The Sweetest Dog Book

Marley and Me is probably the cutest dog book I have ever read. For those of you who haven't read the book by John Grogan, let me just say, you are missing out!

This book honestly made me laugh out loud, and cry like a baby. I am not ashamed to say it because I have a dog, and can relate to John in that sense. All I thought about as I was reading the book was Achilles.

I read the book in less than a week, and the amazing thing is that I was taking 3 classes at that time. This may not mean a lot to you, but I never take on a book in the middle of a semester. It is too much, and could distract me from the work I have to do, so I just don't do it.

Marley is a crazy Lab that does some crazy things that drive John and his wife crazy. However, John loves Marley so much, he does everything possible to keep him. In the book you read both funny, and heartwarming stories of Marley from the day he joined the family, until the day he left. I can almost guarantee you that you will fall in love with the book.

This book has been turned into a movie staring Owen Wilson, and Jennifer Aniston. It looks like it is going to be funny, and I hope it's half as good as the book. It comes out on December-25-2008

The commercial actually just came out a few weeks ago. You can go to MarleyandMeMovie.com to read more about it, and see the preview.

I especially want to see this movie for 3 reasons:

1. I read the book.
   
2. I was on the set at the Sun-Sentinel when they were filming the movie.
   
3. I LOVE Eric Dane. He's Dr. McSteamy in Grey's Anatomy, and he is in the movie.
   

So read the book if you haven't and go see the movie on Christmas Day.

Get a Laugh Out of These Comedian Dogs

I'm sure that most of you, if not all of you, have seen funny dog videos on America's Funniest Home Videos or Animal Planet. I found a short compilation of hilarious videos of both little, and big dogs.
I love the first one. I think it is so funny to see a dog is hopping like a rabbit. I also like the one where the dog started attacking a toy. All of the videos are funny, but those are hilarious. I have gotten a number of these videos by e-mail, and I must say they really brighten up my day.
I take a lot of pictures of Achilles, but not so much video. I have taped him a little, but I don't have anything funny. I have video of him being a puppy more than anything. However, after seeing these videos, I am inspired to video tape Achilles doing something funny. Maybe that way, when I am having a bad day, I'll just look at the video, and be in a good mood.

A Dog is a Kitty Hero

I know this is the Big Dog Blog, but this story was way too cute to not post. It is about a small dog that risked his life to stay with four kittens in a burning home. Luckily the dog and the kittens are ok. He is so cute.

Click on the following link to get directed to the video. Yahoo.com

Enjoy the video!

Snow Sledding Dog

I came across a really funny dog video on YouTube.com. It is of a dog uses people as a sled! If he sees someone sliding down a snow hill, he jumps on them. I think it is a perfect way to say hello to the cold weather, and considering that some states have already stated to see snow.
So, if you live in areas where snow is something that is just around the corner... try sledding with your dog, or your dog sledding on you.
Enjoy!

Dog Sitters your Dog Will Love

There are plenty of doggy day care centers all over the country. I haven't taken Achilles to  one yet because I think he is more comfortable at home. He's actually very lazy, and I believe he enjoys staying home and sleeping. However, I have seen some daycare centers that look fun for dogs. 

There is one in Broward County that I see on my way to school. It is a cage-less center, and it has a playground where the dogs play in the afternoon. I have seen some sad dog faces looking out on to the road from the playground, but it kind of reminds me of kindergartners looking out from recess, and waiting for their parents.

A few years ago in Boca Raton, I saw a school bus  full of dogs. I remember thinking it was the cutest thing. That doggie day care center would pick-up and drop-off the dogs from their homes, which is very convenient for dog parents.

There are also dog hotels, where you can leave your dog for a few days if you plan on taking a trip. These are also most convenient for parents of big dogs, because unfortunately it is much harder to travel with big dogs, than small ones.

Here are a few interesting dog day care centers and hotels.

This one is a very cute and luxurious dog hotel. chateaupoochie.com

This is a Dog day care center that has locations all over the country. They are currently opening four in the state of Florida. Dogdaycare.com

Dog Predators

Some states have animals that prey on dogs. In Florida alligators have been known to eat pets such as cats and dogs. And not long ago we heard of a man who saved his dog from the jaws of a shark. And finally, one predator that my dogs have had more than one encounter with... coyotes.

