash because I was allowed to wander the neighborhood in my previous home and may still want to continue with that habit. If an easy-going guy is what you are looking for then come on down! Oh, and could you bring me a treat?

To find out more about Brewster, go here

Canine Heroes

Play Time
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Max W. Donahue plays with Paco, his military working dog, in Lahib, Iraq, June 16, 2008. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stuart Wegenka.

De-wackifying, Day 18

Simba's been doing just great. Housetraining is going really well, and he's only had two accidents in his crate the whole time he's been home.

Mom moved from the handfeeding exercises to feeding him in his crate. She can stick her hands in his bowl now, and he doesn't even make a sound. She started by tossing little bits of food into his bowl as he was eating, and then moved to making the SHHH sound to get him to lift his head out of the bowl. When he did, she'd put a little treat in the bowl, and then release him. She also sometimes takes the bowl away, and then puts a treat in, and gives it back. Now he actually seems happy when he sees a hand coming towards his bowl, or when his bowl goes away, 'cause it means he usually gets treats, or gets pet.

He will also let Mom take a toy or a bone or almost anything away from him, and he doesn't growl when one of us gets near him when he's drinking.

And the other day in daycare, he got a bag of treats, and was eating them with a few other dogs. When they took the bag away from him, he didn't growl or snap either! Pretty good.

He plays great with Bear; they're best friends now. Sometimes he still gets on my nerves, like any little brother. But Bear loves him, and never seems to get annoyed with him, even when Simba still gets a little cranky sometimes.

He does SIT and WAIT and DOWN and SHAKE and STAY (mostly) now, and walks right at Mom's side, just like he's supposed to.

Mom says he's still a little too interested in the kitties, but we're going to work on that a little later.

Friday's Furry Friend in Need

April
Hopkinton, MA

About April:
"April come", "okay but I need a belly rub first". "April want to go for a walk?" "Okay but I need a belly rub first". "April who is the best girl?", "me, me oh, but I need a belly rub first". That's our April, one big belly rub. This girl will make a great companion for a quiet couple or single person. April is not good with other dogs so she needs to be an only pet. She is about 6 yrs old. Our organization offers 24PetWatch microchips, which include free registration into the 24PetWatch pet recovery service. For more information visit www.24petwatch.com or call 1-866-597-2424. This pet also comes with 30 days of pre-paid pet health insurance. For more information please visit http://www.sheltercare.com/ or call 1-866-375-PETS.

Time for Me to Take the CGC

Today I'm taking my CGC test, and I have to admit I'm a little nervous.

CGC stands for Canine Good Citizen. It's a test that tells you how good your dog friend's manners are, and is pretty much a must for any dog looking to do therapy work.

The test has ten different parts:

1. Accepting a friendly stranger

2. Sitting politely for petting

3. Appearance and grooming

4. Out for a Walk

5. Walking Through a Crowd

6. Sit Down Stay in Place

7. Coming When Called

8. Reaction to Another Dog

9. Reaction to Distractions

10. Supervised Separation


If you pass them all, you get a certificate from the AKC! And then your Mom or Dad can buy you a patch, bandana, or even a special CGC leash to show everybody how cool you are!

Besides letting your community how good you are at manners, sometimes the CGC will allow your people to get home insurance even when you're one of those breeds that people think are always dangerous. The CGC lets people know that you know how to behave, no matter what breed you are.

I think I can do all of them, but there are a couple I'm worried about. I don't always like other dogs, especially when they're rude to me, and sometimes I get really excited when people want to pet me. Mom and Dad and I have been practicing all of the parts of the test, so hopefully I will pass. Now, if they had "chasing the laser pointer" and "finding the cookies" parts of that test, I know I'd pass!

Wish me luck!



UPDATE:
Woohoo! I got it! I got my CGC!

