The muddy throw rugs are coming out of the laundry. The dog toys are back where they belong. I’m taking down the temporary crate Bandit slept in. Things are getting back to normal. But Honey is still sad. My dog misses the foster dog as much as we do. Hard to Give Up a Foster Dog …
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The Blessing of Caring for a Sick Dog
When you’re worried, washing soiled bedding, and driving to the vet in the middle of the night, it’s hard to imagine there is anything good about having a sick dog. But here’s the blessing I’ve found. Gift of Attention Honey is with me most of the time. We take long walks every day. She sits …
Play to Your Strengths – Good for the Dog; Good for You
Some of the foster dogs we care for don’t like Honey. Or any dog, really. They tell her they don’t want to play. And she leaves them alone. But if you want to see Honey at her best, watch her when a playful dog comes to stay with us. Like Bandit, our current foster puppy. …
Thinking of Getting a Puppy? Here’s What It’s REALLY Like!
Yeah, you know what puppies are like. Big eyes. Scrunchy little faces. Round bellies. Cuddly. Feet smell like corn chips. But do you know what they’re like once you get one home? I’m going to tell you. Meet the Puppy Luckily, I just happen to have a test puppy in my home. Bandit is a …
5 Rules for Making Good Dog Cues
My dog Honey is smart. I’m sure she’s capable of learning any number of behaviors. If only I could think of what to call them. It got me thinking: What makes a good dog cue? 5 Rules for Good Dog Cues Good training cues work for both the dog and her person. I think the …
Philly vs North Conway as Best City for Pet Travelers
It’s March Madness and I’ve stopped taking my anti-psychotic meds. Time to decide the Best City for Pet Travelers. Let the Trash Talking Begin I’m promoting Philadelphia as the Best City for Pet Travelers in the Go Pet Friendly brackets. And amazingly, I’m currently down in the voting against North Conway, New Hampshire (where?). And …
Make Allowances for Stress – Good for the Dog; Good for You
Short sentences. Don’t have long. Bandit, our new foster puppy, should be done chewing his bone in about… Oh, damn. Puppies = Stress Puppy breath causes amnesia. If it didn’t, dog breeders of all kinds would take up stamp collecting. Who wants an insatiably curious set of razor-sharp teeth with four feet and a tail …
The Dog Person’s Guide To Spring
Spring begins in our corner of the world next week. How do I know? My dog has shown me all the signs. 10 Dog Signs of Spring 1. People tell me flowers are starting to appear. I can’t see them through the cloud of shedding dog hair. 2. The dog who never pulls on leash …
Overhearing Stories, With One About Four Dogs in a Boat
I love the stories of people’s lives. One of my life’s highlights was an overnight bus trip from North Carolina to Pennsylvania. I spent hours eavesdropping, learning the stories of the people around me. The driver and the elderly woman in the front seat gossiped about African-American high society in Wilmington, NC. The young Native …
9 Questions You Should Never Ask a Sarcastic Dog
I think Honey is a sweet dog. But what if I’m wrong? What if she’s a sarcastic bitch and I don’t realize it because she doesn’t speak English? If she ever learns, I could be in trouble. 9 Questions Not to Ask a Sarcastic Dog Pam: Do you want a cookie? Sarcastic Honey: No, I’m just drooling …