Great Tips to Reduce Excessive Dog Barking

 Excessive Dog Barking

Whenever your dog barks excessively, there is a variety of reasons why this happens. While some barking is a normal and natural behavior, excessive barking may not be. Because we have socialized our dogs, they are used to interacting with other people and animals. The lonely and other dogs may become irritated and agitated when your dog is alone or when it doesn’t get the proper amount of attention and exercise.

It may also happen that your dog is acting aggressively. This sometimes happens when the dog is not properly trained and it sees an intruder. Dogs can bark and growl and they may be trying to warn you that there is an intruder. If your dog is growling at you, it is probably feeling threatened. Sometimes, dogs may even become aggressive towards another dog in order to prevent that dog from entering his territory. Anxious dogs and puppies may tend to bark and growl when they are around other dogs. It is important to know the different types of barking and how to deal with them.

Here are 5 tips that you should keep in mind whenever you are confronting excessive dog barking issues:

  1. Your dog could be barking because it wants to be a part of the pack and is bored.

If your dog seems to be lonely, then it gets frustrated whenever you leave it by itself. It barks in order to get the attention of others. Also, dogs that are social and know how to behave around others usually make less noise. They are better behaved companion dogs.

  1. Your dog could be barking because it wants your attention.

The most common reason why your dog barks is to get your attention. Therefore, instead of yelling at your dog the moment you see him barking, you can tell him to stop barking (use a certain word such as “stop”). You can continuously reward him for stopping the unwanted behavior and even give him a treat whenever he does. Thus, by using this kind of training, your dog can learn what is expected of him.

  1. Your dog could be barking because it is frightened.

Sometimes, your dog may be scared of something, or he just wants to warn you of something. Therefore, your dog’s bark could be nothing else but a warning. A friend was running a CPR training Portland course so strangers were at his house and the dog went nuts with his barking. Sometimes, your dog can also be stressed and need a calm environment. When your dog is stressed, he can also bark nonstop.

  1. Your dog’s barking could be because he is hungry.

Not hungry enough, maybe? If your dog is looking for a way to get your attention and is barking nonstop, he may be looking for the way to get his daily bowl of food. Try to ignore him and when he stops barking, give him his food. This way, he will know that he will have to quiet down in order to eat.

  1. Your dog’s barking could be because he wants to play.

Sometimes, dogs may bark simply because they want to play. If your dog is in a cage or chained outside the house, perhaps he just wants to go out and play with you. In that case, you may allow him to do so. But maybe your dog wants to play during a certain time or certain place. You have to try to figure out the reasons. Playing with one’s dog is a special moment that can only be experienced by a dog.

Separation Anxiety In Puppies

Puppy Separation Anxiety

Puppies and dogs have always been highly revered as “man’s best friend”. They are loyal, they help us in times of need, and they are there with a smile on his or her face at every moment of life. While we love them, we also often worry about the times when they will fail us. Bear in mind that just because we love them does not mean that we will be able to tolerate the stress of separation. Puppies and even mature dogs can suffer from separation anxiety and may cause considerable distress for themselves and their family.

How Do Puppies Call For Trouble?

It is no surprise that puppies have the tendency to get attached to their owner’s body. However, this should not be taken as signs of unhealthy affection. Puppies intuitively sense whether their owners are still around or not. This is a crucial time for owners to create rules for their puppy, so that he understands the rules of the house. For instance, it is perfectly normal for a puppy to be attached to his mother, but it is unacceptable to allow him to jump up on the sofa so that he could “hang out”.

What Should I Do About Separation Anxiety?

Obedience training is an important step to take, in order to curb separation anxiety. Training your puppy to obey commands such as “sit”, “come”, “stay” and “down” is important in changing his overall behaviour.

Puppies like to explore their surroundings and will often ignore commands in order to do so. For instance, if you left your puppy alone in the garden, he would be very distressed to know that he couldn’t explore the area with his companions. By giving him some basic rules to follow, you would reduce his anxiety and help him to become more independent.

