Best of Scout ::: Tongues are not for Wagging

::: Originally published June 2009



Ahhhrghgg. BOY am I tired. I must rest just a little. Today, and today only I will shorten my nap to a mere 11 hours. I am busy and I have things to do. I am tired because I went swimming in the river with Shoes. It was good to see him out there for a change. Lately, he’s been cooking a lot. I think that’s what they call it. That is one process which baffles me. They take stuff which smells pretty good to start with, and then they add all this other stuff to it, heat it and take it to a whole other room. So complicated, so complex.

That’s just one of the many things that A-Dog and Shoes make so much more involved than they need to be. Grooming is another. The shower, the bath, the soap the brushing. I pity them their teensy tongues that can barely reach beyond their lips. And the tongue is so useful: greeting, eating, licking, cleaning (self), cleaning (others), cleaning (floor). It keeps you cool, it helps you drool. I can drink with it or clean stink with it. The one thing I DON’T use it for seems to be the only thing they DO use it for: Talking. They use it to create all these different sounds… again too much, too complex. I read on the Internet that one of their languages, English, has passed a million words. I know words as you’ve read here, but I only need enough words to express three thoughts:

1. I’m hungry
2. Pet me
3. May I smell your behind?

After that, it’s all just commentary.
Now, about that nap…

Best of Scout ::: Dog Head through the Kitty Door

::: Originally published February 2009

Guilty as charged! The kitty door lives on the bathroom door and when one of my humans goes in there, I want to be in there too! It doesn’t matter where I am in the house or what I’m doing, if I hear one of them go into the loo, I am THERE!

As I’ve written before, I’ve lived with cats.

Both Fatboy and Littleman (pictured) are now in whatever represents kitty heaven (catnip and forbidden furniture?). But when they lived here with us, we’d all be in that bathroom, if allowed, when the humans were doing the doo.

Now, I know if you’re reading this, you want to know why. What is the fascination? And for both cats and dogs to exhibit the same behavior, it’s a bit mind-boggling. Well, I’ve got nothing for you, sisters and brothers. If you think you have the reason why, I’d love to hear it. Or if you are guilty of shoving your way into the loo, I’d love to hear your motivation.

You’ll have to excuse me for now. I must click down the hall to stick my nose through that little flap to say hellooooooo.

Dogs Without Blogs :: Fido & Wino

I can be a rebel. Today I’m rebelling just a little on my Dogs Without Blogs feature with a post from Shauna, blog author of Fido & Wino and human to Kayloo and Mickey. When Shauna first contacted me, I thought she had two dogs named Fido and Wino (like I had been dipping into a bit of the Wino…) When I read some of Shauna’s posts, I realized my error and discovered that she’s funny and caring and on a mission. Let’s meet her and her sweet dogs, shall we?

What is your dog’s name?
I have 2 dogs: Mickey (the little brown one) and Kayloo (the black & white one)

What breed of dog do you have?
Mickey is a chihuahua/terrier cross & Kayloo is a pit bull/collie cross of some sort

How old is your dog?
Mickey is just over 2 and Kayloo is 1 yr 9 months

Where did you get your dog (pound, rescue, breeder)?
We (ignorantly) got Mickey from a broker and it was after that experience we learned about the importance of pet adoption and rescue. Several months later when we decided to get Mickey a buddy, we found Kayloo through Petfinder.com

What nicknames do you call your dog?
Mickey: Mick-a-roo, Monster, Monkey Head, Mickles
Kayloo: Princess Puppy Pants, Kay-noodle, Pretty Girl, Kay-da-loo-da-loo

What words does your dog understand?
I am NOT kidding. YOU KNOCK IT OFF RIGHT NOW.

What is the best thing you’ve taught your dog?
Mickey does a wicked “Buddha” (basically it’s sitting pretty); we teach Kayloo “get out of the kitchen” every day

Are you the leader of your pack?
You bet your boots.

How does your dog make you laugh?
Mickey sits and stares at me when he wants something (food, to go outside etc.) Kayloo… runs into walls… gets giddy and does this crazy horse rearing thing all random times.

What toy(s) would you recommend to other dog owners?
Kong’s stuffed with pumpkin & frozen over night. Occupies the little turkeys forever. Da. Bomb.


