Many of us envision an ideal dog. For some, it’s the gentle couch potato resting his head on your knee while you read. For others, it’s the dog who swims, camps, hikes, and runs beside the bike. And for still others, it’s something in between. But if your dog isn’t who you expected her to be, …
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Taking a Doggy Ride in Stride
Day 10,941: Honey still hates the Doggy Ride bicycle cart. Actually, I’m exaggerating. It’s only day 10,939. Still I hope that some day we’ll see Honey doing this. However, it’s not as though Honey has never ridden in the cart. She’s just not relaxed or happy there. And she doesn’t go in willingly. I …
Tennyson Obviously Didn’t Have a Dog
It’s freaking cold. But my blueberry bushes have buds and my tulips are four inches out of the ground. It must be spring. What does spring mean? Alfred Lord Tennyson said that “in spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.” It’s not what my thoughts turn to. I’m already drowning in …
The Puppiness Project – Try Your Dreams On for Size
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. Honey is a sweet and gentle girl. And she’s …
I Curse You, Dr. Ian Dunbar!
When Honey came to live with us as an eight week old puppy, we limited our puppy reading. We didn’t want to get overloaded. Our book of choice? Before and After Getting Your Puppy: The Positive Approach to Raising a Happy, Healthy, and Well-Behaved Dog by Ian Dunbar. Giving Your Puppy a Good Start Dunbar’s …
The Puppiness Project – Take Time to Relax
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. Bone Weary – the Puppy Version I’ve never had …
How Well Do You and Your Dog Understand Each Other?
Some dogs know just what we need before we even say it. Others don’t seem to understand what they knew just the day before. And what about you? Do you understand what your dog needs? Are you and your dog communicating? Take the quiz. 1. When it’s doggy dinner time, your dog (A) Is standing …
Is Life With a Small Dog Like Life with Dexter?
The best size dog is… For me, the perfect sized dog is one whose head ends up right under my hand when she walks by my side. Since I’m about 5′ 7″ (170 cm) tall, that means the perfect dog will end up in the 50 pound range. But here’s the thing. I live in …
Happy Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day can be a rough holiday. It sends some unhappy messages that if you’re not tied romantically to another person you’re somehow incomplete. The blessing of being single is that you don’t allow your attention to be taken over by one person. And you’re free to share your friendship and love with many others. …
The Puppiness Project – Keep the Big Picture in Mind
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. Confidence given by squirrels. Honey isn’t a bold dog. …