Jedi and Jet Lag

Jedi at dawn. Why are we awake?!

I spent 10 days in California. I've only been back for 36 hours and I'm exhausted. Jet lag always seems to be worse when heading east. It doesn't help that my body is still on California time. My problem: I can't seem to get to sleep until well after midnight -- and Jedi doesn't care. No matter what time we go to bed, he is wide awake by 6 AM. There is nothing I can do to convince him otherwise.

This morning he was stirring at 5 AM. I took him out to pee and gave him a chew toy to keep him quiet. It didn't work. He was in my face panting and whining. I thought I had convinced him to settle down, but then he leaned against the bed and scratched. The whole thing shook like a California earthquake. He stopped when I fussed (loudly and harshly!) but that's when the licking started. He licked and chewed various body parts so loud that I'm sure they could him on Dagobah. I tried throwing Jedi out of the bedroom but then he just sat outside the door and whined. Eventually I got up. The dog won.

I feel like crap. My body's telling me it's still 4 AM. Now I'm sitting in the living room with a screaming headache and an upset stomach. (One of the many joys of getting older: lack of sleep feels like a nasty hangover, even if I don't drink the night before.) My dog is a jerk and apparently he doesn't care. I took this picture at 6:30 AM so you can see for yourself. Just look at the grin! Jerk.

It's Sepia Saturday! We're joining Ruckus the Eskie and the folks at Earl's World as we share our frustration with a soft brown tint. Click around below and see what others are sharing. I am. It's not like I can sleep or anything. (Quit smiling Ruckus, it's not funny.) I am not amused. -- K

P.S. As I was putting the finishing touches on this post I heard Jedi sigh loudly. I looked over and saw him sleeping -- sleeping! -- on my office floor. I don't know whether to quietly crawl back in bed or go wake him up out of spite. WHAT A JERK!

Be Clever or Be Quiet

My uniform has ANIMAL CONTROL written on the back in 3" letters. Most of the time that's a good thing. Before the lettering, one of my partners was mistaken for a prowler and nearly shot while chasing a stray dog. (Regular readers know that my city's residents are notorious for blowing things out of proportion.)

However, the lettering does make me stand out, especially when I'm eating lunch or at the grocery store after work. I don't know why, but when people see me they feel compelled to make stupid comments. I usually just give a weak smile, but what I want to say (dripping with sarcasm, of course) is "Oh Wow, I've never heard that before." What kind of things am I talking about?

• At least once a week some skeezy man says "I'm an animal, wanna control me?" Yuck.
• I'll walk into a business and someone calls out "[name] they're here for you."
• OR someone pushes someone else in my direction and says "Here you go."
• I'm asked constantly if I will take a person's husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend.
• Parents tell their children that if they don't behave I'm going to put them in the cage on the back of my truck. (Way to go Mom and Dad! Teach your kids to fear those who are supposed to help them.)
• I'm told I look "dog tired" entirely too often.
• When I'm chasing a dog in public some bystander always has to sing Who Let The Dogs Out. Obviously these people don't know the true meaning of the song. If they do, then I am highly offended!
• My truck is barked at daily when I'm patrolling the city

I know, groan. I assume that people are trying to be funny. (They're not.) Or maybe they think they're being clever. (Again, not.) Unfortunately, those trying to insult me are equally lame. I've heard:

• Wannabe Cop
• Rent-A-Cop
• Puppy Killer
• Dog Hater
• Dog Catcher
• Stupid
• Fat
• Bitch
• Dyke
• Barney Fife
• and Paul Blart

I want to scream "Is that the best that they can do?" Seriously, how disappointing. Several years back an ACO friend of mine in a neighboring city was the subject of a letter to the editor. The author said that my friend "emerged from the truck like John Wayne with bright pink lipstick." Now that's what I'm talking about! My friend was so impressed by the creativity that she framed the letter and hung it in her office.

 

Now THAT'S funny!

