Canine in a Canoe

This is me on the bus on the way to the River

Watch out, big dog in a little boat! That's right my Humans took me on the Tippecanoe River with them in a Canoe. Even though the canoe was the largest one they could get, I still had no problems making them feel "tipsy" when I moved around (hehe). I even fell out once when my Humans accidentally hit a rock. I was okay though and swam to shore where I hopped right back on the canoe for some more action.

This is our canoe

Here is me hanging out with my Mom on the front of the canoe

It was a tight squeeze for me to move around.

So most of the time I just relaxed

The river was beautiful. There were so many beautiful beaches where we could stop and play. My Humans collected beautiful shells while I frolicked in the water. There were even some places where it was shallow so we could all walk or swim across the river completely.

Here's us hanging out across the river. You can barely see me there on the rock.

Here's me keeping myself entertained at one of our stops.

I am a swimming fool.

All of that work made me build up quite an appetite and really knocked me out. I slept good that night by the campfire.

Picture of me trying to get some food from my friend Ian

Picture of me relaxing by the campfire.

So how do you take your four legged friend canoeing? Well it isn't as easy as I make it look. Firstly, they have to be a pretty relaxed dog who doesn't get motion sickness. They have to be attentive to their Humans and willing to listen and stay close to them. The river can be dangerous and if your dog jumps out of the canoe in any old place they might get hurt on rocks or downed limbs. Not to mention getting taken away by the current. They should be an excellent swimmer. If you are not sure if your dog is a canine canoer take them for a short run before deciding to do a longer river tour with them. Good luck to all the pups out there willing to try this. I know I love it!

Camping Canine

This weekend I spent time with my friends and family at Rising Run Campground. Rising Sun is located on the Tippecanoe River with beautiful views of the river at our site. My Humans and I stayed in a deluxe Coleman tent. I practically have my own room in this thing.

Just Kidding. We didn't all stay in this tent. We stayed in this monster:

See what I mean. We have so much space in here my Humans even have a queen sized air mattress on one side that we can all fit on. Even though I try to help set up the tent, I mostly just played around with my friends while my Humans set up camp. There were five of my canine friends at our camp too.  Even though the campsite wants your dogs to be on leashes we stayed in a secluded place where my Humans let me run around with parental supervision.

I enjoyed running into the river for fresh water!

At night we sat around the campfire. My Humans ate smores and I got a raw hide. We sat and relaxed under the stars. I love camping!

Gone Campin

i will be on the road this weekend with my awesome humans. keep an eye out for my upcoming adventures at rising sun campground.

How Do I Love Thee.

I really cannot help it! I have so much love to give and I give a lot of it to my humans! Not only do I give them a lot of love, but I have love for almost every human I meet if they are willing to take it. Sometimes I jump up on people in order to lick their faces. Some people do not like that, but I still feel that I have to try.

There are so many reasons I love my humans. Firstly, because they picked me! There are so many dogs that they could have given a good home too, but they chose me out of all of them. It makes me feel special to think about it that way. They also do wonderful things for me. They take me for walks, feed me great food, spoil me with treats, and give me lots of love and affection right back.

I know that I am a lucky dog so here are some things you as pet owners can do to make your dog feel loved everyday:

1. Remember the basics: make sure your dog has plenty of fresh drinking water, appropriate food at mealtimes, and most importantly a way to relieve himself regularly.

2. Play with your dog everyday: throw a Frisbee, play fetch, or my favorite tug-o-war!

3. Walk your dog everyday: dogs need daily exercise so remember to take them for a stroll.

4. Train your dog: most dogs can learn the basics: sit, stay, shake. So stimulate your dog my teaching him new tricks.

5.Pet me!: Show your dog plenty of affection everyday.



The Towel Game

Given that I am a boating and beaching dog I get wet a lot. I love to swim and it is a great way for dog such as myself to cool off in the summer heat. However, I often have quite a time trying to dry my coat. To do this I usually rub myself on the bed, couch, and carpet leaving a wet mess everywhere.

