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Camping Makes Me Feel Like a Dog

May 25th, 2013 by

Honey the Golden Retriever goes camping.

You put up the tent. I’ll sit here and guard the sandwiches.

Some people camp because it brings them closer to nature. Other people camp because it’s a cheap vacation.

I camp because it makes me feel like a dog.

How Camping Makes Me Feel Like a Dog

Let me count the ways:

1. The woods makes me hungry and I always want s’more.

Honey’s thinking of feeding me out of a Kong so I don’t gulp my food so fast.

2. My tent reminds me of a dog house.

When I was a kid, I played in my dog’s house. Luckily, my tent has fewer fleas and better ventilation.

3. I smell like a wet dog.

It always rains when I go camping. I give off a musty smell after three hours or so of water falling from the sky.

Golden retriever puppies nurse in a pile.

Where does one puppy end and the next one begin?

4. Everyone sleeps in a puppy pile.

I camp at the beginning or end of the season. It’s the only way we can reserve those really private spots on the water’s edge.

And it’s freaking cold. Which is why we look like a pile of puppies sleeping in a whelping box.

5. Honey and I both get to pee in the woods.

Luckily for her, she doesn’t have to decide between wearing an “accessible” nightgown to bed or warm pajamas.

Your Turn: What fun activity makes you feel most like a dog?

 

Something Swagging This Way Comes Giveaway

Honey the Golden Retriever admires BlogPaws swag.Thank you to everyone who has entered my BlogPaws swag giveaway by taking my “improve Something Wagging” survey.

If you haven’t, you have until Monday, June 3 to answer a few questions and be entered in our drawing.

There are two great prizes:

  • Readers outside the United States will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card.
  • U.S. readers will win my big bag o’swag from BlogPaws for their dog or the shelter or rescue of their choice.

Don’t forget, you need to enter both surveys to be eligible to win.
 

 

 
Terms and Conditions: The giveaway ends Monday, June 3 at 7:00 a.m. EDT. Open only where allowable by law. Two winners (one foreign, one domestic) will be selected by Random.org and be notified by email. Winners have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. Facebook, Twitter and Google+ are in no way associated with this giveaway. By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to me and me alone. I do not share or sell information and will use any information only to contact the winner.

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments »

Something Swagging This Way Comes – part 3

May 24th, 2013 by

Honey the Golden Retriever admires BlogPaws swag.

Are you sure someone else wants all this junk? I think we should keep it.

Looking for a good home: a bundle of BlogPaws swag.

Is it yours?

Take a Survey, Win A Prize

I’m happy to give away my bag of treats, toys, and heavy-duty cleaning products. But I’m going to make you work for it.

I’m attaching two surveys (making it into one large survey would have cost me $200; who said blogging is a cheap hobby?). To be entered in the giveaway, you must tell me what you think of Something Wagging This Way Comes and suggest improvements.

Monday, June 3 I’ll announce two winners chosen at random from all the completed surveys.

A United States resident will win the big bag o’swag. And an international reader will win a $20 Amazon gift card.

Are you ready to make Something Wagging a better blog? And maybe win a prize?

Then click and complete all the questions in both surveys.

And thank you for helping me entertain and inform you.

 

Update: If you already have a bag o’swag and don’t want the prize, I still value your opinion. I am happy to donate your prize, if you win, to your favorite shelter or rescue. So don’t delay. Enter today.

Terms and Conditions: The giveaway ends Monday, June 3 at 7:00 a.m. EDT.  Open only where allowable by law. Two winners (one foreign, one domestic) will be selected by Random.org and be notified by email. Winners have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected.   Facebook, Twitter and Google+ are in no way associated with this giveaway.  By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to me and me alone.  I do not share or sell information and will use any information only to contact the winner.

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Posted in Silly Stuff | 13 Comments »

9 Things I Learned at BlogPaws (that have nothing to do with blogging or social media)

May 23rd, 2013 by

Honey the Golden Retriever stalks the orange ball.

I know you’re around here somewhere squeaky ball. I can smell you.

I’m a lifelong learner. And, as teachers know, the best learning comes outside the formal lessons.

So I’m not going to write about the cool new SEO tip I learned. Or why I really need to start a Pinterest page for Something Wagging.

Instead, I’d like to share the lessons I learned while wandering the halls and eating lunch at BlogPaws.

Lessons About Dogs

Here are just a few things I observed about dogs.

