My Friendly Pets

Well, it’s that time…time for reflection, resolutions, and hopefully no regrets. I wanted to use this entry to highlight some of the good, the bad and the ugly that I have written about these past 5 months.

Of course the good is always easiest, so I’ll start with that. Some of the organizations that exist for the sole purpose of helping and saving the lives of our dogs are phenomenal. There are organizations like the HSUS, Humane Society of the United States, whose sole mission is “Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty”. They hope to reduce and eliminate suffering of animals while creating meaningful social change for those animals. The efforts of this organization must be applauded. I had an entry back on November 16th, about a raid on a puppy mill in Virgina. Feel free to click here to check it out. The Humane Society web page has a followup to that raid and some happy endings for some of the pups that were saved. Click here! This organization does some great work and much of the work is also done by our local agencies. They need our applause and accolades as well.

As I said, it is easier to write about the good than the bad, but that must be addressed as well. The baddest and ugliest story this year relating to dogs must be about Michael Vick and his dog fighting disasters. I have had several entries during the course of the past couple of months highlighting the events of Michael Vick’s arrest, plea, his surrender etc. I chose not to be objective in those entries, but rather editorial and opinionated. I felt it was an important stand for me to take. I will continue to highlight his activites as well as other instances of dog fighting that are discovered and hopefully prosecuted successfully. This is a barbaric and horrible practice and I’m ashamed to admit that it goes on so blatantly in this country. Whatever I can say or do to bring this activity to the forefront of my readers, I will do. The more exposure this crime has, perhaps more people, as digusted as myself, will join the efforts to stop this cruel practice.

I would like to take this opportunity to again encourage you to help those dogs who can’t help themselves. Donate, money, goods or your time to your local animal shelter. Also, if you are so lucky to be blessed with a dog in your life and in your family, treat them as such, a member of your family, because that’s exactly how they think of you.

My best wishes to all of my readers for a very happy and healthy 2008. May your days be filled with the barks of those dogs you love!!!

Because it is that hectic time of year, I know most people are reading quickly in the attempt to get on to the next great party and festivity. Its still important to take a moment to read and learn any new fact or tidbit of information that will make you a true conversationalist at that next party!!! I’m here to provide you with the tools to do so. Don’t thank me now, but when you have that group of people surrounding you and hanging on your every word, because they all love dogs and you have so much to tell them, say a silent “thank you”!!! I will be sure to hear it…so here it goes!!

From a statistical standpoint, there are about 5,000,000 puppies born in the United States every year. About 1 in every 3 American homes has at least one dog and unfortunately between 5,000,000 and 6,000,000 dogs each year are euthanized in shelters due to overpopulation.

Dogs have been used as work animals for hundreds of years. Some of the jobs they have done include guarding, hunting, seeing for the blind and rodent controllers. One of the jobs that dogs were responsible for during World War II was especially disturbing. The Russians trained dogs to run suicide missions between the tracks of German tanks with bombs strapped to their backs. How repulsive!!!

Hopefully, unless you breed dogs you have either spayed or neutered your dog to prevent unnecessary births of unwanted puppies. Many people, especially men, don’t like have a male dog neutered as they feel it will take away the dog’s “manhood”. In actuality, if the dog is not going to be used for breeding, neutering a male dog will make the dog less aggressive and less territorial. Neutering can also help to prevent urogenital disorders.

Well, now you have it!!! So at that New Year’s Eve gathering you can’t wait to attend, store up all these “facts” that you’ve read and deliver them at the perfect time. I wouldn’t suggest anytime around midnight, but an hour or so before or after, might be appropriate!!!

For some great information and pics of the U.S. capital (Washington D.C.) check out Kjesrti Wasiak’s blog!!!

Since we are coming close to the end of the year, I thought we all could use some must needed dog trivia, so that’s what I have for you!!!

Some of you may have read the entry from September 1st that talked about dogs from largest to smallest(click here), but now I have some additional information to add.

The worlds largest dog in both length and weight was a dog named Zorba who was an Old English Mastiff. In 1989, Zorba weighed 343 pounds and from his nose to his tail, Zorba was 8 feet 3 inches long. Wow….that’s some big dog!!!! Now the smallest dog in history was said to only weigh 4 ounces, was only 2.5 inches tall and 3.75 inches long. The dog, who was a tiny Yorkie from Blackburn England was actually the size of a matchbox.

