Good Obsession
What can I say, A-Dog is obsessed with moi. I think it’s kinda cute, although that camera can become quite tedious. Quit snapping and let’s PLAY!! She even draws and doodles me in different incarnations. I would say “enough already” but I kinda like it. There can be good obsessions… like a good bone. Or those chipmunks that live in our garage. Plus, the end result of her obsession is kinda cool.
The Photos
The Doodles
wait... are we moving?
Dogs Without Blogs – Sophie
I love, LOVE a good photo! And if it’s a portrait or candid of a dog, I am all giddy inside. You are in for a treat of the eye candy kind today. Let’s take a look at the fabulous photos of my new acquaintance, Sophie, and read a little about her.
stop to smell the flowers
who me?
Dog Questions
What is your name?
Sophie Demers of Camelot
What breed of dog are you?
Weimaraner
How old are you?
8 ½ months
Where did you come from (pound, rescue, breeder)?
Breeder
What nicknames do the humans call you?
Soph, Sopharificus, Sweetie
Do you like any of your nicknames?
Not particularly.
look into my eyes
What is your favorite walk/hike?
To the beach
What is your go to toy?
Rawhide but I’m beginning to like tennis balls quite a bit.
What is the most fashionable thing you wear?
My modern pink collar with taupe circles that match my fur.
If you’re a reader, what is your favorite book?
I can’t help but be drawn to anything by William Wegman
at the park
What is the oddest thing you’ve ever done?
Ran from a cat.
What is the treat you will do anything for?
Peanut butter, which I don’t seem to be getting any more.
What is your greatest skill?
Catching a soft Frisbee or plush toy in mid air.
If you could speak only one sentence, what would you say?
Can we go on a walk?
What is your favorite human food?
It was peanut butter ‘til I was cut off. Other than that, I’ve never had human food.
If you could be granted 3 wishes, what would they be?
To sleep uninterrupted in bed with my human, to go on a walk every hour or so, and to have my belly rubbed continuously.
What do you love most about your humans?
They let me lay on them and snuggle even though I’m almost 60 lbs and all legs.
———————————–
Thanks Sophie for sharing a bit about yourself today. You seem like a pretty girl with some attitude – a lethal combination. All of the photos you see here are from Sophie’s Flickr set, which you can check out here.
Linda from a la mode is one of Sophie’s humans. She has a great Etsy shop and her blog is a must read. On a side note, she might want to reinstate that peanut butter gravy train… just sayin’. Thanks to Linda for sharing her girl, Sophie.
who is your dog?
Have you signed up for the “Dogs Without Blogs” feature yet?
Whether you’re human or canine, I love to brag about dogs.
Visit our Facebook page to sign up here!
Would love to hear from you…
Gentle Not Mental
Dogs have personalities – that’s why you humans like us so much. I’m sure the arguments of Nature vs. Nurture work for the canine crowd and how a dog forms SELF. However it happens, a dog ends up a unique being with her own quirks and traits. These quirks and traits seem to magnify with age.
tail on the trail
As I get older, my demeanor has changed and we don’t seek out doggie companionship as much as we used to. I’ve mentioned that we walk wooded trails where most of the dogs travel off-leash. Lots of dogs and humans walk these trails and they are a great place to experience nature and be free of streets, cars and non-dog people. Recently, when we meet a fellow four-legger on the trail, I become submissive. And almost any dog that smells submission (a.k.a. fear), will take advantage of it to varying degrees. I’ve been jumped on, growled and woofed at, called-out and sort-of violated. I’ve heard A-Dog (the mama of the house) worry about this situation to Shoes-on-the-Floor (the dad of the house) – that something might need to be done. So, I’ll lay it out for her and we can continue with no worries of mental problems.
I’m going to be nine years old in August. That makes me old. I don’t want to play with these young pups. Not to be all grumpy-pants, but I get enough exercise without being chased. That was fun years ago. Now, I like to walk, occasionally run, and mostly, smell things. Think of all the great smells you’re missing when you run around in circles. If there is an *incident* on the trail, most humans remedy the situation quickly and the only one who remembers the trauma is A-Dog. So, I don’t see this as MY problem.
I am gentle and sweet. Those are my traits. And I’m not a complete pushover. When a dog goes too far, I let him know. Ask the UPS guy if I’m submissive. I’m sure he’d have a completely different story… Woof!
Dog Art
Yup, I’m curating today. It’s amazing how many great paintings are available on Etsy. And when the subject is *Dog*, I can almost smell the acrylics.
