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Sorry
Posted on March 11, 2010
Yes, I do have a good reason for slacking. My husband is about to deploy. I will be back to the regular posts shortly after.
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Pet First Aid
Posted on March 6, 2010
I am such a slacker, I totally missed today’s post. But I got something to make up for it. Me and a few other girls just met with the Red Cross and got the first Dog First Aid Class lined up for Manhattan, KS!
If you are interested in learning not just CPR but also how to help your dog immediately after shock, choking, and injuries sign up for our first class on April 10th, 2010. To sign up or for more info go to the event page on facebook or contact me directly. If you are interested in a class on another day, let me know, too. Depending on interest we will have plenty more, I hope.
I can’t wait to start and hope to meet you all there!
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Furry souls. Homeless.
Posted on March 4, 2010
I thought yesterday was the most beautiful sunny day (before I knew what today is going to be like), so I decided to head out to Wamego to the Pottawatomie County Caring Hearts Humane Society. I had neglected them for a little while and really need to get back on schedule with them. So here are a few of the lovely dogs that need a forever home. Click on the picture for more info on each dog or pay the Humane Society a visit online for more information.
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Inside of a Dog
Posted on March 2, 2010
Cover by the awesome Erin Vey
I’m not even done with this book, yet, and I cannot help myself but sing praises!
This book has been on my list of books to read for a while. I did not order it, yet, in favor of reading different ones first for one reason: the reviews. And they are not bad, but they just left me with a feeling of “that’s not the book I MUST read”. I don’t recall them in detail, I know one said it mentions lots of things we already know. But it’s not one review in particular, it’s the feeling that many reviews left in me. And boy was that wrong!!!
A friend of mine had ordered it and said she thinks it’s something I would want to read (even before she opened the book). And I am so glad she brought it over. I am absolutely in love.
I probably have to explain something first. I love science. I studied equine science and I soaked up all of the scientifical articles I could find. I set out to become a journalist to spread the news of science, because I had the feeling that there is a lack of communication between the scientific community and the press and rest of the world, namely the people that need to actually APPLY the findings. In the end photography stole me away from journalism, but I love science nevertheless. And I am so happy, that Alexandra Horowitz, a scientist, wrote this book for everyone to understand.
Usually I rather read books about training and understanding dogs than heartfelt stories about dogs. This one is somewhere in between and totally different at the same time. Horowitz uses her own dog as example without boring me. She actually writes beautifully, almost poetic, about her dog as introduction to each chapter. And then each chapter is exactly what the title promises. A look from the inside out. How do dogs see, smell, hear and taste the world backed up by scientific evidence. How do they experience us, their toys, other dogs, and themselves.
Don’t we all sort of know how dogs see the world, how they smell much better than we do and how they descend from wolfs… or not? Horowitz clears up misconceptions and takes you a step further. Into the dogs mind. What information does the fire hydrant give him (it’s like the community board or local newspaper) and why do they not find the ball right in front of their nose. Day after day that I am reading, chapter after chapter, I am understanding my dogs a little better. In small, but significant ways.
I can only encourage everyone to read it. I might get back to you about when I’m actually done. Not with a reviewed review, but with more wisdom 
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Puppy Mills
Posted on March 1, 2010
Remember Charli?
I posted her pictures last week. We took her in after Animal Control picked her and another boxer up somewhere in town. I was told that she is scared out of her mind and just needs to get out of the shelter until a rescue picks her up or we can find an adopter. She obviously has had one or more litters before, so they assumed she came from a puppy mill.
I have never dealt with or heard any details about dogs from a puppy mill before, so what I expects was a shy dog. Not this! We’ve had her for a week now and if I get her out of the door into the backyard on my first try I’m excited. I’m going to be honest, it is frustrating. And after I get mad at her and realize it is not her fault and getting mad just makes it worse then I get mad at whoever did this to her. REALLY mad. Like I want to cry and hurt that person. A LOT.
