Paw Print
Champions of the Heart.Passions and Impressions... all things canine, feline, equine and more.
Letter to All Dogs and Cats
To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - pet nose height…
Dear Dogs and Cats:
The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The
other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw
print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it
becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing
in the slightest.
The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack.
Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn’t help
because I fall faster than you can run.
I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry
about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to
ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when
they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other
stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking
tails straight out and having tongues hanging out t he other end to
maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.
For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom. If by
some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not
necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw
under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the
same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years
—canine or feline attendance is not required.
The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat’s
butt. I cannot stress this enough!
And, to pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following
message on our front door:
To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:
1. They live here. You don’t.
2. If you don’t want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture.
That’s why they call it ‘fur’niture.
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, they are an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter
who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn’t speak clearly.
Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
1. Eat less
2. Don’t ask for money all the time
3 Are easier to train
4. Normally come when called
5. Never ask to drive the car
6. Don’t hang out with drug-using friends
7. Don’t smoke or drink
8. Don’t have to buy the latest fashions
9. Don’t want to wear your clothes
10. Don’t need a gazillion dollars for college, and…
11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 11/28/08 at 12:44 PM
Female Dog Names
I feel the need to address female dog names so not to be accused of exclusion or bias. I, myself, however have only had male dogs with names that best suit their personalities or a memorable place than elegant dog names - Reno, Tahoe and Ryder!
I do however, have a female cat named Coby (a derivation of Christmas baby, she was given to me as a Christmas gift 20 years ago from my sister in law.) Coby is a whole other couple of chapters or volumes of stories!
Back to female dog names, can’t say I’ve heard a lot of memorable names. I assume that female dogs are more often given a name that is meaningful to the owner or suites the personality of the individual dog or breed versus a typical female dog name.
Which is probably best, some of the too commonly used female dog names are a tad bit nauseating (see my list below).
Here’s my list of not so common female dog names I like: Stella, CoCo, Ruby, Tulip, Lacey, Gracie, Olive
Too common female dog names: Penny, Honey, Princess, Sammy, Sadie, Sally, Bailey, Daisy, Duchess
Do you have a female dog with one of these names? PLEASE share a fresh fun female dog name with me, my list is short.
On another note…The other day I wrote about black dog names: someone suggested I add - Magic (Black Magic), of course instead I’m thinking about Black Friday!
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Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 11/26/08 at 09:21 AM
Elegant Dog Names
What is an elegant dog name? And, is it the name or the breed that is elegant?
Are elegant dog names the same as aristocratic dog names? When I think of elegant dogs I think of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and the beautifully groomed Afghans gliding across the ring, pulling the frumpy dressed women in REALLY bad shoes!
Sorry, slight tangent there - back to what are considered elegant dog names? Once the Afghan image is erased from my mind I think of names that are somewhat noble and strong like a mastiff - but elegant? Here are a few of the elegant dog names I like (they tend to be more male than female dog names ironically.)
Elegant Dog Names (males): Winston, Hilton, Duke, Maxwell, Lincoln, Briggs, Hendrix, Hamlet, Romeo, King and Buford
Elegant Dog Names (females): Chanel, Elizabeth, Sophia, Beatrice, Selma, Grace, Florence, Faith, Ella, Madeline
What do you think is an “elegant dog name”? Any of the above? Have a name that is truly elegant, please share it with me!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 11/25/08 at 08:38 AM
Dog Name Game
Ever since I can remember I have loved thinking of names, when I was a child I remember thinking of children’s names for some odd reason since I only had an older brother and wanted no children of my own. Heck, my doll was even already named, Barbie.
When I graduated college and moved out to Palm Springs and became an eligible pet owner my new craze began…pet names! I love to pass the time thinking of pet names; for my next dogs, for friends dogs, for strangers dogs - I’ll name it! I love a good dog name.
Once I run through all the generic names I turn my attention to specific breeds and what names would be perfect for that type dog like chocolate lab dog names - there are the very obvious and somewhat humorous dog names for a chocolate dog like Hershey and Cocoa.
In the neighborhood where I grew up there was a brownish mutt named Chocolate - now there’s a no-nonsense name for a chocolate dog!
