So the girls and I were out at the school yard running around. I wanted you could see the joy that Louise has when in an open field with no scary other humans or animals to distract her. I tried to capture a moment on video. Then as I was looking at the video, I realized the probably everything I did was reinforcing the wrong things. For example. I call the dogs to me. They start to come but they don’t get all the way there. So I call them again, repeatedly. This is wrong, right? I should be able to call them once, and if they loved me listened to me, they would be right in front of me in a good sit position until I released them. But NOOOOO!, I gave them treats anyway and reinforced the, wishy washy behavior. Then, when I released them, I kept talking.
(Note to Mommy trainer: Stop talking so much because you confuse them. Only treat when they really do what you asked.)
We were having the best run when a boy on an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) came loudly and speedily into the school yard and scared us. Thereby stopping our freedom and also causing Louise to go back into the fearful place. What is an ATV doing in the neighborhood anyway? Are they even allowed in such a populated area? After we regained our composure (Louise on leash), the noisy monster left, we walked home happy and tired. I do hope you like the little Non-Training Video, especially listen to the smacking sound when Sofie takes the cookie.
(Another Note to Mommy trainer: Tired dogs are happy dogs (or something like that). They had fun and that is important.)
The dogs have discovered something interesting under the leaves but I just don’t see it or smell it. They, however, are absolutely, positively, sure that it is the most interesting thing in the yard today and they are just not coming in the house until they have sniffed it, dug it, fought over it (and possibly relieved themselves on it). Maybe it is an invisible stick that only they can see that fell during the Super Storm? Or maybe a fox or other critter made it’s way into the yard and left them a secret scent? Whatever it is, it has them riveted to that spot. “Mine!,” Sofie says, as she tries to position herself so that Louise can’t get to it. “Oh, no you don’t!,” states Louise, by proceeding to grab Sofie by the collar and pull her across the yard (sorry I am not that fast on the camera). I never did find out what was so interesting in that spot to cause such a commotion, but oh well…. they are off hunting other treasure now under the pine trees.
In a tribute to our Veterans on Veterans Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in Canada, here is Eva Cassidy with her beautiful and moving rendition of Danny Boy.
↓ click for audio(Eva Cassidy – “Danny Boy”)
…But when ye come and all the roses falling, And I am dead, as dead I well may be, Go out and find the place where I am lying, And kneel and say an Ave there for me.
And I will hear tho’ soft your tread above me, And then my grave will warm and sweeter be. For you shall bend and tell me that you love me, And I will sleep in peace until you come to me.
So when I got up this morning, at my usual way-to-early still dark-out time, I let the dogs out, picked up my SmartPhone, checked my digital calendar, looked at work email (Lotus Notes) to see if there was anything urgent, checked Gmail for the personal urgent stuff, made sure my kid’s statuses were upbeat on Facebook, made sure this WordPress blog kicked off a little after midnight as scheduled, noted a new business contact in LinkedIn that wants to chat, brushed my teeth, and then let the dogs back in. I don’t know about you but social media became an essential part of my everyday life over 2 decades ago. Social media tools are definitely improving but it is how you apply them to your life that makes all the difference. In a few weeks (28 November to be exact), the blog will be 1-year-old and I will have blogged every day, no matter where in the world I was, for 365 days. Oh my, that kind of blows me away. Since I work through the internet and I also get a great deal of my entertainment and socialization this way, I find that social media has transformed my day and my life in incredible ways. Now that DogDazCats2 has a Facebook page, I get to do 2 statuses a day, not just 1 (Whoopee!!). Ok, well maybe I am a little obsessed with the whole connection thing. But I really do like it and it feeds me in some really interesting ways. Hey, I got to meet all of you, at least virtually, didn’t I?
What’s you digital start to the day and what do you think about social media in your life?
Sofie may be going on 2 years old later this month, but she is still the biggest baby in the house. When she gets sleepy so goes down stairs to her kennel and finds her lovey, Beaver, and then carries him around until she goes to bed. Notice the circles under her eyes? That is another sign of a sleepy Sofie. However, just like a little kid, she refuses to go into her bed until she is told to. She and Beaver will sit a few feet away and roll and roll saying “but Mom, I am so cute, don’t you just want to rub my tummy all night.”