For everyone who also has not dealt with a dog like this before, let me give you a couple of examples. Charli has no idea that this world out there is fun, that other dogs are to play with and that people want to love her. She runs almost every time we approach her, if anyone else comes over she hides only God knows where. She is scared to walk on our kitchen floor, because she learned right away that she will slide in case she has to run away really quick. She won’t walk out of the back or front door unless we all (meaning me and all other dogs) go out there. She won’t come back in if anyone is standing within ten feet of the door and definitely not if that person is turned toward her or is looking at her. When we take her on walks (after she didn’t throw herself around like an alligator anymore) she only walks behind ALL of the people that come with. Once in a great while she will attempt to run with the other dogs only to look back after a few steps and realize that she ran in front of us and has to get back into her place ASAP (makes me wonder if the theory of dogs having to walk behind their owners just means the dog is scared out of his mind about what would happen if he doesn’t). And she has absolutely no idea what praise is. Kind words and treats are lost on her and she likes to be petted but first you have to get close enough to be able to touch her.
If I would have done a little more research on puppy mill dogs before, I probably would have spared me the frustration… or at least expected it. Here is what the ASPCA write about what to expect if you adopt a puppy mill dog: “It’s not uncommon for an unsocialized dog to hide under a couch or table for days or even weeks at a time, only coming out to eat and drink at night.” Compared to that Charli is a brave little soul.
So how can you help fight puppy mills:
1. DO NOT EVER BUY FROM A PET STORE unless you know the dogs are coming from a rescue group. And if they do they will NOT cost several hundred or even thousands of dollars.
2. Adopt!
3. If you want to buy from a breeder, make sure he/she is responsible.
4. Be careful about offers on the internet. Instead check petfinder.com where tons of humane society advertise their dogs.
Find more details about how to fight puppy mills on the ASPCA website.
More information about puppy mills can be found here on the ASPCA website.
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SPRING
Posted on February 28, 2010
There were two hints today that make believe very strongly that Spring is on its way. And please don’t tell me otherwise, because I need to get out of this winter depression!
So, in search of good news I bravely went to weather.com today and found clue no. ONE: several days with sun and 50 degrees in our near future. And then clue no. TWO: after a long time of only one paw on the daily “Comfort Index” for pets I finally saw TWO. And I have proof. Please allow me draw your attention to this unshapely red circle I drew for you over there on the right!
I’m simply going to ignore that the comfort index for Weatherford, TX, where I lived only a year ago, is four paws…
Want to get the PetCast for your town? Go here and enter your zipcode. It is also going to tell you the best times to walk your dog. What a handy feature for the hot summer! (or cold winter, but we are not using this word anymore!!!)
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Agility, home made.
Posted on February 26, 2010
As promised, here is my latest project:
Last week I built my own little agility course in our backyard! It was sunny outside and I decided to finally get started on this project. My husband was home to help and I was so excited! The excitement was only lowered a bit by the sudden snow that appeared as soon as I had everything set up and was ready to go.
But I know spring is coming. It’s so close I can almost feel it. Mac’s agility class is starting next week and Maize’s isn’t far away, either. And then these little PVC constructs are going to come in very handy! Because I know at least about the weave poles that you are supposed to practice them more than just once a week in class. And Mac is already getting so good. We just do it once or twice a day. Did I mention that I find these so handy?
And the best thing is, other than what you find in most online stores, this practice equipment is really inexpensive. I lost a few receipts, but I promise I did not spend more than $100. Probably closer to $70. That got me enough PVC for two jumps, a crawl element, weave poles and a (kids) tunnel. Still to be build are a pause table and a teeter. The pause table will be basically for free. We are still waiting for the store to call us about one of their electric wire spools. Once they got an empty one we will put a board on top and maybe some carpet scraps and voila, there is our pause table. My husband did not like the building plans for teeters online, so he’s got his own plan (that still has to be executed). But other than that we are set for practice!
If you can feel the spring now, too, and want to start a project like this visit some of the following websites or do your own search. BUT please, for your own sake, think it through a little better than I did. I just printed out all the instruction and headed of to the store just to come back home and find out that the instructions were missing parts. And then I had to go back because I ran out of spray paint. Then again because I forgot to buy end caps to put on all of the poles. And then again to buy more spray paint… and once I had all of my paint I thought I should have chosen more stylish colors. But the store I went to didn’t have the variety I would have liked so I will just give everything a make-over next spring.
