Wanderlust Much?

I've mentioned Amy Burkert and her blog Go Pet Friendly many times. For newcomers: Amy, her husband, and their two large dogs travel the US and Canada in a motorhome. They seek out dog-friendly places and blog about it. Basically, I want to be Amy.

In 2017 the Burkert clan travelled the lower 48 states (and Washington DC) highlighting one dog-friendly attraction in each state. Then Amy wrote a book about it, so that people like me can dream and drool.

Several bloggers got together with Amy to promote her book. The bloggers wrote posts about dog-friendly place in their areas and held contests giving it in ebook form. Bad News: I wasn't asked to help promote the book. Good News: I won a copy!

I am madly in love with this book. The pictures are gorgeous. The tips are helpful and thoughtful. If you have a wanderlust like I do, you must get this book. It's available on Amazon and on the Go Pet Friendly website. BTW, the website is full of dog-friendly places, hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, activities and services not mentioned in the book. There's even a trip planner. WARNING: You WILL want to buy a motorhome. -- K

A Healing Justice

When your contact information is tied to a dog club on the internet, you get some strange calls and emails. I've discussed them before. Sometimes, though, you get lucky. Author Kristin von Kreisler reached out to the club about her latest novel, A Healing Justice. The story is about a German shepherd. She offered a free copy to our Club President in return for an honest review. (Sweet!) When Madame Pres was finished, she passed the book onto me because:

1. I love to read. (My favorite books are about dogs, dragons and/or dead people.)
2. I love to blog. And isn't an honest review/free publicity what the author wanted?

The story is about Andrea Brady, a small town police officer in Washington state. One horrible night she is attacked by a teenage neighbor and her police K9 (Justice) is stabbed. She shoots, the boy dies and Andrea's life is turned upside down. The story's point of view flip-flops between Andrea and Tom Wolski, the officer investigating the shooting.

I plowed through this book in less than two days. For the most part, I found it very enjoyable. Working for a small town police department myself, I literally laughed out loud at the calls for service. Yes, neighbors mooning each other is a totally believable complaint. (Here we actually had someone call 911 over the theft of a sandwich. No kidding!)

However, I didn't believe the origin story of Justice. In my decades of association with police departments and dog handlers (both military and civilian), I've never known a random stray dog to become a working K9. Also, K9s belong to the agency, not the officer, so some of the storyline wasn't credible for me. Lastly -- and this is probably just me -- I would have enjoyed the story more without the romance at the end. (I'm a Criminal Minds kind of girl; this felt more Hallmark Channel movie to me.)

All in all, the story was well written. The imagery was vivid and the plot was engaging. It was obvious that the author is familiar with the nuances of German shepherds -- the "look," the ear twitch, the whining and the noble in public/doofus at home personality we all love.

The book will be available September 25 if you're interested. Happy reading! -- K

Back to Basics

It's round two for me and the whole dog show thing. It's been years since I've been in the ring, so I thought I'd reread a couple of the books I bought when Jedi was a pup. I was hoping to find a few things I might've missed the first time around.

BOOK #1

The first book I picked up was Raising a Champion: A Beginner's Guide to Showing Dogs. I've had this book for years but didn't remember reading it. I must have, as I found a card from Jedi's puppy shower inside it.

This book assumes that the reader has already chosen a puppy. However, everything else is great for the total newbie. Since I'm a Newbie Plus, I glossed over the parts pertaining to:

• How a dog show works
• Picking your first show
• Premium lists
• Entering a show
• Ring patterns (though I did stop and look at some of the more obscure ones)

I think I know that stuff well enough. However, I slowed down and reread the parts about:

• Handling a lead (getting it bunched up in the hand just right takes some coordination!)
• Teaching a puppy to stack (even though the book doesn't cover the GSD stack or free stacking, it still had some useful tips)
• Teaching a puppy to gait (I need help here!)

I'm a visual learner and like that this book has lots of pictures. I wish the book addressed the teeth exam better. This is required for GSDs and Jedi hated it. Trooper doesn't like me playing with his mouth either so . . . ugh.

The book was published in 2001 but is still relevant today.


BOOK #2

The second book was The Absolute Beginners Guide to Showing Your Dog. I do remember this book. Many of the pages are dog-eared from the first reading. The pages on how to fill out an entry form are well-worn.

I skipped over a lot of the information about the history of dogs shows, finding the right puppy and navigating the paperwork. The chapters on stacking and anatomy were definitely worth reading again. (Unlike the book above, this one did cover free stacking, which is preferred in the GSD ring.)

