I NEVER HAD A LOVE STORY

“I never had a love story”……how profound is that statement? Those are the words that someone wrote on a website that I belong to. When I read what the woman had to say (she was writing about her three failed marriages), I just knew that I had to use those words for an article. “How sad those words are” I thought to myself. In this whole big wide world of ours there are those that will never know what it is like to love and to be loved. Sad, indeed! There are so many different loves in ones life if we were to look for it. There’s the love of one’s children, one’s animals, love of one’s job, love of one’s friends, love of God and country and the list can go on and on. Oh I foolishly said to a friend of mine many years ago, “I just love my car!” It was a fancy little red sports car which I wanted all of my life! My friend said to me, “Barbara, you can’t love a car! It’s a thing.” He was right, I suppose, but I did love driving around it anyway! But truth be told, we are all looking for that connection with a significant other that all the other loves of our lives just aren’t capable of filling.

Some of us will love more than once or twice in our lifetime, but to find “the one” is what most of us are looking for. But what if you never do find “the one” should you give up on love altogether thinking that it’s for everyone else but not for you? There are no guarantees in life. Perhaps you will never have a “love story!” We are all capable of loving. It’s our God given right. But it doesn’t mean that we will be loved back. It’s the subject that makes the Country/Western singers a fortune and yet some of their real life “love stories” are nothing but horror stories! Maybe that’s why they’re so good about writing and singing about pain!

Now one can live a life of bitterness and exclaim, “What about me? Why doesn’t someone love me?” Or you can choose to be a loving person anyway. Love will come to us in many different ways when we open ourselves up to it. And because this is a blog about dogs and more specifically the German Shepherd Dog; let’s begin there.

I’ve written many articles about the love one can receive from their dog. There truly is nothing like it. Even the most bitter of human beings can be wilted away to a blushing fool if he surrenders and opens up his heart to the love a dog. I don’t know of another being on this planet earth that is more determined and will try harder to win your love than a dog. It is after all what he lives for. No really, it is his only purpose on this earth. We don’t eat of his flesh, or drink of his milk or use his hide for leather. He is here to love and serve us, to guide and be a companion to us. I dare say, not too unlike a partner in one’s life!

I got up this morning thinking about how short a dog’s life is and wondered why that was. My oldest dog will be 8 in a couple of months and I hate it. I had just finished reading about a friend’s dog who is 13 and how hard it is for her to get around now and I read about the love he had for her in every word that he wrote. I don’t know why our dogs live such short lives. Why are they here for such a short time? Oh I do believe with all of my heart and soul that they are here to teach us how to love. I think dogs should be called “love” because I can’t find another purpose for them to be here on earth! I found this wonderful little quote about dogs: “The dog is mentioned in the Bible eighteen times and the cat not even once!” W.E. Farbstein (referring to the Old Testament). That’s not to say the cat is not some peoples beloved pets as well. But to know the love of a dog is to have him kidnap your soul. When he leaves us, it’s like a part of our soul leaves with him. I still find myself thinking of some of my beloved dogs that have been gone for many, many years. My love for them has never ended. They shall remain with me for the rest of my life. I still dream about some of them and I love it because they remain living, loving creatures if only for the amount of time I lay sleeping.

The fear of rejection is a very strong emotion that we all have. You can love someone and they don’t have to love you back. This is never the way with a dog. They will never reject your love. For the dog lover, we are “mad as hell” that they are with us for such a short amount of time. Geez, dear Lord, we’re just “getting going” with the dog. We’ve got so many more things we want to do with him yet. We’ve got places to go, people to see, things to do yet with our dogs. Why are you taking him away so soon? We’re just getting started! “Don’t take my love away we want to scream. Not yet. We’ve got so much more loving to do yet.” All our crying and pleading doesn’t change it. The dog will only be with us for maybe 8 – 15 years and it’s never enough! So love him now, because time keeps on moving whether we want to move along with it or not!

I believe the dog is a teacher without any words to speak. He speaks volumes in his actions and in his eyes that are almost human like. He sends messages to us about life every day. He teaches us how to survive with very little, how to forgive the unforgivable, how to enjoy life with the bare minimum, and how to love the loveless. Is it any wonder why we are tortured and grieve so much when they leave us? To have a being here with us for such a short time and to show us so much about living and loving is more than most of us can bear. But if we learned what we needed to from the dog, then we will have learned that we can go on without their physical presence with us. For you see when the dog came into our lives, he also snuck into our souls and it’s there that he resides until we meet up with him again on the other side of Heaven’s gate!

A few days ago, someone posted (on Facebook) a painting of all different kinds of dogs sitting up in the clouds on the other side of Heaven’s Gate waiting to be rejoined with their masters. I loved it and pray that God does rejoin us all with our beloved pets someday. They are by far some of the most angelic creatures put on this earth in my opinion!

There was a popular love song written back in 1984 called “I Want to Know What Love Is.” Some of us may never find it with another human being, but I believe God sends us love in many different ways. So if you never had a “Love Story”, but instead had the love of a dog, you have truly known the purity of what love is suppose to be. Grab onto her fast for she leaves us all too quickly. Your dog may just end up being the love of your life. It may have not been the love you were looking for, but it’s what you got and your life may never be the same again.

So if your dog is laying by your side right now like mine is snoring away as loud as a truck driver, reach down and pet her on her head and let her know that you love her. Oh loving doesn’t come without pain whether it is with another human being or your dog, but which ever it may be; hold on fast because you’re in for the time of your life. Embrace it; be thankful for it even if it’s for the short time you share with your dog. All it means is that you’re alive and still kicking and you can keep on kicking until you take your last breath. You are loved! Maybe you didn’t know it then, but the two of you began writing your own love story the moment God sent her to you.

Is it true then, “It’s better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all?” This writer thinks so!


My rating: dog ownership: (4)!

AGAINST ALL ODDS

Okay so your dog didn’t win the Grand Victor or Grand Victrix title at the German Shepherd Dog National Specialty Show this past week. He didn’t come home with an obedience or herding trophy either. Maybe he didn’t even win a ribbon. Heck, then there are those like most of us that didn’t even show at the National. Maybe we didn’t show because we couldn’t afford it. Perhaps we didn’t want to fly with our dogs and just maybe we didn’t have anything good enough to really compete with. So we stayed home and watched the show on the streaming video or read Evan’s blog for a step by step account of life at the National. One way or another, we were all clued to our computer screens waiting for a phone call from a friend that was there or an announcement to be made flashing across our screens.

This year the entries were down, but I’m told the quality was up. But one fact remains, big show or small show, most exhibitors are going home empty handed. No ribbon, no trophy. Hopefully because they are good sports they bring home with them many fine memories of a great show with friends and some great looking dogs.

