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 […]
Smiles Of Peace
This picture always makes me smile. Come to think of it, I’m feeling pretty peaceful too. Maybe you should share it. We might start a movement. Pet Blogger’s Gift Exchange Countdown Have you heard about the Third Annual Pet Blogger’s Gift Exchange? If not, you can read more here. Instead of sending cards or gifts, […]
Buying Stuff Does Not Help Animals
Whether you celebrate an end-of-the-year gift giving holiday or not, you can’t escape. Buy, buy, buy. But there’s one message that has you and me in its laser sights to tempt us to spend: Help animals today. Ten percent of your purchase goes to (pick one—save homeless kittens, end elephant poaching, spay and neuter feral dogs). […]
Countdown To Puppy Time
Our local shelter is receiving a litter of puppies. And they need foster homes to keep them healthy until their vaccinations take hold. Guess who will be hosting a foster puppy for the next two weeks? When a puppy comes to visit, we get ready by: bringing the extra crate down from the attic setting up […]
Sometimes My Dog Scares People
Usually I worry that my sweet, fluffy girl doesn’t scare people enough. People put their hands in her face as Honey walks by. They snuggle up and try to kiss her. And they do all kinds of things I know they’d never try if she looked more like a Doberman or German Shepherd. So if people […]
Why Should I Yell At My Dog Because Your Dog Is A Jerk?
Imagine you’re on a bus or shopping. A stranger walks up to you and does one of the following: sniffs your neck while asking about your perfume, puts their fingers in your afro, or touches your pregnant belly. What’s the right response? An indignant yell? Running as fast as you can in the opposite direction? […]
Do We Judge People By Their Dogs?
Yeah, I know we’re not supposed to “judge a book by its cover.” But we all do anyway. It’s only human. But in this age of e-books, maybe it’s time to change the saying. Perhaps we should tell ourselves not to judge a person by her dog. You have a what…? If you live in the […]
What’s Your Town’s Dog Culture?
An acquaintance waved to me as Honey and I walked toward him. He was walking his friend’s dog. The two pups were obviously interested in each other so I asked him if it was okay for them to meet. They frolicked a bit. Then the other dog gave Honey a little snark. I told Honey, “leave […]
How Dogs Talk To Us
“If only I could understand what my dog was thinking.” Have you ever said that to yourself? I have. I’m guessing there are millions of us since researchers keep working on tools that translate barks and harnesses that allow handlers to communicate with dogs at a distance. But do you ever sit down to think […]
Some Amazing Dogs I Wish I Had
I’m not proud of myself. But sometimes I feel envy. No, I don’t covet my neighbor’s car. Or wish I had someone else’s house. But every so often I meet an amazing dog. And I wish I had one just like him. The Amazing Dog Who Waits A contractor who works in my neighborhood had […]