Dog Mourns Loss of Beaver Friend

Losing a valuable friend is not easy to go through in life. It has been said that dogs experience loss just as much as humans. First spotted on Huffington Post, this video illustrates beautifully the loss that Bella experience when she lost her good buddy, Beavis the beaver. Hope you all enjoy this and please share your thoughts below.

What The Heck Is Happening In Idaho?

Hi Everyone! Last week, I had competed in the web design competition I was had mentioned previously. It was a tough competition this year, as we had to do a website that was over 130 pages in size and had a team that dwindled from five people to two people. Still, we received an honorable mention and considering that there was a very tight race, we were very pleased with how we did. Now, I can blog more consistently than before.

 Also, thanks to have all who have commented during my time blogging. Just to let you know, I read each and every comment but will not publish spam comments. It's not fair to the readers and hurts the blog with Google.

The Mysterious Land Of Idaho

 Growing up in the Midwest, I never had visited Idaho. In fact, I only can tell you a few things about Idaho of the top of my head:

• That it has very low pollution and beautiful land out there.
• It's known for excellent potatoes.
• Demi Moore and Bruce Willis called Hailey, Idaho home.
• Boise State has had quite a successful football team.

Warning: Not for the faint of heart.

A Case That Makes No Sense

So imagine my surprise when I read about the earlier discoveries of four German Shepherd mixes who were bludgeoned and shot in the head. One was found last month in what seemed to be a ritualistic execution, where the dog's eyes seemed to have bulged out. This has been happening since November of last year as officials have discovered 30 dogs in this fashion. The area of Idaho is in the Twin Falls(see map below)and the Magic Valley Region.

 
View Larger Map

 The whole thing is disconcerting, perplexing and bizarre. So much so, that the Humane Society is offering a $5000 USD reward leading to the capture of these heartless killers. As for the residents of the area that may be targeted, keep an eye on your dog and a bigger eye out for any signs of stalking behavior.

Let's Discuss!

Please share your thoughts about the case below. I'd especially interested in hearing from those of you who live in Idaho. Thaks everyone! :)

Understanding Your Dog's Behavior and Keeping Him Happy

Hello Everyone,

It's been a hectic time for me lately because I am currently competing in a website competition. Since my time is limited these next few weeks, today's post is from a special guest. Please welcome Rupert Brown, from MuddyPaws.co.uk.

Understanding Your Dog's Behavior

Having a dog takes up a huge amount of your time. They effectively become a member of the family. They'll be running to the front door to greet you when you come in and put their head in your lap if you've had a bad day. Your dog has as much of a personality as you do and, consequently, they have feelings as well.

Positive Behavior

If you want your dog to be happy, you need to pay attention to his or her moods. Different breeds have certain traits that you need to be aware of. For example, it is in the nature of a terrier to dig, in the same way as it is for a sheepdog to herd. These traits can affect their personality, but so can your behavior. Dogs recognize different tones of voice so if your dog does something to be proud of, tell them. Use an enthusiastic voice and smile. If you have a smaller breed, pick them up and give them a cuddle.

Making a fuss of your pet will help them to understand that they've done something good, increasing the chances of them repeating it. Rewarding them with healthy treats if they have behaved exceptionally well will help them to make the connection that good behavior equals tasty delights.

Don't Ignore Bad Behavior

Similarly, if they have misbehaved, it's important to make them understand but not to frighten them. Hitting a dog on the nose or around the facial area will provoke fear and they may lash out or bite you as a defence mechanism. Using a stern voice and repeating certain words such as 'naughty' will help the dog to understand that they have done something wrong but they also won't be frightened. The more often they hear the negative word, the sooner they will realize that what they're doing isn't right.

If you find your dog has behaved badly but you don't realize until much later on, it's important not to discipline them. They may struggle to understand what they have done wrong if the incident occurred some time ago and this can confuse them. Some dogs will realize that they have misbehaved when you discover what they've done and you can tell this by their reaction to you.

Understand Their Behavior

If your dog suddenly starts to behave in a submissive manner when you walk into a room and find the curtains have been ripped down, chances are they already know they're in trouble, indicating that their behavior is a cry for attention. Make a note of this, particularly if they repeat the behavior and continue to use the negative word if they show an understanding, to remind them that they have been naughty.

