One of the great things about living in the city and being part of the dog community is the opportunity to meet so many puppies and watch them grow.
We met this charming, young girl pup on one of her first days in town. She was discovering the joy of chewing on sticks.
And showed proper respect to one of the Grand Dames of the neighborhood.
Her little nose was busy discovering her world. Leaves must have most interesting smells.
She even ventured up close and personal with the ever puppy-patient Greyhound Greer. Greer's family asked us to add that she is only this patient with very young puppies. Once they grow she'll tell them to back off with their busy noses.
We look forward to following this puppy's adventures along with all of her classmates in the Boston Puppy Class of 2015!
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
One of the great things about living in the city and being part of the dog community is the opportunity to meet so many puppies and watch them grow.
We met this charming, young girl pup on one of her first days in town. She was discovering the joy of chewing on sticks.
And showed proper respect to one of the Grand Dames of the neighborhood.
Her little nose was busy discovering her world. Leaves must have most interesting smells.
She even ventured up close and personal with the ever puppy-patient Greyhound Greer. Greer's family asked us to add that she is only this patient with very young puppies. Once they grow she'll tell them to back off with their busy noses.
We look forward to following this puppy's adventures along with all of her classmates in the Boston Puppy Class of 2015!
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
When you clip a leash on your dog and take to the street for a nice long walk, you may have a hundred things on your mind. However, walking through an urban setting means that you need to take a deep breath and give safety for both you and your canine companion some front-of-mind time.
This is Teddy, a Boston Terrier who offered to demonstrate safe walking for us.
Take What You Need
In summer, our walks always come equipped with cool water for me and for our Westie Poppy. In my backpack, I also have some treats for rewarding good behavior and perhaps sharing with friends. And, of course, I have plenty of pick up bags.
Keeping your dog close by your side is never more important than on city sidewalks and in urban parks. Unless you are in an official off-leash area, keep your dog safe with a short, strong lead that keeps her in stride with you. Teddy's person came along when we were looking for a shining example of a great dog walker.
Teddy was allowed to come over and meet Poppy only after we said she was okay with that. Even then, he was kept on a short leash until it was clear that Poppy was really going to be friendly.
If your dog is pulling on a long leash and is feet ahead, you could find your walk interrupted by a trip to the animal hospital with a cut paw, a swallowed bone, or a dog that was attacked by another canine or wild animal before you could gain control of the situation.
Keep a Look Out
As you move along, scan the walkway ahead of you looking for broken glass, discarded food, still burning cigarette butts, uncontrolled dogs, or worrisome people.
In addition, each dog has his own fear factor with some bothered by motorcycles or sirens. Our Poppy is upset by loud noises or the sight of a truck. Our Maggie Mae did not trust any random objects left on the sidewalk.
Knowing and keeping an eye ahead for what will scare your dog and might cause an attempt to run away, can help you react quickly to alleviate that fear.
Take care of one another and be safe out there on the busy city streets.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
We ran into Ainsley and his person Britt on the Esplanade last week. Ed, Poppy and I had walked all over Beacon Hill shooting photos for my Attention to Detail newspaper column when we spotted a speedy Whippet chasing a tennis ball as we returned via the river.
When he finally stopped to rest, we realized it was our old friend Ainsley. He is now a Beacon Hill dog and we don't see him as often as we once did.
Ainsley took a rest while we caught up with what's been happening in his life since we last met. But, you can see the message in those eyes. "Britt, stop talking to them and toss my ball."
Eventually, he charmed a passing dog person into launching a few long throws for him. (She was wise enough to ask if it was okay before she began.)
And, as you can see, the boy still makes a gorgeous photo model. Thanks for posing Ainsley! Hope to see you again soon.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
We ran into Ainsley and his person Britt on the Esplanade last week. Ed, Poppy and I had walked all over Beacon Hill shooting photos for my Attention to Detail newspaper column when we spotted a speedy Whippet chasing a tennis ball as we returned via the river.
