This time we stayed indoors and dumped out all their toys. Gave them the pick of the litter and had my own fun ;-)
Four Dogs. Three Degrees. Dog Walker JD.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Simmer Down
There isn't much to do outside in the extreme heat of the summer. The morning dog park routine is fantastic but mid day can prove difficult for the pups. The pavement is too hot for their pads and the sun causes rapid dehydration. These two cold weather dogs don't do well in the heat but they do like laying in the sun. I try to keep them cool by giving them flavored ice cubes and by using small wet towels around their necks.
This time we stayed indoors and dumped out all their toys. Gave them the pick of the litter and had my own fun ;-)
This time we stayed indoors and dumped out all their toys. Gave them the pick of the litter and had my own fun ;-)
I miss the days when I could take a late night stroll without looking over my shoulder.
One of the best feelings is walking in the silence of the night and feeling the gentle breeze on my skin. When I lived in Florida my evenings were filled with sleeplessness. When the clock struck 3 am I was outside and entirely alone in a place where no one knew my name. I didn't own dogs at that time and my walks would leave me in a whirlwind of thought. How dangerous were these walks? Well, after my home was broken into one random day, the police told me that it was stupid for me to walk outside so late and so alone.
Now I have two dogs who can alert me of any dangers lurking in the dark. Their senses are much more acute and they are always alert. Simba always warns if there is someone close by. Buddha gets a very serious stare and freezes like a statue. He might look menacing but I'm not sure he would actually do anything if a person approached me. Simba is much more intuitive and if a person makes him uncomfortable he lets them know and gives me a warning.
Crime is everywhere but now with a struggling economy, certain types of crimes are on the rise. Taking a evening stroll might not be the best idea even if it is refreshing. Sad ain't it?
One of the best feelings is walking in the silence of the night and feeling the gentle breeze on my skin. When I lived in Florida my evenings were filled with sleeplessness. When the clock struck 3 am I was outside and entirely alone in a place where no one knew my name. I didn't own dogs at that time and my walks would leave me in a whirlwind of thought. How dangerous were these walks? Well, after my home was broken into one random day, the police told me that it was stupid for me to walk outside so late and so alone.
Now I have two dogs who can alert me of any dangers lurking in the dark. Their senses are much more acute and they are always alert. Simba always warns if there is someone close by. Buddha gets a very serious stare and freezes like a statue. He might look menacing but I'm not sure he would actually do anything if a person approached me. Simba is much more intuitive and if a person makes him uncomfortable he lets them know and gives me a warning.
Crime is everywhere but now with a struggling economy, certain types of crimes are on the rise. Taking a evening stroll might not be the best idea even if it is refreshing. Sad ain't it?
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Buddha Nature
Two of the best activities before sleep are Yoga and Meditation. I am noticeably different after I take the time out to clear my mind and loosen my limbs. Better breathing actually invokes a type of euphoria that feels remarkable. The dogs typically follow me into the room when I decide to take this time for myself. Buddha lays down by my mat and really looks into my eyes and tries to figure out what I am doing. He has a sort of peace that I want when I am meditating. Buddha didn't get his name by mistake. Instead, Buddha truly has an aura of peace about him and his eyes exude positive energy. It might sound odd but I think that I have learned a lot from my dogs on the concept of slowing down and taking it easy.
I am a type A personality and I am always on the go, go, GO! A lot of times I sit on the ground and look at the dogs who are always living in the moment. Simba's reaction to my Yoga practice is mischievous indifference. There are times when he comes and tries to chew on the mat, bats at my leg when I'm moving through poses or sighs heavily with a judgmental look. Simba is very much like my monkey mind. He is always bouncing around, bored or overloaded. Simba proves to be a challenge at times and his presence is a constant reminder that life is not easy. We can't all have the Buddha nature. It must be cultivated. Usually, we have to fight through chaos in order to find a moment of zen. I'm lucky to have both these pups because they balance me, ground me and bring back to the moment.
I am a type A personality and I am always on the go, go, GO! A lot of times I sit on the ground and look at the dogs who are always living in the moment. Simba's reaction to my Yoga practice is mischievous indifference. There are times when he comes and tries to chew on the mat, bats at my leg when I'm moving through poses or sighs heavily with a judgmental look. Simba is very much like my monkey mind. He is always bouncing around, bored or overloaded. Simba proves to be a challenge at times and his presence is a constant reminder that life is not easy. We can't all have the Buddha nature. It must be cultivated. Usually, we have to fight through chaos in order to find a moment of zen. I'm lucky to have both these pups because they balance me, ground me and bring back to the moment.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Dog Brushes EVERYWHERE!
Having two dogs that seem to shed endlessly has given me an opportunity to try a bunch of different brushes. Some of these brushes seem to work better than others but I think it also depends on the type of dog.