What is the most annoying behavior your dog exhibits?
Mickey: Barking when he hears a leaf drop 18 blocks away. Kayloo: Licking and licking and licking and licking…

Does your dog wear anything fashionable?
My dogs go commando.

Has your dog ever destroyed anything in your home?
http://fidoandwino.com/2009/09/01/stuff-my-dogs-have-wrecked-cushion-ii/

What do you love most about your dog?
My dogs remind me not to take myself so seriously. And that peanut butter is really awesome and should be given the proper respect it deserves.


Calling attention to the importance of rescue is really important to me. I’ve started a project called the R.O.A.R. Squad: The whole idea is to make adopting a rescue THE coolest thing around.

Current members:
http://fidoandwino.com/category/r-o-a-r-squad/

Learn more:
http://fidoandwino.com/roar_squad/

:::
I know a lot of readers here are rescues, so please stop by Shauna’s blog and support R.O.A.R. And I love a little Kong pumpkin for your pumpkins – I’m going to have to try that! Thank you for sharing Kayloo and Mickey, Shauna. Best of luck with your mission!

: : : : :

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Dug Up Happiness

Nearly every single day, I resolve that I have no right to complain. I guess I’m not a very good “resolver” as I don’t resolve it in the face of others’ woes and misfortunes; I resolve it in the face of happiness.

And I’ve discovered that there’s a lot of it going around. In my close environment, I am happiness victimized by my eighteen month old niece and dog. Ella leads me on a path where the sun always shines, ice cream cones are actually fountains that trickle all the way down into your bib, the sea makes babies float and a 15 minute song can be composed to original music and the single phrase “na.na.na”.

And as far as Troy is concerned, the world needs to be exposed to more tail wags and permanently wet dogs. He does his best to apply this theory by sitting down in front of someone who thinks he’s cute and presents his perfect imitation of Dug the Dog from the movie Up: “My name is Dug (Troy). I have just met you and I love you.”

The consequence, prior to the above mentioned resolution, is that I’m overcome with happiness when they do those things they do, and I realize what a complete waste of time complaining is.

It’s not that I want to be perfect. I sincerely have my doubts about that status, but it really is a good thing to be happy.

I’m going to train Troy to bark at me if I ever dare kvetch again.

Dogs Without Blogs :: Ping

When humans appreciate our doggie noises, it makes my heart sing a little. Meet Ping and her human, Angie, who enjoys giving belly rubs and listening to Ping’s groans of “THAT is fantastic.” The simple pleasures of dogdom…

Dog Questions
What is your name?
Penelope Ping Steyee

What breed of dog are you?
German Shorthair Pointer

How old are you?
My birthday is this month. I am 12.

Where did you come from (pound, rescue, breeder)?
I rescued my mom when I was 4 years old. She had a broken heart and I helped fix it.

What nicknames do the humans call you?
Ping-a-ling, Pingy wingy, Pingy Poot Poot, Groany Gus, Best dog ever

Do you like any of your nicknames?
I like being the Best Dog Ever.

What is your favorite walk/hike?
I like the park because there are ducks to bark at.

What is your go to toy?
All of them, I love to have something to shake.

What is the most fashionable thing you wear?
If I’m wearing it, it is fashionable.

If you’re a reader, what is your favorite book?
I don’t have time to read. I am too busy snuggling.

What is the treat you will do anything for?
Cheese! I love cheese.

What is your greatest skill?
I can sneak on the bed without anyone knowing until they wake up the next day.

If you could speak only one sentence, what would you say?
You should let me on the bed in the first place.

What is your favorite human food?
Steak

If you could be granted 3 wishes, what would they be?
I think I would like to be an only dog. I don’t like to compete for mom’s lap.

What do you love most about your human?
I love the way she rubs my ears.

Human Questions
What is your dog’s name?
Ping

What breed of dog do you have?
German Shorthair Pointer

How old is your dog?
She is 12 this month.

Where did you get your dog (pound, rescue, breeder)?
Got her from a friend that could no longer keep her. It was supposed to be temporary as I had recently lost my Molly dog and wasn’t ready for another. By the time she made it to my house, she was almost emaciated. It took over a year for her to stop being food aggressive.

