Part 1: The ultimate laundry guide for the green dog!

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The 2013 Holiday Green Dog Gift Guide!

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A Dog Owner’s Guide to Hiring a Nanny

My friend Sara works full-time from home. It allows her to spend more time with her children and husband. But she still needs help. So she got a nanny to come over on weekday mornings, and it’s been working great for the past six years. She also has two terriers. Her nanny gets along well with everyone, but it’s not always like that.

We dog owners think that everyone is as enamored of our dogs as we are. It’s one thing to enjoy a dog at the park; it’s another thing to spend every weekday with the dog, especially if you’ve never had a dog. So before you hire a nanny, here are some things to think about.

Not everyone likes dogs. Be up-front about the fact that you have dogs, and the kind of dogs you have. Don’t take it personally if some applicants are not interested in a position in a home with pets.Some people are allergic to dogs. Allergies can develop — or go away — with age, so if an applicant says she’s not allergic and then shows signs that she is, she may have an allergy she doesn’t know about. It’s a good idea to invite the applicant over to spend some time with your children and pets to find out if there are any allergies (as well as to see if everyone gets along).Not everyone who likes dogs knows how to care for them. If caring for your dog will be part of your nanny’s responsibilities, clarify that at the beginning. Training will be required, especially if the applicant has never owned a dog. Diligence on your part will help her to become comfortable with keeping the door closed, not leaving food on the kitchen counters, etc. She should go through the daily pet routine with you several times before being asked to do it herself.Be clear about responsibilities. If you’re advertising for a nanny, spell out which pet duties your nanny is expected to take care of, then honor the list. Review it periodically to assure that the list of pet duties hasn’t expanded over time from walking and feeding the dog to training it or cleaning up messes.

Check out this website for finding a nanny. They also have a good article for nannies whose employers have pets; it’s a good read.

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The ultimate tick guide for the green dog!

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The ultimate flea guide for the green dog!

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2012 Holiday Gift Giving Guide for Green Dogs!

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Quill – The Life of a Guide Dog

April 16, 2012 at 2:38 pm

There’s an exceptional movie coming out in May that all dog lovers are going to want to see. The documentary-like story centers around a yellow Labrador Retriever guide dog for the blind named Quill. You’ll follow Quill from the litter, his selection to become a guide, his life with a foster family until his first birthday, followed by highly specialized schooling in guiding the sightless. You’ll then go with him as he is then paired with a blind man named Watanabe Mitsuru who is at first reluctant to rely on Quill. But Quill’s great patience, gentleness and skill eventually wins him over and they become inseparable friends.

Critics are raving:

A warm-hearted, visually charming, and ultimately thought-provoking tribute to the ways, little and large, that these creatures improve our lives. —Georgia StraightOne of the smartest, most realistic dog films ever made. —ExclaimAudiences are unlikely to resist Quill in this simply rendered and indisputably sweet film. —EYE Magazine

Opens in Chicago and New York May 18. May open to a wider audience after that. Check the website at www.musicboxfilms.com/quill for additional release dates.

Entry filed under: In the News. Tags: film about seeing eye dog, movie about guide dog, quill guide dog movie.

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Fido Friendly Restaurant Guide

December 31, 2011 at 7:46 pm

Found this extra-cool blog that lists dog-friendly restaurants in the U.S. It’s called K9 Epicurian (http://k9epicurean.blogspot.com/). It’s part travel, part cuisine, part “where-to-take-your-dog-for -dinner-out.” Most of the restaurants featured are in California, but I’m sure they bloggers would consider well-written blog posts from other parts of the country. Very readable, entertaining, and fun.

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Loudest, Slowest Guide “Dog” Ever

One day you may look back at this robot guide dog and chuckle at its loudness, its clunkiness, and its slowness. Actually, you can do that today, because it’s all of the above.

But by 2020, Japanese manufacturer NSK hopes that a commercial version of today’s prototype will be way cuter, quieter, and more sure-footed. (Already, since the development of the first prototype in 2005, the robodog is way faster with stairs. So in truth, that was the slowest guide dog ever. In the amount of time it takes the latest incarnation to traverse the whole mini stairway, the old dog barely put one paw on the first step. The 2011 version is one big step for robodog …)

The robodog uses Microsoft Kinect technology to create 3-D images of obstacles ahead and avoid them. Its “paws” also contain bumper sensors that keep it from crashing into objects. The dog’s person controls it by putting pressure on a hand grip, and the dog “speaks up” to let the person know what’s going on. Right now the voice is that of a Japanese woman. But this big fella would be better off with the voice of Sly Stallone or Vin Diesel.

