Mom’s friend Angelica brought over some surprises for my mom yesterday. She also brought me some yummy snacks that her dog Leo doesn’t like. But, my favorite gift of all was the bag she brought everything in. Gracie Lynn seemed to like it too.
This post is going to be a bit locally centered, so, if you’re a reader of mine (and I know I don’t have many, but I have enough) and you live close to my area (you know who you are), listen up.
My mom recently received an e-mail (for you not tech savvy dogs out there, that’s like a computer version of the paper stuff that the evil mailman delivers) from the volunteer coordinator at the Humane Society of Knox County. They are in need of volunteers to help clean the cat area (toys, cages, boxes, dishes, and so on) on Saturdays and Sundays (8 to9, 10 to 11, and/or 3 to 4). The staff is so busy cleaning, they don’t have enough time to take care of other important matters. So, if you have any time to offer, please consider helping out.The Humane Society is also hold a fundraiser called the Fur ‘n Foliage walk on Saturday (the 26th). Collect pledges and take your pup on a fun romp through Thomaston. I know I’m going to be there! It all starts at 10 o’clock and after the walk there will be fun activities like a pet and owner look alike contest and pictures with Santa Paws (he’s that jolly old elf that delivers yummy treats to all the good pups on Christmas). All the pledge and registration money goes toward the Humane Society.
I felt it was a time for a change, so I had my mom mess around with my blog for a bit. What do you think?
The past couple of days have been extremely stressful. Last month, we had a very large take over by the all around icky bug known as the flea.
Ew!
We thought everything was safe once everyone was Frontlined and fancy free, but it seems that the fleas are back and meaner than ever. My mom and nanny are very up on keeping Gracie Lynn, Harry and I clean and free from infestation. We get Frontline (this goopy stuff my mom gets from my doggy doctor that keeps fleas and ticks away for a month) and thoroughly flea combed, but for some reason, the fleas will not go away. It’s making all of us miserable, but things seem to be clearing up.
Here are some helpful tips on staying flea free:
+ Clean, clean, clean. For every flea that you find on your fur children there are around thirty more in your home. Clean everything from the carpets to the floors. Beds to couches. Also wash all of your pets blankets and beds too.
+ Add some brewers yeast to your pup’s diet (teaspoon for a small dog and cats, a tablespoon for pups over 50 pounds). It makes a certain odor that fleas don’t like (it also helps make a shiny coat). Be careful though, if your fur babes show any sign of allergic reaction, stop using the yeast.
+ Daily combing with a flea comb (this is the one my mom uses).
There are definitely more options one can take when trying to reign in fleas. You can go organic or not, professional or do-it-yourself. I just listed a few things my mom does. You can always chat up your doggy’s doctor or your favorite little dog supply shop owner and get advice from them.
There is a common human error that sometimes really confuses me. I don’t understand why there seems to be a target on specific types of pooches, mainly the pit bull. Now, I have met many pit bulls in my year and four months of living and none of them have come off as being the scary monster that many humans make them out to be. My mom has tried to explain why some people are afraid, mainly being that there have been a rare amount of attacks that have been placed on the well muscled shoulders of the breed. But these dogs, she said, are put into the wrong human’s hands as puppies. It’s really not the dog’s fault, it’s the people that adopt them.
Like any dog, pit bulls need the proper exercise, socialization, and training. I have met plenty of pups, one specific tiny, fuzzy pooch comes to mind, that have been far more vicious than any pit bull I have met. And it’s the same thing, they don’t get proper stimulation (walks, fetch, meeting new people, play time, and so on) through out the day and they also aren’t trained in their manners. Now, I know I don’t have the best manners in the dog world. I like to steal food and jump on people. But, for the minute my mom got me, nipping, biting, and any roughness that some pups are prone to do was not allowed. If left unchecked, it can lead to aggression.
I seem to have gotten off track. Pit bulls can be very intimidating. I remember my first meeting with one, her name was Princess, and she was all muscle and slobber. I never left my mom’s lap. Eventually, after a few more meetings, she and I became rather good friends. She thought she was a lap dog like me and would try to climb in my mom’s lap and would cover her in kisses.
So, how about you humans try and give pitties a chance. I know some of you humans can be terrifying, and from listening to the news, some of you aren’t all that friendly, but we dogs don’t hold that against you. We don’t look at the entire human race and think “puppy kickers” or “animal abusers,” we give each individual a chance.
