Search Results for: blog dog philosophy

Dogs and Cats Living Together: Body Language

Dogs and cats may not always get along, but it seems they CAN learn to understand each other. Researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel took a good long look at canines and felines who share a household. Taken individually, canine and feline body language often has opposite meanings. For example, a dog with his ears back or stretching out on his back is relaxed and even submissive. In cat speak, those behaviors are actually signs of aggression. But when the two species take up residence together, researchers have seen cats and dogs adapting their language. Dogs often greet other … Continue reading →

Do You Ever Feel Your Dog’s Not Living Up to His Full Potential?

I get both really inspired and really down on myself after I interview people like Beth Terrell or Joani Ascher. Inspired because they’re doing neat things with their dogs, like teaching them how to dance or grooming puppies to be Seeing Eye dogs. Down because Murph’s one of the smartest dogs I’ve ever had. I often wonder if I’m holding him back from living up to his full potential. At the beginning of this year I resolved to change that. I was determined to look into enrolling Murph and myself in a pet therapy program. Then my mom got sick … Continue reading →

My Dog is a Better Man than Most Humans

Just about every night before I go to bed, I take my dogs for a last walk. Sometimes it’s just a short run outside; sometimes it’s a longer stroll through the apartment complex or around the block. Since I’d been out of the house a lot today, I figured the pups deserved a longer walk tonight. I decided we’d walk around the outside of the apartment complex — lately I’ve been avoiding the paths inside the complex since my dog Lally can be skittish around kids. We were halfway around when a large white SUV came roaring by. Someone was … Continue reading →

The Pets Blog Week in Review for Aug 6-12

Phew, it’s hot out there. Did you keep up with the Pets Blog last week? If not, here’s your chance to catch up on what Aimee and myself wrote about. So pour yourself a cool drink, settle back in a comfy chair, grab your mouse, and point and click to read what we covered on: Monday, August 6 Aimee profiled an ancient breed of dog, the Mastiff. I claimed the fame in part one of My Life as a Pets Blogger. Aimee discussed aggression at home that results from improper handling and how to correct that. Tuesday, August 7 In … Continue reading →

Being A Dog

I’ve spent some time thinking about dog philosophy. I’ve read some really cute books written from a dog’s point of view. And all in all, I think I might like being a dog. Dogs are very forgiving. Whether I leave the house for five minutes to walk to the dumpster or five hours to do some shopping, Moose and Lally are always happy to see me. No matter how long I’ve been gone, they greet me as if they haven’t seen me in years. I love coming home to the joyous frenzy! And if I lose my temper and yell … Continue reading →

Golden Globes: Did Jodie Foster Come Out?

Last night’s Golden Globes was a great night of pretty dresses, good jokes, lots of drinks, and a few odd moments.  I have to lump Jodie Foster’s speech under the odd category. The actress (who I think is absolutely incredible at her craft) received the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award.  She walked on stage looking stunning – the blue dress was beautiful and matched her eye color perfectly.  She looked gorgeous and young, but reminded the crowd she was 50. The speech itself was rather scattered to me.  She seemed to ramble about her age … Continue reading →

Most Popular Pet Names of 2012

One thing we see a lot of this time of year is lists of baby names: the top baby names for the year, and names that are projected to be popular in the coming year.  What we don’t expect to see are studies of a different sort of name: dog names.  But that’s just what MSN did, compiling a list of the top puppy names for 2012. A familiar name tops the list: Bella.  It’s been a popular female dog name since 2006, thanks to the “Twilight” craze.  I can attest to that; Chihiro was originally named Bella when we … Continue reading →

Cupcake War

I’ve been known to indulge in a cupcake or two… or six, at times. Typically, I follow the splurge with a few miles on the treadmill or an extra-long bike ride. Not exactly the healthiest of patterns, but it supports the philosophy that in order to avoid packing on the pounds you need to burn more calories than you consume. Interestingly, that simple equation is at the center of a controversial ban being implemented in Massachusetts public schools. Beginning August 1st, the state is no longer allowing bake sales to take place on school grounds. In addition, Massachusetts is unveiling … Continue reading →

Interviews with Homeschoolers: Karen Loutzenhizer, Part One

Today I’m talking with Karen Loutzenhiser, a homeschooling mom from Utah who took time out to chat with me about her homeschooling journey. Karen, how did you know that homeschooling was the right choice for you? I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl, and the only thing that could top that career in my heart and mind was being a mommy. By the time I got my degree in education, I already had two kids in tow. I knew that they were my absolute joy and my #1 priority. Why would I drop my … Continue reading →

The Slow Food Movement

Mary Ann and I have talked about organic foods, composting, and other green food ideas, but I don’t think we’ve talked about the Slow Food Movement. The philosophy of Slow Food Movement is simple – good, clean, and fair food. Food that tastes good, is processed in a clean way, and doesn’t harm the environment, animals, or us. And fair food isn’t about corn dogs and cotton candy – it is about the people bringing your food to you being fairly compensated for their work. The mission of the Slow Food Movement is simple to – to save traditional grains, … Continue reading →