But my Humans are so smart they invented a game that I love to play. Since I am a special dog I get a towel that is just for me on the boat and at home. Since I won't hold still to be dried my Humans turned the process into a game for me. I call it The Towel Game.

The process is really quite easy. They throw the towel over me and start rubbing me dry and I try to get the towel off of me as I go. Sometimes they throw the towel over my head and I work to get it off. Essentially I do a lot of the drying work myself without even realizing it because I am having fun! My Humans are so clever.

I always celebrate my victory over the towel by taking the wet thing and shaking it with my mouth. I may be a little damp still after The Towel Game, but I am much less wet then I would be a tend to rub up against furniture and other things that for some reason my humans don't want to be wet.

Beach Dog

I am spending a relaxing day on the beach with my friends. I love going to the beach as there is plenty for a dog to do there such as swim, fetch, and dig without consequences. My humans call the lake the "giant doggie water bowl." The beach can be relaxing for a dog like me, but there are some things to keep in mind if you are taking your doggie to the beach:

1. Make sure that there is some sort of shade for your dog. Especically if they have a black coat like mine which can easily cause them to over heat.

2. Make sure there is planty of water available to your canine companion. They can get very thirsty in the heat of the afternoon.

3. Bring your pooch some toys to play with so they don't get restless.

4. Use caution when coming in contact with other dogs, especially dogs your dog does not know. They can be territorial especially if they are tetheredat a certain spot on the beach.

5. And finally, every dog enjoys a nice long walk down the shore so don't forget to take them on a beach adventure they will surely love you for.

Happy Beaching.

The great doggie water bowl.

TheShade of a beach chair or umbrella will do.

15 Reasons Your Dog is Smarter than You

Here are 15 things that I think make me smarter than my Humans. Not that I love you guys any less just because I am of superior intelligence.

15. The World may be your oyster, but I can go to the bathroom anywhere my heart desires.
14. You may think I serve you, but you really serve me. More Kibble please.
13. I am not afraid to love you unconditionally. My emotions don't get the best of me.
12. I never hold it against you. Forgiving and forgetting comes easily to me.
11. I don't beg, I divide and conquer. That's right Mom, I distracted you long enough to pull that sandwich right off the counter.
10. I am very Zen. Little things don't bug me like they bug you.
9. You run from insects while I chase and eat them. I mean, come on! They are tiny compared to you.
8. It doesn't take me 2 hours to get ready in the morning. I look good already.
7. I live in the moment and never worry about what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow.
6. I don't have to yell. When I show my teeth people know I mean business.
5. I don't communicate with you through baby talk and pet names.
4. When I want something I pursue it fearlessly.
3. I don't make mistakes I just learn my lessons.
2. I have sharp senses- my hearing, sense of smell, and instincts are far superior.
1. I don't have goals or agendas so I always succeed.

Why Adopt a Shelter Dog?

As you know I was a shelter dog. My Humans adopted me from the shelter when I was only 8 weeks old. I am so happy the my humans chose me. They originally did not want to adopt a puppy, they wanted to give an older dog a good home. However, they could not resist my charms.

 I am now almost 3 years old and have lived an amazing life so far with my Humans. They give me good food, shelter, and lots of love. Not all dogs are so lucky. Like my cousin Wrigley for example who was chained to a dog house for a whole year on less than 10 feet of rope before being adopted by his loving Humans. Or my friend Hank who was returned to a rescue because his owners did not know how to properly care for or train him. So I pose this question to all of you reading: why adopt a shelter dog?

This is my puzzled face!

Shelter dogs are great companions. Like most dogs they are faithful and love you unconditionally. Plus, you will be saving a life as many of my canine companions who do not find homes get put to sleep. In addition most shelters ensure that dogs are spayed or neutered reducing the pet population to manageable numbers. You also will not be supporting puppy mills who put profit over the well-being of their pups. While these are all good reasons you have to be ready. Dog ownership is a really big deal and it takes time and effort to groom a pup into a loyal dog.

My humans think it is worth it. How about you?

