I hope you all have been having a great time this weekend. It's a long weekend and like many other people, we are away for a few days. I am seeing a lot of dogs in the hotel this weekend.
I wanted to post some quick, point form tips for you and your dogs to remember when vacationing with your dogs.
- Don't keep your dog on an extenda-leash when in the lobby ... it is a real pain in theass to be trying to carry bags and figure out where rooms are with a little dog running out in front and tripping people
- Don't let your dog go up to everyone and say hello. There are people who don't like dogs and who are afraid of them - RESPECT their thoughts, fears and opinions. It's not like I'm putting a spider on your clothing against your protestations and telling you not to swat at it because she's "friendly"
- You are in an unfamiliar place and your dog may not feel totally comfortable asking to go for potty breaks. Make sure you take him or her out regularly to set them up for success and not for housetraining accidents!
- Ensure you have up to date information with your current phone number ON THE DOG. If your dog gets scared by a bus's airbrakes or something going off that it's not used to and takes off, you need to ensure he or she will find their way back to you.
- MICROCHIP
- Barking dogs in hotels are just rude. If your dog is a barker when in an unfamiliar place, leave him at home until you've cleared that training hurdle.
- Remember, you are required to take the dog with you whenever you leave the room. That means you need to preplan everything you do to accomodate.
- HAVE FUN. You can get some good quality time in with your dog that will help you to strengthen the bond between you so go out, take your dog with you and have a great time!
Vacationing with your dog can be a fun and rewarding experience, but don't make it a negative thing for everyone around you. They are guests of the hotel too and have the right to enjoy their vacation just as much as you do.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Post Exchange - Dogs Hate Michael Vick
Ok, I had to share this site. I originally found it when I was checking my drops inbox on Entrecard. If nothing else, Entrecard has let me to a few different neat blogs that I wouldn't have found otherwise! I just wish there was enough time in the day to read them all AND get my work done!
It's not really something I would normally pass on through this blog, but it made me laugh so much looking at some of the pictures that I thought you would all enjoy it too.
http://dogshatemichaelvick.com/
Hope your long weekend has started off great!
It's not really something I would normally pass on through this blog, but it made me laugh so much looking at some of the pictures that I thought you would all enjoy it too.
http://dogshatemichaelvick.com/
Hope your long weekend has started off great!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Featured Rescue - Zeta the Belgian Malinois
There are 208 Belgian Malinois available today on Petfinder. This is a really neat, multipurpose breed. A friend of mine had a Malinois as one of their many junkyard dogs when we were growing up (they owned a scrapyard and always had five or six dogs). Of all their dogs, the Malinois was always the most interesting one to watch. She thought things through ... you could see her watching and thinking about whatever was going on, then you could see the exact instant where she figured it out. So neat to watch but she really would have done well doing something more than simply guarding ...
AKC standards page says "One of the four types of Belgian sheepherding dogs, the Belgian Malinois is an alert, high-energy breed, popular as both a police and military working dog. Although sometimes mistaken for the German Shepherd Dog, the Malinois is more elegant in build and lighter-boned, but does not lack for strength, agility or herding ability. Active participants in conformation, obedience, schutzhund, herding, sledding, and tracking, the breed ranges in color from rich fawn to mahogany, with black tips on the hairs and a 
black mask and ears."
black mask and ears."This is Zeta. She is 8 months old and already trying to herd the cats in her foster home. She is house- and crate-trained. Zeta is currently in Ohio looking for her forever home.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
When You Get a Dog ...
Perusing through CL always gives me ideas (some aren't very nice) and makes me want to bang my head on the closest hard surface in frustration. I see dog owners getting rid of their dogs after they tire of them (or are unable to train them) all the time. Unlike most people out there, I foster some of them and you know what?
I watch those dogs go through the saddest time of their life and the deepest depression you could ever imagine when they come to the realization that their loved ones ... their family ... are not coming to rescue them or take them home.
Dogs bark. They bark more when they're bored or scared or lonesome. Sometimes they bark aggressively at people, animals or objects. You need to accept that this is part of having a dog and it is your job as the owner to teach them when it is and is not appropriate to bark.
