Ok, I feel like that 10 year old kid who’s saying “just let me explain.” So let me explain…life interfered with me sitting down and writing. That’s it, I wish I had some amazing story to tell you about what happened, but really that’s all I have. So I’m going to pretend you forgive me and get right to the good stuff.
You hear a lot of “horror” stories about new puppies and a lot of them are probably true, however, a new adult dog can add some excitement to your life also. When our new ridgie came home (remember she is 8 years old and we've only had her three months) she was so sweet and laid back, just really mellow. Now she is still sweet, just not so mellow…or laid back. Take this past week, I’ve had 3 doggie injuries and two were before I even got out of bed. First, she tried to help me be cool by trying to pierce my nose. She gets to get in the bed with me first thing in the morning for tummy rubs. Usually she lies very quietly on her side until it’s time to get up, not Friday morning. As she lies there with her eyes almost closed I start to get up, she starts to stretch and wiggle on her back like a puppy, and the next thing I know somehow her foot hits me in the nose, her toenail goes into my nostril and almost through my septum. Totally my fault. I know that anything can happen when you’re hanging out with a dog. But wait, there’s more. Kili loves to go for a ride with me so on Tuesday we go to the post office. When I get out of the car she usually get into the front seat sometime even in the drivers seat. I come out of the post office and she is in the drivers seat so I open the door and tell her to scoot over which usually means get in the other seat. As she turns to move into the other seat and I move to get in the car she swings her head around to lick my face, hits me with the top of her head and bust my lip. Again my fault, yes I know better, and you can stop laughing at me already. It’s ok all I could do was laugh and shake my head and cry a little. Poor Kili thinks I’m a sweet person but not very graceful. Oh and this morning was a lot of fun too. Because really, it won’t happen twice right? In bed, tummy rubs, getting up, paw in face, claw marks down right side of face and over right eye. Yeah, yeah I know all my fault. You know if you’re going to laugh at me every time I tell you something you’ll have to make your own mistakes because I won’t let you learn from mine. Trust me it’s a painful lesson. Just think how much you will learn when the puppy gets here. Till next time, I wish you unconditional love and puppy breath.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Herding
Ok, before we go any further let me apologize, I wasn’t as ready to immerse myself in dogs as I thought I was. I’m sorry, but I am now and do I have a lot to tell you. To start I want to introduce you to our new dog. She is an eight year old Rhodesian Ridgeback. For my birthday my better half took me to meet a ridgeback breeder in Tennessee. There we fell in love with an adult ridgie and brought her home. I can’t tell you how nice it is to have a ridgeback in the house again, and in April I’ll be owned by a brand new ridgeback puppy…they’re like chips, you can’t have just one. All right, let’s talk about puppies.
Well now that everyone in the house wants a puppy all you have to do is decide what kind of puppy you want. The American Kennel Club organizes dogs in seven groups based on what job the dog was bred for. If you’re not sure what breed you want or even if you want to rescue a dog it’s always a good idea to know your breeds. Let’s start with the Herding Group.
The Herding group was bred to do just that, “herd.” Even if you don’t have a farm these are all around great dogs. If you have any interest in flyball or agility then this is your dog, very high energy. These breeds are easy to train but be can a little hard headed. Herding breeds come in a variety of sizes and are some of the smartest dogs around. Just remember if you don’t give these dogs lots of exercise they are going to herd anything they can, this includes you, your kids, the neighbors, strangers…you get the idea. If you have ever seen a herding competition (if you haven’t and you like herding dogs you should so go see one) then you know that a good part of herding includes nipping. This can be painful and not something you want from your dog. Please remember, lots of exercise and training will make your dog a better dog, no matter the breed. Check out www.akc.org and look at the herding group. Even if you plan to rescue a mixed breed it’s always good to know the personality of the breeds that make up your fur baby.
Till next time, I wish you unconditional love and puppy breath.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Puppy Proof It
Puppy proof…this doesn’t mean you’ll be able to resist that adorable little face or those big beautiful eyes. It doesn’t mean you will be able to stand against that sweet puppy breath (Favorite. Smell. Ever.) it just means your puppy will be safe exploring your home. Making your house safe for your puppy is a lot like making your house safe for a toddler. Make sure all cords are out of reach, don’t leave things on the floor or where she can reach them. If she chews something up just remember it’s not her fault, it’s yours for leaving it where she can get it. Having a puppy or a dog is like having a perpetual toddler. Which is why she will also need her very own place, a crate. We’ll talk more about these later, but trust me you will both be happy she has one. Now that the inside is taken care of lets talk about the outside. Fenced yards are wonderful for playing with your dog, exercising her, and housetraining her, but a horrible place for her to live.
Still want a dog? Great, but we’re still not ready to bring her home. I just want to remind you of something no one wants to think about when they are falling in love…she is going to be expensive. Now she isn’t going to be the original “material girl” but she will need food, vet trips, and training. She is yours to take care of for the rest of her life, so step away from the puppy breath and make sure you are in it for the long haul. I knew you would be. We’re not ready to start looking yet, but I know when we are you are going to be a great dog owner.
Till next time, I wish you puppy breath and unconditional love.
Still want a dog? Great, but we’re still not ready to bring her home. I just want to remind you of something no one wants to think about when they are falling in love…she is going to be expensive. Now she isn’t going to be the original “material girl” but she will need food, vet trips, and training. She is yours to take care of for the rest of her life, so step away from the puppy breath and make sure you are in it for the long haul. I knew you would be. We’re not ready to start looking yet, but I know when we are you are going to be a great dog owner.
Till next time, I wish you puppy breath and unconditional love.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Can't buy me love???