When he finally stopped to rest, we realized it was our old friend Ainsley. He is now a Beacon Hill dog and we don't see him as often as we once did.
Ainsley took a rest while we caught up with what's been happening in his life since we last met. But, you can see the message in those eyes. "Britt, stop talking to them and toss my ball."
Eventually, he charmed a passing dog person into launching a few long throws for him. (She was wise enough to ask if it was okay before she began.)
And, as you can see, the boy still makes a gorgeous photo model. Thanks for posing Ainsley! Hope to see you again soon.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
This week the American Veterinary Medical Association is sponsoring an official Check the Chip Day to remind all of us who are guardians for companion animals to be sure the microchips that would help return our furry friends to us, if lost, are working.
We have "Check the Microchip" at the top of our list of information and questions we bring to every visit with our veterinarian. Poppy is due for her annual check up and we'll have Courtney, her lovely vet tech, check to see that her chip is working at the start of the visit.
This is also an opportunity to write down that ID number in case you need it to update your contact information.
Think about anything else that may have changed over the past year that might require an update on the registration form for that chip and make the changes needed with your registry. If you can't remember which it is, your vet can tell you that from the ID number.
Here's a video that will help you understand how microchips are inserted into an animal, how they work, and why each animal that could escape from your home should have one. Did you know that your vet can even microchip your birds?
The Animal Rescue League of Boston is having an August special to encourage you to get those microchips in place. There is also more information about the topic at their link below.
"I-uh-I-uh-I (open up) hear music, let me in (music)
Oh I heard it just then
Let me in (let me in)
I wanna come in again
I thought you were my friend …"
Sophia works at Bauer Wine & Spirits and loves sitting in the sun, accepting pats and scratches from her fans. But when the music and dancing starts, she wants back in!
"I-uh-I-uh-I (open up) hear music, let me in (music)
Oh I heard it just then
Let me in (let me in)
I wanna come in again
I thought you were my friend …"
Sophia works at Bauer Wine & Spirits and loves sitting in the sun, accepting pats and scratches from her fans. But when the music and dancing starts, she wants back in!
This Pet Summer Safety Guide infographic from the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters came to our attention this week and we wanted to share it with all of you who love your dogs.
If you would like to download a larger copy to print out and share, here's the link. If you live in a dog friendly building with a community bulletin board or you operate a dog friendly business, consider posting this to help less experienced dog guardians.
What are your tips for keeping dogs safe in summer? Add your thoughts in the comments below. Tweet them to @BostonZest or send us an email and we'll use some of them in a future post.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
Instead of thinking, “Time to walk the dog,” try turning it around by saying, “Time for my dog to take me outside.” Say it in a tone of appreciation, because being outside can be very good for both of you.
Here are Leo (front) and Wolfgang (rear) taking their humans outside this past spring.
Cameron Woo, co-founder and publisher of The Bark magazine, brought to my attention recently the importance of the time I spend outside with my dog. He wrote, “According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American spends 87% of their life indoors with another 6% spent in automobiles for a total of 93% habitating in enclosed spaces. That leaves only 7% of one’s entire life to spend outdoors. Translated to daily life, we average only about 100 minutes of our day outside”
Even with the cold and snow last winter, Poppy made sure we had some time outside each day. She likes the cold better than the heat and loved those high snowbanks.
Living in one of the country’s most walkable cities (where 15% of us walk to work), Bostonians may do a bit better than average at spending time outdoors. But, Bostonians with dogs have the advantage of taking a few more trips a day to the streets and parks with their canine companions.
Where Do You Walk?
Most days we walk the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. That's our routine dog place. But, we also love to explore the city and discover other great dog neighborhoods. Where do you walk your dog? What places do you recommend that we explore? And, how much time do you spend outdoors each day?
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. And, we highly recommend a subscription to The Bark. It is one of the few print publication subscriptions we still receive.
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. The cover is a drinking bowl for her.
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