Every year before the National, there is much talk about who will be chosen this years Grand Victor or Grand Victrix. Were your favorites chosen? Were there any surprises? How about the Grand Victrix who wasn’t even a champion yet? Against all odds………..she is now this years Grand Victrix! Way to go! Congratulations to all the winners!

Have you ever owned a dog that no one else wanted? Perhaps he was a shelter dog that someone threw away. Maybe he was the runt of the litter that never got sold. Or maybe he had genetic health problems and you felt it was your responsibility to take care of him for the rest of his life. Did any of these dogs turn out to be real special and that you are so happy that you never got rid of them? Were any of these dogs the best dog that you ever owned? What made them so very special? Did they beg to be noticed? Did they go out of their way to impress upon you that although God didn’t give them a pretty face, he gave them a great old big heart that knew no competition? What made your non-champion, you’re non-obedient titled dog one of the best you ever owned?

I’ve already told the story of a scaly little runt of a female puppy that my top producing champion bitch gave birth to. As I already said, other breeders would have perhaps let her go to puppy dog Heaven. But against all odds, I literally breathed life into this puppy’s lungs to give her every chance to live. And live she did. Yup, she was a homely little thing alright having to fight for her drink of momma’s milk or her place at the puppy dog’s dish of food, but it was her will to live, her will to survive that seen her through her life. She lived to a ripe old age loving life on a farm in New York.

What makes a champion a champion is the dog that shows with a lot of heart. He shows his heart out for his owner. He commands the ring and defies you not to notice him. He stands among his peers and never considers them as competition. Well the same thing can be said about the unattractive dog that no one else wants……there is something about him that makes him stand out. Perhaps it’s his tenacity, or his will to survive and never give up, or his claiming his right to his life that makes him stand out. He’s out to prove to the world that there is a reason he was born to begin with. Because this dog hasn’t been born with the superficial armor of beauty, he has to work extra hard to prove the beauty that’s in his heart.

The will to survive…………..the will to claim your God given right on this earth………is God’s gift to all his creatures. Some claim it and hold on against all odds!


From the book: “AMAZING GRACIE: A DOG'S TALE” - Now in paperback, AMAZING GRACIE is a moving, funny, and inspirational canine rags-to-riches story. "Tears will stain the pages as you read about Gracie," says USA Today. The Chicago Tribune advises, "If you're short on inspiration, read Amazing Gracie." "You don't have to be obsessed with dogs to love this story" (Philadelphia Enquirer), "Two paws up" (Portland Oregonian), "humorous yet poignant" (ASPCA Animal Watch). Booklist comments that "Dog-loving teens, especially reluctant readers, will eat this up." AMAZING GRACIE was nominated as a Young Adult Choice for 2002 by The International Reading Association-proof that it's a great crossover book.

Gracie was a deaf and partially blind albino Great Dane with a delicate constitution and a penchant for small miracles. Dan is the man-sad over the loss of his last dog and trapped in a dead-end job-who adopted her. Three Dog Bakery is the burgeoning and much-publicized chain of canine bakeries that, inspired by Gracie, Dan and his friend Mark founded. A love story, AMAZING GRACIE describes how Dan saves Gracie, the loneliest pup in the litter, then how, over the next ten years, Gracie saves Dan and Mark, teaching them the real meaning of happiness. There's the moment of meeting, when Gracie gets to her feet like a clumsy foal and nuzzles Dan's nose. Gracie's romance with the pint-size Boston Terrier next door. And the eureka moment (born of Gracie's anorexia-inducing dislike for commercial dog food): Dan teaches himself to cook and within three days begins baking the dog cookies that will transform their lives. AMAZING GRACIE is a dog-lover's treat.


My rating: Champion or not....a German Shepherd is a German Shepherd: (4)

WHAT WOULD YOUR LIFE BE LIKE WITHOUT A GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG?

I got the theme for this subject after being slobbered on for the umpteenth million time this morning by three German Shepherds running around the house like maniacs! One has a chewed up bone hanging out her mouth that can no longer be distinguished as having ever belonged to any creature walking on this earth. The other one is trying to figure out how she’s going to get that “treasure” from her sister’s mouth. And the third one drops a limp, lifeless saliva encrusted stuffed toy on my lap. In between, they stop, gulp some water, come back to decorate my bare arms with their drool, smell my clothes, scratch their pleasingly plump bodies next to me assuring that some more stray hairs land on my keyboard. And the “Dog Whisperer” tells us to remain calm and assertive. I throw calm out the window and in my most assertive voice, yell (scream) “I’ve had enough.” I still can’t figure out how they can stand there with those “cow brown eyes” wagging their tail loving me anyway when two of them are shown the back door!

In the morning one likes to drink their cup of coffee, relax, open up their e-mails or look at the morning newspaper. If you’re a writer and anything like I am, I need and demand “quiet!” I can’t concentrate otherwise. I think my Amber must think I’m nuts sometimes because she’s the whining (I need lots of attention) type of dog. She lives in the house all day with me and many a time she is told to go to her bed when she’s in one of her “demanding” moods. She knows what I mean too because after a little fuss, I point the finger towards the other room and tell her to get into her bed.

So these are just some of the fun reasons why I “love” owning a German Shepherd. I wonder what my life would be like without them. Now let me think about this…..

I’d be wealthier for one thing. No more buying Holistic or natural food. No more looking for the meat bargains at the supper market to add to their diet. Oh yeah, no more buying a special supplement to add to their food. No more vet bills. No grooming bills. No more buying grooming supplies. There would be no need for a dog run in my yard. There would be no dog houses. No kiddie’s pools. No expensive dog toys. No more worn out bones to decorate my living room rug. There would be no need to upgrade my car to a van. No need to invest any money for cushy dog beds to line the corners of my den. No need to buy an industrial strength vacuum cleaner to pick up your never ending dog hair!

I would no longer have the need to call one of those dog handlers to show my dog at the local specialty club. No spending money on entry fees. No traveling expenses. I wouldn’t have to stay at one of those “Super 8” motels anymore. No more eating those shriveled up hot dogs that they pass off as food at the shows. Oh yeah, no more having my dog grab the rest of that hot dog when my head is turned talking to Gertrude who stops to have a chat.

No more stud fees. No more shipping my bitch across the country. No more x-rays to see how many little darlings we can expect. No spending money on the OFA for my dog’s hips and elbows. No buying a whelping box. No puppy food and supplements. No worming medicines. No need to buy any dog crates. Oh yes, and no more dealing with annoying puppy people!!!!!!!!!!

No more planning my vacation around the National Specialty show. I mean who wants to go to “Anyplace, USA” in some cow pasture when I could be lying on the pink sands of Tahiti instead?

Gee after looking at these last few paragraphs, I feel richer already! So if money is no problem for you, let’s take a look at all the other things you’d miss without a German Shepherd Dog in your life.

