Alternatives to Kenneling

Histories are more full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends.

~Alexander Pope

In our area, we have three local kennels available to board your pup at if you need to travel and cannot take them with you. I myself have only used the services of one of them on only one occasion, years ago, when my husband and I went to Canada. They are the old fashioned type of kennels that basically have an indoor portion with a doggie bed then a run to the outside with a doggie door in between.

When I scheduled my visit to one of the kennels prior to arranging to leave HoneyDew there, it was clean and the staff led me to believe that they took turns with the dogs playing with them and walking them on the spacious grounds. In fact when I arrived for the visit there were several staff members doing exactly that. I was also encouraged to bring her own food, toys, snuggly blanket and dishes, which I did. However, when I returned from our trip I was not very happy with the results of her stay. HoneyDew lost 10 pounds in a week, got an eye infection, and smelled like she had been kenneled next to a male dog that kept lifting his leg on her the hole week, peeewwwe! Needless to say, I have never boarded her again or Sampson for that matter and have been fortunate to be able to take them both with me wherever my husband and I travel to.

My Aunt in New York and others that I know are fortunate that they have more up to date, home style kennels to board their dogs at and they seem terrific, almost like a doggie hotel or camp!

You are probably asking why I have shared this story. Well because since that time I have from time to time for friends and family, kept their dog(s) here in our home while they traveled or in the case of owners of cats, gone to the home daily to check and feed them, rather then have them boarded at a kennel.

Such will be the case for the next two weeks. HoneyDew and Sampson are going to play host and hostess to a friends' dog named Bombee! She is an older dog who has never been away from her owners but is fast friends with me. I will be posting pics of this on our blog during the next two weeks, so please stop by to meet this wonderful ole' gal and see the antics the three of them get into.

How about you? What do you do with your pups when you need to travel? Please leave a comment and share your ideas, alternatives, and suggestions that have worked for you.

Happy Dog's On Thursday,

Tina, HoneyDew and Sampson too!

The greatest dog in the world...is a companion who does all but speak. He will be gay or serious; he will console you in your lowest moods.

Ludwig Bemelman

We are entering the time of year that in days of old was a time to rest, reflect, and give thanks. The harvest was put up, the stores for winter use was put away, all the hard work of spring and summer was completed. As the daylight hours grew shorter and the weather of the day colder, members of the family would do the chores that absolutely needed done and then all would gather round the family hearth spending the evening hours together eating, reading, writing, indoor crafts such as candle making, knitting stockings, etc. before retiring for the evening.

In this modern world however with all the technology that is supposed to make our life easier, many of us find ourselves overwhelmed with all the hustle and bustle that starts before Thanksgiving and extends all the way through the New Years celebration. We are cleaning our houses top to bottom before guests start arriving, shopping for the perfect food, the perfect decorations, the perfect gifts, cooking, planning, baking,... our schedule has become over run with invitations that we can't turn down. And for others, the holiday season can be one of the lonliest times of year.

Believe it or not our canine companions experience the same emotions.

Our pups sense exactly what we are feeling. When we are uptight and stressed, our pets may exhibit those symptoms outwardly, by whining, moping, or acting lethargic, pacing, etc. If we are too busy to take them for their walks, play with them, pet them but for a quick pat on the head, or they are left alone in the home more frequently; they may act out by having accidents in the house, chewing stuff, or getting into my yarn basket and stringing it throughout the entire house getting into things they would regularly not. This type of behaviour from our pets will obviously feed the cycle above.

Let us make a commitment to ourselves and our furry friends to stop and seize the moment(s), to decompress, reflect, and enjoy each other for just a bit each day this holiday season. I think we all will be amazed at the peaceful difference this will make both with our pets as well as within ourselves.

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgivings!

With puppy love, HoneyDew, Sampson, and Tina too!

Dog Lover's Daily Companion

Hi, and welcome to this week's Dogs on Thursday!

