Dogs Are People Too!

This blog is dedicated to our four-legged friends-everyone's favorite pet-the beloved dog. Here we can discuss anything and everything related to dogs. We can share stories, photos, health and training tips, grooming tips; anything and everything related to the canines in our lives. Welcome and please do not hesitate to comment! I love to read other's stories and this blog was created to share. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you come back often!
ABOUT MAGGIE-We decided to get a puppy and began scouring the local online market places in the beginning of July in 2005. We answered an ad that was advertising small, mixed breed pups, made an appointment and drove an hour north to NordingrĂ¥ to visit the puppies. The breeder had the puppies out in her yard in a small enclosure. The pups were 8 weeks old. She told us that the mother was a Papillon and that the father was a Yorkshire Terrier. Both parents were there. One of the puppies looked very much like a Chihuahua, as he was short-haired and black and tan colored. I questioned the owner, because the father of the puppies did not look like a pure bred Yorkie to me, but she insisted that he was.There were four puppies in the litter. One had been sold already. Beside the one that looked like a Chihuahua, there was Maggie and then another female that had the same features as Maggie, only she was all brown with a black stripe running down the middle of her back. We decided that we liked the coloring of little Maggie and her sweet disposition, so we happily bought her and took her home that day.I have heard of so many names of this mixed breed. They can be called Yorkipaps, Papiyorks or Yorkillons! Maggie has the Yorkie face with the Pap ears and coloring. So many people that meet her have said what a perfect combination of breeds she seems to be!One of the neat things about Maggie is that we will never forget her birthday. She was born on May 5, 2005, so it's 5/5/05! So I suppose you could say that her lucky number is 5!

Maggie Kissing The Camera

All About Maggie!

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Walking Your Dog Should Be Pleasant


Walking your dog on a leash should be a pleasant experience for both your dog and for you. It is important that you take your dog out for regular walks if you don't have a fenced in yard. Dogs need exercise and it is in their nature to explore the environment. I have a neighbor who owns three dogs, two Chinese Crested dogs and a Standard Poodle. The owner has no control whatsoever over his three dogs and allows them to jump and bark at people and other dogs that they pass on the street.
The poodle is absolutely hysterical on the leash. He jumps and barks constantly and when the owner tries to stop this behavior, the dog stands on his hind legs, and his owner allows the dog to do this. It is very obvious that the owner is embarassed by the dog's behavior and that he has no control over any of this three dogs when they are out walking.
As a dog owner, you must always remember that your dog looks to you to give the directions. Dogs are pack animals and need to have a leader, and the leader is you, the owner.
When you are out on a walk with your dog and another dog is approaching, if your dog starts pulling, barking, jumping or exhibiting any other undesireable behavor, immediately shorten the leash and turn the dog away from the approaching dog. Do not allow your dog to win this small 'battle'. Simply turn the dog away from what it is that he is overly interested in, and then move along.
Walking your dog should be fun, relaxing, and a pleasant experience. If you feel that you need help in training your dog how to behave while walking on a leash, you can take a short course that will teach you and your dog how to enjoy a walk. Most cities offer dog training courses and it would be well worth the time and the small amount of money the course costs.
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Monday, May 4, 2009

The Importance of Having Your Dog Wear an ID Tag


If you own a dog, there is little doubt that your dog is a part of your family. He goes places with the family, is always by your side and depends on you to take care of his needs. You could not even imagine how terrible you would feel if you were to lose him.
No matter how careful you are, there is always a possiblity that your dog could slip away from you. It could happen in a variety of ways and under differing circumstances, but you must know that is is in fact a possibility. To give you peace of mind, you should always have an ID tag on your dog's collar that shows his name, and your phone number. If you wish, you can also get your dog implanted with a tiny identification microchip. This microchip is injected under the surface of your dog's skin by your veterinarian and contains your information, such as name, address and phone number. If your dog should become lost, and is found by someone, local police forces have a reader that they use to scan your dog's body to see if he has an identification microchip. Then the information comes up on the computer and the police can contact you to tell you that your dog has been found. The actual microchip is very tiny and it causes absolutely no pain to your dog to have it injected.
So whether you choose a dog tag that your dog wears on his collar or an microchip, it is up to you. The important thing is to be sure that your do have your dog identifiable so that you and he will never be separated.
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Meet the World's Biggest Dog!