A few weeks ago, there was some hub bub happening outside our house that I just had to investigate. We were getting new neighbors. See, we live in a building that is split into three separate dens, or what you humans call “apartments.” The den that is upstairs had been empty for quite some time. It now has a family with two cats and a playmate for me! Her name is Coco and she is a four-year old Pomeranian. She is very sweet and extremely fluffy. We’ve only been able to sniff each other a few times since she and the rest of her family have been busy unpacking. But I have a feeling we’re going to become really good friends.
Yesterday I went to The Loyal Biscuit to see my friends Lauren and Bill. I was really happy to see Bill, which is becoming a common thing for me. He’s really not that bad anymore, once you get over the animal on his face. But I was extra excited because when Bill’s around, it usually means their puppy Eider is in the shop too!
Eider
Eider was born at the Wildrose Kennels in Mississippi. Since a lot of the dogs that are bred there are used as wildfowl (think ducks and geese) hunting dogs, Lauren and Bill named Eider after the duck.
The Common Eider (quack)
I think Eider is the dog’s bark. He’s very fun to play with. We had an fun romp around the store along with another four-legged customer named Chester.
Before yesterday, I had never been to a dog park. I had heard of them, mostly from my mom and nanny whispering about taking me there, but because there isn’t one in my town I hadn’t quite had the opportunity to go. But, yesterday, all that changed! There are two fenced in fields (one for dogs over 25 pounds, one for dogs under 25 pounds) with lots of running room and tons of fun things to sniff.
Small dog area.
Big dog area
When I first arrived, there were two doggies that were playing in the big area. I wish I could have run with them, but one of the pups had some anger issues with little dogs. So, I was stuck in the little dog area.So, for awhile it was just me, sniffing and chasing a tennis ball some pooch left behind. But then, a four month old puppy named Lola showed up. She was headed for the big dog park, but my mom suggested that we play together (she knows I love to run and be chased. And hey, if I can handle Beau and Teal, I can handle anything!), so she and her mom joined us. Boy did we have fun!
Me 'n Lola!
Whew!
Now, there are a few rules and guidelines that both humans and puppies should follow. For puppies, those under the age of four months should be kept at home because they are a bit fragile and they haven’t had all of their vaccines. If there are any aggression problems, it would also be wise to stay home. Keep barking at a reasonable level. And keep your manners under check.
For the humans, remember, scoop the poop!
Also, be willing to leave the park if your dog either isn’t enjoying play time or is causing trouble. Don’t keep your doggy leashed because that could lead to some aggression. And always supervise your puppy’s play time.
Not many places allow us pooches to just hang out while our human parents shop or eat. Apparently we are seen as “dirty” but I must say, I lick between my toes every day and my mom bathes me way more times than I need. I am far from dirty! So, when I saw this video, I was a little more than upset.
Yeah, bunnies are cute and all, but are they as fun as us pups? All they seem to do is hop around and nibble on things. My mom use to have a guinea pig, which I think is close enough to be called a bunny, and all it did was sit in it’s cage. I never even got to play with it once. Mom thought I would try to bite it, but really all I ever wanted was to see what it tasted like.
Moving on, I think there should be a nation wide opening of cafes featuring doggies of all shapes and sizes. Have a piece of cake, and then we’ll come by and lick the crumbs off your face. It seems like the best idea ever.
It has come to my attention that there is going to be an internet wide ban on all things kitty tomorrow (9-9-09).
This is my kind of biscuit. I do have an odd attachment to my whiskered friends, but I believe it’s time for us pups to shine. My mom is always showing me funny cat videos, but what about us dogs? Are we not amusing too? It’s very rarely I get on a soapbox about something, because in all honesty I’d get so nervous I’d probably pee myself, but this opportunity is too good to miss. So my fellow pooches, big and small, raise your paws with me and join the ban on cats tomorrow. No sniffing them, no barking at them, no sending funny cat videos to your friends. Maybe this will make them all disappear and we’ll get the attention all for ourselves!
Whew, all this protesting is making me want to take a nap.
I have been slacking on my friendly blogging duties. I’ve been busy chasing my pals, barking at the new neighbors (someone has to tell them that I’m the boss around these parts), and napping in the lingering summer heat. It’s all about priorities. But, as promised, today I’m going to talk about the hoodie I was wearing in the video the other day. It’s from the company Romy and Jacob. All their pieces are made sweat-shop free and are of extremely good quality fabrics. But what I love best about my Romy and Jacob anchor hoodie is how comfy and warm it keeps me when the wind starts blowing. I also own a parka from them. It’s called the P.I.N.K. Parka and it’s my favorite jacket.
I'm ready for walkies!
If you’re interested in buying stuff from Romy and Jacob, check out The Loyal Biscuit store where I have gotten my pieces. You can also find Romy and Jacob online at the Posh Puppy Boutique.