Hang out at a playground long enough and you’ll eventually see this: a running toddler falls. At first he’s surprised. Then he looks up to his parent. If the parent stays calm, the kid goes to play. But if mom looks upset, the kid starts bawling. Your dog is like that toddler. And if you want your dog to …
Blog
Why Do People Keep Saying Dogs Are Like Wolves?
Some popular “trainers” insist that dogs are like wolves. And that we must use what we’ve learned about wolves when training our dogs. Have they ever seen wolves and dogs side by side? Because if they had, I don’t think they’d be saying dogs are like wolves.
What Will You Miss The Most?
We’ve started the countdown to moving aboard a sailboat. We don’t know how long the countdown is because we have to sell our house first to get the money to buy the boat we can’t look for until we have the money. But it’s coming. And it’s got me thinking: What will we miss the …
Take One Step Closer To Your Dream In 2015
People are so rough on themselves this time of year. Everyone feels dissatisfied and is vowing to do better. My Facebook feed hums with people making resolutions for 2015. Luckily, our dogs set a good example for us. They know life couldn’t possibly get any better. Unless it included more treats, tennis balls, or cuddling.
Do Dogs Get SAD?
Nope, it isn’t always gloomy in Ithaca. We average 154 sunny days a year (all between May and September). Seattle, with a reputation for clouds and rain, averages 151 sunny days a year. My dog Honey has dozed a lot lately. Is the unrelenting cloudiness bringing her down? Or am I just seeing her through …
What To Do When You Get Bears In Your Bed
Why do I need to know what to do if I meet a bear? I live downtown in a small city (without bears). I’ll be moving aboard a boat next year (and don’t plan on sailing to Alaska any time soon). And I’ve never glimpsed a bear outside of a zoo. But then I dug a …
Be Humble With Animals
“How did you know it was okay when that off-leash dog approached us,” my sister asked. “Well, his tail was neutral, his ears weren’t folded back, and didn’t stare as he came close. But his legs and body looked a little stiff. So I relied on Honey to tell me it was okay. She knows …
How My Dog Made Me A Better Hostess
Back in the 1950s, magazines taught women how to be the perfect hostess. I’ve learned the same thing, but with a lot more dog hair. Because my golden retriever has taught me everything I need to know about making people feel welcome.
Weird Things People Ask Google About Dogs
When I want to laugh, cry, or throw up a little in my mouth, I scan my blog stats to see what searches brought people to Something Wagging This Way Comes. Do you know what I find? People ask Google weird things about dogs.
Why My Dog Loves Solstice
Tonight is the longest night of the year. Which makes my dog very happy. Why?