Gertrude (RIP '07)
Monthly Archives: January 2012
1.16.12 12:00: Eating my bad mood for lunch
lulu the day she came to live with us
I was having an OK morning and then something changed and the day seemed to take a nose dive from there. Not exactly sure why, but it got me wondering if dogs have bad days. I don’t seem to have moody dogs. In general they are both pretty happy unless sick. Is there such a thing as a moody dog? I do think dogs have a range of emotions: they get sad (like when they are away from their family for to long or one of their friends die) or they feel scared or anxious and I definitely know they get happy, but do they ever have just a ‘bad day.’ I think sometimes that I would really like to come back in my next life as a dog, but only if it is to some happy person who will love me and honor me the way I deserve. Well, now I feel better just thinking about the dogs. They do make my world brighter. Well, just another DogDaz afternoon at my house. ❤
When Pigs Swim
(via couldeverdreamof)
This picture makes me think of a warm summer day at the beach (with my pig if I had one).
1.15.12 13:05: Don’t make me go out there!!
Colin Ross Jack: Dogwalk Snow Scene
I really do not want to get dressed and walk. Sofie does not mind since she likes to just be out in the yard and run around and bark and do her business but Lulu does not like that idea, she demands her walk. Getting dressed to go outside on a freezing day like today is really not fun. Winter has been very nice in the Mid-Atlantic and I have gotten spoiled not to have to wear my face mask and 27 layers of clothes. I bought Lulu a new sweater last night because I worry about her skinny little body with the single layer of hound hair (of course when I got it home I noticed it was ripped and it was the last one in her size – doesn’t it always happen that way). I am always searching for that perfect dog walking gear for me in freezing weather that won’t cost a million dollars. I have yet to find it. 
My gloves are never good enough. I have tried mittens but they don’t seem to do it either. I tried the ones that let your fingers come through and then have a little pocket that you can move back and forth (what a bother!). I tried liners in my gloves. I must have 20 different types of gloves in my box but none of them make me happy.
I wear this face mask thing called a Balaclava. It keeps me covered except for my eyes. When it is ridiculously cold at night, I even take off my glasses (because they feel like hot steel going into my skin). Those are the times I really have to trust the dogs to lead me. It used to be funny because I would walk blind Sqaush E Bear without my glasses in the dark and he would be my leader: Is that the blind leading the blind? LOL
And, when it is really really really bad, now don’t laugh, I wear my terrycloth bathroom, which is down to the floor, under my coat. That seems to be the only thing that really cuts the sting.
Snowball Smile
Now I love a nice snowy walk so don’t get me wrong and there is nothing like playing in the snow with a pack of dogs, but I don’t have any snow today, just wind and ice. Well, here I go…. It’s just another freezing cold windy DogDaz afternoon at my house. ❤
For my football friends: Go RAVENS!
I’m Posting Every Day In 2012
Dear Followers:
I have only been blogging since 28 November 2011 but it has been great fun and I have only missed one day (New Years Eve). So I have decided to try to blog everyday in 2012. Rather than just thinking about doing it, I’m actually doing it. My hope is to post on this blog once a day for all of 2012.
I know it won’t be easy, but it might be fun, inspiring, awesome and wonderful. Therefore I’m promising to make use of The DailyPost, and the community of other bloggers with similar goals, to help me along the way, including asking for help when I need it and encouraging others when I can.
If you already read my blog, THANK YOU and I hope you’ll encourage me with comments and likes, and good will along the way.
Signed,
DogDaz
Louise (aka Lulu Belle), Sofie Bear, The Muffin Man, Noel, Miss Constance Kitty and the Human
People Products That Support Pet Rescue
There are a few online stores where a portion of your purchase will go directly to support rescue and shelter dogs. Both the ASPCA Store and the Animal Rescue Site Store have products for both pets and people. Check out a recent review of pet products that support animal rescue by clicking here.
The following products for people cost the same amount as at any other store and products range from gifts for pet lovers and awareness products to clothing, jewelry and more. Browse the following suggestions or visit their websites to browse for yourself.
The ASPCA Store– A portion of every donation goes to help rescue pets and organizations around the country. Up to 40% of each purchase goes to rescue and adoption efforts!
ASPCA wristband $5.99- This orange wristband promotes animal awareness and is a great conversation starter. “Go Orange For Animals” with this Armstrong-like silicone bracelet.
Always in My Heart Pewter Memorial Necklace $19.99- This pewter colored memorial necklace comes with the inscription “Always in my heart” and features a black paw. A wonderful way to remember and honor your departed pet, as a portion of the proceeds go to save other pups who need help.
Dog Awareness Water Bottle $8.99- Fight animal cruelty with this dog awareness water bottle, great for hiking, the gym, office or everyday. The water bottle is white with a dog shadow and the words “Animals can’t dial 911 but you can” inscribed. A must-have for any animal activist—and it’s dishwasher safe!
Anti Puppy Mills T-Shirt $24.99-$26.99- This black shirt with white screen-printing has a cartoon image of a dog peeing on a puppy mill in the distance. It’s a cute shirt and a great way to be bold and start a meaningful conversation!
Men
Women
Animals Asleep Book for Kids $12.99- A cool book for kids ages 4-8, this book features a friendly, fact-filled story about how different animals sleep. An award-winning children’s book, this is a must-have for any young animal enthusiast!
The Animal Rescue Site Store– Every purchase directly supports rescue animals and pets in shelters. Each purchase directly purchases food and care for these pets in need.
All Over Paws Socks $4.95- These cute socks some in a variety of colors and have small paw prints all over. Each pair purchased funds 14 bowls of dog food!
