bostonzest

Category: Boston Dogs

  • Poppy’s New Year’s Resolutions

    -poppy-westie-sock-thief-

    Poppy’s number one New Year’s resolution is to try to break her sock habit, but not until after her nap.

    She's made a few more resolutions, but most of them seem to involve training us to do what she wants.

    She'll Make Us Laugh More!

    Laughter is good medicine. While raising a puppy can be a lot of work, we laugh often at Poppy’s antics. I may read her the riot act for stealing my socks, but I have to suppress a giggle when I see how proudly she prances when she captures a pair. 

    She has done a great job in 2013 of keeping us well exercised, in touch with our neighbors, and part of our local dog community. And, Poppy intends to keep training us in 2014.

    Work Less, Play More, and Lower Stress Levels

    There is so much solid research on how petting animals can reduce our stress levels and even our blood pressure. Maybe that’s because we stop doing other things when we take time to cuddle or stroke our cats and dogs. Poppy doesn’t like it if I try to work on my laptop during her special time. She wants my full attention. It’s good for her and good for me. I can see she intends to make this an ongoing goal.

    Sunday Dog Thank Yous

    Poppy would also like to thank all the dogs who posed and told their stories as Sunday Dogs, this year along with all the people who visited them and said nice things about them. 

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs!

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a holiday gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Poppy’s New Year’s Resolutions

    -poppy-westie-sock-thief-

    Poppy’s number one New Year’s resolution is to try to break her sock habit, but not until after her nap.

    She's made a few more resolutions, but most of them seem to involve training us to do what she wants.

    She'll Make Us Laugh More!

    Laughter is good medicine. While raising a puppy can be a lot of work, we laugh often at Poppy’s antics. I may read her the riot act for stealing my socks, but I have to suppress a giggle when I see how proudly she prances when she captures a pair. 

    She has done a great job in 2013 of keeping us well exercised, in touch with our neighbors, and part of our local dog community. And, Poppy intends to keep training us in 2014.

    Work Less, Play More, and Lower Stress Levels

    There is so much solid research on how petting animals can reduce our stress levels and even our blood pressure. Maybe that’s because we stop doing other things when we take time to cuddle or stroke our cats and dogs. Poppy doesn’t like it if I try to work on my laptop during her special time. She wants my full attention. It’s good for her and good for me. I can see she intends to make this an ongoing goal.

    Sunday Dog Thank Yous

    Poppy would also like to thank all the dogs who posed and told their stories as Sunday Dogs, this year along with all the people who visited them and said nice things about them. 

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs!

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a holiday gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Poppy’s New Year’s Resolutions

    -poppy-westie-sock-thief-

    Poppy’s number one New Year’s resolution is to try to break her sock habit, but not until after her nap.

    She's made a few more resolutions, but most of them seem to involve training us to do what she wants.

    She'll Make Us Laugh More!

    Laughter is good medicine. While raising a puppy can be a lot of work, we laugh often at Poppy’s antics. I may read her the riot act for stealing my socks, but I have to suppress a giggle when I see how proudly she prances when she captures a pair. 

    She has done a great job in 2013 of keeping us well exercised, in touch with our neighbors, and part of our local dog community. And, Poppy intends to keep training us in 2014.

    Work Less, Play More, and Lower Stress Levels

    There is so much solid research on how petting animals can reduce our stress levels and even our blood pressure. Maybe that’s because we stop doing other things when we take time to cuddle or stroke our cats and dogs. Poppy doesn’t like it if I try to work on my laptop during her special time. She wants my full attention. It’s good for her and good for me. I can see she intends to make this an ongoing goal.

    Sunday Dog Thank Yous

    Poppy would also like to thank all the dogs who posed and told their stories as Sunday Dogs, this year along with all the people who visited them and said nice things about them. 

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs!

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a holiday gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • 7 Salty Winter Tips for Boston Dog Lovers – A Readers’ Favorite

    CHE_0095 - Version 22012-12-30-poppy-westie-snow-fun-salt-danger-boots© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    While some aspects of winter – like playing in snow – can be fun, salt on Boston roads and sidewalks can be bad news for city dogs. It can lead to sore paws and more. 

    Poppy has been getting a lot of attention in her little red boots. (Or, "Ruby Slippers" as one woman on Newbury Street called them. We like that term and have adopted it.)

    During the past couple of weeks, we've noticed a lot of readers finding a past post on dealing with salt on dog paws, so we're rerunning the information.  

    Here are 7 tips for dealing with winter when you have a dog!

    Tip 1: Dog Boots

    You're seeing photos from our little Poppy's first day wearing Pawz Water-Proof Dog Boots. She accepted them right away and gave them a good workout as she experienced her first measurable snowfall.

