Dog Blogs We Love

This afternoon has indeed been very interesting. There’s water outside, fallen from the sky, and it makes everything wet. Normally it might be fun to play in, but the sky flashes and the sound of something terrible fills the air.

Everything is okay though, as my buddy is here to keep me safe. He sits on his bench, playing the old piano. On occasion, I too find myself hitting the keys with my paws in an attempt to mimic my old friend, but it never comes out quite right. Today, I do not join him on the bench though, as I’ve found a nice spot below his feet so that I can hear his breathing and familiar heartbeat, assuring me that he is close.

In his years, my old friend has seemingly lost a bit of touch with his own paws, their agility seemingly becoming less steady, just like his heart. But he continues on, like nothing else bothers him. He’s a tough guy, still thinks he can do everything on his own, but I can tell he’s having trouble. This comes especially to mind when I think about my own daily needs. He can’t exactly run like I can, and even though he picks up a third leg to help him, he still has trouble keeping up with my four.

Aside from getting into mischief, I am really a good pup. Like earlier today, even though it was raining, I slipped outside and grabbed the bag that my buddy keeps his newspaper in. I didn’t want him walking outside in the rain. Last time, he slipped down the sidewalk and fell in the grass. He seemed more angry than hurt though, but that’s probably for the better.

Suddenly my friend looks at me and starts making his funny sounds again. I never did figure out why they do that, but it always makes me laugh.

“What?” I asked to tease him.

Then he finally uses a word familiar to me. “Shoes,” he says. I know what those are and when he says that, it usually means he wants me to go get them, so I do. I scamper down the hallway, to the closet. He keeps three pairs of shoes here, one for the garden, one for walking outside, and one for walking inside. I pick the inside pair, since it’s too wet for us to go walking. But when I bring them to him, he shakes his head.

“No, outside shoes,” he says to me this time. I know better, as it is far too wet and dangerous for him to be walking around outside on the slippery grass. I tell him “no” a few times, but he insists, so being the good pup that I am, I get them for him.

After he struggles with them for a moment, he manages to get the shoes on his paws and slowly stands up.

“Rocky, outside,” he says again. I guess he wants me to do my business now. I run to the back door because the patio deck is covered, and my old friend can stay dry. It’s a little further than the front door, and he knows this. He glances at that one, then back to me. I call him to me a few times before the old chap makes a decision. He makes his way to the door, and pushes down on the handle. I can do it too, but my little legs are too short, but perhaps I’ll soon find something to give me a boost.

The door opens up and I spring out into the back yard.

It doesn’t take me long to do my business, and I’m ready to get out of the wet. But, my old friend seems to have trouble of his own. That lever thing sits in his hand now, and the door is still closed. He looks at me and makes some funny sounds. I know exactly what to do.

Around the house, and through the doggy door, I find my way back inside. The lever on the other side is still on. I know what to do. I jump. Once, twice, and on the fourth try, I clamp my teeth around it and the door opens.

My friend looks at me in wonder and tells me what a great friend I am. Then he scratches behind my left ear, my very favorite spot, as my leg moves to agree.

Author:

Jason Duron is a short story writer and author of several fiction stories.  Curious and lovable as dogs can be, the Adventures of Rocky give you a chance to see daily life from a “dog’s eye view” and share in their thoughts.  Please enjoy, and we hope that you’ll feel free to comment and give us insight into your dog’s very own Rocky Adventures.

We all remember the attacks of September 11th that took place a decade ago, and we will never forget the efforts of those that helped our country in its darkest hours. The firemen, the police, and the rescue teams that scoured the rubble in search of survivors are forever in our hearts and memory. Along-side these rescue teams, over one hundred dogs and their handlers traversed the remains of the World Trade Center, using their skills to aid in their rescue efforts.

Dogs search for survivors

Kiaser, a German Sheppard, arrived at the aftermath to aid in the search for survivors. Assigned to a twelve hour nightshift, the “live” search dog and handler traversed the rubble in search of any living souls. Though he never alerted to finding a survivor, he was trained well enough to hint that there was someone there, assisting the other crews retrieving victim’s bodies so that they could be properly buried. Kiaser spent ten days sifting through the remains of the twin towers, but was unable to find any survivors. He did bring something special to the rescue team; not only were his efforts welcomed, but his comfort was needed as well.

