A Girl and Her Dogs

DOG PROPERTY RULES

If I like it, it’s mine.

If it’s in my mouth, it’s mine.

If I can take it from you, it’s mine.

If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine.

If it’s mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.

If I’m chewing something up, all the pieces are mine.

If it just looks like mine, it’s mine.

If I saw it first, it’s mine.

If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.

If it’s broken, it’s yours.

WILLIAM WEGMAN COLLECTION

These are the FINEST designer collection of dog beds, tote bags and dog carriers I have ever seen! I LOVE THESE!

I don’t own one of the beds yet (but I will soon!), but I DO own the Petalonia bag (in the photo above, mine’s hot chocolate/mocha) - I LOVE IT!!!!! It’s HUGE so I can put SO much stuff in it - great for airplanes, diaper bags (and doggie diaper bags) - and so much more!

AND, because it’s made by Crypton fabrics, it’s stain, mildew and tear resistant!

Check it out here!

Wegman Tote Bags, Luggage & Dog Carriers:

http://www.cryptonfabric.com/crypton/foryou.do?category_id=79

Wegman Designer Dog Beds:

http://www.cryptonfabric.com/crypton/forpets.do?category_id=1497

You can also find the fabric to make your own beds, pillows, purses, etc. here:

http://www.cryptonfabric.com/crypton/fabrics.do?category_id=182&category_name=William%20Wegman

It’s a constant thing around here - as sure as the sun will rise, dogs will bark! Especially when there’s 23 of them!!!!!

AAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!

Being upstairs it’s not so bad, but it’s really bad when I’m in the kitchen or when we’re trying to watch tv. We’ve tried a dog ‘Barker Breaker’ and it helped a little, but not as much as we’d have hoped. We even use an airhorn - and that works, as long as you don’t mind running downstairs every time they bark and then bursting your own eardrums in the process!

Any suggestions?!?

“Heaven goes by favour. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.”

Mark Twain

“No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich.”
Louis Sabin

Can you BELIEVE this?

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/01-10-2008/0004734363&EDATE=

and

http://www.doggienews.com/2008/01/virginia-classify-peta-slaughterhouse.htm

and

http://www.petakillsanimals.com/

and

http://www.nokillnow.com/PETAanimalpeople.htm

PeTA (supposedly People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) euthanized 97% of the companion animals it took in last year! They campaign for donations to help them SAVE all of these animals and find loving homes, and yet they killed 2,981 of the 3,061 animals they promised to save and help get adopted! That means they ONLY SAVED 12 ANIMALS!

Here’s what the article says:

“The Center for Consumer Freedom, a non-profit trade group representing the interests of manufacturers and retailers, formally petitioned the Commonwealth of Virginia to reclassify PETA as a “slaughterhouse”.

An official report filed by PETA itself shows that the animal rights group put to death nearly every dog, cat, and other pet it took in for adoption in 2006. During that year, the well-known animal rights group managed to find adoptive homes for just 12 animals. The organization killed 2,981 of the 3,061 “companion animals” it took in.

According to David Martosko, Research Director for CCF…

“It is absurd to classify PETA as a ‘humane society’ when its employees are slaughtering nearly every companion animal they bring in. PETA has killed over 17,000 pets since 1998. Given the group’s astonishing habit of killing adoptable dogs and cats with such ruthless efficiency, it’s only fair that the state of Virginia refer to PETA as a slaughterhouse.”

CCF’s petition was directed to Virginia’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. If approved, the new classification would force PETA to abide an entirely new set of laws and regulations.

The Center of Consumer Freedom has set PETA in its sights because PETA has targeted the companies that CCF represents, such as food makers, department stores, and textile companies.

PETA’s most successful publicity campaigns have been those against the fur industry, arguing that killing animals for fur is akin to cruelty. Yet ironically, PETA itself is killing thousands perfectly healthy and adoptable animals for no better reason than just ideology.”

Now I’ve read the comments from people who agree and disagree with the validity of these findings, but one thing seems clear - PeTA is NOT who they claim to be!

I have alway thought of PeTA as a warm fuzzy organization that cares about animals - but after the research I have been doing, I see that this is DEFINITELY not the case! I will promote the boycotting of PeTA and I hope that those of you who feel as sick about this as I do will join me.

Spread the word - PeTA KILLS!

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/216274_dogfacelift17.html

You have GOT to be kidding! Not only do we HUMANS refuse to grow old gracefully - but now we won’t let our DOGS do it, either???!!

PEOPLE!! Where are your BRAINS????!!!

It seems a Brazilian plastic surgeon (and apparently a Doberman breeder, as well) actually says that plastic surgery for dogs is good for them! We’re not talking about reconstructive surgery after injury or disease….we’re talking nipple lifts and botox!

