My Favorite Dog Tails

One very relaxed dog

In the post below, I share the premature aging of my dog Bella.  My other dog, Chief, is the exact opposite. He is the calmest, most laid-back dog (unless you get in the way of his food dish, then the beagle comes out).  He's either getting lazier or his age is showing in his increased "laziness".  He's almost seven but still looks like a puppy (take note Bella). He's always been a tad slow. He literally slides off of the couch, then stretches, and  slowly walks over.  And all of this is just to go for a walk.  You have to allow extra time for him to make his way across the room.  And lately, he's been try to cut walks short. He'll stop dead and refuse to go.  Once we turn back towards home, he's happy to go. Last night, I made him continue. Although it's been hot, it wasn't last night.  He was also recently at the vet with a clean bill of heatlh so it isn't his health.  I guess it's good he knows his own mind, but when he really gets old, I wonder if I'm going to have to take him around in a wheelbarrow!

The Lesson of Stress from a Dog

My Bella is a nervous sort.  Very loving but more than a bit neurotic and tad "needy".  She is getting very prematurely gray. At 6, she looks about 12. She still has the energy of a 3 year old dog, however. But the lesson is still a good one. Stress ages us ... and apparently dogs too.  Frankly, I'm not so sure what she has to be stressed about. She has 4 people in this house that love her. A constant canine companion. Food and drink. A soft bed at night and comfy couches all day long. However, learn from Bella and manage your stress. A good pat on the head and back rub never hurt either!

Summer Heat Kills Dogs

Please protect your pets. Don't leave them outside without shade and water.  Keep them in during the heat of the day.  And NEVER leave them in the car during warm weather. A car becomes an oven.

Good-bye Serena

Serena, the senior golden rescue of a good friend, crossed the rainbow bridge today. She was 13. She truly lived up to her name and was peaceful in her passing. Her health deteriorated rapidly over the weekend but she never lost her gentle, loving spirit. As her "mom" says about her in life and now in golden meadows, "She is an angel." 

Dogs of War - How Dogs Serve in the Military

Heating up the debate of dogs vs. cats, this article gives an undisputed win to dogs considering their role in military operations, including recently in the operation that killed Osama Bin Laden.

http://ricochet.com/main-feed/Don-t-Bring-a-Cat-to-Kill-a-Terrorist

(Photo is by Rebecca Frankel. Read more about the dogs serving in Afghanistan here.

The Heroism of Dogs

Here's a story about the brave dogs that searched for survivors at Ground Zero after 9/11.  It also explores the close relationship between humans and dogs.

http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/205073/cannies-rescue/jonah-goldberg

Remembering Chubby and Patches

This is a memorial to Chubby and Patches, the beloved dogs of a high school friend.  They crossed the rainbow bridge this past week after a tragic house fire.

LAST NIGHT

I stood by your bed last night; I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today; your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today; you tend it with such care.
I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you; I smiled and said, "it's me."
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...
in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to be with me.
- Author Unknown

Rest in peace.

Coyote Neighborhood Watch

I just called the neighbors to warn them that a coyote was in the yard. My dogs had been outside, Bella barking incessantly which probably kept it at bay until they came in. Then it came within feet of the house. It ran off though when I went outside with a baseball bat. Mom 1, Coyote 0.

Dug: The dog from Up

Last year, an animated movie come out called Up. It's a great movie in many ways. One of those ways is a talking dog named Dug. The writers did a wonderful job with a script that sounds how you expect a dog to talk. For example, upon meeting the main characters Dug says, "I have just met you and I love you." Anyone with a dog realizes how true this is! The actor also does a fantastic job with the characterization of Dug's voice.

The other reason I enjoy Dug so much because he reminds me of my dog, Chief. If Chief could talk, I would expect him to talk and sound like Dug.

What Do Dogs Bark At?

Recently, my youngest son and I watched the movie, Up (great animated movie, by the way). In what part, this dog with a voice maker (turns barks into human language, conveniently English) would frequently stop everything, become totally still, look in the distance, and say, "Squirrel".  After a few second, normal behavior would resume.

My dogs do something similar.

Out of the blue, they will spot something and start to bark. All attention and body language is focused on the barking target. 95% of the time, I have no idea what they are barking at. But are they insistent. Is it a squirre, dog, other animall? Do they hear something beyond my human hearing? Did a leaf fall by the window? Or are they simply crazy?

I generally think it's that they heard something, but I'll never know. Unless I can find a voice maker that interprets dog barks into English!