Bretagne, a young golden retriever, was introduced to Ground Zero for her first rescue mission. Though fresh to the scene, she was full of energy and did not tire in her efforts. Alongside her handler, Bretagne searched the rubble for ten days, offering hope to the fellow firefighters whom would stop on occasion to recharge themselves with the retriever’s comforts.

Just doing my job

Charlie wasn’t alone during his own searches. Searching beside and even long after the “live” search dogs, the NYPD K9 department deployed their own efforts to help recover the remains of the victims of such treacherous attacks. These teams scoured the rubble for the eight months following the attacks of 9/11, searching for fallen comrades and comforting the rescue teams.

Offering a special kind of relief

Nickie the Golden Retriever and his handler volunteered their assistance to Ground Zero, where they would spend eight months helping the people, in a slightly different way. Nickie, trained as a trauma patient dog, brought spirit to the turmoil, offering comfort to those who would endure such harsh experiences. It is sometimes amazing how special it actually is to merely pet a dog. The comfort and familiarity of a dog can bring a smile back with the wag of a tail. Nickie’s efforts were not sifting through the aftermath, but instead, sifting through the rubble of broken hearts.

More than just a friend

These dogs are just a few names amongst the vast number of dog and man teams that put their efforts to help our country in its time of need. They went in full force, never questioning their job. Boots to protect their paws couldn’t be used so that their nails and paws could gain traction on the slippery rubble which often shifted further, presenting dangerous situations for everyone. Now in their older years, most of the pups have passed on, leaving only fourteen, all of which have retired and are enjoying the company of their handlers. These dogs of 9/11 are indeed appreciated for their heroic efforts- helping the teams cope with the traumatic events, and staying by our side when we needed them most, proving that you don’t have to be human to be a hero.

Dogs are quite possibly the most incredible creatures in the world. They possess the ability to bond with and assist us humans with everything in life from companionship to far more vital roles as medical assistants. Dogs help the blind, as well as those with other medical problems. Cardiac Alert Dogs are becoming more popular throughout the medical field, helping those with heart problems attain a sense of security knowing their pup is there to save the day.

What does a cardiac alert dog do?

Cardiac alert dogs are specifically trained to detect differences in heart rhythms and inform their owner that something may be wrong. Drops and rises in blood pressure will affect a person’s heartbeat causing palpitations or fainting if something isn’t done quickly. These problems can often be resolved or subsided by leveling the body such as laying down flat. The heart can regain control and regulate the blood flow again. This is where the faithful companion comes into play to save the day. Cardiac alert dogs are trained specifically to detect the change in blood flow and heart rhythm and will tell the patient that they need to lay down until medical help can be attained if needed.

Training

These dogs have a vital job to do and training starts when they are a pup. They are sent to live with a foster family to teach them to be a pup with love and affection, potty training, and obedience as well. After their first year they are sent to a professional trainer who teaches the pup what they will need to do to protect their future owner. They will be taught how to detect heart anomalies and how they will need to alert their owner, including suppressing them until the problem resolves. Pup’s will lay their head and paws on their owner to prevent them from getting up.

The training is learned through “treating”  primarily, and owners must continue the process after their pup joins their life. Both the pup and the patient are unique to one another, often times the pup deciding the owner rather than the other way around.

After the pup joins the life of their owner, they are trained to be obedient to them alone, others are commonly not permitted to interact or touch the pup as it could disrupt their work. Everywhere the owner goes, the pup goes, as their work is never done.

Can you train a pup to do so?

For some dogs, detecting problems seems to be inherent. Some people have reported dogs detecting cancer, strokes, and even predicting heart attacks without training. Unfortunately, the rigorous training process begins at birth, and is quite meticulous. If you wanted to train your pup to detect heart anomalies, you would have to know exactly what to look for and be able to simulate or predict them yourselves to effectively train another pup.