Dogs pee and poop. Get used to it because they aren't going to stop doing this unless you stop feeding them (please don't stop to try this out if you already have a dog). The bright side? You can teach them the advantages to doing their "business" outside where and when you would like, but it takes a bit of effort on your part.
Dogs need exercise. This includes (but is not limited to) a walk off the property for an hour and a half a day... regardless of weather ... this is minimum. Have I recently told you that "A Tired Dog Is A Good Dog"? This is my mantra ... I live by it.
Dogs need training. This includes obedience classes and a bit of effort on your part. You will find that if you follow through with the training, you will be pleased with its results. Obedience classes will help teach you the basics. Even people who have had dogs "all their life" should consider taking their dog to a class - it's a good experience for your dog and good brush up for you if nothing else. The classes aren't for you - they are for your dog. You may "know it all" but your dog doesn't.
Dogs need socialization and training in different locations so they are used to people, kids, and other things like dogs, bikes, shopping carts etc. Again, this is a basic requirement to having a dog. It's not that hard! Take them for a walk through a park, a parking lot and a shopping centre - hey, it could be part of your 1.5 hour walk in the evening with your dog!
Dogs have medical emergencies. Normally this occurs when your vet is closed (though the emergency clinic up the road is quite happy to take your money). You should ALWAYS have a bit of money stashed away for emergencies.
Dogs are not solitary animals. (Frogs are.) If you want an animal you don't have to spend time with, don't get a dog. Plain and simple. Social interaction is one of the basic needs of a dog and must be fulfilled for the dog to be healthy and happy. If you don't, you WILL have behavioural problems.
When you buy a puppy from Petland, you are not "rescuing" it. You are lining the pockets of the Puppy Mills and encouraging them to continue. Congratulations, you have just supported Puppy Mills.
Don't buy from a Back Yard Breeder. It is a great way to get a dog that is not healthy (disease, genetics, temperament or all of these) and keeps people breeding dogs for money in business. So if you're looking for a sickly dog with weird temperament issues and a gimp, then you would have gone to the right place.
Dogs are not supposed to be aggressive/protective with their food, toys or any other thing. This is not something that you should encourage. Someone will get hurt. It may not be today and it may not be tomorrow, but it will happen.
I watch those dogs go through the saddest time of their life and the deepest depression you could ever imagine when they come to the realization that their loved ones ... their family ... are not coming to rescue them or take them home.
Here are a few things to remember the next time you decide to get a dog ...
Dogs bark. They bark more when they're bored or scared or lonesome. Sometimes they bark aggressively at people, animals or objects. You need to accept that this is part of having a dog and it is your job as the owner to teach them when it is and is not appropriate to bark.
Dogs pee and poop. Get used to it because they aren't going to stop doing this unless you stop feeding them (please don't stop to try this out if you already have a dog). The bright side? You can teach them the advantages to doing their "business" outside where and when you would like, but it takes a bit of effort on your part.
Dogs need exercise. This includes (but is not limited to) a walk off the property for an hour and a half a day... regardless of weather ... this is minimum. Have I recently told you that "A Tired Dog Is A Good Dog"? This is my mantra ... I live by it.
Dogs need training. This includes obedience classes and a bit of effort on your part. You will find that if you follow through with the training, you will be pleased with its results. Obedience classes will help teach you the basics. Even people who have had dogs "all their life" should consider taking their dog to a class - it's a good experience for your dog and good brush up for you if nothing else. The classes aren't for you - they are for your dog. You may "know it all" but your dog doesn't.
Dogs need socialization and training in different locations so they are used to people, kids, and other things like dogs, bikes, shopping carts etc. Again, this is a basic requirement to having a dog. It's not that hard! Take them for a walk through a park, a parking lot and a shopping centre - hey, it could be part of your 1.5 hour walk in the evening with your dog!
Dogs have medical emergencies. Normally this occurs when your vet is closed (though the emergency clinic up the road is quite happy to take your money). You should ALWAYS have a bit of money stashed away for emergencies.
Dogs are not solitary animals. (Frogs are.) If you want an animal you don't have to spend time with, don't get a dog. Plain and simple. Social interaction is one of the basic needs of a dog and must be fulfilled for the dog to be healthy and happy. If you don't, you WILL have behavioural problems.
