Infographic created by Trupanion.

Life with my Crazy Dogs

By Bonnie Sweebe

You can learn a lot from dogs. They wake up, stretch, smile and wag their tail. They don’t check their email and groan when 36 unread messages are displayed. They don’t check their calendar and grind their teeth when they see the day is full of must do’s. If they stub their toe as they run out the door to go potty, they don’t throw a hissy fit, and they don’t care if they’re having a bad hair day.

Dogs seize the day until there are no more days to seize.

So on this Wednesday morning, as I hold my coffee cup and watch my three retrievers enjoying life, I am thankful for the gift of my own. Enjoy!

With the Help of: Bonnie Sweebe

Hi! I’m Melba, a Canine Companions for Independence service puppy in training. I’m so very excited because I just went to my first blogging conference called BlogPaws!

WelcomePup.com goes to BlogPaws 2013 with Melba

What is a BlogPaws? Why did I go? I asked Mom those exact same questions.

She said BlogPaws is a HUGE pet blogging conference. “What’s a blogger?” I asked. Mom said bloggers have a very important job to do. They write about pet health, new products and issues that bring dogs and mankind together. Cool!

She said the people at BlogPaws care about pets. They recognize the good things we do to make the world a kinder gentler place. BlogPaws is a blogging and social media conference that brings all of those people together to learn, connect and have fun. I like fun, so I agreed to go.

After all, I wrote this post, so I must be a blogger, too!

Mom had her own reason for going. She blogs for her dog toy and gift store, WelcomePup.com. Her blog is called High Five! A Dog Blog. She wasn’t fooling anyone.

The three-day conference was held in Tysons Corner, Virginia. Virginia is six hours away from Cleveland. That means that for six hours, I didn’t have to wear my vest. I couldn’t have been more pleased!

I snoozed for some of the trip. When I woke up, I played with my toys, lying on my back and swatting at them like a cat. Mom says I really travel well. Maybe she’ll take me more often.

We didn’t drive straight through. We stopped to potty, snack and stretch. I got to go inside the service plazas and stand in line at Starbucks. The people in line adored me. They said I was better behaved than most children. I agreed.

I don’t actually drink it. I just pretend.

It was a warm beautiful day when we arrived in Virginia. The conference was at the Sheraton Premier Hotel in Tysons Corner. It was a pretty nice place. I got to ride the elevator to my room. It went really fast. Woocha!

BlogPaws Day One

After we put our luggage into our room, Dad worked while Mom and I hit the lobby and cruised the conference. She told me I’d experience things here that I wouldn’t experience at home. Boy, she wasn’t kidding! Check out some of the pets I met!

This is Zoey from www.Wishcuit.com!

This is Carma Poodale. I thought she was a movie star. She’s at www.carmapoodale.com.

This is Chilly. Chilly’s at www.chillydogblog.com.

And check this out…

This is a real dog!

I got to play in his playgroup!

My new little friend.

Playing with frenchie!

There were also several stroller cats. One in paricular was called Pink Catillac.

How does she keep that hat on?

Some cats had no hair at all. Mom said they are born and bred that way. I guess it is the cat version of the canine Chinese Crested.

I sure hope they wear coats in the winter.

Some people brought pets to sessions. I attended a keynote speech and sat next to Lisa Taron, The Pet Blog Lady, and her flat pet, Oscar.

Oscar, flat pet

BlogPaws 2013 was a sell-out with over 500 people in attendance.

Welcome session BlogPaws 2013

There were vendor booths and food everywhere! It was so hard not to eat the crumbs on the floor. That’s a “No! No!” for service dogs. Rats! (No offense to rats in attendance.)

Vendor booths at BlogPaws 2013!

Usually during the sessions, I did long downs. Then long sits. Then long laps. One time during a long lap I fell asleep. Mom said I make a nice blanket. It’s important for a service dog to be patient.

A service dog’s job description includes waiting…a lot!

During one session, Mom sat next to Bev Van Zant from Iams NA. She knew all about Canine Companions for Independence and she knew about the “E” litter sponsored by Eukanuba. She loved me and said that I was very special. I thought she was special, too. She took this picture of me looking at her.

It’s important to look at people’s eyes when they talk to you.

Each session was about an hour long. I’d begin with a down, but as the room got warmer, the down turned into a snooze.

I’m listening…I’m just resting my eyes.

Then one time, I woke up next to Chilly, the poodle with the purple and blue hair. YIKES! You don’t see dogs like that at Canine Companions for Independence. We all kind of look the same.

Chilly was a great sleepmate.

Then at some point, we got company–human company! Christine Michaels from Pawsitively Humane joined us. It was like a giant sleepover. Kum Ba Yah!

Snoozing at BlogPaws.

Some dogs were really into it, like Ally whose person, Kristin Elliott from Doodie Pack, let her take notes at the table. (Personally, I thought Ally was just trying to reach the coffee cup.)

Even dogs can learn a thing or two at the BlogPaws sessions.