Canine Heroes

Check it out - another great picture of doggie Hero Freida:

PAW PALS - U.S. Army Capt. Stephen Johnson shakes the paw of Sgt. 1st Class Freida, a specialized search dog, after a re-enlistment ceremony on Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq, June 9, 2008. Johnson is commander of the 1st Armored Division's Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Michael Schuch

Friday's Furry Friend in Need

Today's Furry Friend in Need is from the same shelter Bandit got adopted from!

Sato Irving

Beagle [Mix]

Sato Irving is a male mix who was rescued through Save-A-Sato in Puerto Rico. He is about 8 months old and weighs ~ 20 lbs. Irving has been working on his leash walking with our volunteers and is doing well. He is very playful and friendly. He does well with most other dogs. Irving would do best in a home with kids 10 Sato Opal is Irving's sister For hours, availability and directions, please visit our website at www.daws.org or contact us via email at dogs@daws.org

Happy Birthday Dad!

From me, Bear, Simba, Zoe, and the rest of the zoo.

And Mom, of course.

(Just remember I posted this when it's time to pass out the ice cream)

Hi, Y'all

It's me, Simba. I am still getting used to things at my new house, but I like it so far. I was born in Tennessee, and then I got a new house up here. Tennessee was not a very nice place for me. I got my leg hit with a baseball bat and it hurt a lot. My leg is all better now, but I am glad I'm not there anymore.

I got a family up here, but I had to go somewhere else 'cause I didn't get along with the other dog there, and I guess I didn't fit in there too well. They are nice people though, and I am glad I got to stay with them for a little while. I got to see them again last weekend when my new Mom and Dad took me to this fun dog fair, where I got to go in a pool and eat ice cream, and meet all sorts of dogs like me, who ended up looking for new families. My old family was happy to see me, and they gave me all sorts of pets and told me I was being a good dog.

So now I have another new family. I like it here. I am learning all sorts of things, like SIT and STAY and WAIT and COME, and something called MANNERS.

I'm not really sure what 'manners' means exactly, but it sure seems to have a lot of sitting and waiting that comes with it. I have to SIT and WAIT for all sorts of things. I have to SIT and WAIT before I go outside, and I have to SIT and WAIT before I go inside. I have to SIT and WAIT before I can eat, and I have to SIT and WAIT before I can drink. I even have to SIT and WAIT when I come out of the crate, so my new Mom can put my collar on. And I have to SIT and WAIT for cookies, but that I don't mind so much.

There's sure a lot to learn around here.

WAIT and STAY can be confusing. They start out the same, but they're different at the end.

WAIT means that you SIT still until you get called with COME. COME is fun - you have to run as fat as you can to get to your Mom or Dad, while they make happy silly noises. Then you get pets and cuddles when you get there, and they are really happy to see you! I'm really good at COME.

STAY means that you SIT or DOWN (which I don't like as much). You have to stay very still until they come back and say a special word that means you can get up. My special word is FREE. Any time I have to STAY, I know I have to be still until Mom or Dad says the word FREE. Sometimes I forget, though, and get up to early. I know I got up to early when Mom or Dad say SHHHH, and put me back where I was. STAY isn't as fun as WAIT and COME, but your people are really happy when you do it right.

You have to pay attention to everything, too, 'cause they only tell you what to do once. If you don't do it right away, they say SHHHH and you know that you should hurry up and SIT or DOWN.

And I'm learning to share. I don't think share is very fun, but I guess it's part of that Manners thing. I share toys most of the time now, and Bear and I get to play with toys every day. I am not so sure about this food thing, though.

I guess I wasn't doing my manners when I was eating before I got here, because Mom and I are spending a lot of time with how I eat. I have to SIT and WAIT before I eat my breakfast or dinner, and Mom used to make me eat all of it very slowly, little bits at a time, out of her hand. Now I eat out of my bowl, but only a little at a time. When I finish that, Mom makes me SIT and WAIT again, and then I get more! I used to eat really fast, but Mom kept saying SHHHH, so I am eating more slowly now.

I used to be real scared when I ate that someone would take my food away. I did my best to growl and hold onto my bowl and bite and eat real fast so I could keep everybody away from it. Mom taught me that manners means you don't growl and bite when you eat, and you have to let your people pick up your bowl - when Mom picks up my bowl, it usually means I'm getting more food - Yay!

