Tag Archives: puppies

How Dogs Can Train Each Other

In my home there are three teenage girls, three cats, a rat, and two dogs. The cats are the least amount of trouble since all they require is food, water, a clean litter box and love-on-demand. I’m not very fond of the rat, but he was about to become homeless since his owner packed up and moved out of state, so “Spock” now lives with us. The teenage girls? Well, that’s where my gray hairs and stomach ailments have come from, though for the most part our home is fun, if not slightly disorganized. This brings me to our dogs. … Continue reading →

What’s This about the Obamas Getting a Puppy?

Barack Obama’s win was, naturally, the talk of all the news yesterday. But of course the thing that caught my ear was the focus on how the Obamas were considering getting a puppy. The Puppy Speech I’d tried to stay awake for Obama’s victory speech Tuesday night, but instead I ended up falling asleep. I guess if I would have watched it I would have heard for myself the part where he said he was going to reward his daughters’ support and patience during the campaign with a puppy. I was surprised to hear they were considering a puppy. I … Continue reading →

Puppies Successfully Cloned… For a Price

A story about an American woman who paid fifty thousand dollars to have her dog cloned made headlines this week. The story in short, if you missed it: she lost her dog Booger two years ago. Once dog cloning became available, she sold her home to finance the project to clone her lost pup. About a week ago, two surrogate mothers gave birth to five pit bull puppies — all clones of Booger. I have mixed feelings about this, to be honest. It’s a lot of money to spend, for one thing. That money could have helped a lot of … Continue reading →

Budly in Beagle’s Clothing

Two times so far this week I’ve seen Winky (whose name is now Ruby). The first time was Monday afternoon when her owner was taking her for a walk. The second time was at six thirty this morning when I was taking Murph for his walk. On Monday, I was working in my office, which has a huge window overlooking the front yard. That’s when I saw Winky and her people across the street. I hurried and leashed Murph up, then dashed outside to get a Winky fix. That’s when I learned her name was Ruby. I also wanted to … Continue reading →

Puppy Bowl IV Play-by-Play

Did you catch any of Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl IV? The last couple of years I’ve usually only been able to watch part of it. But this year Wayne had some work to do, so I planted myself in front of the TV with a project of my own (folding buckets-worth of laundry) and watched even more than usual. Player Introductions Somehow I managed to miss most of this both times I was able to catch the start of the show. I liked how they introduced them by name, breed, age, and with a description of something about them. For … Continue reading →

Gearing Up for Puppy Bowl IV

That’s right. It’s that time of year again. Time for what’s become a pre-Super Bowl tail-gating tradition in our house: watching Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl. And it’s the team of frisky pups getting their game on that truly puts the “tail” in tail-gating! This year’s “Starting Line-up” Which of the 33 puppies will be able to hang in there for the duration of the game? Who’s got the moves to go the distance? There’s no telling until the hounds are let loose on the field, but here’s this year’s contenders: Abigail (Jack Russell Terrier) Jack (Mini Dachshund) Attucker (Beagle) Jackson … Continue reading →

Everyone Wants Winky!

Last night while walking Murph I ran into Cindy, the neighbor who had found the stray Beagle and asked me to watch it for a couple hours last week. I had spoken to her husband since then and had unfortunately learned who Winky belonged to, but I didn’t know if they’d ever come to pick her up yet or not. (No one ever did find out what her real name is, so I’m still referring to her as Winky.) Anyway, yes, Cindy informed me, they did finally come get her. There went any thoughts of me attempting an adoption. But … Continue reading →

Sad Stray Pup Update

You know that little stray Beagle I puppy sat last week? The one I had named Winky? Wayne and I were walking Murph in the neighborhood the other day and we ran into the neighbors who had found him. (Which bears clarification. I guess Winky is not a him but a her.) To our surprise they still had her! The neighbor was coming out with their existing dog, Zoe, and Winky on a leash. Winky was so happy to see us. She remembered us. With squeals and yips of delight she strained to get to us and we greeted her … Continue reading →

Surprise Puppy Sitting Duties

Wayne and I had just finished eating dinner last night when I noticed headlights in our driveway that weren’t going away. No sooner had I peeked out the window and commented that someone was parked behind my car than the doorbell started ringing frantically. I went to answer it and found a panicked looking Cindy, a neighbor from up the street, with a beagle puppy in her arms. “I don’t know what to do. He dashed into my garage as I was leaving, but I’m going to be late for the Y. Can you please watch him?” “Sure, come on … Continue reading →

Welcoming Puppy: Throwing a Shower

Since October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, perhaps you’ve decided to do that –welcome a dog into your family. Getting a new dog, be it a puppy or adult, is an exciting occasion. One worth celebrating. Why not do just that by throwing a puppy shower? What a Puppy Shower Is If you’ve ever attended (or maybe planned) a wedding or baby shower, it’s the same thing, just applied to a pet. It can be as elaborate an affair as you want, or you can keep it small and intimate. You can also invite other dogs to your party … Continue reading →