I saw Jen Costello from My Brown Newfies. She lives right down the street from me! And on the last day, Mom found a cartoon artist and we got cartooned! What do you think? Even close?

Cartooned at BlogPaws!

One day, after the conference let out, Dad and Mom drove me to Washington, D.C.–home of first dog Bo Obama! We couldn’t get near the White House to get a pawtograph of Bo, so we went to the Capitol.

Doing the people’s business.

Here’s Dad and I at the red brick fountain.

I did not drink from the fountain.

Practicing “up” on the cherry tree.

I feel stately!

And check out this postcard quality photo of yours truly!

Pretty as a picture!

Okay, enough of playing hooky. Back to the conference. At the end of every day I was absolutely pooped, like this guy.

His down was as good as mine. Good boy!

At night, this is where I slept.

Right next to Mom!

And this is who I slept with.

Me and my Tizzy!

I went potty outside and never made a mess. I was awesome!

On the very last day, I finally got to meet Dexter Bryant and his human mom, Carol. Carol Bryant is also a writer at Dogster, is the CEO & Founder of Fidose of Reality and is the Marketing and Public Relations Manager at BlogPaws 2013. I was schmoozing!

My new friend, Dexter and his mom Carol Bryant and me and my mom Bonnie Sweebe.

Carol Bryant is really nice, too. She let me join Dexter’s playgroup. Everyone ran around while Dexter, with Sony’s new Action Cam strapped to his back, filmed us. I cannot wait to see BlogPaws from a canine’s point of view.

(GOSSIP: Dexter is getting married on June 28, 2013 to Zoe, a Cocker Spaniel who was rescued the day before she was scheduled to be euthanized. The wedding is a fundraiser for the folks who rescued Zoe, Life’s Little Paws. It is called the Wigglebutt Wedding.)

I was even on Twitter. Some nice person took my picture and I got tweeted! (And it wasn’t mom, either.)

When it finally came time to say goodbye to BlogPaws, it was very sad.

Bye bye BlogPaws!

But as we drove away, I thanked Mom and Dad for the really special training trip. I sure hope they have a few more up their sleeve before I go off to puppy college in August.

Paws crossed,

Melba

New puppy? Don’t fret. If you can raise a child, you can raise a puppy!

Barring severe aggression, which in both cases should be immediately addressed by a professional, the key to raising terrific kids and dogs is to focus on teaching them the following ten things:

1. They are loved and safe.
2. There is an acceptable place to potty.
3. There is a time to speak and a time to be silent.
4. Manners still exist and people will love you for it.
5. Waiting isn’t a bad thing.
6. Everyone deserves respect.
7. No biting.
8. Keep their paws to themselves.
9. Do not growl or bite person or family pet who removes food, toys or things.
10. Look at the person who calls their name and listen to their directions.

If you can get your puppy to understand those ten things, with practice, redirection and consistency, that new puppy will turn into a dog that will be a joy to live with.  Happy pet parenting!

Okay, girls. I don’t even want to hear that this dog bed pillow destruction happened because you were so bored.  Melba, you had training today and a walk and you went to the grocery store with me. Sydney, you went in the car to the vet and you and Skye both had walks. This is the same corner of the pillow that I have already repaired sixteen times. Some dogs are destructive because they’re anxious or bored. You guys planned this just to mess with my head. You are all grounded! Silly pups.

Dog emergencies happen unexpectedly. Be ready, by making your own dog first aid kit!

Reprinted by permission from Dr. Nicholas Dodman of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine from his book Puppy’s First Steps (Houghton Mifflin Company).

1. Gauze, sterile pads, and vet wrap, a self-clinging elastic wrap–all can be used to wrap a wound prior to transport to the vet.

2. Scissors.

3. Styptic pencil or powder to stop a nail from bleeding if it has been cut too close.

4. Tweezers or forceps to remove splinters, ticks, etc.

5. Triple antibiotic ointment to inhibit bacterial growth and infection, to be applied to wounds upon direction by a vet.

6. Antiseptic to help prevent infection in minor cuts and to disinfect minor wounds.

7. Hydrocortisone cream to reduce itching caused by insect bites and allergies.

8. Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine for allergic reactions.

9. Cold pack to reduce swelling.

10. Eyewash to rinse foreign objects or dust out of the dog’s eye.

11. Hydrogen peroxide (10 percent strength, easily available over the counter) to induce vomiting in case of poisoning. Your vet or poison control center should be able to tell you the correct dose. (Either one should also be able to tell you whether induction is appropriate; sometimes it can worsen the poisoning, depending on the toxin.)

12. Antiseptic wipes, to clean your hands as well as a cut on the dog.

13. Alcohol prep pads to clean scissors and tweezers before use. (They should not be used directly on a wound.)

14. Muzzle (a scared dog in pain may bite even a loved one).

15. Latex gloves.

16. A read list of emergency health-care provider phone numbers.

Gather the above items now and put them into an emergency box or plastic zip bag. Keep these items by your grooming tools or where you keep your dog’s medicine, both natural places to look should an emergency arise.

