Category: Boston Dogs

A Safety Net for Your Sunday Dog

If you have a camera on your phone, you probably have hundreds of photos of your companion animals from silly moments to formal portraits.

Here's our Poppy posing in her pearls.

Have you ever thought of documenting a day in the life of your furry family members. This exercise could be more than a happy photo album. It could be a guide for someone else who might one day care for your animals.

Safety Net

Every being that is dependent on someone for their daily care should have a safety net plan in place. My husband and I carry Pet Alert cards with a photo of our Westie Poppy and instructions on the people to call if we are unable to care for her.

The friends whose names and numbers are on the card have keys to our home and know a lot about Poppy. But it recently dawned on me that we could give them even more insight into her habits.

Poppy loves being under things. She's often found sleeping under Ed's desk while he works.

I’m going to do this by recording what happens in a typical day in her life and putting that information into an online document in Dropbox or Google Drive that I can share with them. By providing a link to a document instead of a piece of paper, I can update it as things change and they would have the latest information just by going to that link.

Poppy's caregivers should know where her food is stored – (the freezer) and how much to give her each day.

Learning from a Foster Dog

Years ago Ed & I accepted the surrender of a very sick, but very loved, Westie named Shannon. Her family had been overwhelmed by unexpected caregiving responsibilities. They were very careful about choosing a Westie Rescue Group to take her, and did everything possible to make her transition to our home an easy one.

They provided full medical records and her favorite toys, but more helpful was the information they included about her. Every member of the family wrote down all the little things they could think of to tell me about her: what she ate, how she liked to play, what made her happy, and what scared her.

The rescue team was able to cure Shannon’s disease and find her a loving, permanent home. In turn, this experience taught me how important information can be to someone who takes over the care of a dog.

Need To Know

Start with a basic fact sheet with contact information for your veterinarian, a list of medications, any seasonal or ongoing problems (like itchy allergies), and feeding instructions. Then, with the help of photos or short videos, you can run down your routine for a typical day.

In time, most dogs and cats will adapt to whatever household routine they are given. However, you can make it so much easier for both your caregiver and your animal if they have some idea of normal.

On a routine walk are their dogs, people, or objects that your dog should avoid? Are there favorite spots where he really enjoys walking or special friends she would love to see? Does your cat have a special scratch spot that will make his eyes squint with pleasure? Or is she reactive when you touch her paws or ears?

I would never ask her caregivers to follow an exact routine. They were chosen because I trust them. By providing complete information, they’ll know that, for example, my Poppy needs a late night snack or she may have an upset tummy from too much acid in the morning. That could save a clean up and a trip to the vet.

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.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino – adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.
Photos: ©2011-2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino, Itchy dog is from iStockphoto.

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April 10, 2016
A Safety Net for Your Sunday Dog

If you have a camera on your phone, you probably have hundreds of photos of your companion animals from silly moments to formal portraits.

Here's our Poppy posing in her pearls.

Have you ever thought of documenting a day in the life of your furry family members. This exercise could be more than a happy photo album. It could be a guide for someone else who might one day care for your animals.

Safety Net

Every being that is dependent on someone for their daily care should have a safety net plan in place. My husband and I carry Pet Alert cards with a photo of our Westie Poppy and instructions on the people to call if we are unable to care for her.

The friends whose names and numbers are on the card have keys to our home and know a lot about Poppy. But it recently dawned on me that we could give them even more insight into her habits.

Poppy loves being under things. She's often found sleeping under Ed's desk while he works.

I’m going to do this by recording what happens in a typical day in her life and putting that information into an online document in Dropbox or Google Drive that I can share with them. By providing a link to a document instead of a piece of paper, I can update it as things change and they would have the latest information just by going to that link.

Poppy's caregivers should know where her food is stored – (the freezer) and how much to give her each day.

Learning from a Foster Dog

Years ago Ed & I accepted the surrender of a very sick, but very loved, Westie named Shannon. Her family had been overwhelmed by unexpected caregiving responsibilities. They were very careful about choosing a Westie Rescue Group to take her, and did everything possible to make her transition to our home an easy one.

They provided full medical records and her favorite toys, but more helpful was the information they included about her. Every member of the family wrote down all the little things they could think of to tell me about her: what she ate, how she liked to play, what made her happy, and what scared her.