I am still not sure about the other dogs, though. Right now, I eat and drink all by myself, but sometimes the other dogs are near me. Mom says SHHHH when I growl, so I guess she doesn't think they are gonna steal my food or water, but I'm still not so sure.

Anyway, I have my very own crate, and my very own toys, and I have new brothers and a sister. Zoe is my older sister; she kind of acts like a Mom sometimes. Bandit is my oldest brother, and he's fun but he sometimes barks or corrects me to let me know I'm not doing something right. And Bear is a little less than a year older than I am. He's lots of fun and we play as much as Mom lets me. We do wrestling games and tug games and all sorts of stuff.

And I even got to go on a trip this weekend - we went to a place where Bear and Bandit and me and my Aunt Wendy's dog friends got to run around and play. Bandit was jumping up to catch water from the hose - I don't like the hose. It's scary. Besides the hose, though, we had a really good time. Bear and Bandit got a bath afterwards - yuck! I didn't have to have one, and I'm glad, 'cause I don't like baths.

Oh, AND I had to go see the vet last week. That was OK. Bear says he doesn't like the vet's but Bandit does. Zoe doesn't like it either. I'm with Bandit. It's kinda fun there, and they give you treats. I got checked all over, and weighed, and they gave me two shots which weren't fun but they didn't even hurt. And you get to go in the car to get there and back. I like the car.

Anyway, I wrote a lot and now I'm tired, so I think I'll take my nap.

See y'all later!

Friday's Furry Friend in Need

Jasper

PLEASE HELP JASPER FIND A HOME!!! Poor Jasper was abandoned and found running around on Interstate 20 in Dallas, Texas in June. He was picked up by a truck driver, but she is obviously unable to keep him, as driving around in a truck is no life for wonderful Jasper. He is only about 1.5 years old, and weighs about 55 pounds. He is a VERY sweet and friendly dog, and will give you kisses on the mouth if you bend down to talk to him. He does not get along with dominant dogs, but he might be okay with very submissive dogs. He is probably not good with cats. He walks well on a leash. Jasper is quite strong, and tends to jump up and likes to mouth hands. He needs a dominant owner who will continue his training and be firm with him and not allow him to jump up, etc. He is too strong to be in a household with small children. He is crate-trained, and needs to stay in a crate or a kennel when he is unsupervised because he chews on things. Jasper has been neutered and vaccinated. PLEASE help Jasper to find a forever home!!!


Jasper is in a shelter in CT. More information, and more pictures, here

De-wackifying, Day 2

Simba had a pretty good day yesterday, except for one little glitch I would like to discuss.

When we were eating yesterday, Mom was getting Simba out of his crate to go eat his dinner. Well, I guess puppies can get pretty slippery, 'cause he got past Mom and ran to MY spot - and started stealing MY dinner! Well, let me tell you, I was so shocked I didn't know what to do. I just looked at Mom. MY DINNER!

Mom got him out of there right away, and he grumbled a little at her but didn't do anything else, which Mom says was really good. Really good?! He ate a whole bunch of my dinner! After Mom was done feeding him, she gave me some more to make up for what naughty Simba stole, so I guess it was OK.

He went to the vet's yesterday - I think he's going to tell you about that later.

This morning, Mom fed him by hand and put food in his bowl while he was eating again. She said he was pretty good, and that he ate a little slower this morning than yesterday. That's a good thing, 'cause when he was eating yesterday, he was eating REALLY fast.

He hasn't met the kitties yet, but he's being more friendly to us.

I just hope he doesn't eat my dinner again.

De-wackifying, Day 1

Simba came home last night, and me, Zoe, and Bear all said hi.

He was a little nervous about things, and he got a little grumpy, but he went to bed like he was supposed to, and we all got a good night's sleep.

Mom was real happy that he had a clean crate this morning, and he peed and pooped outside. He was nicer to us this morning, too, except for grumping at Bear a little when he walked by Simba's crate while Simba was chewing on one of his toys.

