Thanks to one of my Twitter friends, I learned this story about a dog who won't let the postman do his job. I feel bad for the owner but what can you do? Jack Russell Terriers are known for being territorial and the dog is probably doing his job as far as he's concerned.
Here's the link from the Associated Press...
Dog Halts Mail
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
What I've learned so far
As you know, I've started this blog as part of my blogging class. I had the option to continue or end this after the class ended this semester. I've chosen to continue.
When I first started writing this blog, I knew I would have a few topics, but until you've been doing it awhile, it's apparent that writing a blog is more than just writing a few good posts. Blogging is much more than what you see on the surface. I have found over the past month and a half, it takes a good amount of planning to come up with worthy topics. It's also good to know who you are writing for. They are the ones who will enjoy reading what you have to say and get something out of it. It's given me a voice and structure to a subject I hold close to my heart.
Blogging is also about reaching out to others. There are times, I may do so by sharing a comment with a blogger whose posts I totally got. I just had to share my feelings. It's a form of expression. If you are doing a blog for family and friends, it's a way to deepen a connection with a common interest. If you are doing a blog for family, friends and strangers, like I did, it's a way to learn about yourself and take a risk by sharing your words in a public manner.
By working on a schedule and having a certain requirements for the class, writing for my blog has givent structure and discipline. Being a creative individual, organization isn't something that comes easy. I've learned that writing an effective blog is a balancing act. I've enhanced my writing skills, pushed my coding skills further and found a way to meet people from all over who share a common interest. The video below echoes my feelings about blogging because they all work together to achieve a common goal:
Lastly, I would like to thank all of my readers. I still have much to learn, but you all have made the learning process of blogging all the more worthwhile.
When I first started writing this blog, I knew I would have a few topics, but until you've been doing it awhile, it's apparent that writing a blog is more than just writing a few good posts. Blogging is much more than what you see on the surface. I have found over the past month and a half, it takes a good amount of planning to come up with worthy topics. It's also good to know who you are writing for. They are the ones who will enjoy reading what you have to say and get something out of it. It's given me a voice and structure to a subject I hold close to my heart.
Blogging is also about reaching out to others. There are times, I may do so by sharing a comment with a blogger whose posts I totally got. I just had to share my feelings. It's a form of expression. If you are doing a blog for family and friends, it's a way to deepen a connection with a common interest. If you are doing a blog for family, friends and strangers, like I did, it's a way to learn about yourself and take a risk by sharing your words in a public manner.
By working on a schedule and having a certain requirements for the class, writing for my blog has givent structure and discipline. Being a creative individual, organization isn't something that comes easy. I've learned that writing an effective blog is a balancing act. I've enhanced my writing skills, pushed my coding skills further and found a way to meet people from all over who share a common interest. The video below echoes my feelings about blogging because they all work together to achieve a common goal:
Rat on a Cat on a Dog from Heidi Petty on Vimeo.
Lastly, I would like to thank all of my readers. I still have much to learn, but you all have made the learning process of blogging all the more worthwhile.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Take Me Out the the Ballgame!
Hi All,
This post is a little late because as you know the blog is still only about a month old. Already, I'm going to be having my last day of class tomorrow. Anyhow, I am a baseball fan and some of these major league ballparks have bring your dog days at their ball park. Usually, the pets are in a contained area and you may have to pay a little extra but just watching the whole thing is priceless. It's another way to enjoy dogs especially if you can't own one. (See my post that's about two or three spaces down.)
Well, here is a list of the teams that do participate in this. It's one thing that's great about the Cub's known rivals (see St. Louis and Chicago White Sox). Pittsburgh is the granddaddy of them all, having one game a month. It sounds like a road trip to me!
Here's the teams who you can catch a game with your dog at the ballpark:
This post is a little late because as you know the blog is still only about a month old. Already, I'm going to be having my last day of class tomorrow. Anyhow, I am a baseball fan and some of these major league ballparks have bring your dog days at their ball park. Usually, the pets are in a contained area and you may have to pay a little extra but just watching the whole thing is priceless. It's another way to enjoy dogs especially if you can't own one. (See my post that's about two or three spaces down.)
Well, here is a list of the teams that do participate in this. It's one thing that's great about the Cub's known rivals (see St. Louis and Chicago White Sox). Pittsburgh is the granddaddy of them all, having one game a month. It sounds like a road trip to me!