The rescue team was able to cure Shannon’s disease and find her a loving, permanent home. In turn, this experience taught me how important information can be to someone who takes over the care of a dog.

Need To Know

Start with a basic fact sheet with contact information for your veterinarian, a list of medications, any seasonal or ongoing problems (like itchy allergies), and feeding instructions. Then, with the help of photos or short videos, you can run down your routine for a typical day.

In time, most dogs and cats will adapt to whatever household routine they are given. However, you can make it so much easier for both your caregiver and your animal if they have some idea of normal.

On a routine walk are their dogs, people, or objects that your dog should avoid? Are there favorite spots where he really enjoys walking or special friends she would love to see? Does your cat have a special scratch spot that will make his eyes squint with pleasure? Or is she reactive when you touch her paws or ears?

I would never ask her caregivers to follow an exact routine. They were chosen because I trust them. By providing complete information, they’ll know that, for example, my Poppy needs a late night snack or she may have an upset tummy from too much acid in the morning. That could save a clean up and a trip to the vet.

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.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino – adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.
Photos: ©2011-2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino, Itchy dog is from iStockphoto.

Related articles

Finding Pros for Your Dog in Boston: Walkers, Pet Sitters, and Kennels

Get Ready for Amtrak's "All Aboard" for Dogs & Cats

April 10, 2016
The Boston Puppy Class of 2016 Adds Joy to Our Walks

There is nothing like watching a puppy bound through the park discovering the world and the people and dogs around him or her.

We keep running into these two little pups on our walks on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. Their antics are sure to make you smile.

They circle and sniff one another and then take notice of all their human admirers and dash away to get some smiles and pats from their fans.

This youngster jumped for joy when he saw our friend Greer. She is very tolerant of puppy play and will only give a silly little growl when the kids get out of hand.

Lilly, the Westie pup, was visiting Boston. Her person stopped us near the Public Garden to ask suggestions for a great place to buy a hostess gift. (We sent her to Blackstone's Beacon Hill on Charles Street where we knew the well-mannered Lily would be welcomed and the selection would result in a perfect gift.)

You met Guinness in a post last month but he is such a cutie and was quickly surrounded by a gathering of fans as he walked down Columbus Avenue in the South End that we had to include him in this post too.

Thanks to all the people who allow us to enjoy their new pups. But, just one reminder, if someone is keeping that puppy away, it may be because he or she is not ready for the meet-and-greet scene. The little dog might be in the "window of susceptibility." More about that in this post about another adorable puppy.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs. (This post will be first in the group, so scroll down to meet more of our canine pals.)

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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April 3, 2016
Charlie and Smokey Are Most Polite Park Pals

One of our walking companions Sky introduced us to her distant relatives Charlie and Smokey a few weeks ago as we all reached the Vendome Fire Memorial on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.

As you stroll the parks and other popular dog walking places in Boston, you meet playful puppies bounding up at every dog and person in sight. You avoid snarling beasties with more attitude than a mountain lion. You greet old friends with the usual rounds of hellos and sniffs. And you come upon very nice polite pups like Charlie and Smokey.

While you might think the darker of the two is Smokey and the lighter Charlie, it is just the opposite. They are both sweet pups who seem to get along with everyone they meet on their walks.

Maybe they're just responding to the way the people in the group are admiring their adorable expressions.

You two are becoming a highlight of our walks. See you 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.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

March 27, 2016
Charlie and Smokey Are Most Polite Park Pals

One of our walking companions Sky introduced us to her distant relatives Charlie and Smokey a few weeks ago as we all reached the Vendome Fire Memorial on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.

As you stroll the parks and other popular dog walking places in Boston, you meet playful puppies bounding up at every dog and person in sight. You avoid snarling beasties with more attitude than a mountain lion. You greet old friends with the usual rounds of hellos and sniffs. And you come upon very nice polite pups like Charlie and Smokey.

While you might think the darker of the two is Smokey and the lighter Charlie, it is just the opposite. They are both sweet pups who seem to get along with everyone they meet on their walks.

Maybe they're just responding to the way the people in the group are admiring their adorable expressions.