There would be no need to wrestle a dog to the floor to clip their nails. There wouldn’t even be a reason for me to buy those “tasty” dog treats to bribe them with to do their nails in the first place. There wouldn’t be one single dog hair on my floors, my clothes, my computer, my car or any other place for that matter. They’d be no more muddy footprints decorating my floors. No more doggies breathe. Just think, no more doggie aroma assaulting my nostrils!

There would be no more jumping up on the counters, the stove, the table top or any other place that a food morsel may have been left behind. No more smudges on the sliding glass door or the living room window. My windows in my car would be free from this assault as well. No nudging me while I’m cooking dinner hoping I’ll share a piece of whatever it is smelling so “gosh darn good!” No more following me into the bathroom or hearing you scrape at the door if I close it in your nosy little face.

There would be no more cleaning up soiled dog runs. No more bleach splashing on my once dark pants. No more looking like a rag woman because I’m too tired to go to the beauty parlor after taking care of you all day. No more brushing your coat to make you look pretty. Now I’ll brush my hair to make me look pretty.

No more nose up my butt. No more tripping over you because when I turn around…..there you are! No more breaking my ankles on you scattered toys all over the house. No more listening to you snoring. No more sharing my favorite pillow with you. No more opening the back door telling you to be quiet with your unwelcome barking. No more interruptions from you while I’m talking on the telephone. Finally I could get an insurance company that wouldn’t hang up on me when he asks me what breed of dog I have.

Oh yes, life is beginning to feel simpler and better already. Yes sir, there’s more money in my pocket. I’ve got a cleaner house and a cleaner car. No more yellow stains on my lawn. You betcha’ life is good……..richer, but really poorer. Cleaner……but who cares anyway? Oh yeah and a whole lot lonelier! No more “laugh out loud” silly moments. No more unconditional love. No more loyal companion by my side. Oh no is that somebody trying to break in my cleaner bigger house? He’s after all my riches! Where is that darn dog when I need him anyway? I forgot I chose not have a dog in my life anymore!


My rating: owning a German Shepherd Dog: (4), not owning any pets: (1)

WORKING UP A SWEAT

When’s the last time you and your dog worked up a sweat together? After having high temperatures and even higher humidity these last few days in New York, today is beautiful. As I write this the sun is shining and its only 65 degrees this morning. The weatherman promises it’s not going to be any hotter than 76 degrees today. This is the type of day to get out and enjoy nature. Yes sir, I like this day all ready!

What kinds of things do you do to have fun with your dogs? Do you take them hiking? Do you go swimming with them? How do you take advantage of a beautiful day like this to enjoy with your dogs? I have been really bad about getting my dogs out. “Amber” and “Bu” love to go for walks. “Jess” is not really thrilled with it. She’d rather be home eating something! The trick for me today will be to get them all out one by one. The problem is when you take one out, the rest carry on screaming and complaining.

Oh I tried taking two of them out together. One day, I took the two sisters out to a local park with trails around the outside of the lawn. Let me tell you that was a big mistake. You try to do something fun and it was more aggravation than anything else. I should have known better than that with my two “wild childs!” All they did was crisscrossing one another and tangling up the leashes more than I care to remember. So “OK, I shout……I’ve had enough. Your sorry little butts are going back to the car.” So we turn around and do the same thing with twisting up the leashes while desperately trying to make it back to the car. You want to build up a sweat? There you go. Try handling two uncontrollable youngsters. Caesar Milan where are you when I need you?

I live at the bottom of a mountain. My mother all ways called this God’s little mountain. And right she was. When you go hiking up the mountain, the noise and the traffic slowly diminishes the higher you climb. All of a sudden you become very aware of the stillness and the silence. You truly are one with nature.

One day I took Amber up the mountain. This used to be a routine of ours as part of her exercise program. I’d walk her up part of the trail on a leash. When we got safely away from the road, I’d let her run loose. “Yee haw!” She loved it. Freedom at last. I was all ways aware of the danger of being in the woods and the many wild animals that we share these woods with. It would all ways make me a bit nervous. You never know what you may run into when you least expect it. On this day, we ran into a bunch of deer. “Amber” saw them and she was in hot pursuit. They took off so quickly up over the hill, she stopped as if to say, “Where did they go?” Thank God I put basic obedience training in her. I called her back to me because she knew when she came; she’d be rewarded with those treats that I all ways carried in my pocket when going out for a walk. My biggest fear was that we might run into a black bear. We never did. Thank God.

German Shepherds love to go everywhere with their owners. Exploring the woods and trails of a mountain excites their senses. “Bu” is at her happiest when she’s exploring things. Her tail never stops wagging. My biggest concern this time of year is those little nasty cousins of the yucky spiders known as the tick. I no longer use any of those poisons on my dogs. Every day they get sprayed with lavender oil mixed with water. I haven’t found any ticks on them for these last two summers. However, I haven’t taken them for a walk in the woods in a long time either.

Because our dogs are great companions, it’s a shame if we don’t include them in more of our outdoor activities. My first German Shepherd I used to take hiking with me. We’d take her to a river and she loved to go swimming. She was the type of dog that would try anything as long as she was doing it with us, she was happy. Only problem with Helga is that you didn’t want her swimming too close to you. She’d run you over with her “doggie paddle” style of splashing and kicking. Get too close and she would almost drown you.

Through out the years, I would buy my dogs those kiddie pools to splash around in. They loved it. It was an inexpensive way for them to have fun and at the same time keep themselves cooled off. “Rajah” loved to just lay down in it. He was so dark so he’d really feel the heat of the sun more than some of the other ones.

When I lived in Westchester, my friend Nancy Vaught (Masstana Shepherds) and I used to go out several times a week to exercise our dogs. We would each take a couple of our dogs to the Pound Ridge Reservation and go hiking with them on the trails. I’d take my “Xanadu” and maybe one or two of the others and Nancy would take whoever it was that she was trying to condition for an upcoming show. We never had a problem with any of our dogs getting in to a scuffle. They all knew that they were there to have fun. Some of the trails winded along side of streams that followed us on our long walks. Another time we’d take another path. You know what looking back at those days, I don’t remember ever having problems with ticks. I wasn’t treating my dogs with anything like they have now like Frontline. I might have been using a flea collar, but I don’t remember. This was back in the 80’s. We never ran into any wild animals but we would occasionally hear a deer or two off in the distance. Those were the good old days.

My friend Lorraine Cohen and her husband Marc take their dogs sailing all the time. She’s sent me pictures of some of the dogs on the boat in the past but unfortunately I didn’t save them. She’s been sailing with her dogs for years. All those years ago, she would take her Select Kharu with her. Now her Select Annie and the younger generation go sailing.

Even taking your dog for a walk around the neighborhood can be very rewarding for you and your dog. It’s great exercise for the both of you. It’s a great way to socialize your dog and it’s a great way to bond with your animal. Any dog at any age loves to take a walk. It’s all about him exploring and being with you. Dog shows are fun, but hiking with your dog is even better.

