Crate Training. ‎10 Things Dogs Tell. If I Grow Weak. 10 Pet Tips. No Close Shaves. Dog’s Lessons. When You Travel. Stinky Roll. Ford’s "Quadricycle". Midway. Tiananmen Square. RIP Buddy Bear.

For “ Mammal Monday”:

Crate Training

“"Private room with a view. Ideal for traveling dogs or for those who just want a secure, quiet place to hang out at home."

That's how your dog might describe his crate. It's his own personal den where he can find comfort and solitude while you know he's safe and secure—and not shredding your house while you're out running errands.

Crating philosophy

Crate training uses a dog's natural instincts as a den animal. A wild dog's den is his home, a place to sleep, hide from danger, and raise a family. The crate becomes your dog's den, an ideal spot to snooze or take refuge during a thunderstorm.

• The primary use for a crate is housetraining. Dogs don't like to soil their dens.
• The crate can limit access to the rest of the house while he learns other rules, like not to chew on furniture.
• Crates are a safe way to transport your dog in the car.

Crating caution!

A crate isn't a magical solution. If not used correctly, a dog can feel trapped and frustrated.

• Never use the crate as a punishment. Your dog will come to fear it and refuse to enter it.
• Don't leave your dog in the crate too long.  A dog that’s crated day and night doesn't get enough exercise or human interaction and can become depressed or anxious. You may have to change your schedule, hire a pet sitter, or take your dog to a doggie daycare facility to reduce the amount of time he must spend in his crate every day.
• Puppies under six months of age shouldn't stay in a crate for more than two or three hours at a time. They can't control their bladders and bowels for that long.  The same goes for adult dogs that are being housetrained.  Physically, they can hold it, but they don’t know they’re supposed to.
• Crate your dog only until you can trust him not to destroy the house. After that, it should be a place he goes voluntarily.”

More at: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/crate_training.html

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‎10 Things Your Dog Would Tell You?.... (This made me cry)

1. My life is likely... to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be painful: remember that before you get me.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me- it is crucial to my well being.
4. Do not be angry at me for long, and do not lock me up as punishment.
5. You have your work, your entertainment,and your friends. I only have you.
6. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understands your words, I understand your voice when it is speaking to me.
7. Be aware that how ever you treat me, I will never forget.
8. Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could easily hurt you, but I choose not to bite you because I love you.
9. Before you scold me for being uncooperative,obstinate,or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I might not be getting the right food, or I have been out too long, or my heart is getting to old and weak.
10. Take care of me when I get old; you too will grow old. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say: "I cannot bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence." Everything is easier for me if you are there, even my death.
Remember that I love you♥♥

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IF IT SHOULD BE
If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.
You will be sad, I understand.
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.
We've had so many happy years.
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer so;
The time has come -- please let me go.
Take me where my need they'll tend,
And please stay with me till the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.
Please do not grieve -- it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years;
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.
--- Anonymous ---

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10 SIMPLE TIPS FOR PET PROOFING YOUR HOME

