Click it or Ticket!!

Question... if seat belts are required for people why not dogs? Are we only willing to protect people in cars??


Sorry to all those folks out there who don't want to restrain the their dog but it REALLY should be the law!! Before I get on my soap box I have to admit Aspen was riding around loose in the car for most of his life... whoops!  As a paramedic I know better!!  I know seat belts save lives... I've seen it!! 


In an accident I promise you your dog will fly no different then you would if you weren't restrained.  I'm not saying this to be mean.. I'm saying this to save your dogs or possibly your life... I was watching Judge Alex (Sad I know but cable offers little entertainment...argh!) anyways, the case was about this little white dog that ran out into the street in front a car ( I was like I KNEW IT... see previous post!!).  Lucky for the dog he escaped unharmed.  The driver also had a large boxer in their car.  When they slammed on the breaks the dog launched into the windshield.  Lucky for the boxer he was also uninjured.  The family was suing for the replacement of the windshield.  Which they did get because the owner of the little white dog was not following the leash law... but at the same time what if the boxer had been restrained?  Im in NO WAY trying to defend someone who doesn't have control over their dog but seriously do you really have any control in the car?  


The two main types of restraints are the crate or the Kennel. I also think they have like a booster car seat for smaller dogs. I haven't looked a great deal into the others so I'll leave it up to you to search for options, but for Aspen we chose the Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Dog Harness from REI. Aspen fits into a large.  We have a car so it really was the most economical way to go($30). There is a small loop that attaches the the seat belt, a hook is on the other end and that clips to the harness.  The harness has a padded front to provide protection if we were to have an accident. 


 The harness is so easy to put on... Seconds seriously!!  It goes over the head and has two buckles. A very nice feature for us is that Aspen LOVES to be walked on a harness.  We unclip him from the car loop and onto a leash.. off we go.  Honestly we use it all the time not only for car stuff because it is so functional!! 


So I ask everyone to  PLEASE restrain your dog when riding in your car.  Would you take off with your kids out of a car seat? I hope not.  Treat dogs like the family members that they are :-)


Here is Aspen sporting his new digs!

You can sort of see the construction of the harness here (sorry I'm not the photographer Ray is ugh!!)  the top loop goes over his head then under and two buckles.  Simple  :-)

K9 10 Commandments

I didn't write this but I really feel it is something that needs to be shared.  So think about these before you get a Berner or any dog for that matter... 

1. My life is likely to last 10 – 15 years (more like 7-10 for a berner). Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well being.

4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as a punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entrainment, but I only have you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice and tone when you speak to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet I choose not to

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I am not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9.Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old.

10. On the ultimate journey go with me please. Never say you cant bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier if you are there because I love you so.

Shocked Amazed... Who could ask for more? Happy valentines day!!

We had the most fantastic weekend!!  Guess what we did??  We went to the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of the Greater Twin Cities. I honestly couldn't think of a better weekend then hang out with my dog and other peoples. Yep I'm a crazy dog lady and I won't deny it :-)

We learned about Berner Garde. For those that don't know about Berner Garde, it is an online data base that breeders and pet owners can place health information about dogs.   At the clinic we learned about how important it is not just for breeders to enter information, but also the pet owners(even if you never show your dog put in the info).  It gives feedback to your breeder about the kind of dogs they are producing and gives future buyers information about the kind of dogs your breeder is producing.  This feedback is ensuring a better future for the Bernese!! Please please do it.  It takes like 15-20 minutes.

At the meeting I also saw a demonstration of the most trained puppy in the world.. this puppy was AMAZING showing off his competitive obedience skills (his age was like 4-5 months old I'm guessing.. it was crazy!!).  But the thing that impressed me most was not that puppy but my own!! Aspen was a different dog... He was playing and romping and yes letting people pet him!!!!!  Why now? Why here?  WHO CARES!!  I was watching this presentation and Aspen is laying on his SIDE by my feet!!  I was in heaven.. seriously!!

HUGE HUGE HUGE THANKS TO THOSE THIS WEEKEND!!  It meant the world to me!!  I talked to a lady ( I'm bad with names but I will learn her name next time) who did rescue. She shared her story of her rescue dog that took a very long time to get socialized and today this dog was wagging its tail and begging for pets!! I LOVE IT!!   I can't wait until play pals in March!!

In addition we stopped at CupCake YUMMMM!!  No Aspen didn't get one :-(

Photo taken by Ray of course.

This is him riding in the back like he always does.  We did get him a seat belt at REI that day too.

Thanks for Reading HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

"Your My Best Friend"

This Song describes Aspen to the T :-)  I think we can all think of a certain song that reminds us of our pet.. Aspen's happens to be Queen!!  So crank your radio and enjoy few photos of our Big Paw Berner




"Ooh, you make me live
Whatever this world can give to me
It's you, you're all I see
Ooh, you make me live now honey
Ooh, you make me live

Oh, you're the best friend
That I ever had
I've been with you such a long time
You're my sunshine
And I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you
(Ooh) Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live

Ooh, I've been wandering round
But I still come back to you (still come back to you)
In rain or shine
You've stood by me  
I'm happy at home (happy at home)
You're my best friend

Ooh, you make me live

 Whenever this world is cruel to me
I got you, to help me forgive - oo oo ooh
Ooh, you make me live now honey
Ooh, you make me live

Oh, you're the first one
When things turn out bad
You know I'll never be lonely
You're my only one
And I love the things
I really love the things that you do
Oh, you're my best friend

Oh, ooh, you make me live

I'm happy (happy at home)
You're my best friend
Oh, oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Oo oo ooh
You, you're my best friend"

~ Queen

The problem with little dogs..

I really like all dogs but I don't particularly care for small dog owners.  Here's why... people who get small dogs get them for a reason.  They don't want pet ownership to be work. NEWS FOR THOSE FOLKS IT DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY!!   I have found there is a major lack in training with smaller breed dogs!!  Just because your dog is small does not mean it doesn't need manners.

For example, Aspen and I were on our way to his grooming apt.  I had a paper due that day so we were going to be exactly one time.  As I pulled out of the drive way a small white dog darted out of the drive way next to ours and began chasing my car.  Half way up the culdesac I put my car in park.. I couldn't see him and I really didn't want to run him over.  When I got out our neighbor slowly walked out.  When she tried to pick him up he would run away and continue to bark.  She told me oh he is so cute!! Then she laughs at his several attempts to get away.  I thought to myself WHAT??  This is NOT cute it's very annoying/hazardous and now because we had to stop to avoid running him over I am inconvenienced with being late.   I told her several times I was very afraid I was going to run her dog over but I just got the impression that it went in one ear and out the other... sigh!!

A dog that is not reliable to be off leash is dangerous plain and simple.  It's almost worse for the smaller dogs because you can't see them.  Imagine if I had accidently run him over I would have felt awful!!  I would have felt awful because of someone else's carelessness with their dog.  This has to stop!!  People with little dogs get out their and train your dogs and if you dog is no reliable get a fence!

Above is Aspen's cousin Kirby( a half pomeranian half poodle)  I give my sister a hard time about getting a little dog but he is very nicely trained for a puppy :-)