I grew up in the San Fernando Valley in California. There are lots of coyotes, mountain lions, and bob cats in the area. These predators come into backyards in the middle of the night, and eat peoples pets. 

The last, and most traumatizing story that happened with a coyote and a pet of the family was 2 years ago.

My brother had a small Jack Russell Terrier. One night he forgot to bring the dog in, and that's just what the coyotes were waiting for. My dad woke up to Timon crying. He woke me up and told me to come to the backyard with him to get the dog. We came out, but it was too late... the dog was gone... we called him, went all over the backyard, and nothing. A few minutes later my sister and I heard a dog whimper. We told my dad and we went out to the backyard again. My stepmother found Timon all the way at the end of the backyard. He was still alive, but the coyote had bit his neck, and it was too late.

The next day my little brother buried the dog, and two nights later the coyote came back. He dug up Timon and tried to take him again, but he must have gotten scared by something, and left.

So if you live in one of these states, or any other with dog predators, please lock up your dogs at night. Make sure that they are safe.

Is Your Dog Bilingual?

There isn't much information on whether a dog can be bilingual or not, but I know Achilles is.

When I was teaching Achilles commands, I made sure he was learning the sign language command as well. If I don't want to actually say the command I just sign it and he does it. I got the idea from the  trainer that came to my house to teach Achilles, and I think I had also read something about it in the book German Shepherds for Dummies.

Some people chose to teach their dogs German commands, but I stuck with english. Achilles knows:

• Sit
  
• Down (lay down)
  
• Speak (bark)
  
• Give me five
  
• Up (stand up)
  
• Come

He also knows phrases but I don't know the sign for all that.

My mom talks to Achilles in spanish, and he understands what she saying. When she says "ven" which means come, he understands. He also understands "vamos al baño" which means lets go to the bathroom. So I guess I can say Achilles knows four languages, and one of those I don't understand. That would be the bark.

A Dog So Fresh and So Clean

Sometimes giving your dog a bath can be a pain in the butt! I know that for a fact. I have an extremely hard time giving Achilles a bath. I have actually given up trying to give him one at home, so I bathe him at the wash station at a dog park. What I do is that I tie him to a pole and hose him down and shampoo him right there. Some people look at me like I'm crazy, but crazy is trying to bathe him at home.

Of course you can always take your dog to a groomer, but I personally don't like taking Achilles there because he gets so sad. Some people don't have an option, big dogs like Golden Retrievers and other long haired dogs need a hair cut. 

Please don't ignore your pets hygiene. A dog needs his/her nails clipped, hair brushed, and a bath once a month. Try not to bathe your dog more than once a month, doing so may cause dry skin, something that can be very uncomfortable and even painful for your pet.

Here is a great site called  advice on pet care that has great tips one how to bathe your dog.

Another thing that is important is clipping your dogs nails. If they get too long  it can also be painful or uncomfortable. If your dog has the white, or clear nails, you could clip them yourself. If your pets nails are dark, or black, have your vet or a groomer clip them. Dogs have a vain (called a "quick") that runs through their nails and if you clip too much, they could bleed, and it will be painful for your pet.

Vetmed.wsu.edu is a page from Washington State University that can make it easier for you if you chose to do it yourself. However I do recommend that you have a professional do it.

How to Prepare Your Dog For A Storm

Hurricane season is dying down, however there is a named storm out in the Atlantic, and it's better to be safe than sorry.

The year I got Achilles, my family and I experienced our first hurricanes. We moved to Florida in 1998 from California. We had never been though a storm, but we had heard horror stories. So when we heard there was a hurricane coming, we didn't know what to do. My family said we should go to a shelter, but Achilles was a puppy and there was no way I was going to leave him. 

I bought the essentials for him which was just food and gallons of water. In the case of those storms that was pretty good preparation, but if a major hurricane hits Florida, make sure you have a lot more than that.

So, How well prepared is your pet in case of a storm? 

