Splash!

21. March 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Did You Know? · Tags: , , , , , ,
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Wednesday was the first day of spring, and at least where I live, (outside Cleveland Ohio aka Lake Effect Snow country) we ushered in the new season with several inches of snow. Typical chester-black-labCleveland. But this week’s blog is not about spring, or the snow, but to remind you that the dog days of summer are only three months away. A good time to start looking for a doggy pool. Yes, you read right. A doggy pool for your four-legged best friend. 

Did you know…according to dogpools.com, there are just as “many different types of dog pools”  as there are types of dogs.

Here are some helpful hints to find the perfect doggy pool for your dog this summer.

No Kidding: Doggy pools are not the same as kiddie pools. Doggy pools are more durable than kiddie pools. Additionally, they are able to withstand the sharp parts of a dog’s body (think: nails, teeth) that could puncture the average kiddie pool.

Splash or Cool Down: Be sure the pool provides your dog with enough room to move around easily. Also, know the answers to these questions before you head out.
Do you want your dog…to get in and out of the pool unassisted?  To be able to splash around or just lay down for a cool down and soak? Do you want the pool to be deep enough for them to do the doggy paddle? Or do you want the pool to hold just a few inches of water for them to cool off? 

Doggy pools provide a cool place for your dog on a hot summer day. It can also provide hours of fun for the entire family.

Enjoy some more pics of dogs in pools.

Until next time…

Wendy

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Can You Read My Mind?

21. February 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Did You Know? · Tags: , , , ,
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Ask almost any dog-loving owner and most will agree–if not brag--that their dog can read their mind.mind-reading-dog

Did you know…the dog owners may be right?

Sort of.

“Dogs are in a special way tuned in to humans.” Jozsef Topal explains the results of his study for Discovery News. Topal is a scientist at the Institute for Psychological Research at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Dogs are “interested in finding out how we think, and they are able to do it by reading our subtle communicative behaviors.”

The experiment, the first of its kind, used eye-tracking techniques to study canine social skills. The study concluded dogs were more likely to follow along when the person first expressed an intention to communicate.

Topal also believes dogs are sometimes better than adults when it comes to reading human intent. Topal goes on to say, a “dog can acquire an ability to anticipate the owner’s behavior, and this may give a false impression of mind-reading.”

Whether or not Fido can read our mind, this much is clear.

“These skills” Topal believes, “help to make the human-dog bond stronger.”

What do you think? Can Fido read your mind? Drop me a line and let me know what you think.

Until the next time,

Wendy

But Can They Drive 55?

18. January 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Did You Know? · Tags: , , , , ,
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Okay, call me a skeptic.

Did you know…. dogs could drive?

The New Zealand chapter of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) says yes.

According to the New Zealand Herald, after eight weeks of instruction, and equipped with a special set of paw controls, the accompanying video suggests the SPCA has succeeded in teaching dogs how to drive. At least the basics anyway.

Monty, Ginny, and Porter were taught how to stop, go, steer and change gears.

Set to take their test drives on live television, the New Zealand SPCA hopes that the driving dogs show viewers how intelligent rescue animals are.

Okay, I’m convinced. Maybe dogs can drive. 

However, can they drive 55??

Let me know what you think.

Until the next time….buckle up and drive safe.

Wendy

Did You Know….Holidays Version

07. December 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: Did You Know? · Tags: , , , , ,
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Some fun did you know holiday related dog bites.

Think you’re the only one who buys your furry friend Christmas presents? Think again.
Did you know…Americans spend about $5 billion on holiday presents for their furry friends?
63% of dog owners said they give their pets presents. 40% of dog owners hang Christmas stockings for their pets.

Have you sent out your Christmas cards yet? If so, did you remember Fido?
Did you know…27% of dog owners sign their pet’s name on greeting cards or letters? 64% include news about their pet. 36% include a photograph in their holiday cards.

Like to sing Christmas carols while deckin’ the halls? Did you know…56% of dog owner sing to their pets

In need of a holiday stress reliever?

Check out this video of a bunch dogs “rockin’ around the Christmas tree” and decorating it too!!

Until next time…Happy Holidays!

Wendy

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Cast Your Vote Now…

03. November 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: Did You Know?, Ginger Snaps · Tags: , , , , , , ,
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Hi everyone…I told Mom I had something important to say, and since I haven’t talked to you for a while, she let me do the blog this week.

I have always liked the month of November. Yes, my Mom’s birthday just happens to fall in November, however, that is not the reason (okay, sorry Mom, it is one of the reasons.) However this blog talks about the other reasons.

Monday begins National Shelter Appreciation Week (November 5th-11th.)

According to the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) web site,…did you know?

Approximately 61% of dogs entering shelters across the country will be euthanized?

About 75% of all cats entering shelters across the country will be euthanized?

One intact female cat and her unaltered offspring can produce 420,000 cats in seven years?

Seven puppies and kittens are born for every one human?

More than 12 million dogs and cats are euthanized in pounds and shelters across the country every year?

Also in November, and in the very same week, “you” (humans that is) get to exercise your right to vote.

On November 6th, “you” as a very good friend of Mom’s from Maine told her in recent e~mail, “will be released from political advertisement purgatory.” Your “release” comes (if it hasn’t come already like for some of you living in Ohio and other states that had early voting) when you head to the polls and elect your next President to the Oval Office.