Think about why your dog is behaving in a certain way. It may be just because they particularly enjoy doing something or have developed a habit such as chewing. Many dogs chew shoes but if you give them an alternative and keep taking the shoes away, you might be able to break the habit. If they act up when a certain person is in the house, it could be their influence. Ensure any disciplinary rules are kept with everyone in the house. There is no point in you telling your dog it's naughty to take your socks if your partner then gives them socks to play with. Avoid confusion and your dog will be happy to accommodate some basic rules, particularly if they know they'll get cuddles, treats or walks out of it.

Rupert Brown is the Managing Director of Muddy Paws, a leading UK retailer of dog products. He lives in the stunning county of Dorset in southern England with his family and dog (as well as Muddy Paws product tester!) Oscar.

Let's Discuss!

What are some things that help you understand your dog's behavior?

Kindle Fire Giveaway

Too Kool Doggies is proud to pair up with Bay Area Mommy, myperfectgift.com and the blogs listed below for their Kindle Fire Giveaway.
Welcome to the My Perfect Kindle Fire giveaway event sponsored by MyPerfectGift.com and hosted by Bay Area Mommy! Special shoutout to cohosts One Proud Momma, Spaceships and Laser Beams, SmartySaver, Life in a Break Down, Stay a Stay at Home Mom, My Best Salad Recipes, and Conservamom!

MyPerfectGift.com makes it fun to create a wishlist to share with friends & family. Invite everyone to make registries of their own so you always give (or get) the perfect gift!

One lucky reader will win a Kindle Fire HD worth $199! And 2 runner-up winners will receive a $15 Starbucks or iTunes gift card! To enter, simply create a new registry on MyPerfectGift.com with at least 3 items. Please type “FIRE” in the “Referred By” box when signing up. All other entries are optional but will increase your chances of winning.

Giveaway runs from March 11 at 12:01am EST through April 15 at 11:59pm EST. Must be 18 years old to be eligible. Kindle Fire HD Giveaway is open worldwide. Kindle Fire winner may opt for cash equivalent. $15 gift card winners must be a US resident. Void where prohibited.

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Please whitelist isis@bayareamommy.net to make sure the winner email notification doesn’t go to your Spam folder. This blog is not responsible for fulfillment of the prize. For questions regarding this giveaway, please contact Bay Area Mommy.

Dog Shaming

Photo: Dog Shaming

There are times that we get into our embarrassing situations. Sometimes, it's out of panic, sometimes it's out of fear and other times we just don't think. When we have those days, it takes time to bounce back.

Dogs are no different when they find themselves in embarrassing. They wind up chewing our favorite shoe, taking our spot on the sofa,or just love sneaking food when they know they shouldn't. It's for these reasons that Dog Shaming was created. Creating in August, 2012 it already has over 281 webpages of pictures.

It's a simple website where people post photos of their dog with a note attached stating why they're being shamed. One of my favorites was this one by Oscar as seen above. Homer has definitely earned a spot on that website, but his owner has never gotten around to taking a picture of him with a note stating what he did wrong.

Photo: dogshaming.com

At first, I thought the idea of dog shaming was a little harsh. Then I realized, as much as we love our pooches, they do have a knack for getting into trouble. It's part of the package when we adopt them. Some dogs never do anything wrong and others are remembered for their naughty acts of the past. One of the coolest things about this website is when foster moms put their dogs pictures up there to help them find a forever home. It's a reminder of how crafty certain dogs can really be, but at the end of it all, we still love them.

Let's Discuss!

What has your dog done to belong on Dog Shaming?

Justice For Argus and Fiona Has Finally Arrived

Photo of Fiona and Argus: Delco Times

On February 12, two Bernese Mountain dogs were shot to death after wandering out of their yard and into a neighbor's in the West Vincent Township of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania. Their names were Argus who was two-years old and Fiona who was a one-year old.

The reason this happened was that a large tree branch had fallen and damaged the fence by creating a hole that allowed the dogs to escape. They were gone only about 15 minutes, when the Bock family found out that their neighbor, Gabriel Pilotti shot the dogs on sight in fear that they were going to harm his sheep. They were devastated but Mr. Pilloti was the type to "shoot first and ask questions later."