We have a couple new members of our pack. Please go over and welcome Janet! If you would like to join us, please email me at gnatchat (at) gmail.com

Yesterday I came home to a wonderful surprise, I had received a book in the mail to review! I immediately sat down and read the intro and started flipping through the pages. I am really enjoying it and I just had to share it even though I haven't read it cover to cover yet.

The book I got in the mail is called Dog Lover's Daily Companion: 365 Days of Tips, Tricks, and Techniques for Living a Rich Life with Your Dog (The Devotional Series) by Wendy Nan Fees and Kristen Hampshire. Can I just say first off, this is a genius idea for a book!

The idea behind it is to get out of your old habits and to stimulate both your body and mind and your dogs. The sections are broken out in to days and each day has a certain theme. It goes from Mondays which are basics of dog ownership and to Weekends, which are reserved fro bonding and relationship building and everything in between. The book talks about crafts you can do that are dog related building a doghouse...I must discuss this one with my husband Kenny to see if we can do this together. It also gives you many tips for keeping your dog healthy and happy. It even has a page about Dog Blogging, day 365 + 367.

I think this book is a must have for any new or old doggie parent. It's a great gift for a fellow dog lover and with the holiday's coming up I'm sure most of you can use a gift idea. So, please go check out this book. I'm very impressed with this book and can't wait to read it every day and also to give a copy to my dog friends who I know can use many of the ideas and knowledge in this book to help their relationship with their furbaby.

and if you happen to have other animals they do have these books as well...

Hope you enjoyed this review and have a great week. Until next Dogs on Thursday! Don't forget to give all you can to your furry baby because the more you give the more you receive from them. They love you with all they have and you are there person!

Happy Dogs on Thursday!

Dogs on Thursday...Ceaser on Puppy Mills.

Hi and welcome to this week's Dogs on Thursday post.

This week I wanted to share an episode of the Dog Whisperer that's airing tomorrow. The following is the press release.

"DOG WHISPERER: INSIDE PUPPY MILLS

Friday, May 8 at 9PM ET/PT

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/dog-whisperer/3736/Overview

Dog Whisperer: Inside Puppy Mills exposes inhumane conditions at these factory-like breeding operations, as Cesar joins an undercover mission with the animal welfare organization Last Chance for Animals (LCA). With hidden cameras, LCA operatives spot-check several Los Angeles County kennels — essentially dog-breeding facilities that may be exceeding legal capacity limits. After negotiating with the owners of one of these kennels, the team, including Cesar, is able to rescue 11 dogs considered worthless by breeders — a small start in their hope to save as many dogs as possible from these conditions. The team members then learn from Cesar as he teaches them how to rehabilitate the traumatized dogs from the moment they are taken out of their cages. “We are from two different points of rescuing,” Cesar says of LCA. “They do the physical rescue, I do the psychological rescue. So together it’s a team, it’s a good pack.” Entertainer Sharon Osbourne even adopts one of the rescued pups!

• Video “Rescue Training” – A puppy mill rescue organization gets tips from Cesar on how to start rehabilitation as soon as possible: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/videos/feeds/cv-seo/Dog-Whisperer/Puppy-Mills/Teaching-Rescuers-How-to-Rehabilitate-3.html
• Video “Breeder Inspection” – Cesar goes undercover at a legal puppy mill where dogs are kept in tiny kennels in the desert: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/videos/feeds/cv-seo/Dog-Whisperer/Puppy-Mills/Keeping-an-Eye-on-Puppy-Mills-3.html
• Video “Puppy Mills” – Cesar's work with Last Chance for Animals results in a happy ending for a puppy with Sharon Osborne: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/videos/feeds/cv-seo/Dog-Whisperer/Featured-Videos/Puppy-Mills-Must-Be-Stopped-2.html

On our program website, you can also find more facts about puppy mills in the United States and more information about Last Chance for Animals."

I received a pre-release copy of this episode and I quickly sat down and watched it. I have seen a lot of shows on Puppy Mills and I was curious to see how Ceaser would handle it.

