My human baby is 18 today. It makes me reflect on so many things. On all the wonderful years that I have had being her Mom and watching her turn into this incredible young person that is about to go off and take on the world. The greatest gift I ever received from the universe was my daughter. She is my only child, so I can not say what it would be like to have more than one. Though I tried. But the universe told me that this one was enough. I have step kids who really are great, but they do not consider me their mother (and I am not), so it is different.
When you are an adult you live your life based on years of decisions about your values and what is important to you. As you raise your children you pass on these things, but they receive them in their own way, and as part of their growing vs as something they decide when they get older. My daughter is a vegan, Peta, don’t kill anything, recycle everything, and save the world, kind of girl. She is going to major in ‘creating world peace’ and wants to go fix all the wars and the hate. She would like to intern for Greenpeace to save the whales, after she is done at the United Nations saving the humans.
All I can say is, YOU LEARN WHAT YOU LIVE. When you grow up surrounded by love and faith and service and furry animals, no matter what you do once you leave home, that will always be the base of who you are.
Happy 18th Birthday Peanut. Spread your wings and fly to the moon and back. Your Mother will always be right here standing behind you (just remember to call sometimes – LOL).
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
Tags: DogDaz, Greenpeace, nature, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, postaday, United Nations
We went to visit our friends the Osprey family, to see how they did in the Derecho storm the other day. From where we were on the shore, they looked fine. The daddy tried to swoop at us as usual (we assume because he thinks we are to close), so all things must be well. We wonder how, if trees were picked up out of the ground and fell on houses, the little nest stayed on the platform? I don’t know but to us that is a miracle. Lucky for the Osprey family because nests are hard to come by. The good news is that it would not be hard to refurbish their nest right now if they needed to, because there are millions of leaves and sticks everywhere.
It is fun to visit the Osprey but we do not think they like us very much. We are glad that they are safe because we like when they swoop over the house and sing to us. Or is that their, “Go away pesky ground animals or we will come and scoop you up” cry. Did I tell you that one of them picked up a neighbor’s Chihuahua right in the back yard? Luckily the human was there and screamed at the Osprey to drop the dog. He was OK. But anything under 15 lbs should never be left alone when birds of prey are in the area. That is a good reason to keep your dogs and cats well feed around here.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animal awareness, animals, Derecho, dog, DogDaz, Dogs, nature, Osprey, Pet, pets, postaday
Fireworks may be fun for some humans (not me), but they are surely not fun for the animals. In the United States, 4 July is when we celebrate our Independence as a country. That is done with great fanfare and noise. My Grandmother was born on the 4th of July, so I used to think that when my mother’s brothers and sisters (all 9 of them) got together with all us kids (I have around 78 cousins) and shot off fireworks, it was for Gram’s birthday. I always hated the loud noise. Even today I have trouble with loud bursts (like balloons) or thunder. It is not fear as much as some kind of ‘pain.’ I can’t really explain it but it feels like deep emotional or psychic pain to me. I figure that is how the animals feel when they experience these loud, unexplainable sounds. Ground fireworks are legal to purchase in Maryland, though people have sky ones too. They started shooting them off about 2 weeks ago and won’t stop for another several weeks. Squash E Bear would not leave the house for the whole month of July. I used to have to push this big dog out the door to just go pee. Sofie barks at the pops right now and Lulu and her come running if they are out and the ‘boom-booms’ start. I hate this. Please keep your animals safe and remember that turning on a radio or television in the room with your pet may help drowned out the noise. For me, I like to watch them on TV where they look pretty but I can turn the sound down.
Here is a little article on helping your fearful dog: http://thebark.com/content/reducing-fear-your-dog#.T_JOd3hgggh
And I just wanted to say thank you to all the people and animals that serve my country and continue to keep my world safe as possible. You are appreciated and always remembered.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animal awareness, Animal welfare, animals, dog, DogDaz, Dogs, Fireworks, Independence Day, Pet, pets, postaday, United States
The dogs make me realize that I live a very quiet existence. There are not many people or animals who come into our world. Of course there is the revolving door of teenagers (they come in and out and in and out, but don’t stay long, except for the ones that live here) and the usual family and friends who are animal friendly. So the dogs don’t get to practice their good stranger manners very much. I use to have a better handle on the barking at strangers walking by, but lately I seem to be losing that battle. And strange dogs when we are walking (which we only see 1 out of maybe 5 walks) are not always met with obedient behavior. Sofie knows she is not supposed to jump up on people but lately it seems that many people kind of ask her to because she is little. Lulu just stands at the top of the stairs and growls and moves away. Maybe I need to take the dogs into the city and have them experience a busy street. But I fear Louise will flip out. But if they do not experience more people and animals and ‘busy – ness,’ how will they learn that it is OK? Hummm, this is a dilemma. How do you train the dogs to situations which you rarely encounter but want them to know how to respond to? I guess I should move (just kidding).
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animals, dog, DogDaz, Dogs, Pet, pets, postaday, Training
My human baby is 18 today. It makes me reflect on so many things. On all the wonderful years that I have had being her Mom and watching her turn into this incredible young person that is about to go off and take on the world. The greatest gift I ever received from the universe was my daughter. She is my only child, so I can not say what it would be like to have more than one. Though I tried. But the universe told me that this one was enough. I have step kids who really are great, but they do not consider me their mother (and I am not), so it is different. 
DogDaz Zoo 