Pit Bulls Rock!

Of course that’s not news to many. But some of the most serene and calm dogs on the scene were the pibbles.

Does the extra scrutiny and prejudice toward pit bulls face force their people to be especially sure their pups are comfortable in the chaos? Or are they just awesome dogs? Or both?

Most Dogs would Rather Hike or Play or Sleep Than Go to a Blogging Conference

Out of dozens of dogs at BlogPaws only a few looked comfortable. Even Honey was overwhelmed by all the activity. As someone pointed out in the comments of Honey’s commentary on BlogPaws, she looked happiest when she was playing with a ball.

So don’t feel bad if your dog couldn’t handle the excitement. Many of the dogs there couldn’t either.

Nitro is a Prince

I didn’t have time to meet Nitro of Deaf Dogs Rock! But I saw him walking around all the noise and excitement with utter calmness—dare I say, a royal bearing?

I think BlogPaws should offer another award to the animal and handler who are the best good citizens of BlogPaws. Nitro would have been my nominee for this year.

Lessons About People

Honey the Golden Retriever is on the run.

Did I just hear the dinner bell?

People are my favorite subject. I learned plenty at BlogPaws.

Bloggers Understand Their Dogs Better Than the Average Person (but only a little)

The dogs and their people were better behaved at BlogPaws than if we saw some random dog people at a festival or dog park. It’s hard to write about dogs every day without learning something, huh?

Trainers Have a Dark View

Laurie Luck of Smart Dog University shared that it’s hard, as a trainer, to observe so many stressed dogs at BlogPaws. Knowledge creates a filter that prevents a trainer from seeing cute dogs.

Another trainer expressed amazement when I told her why I wasn’t willing to trust Honey to the care of some poor dog handling I observed. She asked me, “Are you a trainer?” And when I told her no, she said, “You mean you’re just a regular dog owner?” with shock in her voice.

Spending Time With Dogs Doesn’t Make You Smart About Them

When I took Honey to BlogPaws two years ago, we visited the dog park area. Within seconds she was mobbed by over-aroused dogs trying to hump her. It was obvious the people managing the dog park didn’t see that as a problem so we removed Honey and never took her back to the play area.

This year they had an outdoor play area. I brought Honey over while the dogs already in the park rushed to the gate. I waited for the handlers to coax the dogs away from the entry so Honey and I could come in. Instead, they grabbed the dogs by their collars and started pulling them which caused one of the dogs to go from barking to snarling at Honey. We turned away from the entry and never went back while the handlers were on duty.

I found out later the dog parks were run by a professional dog walking service.

Now I understand why cities are passing laws requiring dog walkers to get training and a license. Because spending time with dogs every day obviously doesn’t teach some people about dog behavior.

Lessons About Myself

BlogPaws is about self-education. So hopefully I learned something about myself.

I Choose Honey Over Friends

I missed chatting with people I would have liked to spend more time with. I ate some rushed lunches. I didn’t hang out in the halls.

Why? Because I had to play ball with Honey or give her some fresh air.

I’m sad for the socializing I missed. But I know where my first responsibilities lie.

Honey the Golden Retriever is not a dog I am afraid of.

I learned something too. BlogPaws is a great place to learn advanced ball chasing skills.

I Need to Protect Honey Better

I made a stupid mistake in the elevator. To keep her out-of-the-way, I asked Honey to sit and stay. I realized my mistake when I saw a big piece of her tail fur on the floor near a woman’s foot (unattached from her body).

Poor Honey didn’t even cry or bark.

I felt terrible. And I never made her sit again. It made her too vulnerable to people not paying attention.

I Will Have a Cat Someday

The more cats I see at BlogPaws the more I want one of my own. Someday.

Life Lessons

Lessons are everywhere. You just need to be willing to learn.

Your Turn: Whether you went to BlogPaws or not, have you learned any good lessons lately?

 

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Posted in Reflections | 52 Comments »

What is BlogPaws Like for a Dog?

May 22nd, 2013 by

There’s a little bit of this:

 

Honey the Golden Retriever rests at BlogPaws.

I don’t mind napping through an SEO lecture. But why does it always smell like feet?

 

Far too much of this:

 

Honey the Golden Retriever rides a bus at BlogPaws.

Can’t say I’m too impressed with this bus. The windows don’t open.

 

And not nearly enough of this:

 

Honey the Golden Retriever fetches a ball.