So what kinds of things do you do with your dog? Are you having fun with him? So now that I wrote this short little article, it looks like I’m going to have to get off of my “posterior” and break out in a sweat. It’s summertime and the living is easy……


Hiking Camp Travel Backpack:   Head to the mountain with confidence with the Cuscus 75+10L internal frame backpack. This multiday mountaineering pack is made of high-quality polyester, and features a sizable 75 liters (5,400 cubic inches) of storage. There's plenty of room for clothes and gear in the large main compartment, which offers top and bottom access. You can also store smaller gear in the variety of accessory pockets, which include two large side zippered pockets, two front zippered pockets, two side stretch pockets (ideal for water bottles), and a top lid pocket for items like a compass, maps, or rain gear. And hikers have the option of storing a sleeping bag inside the separate sleeping bag compartment, which includes a detachable divider, or outside the bag via a series of straps.  Most importantly for serious trekkers, the pack is comfortable and supportive, with a heavily padded back panel, shoulder straps, and waist straps. Other features include extra webbing holders for attaching additional gear outside the pack, tightening straps with buckles for securing the pack, a water-resistant PVC coating; and a removable internal frame.

My rating:  exercising with your dog:  (4), raising couch potatoes:  (1)

I CAN'T BELIEVE HE ATE THE WHOLE THING!

I was watching a very interesting program on one of the Animal channels last night. It was a show about dogs that love to eat everything that they can get their mouths on…….and the problems that can arise because of it. Some dogs you can leave in the house all day and they never get into trouble. Other dogs you can’t leave alone a minute in the house by themselves before they get something in their mouth. The simplest little thing that they can get in their mouths may turn deadly.

On this television show that I was watching it showed a few different breeds of dogs and one of them was a German Shepherd mix. This dog was eating rocks. It seems his owners had a cookout and someone threw the grease from the food on the rocks in the yard. Well this dog proceeded to lick and then eat the rocks even after the owners picked up what they could of the greasy rocks. Every time this dog went outside, back to the pile of rocks he would go. Obviously even after the rocks were picked up, some of the grease smell remained. Long story short, the dog became ill and started throwing up.

When this dog was taken to the vet, they x-rayed him and were shocked at what they saw. He didn’t eat just a few rocks; he looked like he cleared most of the backyard of any rocks at all. His insides were loaded with rocks! Emergency surgery was performed and they removed all of the rocks from his intestines. He was lucky because he recovered and acted once again like his happy self. Now his owners never let him outside unless they are there to watch him.

Another dog swallowed a very long object which when removed turned out to be a plastic clothes hanger. It was so long. I don’t know how this Bull Dog swallowed that. Then there was a dog that swallowed some glue from a bottle. He became very sick and was throwing up all over the house. When they x-rayed him, the glue had expanded in the dog’s stomach and became a mass. Thank God they were able to operate and remove the mass. However, he had also swallowed some small pieces of metal and because of the glue mass; the metal didn’t puncture any of his organs.

It is very scary thinking of what some of our dogs put into their mouths and swallow. My very first German Shepherd that I owned was a notorious rock chewer. She had the worn down teeth to show for it! She was a couple of years old and her teeth made her look like she was a senior citizen already! I don’t know why she had the desire to want to chew on rocks.

Other dogs love to chew on sticks. This is especially true of puppies. Puppies put everything in their mouths. Sticks can be very dangerous as they can splinter and get lodged in the animal’ mouth or puncture his intestines. So although the puppy may love to chew on sticks, don’t allow him to. He might be satisfying his need to chew on something, but this can cost the dog his life.

Any sponges or rubber type material if swallowed can swell inside the dog’s intestines. Sharp objects if swallowed can puncture the stomach or intestines. These types of things can cause blockages or lacerations and can kill the dog. Surgically removing these objects as soon as possible can save his life.

If the blockage is high up in the intestinal tract, projectile vomiting will occur and the dog may not be interested in eating. If the blockage is lower down this too can cause vomiting but it will be less frequent, dark brown and smell like feces. The abdomen will also swell. If you see your dog has a hard time going to the bathroom, is throwing up, or pacing around, don’t hesitate, get him to the vet right away.

Many times the dog will pass the object that he has swallowed when he goes to the bathroom. Not everything that he swallows will cause him a problem. Dogs are constantly putting things in their mouths. You just have to notice if he’s acting differently and something is bothering him. If he’s throwing up and not wanting to eat, these are signs that he may be in trouble.

If the dog has swallowed something that he can’t pass, the tissues around the obstruction may swell and hinder the flow of blood. If this happens, the tissues can die. His tummy is very tender and it can feel hard as a board. After a while, he will go into shock and his gums will become pale and he may collapse. If this happens, wrap the dog in a blanket to keep him warm and put a drop or two of Karo syrup and honey on his gums to help keep him conscious. Then get him to the vet immediately!

A dog that has had a bowel obstruction must be carefully watched for he is now at a risk to repeat this same thing again. Besides watching that he doesn’t eat anything that he shouldn’t, this dog may have developed scar tissue insides his intestines which may make it more difficult for even small items to pass. These are not dogs that you want to give bones or rawhide to.

The other dog on last nights program, I saved for last as I couldn’t believe how the owner had to go about removing the object from her dog. It seems the woman of the house took her engagement ring off and left it on her night table. The next morning when she went to put her ring back on, it was gone. She searched high and low for it, but no ring. She noticed her dog (a Rottie) sniffing at her night table. She didn’t want to believe that he could be the thieve. Just to make sure, she took him into the vets and had him x-rayed. Sure enough, there it was right on the x-ray film. She couldn’t believe it. Now let me back up here a moment. Up to the time that she took her dog into the vets, every time that she let her dog out to go to the bathroom, she had plastic gloves on and she would go throw his “poop” looking for her engagement ring. YUCKY! But she was determined to find the ring. He never passed it. Now that she saw that he did indeed hold her ring “captured” in his intestinal track, she was more than ever determined to get it back to its rightful owner!

So they loaded the dog up with more food than usual and being that he was a good eater, he readily accepted whatever they gave him. She took him out for a walk on a leash and this time, she didn’t have her gloves on and yup, she went through his poop like a mad woman (remember she was on a quest…..he had something that belonged to her!) and “ta da!”…………out came her diamond ring. She was like a little girl that had just won the lottery. She picked up her smelly, dirty ring and ran back in the house excitedly proclaiming her victory!!!

So although this last story was a (laugh out loud) moment and her dog was fine, not all stories end on such a happy note. So watch your dog. Be careful what you leave on a table or counter. Small bottles of pills, glue, pins, needles…….put them in a cabinet so the nosy dog doesn’t get them. Keep him out of the garbage can. Don’t leave him in a garage or basement where he may get into anti-freeze, motor oils or other dangerous chemicals!