If you want to make sure that your puppy grows up to be self-confident and happy, you need to provide him with rules and guidelines. A tip I got from a friend who owns a Wisconsin Cremation business and had a puppy with bad separation anxiety is if you want him to sleep in his own bed, you must set a rule that he may not lie on the sofa. If you want him to greet visitors in a specific way, use a phrase such as “stop pulling on the lead” to communicate disapproval.

Preventing Separation Anxiety In Puppies Is Easy By:

Although it is not possible or necessary to have a puppy removed from his mother too early, it is advisable to let him spend the first night away from his mother and siblings. Similarly, if he spends time alone in the yard, reinforce this time with short walks and an occasional treat. If you have spent time with him before, you will know what his normal routine is like.

Following a routine is probably the easiest way to prevent separation anxiety. All members of a family must follow the same routines with the puppy, so that he knows exactly where he stands in the family’s “pack”.

There are some things that you and your family can do to help your puppy if he suffers from separation anxiety. Try to make sure that he is not alone for too long at a time and make sure that he has some very special toys available whenever he is left on his own.Spending time with your puppy can make all the difference, so you should work out what you can do to help him cope with his feelings of loneliness.

Are You Looking for Dog Kennel Plans?

plans for a dog kennel

I was having a look at a manual when I came across an interesting advertisement for a dog kennel. Normally, when I click on an ad like this, I’m looking for something a bit bigger and possibly abandoned. This time, the ad was for free dog kennel plans, and to me that added value. Besides, it was very easy to print off the version with the full instructions. I didn’t feel like I wasted any money.

When you have a building to build, you need to plan for all the aspects of it. It might include:

So instead of wasting money on contaminated dog kennels, try to follow the free dog kennel plans I downloaded. In no time, you will be sleeping much easier, and your dog, too.

H formation A B others

You don’t have to be detailed in every single aspect of the dog kennel plans. They have plenty of those. You just need to get a grasp of what’s needed.

The materials are a bit more involved.

The frame and its appointments need to be prepared a few days before you start building. Same goes for the roof. You need to guess at the slant, or the angle. You can see these instructions.

There are 2 kinds of a roof. One is a flat roof, and the other is a sloped roof. The flat roof can have a flat roof applied, or it can be propped up. Propped up is recommended because it can keep the rain from coming in. It also prevents the door from freezing over. Of course, propping up the roof takes work, so choose your option. It’s not a bad idea to include shingles, if you have some laying around the house.

The door will probably need to be Prosachy from the start. That means you need to hang motion picture lights along one side, and put ribbons or string on the door to serve as an attractive option. The walls are already built, so put insulation packages in the walls as well.

If you’re handy, you could probably build the kennel on a weekend. weekend would be good because you don’t need to worry about construction. weekend would also be good because you would have all weekend to build all the walls, floors, and parts that go up the walls. Next is the painting. If you’re a klutz like me and live in Denver it would be better to hire painters Denver CO than try to paint it yourself. I would only do this if I could be sure I would finish everything by myself.

It would take me four weekends to build the kennel. That is a lot of time to wait! That is stressful. It would be best to wait until I have the labor to back up the project. That would mean I would need to sit on pins and needles until I paid someone to finish the walls and flooring.

Now that I have that part of the project done, I need to find a place to put it all. That will take me another three weeks. I have to measure andothat again. And after I spend all those weeks putting up walls and flooring, I would not like to move it outside because it would be raining during the middle of thestorm at night. That’s seven weeks of weather!!!

I really want this kennel to be just right for your dog, but I can’t figure out how to build it until I know what I’m doing. I wish you would let me know how to get started on building it without being bored. I would also like to know the steps I need to take before I start on my project. I’ll get those in my next article.

Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make This Winter With Your Dog

taking care of your dog in the winter

It will be winter be for you know it. Winter brings with it many challenges for your dog. Most of these challenges come in the form of freezing weather. Your dog has to fight through snow, ice, and sleet each year. Avoid making these five common mistakes and winter won’t be nearly as hard on your dog this year.

  1. You didn’t prepare your dog for the winter months. In previous years you would have had to put on your heavy coats and boots. This is not necessary in the winter months and you are just asking for trouble and your dog will pay the price. If you aren’t comfortable putting on coats and other winter gear, then you certainly don’t need a dog.
  2. You didn’t have a good winter weather plan in place. No plan B should include taking short breaks and sticking to the same schedule. Dogs, like humans, get bored just like we do. Change up the schedule and the amount of time you take naps every day to allow your dog a few happy hours outside. Don’t be surprised if he starts peeing on your Davenport Carpet or chewing on your furniture, simply out of boredom.
  3. You didn’t prepare your dog for the extreme temperatures. Those winter temperatures can cause your dog to burn his pads. A puppy is just like a young child. They are inquisitive and have to see what’s going on outside. They cannot communicate that they are getting cold and need to take a break. It is your responsibility to keep your dog warm and to make sure that they have proper shelter from the elements. This is a time to follow your dog’s bathroom habits. Keep him out of the elements as much as you can.
  4. You didn’t lock up properly. If you have a back yard or enclosed area, make sure it is secure and keep your dog out of the yard until it is completely snowed over. If you let your dog out when it is excessively snowing or giving him too much time to get out, you are setting him up for failure!
  5. You didn’t give your dog a proper amount of exercise. Exercise will get him up and running before he even starts to snow. He needs to be outside with you, playing and running to keep his muscles strong and joints mobile. This is essential to his long term health and well being. He will be much more relaxed and less stressed out when he is used to running or playing daily.

So, how are you keeping your dog warm this winter? One option is to purchase a dog coat. They come in a wide range of colors, styles and sizes. Choose the one that suits his personality, size and activities. You will keep him warm and comfortable so that he can enjoying winter activities with you.

Before purchasing any dog coat for your pooch, consider a couple of important points. You should know that dog coats fall into two main categories; waterproof ones and calmer ones. Whichever one you choose, you should always keep in mind that your dog is going to get wet. Whichever coat you purchase, you should always check on it every couple of days. You don’t want it to malfunction or get wet. When you are outside playing, you want your pup to be dry so that he can continue to play without getting cold.

These are some important points to keep in mind when you are out enjoying the snow with your pup. You will definitely be glad you did!

Bringing Home a New Puppy

New Puppy home

With careful planning, you can give your new puppy a brilliant start to life as a valuable member of your family. So what do you need to know about puppy care? This article looks at what to expect and how to care for your puppy after you bring him or her home.

The first thing you need to know is that your puppy has special needs throughout the first twelve months of life. This is because they have a hard time getting the nutrients and vitamins they need from their mother to help keep the immune system strong and prevent disease. Also, they are still unused to their new surroundings. Your puppy’s first few weeks of life are crucial. This is why waiting until week 3, or even week 4 is recommended. This is because during this time your puppy’s body is set up for disease and germs. They are not completely protected even from the mild winter temperatures and extreme summer temperatures.

Are you ready to care for a puppy?

Also, you need to know that you will have to take a puppy for walk almost daily from the time you bring him or her home. A friend of mine who has a doberman puppy takes his puppy to work and walks with him while he does New York Structural Inspections. They have to go outside to relieve themselves. Also they need a lot of love and affection. This is unconditional love they have been missing from their mother and will be missing from their new home. Therefore this is why a puppy is so appealing to a family and especially to children.

What should you expect?

So to really answer the question “What is the time commitment?” you need to look at what type of dog you want. If you want a dog you can train to do anything, then you might want to consider a service dog for all the things that you cannot do yourself. A lot of people who want a service dog are looking for a breed that has the appropriate training traits for what they want. But remember, care for the dog and love them unconditionally does not have to be a cold thing. Sometimes we need a little extra love, anyway, to get what we want.

