It's a Sad Day

Sometimes it's really hard to understand peoples lack of compassion... I just recently came across a new app that is called dog wars.  It's an app on your phone that allows you to virtually fight dogs.  Fighting dogs is not a game it's a very real event that many dogs face every day and in fact it's a crime!!  Any gaming company that is promoting dog fighting makes me sick!!  I emailed them asking they take the game off the market and suggested they visit a rescue.  Please please email them.  Let them know this is NOT ok!! Shame on them for trying to profit off dog fighting!!  " The web page is below...
http://bslnews.org/2011/04/22/dog-fighting-game-released-by-androidgoogle-call-to-action/
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"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." - Mahatma Gandhi

About Puppy Development

I got an email with this power point presentation today and thought I would share. Anyone getting a new puppy should read this.  REALLY REALLY good info.  Also it will point out several reasons why you need a good breeder.. It's long but if you love dogs you will buzz through it... It's actually a power point given at Harvard!!  Enjoy :-)
http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic188365.files/Class-7-07.ppt

Baby Aspen xoxo

Camping Trip

Once school is out and it gets a bit warmer we have planned a camping trip to Tettegouche State Park with Aspen.  We love hiking around and incidentally so does he.  What would a hiking trip be without a pack to carry poop bags, water, treats.... Here is Aspen sporting his new Palisades Pack  from REI.  It has two water blatters and plenty of space for the rest of his stuff.  One of my berner friends from the club also has this pack for one of her berners.  She said it's good :-)  She was also kind enough to send me some info on hiking with your dog and I thought I'd share a bit.  When you get your pack you need to let your dog get use to it.  Don't let the first time you put the pack on your dog be the hiking trip. Make sure that the pack fits snug but not too snug. Also any bit of weight needs to be built up to.  We will start training once the weather gets decent around herd. Might I add isn't he cute???   

We are going the we 13th, 14th and 15th of May.  This will be Aspen's very first camping trip.  We tried to go last year but it was just too warm out. That is certainly something to keep in mind when out and about in the summer... they don't do well in extreme heat.  May should be just right though... with cool nights.  He is going to be sleeping in the tent with us so wish us luck and check back for more photos of our trip!!  

Just a dog!?!?!

This isn't my quote but it's exactly how I feel....

"From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog", or
"that's a lot of money for just a dog".
They don't understand the distance traveled, the TIME spent, or the
costs involved for "just a dog."
Some of my PROUDEST moments have come about with "just a dog."
 Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog,"
If you, too, think it's "just a dog", then you will probably understand phrases like
"JUST A FRIEND", " just a sunrise", or "just a promise".
"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.
"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.
Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.
It's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself
and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that
gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a woman".
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog" just smile, because they
"just" don't understand."

-Anonymous

My "just" a dog JUST PASSED HIS OBEDIENCE CLASS!! I'M SO PROUD OF HIM!!

NOT GOOD!!!

Today like many others I was greeted as usual by my lovely berner Aspen when I got home from school. I'd only been gone maybe four hours tops.  I let him out to go potty and when we went in I was horrified!! Here lays my power cord to my computer!!  Mind you this is a live plugged in cord!!

So I guess I'm glad that I didn't end up with a berner doodle... or a cat doodle?? I'm not sure who actually did it but the signs point to Aspen (But seriously you don't know my cat!!)  Either way it was my fault!!   I'm  very lucky they are both okay and the house didn't burn down as the wire was laying on the carpet.  I have learned a valuable lesson here.. even a normally well behaved dog can make a mistake ( and I put nothing past our cat)  Learn from my mistake and pick up your stuff or crate your pets when your gone.

Below are my trouble makers... Picasso our Tabby cat and Aspen.  In addition to the cord chewing incident Picasso threw up tonight and Aspen ate it... YUCK!! Pet ownership can be down right gross but you still gotta love em.