I read the warnings about backbiting, poor sportsmanship and judicial bias with a different perspective this time around. In fact, I even had faces to go with some of the sleazy tricks mentioned. (Yeah, I'm talking about you, POS Pro Handler in Perry.)

The book is divided into five sections:

• Is Showing Right for You?
• Basic Training
• Mechanical Skills
• Paperwork and Paraphernalia
• Showtime

Each chapter starts off with an "In This Chapter" list, and ends with a "Remember" list of key points for quick reference and review.

I really liked the sidebars. Divided into four categories -- Fancy That, Talking Dog, Watch Your Step! and Tips From the Pros -- these bite-sized nuggets are spread throughout the book. There are also several appendices with useful information. However, this book was also published in 2001 so some information is outdated.

This book is perfect if you're in a hurry (i.e. puppy is napping) or you have a short attention span (like me).

Both of these books are worth reading. They do a nice job demystifying the world of dog shows. That said, each author tells the new fancier that books are no substitute for handling class. SO TRUE! Trooper and I go to class once a week and do some (but not enough) reviewing at home in between. I'll share how that's coming along later. See you around the ring, -- K

Travels With Casey

Confession time: I have really hard time passing up a dog-themed book on the sale table. Seriously, if said book came with a glass of wine and a brownie it would be completely irresistible. So when I saw a hardback copy of Travels with Casey for less than 5 bucks at Books-a-Million you know I bought it! In all fairness, I had just spent that much on a caramel macchiato at the in-store coffee shop. (Froofy coffee, another one of my vices. Yep, I've got issues . . .)

The book sat on my to-be-read pile for a few months before I got to it. The basic premise of the book is:

Neurotic New Yorker rents an RV and travels the country with his dog. He visits various dog-centric people and places along the way.

For the most part I liked the book. I've always thought it would be exciting to rent an RV and travel the country. It's fun to read about somebody who actually did. Other interesting things about the book that appeal to me are:

• Apparently this author knows Josh Dean who wrote the book Show Dog that I reviewed back in March. It sounds like they were writing their books at the same time.
• Benoit and Casey came to Jacksonville. In fact, they were doing doga on the beach. I wonder if I saw him? Wouldn't that have been freaky?
• During his travels he met Amy Burkett from Go Pet Friendly -- one of my absolute favorite blogs!

And there were a couple things I didn't like about the book:

• The story tends to meander. That's not bad, but it's not my style. I prefer more of a in-your-face John Grisham kind of story to a we'll-get-there-when-we-get-there Alexander McCall Smith kind of story. 
• I couldn't care less about the author's love life. I'm NOT a romance reader by any means. I want to read about dogs, dragons and dead people, period.
• I really wish there had been more pictures.

All in all, it was entertaining and definitely worth the $5. Now if only I could talk Hubby into selling everything and buying an RV. I tried really hard when Leah and the pups from Let's Go Dog stopped by here on their perimeter tour of the U.S. last year. Hubby said no. Unless I can either win the lottery or write a million dollar novel, we have to continue working to pay the bills. Dammit. But I'll keep trying! Until then . . . -- K

It's a Dog, Not a Toaster

As I mentioned earlier, Jedi and I are going for our Beginner Novice title. I'm not exactly sure when, but it's "on the list." Why Beginner Novice? Because it was designed for people just like me -- super green and scared as hell. Beginner Novice is a cross between regular obedience and rally, and a good jumping off point for either route. There are rally signs and it's not as rigid (read "intimidating") as regular obedience. It actually looks doable. Please note: I DID NOT say easy. Bless his heart, Jedi doesn't do "easy."

So, once I made up my mind I needed a plan. I went to my obedience club and asked when the next beginner rally and/or beginner foundations class was being offered. I couldn't get a straight answer -- maybe June, possibly during the day, not sure which day but definitely not on Fridays . . . Grrr.

My next stop was Amazon. There's not a whole lot of material available on competitive obedience. (Seriously, where are people learning this stuff?!) I couldn't find any DVD tutorials, but did find a couple books that sounded interesting. The first was It's a Dog Not a Toaster by Diana Kerew-Shaw. The book is a fun, quick read but doesn't have the nuts and bolts that I was looking for. Instead, it's a hodgepodge of the history of competitive obedience,  personal stories, tips and fun photos.