Mom has been working with him about food for the past couple of weeks, so while we all ate our breakfast in our spots, she took Simba out in the kitchen to have his.

Mom started with the bowl in her lap, and Simba had to sit down and wait until she was ready to give him his breakfast. She fed him most of the food a few bits at a time, with him sitting and waiting each time, and he had to be gentle when he took it out of her hand. Then mom left a little bit of food in the bowl, and added a few bits at a time to the bowl by hand.

Mom says he was really good - didn't get growly or crazy or anything.

She says he's still a little unsure about everything around here, but she still has all her fingers so it's a pretty good start so far.

Me, I'm just chilling in the living room and taking a nap on the couch.

Meet My New Little Brother

What a ham. He's five months old, and nobody's really sure what kind of dog he is. I met him the other day, and basically, he's an annoying little brother. He kept following me around all over the place. He and Bear should get along, 'cause all they want to do is play.

Mom and Dad say Simba has "issues." No surprise to me. He was adopted by a nice family, but he had to look for a new one because he gets a little weird about food and toys.

Well, a lot weird, actually. He gets all growly and stuff, like that's all the food he's ever going to get. I guess he didn't learn that people were nice when he was little.

When the nice people who help doggies find new homes first found him, some really mean person had hit him with a baseball bat. One of his back legs was broken. I can't imagine anybody being mean enough to do that! Anyway, when he got his new home, he was doing OK, but he started being really wacky around food, growling and snapping and all sorts of crazy stuff. Mom and Dad and my Aunt Wendy all help teach dogs not to be naughty, and they started teaching Simba not to be so wacky. Mom says he's doing much better now, but the first family who took him couldn't keep him, 'cause there's a little boy living there and Simba doesn't know how not to be wacky.

So anyway, Simba needs a special home where there are people who know how to help teach him to be nice when he's eating - and how not to hog all the toys. That's where we come in. He's coming home tomorrow, and I'll be telling you about how things are going with the de-wackifying.

Until then, here are some things to make sure to do with your new little doggie friend, so you can help him or her start learning how to be good:

Buy a Crate!
I'm not in my crate much anymore at all - at least not with the door shut. But I still always eat in my crate, and I go there when I need some private space, like when Bear wants to play and I don't. Crates are a great way to keep a puppy out of trouble, and they help him or her feel safe - it's like our own personal den.

Your new puppy friend should be in his crate whenever someone isn't watching him. That way, you can help teach him not to piddle in the house, and you don't have to worry about him eating something he shouldn't. Take it from me, puppies like to chew on everything.

Which brings me to my next point...

Chew Toys!
Puppies need to chew. When they're teething, chewing helps make their mouths stop hurting. And when they get their new big-dog teeth, puppies need to set the teeth in the jaw. That means - you guessed it - more chewing. Petstages Orka toys and West Paw Design's Hurleys are Mom and Dad's (and my) favorite chew toys. Pet Stages also has some really great toys that people can put in the freezer so puppies can chew on something cold.

Don't let your puppy chew on anything you don't want a grown-up dog to chew on. For instance, don't let a puppy chew on an old shoe if you don't him chewing on a new one - or if you don't want your grown-up dog chewing on shoes.

Be careful of plastic and rawhide chews - make sure that any plastic or rubber toys specifically say "non-toxic," and you might want to stay away from toys made in China. Mom says that's tough, but there are toys you can find that are made right here in the U.S.A.

Rawhide can get stuck in a dog's tummy, which is not fun.

It's a good idea not to leave your puppy unsupervised with any toy he can destroy while you're gone. And make sure to check toys often for signs of wear.

Set the Rules from the Start!
One of the mistakes people make with puppies is giving them too much attention. Me, I don't think you can get too much attention, but Mom and Dad say that you have to set the rules right away - especially the Big Three:

1. No Jumping. It might look cute when he's five pounds, but that 200 pound Mastiff isn't going to be as cute when he jumps on grandma.

