More Dogs Are Delaying Retirement Than Ever Before
As the largest generation of dogs in history is about to hit retirement age, a new study released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that more than ever, pups are putting off leaving the work force. ”The economic climate is such that many canines feel the have to work more years so that they can stretch pensions further once they do retire,” said Sandy Almonte, head of the BLS’ dog research division.
Via JPreisler.com.
Though I have always had strict rules about no dogs on the bed, I lost the battle with my teenager and Louise. This is a picture of a very happy Louise, taking a nap on the very messy teenage bed (I added the dream bubble, of course). This picture was not planned or set up in any way. What you see are really all the things that make up C’s life. Let’s start on the left with the little girl stuffed animals that live on the end of her 17 year old bed. To the bottom left appears to be a box of shoes (of which she has more than Emelda Marcos), a lacy red bra, and a pair of jeans. This all nicely positioned next to her MacBook on it’s chill pad (because she does listen to Mom about somethings). Moving along the single bed we find the back of some fashion magazine (I think it is Allure) and a deck of Tarot cards (the Rider-Waite deck). All this appears to be placed on top of some music CD that was home made. There are 2 hangers near the pillows, obviously from some clothes that are probably on the floor, which, believe me, you do not want to see (do you ever watch Hoarders – that is what a teenagers room is like). I see that the hangers are on top of a make-up case. Behind Louise is a bag of cotton balls, which usually means C has polished her nails recently. Louise is sleeping on C’s blanky that she still takes everywhere. It is like a purple shag rug on one side and silky on the other. It has been with her for I do not know how long. It goes to sleepovers, and camps, and in the car. I am sure it will go to college next year. But, Louise and I won’t. So, I will open C’s door and let Lulu sleep on her bed. Because, some rules just need breaking when you’re a teenager. Just another DogDaz morning at our house ❤
This is my kitty Muffin, or as I call him to make him feel more manly Mufasa!
So I took the dogs with me to PetSmart because it is really cold out and I figured it would be a good outing for all of us, also, I am trying to get them more used to people. We live in a very very very, did I say very, quiet area. If we pass more than one person or dog when taking our walks, it would be unusual. So, what I realize is that the dogs are not very socialized. I have taken Lulu to the pet store with me since she ‘rescued’ me (she was about 6 months old), but that is maybe only once every 6 weeks or so.
Lulu Graduation 2010
Louise is actually a graduate of the PetSmart academy, and though she remembers the nice man. ‘Larry the Trainer,’ with the pepperoni treats in his pocket, it is not a very comfortable place for her when we first enter. I put Sofie in the shopping cart, so that she is not underfoot, and the three of us walk around the store. Today we had to get dry cat food and exchange this 40% off ‘Martha Stewart’ sweater that I bought Louise last week that was ripped. Now can someone explain to me why people, adult people, think it is OK to just walk up to any animal, without asking, and try to pet it. People always seem to want to do that to Louise, even though she is standing behind me. I work really hard at making Lulu feel safe though the world is full of non-thinking humans that come right out of nowhere and try to pat her on the head. Not even open handed from underneath! Really people!
She did good with the store people today so I really have to do this more often. I hand people dog treats so that they can have something to reward her with if she comes close, which she did a lot today. I would never put her in danger, or other humans, so I hope you don’t think that this is an overly anxious situation for her. We have been doing this now for a year and a half and I am very proud of her. And she looked really good in her now sweater! Just another DogDaz morning at our house ❤
Laced Ivory Beauty Blog: Cosmetics, Skincare and Fashion – For the Love of All Things Beautiful – Beauty Blog Based All Over the World. on We Heart It. http://weheartit.com/entry/21447939
Happy Chinese New Year – the year of the Dragon. I just want to start by saying. it is not fair!!! Westerners get only 1 day to celebrate the turn of the new year and the Chinese get 15! Yes, 15 days to have family gatherings, rituals and celebrations. It is so smart! Right in the middle of the long northern winter cold (usually in late January or February) the Chinese people get to party for 2 weeks. That is just sooooo smart!
If you are wondering the reason the Chinese new year does not start on the 1st of January (which is from the Roman calendar that Westerners use today) it is because the very smart Chinese, who were among some of the first people to do this stuff, 2,500 years ago, follow the lunar calendar (the Hebrew calendar is lunar too and both calendars actually have several similar elements, but that is for someone else to blog – this blog is about animals remember).
The Chinese have had thousands of years to figure out how to bring in the new year in style. Here is what you need to do if you want to participate in the Chinese New Year: You clean the house before the new year celebration: I mean really clean – every speck of dust in the house must be gone or it will bring bad luck (Boy, am I in trouble with all this dog and cat hair around here, good thing I am not Chinese). This is so you SWEEP away the bad stuff from the year before (can I vacuum, it is so much easier?). Then you open the windows and doors at midnight to let the old spirits leave (how cool is that?). Make sure to wear and decorate with RED, to frighten scary beasts away, and GOLD, for good fortune (Red is Lulu and my best color, Gold may look good on Sofie). And the one I like the best is….. you eat really LONG NOODLES, for a long life (YUMMY! I love noodles).