The Zoom Groom (top left green brush) is probably the best brush for Shiba Inu's because of their double coat. This plastic brush gets to right to the undercoat and it is amazing how much fur comes up! I typically brush Simba in a circular motion because it is easier to loosen up the fur but you can also brush up and down without worrying about going against the fur. Shiba shedding season is in full force right now and I can use this brush everyday without Simba trying to run away from me. It is more like a massage than a grooming session.
The middle brush is simply a metal toothed brush. The bottom of the brush used to be solid wood but one of the dogs got to it at some point so I had to cover it in blue tape so that I wouldn't get a splinter. I prefer to use this brush on both of the dogs for a quick grooming. It will get all the knots out quickly or it will help gather all the loosened hair after I use the Zoom Groom or Shed Monster. I have also used this brush on my sisters Pomeranian and I think that it is actually better for long haired dogs. It really gave the Pomeranian a shiny coat and quickly eliminated the knots. It's best for this brush to be used on a daily basis for the long haired dogs in order to maintain a smooth, non knotted coat.
The blue brush on the right is a Martha Stewart bristle brush. It's a very stylish brush with an abundance of boar hair fibers and nylon. If I were to groom and groom all day this would probably be the finishing brush. It essentially removes dirt and makes the coat shiny. It doesn't do any heavy duty grooming for my Shiba or Husky.
The bottom left brush is called the Furminator. I believe this was the first brush that I bought for Simba. This brush REALLY gets to the bottom of things! It really works great but I don't get too overzealous because if you brush too hard it will hurt your dog and can cause irritation or bleeding of their skin. Personally I think that there are better brushes on the market today and I never use this brush anymore.
The big monster grey brush is the Shed Pal. It is battery operated, inexpensive and you can buy an AC adapter for it. I like this brush for the boys but it typically works better on Simba. It has small plastic nubs and a vacuum device that pulls all that hair off and into the canister. Surprisingly it does work and makes cleaning up easier but if you had a skittish dog they might not enjoy the sound of the brush. I feel like it also takes a lot of arm strength because you have to push down a little harder in order to loosen up the hair.
The final two brushes are Oster and ShedMonster. These two brushes have a similar function and are heavy duty. They work great on both of my dogs as well as my sisters' Pomeranian and even really big Mastiff's! These brushes are like the Furminator but there is no way you can hurt your dog by pressing down because the stainless steel blades are curved. I love these brushes and alternate between them when really trying to remove a large amount of fur.
Just my opinion!
The Zoom Groom (top left green brush) is probably the best brush for Shiba Inu's because of their double coat. This plastic brush gets to right to the undercoat and it is amazing how much fur comes up! I typically brush Simba in a circular motion because it is easier to loosen up the fur but you can also brush up and down without worrying about going against the fur. Shiba shedding season is in full force right now and I can use this brush everyday without Simba trying to run away from me. It is more like a massage than a grooming session.
The middle brush is simply a metal toothed brush. The bottom of the brush used to be solid wood but one of the dogs got to it at some point so I had to cover it in blue tape so that I wouldn't get a splinter. I prefer to use this brush on both of the dogs for a quick grooming. It will get all the knots out quickly or it will help gather all the loosened hair after I use the Zoom Groom or Shed Monster. I have also used this brush on my sisters Pomeranian and I think that it is actually better for long haired dogs. It really gave the Pomeranian a shiny coat and quickly eliminated the knots. It's best for this brush to be used on a daily basis for the long haired dogs in order to maintain a smooth, non knotted coat.
The blue brush on the right is a Martha Stewart bristle brush. It's a very stylish brush with an abundance of boar hair fibers and nylon. If I were to groom and groom all day this would probably be the finishing brush. It essentially removes dirt and makes the coat shiny. It doesn't do any heavy duty grooming for my Shiba or Husky.
The bottom left brush is called the Furminator. I believe this was the first brush that I bought for Simba. This brush REALLY gets to the bottom of things! It really works great but I don't get too overzealous because if you brush too hard it will hurt your dog and can cause irritation or bleeding of their skin. Personally I think that there are better brushes on the market today and I never use this brush anymore.
The big monster grey brush is the Shed Pal. It is battery operated, inexpensive and you can buy an AC adapter for it. I like this brush for the boys but it typically works better on Simba. It has small plastic nubs and a vacuum device that pulls all that hair off and into the canister. Surprisingly it does work and makes cleaning up easier but if you had a skittish dog they might not enjoy the sound of the brush. I feel like it also takes a lot of arm strength because you have to push down a little harder in order to loosen up the hair.
The final two brushes are Oster and ShedMonster. These two brushes have a similar function and are heavy duty. They work great on both of my dogs as well as my sisters' Pomeranian and even really big Mastiff's! These brushes are like the Furminator but there is no way you can hurt your dog by pressing down because the stainless steel blades are curved. I love these brushes and alternate between them when really trying to remove a large amount of fur.
Just my opinion!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Fashion Faux PAWS
It's been nearly two years since I started going to the dog park. I went from never owning a dog to owning two dogs and going to the dog park every single day! Here are some FASHION lessons I have learned!