Here's the teams who you can catch a game with your dog at the ballpark:
| Team | Date(s) |
| Atlanta Braves | Wednesday, June 10 Sunday, Sept. 6 |
| Chicago White Sox | Wednesday, May 20 |
| Cincinnati Reds | Tuesday, May 19 Tuesday, September 15 |
| Oakland A’s | Friday, July 17 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | Tuesday, May 12 Tuesday, June 30 Tuesday, July 21 Tuesday, August 25 Tuesday, September 21 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | Sunday, June 7 |
Some of these you have to act fast. The Florida Marlins already had their game on April 24, and Washington Nationals aren't having a dog day but will be having an adopt-a-pet day on Saturday, September 5. Special thanks to Woof Report and mlb.com for their assistance. As always, please feel free to leave a comment or drop me an e-mail. Good Night All!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Buster
About seven years ago, I was doing dog walking as a living. One of the dogs was named Buster. He was a reddish-brown Pit Bull who was about two years old. His owner had saved him the day before he was about to be euthanized. Buster was found from a place that did dog fighting. He was either a bait dog, or used in fighting, the owner wasn't sure. You could see little scars on his face. Still, he was a happy pooch.
Buster loved humans but as a result of the fighting, had a tendency to be aggressive towards other dogs. To combat that, I had to be very careful of where I took him for a walk. If I ran into another dog, I would make sure to take him the other way and be super careful that I had a good hold of the leash. Some people would give me disapproving looks but I never took that personally. He was very strong and pulled all time time, but you could tell he loved every minute of his walk. There were times I would run with him to help him get some of that energy out of him. He was so appreciative. Even with a dog as strong as Buster, I never had a major problem with him because I knew what to expect.
Dogs like Buster is why I wrote the Misunderstood Pit Bull. I may have not stayed in dogwalking for longer than a couple of months that year, but Buster was a dog who would never be forgotten. Hope you all have a great day.
Buster loved humans but as a result of the fighting, had a tendency to be aggressive towards other dogs. To combat that, I had to be very careful of where I took him for a walk. If I ran into another dog, I would make sure to take him the other way and be super careful that I had a good hold of the leash. Some people would give me disapproving looks but I never took that personally. He was very strong and pulled all time time, but you could tell he loved every minute of his walk. There were times I would run with him to help him get some of that energy out of him. He was so appreciative. Even with a dog as strong as Buster, I never had a major problem with him because I knew what to expect.
Dogs like Buster is why I wrote the Misunderstood Pit Bull. I may have not stayed in dogwalking for longer than a couple of months that year, but Buster was a dog who would never be forgotten. Hope you all have a great day.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
If I Can't Have a Dog...
There are times in your life where you may love dogs but you can't have one. Situations like this include:
- Living in a place that doesn't allow pets
- Being in a relationship with someone who does not like them at all
- Not having enough money to sufficiently care for a pet
- Dog Sitting
- Volunteer at a shelter
- Participate in a fundraiser
- Go to the park or beach
Dog Sitting is a nice way to break out of your usual routine and make a little money at the same time. You need to be comfortable staying in another person's house. It's just like babysitting but this is a great way to be around dogs without having to make a huge commitment. Most importantly, you need to be honest and responsible. Anything that goes wrong and the dog owners will hold you liable if something goes wrong.
Many shelters are understaffed because they have such an abundance of pets. Just stopping in to visit can do both human and dog, a whole world of good. When I used to work in the city, I would take time to visit the local animal shelter on my lunch break just to see the little guys. It may have not been much, but at least it was more than they would of had.
This is a great way to give back and there are usually quite a few animals the organization has on hand for publicity. Usually, it's doing something enjoyable like running a 5K, cycling or a huge party.
Depending on where you live, you can encounter many four-legged friends this way. I live in a temperate climate, so the best time for this is in the summer. Still, it's a great way to spend your day.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
My First Podcast - No Charge For Love
Hello All,
Here is a link to my first podcast. Since this is my first one, keep your volume button handy because it starts a little loud. Enjoy!
My Podcast
Here is a link to my first podcast. Since this is my first one, keep your volume button handy because it starts a little loud. Enjoy!
My Podcast
Video of the week
I just couldn't pass up this video. It is was used in a commercial that I-Phone used in 2007 with Tillman the skateboarding dog. Hope you all enjoy.
Here is more information about how the video came about. Check the right hand column and click on more info:
You Tube Info
Also, Tillman has become a celebrity in his own right. See his website here:
Tillman the Skateboarding Dog
Have a great week.