So, the dogs and I were trying to figure out how we were going to spend our 15 days of celebrating. I really like that the Chinese zodiac is made up of animals (mythical and real). So we researched that part for us:
I AM A ROOSTER – Rooster – 雞 / 鸡 (酉) (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Metal): Acute, neat (not so much), meticulous (about some things), organized (yep), self-assured (yep), decisive (mostly), conservative (I do lean that way), critical (sad but true), perfectionist (not really), alert (coffee!), zealous (about the things I am passionate about), practical (I think so, but not sure V would say so), scientific (yep), responsible (very). Can be over zealous and critical, puritanical, egotistical, abrasive, proud, opinionated, given to empty bravado (well that isn’t me at all, so maybe I really was born in a different year and my parents lied?). (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_zodiac )
Louise is an OX (The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. As one might guess, such people are dependable, calm and modest. Like his animal namesake, the Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in his work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint.) and Sofie is a Tiger (Tiger people are difficult to resist, for they are magnetic characters and their natural air of authority confers a certain prestige on them. They are tempestuous yet calm, warm-hearted yet fearsome, courageous in the face of danger yet yielding and soft in mysterious, unexpected places.). So, I guess it is obvious who really runs the zoo!
Just another DogDaz Chinese New Year at our house ❤
Sofie whines. She is the whiniest, most talkative dog I have ever had. Louise is the strong, silent type, but because Sofie whines so much, lately she has started whining at me a little too. They remind me of the screaming foxes living all around the neighborhood.
Red Fox (by Insight Imaging: John A Ryan Photography)
Sofie whines sometimes like someone broke her leg. I have tried so many things to get her to stop the whining but nothing seems to get her to calm down. She complains about everything.
Mommy, Lulu is being silly!
Sofie whines when she wants something from me: “Mom, why are you at your desk again, get up and play with me! Play with me! PLAY WITH ME! NOW!” She whines when she wants whatever Louise has: “It’s mine, I want it, you should not have that toy, give it to me! give it to me! MOM SHE HAS SOMETHING I WANT!!” She really whines when I am making dinner “Why are the cats on the counter? Muffin is helping you make the dog food! Not fair, not fair, not fair. I want to be on the counter! I want to help make the food! Food FOod FOOd FOOD!!!”….. I am sure you get the idea.
Mommy, Louise has something I want!
Sometime I worry that she is going to have an anxiety attack because she gets so exited about things. Some dogs just have a lot to say I guess.
Just another dogdaz morning at our house ❤
After Squash E Bear went to the Big Meadow in the Sky last February, my heart was broken. So, knowing one thing that makes me happy (fuzzy animals), V suggested I maybe bring a new dog into our lives. Now you know that I jumped on that in a second.
Louise was about 1-1/2 years old at the time. Since Lulu was a smart but timid beta female, her trainer recommended that a dumb male would probably be the best match. Immediately I started searching the internet for my next rescue. I wanted a dog about 80 lbs and furry, like Squash was. I spotted this little male fuzzy puppy on PetFinders and contacted the LUCKY DOG Rescue. The Lucky Dog volunteers were all wonderful on the phone, so we were sure we were going to find our next love.
I filled out the application, had the phone interview, and then headed out on Saturday for the hour or so drive to the adoption event which was running from 12 to 2. We got to the town where the event was being held by noon but could not find the location of the store until 1:30. As we finally parked (oh did I tell you it was pouring rain and we had Louise in the car with us), we see a person carrying the little puppy we came to see to their car. Glad he got a nice home, but now we were back to square one.
I never saw as many dogs as there were at this adoption event. There must have been over 200 beauties at this event. Leaving Louise in the car, we went in and started to meet all the doggies. Well, way in the back of the store, in a portable pen, were the puppies. And, of course, pleading to get picked up and played with….. you got it…. Penny (who is now Sofie Bear).
The pictures above are of Sofie in her PetFinder ad. She was soooo cute. They thought she was a 12 week old Shepard/Collie mix and would probably grow to be about 70 lbs. I know, they told me to get a boy, but could you not fall in love with that face. I brought Louise in to meet some of the older dogs, but she really gets stressed in this type of environment, so it really did not work for her, or me. Sofie was to young (pre-shots) for them to meet. The next week a Lucky Dog volunteer came and did the home visit, I talked to the foster, and on March 9 met him at his work place to pick up SOFIE BEAR.
Little did I know then that I would end up with a Corgi/Sheltie (maybe) who weighs in at about 36 lbs with the attitude of a Mastiff.
I brought her home in a plastic tub because hadn’t bought a crate for her yet because it happened so fast.
Sofie's car tub. Coming home
First day home 3.9.11
Welcome Home
Just another dogdaz morning at our house. ❤
DogDaz Zoo 