1. Plants and pets don’t mix. Many common house plants are poisonous to pets when chewed or ingested, and almost all lilies are toxic for cats. Eliminate toxic house and garden plants or move them to a safe area. Because they’re usually very easy to knock over, place house plants up high to keep them from falling on your pet (and creating a big mess!).
2. Secure your toiletries. Keep medications, lotions and cosmetics off of accessible surfaces and well out of your pet's reach. These items may contain ingredients, dyes or chemicals potentially harmful to pets if swallowed.
3. Check your cabinets. Use cabinet locking devices, like those used to keep young children from opening doors, to keep your pets from getting into food or household and lawn chemicals. Evaluate all lower shelves to make sure there are no unsafe items within easy reach.
4. Set boundaries. Keep doors closed or install toddler safety gates to keep animals out of rooms you don’t want them to sniff around in. But be sure to consider the type of gate you are installing with respect to its intended location. For example, you wouldn’t want to install a pressure mounted gate at the top of the stairs where a pet might lean on it and topple down the stairs.
5. Hide trashcans. Unless you want garbage scattered all over your home, it’s a good idea to hide your trash receptacle in a cabinet or large drawer, or at least keep it tightly lidded. While most food is not hazardous, wrappers can be.
6. Most pet owners know that chocolate and anti-freeze are harmful to pets, but many probably don't know that grapes and raisins also can be deadly for dogs.
7. Check your curtains. To avoid the risk of strangulation, make sure cords from blinds and curtains are well out of your pet’s reach.
8. Beware of wires. Tuck away electrical wires and cords from lamps, DVD players, televisions, stereos and telephones so they’re out of the reach of chewers. Consider installing electric cord shorteners, outlet covers and window cord safety locks.
9. Protect your knick-knacks. Remove any precious or valuable items from tail wagging level to prevent them from being accidentally toppled by an enthusiastic wagger.
10. Clear the floor. Keep children’s toys and games and everyone’s shoes and clothing off the floor unless you want Fido to have a field day with them.

Eliminate temptation. If you want to be extra-cautious, consider keeping your pets in a crate when you have to leave the house.”   For more tips on safeguarding your pet at home, visit www.aspca.org.

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Why shaving your dog or cat this summer may not be such a great idea.   By Wendy C. Fries    WebMD Pet Health Feature

“Summer arrives in a blaze of heat and sun and most of us shed clothes until we're down to shorts or swimsuits. If less is more for us when temperatures spike, shouldn't it be good for our pets, too?

Though it may seem like a no-brainer to shave your dog or cat when summer comes, does it really keep pets cooler?

Generally, most experts recommend against shaving most pets -- though there are exceptions. Veterinarians often advise against shaving cats and dogs for a simple reason: Your pet's hair isn't like yours.

A pet's coat is designed by nature to keep it cool during the summer and warm in the winter. By shaving your pet you usually interfere with this built-in temperature regulation.

Over the centuries, humans have bred some pets -- specifically dogs -- to have thicker coats than others and these breeds can sometimes use a little help cooling off during summer's heat.   Actually, any dog can suffer sunburn, so if you do shave your thick-coated dog, be sure to leave at least an inch of hair to protect your pet from the sun's rays.

No close shaves. Resist the temptation to shave your dog close to the skin. Not only do you raise the risk of painful sunburn, but a close shave can leave guard hair imbedded under the skin. "New hair won't grow until these ends fall out, causing irregular growth and often skin problems.

You may also want to shave a dog that stays outside all the time, has a matted coat, and is likely to be wet often. In these circumstances, a dog can develop an unpleasant condition called myiasis -- maggots in the fur. If your dog is prone to hot spots, a summer shave may be helpful, but discuss this with your vet first.

Cats, in particular, are very good at regulating body temperature and really get no benefit from being shaved. Because cats are so much smaller relative to their exposed surface area, they're just better at getting rid of extra body heat.  Cats are also almost always more mobile than dogs, so they can simply move to a shadier spot when temperatures rise.

The best thing you can do for your pets when summer comes is help them keep themselves cool. To do that:

• Never leave your pet in a parked car -- for any length of time . It gets very hot, very fast inside a parked vehicle, and that can be deadly. Just don't do it, even for a short time.
• Offer clean, cool water. Be sure cats and dogs always have plenty of water.  On really hot days, try putting ice cubes in your pet's water bowl. Some pets really enjoy it.
• Shelter them from the sun. The prime way dogs cool themselves is through panting. That works best if the air around them is cooler than their body temperature.  So be sure your pooch (and kitty) have a shady place to get out of the sun.
• Keep pets inside when it's really hot. Your pet's normal body temperature can range between 100-103 degrees Fahrenheit. When it's that hot or hotter outside, it can be hard for pets to keep cool through panting.
• Brush your pet. Brushing your pet removes dead undercoat, helping air to circulate near the skin, keeping pets cooler. An additional benefit: In summer months, pets can get bitten by insects and end up with moist dermatitis, a skin infection, but removing dead, matted hair by brushing helps skin stay drier. If you have the time and energy, brush daily.