These medical dogs are an amazing addition to the lives of so many. They help with not only cardiac care, but also psychiatric, diabetic, and even seizure patients. Dogs are considered the ultimate companion, and have indeed proven themselves to be such.

We love our pets, and always hate to see them leave us behind. Dogs are man’s best friend and offer us years of faithful companionship. But time eventually catches up to even the best of pups. But how will you want to remember them? Some folks bury them; some take them to the taxidermist. There are even options where for a price, they will professionally mummify your pup. Now technology has made it possible to remember your pup that was a gem in life- as a diamond in the afterlife.

Preparing

Once your pup has passed on, you will need to have their body cremated to produce the ashes needed. There are labs and facilities that can extract more carbon from your pup, but they can be quite costly. Vacuum chambers and a completely sealed situation can extract every bit of carbon, but for most situations you will only need approximately 200mg to complete a 1kt diamond from your pup. Sometimes that is all you need to create a memory from your pup that will last forever.

Process

Carbon is the element which composes all diamonds. Among any carbon based life-form (humans and dogs) bodies are composed of approximately twenty percent carbon. After your pup’s cremation, facilities utilize the ashes which will contain carbon to begin the creation of a diamond. It commonly takes between seven and ten weeks to build the right heat and pressure to form diamonds from your pup’s ashes. Some facilities will affect the colors to your specifying – Nitrogen turns them fancy yellow, heat turns a yellow green, and radiation turns a green red. Boron turns a colorless blue and a colorless is grown in the absence of nitrogen. These color changes are extremely rare occurrences in the natural world and can definitely add uniqueness to your puppy gem.

Cost

There is a variable price range for this procedure. Costs start at around $2,000 US, and can reach as high as $25,000 US, but it all depends on what kind of gem you are seeking. The more karats you want your puppy-gem to possess the more it will cost. The pigmentation process can vary the cost a slight bit so that you are able to choose what kind of radiance your pup shines in the afterlife.

Value

Diamonds have some of the highest value in the world. They sparkle and shine- helping us to remember special dates such as weddings and anniversaries. These gems are not just a thing of monetary value- they are memory storage devices. Your pup has such an impact in your life, perhaps burying them doesn’t seem like enough.

Priceless

Your pup has a value like no other object in the world. A once living creature that shined in your life is hard to forget. This process allows us humans to keep our pup’s shining forever. We can look down at our fingers or on a necklace to enable us to remember the beauty of what once was. These memories never leave us- because diamonds last forever.

During the summer months, there are many activities we entertain ourselves with to keep us cool. Water provides an element that is both fun and cool. We enjoy swimming, boating, fishing and just running through the sprinklers at home. Regardless of what water activities we entertain ourselves with, it is important to remember our four-legged friend’s safety. They want to enjoy some time in the water, and it’s up to you to ensure their safety.

Boating and fishing

Taking your pup out into the ocean with you can prove to be an exhilarating trip. A cool breeze in the face and cool water all around is quite the experience for anyone. Remember that safety is always first though. You, your children, and even your pup should be kept safe from the dangers water can sometimes present. Even the best swimmers can be caught off guard by undertows and water currents. When a pup unexpectedly falls into the water, just like a human, they too can panic. Anxiety can kick in and disorient a pup’s bearings. Breathing shortens and he becomes exasperated. This is a dangerous situation for your pup and can be for a person trying to save them.

Life jackets for…Everyone

Using life jackets for you and your family is always important during a trip like this. So why not have one for your four-legged friend as well. They’re sharing the trip with you, and now they can be kept safe as well. Doggy life jackets are becoming more popular in usage. They are designed specifically for pups and can save their life if they happen to fall (or jump in trying to chase a fish) into the water. They come in a variety of bright colors for easy spotting and have straps designed to make it easy to grab them and pull them back on board.

Size matters

Getting your pup sized for their life-jacket is vital to their safety. Dogs vary in size (like us humans) and although there are vests made for pups your size, it is best to try a few on to ensure that everything is secure. If the vest is loose, your pup could slip out when they fall in a body of water and the vest would do little, if anything.