On your way home, take a stop at your local animal shelter and bring a DemoCAT or RepubLABican home to your White (or whatever color it is) House. And how do they stand on some of the issues? Health care–repeated studies have shown pets can, among other things, help reduce blood pressure, detect cancer and seizures. The economy. The Democats feel you should “work” to get their love while the RepubLABicans won’t make you “work” has hard.

November is also Senior Pet Month. While puppies and kittens are the tops of everyone’s wish list, don’t forget to at look at the seniors at the shelter or rescue.

So matter which way you vote, both you and your selected “candidate” (who you have chosen to come into your home) are a winner.

Love and sloppy kisses,

Ginger

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Trick or Treat: The Doggy Dress-Up Debate

28. October 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: Did You Know? · Tags: , , , , , ,
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According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), 14.7% of dog owners dressed up their four-legged family member for Halloween. Numbers for this year are not out yet, but last year, the NRF predicted Americans were expected to spend $6.68 billion on Halloween in 2011. Included in that sum was an astounding $310 million on pet costumes!

A leisurely stroll in your local retail store confirms this. What used to be two end caps of costumes (usually one for dogs, the other for cats) has now expanded into an entire aisle (or more.)

With so many furry friends now walking the streets and begging for some treats or crashing Halloween costumes parties, what are the hottest costumes to be (or not) be seen in?

The NRF published the following list of the top-selling animal costumes:

Pumpkin
Devil
Hot dog
Bee
Cat
Witch
Bowties/fancy collars/bandanas
Pirate
Dog
Ghost

Read more about this debate and tell us what you think. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with this.

William Shakespeare famously pondered (via Hamlet), in his tragic play by the same name, “To be, or not to be: that is the question.” Around this time of year, one might modify The Bard’s words for the canine pet owner. “To dress, or not to dress (one’s pooch): that is the question.”

For the dog however, is it a trick or a treat to be dressed up?

Now, that really is the question, isn’t it?

Until the next time…remember to keep your pets (dressed or undressed) safe this week and keep them away from the chocolate.

Wendy

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What’s Your Dog’s IQ?

06. October 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: Did You Know? · Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Are you a dog parent?

When asked at the office to show pictures of your “kid” do you show your co-workers pictures of your dog instead? When someone brags about the cool trick Fido performed at the latest party, are you quick to chime in with yet a better story? How about intelligence? Every dog owner likes to think they have the world’s smartest dog.

Did you know…the smartest dogs are often thought to be Border Collies? However, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, Doberman Pinschers, and German Shepherds also do well on doggy intelligence tests.

Time to put your pooch to the test.

When you’re done, come back here and tell us (okay, you can brag if you want) how well they did. Oh! Don’t forget to let us know what kind of dog you have too!

 

Until next time,

Wendy

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Arf-Arf!!

01. October 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: Did You Know? · Tags: , , , ,
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Did you know…humans have a remarkable ability to understand ‘canine speak?’

Hungarian researchers say that we are able to categorize various types of dog vocalizations and understand their emotional content. Want to put your bark listening skills to the test? The link takes you to the PBS/Nova site…once there, click on the “Launch Interactive” button to take the quiz.

There are six different barks (and breeds of dogs) to identify. I scored 5 out of 6.

When you’re done, come back here and we’ll compare scores.

Until next time….keep barking!

Wendy

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Ugh!!! I’ve Been Kissed by a Dog!!!

24. September 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: Did You Know? · Tags: , , , , , ,
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“Ugh!” groans Lucy Van Pelt. “I’ve been kissed by a dog!”

Poor Snoopy. All he was doing was showing her his affection towards her. But was Lucy right? Could Snoopy been giving her “dog germs?”

A 2001 study says yes.

According to the study, did you know…a doggy kiss from Snoopy can not only give you dog germs, but can also get you sick?

Bruno Chomel, a professor and co-author of the study says even though the risk of getting sick from a kiss from Snoopy is minimal, it shouldn’t be overlooked either. “The risk is rare, but when it occurs it can be very nasty.”

So, sorry Snoopy.

A kiss is just a kiss except when it comes from a dog.

Do you agree? Do you let your dog give you kisses? Read more about the study and tell me what you think.

Until next time…

Wendy

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I Hereby Leave…

06. September 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: Did You Know? · Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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The other day I was babysitting my niece and nephews and we watched the Walt Disney animated movie “The Aristocats.”  For those who haven’t seen it, or, like me, it has been awhile, here is a brief recap. The film tells the story of Madame Bonfamille, an elderly woman who changes her will to leave everything to her precious and pampered pet, Duchess, and the cat’s three kittens.

Okay. I know what you are thinking. This is a dog blog, why are we talking cats? But it got me wondering about dogs (real ones, not animated ones.) I’m sure most of us recall the late hotel magnate Leona Helmsley who left her Maltese pooch $12 Million when she died.

Did you know…an estimated 1,000,000 dogs in the U.S. have been named as the primary beneficiaries in their owner’s will?

However much we might like to think of our dogs as our best friends and family members with four legs, the truth is, it is illegal to name Fido or Spot as a beneficiary in our will. Simply put, dogs (cats too), are considered property. But, while Fido cannot inherit anything from you directly, you can establish a pet trust to ensure he is provided for after you die. Just a word to the wise…not every state offers this alternative for Spot yet, so, be sure to check to see if your state does.

Although I can’t leave anything to my beloved Labs, Shadow and Ginger, it got me to thinking. What would I leave them if I could?

How about you? What would you leave your pet? Tell us what you would want to leave your pet if you could.

Until next time,

Wendy

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