Posts filed under ‘Uncategorized’
Love — Whiskers and Feathers Style
Charlie Bear here…this was sent to my Mom Peep from a good friend. Even though I think I’m the most important species on the planet, it might be appropriate to recognize that love comes in all shapes, sizes, and forms–including whiskers and feathers. Happy Love Month, Everyone!
Wiggles & woofs to you,
Charlie Bear
A New Dog Blog by a Really Cool Chick (and her dog)
I met Kimi Yokota at a Canine Companions for Independence graduation ceremony. Her smiling face belied the sadness she felt at having to turn in her latest puppy for more advanced training.
Kimi has been raising CCI dogs for what seems like forever. It started as a project for school and has become much, much more.
Bowen is an assistance puppy in program for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). “CCI is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships” (www.cci.org).
Bowen is in the puppy raising phase of his journey to become an assistance dog. He will live with Kimi (his puppy raiser) for the next year and a half. She will teach him basic obedience, house manners, and socialize him. He is Kimi’s 8th puppy to raise for CCI.
This is a picture of Bowen and his housemates. Titian (on the left) is Kimi’s change of career dog, and queen of their house. She’s the first puppy Kimi raised for CCI. They now do therapy work together. The dog on the right in the other orange bandana is Kimi’s other puppy in training, Hadara. She’s Kimi’s 7th puppy, and she just turned a year old.
Kimi posts about Bowen’s experiences and life as a puppy in program for CCI. Check it out! http://bowensdogblog.wordpress.com/
3 Common Dog Questions
I must be a poster dog for Common Dog Questions. I’ve been through every one of these! Dr. Jon from PetPlace sends out this great newsletter and today, Mom Peep and I want to share with you the great articles he highlights.
First - Why do dogs chase their tails?
I’d like to know why in the heck I do that. My Mom calls it spin cycles and in the beginning when I came here they were incredibly nasty. I ferociously snapped and bit and growled at my tail. This article might help you understand it a bit. It helped Mom a lot.
Read Dr. Jon’s answer here: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/tail-chasing-in-dogs/page1.aspx
Second - How do I crate-train my dog (and why should I)?
I like my crate. It’s my den, my retreat, my safe place to curl up and be by myself, so I totally agree with crate training. It’s a good thing. Dogs love it. Humans have to get over it.
Learn more at: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/crate-training-your-puppy-2/page1.aspx
Third - How should I introduce a new dog into my household?
When I was introduced to big dog Rex we had a squabble. It freaked Mom out. It’s normal though, for dogs to posture for position in the household. That’s all I was doing, and we eventually got along.
There’s a really good article at: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/introducing-a-new-dog-into-your-household/page1.aspx
Thanks, Dr. Jon for these great articles to help keep pets safe and healthy. A safe dog is a happy dog!
Woofs & wiggles to you all,
Charlie Bear
Thanksgiving – Personified!
Charlie Bear here — when my Mom Peep came across this she knew she had to share. I wish I could be a big dog like that. They have the LONGEST legs! And look at how one helps the other. Incredible.
To me, this is truly Thanksgiving. I send woofs & wiggles to both of them.
Lily is a Great Dane that has been blind since a bizarre medical
condition required she have both eyes removed. For the last 5 years, Maddison, another Great Dane, has been her sight.
Dog People vs. Cat People – Interesting!
Dog People vs. Cat People
from Reader’s Digest December 2011 / January 2012
(l): © Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Thinkstock (r): © Pixland/ThinkstockDog people: 15% more likely to be extroverts
Cat people: 11% more likely to be introverts
(l): © Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Thinkstock (r): © Dynamic Graphics/Creatas/ThinkstockCat people: 14% more likely to cling to friends at a party
© iStockphoto/ThinkstockCat people: 21% more likely to try to rescue stray kittens
Cat people: 17% more likely to have completed a graduate degree
Cat people: 25% more likely to consider George Harrison their favorite Beatle
(l): © iStockphoto/Thinkstock (r): © Goodshoot/ThinkstockCat people: 10% more likely to send messages on Twitter
(l): © iStockphoto/Thinkstock (r): © Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/ThinkstockCat people: 21% more likely to enjoy ironic humor and puns
© iStockphoto/Thinkstock- Talk to animals of all kinds
- Are equally likely to have a four-year degree
- Dislike animal-print clothing
Got a Cell Phone? Charlie Bear says check this out!
