Vanishing Collars
I must have jinxed myself by declining the new dog tag and nagging about how important I think collars/tags are because last Wednesday, Lilly’s went missing. Seriously. Vanished. No idea where it went.
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To Walk or Not to Walk
Typically, Lilly can tell from my morning routine whether or NOT I have time for a long walk. Sure, I’ve accidentally fooled her before, as told in Signs Point to Yes, but usually she knows or at least waits (somewhat) patiently until she has enough information. This process, including how she can guilt me into walking even when I’m short on time, inspired this story told in photos from Saturday morning.
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Reinvention and Bravery
Whether it’s because of the economy, reaching a certain age, or other even-less-pleasant circumstances, many people now seek some sort of reinvention in their lives. Yes, I’m talking to, you, (insert your name here).
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Dog Brag | Dog Life | Dog Musings | Hot News
My Dog is My Hero: Lilly Featured in New Book
Once upon a time there was a writer girl with a fearful dog, she started a blog to lament their failures, celebrate their successes, and chronicle their daily lives in hopes of someday getting a book deal … I’m happy to report good news.
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Gambling and the Fearful Dog
When we’re teaching or shaping a new dog behavior, many of use the click/treat strategy that marks the behavior (click or verbal marker like YES!) just before we reward the behavior (with food or a toy). Dogs need to know every time they get it right … at first. Later, we introduce more intermittent reinforecments, where the dog doesn’t know which correct response will earn a reward. We’re told that a variable reinforcement pattern is the MOST motivating one out there.
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One Last Shameless Plea for Votes
Voting for the DogTime Best Dog Blog Award ends tomorrow, Friday, Aug 20, so if you haven’t voted for us (using every email address you have), could you make time to do that today? Please? For extra credit, ask everyone you know to do the same. We’d be forever grateful.
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Dog Gripe | Dog Life | Dog Musings | Hot News
Last Week’s Scare: Excessive Drinking
In the midst of Ginko’s post-op infection worries from last week, he also began drinking and peeing excessively. And, I mean off … the … charts. He would literally stand next to the empty water bowl and cry. He also began waking us up early because he had to go so badly and because he desperately needed to drink more water.
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Please Stand By
We had a VERY important blog post scheduled for today, but there are a couple glitches in our lives that caused a delay. One is work-related. One is yet-another potential scare with Ginko’s health.We got some additional news on Tom’s health this week as well, so we could use some good mojo … if you have any today.
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Ginko Surgery Update and Dog Tag Giveaway
Oy! Last Thursday, Ginko finished taking his post-op antibiotics. And, based on the outcome of his surgical cultures, we hoped that would be enough. But … nope! By mid-day Saturday, his surgery knee produced a swollen/squishy spot about the size of a marble. The infection is back.
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Do You Know the Difference?
My colleague Lisa Collier Cool posted a nice piece on the HealthyMagination Blog in July about animal-assisted therapy (AAT) at a children’s hospital in Columbus, Ohio. It got me thinking.