My advice to you: If you feel the urge to say something to an animal control officer you should avoid the things above. We've heard it before. You won't get the reaction you're looking for. At best you'll get a condescending eye roll. If you can't be clever then please, just be quiet. Or better yet, be sincere. A friendly smile and a cheerful hello are always welcome. And silly pet stories will always get a warm chuckle.

It's Sepia Saturday! We're joining Ruckus the Eskie and the folks at Earl's World as we share our crazy lives with a soft brown tint. When you're through with my silliness, hop around below and see what others are sharing today. -- K

 

Sepia Dragon

I know this is Kelley's DOG Blog, but regular visitors will recognize Drogo, our favorite bearded dragon. I have never known a reptile to have so much personality. His permanent grin and agreeable temperament also make it easy to dress him up and take silly pictures. You can see those pictures on his Fashion Dragon page. However, today I'm posting a more dignified picture.

 

Drogo's head tilt is just endearing as any dog's

Both Hubby and Son #1 are reptile enthusiasts and we've had several different species over the years. Bearded dragons are my favorite by far. They are heartier and easier to care for than most. The don't grow as large as iguanas and seem to have a nicer temperament. And unlike snakes, their diet consists of bugs, fruits and vegetables. No mice or rats. I used to have rodents as pets, so it's distressing for me to use them as food. Therefore, this is a snake-free house. Luckily for Drogo, I have no emotional attachment to bugs.

 

Before you run out and get a Beardie of your own, there are a few things you should consider:

• They need large tanks to be comfortable. Do you have the room for one?
• They need a warm climate. This could require heat lamps in the colder months.
• They need special lighting, both day and night. The bulbs can be expensive. And they get hot, so in the summer you may need to change bulbs to keep the right temperature in the tank.
• Substrate isn't cheap and needs to be cleaned regularly. (We use a special reptile-safe sand.) And it needs to be completely changed periodically.
• Dragons are social creatures. You need to handle them frequently. They also need supervised exercise.
• Fresh fruit, vegetables and live crickets have a short shelf life. You will have to buy and prepare food frequently.
• Crickets stink. We buy 50-75 at a time and keep them in a separate tank, feeding only 8-12 at a time. We still have to go to the pet store at least once a week to buy bugs. Crickets have a high mortality rate. Since we only feed live crickets, many are thrown out.

Still interested in a bearded dragon? Check out The Bearded Dragon. This is the most comprehensive site I've found and all the information is free. And if you have/get a beardie, let me know!

 

 

We're joining Ruckus the Eskie and Earl's World in this Sepia Saturday hop. Click around and see what others are sharing today! -- K

 

My American GSD

My gorgeous American show line dog

Most people look at Jedi and see a German shepherd dog. Period. German shepherd people, however, like categorized German shepherds. They ask things like "Show lines or working lines? American, German or Czech?" So what does this mean?
 

Many Herding breeds and Working breeds are divided into show lines and working lines. Basically, this depends on the primary reason the dog was bred.

• Show line breeders emphasize conformation to the breed standard. Height, weight, proportion, angulation, gait, coat color and texture are all important.
• Working line breeders emphasize function, drive, instinct and performance.

The truth is, you'll never get a perfect dog. A show breeder may choose a dog with a lower energy level and weak instincts as long as the conformation is correct. A working line breeder, however, may choose a misproportioned, poorly coated dog if it has the right drive to do what needs to be done. It should be noted that a responsible breeder always breeds for health and temperament above all else.

Country of origin can make a difference too. European German shepherds tend to have a higher drive and can be more aggressive (especially if they aren't working enough). Most police dogs and protection dogs have European roots. American dogs (both U.S. and Canada) tend to have lower energy levels and -- dare I say? -- are much prettier. Please note: All these are generalized statements. You can always find a dog that doesn't follow the norm. I have seen beautiful European dogs in the show ring and I have seen American dogs kick ass in herding and protection sports. Even better, I have seen well-rounded dogs with both conformation and working titles.

So, does it matter? Some people think it does. Some people will even vehemently argue that one group is better and the other is "ruining the German shepherd dog." I recommend you avoid those people. However, if you're looking to add a German shepherd to your life you should take these things into consideration depending on what you want to do with the dog. And ask the breeder what traits she was looking to pass on when she chose to pair up those two dogs.