2. No Biting. Puppies need to learn right away that people aren't OK to chew on. What looks like play can hurt a lot from a big dog. Puppies need to learn right from the start that their teeth should never, ever touch people.

3. Poop and Pee Outside. Remember that puppies haven't learned how to hold it yet, and they have to have help to learn. Make sure that you use a crate divider so that your puppy has just enough room to lie down, and turn around. No more. No dog likes to pee or poop where he has to sleep, so if you don't give the puppy room to get away from it if he does, he's going to hold it.

You also have to make sure to take the puppy outside often enough so that you make it easier for him not to have accidents.

Puppies can, most of the time, hold it for one hour per month of age, plus one. So a four month old puppy can hold it for about five hours.

Puppies should also go outside to pee or poop:
- when they wake up
- after eating / drinking
- after a short amount of playing

If you work all day, like my Mom or Dad, you should come back at lunchtime if possible to let the puppy out - or consider having someone come and help. Lucky for Mom and Dad, they work at different times, so Mom can take Simba out before she leaves, and Dad can do it when he comes home. Other than that, Simba is going to be in his crate during the day.

Remember to be patient; puppies need time to learn. And don't correct a puppy for peeing in the house if you don't catch him while he's doing it. We dogs don't understand what we're in trouble for if you don't catch us in the act.

Setting the rules from the start helps your puppy grow up knowing how to behave, and avoids trouble later on. We dogs are happier when we know the rules, rather than having to try and figure them out for ourselves, or worse - making up our own.

So anyway, my little brother is coming home tomorrow - I'll keep you updated.

He is so not getting my bone - or my space on the bed.

Baby Pictures

Check these out - was I cute or what?

My first Mom and Dad were nice enough to send these along to Mom and Dad when I got adopted.

Just under 4 months old and cute as a button!

Me practicing my earliest "Are you gonna eat that?" look

4 1/2 months old

Friday's Furry Friend in Need

Hi everybody!

When I go to class, or to daycare, I see lots of those pure-bread dogs. I'm not really sure what bread has to do with dogs, but they sure are pretty. Anyway, me, Bandit, and Zoe aren't pure-bread dogs, but I think we're just as nice-looking as those other dogs.

Talking with my friends at daycare, I found out that there are lots of us who were adopted from places where nice people help dogs who don't have people to take care of them and give them treats. Me, Zoe, and Bandit are all adopted. Mom and Dad found out about Bandit and Zoe at a website called Petfinder.

Anyway, there are lots of pets out there needing homes, and you could bring one of them home instead of one of those pure-bread dogs. Or get two, and then you can have two friends!

Each Friday, I'm going to bring you a dog-friend who needs some people-friends to give him or her a home. Here's this Friday's furry friend who needs a home:

Mitch

Providence, RI

Mitch's story...

Mitch is a big boy who is looking for some love. He's a brindle mush-bug who loves when people come over to his kennel and talk to him. He has a deep bark, but only uses it to get your attention. Mitch seems like the kind of dog who would be in heaven taking up cushion-and-a-half of your couch. PLEASE REFER TO LOG # 251 WHEN INQUIRING ABOUT MITCH. For more current information on the availability of an animal, please call Animal Control (401) 243-6040 between 11 - 3. Please refer to animals by their log number rather than their name. You must go to the shelter to arrange an adoption in person. No adoptions can be arranged over the phone or by Internet. Shelter hours are Monday - Saturday, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM - closed holidays.


You can see more information about Mitch at 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com

Canine Heroes

Check out this great picture of a doggie Hero at work:

CANINE FREIDA - U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Springmann works with his specialized search dog, Sgt. 1st Class Freida, as they look for weapons caches during an operation in Naba Safi Village, Iraq, on May 22, 2008. Springmann is assigned to the 89th Military Police Brigade, 178th Military Police Detachment. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. David J. Marshall

Having Fun

This is me checkin' out a bug on our walk break. That's my water bowl and Dad's feet in the background. I love walks. Mom and Dad take me to this really cool place where we can walk around the water, play soccer with acorns, and look for squirrels.

