Hangin’ with the Animals

posted by Animal Lover on Sep 19

Who says dogs and cats don’t like each other? When I was growing up we had a dog and cat that slept together their entire lives!

Two years ago, my daughter (who was over 22 at the time) came home with her then fiancé and plopped a month-old grey tabby with deformed paws into my lap. Cute as he was both her father and I had been saying since the passing of our own cat 8 years before, that we didn’t want another cat.

But our Labrador/retriever mix took one look at that little grey bundle and was so happy that she was practically dancing and howling around him! She kissed him and picked him up and put him in her bed! She proceeded to clean him from nose to tail tip and wouldn’t let anyone touch him for almost a week, unless it was to feed him. She trained him to behave and “told” our niece (in howls) not to take him out of her view, she actually goosed her away from her “baby”.

When we had to put her out when we left for work, the two of them would (still do) talk to each other through the glass sliding doors.

It didn’t take long before “Pepper” was a full member of our household. When it came time for our daughter and son-in-law to move, we knew Pepper would be staying right where he was-with us and his adopted “doggy” mom.

posted by Animal Lover on Sep 19

Congratulations! After searching long and hard at the shelters, thru the newspaper and even enlisting friends and family in your search, you’ve found the right dog! So what’s next? Giving him/her a proper name of course!

So you think to yourself, just any ol name won’t do. It’s got to be unique, something different! Well, allow me to give you a few dog naming categories that will hopefully help you to come up with some really novel names for your four legged friend.

First though, when coming up with a name keep in mind a few things to watch out for.

1. Stay away from names that might be potentially embarrassing to both you AND your dog. The name “Stinky” might be cute at first, but once the joke gets old, think of how you’ll feel a year from now when you have to call “Stinky” home at night. Embarrassing names could also apply to negative words that might rhyme with your dogs name.

2. There’s been a tendency in recent years to give dogs human names. Though there’s nothing wrong with this, be kind to your pooch and name him after someone you like. Also, if want to name him after someone you know, better check with that person first to see if it’s alright. I’m not sure how much your human friend Max will like hearing, “Get off the couch Max!” or worse “We took Max to get fixed today”.

3. If possible, keep the name to one or two syllables. Dogs not only learn it quicker, but it makes them easier to train as well.

On with the names!…

In this article I’ve listed just 3 of the many dog name categories that might help you to think a bit outside the box when coming up with great puppy names. They are…

Unique Dog Names: Have you ever considered naming your dog after something that you eat or drink? I’m serious. Allow me to give you just a few examples that will hopefully get your creative juices flowing… Bon Bon: I can see this as a good name for a small black dog. Caviar: For a dog with expensive tastes. Maybe a good Poodle name? Jalapeno: A good name for a dog with a sometimes fiery disposition. Crouton: Another good name for a small breed. Maybe a Chihuahua? Latte: Possibly a good name for a black dog. Kahlua: I can see this name on a brown dog.

As strange as it sounds, many more food and drink related dog names can be as close as your refrigerator, pantry or liquor cabinet!

Cool Dog Names: The dictionary defines the word “cool” as something that’s fashionable, or hip. To me, when it comes to dog names, a name that’s “cool” is a name that one doesn’t normally hear. One that is creative enough to be memorable. And that perhaps matches that particular dogs appearance or disposition. Here’s just a few names from my site that I put into the “cool” dog name category for starters…

Aspen, Azure, Capri, Charisma, Denali, Java, Mahala, Maui, Mignon, Nirvana, Pirouette, Rio, Sahara, Sierra, Taboo, Tiara

Funny Dog Names: By funny, I’m referring to cute dog names that will match it’s physical appearance. Here’s just a few ideas… Espresso: For an energetic black dog. Kisses: For a small affectionate pup. Brutus: For a BIG dog. Putt-Putt: For a dog with short legs.

Here’s some additional ideas…

Big Dog Names: Barbarian, Big Foot, Butkus, Chewbacca, Genghis, Godzilla, Hummer, Terminator, T-Rex, Tsunami

Small Dog Names: Doodle, Gumball, Kewpie, Laptop, Nibbles, Widget

For additional funny ideas, think opposites! Peanut for a BIG dog, Moose for a small dog.

If you spent as much time as you did when finding the perfect dog, why not spend a little extra time in finding the perfect name? Your dog will thank you for it!

posted by Animal Lover on Sep 19

“Come here sweetie pie. I’ve bought you something special today.”

Hubby begins to smile. The smile then turns into a big grin. He begins to wonder how he got so lucky.

“What you get me honey?” He sheepishly asks as he runs to the door!

Visibly irritated, she rushes by him with the wave of her hand.

“Not you,” she retorts abruptly, “where’s Sam?”

Hubby immediately drops his shoulders and shuffles back to his regular spot in front of the television set.

Out of nowhere bounds the newest member of the family… the puppy, Sam. Bobbing his head, wagging his tail, and wetting himself, Sam is obviously overjoyed that his real owner is home.

Sam selfishly absorbs all of the puppy love his owner showers down upon him. Hubby steals a glance at all of the commotion in the corner. He watches his wife and Sam play with Sam’s gift. A chewable plastic bone.

This scene is played out daily in the USA. People consider their puppies more than pets. Some people even talk to their animals. Women especially. I wonder why? Maybe because the puppy listens and never talks back.

Puppies love to play. They also love chewy bones and noisy toys. They also thrive on attention and affection, and enjoy being showered with puppy love.

Purchase a hard plastic pool from the hardware store. Put it in your back yard and fill it with water. Your four legged friend will love you for it. It would serve a dual purpose too. Sam can play in the pool and the water would cool him off.

Have you ever seen those rope-like toys for puppies? They can chew on those things for days on end. Pet stores carry an array of toys and things for your puppy. In fact, I remember seeing a stand full of pet things in a corner market. Imagine that!

A down side to having a puppy is fleas. I don’t find bad odor so much of a problem with puppies as with bigger dogs. But fleas! All those over the counter remedies, guaranteed to rid your puppy of fleas only drains the pocketbook.

I use pine needles. Puppies don’t mind pine needles, but fleas do. Put a layer of pine needles on your puppies bed and he’ll shower you with puppy love. Pine needles help cut odor too. Change the pine needles every couple of days or so.

Of all the animals people keep, puppies are special. They bring a puppy love into the home that no other animal can bring.

As usual, I’ll conclude with a DOG tip. Remember that’s a Dog Owners Guide (DOG) tip:

Before you pet any puppy or dog, ask the owner first. It stands to reason then, if the owner isn’t around, never touch a strange puppy or dog. Just because the puppy is small and adorable, doesn’t mean he can’t inflict a serious wound.