Pouting Pup

A bored German shepherd is never a good thing. GSDs are smart. Sometimes too smart. If you don't keep them mentally stimulated, they will find something to do -- and you probably won't like it. Do I need to remind you about Trooper and the remote? We try to give the dogs various enrichment activities (training, food toys, puzzles, etc.) to keep them occupied. As a bonus, it also keeps them from being underfoot.

The other night Hubby shoved a large Milk Bone into the JW Hol-ee Ball. The ball is pliable and Jedi could have compressed it to either break the biscuit or pull it out. Instead, he carried it around the house for hours, whining the entire time. He couldn't figure out how to remove the biscuit -- and he surely wasn't going to let Trooper try!

I laughed at him and had to take a picture of him pouting. Big baby. Eventually, Hubby removed the treat and let Jedi have it. The next day, Hubby shoved a Milk Bone into the ball again before going to work. Jedi must have figured it out because the ball was empty when I got home.

So, what do you do to entertain your dogs? Seriously, we're running out of ideas! -- K

The Places We Go

It was a long drive to Dunnellon (and back) for the match last weekend. Jedi can only ride for about 90 minutes before he starts to fuss.

We try to stop at places that are interesting for the dogs. On this last trip we found a Tractor Supply. There were all kinds of new smells to explore -- including chicks and ducklings.

Trooper wasn't sure what to think of all the peeping coming from the tub. Sorry for the picture quality. I guess I was laughing too hard. Gotta love dogs! -- K

Happy Easter

Every year the non-profit group Friends of Clay County Animals holds a doggie Easter Egg Hunt to raise money for shelter animals. It's a lot of fun. Several GSD club members participate every year then head out to a dog-friendly restaurant. It's good socialization for dogs and people alike.

Look behind Trooper and you can see how well the eggs were hidden

This was Trooper's first year going. We were in a park at one of the busiest intersections in town. There were hundreds of people, each with at least one dog. And the DJ this year was extra loud. Despite all the commotion, Trooper did great!

Jedi's booty! He shared with Gus, the puggle behind him. Good boy, Jedi.

The rules are simple. If a dog touches an egg with his nose, his human can pick it up. There were 1200 eggs "hidden" in the field. Each egg contained a dog treat. Between both dogs we probably found 50 eggs. We even found one stuffed with a slip of paper redeemable for a special bag of treats. The boys made out this year.

Jedi and Trooper don't care about the giant rabbit behind them

While at the event we waited in line for the obligatory Easter Bunny photo (above). The dogs couldn't have cared less and the photo was way too dark. We'll just call it a donation to a good cause. At least the boys didn't try to eat him. I think Hubby told them we're having ham for Easter.

Hope you and yours have a happy Easter. TTFN, -- K

Chariots of Fur (again)

I signed up for the Chariots of Fur 5K again this year. Unlike last year, Jedi and I didn't train beforehand. Honestly, we haven't seriously walked since Trooper joined us back in June.

• Good news: we were only 1 minute, 19 seconds slower than last year.
• Bad news: we were both really sore after the race.

We each took species appropriate NSAIDs and rested for the next couple days. (Remember, NEVER give your dog Ibuprofen.)

Hubby and Trooper met us after the race. Hubby was even able to snap a picture of us crossing the finish line. What a good doggie daddy!

Several of my dog club friends did the 5K with us. Afterward, we all went to a dog-friendly restaurant for beer and pizza. (I ❤ my friends!) Wanna join us next year? -- K

Trooper Goes to the Dog Park

I'm not fond of dog parks. I feel too many patrons ignore their dogs, allowing bad behavior to ensue. (I've mentioned this before.) So I was conflicted when a new Jacksonville German shepherd group announced a meet-up at a dog park around the corner from my house. Yes, I wanted to meet other GSD peeps. But I didn't want to subject my boys to bad dog park behavior. That aside, it was my day off and I didn't have anything else planned. Eventually I ran out of excuses. I convinced Hubby to go with me and we were joined by a friend and her dog, Jaxx.