Gabe called his neighbor, who was bothered that he was bragging about what he did. It didn't help that he referred about the situation in a cold and callous manner when speaking to Bill Bock, about the incident. Considering that in Pennsylvania, there is a law that states that an owner can shoot dogs to protect their livestock, he was not charged at the time. Outraged by this law loophole, the Bocks started a Facebook Group called Justice for Argus and Fiona.

View Larger Map

Now, an interesting development has happened in this story. The man who shot the dogs is charged with two counts animal cruelty. Initially, Pilotti had said that the dogs were chasing after his sheep and he shot them in defense. However, as police conducted a follow-up investigation, it turned out that Argus was approaching him in a slow manner, with no malice intended and shot directly in the head. Fiona, the other dog retreated and was shot as she was running away to safety.

District Attorney Tom Hogan, had determined that their was no justification for this to occur. The type of the weapon made a difference. Pilotti had used a buckshot rifle. This type of rifle required each bullet to be loaded individually. Therefore, it was determined he had shot these dogs with intent to kill instead of merely protecting his sheep. The DA brought him up on two charges of animal cruelty and one charge of reckless endangerment of a human being due to the fact a neighbor was passing by the property and was in the line of fire when the incident happened. Earlier this morning, Gabriel Pilotti issued a statement of mea culpa, stating that he overreacted from a previous incident that happened a year ago in which he killed two pit bulls who were attacking a herd of sheep.

About Bernese Mountain Dogs

Fiona and Argus were the beloved family pets of the Bock family. They had five children from ages 5 to 11 who adored them. Bernese Mountain dogs are known for their calm, gentle and loving nature and make excellent dogs for families. Their origin is from the mountains of Switzerland. They are known as gentle giants because they grow to be at least 70 pounds (39 kg) in size. They average about 25 inches in height (63.5cm).They are known for their lustrous coat and regal beauty. They are considered working dogs since they were primarily bred to herd. Bernese Mountain dogs are ranked 33rd of the 175 breeds listed for the AKC. Because of their size, they tend to mature later than many of their counterpart breeds and maintain their puppyhood longer.

What Lies Ahead

While most are sympathetic to the plight of the family, there is a strong contingent of farmers who feel that Pilotti was justified in what he did. This story has intensified the relations between rural farmers and suburban families in the Chester County area. The only consolation is that the family will know that their dogs received justice for the loss of their pets.

Let's Discuss!

The one thing that's apparent about this is that the farmer enjoyed shooting his gun. Maybe he has regrets, but he took joy in the fact that he was a good shot. I think the prosecutor in this case did the right thing because the dogs were innocent. He knows that and knows that he was wrong. His apology was only to get a lesser sentence.

Dog Tested On Facebook

No dog likes the car like Cookie. If she had to choose, I think she'd choose taking a ride over having a treat. That's why I was thrilled when I found the Dog Tested app on Facebook. It's made by Subaru and is geared towards all dog owners with cool stuff for your dogs. The first thing I did was make a driver's license for Cookie. All you do is take your favorite picture of your dog, put in their doggie address, and create their license. The app then creates a photo license of your dog and adds it to their photo gallery on Facebook. I did this with the picture of Cookie seen above.

Not only does it showcase their car line, it contains some other cool features on the app include Ask An Expert, where you can ask a dog a question. The app works in a chat format with a dog sitting at a desk, getting ready to punch an answer into a laptop. I asked Lars what his favorite treat was and he typed in "Eat Shoe". Not bad for a dog that can type. It's very amusing to watch. The other two chatting dogs are Gypsy and Sasha.

Being a writer for the Dog Tested campaign has been enlightening. I've met some cool bloggers and learned a lot about how companies are changing from being just one that tells a message to one that shares experiences with their customers. That's the magic of social media.I just love the intro video because it shows dogs at their most awesome. It also has a sense of irreverent humor about it too. Here's the link to the intro video.

Oh yeah, I forgot the best part, there's also a contest. Enter on the rafflecopter below to win fantastic prizes like a $300 Visa Gift Card. Another of of you will win a $150 Visa Gift Card. The Contest ends on Saturday. It's easy! All you got to do is like them on Facebook to be entered. Good luck to you all.

