Friday's Favorite Foto: Kip

Kip's motto: "Always be prepared".
 

Have bowl will travel...

Thursday's Tip: Surviving the Winter Months

Living in sunny (hah!) California, I am used to getting out and getting exercise.  But it has been raining (a lot) lately, and my humans have been challenged about making sure I don't become a couch potato. 

Cesar Milan recently posted an article on how to survive the winter months in certain parts of the country, and gave some excellent advice on "Indoor Exercise".  Essentially he challenges humans to get creative and find ways to keep your canines moving.

Our house has a fairly open format, so my hu-mom and hu-man will play indoor fetch with me.  They will throw the ball from one room to another and I'll run and "get it", then bring it back for them to do it again.  My hu-mom will also take me in one room of the house, ask me to "sit" and "stay", then she will go into another part of the house and yell, "come!"  I always take off on a dead run to find her and as soon as I do, she gives me a big scratch behind my ear, tells me I'm a good girl, and we do it all over again...and again... 

We also play tug (my favorite!) or I'll be asked to perform all of the tricks I have learned.

So, as you can see, snow and rain don't relegate you to the couch -- there is great fun and exercise to be had indoors too! 

How do you keep fit during the winter?  I would love to hear about it.  ~Zoe

Tuesday's Telling:

Today I'd like to remind you of two things...
First, there is a benefit BBQ for Cooper Giron this Saturday.  The family is hoping to raise the last of the funds needed to get Cooper's service dog AND training.

The BBQ is...

Date: Saturday, January 30

Time: 11AM to 3PM

Place: Luthern Church of Our Savior, 4725 South Bradley, Orcutt, CA 93455

Menu: Tri-Tip Sandwich, Chips & Soda

Donation: $7.00

And don't forget, there will be snow for the children to play in!

Second, I shared a bit about Whar-Wolf rescue.  This really is a very worthy organization and if you would like to know more...or donate to the cause, please visit the Whar-Wolf website at http://www.whar.org/.  In the meantime, here are some fun and interesting facts about Wolves and Hybrid Wolves (from the Whar-Wolf website):

• Most wolf and wolf mixes can assess humans by their body language and scent. Eye contact is also important when trying to communicate with these animals. Too much can create tension and not enough shows weakness.
• Captive born female Wolves and Hybrid Wolves will dig a den in captivity with any and all offspring helping regardless of the female being pregnant or sterilized.
• Most Wolves and Hybrid Wolves can sense sickness and disease in humans. Everything from the common cold to major diseases.
• Most Wolves and Hybrid Wolves howl frequently. The reason for this has never been completely figured out. Some say it's a release of energy, others an emotional expression, and others a communication method. Regardless of the true reason, there is nothing like being surrounded by a chorus of howling animals.
• Wolves and Hybrid Wolves are very territorial. Any property within their sight range, is thought to be their own. Scent marking happens automatically both from males and females. Most animals try to mark the property every few feet and frequently each week. Most males will automatically mark after their females.
• In a wild wolf pack, an omega has the important role of ensighting play and diffusing tension. The middle of beta role is that of the scout and second in command. While the Alpha male and female are in charge of initiating the hunts and reproduction of pups.
• Most Wolf pups are born with blue/gray eyes that later turn yellow, amber, yellow-green, yellow-brown, or even brown, but never black.

 As always, thank you for your care and concern of my fellow canines!  ~Zoe

Thursday's Tip: Dental Hygiene for Dogs

I am often complimented on my "pretty" teeth.  I have to confess, I have little to do with it, for the real responsibility lies with my hu-mom. 

Thankfully she learned early about the importance of my "dental hygiene" and she brushes my teeth.  True confessions time...she doesn't brush them EVERY day, but that is something she said she needs to get better about, so I have a feeling I'm in for having her hands in my mouth much more often!

So how do you brush a dog's teeth? 

*image courtesy of the www. (sorry no credits were found, so copyright info is unknown)

Click here to watch a video that walks you through the process.

So, does your human brush your teeth?  I'd love to hear your story!  ~Zoe

Tuesday's Telling: Benefit BBQ for Cooper

We've followed Cooper and his need for an allergen alert dog and you have all been amazing!

The family is just $3,255.00 away from reaching their goal of getting Cooper's allergen alert dog and training.  So, how can you help?  Well if you will be on California's Central Coast on Saturday, January 30th, you can attend  a Benefit BBQ to help the cause. 

Date

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Time

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Place

Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 4725 South Bradley, Orcutt, CA 93455

Menu

Tri-Tip Sandwich, Chips & Soda

Donation

$7.00

There will also be FREE snow for the children to play in!

Hope to see you there!  ~Zoe

Friday's Favorite Foto

One Mississippi...Two Mississippi...

Thursdays Tip: New Furniture protection

Disclaimer: Not the actual chair = )

My humans got a new chaise lounge for Christmas.  I've seen them reclining on that thing looking EXTREMELY comfortable and thought, "hey, what about me!"  So I tried it...  Needless to say, when I was discovered on the rather comfortable new piece of furniture, I was immediately told, "OFF".  I immediately gave up my place on the comfy new chaise and moved over the sofa (also comfortable AND a piece of furniture that I am allowed on.) 

So, how do you allow your pet on some pieces of furniture and not others?  Training of course.  To keep me off of the chaise (when they are not in the room), my humans will put tin foil on the chair.  As soon as my paws hit the foil, it makes a rather obnoxious noise and I turn tail and move to the acceptable sofa.  Of course when my humans are in the room the chaise will be foil free and if I go near the chaise, they will give me an "ah!" if I even think about getting on that thing.