I have to admit and this is my opinion only but I have mixed feelings about Ceaser. I think he's doing some great things in educating the public about dogs and he is always very straight forward and honest with his clients and I really love that. However, some of his techniques are a bit too much for me. I agree with his philosophy of exercise, discipline, and then affection but I also like training to be a game and for the dogs to be having fun. Sometimes I don't feel that his are fun. Also I do admit that he's working with dogs that need a lot help. A dog who doesn't have the issues like the ones he works with would benefit from just plan fun training along with the exercise, discipline and affection. Oh and I guess I will also admit to saying the Jackjack needed Ceaser a couple times in his life. :)

Ok...so back to this episode! I feel he did a great job of explaining how a lot of his clients that he works with are puppy mill dogs that have these issues from inbreeding and lack of proper upbringing. The organization he works with is amazing and shows all the horrors of puppy mills and shows how they are doing something and how you can help. I like how they talked about rescuing your dog and not going to a puppy store and buying one. They explained that you are not rescuing that dog...you are only adding to a horrible horrible business that makes these puppy mills profitable. They included a little bit about how if you are looking to purchase a dog that you should look for a reputable breeder and really get to know the parents and see where the dogs live...but they didn't say anything about being careful of backyard breeders, which can look like a reputable one but they don't do all the extra steps that are needed too.

I also thought it was great that Ceaser is helping teach the organization that rescue these dogs how to start to rehabilitate them the moment they are rescued and how this can help speed up their recovery. He is always so patient and does explain why his techniques work for that particular dog.

Well, I think I've rambled on a bit about this but in the end I think it's a great episode and I recommend watching it. I think this will reach many people who otherwise wouldn't see things about the horrors of puppy mills.

Thank you very much Ceaser for showing this world to people and thank you for education the public on the needs of dogs.

Happy Dogs on Thursday and don't forget to take your dogs for a walk as often as you can! :)

Dogs on Thursday! It's me again!

Hey, everyone. It's Gnat again. Hope you guys are all safe and as warm as you can get. We are getting record temperatures down here in Florida. It's supposed to get below freezing and be the coldest night of the year. (I guess when you read this it will have been last night) Well...I hope everyone keeps safe.

We have a couple new members this week. First off we have Whitney, who I must admit her email got lost in my inbox and I owe her a big apology because she has been with us for 3 weeks and I had not added her or welcomed her. So, please go over and say a big welcome to Whitney.

Please also say welcome to Sailor Girl and Vicki.

Well, this week I have a couple things to share. First off, our blog was recently contacted by the founders of Pet Doctor Forum and I wanted to share their forum. It's still new so there are very few active threads but you know me...I can't resist another place to talk about my dogs. They are also going to have vets that you can talk to as well. I thought this was a great idea and hope you head over and check it out. Can't hurt to support a fellow dog lover!

I also wanted to mention an awesome site. SewCrazyDogLady.com makes some really cool collars. Our household recently got outfitted with some new Steeler Collars made by her!

On her site she says "Sew Crazy Dog Lady is your source for Fun and Functional Collars and Leashes! I hand craft every collar and leash with care and attention to detail" You should definitely check her store out and she will do custom orders as well. Her collars are good quality fun for you and your dogs! You can also check out a flickr stream of other collars made by her here.

Last but not least, Lapdogcreations.com has done a review on some very cute gifts!

I hope you all stay safe and please feel free to contact me at gnatchat(at)gmail(dot)com if you have any questions or need anything. Don't forget to go over and check out everyone's posts this week.

Dogs on Thursday! Falling temperature!

Welcome welcome to this weeks Dogs on Thursday!

~Hope everyone is safe and sound. The weather has been cooling off and I know my dogs are loving it. So, I hope everyone can get out and enjoy the changing weather with your pups. We have a couple things this week but first please pray for Paula and her family this week. She has a couple things going on and could use some prayers.

~Also remember that the DoT Bloggerversary Contest ending date was extended from September 15 to October 15th. So, get your submissions together! I know I can't wait to see what people have come up with!