We met this big Irish Wolfhound male dog when we were out walking this week. He was huge and a 'gentle giant'. The woman in the picture is his owner and she is of average height. The top of his back came up to the top of my hip! Maggie was with us and she ignored him as she is mostly only interested in people. The 'entire Maggie' is the size of his head! I looked up the Irish Wolfhound and found that this breed is 'probably' the biggest dog in the world. They were used for hunting wolves, wild boar, bear and deer. One thing I can say for sure is that he is the biggest dog in Sundsvall, Sweden!
I look forward to meeting him again on future walks. He only lives a couple of blocks away.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Long-Haired Dogs Need A Spring Beauty Treatment


It's springtime and if you own a dog that has thick fur or long hair, it would be a good idea to make an appointment at the local groomer to have a spring makeover. Dogs, if they live in places with changing seasons, need their long hair for protection from the cold weather. If the summers are hot it is a good idea to have your dog's fur trimmed or thinned out a bit so that he is more comfortable in the hot and humid weather.
Dog groomers become very busy in the spring and early summer months, with their customers bringing their dogs in for a yearly trim. The groomer usually will begin with brushing and combing through the thick fur and using special grooming tools that are designed to remove tangles and matted fur. Many long haired dogs get quite matted behind their legs, at the base of the and on the undersides of their body. Once the initial combing and brushing is done, it's time for a bath with a good quality dog shampoo. After the shampooing, it's back to the grooming table again to be dried with the dog hair dryer and start clipped and shaving away old, dead fur or hair. The groomer will also clip the long hair that has grown between the dog's pads, as this hair can twist and pull, causing your four-legged friend discomfort and pain.
Your dog will feel much better with this thorough grooming and will most definitely be much more comfortable in the hot summer months and especially if you dog is outdoors a lot in the summertime. So, do your dog a big favor and schedule a grooming appointment to get your dog prepared for the warm weather.
I am sure you have seen dogs with tons of heavy, matted fur panting as they walk alongside their oblivious owners in the summer months. These dogs are miserable, hot and very, very uncomfortable, that i borders on animal cruely. Dogs depend on us humans to care for them, and getting your dog groomed regularly is a part of the very basics of carring for a dog.
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Thursday, April 2, 2009

Dogs,Dogs Wonderful Dogs!


If you are reading this article, then I would guess that you are a person like me in the fact that you love dogs! Perhaps more specifically, your own dog or a past dog that was a big part of your life. Dogs are without a doubt the most popular type of house pet in the entire civilized world. And for good reason.
I cannot imagine my life being 'dog-less'. I grew up with dogs. All of my childhood memories involve the family dog that we had at that time. I have fond memories of our Wired Hair Terrier that we four children got as a suprise Christmas present from our parents when I was nine years old. She came into our lives on Christmas morning with a red satin ribbon tied around her nine week old neck. My mother christened her 'Chrissy Noel' in commeration of the day she joined the family.
Then there was Lizzy, the wonderful Collie pup that we rescued in a blizzard. Some horribly mean spirited person had driven the entire litter of puppies into our small town early one morning, in hopes, we assumed, that the towns' people would take pity on the poor, shivering puppies and give them homes. Thankfully it did happen, as every one of the six puppies were adopted by people doing their banking or shopping that cold winter morning. Lizzie was a fixture in our home for 14 years. We got another dog when Lizzie was about 8 years old-a scruffy black 'mop' named Archie. Lizzie immediately saw to it that Archie would not drink out of the in-ground swimming pool, as he loved to do. When he bent down and leaned over the edge of the pool, Lizzie would run over to him, walk in between him and the pool and force him away from the water!
Dogs. Such fine memories. I plan on always having a dog in my life as long as I am mobile and have the capacity to care for him or her and provide the necessary daily exercise that dogs need. I never get tired of meeting a new dog when I'm out on a stroll with my little Papillon, Yorkie mix. I love watching young puppies romping and play in the fall leaves, or tire when being walked on the leash, and just simply sit or lay down because they are 'pooped out'.
Dogs. Gotta love 'em! I have yet to meet a dog that I didn't like. Unfortunately I cannot say the same about people! I never really 'get it' when a person says that they don't like dogs. How could that be? Why? Dogs love us no matter what. They are loyal until the end. They look to us for everything and depend on us to feed and care for them and love them. What's not to like about that?
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Thursday, March 26, 2009