Watch what food you may leave on a counter or stove top. One person that may be reading this now told me last week about her new German import stealing a big hunk of meat off the counter! Another person called me two weeks ago and told me about their Pit Bull mix devouring the huge ham bone and trimmings at only six months old. Dogs are smart. They know the good stuff is up on the counters, table or stove. Don’t leave your dog any “invitations” because most of them won’t decline!



From the books description: It's every pet owner's nightmare: suddenly your four-legged friend isn't breathing. What to do? There is no 911 for pets, so it's up to you to save a life. The First Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats is a straightforward guide that covers both major problems--CPR, heat stroke, and strangulation--and minor ones, such as swollen tails, ingrown nails, and flea allergies. Beginning with simple tests and explanations of general care issues like dehydration examinations and triage, this guide then moves on to an alphabetical listing of every possible situation, from arrow wounds to worms.
The individual sections are good for both general reading and instant assistance. Each one starts with a notice of when to call the vet--immediately, the same day, or as needed. It also lists what items from your pet's medicine chest will be needed, which may include anything from corn syrup to towels and panty hose. The information that follows this simple checklist is divided into "do this now," "special situations," "follow-up care," and "the best approach."


My rating: chewing sticks and stones: (1), vet visit: (4, having a first aid kit and/or book: (4)

TO ALL THE DOGS I'VE LOVED BEFORE

To all the dogs I’ve loved before……..who traveled in and out my door………

From my very first scruffy looking, long haired black and silver coated pup to my top producing champion ROM bitch to my “wild child” and my girl who likes being pregnant so much that even when she’s not, she thinks she is! From my piano playing dog to my vacuum attacking “watch dog”…….they’ve all contributed to my life with dogs. Then there’s the 105 lb. male who scaled his six foot kennel to be with his half sister in her run, to the “escape artist”, who led half my kennel down the street for a leisurely walk on a spring like day. Yes sir, these dogs certainly did add some excitement to my otherwise “normal” existence. That cut on my finger, that bruise on my knee, that scar on my arm and the scars on my heart…….all reminders of all the dogs I’ve loved before.

Photographs of my dogs encircled in ordinary looking black frames line the walls of my family room as constant reminders of a happy and rewarding past. Maryland, Georgia, New York, Rhode Island, Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey are just some of the places we visited to take some of those blue ribbons home. Tolls paid, hotels stayed in, jets flown across the miles, handler’s bonuses, pictures taken…….all reminders of all the dogs I’ve loved before.

Stud dog services, bitches bred, puppies born, some live, some die, some stay, and some go bye bye. Good breeding, bad breeding, superstars, mediocre stock, ears up, ears down, full mouth, and missing teeth too……not in my line……must be your line. Good temperament, bad temperament, American lines, German lines, Champion titles, Obedience titles, ROM’s, some make it, some don’t, some are capable, and some aren’t. It matters not, because all were special and unique in their own way and they were part of all the dogs I’ve loved before.

Some dogs long gone still come back to pay me a visit every now and then in my dreams. How I wish they would do that more often. They tease me for just a little while, running through my dreams and I never can reach out to touch them long enough because I awaken and then they are gone. It’s unfair. They make me long for them and I carry that dream with me throughout the day. Longing but never having…..they play with me just long enough to remind me of how much I truly miss them because they were a part of all the dogs I’ve loved before.

Empty dog bowls, worn out collars and leashes, dried up dog bones, and ragged stuffed toys lay on scratched up floors and discolored carpets. A smudge still left on a window, a lone dog hair scattered here and there…..all reminders of all the dogs I’ve loved before.

Smart dogs, scheming dogs, spoiled dogs, lazy dogs, my “heart dogs”…..they all had different personalities and temperaments. Black and tan dogs, sable dogs, and black dogs too, coated dogs, light dogs, dark dogs, they all had different colored coats, but they were part of all the dogs that I’ve loved before.

You came in that door over there with your muddy paw prints to decorate my floor. You went out that same door everyday to bark a “good morning” to everyone in the neighborhood whether they were up or not. You were a fence runner. You were a fence climber. You liked to dig holes in my yard and you liked to dig up my flower beds. You were a dirt eater and then you were a “poop” eater. Never could cure you of that habit. You never seemed to mind. You didn’t think you needed a cure. The good, the bad and the ugly; just reminders of all the dogs I’ve loved before.

Puppy dog shots and dog worming too. Oh don’t forget about the rabies shot or Uncle Sam will come and get you. Heart worm medicine, flea and tick medicine as well. Pay lots of dollars to poison my dog but it’s all done to ensure his good health. Holistic dog food, natural ones too, or if you like the stores own genetic ones are available as well. No soy, no wheat, no additives but how about some “road kill” just to add a little spice? More health problems, more illnesses, and more vet bills. Just a part of the joy of dog ownership and all the dogs I’ve loved before.

Lessons learned. Lessons taught. Some learned quickly. Others presented more of a challenge. Some were eager to please. Others looked to be pleased. Some loved rides in the car. Others decorated the back seat as a reminder of how much they didn’t like rides in the car. Beds shared. Sofa’s as well. Pillow stealer. Food grubber. Scratches on my back door. Toilet bowl drinker. Cold, wet noses. Kisses on my cheek. Bad breath in my face. Neighbors refuse to come for coffee because the dogs are in the house. Aunt Mildred called and said she won’t be coming for Thanksgiving dinner this year because of the stray dog hair she found in her mashed potatoes last year. Oh yes, all parts of all the dogs I’ve loved before.

I loved you best, than you next, and you were always a little pain in the neck. You listened to me, and you didn’t. You wanted your own way and most of the time you got it. You on the other hand took whatever you could get. You were first. You were alpha. You were the underdog. You were the pick of the litter. You were the runt. But no matter what pecking order you fell in, you were all a part of the dogs I loved before.

So now I live with some new and different dogs that may be a combination of any of the different personalities that I once shared my life with. Will I love them the same? Will I love them more? I don’t know yet, until they too are no longer here and become just a memory and a part of all the dogs I’ve loved before!

Photo albums and show dog catalogs lay sprawled on my coffee table. Some of you are on those pages as a testament to the life you once lived. Life ended too quickly, gone too fast. I can’t keep up. Here one day, gone the next. I can no longer wrap my arms around you, but you’ve wrapped your love around my heart. You learned from me. I learned from you. I gave you my love. You gave me yours. But I’m afraid I’ve fallen short because you loved without question. But I on the other hand questioned how I could love a dog so gosh darn much! Just another lesson to be learned from all the dogs I’ve loved before!