What nicknames do you call your dog?
She is “The Best Dog Ever”, Pingers, Pingy Pingy Poot Poot. Ping a ling

What is the best thing you’ve taught your dog?
That she would always have food, but she needed to sit and wait for it.

How does your dog make you laugh?
She will groan when you rub her belly and she has to grab and shake a toy when she gets excited.

Is there any weird behavior you’d like to share about your dog?
She gets drooly sometimes. Uncontrollable drooling. Lasts for a day or so. Very weird.

What is your favorite walk/hike to take?
She just loves to go, doesn’t matter where.

What is the best toy you’ve given your dog?
Extra large loofa dog. She loved it to smithereens.

If your dog could speak only one sentence, what would he/she say?
Boy am I happy I came to live with you.

What is the most annoying behavior your dog exhibits?
She licks the bedcovers during the night. Lick lick lick.

Does your dog wear anything fashionable?
Blue harness

Has your dog ever destroyed anything in your home?
No, she never has.

What do you love most about your dog?
That she is so very easy to love.
:::
I’m glad you two found each other. It still amazes me that two creatures can improve each other’s lives so completely. That’s the Power of Dog, I think. Thanks for coming on the dog blog today, Ping and Angie, and sharing your special bond.

: : : : :

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PawPawty Winners Page

I just put up a permanent page on the blog dedicated to the PawPawty.

PawPawty is a Twitter event that raises money for animal charities, “helping anipals around the world one paw at a time.” Check out my page here and consider attending the next PawPawty event on July 17 & 18.

And thanks to all the winners for agreeing to let me share their photo cards with you. I think they all look great!

New Toy

I’m excited to be loved!
I was sent this lovely toy from my boy, Troy.

His name is Earl the Eel and he’s from Olive. I had to check them out and I really dig what they are all about. Straight from the Olive website, here’s what they have to say about the About:

A Few Thoughts on ‘Green’

‘Green’ is not necessarily a new concept. It’s something we’ve all known about for awhile. More than 30 years ago our own mothers said, “Buy something nice and make it last”, meaning less can be more. But green doesn’t have to be lean, it just means being fully aware of where something came from, from what it was made, and what was sacrificed (or not) in it’s making.

Here at Olive we believe that being green can be fun and stylish, yet still responsible. We’re committed to bringing you pet products that support–not burden–the ecosystem. From nontoxic goods made from organic and healthful ingredients, to products made from recycled or reclaimed stock. True luxury is the combination of distinctive design and ethical production practices. At Olive we’re working hard to do our part by bringing to market our own brand of all natural, nontoxic products, drastically reducing packaging and by using recycled packing materials and wrap.

It’s our hope that Olive gets people talking about the dog and cat products they buy and asking where they come from. When you shop Olive you can feel good about making a purchasing decision that won’t harm you, your pet, or the Planet.

They are completely barking up the right tree for me. My family strives every day to be mindful of what we use, how it’s made and its sustainability. We not only do this in our personal lives, but work toward being as green as possible with RiverDog Prints.

Do your dog and yourself a green favor… check out Olive and all the great products they offer.

Thanks again, Troy! You made my doggie day.

The Three Graces and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever

I am so happy to introduce Sasha, the newest author to the dog blog. Sasha hails from the UK, but currently lives in Tel Aviv with her family, that includes her Chessie, Troy. She’ll be posting here now and again and I’m excited to have a fresh perspective from a different part of the world.

:::

One of the dog garden regulars (note: not a park, because it is a garden behind our local performing arts center) shares his life with three almost fairy-like Collies, who flutter about so elegantly and ethereally, I’ve come to call them the “Three Graces” as based on the Greek goddesses of charm, beauty, and creativity. Whichever celestial part of Planet of Dog they’re from, they have smitten the hearts of many a man, woman and child.

Including that of a bumbly, happy, muddy and wet (alternately) Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

I get a lot of “dog racist” attitude because I’ve stuck to a specific breed of dog, between you and me mostly from people who bleeding heartedly support animal rescue, but don’t even have a pet. But I’m sticking to my guns even though I’m not out there shooting ducks with Troy – that’s his name, by the way. Why so?