Okay, I was gonna list some websites for instructions,wasn’t I? Here they are:
Canine Crib (nice and cheap instructions but make sure to check your list, they are missing things here and there)
Instant Agility (I liked their idea of the weavepoles, but I was too lazy)
Camp Bandy
Apparently there is a book, too: Do-It-Yourself Agility Equipment
And seriously, there is no need to have a husband around (unless maybe for the teeter). PVC is so easy to work with. Cut, paint, stick together. I ended up glueing a few pieces because I have mine sitting in the yard all of the time and my dogs play recklessly and run everything over that is not glued or stapled into place. And I have to admit that I might eventually invest in an actual dog tunnel. Mac loves it, I’m actually going to have to work on how to have him NOT go through it) and they love to play with it, hide in it, run underneath and so on. Plus, the kids tunnels are just smaller and not so easy to curve. But other than that I am super happy with my setup and can only recommend it. If you plan it well it takes no longer than a weekend for everything to be cut, the paint to dry and everything to be assembled.
Update: I just got my Modern Dog Magazine (Spring 2010) and all the way in the back I found a How to… Make your own Backyard Agility Course. So if you are interested, it makes it even easier than mine with a hoolahoop hanging from a tree and plywood and cinder blocks for a dog walk. Check it out!
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Harvey’s Album
Posted on February 24, 2010
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Dawn Taylor says:
Etsy, once again.
Posted on February 23, 2010
As I am working on pictures of Harvey (and procrastinate all the important things that are to be done) I didn’t want to leave you hanging and finally tell you about my latest etsy buys. I had been looking for a treat pouch, one of those you can just clip to your pants, for a while. Unconsciously I have probably been looking around since I got Mac, but I really got on it once I started clicker training not too long ago. You really go through some treats that way! Since I never saw anything decent in pet store or on websites I figured I’ll try etsy. Because that’s just the place I go to for everything cool, unique and handmade.
And actually, there were not too many treat bags out there, even on etsy. I think only about two sellers seemed to have some cool fabrics and sort of the bag I was envisioning. Sort of. So I got in touch with them to see what we can work out. And wow… I found someone who would customize it even after i had already received one bag and wasn’t completely satisfied, yet. I got as many clips as I wanted where I wanted them and she has a load of different fabrics to choose from. So don’t settle for what you can find at the store! Get in touch with Kerrie of Cody’s Creations and let her know what your perfect treat bag (or leash or collar) looks like and I’m sure she can help you out!
And then the second one is once again, another collar. Can you blame me? What else is there to give your puppy a new look (if you don’t have a poodle you can groom into all shapes and sizes)? And it was the right occasion, too. We decided to adopt Maize, so it was time to get her out of that Shelter Collar and into something stylish. I love the collars that are 1.5″ thick. But usually they only look good on Greyhounds or Danes. It wasn’t ever anything I could by for Mac if I didn’t want him to look like he is wearing a turtle neck. But Maize has a much longer neck, so I decided to go for it when I found this gorgeous piece at the etsy store Alaska Leash! She has a lot of cool leashes and split leashes (the ones that look like a bungee cord and have a handle) and she also had this amazing collar of which I luckily snatched the last one. I would have taken a picture of Maize wearing it, but unfortunately her friends have already chewed on it quite a bit… It still looks good. Just a little worn. I guess that’s what they are supposed to look like anyway, right?
So, before you check the big pet stores for something in particular next time, try some of these great people on etsy who will custom make you about anything!
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Meet Harvey!
Posted on February 23, 2010
I’m not sure if I have mentioned it, yet. Throughout this spring and summer I will be working on a 2011 calendar for the Pottawatomie County Humane Society. And I am so excited about all the ideas that people come up with for the calendar. Not only will it have great pictures of all the sweet souls that found homes through this rescue, it will also have some sweet features to plan your pets vaccinations and more.
So today I met with the owner of our first calendar model, Harvey. The guess is that he is some kind of a mix between a Boxer and St. Bernard. Super fun and happy is what I say he is. I just couldn’t wait to pull up this favorite picture right away and show it off to you guys. More are to come soon!
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Nadja, I’m not sure if you’ve seen this yet or not, but last year I showed Oprah’s episode on puppy mills to my wildlife biology class. It was near the end of the year, and a question came up about puppy mills and what they were all about. I found the video on youtube, in segments. I was HORRIFIED when I watched it. I’d read a little bit about puppy mills before, and I always told people to adopt, not buy from pet stores, but I had no idea how bad they are. It’s a gut wrencher, and I bawled the first time I saw it, but I’m glad I did. It’s a sad, sad life for those animals, and I think the world needs to be aware of what the breeder dogs go through for those cute pet shop dogs and cats! Hopefully seeing the video planted a seed in the minds of my students, and hopefully they will be able to spread the word to their friends and families. I wish more attention was given to this topic! Thanks for blogging about it!