For more information about how to adopt a local puppy or dog visit the Michiana Humane Society at: http://www.michianahumanesociety.org/

To adopt nationally visit the United States Humane Society at:  https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=DRTV_May2011_silentquestions&s_src=Googlecpcdrtvgwoeuro&cr=HelptheHumanemisspellings&gclid=CLea_6P476kCFUTBKgodPR5HXw

If a Dog Were My Teacher

 

 

If a DOG were your Teacher
Author Unknown

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. When it's in your best interest, practice obedience. Let others know when they've invaded your territory. Take naps and 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. No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout... run right back and make friends. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. And MOST of all... When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently!

Retrieved from: http://www.whdr.org/teacherdog.html

My New Friend "Corn Nugget"

This is my new friend Corn Nugget:

She is a very cute 9 week old mini pin. I call her "Corn Nugget" because she does not have a name yet. She has the funniest bark, but I am not so sure about playing with her though because she is so small. She tries to chase me and I just run away because I do not want to step on her. She reminds me of myself when I was little, especially her persistent whine.

We are both very good at begging for food although I don't think she realizes that she is so small I could probably eat her:

But I wouldn't do that, even if she can be an annoying pup at times. For my size I am actually quite good with little dogs. I don't mind making friends with a puppy or two. However, big dogs like myself must be careful around small dogs because we can hurt them.

Dog trainer Sherry Woodard of http://www.bestfriends.org/ says this about animal safety: "You may not see your friendly 50-pound dog as large or dangerous, but a mid-size dog with an easygoing temperament can cause injury to a tiny toy dog even when trying to play. Some dogs have a strong chase drive (which is normal behavior) that instinctively causes them to want to chase and catch moving objects. Even if they’re not bent on killing, they can hurt or even kill much smaller dogs if they catch them. Other dogs have a strong prey drive that motivates them to shake, kill and eat small animals. On the other end of the size spectrum, some toy dogs try to play with much larger animals, or they may be aggressive toward them. We find it amusing when a small dog stands up ferociously to a big dog, but it’s actually an inappropriate greeting that could endanger the small dog. Little dogs often lack proper social skills with other animals and people because of our human tendency to act as their protectors. Our instinct is to protect small dogs, so we hold them in our arms above the other dogs, and pick them up all the time, so they never learn proper greetings."

So remember, big or small there is a safe way to play and greet other dogs. Our Humans need to understand what triggers us. I get along with small dogs as I have a calm temperament with them, but some bigger dogs may not. Be safe and have fun everyone.

Water Dog (Boating Safety)

My Dad Human works on boats at a wonderful marina called B & E Marine (http://www.bemarine.com/). We have a small 87 Sea Ray Seville and my favorite summer past time is going for a ride on Lake Michigan.

There are a lot of things to keep in mind when taking your dog out on the open water. My Humans always make sure I have plenty of fresh water and shade on the boat. They also make sure I am wearing a personal floatation device. I love the O'Brien life jacket and my humans love them too! Even though I am a great swimmer, not all dogs are. Life vests keep your canine companion afloat so you don't have to worry. http://store.obrien.com/products/category/Pet/1734.0.1.1.8684.14893.0.0.0

Cooling off is an important part of boating in the summer. However, dogs often cannot get themselves on and off their Humans boats. That is why my Humans got me a "Dog on Water Ramp" http://www.dogonwaterramp.com/about.htm that I can use to get safely in and out of the water.

It is easy for me to swim to and from the boat with this ramp. This is my second season using the ramp and it is easy for me to get to do all by myself now. It was easy to train me to use the ramp because it feels natural for me to get on and off the boat in this way. Check out the pics and see for yourself how easy it is.

Remember that you should always introduced your four-pawed friends to any environment slowly. If your dog has never been boating, do not assume they will like it. Just like humans can get sea-sick, dogs can too. Be sure to reduce your pooches anxiety by showing them the boat first. If you still are not sure see how they respond to the engine turning on. Then take them for a short ride. They may have sea legs at first, but just like me I am sure they will get the hang of it. Take care and be safe!

What a Silly Name!!!