My rating: living with dogs: (4)


From the book: THE OTHER END OF THE LEASH; WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO AROUND DOGS.....It matters greatly that people who love dogs understand enough about them to provide a good environment, writes McConnell (Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage Your Multi-dog Household) in her thoughtful exposition on improving human-canine communication. An animal behaviorist and adjunct professor of zoology at the University of Wisconsin Madison, McConnell offers sound advice for dog owners: Pay attention to your own behavior. Believe me, your dog is. Drawing on anecdotes from her professional practice (she specializes in canine behavior problems), research into the work of other dog trainers and personal experiences with her beloved Border collies, the author explains how a dog might be misinterpreting signals from its owner. For example, although humans express affection through hugs, a dog may feel threatened by them. McConnell also provides tips on how to play safely with dogs (she recommends games of fetch rather than rough-and-tumble wrestling) and how to get them to do what you want (the best way to get a dog to stop demanding attention is simply to break off visual contact). She has harsh words for trainers who tell owners to establish dominance over dogs by behaving aggressively to them when they are young, and also for owners of puppy mills. These dog factories, she says, create damaged animals and unsuitable pets. This is a helpful guide for pet owners by a specialist who clearly loves her work.

A COUPLE OF THINGS TO MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER

I’m always researching different things to write about and I love it when I find products that I think are worth your while to check into. Today I’m reviewing two products….nothing you haven’t heard of before, but you might want to check into if you don’t already use them.

The first one is the “StarMark Clicker Dog Training System.” If you’ve never tried clicker training, you should really give it a try. Not only is an excellent way to help obedience train your dog, but it is a great double handling tool as well. It’s small and compact and can fit right in your pocket. If I take one of the dogs in the car with me and I stop at a store, I have the clicker in my pocket. When I come out of the store, I click it and if the dog is lying down in the back seat, he gets up quickly knowing that I’m walking towards the car. Using the clicker will get his attention all the time. It’s also funny to watch the reactions from people walking across the parking lot as well knowing that they’re hearing something and they don’t know where it’s coming from. They are great to take with you if you are taking your dogs on a hike. Many times the dogs love to go off and investigate on their own if they are off the leash. Give a couple of clicks on this gadget and you’ll see that they’ll run back to you once again. These little gadgets are so inexpensive, that I have a couple of them. One I take with me when I go out with the dogs and the other one remains at home. If you want to get your dogs attention fast, the use of this clicker will do it!

From the description of the product: The StarMark Clicker Training System is based on the scientific principles of Classical and Operant Conditioning, 2 proven and well-respected methods of modifying your dog’s behavior and enhancing his training experience. Teach him to repeat behaviors that lead to rewards. The ergonomic Clicker fits comfortably in your hand and features an easy-to-press raised button and a stainless steel rust-resistant clicker element. To reward your dog, click the button and give your pet a treat, so he will learn to associate that action with a reward. Use the included step-by-step training guide for complete details. The guide is approved by the Training Directors of Triple Crown Academy. Clicker attaches easily to a keychain or lanyard, so you can always have it close by.

The other product that I came across today, I thought fit in so well with the clicker system so that’s why I’m including it here as well. It’s called the Canine Hardware Treat Tote. Can I tell you how much I love this handy little tote idea? It’s simplistic in concept but so functional in design. How many times do you put a dog cookie or treat in your pocket, forget that it’s there and when you remember it, the treat is not anything but crumbles? I hate that when it happens. Now you can clip this little tote on your belt and forget about the mess you would normally have in your pocket. It’s small enough to wear and for those who are “fashion conscious” it comes in a choice of colors. It also comes in small and large sizes.

From the product description: Perfect for afternoons in the park or training sessions, the Treat Tote is a small pouch designed to carry a handful of treats for your dog. The versatile Treat Tote has a specially designed clip that slips onto your pocket or belt. Keep crumbs out of your pocket and a smile on your dog's face.

I think these two products work well in conjunction with one another. If you are training your dog with the Clicker program, you would be giving him a treat as a reward. So if you have to carry the treat with you, don’t mess up your pockets, try something like the treat tote. In my opinion, both of these products work well together.

Both of these products are inexpensive but can be so rewarding to the pet owner, trainer, or show person. It’s a win – win solution!


My rating: Clicker system: (4), Treat tote: (4)

THE WELLNESS SUPER 5 MIX DRY DOG FOOD

The Wellness recipe for dogs was first introduced in 1997, but the company began doing research in the early 1990’s by working with a team of animal nutrition experts, veterinarians and scientists to develop their brand of dog food that they would be proud to put their name on. They created a food that was nutritionally balanced and contained only whole foods with no wheat, corn, soy, preservatives, artificial colors and flavors. The company’s philosophy is food is the first step to a long, happy and healthy life and a proper diet can be a preventative step to combat future ill-health.

Recently I had the opportunity to try one of this companies top sellers; Wellness Super 5 Mix. Their Super5Mix recipes represent a synergistic combination of natural ingredients. This food contains natural, premium ingredients which include pure protein sources and wholesome grains. Then they combine them with their unique mix of complementary nutritional supplements. They call it their 5 for Life Supplement System. They add fruits and vegetables for their antioxidant power, phytonutrient rich botanicals and herbs for wellbeing, and utilize omega-fatty acids for cellular function. They also include essential vitamins, chelated minerals and active probiotic cultures. Anyone who has been reading my blog knows that I am a big fan of probiotics especially for the sensitive digestive track of the German Shepherd Dog.

Their Wellness Super 5 Mix comes in a variety of yummy flavors that your dog is sure to enjoy. Wellness uses premium meats: deboned chicken, New Zealand lamb, and ocean whitefish. I chose the chicken formula for my dogs. My dogs readily ate this food with not a crumb left in their bowls. I am happy to report that their stools were firm and not loose which is always a concern of mine when trying a new food.

What does their trademarked “5 for Life Supplement” mean? With the exception of their Whitefish and sweet potato recipe, which is a limited ingredient diet, the rest of the meat varieties contain fruit and veggie antioxidants, Omega 3 & 6 which are essential fatty acids for cellular function and healthy skin, a botanical blend, essential vitamins & minerals for cellular health, immunity and disease resistance and ActiCoat with live active probiotics which are added after the cooking process to promote a healthy intestinal tract and overall digestive health.

Wellness recipes include guaranteed levels of key nutrients like Taurine for optimal heart health and a combination of Glucosamine and Chondroitin to promote joint health. Calcium, Phosphorus, Vitamin E, Beta Carotene & Lycopene are also at guaranteed levels.

The first eight ingredients in the Chicken formula that I chose for my dogs are: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Ground Barley, Ground Brown Rice, Tomato Pomace, Rye Flour and Canola Oil. The protein level is 22 and the fat level is 12 so this made me feel positive about this food as well. The protein level wasn’t very high and I liked that.

Every year, the Whole Dog Journal, a respected guide to natural dog care, reviews dry dog foods and compiles the "Approved Dry Dog Foods" list. For 10 years Wellness has made the list and they are proud they made this list again this year.

The Wellness Company is so sure that your dog will love their food that if for any reason that he doesn’t, you can get a full refund of your money. Now that’s what I like to see is a company that stands behind their products. They know that if your dog is happy then the consumer is happy and happy customers are life long customers.

