I love seeing disastrous failures! No, it’s not schadenfreude. If I see someone being successful, it’s easy to come up with reasons I can’t duplicate their achievements: I’m not as smart. I’m too shy. I didn’t go to Harvard. I’m ugly and my mother dresses me funny. But I can always learn something from a …
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The Guilt-Free Blog Award Edition
Earlier in the year, I mea culpaed all over the screen. Or rather, all over three screens in Pamela is a Bad, Bad Blogger, Making Amends Editions 1, 2&3, and 4. Well no more. No apologies. No self-deprecation. No calling myself a bad blogger. I’m proud of being an ingrate who failed to respond to …
How to Create Joy After the Loss of Your Pet
Grieving rituals are the first step in turning wrenching loss into acceptance, and ultimately, joyful memories. Meaningful rituals range from the sublime to the ridiculous. And are as varied as the relationships we have with the animals we’re blessed to share our lives with. The Memorial Garden Our friends at 24 Paws of Love shared …
7 Reasons to Hire a Dog Trainer in a DIY World
The Webster household is into DIY. We rewired our house in Philadelphia without it becoming a home perm project. Our yard is filled with homemade agility equipment. I even cut my own hair for years. So why would we work with a professional dog trainer? Why not just rely on the dozens of books on …
What Motivates Your Dog?
Rewarding Your Dog You can train a dog without treats. But you can’t train a dog without knowing what makes her willing to do what you ask. Honey is easy. A morsel of turkey hot dog, a piece of cheese, or even a sliver of apple are a terrific reward for walking by my …
The Puppiness Project – The Resilience of a Mischievous Foster Pup
Gretchen Rubin wrote in The Happiness Project about the year she spent “test-driving the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture about how to be happy.” The Puppiness Project is my attempt to learn the same from Honey, my Golden Retriever Chérie, our visiting Foster Pup. Don’t Cry For …
9 Things You Must Have to Foster a Dog
Today I planned to post my first home shot video. But I didn’t have time to edit it. You see, we have a new foster dog in the house. And a foster dog trumps professional-looking video. I thought you’d agree. Never Foster a Dog Without… 1. Paper towels and rags. Lots and lots of paper …
Look What Came In Through the Cat Door – Friday Funnies
I’ve read all kinds of stories lately about strange critters that find their way into houses through unsecure cat doors. But I didn’t read anything that equalled what happened to my neighbor in Philadelphia. Officer, I Found Something Stuck in My Cat Door I lived in Philadelphia just as crack made its way into the …
The Puppiness Project – Let Your Friends B & M (Bark and Moan)
Gretchen Rubin wrote in The Happiness Project about the year she spent “test-driving the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture about how to be happy.” The Puppiness Project is my attempt to learn the same from Honey, my Golden Retriever. Have you ever come home from a bad day …
Educate, Don’t Intimidate – Blog the Change 4 Animals
I was excited. I was getting my first dog as an adult and could hardly wait. I dialed the number from the ad: “German Shepherd Rescue of Philadelphia has a handsome, two year old male looking for a home…” I told the woman who answered why I was calling. She started her list of questions …