The meet-up part was a bust. Sure, there were German shepherds at the dog park. There were a bunch of other dogs too. (Surprise! People go to the dog park on Sunday morning.) But we never met with the meet-up peeps. I don't even know if they were there. No signs. No registration table. No one came forward to say "Hi, we're the new group." I spoke with several other people at the park with GSDs and they were just as clueless as I was. Stupid Facebook.

The dogs, however, had a great time. Jedi had fun at the dog park in Culpeper, so I assumed he'd be OK. I was worried about Trooper though. I didn't know how he'd behave around a group of unfamiliar dogs. And I was afraid he would react poorly to strangers wanting to touch him. Silly me, I worried for naught. It took about 10 minutes before Trooper realized he was in doggie heaven. He chased random dogs. Random dogs chased him. He sniffed butts, peed on trees, dug holes, crawled under picnic tables and couldn't have cared less about people touching him. And they touched him!

Hubby tried to take pictures of our dog park adventure. Unfortunately, low light + fast dogs + old phone = lousy photos. Here are the best of the bunch:

Jaxx and Jedi

Trooper chased his new friend

The boys played with a random Australian shepherd

Front to back: Jaxx, Jedi and Trooper

Jedi was actually still for a moment

We let the dogs play for about an hour before calling it a day. They have been passed out ever since, giving me time to blog, pay bills, fold laundry and take a nap. A NAP! Hubby and I are talking about taking the dogs back next week. Maybe we'll meet up with the meet-up group. Maybe Trooper will get over this fear thing. Maybe we'll get better pictures. Whatever happens, I'll let you know. Later, -- K

Uh Oh, Dogs Are Bored

I told you the other day that lately I've been a lump when it comes to the dogs. It's true, but I still try to do something to keep them entertained else they drive me nuts.

It's H-O-T in Florida. It's late October and we're still dealing with highs in the mid-80s. However, the dogs don't care that I'm exhausted and hate getting sweaty. They're tired of sitting around doing nothing. A bored dog is not a good thing. I try to find fun and creative things to do. Some of our favorite things are:

• Puzzle Toys. We have several and I rotate them to keep it interesting. One of our favorites is the Kong Wobbler. To keep the dogs from getting fat, I cut meals in half to compensate for all the goodies stuffed in toys. (Don't tell the dogs, but 90% of the "treat" in the puzzle toys is their regular food,)
• Basic Obedience. Trooper is still just a pup and we are constantly working on things like "Wait" and "Down." Honestly, the reinforcement is good for Jedi as well.
• Silly Tricks. These make me giggle. And if I'm laughing, the dog's are enjoying themselves too. Currently I'm trying to teach Trooper to speak on command. Maybe one day he'll be ready for a trick title.
• Catch and Fetch. These are always fun. Trooper has figured out fetch and loves it. However, the mouth/eye coordination needed to catch is coming slowly.
• Rally Moves. I have a small house, but Jedi and I can still work on heel position, coming front and left/right finishes. I'm hoping to find another trainer to get us ready to compete in Rally.
• Hall Ball. Just what you think -- I throw a plush ball down the hall. The boys go nuts. Hubby and I try to predict which one will bring it back.
• Laser Pointer. This was Roxy's favorite thing ever. She led many guests into the kitchen to show them the hook where the laser pointer is kept. My son's friends still laugh about it.
• Go Find. We hide tins with various scent work odors (mostly birch and anise) throughout the house and ask Jedi to find them. It's good practice, despite the fact that we don't have any upcoming trials.
• Where's the Rat? Hubby hides one of the rats in a tube and Jedi finds her. Our favorite BH trail location has reopened under a different name/management. We'll be there Sunday! And a new Barn Hunt club has formed in Savannah that I'm looking forward to checking out. Let's hope for lots of good news soon.
• Monster. I crawl on the floor and make monster noises. It's silly, but Jedi and Trooper love it. They jump, bark and body check in excitement.
• Road Trips. Pets stores get old, so we like to switch it up a bit. Lowes, Home Depot, Tractor Supply, Ace Hardware and Academy Sports allow dogs inside. Many local restaurants have covered outdoor seating and welcome dogs too.

The boys entertain themselves with regular roughhousing. It's heartwarming to see them get along so well. It can also be painful. For whatever reason, the dogs feel it necessary to wrestle where I can see them: the living room, my office, on my bed, wherever. They crash into furniture and stomp on anything/anyone in their path. If I move to another room, the commotion moves with me.