Longevity of our dogs is something most dog owners are very interested in. We want our dogs with us as long as possible. However, for larger dogs, their average life span is only 7 and 8 years, some of the smaller, terrier sized dogs can live between 15 and 18 years, but the average life span for a medium sized, mixed breed dog is about 13-14 years. Documentation supports the fact that the longest living dog who died in 1939 had actually lived 29 years…amazing!!! This was an Australian cattle dog named Bluey!!!

All dogs, from the largest to the smallest, from the clumsiest to the graceful are direct decendants of wolves and they can all breed and produce offspring regardless of their size or shape!! Dogs are said to be colorblind. They actually can see colors, just not as brightly as can, so they appear to be blended rather than as distinct as with human vision.

Also, dogs hearts beat at a much faster rate than that of humans; anywhere between 70 and 120 times a minute compared to 70-80 times a minute for humans. And finally, while humans carry their young for almost 10 months prior to birth, dogs carry their puppies for a mere 60 days before giving birth. Of course, there are usually more dogs in a litter than a human mom gives birth to, so I guess its all fair in the long run!!!

We’re getting close now to ending 2007 and beginning 2008. I have been writing this blog now for about 5 1/2 months and have learned so much about the animals I truly love. Since I was very young I had always wanted a dog, but my mother was not a pet person. She always said, “When you have your own home, you can have as many dogs as you want.” I started that journey the day after my husband and I returned from our honeymoon. I adopted our first dog that very day and had either him, Ziggy and later Geo in our family for over 20 years. We haven’t had a dog now for a little over a year, because we were all so heartbroken at the loss of Geo that none of us have fully recovered yet or have had that wound fully heal. Perhaps one day soon we will have a new pup to fill the void, but right now, our loving memories are truly enough.

However, I truly love to write about dogs using the experiences that I have had or those that I hear from friends and family who have wonderful pooches in their lives. I have also learned so much about dogs, their lives, the breeds and other great information, that I feel as if I have many dogs as part of my life right now. One of the things that I have become truly aware of are the thousands of people who make saving and protecting dogs the work of their lives. From the volunteers at the shelters to the rescue workers who live to save the lives of these animals, these people are truly incredible. I have learned that there is so much we can do simply as individuals to help. Raising money for these shelters is definately important. Donating goods is great as well. Volunteering time to help at a shelter can be a wonderful experience (if you don’t find the need to bring each and every dog home with you). As part of my resolutions for the new year, I am going to try harder to do more for the local shelters in my area. They always need whatever help is available and it is never a hardship to try and give back to the animals that have give so much in return. Who knows, maybe I’ll find the pooch who will be the next dog in our family. I am confident that when we meet, I will know that he/she is the one and the feeling will be mutual.

For those looking to see how your astrological sign will affect your life and other great information check out fellow blogger Beth Turnage for her outlook!!!

You know how good you feel when you take care of yourself. Whether it is getting your hair done, or having your teeth cleaned, a manicure or a pedicure; taking the time to “groom” yourself makes you feel refreshed, clean and generally a happy individual.

Grooming your dog has similar effects on the pup. A dog who is not taken care of or groomed may experience both physiological as well as psychological problems.

Brushing your dog’s coat everyday is important. While they might not seem to thoroughly enjoy this task at first, they can be trained to tolerate if not enjoy being brushed. Brushing your dog helps to keep your dog’s coat in good condition. Brushing helps to remove dirt, spreads the natural oils throughout the coat, minimizes or eliminates tangles and helps to keep the dog’s skin free from irritation.

Ears are another part of your dog that require attention. Check out a prior entry specifically dedicated to the ears of a dog.Your dog’s ears should be checked about twice month and the skin behind the ear flap should look a pale pink color. It there is red, black or brown skin, or a peculiar odor, you should contact your vet. To keep your dog’s ears clean and fresh use a cotton ball moistened with warm water or mineral oil and clean the opening into the canal and the flaps of the ears. You sould never probe into the ear canal of the dog. If you notice perpetual scratching, head shaking, odor or redness, it is important to contact your vet. Ear infections can be very destructive to the hearing of your dog.

Grooming your dog’s nails is important as well. It was one of my least famous chores and to be honest, I let my husband do it. A dog’s nails should be clipped about once a month. I would suggest asking your vet for the best way to do this with your particular dog. (its not the dog’s favorite chore either!!)