~The Fall Dogs Costume Contest! (Here is a link to last years Fall Costume Parade) Don't forget to grab a button for your blog and search out the perfect costume for your pups!
The guidelines are the following.
If you are interested in participating please email Paula a picture of your furbaby in a costume or some fall related gear.
The deadline for pictures to be emailed to me is midnight on October 28th.
I will post the Dogs Costume Parade on October 30th.
There are two categories this year for prizes.
1.) Creativeness in theme.
2.) Inventiveness in costume.

I've been planning my costume's since last year, so I hope we can have a good Parade this year!

~ Nichole did a review on Pure Mutt on her blog. If you haven't already, you should go check it out. Also, please go check out her awesome etsy shop. A friend sent me a gift she had purchased from her shop and I love it! She sells some very pretty stitch markers and notions.

~One of our fellow DOT members, Cheryl V did a great tutorial on planning for your pet in a disaster.

Hope everyone is enjoying the coming of Fall and the beautiful colors and weather it brings. If you have any questions or need anything please feel free to email Paula or me.

Happy Dogs on Thursday!

Gnat

Welcome to April

"About my dog, I talk to him when I'm lonesome like; and I'm sure he understands. When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught thereat. For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that." ~W. Dayton Wedgefarth

It's April Already? Where did March go?
Welcome to this weeks (very short) edition of Dogs on Thursday.
We have two new members this week added to the blog roll.

Please thank Natalie for keeping this place going while I was out sick with pneumonia.
I have lots to catch up on and as usual feel two paces behind.
My goal this week is to finish answering your emails and go visiting with each of your blogs and even write on my own.

I loved last weeks spotlight on Murphy and Michelle's Paw Cozy is ingenious!
I added the link to her pattern at Knitty on the side bar.
I can't wait to start making one!

Speaking of knitting while re-cooperating I finished some knitting projects and one was a snuggle for the DoT Snuggle Project.

Here is Elise testing it out.
I started a mobus snuggle the other day and it is looking pretty good.
Please visit the Snuggle blog and see what some others are making!

I don't have a Doggie Spotlight this week but here is a recipe of one of Elise's favorite dog cookies.


Peanutters for Drooling

3 tablespoons of smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup of plain yogurt
3 Tablespoons of water
1 egg
a pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups graham flour

Mix the egg, peanut butter, water and yogurt in to a large bowl.
Then pour the flour and salt in.
Stir well, pour out on to well floured board and roll out.
Cut with cookie cutters and bake in a preheated 350'F oven.
Bake until just lightly brown but cooked through.
Let cool and harden for at least an hour.
Good for the humans too!

Dogs On Thursday Spring Swap and a Poem

Welcome to this weeks Dogs on Thursday.
It has been a very hectic week for Natalie and myself so this a quick post for today.


The Dogs Spring Secret Swap:
I have names all matched up and will be sending them out this afternoon with a questionnaire to be completed and posted on your blog somewhere where your secret pal
can find it.
It is still not to late if there are any of you that still want to participate in the swap. I have one name left that needs a match so please email me.

The Snuggle Project:
We need more people.
Please email me or Natalie.

In place of a Doggie Spotlight I am posting this beautiful poem by Kipling.

The Power of the Dog
by
Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect Passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-term loan is as bad as a long--
So why in--Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Have a wonderful week!

Dog Facts

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love.
For me they are the role model for being alive.
~Gilda Radner

Welcome Everyone to Dogs on Thursday!
(Sorry I am running a little late this morning.
We have flu at our house today.)

Here are a couple of reminders and updates:

If you haven't already voted for a charity for the upcoming snuggle project, please do that.

We will announce the results next Thursday and then start working on the snuggles the following Thursday.

Next Thursday we will also announce the info/rules, etc... on the Spring Swap.

And... Don't forget to wear orange on April 10th and support your local ASPCA.

Thank you Nichole for that information.

For today, in place of the "Doggie Spotlight" is a new feature called "Fun Dog Facts".

Here is the first installment:

1: The worlds largest dog..... The worlds heaviest as well as longest dog ever recorded was an Old English Mastiff named Zorba. In 1989, Zorba weighed 343 lbs and was 8 feet 3 inches long from nose to tail!