But it’s not just the rage in Brazil - it’s catching on here in the U.S. - check out this excerpt from the above article:

“In Brazil, the United States and Europe, pet plastic surgery is increasingly in demand, despite objections from animal rights activists and some dog breeders. The American Kennel Club, which sets the rules for the recognized breeds on the U.S. dog-show circuit, prohibits any surgery that alters a dog’s appearance, other than the cropping of ears and tails to meet breed standards. But the prohibition on surgery is difficult to define and enforce. Two years ago, an award-winning Pekingese in Britain was the subject of an inquiry when rumors swirled that its face had been surgically enhanced. The dog and its owners were acquitted and allowed to keep the award from the 2003 Crufts Dog Show.”

Oh, the scandals that lay in wait for us now!!

And read this - “Brito says animal health is his top concern, but beauty also is important to the animal’s well-being. Brito said that if the owner thinks the dog is attractive, the relationship is better.”

Are we so shallow and one-dimensional that as dog owners we must have a physically perfect specimen in order to feel love for our dog, and in essence, feel better about ourselves?

I cannot tell you how many mutts (and even ‘pedigrees’) that I have had the pleasure of loving and being loved by, that were so ugly it made them cute! Sometimes the uglier ones seemed to love the most fervently! How can we be so critical of our dogs that we force them to undergo the knife just to please us?

Please don’t get me wrong - I have nothing against show dogs at all, or against the desire to look at a beautiful animal (after all, it’s human nature to want to be surrounded by beauty) - but to put a dog through surgeries like this, for no good reason - is just cruel, and in my humble opinion, extremely selfish! Not to mention the money wasted - DONATE it to your local No-Kill animal shelter, pet rescue, ASPCA or dog charity!

Anyway, saw this and just HAD to rant!! OMG! It’s just CRAZY!!!!!!!

http://www.doggienews.com/2008/01/top-10-dog-breeds-for-2007.htm

Ok, so this article says that the number 1 dog breed of 2007, for all of the U.S., is a Lab - go figure! Of course, my goldens made #4 (YAY!) My mother, on the other hand, was thrilled that her doxies even made the list (pawed their way to #7). And oddly, that’s how many dachshunds she has….

Anyway, here are stats (based on AKC registrations):

2007 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Golden Retriever
5. Beagle
6. Boxer
7. Dachshund
8. Poodle
9. Shih Tzu
10. Bulldog

For the first time since 1935, the Bulldog has broken into the top 10. The organization says that this breed has recently gained appeal to a very wide range of dog lovers. The Bulldog is both docile and adaptive, and can thrive in small or large homes. It’s also one of the few dog breeds to be adopted as a mascot for some sports teams.

The Bulldog was first recognized by the AKC in 1886, just two years after the organization’s founding, and was most popular in 1915 when it peaked in 5th place. The breed’s popularity ebbed and flowed throughout the mid-20th century, but since hitting a low of 41st place in 1973, its ranking has steadily increased.

The AKC published statistics by cities…

• The Bulldog is most popular in Los Angeles where is it currently ranked 2nd right after the Lab.
• Atlanta, GA did not include the Bulldog in its top 10, despite being the home to University of Georgia’s “Bulldogs”.
• The Poodle and Dachshund, who each once enjoyed the top spot in Manhattan (2006, 2005 for the Poodle and 2004 for the Dachshund) now share a tie for 3rd place, ousted by America’s top choice, the Labrador Retriever.
• Detroit, Knoxville, Miami, Honolulu and Orlando are the only cities that do not have the Labrador Retriever in the top spot. Detroit and Miami favor the German Shepherd, Orlando puts the Yorkie in 1st place, Honolulu the Golden Retriever and Knoxville the Boxer.
• Salt Lake City is the only city to place the Shih Tzu in one of its top two spots. It moved from 3rd in 2006 to 2nd in 2007.
• The only cities to not have the Yorkie on their lists are Buffalo, Milwaukee and Des Moines.
• Des Moines had the most unique list of all 50 cities, considering that it shared only four dogs with the national Top 10.
• The Miniature Schnauzer, which was displaced on the national list this year by the Bulldog, still claims top dog status in Oklahoma City where it ranks 3rd, higher than in any other U.S. city.
• San Francisco and Los Angeles were the only cities in the nation to include the French Bulldog in their Top 10 lists.

Other interesting dog breed preference facts…

• The Miniature Schnauzer was bumped off the Top 10 list in 2007 to make room for the Bulldog.
• The Yorkshire Terrier held steady in 2nd place, after making news last year by displacing the Golden Retriever and German Shepherd.
• The Havanese, a small dog with a coat type that is a good choice for people with allergies, has enjoyed the greatest surge in popularity since 1997, increasing 994%. It now ranks as the 37th most popular breed.
• Other small dogs (under 20 lbs.) that have gained popularity in the past decade include the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (+406%), the French Bulldog (+404%) and the Brussels Griffon (+157%).
• Large dogs with notable increases are two Swiss breeds — the Bernese Mountain Dog (+74%) and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (+127%) — as well as the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (+130%).
• Breeds on the decline include the Rottweiler (-81%) and the Dalmatian (-96%). Many breeds of Asian origins are also waning in popularity: Chow Chows (-84%), Pekingese (-79%), Akitas (-76%), Lhasa Apso (-75%), Chinese Shar-Pei (-73%) and Shiba Inu (-38%).
• The Beagle is the only breed that has consistently been included in the Top 10 list since 1915. It reigned as the most popular breed from 1954 to 1959.
• Poodles enjoyed a long reign as the most popular dog for 23 years (1960 - 1982), the longest any breed has held that position consecutively.
• Cocker Spaniels ranked number one from 1936-1953 (replaced by the Beagle in 1954). Cocker Spaniels made a comeback and were number one again from 1983-1990, making them the dog with the longest total reign in the top spot at 25 years.
• The Toy group has been steadily on the rise since the 1970s, when it made up only 12% of the registry versus 23% today.
• The Working group peaked in the 1990’s at 17%, most notably due to the Rottweiler being in the Top 10 at that time, including several years in 2nd place.