The Importance of Grooming Your Dog


If you are the proud owner of a dog, (and I say proud because I know that all people who own dogs are very proud of their four-legged friend), then it is absolutely essential that you keep your dog clean and healthy.
Dogs need to be groomed on a regular basis. This includes regular brushing which will keep the fur from matting or tangling, and will also remove the dead hair from your dog's coat. You can purchase a good quality dog brush at any pet store. Be sure you get a brush that is made for the type of hair or fur you dog has. You can ask the shop attendant for assistance in choosing the brush if you are unsure.
Dogs do not necessarily need to be bathed so terribly often. This all depends on how dirty your dog gets. I own a mixed breed between a Yorkie and a Papillon and she only requires to be bathed every few months. We live in the city and walk mostly on groomed trails and sidewalks, so she stays relatively clean.
Do use a shampoo that is made specifically for dogs. These too can be found at pet stores. Dog shampoos are created with your pet in mind and will not irritate their skin like some shampoos that are made for humans can. Be sure to put some cotton swabs just inside the dog's ear cavity when giving him a bath, to stop water from entering the inner ear, which could lead to an inner ear infection.
Part of a regular grooming routine for you dog should include regular clipping or trimming of the claws. Keeping the claws trimmed will, for one, be more comfortable for your dog, plus it will prevent the claws from curling and possibly growing into the pads of the paw. Some breeds have an extra claw a bit higher up on the front legs. These are called 'dew claws' and it is essential that these be trimmed also, as a long dew claw can easily grow into the skin of the leg of your dog.
You must be very careful when trimming your dog's claws so as not to take off too much of the tip, for if you trim too far down, it will create pain and some bleeding. There are some really great claw clippers/trimmers available in pet stores that make the job easier. If you do not feel comfortable trimming the claws, call your local dog groomer and make a quick appointment. You need not pay more than around five dollars for this service. Ask your groomer to show you how to safely trim the claws.
Dogs like to be clean and well cared for, just as we humans do. Your dog depends on you to keep him clean and healthy, so do not neglect the hygiene of your best friend!
Written by Cin Rupp. Come and visit my blog and see some really cute photos of Maggie!http://mycutemutt.blogspot.com/

Friday, March 20, 2009

Want Companionship? Get Yourself a Pet!

If you want a companion or a little company in your home, consider buying a pet. There are many types of pets to choose from and you should choose your pet to fit into your lifestyle and the size of your home.
If you live in an apartment building, getting a dog may not be your first best choice. Dogs must be taken outdoors several times a day, and if you leave home to work, your dog will be left alone in your apartment and will become lonely, may disturb the neighbors with barking, plus you will need to hire someone to come and take your dog out for walks while you are away.
There are several other pets that would do well living in an apartment. A cat can live happily indoors all it's life and can be left alone for longer periods of time. Having a hamster or other some animal is also an alternative. Birds make great pets for apartment dwellers as well, and provide company. It is nice to start the mornings off with a sweet bird song!
Having an aquarium filled with colorful fish is cheerful, and it is said that an aquarium provides a calming affect to people. Aquariums come in all sizes and shapes, so an aquarium would be a perfect choice for a person living in an apartment.
If you live in a house or share part of a house, a dog or a puppy would be a good choice. Dogs need space and adore being outdoors, so if you have a little patch of grass, your dog will be very pleased.
It is known that pet owners live longer then people who do not own a pet. Pets provide company to people and they depend on you to take care of their basic needs. Once you have chosen your pet, visit your local pet store to buy the necessary pet supplies tailored to your new friend.
Written by Cindy Rupp

http://mycutemutt.blogspot.com/ Best Top-Quality Pet Supplies!

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