It’s Mother’s Day and we shouldn’t forget that many of our dogs have been mums too (whether planned or unplanned).
In my case, Daisy has been a mum – it happened before I adopted her. Although I don’t know any of her puppies, I think it is fitting that we celebrate her motherhood status, particularly as she is a senior dog of almost 13.
Happy Mother’s Day Daisy! Your Mum loves you!!!
Posted in Dogs, dogs and holidays
Tagged animals, dogs, Mother's Day, motherhood, unplanned pregnancy
When this happens at our house, I say ‘There will be no kisses for the rest of the day!’
I’m generally not in support of dressing up dogs in costumes…but take a closer look at this one…
Happy Easter!
I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
“It’s me, I haven’t left you, I’m well, I’m fine, I’m here.”
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to re-assure you, that I’m not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said ” it’s me.”
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It’s possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, “I never went away.”
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew…
In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over… I smile and watch you yawning
and say “good-night, God bless, I’ll see you in the morning.”
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I’ll rush across to greet you and we’ll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out…then come home to be with me…
Source: Unknown (I found this in my old email files and it is so appropriate to all of us who have loved and lost a dog)
Posted in dog quotes, dogs and mourning
Tagged animals, Do not cry, dogs, grief, I am with you
A thought for your weekend as you come home after work on a Friday. (I feel this way every day that I come home to Daisy)
A little bit of history in this post. Did you know that the dog had a key role in the development of blood transfusion technology in humans?
Unfortunately, this is a story of animal experimentation.
In the early 1600s, an English physician named William Harvey explored the circulatory system and declared that ‘blood must continuously circulate.’ For the next 50 years, more work was done to understand the circulatory system. Dogs were unfortunately chosen for animal experimentation and they were injected intravenously with a range of fluids including opium, wine and ale.
In 1665, English physician Richard Lower drained the blood out of a dog almost to the point where it had no blood volume left and was on the verge of death. He then took a larger dog and replaced the blood supply. (Poor dogs)
If you are really interested in the topic of human blood donation, this Science Show video on YouTube explains the whole history of human blood donation…
Posted in animal welfare, Dogs, research
Tagged animal experimentation, blood transfusion, blood transfusions, dogs, research, science, science show, william harvey, YouTube
Happy Valentine’s Day! Have you hugged your dog today? If not, now would be a good time.
And good luck to all animals up for adoption this weekend at My Furry Valentine 2013, an adoption event across Greater Cincinnati.
Posted in dogs and holidays
Tagged adoption, Cincinnati, dogs, hug, My furry valentine, Valentine's Day
If Daisy was a commercial airline, she’d happily report a 100% on time percentage for flight arrivals and departures. But Daisy isn’t an airline, she’s my adored dog who doesn’t understand public holidays.
Today is Waitangi Day in New Zealand and many people would have taken the opportunity to sleep in for a while. Not me.
Daisy arrived at my bedside at 6:30 am to remind me that it was time for breakfast. I fed her and then tried to go back to sleep. At 7:00 am she was back – what are you doing in bed?! It’s time for walkkies!
Daisy reminds me that it is 7:00 am and time for walkkies
Dogs have a remarkable grasp of time and routine. I think it is essential for dog owners to establish a good routine for their dog, because it gives the dog security and a sense of well-being – they know their needs will be taken care of.
I just wish we could establish a Plan B routine – for public holidays….
Tagged dogs, on time percenttage, routine, time, well-being
I seem to be developing a theme of late…it started with my posts about dogs in the world of wine. Closer to home, those who have joined Canine Catering on Facebook know that we are having a bit of a argument in the local media about dogs being allowed in outdoor cafes and bars. Yes – believe it or not – that’s the state of play here when it comes to dog-friendly establishments – so many just haven’t tapped the market for the dog owner.
And now…this post is about beer for dogs. Dawg Grog. It’s made in Bend Oregon by a beer lover named Daniel Keeton who is also passionate about his pooch, Lola Jane. Since Daniel works in a brew house named the Boneyard Brewery, he wanted Lola Jane to be able to share in his work.
Dawg Grog is a brew using the Boneyard Brewery’s malted barley water, glucosamine and organic vegetable broth. It can be served as a treat or over food. It’s available in all 50 US states. A six-pack is $36.
I’m really impressed by the ingredients used in this product and it’s encouraging to see dog owners continuing to find ways of caring for their dogs and involving them in their everyday work.
Here’s a good YouTube video about Daniel’s invention:
Posted in dog-friendly shops, Dogs
Tagged beer, beer for dogs, Bend, Boneyard Brewery, Daniel Keeton, Dawg Grog, dogs, glucosamine, Lola Jane, Oregon, wine, YouTube
This little gift book is an ‘oldie but a goodie.’ Published in 1999 for Hallmark Cards, you can easily find this small, hardcover book in good condition in used book shops (a favourite haunt of most of my family and some friends) and of course online through used book sellers.
I think this book is particularly appropriate at this time of year, as the glow of the Christmas holiday period fades into the past fairly quickly and we return to work, with all of the stresses of commitments and demands on our time.
This book will give you heart!
It looks at the major questions that our pets want have to ask God (in English, so we can understand)
Here are just a few of my favourite doggy letters:
Dear God,
Must I bark, or can you hear my thoughts? – Flo-jo
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Dear God,
When I get to Heaven, can I play Frisbee with my halo? – Nicky
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Dear God,
Is it true that in purgatory there are 10 million cashmere sofas with porcupines sleeping on them? – Shannon
DoggyMom.com 