2: The worlds tallest dog..... The tallest dog on record was named Shamgret Danzas. He was 42 inches tall (at the shoulder!) and weighed 238 lbs.
Worlds smallest dog..... The smallest dog in history was a tiny Yorkie from Blackburn, England. At two years of age and fully grown this little dude was an incredible 2.5 inches tall by 3.75 inches long! He weighed only 4 ounces! HE was approximately the size of a matchbox.

3: The worlds oldest dog..... The oldest dog that has been reliably documented was an Australian cattle-dog named Bluey. He was put to sleep at the age of 29 years and 5 months!

4: The worlds Best Drug Sniffing Dogs.....A US Customs Labrador named "Snag" has made 118 drug seizures worth a canine record $810 million. The greatest number of drug seizures by dogs is 969 in 1988. IN ONE YEAR! The team of "Rocky" and "Barco" patrolled the Texas and Mexico border, alias "Cocaine Alley." They were so good that Mexican drug lords put a price of $30,000 dollars on their heads.

5: Dogs can see color but it is not as vivid a color scheme as we see.
It is much like our vision at twilight.

6: Some authorities estimate that some dogs sense of smell is as high as 1 million times greater than ours. (I would vouch for that at out house with Elise, especially if there is was a squirrel in the back yard!)

7: Canis Major or The Great Dog:- The great dog follows his master, Orion, as he makes his annual journey through the sky.
Sirius, also known as the Dog Star, is located on the shoulder of Canis Major.
It is the brightest in the heavens, and its name means sparkling and scorching, as it is nearest to the sun during the height of summer.

8: The hot, summer days - The Dog Days - which Sirius was thought to cause, run from July 3 to August 11th.

9: The three stars of Orion's Belt point at the Dog Star, Sirius, in Canus ajor at Orion's heels.
It is best seen in the northern hemisphere during winter, between December and March.

10: The wild ancestors of all dogs were hunters.
Wolves and other wild relatives of the dog still hunt in packs for their food.
Dogs have retained the urge to be with the pack. This is why they do not like to be left alone for too long.

If you would like to submit a dog fact please email it to me or Natalie and we will post it on the next 'Fun Dog Facts' installment!

Doggie Spotlight for Trinket and Bucky!

Welcome to this weeks edition of Dogs On Thursday!
Hope everyone has had a great week.
Welcome also to our new members joining us this week.
Brainstorming for the spring activity is still in process so stay tuned for the fun to come.

Here's this weeks Doggie Spotlight. Vivian's two precious babies:

Trinket

Trinket is my first dog, the first new member of our little family. Trinket is Chihuahua and Fox Terrier mix; he’ll turn thirteen on January 30^th.

Couple of years into our marriage, my husband and I still felt like newly weds, but looking at each other across the dinner table every night was getting a bit dull. We needed something to jazz up our lives.

A local rescue group, CARE, was holding an adoption fair on a Wednesday evening, April 6, 1995. It was love at first sight. The foster mom was showing Trinket to other people, and I followed her around like a puppy. When she got good and tired of that she handed me Trinket, “do you want to hold him?” I held Trinket and Bill signed the contract.

At first we were pretty determined to bring up a presentable good citizen; we changed our minds within twenty four hours. Although we tried very hard to be good doggie parents, our little puppy denied the fact that he was a dog, he insisted on eating with us (our food) and sleeping with us (on my pillow). When we left him home alone in a playpen, he chewed up the lanolin floor.

Trinket used to run circles around the kitchen every night, or leap a few feet into the air and land on a big deck in the back yard. He had so much energy and only had these two big humans to play with. We told him he deserved someone to bug the hell out of him.

Oh did he get what he deserves! In twelve years he endured two rescues, a pug brother, and worse of all, a little human brother. Being the smallest in size, Trinket insists on being the pact leader. Sometimes teeth are shown to enforce the leadership.

Bucky

Bucky is a black pug. He turned twelve on November 5, 2007.

The following “How We Met” story has never been told before. You see, pug people are very protective of their beloved little apple heads and big ears, and we were fearful that someone might consider us traitors of the breed and retaliate.