    Tip 2: Snow Rinse

    So far, Poppy is not showing any of the tenderfoot problems that bedeviled our Maggie Mae. But, we're not taking any chances. If you've ever had salt in a cut, you know how that stings. Now imagine walking on salt with paws that are raw and irritated.

    If you are out on a walk and your dog starts favoring a paw, try to find some clean snow and use that to rinse the salt from the paws.

    Tip 3: Be Alert for Infections and GI Upsets

    Salt and other melting chemicals can cause paws to become raw and irritated. If you see your dog licking his paws after a walk, that's a warning sign. Not only can the paw become infected, but dogs, especially small dogs, also can develop an upset GI system from ingesting these chemicals.

    CHE_0082 - Version 22012-12-30-poppy-westie-snow-fun-salt-danger-boots© 2011 Penny Cherubino
     

    Tip 4: Wash Those Paws!

    When you return from a salty walk, you should wash and dry your dog's paws. We do it even with the boots because sometimes a dip in a deep puddle or romp in the snow will leave some salt residue. We give Poppy a dip in the sink. For bigger dogs, there are a variety of paw washers. You can also just use a bowl and dip and then dry each paw.

    Tip 5: Off to the Vet, if …

    There are signs when you should check in with your vet. This would be if a paw is bleeding, cracked, or ulcerated, and in the case of vomiting or diarrhea since these symptoms may not be related to the salt.

    CHE_0104 - Version 22012-12-30-poppy-westie-snow-fun-salt-danger-boots© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Tip 6: Avoid Metal on Sidewalks

    Salt is also one of the culprits in the stray, electrical current that has killed at least four Boston dogs in past winters. Electrical problems can occur when salt applied to roads and sidewalks corrodes electrical equipment. Salty water can serve as a conductor allowing stray current to spread to metal grates, utility covers, and even to paving material and bare ground.

    Tip 7: Use Salt Alternatives

    For those concerned with the problems caused by salt, there are paw safe ice melt alternatives. Calcium magnesium acetate or mixtures with sand, sawdust, and kitty litter will work to keep your sidewalks safe. There are downsides with each of these in terms of expense or the mess they may track into your home, but these options are less damaging to plants, pets, and structural elements.

    Boot scrapers near the entrance to your home or building are a great way to deal with the residue of sand, salt, and other de-icing materials that we track in with us in winter. 

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs. 

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

    Related articles
    Sunday Dog New Year's Resolutions for 2013
    Bless you, carriage lane: long run Sunday
    Beat the Winter Blues with Your Dog
    "Life is a Toy" for Our Sunday Dogs and Cat
    Sunday Dog, Lucas Has a Nose for Fashion!
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • 7 Salty Winter Tips for Boston Dog Lovers – A Readers’ Favorite

    CHE_0095 - Version 22012-12-30-poppy-westie-snow-fun-salt-danger-boots© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    While some aspects of winter – like playing in snow – can be fun, salt on Boston roads and sidewalks can be bad news for city dogs. It can lead to sore paws and more. 

    Poppy has been getting a lot of attention in her little red boots. (Or, "Ruby Slippers" as one woman on Newbury Street called them. We like that term and have adopted it.)

    During the past couple of weeks, we've noticed a lot of readers finding a past post on dealing with salt on dog paws, so we're rerunning the information.  

    Here are 7 tips for dealing with winter when you have a dog!

    Tip 1: Dog Boots

    You're seeing photos from our little Poppy's first day wearing Pawz Water-Proof Dog Boots. She accepted them right away and gave them a good workout as she experienced her first measurable snowfall.

    Tip 2: Snow Rinse

    So far, Poppy is not showing any of the tenderfoot problems that bedeviled our Maggie Mae. But, we're not taking any chances. If you've ever had salt in a cut, you know how that stings. Now imagine walking on salt with paws that are raw and irritated.

    If you are out on a walk and your dog starts favoring a paw, try to find some clean snow and use that to rinse the salt from the paws.

    Tip 3: Be Alert for Infections and GI Upsets

    Salt and other melting chemicals can cause paws to become raw and irritated. If you see your dog licking his paws after a walk, that's a warning sign. Not only can the paw become infected, but dogs, especially small dogs, also can develop an upset GI system from ingesting these chemicals.

    CHE_0082 - Version 22012-12-30-poppy-westie-snow-fun-salt-danger-boots© 2011 Penny Cherubino
     

    Tip 4: Wash Those Paws!