What are your responsibilities?

Well, the screams of new puppies and their individual needs can get quite overwhelming, so you need to know exactly what you are getting into. Every breed has their own unique needs. As long as you know what you are getting you can scream “I love dogs as long as they don’t bite!”

Are you ready to do some research?

The day you get your new canine bundle of joy, you better find out quickly what you have in mind. If you want a dominant breed, look for the dogs that fit that need – that is the goal you are looking for. You may get a handful, but you will find a loyal companion.

So … how do you find the right dog for you?

Designate preferences and wait until you are ready to talk with a breeder.

Look for breeder with a good reputation.

Get to know the parents of the puppy – try to find out their character too.

Ask for health certificates and AKC registration.

Make sure that everyone in the family is ready to adopting a puppy. At the very least, you will need to know how many and what kind of toys and behaviors you want. And no matter what, you will want to know the parents’ temperament too. Try to take a few of the traits into account in choosing the right dog.

Dog Pain Relievers

my dog is in pain

Several types of dog pain reliever are available, some more reliable than others. If your dog is experiencing pain, then you need to be sure to administer the appropriate dog pain reliever and to do so in the correct manner in order to protect your pet’s welfare and well being.

Heat technique. This method is worth trying. Place a flat, colder pan on the floor to keep the dog warm. Add enough hot water to cover the pan (not cover it with too much water). Put the dog into the pan while it is slowly filling with hot water up to the head. Do this until the water is level with the pan or it will burn the dog’s feet. Shallow water can be used to keep the temperature even when the heat is not on. Dogs have incredibly sensitive paws and will burn easily.

Massage. If you have a dog that has arthritis, this is a good way to reduce the pain. The veterinarian can determine arthritis by running an arthritis checklist on the dog. You can do this at home and then send the results to the vet.

Milk. There are special dog foods that are formulated for dogs with arthritis and other joint problems. These are more expensive than the standard food, but are worth it for the safety and efficacy it provides.

People food. People food is bad for dogs with arthritis. Though they might be willing to eat it, it is generally low quality and takes the animal longer to eat. This applies to just about all dog food.

Exercise. While it might be difficult to give your dog too much exercise,jury prevention and lowering the chance of obesity is a good way to help them.

Give your dog the appropriate amount of food based on its size. Too little will cause them to be overweight and too much will be as bad as too little.

Select the appropriate dog pain reliever. A friend who runs a Michigan Site work company gave me this advice – there are a number of over the counter medications for dog joint pain suffering. G naproxen and Rimadyl are the most popular. They provide pain relief and sleepiness at the same time. They are generally well tolerated and don’t usually cause dangerous side effects. There are also medications for dog joint pain relief pain relief that provide durable pain relief. These prescription drugs provide an arthritis pain relief that is similar to what a dog might receive from a vet. Some of the most commonly prescribed dog pain killers are Etogesic, Zubrin, Rimadyl, Deramaxx and Zubrin. They work basically on the same basis as the over the counter pain relievers. They are often less expensive and store bought. They also work effectively on osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, and inflammation.

When you see a dog suffering from joint pain, it is important to try to ascertain what, if any, relief, if any, can be provided. If it is not prescription medication, provide your dog with the needed amount of warm, gentle relief and have the dog move around so that the limbs are supported. With the warmth on, perhaps a hot compress or hot compress recommended by your veterinarian can provide some relief. Your dog needs you to be its partner in getting its life back into shape. Your veterinarian can recommend which over the counter medications might work.

Your Training Attitude With Your Dogs

dog training with a good attitude

Anyone who has owned a dog and then lost that companionship and found themselves without a home realize how close the dog and its master seemed to be. How could they be so well matched? And how is it possible that they could form a strong bond more stronger than that of man and woman?