Strap your pup in the vest and make sure that everything fits right. You don’t want anything to be too restrictive though, make sure that your pup can breathe and still move around okay.

Life jackets also add protection during water sports. Playing and interacting with other pups in the water, your pup can find themselves bouncing and smashing into their playmates. The life jackets can act as a security vest that prevents them from injuring themselves, while keeping them above the water. They can enjoy chasing you across the pool or playing with you down by the river.

Wherever you are, remember that safety is always first. Life jackets save the lives of people every year, so why not let it be there to offer the same safety for your pup as well. Whether they are out enjoying the ocean with you, or playing with your kids in the pool, your pup can be kept safe.

Vacation time is here and you want to do something exciting and extreme. But what will your pup do without you? Taking your pup along for the ride may seem like a great idea, but how will it affect them physically and mentally. Since they don’t speak our language, it can be difficult to ask them what their idea about the situation is. Consider your pup before you decide to take them on an extreme vacation.

Know your dog’s current state of health

Skydiving may seem fun, but can your pup actually accomplish this? Sure you could strap them to your chest and take the dive with them. Remember that your pup doesn’t experience the same way you do. The situation could affect them negatively and put a damper on your day. Not to mention that you might get a bit of puppy vomit on you if they get sick.

What about trying deep sea diving? All those fish in your aquarium at home can keep your pup entertained for hours. Most pups probably wouldn’t enjoy the feeling of submersion, and because their body won’t react the same way to underwater pressures as ours do, it could be unsafe taking them down and letting the pressures build up on their ears and lungs.

Trying your hand at hang gliding could be fun, but letting your pup take a swing at it may prove quite the odd scene. This may not be for every dog, but it is conceivable. You will just have to warn the people below that there could be a surprise package dropping down on them at any time. Other than that- be safe.

Do you both have fun at the activity?

How about just a cruise? Your pup may enjoy a vacation like this- as long as they don’t get seasick. Other than that, the experience may prove to be enjoyable for the both of you. Let your pup get pampered while you relax and enjoy the ride.

Camping is fun for everyone. All the sights and smells can be a haven for your pup’s nose. As long as you keep them close to you the experience can prove to be safe for them and fun for you. Enjoy the great outdoors with your trusty pup to warn you if there is any trouble- actually sounds like a great idea.
Theme parks are not always pet friendly, but you could probably find one. Unfortunately, all that walking could be bad for your pup’s paws- especially on hot pavement. Be careful not to scorch your pup’s tootsies.

Mountain climbing would be a wildly conceived idea- for your pup. You may decide it’s for you, but your pup would have difficulty navigating such terrain with paws instead of hands.

Strapping you and your pup up for Bunge jumping wouldn’t be great for your four-legged-friend. Their bodies are constructed quite differently than ours, so the stress could definitely hurt them by breaking their bones.

Taking your pup along for an extreme adventure vacation will take some consideration. Find something that both of you can do together, that won’t be harmful to either of you. Be considerate of your pup the next time you pick a vacation spot.

The social networks of today allow us humans to interact with each other and meet new people and friends every day. Some folks have had the inspiration to create social network pages for their pets in the past to help them meet other pets out in the world. Lately, these networking advantages are now becoming specifically available for your pup.

Creating your pup’s profile

As these newer social media become doggy specific, owners are able to interact with fellow pup owners that share common interests. You can create a profile via the internet to meet people that you would not otherwise have run into at your regular dog park. More practically, if you were an owner of a Corgi breed of pup, you can seek out other Corgi owners in the area near you. This would help people and their pets that share common interests become more interactive with each other. As these owners become more accustomed to using social media, these networks will expand and prove to be a very valuable tool for expanding the social life of you and your pup.

Many uses for dog circles

Doggy oriented social media allows for more companies to interact with pet friendly offers. Vacationing spots and eateries that are pet friendly can now see the pups that they can potentially serve. Creating a network of doggy oriented sites can greatly affect the world our pets live in. These social networks can allow owners the ability to search for doggy oriented places that they may want to visit or simply network with their own community regarding puppy related subjects. You can place information publicly for your fellow pet owners to see and interact specifically with people of a common interest. These networks keep you informed about events such as a fellow doggy’s birthday party so that your pup can enjoy the party. There are even possibilities of setting up a dog-sitter for your pup with a fellow dog owner.