Meanwhile, I signed up for an online Rally Skillbuilding class with the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy. Class starts tomorrow. I'm super excited! I'll let you know how it goes. TTFN, -- K

Show Dog

Wow, it's been a while since I did a book review. I haven't been reading much. Show Dog: The Charmed Life and Trying Times of a Near-Perfect Purebred was sitting on my Amazon wish list for months. I wasn't ready to pay $25 for it, so I was hoping it would come out in paperback. When I found it used for $5 I pounced! But then it sat on my "to be read" pile for another six months.

It's an interesting book, but a bit slow. It took me months (and months) to finish it. I would read it for a few days, then put it down for weeks before picking it up again. I finally finished it last weekend.

This is a true story. It follows Jack, an Australian shepherd. Jack is owned by a first time dog show person. (Like me!) Jack's owner, Kimberly, is a regular middle class woman with regular middle class responsibilities -- work, kids, etc. (Also like me.) Kimberly hires a professional handler to show Jack. (Not like me.) The author follows Jack's dog show career for over a year. When the story began the author didn't know how it was going to end, nor did he know anything about the dog show world. He does a nice job weaving in history and terminology throughout the story so even a layperson can follow along. If you're interested in dog shows you may find it worth reading -- especially if you can find it on the sale table.

My personal feeling when I finished the book: depressed. After reading all that Kimberly, her breeder and her handlers did to train and show Jack, I felt vastly inadequate. German shepherds are at least as competitive as Australian shepherds; maybe even more so. It doesn't help that my dog club has joined up with an all breed club and we're putting on five shows in three days next month -- and I didn't enter Jedi. I know that neither of us are properly conditioned for all that running, and as president I felt that I'd serve the Club better from behind the scenes. Still, sigh.

To be honest, Jedi's show career is probably over. I can't see putting him back in the ring. He doesn't seem to like it and my inexperienced handling skills allowed too many bad habits to develop. Looking back, there are so many things I could have or should have done earlier. And to rub salt in my wounds, the Blogging from A to Z Challenge begins again next week. I'm not participating this year, but last year I did a great series on Dog Shows for the Novice Fancier. I feel a little hypocritical now.

Want to know a secret? Don't tell Jedi, but I've been seriously thinking about getting another show puppy and trying again. Not right away; probably in a year or two. We have too much going on right now. But I am tucking away money and looking at breeders. Maybe I can find a kickass mentor in the interim. Lord knows I need help! For now Jedi and I are going to do nosework and anything else that tickles our fancy. OK, pity party is over. Yes, I'm still disappointed, but I have to get ready for nosework class. We have a trial in two weeks! TTFN, -- K

The Curious Incident of the Dog

I got this book for Christmas. The book is titled The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time but to be honest, there's not much dog in it. It's British and the story is told by a teenager who probably has some form of autism (it's described but never labeled). Calling the story "odd" would be an understatement.

The book opens with the protagonist, Christopher, wandering the neighborhood late at night. While out he discovers his neighbor's dog lying on the lawn. Quote from page 1: "There was a garden fork sticking out of the dog." Quote from Kelley: "WTF is a garden fork?"

Christopher goes on a quest to find out who killed the dog, all while avoiding strangers and anything colored yellow. Christopher loves prime numbers, hates being touched and doesn't understand metaphors. Yeah, it's weird like that.

This book was an easy read, though definitely strange. In the beginning the story was quirky but interesting (think Neil Gaiman) but somewhere in the middle the characters became tiresome and I no longer cared what happened to them (a la Stephanie Meyers). Still, I read the book to the anticlimactic end. This is definitely not one of my favorite dog stories. -- K

The Promise

I haven't been reading much lately. I don't know why, but I do know that I don't like it. Reading is a great way for me to decompress. (So why do I watch mindless television instead?) My mother sent the latest Robert Crais book to my Kindle saying she really liked it. (She sent me one of his books in the past and I reviewed it here.) The Promise ties in with the last book. The review on Amazon.com says:

Loyalty, commitment, and the fight for justice have always driven Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. If they make a promise, they keep it. Even if it could get them killed.

When Elvis Cole is secretly hired to find a grief-stricken mother, he's led to an ordinary house on a rainy night in Echo Park. Only the house isn't ordinary, and the people hiding inside are a desperate fugitive and a murderous criminal with his own dangerous secrets.

As helicopters swirl overhead, Scott and Maggie track the fugitive to this same house, coming face-to-face with Mr. Rollins, a killer who leaves behind a brutally murdered body and enough explosives to destroy the neighborhood. Scott is now the only person who can identify him, but Mr. Rollins has a rule: Never leave a witness alive.