It's Sepia Saturday! We are joining Ruckus the Eskie and Earl's World as we share what's on our mind with an auburn hue. Click around and see what others are sharing today! -- K

A Certain Dog in Sepia

Verse for a Certain Dog

The poet died 47 years before Jedi was born,
yet it's like she knew my "Certain Dog"

Such glorious faith as fills your limpid eyes,
Dear little friend of mine, I never knew.
All-innocent are you, and yet all-wise.
(For Heaven's sake, stop worrying that shoe!)
You look about, and all you see is fair;
This mighty globe was made for you alone.
Of all the thunderous ages, you're the heir.
(Get off the pillow with that dirty bone!)

A skeptic world you face with steady gaze;
High in young pride you hold your noble head,
Gayly you meet the rush of roaring days.
(Must you eat puppy biscuit on the bed?)
Lancelike your courage, gleaming swift and strong,
Yours the white rapture of a winged soul,
Yours is a spirit like a Mayday song.
(God help you, if you break the goldfish bowl!)

"Whatever is, is good" - your gracious creed.
You wear your joy of living like a crown.
Love lights your simplest act, your every deed.
(Drop it, I tell you - put that kitten down!)
You are God's kindliest gift of all - a friend.
Your shining loyalty unflecked by doubt,
You ask but leave to follow to the end.
(Couldn't you wait until I took you out?)

                                                  ~ Dorothy Parker

I hope the poem above made you smile. It definitely reminded me a of "certain dog" I know. It's Sepia Saturday! Hop around below and see what others are sharing today. Then get out and share some time with your "certain dogs." I know they'd enjoy it. -- K

Sepia Stress Reliever

My days off are usually Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I work four 10-hour days, and having that extra day off is nice. I try to get all my honey-do stuff done by Friday and spend Saturday relaxing with friends and family. But then there are days like today when I wake up and realize that I have to work tomorrow -- and I've got several days' worth of errands to run beforehand. Add to that all the things I need to do to prep for next weekend's dog shows and . . . . ARGH! . . . . this morning's coffee is served with an extra shot of anxiety. (I know what you're thinking: "Hey Kelley, maybe you should switch to decaf." Yeah, not going to happen.) But before I totally freak out, I'm going to spend a few minutes with the world's best stress reliever:

Yep, this gorgeous (and extremely goofy) boy calms me down and cheers me up better than any pharmaceutical you can find. We should all take a few lessons from the dogs in our life. For example:

Thanks Life's Better With Freckles for the inspiring thoughts

Or this one:

Jedi is an expert at peeing on stuff. TMI?

So after I upload this post I'm going to spend some time playing silly games with Jedi before heading off to the bank, grocery store, dry cleaner, groomer, pet store, gas station and the American Legion. Sheesh, I'm tired already.

It's Sepia Saturday, where it's OK to freak out (lucky for me!) as long as it's done with a brownish tint. Thanks Ruckus, Ethel and Earl for hosting this hop. Now friends, click on the links below and see who else is sharing today. -- K

Slow Down in Sepia

OMG, it's been a busy couple of months. I survived the Blogging A to Z Challenge in April. Writing 26 posts on dog shows (in alphabetical order!) actually helped me refocus my efforts in the ring. It also wore me out. No time to rest on my laurels though, because we've been slammed. Last week K-9 Obedience Club had an awesome seminar on Barn Hunt competitions (come back next week for details and pictures!); Jedi I just got back from two days of showing in Georgia (update soon); and I've been asked to take over the presidency of the German Shepherd Dog Club of North Florida. I'm honored. And a bit petrified.

Things have been busy at work too. The warmer weather has tripled the number of people on my beach -- and too many of them disregard the leash laws. Springtime also brings barking complaints, additional dog bite reports, kitten season and wildlife issues. Oh, and fleas! Anybody else having problems with fleas?