Oh well, although there is a new temptation in the house, I will continue to enjoy my vantage spot from my ever so comfy sofa.  ~Zoe

Tuesday's Telling: WharWolves...

A couple of years ago my humans had the opportunity to "Walk with Wolves" -- a program offered through a local wolf rescue agency that allows you to go on an educational hike to learn about wolves, and actually walk with them.  They said it was a little unnerving, but a truly unforgettable experience.  The walk was organized through WHAR Wolf Rescue in Paso Robles, CA.  The organization was established to provide education and be a rescue and resource facility for captive born part and full blood wolves, and has grown to service not just our local area, but the seven western states.

The WHAR Wolf Rescue describes their mission as...

offering "animals for adoption both to sponsor or to take home, WHAR Wolf Rescue lends guidance in all things concerning captive wolf type animals. All animals are placed into screened homes using a full adoption contract. Full blood wolves are never released to the public as pets nor will a hybrid wolf be had if the recipient fails the screening process. Various local and distant facilities and animal regulators have come to rely on the expertise that is provided from WHAR Wolf Rescue in identifying potential hybrid wolves found without proper documentation. All the while continuing to serve as a means of factual practical education regarding a variety of subject matter such as, proper containment, quality diets, humane treatment, discouragement of breeding practices, proper exercise, body language communication (wolf speak), U.S. wild wolf reintroduction programs, no wolves as pets philosophy, general animal education on captive wolves and hybrids, ownership realities for current or potential owners or adopters-to-be, spay and neuter information, legal ownership guide for your local municipality, veterinarian selection guidance, and what to do if your animal kills something. Currently run as a grass roots movement, WHAR Wolf Rescue is comprised of a seven person board of directors who are unpaid for their services rendered. A variety of well trained volunteers staff the facility although there are always more openings then volunteers. All helpers are fully trained and orientated for safety, security, and care. As we have found out in building our mission, we are only as good as our plan. Therefore we have created a basic plan of care, concern, education, and a heartfelt devotion and then never wavered from that mission. We are always so delighted to welcome visitors and new training volunteers who share our enormous passion for all things."

Image from WHARF Wolf Rescue Website

If you are interested in supporting this effort, the organization is in need of relocating, so funds are greatly needed.  As always, 30% of the profits from  any of my PawPrintArt cards sold during the month of January will be donated to WHAR Wolf Rescue.  If you are interested in donating directly, you can do that through their website: http://www.wharwolves.org/index.htm.

Thank you for helping to ensure that these beautiful animals are properly cared for!  ~Zoe

Chapter 10: Graduation Day

After weeks of puppy kindergarten, graduation day finally arrived.  My hu-mom packed up the car and we drove to the campus for a final "test" of our skills, followed by a graduation ceremony. 

The test included being put through the paces...and we were required to follow through on each of the commands learned over the past weeks: sit, stay, down come, stay, etc.  I passed and my hu-mom was given my sheepskin...ahem, I mean diploma (sorry all you little lambies out there!).

My graduation day...such a proud day, yet such a humiliating day.  You see, the only other dogs who "stuck with it" through to graduation day were the chihuahuas.  One of my classmates humans was very proud of her little one's accomplishment and made a special graduation hat "for the official graduation photo."  The mortarboard was passed around so we could ALL have photos taken to mark the special day.  All I can say is I know how Marmaduke feels, for I was truly a giant amongst a class of miniatures on my graduation day....

And so here it is...my proudest...yet most humbling moment captured on film...

~Zoe

Friday's Favorite Foto

Aw come on mom...let me in...

Thursday's Tip: Pill Pockets

I shared yesterday about how Kip is on so many medications...taken twice a day.  My humans have tried putting his pills in his food, but Kip manages to eat around the medications.  They have tried a number of ways to get Kip to take his multiple medications, but found that the easiest way is to put them all in/around a "Pill Pocket" and feed it to him just before he eats his morning and evening meal.  No fuss, no muss, no drama.

Pill Pockets are available for dogs and cats and can be purchased at most pet supply stores.  ~Zoe

Wednesday's Weave: Yesterday's Mission

Last night I went on a run with my hu-man.  That in itself is not unusual, but last nights route was different -- we were on a mission.  You see, we ran to Kip's veterinarian's office to pick up Kip's medications.

Kip has had quite the life -- I have shared about him being a guard dog, before my humans took him in.  He went from being a fat outside dog chained to a shed, to a dog who was taken on walks...and eventually short runs...and invited into the house.  Kip has become an integral part of our family and as a member of the family his care and medical care are of utmost importance.

We have learned over the years that Kip is susceptible to tumors.  He has several benign tumors on the outside of his body, but two years ago he started "acting funny" and his vet diagnosed him with a splenic tumor.  My humans had planned to go to Italy to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, but Kip needed surgery and instead of going to Italy, they funded Kip's surgery.  Poor Kip, it turned out that he had a 10 lb. tumor removed from his abdominal region.

Kip was given medication and a 50/50 chance of "making it."  Well two years have passed and I am happy to report that Kip is still with us.  Yes he is showing signs of aging, and he has developed a rather large adipose (fatty) tumor on the right side of his chest that can't be operated on, (because his vet doesn't think he can handle the anesthesia or surgery), but he gets his multiple medications twice a day, and he is well cared for and loved on by our hu-mom and hu-man.

Our mission was an important one.  I'm thankful that I have Kip and will gladly run to his veterinarian's office to pick up refills of the medications that keep him going.  ~Zoe

Happy New Year!

I just wanted to take the opportunity to welcome you to twenty-ten -- a new decade.  I look forward to this new decade and will resume regular blogging...tomorrow.

Until then, have a Blessed New Year!  ~Zoe