First thing you need to do is:

Register your family (pets included) on Floridadisaster.org

-Here you will get a custom list on what you will need in case of a storm.

Other important items that you should get for your pet include:

1. Vaccination papers
   
2. A leash
   
3. A collar with your pets tags
   
4. Contact information for your pets vet
   
5. A recent picture of your pet
   
6. A muzzle
   
7. An airline approved pet carrier
   

and the list goes on...

Please do NOT leave your pet home alone in case of a storm. Evacuate with your pet, or make arrangements ahead of time with a local pet shelter.

Best Family Big Dog

There is no way to really determine which dog breed is really the best, we all love our dogs no matter what, and we all know OUR dog is the best.

But I went on a little internet journey to find out which was the best breed to have around kids.

Each site had a list of different dogs, but two that kept coming up no matter where I went were Golden, and Labrador Retrievers. 

A place where you can find one of the many lists I came across is PetPlace.com.  If your dog breed isn't on this list, don't get discouraged, most likely it is on one of the others.

Achilles is very good with kids, he actually loves babies. When my best friend brings over her baby so that I can babysit him, Achilles get really excited. He jumps up to try to greet baby Anthony, but he won't actually jump on the him. 

The first time the baby came over, I left him on my bed while I heated up his bottle, I kept peaking up the stairs to make sure Achilles didn't do anything to the baby. It was the first time he had been around a newborn, and I had no idea how he would react. I had heard so many stories of dogs getting jealous, and so even though I trust Achilles, I felt a little scared.

So, I called Achilles from the bottom of the stairs, and he peaked his head with a look almost like "what do you want?" and then he went back in the room. When I came upstairs he was watching the baby, and as soon as I walked in he gave me a look like "thank God you're hear, take your post back" and then he just laid on the floor and resumed his sleeping.

He was so funny! He smelled the baby's diaper after I changed it, and if the baby started crying, he would cry too, it was hilarious. 

I know that when I have kids, Achilles will be great around them, not based on his breed, but on his personality.

If you want to know more about your dog or one you want to get go to AKC.org

Foods That Can Kill Your Dog

ASPCA.org is a great site, and a wonderful organization. For those of you that don't know what ASPCA stands for, it's The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 

So on this great site they have a list of things that are dangerous for your dog to ingest. I recall telling people "don't give your dog chocolate" or "don't give our dog nuts" and people are always shocked, as if they have never heard of such a thing before. 

Well ladies and gentlemen, here is a short list of things you should not feed your pet. There is also a site called treshanely.com that goes a little more in depth into what some of these foods can do to your pet.

Dangerous foods for your pet are:

• Avocado
  
• Chocolate
  
• Onions
  
• Raisins and Grapes
  
• Garlic
  
• Yeast dough
  
• Coffee
  
• Alcoholic Beverages
  
• Macadamia Nuts
  
• Tomatoes
  
• Bones
  

Again, check out the websites for more information, this is extremely important. I never give Achilles anything that can potentially harm him. I am glad this list is available because surprisingly, not many people know what is good or bad for their dog.

Oh, and yes, bones ARE dangerous for your dog despite what we've all seen on TV. Bones do not dissolve and they can get stuck in your dogs throat. The only way you'll be able to get those bones out is by putting your dog through surgery, and you wouldn't want that!

Is Your Dog at an Ideal Weight?

You may not think so, but a dogs weight is just as important as a humans. Your pet too can run health risks if not adequately fed.

Just like in humans, overweight dogs have an increased chance of heart disease and arthritis. This is especially true in big dogs. The older your dog gets, the weaker his/her bones are, and the extra weight can become a burden.

If you want to see a body condition cart to help you determine if your dog is under, over or at an ideal weight you can go to Iams.com 

Slentrol.com also has helpful information on Canine obesity that can inform you on the various health risks of such. This website has a great chart that shows, and tells you the effects the extra weight has on your dog. 