Meetups and huddles

Special collars that are utilized to reference your pup’s movements have become quite popular. They allow you to uplink your pup’s location to social networks so that you can register your pup’s movements and create pet hotspots to let other dog owners get a feel for where the action is. This helps new owners find locations where they and their pups can become a part of a doggy oriented community. This is also a beneficial network if you are visiting a new area and want to find out where you should consider taking your pup. A network like this can greatly assist someone that wants to find a great spot for their pup to enjoy at any time of the day in any location.

These networking abilities have proven their quality for us humans by helping us to find new friends and keep in touch with old ones at our convenience so using them for pups seems to be a great chance to prove its versatility. As social networks become more pup friendly, we can expect to expand the experience of being a happy dog owner.

You’re considering going on vacation, but don’t want to leave your pup alone at home. Bringing your canine companion along with you on vacation is easier now than ever. More resorts and locations are becoming pet friendly and some are encouraging you to bring your pup. We spend time away from home to help get rid of the stress of everyday life, so why not have your pup join in your excitement.

Dog friendly spots in the area

When looking for a great spot to vacation with your pup, you’ll need to make sure that there are plenty of dog-friendly spots in the area. If you will be traveling, you will want to make sure that hotels you will be staying at will allow your canine companion. There is a difference between “dog-friendly” and allowing pets into an area. You will want to choose a place to stay that will be more likely to appeal to your pup.

Depending on what your pup enjoys most, selecting a specific spot to spend your vacation will depend on your dog’s nature. You will have to ask yourself what kind of interaction your pup enjoys most. Dogs are much like people; they may enjoy the outdoors, a tourist atmosphere with lots of human and dog interaction, or perhaps just some one-on-one time with you.

Dog friendly parks an dining areas

The city of Austin, Texas offers many dog friendly parks and even dining areas that offer treats to your pups. As the capital of the great state of Texas, there are many touristic areas for you and your pup to enjoy throughout the day. San Diego, California is also another city that offers a large selection of activities for you and your pup to enjoy. Aside from some fantastic interaction on the beach, there are some dog-friendly dining areas such as the Terra on El Cajon Boulevard and the U.S. Grand Hotel that pampers your pet-guests with treats and even their own doggy-bed. When choosing an area for you and your pup to spend time at, you will want to ensure that there are many activities for you and your canine companion to interact with.

Before you settle on a destination, you will need to review any necessary requirements for the location. What kind information you will need for your pup such as shot records and any special tags, or perhaps vaccinations for the area? The size of your pup may be a factor as well. You will want to ensure that your pup meets any requirements for the stay. Inquire about any rules specific to leash laws. You will need to know where and when it is okay for your pup to wander around off leash especially at parks. Some areas will allow this and some will require you to have your pup constantly on leash.

Size matters

There are many places across the country that offer great spots to get away from the consistency of the world, but finding a place that will spoil your dog as well will take some searching. Regardless of where you visit whether it’s a special tourist attraction, national park, or perhaps just a relative, you will want to ensure that you and your pup have a great time.

As a pup owner, you understand that your pup needs to be groomed from head to paw. Like us humans pups spend most of the day on all four paws which can definitely put a bit of stress on them. That’s where pawdicures come in. They are similar to what humans call a pedicure.  Some groomers offer this but there are special places where you can take your pup to keep their paws healthy.

A relaxing nail clipping

The process is a relaxing way for your pup to get their nails clipped. Some pups do not enjoy this process, so a little extra spoiling can sometimes be an effective tool for clearing their anxiety. Keeping your pup’s nails trimmed is not only necessary to keep those scratches off of you, but also healthy for them. If a pup’s nails get too long, it can be discomforting for them to walk or stand, or worse they can get hung on carpet and torn out. This is extremely dangerous for a pup as a resulting infection can occur. As a pet owner you will need to ensure careful maintenance of your pup’s nails to keep them healthy and happy.