For all of them, the night is only beginning.

Sworn to secrecy by his client, Elvis finds himself targeted by the police even as Mr. Rollins targets Maggie and Scott. As Mr. Rollins closes in for the kill, Elvis and Joe join forces with Scott and Maggie to follow a trail of lies where no one is who they claim -- and the very woman they promised to save might get them all killed.

I know -- OOOOH. So, what did I think?

First of all, it was a quick read. I found it engaging. I liked this story better than Suspect, even though the dog -- a German shepherd! -- plays a much smaller part in this one. Now that Jedi and I are doing nose work, I really liked how the story touched on Maggie's scent work skills. However, I've never known a dog to be trained in tracking people and find explosives (it's always been either/or) as the alerts are very different. Think about it: an excited dog who jumps on his bad guy target cannot behave the same way when he finds a bomb. Other than that, it was a nice escape.

How about you, have you read anything good lately? Please share! -- K

Train Your Dog Like a Pro

I read other blogs regularly. The less-than-professional quality photos (no offense to Greyhounds CAN Sit, those pictures are breathtaking!) and the back-and-forth conversations make blogging feel more genuine. I pick up all kinds of information and enjoy the different points of view. And when I find what I think is a real gem I like to share it with you.

Months ago I read Why I Like Jean Donaldson on Damien's Best Dog Toys. The author was so passionate about one book -- Train Your Dog Like a Pro -- that I had to check it out. I put the book on my Amazon wish list -- and promptly forgot about it.

Eventually I ordered it and read half the book before I misplaced it. Recently I found the book again and am really enjoying it. Jean Donaldson breaks behaviors down into tiny pieces and gives a step by step progression for each one, along with the science behind it. Her Push-Drop-Stick is an objective method to gauge when to increase the difficulty level.

True confession: I'm a horrible dog trainer. I don't find the intrinsic joy in it that some of my friends do. When I come home from work I want to flop on the couch and watch mindless TV, not "work the dogs." Jean Donaldson addresses this in Chapter 4 with some practical tips to keep the trainer (me!) motivated.

So I'm finishing the book and trying to put her methods into practice. Jedi's a great dog, he deserves a better trainer. I'm trying not to beat myself up (too much). I'm trying to be more consistent. I love dog classes because they force me to be accountable. With that in mind, I just signed up for a class at the Humane Society. By October Jedi should have his CGC (Canine Good Citizen) title.

I know this is a Training Tips hop. I'm attaching this for all of you not-so-stellar trainers like me. My tip: Stop beating yourself up. Then hop around and see what others are sharing. There's some great stuff out there. -- K

A Fun Read

As I've mentioned before, I like to read. Most of my book choices are about dogs, dragons or dead people. So when I saw Dog On It by Spencer Quinn on the sale table at Books-a-Million I had to get it. This is the first in a mystery series about Chet and Bernie. The story is narrated by Chet -- the dog! -- as he follows his human, a private detective. It's actually quite funny. Like Jedi, Chet eats everything, marks often and is perplexed by certain human emotions. But his hypersensitive nose and keen observation of human behaviors help solve the case. It's a fun summer read and definitely worth the $5. -- K

P.S. I've already ordered the next book from Amazon.

Dieting with My Dog, Part 2

Way back in September of 2012 I reviewed a book called Dieting With My Dog: One Busy Life, Two Full Figures . . . and Unconditional Love. I ordered it because the author, Peggy Frezon, and I had some of the same issues: high blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose combined with a sweet tooth and an aversion to exercise. I said: 

"It's not a bad story, but I wish there were more examples. I know the formula for weight loss: less calories, more exercise. Sometimes I just need things spelled out." 

Peggy listened! She wrote a sequel called The Dieting With My Dog Guide to Weight Loss & Maintenance -- and I bought it. I started reading it, misplaced it, found it and finally finished it. Best of all, I enjoyed it!

The book is divided into five sections: Weight Loss, Diet, Exercise, Maintenance and (my favorite) Resources. Each section is broken down into "YOU" and "YOUR DOG" so you can easily follow along. And just like I needed, things are spelled out: What are good healthy snacks for you and your dog? How do you get started walking with your dog? What kind of things should you pack if hiking with your dog? There are motivational stories as well. The resource section is chock full of web addresses so you can follow up on everything from a BMI calculator to dog food reviews to a free Pooch to 5K training program (oh yes, I'll share that one later). I enjoyed the book. Whether or not I put it into practice . . . I'll keep you updated! -- K

Clicker Conformation Training

Jedi's gorgeous father, Champion Mar Haven's
Last Cowboy Song, perfectly stacked
 

I'm having trouble training Jedi for the ring. His poor gaiting is all me -- I'm out of shape and uncoordinated. I'm trying to walk more to build endurance. I'm even doing a tiny bit of sprinting during our walks. Seriously, Jedi would look better in the ring if I could move my ass and not trip over my own feet. At least I know what my problem is here.

