Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Happy Birthday Alex (RUFF!)
I need to get on here more often to keep track of all my friends. I just remembered that my friend Alex has a BIRTHDAY TODAY ! ARF!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Pampered Pet
I have my next pedicure set for Friday ! Oh how I long for "french tips" !
Did you know the average for most pets is to trim nails is every six to eight weeks. You should pay attention to your pet's nails. Nails should be kept short. If you don’t trim them regularly, the nails can curl and grow into the pads, which is very painful. If you can hear your pet’s nails clicking when they walk, they are probably too long. Long nails can lead to bone and joint problems, because your pet isn't able to walk right.
Did you know the average for most pets is to trim nails is every six to eight weeks. You should pay attention to your pet's nails. Nails should be kept short. If you don’t trim them regularly, the nails can curl and grow into the pads, which is very painful. If you can hear your pet’s nails clicking when they walk, they are probably too long. Long nails can lead to bone and joint problems, because your pet isn't able to walk right.
Monday, March 7, 2011
"L" is for Labrador...and also for Loyal...
Did you know one of the most loyal breeds of dogs are Black Labs? 
It is not by accident that they are family dogs, gentle around children, and adorably irresistible as puppies, which make people melt at the sight of them. The love to play fetch with a tennis ball, or maybe even a few tennis balls at a time !
But more than anything else, Labs are loyal. This is why they are often used by the blind and handicapped as guide dogs. They have often been called "angels in dog suits". When you make friends with a Black Lab, you have a friend for life.
I am sad to say we are with one less "friend" these days. My Mom's friend from school recently had her Black Lab "Shania" pass on. When you lose a Black Lab, you might lose a friend, but you never lose that "angel in the dog suit".
Rest gently Shania...and find a spare tennis ball or two to chase for a while !
It is not by accident that they are family dogs, gentle around children, and adorably irresistible as puppies, which make people melt at the sight of them. The love to play fetch with a tennis ball, or maybe even a few tennis balls at a time !
But more than anything else, Labs are loyal. This is why they are often used by the blind and handicapped as guide dogs. They have often been called "angels in dog suits". When you make friends with a Black Lab, you have a friend for life.
I am sad to say we are with one less "friend" these days. My Mom's friend from school recently had her Black Lab "Shania" pass on. When you lose a Black Lab, you might lose a friend, but you never lose that "angel in the dog suit".
Rest gently Shania...and find a spare tennis ball or two to chase for a while !
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
See Spot...See Spot Listen...
When children read to him, Danny does not criticize or correct their pronunciation. He just nods and pricks up an ear, although sometimes he closes his eyes and appears not to be listening.
Danny is a greyhound and a novel way of encouraging pupils at Oakhill primary school in Tamworth, Staffordshire, to read aloud. A "listening dog", he is part of a scheme that originated in the US called Reading Education Assistance Dogs (Read).
"It helps with their self-esteem in reading out loud because he is non-judgmental," says the dog's owner, Tony Nevett, who has a degree in animal-assisted therapy. "He doesn't judge them and he doesn't laugh at them. He's just a tool – the children don't realise they are reading, which they might not have the confidence to do in class." Some children even show Danny the pictures as they read.
Danny received five months of training to become a Read dog. Greyhounds are particularly well-suited because they do not bark and their short coat is less likely to trigger allergies.
Nevett hopes that the scheme, piloted in Kent, will spread. "We've had some success stories, including a girl with Down's Syndrome who really took to the dog and improved her reading," he says. "When Danny goes to sleep I tell the children that he's dreaming about their story."
Danny is a greyhound and a novel way of encouraging pupils at Oakhill primary school in Tamworth, Staffordshire, to read aloud. A "listening dog", he is part of a scheme that originated in the US called Reading Education Assistance Dogs (Read).
"It helps with their self-esteem in reading out loud because he is non-judgmental," says the dog's owner, Tony Nevett, who has a degree in animal-assisted therapy. "He doesn't judge them and he doesn't laugh at them. He's just a tool – the children don't realise they are reading, which they might not have the confidence to do in class." Some children even show Danny the pictures as they read.
Danny received five months of training to become a Read dog. Greyhounds are particularly well-suited because they do not bark and their short coat is less likely to trigger allergies.
Nevett hopes that the scheme, piloted in Kent, will spread. "We've had some success stories, including a girl with Down's Syndrome who really took to the dog and improved her reading," he says. "When Danny goes to sleep I tell the children that he's dreaming about their story."
Monday, February 28, 2011
Cats Versus Dogs
It's an age old battle...although we all know who is the better pet ! So I just wanted to share WHY dogs are better than cats occasionally. Consider this the first of many comparisons !
So sure, make a few more dollars with a cat. You'll need it for all the medical problems you're going to have ! But with a dog, you get LOVE !
So sure, make a few more dollars with a cat. You'll need it for all the medical problems you're going to have ! But with a dog, you get LOVE !
Monday, February 14, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Heroes, One and All...
Did you see the article about how Hero, a dog living in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania recently helped rescue her owners from a house fire? Apparently the house caught on fire and Hero barked and barked until her owners woke up. When Wendy and Keith Rankin did, they went downstairs and found that their kitchen was on fire. The couple and their daughter Emily then got out of the house, taking Hero with them. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they found that the fire had consumed much of the kitchen and had spread to a neighbor's house as well. Fortunately they were able to bring the fire under control and no one was seriously injured.
But it almost didn't happen that way...
You see, Hero had been hit by a car a few months ago. Her leg was broken badly and she had other injuries. Fixing it was going to be expensive. So the family was faced with that most terrible of decisions - would they put Hero down, saving her the long and difficult (to say nothing about the expense) road ahead ? Or would they get her leg set and try as best they can to nurse her back to health ?
There was never really any question in the Rankin's minds; they told the vet to do whatever was necessary to fix Hero up. And now they're even more glad that they did.
They chose to save Hero's life, and she, in turn, lived up to her name and saved theirs.
We're all sort of heroes when it comes right down to it...
ARF ! ARF !
But it almost didn't happen that way...
You see, Hero had been hit by a car a few months ago. Her leg was broken badly and she had other injuries. Fixing it was going to be expensive. So the family was faced with that most terrible of decisions - would they put Hero down, saving her the long and difficult (to say nothing about the expense) road ahead ? Or would they get her leg set and try as best they can to nurse her back to health ?
There was never really any question in the Rankin's minds; they told the vet to do whatever was necessary to fix Hero up. And now they're even more glad that they did.
They chose to save Hero's life, and she, in turn, lived up to her name and saved theirs.
We're all sort of heroes when it comes right down to it...
ARF ! ARF !
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