I was hoping to be able to review this company’s grain free product called “Core,” but I haven’t gotten a chance to try this yet. I hope to in the near future and at that time I will do a review on that one as well. For now though, my dogs and myself were very happy with the Wellness Super 5 Mix. I think it is a product that will be beneficial to breeding and show animals as well as anyone’s beloved pets. The company also makes allergy formulas, canned food and treats all with the health of your dog in mind. To check out more information about the Wellness brand of dog foods, just go on their website at: http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/

My rating: quality: (4), value: (4)

HOW ABOUT A TRICK FOR A TREAT?

Many of us try to feed the best dog food that we can afford. I try to feed my dogs natural or holistic types of foods. I was in the supermarket yesterday doing my grocery shopping and I always see what coupons (I’m a coupon Queen) I have for my dog’s snacks. Let me tell you, I must have read practically every ingredient label on the boxes of dog biscuits or treats they had on the shelves. Most all of them list wheat as the first ingredient, and then you’ll see the other unsavory ingredients like corn, by products, soy, etc. listed next. So here I am writing about the benefits of feeding natural ingredients in our dog’s food and I’m looking for dog treats in the grocery aisle of the supermarket!

Two days ago I got an e-mail sent to me from the Director of Brand Marketing for the dog food that I recently reviewed called Organix. He sent me an article that his company Castor and Pollux who produces this food was just honored by Dog Fancy magazine as the top new product for dogs. This product is called “Good Buddy Mac and cheese” dog biscuits. I admit that I've never used it for my dogs yet. Part of the sales of this dog treat goes to feed shelter animals. This company donated meals for 750,000 shelter animals last year!

Buying treats in the pet stores can be very expensive and it’s rare to have a coupon to buy them with. One of my dog’s favorite dog biscuits from these types of stores is the Canidae dog biscuits. These are the ones that snap in half so you can divide them among two dogs. They go nuts for these cookies. But they’re not cheap.

Some people give their dogs fruits and vegetables. I read that some breeders give their dog’s sweet potato’s which is a healthy alternative for snacking. If my dog’s are in the mood and nothing else is being offered to them on that day, they’ll eat carrots. My dogs are excellent eaters so they’ll eat most anything that’s offered to them, but carrots they can take or leave.

Even if you buy your dog’s treats in a pet store, always read the label. It doesn’t mean because it’s more expensive that it’s any better for them. They can still be selling the same ingredients in their biscuits as you would find in the grocery store only with a fancier label.

I’m not a baker. I like to cook, but I won’t win any awards for my baking expertise. There are recipes for dog biscuits that some people will bake for their canine friends. This way you know what’s in his cookie and you don’t need to use any preservatives. This is probably a whole lot cheaper to do than to buy the commercial brand of treats and a heck of a lot healthier. As I’m writing this, I’m thinking of doing this myself if I can find an easy recipe to follow. I’d probably save myself a whole lot of money! Does anyone have any great recipes for dog cookies or treats? Here are a couple of recipes that I found on the internet you may want to try.

PUMPKIN WAFERS DOG TREATS
• One 15 oz. can mashed pure pumpkin (NOT the spiced pie filling)
• 3/4 cup cream of wheat (or rice cereal if wheat-sensitive) you can mix this dry--no need to cook it first
• 1/2 cup dry powdered milk
Directions: Preheat oven to 300 F.
Mix all ingredients together. Drop small spoonfuls (about half of a tablespoon) onto a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

FROZEN DOG TREATS (You can make these in ice cub trays)
• 1 tablespoons honey
• 3 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1 ripe banana --
• 16 ounces plain yogurt
Mix the peanut butter, honey, and fruit together until well blended—mash with a fork or use the blender. Add the fruit mixture to the yogurt and mix well. Freeze in ice cube trays. Crack trays and release treats as needed!
Mix all ingredients together. Drop small spoonfuls (I use about half of a tablespoon) onto a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

For any treats that you make (besides the frozen ones), you can store them in an air-tight container or put in the refrigerator.

I’m sure your dog/dogs will love most any treat that you give them. For my readers who are pet owners, please never give your dogs CHOCOLATE anything and no grapes or raisins either. Someone told me recently that they give grapes to their dogs and they’re little tiny toy dogs. I told her not to feed them grapes anymore especially the size of these little guys. They can be toxic! If you are unsure of what to avoid when feeding your dog, just do a search on the internet and it will list all of the foods to avoid giving to your dog.

Watch out for the trick or treaters tomorrow night. Make sure your dog doesn’t get into the kids candies and tell the children to leave the treating of the dogs to the adults.

I think giving dog’s snacks as a reward or training incentive is good for them. Or you can do what I do, give it to them just because I like to spoil them.

My rating: healthy, natural dog snacks: (4), supermarket brand snacks: (1 -2), homemade dog treats: (4)

THE DEFINITION OF LOVE - D-O-G-S!

I’m always amazed at how happy my dogs are to see me. I can roll out of bed, hair disheveled, with a cranky disposition talking to myself, with arthritic limbs limping across the floor and there stands my dog wiggling her body, making sounds of delight, tail knocking against everything, with eyes filled with love…………..how do they do that? If I go out of the house for just ten minutes and return, you would think by looking at the reaction of my dog that I’ve been gone for ten days! She’s jumping all over me, licking me, talking to me, and you would have thought she lost her best friend by the way she’s acting. And that’s just it……we are their best friends. We are their everything! How did we get so lucky?

Dogs don’t have any sense of time. So if we are gone ten minutes or ten days, it’s all the same to them……we were gone. That’s all he knows. Now we’ve returned and he’s so happy to see us again. Any time away from us is too long in the dog’s eyes. I told you in another article I’ve written, that I believe that dog’s are co-dependent animals. They’re attached to us at the hip. We know that all animals (in fact all living things) have a purpose here on earth. What’s the dog’s purpose? What reason was he put here? I feel God put him here to be a companion to man and what better companion can a man have than his dog?

When you think of it, it doesn’t take too much to make a dog happy. Food, water, and shelter are the requirements for all animals to live a normal life. However, the dog is the happiest when he is a part of our lives. Besides his basic needs, the dog has an enormous desire to be a part of our lives. The German Shepherd Dog is not content being a kennel dog. Because of his exceptional intelligence, he’s the happiest when given something to do and when he’s with us. These are hard working dogs, but at the same time a fun loving dog. He loves rides in the car, going to the park or beach. He loves taking a walk or a hike. Just watch how happy he is crashing through the woods or high grass. Watch him as he rolls on a freshly mowed lawn kicking his legs every which way. Life for the dog is wonderful. Why? Because he’s doing things with us. These are activities that require human interaction. This is when he’s at his best. It’s almost like he’s saying, “Look at me. Aren’t I smart? Aren’t I talented?” They love the applause and attention that they get when they are doing something with us. They thrive on the “good boy”, “good girl” reaction they receive from us!