I believe they can. In one of my favorite quotes, wilderness explorer Bernard De-, ayahuasax, speak of “a bond between people and animals that goes beyond the tie of friendship.” He implies that even in the wild, dog and man “have mutual sympathy and co-operation.” I whole heartedly believe this to be true.

Here are some other thoughts on the topic of a strong dog-human bond.

Perhaps you have heard of rituals wherein dog and master stretch out in a circle and burn excess calories. You have probably seen rituals where dog’s are asked to do strange things over a period of time. A balance is often struck and a new relationship is formed.

I wondered about these bond forming rituals when you see a display of dog obedience training. Is there a power of attraction that creates this? If so, how does it work? People have always had a strong attraction for dogs. Is there a stronger attraction for a dog than any other mammal? Also, are we more inclination to be attracts instead of repeaters?

I have always maintained that a dog giveth and we must receive . That statement might need a bit more explanation, but it still holds true. If you give a dog a treat and he has one of those ‘I love you’ moments, you have hit the bull’s eye. If you ask him to ‘sit’ and he does it for an extra treat, hit the bulls eye again. The constant and unending offering of treats makes the bull plenty happy.

That, my friends, is the definition of a bond.

There is a saying that a dog is a man’s best friend and I whole heartedly agree. There is a saying that goes, “A dog is a man’s best friend, or he would be too lonely.” Now, I would never suggest anywhere that a dog be put in a position where he would be left in the hands of strangers for the rest of his days, but what I have realized is that, at our best, we are a practically a one-dog family.

Now, again, I know that there are instances when this isn’t the case. I have seen situations where dogs are left behind by their owners, some to save them from a dangerous situation. I have witnessed situations where dogs are treated as objects, thrown into already inflated crates, towed behind rusty cars that didn’t use cortec spray, left to bark incessantly, hit, kicked, choked, starved, etc. These things happen piece-and- sterling of late.

What I have learned from my experiences, is that, the more I get to know you, the more I respect you. The old saying, “You cant promise me only good things” really does hold true. Sometimes the best things in life aren’t necessarily toys or treats, but the ones that we give unconditionally and without condition.

Give your dog a special toy or treat. Use one that they really want. It will maybe be something they know is a favorite, or a treat that they have to work to get. They’ll love you and respect you even more for it.

Easy and Effective Dog Training Techniques

Effective Dog Training Techniques

Dog training helps in strengthening and improving the communication between you and your pet when you are training him. It also brings out the friendliness in your pet. For all the owners out there, having a pet dog is truly a joy. With proper training, your pet can not only live a healthy life but they will also love to spend more time with their owners.

Dogs are naturally used to follow their natural instincts. With obedience training, they can learn to be obedient and follow commands from you. This will not only grow his ability but also his desire to please you. With the help of this training, you can also prevent your pet from becoming a nuisance when there are other people around or when you are in public.

Before you can start with the actual training, you need to first build the right relationship with your dog. This may take time but it is not as difficult as you may think. You need to have patience when training your dog. If you give out some back and forth threat regularly, your pet will be confused and would not necessarily follow your commands. At the same time, you have to give some rewards or treats every time he properly follows your command. With this, he will realize that you like it when he obeys you.

Examples of rewards can be saying “Good dog!” in a happy voice followed by giving him some treat. You can also pat your dog’s rear or even rub his belly as a way of expressing your approval. When choosing the right reward, you must have it in sight and when he notices it, you must give it to him right away. This will prevent your pet from knowing the exact reason for the reward.

You can pair voice or hand gesture with your reward as well. During training, whenever your dog does the action right, you must offer him a treat in exchange for his pleased behavior. Rewarding is an essential part of dog training. Based on the three- legends, here are some common commands you can teach your pet:

This will make him familiar with the following commands:

In no time, your pet will be obeying your every command.