Here is a short list of problems that can develop in obese dogs:

1. Skin and haircoat problems
   
2. Reduced activity
   
3. Arthritis
   
4. Heart disease
   
5. Breathing problems
   

A few years ago I rescued a dog who had been mistreated. She was a beagle. She was left in a box all day, her previous owners never exercised her, and she became an extremely obese dog. One day I went to my dad's business, and she was tied in the back. My dad told me someone had left her there, and that was it... Bubbles came home with me. She became more of my mom and my sisters dog, but I found her. I even think I called my mom to tell her we HAD to take this dog home.

Bubbles lost a lot of weight with us, my little sister took her walking a lot, but the arthritis and her breathing problems were already advanced. Some times her breathing sounded like a pigs oink, it was really sad. One day, my mom just knew bubbles was struggling to hold on, and she did what was best, she took her to the vet so they can put her to sleep.

People, if you have a pet or are thinking of getting one, please make sure you have enough time to spend with your him or her. They need the same things we do. They need love, attention, food, shelter, exercise, Dr. visits... and the list goes on. If you do not have the time or the money to invest on a pet, DON'T get one, because finding out after you have the pet can be too late for him or her. Dogs get depressed too, and you giving them away will take an emotional toll on them. You wouldn't give up your child because you can't afford food anymore, would you? So don't do it to your pet.

Famous Big Dogs

How many famous big dogs can you think of off the top of your head?

I bet there are a lot, you just can't think of any right now because I put you on the spot. 

Well let me help you 

• Rin Tin Tin- I bet everyone knows who Rin Tin Tin is. He made over 20 movies and, was a superstar in Hollywood. If you want to see pictures and  and read the story on the most famous dog to ever live go to www.rintintin.com
  
• Charlie- Everyone remembers Charlie from All Dogs Go To Heaven!!! That was by far the cutest German Shepherd ever made in cartoon.
  
• Lassie- Who doesn't know who Lassie is??? I know Lassie was way before my time, and even still, I used to watch the show. 
  
• Clifford the Big Red Dog- This is the biggest dog on our list. Clifford was and still is loved by people of all ages. Clifford is still shown on PBS Kids. 
  
• Beethoven- Who can forget this crazy dog? This was one of the craziest and sloppiest dogs on the big screen, but we still loved him.
  
• Buddy- The basketball playing Golden Retriever from Air Bud.
  
• Chance- This crazy American Bulldog took us through a long journey with his brother, a Golden Retriever, and his cat sister in Homeward Bound. 
  

and last but not least one of the most famous TV dogs of our time...

• Comet- The beloved Tanner dog on Full House. Everyone wanted a dog like Comet!
  

The Benefits of Buying Toys for Your Dogs

My big dog Achilles loves toys! As a matter of fact, I believe he has way too many, however I don't think he agrees with that statement. One thing that drives me insane about the amount of toys he has, is that he leaves them all over the house. It honestly looks like a baby lives there instead of a dog. But I can't resist! Every time I see a cute toy, I get it for him. The greatest thing is that even if it's a cheap toy, his face lights up as if it were the greatest thing in the world. He literally hops around the house as soon as I hand it to him.

Here are some great toys that are listed on dogguide.net. I find that they aren't only entertainment for your dog, but also good exercises to make them smarter. 

1. Kongs- These are great! Achilles actually knows his kong by name. The best thing about it is that you can fill it up with goodies such as; small treats, peanut butter, Kong paste, and more.
   
2. Puzzle Ball- This is a great exercise to get your dog to figure out how to retrieve the treats inside. I'm sure you'll enjoy the "puzzled" look on your dogs face as he tries to figure out how to get the goods.
   
3. Stuffies- These toys will also stimulate your dogs mind. He/she will have to figure out how to get the other toys out of the big one.
   

Other toys that I like to get Achilles are the Bobo Loofa Dog toys from PetSmart. These toys are really cute, and they sell a number of different ones. For example, every holiday they come out with a different loofa dog. In December they have a snowman loofa dog, in April they have an easter bunny... and many more. They also have athlete loofa dogs, a bride and groom, baby loofa dogs... so many I could go on all day. I like to tell everyone that Achilles wants the whole collection, that way they get him one. I am sort of telling the truth though, Achilles loves the squeakies inside the toy! He finds them amusing.