(Source: lutetian, via oceansdream)
Tag Archives: dog
11.13.12 A Lesson In How Not To Train Your Dog
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
(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.)
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
11.12.12 Discovery
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.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
11.10.12 Goodnight, Beaver
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.”
Goodnight, Sofie Bear
Goodnight, Lulu Belle
Goodnight, Beaver
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
11.5.12 <3 Doggie Daycare <3
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.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
11.4.12 How You Can Help Pets Effected By Storm Sandy
You can help the pets effected by Storm Sandy. When shelters are without power the job is so much harder.
RumpyDog posted a great one on Helping Animals Affected by Sandy. Thank you Rumpy for being so thoughtful. Please help as you can. This is going to be a hard winter for an already stressed animal population at the shelters.
Also, here are some good links from Petfinders Blog
Shelters and adoption groups damaged by Hurricane Sandy or assisting their communities in recovering won’t be taking time off this weekend. There is a lot of clean-up to be done, often in areas that still don’t have power.
Mochi is bundled up to stay warm while Animal Haven is without power!
Please take some time to review our posts on Petfinder animal welfare organizations who need help, and reach out to them this weekend if you can. Here are our past posts from Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with additional shelters checking in below.
New York:
- Animal Care & Control of NYC (AC&C)’s Manhattan and Brooklyn Care Centers are now open for adoptions, return-to-owners, and in-takes on a limited basis. They ask that anyone intending on surrendering a pet to call Pets for Life at (917) 468-2938 . Updates are available via their Facebook page
- Animal Haven is on day five without power. They have posted a great video of their experience caring for their animals here on YouTube. You can follow their progress and find a link to donate via their Facebook page. They are also accepting donations outside the front gate at 251 Centre Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They need linens, towels, flashlights, lanterns, batteries for flashlights, paper towels, bleach and rubber gloves.
New Jersey:
- Atlantic County Animal Shelter reports that flooding came right up to the door but remained outside. Their animals are safe and well.
- Cape May Co. Animal Shelter (CMCAS) Staff remained at the shelter throughout the storm. Luckily they were not flooded and did not lose power, however they need to find homes for cats, so consider adopting a hurricane kitty of your very own! They are also on Facebook
- The Humane Society of Atlantic County was not as lucky and experienced serious flooding. They report that “much of the cleaning is done and we are rebuilding some of the counters that were destroyed. We have power, heat, water for washing (not drinking though) and lots of friends. At this point [we] estimate the HSAC had about $100,000 loss in supplies, equipment, and business. We hope to re-open Monday. Financial support and Lowe’s/Home Depot cards are still needed.” You can find this update and more on their Facebook page. Monetary donations can be accepted via their web page
We hope Blair finds a home now that Sandy has passed.
- The Humane Society of Ocean City suffered minor damage from Hurricane Sandy. The structure is sound and they plan to open today, November 2nd at 11 a.m. All of the animals are safe. They are asking for donations of laundry soap, bleach, canned cat foot, 33 gallon trash bags, and towels, as these were the most used items during the storm. They would appreciate monetary donations as well. Updates are available via Facebook.
- Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter does not yet have power or heat. You can donate via their web page and receive updates by way of their Facebook page.
NOT Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
11.3.12 Anticipation
Thank you to all our Facebook and Blog friends that prayed for us during the recent Super Storm. I really think that made a difference. My heart goes out to all those effected in so many terrible ways. Please keep those prayers and virtual hugs coming – it will be a long road to normal for many. We are fine here at DogDaz and appreciate the support. – Lorian (the human of DogDaz)
Sometimes being prepared days before for something as big as Super Storm Sandy, the ‘Frankenstorm’ as they are calling it (because it was near Halloween), only made all our anxiety levels go up with the anticipation. All the hubbub of getting prepared kept me busy for days but then, once ready, I had to just sit and wait for the actual event. Anticipation is an interesting thing. When the animals anticipate what is coming, like when they know I am going into the cookie jar, they try to figure out what I am going to ask them to do to receive the cookie. Both of them sit in anticipation, and if I wait a little to long Louise will start to drool and Sofie will raise her paw (in case I am going to ask her to ‘shake’). Waiting for positive things, like treats, or parties, or walks, is a ‘good’ anticipation. Waiting for a Super Storm, well that is down right ‘bad’ anticipation. There was no way of knowing what was going to happen. Sofie stuck to my side like glue during the whole prelude and event. Louise just slept mostly. But we all got through it. V and me and the 5 cats and 2 dogs cuddled by the fire place and ate a lot of fattening treats until it past. 
Now we are in clean up mode, Power was finally back Thursday and phone, internet, TV took the worst hit, but the main box has been replaced and is running again. The dogs are tired of wet feet but like their new water bowl (the bottom of the picnic table). I am glad that all my family is safe, though those up north are still without power for an unknown length of time.
No matter where you are, please make sure to anticipate weather and be prepared. Mother Nature is unpredictable at times and we can not change that, but we can protect ourselves and our loved ones.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
10.31.12 Lousie Turns 3: PAWTY On!!!!
Happy Birthday, Louise! You are the sweetest 3 year old labby/hound doggy in the universe and your people love you to the ends of the earth, and back. It is time for your Pawty (Facebook event happening right now at the DogDaz virtual dog park), so let’s dance. Meatcakes for all!!!!! You love to dance and prance.
We love you Lulu Belle !!!!
Not to distract from the party mood, but Louise and Sofie enter the Pigoween Poem Contest sponsored by our friends Hutch A Good Life and wanted to share with your their masterpiece:
“Thrice the brinded cat hath mew’d.
Thrice and once, the hedge-pig whin’d.
Harpier cries:—’tis time! ’tis time!
Round about the caldron go.”
In we throw some entrail glob,
toads and squirrels, go kaplop.
DogDaz stew we boil and bake,
peanut butter cookies and kitty cakes.
Spider legs when we can catch’m,
cricket backs on which we snack’m.
Mice and snakes and occasional skinks,
this is our Pigoween dream we thinks.
(No offense to Will Shakespeare intended)
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
DogDaz Zoo 