    When you return from a salty walk, you should wash and dry your dog's paws. We do it even with the boots because sometimes a dip in a deep puddle or romp in the snow will leave some salt residue. We give Poppy a dip in the sink. For bigger dogs, there are a variety of paw washers. You can also just use a bowl and dip and then dry each paw.

    Tip 5: Off to the Vet, if …

    There are signs when you should check in with your vet. This would be if a paw is bleeding, cracked, or ulcerated, and in the case of vomiting or diarrhea since these symptoms may not be related to the salt.

    CHE_0104 - Version 22012-12-30-poppy-westie-snow-fun-salt-danger-boots© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Tip 6: Avoid Metal on Sidewalks

    Salt is also one of the culprits in the stray, electrical current that has killed at least four Boston dogs in past winters. Electrical problems can occur when salt applied to roads and sidewalks corrodes electrical equipment. Salty water can serve as a conductor allowing stray current to spread to metal grates, utility covers, and even to paving material and bare ground.

    Tip 7: Use Salt Alternatives

    For those concerned with the problems caused by salt, there are paw safe ice melt alternatives. Calcium magnesium acetate or mixtures with sand, sawdust, and kitty litter will work to keep your sidewalks safe. There are downsides with each of these in terms of expense or the mess they may track into your home, but these options are less damaging to plants, pets, and structural elements.

    Boot scrapers near the entrance to your home or building are a great way to deal with the residue of sand, salt, and other de-icing materials that we track in with us in winter. 

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs. 

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

    Related articles
    Sunday Dog New Year's Resolutions for 2013
    Bless you, carriage lane: long run Sunday
    Beat the Winter Blues with Your Dog
    "Life is a Toy" for Our Sunday Dogs and Cat
    Sunday Dog, Lucas Has a Nose for Fashion!
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • 7 Salty Winter Tips for Boston Dog Lovers – A Readers’ Favorite

    CHE_0095 - Version 22012-12-30-poppy-westie-snow-fun-salt-danger-boots© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    While some aspects of winter – like playing in snow – can be fun, salt on Boston roads and sidewalks can be bad news for city dogs. It can lead to sore paws and more. 

    Poppy has been getting a lot of attention in her little red boots. (Or, "Ruby Slippers" as one woman on Newbury Street called them. We like that term and have adopted it.)

    During the past couple of weeks, we've noticed a lot of readers finding a past post on dealing with salt on dog paws, so we're rerunning the information.  

    Here are 7 tips for dealing with winter when you have a dog!

    Tip 1: Dog Boots

    You're seeing photos from our little Poppy's first day wearing Pawz Water-Proof Dog Boots. She accepted them right away and gave them a good workout as she experienced her first measurable snowfall.

    Tip 2: Snow Rinse

    So far, Poppy is not showing any of the tenderfoot problems that bedeviled our Maggie Mae. But, we're not taking any chances. If you've ever had salt in a cut, you know how that stings. Now imagine walking on salt with paws that are raw and irritated.

    If you are out on a walk and your dog starts favoring a paw, try to find some clean snow and use that to rinse the salt from the paws.

    Tip 3: Be Alert for Infections and GI Upsets

    Salt and other melting chemicals can cause paws to become raw and irritated. If you see your dog licking his paws after a walk, that's a warning sign. Not only can the paw become infected, but dogs, especially small dogs, also can develop an upset GI system from ingesting these chemicals.

    CHE_0082 - Version 22012-12-30-poppy-westie-snow-fun-salt-danger-boots© 2011 Penny Cherubino
     

    Tip 4: Wash Those Paws!

    When you return from a salty walk, you should wash and dry your dog's paws. We do it even with the boots because sometimes a dip in a deep puddle or romp in the snow will leave some salt residue. We give Poppy a dip in the sink. For bigger dogs, there are a variety of paw washers. You can also just use a bowl and dip and then dry each paw.

    Tip 5: Off to the Vet, if …

    There are signs when you should check in with your vet. This would be if a paw is bleeding, cracked, or ulcerated, and in the case of vomiting or diarrhea since these symptoms may not be related to the salt.

    CHE_0104 - Version 22012-12-30-poppy-westie-snow-fun-salt-danger-boots© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Tip 6: Avoid Metal on Sidewalks

    Salt is also one of the culprits in the stray, electrical current that has killed at least four Boston dogs in past winters. Electrical problems can occur when salt applied to roads and sidewalks corrodes electrical equipment. Salty water can serve as a conductor allowing stray current to spread to metal grates, utility covers, and even to paving material and bare ground.