Can’t buy me love…I know, I’m supposed to write not sing, sorry. I just can’t seem to get all those song and sayings about how you can’t buy love out of my mind. I mean it’s true, besides being illegal to buy love it would also be a little creepy. However what about puppies, really is there anything that loves you more than a dog? True, unconditional love at its best. But before you run out and pick up your best new friend there are a few things to think about.
The first thing you should do is make sure everyone in your house wants a dog. You wouldn’t ask a person to move in with you without discussing it with your family or roommates would you? You might be the one who will take care of, love, and be owned by the dog but life happens. You must make sure that the other people in the home will help out with the puppy if needed. Trust me puppies are a lot of work, but they are so worth it. I really believe the most important thing to know about getting a dog is that this is a life long commitment. A dog’s life can be anywhere from 6 years for a giant breed to 20 years for a toy breed. If you buy from a breeder make sure that they will take the dog back, no matter the reason or the age of the dog. Good breeders do this for every puppy they sell. Puppies should always grow up to be forever friends. They will always be there for you during the bad times and should be there for the good times. Too many people get rid of their dogs when they get married, get a new job and move, or when they have a child. Shame on these people, with a little work and training your dog can be by your side for all of these moments in your life.
Stop! You still can’t go pick out a furry friend there are a few more things to talk about. You know you want to be really prepared before going to meet your new puppy.
Till next time, I wish you puppy breath and unconditional love.
The first thing you should do is make sure everyone in your house wants a dog. You wouldn’t ask a person to move in with you without discussing it with your family or roommates would you? You might be the one who will take care of, love, and be owned by the dog but life happens. You must make sure that the other people in the home will help out with the puppy if needed. Trust me puppies are a lot of work, but they are so worth it. I really believe the most important thing to know about getting a dog is that this is a life long commitment. A dog’s life can be anywhere from 6 years for a giant breed to 20 years for a toy breed. If you buy from a breeder make sure that they will take the dog back, no matter the reason or the age of the dog. Good breeders do this for every puppy they sell. Puppies should always grow up to be forever friends. They will always be there for you during the bad times and should be there for the good times. Too many people get rid of their dogs when they get married, get a new job and move, or when they have a child. Shame on these people, with a little work and training your dog can be by your side for all of these moments in your life.
Stop! You still can’t go pick out a furry friend there are a few more things to talk about. You know you want to be really prepared before going to meet your new puppy.
Till next time, I wish you puppy breath and unconditional love.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Hello
I love animals, all animals, I really can’t think of any that I don’t like. Take dogs for instance, I have studied, researched, and read everything I can get my hands on about dogs. I even spent a few years writing a dog column for a small local paper. I have spent almost half of my life training dogs (ok, I actually train the people who live with the dogs, just don‘t tell them) most importantly, I have spent my whole life loving dogs. I guess that’s what makes it so unbelievable that I don’t actually have a dog right now. Oh don’t get me wrong, we have three dogs that I love that live in the house with us, but my dog passed away. I’m not ready for a new fur baby yet, but I am going to start looking at all the different breeds and I thought you might want to go along for the ride.
Before we start here is a little about my Rhodesian Ridgeback Kutia. She was almost 14 years old (that’s really old for a ridgeback), it took me five years to find her, she was my best friend and I miss her.
Kutia was the perfect dog, I know everybody says that about their dog but she was the perfect dog for me. She was so many things that I’m not. She was willing to give everyone a chance, she might bark at you when she first saw you (something we had in common) but then she would look at you as if to say, “Why aren’t you petting me?” She always expected the best from everybody so if she didn’t like you then neither did I. She was fearless! “Lay on my back and wiggle down this hill, I’m on it!” And she was. Go for a walk in the dark, take a road trip, spend the night someplace new, she was ready to go. She was also compassionate, a great shoulder to cry on, she would listen to you vent for hours and never tell you how bad she had it or that you were in the wrong, she was the best friend a girl could have. And she was so beautiful, she would answer to “the prettiest girl in the world.” Ten years old is about the oldest ridgebacks get, yet even battling cancer Kutia stayed with us for almost 14 years. She had the heart of a lion. Yesterday I told her it was ok for her to go, and so like a true lady, she did. She left behind Raven, Tammy, Logan, Gaia, Artemis, Killer, and a huge hole in our lives. We will miss you.
Before we start here is a little about my Rhodesian Ridgeback Kutia. She was almost 14 years old (that’s really old for a ridgeback), it took me five years to find her, she was my best friend and I miss her.
Kutia Maya Spiritdancer
4/10/98 - 12/30/11
Kutia was the perfect dog, I know everybody says that about their dog but she was the perfect dog for me. She was so many things that I’m not. She was willing to give everyone a chance, she might bark at you when she first saw you (something we had in common) but then she would look at you as if to say, “Why aren’t you petting me?” She always expected the best from everybody so if she didn’t like you then neither did I. She was fearless! “Lay on my back and wiggle down this hill, I’m on it!” And she was. Go for a walk in the dark, take a road trip, spend the night someplace new, she was ready to go. She was also compassionate, a great shoulder to cry on, she would listen to you vent for hours and never tell you how bad she had it or that you were in the wrong, she was the best friend a girl could have. And she was so beautiful, she would answer to “the prettiest girl in the world.” Ten years old is about the oldest ridgebacks get, yet even battling cancer Kutia stayed with us for almost 14 years. She had the heart of a lion. Yesterday I told her it was ok for her to go, and so like a true lady, she did. She left behind Raven, Tammy, Logan, Gaia, Artemis, Killer, and a huge hole in our lives. We will miss you.
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