Because the dog wants to please us so much, when we chastised them, you would think that their whole world just fell apart. No one can deny that these dogs are very emotional. Just take a look at the way they put their heads down, the lively brown eyes that we saw a few moments before are now “sad puppy dog” eyes. The tail may be tucked and he may slink across the floor and go lay down over in the corner. The one that he adores is unhappy with him and he reacts in a defeated “child like” way.

No where is there more of a pure love than what we receive from our dogs. Nothing is asked of us and so much is returned. If a person gets mad or deceives someone else, then the other person might hold a grudge or leave the deceiver. With dog’s, it doesn’t matter what you do to them; they’ll still love you no matter what. Stupid, you might say. Maybe even foolish some will say. The dog loves blindly……with no judgment or preconceived idea of what you should be or what you should look like. In his eyes, you are fine just the way you are! It’s amazing that they can love so strongly, yet they don’t hate. They may fear, but they don’t hate.

I am convinced that dogs are on another level of consciousness altogether than you or I are. Their senses are much more attuned to things than you and I am even aware of. They know when storms are coming sometimes before we do. They know when we are blue, lonely or depressed. They pick up on our emotions without being told that we are feeling that way. The dog can sense our moods. Many times their sense of smell can detect that we have a medical condition even before we know about it. If a dog’s owner dies, it’s not unheard of that the dog will moan the loss of his best friend.

It matters not what type of food you feed the dog, just as long as you feed him. It doesn’t matter that you don’t live in a mansion, just as long as he’s by your side. It doesn’t matter if you’re an old “fuddy duddy” just as long as you’re his “fuddy duddy!” It doesn’t matter to the dog that you just yelled at him to leave you alone and go lay down. Nope, just as long as you reach out and pet him once again. You can be miserable to the entire world that knows you, but to your dog you’re the best person on this earth.

The man may domesticate other animals and love them as much as he does his dog, but many times the other animals love is more restricted. No one makes a fool of themselves for their owner like the dog! Might as well face it, the dog is addicted to love!

When you think of it, the dog is a wolf that’s became domesticated. The wolf is a known predator that uses his intelligence when stalking his prey. When the wolf became a pet to man, he also became submissive to the human’s will. Make no mistake about the German Shepherd Dog (and in fact all dogs) that know how to read their masters and many times can play them to make the master do his will. They have learned through the years what works with us and what doesn’t. They’ve learned to “bargain” with us knowing if they do something we like, they’ll get rewarded for it. Some times they’re one step ahead of us.

When one thinks of all the love that they have had in their lifetime, I bet not one of them can compare to the love that they’ve received from their dog. No one could ever duplicate the purity, the selflessness, the forgiveness, the wholesomeness and joy that a dog is able to give. Oh we may have loved people better than our dogs, but we’ve never received from another person the kind of love that we receive from a dog. It’s impossible for a human to do! With a human’s love, there are too many conditions. With the dog’s love, the only condition is that you show up!

My rating: dogs love: (4), peoples love: (1 – 4)!

CANINE TEETH AND HEALTH

Anyone who has owned a number of dogs over the years will have lived with one or two that seems to have chronic bad breath. Nothing is more “yucky” then when your dog comes to give you a big slobbery kiss and his breathe just about knocks you out! We shouldn’t be surprised. If we can have bad breathe, so can our dogs and they eat a lot more unsavory “tidbits” than you or I do. For some reason when it comes to the care of our dogs, many of us forget to take care of our dog’s teeth. How often do we check his mouth and look at his teeth?

I had a big hunky male one time that had a stinky mouth. When he sat down next to me, which was often because he thought he was meant to be a lap dog, the smell that assaulted my nostrils was far from pleasant. He was a gentle giant so opening his mouth and looking at his teeth was no problem. He would get a brown stain on the top of his teeth running along his gum line. Looking back at what he liked to chew, his favorite toy was his Kong toy. Those toys are not good chew toys because they really can’t chew down on them like they can a bone. He didn’t like Nylabones, so that wasn’t an option. He was ball obsessed. So I had to take him to the vet to have his teeth professionally cleaned. They would knock him out and he’d come home with his “pearly whites” and all would be fine for awhile. But the stinky mouth returned and we would have to take him in to the vet periodically to have his teeth cleaned.

So what do you do to insure that your dog has good oral health? It’s very important to check your dogs’ mouth and teeth to make sure they are healthy. Red, swollen gums and tarter build up can produce gingivitis and disease. What can happen if your dogs’ teeth are not taken care of? The tarter build up can push the gums away from the teeth. This can allow food particles to get trapped and the tooth can become loosened and fall out. If tarter is not removed from the teeth, infection can occur. If not treated the infection can get in to the blood stream leading to disease of the kidneys and infection of the heart valves.

Sometimes the dog will have mouth problems not due to tarter build up. If you have a dog who loves to chew on sticks and stones and whatever else he can wrap his jaws around, it is the wise owner who checks on this type of dogs mouth more than usual. It is not unheard of that a dog will get a piece of the stick caught in between his teeth and infection begins.

There are a few different ways to help insure that your dog has good canine health. Training him at a young age to have his teeth brushed is wise, but let’s face it; it can be difficult with a squirming youngster. But like everything else, it all comes down to training the dog. Giving your dog bones to chew on helps with tarter build up. Also, like I had to do with my dog, taking him to your vet to have a professional cleaning will insure that he is getting the most thorough cleaning and inspection of his mouth. The drawback with this is that he’ll need to be put under anesthesia. Also it's very expensive. Then, there is the dog that is fed a raw diet. Many people believe that a dog fed this kind of diet has the healthiest teeth and gums because a raw diet consists many times of bones.

If you decide on your vet cleaning your dogs’ teeth and mouth, it will normally consist of four steps: scaling – removes the tarter above and below the gum line, polishing – smooths the surface to help prevent plague formation, flushing – removes dislodged tarter and the bacteria that accompanies it and fluoride for teeth sensitivity, strengths the enamel and future plague formation.

There are many stores and websites that carry canine toothbrushes, paste, gel, etc. to use for your dog. Check with your veterinarian what he suggests you use for your animal. Preventative care is the smartest thing we can do when taking care of our dogs and also the least expensive. It’s the problems that can arise when preventative care isn’t part of our dogs’ regular check up.

Expenses surrounding our dog’s teeth and mouth can be relatively inexpensive when purchasing the brushes, paste and gels. It’s when your dog runs into trouble and his teeth haven’t been checked and infection sets in. Then you can be looking at thousands of dollars in medical bills.

In doing research for this article, I’ve learned that there are dog vet dentists who specialize in the oral care and surgery of the dog’s mouth. Let’s hope that we never have to call upon their services.

My rating: importance of oral health care: (4) preventative treatments: bones (3) brushing(4) vet cleaning (4) raw diet (4)