It is March 25th and after a cold, rainy and muddy March we were blessed to wake up to snow. There was snow on Ohio roofs and the world looked brilliantly white again. Peace.

Snow Dogs!

The pups were ecstatic! They trampled the white blanket as they barreled through the snow, taking time only to catch their breath as they enjoyed their surprise spring present.

I am not a fan of spring. It’s wet and muddy and a lot of work when you have twelve paws to wash at least three or four times a day. Mud, standing water, rotted foliage, debris, deer, rabbit and goose droppings can be bacteria laden and cause digestive upsets if the pups refuse to leave them be. So I like to cover them up with snow while I wait for the hot summer sun to dry things up so the pups can romp cleanly and I can take a rest. Looks like the pups are resting already. It will be a quiet morning, now.

“My dog eats toys. It makes me so mad. They have the cutest dog toys out there, but every time I buy my dog a toy, it pulls out the stuffing to kill the squeaker. Why do they even put squeakers in dog toys? It only tempts dogs to rip the toy open! The toy is destroyed in 10 minutes. My dog eats the polyfill and that’s not good and if it swallows a squeaker, I don’t know what I’m going to do. So I’m not buying any more dog toys. For me, dog toys are a total waste of money.”

I totally disagree. Dogs need toys to relieve frustration and to play. Frustrated dogs can become destructive dogs and can chew woodwork, eat carpet and pull stuffing out of couch cushions. Yikes!

Before that happens, buy the right toys for your dog. The cute plush toys that are perfect for a laid back dog are not perfect for a dog that is rough on their toys. Soft mouthed breeds like retrievers are notoriously hard on their toys, but the size of a dog does not matter. Small dogs can be dog toy destroyers, too.

Expensive plush dog toys don’t last 10 seconds in the jaws of my three retrievers. My dogs chew open doggy tennis balls. They crack the knobs off Nylabones. One ate a wad of string from a rope toy that nearly killed her.

That’s why there is only one brand that I can absolutely trust: West Paw Design toys made with Zogoflex.

These toys are as indestructible as it gets. The company is so sure that their Zogoflex toys are tough enough for the strongest jaws that the Hurley, Jive, Tizzi, Zisc and Bumi come with a one-time replacement guarantee from West Paw.

I sell these toys individually on my site at WelcomePup.com, or in the Tough Pup Extreme Dog Toy Gift Box. This is a great gift for a new puppy. It comes in two sizes: Regular for medium to large breed dogs and junior for new puppies and small breeds.

Buy these toys and you may never have to buy any others. That’s the best deal out there!

Dog Hair

It’s Everywhere!

Dogs shed. All dogs shed. Don’t let anyone fool you.

I don’t know about you, but I have three retrievers, two long hair and one short and there is hair everywhere. (Relax. On a regular basis, it is not as much as in the above photo.)

“I don’t see much hair,” you say? That’s because I’ve vacuumed like crazy just before you came. Otherwise, you wouldn’t come over because:

1. You are not a dog person. (So sad.)
2. You are allergic. (Then please, NEVER come over here.)
3. You are afraid it will get on your clothes. (Oh, it will!)
4. And secretly you ask yourself, “Will it be in my food?” Duh da daaaaaa! (Perhaps.)

Before you call the health department, I do everything I can to safeguard your visit. When I am cooking for company, I vacuum and clean all countertops. I wipe down the stove and cover every mixing bowl exposed to air with a paper towel that isn’t removed until the masterpiece goes into the oven. I also cover the masterpiece when it comes out, unless I burn it, wherein any dog hair that lands on it is blissful vengeance.

It is probably safer to eat here than it is in the restaurants that I saw yesterday on the Katie Show. But what can I say? I do my best. Hair is in the air.

It is also on the seats of my new Jeep Liberty. Why did I get black? It is in Chicago with my son who has no pets. It lines the filter of my furnace and has caused me to replace my Vacu-Flow turbocat powerheads twice. It floats into my eyes and clings to my contact lenses, whipping me into a wild frenzy.

But here’s the flip side. I find a piece of hair in my wallet and think of my golden retrievers. I look at their fluffy coats and think, “Gosh, you’re gorgeous!” And when I see it lining my backyard bird nests, I can’t help but smile.

Then I go to Target and buy multiple pet rollers, brush the dogs, clean the car and the furnace filter and the dryer vent, pick up hair dust balls that float across every surface and cling to the fibers of the dreaded carpets that I have not yet replaced with tile or hardwood. (Hardwood scratches. Hmm…that’s out.) It’s a full-time job, I tell you. But each time, I return to wagging tails and doggy smiles and love. Lots of love.

It’s worth it!

But it’s still tough to deal with. I’m opening up the comment section of this post so that readers can offer suggestions on how they deal with shedding. Let’s stick together like dog hair on slacks. Okay? Deal!