So while I'm running around like crazy, Jedi is trying to tell me to slow down, take a deep breath and enjoy the weather before the humidity kicks in. Thanks Jedi!

 

I'm going to follow Jedi's lead and take some time to relax. That spot under the tree looks peaceful. I think I'll join him.

 

 

It's Sepia Saturday! Click around below and see what others are sharing today. Until next time. -- K

 

 

National Peanut Butter Lover's Day

March 1st is National Peanut Butter Lover's Day. Jedi feels this is a holiday worth celebrating!

Choosey Moms Choose JIF

Want to celebrate too? If you're not a "give the dog an empty peanut butter jar" kind of person, perhaps you'd rather bake a cake. This recipe is for the Peanut Butter Carrot Cake that I made in celebration of Jedi's first birthday.

  

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup shredded carrots (about 2 large carrots)
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• More peanut butter for frosting and bacon bits for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a small cake pan. (I used this silicone mold and omitted the grease.)
2. Combine egg, peanut butter, honey, oil and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Stir in carrots and mix thoroughly. Sift together flour and baking soda, then fold into carrot mixture. Spoon batter into baking pan.
3. Bake for 40 minutes. Let cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn onto wire rack. Cool completely before frosting.

Today is also Sepia Saturday! Click around below and see what others are sharing. -- K

Oops, She Did It Again

According to Blogger, my most popular post is the one about Roxy pooping in Petsmart. (Yeah, really.) I swear we're conscientious pet owners. We walk our dogs outside in the grass before going in the store. We tell them to "Go potty." We even wait until they tell us that they don't have to go. Apparently that's not good enough, because Roxy did it again. This time in Petco.

At least she pretended to be remorseful this time. She's not, trust me.

I'm beginning to think that Roxy likes pooping in the pet store. Maybe it's her wild side peeking through. I wonder if she has a secret goal of crapping in every pet store chain in Jacksonville. Her own kind of bucket list. If so, the people at Pet Supermarket had better watch out.

It's Sepia Saturday! Click around and see what others are sharing today. -- K

Pet Theft Awareness Day

February 14th is Pet Theft Awareness Day. Today I'm going to put on my Animal Control officer hat and give you a few tips.

#1: Don't leave your pets unattended.

Most thefts are simply a matter of opportunity. Thieves are like cockroaches: lowly creatures that prefer to stay unnoticed. Keep pets inside when you're not home, don't leave them in a car or tied up in front of the 7-11. I know, sounds simple right? Well, the next tip is even easier.

#2: Always keep collars and tags on your pets.

Yes, always. The two biggest excuses I hear are "My dog just got a bath" and "My cat never leaves the yard." Both are crap. If the dog is dry enough to go outside, he's dry enough to wear a collar. And cats don't care about property lines. However, if you follow tip #1 then it doesn't matter. Most of the "thefts" I deal with are actually cases where pets got out and the owners couldn't be located so the finders became keepers. Make it easy to return your pet! I say the next tip so often that I sound like a broken record.

#3: Microchip your pets.

Despite our best efforts, sometimes pets do get out and sometimes collars do come off. Microchips are a great back-up. (They should not be your only form of ID.) I return microchipped pets all the time. Please note: microchips only work if the information is valid. About 10% of the chipped animals I pick up never make it home because:

• The chip was never registered
• The phone number has been changed or disconnected
• Owners moved and left no forwarding address
• The registered owner gave the animal away (usually on Craigslist) and the registration was never transferred

Could this be you? If so, there's an easy fix -- check your chip today! Have your pet scanned. Nearly all vet clinics, animal shelters and animal control agencies have microchip scanners. Most Petsmart stores have a Banfield clinic inside. They'd be happy to scan your pet. Write down the number and call the microchip company right away. Tell the operator you want to verify and update the contact information (you'll make her day). It can get tricky if you don't remember which microchip company you have. You may need to make a few calls, but this should help:

Jedi's not going anywhere!

24 Pet Watch: The scanner reads a 10-digit alphanumeric code. The phone number is (866) 597-2424.

AKC Companion Animal Recovery: The scanner reads a 9-digit alphanumeric code beginning with TR. The phone number is (800) 252-7894.