More at: http://pets.webmd.com/features/shaving-dog-or-cat-during-summer

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Lessons We Can Learn From Dogs

Bob Schieffer Says Humans Would Be Better Off If We Let Dogs Be Our Teachers

Perhaps there would be less road rage if people did this.  (AP/Robin Loznak, Great Falls Trib.)

Play CBS Video Video Lessons From Man's Best Friend

“In his weekly commentary Bob Schieffer notes that humans would be better off if we allow our dogs to be our teachers.”

(CBS)  “I have no idea where this came from or who wrote it - if I did I'd give them credit - but a friend who knows I love dogs emailed the following, which I pass along today only because it seems a nice thing to share.
It's a list of what we would learn if dogs were our teachers.

Such as:
Always run to greet loved ones when they come home.
Never pass the opportunity to go for a joy ride.
Recognize the ecstasy of fresh air and wind in your face.
Take naps. (I do that!)
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp and play daily.
Thrive on attention (I do that) and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, lie on your back in the grass. On hot days, drink lots of water and find the shade.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Enjoy long walks.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want is buried, dig deep until you find it.
And, when someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
We'd be better off, better people . . . if we acted more like dogs.”

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Separation Without Anxiety
Making sure your pet is well-cared for when you travel

“Your pet is a member of your family, but there are times when it’s not possible, convenient or well-advised to include your furry friend in your plans. Whether you’re visiting relatives for the holidays, traveling overseas, attending a family event, or vacationing at a resort that doesn’t allow pets, you want your pet to be well cared for—and feel secure—while you’re away.

There are a number of options available. The one you choose will depend on your personal comfort level, convenience, budget, and what’s best for your pet.”      Complete article at: http://bluebuffalo.com/health/pet-care-while-travelling.shtml

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Why Do Dogs Roll In Smelly Stuff - And How To Stop It

“Yesterday my sister wanted to know why her dog, Vera, rolled in anything stinky she could find.  She said that every time Vera went outside, she would find anything that stunk and roll all over it.  She was disgusted and tired of giving Vera a bath.

I explained to her that rolling in smelly stuff is a throw back from her hunting days. Dogs and wolves would roll in anything that smells to
mask their scent. This made hunting easier, they could sneak up on tonight's dinner without being detected and WHAM - raccoon tartare.
She thanked me for the lesson in canine behavior but was more interested in learning how to stop it.

I informed her that stopping a behavior is simple, all she had to do was apply a negative consequence to whatever behavior she wanted to stop and she had to catch her dog in the act.
I added that there are many ways to apply a negative consequence to a behavior. Negative consequences can be anything her dog does not like.
We talked for a few more minutes and she said that her dog hated being sprayed by the hose.

Okay, I said. Now all you have to do is give your dog a verbal command like "NO" and spray away.  Here is the crucial part, I added. "You have to catch your dog in the act. Even a few seconds late will confuse your dog and it won't work."
"That's all there is to it?" she asked.  I replied, "Changing behavior is all about consequences. If you want a behavior to occur more often like sit, down, come, heel, reinforce it with something your dog likes. If you want to stop a behavior, apply some type of negative consequence."
I also told her that negative consequences do not have to harm the dog. You can use sound, water, your voice, even breath spray.”  From: Eric.  http://dogtraininginnercircle.com

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On This Day:

Henry Ford test-drives his "Quadricycle", Jun 4, 1896:

“At approximately 4:00 a.m. on June 4, 1896, in the shed behind his home on Bagley Avenue in Detroit, Henry Ford unveils the "Quadricycle," the first automobile he ever designed or drove.