Why a robotic guide dog anyway? Besides the obvious — they don’t eat food or go to the bathroom — they’re designed to help an aging worldwide population. That might be handy in places where there are few parks, and for people for whom a real dog would be too difficult to maintain. But I dare say most people would choose a real dog — shedding and all — over this machine. Even with all the high-tech gadgetry, dogs have one thing machines don’t: heart.

?

But here’s a pretty amazing humanoid robot: Honda’s Asimo. I saw Asimo in a show at Disneyland earlier this year, and he was an adorable high-tech wonder. He’s really good at stairs, too. Too bad the robo guide dog can’t go for a few walks with Asimo …

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Guide Dog Forced to Ride in Trunk of Cab

(Photo: A pensive black lab, from FunStuffForDogs.com)

A blind woman who was late to an appointment says a cab driver made her put her black Lab guide dog in the trunk of his taxi if she wanted to get a ride.

Judie Brown, of Denver, said the cab driver told her “No dog in my cab.” He said he is allergic, and that the dog would have to ride “in the back.”

That was fine, until she realized he meant the trunk. She felt horrible assenting to it, and a month later, seems to feel even worse about it. “If something happened to him, I would just die,” she told KMGH.

Brown says she has been afraid to travel with Alberto since. “I’ve lost my independence. And I do not like it. It makes me angry. And I want it back,” she told KMGH.

The driver has been suspended and fined by the state, the cab company told the TV station.

Sadly, it’s not an isolated incident.Remember the video we showed last year of cabs not stopping for blind people with guide dogs, but picking up fares several feet after them?

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Intentionally Blinded Dog and Her Guide Dog Need a Home

Blue heeler, Ema (left), was blinded by her previous owner. Her daughter, Sage, acts as her eyes.

We’ve recently reported a few stories about incredible dogs who act as guide dogs to blind canine friends. Here’s an especially touching one: Ema, a 4-year-old blue heeler, was intentionally blinded by her previous owner, according to veterinarians. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the blinding may have been from cigarette burns, or a beating. One thing is for sure: It was not an accident, or hereditary.

Ema and her daughter, Sage, were found wandering around Corrales, NM. It quickly became clear that Sage, age 2, was Ema’s eyes. She prevents her from bumping into objects, and keeps her from danger. Ema’s blindness was inflicted on her a while back, so they are a very efficient team. And despite their ill treatment by their previous owner, they seem to harbor no ill will toward people.

“Whatever these two girls have been through — and it’s substantial — they are completely loving,” Barbara Bayer, president of the all-volunteer Companion Animal Rescue and Medical Association of Sandoval County, told the New Mexican. “That is to me the amazing part of this story, that they can overcome this disability and still relate to people and give love.”

There have been several offers to house the two, but no right fits yet. They can’t be left at a ranch as ordinary heelers can, and they shouldn’t be confined to a home where they won’t get significant exercise.

“They love running,” Bayer said. “It’s amazing her ability to get around with a very significant disability.”

To contact CARMA for more information regarding providing a forever home, go to Ema’s Petfinder page.

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Unlucky but Faithful Guide Dog Honored After Savage Attack

Brave Piper (Photo: South Wales Echo)

A loyal and brave guide dog in South Wales dutifully led his blind owner home after being brutally attacked by another dog during an off-leash break in a park.

Owner Sarah Craig-Hancock said she heard her 5-year-old Labrador retriever yelp, but the owner of the other dog said Piper was not hurt. Not realizing anything was amiss, Craig-Hancock put Piper’s harness back on and he guided her home. It was only after she got home that she realized he had injuries that included a flap of skin hanging down one of his legs.

Sarah Craig-Hancock and her very faithful companion, Piper (Photo: PDSA

“He must have been in great pain when I replaced his harness,” she said in the South Wales Echo. “I wasn’t able to see that he had been injured during the dog attack but he still managed to get me home safely, as if nothing was wrong.”

Piper needed stitches but was working as Craig-Hancock’s guide dog again within two weeks.

The plucky dog has been awarded a coveted UK certificate for animal bravery. He’s the first animal in Wales to win the PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) certificate for bravery. Only a dozen UK animals have received this award since its inception in 2002.

“I’m so happy PDSA is recognizing Piper’s devotion,” she told the PDSA during the ceremony on May 3.

The attack was just the first in a series of unfortunate events for Piper. Since the park incident in 2008, Piper’s tail has been run over by a mobility scooter, he’s been knocked down by a car, and he’s now hearing impaired because of suffering two perforated eardrums, the Echo reports.

This dog’s name definitely should not be Lucky. But he doesn’t give up. In fact, he loves to work.

“I am very proud that he wants to carry on working no matter what happens to him,” Craig-Hancock said. “He is a phenomenal dog.”