How about you? What fun things do you guys do to keep the pups entertained? Please share! We're always looking for something new. -- K

Trooper Goes to the Beach

Hubby and I took the dogs to the beach last week. It was Trooper's first time. I wasn't dressed to get wet, but let them get close to the water. Trooper wanted to drink it.

I like the dogs' reflections in the wet sand

Jedi made sure that the entire beach knew he doesn't like to get his feet wet. Trooper didn't seem to mind either way.

Jedi gave his running commentary -- as usual

Getting a picture of both dogs looking forward wasn't easy. Of course, the best one of the dogs has me sporting some serious RBF (resting bitch face).

And yet another snarky dog t-shirt

Next time I'll wear shorts and take Trooper into the water. Who knows, maybe he'll like it! -- K

Run, Jedi, Run

In April we discovered a new dog sport -- Fast CAT. This is a timed 100 yard dash for dogs. Dogs are handicapped by size and then timed as they run 100 yards as fast as they can down a straight, flat course. Times are turned into points. Titles are earned by point accumulation. More info can be found on the AKC website.

Look at that happy face. My friend took this picture. Isn't it great?! 

A lure is used to coax the dog to run, but Jedi couldn't have cared less about it. I was at the finish line, jumping up and down yelling "Come to Mommy!" -- and he did just that! Jedi's fastest time was 10.12 seconds. That converted to 19.87 miles per hour. I know, WOW!

Jedi has run the Fast CAT four times, and will need to run another 2-3 times to earn enough points for his BCAT title. We're looking for another trial now. I'll keep you posted. -- K

We Did It!

Jedi and I did Chariots of Fur again this year. In years past we've only done the mile. This year we did the whole 5K. In the cold. In the sand. My goal was to walk it in an hour. I was over by 19 seconds -- not bad!

I'd tell you all about it, but it's Wordless Wednesday! Hop around below and see what others are sharing today. -- K

More Fun Stuff from AKC

I’ve mentioned before that Jedi and I both have short attention spans. Seriously, we’ll try something, get bored, then try something else. This is why Jedi has a dozen novice titles, but nothing higher. Lucky for us, we find our joy in the doing instead of having titles. On that note, here are two new(ish) things from the AKC that Jedi and I are looking at.

Farm Dog Certified Test

This is similar to the Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC). There are 12 different things that a dog must do to pass. They are:

• Politely greet the judge
• Perform a walking pattern around a farm environment and a passive stranger
• Jump on a hay or straw bale
• Walk by farm animals in a pen
• Walk over or through unusual surfaces
• Sit patiently during a supervised separation
• Pass through a gate
• Wait patiently as handler feeds livestock
• Passive/no reaction to another dog passing by
• Passive/no reaction to a typical farm noise distraction (i.e. a tractor)
• Passive/no reaction as the dog approaches livestock
• Allow handler to physically inspect and remove debris from face, feet and coat

Unlike the CGC, the dog has to pass twice under two different judges to qualify. Unfortunately, there's nobody nearby for us to train with. However, Jedi has been exposed all of this (or something similar to it) through his CGC, Herding Instinct Test, GSDCA Temperament Test and barn hunt. I found a group in Malabar (2.5 hours away) that’s offering this test in March. Don’t tell Hubby, but I think we’re going for it!

My biggest fear is that all this must be performed on a loose lead. Jedi gets excited and pulls. BADLY. The only way I know to counter the pulling is to wear his ass out before the test. I guess we're showing up early.

Achiever Dog Program

This is right up my alley! This was developed to get people to try new things with their dogs. Dogs who are awarded a placement or earn a qualifying score in three different AKC recognized sports receive a certificate. That’s it! And it’s retroactive. A dog must earn at least one of the three sport achievements on or after December 1, 2017. However, previously earned titles or achievements can be used for two of the three that are required.

How about you? Are you ready to try something new? Earlier this month I made a list of 18 different things to try with your dog in 2018. Why not pick out a few and try for an Achiever Dog certificate?

