Homer did not fit the profile of the typical dog daycare member. He was a chunky 7-year-old terrier mix that had spent his entire life sharing quiet evenings and weekends with his bookish owner. Yet he was the first to arrive at daycare on his welcome day. Because his owner was desperate. Homer’s attention seeking […]
Homer Goes to Daycare Read More »
As the holiday season approaches, pet parents may question if it’s really such a bad thing to share the feast with four-legged family members. Pets are loved and it is the season for giving. Surely a little bit of turkey is okay, right? Nobody likes a holiday buzzkill. And among children and guests, it is
Holiday Food Pet Safety Read More »
Tugger was a champion English cocker spaniel, the kind so handsome he spent years in the show ring alternating between four-square poses and trotting around the ring alongside his handler until invited to the stand to have his long lush ears pulled forward over his eyes while a judge conducted a knowing frisk. Maintaining favorite
The Petty Larcenist Read More »
Pets are family. Now more than ever pet owners want to feed their dogs and cats as they feed themselves: natural and free-from. Pet food companies have acknowledged the inner circle status of pets by offering a broad range of solution-oriented diets boasting high quality ingredients to improve health at every stage of life. Owners
How Fresh Is Your Pet’s Kibble? Read More »
Carmen was a gift to a brilliant veterinary student the breeder believed had saved the life of his dog and her unborn puppies. The student was enthralled with the delicate little dog, naming her after a favorite opera while building a contact list of canine couturiers. Just like that Carmen scored a personal physician and
From Fearful to Fun-loving Read More »
Friendly, sweet-natured Periwinkle spent the pandemic years holding down a sofa, a commitment on full display the afternoon I met with her owner. She did not budge when I knocked on the front door and, amazingly, did not bark. Around the open living area were bags of dog food and assorted treats, most within reach
Princess Drop & Drag Read More »
Never underestimate what your dog (or cat) can or will do when they want something badly enough. The Mischief-Maker is about Homer, a little dog that only wanted his owner’s time and attention but ended up feeling grumpy all the time because his favorite human was exasperated and exhausted by his persistent attempts to get
Is Your Pet Demanding? Read More »
Homer was 7 years old when we met, a short-legged roly-poly terrier mix with coarse grizzled fur, a black nose, and bright dark eyes under bushy brows. He looked like an animated stuffed animal yet behaved at times like a Borgia having a bad hair day. Homer and his owner were very unhappy. She was
The Mischief-Maker Read More »
Confident, athletic, and clever, Pepper’s adolescence had been particularly vexing for his owner, a busy corporate executive who desired the companionship of a dog without realizing how trying it can be to raise one. She had adopted Pepper at 6 months wanting to bypass the demands of house training, while hoping they could skip right
Turnabout is Fair Play Read More »
The publicity photo of Babe is from an earlier victory, before she swept the field to win her first national field trial championship in June of 1996, days before we met. Her owner was and is a wealthy philanthropist and renowned dog handler who hired me to walk Babe every weeknight at 10pm. I was
Harley’s Big Splash Read More »
Mister was eager, friendly, outgoing, and a world-class trash can raider. The latter was an addictive practice that occasionally broke my schedule when his owner forgot to relocate the kitchen trash can to a nearby closet. In 1995 Mister was two-years-old and eighty pounds of glossy black handsomeness. To my everlasting regret, the photo is
Snow Is Better With a Dog Read More »
Scout’s owners wanted their little dog to “talk” to them. Welcomed into their hearts and home at 9 weeks of age, Scout had reached the 16 week mark without a single woof. And the owners wanted very much to hear from her. Which they did about a month later when Mr. Doorbell beckoned and Scout
When I’m Calling Yoouuu! Read More »