AVID: The scanner reads a 9-digit alphanumeric code beginning with AVID. The phone number is (800) 336-2843.

Banfield True Paws: The scanner reads a 10-digit alphanumeric code beginning with 0D0D OR the scanner reads a 15-digit numeric code beginning with 98101. The phone number is (877) 567-8738.

Bayer resQ: The scanner reads a 15-digit numeric code beginning with 981. The phone number is (877) 738-5465.

Home Again: The scanner reads a 10-digit alphanumeric code OR the scanner reads a 15-digit numeric code beginning with 985. The phone number is (888) 466-3242.

I hope your pets never get lost -- stolen or otherwise. But if they do, please check out my post When Pets Go Missing. TTFN, -- K

P.S. Bayer resQ has the worst customer service. I've been on hold with them for 30+ minutes many times. They want you to do everything online (though not everything you need CAN be done online), and it takes hours to get back to you. If you can choose any other microchip for your pets, I suggest you do so and save everybody a headache.

It's Sepia Saturday! Hop around and see what others are sharing today.

 

De-Stinking in Sepia

The weather has been odd for the past couple months. On the days I work -- Sunday through Wednesday -- it has been warm and sunny, often hitting the mid to high 70s. (Northern readers can quit hating any time now!) On my days off -- Thursday through Saturday -- it's been wet and dreary, not even making it to the low 60s. This has really affected bath time and the dogs have gotten a bit stinky. Today things are different. The sun is out and it's warm enough for a canine wash and fluff. Yippie!

Hubby asks Jedi "Do you know what today is? It's Bath Day!"

 

Jedi says "NOOOOOOO!"

Just kidding. Actually Jedi is very good about bathing. He'll jump on and off the grooming table when I ask and stands nicely when I wash him. Sometimes he'll fuss when the cool water touches his belly, but he doesn't jump off the table. He'll even stand still so I can blow him dry. At 90 pounds, he's the easiest dog I've ever had to bathe. 65 pound Roxy, however, is a pain to bathe. It takes at least two people to hold her still, and everybody ends up soaked. Roxy won't go near the table, so we use a back-killing kiddie pool. And she won't go near the dryer either. It takes hours for her to air dry.

 

Anyway, I'm glad that we were able to destink Jedi before our Find the Odor class on resumes Monday. The dogs should be looking for Sweet Birch oil, not Ripe Jedi.

 

 

It's Sepia Saturday! Hop around and see what others are sharing today. -- K

 

 

 

Sepia Seniors

I saw this sign online and it made me cry.

Lately I've been reminded that I have two senior pets. Both my girls have lost some of the spring in their step.

 

We adopted Gucci in Japan 16 years ago. The vet estimated she was about one at the time. This old girl has accompanied us from Tokyo to Los Angeles to Baltimore to Jacksonville. She's travelled by bus, plane and car. She's slowed down a lot of the past year. We've discovered that she's gone deaf and she sleeps more than she used to.

We brought Roxy home in the spring of 2009. Our best guess is that she was two at the time. That means she's pushing eight now. She's already got some arthritis in her left rear leg. She use to run around like a black and tan tornado. Now she'd rather nap. It's sad to see her slowing down too.

But I'm not going to dwell on their mortality. None of us are promised tomorrow. Instead, I'm going to cherish every minute I have with them. I'm going to make sure I have time for rubbing bellies and scratching behind ears. I will share my roasted chicken with any furry face that asks and I will kiss fuzzy heads every chance I get. How about you? Have you loved on your pets today? -- K

P.S. It's Sepia Saturday! Click around and see what others are sharing today.

What Is That Doing Here?!