I made the best tofu stir fry last night. The whole time however Louise was under foot. To get her out of the way I gave her a piece of tofu, which she never had before. She sniffed and immediately left (carnivore that she is), leaving it for Sofie. Sofie investigated; picked it up and moved it to the other side of the kitchen.; lay down on the floor with the giggly thing, and then proceeded to figure out how to eat it. She liked it and wanted more. Then Louise came back to me and complained that Sofie ate her tofu. Sometimes, you just have to laugh. Well, actually, a lot of the time with my goofballs.
Please don’t wait until you have to evacuate because of some terrible weather, fire, or other event, to be family and pet prepared. DogDaz recommends you get ready now, so that you don’t have to think later. Here are some tips to help you get set for the day that hopefully never comes. Stay safe, warm, and happy.
Prepare Your Other Family Members – Your Pets, Now!
PREPARE!
Create a “Pet Emergency Kit” complete with:
At least three days of food, water, and any medications that your pet may need
Vet/vaccination records, etc.
Collars/ID’s, Harnesses, and/or leashes
Pictures of you and other family members with your pet(s)
Sanitation kit: pet litter, litter box, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach
First Aid Kit: talk to your vet or contact Animal Control about what is most appropriate for your pet(s) emergency needs e.g. cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors, antibiotic ointment, flea and tick prevention, latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol, and saline solution
Have a carrier or crate ready that your pet has been adapted to for safe transportation purposes.The carrier should be large enough to allow your pet to stand, turn around and lie down
Consider microchipping your animal
KNOW WHAT TO DO!
Develop and implement your family’s emergency plan, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND!
If you have enough notice, prepare an alternate home for your pet (family, friends, or local kennel) and get your pet there in advance (List of Emergency Boarding Facilities) Space and temporary cages may be limited, so if you have to respond to a shelter with your pet, make sure it is in a carrier (plan in advance and purchase one now)
Pay attention to news briefs, county updates, and check the county website for up to the minute status of shelters in your area
Know which local hotels/motels will take pets, or which animal boarding facilities take pets during emergencies (List of current Pet Friendly Hotels/Motels in your area and in surrounding jurisdictions)
For more information obtain a copy of the Preparing Your Pets for Emergencies Makes Sense Icon: PDF brochure offered by the Department of Homeland Security.
WHAT ANIMAL CONTROL CAN DO FOR YOU IN EMERGENCIES
Depending on available space, Animal Control will seek to make all shelters “pet friendly”
Provide pick-up and transportation of pets for the elderly and disabled
Provide transportation and temporary care, shelter, food and water at the shelter, if space is available
Provide transportation and temporary care, shelter, food and water at the Animal Control Facility
Animal Control is working with local veterinarians, kennels, and rescues to establish a network of volunteers to assist with the proper transportation, care and shelter of your pets during disasters.
Today is election day here in the United States. By tomorrow we will know who will be the leader of the country for the next 4 years. Makes me wonder how long a pack leader lasts? Though young pups come up and try to overthrow the leader, there is no vote, only pure dominance and power. Does a pack leader use TV commercials to win? And spend a gizillion dollars that could have been used for dog food? I just wish the winner was the one that gave the most money away instead of wasting it on marketing. Good luck. Please vote. Don’t waste your civic right and also your civic duty. You do make a difference.
The dogs love daycare. Did I mention how much Louise and Sofie LOVE daycare? They love daycare so much that the mere mention of the word makes them rush to the door with excitement. The whole 7 minute ride there, they are singing in the back of the truck (OK whining, but they would sing if they knew a song). Sofie gets so crazy that even the usual quiet Lulu Belle starts to make some weird vocal sounds just to join in. “Woohoooooo! We are going to play with our friends and run around unleashed all day.” I wish that I could be a ‘fly on the wall’ and see what they are doing. They tell me that, of course, Sofie is the trouble maker, and Louise is sweet and well-behaved. Whoever came up with this idea of Doggie Daycare was a genius. My dogs and I thank you who ever you are.
