There can be no knowledge without emotion. We may be aware of a truth, yet until we have felt its force, it is not ours. To the cognition of the brain must be added the experience of the soul. ~Arnold Bennet
What is life if not the culmination of the things that we have experienced; the deep and unyielding collection of events that are burned into our memory banks. Some of them we can not even remember, but they still created a mark, a scar maybe, a ripple in the scheme of our total recall.
Louise is an emotional dog. She was about 5 months old when we rescued her, and that could be a lifetime of experiences that we just will never really know about. I think Louise’s start in life was bad. I know she was neglected, but I think that she probably was emotionally, if not physically, abused.
She is a good dog. And to those she trusts, she is a sweet dog. She is leery of strangers and fearful of loud and overwhelming humans. The freedom and abandon she possesses as she runs at max speed across a field is amazing, but then she can quickly hide behind me and snarl at a dog or human that is getting to close or reminds her of something. I adore this dog but I do not understand her yet. She is teaching me about her fear and shyness and how the emotions can scar the soul so deeply and longly, that building confidence can become a life long challenge.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
Tags: adoption, Animal, animal abuse, animal awareness, Animal welfare, animals, dog, Dog People, dog rescue, DogDaz, Dogs, Emotion, emotional scars, nature, Pet, pets, postaday, shelter dog
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This morning we were out in the yard playing under the Big Tree. We love the cool breezes and the crazy squirrels. The leaves are falling on our heads and sticking to our feet. We are having so much fun chewing on sticks that fall from the trees in the wind, gnaw gnaw gnaw. Nine, the mischief cat, keeps trying to come play in the yard with us, but Mommy won’t let him. It is fun to dig under the leaves and hide our toys. I try to sneak bones out of the house and plant them to see if they will grow a bone tree next spring. Louise says that is silly and the squirrels will come at night and dig them up and then eat them. I don’t believe her. I am going to grow a bone tree. Mommy found one on the internet for me, so it must be real. 
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animal awareness, animals, dog, Dog Bones, Dog People, DogDaz, Dogs, funny dogs, nature, Pet, pets, postaday, squirrel
Louise here. Now that Peanut is gone, I claim this comfy bed as mine! Do you understand me all you other animals. Whenever that door is open and Mommy goes in there, that is my throne. None of you are to even try and get up on the bed with me.
What part of “IT’S MINE!” do you not understand Nine???!!!!
Get off my bed you silly cat or I will eat you!
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animal awareness, Cat, cats, cute dogs, dog, DogDaz, Dogs, funny dogs, Pet, pets, postaday
Nine, the mischief cat says: “I miss Peanut, more than anyone. I don’t know why Mommy gets to go see her but I don’t? Just because someone said that cats don’t like to ride in cars for hours and hours with no potty break and no food, does not mean that a big strong boy like me could not endure it. So next time Mommy, forget about the dogs whining to come with you and take me instead. I really will be a good boy. I promise.”
Sofie, the whiner dog says: “Oh really Nine, you are just so full of yourself. Dogs are much better travelers. We know how to stick our noses out the windows and stay in the seat until Mommy tells us we can get out. Can you do that?”
Nine says: “You have a point Sofie. But if you part your hair differently, no one will notice. MEEEEOOOOOWWWW”
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animals, Cat, dog, DogDaz, Dogs, Pet, pets, postaday
Peanut & Squash
Halloween 2006
Sofie Bear, the whiner, in her whiniest voice says: “Mommy has gone up north to visit Peanut at college for Parent’s Weekend. This is really not fair! We know that she used to bring Squash E Bear on long trips with her wherever she went. He even would go into the classroom with her when she picked Peanut up at school. Why doesn’t she take us? We found this picture in the animal file of Peanut and Squash at Halloween 2006. It looks like Peanut even shared her candy with him. This is just wrong! Mommy should take us everywhere she goes. Lulu, don’t you think Mommy should take us on trips?”
Louise, the shy says: “But SoSo, that means riding in the giant metal box for hours and hours. You hate the car. You cry all the time and sometimes you even get sick.”