YOU SHOULD KNOW: Like all AKC dog sports, a dog must have an AKC number to participate. Don't have one? No problem! If your dog is obviously a purebred, you can get a PAL (Purebred Alternative Listing) number. You'll need to take some pictures, fill out of form and send in a small fee. A few weeks later you'll be good to go. Information here.

And what if your dog is not a purebred? Still not a problem! If your dog is a mixed breed, you can get a Canine Partner number. Just fill out a form and send in a small fee. Information here.

See, there is no reason why you can't get out and compete with your dog. WARNING: Earning those little ribbons is addictive! I'm sure you'll treasure them as much as I do.

Now, get out there and do something with your dog. And if you happen to be at the same trail as me and Jedi, make sure to come over and say '"Hi." -- K

 

Year of the Dog

Did you know that 2018 is Year of the Dog on the Chinese calendar? How cool is that?! I can't think of a better way to celebrate than to learn something new with your dog. Don't know where to start? Here are 18 options for 2018:

• Agility -- A dog sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. Dogs run off-leash with no food or toys as incentives, and the handler can touch neither dog nor obstacles. See the United States Dog Agility Association for more information. 


• Barn Hunt -- A growing sport honoring the traditional role of dogs in ridding barns, homes, and properties of vermin. Dogs hunt for rats hidden in a straw bale maze. It's a timed event, with levels of difficulty from Novice to Master. More information can be found at the Barn Hunt Association. Jedi and I love this!


• Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test -- This is a 10 item test to demonstrate that your dog has good manners and you are a responsible dog owner. It's not hard (Jedi passed) but not a cake walk either (Roxy didn't). More info here. Once you've completed the CGC, you can move on to the more complicated (and more impressive) Urban Canine Good Citizen test.


• Conformation -- A dog show (i.e. Westminster) where a dog is evaluated on its build, looks, movement, temperament, and many other things that "make it what it is". Dogs are compared against a set standard for the particular breed. In 2015 I did an A to Z series about dog shows. Click here for more details.


• Dock Diving -- A dog sport in which dogs compete in jumping for distance or height from a dock into a body of water. Ultimate Air Dogs has some great information about dock diving.
  
  

  

  My friend's dog is a dock diving fool!

• Farm Dog Test -- This is something I'd like to do with Jedi. It's like the CGC, Barn Hunt, Temperament Test and more all rolled up into a fun package. Here's the official brochure. Hopefully I'll be able to give you a first hand account soon!


• Fast CAT -- The Fast CAT Test is a timed 100 yard dash for dogs. Dogs run individually. Dogs earn points based on their handicapped speed. Titles are awarded when a dog has accumulated a given number of points. I have friends who do this and absolutely love it. More info here.


• Flyball -- A dog sport in which teams of dogs race against each other from a start/finish line, over a line of hurdles, to a box that releases a tennis ball to be caught when the dog presses the spring-loaded pad, then back to their handlers while carrying the ball. Check out the North American Flyball Association for more details. 


• Freestyle -- A modern dog sport that is a mixture of obedience training, tricks, and dance. It's a lot of fun to watch. I have a friend who does this. Apparently there are several freestyle organizations including the Canine Freestyle Federation and the Musical Dog Sport Association. 


• Herding -- A sport in which a dog must be able to move livestock around a preset course. The livestock normally seen is sheep, but ducks and cattle can also be used. There are multiple organizations for herding as well. Here is a link to the American Herding Breed Association. The AKC offers herding titles, as does several of the herding breed associations. 


• Lure Coursing -- A sport where dogs chase an artificial lure across a field, following a pattern that is meant to simulate live coursing and is perfect for sight hounds. Here a link to the AKC's Getting Started in Lure Coursing page. 


• Nose Work -- This fun search and scenting activity is for virtually all dogs and people. Three different organizations host trials: the National Association of Canine Scent Work, the UKC, and now the AKC. If you want to just have fun, check out the Sniff School posts at Donna and the Dogs.
  
  

  

  Jedi's nose is amazing!

• Obedience -- A dog sport in which a dog-handler team must execute a predefined set of tasks. Training for obedience trials can provide much needed mental stimulation and physical activity for a bored house pet. It's amazing to watch. AKC Obedience can be found here. 