Now THIS is worth the seven hour drive!

Your Turn: How would your dog do at a pet-friendly conference? Could he sleep at your feet during a workshop? Or would he be wondering why you’ve become so boring all of a sudden?

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Posted in Wordless Wednesday | 49 Comments »

I Am Afraid of Dogs

May 21st, 2013 by

Honey the Golden Retriever is not a dog I am afraid of.

Throw that ball! This is what I’ve been waiting for all day.

BlogPaws is heaven for a dog lover.

I saw dogs in elevators, dogs at dinner, dogs in strollers, dogs in seminars, and even a dog groomed to look like a lion running through the lobby dragging his leash.

But I didn’t meet a single dog without saying to myself, “This dog could bite me. And it would hurt.”

I’m a Dog Lover Afraid of Dogs

Most dog lovers aren’t like me.

They see a new dog and they walk right up to him, put their face in his, and run their hands all over his body. It happens all the time with Honey.

If they have a passing thought a dog could bite them, I see no outward signs of it.

I envy their confidence that the world is a safe and nurturing place. But deep down I wouldn’t want to be them. Fearing dogs has a positive side—at least for the dogs.

The “Up” Side of Fearing Dogs

When I feel that twinge of fear and hear the little voice in my head (“remember, she could bite”) in the presence of a strange dog, I do two things:

  • observe the dog’s body language
  • wait for her to approach me.
I am not afraid of these dogs.

Lucky me. Dewi is always up for some lovies.

If the dog seems stressed or if she’s simply uninterested in me, I don’t approach her at all. Even if I really, really, really want a fuzzy fix.

And in a stressful environment like BlogPaws, I like to think the dog appreciates a few moments with one less stimulus to deal with.

I don’t believe that every dog lover who fearlessly approaches a strange dog is brainless and insensitive. Some people are faster at reading a dog’s mood than I am. And that’s what I really envy, more than the absence of fear.

But until my I can read a dog as quickly as I can read War and Peace, I’ll have to be happy petting the relaxed happy dogs who want to say hello to me.

Your Turn: Are you or have you ever been afraid of dogs? Do you see it as a positive or a negative?

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Posted in Reflections, Responsible Dog Guardians | 43 Comments »

Balanced Dog – Mental vs Physical Activity

May 17th, 2013 by

Cats and dogs attend the BlogPaws Social Media Conference.

Just a few of the interesting BlogPaws attendees.

Honey sure slept well.

You’d think that after napping in the car during the seven hour drive to BlogPaws she’d be bouncing off the walls all night.

Luckily she got a mix of mental and physical exercise to tire her out.

Mental Exercise for Dogs

So what’s tiring out Honey’s brain at BlogPaws?

  • Seeing new animals—dogs, cats, and ferrets so far.
  • Meeting strangers.
  • Having to control her impulses to jump up on the table and clean up everyone’s leftovers.

With the amount of stimulation she’s getting at a conference of hundreds of people, smells, and sensations, Honey could be exhausted for days.

But we need to tire her body out as well.

Physical Exercise for Dogs

Luckily, there is an outside dog park at the hotel. And it was conveniently stocked with a compelling, squeaky ball.

Honey the Golden Retriever meets Leslie Olyott of Bringing Up Bella.

Ahh, yes, right there. Keep rubbing.

After sniffing and meeting and greeting, Honey was happy to spend a few minutes retrieving the ball. She stretched her legs. And she even stretched her brain a little since I’m a bad enough thrower that once the ball ended up in a tree and once just outside the fence.

I bet today she’ll even meet a few pups willing to play chase in the bark park with her.

Balanced Dog, Balanced People

Honey will be much happier if I balance the mental excitement with physical activity. And I’ll be happier if I remember the same thing for myself.

The worst thing I could do is to try to balance a 90 minute lecture on SEO with 90 minutes chatting with friends while eating cheesecake.

Somehow I don’t think Honey will let me sit still for too long.

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Posted in Responsible Dog Guardians | 16 Comments »

What a Naked Man on an Island Can Teach Us About Dogs

May 14th, 2013 by

Life wouldn’t be much fun without fantasies. But what does it take to make a fantasy come true?

Ask the naked man on the beach.

An Island Dream

Tom Neale wanted to live alone on a South Seas island. Well, not entirely alone. He did take two cats with him for company.

