Archive for March, 2011
Dogs and People Helping Others
Kimi Yokota raises Canine Companion for Independence dogs. I’ve been awed by this young woman’s dedication and drive ever since the day I met her at CCI.
She recently shared the following:
“Titian was my very first puppy to raise for CCI and after four and a half months in professional training, she decided that it wasn’t quite her fit in life. Well, she’s still very much an active, working dog at heart. She is keeping busy with therapy work, hikes, and keeping a smile on my face! Today, I decided to share my girl with Bark magazine! They celebrated having 10,000+ people ‘like’ their page/magazine and threw an online party. They asked for photos of everyone’s dog, so I submitted one of my girl. Out of many, many photos Titian made the cut and had a Facebook Party Cover made with her on the cover! No, it won’t be printed, but it is still very cool! I hope you enjoy her ‘cover’ :)
Kimi & Titian (Release dogs are awesome too!)”
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And Kimi — YOU are truly awesome!
Reader: Don’t miss the fine print underneath Titian’s photo above. Click on the picture to see it.
Also, if you could say a quick prayer for Kimi and her newest CCI puppy, Hadera, that would be great. Hadera is spooked by loud noises and is having trouble even taking walks outside. Thanks, everyone!
The Biggest Loser of Dogs?
“I am so lost. How could I let things get this bad? I mostly blame myself, but I didn’t get here alone. Mom fed me, dad fed me, even little Pete and he’s only 5!
I’m just a good-for-nothing lazy dog! I don’t like to run or play…it’s a chore just to lift my hind leg at the hydrant. My hourglass figure is so far gone I barely remember having one. Nowadays I’m more concerned about eating, sleeping and resting my bad hip.
I’m not a REAL dog anymore. I don’t feel like myself, not to mention I’m called every name in the book: “fatty,” “pig,” “chunky monkey.”
Look, I’ll admit…I LOVE table scraps! Who doesn’t? You don’t understand how my mouth waters at the savory smell of food. You don’t know what it’s like to have to turn down jerky treats. I’m too weak to say, ‘No thanks, I’m on a diet.’ But I know I’m unhealthy. I want to be a REAL dog again. Dr. Jon, I guess what I’m trying to say is…I’m fat. Can you help me?”
Anonymous Dog
And here’s Dr. Jon’s response:
If your dog could talk, would he have a similar story? Is your dog overweight and at risk for developing debilitating diseases? About 43 million dogs in the United States are estimated to be overweight…that’s nearly 3 out of every 5 dogs.
Our dogs can’t lose weight on their own…they need our help. We may think our fat dogs are cute, but by over feeding them we are putting their health at risk. Protect your dogs by keeping them at a healthy weight. There are a few easy things you can do.
1. Stop spoiling them with treats and table scraps – it makes them happy in the moment, but comes with a consequence.
2. Take your dogs out daily to keep them active.
3. And finally, lower their calorie intake by changing their dog food. The Hill’s® Therapeutic Weight Reduction Program is a great way to start. It comes with premeasured meals and weight loss goals that have been VERY effective in helping dogs lose weight. Just look at this after picture of the dog from above:
I was just at the Western Veterinary Conference and learned that approximately 22% of dogs on the Hill’s® Therapeutic Weight Reduction Program have lost weight. This approach to weight control is highly successful. If your dog is obese, give it a try. And if you don’t like it, Hill’s has a guarantee that will refund your money back!
Until next time,
Dr. Jon
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Now that’s what I call a Biggest Loser!
Rex was a “chunky monkey” for a while. We had him tested and his thyroid was out of whack. With his age at more than 11, and a torn ACL and bad hips, he doesn’t exert himself or exercise as much anymore. But medication for his thyroid condition, plus watching what he eats, has kept his weight in a pretty normal range for his breed and age, though we’re working on getting about five more pounds off. (So am I!)
Now Charlie Bear is a different breed altogether. With a little dog, I think you tend to see even a few pounds more readily. So the 1st of every month I weigh Charlie. He’s maintained a steady 16 or 16.5 pounds since November.
“Something to Chew On” Charlie Bear with LAA #2
The first day I arrived to stay, I was told I was on probation for two weeks. Now, I’m no dummy–I know a good thing when I see it. The male peep was really cool, and the female peep would come around in time. I had to keep it together for 14 days. Shouldn’t be too tough, right?
But that very first day, while outside with the big dog, I decided to show him who’s boss. So I snarled and growled at him. He snarled and growled back. It was a demonstration for posture and position. Not much else. But it did freak out the female peep. She came running to the big dog’s side and seemed a bit perturbed with me. Heck, I wasn’t trying to hurt him, just scare him a little bit. They separated us and I got a time out, but nothing I couldn’t handle.
FEMALE PEEP: “Okay, Charlie, we know you and Rex will need some time to adjust to each other. But Rex is 11 and you’re a whippersnapper of a year and a half. Try to behave yourself, okay?”
I ran into the arms of the male peep for comfort but later I heard a bird, or maybe it was a squirrel, I don’t know, but I wanted out, and I wanted out NOW. I flew out of the male peep’s lap, raced to the back door, and ran straight into the screen. My paws went up, I scratched and clawed and growled, and rip, screech, tear, that screen didn’t stand a chance.