• Rally -- Another obedience trial, but in Rally the competitors proceed around a course of designated stations with the dog in heel position. The course consists of 10 to 20 signs that instruct the team what to do. Unlike traditional obedience, handlers are allowed to encourage their dogs during the course. World Cynosport Rally has some great information about Rally. 


• Schutzhund -- German for “protection dog,” schutzhund was developed in Germany in the early 1900s as a breed suitability test for the German Shepherd Dog. Modern schutzhund consists of three phases: tracking, obedience, and protection. A dog must pass all three phases in one trial to be awarded a schutzhund title. Want more info about schutzhund? Start by visiting the United Schutzhund Clubs of America. 


• Tracking -- An event to encourage dogs to make use of their strongest facility, the ability to follow a scent trail. The competition emulates the finding of a lost person or article. The AKC offers tracking trials and titles. See here for more info. 


• Treibball -- A new canine sport combining herding, chasing, agility and soccer. Dogs push large Pilates-type exercise balls into a goal, working at a distance from the handler. Go to the American Treibball Association for pictures and a better explanation 


• Trick Dog -- Sponsored by Kyra Sundance and Do More With Your Dog, dogs complete a series of tricks to earn various titles. Last year the AKC started offering Trick Dog titles as well. Jedi earned his novice title in July!

There you go. EIGHTEEN different things you could be doing with your dog. Get out there and have some fun! I'd love to hear all about it. -- K

Chariots of Fur (Again)

Race mascot "Ben Fur"

Jedi and I are going to participate in Chariots of Fur again in 2018. I debated doing it because the race is exactly one week before we fly to NYC for the Westminster dog show. Longtime friends know we've walked the Mutt Mile the last two years (and chickened out for two years before that). This time we're going to do the whole 5K. Fur real!

Up until this year, Chariots of Fur has been hosted by St. Francis Animal Hospital. It was a big fundraiser for their Helping Paw program. The race is sponsored by a different organization this year. Other changes include:

• A later start time
• Slightly higher fees (that increase the later you enter)
• Fun Run and 5K are the same price and start at the same time
• Medals will be awarded to the first 700 finishers
• Ribbons are given to all participating dogs
• Dogs' names are on the entry form so dogs can be announced at the finish line!

I'm excited. I have friends that have joined for the last couple years. Some walk, some run, some do the mile, while others do the whole thing. Regardless, we all meet up after the race to socialize. Last year it was bitter cold, so we ended up at a dog-friendly restaurant for pizza and beer.

Interestingly, St. Francis Animal Hospital is still hosting a dog-friendly 5K in 2018. They’ve moved the date to March and changed the name to Paw Prints in the Sand. I'm thinking about entering that one too. (I'm a glutton for punishment.)

To get my fat ass ready to go, I've downloaded a walking plan. Here it is if you want to see it: 5K Training - Walkers Program. I'm up to 2.5 miles on the track and 45 minutes on the treadmill. BTW, Jedi is enjoying the extra walks. Wish us luck, we'll probably need it! And I'll post race pictures. Promise. -- K

P.S. I really really want a medal, dammit.

Here's Your Sign

Lowes is Pet-Friendly! 

It says so right on the door.

Remember, when visiting pet-friendly establishments:

1. Be a good ambassador. If your dog isn't well-behaved, having a bad day or your business doesn't allow to you focus enough attention on him, please leave him at home. Your behavior (and that of your dog) directly affects the rest of us.
2. Say thank you. Make sure to tell the manager/owner that you are there because of the dog friendly policy. If it's a chain (like Lowes) find their corporate Webpage/Facebook/Twitter and thank them there too. A well-written thank you can make a big impact.
3. Spend money. They're businesses, not charities. These establishments need to make money to stay open, especially small Mom & Pop operations. Yes, you may be able to get something at Walmart a little cheaper. But isn't it worth a few dollars to support a dog-friendly place? Money talks my friends. Ours should be saying "We want more dog-friendly places."
4. Spread the word. We all have dog friends. And if your well-behaved, thankful, money-spending friends tell their well-behaved, thankful, money-spending friends . . . Just think of the possibilities!

It's Wordless Wednesday, so I'm going to stop talking. Hop around below and see what others are sharing. And speaking of sharing -- please let me know of any dog-friendly places you know about. Talk to you later, we have some shopping to do! -- K

Busy, Busy, Busy

Look what came today!