    Tip 7: Use Salt Alternatives

    For those concerned with the problems caused by salt, there are paw safe ice melt alternatives. Calcium magnesium acetate or mixtures with sand, sawdust, and kitty litter will work to keep your sidewalks safe. There are downsides with each of these in terms of expense or the mess they may track into your home, but these options are less damaging to plants, pets, and structural elements.

    Boot scrapers near the entrance to your home or building are a great way to deal with the residue of sand, salt, and other de-icing materials that we track in with us in winter. 

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs. 

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

    Related articles
    Sunday Dog New Year's Resolutions for 2013
    Bless you, carriage lane: long run Sunday
    Beat the Winter Blues with Your Dog
    "Life is a Toy" for Our Sunday Dogs and Cat
    Sunday Dog, Lucas Has a Nose for Fashion!
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • Peachy Is a Peach of a Sunday Dog!

    -peach-bulldog- (3)

    When you’re a three year old Bulldog called Peach (aka Peachy to her friends), there’s a lot to live up to – a certain expectation that comes with the name. Think about it. Peachy means: unusually fine, excellent, awesome, superb, and lovely.

    -peach-bulldog-

    Well, no problem there. One look at Peachy confirms all of that, she’s gorgeous! And, having met her, we’d like to add “sweet” as a peach. She loves people and pats and understands how to communicate. We’d known her only five minutes when suddenly, it was belly rub time!

    -peach-bulldog- (6)

    We learned that Peach’s favorite toys are nylabones and a special rope toy that she loves to chomp.   

    -peach-bulldog- (2)

    We can honestly say that we’ve never met a Sunday Dog named Peachy. She’s definitely one of kind. We’ve been “Peached,” and we’re honored.

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Peachy Is a Peach of a Sunday Dog!

    -peach-bulldog- (3)

    When you’re a three year old Bulldog called Peach (aka Peachy to her friends), there’s a lot to live up to – a certain expectation that comes with the name. Think about it. Peachy means: unusually fine, excellent, awesome, superb, and lovely.

    -peach-bulldog-

    Well, no problem there. One look at Peachy confirms all of that, she’s gorgeous! And, having met her, we’d like to add “sweet” as a peach. She loves people and pats and understands how to communicate. We’d known her only five minutes when suddenly, it was belly rub time!

    -peach-bulldog- (6)

    We learned that Peach’s favorite toys are nylabones and a special rope toy that she loves to chomp.   

    -peach-bulldog- (2)

    We can honestly say that we’ve never met a Sunday Dog named Peachy. She’s definitely one of kind. We’ve been “Peached,” and we’re honored.

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Peachy Is a Peach of a Sunday Dog!

    -peach-bulldog- (3)

    When you’re a three year old Bulldog called Peach (aka Peachy to her friends), there’s a lot to live up to – a certain expectation that comes with the name. Think about it. Peachy means: unusually fine, excellent, awesome, superb, and lovely.

    -peach-bulldog-

    Well, no problem there. One look at Peachy confirms all of that, she’s gorgeous! And, having met her, we’d like to add “sweet” as a peach. She loves people and pats and understands how to communicate. We’d known her only five minutes when suddenly, it was belly rub time!

    -peach-bulldog- (6)

    We learned that Peach’s favorite toys are nylabones and a special rope toy that she loves to chomp.   

    -peach-bulldog- (2)

    We can honestly say that we’ve never met a Sunday Dog named Peachy. She’s definitely one of kind. We’ve been “Peached,” and we’re honored.

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • We Didn’t Find Sunday Dogs Olive and Ziggy, They Found Us!

    While we didn’t know where we’d find this week’s Sunday Dogs, we never guessed that Olive and Ziggy would find us!

    Our recent post on the Hotel Fensgate opened a conversation with a reader, Rich, who not only has two wonderful rescue dogs, but also happens to be a terrific photographer. So, we asked him to send us a photo of his girls, along with their stories, for today’s feature.  

    Olive and Ziggie May 2002 copy

    Ziggy (dressed in black), who has a Terrier/Chihuahua background, came from Buddy Dog in Sudbury when she was just a year old. Rich says, “She wants to play 24/7, mostly just fetch (and of course keep-away … from me, that is). She is very territorial.”

    Olive, a Rat Terrier (with very expressive ears), was rescued at 2 years of age, after having survived a home with an abusive husband. Rich told us, “It took a year before she would even go near a man. Fortunately we came along at the right time, and she has been a gem for the last 14 years.”

    Today, at 15 and 16 years of age, Oive and Ziggy are thriving. “We attribute their health and longevity to keeping them at the same weight all these years, with almost no human food.” As Rich says, they’re “still going strong!”

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    And, to see more of Rich’s stunning photos Click Here.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photo Credit: Rich Snider (copyright image used with permission) 

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.