Moisturize those paw pads

Over time a pup’s paws can become cracked and sore, so places that offer these “pawdicures” offer special spa’s or soaking options for your pup. They can also rub foot balms to re-moisturize cracked or paw pads. This helps heal and comfort a pup’s mitts so that they can stay active on all four legs. These places also offer paw massages to help keep your pup’s feet feeling good. This is also very beneficial for an older pup as the paw massage keeps the nerves in their paws active and healthy so that they can continue enjoying their life even into their senior years.

There are even some places that offer even more pampering when it comes to a pawdicure. You can get your pup’s nails painted with a variety of colors to add to your pup’s style. While this may seem a little odd for folks, it is merely something that you can add on for a great conversation starter, or perhaps your pup likes the attention that they get from this.

Relaxation – together

Some facilities are so pet friendly that while you get a pedicure, your pup can join and get their pawdicure. This is a nice chance for you and your pup to get some relaxation together. As the business world begins to open its doors to the pet world, we can expect to see more of Snoopy’s old signs that say “NO DOGS ALLOWED” coming down and “Dogs Welcomed” signs going up.

Pawdicures are a great way to keep your pup’s paws feeling great and healthy. It can save you a bit of time and let your pup get a little spoiled in the process. Keeping your pup’s paws and nails healthy is the main priority of a pawdicure, but a little extra never hurts. From trimming their nails to massaging their paws, businesses like this can offer your pup a healthy and happy pawdicure.

You and your spouse have been enjoying life with your lovable pup, and now it is time to make an addition to your household. A child is a special gift, and with them, great changes in life will come to pass. This doesn’t mean that your canine companion has to go anywhere though. Life will change for them too, but you can make it a positive experience for them with some preparations.

Begin adjusting your pup for the future

When you first get the good news, it is time to begin adjusting your pup for the future. The house will need to be set up with new territories. A baby and your pup should not be alone together where the baby will be sleeping or playing. Gate the doors off so that your pup will begin to adjust to not having access to these rooms when your baby does arrive. During meal times, consider barring rooms that will be used for feeding to build a habitual schedule for your pup. It will be a good idea to create a safe zone for your pup with either a cage or a room to themselves. Toys, food and water should be available to them here, and consider leaving them in there during certain times of the day to help them adjust. Don’t make the room or cage a “bad” place for them, interact with them still and make sure they are entertained. Slowly adjusting them to the change is best for your pup and will keep them from being “startled” by the radical change of a newcomer.

Introduce baby equipment

Begin introducing baby equipment as early as possible. Items like strollers, swings and cribs will change a pup’s environment. This is especially important for older dogs that have some difficulty seeing. The new furniture and environment will slowly adjust the pup to the new changes. You should also consider finding or downloading “baby sounds.” Play the sounds throughout the day to get your pup used to the sounds a baby is going to make. Playing with your pup while this is going on will positively reinforce familiarity with these sounds. One of your pup’s other great senses is “smell.” Begin using baby lotions and powders on yourself so that your pup will become familiar with you and the way the baby is going to smell. While introducing your pup to all these changes, remember to set special times aside for them each day so that they will know that you are not forgetting them.

Manage the meeting and interactions

Once the baby arrives, it may be a good idea to let your pup stay with a friend for the first few days while you get settled in. When your pup returns, though it may be difficult, make sure that you still spend time with them. This keeps your pup’s anxiety levels down so that they will not become aggressive towards the new changes. It is strongly recommended that your pup and baby not be left alone together for at least the first few months. This will give you time to understand how your pup is going to react to the newcomer. As your baby does become older and learns to crawl around, keep in mind that your pup can get hurt from your babies curiosity. Pulling and tugging can startle or hurt a pup and result in retaliation. So it may be best to always keep an eye on both of your “kids” at all times.

Preparations for your newcomer will help your four-legged friend adapt to the new situation. Sudden changes can startle your dog and may cause anxiety as they fear the changes and possible feelings of neglect. Slowly adapting them to the change will help relieve the stress, but to make it positive for them, they will need love and affection during the process.