We actually passed the test a month ago, but still . . . I'm so freakin' excited! I keep all Jedi's certificates in a binder, much like I keep all his ribbons in a box. I enjoy pulling them out to reminisce and wonder where we'll a year from now.

Fall is just around the corner and various dog trials are starting up again. I scoured several sites (including Infodog, UKC and BHA) to made a calendar. I wanted to see what was being offered where. I'm trying to see what Jedi and I should do next. It's tough! There are multiple things to do every weekend from October to April.

• In October there's a UKC nosework trial in Ocala. We need to pick up one Novice Container leg to earn our Novice Nosework (NN) title. We also need one leg to earn our Novice Handler Discrimination (NHD) title. I think both elements are being offered at that trial!
• Rumor has it that an AKC Scent Work trial will be offered in Ocala sometime in December. I definitely want to do that.
• My favorite training site will host monthly Barn Hunt trials starting in October. We only need two legs to earn our Open Barn Hunt (RATO) title.
• There will be several Rally trials nearby in the next eight months as well. I'd love to try for our Rally Novice (RN) title. The Tuesday Training crew has been working so hard on it.
• My GSD club is hosting conformation shows in April. As I mentioned earlier, I'm kinda on the planning committee for that!
• And somewhere along the way the GSD club wants to hold both an AKC Scent and Go and an AKC Scent Work trial.

Holy cow, I can already feel my weekends (and money) slipping away. Oh well, at least I'll have something to blog about. See you at the show! -- K

Awww...Bath Time

My dogs are allowed on the furniture. I enjoy snuggling on the couch while watching Dr. Pol and taking afternoon naps with the A/C cranked up. What I don't like, however, is the dirty dog smell. Sharing living spaces with the dogs requires a little work to keep the stink away. This includes:

• Washable furniture covers
• Changing the sheets often
• A vacuum cleaner that really sucks (I have a Dyson)
• And regular baths for the dogs

I wash the dogs about once a month, more as needed. I have a grooming table and forced air dryer and usually do it in my back yard. However, about a year ago we had a Pet Supplies Plus open up in town and they have a self-service dog wash. It's awesome! For $15 I can wash and blow out both dogs. The store provides all the amenities and they clean up the mess. Hubby went with me last week. Instead of helping, he took pictures. These are the best ones. He was laughing so hard at Jedi's fussing that most of the pictures were blurry.

The raised tub is perfect for my back and everything I need is right there

Jedi is very vocal at bath time. Everyone in the store comes by to

see what's going on. He's howling in this picture.

Roxy watched Jedi get his bath. I'd swear she was laughing at him too!

Ah, clean dogs! Much better. It's Awww...Monday. This is a hop where various bloggers try to brighten your Monday with Awww-inspiring posts. Click around below and see what others are sharing today. A big thanks to Sandee over at Comedy Plus for hosting this hop. -- K

Jumbo Shrimp

Jacksonville has a minor league baseball team. Last year the team name changed from the Jacksonville Suns to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. (I don't know why.)

I'm not a baseball fan, and never watch it on TV. I think most major league players are giant douche bags. However, there is something different about minor league ball . . . It's fun! I'm a big fan of the cheap seats. For $5 you can sit on the berm in left field -- right by the players. No assigned seating, just a good time. Kids run around laughing. Adults socialize, eating cheap hot dogs and drinking cheap beer. Vendors hawk their goodies. Players chat with fans and foul balls fly overhead.

Once a month dogs are allowed into the game -- for free! I don't know why more people don't take advantage of this. It's a great way to socialize your dog. On the berm so you can sit as close or as far away from others as you want. There's lots of noise and activity. Your dog must learn to settle, but you can get up and move around when you want. An added bonus: the family bathrooms are plentiful and large enough to accommodate you and several dogs. (This is especially helpful if you are drinking beer.)