Stacking is a more difficult issue. Jedi is a German shepherd, which stacks differently than every other dog in the AKC. All other dogs stack with their legs squared underneath them; GSDs have their front feet and one back foot squared, but the other rear leg is elongated, producing the signature slope. I have watched dogs walk into a perfect stack in the ring and it's very impressive. I have seen others set into a beautiful stack with little effort from the handler. And then there's me and Jedi, looking as graceful as a couple manatees playing Twister. I'll set the front and he'll wiggle around while I'm trying to set the back, sometimes even licking my face. Endearing yes, but not the stuff that wins ribbons.

In frustration, I bought another book: Positive Training for Show Dogs by Vicki Ronchette. I wish I had found this a year ago! I'm only halfway through the book but it's already proven to be useful. I think I know what I've doing wrong: First of all, I was trying to do too much too fast and confused the poor boy. Then I tried holding bait in front of his nose. It was great when I was in front of him, but when I would work on the back feet he was wiggling around to find the goodies. Jedi is a food whore.

So now I'm trying to fix my mistakes. Unfortunately it means going back to square one. We are using the clicker now. I'm a horrible clicker clicker, so I have Hubby click while I set and so far it's working. Jedi likes the clicker because it means "food's a comin'." (Remember, he's a food whore.) We started out slowly, just clicking for standing still. Now we're working on the front feet. When they are square, he gets a click/treat. Then we'll increase duration before moving to the back feet. Eventually (hopefully soon, but I don't want to rush it) he'll understand the picture I'm looking for. THEN we'll add distractions. Ideally he'll develop muscle memory and be able to walk into the stack with little (if any) need for adjustments. Will it work? I hope so! I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, Jedi and I have increased our walking in preparation for the Chariots of Fur 5K next month. NEXT MONTH! I'm a bit anxious. Hopefully this will help with our gaiting as well.

I'm thrilled be able to include this post in the inaugural Training Tips Tuesday blog hop because:

1. I need help! I can't wait to see what other (and more experienced) dog owners have to share; and
2. I want to help. If my bumbling and fumbling is able to help somebody else -- especially a newbie in the ring like me -- then maybe my mistakes won't seem so bad.

We'll have to revisit this in December and see how far we've come. Until then, check out the other posts in the hop. And please share what you've learned. You know I will! -- K

Am I Boring My Dog?

So I saw a book titled Am I Boring My Dog: And 99 Other Things Every Dog Wishes You Knew for less than $5. You know I bought it. And read it. And am going to tell you all about it.

I'm glad I only spent $5 on this book. It's not at all with the title led me to believe. The first 60 pages are all about choosing a dog -- mixed breed verses purebred, shelter verses breeder, puppy versus adult. Since I already have a dog this was of no use to me. The stuff I was looking for didn't come until chapters 7 and 8, titled "Fun and Games at Home" and "Fun and Games on the Road" respectively.

Other chapters included feeding, grooming and healthcare 101. The 100 things are laid out nicely and it's a quick and easy read that can be read in short chunks. (In the TMI department, I keep it in the bathroom.) It's not a bad book, just not what I was expecting. -- K

I & Dog

My son gave me an interesting book for my birthday. Its called I & Dog by the Monks of New Skete. Have you heard of it? It discusses the spiritual connection between people and dogs. It's a short book, more contemplate than scientific. I read it in 20 minutes or so, and spent another 10 minutes looking at the gorgeous pictures. However, I'm definitely going to read it again, this time taking time to mull over the text. Hours after I'd finished the book I was still thinking about some of what I read. For example, the introduction states that:

We humans can and do form mutually inspiring and beneficial relationships with our dog companions, and this experience colors every aspect of our life.

I asked myself "Did having a dog as a child affect my life?" The answer was obviously yes. More difficult, however, has been trying to articulate how my life has been affected. I'm not sure if I even can!