When you buy a puppy from Petland, you are not "rescuing" it. You are lining the pockets of the Puppy Mills and encouraging them to continue. Congratulations, you have just supported Puppy Mills.
Don't buy from a Back Yard Breeder. It is a great way to get a dog that is not healthy (disease, genetics, temperament or all of these) and keeps people breeding dogs for money in business. So if you're looking for a sickly dog with weird temperament issues and a gimp, then you would have gone to the right place.
Dogs are not supposed to be aggressive/protective with their food, toys or any other thing. This is not something that you should encourage. Someone will get hurt. It may not be today and it may not be tomorrow, but it will happen.
People who ignore these basic facts are dooming their dog to the eventuality of abandonment. Don't let it happen to your dog.
If you have family or friends that are interested in getting a dog, it is your responsibility to ensure they understand what they are getting into.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Milestone ... 300 posts
This is my 300th post!Yikes. How crazy is that, eh? Who knew that I had so much to say? Ok, maybe my husband ... and maybe my coworkers ... and maybe the rest of my family ... and maybe everyone else around me ...
Ok. Ok. I get it. I talk a lot. I have a lot to say. Sorry. Sometimes I get so busy ranting that I go off on a tangent ... it's just because I have so much to say that it all comes out and doesn't always make sense. Throughout the posts in this blog I have tried my best to stay on topic ... sometimes that works ... and other times it doesn't.
To mark this very special occasion, I will break the rules and not say anything ranty and I will post something totally opposite ... My poopsie-poo is the very-bestest-doggie in the entire barky-world ... pah. Who am I kidding? I am no more able to post something gushy than I am able to put my dog in a stroller and walk it around town ... it's too far out of character for me.
Here's hoping that my next 300 posts will be as informative and entertaining as the first.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Monthly Followup August
Monthly Followup
Is it September already? Good grief! Where did the summer go? Did it miss us? Anyway, I'll try to recap and followup this month as best I can ...
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Dog Owner Fined
Per the News Reel - Ontario Dog Owner Fined, an Ontario woman has been fined $14,000 after being found guilty of libelling a commercial dog breeder online.
What does this mean for you and me? You are responsible not only for what you say but also for what you type and post. Think before you act.
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Phoenix Updates
Do you remember the Neglected dog in 'horrific condition'? This was the Chow Chow that was found with bald patches, open and bleeding sores, and ridiculously long nails. Below to the left is a new picture of him - you will notice that he is looking a lot better and is on his way to recovery.
I pondered in my post about him what would happen to him. Would he recover physically? If he did, would he pass the SAFER test? Perhaps I should have wondered if he had life threatening pre-existing medical conditions ...
Here's an excerpt from the Humane Society of Durham Region's web page:
Phoenix has started to show some signs of feeling a bit better. He is eating well and going outside for regular bowel movements. He even barked for the first time today. We finally got confirmation of his specialist appointment today and he will be going next Monday to have the cancer on his tongue checked out. Unfortunately that was the earliest appointment we could get. We will know more about what if anything can be done to treat the cancer after that appointment. In the meantime we are continuing to treat the other issues he has by building up his immune system and trying to clear up his infections. We have received test results confirming the presence of cancer cells on Phoenix's tongue. We are planning to transfer him to a specialist to determine the next course of treatment or other options that are in his best interest. His skin condition has been diagnosed and it has been determined that it should respond well to medical treatment-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Top Commenters
Since I will be posting Top Droppers from Entrecard, I will only be posting the top 3 commenters. This month's top 3 commenters are:mytwh
GoLightly author of GoLightly - Fiction and GoLightly Fiction, BeginningToEnd
giantspeckledchihuahua author of ummm...
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Entrecard
Well, I'm new at this whole Entrecard thing. I put the widgit on this blog in the middle of August to test it out and see if it was worth it.
I have noticed a lot of people post their top droppers for the past month as a sort of thank you for stopping by. I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon for this one ... so here are my top droppers for August:
BeadedTail
Sader's Pet Pix
Travelin' With Marie
A lil Enchanted
Life With Roxxymetal
Ask Ms Recipe
A Kitty Named Reese
Revelations Zero
Stunned By Stone
Woodworker blog
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