FEMALE PEEP: “Charlie! Hold on a second. I’ll open the door for you.” But nope, he was bent on getting out asap. I pulled open the door and he dashed into the yard. I looked at the shredded screen and sighed.
MALE PEEP: “Strike One, Charlie Bear.”
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NOTE: If you want to catch up with what happened in LBA (Life Before Adoption), you can look under “Charlie Chat” on the right. All the posts are there, and these new ones about LAA (Life After Adoption) will be there too. As my new peep called it in previous posts, watch for more of Something to Chew On by me, Charlie Bear, in the weeks ahead.
Thanks for stopping by. We love your comments, so feel free to make some. Woof!
“Something to Chew On” Charlie Bear with LAA #1
You’d think it would be all strawberries and milk for dogs after they are rescued, fostered, and then adopted into new homes. Yeah, you’d think it would be peachy.
But not so. I brought with me all of the “issues” I’d been dealing with and trying to overcome. And these new peeps, one male and one female, were mystified. I think they thought my foster mom was kidding when she told them I had fits and chased my tail aggressively. I think they thought that with enough love they could help me over all of those insane habits I exhibited when I was stressed. I think they thought that because I was so cute I couldn’t possibly be as unruly as the online site said.
They were wrong.
I had only one thing going for me. My good looks. I mean, hey, just look at me! That’s the picture my rescuer put up on www.adoptapet.com. It’s what landed me a gig with these new peeps. And it’s what I heard my female peep say over and over those first few days at their home: “It’s a darn good thing he’s cute.”
It WAS a darn good thing, because within the first two days I had two strikes against me.
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NOTE: If you want to catch up with what happened in LBA (Life Before Adoption), you can look under “Charlie Chat” on the right. All the posts are there, and these new ones about LAA (Life After Adoption) will be there too. As my new peep called it in previous posts, watch for more of Something to Chew On by me, Charlie Bear, in the weeks ahead. And thanks for stopping by. We love your comments, so feel free to make some. Woof!
Inquiring Children Want to Know…
Disasters affect all of us. Even kids. Have yours asked how they can help? This site www.childrendonate2.org has a list of trusted charities that support people and help rescue animals. There is a link to help in Japan, along with many others.
Built to be kid friendly, youngsters and parents can come together to click on a charity or foundation of choice. Your child can click on the cute animal pictures on the left to choose to help dogs, cats, dolphins, or a variety of other furry and feathered creatures. Or click on the links on the right to help people with needs.
I’m amazed at the number of organizations that help kids, hungry families and teenagers with needs. There are sites that help fire and burn victims, links to foundations and charities for many illnesses, including children with diabetes and food allergies. There are even sites to help kids and teens with bullying and a special page on Internet safety.
If you wish to help but cannot donate money, you can make donations at the one-click donation websites. All you have to do is click one time with your mouse. A donation is made by another person or company for each mouse click received on their website.
Voted “Cool Site of the Day” in October, 2010, check it out.
Golden Eggs
TAYLOR’S TIPS for a more productive you…
Dear Friend,
Have you laid a Golden Egg? Have you produced the most delectable story of all time, shimmering on 300+ pages of manuscript, edited and fine-tuned to perfection?
Congratulations! That’s hard work and worthy of a pat on the back. But it doesn’t do any good sitting there in all its glory. It’s time to sell it.
So you take your egg and you approach an agent, or editor, or publishing house. And they tell you this: “We like your egg, but we want it scrambled. Add some mushrooms, diced onions, a little green pepper, and a few chopped tomatoes and when you have the omelet we need, bring it back and we’ll talk about it.”
You’re not sure about scrambling it, so you try another editor and he says this: “We like your egg, but we want it fried with salt and pepper. Do that and bring it back for another look-see.”
So you try the fried egg approach, but it doesn’t look right to you. So you try another editor and she says: “We like our eggs coddled. Do that and bring it back to us.”
You don’t even know what a coddled egg is, but you look it up, study the recipe, and try your hardest to make the egg fit their mold. No dice. Still another publishing house tells you the public isn’t buying straight golden eggs right now. They want egg salad. They tell you what to put in it: mustard, mayo, pepper, and salt. You do all that and they come back to you with: too much salt, or not enough salt, or the consistency isn’t right. The yolk is too yellow, they need it more orange. The egg is too old. They want fresh, younger. Ahhhhh…..your poor Golden Egg!
Then you attend a conference and you see all the different eggs available for sale. All colors of the rainbow.
And you wonder how in the world your Golden Egg has a chance. This was not what you expected. You thought your Golden Egg was special.
But here’s the deal. The agents/editors/publishers actually do know what type of eggs the people are buying. And if you trust their vision, and work with them, your Golden Egg could be peeled, sliced, deviled, scrambled, chopped, or fried, and successfully sold to the masses. It’s the people in the business who will take your Golden Egg and make it sellable. But only if you have the courage and flexibility to work with them.
Don’t give up on your dream of publication. You must always believe in yourself and in your egg, for it is only the strong who survive in the world of publishing.