1) Never wear a white shirt.
2) If you like your gloves, make sure you keep them on because the second those puppies come off a dog will snatch and chew them up!
3) Your legs will get battered by excited dogs so if you want to wear shorts be ready to be a scratching post.
4) Remember those brand new shoes you bought? They now have poop in all the tiny crevices. Good luck cleaning them!
5) High heels? PLEASE! Those suckers will sink into the urine infested ground. YUM.
6) Nice phones and other expensive electronics will get drooled on, stolen by a sneaky pup and ultimately broken because dogs don't mind yanking things off the table and using them as their personal chew toy.
7) Scarves can prove to be ultra hazardous especially if you wrap them nicely around your neck. This can incite a type of tug of war between you and a dog or one dog on each end.
8) That gorgeous Louis Vuitton bag that you own won't stand a chance. First, it smells like a cow (yummy) and second, dogs don't care how much you spent on your accessories.
9) Wild, untamed hair may attract the opposite sex but it will also attract dogs. Scrunch it up lady! Unless you want your hair chewed on and ultimately pulled out.
10) Summer dresses might be nice but if you are conservative be prepared for sniffing dogs to push up your skirt. They don't follow the same moral codes that we do and screaming just makes them want to do it more!
1) Never wear a white shirt.
2) If you like your gloves, make sure you keep them on because the second those puppies come off a dog will snatch and chew them up!
3) Your legs will get battered by excited dogs so if you want to wear shorts be ready to be a scratching post.
4) Remember those brand new shoes you bought? They now have poop in all the tiny crevices. Good luck cleaning them!
5) High heels? PLEASE! Those suckers will sink into the urine infested ground. YUM.
6) Nice phones and other expensive electronics will get drooled on, stolen by a sneaky pup and ultimately broken because dogs don't mind yanking things off the table and using them as their personal chew toy.
7) Scarves can prove to be ultra hazardous especially if you wrap them nicely around your neck. This can incite a type of tug of war between you and a dog or one dog on each end.
8) That gorgeous Louis Vuitton bag that you own won't stand a chance. First, it smells like a cow (yummy) and second, dogs don't care how much you spent on your accessories.
9) Wild, untamed hair may attract the opposite sex but it will also attract dogs. Scrunch it up lady! Unless you want your hair chewed on and ultimately pulled out.
10) Summer dresses might be nice but if you are conservative be prepared for sniffing dogs to push up your skirt. They don't follow the same moral codes that we do and screaming just makes them want to do it more!
Simba Goes Nuts!
There's always something going on in the house. After an hour and a half at the dog park Simba decides that he is still hyper. First he scratches at all the furniture in order to get my attention and then he started howling. Eventually Buddha decided to get up and figure out what was going on and that's when Simba decided to run around for us both. What a show!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Celery and Carrots
I was vegging out watching a movie and decided that a healthy snack would be a good idea. Carrots, celery, broccoli and tomatoes were in order! A nice dab of ranch dressing and I was ready! Of course Simba immediately perked up and sat down beside me. He rested his head on my thigh and waited for a piece to fall from my hand. Simba has always loved his vegetables and simply can't get enough carrots. Buddha doesn't really enjoy the veggies and will sniff at them and then just turn his head. At times I put the vegetable in his mouth and he reluctantly takes it. I love watching him eat carrots slowly and with his eyes closed. It's funny because he NEVER eats anything slowly but because he does not particularly like the taste, he takes it nice and slow. Buddha doesn't like to disappoint so even if vegetables are repulsive to him he will make sure to eat them because I want him to. Anyway, it was a great movie night with the pups and at least we ate healthy snacks!!!
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Simba Turns Two
I like celebrations. I think it's great to make a big deal out of small things. It's important to make people feel special and it doesn't take much. I feel the same way towards my pups. I found another perfect cake for my baby boy and the decorations are ready for his party tomorrow. I sang a happy birthday song to him and danced around with him but his expression never changed. Typical Shiba Inu! All of this celebration and gifts are meant for Simba but he doesn't need those things in order to know that he is loved. I guess that is the difference between dogs and most humans. We need reassurance and a dash of appreciation. Shower us with praise, gifts, parties and we smile and rejoice. Dogs know that they are loved without all the fluff. They don't get upset if you come home without a new toy or a gourmet treat. They love you and they know that you love them just by the little signs of affection that you show.
It's a selfish consumer act but I derive happiness from making a day spectacular (be it for a human or a dog) and I don't want to change. All I know is that tomorrow Simba won't understand what the balloons are for and why all his doggy friends are around or even why he gets an extra yummy cake. He'll be happy because I'm happy and duhhh there is cake involved!
Indulge in the little moments and gush over the things that make you happy. It might seem insane to some but this is how I love and treat my dogs. They are my family and we all express our love in different ways. Nothing wrong about that!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIMBA BABY!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)