Below are some of my favorites. I’m not a big fan of trying to explain why I like a piece. I look and I know. Enjoy the ones that you *know*
Dog Mom
Originally published May 2009
You don’t call yourself my mom and I’m not your daughter, but you call me your girl. With each walk we take, each ball you throw for me, each gentle touch and pat, you’re my girl too.
***
Remember me? This little puppy you took into your house and made me a home. You cared for me like a child, doggy-style.
And yes, I peed on the carpet. You thought I’d never get potty-trained, but we did it.
And you don’t call yourself my mom.
You taught me how to behave properly and be polite and I know that took some doing.
Remember our off-leash walks in the wooded dog park, where I would eat anything and everything? Even poop? You made it clear that was not acceptable. But we would return there, sometimes twice a day, because we both loved it and you knew I could learn.
And you don’t call yourself my mom.
***
[/caption]You took me to puppy class and socialized my fuzzy self with the other clueless pups. The best part was after the business end of the lessons, we’d have free play. You’d laugh the loudest at all the playful fur flying and say my name with a grin. You were proud – I could feel it.And you don’t call yourself my mom.
Now, puppyhood is over and I’m older than you are (if you use the doggy math.) We still walk in the wooded dog park (no more poop picnics), still socialize with other dogs and you still laugh the loudest at my antics and say my name with a grin.
All I can woof is “Thanks Mom!”
Dedicated to all the pet “moms” out there.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Get a Dog Box or Cat Box
Hello Pet Peeps!
Our May Promotion
A quick check-in to let you know about a promotion RiverDog Prints is running for the month of May.
The Dog Box and Cat Box designs are note card sets that contain 10 flat cards with matching, lined envelopes.
A free set of 10 Stamps to the Rescue are included in each of these sets to help feed shelter animals and raise awareness about pet adoptions. For more info on the stamps, visit http://stampstotherescue.com/thestamps.asp
The sets are all packaged in a reusable stationery box (of course.)
So, come on by the store and check them out!
Pillows and Garbage
I have a confession…
Who me?
I suffer from separation anxiety. I’m not proud of it, but my little mental problem does manifest itself in a couple very specific ways.
When my humans leave, they usually close the master bedroom door. I can’t open doors yet (although I do hit them with my nose when I want them opened.) But if I have access to the master bedroom when I’ve been left alone, my go-to destinations are pillows and garbage.
Not just any garbage, but the little can in the bathroom. No scrap is left untouched… it’s quite the scene when the humans come home.
The other manifestation of my anxiety is a little more disturbing and I hesitate to admit it. Plus, all the wackos on this here internet don’t make it easy to be honest about some behaviors. (My Foot-licker! post is a little too popular in some searches, if you get my meaning.)
Okay, here it goes: I jump on the big bed and hump the pillows. There I said it (or wrote it) and that’s all I’m going to say about it. Admitting it is the first step, right?
Anyway, some dogs have separation anxiety and some dogs just misbehave. You can tell if it’s true separation anxiety, if your dog exhibits her destructive behavior within the first 20 minutes of your departure. I think I check that master bedroom door as soon as I hear the car drive away without me in it.
In my case, simply closing the door will prevent me from compromising pillows and inhaling bath tissues. Two good suggestions for keeping your dog happy when she’s home alone are these: keep her tired and/or keep her busy. I’m sure you can figure out the tired part. To keep her busy, maybe supply a Kong or something similar that can hide a treat and make her work for her reward.
Please don’t judge me… everybody’s got “a thing” – this is mine.
Well, golly, I feel SO much better now.
Summer Reading List
I’m ready for summer!
Lazy, warm days, lying in the sun with a good book.
Summer Reading
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: Oprah-approved and she’s a dog lover and there’s dogs in it. A Win-Win-Win.
Nature Walks in Connecticut: A reference to broaden our trail hikes.
The Art of Racing in the Rain: I know I just read it – it’s THAT good.
A Thousand Acres: Strong women in farm country – cool.
Cat’s Eye: Know thine enemy.
Marley & Me: Kind of a goofy hero, but I totally GET him during thunderstorms.
In Her Shoes: Lawyer to Dog-Walker; nuff said.
Housekeeping: Coming of age story with vintage names like Ruthie and Sylvie. A dog character named Scout would fit right in, don’t you think?
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time: My dog friends do not recommend this book even with *dog* in the title. I’m gonna make up my own mind.
Dogs Without Blogs – Annie
There are certain dog names that I love: Beans; Jack; Rocket; Nietzsche. One of my favorites is Annie. When the name is paired with a sweet little creation like the one pictured below, it proves that there is magic in dogs. Let’s meet Annie and her human, Shannon.