Some friends and I went to the last Canines and Crustaceans night and had a blast. Here are a few pictures:

Jedi LOVES the cheap hot dogs

Jedi also loves Pepper, his 12 year old Malinois friend

Jedi's mother, Zasha, joined us too

A rainbow over Bragan Field

Zasha thinks that the new mascot, Scampi, is kinda creepy

We had a great time. Jedi had dozens of people pet him. Even more told me he was beautiful. I agreed, of course. And Jedi was serenaded on our way out of the stadium. There's a saxophone player that hangs out downtown, playing for tips. He's fun and entertaining. I asked him to play the Star Wars theme -- and he did! LOL. That was probably the best money I spent all night.

You probably can't tell, but it's Wordless Wednesday. Click around below and see what others are sharing today. Then come back tomorrow, because I've got plenty of words about annoying people on the internet! Oh yeah, I feel another rant coming on. Later, -- K

July 4th Safety

My Patriotic Pup

Tomorrow is July 1st. I don't know about you, but we've had makeshift fireworks stores pop up all over town. You can find a tent with sparklers and Roman candles in every major parking lot -- and people are lining up to buy them too. We're already hearing bangs and booms. I expect it to be loud and crazy all week. Before you run out and buy more charcoal and watermelon for your block party, let's talk about your pets.

I’m going to put on my Animal Control hat for a moment. July 5th is the busiest day of the year for me. Many pets run away because they're afraid of the fireworks. Others wander off unnoticed during family get-togethers. My kennel is full of these guys the first two weeks of July every year. Sadly, less than 25% of the dogs and cats picked up by my agency are returned to their homes. Too many animals are transferred to the county shelter simply because an owner can’t be found. (The county shelter's return-to-owner numbers are just as dismal.) Here are a few things you can do to prevent your pet from becoming a statistic:

• Crate and/or lock your pets in a back room during busy parties and 4th of July celebrations. If you have an overly-anxious dog, talk to your vet about sedatives and thunder shirts.
• Keep collars and ID tags on your dogs and cats at all times. Overwhelmingly, people tell me that their pet wasn’t wearing a collar because it “never leaves the yard” or “just had a bath.” My response: 1) Animals couldn’t care less about property lines and 2) if they’re dry enough to go outside, they’re dry enough to wear a collar.
• Microchip your pet. This is a good backup should the collar come off. Most vets and ACOs have microchip scanners and are able to trace chips back to the registered owners. Please note: microchips are an implanted form of ID, not GPS; an animal’s location cannot be tracked through their microchips. You’d be surprised how many people don’t know this.
• Keep your contact information current. Is the tag on your pet readable? Are the phone numbers correct? Has your contact information changed since your pet was chipped? The best time to replace tags and update microchips is now, before an emergency. Don't know how to check your chip? Go here for more info.
• Contact Animal Control as soon as you notice that your pet is missing. Animals are only held for a short period of time. Don’t wait a week “hoping he’ll come home on his own.” Otherwise, when you call it may be too late.
• Check craigslist.com for your missing pet. If you don’t see him, post an ad under the “Lost & Found” (NOT “Pets”) section. Make sure to include photos and use the map feature. BTW, my office returns pets through craigslist all the time.
• Post a lost pet notice on Facebook and ask everybody to cross-post. We also have FB pages dedicated to lost and found pets in the Jacksonville/Northeast Florida area (here and here). You may have something similar where you are.
• Have recent pictures of your pet. You may need them to create signs and lost pet ads. Puppy pictures of your 10-year old dog aren’t very helpful, especially when dealing with mixed breeds.
• Have a recent picture of you with your pet. People lie about pet ownership all the time -- more often if the dog is cute, friendly and/or purebred. Good Samaritans (and shelters!) have become skeptical, especially if the dog doesn't have any identification.
• Visit the Missing Pet Partnership for more recovery tips based on your animal's personality.

I post this message every year in hopes that someone will get it.

Please, don't be a July 5th statistic!

Hopefully your pet will never get out. However, should it happen, a little preparation now can save a lot of heartache later. -- K

Dock Diving Dogs

When I'm not doing things with my dogs, I like to watch other people do things with their dogs. (Dog nerd? Probably.) I have a friend who has recently discovered Dock Diving. Saturday was her first trial and I went to support her. OMG, it was awesome! Look:

Good thing it's Wordless Wednesday because I am speechless! Click around below and see what others are sharing today. Later, -- K

Dear Beachgoers

This popped up on my Facebook feed yesterday:

Dear Beachgoers,

The heat index temperature today is a hundred and seven degrees. Please leave your dogs at home. I'm sure they'd much rather sit at home in the air conditioning than sit on the hot beach and watch you play in the water. Also, water heats up very quickly in a metal bowl when there is no shade. I've already told several people to take their dogs home, I'll tell you the same.