You two are becoming a highlight of our walks. See you 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.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

March 27, 2016
Time to Get Your Dog a License

March is dog license season in Massachusetts. Dogs in the Commonwealth are required to have a 2016 dog license by April 1st.

When we met this adorable Boston newcomer "Guinness" recently, he already had his license.

How to Apply

I put a reminder on my calendar and usually apply for a Boston dog license online. You can also download an application to mail at that page.

If your dog, like my Poppy, is already registered, enter the current license number and all your information should be filled in by the system. Next, you upload photos of a spay certificate and current rabies record. Then, you enter your credit card information and complete the transaction.

If you prefer the snail mail option, you should receive a package in the mail if your dog is currently licensed. If not, and you want to get a license in person, visit the Animal Care and Control Department at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue. Bring a current rabies certificate and a spay/neuter certificate if you have one. A prepared check or money order will save time.

You can also get your license at the City Hall To Go truck at one of its scheduled spots around town. Just bring the same documents and a check with you.

Low-Cost Clinics

The city has a series of Dog Licensing & Low-Cost Rabies Vaccine Clinics each year. Here's a link to a copy of this year's events. It was in the right-hand sidebar at the time of this writing.

Should Dogs or People Be Licensed?

Over the years, the group of dog lovers that walks with us has often discussed an option of having people licensed as legal caretakers of animals rather than attaching the license to the dog. Then the responsible caregivers could register the animals they have under that license and receive tags for each.

The legislature has a task force looking at a possible statewide Animal Abuse Registry. But, beyond outright abuse, a caregiver’s registry might deny licenses to those who are constant scofflaws or who have a history of dangerous dog offenses.

Of course some enforcement of the current rules and regulations for picking up after your dog and keeping dogs on a leash would have to be a part of any program like this.

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.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

March 20, 2016
Time to Get Your Dog a License

March is dog license season in Massachusetts. Dogs in the Commonwealth are required to have a 2016 dog license by April 1st.

When we met this adorable Boston newcomer "Guinness" recently, he already had his license.

How to Apply

I put a reminder on my calendar and usually apply for a Boston dog license online. You can also download an application to mail at that page.

If your dog, like my Poppy, is already registered, enter the current license number and all your information should be filled in by the system. Next, you upload photos of a spay certificate and current rabies record. Then, you enter your credit card information and complete the transaction.

If you prefer the snail mail option, you should receive a package in the mail if your dog is currently licensed. If not, and you want to get a license in person, visit the Animal Care and Control Department at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue. Bring a current rabies certificate and a spay/neuter certificate if you have one. A prepared check or money order will save time.

You can also get your license at the City Hall To Go truck at one of its scheduled spots around town. Just bring the same documents and a check with you.

Low-Cost Clinics

The city has a series of Dog Licensing & Low-Cost Rabies Vaccine Clinics each year. Here's a link to a copy of this year's events. It was in the right-hand sidebar at the time of this writing.

Should Dogs or People Be Licensed?

Over the years, the group of dog lovers that walks with us has often discussed an option of having people licensed as legal caretakers of animals rather than attaching the license to the dog. Then the responsible caregivers could register the animals they have under that license and receive tags for each.

The legislature has a task force looking at a possible statewide Animal Abuse Registry. But, beyond outright abuse, a caregiver’s registry might deny licenses to those who are constant scofflaws or who have a history of dangerous dog offenses.

Of course some enforcement of the current rules and regulations for picking up after your dog and keeping dogs on a leash would have to be a part of any program like this.

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.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

March 20, 2016
Of Dalmatians & Other Historic Firehouse Dogs

On a walk this week, a Dalmatian trotting along ahead of us set off a conversation about the dog breeds that were once abundant in our neighborhood and now are rare.

Leslie Jones photograph of a Dalmatian as fire chief.

We all think of Dalmatian's as firehouse dogs, but their work began in Dalmatia (a region in what is today Croatia) where they guarded the borders. Wikipedia goes on to outline all the other tasks this working breed has performed.