Sweet Annie
What is your name?
Annie
What breed of dog are you?
Jack Russell/Dachshund mix
How old are you?
about 2
What nicknames do the humans call you?
Annie Bananie, Baby Cakes, Little Orphan Annie
Do you like any of your nicknames?
I don’t like it when they call me Little Orphan Annie. I have a home and family now!
What is your favorite walk/hike?
thru the neighborhood with my best friend, Rubie, a shih tsu
What is your go to toy?
stuffed giraffe that is no longer stuffed
What is the most fashionable thing you wear?
my fleece coat
If you’re a reader, what is your favorite book?
any cookbook
What is the oddest thing you’ve ever done?
i jumped on the kitchen table (my family thinks I’m part cat)
What is the treat you will do anything for?
Stella & Chewy’s freeze dried duck
What is your greatest skill?
charming my family into getting anything I want :D
What is your favorite human food?
baby carrots
If you could be granted 3 wishes, what would they be?
I could eat all I wanted all day, I could sleep on my mom’s pillow and get my tummy rubbed
What do you love most about your human?
she takes good care of me, and gives me too many treats
Modern Jack Russell Card
What is your dog’s name?
Annie
What breed of dog do you have?
Jack Russell/Dachshund mix
How old is your dog?
we think she’s 2
What nicknames do you call your dog?
Annie Bananie, Baby Cakes
What is the best thing you’ve taught your dog?
potty training!!!!
How does your dog make you laugh?
when she chases the kids around the living room at full speed
What is your favorite walk/hike to take?
thru the neighborhood with my best friend, Anna and her dog, Rubie
What is the best toy you’ve given your dog?
well, she’s taken any stuffed animal she can get her teeth into
Has your dog ever destroyed anything in your home?
too many to count. the living room carpet is the biggest thing.
What do you love most about your dog?
she follows me everywhere and keeps me company all day.
***
Thanks Annie and Shannon for participating!
If you want to see more like the Modern Jack Russell Card above,
please visit the Annie & Page shop on Etsy here.
And, if you “like” their page on Facebook,
I think you may get a Mom’s Day discount on a custom dog portrait.
Check it out here.
who is your dog?
Have you signed up for the “Dogs Without Blogs” feature yet?
Whether you’re human or canine, I love to brag about dogs.
Visit our Facebook page to sign up here!
Would love to hear from you…
Old Lyme Disease
Oh yeah, I’ve got it. The dreaded Lyme. The big L.
***
I had been limping on my front right leg for a few days. I usually recover from tweaking my leg in a day or two. This had turned into three. On the fourth day, I seemed good to go, so A-Dog and I went running in the woods. Later that day, the front leg tweak had returned and now my back left leg was lame.
Shoes-on-the-Floor (the Dad of the house) gave me baby aspirin that night and I hit the sack hard. I seemed a bit more spry in the morning, but still limping. My humans were trying not to worry too much, but my birth mom just passed recently and the start of her illness was a limp that wouldn’t go away.
They L-O-V-E me at the vet’s office. I’ve been going there since I was a puppy. Everybody is so lovey-dovey and give me ear scratches and treats. Sounds great, right? As soon as I catch the smell of the place, I’m on high-alert and become a lap dog. If I could crawl inside my humans, I would. But my only strategy is to try and hide this 76-pound body behind my 18-inch wide human. Great plan.
Anyhoo, they checked out my limbs, ask a bunch of questions and took some blood. After losing about a pound of hair from fear, we waited for the results and it was Lyme Disease. Treatment is fairly simple. I’m taking antibiotics for three weeks and then I should be fine.
I don’t share product information very often, but these two things I’m going to share are awesome! First is the new way I get to take my pills.
These are great. No more messy peanut butter or trying to jam a pill into cheese. These little babies hold the pills just so. They smell and taste just like my other treats. They come in a capsule style too.
The last thing I want to share is a tool that we have used here in the birth place of Lyme Disease (I’m so proud!) many, many times on humans, as well as dogs. It’s been dubbed the “tick spoon” and I don’t remember where we originally got it. It’s called Ticked Off and they have a website here. The notched end of the spoon goes under the tick that’s embedded and removes the whole thing with a satisfying, yet disgusting, POP sound. See? Awesome.
I am on the road to recovery. Everyone is relieved that my diagnosis was not more dire. We’ll all be grateful for now and live in the moment, just like a dog should.