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Well folks, I have to get to work. Like before, this post is sponsored by Subaru. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the Dog Tested. Dog Approved.™ campaign, but Too Kool Doggies only shares news for things we support. Once I finish my photography deadline, which will be cutting it close, I hope to be writing more cool posts for you.

Let's Discuss!

Have you seen the new Facebook App? What's your favorite part?

Love and Friendship On Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day has become a huge celebration in recent times. Over $17 billion dollars is estimated to be spent on Valentine's Day alone and it's estimated that Americans will spend $815 million on their pets. Yet America is not alone. In Australia, they're also predicting that pet owners will be spending $39 million dollars on their pets as well.

While the statistics on money are impressive, the true meaning of this day is love. Here at Too Kool Doggies, we're celebrating that fact. Below are some pictures from a group board I belong to on Pinterest that illustrate that fact.

Source: livingpierside.tumblr.com via Viola on Pinterest

Source: terriblycute.com via Kim on Pinterest

Source: piccsy.com via The 24K Zone on Pinterest

Source: coolspotters.com via amanda on Pinterest

Source: pixdaus.com via amanda on Pinterest

Source: kidskidskids.tumblr.com via Mary on Pinterest

Source: sunandnature.tumblr.com via amanda on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Woof on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Woof on Pinterest

Source: du104w.dub104.mail.live.com via Penny on Pinterest

Happy Valentine's Day folks!

Dog Tested

As you know, Subaru has been a huge supporter of dogs and their owners over the years. Joining in on the fun of the Puppy Bowl last week, their ads were a huge hit. The teaser ad from above was my favorite. It always makes me bust up into laughter when I hear that dog grunting as he pushes back the calculator.

Another outstanding teaser I enjoyed was On The Lot. It uses both cats and dogs and understands the balance of both.
On The Lot Teaser

Building on the success of the teaser ads, Subaru has release full commercials centering around everyone's favorite salesman to dogs, Grant Weber. The actor who plays him, does a nice job in the intro commercial. I think it's one of their strongest ads, which you can see from the link below.

Subaru Intro Ad

Another one of their ads that make me smile is their KIDS commercial. Whenever I see puppies, I can't help but feel warm and fuzzy inside. This is a company that doesn't just sell cars, but really make strides to interact with their dog friendly community. My next post in this series will tell you more about their new Facebook app.

Note: This post is sponsored by Subaru. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the Dog Tested. Dog Approved.™ campaign, but Too Kool Doggies only shares news for things we support.

Let's Discuss!

What do you like best about these Subaru dog ads?

It's All Related!

Get Ready For The Puppy Bowl

Get Ready For The Puppy Bowl

Photo: Courtesy of Subaru

It started in 2005. The Puppy Bowl started as a simple low-key option to the Superbowl where there was a referee around to make sure that no bathroom mishaps by the pups happened on the field. Since then, it's grown to a huge event where it provides a viable viewing alternative to pet lovers and non-football fans alike.

Who can resist adorable puppies romping around and playing with each other? In fact, the event has become so popular, it now has a kitten halftime and will be featuring hedgehog cheerleaders this year. What makes this one unique is this year, all of the dogs participating are from shelters. This year, devoted fans can catch it on Animal Planet airing at 3pm EST/2PMCST.

Even iPhone and Android users will get a chance to interact and engage with special content during the puppy bowl. By downloading the special Puppy Plus App, you'll get exclusive content now that can't be found anywhere else. Not only does it work during the original airing but will work during the encore showings too. It can be found for iPhones through this link.

More About Subaru

They are one of the main sponsors of the puppy bowl this year. A car company that sells vehicles that are dog-friendly, this year, they will be featuring a special ad campaign featuring Grant Weber, a salesman who works exclusively with dogs. They have some really cute ones. My two favorites are below.

Let's Talk Financing and Tailgating.

Check out all the Puppy Bowl teaser ads from Subaru on their Facebook page.

For the record, this post is sponsored by Subaru. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the Dog Tested. Dog Approved.™ campaign, but Too Kool Doggies only shares news for things we support.

Let's Discuss!

How do you plan to spend Superbowl Sunday?