There is a chocolate lab named Jake in my neighborhood, definitely NOT a chocolate lab dog name! I honestly haven’t met as many chocolate labs as I have yellow or black labs, have a good chocolate lab dog name?
Then there are the black dog names, again the obvious names like Shadow and Blackie are still popular. My favorite black dog names are Coal and Domino (he’s sprinkled with a little white). There are three black labs in my neighborhood, Bruce and Cody are retired champion father and son show dogs (very handsome dogs) and Marley (named after Bob Marley). I really do love a good dog name!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 11/24/08 at 07:00 AM
Free Puppy Gimmick
There was recently a business in Missouri (if I recall correctly) that put on his large business marquee: Free Puppy with service. Turns out, free dogs and puppies are a real attention and business grabber - he saw his business increase significantly after posting Free puppy with service for all to see. When I heard about it I immediately became concerned he was actually giving away real live free dogs and puppies. I had many fears flash through my mind but mostly I was fearful of free dogs and puppies being given away only as a business gimmick and the dog would go to an unqualified home and be abused. Same kind of outcome that a popular movie such as 101 Dalmatians created; every kid that saw the movie wanted a Dalmatian and a lot of them got one. Only to find out too late Dalmatian grow up from the adorable little puppy and need a lot of exercise. I know this only because I had a Dalmatian growing up, Ajax, and he was pretty rambunctious.
Long story short, my concerns were quickly put to rest - the business was indeed giving away free puppies but they were small porcelain puppies. In today’s business climate we need all the gimmicks we can dream up…as long as they do not place dogs, cats and puppies in harms way.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 11/22/08 at 01:56 PM
A Dog’s Purpose
(from a 6-year-old)
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ‘I know why.’
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said, ‘People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life—like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?’
The Six-year -old continued, ‘Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.’
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you’re not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
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Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 11/19/08 at 01:33 PM
Holiday Gift Idea for Children - Webkinz!
I’m an advocate for children spending their time playing with their physical friends and enjoying a breath of fresh air, bike ride, etc. but I also know it’s difficult to drag our youth from action packed and often violent video games. A safe, educational and fun suggestion for the pet loving children on your holiday gift list - a Webkinz.
Webkinz are stuffed animals that each have an attached tag with a unique Secret Code printed on it that allows access to the virtual Webkinz World, where users will find a virtual version of their pet. Every pet gets its own room in Webkinz World where you care for your virtual pet, redecorate the rooms, buy items for their pets (including a yard!), answer trivia, earn KinzCash, and play the best kids games on the net!. If a safe, educational and fun online community is not on your gift list this year, you might want to reconsider!
Check it out: http://www.webkinz.com/us_en/
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 11/09/08 at 06:39 PM
How to Give a Cat a Pill
A friend forwarded this to me this week after I had told her about my 20 year old cat, Coby, just being diagnosed with a stomach tumor.
The vet sent me and Coby home with a small bottle of Prednisone to reduce the size of the tumor so food would be able to get to her stomach easier.
When he was telling me this was really the only way to treat her at her age I couldn’t help but visualize me getting a pill into her mouth much less swallowed,
particularly after watching her less than stellar behavior in the vet’s office.
As suspected and feared Coby showed her ugly side and after day two I gave up the fight, ironically she’s doing pretty well and I’m not maimed.
How to Give a Cat a Pill
1. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if
holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side
of cat’s mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding
pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow
cat to close mouth and swallow.
2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in
left arm and repeat process.
3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.
4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm, holding
rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to
back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of
ten.
5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of
wardrobe.Call spouse from garden.
6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front
and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold
head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth.
Drop pill down ruler and rub cat’s throat vigorously.
7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap.
Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains.Carefully sweep
shattered figurines and vases from hearth and set to one side for
gluing later.
8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head
just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw,
force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.
9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink 1beer
to take taste away.Apply Band-Aid to spouse’s forearm and remove
blood from carpet with cold water and soap.
10. Retrieve cat from neighbor’s shed. Get another pill.Open another
beer. Place cat in cupboard, and close door onto neck, to leave head
showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat
with elastic band.
11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on
hinges. Drink beer. Fetch bottle of scotch. Pour shot, drink. Apply
cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus
shot. Apply whiskey compress to cheek to disinfect. Toss back
another shot. Throw Tee shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.