Here is more information about how the video came about. Check the right hand column and click on more info:
You Tube Info
Also, Tillman has become a celebrity in his own right. See his website here:
Tillman the Skateboarding Dog
Have a great week.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Quite a Scare
Tonight, after I got home, it was time to take the dogs for a walk. The walk was going great. Near the end of it, I noticed Gigi was rubbing herself in the grass. At first, I thought it was due to the fact I had them running for a bit and she was hot. However, it turned out not to be the case. She had rubbed up against some burrs. They were caught in her chin and on her paws. I did not notice this until my mom saw her chewing them.
After I pulled off what I could, I noticed that she had a look of discomfort and was constantly licking her facial area. I called the emergency vet and told them what happened. The technician told me to give her bread. Whole wheat bread didn't go over very well. Gigi wanted no part of it. I then called them back, and they told me to try giving bread to her with peanut butter. This time, Gigi loved the peanut butter but would have no part of the bread it was connected to. I then called the vet and they said for safety I should bring her in.
The vet was able to find a burr on her paw and upon looking at it, he said that it wasn't too bad and once he gives Gigi some food, the burrs should be pushed far enough where it won't be a factor. She did have some irritation in her throat and I was told to expect that to last until the morning. After the vet looked down her throat, I felt that was stressful enough for Gigi, so I had turned down the anti-inflammatory shot.
I am writing this so that if any of you are in a similar situation, you'll know what to do. I learned a huge lesson tonight. Sometimes the littlest things really do make the difference. Thanks for checking in and as always, I look forward to your comments.
After I pulled off what I could, I noticed that she had a look of discomfort and was constantly licking her facial area. I called the emergency vet and told them what happened. The technician told me to give her bread. Whole wheat bread didn't go over very well. Gigi wanted no part of it. I then called them back, and they told me to try giving bread to her with peanut butter. This time, Gigi loved the peanut butter but would have no part of the bread it was connected to. I then called the vet and they said for safety I should bring her in.
The vet was able to find a burr on her paw and upon looking at it, he said that it wasn't too bad and once he gives Gigi some food, the burrs should be pushed far enough where it won't be a factor. She did have some irritation in her throat and I was told to expect that to last until the morning. After the vet looked down her throat, I felt that was stressful enough for Gigi, so I had turned down the anti-inflammatory shot.
I am writing this so that if any of you are in a similar situation, you'll know what to do. I learned a huge lesson tonight. Sometimes the littlest things really do make the difference. Thanks for checking in and as always, I look forward to your comments.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Dogs in the News: The Dog That Blew Away
For all of you who may have missed this, I was reading the local newspaper and came across an article about a dog in Holland Michigan that was carried away by 70mph winds. Tinkerbell Utley, only eight months old, was found dirty and hungry a mile away from the flea market, her owners were at. That's scary for any owner.
Anyhow, if you would like to read more, check out the article I found. Here's the link: The Dog That Blew Away, Yahoo News
Friday, May 1, 2009
Last Day of Dog Obedience
Well, last night was the final week of dog obedience forGigi and me. Six weeks went by incredibly fast. The main goal last night was to show what tricks we could do. I took some of the treats that I had packed up and did roll over and taught Gigi to crawl. 
My teacher asked me if there was anything else. I then told him, the only thing I could think of is when I say "alright girls!" Gigi barks like a maniac. Of course he didn't need to hear that one.
Probably two of the most incredible tricks were by two of our dog owners. The first one, had a Golden Retriver. They took their finger and shaped it like a guy and said "Bang" and the dog played dead. The best trick though was by this Scottish Terrier owner. She showed her dog how to put her toys into a plastic container.
So my question to you dear readers is what is the best dog trick you have seen. Please let me know by leaving a comment or via e-mail. Thank you and have a great night. :)
My teacher asked me if there was anything else. I then told him, the only thing I could think of is when I say "alright girls!" Gigi barks like a maniac. Of course he didn't need to hear that one.
Probably two of the most incredible tricks were by two of our dog owners. The first one, had a Golden Retriver. They took their finger and shaped it like a guy and said "Bang" and the dog played dead. The best trick though was by this Scottish Terrier owner. She showed her dog how to put her toys into a plastic container.
So my question to you dear readers is what is the best dog trick you have seen. Please let me know by leaving a comment or via e-mail. Thank you and have a great night. :)
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