I've mentioned many times that one of my favorite places to take Jedi is the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens. I love being surrounded by trees, listening to the wind, running streams and singing frogs. We can walk the trails for hours and not see another person. This is my happy place. In fact, I'm hesitant to talk about it because I'm afraid others will find it and infringe upon our solitude -- so let's keep it between us, OK? Anyway, last time we were at the Arboretum Jedi and I found this in the middle of the woods:

 

I think it's suppose to be some sort of art. Apparently I don't "get" art. Nonetheless I had Jedi hop inside so I could take a picture. Be happy the picture's in sepia. In real life this wayward bed frame is painted bright aqua and puce (that's a purple-brown color as hideous as it sounds). See what I mean? ==>

It's Sepia Saturday! Hop around and see what others have to say. And let me know if this thing in the woods makes any sense to you, OK? -- K

Sharing in Sepia

I've mentioned a dozen times that the dogs looooove to go to Sonic for burgers after we run errands. They even share the water bowl. For some reason they are always on their best behavior while at Sonic (even though the look kinda evil in the picture).

It's Sepia Saturday! Hop around and see what others are sharing today.

A big thanks to Ruckus the Eskie and the pups at Earl's World for hosting this hop. -- K

What's Cooking?

Jedi LOVES Satin Balls

Did you know that today is National Cook for Your Pets Day? Did you even know that was a thing? If you go to the website you can get some free recipes.

I don't cook for my dogs often (I cook for Hubby even less). But when I do, I make Satin Balls. They are a healthy and high in calories. Jedi goes through periods where he burns more calories than he can take in with his regular kibble, so I supplement with Satin Balls to keep him from losing too much weight. (I wish I had that problem!) Here's the recipe:

Satin Balls

• 5 pounds ground chuck or high fat ground beef
• 1/2 large box of Whole Grain Total (about 6 cups)
• 1/2 large box quick-cooking oats (about 7 1/2 cups)
• 5-6 eggs, with crushed shells
• 1/2 jar of wheat germ (about 2 cups)
• 5 packets Knox unflavored gelatin
• 2/3 cup olive oil
• 2/3 cup unsulfured molasses
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• Pinch of sea salt

Mix all ingredients in a giant bowl or a clean 5 gallon bucket. You'll need to use your hands for this! I divide the mixture in to 1/4 cup patties, putting four each into Ziplock freezer bags. Store in the freezer until ready to use. I'll pop two in the microwave for 90 seconds and serve them warm over a little bit of kibble.

Satin Balls are used in the dog show community to improve coats and put weight on a skinny dog, quickly. Many recipe variations are on the internet, but this is the one that I like best. The dog rescue community also uses Satin Balls to put weight on underweight dogs.

About the Ingredients

Obviously this isn't an exact recipe, but here is the reasoning be the ingredients:

• Beef: If the goal is to improve the coat, use leaner ground beef. If the goal is to put weight on, quickly, use ground beef with higher fat content. Ground turkey can be used as well.
• Whole Grain Total: The cereal provides Vitamins A, C, D, E, B6 and B12, calcium, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc. Some recipes discourage the use of Total cereal due to its sugar content.
• Oats: This is a good source of fiber and other nutrients.
• Eggs: I have a friend with free range chickens and he sends over a dozen eggs every other week. I rinse off the eggs and break the shells up into tiny pieces and add them for the calcium.
• Wheat germ: This provides vitamin E, folic acid, phosphorus, thiamin, zinc and magnesium.
• Gelatin: This helps the ball hold their shape. It also adds collagen and nitrogen.
• Molasses: This provides manganese, copper, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6 and selenium. (It also makes them smell really good when you heat them up. But don't eat them!)

Are you cooking for your dog today? If you're looking for something fun and creative, check out Kol's Notes. Seriously, the stuff you find there is amazing! And don't forget to hop around below. It's Sepia Saturday! -- K

Me and My Shadow

 

My beautiful boy, just happy to be out with me. No matter how bad the day is, I know I get to come home to this face -- and that always makes things a little bit better. Yep, I'm a lucky girl. 

 

It's Sepia Saturday, where it's ok to be just a little bit different. (Lucky for me!) Thanks Ruckus, Ethel and Earl for hosting this hop. Now friends, hop around and see who else is sharing today. -- K

Sepia Smile

We're still here!