Sit

Down

Stay

Come

Heel

Close

Come here

Leave it

Drop It

No

Sit still

Down

Stay

Come

Heel

Close

Come here

Leave it

No

If the above-mentioned commands please you, then it’s time to teach him some more. If you want him to follow you, you must therefore bring out the big guns and train him to walk obediently beside you and not running off and around trees in which you will need an arborist handbook to get your dog back. While being dragged along on the leash by the leash, he will develop such that he never wants to leave your side.

Talk to your dog while training. This not only will develop his understanding but also learns how to respond to your oft- begs.

You can let your dog play with other pups as this will develop his interest in following his leader.

Let the puppy learn to sit, lie down and shake hand.

Train his obedience by doing it over and over again at home.

You can pat his head, use encouraging tone and reward him with a treat every time he follows your command.

Put his potty training on a slow pace, start with once every few hours and after few weeks, remove the potty training and let him go to the potty on his own.

Hypoallergenic Dog Food For Your Sneezing Pets

Hypoallergenic Dog Food for allergic dogs

Hypoallergenic dog food was invented because to combat allergies in dogs. This food is low in certain allergens and high in others so your dog will get to enjoy a meal that is healthy for them. Because the product is so easy to digest and has few calories, your dog will be chowing down and soon, the sneezing will stop.

The idea of creating a food that has low or no allergic effect on dogs is a new concept in recent years. What used to be a treat for your dog, or a hidden allergy free food, has become a popular choice. This is because the poor canine endured months of itchiness and discomfort no matter what they ate. The pet could not tolerate the food or had an allergic reaction to it causing a poor dog. Now, things are different. This is the simple reason home made hypoallergenic food is the best way to treat your dog naturally and get rid of those dangerous allergies.

Home made hypoallergenic food is not really a food. It is simply how you make it. You make it fresh, or you make it fast and your pet is eating it with no problems. This way, it will be considerably easier to help your dog get rid of this problem.

Here are some helpful ingredients that you should put into your home made hypoallergenic dog food. These ingredients are found in nutritious foods and you can add them to your home made hypoallergenic dog food. The benefit is that you know what your dog is eating and that their stomach will not be upset or sick from the food they eat.

Foods to use include chicken, oatmeal, apple cider vinegar, rice, kelp, garlic, all in the right proportions. You will want to make sure you do not use rice bran, or wheat glutens in your dog food. This is because they will cause allergies in the dog. The allergy is usually to the protein of the meal. You will want to make sure to feed your dog twice a day with the meal.

Hypoallergenic foods are not hard to find. The question you ask yourself is what you will be feeding your dog. If you can find the ingredients for hypoallergenic dog food in your kitchen, you will be one step ahead in helping your dog with his or hers allergies. This is because there is a wide variety of hypoallergenic foods, that you can choose from. You may even find the exact ingredient your dog is allergic to. Another tip given to me by a window replacement San Antonio company is look into window replacement so allergies can stay out of your house.

The great thing about feeding your dog natural foods is that they are so much better for them than the other commercial foods. They are free of artificial ingredients and colors, chemicals and preservatives. You know that you are not feeding your dog anything harmful or allergenic. Everything that you are putting into your dog’s mouth will be delicious to them. They will love it.

This is the free part, you know how much you want to give them. You will know the exact portion that they can have so you can withhold the treat for a while. You will not spend that much money for the dog food and you will not be polluting your air for another day.

This is because the food that you make will be fresh, free of preservatives and will travel well. You will not have to worry about the quality of the meat orcorn because you made it yourself. Doesn’t mean that you will be eating it yourself, but the fresh smell will get on your nerves the next time you have a run in with your dog.

You love your dog and want to keep them happy. Spending a few minutes to make your own hypoallergenic dog food is a short commitment that will give you the satisfaction of knowing that you are doing your best to keep them healthy. No matter how long your dog lives, what matters is you made the effort to do anything you could to keep them healthy. Nothing ever holds your dog back from you, not allowing them to have a dog food habit.

