A miscellany of thoughts about dogs, cats, writing, life in the Ozarks, & occasional book reviews
It's hard to believe that Sasha's been part of the family for nearly a year. And what a year it's been! She came to us timid, thin-coated, suffering from poor nutrition, and in dire need of love. Over the past 11 months she's grown into a confident, sweet-tempered dog. She may never have the typical full-length …
Continue reading For the love of a dog
This morning dawned clear and sunny, enticing Sasha and I to head outside despite the freezing temperature. We had the neighborhood park all to ourselves, so I traded leash for the 30' long line and let her zigzag across the park in joyous abandon. (I've discovered that training time tends to be most productive when …
Continue reading Training Tales
Our neighborhood has some serious Halloween fans and the yard decorations get bigger (and some might say scarier) every year. In the past few weeks I've discovered that Sasha is no fan of skeletons rising from the ground, or ghostly wraiths swinging in the trees. She mutters past the tombstones propped in flower beds, skitters …
Continue reading Pet-Happy Halloween!
Responsible owners know their dogs need daily exercise, and a walk provides that for dogs and people alike. Whether you prefer strolling through your neighborhood or trotting briskly along a trail, loose leash walking is a safe, responsible way to enjoy yourselves. For some, though, leash walking can be an exercise in frustation. If you've ever …
Continue reading Love the Leash!
My own sweet Sheltie Ozarks Summer Highlands Sasha (as she's known to the AKC) is bursting with energy now that cooler temps are upon us, and we're getting out and about to enjoy the turning of the seasons. And we're not alone--the parks, trails, and sidewalks are crowded with people and dogs. We're happy to report …
Continue reading Take Responsibility!