Brush your dog’s teeth!!! This should be done about twice a week. Dogs can develop periodontal disease as well as cavities, so proper care for your dog’s teeth will save you both on pain and trips to the dental vet!!! Use pet toothpase with a small tooth brush that has soft bristles for the best results.

Try and bring fun into grooming your dog. The more tense you are about these tasks, the more tense your dog will be too. Use treats and a lot of encouragement to get through the grooming. These are also time with your dog, so make the time as pleasant as possible.

According to sources who work in rescue animal centers, this has been one of the worst Christmas seasons on record. Many thoughtless owners dump their pets during this most “giving” time of the year. People who are unaware of the responsibility of pet ownership get even more overwhelmed with their dog as the holiday season approaches with all of the commitments and obligations necessary and often find it easier to just get rid of the dog, as they see it as basically “too much trouble”. This is a nationwide phenomenon and also a clear indication of what many consider our “throw away” society. It seems that if it takes too much time, effort and energy, many people don’t want to be bothered. They never get to the point that many pet owners experience because they never give it a chance.

Once Christmas is over and people get over the novelty of the puppy that was received as a gift, the shelters expect to see even more “drop offs”. The sad look on the faces of these dogs tell the story. While families are enjoying the post holiday sales, returns and other festivities, many of these dogs are waiting in shelters for owners who will never return. For many of us, dog ownership is a life long commitment, meaning we are committed to that dog until they pass away. However, for others, dog ownership is like many other facets of their lives in that they rarely take responsiblity for anything, let alone taking care of something that might last for years, such as the life of a dog.

While I don’t want to be melodramatic at this great time of the year, I hope everyone takes a good long look and gives an even longer hug to the dog that you have in your life. Remember, you are as much a part of his/her heart as they are of yours. They love, trust and need you. Give them the time, effort and energy that they need. It will be well worth it. For those dogs who are now shelter bound, help them too. Give donations of time, money and needed goods to your local shelter. They need any and all that you can give.

Check out a touching story by a fellow blogger about a pet that newly adopted a family!!

I know a lot of people are busy today and tonight and for some of the readers, it might be even Christmas Day, but I wanted to leave you with a few little stories with dogs included on this exciting night of the year.

You know it is cold in Michigan and one wouldn’t expect to see surfers on Lake Michigan , but it was a lucky day for one soggy pooch when he got knocked off a local pier by large waves but was saved by a surfer!!! Matt Smolenski, a 25 year old surfer saw the dog get knocked off the pier by a large wave. He rode the waves on his stomach until he reached the dog. The rescue was just in time as the black and brown mutt had basically all but stopped paddling by that time. The dog was crouched on the board held tightly by Smolenski until they reached the shore. The owner was so glad to see his pup, he gave Smolenski a “high five”, but never got his name. Hopefully, he saw it soon after on the news.

And now, someone just had to come up with this right around the holidays!!! A firm in London had developed and is selling the first perfume for dogs. Mungo and Maude’s Petite Amande eau de toilette sells for a mere $78.00 a bottle!!! I bet you’re sorry you don’t have a bottle of that under the tree for your dog!!! If that isn’t enough, they sell an accompanying bottle of shampoo of $33.00. A famous perfumer named Lyn Harris helped develop the perfume which is made from French blackcurrant, Tunisian neroli, mimosa and violet leaf on a base of sweet vanilla bourbon with a little almond.

For me I like the smell of dogs in their natural scent, but for those who need a bit more, its there for the sniffing!!!

For some really great holiday food history, you have to check out Gillian Polack, here!!!

I wish you all the very best of the holiday season. If I don’t check in tomorrow, be good to your family and friends ( and don’t forget the 4-legged ones!!!).

I’ve written about film and theatre dogs and many cartoon dogs, but there are dogs that are famous for truly historical reasons and today we’ll look at a couple.

Above is Laika. Laika was a Russian space dog who was the living creature from Earth to orbit space. Laika was a stray in Moscow wandering the streets. She was taken to an animal shelter and that is where she was picked with two other dogs to be trained for potential space flight. Ultimately Laika was chosen as the dog to be sent into space and she was on the Sputnik 2 which was launched into space on November 3, 1957. In a tragic end, Laika died a couple of hours after the space launch. Her death has been attributed to excessive stress and overheating which resulted from a malfunction in the thermal control system. It was many years before the Russian government actually revealed the cause of death of Laika. The Russians had never built anything in the Sputnik 2 that would bring it back down to earth, so Sputnik 2 and Laika were gone in space forever. This sparked many debates about the ethical treatment of animals and animal testing as those involved with Sputnik 2 knew that it would be a death flight for Laika.

