A Human And Dog Paradise

This weekend I treated myself to a camping trip with a great group of friends.  We went to the Anza-Borrego Desert and saw all the beauty that is there!  Not only is this a great place to relax and enjoy nature, but you can have your dog with you almost anywhere you go. 

The campground we were at was completely dog friendly, you just needed to keep your pooch on a leash.  But almost all the hikes or adventures at your fingertips are okay for dogs too.  There were a few places that I saw, and I didn't go everywhere, that had "no dogs past this point" signs, but the rocks and step climbs would've turned most dog owners away.

I didn't have my four-legged friend with me on this trip.  Neville is not good with a lot of new people and I wasn't sure how it would be for him in terms of what I could take him along for.  So, I was pleasantly surprised to see all the dogs I did.

Wind Caves

One adventure that we went on was exploring the Mud Caves!  What a beautiful thing and so much fun!  I would never take my dog there, but there were other cave like areas that would've been his dream come true.  The Mud Caves were pitch dark and you had to rely on your flash lights, such a thrill!

The next time I go, I will certainly be taking my Neville.  To allow him to explore the desert will be a fun adventure for me too.

If you have the chance to go, with your dog or without, see the Mud Cave, Wind Caves, and don't miss taking a dip in the natural hot springs pool!  But above all, at night just look up.  The amount of stars and shoot stars we saw were just amazing.

Music Arranged For Dogs Hits Billboard Charts

Dogster broke the story a couple of days ago that the album Through A Dog's Ears hit #19 on the Billboard Classic Chart!  This is a first that an album made for dogs is being recognized by Billboard.  More importantly, the music on the album is documented as actually helping dogs chill.

Through a Dog’s Ear: Music to Calm Your Canine Companion, performed by Dogster favorite Lisa Spector, ranks at #19 on the chart this week. The album is the first in a series of solo piano recordings clinically demonstrated to calm the canine nervous system. The music has been selected and rearranged to help dogs suffering from anxiety issues.

I am so excited by this news.  I certainly want to go pick up a copy and see how it might help my own dog in certain situations.

In this same Dogster blog, it is explained that Dogster creator and blogger Maria Goodavage did an article for the San Francisco Classical Voice about how music can calm dogs.  The article is great and you should all check it out, especially if you have a fearful dog or one that is suffering from anxiety.  To read the whole article, bark on the link:  BARK!

Happy Friday!  I wish you all a good weekend and don't forget to do something special with your dogs.  For those of you with a three day weekend... enjoy the extra time!   

Dogs and Bondage Fashion Show

I was going to do something on the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, maybe preview the winner, give you the highlights of some special stories, but if I see one more article or news cast on that show, I might burst.  So I thought I would give you a little preview of show of a different sort that where dogs were the stars.

I am a big fashion nut, if I ever have the chance to go to Fashion Week in NYC, it would be a dream come true.  So, I guess you could say these pooches are living my dream!

At the Vice's Doggy Fashion show Westway in NYC the dogs strutted down the runway in their best bondage gear.  Leather covered them from head to tail and think most of the pups were concentrating on not making their outfit their lunch!  Check out the shots of these talented little ones working the runway.

These guys look adorable.  This would have been a great show to see!  Fabulous.

For the full story, bark on the link:  Bark! 

Goodbye To A Special Bark & Clark Friend

Each dog that I train I end up having a special relationship with, but there are a few that end up wedging themselves into a very special place in my heart and the attachment is more than just a trainer and a client.  Yesterday, I learned that one of these very special guys suddenly died.

It was about two years ago I was employed for some private training of a dog that had such a fun and loving spirit but some very unwanted and nasty behaviors.  After a few months I watched the notorious Freckles turn a corner and become a very good dog.  One that even listened to the 6-year-old in the house.