Paws Galore Magnetic Notepad $6..95- Use this cute paw-print notepad on any magnetic surface, especially the refrigerator! The cute design features multi-colored paw prints and lots of room for writing notes and reminders.
Pillow Pals $19.95- A wonderful toy for kids, these Pillow Pals are soft, colorful and comfy. Choose from a butterfly, monkey, panda, puppy or shark. These cute animals are half pillow, half stuffed animal and are 100% fun for all kids!
Pup Upcycled Plastic Shopping Bag $19.95- These oversized bags are great for shopping. Completely washable and reusable, these Shopping Bags come from materials that would have otherwise gone in a landfill. Be green by using this bag for various shopping needs while displaying your love for dogs!
Wipe Your Paws Indoor Mat $16.95- A fun, colorful rug, this doggy rug is great to place inside your dog’s favorite door. Features words “Wipe Your Paws” in a funky font and is 20’’ x 30’’ in size.
1.14.12 9:55: Are you a Dog Person?
If you have never shared your life with an animal or had any kind of personal relationship with one, then you just might not understand this post (sorry but you won’t). And to make matters even trickier, if you are a cat person you don’t necessarily understand a dog person, and a dog person may never really get what another person sees in living with a ferret or a snake or an iguana. And then there are some of us who fall in love with a host of different animals. I wonder what makes some people attracted to one kind of pet vs another? (I must admit that I am really not a Rat or reptile person (but I can accept the choice to have one)).
Louie
I always thought of myself as a DOG PERSON. I did not grow up with cats. I met some cats in the neighborhood but I don’t really remember having any significant relationships with one. My sister says we had an outside cat for awhile, Ginger, but I have no recall. The only resident cat I remember is my Aunt Harriet’s big fat mean cat that used to sit on her dining room table and swat at you if you got close. I used to bring kittens home all the time and sneak them into the basement, but ultimately my Dad would find them and ‘take them for a ride’ (I think he took them to the park and left them at the golf course for someone else to find.) So, I did not really know what cats were about. I had the stereotypical view that they didn’t need much from humans, were independent, and kinda mean and scratchy.
Ever since I was little we had a dog: Louis Pierre Andre the 14th of Edgewood (I guess 3 kids could not agree on one name). Louie came to live with us when I was about 5 or 6. We first had a dachshund, named Fraya, but she got hit by a car. Then, if I remember the story at all, some friend of my sister’s owned a pizza parlor and had this French Poodle puppy that was making them crazy. So, that is how we came upon living with a silver miniature poodle. My mother, being the 50’s NY housewife, made sure he was always well clipped and even had silver nail polish to match. Louie was the best dog for a kid. He let me dress him up in little dresses and would tolerate anything I could throw at him. He lived to be about 18 I think. He passed when I was away at college. I was definitely a dog person.
Eddie 1
So, how did I become a cross over? Well, in college I knew that I could never care for a dog but I wanted furry companionship. So the next best thing, I figured, was a cat. First I adopted a little kitten from a guy named ‘Ed.’ She was black and white. I named her ‘Eddie.’ Ed told me that all animals start out named, Ed, and then people gave them their forever names. I did not question that assumption. My dorm allowed pets but my roommate was not happy. And, I knew nothing about what a cat would need and ended up having to give her up at the end of the first semester when I went home and my, ‘we don’t do cats!’ parents, would not let her come home with me. But, I was smitten with the cat bug and from then on I was both a CAT PERSON and a DOG PERSON. I actually had many cats after that before I felt settled and responsible enough to have my own dog.
What about you? How did you fall in love with your non-human companion?
Just another DogDaz morning at our house. ❤
1.13.12 7:32: Do you know The Muffin Man?
The Muffin Man
The Muffin Man says that the dogs are boring and that I should write about him. Muffy, who actually runs the zoo at a ripe old age of 18 or so, is one of those really special cats. You know the kind. The cat that makes you feel like you are the only human in the world and that he adores only you, until he goes sits on someone else’s lap and gives them that same story. The Muffin Man, aka: Muffin, Muffy, Mufasha, Muff, came from the SPCA to live with V and kids when he was maybe a year or so. We don’t know his story really but he picked V out of the line up of humans available that day and decided that this was the family he wanted to come home to (and you thought it was the other way around, didn’t you?). I inherited Muffy when V and I became a family. He, as stated before, wins your heart immediately. At the time, my 2 cats, Gertrude and Alice, were his senior and were very happy with their lives (except for the silly dog Nikki, but they were used to her). They were not thrilled in the least to join a house with 3 other cats (Muffy, Zackary, and Cuddles). Muffy, however, being the cool negotiator he was, managed to get everyone ultimately to tolerate each other well.
Muffy & Gertrude on my desk
Muffin has a heart problem. He used to get EKGs every 6 months (we don’t do that anymore) and has been on heart medicine every day and a baby aspirin 2X a week forever, but, thankfully, he is doing great (obviously, he is 18). Starting about a year ago he begin to get that old cat skinniness that makes them look really haggard. We worry that he is cold and the kids put blankets on him all the time, but I think he knows how to take care of himself (like lying on the floor heating vents).
Muffin likes to help me type and spends a great deal of time on the keyboard and in front of the computer screen with me. He his a fascination with my office phone cord and likes to chew on it just about the time he wants dinner. Oh Yah, over the years, he has chewed through about 1,000 microphone cords, ipod cords, Barbie doll arms, and associated soft plastic things. Not a big sacrifice for the millions of hours of enjoyment he has added to everyone’s life.
Ok Muffy, are you happy now? This post is for you. Just another DogCatDaz morning at our house. ❤
Muffy & Noel in my office window
Muffy
Muffy & Zackary in the kitchen window
DogDaz Zoo 