Another dog that most people have never heard of was a dog named Saur or Suening. Suening was the reigning King of Norway for three years during the 11th century. According to historians, Eystein of Norway was the king of that country from 1142-1157. However, during his reign, he became angry at his subjects becaused they deposed him and it was then that he declared the dog, Suening to be king and would be treated with all of the regalia and nobility that was meant for a king. It is said that during those three years official decrees of the land were signed by Suening in dog prints!!!!

For more great information about famous theatre and movie dogs, click on to a previous entry.

On March 21,2007, Marine Corporal Dustin Jerome Lee was tragically killed in a mortar attack in Falluja, Iraq. Dusty Lee, as he was called worked along side a 8 year old German Shepard named Lex who was a superb bomb detection dog. The two were close partners who searched Iraq for roadside bombs, slept together and when Dusty was killed and Lex severely injured, it took several men to pull a whimpering Lex away from Dusty’s side.

Exactly 9 months later, yesterday, December 21, 2007, the Marines turned over Lex to Dusty’s family to be adopted after a lengthy fight to do so. According to the military, Lex was two years shy of retirement and they weren’t ready to let him go. However, the Lees mounted a strong campaign to gain custody of Lex through an internet petition and the aid of a North Carolina congressman who took the case to the highest echelon of the Marines.

Check out the video of Lex and his story from CNN

In a prior entry that you can see by clicking here, I spoke at length about the role of military dogs and the close bond they share with their handlers.

As an added acknowledgement of the service that these military dogs provide and honoring the close bond that they share with the servicemen and women they work with, Dr. Carmen Battaglia of the AKC Companion Recovery organization awarded to Lex and the Lee’s a special honor. On the AKC’s behalf, Dr. Battaglia presented the Lex with a one year AKC Pet Healthcare Wellness plan that includes coverage for up to $13,000 a year for future illnesses and accidents as well as preventative care such as shots, flea, tick and heartworm preventatives. In addition, the AKC presented the Lees with a certificate of bravery honoring Lex and a bronze statue of a German Shepard that signifies the role of this breed in society.

To the Lees, Lex represents the last living creature that was with their son when he died. Knowing the close bond that the two shared allows the Lee family to love Lex as they knew their son did. It gives them peace in some way to have Lex as part of their family sharing in their lives as once Dustin did.

Yesterday, 12/19/07, 237 dogs were seized from a woman’s home in Corpus Christi, Texas. It appears that the woman, 70 years old, was a breeder of dogs and Kelli Copeland, the city’s manager for Animal Care Services, stated that “I think she slowly accumulated them and they were more than she could handle”. According to Copeland, there was plenty of food and water for the animals, but they were living in close quarters and unsanitary conditions. Many of the dogs were covered in urine and feces, so it was hard to determine easily what gender the dogs were. A workman notified the city of the conditions in the home after he had made a service call there. The woman may receive several citations from the city, once they determine the condition of all of the animals.

Many of the dogs rescued were Pomeranians, but there were also some Yorkshire terriers, poodles and other breeds. Unfortunately, the condition of one of the dogs required that it be euthanized. According to Copeland, the city is going to seek custody for the dogs, so that they may be placed in shelters or with rescue agencies and eventually adopted. A judge will determine on 12/27 if the dogs should be removed from the woman’s care. It is predicted that this will happen since the woman is elderly and homes in that area are only allowed a maximum of six dogs. There seems to be a clear indication that the owner truly loves animals, but obviously, it is a situation that had gotten very much out of control.

It also appears that some of the dogs are pregnant. They will require special care and special housing. In addition to local animal shelters and rescue organizations, a national rescue group called Pom Rescue is already involved. For those involved in the care, treatment and organizaing all of these dogs, the holidays according to Copeland are “pretty well shot”. Many people are already calling in wanting to adopt any one of these dogs, but no adoption decisions can be made until after the judge decides who will retain custody of all of the dogs.

There is some great information on another Texas city, Austin to be precise, by fellow blogger Kyla Myers.