Make sure your dog gets plenty of chances to go for walks - Mom says a tired dog is a good dog! I have to make sure to stay right at Mom or Dad's side for the first and last ten minutes of the walk, but in the middle I get some time to just sniff around and have fun. That's definitely my favorite part!

Thunderstorms

Mom says that we're going to get thunderstorms today. I have never liked thunderstorms.

They used to really, really scare me, but I'm much better now.

When Mom and Dad first found me at the animal shelter, it was thundering, and they could see how scared I was. The nice lady at the shelter told them that when they found me, it was after a big thunderstorm. I had a broken rope around my neck (and it was really hurting me 'cause it was tight - I still have a scar!) from where I broke it trying to run away from the thunderstorm.

I know a lot of dogs are afraid of thunderstorms, and sometimes their well-meaning people can actually do more harm than good. Most humans try to pet us and tell us that everything is OK.

Did you know doing that actually makes us more scared??

We dogs know that you humans pet us and talk nice to us when we do something good. We know we don't get pet when we're doing something we're not supposed to do. So when we're acting scared, and you pet us, you're actually saying "Good Buster, be scared." And when you get all worried about us, it's really scary - if you're worried, we're even more worried.

So the best thing for you to do if your dog friend is scared in thunderstorms is to just act normally. If we're doing something we shouldn't, like whining, or barking, or chewing, tell us we shouldn't, just like always. If we're trying to go somewhere we shouldn't, don't let us. If you don't act like we should be scared, that helps us realize that we don't need to be.

And if your dog friend is acting so scared that you think he or she might either hurt themselves, or get lost, or damage something, you should call a dog behaviorist who can help you show them they don't need to be scared.

Don't get me wrong - I still don't like thunderstorms, not even a little. But now that I know that I shouldn't be quite so scared of them, I'm a lot calmer.

Memorial Day

For Memorial Day, I thought I'd tell you about two Marine Heroes; one a human, and one a German Shepherd.

Cpl. Dustin Lee was killed in a mortar attack in Fallujah, Iraq, in March of last year. While he lay on the ground, his partner Lex, a German Shepherd, refused to leave him, even though Lex was also badly injured. Other Marines had to pull Lex away so that the medics could reach his human friend and partner.

Lex even attended Cpl. Lee's funeral, spending some time with Dustin's brother. Later, Lex, still with shrapnel inside him from that awful day, returned to duty with the Marines. But on December 21, 2007, the Marine Corps officially retired Lex, who was sent to live with Cpl. Lee's family.

This is what they said at the ceremony where he was formally turned over to the Lee family:

"This is to certify that military working dog Lex, having served faithfully and honorably, was discharged from the United States Marine Corps on this 21st day of December 2007."

It was the first time that a military working dog was ever discharged early from the U.S. Marine Corps.

You can read more about Lex and Cpl. Lee here and here, and see an interview with his family here.

Hairballs

There's a lot about kitties I don't understand.

Take hairballs, for instance.

Hairballs must be pretty yucky as far as people are concerned. I'm only guessing, but judging by the sounds that Mom made when she stepped on one last night, I'm figuring that hairballs and people don't go well together.

I'll have to watch more closely where I walk around here.

Someone tell me...

...why this was a problem?



I mean, really. People pay good money to have old carpet removed. And I did it for free! I did that the first day Mom let me out of that crate for the day. She says I "sassed" her when she told me I was a bad puppy:

I was just trying to explain the value of free carpet removal, honest. Besides, this was WAY more fun than playing with all those toys. That was over a year ago. I guess they still don't get it, though, 'cause they weren't happy when I taught Bear to do it the other day.


Silly humans.

Hi!

Welcome to my blog! This is my very first post.

Not very exciting, but I'm just getting the hang of this whole technology thing. Actually, Mom's doing it, and I'm just observing. All of the setup stuff seems pretty boring, so I'll wait 'til we get to the good bits.

Cut me some slack - I'm a dog.