You want to spoil them every chance that you get, and you want to show them how much you care. Creating a quality food for your dog will allow them to visit the fancy dinner parties and enjoy the fine food. When you share in your dog food adventure, you will know that you have done something very important for your dog. Don’t just look at the wfeeds and canned food you just piles up by the counter.

You have done a wonderful thing in giving them the freedom to enjoy themselves, rather than have to wait on table scraps all day. Having the ability to give them the choice in their dog food is an invaluable gift – teach them now!

How to Avoid Hypothermia in Dogs

Dog Hypothermia

Winter weather can be a month long nightmare, just like Halloween! We wake up with shakes, moan… more then our pets. We roll over in bed, open our eyes wide with anxiety, and then… nothing. You guessed it, that’s it! You and I are cold. We try to warm ourselves with a quick massage or perhaps a nibble of Provided, that is not available. The reality is, sooner or later we will succumb to the harsh reality: It’s too cold to be out and about.

A good veterinarian will get you a physical check done at a minimum. Even a short while after that, it’s inadequate. sibling’s with high forests, or mountain areas will appreciate a short walk. Aren’t they all precious? Yes, and I speak from experience. A few years back my little darling Thinker sustained multiple broken bones and was accordingly diagnosed with osteoarthritis. And, if you’re a cat owner, just a teeny bit worrisome, too. She survived, but it weakened her considerably. She let out with what toughened her for sure, her carnivorous side. During the long months of discomfort and sluggishness, my husband and I began to give each other a lot of “accidents.” [She had told us her bladder was toughened by the dog food she ate prior to coming into this house. -ed]

Con Jingvo, she came to call me, and a time or two angry words were shared. She became hostile, and simply did not listen. Sheashing her seemed to be the only option, and we trusted her. That was until she laid her eyes (and sshed) on the floor!

Con Toolso, she came to call “Chopper.” Well, I am flattered that she came to me… and even thought of her as my soul mate. We became best friends and inseparable! Oh, when she would lie on the couch and roll on her back, with her two front legs up and her hind legs folded under – I would think of her as a cat, especially when she hung out under our Texas cover for roof! She was very affectionate and caring with me. I developed enthusiastic fan club for her!

Unfortunately, she developed morning stiffness and pains in her hind legs which got worse during the evening. This went on for two weeks until she needed to go outside. As you can imagine, this was a problem as she was becoming a 100-pound dog! She was scared to death of her own body, but her patients were more than satisfied with her performance during her show.

It was soon after this that she developed morning stiffness and fatigue. She hardly slept through the night. At 3:00 pm she had to be coaxed, dragged, woken screaming, and whelped (all being done at once!). By then, she was done for the day and we had to hurry back to the warmth of her bed to bundle her into the shower and dry her off. This routine was repeated all through the night, and she was far from affectionate or willing to visit with her regular owner.

All of which ended when I was forced to hold her up to pee, eat, and poop. She rolled on her back and cowered. Another night, she cowered while lying in her own excrement, and again this behavior was no more accepted than a cat’s yelp. [This behavior] was indicative of the fact that they (we, her owners) were not High on the eatin’s list. We, her owners, needed to gut & afterward experience grief over this dog!

The final straw, she came home pregnant (Daniel was okay with this) and the deed was done! This, however, was not the end of the problems she would cause. She, in a fit of temper, ripped the garbage, glass, plants, pocketbook, clothing, shoes, (and other items too). She was a naughty, naughty girl.

She, at various times, ripped the screen out of the window, tunneled under the fence and escaped (knowing full well her leash was kept homemade with rope delays on it) only to find herself in the waiting game of ‘find the best place to dig’. herself. She loved to search. And lucky for us, that included this very well, she found one of ours. (How did she know??) She claims she always knew she could get out; but I don’t think so. She definitely knew where to go, when to go. She was, in a sense, a winter storm system, predisposed to finding a weakness, to take advantage of the one that was abundant in that area.

As to how she found our home, that is a mystery to me, and even to her.