I always had a special fondness for Freckles, I don't know if it was his background, silly personality or just the fact that he was so loveable, whatever it was, he had my heart.  I absolutely loved working with him, though he could be a challenge, it was so rewarding at the end to see him take to the training and become confident.  Watching him settle into his family and finally be happy was such a pleasure.  I would get glowing updates from his mom that would have me smiling from ear to ear.

But yesterday as I looked at my email, what I thought would be another update, turned out to be heartbreaking news.  Freckles apparently started acting a little off and then had a few seizures and then was gone.  They think it was either Cancer or Encephalitis.

My heart breaks today in mourning for such a fun and lovely dog that we lost way too early.  What I can smile about is that he had a family that loved him for him and gave that dog a great life.  I am sure Freckles didn't know how kind humans could be until he got to them, so at least that is how he ended his short life.

I can't believe I don't have a picture of Freckles, but I know his image and beauty of his black and white speckled self will live in my head forever.  Rest in peace sweet boy, you will be missed and loved.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today is a day to celebrate love and I think the perfect "someone special" are our pets!  Now don't get me wrong, me and my boyfriend will celebrate this day with something special, but I always take this day to spoil my own pets a little extra and maybe some less fortunate ones too.

I find myself this morning giving a special amount of love to a very unfortunate little puppy.  My friend found this scared little girl a week ago today, she is about 6 months old and just tiny.  My cat is much bigger than she is!  So, I get to watch her this week and spoil her.  The best part is my dog is very sympathetic to her and seems to be just as interested as I am in loving her and making sure she feels comfortable and safe.

Many of my clients and friends have asked what the best way is to show your love to your pet.  I think that is the easiest thing to do.  Make them a special dinner or get a yummy "desert" treat from your local pet bakery or pet boutique (Pussy & Pooch have some yummy things) or take your pet on an adventure you know they will enjoy.

Showing your love is easy... just love them.  You could sit on the couch and pet them for hours... I'm pretty sure my cat and dog are crossing their paws for that one.

Whatever you do, let your pets know just how special they are and how loved they are.  If you have a chance to drop some food or treats off at a local shelter or rescue, the pets there would surely enjoy it.  And if you can handle it, today is great day to pay a few of them a visit for a little pet or talking to.  But be careful, I know many people that ended up getting their pet on Valentines day simply because they went in "just to look or pet a few".

Happy Valentines Day to you and all the four-legged friends that make our life a little better just by being in it.

Lady And The Tramp

I felt like I revisited my childhood on Friday night when I went to the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood to see the re-release of Lady and the Tramp.  I forgot how much I love that film!  Besides it being a great love story of two dogs, it is also a love story of humans and dogs. 

All the true to life dog-isms they put in the animation was really impressive considering how old the movie is.  But what always makes me laugh is the accents on the dogs based on their breed.  I find it so cute.

I laughed and I cried, even though I have seen it who knows how many times.  Seeing it in the theatre felt like I was seeing it for the first time.  The story warms my heart every time.  The prejudice that is played out about dogs being bad or having bad intentions only to be proven wrong in the end.  It did make me think how differently dogs were thought of then compared to now.   I think we all consider our four-legged friends a part of the family these days, no matter what side of the tracks you are on.

If you have the chance to see this film in the theater, treat yourself.  But if you can't make it by February 16th, maybe just rent it or go buy the new digitally remastered version.  It is worth it.  I felt like I got to go to a total fantasy land for a little over an hour.  Where dogs were the wise ones and our rescuers and the best part... they could talk!

Happy Monday and don't forget to give your dog a little love.

Stuff Dog People Say

Happy Friday!  A friend of mine forwarded me this video made by West Paw Design, Stuff Dog People Say.  It is cute and I think you will find yourself thinking, "I say that too"!  But I will warn you, the acting is not that great and it is on the cheesy side.  All reasons I thought it was perfect for Friday.  A little bit of fun to make you at least smile!

Enjoy the video!



Have a great Friday and don't forget to do something fun with your dog this weekend!