So many Humans have asked, how did I get such a strange name? Sure Humans give their dogs silly names like Fluffy, Porkchop, and Sir Wiggles. Some Humans give their cats silly names too like Squeakers, Slow Poke, and even Cha-Cha to name a few. Its even weirder when people give their animals human names like Lindsey, Victor, or Charlie. By far my favorite pet names are Jabberwoky, Shortround, Mr. Bigfoot, Co-Co Puff, Pickle Puss, and Buddy McBudweiser.

But I digress into my own bizarre thoughts. The question was how did I get my name? Well, the story goes like this... Once upon a time I was taken to the Michiana Humane Society (http://www.michianahumanesociety.org/) to be put up for adoption with my brothers and sisters.

At six weeks old I was very brave in my new environment. I frequently sat at the door to my cage and greeted the Humans who stopped by to play with me. I was very insistent that they give me attention. I was bigger than my brothers and sisters, almost twice their size. Needless to say I stood out among the crowd.

When my Humans came and found me they picked me up and held me in their arms. I gave my Dad a love bite on his ear and he had to take me home. The volunteers at the shelter were already calling me Zeus and it just kind of stuck. My humans added the Moose part because they thought I was going to be huge. 65 pounds later I am only getting plumper, but not any bigger. And that is the story of how I came to be known by such a silly name.

Check out my puppy pics:

Storms and Fireworks Turn Me Into a Scared-e-Cat

Anything that goes "boom" can leave me shaking. I am not a dog who prefers to be cuddled, but when things explode in the night I tend to want to be near my Humans. The cats are not as sensitive to this type of noise and I can tell they are laughing at me when I jump into my Moms lap. The experts call this a noise phobia and apparently many animals suffer from this (even cats).

In addition to having an excellent sense of smell, us dogs having sensitive hearing as well. In case you have not noticed, fireworks are loud! Sometimes I tremble a bit and cry, but other dogs might even pant or have accidents (such as peeing on the bed or carpet). Others may dig, chew, or hide.

There are certain things that you can do to help your dog feel better. What works for me is just being close to my Humans and getting reassurance. How do I get reassured that it will be okay? My Humans talk to me and pet me gently; they let me know that it will pass. Some people say that this reinforces the behavior, but it has worked for me. Overtime my fear of fireworks and storms has decreased because my Humans have been so attentive.

Sometimes if I can see what is making the noise I will feel better too. For example if I hear a firework I might cower, but if I see it and hear it I may become braver and bark at it. Dad also tells me it's okay to hide behind him if I need to. I would not recommend taking your dog to see fireworks if you know they are afraid though. A lot of times they still will not understand what is going on and they will freak out! This will be bad for you and for them, trust me.

What might help my other canine companions? Well my cousin Wrigley likes calming sounds and scents. His Humans will play relaxing music and give him minty treats. Distracting your dog with his favorite toys and treats might work well. However, if things are really bad you may need to consult a behavioral specialist or talk to your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medications for dogs.

It is important to help your dog learn to cope and adjust to their noise phobia. Please don't punish us when we are scared (that just makes it worse). Be patient with us and soothe us. If you have to leave your dog alone be sure he is in a place in your house where he feels safe (such as their kennel).
Happy 4th of July everyone!

Say Cheese!

I am such a ham for the camera. I love having my picture taken most of the time. That is why I want to recommend Amy Straka Photography. Amy takes awesome photos whether I am by myself or with my family. http://www.amystraka.com/

If you are a lucky dog like me you are not just any pet, you are a part of your family. Maybe my Humans are really sentimental, but a picture does say 1000 words. Even I know that's a lot of barks.

If you don't want to use a professional photographer try taking pictures of your pet on your own. Lemme give you some advice.

- First, do something that captures your pets unique qualities: try different things like having your dog roll over, sit pretty, or dance. Try both close up and distance shots.

- Next, get down on your dogs level and ask them to pose. If they are anything like me they can obey commands even on film.

- Take photos with your pet, after all the sentimentality is all about your relationship.

- Snap shots in your pets natural environment (which for a dog is easy because we are naturally everywhere).

- Finally, get some actions shots or even video. After all dogs love to do all kinds of things. Capture your dog catching a frisbee, running in the bark, or jumping into the lake. My favorite thing to do is yoga!