The only picture I have of my first love

I've mentioned my first dog, Eli, before. Amazingly, a brindled mutt from the pound became the best friend a girl could ever have. Eli was smart, funny, patient, protective, loyal and my constant companion. He's been gone 30 years yet my friends and family still share "good old Eli" stories. He was a once in a lifetime dog. My love for him -- and more importantly, his love for me -- greatly influenced the woman I am today. Don't believe me? Look at what I do for a living. Look at my blog. You can even look at my wardrobe -- most of my clothing has dog pictures and/or actual dog hair on it!

When I reread I & Dog I will think of Eli. And Pepper. And Logan. I'll remember the joy they brought into my life. I'm sure I'll cry. As the book also says:

     The biggest problem with dogs is that they don't

     live long enough. They always seem to leave us when

     we're most vulnerable, most in need of their bias,

     affirming presence. Dogs make us believe we can

     actually be as they see us, and it's often only when

     they're gone that we realize their role in what we've become.

 

I'm going to grab a box of Kleenex and then give Roxy and Jedi a hug. I'm thankful for the dogs in my life. How about you, have you hugged your dog today? -- K

Change the World in 30 Seconds

A few days ago the book How to Change the World in 30 Seconds: A Web Warrior's Guide to Animal Advocacy Online came in the mail. I first heard about this book during the last blog hop. The blog that mentioned it had a 50% off coupon code. Help animals, save money -- you know I'm a sucker for that! The book is less than 100 pages so I read it pretty quickly. I have mixed feelings about what I read. On the plus side, the book gave lots of concrete examples of things to do and places to go to make a difference. I'll discuss these in a minute. Unfortunately, it also promotes some of the kooky, almost conspiracy-theory things I have to fight on a regular basis -- I should probably explain that too, hunh?

OK, first the good stuff:

1. Freekibble -- This is a fun site. It has a daily trivia question (and I love trivia). Whether you answer right or wrong, sponsors donate food to animal shelters for every visit to the site. You can click once daily, and you can even sign up for a reminder email.
2. The Animal Rescue Site -- Like Freekibble, this site has sponsors that donate food to shelters for every click they receive. You can click once daily here as well. The site also have a store where you can purchase clothes, jewelry, pet supplies and more. Additional bowls of food are donated with every purchase.  
3. The book discusses online petitions (which I doubt the effectiveness of) and letter-writing campaigns (which I believe are very effective) and gives the particulars of how they work. Letters to the editor are also discussed -- but really, who reads newspapers anymore?
4. Social media (i.e. Facebook and Twitter) can spread information instantly. The author discusses how social media can be used to arrange transport for animals and showcase animals available for adoption. Blogs can be used to promote issues.
5. Online fundraising is explained briefly. Surprisingly, she didn't mention First Giving or any of the other online fundraising sites I've seen (and donated through).
6. Web addresses are given to download various flyers and brochures.

And the other stuff:

1. The Dogs in Danger section is overly dramatic. I get tired of hearing about evil "kill" shelters, and am disappointed when I see the No Kill movement vilify municipal, open-admissions shelters to promote their agenda. There are better, more productive ways to save animals than pitting agencies against each other. (OK, off the soap box -- for now.)
2. Some information is inaccurate -- heart sticking being the most obvious to me. (This is used during euthanasia.) The inflammatory verbiage used turned me off as well.
3. The possible perils are grossly exaggerated. The author states that among other things, "Free to a Good Home" pets on Craigslist are sold to laboratories, fed to pet snakes and used in satanic rituals. I've heard these stories a hundred times during my eight years in animal control, but have never seen facts backing them up. The author didn't offer any either, which is disappointing because she was so meticulous with her other stats and sources.

All in all, after the coupon I spent $7 (including shipping) on the book. I think it was worth it for me, kooky propaganda aside. If you feel differently you can borrow my copy. Or you can keep reading my blog for free. You know I'll share anything I feel is important. -- K

Dog Show 101

Hubby and I spent most of the weekend at dogs shows. I am NOT an expert in this area (I'm not even a novice really) yet I found myself explaining things to people who knew less than me. Here is some of the stuff I think newbies need to know to enjoy the show.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has different types of dog shows -- Agility, Conformation, Field Trails, Obedience, Rally, and Tracking being the big six. Today I'm talking about Conformation, where dogs run around the ring and are judged as to how well they "conform" to the breed standard. Thanks to the televising of Westminster Kennel Club's annual dog show, most people are familiar with this type of show.

Conformation shows come in different varieties: the Specialty Show and the All Breed Show. Hubby and I attended both this weekend. (Apparently there is also a Multi-Breed Show -- more than one breed but less than an all breed -- but I've never seen one.)