Living in an abusive relationship is extremely difficult if not dangerous and can be life threatening. One of the most difficult decisions for the abused individual is to make a decision to leave the abuser. This decision is made more difficult if there is a dog or other pet in the household. Many victims of abuse have exceptionally close bonds with their dogs and will refuse to leave an abusive relationship if they have no place that they can go with their pet. To leave their dog behind with the abuser is almost too much for the victim to bear.

However, there are several (really relatively few) animal safehouses that have emerged that can give care to the family pet while the abuse victim gets their life back together and learns to live on their own either caring for themselves or with children in tow.

The Rancho Coastal Humane Society in San Diego, California began a program in 1997, which at that time was only one of three in the country, known as the Animal Safehouse Program. This program is commited to breaking the cycle of violence. This organization provides temporary shelter to family pets of victims of domestic violence who are trying to escape abuse and seek safety.

In addition to extra tender loving care, the people at Rancho Coastal Humane Society provide boarding, medical and other necessary services. After the abuse survivors have moved out of the shelters and are settling into housing, Rancho Coastal works with the shelters and rental agencies to find housing so that abuse survivors and their pets can be reunited.

I think this is a truly awesome activity and was amazed when I read about this program and their services. I often wish I were independently wealthy so that I could donate to all of these causes that seem so worthy and important. Dogs as family pets are often additional innocent victims of the abusive situation and the services are rarely available to help with their needs and care.

Check out the website her for Rancho Coastal Humane Society and you will be touched and in awe as well.

Check out a place where animals always have a home with my fellow blogger!!!

If you choose to travel with your dog this holiday season, it is important to realize that there are some extra steps to be taken to insure proper pet etiquette.

Remember, if you are staying at someone’s home and they are gracious enough to allow your dog to stay too, your dog must behave as a proper guest. Meaning, just because you LOVE your dog and allow him/her on your furniture and jumping and begging at the dinner table doesn’t mean your host will. Whether you are a guest in someone’s private home or staying at a hotel/motel that is dog friendly, you should try and do the following:

Make sure the accomodation is appropriate for your dog. If your dog doesn’t like other dogs or other animals at all, then it might not be a great idea to have them in a home or place where other animals will be around. Your dog should obviously be housetrained, not be destructive in terms of chewing or tearing and the dog should also be a minimal barker and be able to stop upon command. And if your dog loves to give doggie kisses, and they are welcomed by you, that’s fine. However, there are some people who don’t necessarily want wet and wild kisses from your dog. The dog should be able to refrain from that type of activity upon command.

Be sure to account for anxiety your dog may experience as a result of their new surroundings. Dogs may exhibit behavior that is unusual due to the changes in their schedule or accomodations; even the most well behaved dog can get stressed out. Be prepared to work with your dog when you sense they are getting anxious and be sure to allow for some time for some exercise and alone time so they can feel comfortable with you no matter where you both are.

If your dog does have an accident, make sure you clean it up as soon as possible. If the accident is more severe and your dog actually ends up breaking something, it is important to take responsibility and fix or replace anything that is damaged by your dog. To keep all of your surroundings clean, carry extra paper towels or other cleaning cloths with you so that you can wipe down your dogs feet before they put paw prints in places where it is preferred they not be. Most of all, make the holiday trip as enjoyable as possible for everyone - and that includes the dog!!!

Feel like bringing some tasty treats to your host to thank them for their hospitality, check out a fellow blogger at Earthly Eating

You should try to include your pooch in your holiday plans, even if you are travelling. There are so many places today that not only accomodate your pup, but encourage you to come, stay and play. One of the troubles with having your dog with you is that your dog may need additional exercise while you are away, because they are not on their usual routine as they are at home and that disruption might make them a bit more anxious or energetic. There are many “dog parks” located all over the country where you may be required to use a leash and let them loose in “leash free” areas.

In a website that is environmentally as well as pet friendly, there is a complete guide to dog parks all over the United States as well as Canada; check it out here. If you are looking to get away from the cold and are heading down to sunny Florida, there are over 70 dog friendly or dog parks in the state. You will be able to take, walk and play with your dog anywhere from Jacksonville in the northern part of the state to Miami Beach, as well as out to the Keys in Key West.