He wrote about two of his extended stays on the island of Suvarov (now commonly called Suwarrow) in the Cook Island archipelago. Check out my review of An Island to Oneself (this is an affiliate link) at A Traveler’s Library.

A Cook Island view.

Not Tom Neale’s view but one very much like it.

Neale spent years learning the skills he’d need to make is his island fantasy come true. He worked hard. He sacrificed everything to his goal.

So what does this cat-lover on an island have to tell us about dogs?

Let’s look at some common dog fantasies first and then I’ll tell you.

Dog Fantasies

People come up to me all the time and share their doggy fantasies.

When I’m walking a foster puppy, they tell me how they’d love to get a puppy, a sweet, fuzzy thing to cuddle. Or they mention how nice it would be to have a dog who wasn’t messed up by someone else’s training mistakes.

When they spot Honey on her best behavior, they tell me how nice it must be to have a pure bred dog where you know exactly what you’re getting.

And sometimes they tell me they can’t wait until they buy a house or find a pet-friendly apartment so they can get a dog of their own.

I wonder how Tom Neale, who made his fantasy come true, would tell these people who want fantasy dogs.

Talking Back to Dog Fantasies

Neale’s fantasy spoke to many people. Like puppy lovers, they imagined a life of bliss—sitting on the beach drinking coconut water—without the work to sustain it.

Sally is a basset hound puppy who likes sitting in a nest.

Beautiful but deadly? Are you kidding me?

Puppies are like deserted beaches, alluring from a distance but more challenging up close. Where a tropical beach brings biting crabs and sun poisoning, puppies are sharp teeth attached to a bladder that needs emptying every fifteen minutes.

See? Beautiful but deadly.

As for getting just what you expect, life offers no guarantees. I learned that every Golden Retriever isn’t the same when I discovered Honey doesn’t like to swim.

Tom Neale prepared himself well for the winter storms that would buffet his island. And yet he was still surprised to find that the coral dock he spent six months repairing was destroyed after one storm.

Knowing what to expect still leaves plenty of room for the unexpected.

And finally, people who are waiting until they can have a dog could learn a lot from Mr. Neale.

In decades working aboard merchant ships, Neale took every opportunity to learn new skills. Once he knew he would be settling on his island alone, he made lists, gathered materials, and planned his work.

There’s no reason a dog lover can’t prepare for having a dog years in advance. Volunteering at the local shelter, reading training books, and talking to other dog people would be excellent preparation to adopt a dog.

Making Fantasy Come True

Fantasies are fun. I personally believe most of them should stay fantasies.

But if you’re planning to make a fantasy come true, whether it has to do with dogs, deserted islands, or whatever, take a lesson from Tom Neale:

Be ready to work hard to make your fantasy a reality. And expect that both the pain and the joy will be greater than anything you could imagine.

Your Turn: Have you ever fantasized about living on a tropical island with only your pets for company? Have you worked to make one of your fantasies come true?

Cook Island photo credit: benedict.adam via photopin ccClick image to learn more about the photographer.

Disclaimer: The link to Mr. Neale’s books takes you to Amazon. If you order this or any other item through this link, I will earn a few cents to put toward hosting costs but it won’t cost you any more. Thanks for your support.

 

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Posted in Pet Travel Book Club | 16 Comments »

Doing vs Being – Good for the Dog; Good for You

May 13th, 2013 by

Sally is a basset hound foster puppy.

I’m a puppy on the go. Just call me the Black Scallion.

Puppy “To Do” List

When there’s a puppy in the house, I get nothing done.

Well, that’s not quite true.

  • I vacuum to promote socialization. But it’s hard to clean a whole room when you’re throwing treats around the whole time.
  • I did have a conference call the other day. But I had to leave in the middle to take Sally outside for a pee break.
  • I was able to plant some perennials in my garden when Honey and Sally were exhausted from their morning’s play. But it came at the expense of writing Saturday’s blog post.

It wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t feel worthless about getting so little done.

If I’m not working or thinking about working I might as well not exist.

But I don’t feel that way about others in my life.

I never look over at Honey and ask myself, “Why isn’t she pulling a cart or guiding some blind person. She’s useless.”

And I’m happy just having my husband sitting beside me watching a movie, even if I’m working at the same time.

So why can’t I give myself the same break?

See the Dog; Be the Dog

Dogs are equally good at being and doing.

Honey is a champion at lying in the sun, snoozing on the bed, and watching out the window from the couch.

