Comments on: Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda

By: Dee

Dee — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:38:54 +0000

Is there a therapy dog training program in Des Moines? Our one dog I think would be great at it but the only training programs I have found are out of state.

Thanks

By: Joyce

Joyce — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:09:39 +0000

Carma,

That was a great quote you shared. I have seen the one Michelle shared (and it makes me cry everytime!) but the quote in your note was new to me and says so much in a few sentences.

Bryan,

My regrets with our 3 labs are the same as yours. To add one more, our 87 pound black lab thinks he’s a lap dog and climbs up on my lap occasionally. He stays long enough to get petted and his ears scratched and then he gets down. When he was a puppy, it was cute, but now he’s a lap-full and I can’t move! Hindsight tells me we won’t be allowing this with future dogs, even if it is cute at the puppy stage!

Have a great Memorial Day weekend, everyone!

By: Diana P.

Diana P. — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:46:48 +0000

Brian,

I too have some regrets with my dog buster (half Boston terrier and Chihuahua). I wish I would have socialized him more, even though I did take him through two obedience classes. He gets so excited when he meets other dogs that he frightens them. He is not aggressive but too over zealous. I would also have never let him on the couch. I can’t sit down without him wanting on my lap. But I can’t imagine what I would do without him. I wish I carried a camera on me at all times. Pets like kids are full of surprises and too often the best photos are missed!

By: Makata

Makata — Thu, 21 May 2009 10:57:14 +0000

I loved Chase on the weather yesterday. He was all into the TREATS! Reminded me of our dogs in the morning when we play “find”.

By: Carma

Carma — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:26:19 +0000

Michelle –
Of course that list made me cry. And while #5 may be true to an extent, the more you talk to your animals, the more they understand or can at least try.
It also reminds me of the quote that I have seen several times.
“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. ” –Anon.

By: Pam D

Pam D — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:02:50 +0000

Michele, the ten commandments made me cry but how true they are. I catch myself talking to the dogs all the time. I also tell them goodbye and I love you every morning when I leave for work and tell them goodnight when we go to bed. They are treated more like kids in our house than dogs. I have had to put dogs to sleep and it is one of the hardest things I have ever done but I could not bear to not be there with them when the time comes.

By: goldmom

goldmom — Sat, 16 May 2009 20:26:20 +0000

Bryan – There are lots of could have and should have things we could all probably relate to. I would like to stress the importance for everyone to have their pets confined when in a vehicle, even if it’s just to go to the store, or doggy daycare. It only takes a slight touch of the brakes or a swerve to send your pet flying. I have dogs and they are always crated, no matter what. The harnesses that attach to the seatbelts are readily available, either at a pet store or numerous on line companies. I cringe when I see people letting their dogs ride with heads hanging out the window. Also, people who let their dogs ride in the front seat. If the air bag goes off, your friend is probably not going to survive. Also, don’t let your pets ride in your laps while driving. The safest way to travel with them is in a crate or seatbelted. If you have an accident and require assistance, police and/or medical personnel don’t have to try and get past your dog to get to you…or your pet won’t take off running in fright. And PLEASE, don’t let your dogs ride in the back of a pickup, ever. Thanks for letting me put in my two cents worth. GoldMom

By: Michele

Michele — Sat, 16 May 2009 18:36:42 +0000

My list of what I should have and could have done with Lucca is long, but I can tell you it is possible to start training at three years old. He is slowing learning some things I wish I would have done when he was a puppy.

I would like to share the below even though this has nothing to do with the blog this week. I received this from a fellow pet lover. I don’t mean to make anyone cry, but it is so true.

A Pet’s Ten Commandments:

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

By: Carma

Carma — Fri, 15 May 2009 20:12:06 +0000

Three regrets I can think of right off the top of my head.
1) Not having Sadie go through the Therapy Dog and CGC programs. I know I could now, but I probably should have when we were still doing the obedience classes her first year and a half.

2) Not having many visitors to the house. We live in a smallish house and don’t have many guests. So when people do come over she is VERY excited to see them.

3) One thing that we taught her that I wish that we hadn’t. When we got the second cat, we at one point told the dog to “get the kitty”. SIGH. So now if we scold that cat, Sadie feels the need to be part of the disapline committee. Not good. For the record, Sadie doesn’t hurt her. She just chases her downstairs or tries to lick her (especially her ears).

We also found that teaching a dog new tricks does work. As she got older, certain things are easier to teach her. The “wait” trick with a treat on her nose would not have been possible in her puppystage. And we finally got her to walk normal using a Halti/Gentle Lead.

By: Freedom Chase

Freedom Chase — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:26:31 +0000

Allourcats ,

Mi is 21 Years Old , what a gift ! I would love to have a furry friend for that long .

We spoil both of our furry friends , they both came from a shelter and we both want to make up for what ever happened to them before . I know I know spoiled brats , most likely , but they do behave fairly well . The dog loves to ride in the truck and will sit on the seat next to you , and yes she has hit the floor a couple of times . She will raise cane if you try to put her in a seatbelt . The cat only goes in the car or truck if he is going to the vet and then he had better be in a carrier because he goes nuts , he does not like the vet.

Stay safe all .

Judy