The picture above is from Higgs Beach Off-Leash Dog Park that has separate areas for large and small dogs. There are sunny as well as shaded areas and views of the Atlantic Ocean. Or how about Wickham Park, in Melborne, Florida? They have a 30,000 square foot fenced in leash off park where both large and small dogs can run free. This park does require that the dog has a Brevard County license, but a call ahead for a guest pass might be worth it.

If you are headed out west to California, they have about 60 dog parks across the state and the website mentioned above breaks them into geographical areas such as northern, southern or central California. There is no reason why your dog can’t have a great vacation visiting friends and family over the holidays, just like you are. Sometimes it is easier to have your pooch with you than to be worried about the separation anxiety they may be experiencing because of your departure. Think about it and check out the site above for more detailed information.

For some really great information about southern California, Los Angeles specifically, check out fellow blogger, Megan Palmer at the site here!!

I have more than once featured a cartoon character dog as an entry on this blog and I thought another one would be fun. I guess I don’t have to tell you who I’ll be featuring as you can guess from the title of this entry.

Above is Scooby-Doo and friends, who were the stars of the cartoon series that debuted in 1969. The series was created for cartoon greats, Hanna-Barbera and many spinoffs were created from the original series. However, since 1997, the cartoon series has been produced and distributed by Warner Bros. studios and Scooby-Doo still draws large audiences made up of both young and older fans. Scooby-Doo is part of an off-beat detective team known as Mystery, Inc. who travel around in the Mystery Van solving mysteries that involve supernatural forces and of course, ghosts!!!!

Scooby-Doo and his side-kick Shaggy are far more motivated by their drive for food than they are by solving mysteries, but that doesn’t stop them from getting into a whole lot of paranormal mischief!! The characters in this cartoon series were created in similar context to characters on a popular TV comedy series known as Dobie Gillis. In fact Shaggy from Scooby-Doo and Maynard from Dobie Gillis played by Bob Denver (also of Gilligan’s Island fame) resembled each other physically, from the lanky body to the long unkept hair, then known as a “beatnik”.

Scooby-Doo is a loveable character because first and foremost, he is a dog; a big loveable clumsy dog. He also shows many character flaws that we as humans identify with and enjoy. He is vulnerable, cowardly at times, loyal to his friends and always looking for the next great meal!!!

The cartoons from this series have evolved and changed over time with the addition of Scrappy-Doo in 1979, when Scooby’s tiny nephew joined the cast to help solve mysteries and boost ratings. Obviously it worked and Scooby-Doo cartoons and films have endured for over 25 years. The lastest for Scooby-Doo was a live action feature film that came out in 2002. It was so successful that a sequel was developed and came out in 2004.

So again, if you are in the mood for some great doggie cartoons or movies, rent some Scooby-Doo classics, settle in with some Scooby snacks and enjoy!!!

Also, take some time out to check out the latest cinema hype by a fellow blogger by clicking here

I know I talked about the weather in yesterday’s entry and how enticing it is for a lazy day of reading. How about if you are not into reading, but really into great movies, especially movies about or with dogs? Well, for those of you on the north east coast, it just might be the weekend to stockpile some of those movies and be entertained. According to the National Weather service we are in for a N’oreaster and it is probably going to be a good one. So anywhere from Saturday night through Monday morning when the worst is supposed to hit would be a great time to get some of those movies out and enjoy. You might want to stop by the movie store tonight to check them out, as the good flicks will probably be well picked over by tomorrow afternoon.

If you are in the mood for a real story that pulls on your heart strings similar to the books mentioned in yesterday’s entry, (click here), I have some great movies for you to check out.

The picture above is from the film “My Dog Skip”. Its a coming-of-age movie starring Frankie Muniz based upon the award winning author Willie Morris’ book of the same name. The movie depicts Morris’ life as a youngster and the bond he had with his dog. There are some rough emotional scenes in the film which I think we can all relate to. Kevin Bacon, Luke Wilson and Diane Ladd also star with Muniz to make this film a great way to spend a Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon.

In terms of other dog flicks you might want to see, it will depend on the genre of the movie you are interested in. If you are a Stephen King fan, Cujo is a great movie. If feel good movies are more your style, any Lassie movie will fit the bill. Comedy is cool when dogs are the stars…Benji, Beethoven, Shaggy Dog….take your pick.

Whatever you decide to watch this weekend, stay safe and warm and keep your pooch close to your side becasue that’s exactly where they want to be. Enjoy!!!