She never asks herself whether she’d be a better dog if she was “doing” something. Honey is fine just “being” the sweet girl she is.

And maybe that’s what I should be doing. Learning how to “be.”

After all, if it’s good for Honey, it might be good for me.

 

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Posted in Reflections | 20 Comments »

Interpreting Puppy Cries

May 10th, 2013 by

Sally the basset hound is a foster puppy.

I’m a puppy of mystery.

The hardest part of having a short-term foster puppy? Learning to understand her unique puppy sounds.

Silent Honey

Puppy Honey was pretty quiet. She had two cries:

  • I’m hungry. Feed me now.
  • I gotta pee. Let me out.

Why was she so silent? Because it’s hard to cry when your mouth is full of sweater, hand, arm, and boob.

Sally’s Song Stylings

Sally isn’t mouthy at all. Which means her voice is free to express herself on a range of topics.

Now we just have to learn the difference between each cry. There’s the:

  • I-know-I-just-peed-outside-twice-but-I-gotta-go-again desperate shriek.
  • Please-cuddle-me-right-now whimper.
  • I’m-lonesome-in-my-exercise-pen-even-though-you’re-right-beside-me bawl.
  • Why-won’t-you-play-with-me-Honey wail.
  • You’re-making-my-dinner-too-slowly lament.

And of course a few dozen more I haven’t figured out yet.

And by the time I do, Sally will be on her way to her new home.

Maybe I’ll publish a Sally-to-English dictionary for them.

Your Turn: How many cries does your dog have? And how long did it take you to learn them?

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Posted in Puppy Training, Silly Stuff | 11 Comments »

What Do You Look For When You Walk Your Dog

May 9th, 2013 by

Sally is a basset hound puppy who likes sitting in a nest.

I’m quite comfortable in my little hole. I can see everything from here.

We only pay attention to a small part of what’s in front of us. For some of us, it’s a very small part.

We focus on what’s important to us and filter out what’s not.

So what are you focusing on when you walk your dog? And what do you filter out?

Things Dogs Find Scary

I’ve spent years of my life scanning the streets ahead and behind for things that would freak my dogs out—mostly other dogs.

Over the nearly two decades I lived with reactive Agatha, Christie, and Shadow I became a champion at spotting dogs in the area.

  • From blocks away I could tell a dog from a child or even a shopping bag.
  • I heard tags jingling from a collar despite nearby sirens, trolleys, and blaring music.
  • Even when the dog was silent and hidden around the corner, my spider senses began to tingle as I instinctively crossed the street.

I saved my dogs and myself from noisy and uncomfortable encounters. But I missed a lot on our walks.

Dog Poop

I remember walking with someone outraged by people who didn’t clean up after their dogs.

She could spot dog poop at twenty paces in high grass.

It was her hobby: poop spotting followed by sputtering, righteous indignation.

But with her eyes always scanning the path for poop, she never noticed anything else.

New Dog Friends

Now that I’m living with a dog who isn’t upset by other dogs, I look for them joyfully.

I still watch carefully for dog body language. Not because Honey will react badly. But because I don’t want to bring her too close to a dog who doesn’t feel comfortable with dogs he doesn’t know.

Now I’m able to notice how well our new neighbor is training her corgis not to bark insanely every time we walk by. I can admire the frisbee-playing border collies who has eyes for nothing but his favorite toy. And I can see the frisky dog down the way who is hoping for an invitation to play with Honey.

Honey the Golden Retriever walks on a Cape May Beach.

No, I’d rather go this way.

Look for Something New with Your Dog

Spring has finally come to the north. It gives me a big incentive to focus on more when I’m walking Honey.

Maybe I can open up my filters a bit to notice more things: cats, flowers, birds, people. Or maybe I’ll see more if I pay attention to what catches Honey’s eye (or nose) on a walk.

Just what (or who) is hiding in the holly bushes two doors down? Why does Honey decide to walk this way and not that way? And how does she always know when the crossing guard with treats in his pocket is on duty without having a watch?

Let Something New In

Even if your dog is fearful or reactive, your brain is powerful enough to see something new on a walk. Maybe you can find something new to look for while keeping your dog safe.

And if you have a happy-go-lucky pup, what’s holding you back? There’s a whole world just waiting for us to see it.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go look at the world. With my dog.

Your Turn: What are you most likely to be looking for when you’re walking your dog?

 

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