Blog

(Mostly Archived)

Shameless Self Promotion–for Dexter

Well, it's been almost two weeks since Dex came into my home and I feel like I've finally gotten to know him well enough to write his description, make an adoption video, and post him on various websites as available for adoption.  So, I'm going to take a moment and...

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On my bookshelf… or I wish!

I am frequently asked for book suggestions or other resources for further information.  There is a growing list of books that are either on my shelves, have been on my shelf (from a library), or are on my "desperate to read, but need money!" list.  I figured now is as...

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Life skills … are skills for life

Have you ever been in a new situation where you simply didn't know how to act or present yourself and are unfamiliar with the schedule or processes?  Do you remember what it was like the first day you went to a new school? Or your first day at a new summer camp?  How...

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I'm cooler than cars…sometimes

As promised, though admittedly delayed (apparently I forgot to schedule the blog to publish and I didn't notice until now LOL!)... Car chasing is a dangerous and compulsive behavior for Dex.  We suspect he may have been on a tie-out and I'd guess one of his main forms...

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We have a car chaser…

There are a lot of things I'm learning about Dexter as he comes out of his shell a little (not that he was very far in, but you get the idea).  Many of the things are absolutely wonderful and fantastic--like how he is almost lab-like in his sheer happiness and love of...

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FRIDAY: Freaky Frisbee Fotos!

With the addition of Dex, the third or fourth dog (if we count Bandit), life has been a little crazy.  He's a great dog who is just the happiest boy in the world, but he is also like a 40lb puppy, boundless energy, no impulse control, not so many manners, no attention...

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Gotta take a step back…

The other day I was given a very clear reminder that sometimes, when working new behaviors, you have to take a step back and really lower the criteria. Rio's been learning weaves based on the 2x2 system (it was slightly modified because of the space available in the...

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36 hrs with Dexter

A lot could have gone wrong adding a young adult dog into our family.  Shayne could have flipped her lid, the new dog could have flipped his lid, Rio could have been upset, and all 3 cats could have shunned us.  There could have been a bloody fight any number of...

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Adopt the Internet–Petfinder!

In honor of their 15th anniversary, Petfinder is sponsoring an "Adopt the Internet Day" to promote pet adoption.  Pet adoption is a cause very close to my own heart.  Shayne, Joey, and Panther were all shelter animals, Rio was from a rescue group, and Jefferson was...

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Help! My dog is "aggressive"…

Apparently everyone and their mother has an aggressive dog.  No, I mean it, given how often people say "dealing with an aggressive...." or "my dog is aggressive to me" or worse yet, "help my puppy is aggressive!!!" I have no other choice than to believe most dogs are...

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