 I don’t own a cell phone (that’s my Mom’s), but I think this is a great idea, especially the invisible dog part (that was me for quite a while). She’s never heard of this Foursquare thing but if you click on the link you can watch a little video that tells you what it’s all about (Mom did it and she liked it).This information is from her all-time favorite animal sanctuary place that she donates to all the time: Best Friends.Are you tech-minded? Like new things and new ways of doing them? Check it out — and maybe you can save an animal’s life like Mom and Dad Peep did for me. * * * Ever heard of Foursquare? No, not the old playground game when we were kids. This Foursquare is all about your mobile phone and checking in. A location-based service, Foursquare allows you to “check in” to physical locations as you go about your day. Now boasting 10 million users, people around the world check in at restaurants, stores, coffee shops and even animal sanctuaries. Specials can be unlocked simply by checking in, such as a free appetizer at a restaurant or a free gift when you check in here at Best Friends. It’s a cool service and idea, right? Well, we’re using this technology as a way for people to connect to their local animal shelters. What could be more special than helping save the lives of dogs and cats currently in the shelter system? It’s an easy and low-tech way to help us get one step closer to a nation of No More Homeless Pets.
The first annual National Animal Shelter Check-in Day will take place on November 12th. It’s our hope that a whole new generation of people will hear about this day, and take the opportunity to visit an animal shelter and start seeing the many cats and dogs who never get that chance at a home. It’s all part of our invisible dog campaign. We’re asking every Foursquare user to head to their local shelter and not just check in, but adopt, volunteer or simply take a photo of a dog available for adoption. By doing this, we’re making shelter dogs visible! Right now, we’ve got quite a few shelters around the country ready to participate. We believe that they’ll meet new volunteers, supporters, and especially adopters on National Animal Shelter Check-in Day. Each of the participating shelters is already brainstorming their own ideas to make the day fun and unique for them. The Invisible Dogs campaign is all about shining a light on local shelters around the country and letting the public know that there are incredible animals waiting for a home. They just need to be seen. The National Animal Shelter Check-in Day is another way to make that happen. So grab your gadgets and download Foursquare to your iPhone, Android or Blackberry and start checking in today!
|
Dog-opoly! Oh, my goodness!
Did you play Monopoly when you were young, or do you play it with your kids? Now there’s a twist that might knock your doggie-loving socks off.
Introducing DOG•OPOLY, the traditional board game you love, with a fun new twist:
- Tail-wagging fun for the whole family – ages 8 and up
- The perfect gift for dog lovers
- 2 to 6 players
- Collect dog houses & bones
- Watch out for pitfalls – you could get fleas, have an “accident” on the carpet, or get sent to the kennel
- A doggone good time for all
Based on our fabulous 4-legged friends, DOG•OPOLY real estate is arranged by dog breed size.
- Work your way around the board and collect $200 every time you pass GO FETCH! (Or, pay $200 because you have fleas!)
- Become the owner of the neighborhood butcher shop… or the ever-popular fire hydrant!
- Buy dog houses and trade them for big bones
- Dog-themed board pieces include flea, cat, dog dish, T-bone steak, fire hydrant and mail carrier
- Each Deed features fun facts about that dog breed
- Choose standard play or the one-hour version of the game
Get Your Game On!
These games are great fun for the whole family – and great for parties. You’ll have loads of fun while you celebrate the joys of dog ownership!
These “OPOLY” games are made right here in the USA (in Cincinnati, Ohio).
Choose the original DOG•OPOLY board game or get the version that’s all about your favorite dog breed (14 breeds available).
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!)”
* * *
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!
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.
Animal Lover? You’ve Got to See This!
Beautiful.
Captivating.
Inspiring.
Take two and a half minutes and make your day.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/video/video.php?v=453465570578&comments
If you can’t access the video through Facebook, try this:
