Tag Archives: dog

The Canine Language

Posted on by Mac Ruffkins

We dogs try and talk to you humans all the time with our bodies, it’s just that you humans never seem to listen to us very well.

Have you ever wished that your dog could talk to you? I’m sure, like millions of others, myself included, that you have. Well, I have good news for you, dogs do “talk” to us, and they do it a lot. There are 2 forms of communication, verbal and non-verbal. We are constantly communicating to our dogs, whether we know it or not, through non-verbal communication (body language). Humans mainly communicate verbally. Read more…

I Found Your Dog Today…

Posted on by Mac Ruffkins

I found your dog today. No, he hasn’t been adopted by anyone. Most of us who live out here have all the dogs we want and those who do not have dogs do so because they choose not to. I know you were hoping he would find a good home when you left him out here, but he did not. When I first saw him he was miles from the nearest house and he was alone, thirsty, thin and limping from a burr in his paw.

How I wish I could have been you as I stood before him. To see his tail wag and his eyes brighten as he bounded into your arms, knowing you would find him, knowing you had not forgotten him. To see the forgiveness in his eyes for the suffering and pain he had known in his never-ending quest to find you, but I was not you. And despite all my persuasion, his eyes saw only a stranger. He did not trust. He would not come.

He turned and continued his journey; one he was sure would bring him to you. He does not understand you are not looking for him. He only knows you are not there, he only knows he must find you. This is more important than food or water or the stranger who can give him these things.

Persuasion and pursuit seemed futile; I did not even know his name. I drove home, filled a bucket with water and a bowl with food and returned to where we had met. I could see no sign of him, but I left my offering under the tree where he had sought shelter from the sun and a chance to rest. You see, he is not of the desert. When you domesticated him, you took away any instinct of survival out here. His purpose demands that he travel during the day. He doesn’t know that the sun and heat will claim his life. He only knows that he has to find you.

I waited hoping he would return to the tree; hoping my gift would build an element of trust so I might bring him home, remove the burr from his paw, give him a cool place to lie and help him understand that the part of his life with you is now over. He did not return that morning and at dusk the water and food were still there untouched. And I worried. You must understand that many people would not attempt to help your dog. Some would run him off, others would call the county and the fate you thought you saved him from would be preempted by his suffering for days without food or water.

I returned again before dark. I did not see him. I went again early the next morning only to find the food and water still untouched. If only you were here to call his name. Your voice is so familiar to him. I began pursuit in the direction he had taken yesterday, doubt overshadowing my hope of finding him. His search for you was desperate, it could take him many miles in 24 hours.

It is hours later and a good distance from where we first met, but I have found your dog. His thirst has stopped, it is no longer a torment to him. His hunger has disappeared, he no longer aches. The burrs in his paws bother him no more. Your dog’s been set free from his burdens, for you see, your dog has died.

I kneel next to him and curse you for not being here yesterday so I could see the glow, if just for a moment in those now vacant eyes. I pray that his journey has taken him to that place I think you hoped he would find. If only you knew what he went through to reach it, and I agonize, for I know that were he to awaken at this moment, and if I were to be you, his eyes would sparkle with recognition and his tail would wag with love and forgiveness.

Our companion animals are living feeling beings who depend on us for care. They are not garbage to be thrown out with the trash or abandon along roadsides. Please think before you go dumping an animal off thinking it can fend for its self or that someone else is going to find and give it a home. The fact is, most will die, lonely, hungry, and terrified. So please be responsible by trying to find your companion animal a new home or by taking it to your local animal shelter.

Below is a video of one little dog named Rosie who was lucky enough to have been rescued by a very lucky earth angel.

http://www.hopeforpaws.org - Rosie was dumped in the desert with no food and no water. Temperatures were over 100 degrees, and she was terrified and wouldn’t let anyone get near her. I drove 3 hours north to give it a try. This video will tell the full story.

Life With Dogs. A place where you can meet many animal loving friends: http://www.facebook.com/eldad75?ref=ts#!/lifewithdogs?ref=ts

10 Things You Should Know Before Getting a Dog

Posted on by Mac Ruffkins

By PetMD

Have you been dreaming of getting a dog ever since you saw the reruns of the television classic Lassie as a kid? Or maybe you were fortunate enough to watch the original series. While your dog might not be able to save you week after week from a burning building, a runaway freight train, or the bottom of a well (and in the time it takes to finish a 30-minute episode, too!), owning a dog can be a wonderful experience.

Image: Helga Weber / via Flickr

Here are 10 things you should know and consider before choosing your canine friend.

1. Dogs Take Up a Lot of Time and Energy.

Yes, they are rewarding. But if you live alone and work twenty hours a day, then perhaps a dog is not the best choice for you. Hey, there are always those super-cool robot dogs!


2. Not Home a Lot? Invest in a Dog Walker.

If you are not often at home, and you really want a dog, you probably should invest in a dog walker. You’d probably be wise to choose a dog breed that isn’t especially needy, too. Check out PetMD‘s Breedopedia to select from a wide variety of breeds.

3. Dogs Need Enough Space.

Any dog you get should be suitable to not only your lifestyle, but your surroundings. If you live in a shoebox apartment,then a large dog is obviously not a good choice.You don’t want your dog to develop health issues, be bored or destroy things. Large dogs really belong in big places with lots of outdoor space.

4. Climate Matters.

Consider which breeds are suitable or your region’s climate, especially if you have a yard and want to keep it as an outside dog.

5. Puppies are Cute, But a Lot of Work.

Puppies require the most work when it comes to house training. If you: (a) don’t want your things chewed up, or (b) don’t have the time or money to train the puppy, consider adopting an already housebroken, adult dog.

Image Credit: Sunsets_for_you via Flickr

6. Your Stuff Will Need Some Rearranging.

Make sure you have lots of chew toys available for your puppy and keep all expensive things (like shoes and clothes) out of its reach; the same goes for chemicals and medicines. Puppies like to investigate and try everything, so make sure there is nothing dangerous around for them to sample.

7. The Vet is Your Friend.

Get your dog vaccinated and spayed or neutered as soon as possible. Oh, and take your dog to the vet for its routine checkups. Your dog will thank you for it and live a much better (and longer) life.

Image Credit: JSF306 Via Flickr

8. Get a proper leash and harness for your dog. A leash too small or too large may hurt it inadvertently during its walking routine, or, worse yet, allow it to hurt others or get loose and run away.

9. Health insurance is a must. Consult your veterinarian as to your best options.

10. Regardless of the dog breed you choose, have fun! They say there is no better friend than a dog. We have to agree.

10 Things You Should Know Before Getting a Dog | petMD.

Blind Dog Living in a Trash Pile Gets Rescued

Posted on by Mac Ruffkins

Photo By Eldad Hagar

I don’t know how anyone could do this to something so helpless and innocent. When you see Fiona in the trash, your heart will break…but just wait til the end. The power of love is an amazing thing. Thanks to all the earth angels who rescue.

Rescues like this one cost a lot of money, so please help us by making a small donation. Our website:http://www.hopeforpaws.org - Thanks!!!

Solutions for Pet Owners

Posted on by Mac Ruffkins

Your roving, sniffing reporter is back with a few more tips.

Achoo! With all this cold and unpredictable weather we’ve been having, it’s cold season for some of us pets. Holestic vets recommend elderberry tea to treat sneezy, runny noses (I think this may even help our humans too). Steep 1 tea bag or 1 teaspoon of elderberry flowers (available at health food stores) in 2 cups of boiling water for 15 minutes. Let the liquid cool, then strain out the tea bag or flowers (which can be toxic), and pour into your pet’s water bowl (1/2 cup at a time), and store the rest in the fridge until needed. Elderberry’s immunity-boosting antioxidants will help you recover in three to five days.

 

Many cat and dog owners have a lot of trouble getting pet fur off the furniture. We pets love sleeping on the sofa because it’s so comfortable we just can’t help ourselves, but there is a better remedy for removing fur then dragging out that awful vacuum cleaner (that scares some of us). Grab a pair of old, clean panty hose and stick your hand in one leg, then run your hand over the furniture. The tightly woven nylon fibers will easily pick up the pesky fur. Tip: For fur under the couch or bed, slip a leg of the panty hose over the end of a broomstick, secure with a rubber band, and slide it around under the furniture.

Many pet owners have plants and those kitties love to nibble on them. Well, we can put a stop to that. Try sprinkling used coffee grounds on top of the potting soil. Cats are repelled by the coffee ground scent, so they’ll stay away. Plus, coffee is rich in phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and copper, which will help fertilize your plants. Then you can sit down and enjoy a cup of fresh coffee and watch your plants thrive while the cats nibble on catnip.

Like humans we get upset stomachs too, so here is a vet-approved remedy for doggie diarrhea: Pepto Bismol. Just like humans, the pink stuff will coat our stomachs and provide relief from abdominal pain, loose stools, and excessive gas, but check with your vet before dosing. General guidelines: 1/2 teaspoon for dogs under 10 pounds, 1 teaspoon for dogs 10 to 50 pounds, and 2 teaspoons for dogs over 50 pounds. Do not dose more than once in an eight hour period. CAUTION: Pepto Bismol is toxic to cats so use this tip on dogs only.

That’s all for this week pet lovers, but tune in for more helpful solutions next week!

Basic Rules for Dogs

Posted on by Mac Ruffkins

Basic Rules for Dogs

Newspapers: If you have to go to the bathroom while playing in the front yard, always use the newspaper that’s placed in the driveway every morning for that purpose.
Visitors: Quickly decide which guest is afraid of dogs. Charge across the room, barking loudly and leap playfully on this person. If the human falls down on the floor and starts crying, lick its face and growl gently to show your concern.
Barking: Because you are a dog, they expect you to bark. So bark–a lot. Your owners will be very happy to hear you protecting their house. Especially late at night while they are sleeping safely in their beds. There is no more secure feeling for a human than to keep waking up in the middle of the night and hearing your protective bark, bark, bark…
Licking: Always take a big drink from your water dish immediately before licking your human. Humans prefer clean tongues. Be ready to fetch your human a towel.

Holes: Rather than digging a big hole in the middle of the yard and upsetting your human, dig lots of smaller holes all over the yard so they won’t notice. If you arrange a little pile of dirt on one side of each hole, maybe they’ll think it’s gophers. There are never enough holes in the ground. Strive daily to do your part to help correct this problem.

Doors: The area directly in front of a door is always reserved for the family dog to sleep.

The Art of Sniffing: Humans like being sniffed. Everywhere. It is your duty, as the family dog, to accommodate them.
Dining Etiquette: Always sit under the table at dinner, especially when there are guests, so you can clean up any food that falls on the floor. It’s also a good time to practice your sniffing.
Housebreaking: Housebreaking is very important to humans, so break as much of the house as possible.
Going for Walks: Rules of the road: When out for a walk with your master or mistress, never go to the bathroom on your own lawn.
Couches: It is perfectly permissible to lie on the new couch after all your humans have gone to bed.
Playing: If you lose your footing while chasing a ball or stick, use the flower bed to absorb your fall so you don’t injure yourself.
Chasing Cats: When chasing cats, make sure you never–quite–catch them. It spoils all the fun.
Chewing: Make your contribution to the fashion industry…eat a shoe.
~ Author Unknown

I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY

Posted on by Mac Ruffkins
I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid.
As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life.
She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.
A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.
I rescued a human today.

A Dog’s Purpose

Posted on by Sherry Mac

A Novel for Humans by W. Bruce Cameron.

A friend gave me this book for Christmas. I thought it was a wonderful book. A simply written story about one dogs search for his purpose over the course of several lives told from the dog’s perspective. A powerful story of birth, death, and most importantly love. It made me laugh out loud, and cry real tears. It may even make you think about the purpose of life in general. For sure you’ll never look at your dog the same after reading this book. A must read for all who love dogs.

A Dogs Purpose

BOXER PUPPY GREETED BY HERD OF COWS ON WALK!

Posted on by Sherry Mac

 Animals seem to get it. They communicate with their body language better than most of us humans do with all our endless hours of nonsensical blather. My pup on the other hand would be jumping, lunging, and frothing at the mouth like he had lost his mind if he were to even see a cow.