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Blind Dog Needs New Home, Comes With Own Guide Dog

Blind Zac (right), and his faithful guide dog, Lilli. (Photo: SWNS.com via the Daily Mail)

A blind Jack Russell terrier mix in England is looking for a new home after his owner had to move to another country and couldn’t take him with her. But whoever adopts him needs to have room in their hearts and home for two dogs — the blind dog, Zac, and his very own guide dog, Lilli.

The dogs, both 10 years old, have been best of friends since they were taken in as young strays nearly a decade ago. (They look like siblings, actually.) And when Zac had to have both eyes removed because of an infection six years ago, Lilli voluntarily became his eyes.

The two are almost inseparable, reports the Daily Mail. Zac is completely dependent on Lilli, and Lilli doesn’t seem to mind at all. In fact, when Zac gets disoriented, confused, or tired, Lilli even lets him rest his head on her. Sarah Russell, of the Blue Cross Centre (animal rescue) in Tiverton, Devon, told the Mail:

“They…seem to have an almost telepathic understanding, which is quite amazing to see.

‘Zak sniffs and smells Lilli and stays close to her so he can tell which way to go when they are out and about.

“She provides reassurance for him and actually physically guides him by nudging him in the right direction when he loses his way. Lilli stays by his side all the time and is very patient.

“She obviously knows he is different to the other dogs and is careful to walk round him and not knock into him too much.”

Shelter workers say Zac is a happy, affectionate dog who loves attention. He and Lilli sure are a dear pair. It’s doubtful they’ll have a hard time getting placed together, especially now that they’re getting publicity.

A similar story unfolded last week in Albuquerque, N.M., when Rhett, a blind miniature pinscher, and Scarlett, his Chihuahua mix self-appointed guide dog, were up for adoption together. Scarlett wears a bell to guide him along through his day. The two have been adopted by a nurse who has had previous experience caring for blind dogs.

Dogs sure are amazing people…

Blind pooch comes with own guide dog: krqe.com

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Guide Dog Loses Eyes, Shares New Guide Dog With Owner

Guide dog Edward, who had to have his eyes surgically removed, with Opal, who now guides Edward and Edward's person, Graham Waspe (Photo: Daily Mail, by Alex Fairfull)

When British guide dog Edward had to have his eyes surgically removed because of terrible cataracts, his owner, Graham Waspe, was understandably devastated. Edward, age 8, had been his eyes for years, and now would have none himself.

Luckily for both, guide dog Opal has stepped into their lives. She acts as both Waspe’s and Edward’s guide dog, helping them navigate through life unscathed.

“Opal’s been great for both of us. I don’t know what we’d do without her,” says Waspe.

Edward and Opal are good pals now, and make presentations to local school groups together, according to The Daily Mail. Edward is doing great, says Waspe’s wife, and shows no signs of slowing down.

What a beautiful setup. Amazing.

Opal, Waspe, and Edward, a happy trio with one set of working eyes (Photo: The Daily Mail, by Alex Fairfull)

It looks like Edward (left) is still acting as guide dog, despite his lack of eyes, doesn't it? (Photo: The Daily Mail, by Alex Fairfull)

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Canine Body Language: A Photographic Guide Interpreting the Native Language of the Domestic Dog

Yes, humans and canines are different species, but current research provides fascinating, irrefutable evidence that what we share with our dogs is greater than how we vary. As behaviorist and zoologist Dr. Patricia McConnell tells us in this remarkable new book about emotions in dogs and in people, more and more scientists accept the premise that dogs have rich emotional lives, exhibiting a wide range of feelings including fear, anger, surprise, sadness, and love.

In For the Love of a Dog, McConnell suggests that one of the reasons we love dogs so much is that they express emotions in ways similar to humans. After all, who can communicate joy better than a puppy? But not all emotional expressions are obvious, and McConnell teaches both beginning dog owners and experienced dog lovers how to read the more subtle expressions hidden behind fuzzy faces and floppy ears.

For those of us who deeply cherish our dogs but are sometimes baffled by their behavior, For the Love of a Dog will come as a revelationâ??a treasure trove of useful facts, informed speculation, and intriguing accounts of manâ??s best friend at his worst and at his very best. Readers will discover how fear, anger, and happiness underlie the lives of both people and dogs and, most important, how understanding emotion in both species can improve the relationship between them. Thus McConnell introduces us to the possibility of a richer, more rewarding relationship with our dogs.

While we may never be absolutely certain what our dogs are feeling, with the help of this riveting book we can understand more than we ever thought possible. Those who consider their dogs part of the family will find For the Love of a Dog engaging, enlightening, and utterly engrossing.


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