So lay some more Golden Eggs. Keep trying to sell each one and never give up. And remember, you may be one egg in a world of many, but you are unique and one of a kind in God’s eyes. Keep the faith.
Happy writing and blessings on your work.
What’s Happening…
Check out these great conferences coming up:
Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference April 15-19. This is the place Where Writers Come to Grow. Network and build your skills in this fabulous conference setting of majestic redwoods in the mountains just outside San Jose. http://mounthermon.org/adult/professionals/writers-conference
OC Christian Writers Conference - April 29 and 30 at Mariners Church in Southern California. Get ready for a great event that will knock your socks off. There are writing contests, mentor workshops, a meet-and-greet with faculty, 27 classes, and editors, award-winning authors, and literary agents to interact with. www.occwf.org
Follow your dreams…
B.J.
DOG BLOG: www.bjtaylorblog.wordpress.com
Facebook: listed on FB as B.j.Taylor
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bjtaylortweets
Author of :
“The Complete Guide to Writers Groups That Work”
Available on Amazon.com or http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/product.aspx?ISBN=0-7414-4099-7
Website: www.bjtayloronline.com
P.S. To those of my wonderful friends who are on my Taylor’s Tips Newsletter List, I apologize that you are seeing this twice, but I like to post it here, on my blog, as well. Thank you for understanding. And have a GREAT day!
Why Do They Do That?
Some dogs are very destructive with their toys. Even dogs that are generally pretty good can be VERY destructive sometimes. I’m not into hawking wares, but it’s my thought that if dogs are happy, and owners are happy with their dogs, it’s a win-win. That’s why you’ll see me post sometimes on what I feel might be just the ticket to keeping a chewing dog happy. Wish I knew about these when my 11-year-old Rex was a gnawing pup!
Destroying toys (or things they shouldn’t) can be a very annoying behavior if you are the dog owner buying the toys they destroy. What is equally annoying is that many dogs quit playing with their toys after they get the squeaker out or it quits squeaking.
Why do dogs do this?
The theory posted by Dr. Jon of PetPlace goes back to nature. When dogs hunted for prey, they would hunt and kill. Their prey would squeak or make noises.
This was part of their natural hunting instinct. Once caught, the prey makes noises as they proceed with the kill, which can be very satisfying to a hungry dog. When the prey was dead – the squeaking stopped.
A squeaky toy can give a dog the same type of satisfaction.
Dr. Jon has a few favorite squeaking type toys. Recently - he met with Dr. Debra Primovic, PetProductAdvisor.com Director of Product Research, and she told him about a new amazing squeak toy that keeps squeaking even when punctured. It is a real favorite among dogs that she tested it on. It is called the Invincible Snake.
Dogs love the Invincible Snake because the entire body of the snake is FILLED with squeakers that keep squeaking. You can take a knife and puncture clear through the toy and it still keeps squeaking.
Another squeaky toy that is very durable is the Tuffy Ultimate Ring . The toy is soft but fun and very durable. Dr. Debra gave it to her parents’ yellow Lab Sweet Lips (who can destroy anything) and this toy has lasted. The Tuffy Ultimate Ring toy caught Debra’s attention because it claimed to be “one of the world’s toughest dog toys, ” which is quite a BIG claim. After testing, Debra had to agree that this was one tough toy.
To learn more about this durable toy, go to: Tuffy Ultimate Ring Dog Toy. Remember, nothing is “indestructible” but this is a VERY well-built toy.
These suggestions brought to you by Dr. Jon of….
An Eagle Named Freedom – Book Review
An Eagle Named Freedom
A True Story of a Remarkable Friendship
From the moment Jeff Guidry saw the emaciated baby eagle with broken wings, his life was changed. For weeks he and the staff at Sarvey Wildlife Care Center tended to the grievously injured bird. Miraculously, she recovered, and Jeff, a center volunteer, became her devoted caretaker.
Though Freedom would never fly, she had Jeff as her wings. And after Jeff was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2000, Freedom returned his gift. Between sessions of debilitating chemotherapy, Jeff went back to Sarvey and began taking Freedom for walks that soothed his spirit and gave him the strength to fight. When he learned he was cancer free, Jeff’s first stop was Sarvey to walk with Freedom. Somehow this special bird seemed to understand the significance of the day. For the very first time she wrapped both her wings around Jeff, enveloping him in an avian hug.
In March 2008, Jeff shared his extraordinary experience with his friend Gayle in an e-mail of eight hundred words:
That e-mail would unexpectedly circle the globe and inspire countless fans eager to know more. In An Eagle Named Freedom, Jeff tells the full story of his bond with Freedom and introduces the other wildlife and volunteers who have been saved by Sarvey. A tender tale of hope, love, trust, and life, this moving true story is an affirmation of the spiritual connection that humans and animals share.
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I was blessed to help Jeff Guidry submit his story to the magazine Angels on Earth. It ran in the March/April 2011 issue and is a beautiful tribute to both Jeff and Freedom. Thank you, Jeff, for the wonderful conversations.
You can find Jeff’s book on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/hvdSae
or on Borders here: http://bit.ly/fmKluk
March 15, 2011 at 8:19 am 6 comments