You can read more about the AKC’s top ten dog breeds here…

http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3408

So let me know your thoughts on who should have (and should not have) made the top 10!

Many people don’t take naming their dog very seriously - but for some of us, it’s not only an art, but a form of personal expression. A way to be creative, unique and stand out.

Some name their dogs after family member, like Frank or Otis. Others use names that they didn’t get to use on their children, like Kayleigh or Emma. Others are just plain lazy and call their dog something like Spot, Fido, Rufus, Fluffy, Puppy, or even Dog. Then there are those who name them after personality traits, like Sweetie, or something fierce, like Killer or Bear. How bout those that stick with childhood names, like Cornflake or Boo Boo Bear?!

For me, it was just pure creative fun.

I mean - Indiana Bones? How cute is that? And Piper Maru? Isn’t that a ship on an episode of X-Files???

Lemme tell you a little bit more on how we came up with some of the names for our dogs (including dogs that we no longer have with us) - this may give you too much insight into our own insanity and delusion, but we know that there are some of you out there that share in our ridiculous name obsession…

Piper Maru - after the ship on a episode of X-Files

Fedor - after Fedor Emilenenko (our favorite MMA Heavyweight fighter, from Russia)

Tequila Gold - Cuervo Tequila Gold, Baby! (always wanted a golden named Tequila!)

Killian Red - yup, the Irish beer (she’s red, after all!)

Chaser - Vodka Chaser (or could it because 10 minutes after he was born, he crawled out of his box and chased after his mom…)

Indiana Bones - what do you think?????

Jilly Bean - Jillian (after Gillian Anderson) and Bean (her momma’s nickname)

Schtick - she’s as skinny as a stick

Cow - he looked like a jersey cow when he was born

Mikeylah - pronounced like Michaela but spelled this way because when she was born, she looked a lot like her uncle Mikey (no - he’s not the daddy - we had given him to my mom already!)

Cashleigh - I collect Cherished Teddies figurines and I have one with that name and just thought it was so pretty! I changed the spelling from Cashley to Cashleigh, because my middle name is Leigh

Martini - go figure (shaken…not stirred)

Bailey - Bailey’s Irish Cream

Gizmo - if you don’t know this one then shame on you!

Lil’ Bear - he looked like a little bear (really!)

Lil’ Hugs - we also call Schtick ‘Big Hugs’, so of course we had to name her pup (that looks JUST like her) Lil’ Hugs! (It was Aerie, but it just didn’t stick)

Lil’ Kisses - I had to. She was Lil’ Hugs’ sister! How cute is Hugs and Kisses???!

Lisie - after Lisie in Stephen King’s ‘Lisie’s Story’

Hoya - he was the only golden boy in Schtick’s litter (Golden Boy = Oscar De La Hoya….)

Mikey - he has one white paw - like a glove, so we thought, gee - who else wears one white glove?

Tyler - he reminded me of Papa Tyson

Tyson Cole - after Mike Tyson (and he was black as coal)

Coleson Ty - on of Tyson’s puppies…

Brittini - she has a brown heart shape on her butt, so for some reason, Brittany Spears came to mind…..

Liam - after Liam Neeson (one of my mom’s favorite actors), plus, I really like Irish names

Alexi - once upon a time we had a Lexus….

So there’s a few reasons behind the weird names of our dogs. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that we don’t have kids yet. Or maybe I just keep adding more dogs to our family because I have so many ideas for cute names. But no one would be that insane………..would they?

We don’t like spanking our dogs (unless the situation calls for it - we do use the Monks of New Skete method sometimes - more on that later)…so what do we do when we want our (many) dogs to listen?

We use a little thing called a WATER BOTTLE!

We picked up several small plastic water sprayer bottles from the travel cosmetics section of Wal-Mart, and filled them with cold water and we placed them strategically all over the house (so we’d have access to them when we need them).

It works so well - especially when we have to walk through all of them to go outside, or when we have company, or we need to give them some or all of them medicine, or even when they are whining, barking or fussing at/with each other. Simply squirt them a few good times - right on the muzzle or square between the eyes (even on the paws or the ears) -and they usually stop and settle down!

If you find your dogs aren’t phased by it - try added a splash of lemon juice to the water - just be careful not to get it in their eyes! And never use a spray bottle that has had something else in it - always use a clean, brand new one. Preferably one with the option to ’stream’ and not just ‘mist’!