We met Bucky in the flea market. It was January 6, 1996, first Saturday of the month and we were happily strolling along in De Anza Flea Market, as we did almost every month. Someone had two little puppies in a playpen, the boy, the little black one, was still available. The little guy had been lying on the cold hard parking lot for the entire day; all he had was some blue tarp for comfort. Yet he was playful nonetheless, tugging on the tarp, and when someone picked him up, he licked and chewed on girls’ hair. I looked in those big googly eyes and couldn’t put him down.

They were asking for $325, as is. Since it was the end of the day they lowered it to $300, and we took him home, with a flea.

We soon found out his energy level was simply out of this world. He ran around so much in the first two years, we could hardly take a decent picture of him. He was our perfect answer to Trinket’s puppy hood, ha-ha. They are about ten months apart, so Bucky has almost never spent more than a few hours alone in his life. He looks to the big brother for the next action. If Trinket thinks he hears a car is in the driveway, he starts to bark, and Bucky follows, and Bucky doesn’t know why Trinket is barking, and he doesn’t care.

Our four-legged children helped us proof to ourselves that we are indeed capable of keeping small creatures alive; in return, they got the human brother, Henry.

Dogs On Thursday

Happy warm and furry Holidays!

A giant thank you to Natalie for taking over and running Dogs On Thursday so smoothly while I was away.
I also want to say thank you to my My Mom and Gretchen for helping out too!
And a special Thank You to all who sent me such kind words and emails when my Grandmother passed away and while I was recovering from pneumonia.
I am feeling better now.
I sure missed everyone and I am glad to be back!

Since our group has grown quite a bit since the summer, Natalie has agreed to stay on permanently to help out here.

I hope the doggie Holiday Ornament Swap is going well and those of you involved are having fun.

While trying to catch up on your blogs I noticed many have recived such wonderful packages already.
For those participating in the swap; if you have not heard from your pal or you need an angel pal,(as these things happen.) please let me or Natalie know.

For this weeks 'Doggie Spotlight' it will be on my dear Elise who gave me such a comfort over the past trying month.

Elise was born April 15th 2005.

She came to live with us through a basset hound rescue who saved her and her brothers and sisters who were on their way to a pet store and a puppy farm.
Elise was the runt of her litter and quite small with big floppy ears and lots of warm slobbery puppy kisses.

She came to live with us she was just 8 weeks old.
She was very shy at first but in no time at all she became quite the active, lively puppy full of energy and chasing the cats through the house and trying to chew on them.
It was really hard trying to get pictures of her when she was a puppy because she was always on the move except when was sleeping and even then she only seemed to be recharging her batteries.
I was a bit overwhelmed with her at first as she was quite the hyper little thing, always barking, running and chewing on everything in sight, and I won't even get started about all the drool and slobber everywhere, even on our guests!

House training was a nightmare and at the age of 1 1/2, she finally understood to go pee outside but we had to replace several carpets by then!
She has finally mellowed out now and will only occasionally try and chew on the cats.
Even though she spends quite a bit of time with me and travels with me just about everywhere I go, she has always been my husbands baby and she will always run, jump and sit in his lap at night when he comes home from work and tell him all about her day while pushing off any of the cats with her nose.

My Husband had a terrible car accident almost 7 years ago when he was hit head on by a drunk driver and after 7 surgeries in 5 years on his leg, hip and knee he was told he would be permanently handicapped and would never be able to walk without an assisted device.
He became quite depressed then and was starting to give up on physical therapy.
As soon as Elise came home with us my husband became a completely different person and almost instantly the depression was gone.
He went back to physical therapy and even started the recomended hydrotherapy.
Now just this past autumn he has baffled all his doctors by walking Elise without any assistance at all.

But Elise and I are not baffled, we know it was her unconditional love that saved him and helped him to walk again.

Doggie Spotlight on Oliver

Hope everyone is having fun finding their holiday goodies for family and friends....and swap pals. Remember to email me at gnatchat(at)gmail(dot)com if you have not heard from your swap pal or need anything this week. Please email me if you'd like to join our group as well.