With Bishop bicycling ahead to alert passing carriages and pedestrians, Ford drove the 500-pound Quadricycle down Detroit's Grand River Avenue, circling around three major thoroughfares. The Quadricycle had two driving speeds, no reverse, no brakes, rudimentary steering ability and a doorbell button as a horn, and it could reach about 20 miles per hour, easily overpowering King's invention. Aside from one breakdown on Washington Boulevard due to a faulty spring, the drive was a success, and Ford was on his way to becoming one of the most formidable success stories in American business history.”

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Battle of Midway begins, Jun 4, 1942:

“On this day in 1942, the Battle of Midway--one of the most decisive U.S. victories against Japan during World War II--begins. During the four-day sea-and-air battle, the outnumbered U.S. Pacific Fleet succeeded in destroying four Japanese aircraft carriers while losing only one of its own, the Yorktown, to the previously invincible Japanese navy.

When the Battle of Midway ended, Japan had lost four carriers, a cruiser and 292 aircraft, and suffered an estimated 2,500 casualties. The U.S. lost the Yorktown, the destroyer USS Hammann, 145 aircraft and suffered approximately 300 casualties.

Japan's losses hobbled its naval might--bringing Japanese and American sea power to approximate parity--and marked the turning point in the Pacific theater of World War II. In August 1942, the great U.S. counteroffensive began at Guadalcanal and did not cease until Japan's surrender three years later.”

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Tiananmen Square massacre takes place, Jun 4, 1989:

Chinese troops storm through Tiananmen Square in the center of Beijing, killing and arresting thousands of pro-democracy protesters. The brutal Chinese government assault on the protesters shocked the West and brought denunciations and sanctions from the United States.

In May 1989, nearly a million Chinese, mostly young students, crowded into central Beijing to protest for greater democracy and call for the resignations of Chinese Communist Party leaders deemed too repressive. On June 4, 1989, however, Chinese troops and security police stormed through Tiananmen Square, firing indiscriminately into the crowds of protesters. Turmoil ensued, as tens of thousands of the young students tried to escape the rampaging Chinese forces. Other protesters fought back, stoning the attacking troops and overturning and setting fire to military vehicles. Reporters and Western diplomats on the scene estimated that at least 300, and perhaps thousands, of the protesters had been killed and as many as 10,000 were arrested.

The savagery of the Chinese government's attack shocked both its allies and Cold War enemies. Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev declared that he was saddened by the events in China. He said he hoped that the government would adopt his own domestic reform program and begin to democratize the Chinese political system. In the United States, editorialists and members of Congress denounced the Tiananmen Square massacre and pressed for President George Bush to punish the Chinese government. A little more than three weeks later, the U.S. Congress voted to impose economic sanctions against the People's Republic of China in response to the brutal violation of human rights. “

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Yesterday:

Jay didn’t call to say that he wanted to be picked up, but he isn’t going to be too anxious, as he still owes me money that he would have to work off.  So I just pottered around getting odd jobs done around the house, and on the computer.

It was another hot day.

PS: Last night I found out that one of the back-yard breeder’s dogs that lived in my subdivision, and I rescued six years ago, has gone to Rainbow Bridge.

I groomed these Lhasa's for many years before their ‘owner’ had a stroke, and were left in cruel drunk/druggie relative’s care, or rather NON-care.   They escaped and came to me for help.  Buddy Bear was the first of the dogs that I took to Lone Star Lhasa Rescue, and he was adopted by his foster mom, Sherry.  Buddy Bear would welcome each new foster at Sherry’s and take them under his wing, as if to say “I’ve been there, but you are safe now”.  He was nicknamed Deputy Dog.

Buddy had a hereditary heart problem, which his offspring probably inherited when he was used as a stud at the back-yard breeders.  Sherry has loved and cared for him these six years, and Buddy Bear had all the love, happiness and best medical attention, but he died in her arms yesterday.