Lots of dogs go through a "what's in it for me?" stage (and this stage lasts longer in some dogs than others, right?). Mr. Hope is dancing around it right now, especially when I ask him to come into the house. Several of you asked about ways to handle it; not surprising, since most dogs aren't like the Lassie on television and don't automatically do what we want just because we love them. Here are some of the things I'm doing right now to get Hope to come back into the house from the yard. Of course, "But I don't wannnaaaaaa" is going to occur in different contexts, but many of the principles here apply to all situations, they just need modifying to fit the problem. COMING IN MEANS GOING OUT Hope loves loves loves to be outside. He'd happily stay outside all day long if he could. So, Read More
Archives for July 2010
Barn Red for the 4th
I'm on vacation now, wrote this earlier in the week, but here are some of the pictures I promised while I was gone: Bee Balm in full bloom in front of the barn. Very 4th of July-ish. Heavy hydrangea blossoms weighted down by the rain (yes, it's back, just in time for my vacation, of course!) Will and Hope playing on the front lawn (love Will's relaxed open mouth expression): Read More
Yummy Carrot Bread
Those of you who know me or who read the blog a lot know how much I love good food. Ummmmmm. Love it. Since I'm on vacation this week, I thought it appropriate to go off topic a little and share one of my favorite recipes that includes fresh, local food (and enough sugar and oil to balance out any health benefits, oh well). I make it for company and for friends who need a lift. Sometimes I make it and put it in the freezer, because it freezes well, but I never just make it for me and Jim, because then we eat it all up in a few hours and look around, stuffed and embarrassed, wondering how our tummies got so full. Here it is: Best Carrot Bread Ever 3 c. flour (I use unbleached) 3 eggs, beaten 2 c white sugar 1 c canola oil 2 - 3 TB cinnamon Read More
Low Stress Handling Book
While we're on the subject of books (and ooooh, I love the suggestions from so many of you about books you have loved. Oh boy, can't wait to check them out. . .), have you seen Sophia Yin's Low Stress Handling, Restraint & Beh Modification of Dogs and Cats? This is not a cheap book, as a matter of fact, it's problematically expensive ($117 on Amazon), but it's a great book to encourage your library or shelter or vet clinic to get. It has the best, clearest photographs I've ever seen of how to, and how not to do just about everything you need to do around a cat or dog: enter a kennel, pick up a cat, restrain a dog, etc. If you are feeling flush, it'd be a great donation to your local humane society. Would that all shelter volunteers had a chance to look at it. Pages 46 and 47 have Read More