My uncle arrived today. He hadn't been here in several years which means it was pre-Tug. He's a Jack Russell man, himself, and was already missing his girl Rose when I got home a while ago.
He and Tug got along like a house on fire, of course. What is it about "dog people" that dogs just seem to know them on sight? I'm really a cat person and I've always gotten positive reactions from cats right off.
Well, Tug spent a few hours wound up but did end up sitting quietly in my uncle's lap- or so my uncle told me. Mama supplied the detail that the Lick Monster was licking him the whole time he was "sitting quietly" in his lap. I think my uncle and I use different dictionaries...
Monday, February 25, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Military Dogs Overseas
I was buying a toy for Tug on the Internet the other day and found an amazing program- this small toy company (a family business) solicits donations to help buy cooling vests for the working dogs in the military overseas. These dogs sniff for bombs and explosives to protect our soldiers and the heat saps their strength and reduces their efficiency. So these expensive vests help them go longer and be healthier.
I don't normally discuss political issues anywhere at any time. However, whether or not you care for the war in the Middle East please give a moment's thought to the human and canine souls who are fighting. I don't ever ask people if they donate to charities or to which ones. Frankly neither of these subjects is any of my business and I don't want anyone asking my opinion, either. I will include the address to the dog toy site so you can see for yourself, though. Please don't be offended if you do support our troops (if not the war) and think it's insane to send money for the dogs vs. the soldiers themselves. We've all got different points of view and I think it is helping the troops since these dogs are trying to make the humans' tasks safer.
helpingudders.com
I don't normally discuss political issues anywhere at any time. However, whether or not you care for the war in the Middle East please give a moment's thought to the human and canine souls who are fighting. I don't ever ask people if they donate to charities or to which ones. Frankly neither of these subjects is any of my business and I don't want anyone asking my opinion, either. I will include the address to the dog toy site so you can see for yourself, though. Please don't be offended if you do support our troops (if not the war) and think it's insane to send money for the dogs vs. the soldiers themselves. We've all got different points of view and I think it is helping the troops since these dogs are trying to make the humans' tasks safer.
helpingudders.com
Happiness
We're kind of weird women. Before we do something we research the heck out of it and getting a dog was no exception. We bought books and checked them out from the library and went on the Internet and talked to people and even figured out what trainers we'd use- all before we got Tug.
One cool thing Mama read was that dogs have 2 emotions: happiness & fear. "Happiness" is defined as the absence of "fear." It's actually a cool concept and the longer we have the boy the more I believe in it. He's such a simple soul. He really tries to do what's expected of him because he wants that extra "what a sweet boy" or ear scratch. He doesn't have a lot of wants (he's majorly spoiled, actually). The other day I looked at him lying spread-Eagle on his belly with toys stacked on top of each other so he can gnaw the uppermost one and realized that was a "happiness" moment. Not just because there was a rug to lie on and toys to chew but because he really doesn't know true "fear." I can count on one hand the times he's been petrified from fright. Oh, he shows some anxiety at times but if we act normal he settles down pretty quickly.
Last night Mama and I were watching Animal Planet and I got horribly upset about a well-loved dog who was hit by a car and had to have a leg amputated. Now, dogs handle that loss of a limb reasonably well and this wasn't even a neglect or abuse case. But I went to pieces. Before Tug I could watch those shows and marvel at how trusting even most of the injured creatures were when handled. Now, I watch them and look at Tuggums and think "what if something like that happened to him." It's a horrible thought and I really feel for those families as well as the little critters themselves.
One cool thing Mama read was that dogs have 2 emotions: happiness & fear. "Happiness" is defined as the absence of "fear." It's actually a cool concept and the longer we have the boy the more I believe in it. He's such a simple soul. He really tries to do what's expected of him because he wants that extra "what a sweet boy" or ear scratch. He doesn't have a lot of wants (he's majorly spoiled, actually). The other day I looked at him lying spread-Eagle on his belly with toys stacked on top of each other so he can gnaw the uppermost one and realized that was a "happiness" moment. Not just because there was a rug to lie on and toys to chew but because he really doesn't know true "fear." I can count on one hand the times he's been petrified from fright. Oh, he shows some anxiety at times but if we act normal he settles down pretty quickly.
Last night Mama and I were watching Animal Planet and I got horribly upset about a well-loved dog who was hit by a car and had to have a leg amputated. Now, dogs handle that loss of a limb reasonably well and this wasn't even a neglect or abuse case. But I went to pieces. Before Tug I could watch those shows and marvel at how trusting even most of the injured creatures were when handled. Now, I watch them and look at Tuggums and think "what if something like that happened to him." It's a horrible thought and I really feel for those families as well as the little critters themselves.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Sweet Boy
Well, it's no secret we think the world of our little boy. We had a three day camping trip last weekend and he's so very good. He's never gotten to be outside much (he's a condo dog) so he doesn't really know how to play when he's outside. He just sniffs everything and eats lots of it and sits around and watches us. We know he hates being tied to a tree and being in his harness all the time (he never wears his collar or harness inside). He does love the lots of short walks my sister and Mama take with him, though. He's even gotten so comfortable in the tent trailer that he can sleep soundly when in his crate. We did have some serious rain Saturday night and Mama said that kept him up since he'd never heard a downpour on canvas...
He just comes back to life when he gets home though- no matter how tired or sleepy he's been and he usually just sleeps through car trips which last over 1/2 an hour. He bounces around and plays and runs around to look at everything to make sure it's all still in the right place. All is right with his world when he gets home and he's glad the little adventure is over. He also sleeps for at least two days after we get back! Seriously, Mama has to wake him up to take him to use the papers- that's a deep sleep for a dog. It's kind of good, though, since it gives Mama a break and she gets a little rest, too.
Unfortunately, I've been sick for a solid month with sinus infections and a relentless cough. Round three of antibiotics started this week (in 30 days). So, I've been too sick to be my normal self and Tug feels badly when we do- really, he reacts to our moods or illnesses by becoming a quiet, subdued little creature. It's sad. Now, Mama has the cough so we've gotten on Tug's last nerve. When one of us coughs his ears go back and he drops his head or turns away. He's tired of hearing it! He's just ignoring us now when we're in a coughing fit. For the first few weeks he was a trooper and came over to see if we were okay. Now, he's just ready for some peace and quiet!
He just comes back to life when he gets home though- no matter how tired or sleepy he's been and he usually just sleeps through car trips which last over 1/2 an hour. He bounces around and plays and runs around to look at everything to make sure it's all still in the right place. All is right with his world when he gets home and he's glad the little adventure is over. He also sleeps for at least two days after we get back! Seriously, Mama has to wake him up to take him to use the papers- that's a deep sleep for a dog. It's kind of good, though, since it gives Mama a break and she gets a little rest, too.
Unfortunately, I've been sick for a solid month with sinus infections and a relentless cough. Round three of antibiotics started this week (in 30 days). So, I've been too sick to be my normal self and Tug feels badly when we do- really, he reacts to our moods or illnesses by becoming a quiet, subdued little creature. It's sad. Now, Mama has the cough so we've gotten on Tug's last nerve. When one of us coughs his ears go back and he drops his head or turns away. He's tired of hearing it! He's just ignoring us now when we're in a coughing fit. For the first few weeks he was a trooper and came over to see if we were okay. Now, he's just ready for some peace and quiet!