On Friday the German Shepherd Dog Club of North Florida held two specialty shows, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. These shows were only open to German shepherds. The dogs were separated into Dogs (males) or Bitches (females) and entered into different classifications:

• Puppy, 6-9 months
• Puppy, 9-12 months
• Puppy, 12-18 months
• Novice (for dogs over 6 months old that haven't won first place more than twice)
• Bred By Exhibitor (for dogs being shown by the person who bred, owns and handles it)
• American Bred (for dogs bred in the United States)
• Open (for all eligible dogs over 6 months old)

A dog can be entered in only one class per show, and handlers put a lot of thought into which class they choose. Chances are that the Open class will be the largest and most competitive group, so handlers often choose a smaller class if available.

The males went first. (Males always show first.) The judge carefully examined each dog. She had them run around the ring together and separately so she could look at the dogs' gait and movement. She also put her hands on each dog, checking teeth, testicles and everything in between. The judge compared each dog to the breed standard, which she must know by heart. (FYI: The breed standard for German shepherds is here.) The winner of each class was brought back into the ring to determine the Winners Dog. Then the judge did the same thing with the females to determine the Winners Bitch. Winners Dog and Winners Bitch both received points towards their championship title. (Points can be confusing. I'll try to explain them in another post.)

Afterwards, the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch were brought back into the ring. They were joined by dogs of both sexes who have already received their championship title. All these dogs competed for the title Best of Breed (BOB). Best of Opposite Sex (BOS) was given to the best dog of the opposite sex of the BOB. The Winners Dog and Winners Bitch also competed to determine who was the Best of Winners (BOW). By the way, it is possible for the BOW to be BOB or BOS as well.

A specialty show stops here. However, in an All-Breed show BOB competitions are going on in multiple rings for every breed. At the end of the day each BOB winner competes with the other dogs of his respective Group (Sporting, Hound, Working, Toy, Non-Sporting or Herding). The Group winners then compete for Best in Show.

The Greater Orange Park Dog Club held All-Breed shows on both Saturday and Sunday. Over 800 dogs competed simultaneously in six separate rings. It was fun and exciting to watch, though we didn't stay to see Best in Show. We were tired and none of club members made BOB for German shepherds.

For more info on Dog Showing, I recommend The Absolute Guide to Showing Your Dog by Cheryl S. Smith. I got this book several years ago and read it cover to cover. I still refer to it when I get confused -- which is pretty often! Did you learn something or did I just make it worse? Either way, I hope to see you at the next show! -- K

A Story About a Dog and Dead People

I haven't been able to read much since Jedi joined our family. He takes up most of my waking time (and a big chunk of my sleeping time too!) The other day my mother texted me saying she had just sent a book to my Kindle. Mom never texts me, so I was intrigued. The book was Suspect by Robert Crais, an author I'd never heard of before. The review on Amazon.com says:

LAPD cop Scott James is not doing so well. Eight months ago, a shocking nighttime assault by unidentified men killed his partner Stephanie, nearly killed him, and left him enraged, ashamed, and ready to explode. He is unfit for duty -- until he meets his new partner.

Maggie is not doing so well, either. A German shepherd who survived three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan sniffing explosives before losing her handler to an IED, her PTSD is as bad as Scott’s.

They are each other’s last chance. Shunned and shunted to the side, they set out to investigate the one case that no one wants them to touch: the identity of the men who murdered Stephanie.

Dogs AND dead people? These are two of my favorite genres. I was hooked! Before Jedi came I read a lot of Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch novels, which are also set in Los Angeles. Anyway, once I got started, I read this book in two days. I enjoyed it. I hope you do too. -- K

Feeling Thankful

Today is Thanksgiving and I have many things to be thankful for including a loving family, good friends, a strong faith, decent health, full-time employment, and the many freedoms guaranteed under our Constitution. I am also thankful for the wonderful dogs that have shared my life. On this day of reflection I ask myself, was I as good to them as they were to me? Probably not. I've tried -- and I truly believe that they've all had good doggie lives -- but if I can do better, I will. I received another shipment from Amazon.com yesterday (I know, I need help) and this was in one of the books. I found it very thought-provoking and had to share. I copied this verbatim from The Dog Tricks and Training Workbook by Kyra Sundance. It is so well said that it deserves repeating. 