12. Call fire department to retrieve the damn cat from across the
road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to
avoid cat. Take last pill from foil wrap.
13. Tie the little bastard’s front paws to rear paws with garden
twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy-duty
pruning gloves from shed. Push pill into mouth followed by large
piece of filet steak. Be rough about it. Hold head vertically and
pour 2 pints of water down throat to wash pill down.
14. Consume remainder of scotch. Get spouse to drive you to the
emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and
forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture
shop on way home to order new table.
15. Arrange for SPCA to collect mutant cat from hell and call local
pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.
How To Give A Dog A Pill
1. Wrap it in bacon.
2. Toss it in the air.
My dogs prefer their pills smothered in butter, huh, what pill?
Comments (0)Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 11/05/08 at 07:41 AM
Maryland Zoo Shortens Season
According to the website of The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore the zoo has announced an early closing - get those children bundled up for one last visit with Samson the baby elephant and all of the other fabulous animals.
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore will close for the winter season this year beginning on December 15 and will reopen Saturday, March 14, 2009. The Zoo, which is closed during January and February, is taking this step to spend additional time on zoo campus improvements, while at the same time offsetting recent budget cuts.
“When reviewing our operating budget, we realized that closing the Zoo for an additional four weeks would save a substantial amount of money, as well as allowing us to start early on some planned improvements,” said Don Hutchinson, interim president/CEO. “It was not a decision we made lightly, as it does affect some of our seasonal staff. However, the Zoo currently operates without a reserve fund, has no endowment, and is in need of costly structural repairs. So after considering a number of options, we are choosing to move in this direction.”
While the Zoo is closed to the public, animal care staff will be still be working closely with the animals and the Zoo’s education staff will be concentrating on the Zoo’s Outreach programs which bring animals and education programs to schools, senior centers and community centers all over Maryland. On Zoo grounds, a number of capital projects will be undertaken. These projects are largely funded by capital dollars provided by the state of Maryland, Baltimore City and Baltimore County:
o Lion holding area and Wading Bird roof repairs,
o Elephant floor and outdoor shade structure installation,
o Miscellaneous repairs, the primary focus of which is to correct life support and safety issues throughout the Zoo,
o Village Green (concessions area) renovation,
o Roof, gutter and porch repairs on the historic Maryland Building,
o Completion of a new manure handling system, and
o Replacement of the Hospital roof.
“We encourage people to come visit us over the next few weeks,” continued Hutchinson. “Many of the animals are more active in the cool fall weather, and we have some fun on-grounds programming coming up like Wild Cat Awareness Weekend which the keepers have been working on for our guests. We also have a baby spoonbill stork in our African Aviary which is just starting to hop out and around the exhibit.”
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is accredited by The Association of Zoos and Aquariums. .
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Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 11/02/08 at 06:44 AM
Soup Kitchen Opens For Dogs
When I first saw this I thought wow, Berlin, Maryland, how forward thinking!
I’m volunteering at Our Daily Bread in Baltimore on Monday and I can already envision looking at every person that comes through the line as a dog.
Soup kitchen opens for dogs - Berlin, Germany
Fri, Oct 31 14:12 PM EDT
BERLIN (Reuters) - A soup kitchen exclusively for dogs has opened its doors in Berlin providing pets of the homeless and unemployed with a free meal, the director of the establishment said on Friday.
Despite the looming financial crisis, director Claudia Hollm dismissed criticism that it may be more sensible to collect money for humans than for dogs.
“Nowadays people underestimate dogs. They are incredibly important for those who lack social contact with other humans,” Hollm told Reuters.
“Making sure dogs don’t go hungry is just as important as making sure that people don’t starve,” she added.
Hollm, and her company “Animal Board,” gets sponsorship from companies, including animal food manufacturers.
One woman who uses the free service said she had two dogs, four cats, a rabbit and some guinea pigs.
“Without this animal bread line, I’d probably starve to death,” the 20-year old told German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung.
The opening of the soup kitchen follows last month’s launch of a new bus service in Berlin for dogs, which shuttles their furry friends to a luxury dog day-care center.
(Reporting by Josie Cox)
Comments (0)Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 11/01/08 at 02:19 PM
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