Search Results for: blog in the doghouse

“Dog” Back in the Doghouse

Duane “Dog” Chapman is going to have a hard time getting out of the doghouse this time… The TV bounty hunter put his foot in his mouth and is now putting his tail between his legs as he desperately tries to apologize for using the N-word repeatedly in a profanity-laced tirade during a private phone conversation with his son that was recorded and posted online. If being caught (by the National Enquirer of all publications) wasn’t bad enough, reports now say that A&E, the network that airs Chapman’s hit reality series, has suspended production of “Dog the Bounty Hunter” despite … Continue reading →

The Pets Blog Week in Review for Jul 23-29

There was one issue in particular that dominated this week in the Pets Blog –dogfighting! Both Aimee and myself had plenty to say on that issue. But we covered other things as well. To find out what, consult your week-at-a-glance breakdown below. Monday, July 23 Aimee wrote about a group in Pennsylvania called Dogs Deserve Better. They’re trying to raise awareness about the cruelty and dangers of chaining via an event called Unchain the Fifty, where they try to get one person in each state to spend a minimum of eight hours chained to a doghouse. Tuesday, July 24 There … Continue reading →

In The Doghouse

If your pup will be spending lots of time outdoors, a doghouse is a good idea! A doghouse gives your dog a chance to get out of the sun or rain and have a quiet, safe resting place. Whether you are building or buying, look for these essential features in a doghouse: Make it waterproof! The primary function of a doghouse is to keep your pup dry. It is his shelter on a rainy day. Wood or plastic are good choices; a metal doghouse can be very cold in the winter! Keep the air flowing. Humidity that gets trapped inside … Continue reading →

Bright Lights, Empty Wallet

Have you seen the oh-so cute, fluffy-looking light-up pink Christmas flamingo that Target is selling in its seasonal section? You know; the one that all the kids are drooling over, including my 8-year-old. You know; the one that is not on sale. Yeah.  That one. What parent can rationalize paying nearly 50 bucks for a knee-high bird wearing a Santa hat?  Sure, he lights up, but so does the inflatable snowman at the Dollar Store… if I place a string of LEDs on him. Newsflash:  I did not win the Powerball jackpot. In other news:  My kid doesn’t care. She … Continue reading →

Support Your Pets and The Earth with Planet Petco

An eco-conscious dog As we come out of Earth Day weekend, I’d like to take a look at how we pet owners can contribute to keeping the planet clean. Many animal lovers I know, myself included, also love nature and are often sympathetic with the green movement. However, for some of us who don’t live in more urban areas it might be difficult to obtain many environment-friendly pet items. Sometimes small local stores might carry them, but at high prices some might not be able to afford. Others might not have any purchasing options nearby. Options abound on the internet, … Continue reading →

How to Parent Adult Step Children

Almost thirty years ago, Robert married a woman who had five grown children. No big deal, right? They ranged in age from mid-twenties to mid-thirties, so they had all been on their own for many years. They appeared to be well-adjusted, independent, responsible adults. They lived locally, and Robert and his wife socialized with them on a regular basis. So what was the problem? It turns out that there were many, but primary among them was the fact that his wife’s family was, what the shrinks would call, enmeshed. They were ‘all up in’ one another’s business—they spoke to one … Continue reading →

Vacation Gadgets for Your Pet

With the summer travel season now upon us, many of us face questions about what to do with our pets when we go on vacation. Those of us who decide to bring our pets along on our trips, though glad to have our furry friends with us, then face further complications of keeping our pets situated and happy with the limited resources we have away from home. At the recent Global Pet Expo in Orlando, pet-minded inventors introduced a number of new gadgets designed to make vacationing easier for all members of the family, both two-and-four-legged. MSNBC reports the highlights. … Continue reading →

Taking Creative Halloween Shots

If you are looking to spice up Halloween shots of your little pumpkin, then steer clear of boring backgrounds and cheesy grins, and let your costumed kid’s inner ghoul shine. Costumes and candy are the main ingredients of any Halloween celebration. However, if you want to get decent photos of your little princess, werewolf or dinosaur, then don’t wait until all their candy is devoured before getting your camera out. Amped up kids in costumes don’t make ideal photo subjects. The key to getting great shots of your little trick-or-treaters is to snap the shots prior to the sugar rush. … Continue reading →

Smashing Stress

I often joke that when I’m stressed, I need a doghouse to smash. A friend of mine had an old, abandoned doghouse in her yard and decided one day it was time to get rid of the unsightly thing. With her trusty sledgehammer at her side, she took it apart. When she was done, she told me how great it felt to smash the thing. There’s something very cathartic about physical exercise… and destruction. After a particularly bad breakup a few years ago, some friends invited me to help remodel their kitchen. I had a grand old time prying tiles … Continue reading →

Inmates, Stray Dogs, and Rehabilitation

Last night one of the local news stations reported what started out to be a sad story about bad dog owners leaving dogs out in the cold to fend for themselves. The reporter was following around animal control officers who were on “cold dog patrol.” They round up dogs left in yards with no food or water and very little or no shelter. In some cases the dogs have been completely abandoned as their owners have since moved on. Concerned neighbors called in to make sure the dogs got help. I was happy to hear there are laws against this. … Continue reading →