And now...our Doggie Spotlight on Donna's Oliver.


Oliver's story is a simple one, but for our family a special one. We lost
a very beloved puppy about two Summers ago. Her name was Chelsea. She was a Golden Retriever that was close to our hearts. Unfortunately Chelsea left us at only 9 months old. She had a defective heart. It seemed wrong that such a big hearted dog, had a heart that didn't work right. After she was gone we thought that was the end of dogs as part of the family. But we didn't figure on Oliver......


A friend called about 1 month later and said that a Golden needed a home. The family that had him was going through a divorce and he was kept in the basement all day. A temporary home was found for him and would we like to see him? Off we went in our truck and we traveled about an hour from our home. As we pulled into the lovely home of the rescuer we saw a "largish" Golden barking and barreling up and down a run. I said to no one in particular " that can't be the puppy!" Well of course he was and we fell in love with him at first sight. It is hard to describe that excitement you get when you know a pup is coming home with you. He had all his papers in order and all his shots up to date. He ran to the truck and jumped right in and we never looked back. Our Oliver is quite a character as some of you know. But he is sweet and loving, full of fun and mischief and loves children like all Golden's do. We think he is a very handsome fellow and we have the best fun with him. He has a favorite game with my husband whenever they go for a walk. My husband puts his cap on and Oliver jumps up so high he nearly grabs the cap of his head! He is also is very popular with all the children in the park near our home. He runs into the park through a neighbor's gate and steals any unattended stuff toy around. Then begins another favorite game of keep away. He always has a line of children running around with him in the lead! Needless to say he gets plenty of exercise each day.


We have been blessed with 4 Goldens during our 33 year marriage and each one has been special, from our first dog as newlyweds, Sherlock, a sturdy male that had a joy for life, to our second one, Holly. A fine "lady" that we adopted one snowy Christmas Eve, to Chelsea our angel Pup. Then came Oliver and I can't think of any better way to add to a good line of beloved dogs that loved us unconditionally and taught us the meaning of loyalty, companionship and how just to have fun.

A Doggie Spotlight on Jackjack and Abigail Grace

Welcome to Dogs on Thursday.

Hi, I'm Natalie the "guest" blogger for a couple weeks for Paula. Please send her best wishes as she takes a small break from things.

If you've received your swap pals information please contact them as you receive their names. If you haven't received anything from Paula or your pal please email me at gnatchat(at)gmail(dot)com.

If you'd like to join Dogs on Thursday please email me as well.

Doggie Spotlight!!!

I have so much to say about my two babies I'm not sure where to start. I guess the beginning would be the best.

My first memory of Jackjack, then Blackjack, was of him in the family room at the local SPCA. My step-sister and I had dropped by to look at the dogs and find one for me to adopt. He had been at the SPCA for two months and was being kept in the family room for part of the time to keep him sane. Jackjack, a pretty large black lab who's ideal weight is 85, was very skinny at 64 lbs. I asked the lady there to let me meet him and she took us out to the play area. He was not that interested in anything but the outdoors, but came over to get a scratch or two. I saw that he just needed a stable home and a loving one. I needed a companion so I figured it would work out. I actually told the lady to hold him for me until I could make the decision later that afternoon. It took me 20 minutes after leaving the place to realize that he was for me. So...I picked him up the next day after he got neutered.

Jackjack hasn't always been the easiest dog. He's stubborn(like me) and loves to run outdoors. At first he would run away and was not able to focus outside. Now, after 3 years with me, he has become a loyal companion and a loving dog. He's had his ups and downs...such as his accident with a car.

To keep the story as short as possible. He ran off one morning after we returned from the dog park and was struck by a truck. He shattered his elbow and was badly scrapped up. I saw the whole thing. It was traumatic for both of us.

He had to get pins put in his elbow and the recovery as hard as it was...was worth every moment. If you saw him at the dog park now, you would not notice that anything ever happened to him. He does limp a little when he runs or swims too much.