"The roles of this ancient breed are as varied as their reputed ancestors. They were used as dogs of war, guarding the borders of Dalmatia. To this day, the breed retains a high guarding instinct; although friendly and loyal to those the dog knows and trusts, it is often aloof with strangers and unknown dogs. Dalmatians have a strong hunting instinct and are an excellent exterminator of rats and vermin. In sporting, they have been used as bird dogs, trail hounds, retrievers, or in packs for boar or stag hunting. Their dramatic markings and intelligence have made them successful circus dogs throughout the years. Dalmatians are perhaps best known for their role as fire-fighting apparatus escorts and firehouse mascots. Since Dalmatians and horses are very compatible, the dogs were easily trained to run in front of the carriages to help clear a path and quickly guide the horses and firefighters to the fires.^[39] Dalmatians are often considered to make good watchdogs, and they may have been useful to fire brigades as guard dogs to protect a firehouse and its equipment. Fire engines used to be drawn by fast and powerful horses, a tempting target for thieves, so Dalmatians were kept in the firehouse as deterrence to theft.^[39]"

Dalmatians were not the only dogs to serve as firehouse mascots. Leslie Jones titled the photo above as, "Dog responds to every alarm, Braintree."

This one, photographer Jones noted as, "Dog goes to every fire, Braintree." Both are from 1928.

Here's a photo of one of our current Dalmatian neighbors. His name is Cy Young and he's a year old and very friendly.

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.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny Cherubino, Leslie Jones photos courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

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March 13, 2016
Of Dalmatians & Other Historic Firehouse Dogs

On a walk this week, a Dalmatian trotting along ahead of us set off a conversation about the dog breeds that were once abundant in our neighborhood and now are rare.

Leslie Jones photograph of a Dalmatian as fire chief.

We all think of Dalmatian's as firehouse dogs, but their work began in Dalmatia (a region in what is today Croatia) where they guarded the borders. Wikipedia goes on to outline all the other tasks this working breed has performed.

"The roles of this ancient breed are as varied as their reputed ancestors. They were used as dogs of war, guarding the borders of Dalmatia. To this day, the breed retains a high guarding instinct; although friendly and loyal to those the dog knows and trusts, it is often aloof with strangers and unknown dogs. Dalmatians have a strong hunting instinct and are an excellent exterminator of rats and vermin. In sporting, they have been used as bird dogs, trail hounds, retrievers, or in packs for boar or stag hunting. Their dramatic markings and intelligence have made them successful circus dogs throughout the years. Dalmatians are perhaps best known for their role as fire-fighting apparatus escorts and firehouse mascots. Since Dalmatians and horses are very compatible, the dogs were easily trained to run in front of the carriages to help clear a path and quickly guide the horses and firefighters to the fires.^[39] Dalmatians are often considered to make good watchdogs, and they may have been useful to fire brigades as guard dogs to protect a firehouse and its equipment. Fire engines used to be drawn by fast and powerful horses, a tempting target for thieves, so Dalmatians were kept in the firehouse as deterrence to theft.^[39]"

Dalmatians were not the only dogs to serve as firehouse mascots. Leslie Jones titled the photo above as, "Dog responds to every alarm, Braintree."

This one, photographer Jones noted as, "Dog goes to every fire, Braintree." Both are from 1928.

Here's a photo of one of our current Dalmatian neighbors. His name is Cy Young and he's a year old and very friendly.

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.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny Cherubino, Leslie Jones photos courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

Related articles

Boston Fireworks from Another Time …

The Dogs of the Boston Public Library Collections

Messing About in Boats, 1939 Style

March 13, 2016
Sunday Dog Stella Unlocks Simple Relaxation Secret!

Tired? Irritable? Depressed? Just can’t seem to relax? You’re not alone.

Don’t despair. Now there’s a phenomenal, yet simple, time-tested way to relieve all the stress in your life. No need to sign-up, prepay, repay, or even copay. There are no hidden fees!

Just follow the simple treatment plan so brilliantly laid out by Sunday Dog Stella, self-proclaimed Doctor of Canine Psychiatry. Just find a sunny bench, settle in, visit with friends, and let your cares drift away.

Stella demonstrating her non-invasive, non-prescription technique.

Don’t delay! Act Now! No appointment required. Results may vary.

For personal consultations, well … you’ll have to wake Stella or find an empty bench of your own.

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.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Photography: © 2016 Penny Cherubino

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March 6, 2016