Happy Memorial Day!

 Memorial

Day Photo Shoot!

Hero Dog Mom

This woman saw the tornado coming and raced back toward it to save her dog.  A woman after my own heart.  Glad they are both OK!

Tasty Tuesday

Natural Plain Fat Free Yogurt

 No special recipe or secret ingredients to share.  Just good old yogurt!  A few times a week I add a spoonful or two to one our feedings.  The boys love it and it's a healthy, good for them snack!

New Harness!

I decided last fall when Murray started having throat problems that there would be no more collars for him!  I have actually become a total harness convert!  I am half horrified at myself for training Piper during his difficult younger years with a prong collar.  I had always had a bad feeling about them, but my trainer convinced me they were the best choice for safe, effective training.  It worked, but I wonder at what cost.  Murray was never in a prong.  He always used a regular collar.  We did use a combo collar for a while, but now, low and behold, we are now harnessing up!  Piper still is walking on a regular collar, but I plan to transition him over as well.  We first bought Murray a front latching harness to further prevent the pulling on his neck.  It worked OK, but not ideal for us.  At their ages, our dogs (and us) have set in place our family walking style.  While I love the idea of front latching harnesses, it just wasn't a perfect fit for us.  We have now happily settled on our Lupine Step In Harness.  It places the "pull" lower on his chest and legs and not on this neck.  His throat issues have been much better.

Safety Note:  Go naked at home!  In our house we have never worn our collars just lounging around.  We only "suit up" when leaving the house.  Dogs can (and often do) get hung up on other dogs during play and other random items with their collars hooked in place.  It can be a very dangerous and harmful situation.

Murray sporting his Lupine harness in "Dapper Dog"

Thanks to Ape

A little while back I posted about the tragic loss of a local 2 year old K9 named Ape after he was shot by a crazy gunman.  While that time was sad and many of us were full of  questions (yes, he was wearing a vest), something very positive has been underway as a result.  Ape not only served so bravely during his short life, but in a way, he continued to serve even in his death...through raising awareness.  Soon after Ape's passing, my county's sheriff's department shared on the local news that that have 3 police K9's and only one outdated vest.  I was in shock!  I had no idea!  Three days later, simply by putting that information out to the public, and with Ape's recent heroism on people's minds, enough money was donated by locals to the county sheriff's department that all three K9's could now be vested!  K9 programs are often not paid for through taxes, so the public generosity is crucial.  Not only could we now vest our three K9's, but there was enough money to purchase portable emergency trauma kits!  I couldn't be more thrilled! 

Since I was so unaware of the lack money, vests and supplies available to help protect and save out K9 dogs serving us so well, I can only assume there are others out there who are also unaware.  Please, I urge you to investigate your own local K9 needs.  It took our small county 3 days to earn what money we needed, and it was simply done through sharing and interest.  Of course larger towns might require a bigger effort, but find out, spread the word....get your service pups protected!

Resources to help you get started:

Vest-A-Dog

Kevlar for K9s

Once Upon A Time

Let me tell you a story...

Once upon a time, in the not too distant past, Murray's parents used to let Murray start off bedtime on their bed each night, for a little TV time, relaxation and bonding. 

Murray's parents always asked him to get down for actual "sleep time".  Of course "good dogs" sleep on the floor in a proper doggie bed.  Murray would spend most of the night in his own bed on the floor being the good dog he was, and sneak his way back to his parents' bed before morning....(Murray's parents never felt his agile slip up onto the bed...he was so stealth).

These days, (or should I say nights?), if Murray's parents ask him to get into his own bed like a good boy, he is immediately bouncing back up to be with them within 5 minutes.  Most nights Murray never gets down at all.  Poor Murray's parents... who suffer with little leg and foot room with a 90 pound Murray on their bed...but Murray, boy does he look comfortable!  So comfortable that Murray's mom doesn't have the heart to keep him down.  What will they do?  Buy a bigger bed perhaps?  We shall see.  To be continued...

The End...(Sweet Dreams)

RIP Ollie

Ollie and his family fought long and hard to make him well, but his job here on earth was done. It's with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes that I tell you he started his journey to the bridge this past Monday.  Although he was not here long, just under 3 years, he fit in a lifetime of fun, friendship and love in that short time.  He will be missed by so many.  Safe journey, Ollie.  You were and always will be loved and remembered.