Being a Responsible Dog Owner Part Two

"Play dead, Banner."

You guys are here because you are dog lovers and obviously already know these things.  As some of you pointed out from yesterday's post we are "preaching to the choir".  But if we together can spread this message to folks that don't know any better, we can change the world for pets!

Dogs aren't for the first fifteen minutes of cuteness, they're for the next fifteen years through all of life's ups and downs.  The relationship is among the best afforded to humans, but it is not always easy.  It takes dedication and commitment.

Below is the pledge that is signed when your dog is awarded Canine Good Citizen after successfully completing the test.  It is basic but so "right on".  Feel free to share it with others!

Maizey was one of our fosters for a while.  Isn't she beautiful?

AKC CGC™ RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER’S PLEDGE®
CANINE GOOD CITIZEN® OWNER’S COMMITMENT
TO RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP

I understand that to truly be a Canine Good Citizen, my dog needs a responsible owner. I
agree to maintain my dog’s health, safety, and quality of life. By participating in the
Canine Good Citizen test, I agree:

  I will be responsible for my dog’s health needs. These include:
•  routine veterinary care including check-ups and vaccines
•  adequate nutrition through proper diet; clean water at all times
•  daily exercise and regular bathing and grooming

"Wrigley - with our handsome human, Connor"

  I will be responsible for my dog’s safety.
•  I will properly control my dog by providing fencing where appropriate,
               not letting my dog run loose, and using a leash in public.
•  I will ensure that my dog has some form of identification (which may include
               collar tags, tattoos, or microchip ID).

"Parkay"

  I will not allow my dog to infringe on the rights of others.
•  I will not allow my dog to run loose in the neighborhood.
•  I will not allow my dog to be a nuisance to others by barking while in the yard,
                in a hotel room, etc.
•  I will pick up and properly dispose of my dog’s waste in all public areas such as
               on the grounds of hotels, on sidewalks, parks, etc.
•  I will pick up and properly dispose of my dog’s waste in wilderness areas, on
               hiking trails, campgrounds and in off-leash parks.

T-Boy

  I will be responsible for my dog’s quality of life.
•  I understand that basic training is beneficial to all dogs.
•  I will give my dog attention and playtime.
•  I understand that owning a dog is a commitment in time and caring.

Mary Kay

Have you made this pledge to yourself and to your pet?  Go ahead... your dog deserves it!!

Spirit says, "Please take me home.  Love me.  Take care of me.  I'll do the same for you"

Tomorrow we'll share some important tips about bite prevention.  We'll see y'all then!

(All pictures were taken by our mom of animals at Brookhaven Animal Rescue League.)

Getting Back in the Groove

So much to tell but where to begin...

First off, Christmas was WONDERFUL!  The human children got momma a bed for me for Christmas!  Mom was absolutely delighted with the one they chose and humored that they knew "just" what she wanted.  And to top it off... it worked out really good for me!  I heart my bed!

Then there was the day that mom and dad had a brush with the law.  For whatever reason, I was left behind and Scarlet and Kudzu were taken to our favorite swim hole five miles from our house.  It's where we always go (90% of the pictures of us doggies near water were taken there).  As normal for such an outing mom had a throw toy tossing it into the lake for Scarlet and Kudzu to retrieve.  Since there were NO OTHER HUMANS ANYWHERE around, mom had no problem allowing them to roam freely.  And they were having a blast.

Scarlet

Scarlet

Kudzu

But then... <cue dramatic music: duh duh dum>... a park ranger appeared.  Apparently having watched too much NCIS, he identified himself as "a federal offiicer with the national park service".  He immediately asked where the dogs leashes were.  Dad was holding one in his hand, and quickly attached it to Kudzu, and told the officer the other one was laying on the picnic table where they'd eaten lunch.  Obviously not taking dad at his word (oh the nerve), he instructed dad to "show him".  Once there he took dad's driver's license and disappeared for a bit.  When he came back he informed them that the dogs being off leash is a punishable offense with a $75 fine.  Mom insisted that we come here all the time and had never seen anything posted stating such a silly thing.  He told her the sign was hanging on the bathroom wall... well, mom has never, not once, used that bathroom.  So how was she to know.  Fortunately he let us off with a warning, but now we have to find somewhere else to go swimming.  And mom is all spit-fired wanting better legislation and rules for dogs who have passed their canine good citizen test.  Scarlet and Kudzu were under vocal command the entire time and posed no threat... and again, no one else was around to be disturbed!  And now thinking back on it, it was probably a good call that I was left home that day.  I'm sure I'd have greeted him with a famous Boondocks Bear Hug!  (They're my specialty!)

Mom and Dad also finished off Southern Jewel's bedroom makeover that was her Christmas present.  A play gate has been placed at Jewel's bedroom door, and we doggies are no longer allowed inside.  What good is a bedroom without a dog??  But mom is strict since so much work went into designing the perfect teen lounge.  And mom is now boasting "interior designer" on her continually growing list of accomplishments.  Mom loves how this room turned out so much now she is raring to go redoing hers and dad's bedroom.  She promises it will remain dog friendly though!

And now for the bad news - I'm guessing mom hasn't let me tell y'all about this because to actually write it out makes it more real somehow.  Our darling, Scarlet has begun having seizures.  The first one was maybe six weeks ago, the second one two weeks ago, and then again the following day.  We're pretty sure she had one while we were gone on Christmas Eve because of the amount of drool on her bed when we returned.  Dad took her to the vet to be checked and all of her blood work came back normal.  The vet said when she begins having them daily, we'll start a treatment.  We're hoping that day doesn't come for a long time, but there are other symptoms that has mom worried about her.  Scarlet is only seven and we hope for at least seven more good years with her.  She is after all GOLDEN and irreplaceable. Please say a prayer for her.

Scarlet

And now that we have crammed a weeks worth of blogs into one sitting, we bid you ado.  But come back tomorrow to hear about what happens when a doggie stands too close to fire!!  <wink>