Signed, Your (Not So) Friendly ACO

Apparently two years ago I was frustrated with people bringing their dogs to a hot beach. Guess what? I still am! WTF are people thinking?

DISCLAIMER: I'm not a fan of the beach. I don't like crowds, oppressive heat or sand that gets into everything. (Or sharks or jellyfish or fat, hairy guys in Speedos or . . . )

If people insist on taking dogs to the beach, I'd like to suggest the following:

Jedi at sunrise

• Avoid midday. It's hot and full of people. Instead, go early morning or late evening. It's cooler and less crowded. An added bonus: better light for awesome pictures.


• Keep your dog leashed. Not all beachgoers like dogs. Unless there are signs saying otherwise, always assume the leash law applies on the beach. Helpful tip: don't take your dog's good collar and leash to the beach. The salt and sand will quickly destroy them. Instead, find a collar with a plastic buckle. Check/lubricate/replace leashes regularly. If you're going to take your dog in the water, use a nylon slip lead (like the ones at the vet's office). I know a woman whose beach-used leash didn't work properly when needed. Her dog saw a cat across the street. The clip didn't hold when the dog lunged and he ran after the cat. The dog was hit -- and killed -- by a passing car.


• Take lots of poop bags. Sometimes dogs get excited and ingest salt water while playing in the surf. Invariably, it gives them the runs. You don't want to leave that lying on the beach! Plus, you'll have extras to share with nearby not-so-great dog owners.





I've seen these for $30-$80

• Bring lots of water and a cooler to keep it in. I can't tell you how many people say "See I have water for my dog" and show me a gallon jug that has been sitting in the sun for the last hour and a half. Also, rethink the metal bowl. It gets hot quickly. Would you want to drink hot water?


• If you plan on being there all day, bring your own shade. Whether it be a large pop-up canopy or a small portable beach tent, your dog needs something to keep him out of the direct sun. You may be in a bikini, but your dog is wearing a fur coat.


• DO NOT TAKE YOUNG PUPPIES TO THE BEACH. First of all, young pups are more susceptible to heat stroke. Also, there is a lot of crap (figurative and literal) on the beach. We have hundreds of dogs visit my 2-mile stretch of beach every month. Guess what? Not all of those dogs are owned by conscientious, responsible people. For me, that's job security. For you, that's a possible exposure to parvo, distemper and all kinds of nasty diseases and parasites. (FYI: We also have foxes, raccoons and feral cats on the beach -- I've seen them during early morning patrols -- and they carry a wide variety of cooties as well.) Until your pup is fully vaccinated, avoid the beach just as you would the pet store or dog park.

Yep, I'm Debbie Downer today. That's what I do! Love ya, -- K

Awww...Ribbons

At the dog shows in April, there were several handlers who didn't want their ribbons, especially if the dog placed less than first. I picked up a bunch of red and yellow ribbons while cleaning up. It was sad. I hope I never become that jaded.

I keep all the awards Jedi and I have earned in a plastic shoebox. I would guess that the monetary value of the ribbons and rosettes is under $30 -- but the emotional value is incalculable. Each scrap of fabric is a reminder of a skill we had to learn, a puzzle we had to solve or challenge we had to meet. That box represents hundreds of hours spent bonding, time where an awkward handler and a clueless dog learned to work together. Sometimes -- especially after a difficult day -- I will sit on my bed and go through the box. It always brightens my mood.

In case you're counting, there are 60 ribbons and 3 rosettes. That's a lot of me & Jedi time!

How about you? Do you have a box of memories that always make you smile? A photo album that brings back good memories? Please share! Lord knows we can all use some extra happiness these days!

Want some more happy thoughts? Well you're in luck! It's Awww...Monday, where a group of bloggers come together to brighten the start of your work week. Click around below and see what others are sharing. Thank you Sandee for putting this together each week. Happy Monday! -- K