He's been the greatest decision and we've always been a pair....until we got Abigail. :)

Abigail Grace almost got her name changed to Jill...Jack and Jill...get it?? hehe. I'm a dork. My middle name is Grace and when I first heard that her name was Abigail Grace I knew it was meant to be. Abigail was a rescue through a friend of my sisters. She had been bought as a present for a woman who did not treat her well. She was kept in a kennel outside and given minimal attention, food, or water. Thank God that my sister's friend rescued her and found me. The first time I met her she was bubbly as always and full of love. All she wanted was cuddles and for someone anyone please throw the ball.

Abigail is a water dog that's for sure. She loves to slap the water and bite at it. Abigail is super friendly and great with kids of all ages. She has been a great addition to our family even though at first it took her and Jackjack sometime to figure things out. Coming from a home where she did not know where and when she would get food, she was a bit food and toy aggressive. We've worked a lot and she is now able to play well and eat in the same room as Jackjack. She is the sweetest craziest dog I've ever met and I love her.

I feel like I've written a book about my dogs and there is so much more to say. They are my babies and I love them. I hope you've enjoyed my doggie spotlight.

Happy Dogs on Thursday!!

A Doggie Memorial Spotlight for Fred the Basset

Thank you to all who participated in last weeks 'Doggie Costume Parade'.
I added some more pictures and then linked all the pictures to their blog homes then put up a link to it on the side bar. I wanted to do this last week but I just ran out of time.
So please scroll down and revisit last weeks post to see the updated Doggie Costume Parade.
Also all the treat bags for the participants of the costume parade were mailed out the other day.

Next week I will announce The details of a 'Holiday Dogs Ornament Swap' and I will also add to the side bar the previous Doggie Spotlights also with links their blog homes.


Now for this weeks Doggie Spotlight; it is a special memorial for a special dog.
Chan's and her husbands basset hound Fred went to the rainbow bridge on October 5th this year.
Chan wrote the following for today's post;
"His registered name was Tack Hammer Fred, because my husband's nickname is "Hammer," and because he'd known for years that he wanted a basset named Fred, after the hound in Smokey and the Bandit.

His nicknames were Hooey, Honey Hound, Old Man, Booey, Grumpy, and anything else that came out of our mouths.
He was 11.5 years old, and was Mugsy's constant companion. The only time he was mommy's boy was when it was kibble time, and in the middle of the night, when his Dadaw slept too soundly to be of any use. Oh - or if his Dadaw suggested that climbing onto the sofa might get him a yum-yum...
His favorite food was fresh pink grapefruit. He'd drool a river until I gave him a bite, and then he'd drool more from the sourness. He was also especially fond of chips with dip, raw baby carrots, and ice cream.
He loved to sing with his favorite people, and even learned to sit on his haunches to humor his humans. How I wish I'd gotten a photo of that! Walks were okay, as long as they were at his pace, which meant rather slow, with lots of sniff breaks.
I miss him. While legally and technically the Knight's dog, he sure made footprints all over my heart."
Thank you so much Chan for sharing Fred's memory with us in your time of grief.
I am sending big cyber hugs to you,the knight and Mugsy too.

Dogs on Thursday Halloween Costume Parade

I apologize that my work schedule has been so crazy these past few weeks that I have been quite behind in reading your wonderful Dogs on Thursday posts.
So this morning I had a lot of fun getting caught up and reading all of the blogs on the doggie blogroll.

Speaking of the Doggie Blogroll it is growing again.
A giant welcome to the new Dogs on Thursday members!

I now present to you the 'Dogs Halloween Costume Parade'!
Thank you to all the dogs who participated.


















For the Costume Contest I had a really hard time choosing as all are quite adorable.
There are two winners.

One for creative sewing/knitting
and the other for just overall creativeness in presentation.
Please visit each site by clicking on the winning dog photo's and read the fantastic posts that accompany each costume!

Will each dog that participated in the doggie parade please email me your snail mail address so that I may send them their trick or treats right away.

Until next Thursday, may everyone have a wonderful week full of dog drool and warm slobber kisses!