Oh Puppy Tree!!

Christmas is supposed to be a happy time of year but it can be dangerous to for us pups.  Many pups find it hard to resist the Christmas tree.  There are all those pretty likes, sparkly string stuff that you say isn’t a pull toy and those things that look like toys hanging all over.  Sometimes a pup can get into trouble by climbing into the tree, tip the tree over and maybe pee on it.  Many people get creative about how to puppy proof.  Our friends have a little one they put on the table out of reach….they have doxies so not much is in reach just saying.  On Facebook someone used their couch to help block then a baby gate across.  However, the pups could go over the couch or pull on the higher stuff.  Another lady puts all the breakable ornaments (that’s what she called them) and then plastic on the bottom.  We also have a friend that gets small trees in a heavy pot then hangs puppy goodies all over…now that’s my kind of tree.   When I was little mama had the tree behind the chair and NO breakable ornaments.  I was allowed to sniff and lay by it.  Mama used it as an opportunity to practice my leave it and since it was so fascinating she had me practice my other commands.  We also played a game of how close could I be to the tree without pulling stuff off.  If I was able to lie next to it I got a special chewy, if not I had to move a way and do something else.  I wasn’t allowed to be around the tree unsupervised which is a good idea.  The little hook things on ornaments can be a chocking hazard or cause a blockage as well as if we chew something we shouldn’t.  We can also get tangled in something; this can be really scary for us. 

Now that I’m older mama has the tree out but at night she puts the x-pen around the tree to block it off so there’s no accident. I like to sit and look at the tree and sniff it when it first comes in but that’s it.  Ruby on the other hand tries to sniff out our presents but mama doesn’t put them under the tree.

So here is what I suggest to help make the tree safer:

• Use ribbon or string to hang ornaments instead of those hooks.
• Keep the breakables out of reach.
• Have your pup do something to take their mind off of the tree.
• Don’t leave them around the tree unsupervised
• If need be block the tree off or get one for on the table out of reach.
• Use items that are safe: pupcorn garland (yummy), doggy treat ornaments...just some ideas

Have a Safe and Pawtacular Holiday!!!

Something Sad

I want to talk about something sad but it has to be talked about.  It can be supper hard on our people when we leave them and they get sad.  I’ve seen mama really sad when Jordi left us and even though him and Simba have been gone for several years it still hurts her.  A friend of mine is going to be leaving his family soon cause he is really sick and old.  I know there isn’t anything we can do about this, it just happens.  I think it’s important that our people know that day is going to come but not focus on it even when it is close.  Every minute is so precious and we need to enjoy it while we can.  When mama gets sad Ruby and I show her extra love or let her love and hold use until she’s not so sad anymore.  It’s also important that our people not blame their selves or feel guilty about opening their heart to another pup.  I know mama tried everything possible for Simba and Jordi but also tried to make every moment she had left count for something.  Even though mama would have loved to have kept them longer she knew they were ready to leave and she didn’t keep them. My friend’s family is doing the same, when he tells them he’s ready they will say good-bye.

Mama always says “they are never truly gone because the love and memories of them I hold in my heart forever and I know they are watching over us”

Are we really gone or are we just becoming angels to watch over our humans??

"They are never truly gone those that leave paw prints on our hearts"

Take AMAZING Photos!!!

It's finally a little warmer so we got to play outside and mama was busy taking photos....oh boy.  Mama really isn't that good and she says its so hard to get the PERFECT pic especially an action on.  So she got smart and started filming everything.  That's right she takes movies ALOT but you wouldn't know with some of the AMAZING shots she's got of me.  After mama does all the filming she's going to the fun begins.  Windows Movie Maker is her fav. since she can go frame by frame and tell it to take still shots.  Then if it needs touch ups...I never need a touch up..she can use Photoshop to adjust the lighting or remove unwanted objects.  This is how mama got those great shots of me and Ruby doing some flying when we played with the ball the other day!!!  Mama loves this way to cause she doesn't usually have to mess with the flash.  Plus when she films her 4-H group or horse group the kids not only get to see all their photos but watch what they did.  They have gotten some really cool photos that could have been missed otherwise.  So next time try filming your pup in action instead of doing regular photos....we move super fast.  Here's a few great shots mama got!!