Sofie: “Well, it’s still not fair! The least she can do is give us some candy.”
… to be continued…
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animals, cute dogs, dog, DogDaz, Dogs, funny dogs, Pet, pets, postaday
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Fall in the Chesapeake Bay region is absolutely lovely. The dogs stick their noses in the air and prance with an abandon like no other time of the year. Pine cones, sticks, and crazy squirrels keep them busy. They help me put the gardens ‘to bed’ and enjoy digging some new places for me to plant next year. It is sad to see the annuals die off but I am always glad to see a volunteer pull through the winter and surprise me the next season. For example those incredible Elephant Ears. I am not sure how that one got there since I do not remember planting them in that spot, but we do always have some in a pot on the deck. Maybe we threw a root over in the pile and it took hold. V just bought some black ones that we will winter over in the house and then see if they can WOW us next season like this astounding offering.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animals, annual plants, Chesapeake Bay, dog, DogDaz, Dogs, gardening, Gardens, Maryland, Mid-Atlantic, Pet, pets, plants, postaday
Tags: Abandonment, adoption, Animal, Animal welfare, animals, Cat, cats, dog, dog rescue, DogDaz, Dogs, Pet, pets, postaday
I know there was a bunch of you that were laughing at the title of today’s post and you understand what I am talking about. K8 bought me a cute sweatshirt with that saying on it and it made me laugh. Here at the zoo we live it every day. I spend hours, days, even months training the dogs. I own them and I feel that their behavior is definitely a reflection of the work I put into helping them understand what is expected of them in the world. I am their ‘boss.’ Kind of like the sports team owner around here.
But the cats, well they definitely think I work for them. “Human,” they say “we demand that you play with us now or we will bite on your phone cord or walk on your keyboard;” “Feed me now or I will throw up a hairball in the middle of the living room (especially since you just cleaned the carpet);” “Clean my litter box now or I will use this corner of your office as my new toilet;” “Feed me or I will go in the kitchen and knock all your favorite things off the counter;” need I say more. The truth is, they are right. I work for them.
“OK, Kitty, I’ll be right there!”
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animal awareness, animals, Cat, cats, Cats and Dogs, cute dogs, dog, DogDaz, Litter box, Pet, pets, postaday
I was out wondering the blogroll and I came upon Lulu’s brother from another mother, Doggy. Don’t they look like they would be great virtual friends. So I am taking Louise to the virtual dog park and I am hoping that Doggy will be there to play. If you haven’t seen Doggy’s virtual home it has a new look and maybe he really needs a good run after his human spent so much time cleaning and reorganizing.
Happy Louise
Does your dog have a virtual twin? I challenge you to do the following:
Happy Doggy
1. Find another blog dog (or cat, or guinea pig, rabbit, OK any ‘pet’) and clip a picture from their page that looks like your fluffy love.
2. Post the 2 pictures side by side, like I did here.
3. Comment back to DogDaz on your post, so that I know your fluffy has enter the virtual dog park.
4. Have fun playing (but do remember to pick up any garbage before you leave).
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animal awareness, animal pictures, animals, Blog, contest, cute dogs, dog, DogDaz, Dogs, funny dogs, Guinea pig, Pet, pets, postaday, virtual dog park
I love it when Mommy feels guilty about leaving the zoo on one of her trips. When she returns after being away from us for a few days, she tends to give us new kinds of treats that we never had before. I also really like that she sits and cuddles with us for a really long time when she gets home (Mommy cuddles are my favorite thing in the whole world).
Someone said you are not supposed to eat anything bigger than you head, but they probably never saw my new bone. – Louise (aka Momma’s big girl)
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animals, cute dogs, dog, DogDaz, Dogs, funny dogs, nature, Pet, pets, postaday, rawhide bones
Louise is an emotional dog. She was about 5 months old when we rescued her, and that could be a lifetime of experiences that we just will never really know about. I think Louise’s start in life was bad. I know she was neglected, but I think that she probably was emotionally, if not physically, abused. 
DogDaz Zoo 