Jedi and I have been very busy lately so blogging has been pushed aside. Sorry. Hopefully things will calm down soon and we'll have more time to share. Hope all is well with our blog buddies! Happy Saturday. -- K

P.S. Thanks Ruckus, Earl and Ethel for giving us a chance to say a quick hello. It's Sepia Saturday. You know the drill . . . 

Friday Finds....on Sepia Saturday?

Guess what day it is! Nope, it's Saturday. This week's Friday Finds was pushed back a day to celebrate Jedi's birthday yesterday. Yep, that was fun. But don't worry, Roxy and I still found some fun stuff to share.

Roxy is constantly licking her paws. I always assumed it was a nervous habit, then I saw this article from Dog Tube. Say Goodbye to Itchy Paws! said her itchy paws could be from "a buildup of allergens and toxins in the environment." Oh no! Now I feel horrible! The article also said that soaking her feet in Povidone-Iodine Solution might help. I found an 8 oz. bottle of Povidone-Iodine Solution at Wal-mart for $6. I'll let you know if it helps. Meanwhile, if any of you have tried it, please let me know.

I was so sad to hear about the passing of Dr. Sophia Yin on Monday. She was definitely an inspiration to veterinarians, animal care professionals, trainers and pet owners worldwide. I've linked to her articles several times. There are dozens of moving tributes to her online. On Tuesday it was announced that Dr. Yin had hanged herself. What a tragedy. In light of this announcement Jessica Dolce posted Depression and Suicide In Animal Care Professions: What Can We Do? This is a very thought-provoking post. And it hit close to home for me. I can tell you that nearly all the animal control officers and shelter workers I know drink too much, smoke too much, and/or are on anti-depressants.

October 1-7 is National Walk Your Dog Week. Jedi and I have been trying to walk more (despite the rain) and joined the Walk Your Dog Week Celebration Hop where different pet bloggers share information, tips and photos to help inspire everybody to grab a leash and go. Click on the link to see my post and links to the hop. A few of the other posts offer a contest as well, so click away! Cesar's Way had a great dog walking tip this week. Check out How to Fit the Dog Walk into Your Daily Schedule (this is a problem in my house for sure!)

Are you feeling lucky? This week we found TWO awesome contests! Do you need a first aid for your dog? The All Things Dog Blog has five Kurgo First Aid Kits to give away here. And Keep the Tail Waggin is giving away a gorgeous Levian leather leash here. Let me know if you win!

Here's a picture that a friend posted on my Facebook page:

It's hilarious because I get sniff-searched daily. The dogs have even pulled my dirty uniforms out of the hamper to get a better sniff. I tried to explain to Jedi that Mommy has to touch other dogs to pay for his cookies, but somehow that just sounded wrong.

And since it's Sepia Saturday, I'm going to show you what it looks like when Jedi doesn't want his picture taken (which is more often than not):

 

Thanks Buddy. And thank you dear reader for muddling through my crazy, mushed up Friday Finds/Sepia Saturday combo post. Things will be back to normal next week. Promise. Until then, check out all the fun stuff that other people are sharing on this Sepia Saturday. -- K

 



Fall Is Coming!

It's still hot and muggy outside, but the overnight temperatures are dropping. And I saw a fallen leaf earlier today. Fall is coming to Florida. I'm ready to unpack my sweaters, cook hearty stews and take long afternoon walks without sweating profusely. Jedi and Roxy seem to be excited about it too. -- K

P.S. It's Sepia Saturday! Hop around and see what silly things others are sharing today.

A Sepia Request

These beautiful pups are itchy! I have no idea why. We haven't changed food or cleaning products. Hubby suggested we try Dinovite. I'm concerned because it's awfully pricy and I know nothing about it. I'd gladly spend the money if I thought it was worth it, but . . . Anyway, here's my request:

• Have you used the product? Did it work for you?
• If not, is there anything else you've used/tried that has worked to stop itchiness?

Jedi, Roxy and I thank you for your time. -- K

P.S. It's Sepia Saturday! Hop around and see what others are sharing today!