Is it the mad butt waggling that’s always seems like an invitation to dance? Perhaps the Tiger-like eyes, which induce a spontaneous outburst of “tiger tiger burning bright”; perhaps the “man at work” attitude when fishing in the sea? The way he attaches himself to a group of kids and its all play play play from that moment on?

It’s all that and more. I met Troy up with another Chessie and their attitudes (the big doggie NOW is highly manifested by Chessies, as their humans will tell you) were in sync; it’s a wonderful genetic pattern, trait, whatever.

And that’s what makes them such great companions, because they put you in sync with that attitude of theirs – and the actual proof is in me as in the last two years I have become bumbly, happy, muddy and wet (alternately).

I never thought I’d wake up dancing.

:::

All photographs were taken by Sasha. Visit her wonderful images on Flickr.

New Digs

Well, sort of…

We gave the blog a new look and when I say “we,” I mean A-Dog. She’s still tweaking it a bit, but it’ll do for an introduction today.

Speaking (or writing) about introductions, I have a couple to make:

Tomorrow, we will have a guest blog author. Her name is Sasha and you should remember her as Troy’s human from this post. I’ll do a more formal intro tomorrow, so be sure to stop by to read and wonder at her great photography.

I wanted to share our new Moving Announcements because they are doggie-centric. They are available in our Etsy shop and will be in our regular store soon.







Sweet, eh?
Just like me.

Dogs Without Blogs :: Remington

I am an only dog, meaning I am the sole canine in our home. I wonder what it would be like to live with other dogs? Would I enjoy it?

Let’s meet Remington, who lives with Ping and Bella, and seems to enjoy his life very much.

Dog Questions
What is your name?
William Remington Steyee (Remington)

What breed of dog are you?
German Shorthair Pointer

How old are you?
14

Where did you come from (pound, rescue, breeder)?
rescue

What nicknames do the humans call you?
Rem, Remy, puddin head, baby boy, grizzle bear

Do you like any of your nicknames?
I like when Mom calls me her baby boy.

What is your favorite walk/hike?
Along the Flathead River near Blankenship Bridge


What is your go to toy?
Giant sized Dirty Rotten Kitty

What is the most fashionable thing you wear?
I have a halter with Sunflowers embroidered on it.

If you’re a reader, what is your favorite book?
Don’t read much, maybe the back of the food bag.

What is the oddest thing you’ve ever done?
Dug up my own carrots from the garden.

What is the treat you will do anything for?
carrots

What is your greatest skill?
Controlling my Mom

If you could speak only one sentence, what would you say?
You don’t feed me enough!

What is your favorite human food?
Carrots, steak, chicken, cheese I can’t decide, it’s all good.

If you could be granted 3 wishes, what would they be?
More food, a bed larger than a king, automatic goody dispenser….wait never mind, I’ve got Mom for that!

What do you love most about your human?
That she will sleep on the floor with me if I am sick.

Human Questions
What is your dog’s name?
Remington

What breed of dog do you have?
German Shorthair Pointer

How old is your dog?
He is 14.

Where did you get your dog (pound, rescue, breeder)?
Rescue

What nicknames do you call your dog?
Rem, Remy, old man, baby boy

What is the best thing you’ve taught your dog?
To wait.

How does your dog make you laugh?
He loves playing and tossing the giant Dirty Rotten Kitty and after tossing it around he will lay down on it and lick it.

Is there any weird behavior you’d like to share about your dog?
He also likes to lick Bella. They stand together and he will lick her until her head and back are totally wet. Very weird.


What is your favorite walk/hike to take?
Along the river

What is the best toy you’ve given your dog?
The Dirty Rotten Kitty

If your dog could speak only one sentence, what would he/she say?
Probably that I don’t feed him enough. He really likes to eat.

What is the most annoying behavior your dog exhibits?
Whines, whines, whines until I give in and give him what he wants.

Does your dog wear anything fashionable?
Halter with flowers on it.

Has your dog ever destroyed anything in your home?
He is a paper shredder extraordinaire

What do you love most about your dog?
Everything….from his velvety ears to his stinky feet, from his major whininess to his super happy to see you wiggle.

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Love a good dog wiggle! It makes up for a little whining here and there. Thanks for coming on the dog blog today, Remy and Angie. We enjoyed having you and can’t wait to meet Ping and Bella!

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