 You Owe This to Your Dog 

Our dogs play a significant role in our lives, whether as working dogs or companions. We've taken them into our household and are responsible for fulfilling their basic and higher needs. For all the joy and companionship they give us, we owe our dogs the following:

• Adequate food and medical care
• A life that is beyond mere survival
• Grooming, ear and teeth cleaning, nail trimming, skin and coat conditioning
• Exercise -- not only the option for exercise, but also the encouragement
• Twenty minutes each day of your undivided attention
• Three enrichment activities per day (a walk, a game of fetch, a training session, a car ride)
• Exposure to the world beyond your backyard
• Socialization with people and dogs outside of your family
• The right to give and receive unconditional love
• Training, so your dog does not become a prisoner of his own misbehavior
• Fresh air and green grass
• Respect for your dog's needs and wants
• Responsible breeding, or none at all
• Time and space all his own
• The freedom to be foolish and silly, and to make you laugh
• The right to earn your trust and to be trusted in return
• Forgiveness
• The right to die with dignity
• The honor of being remembered well

So who wants to be a better dog owner now? Yeah, me too. I'd like to close with pictures of the dogs that I am so thankful for. -- K



Pepper

Logan

Roxy

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Sensitivity Test

So I finished reading A Dog's Purpose and I guess I'm not going to send Breeder a nasty e-mail. However, I think a Kleenex warning would have been nice! Or maybe a sensitivity test should have been given beforehand. For example, watch the commercial below. If it makes you cry, do not read this book -- and for God's sake stay away from Marley and Me!

 

Are you bawling? If so, stick to Marmaduke! 

What I'm Reading Now

I'd like to preface this post by saying I don't just read dog books. I read lots of books. I like books. I enjoy murder mysteries, suspense, fiction-fantasy, sci-fi and the occasional autobiography. However, this is Kelley's Dog Blog, so we're only going to discuss dog-related books here. E-mail me if you want to discuss any non-dog books -- except romance or paranormal crap. I hate that. Anyway, I'm currently reading three different dog books and would love to discuss them with anybody who's interested! (By the way, I realize it's kind of weird to be reading several books at once. My excuses: I have a short attention span and Amazon.com has my credit card on file. And they keep sending me "suggested titles." And I'm weak . . . )

The first book I'm reading is One Nation Under Dog: America's Love Affair With Our Dogs. The subtitle is "Adventures in the New World of Prozac-Popping Puppies, Dog-Park Politics, and Organic Pet Food." What a mouth full! The book highlights the changes in America's attitudes towards their pets over the last few decades. It discusses everything from the $43 billion pet supply industry (yes, that was billion with a B -- I'm in the wrong business!) to the way dog-related laws are being changed around the country. The book is interesting, but I'm not sure if I'm enjoying it -- which is probably why it's taking me so long to finish it. A few months back HBO aired a documentary with the same name. I'm not sure if I liked that or not either. Truth is, sometimes animal people are weird, and I'm not entirely comfortable being one of "them." I know, TMI.

I'm also reading A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron. This is a fictional story about a dog that keeps getting reincarnated in search of his true purpose. Breeder loved this book and really wanted me to read it. Currently I'm on the second incarnation and I am crying my eyes out. It's written from the dog's point of view and is very entertaining -- but definitely NOT recommended for anyone who is "a bit hormonal." I feel horrible now for yelling at Pepper all those years over her getting in the trash. And I swear, if the story doesn't get happier soon I'm going to send Breeder a nasty e-mail and a bill for the box of Kleenex!

The third book just came today from Amazon.com. (Remember that whole "credit card on file" thing mentioned above?) I'm absolutely loving Raising a Champion: A Beginner's Guide to Showing Dogs. This book has lots of pictures -- and pictures are a good thing for visual learners like me! The book is also written in plain English for those of us who know little or nothing about "the fancy." There's even a glossary in the back to explain odd terms like "bandy-legged" and "cow-hocked." This book covers how dog shows work, how to stack and move a dog, necessary equipment, how to read a show catalog and fill out forms, how championship points are scored, and much, much more. It's a great all-around book and I look forward to absorbing it. However, I'll still need help with some breed-specific things. For example, page 19 states:

German Shepherd Dogs are posed differently from any other breed. Posing a German Shepherd isn't covered in this book.

All I can say is, thank goodness for the Internet. I found How to Stack a German Shepherd on eHow.com and several videos on YouTube. I'm also hoping to find a mentor. Of course, I should probably get the puppy first . . . Think I'm a little excited? It'll be fun. Stick around and see. -- K