Unless you live in the Outer Hebrides or have been in a health or work-induced coma, there’s no way you could have missed the brouhaha and public outrage over South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s admitted shooting of her 14-month-old puppy, Cricket. Nothing unifies people of different opinions and persuasions than animals, especially dogs. There are more photos of dogs on peoples’ desks than there are of humans. And if you’re in a client meeting, there is nothing that breaks the ice in a conference room or Zoom call than when someone starts talking about their...
What do Brooklyn, Kosmo, and Numi have in common?They were adopted from shelters. They were returned to the shelter by their adopters shortly after their adoption. They’re all dead.This is not a post meant to depress, but to raise awareness of a heart-wrenching reality that often goes unnoticed in the world of animal rescue: the plight of returned rescue/shelter dogs.Did you know that six out of ten dogs adopted from a shelter are returned within two months?For many people who decide to add a dog to their home, they opt to go the shelter route,...
Is there ever a time when you, in all good conscience and sleepless nights, know that giving up your dog is the best thing you can do for your dog and yourself?The short answer is yes. I did. Her name was Lexus. She went to a better home. But my decision still haunts me to this day.This is Lexus’ story.Beautiful LexusLexus was a female Doberman Pinscher. I adopted her as a puppy shortly after my 93-year-old mother, who had been living with me, passed away. I already had two Boston Terriers, but always loved Dobes...
With this post, I’ll be touching on a subject people don’t necessarily like to think about but is so very important – what happens to your dog if something happens to you. What is your game plan should you become unexpectedly ill, injured, need rehab? Whether this is for a few days … a few weeks… a few months, who is going to take care of your pup if you’re absent from home, or within your own home but incapacitated. You must think about these things. Especially if you are single, or a couple or family....
Euthanasia is an extremely difficult topic for all dog owners. In this post, I’ll share my experiences (and mistakes) in how to know when it’s time, or not, but more importantly, making the best decision for your dog. Because bottom line, it’s about your dog, it’s not about you. I should know – I’ve had to euthanize six dogs in the last 14 years.Having to make the decision to euthanize a dog, or in other words putting a dog down, does not necessarily equate only to elderly, senior dogs who have lived a full life,...
This is a third in a three-part series for people who are thinking of surrendering, giving up, getting rid of their, their dog. Whatever terminology you want to use. This is not a judgmental post. I merely try and help you decide whether you should surrender your dog because you can no longer care for it. So let’s delve into these reasons.Reason #1: Financial HardshipAs an owner, are you experiencing financial hardship, where it’s a choice of paying medical bills, rent, mortgage, car payments, school, food/clothing, the kids, vs. dog food and other dog necessities...
This is a second in a three-part series for people who are thinking of surrendering, giving up their puppy, getting rid of their dog. Whatever terminology you want to use. Surrendering a dog is a personal and difficult subject for me, because I’ve rehomed two dogs in my life, a female and male Doberman. And thankfully both ended up in homes better than mine, at least from a space and financial standpoint. But I digress. Back to your situation. You’re seriously thinking about surrendering your dog because you no longer have the time to spend with it...
This is the first in a three-part series for people who are thinking of surrendering, a.k.a. getting rid of, their dog. Whatever terminology you want to use. In Part 1, I will try to help you decide whether you should part with your pup because of its aggression. Full transparency. I speak from experience because in my almost 35 years of owning pups. I have rehomed two pups because of their aggressive behavior and lived with one until its death, trying to manage it.A shelter’s euthanized dogs.So, if you’re having significant problems with your dog’s...
You’re a dog owner. You love your dog. Do you ever worry what might happen to your dog if it encounters a law enforcement officer in the line of duty?
Two separate events in the past two months are receiving quite a bit of social media and local news attention. Police officers were involved in the killing of two owners’ dogs, despite no outward show of aggression from the dogs.
Cancer and your dog – What you should know – What you can doCancer is not an easy topic to discuss, period.If you would rather watch my YouTube video, click on the video below. In my over 30 years of owning dogs, I’ve had/have Boston Terriers, Labs, Dobermans, and German Shepherds, but cancer has always struck my Bostons. I lost two Bostons to cancer, one from uterine cancer, and one from a brain glioma, and that one after years of having several bouts with Grade II mast cell tumors. A third Boston was felled by a...
When pet toys killNoel had just turned seven years old in October 2019. Given recent events, it seems like a lifetime ago, when this purebred snob went rescue at an adoptathon in my local PetSmart.I was still reeling from the loss of my Boston Terrier, Chipper, from brain cancer, when a friend and I spotted a litter of puppies, and I took the dive. His name was “Starry Night” at the time, but before I would adopt/not adopt, I needed approval from the boss, my German Shepherd Czarina. She sniffed him, looked at me as...
Slowly losing CzarinaOriginally published 12/25/19; updated on 7/7/2020What can you say when you are slowly losing your rock, who has been by your side for over 11-1/2 years. Words fail me at the moment, especially on this Christmas Day 2019, because I know that with her age and deteriorating condition, it will be her last, unless the good Lord intervenes.Czarina as a puppyShe came into my life as a puppy of nine weeks. After I brought her home and introductions to my Bostons, Chipper and Spunky were safely made, I put her behind a baby...
Slowly losing Chipper – What can you say when your best friend nears the end of his lifeI first met him when I picked him up at Reagan National one cold March Sunday in 2002.The breeder’s husband zipped open his carry-on bag to hand him to me, and in that instant, I fell in love with him. No matter how many pups you may own in your life, there’s always one who sings to your heart. For me, that always has been and always will be, my Chipper.Now, he’s nearing the end of his life....
