"Just a dog"

The author is unknown but I felt these words should be passed along in a time when dogs are abandoned, used for target practice and treated so inhumanely. 


From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog”, or, “that’s a lot of money for just a dog”. They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for “just a dog”. Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog”. Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog”, but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you, too, think it’s “just a dog”, then you will probably understand phases like “just a friend”, “just a sunrise”, or “just a promise”. “Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. “Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person. Because of “just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. “Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not “just a dog” but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a human.” So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog”, just smile, because they “just don’t understand”.”

News

So I thought I would update everyone on what happened last weekend. We had 4 days of dog shows. The weather on the cape for the first 3 days  was beautiful, the only problem was I forgot my sunscreen and got quite a burn on my lips!!!! However Alex's win was well worth it. He was the Winners Dog and Best of Winners and earned 4 more points towards his championship. He mow only needs 3 points and he's only 14 months old.
Tipper waited until Sunday when it it cold and windy to finish her championship. She also earned 4 points. After months of Tipper being kept on a short leash while she recovered from her pulled muscle she was able to run again. It was fun to see all my dog friends from as far away as Maryland. So we had a great weekend with great food, friends and fun.

How much Should You Pay for A Dog Toy?

Millions and millions of dollars are spent every year on dog toys, many of them not lasting more than a few hours once they get into the paws of our dogs.
The pet stores are filled with toys that capture our imagination but not necessarily our dogs.
How many of us remember seeing a child play with pots, pans, wooden spoons and tupperware? Well dogs are very similar. One of their favorite toys are empty plastic drink bottles. The cackling noise when a dog chomps on the bottle and the ability to experience the bottle with their mouths is pure enjoyment. Some smart entrepreneur designed a soft plush toy that can have a plastic water bottle inserted inside the skin. Sounded like a great idea but the dog really prefers the feel of the plastic in their mouth so, they tear the skin right off ruining the $12 toy!

The reality is a dog likes nothing better than a stick or even a clump of weed. Just like kids there is nothing better than a found treasure to a dogs way of thinking. Except maybe for a tennis ball!

Bright Orange Cheese Balls

Like anything else there is a wealth of knowledge out there for training your dog. I recently read "When Pigs Fly"In this book Jane uses the dogs natural behaviors to train a dog. I was intrigued by the "Cheese Ball Recall' so I am off to the grocery store in search of the giant barrel of cheese balls.

Margaux is going to be my guinea pig. She comes when she gets around to it where as her litter mate comes immediately.

The exercise seems pretty straight forward throw a bright orange cheese ball so it's easy to see and hopefully Margaux will run to it. As she does I run away from her, you need to keep watching the dog because as soon as she looks back in your direction you click and when she gets to you you treat. Seems pretty simple! You just keep repeating the exercise. Margaux should begin to think she is choosing to come. I'll let you know  next week how we make out. So far the basic exercises have worked, especially "charging" the clicker. I highly recommend the book "When Pigs Fly" by Jane Killion.

Nature & Nurture

I recently saw a movie on face book about a lab mix female in a shelter who had lost her puppies and adopted and raised a litter of kittens. It was pretty amazing to see the natural instinct despite human intervention take over.
While watching the interaction of a group of my dogs &Sit Stay & Play, I found the subtle behaviors of the dogs very intriguing. There are 4 bitches in this group, 2 lab puppies Bailey & Margaux, litter mates about 18 weeks old, a 16 week old fox terrier mix named Kyah and a lab chow 2 1/2 year old named Emma. Emma and & Kyah live together.
Bailey, Margaux and Kyah are coming into the age where they all want to be the alpha dog. Through their puppy play they make attempts to enforce their dominance over each other. While they all play with Emma they never push the envelope but when Bailey & Margaux get carried away with their play, Emma trots over to them and just stands there, and like magic they stop their escalating play.
When Kyah tries to enforce her dominance over the labs, Emma immediately grabs Kyah by the skin and tells her in no uncertain terms there is 1 boss in this group and I am it.
Being a rescue I'm not sure if Emma ever had a litter of puppies but to see her natural instincts at work is quite amazing. Firm and gentle with some very pesty puppies. "Good Job" Emma.

Karacters are Welcome....

And Kyah is definitely a character. Kyah who is a sister to Emma is also adopted. When dealing with dogs it's always a plus if you know what breed or what breeds might be behind the dog because genetics always play a role in behavior. Searching the AKC website it looks to me as though Kyah was Toy Fox Terrier and???? not sure what else.
She is a very funny dog, when she plays with Emma she eventually submits and allows Emma to drag her around, but when she is out with the Lab puppies, Kyah is the BOSS no ifs, ands or buts. The labs who are probably 3 times Kyah's size roll over like little bowls of jelly.
Now keep in mind that Kyah being part terrier has more energy than the energizer bunny and she can't seem to understand why the Labs don't. They chase her around in there lumbering gait for about 10 minutes and then they are falling into there holes for a rest. They can't even come close to catching Kyah. I get exhausted just watching her run and jumps with the little springs attached to her feet and sprint around corners all the while staying ahead of the other dogs. She's kind of like that little hyperactive kids who is always pushing he other kids for more action! Totally entertaining and I can count on Kyah to make sure everyone has had their exercise for the day. She is a pretty little thing with dark round eyes, nice feet a long ringlet tail and ears that sometimes stand straight up like a bat and sometimes flop right over. Another lucky dog saved by a family that had lots of love to give her and a very patient Emma who is teaching her how to be a good dog.