dogulove blog--reviews-opinion-advice about mutts and dogs

Running Smart

2010-05-07T00:08:00.000-07:00

Something interesting happened on our late afternoon run yesterday. About 3 minutes into the run we came upon a big condo building on the beach that had just been tented and fumigated for termites. The tent had just come off but the "danger fumigation" signs were still on the building and I didn't want us to run on the adjacent sidewalk like we normally do.

So as we approached I said to Muffin "let's go this way instead" and gently nudged her onto the sand about 20 feet from the chemical doused condos.

Twenty minutes later we're returning, running the opposite way approaching the building.

Muffin was now running ahead of me leash free.

Instead of taking the sidewalk as we always do, she stayed on the sand and avoided the building without me saying anything.
She had remembered what we did earlier and did not need to be told again.
It was 20 minutes later, we approached from the opposite end, and 1000 times before had always taken the sidewalk adjacent to the building. This is one dog with real intelligence and at 7 years old she still easily outruns me.

muffin...morning workout

2010-04-28T12:00:00.001-07:00

muffin...morning workout
Originally uploaded by dogulove

My little athlete loves to run and play ball.

Our Duncan (in Diaper) falls asleep on the red carpet

2010-04-22T22:36:00.001-07:00

Duncan sleeps next to JLo during the red carpet photos

Nubbins Actually Not a Disabled Dog

2010-04-22T21:08:00.001-07:00

In "The Back-Up Plan" Jennifer Lopez' character owns a socially conscious pet store. Hmm, now it's sounding interesting. I have a weekness for dog-centric movies–and this appears to fit the bill. Otherwise I would have steered far away from this one. Perhaps JLo would get along with our real-life wheelchair-bound, diaper-wearing, incontinent little pug–Duncan

Duncan–happy disabled boy

black pug in a white diaper

Nubbins–Wheelchair Dog Makes it Big

2010-04-22T20:44:00.001-07:00

Nubbins–a boston terrier– shines a light on disabled dogs everywhere. We have a disabled pug named Duncan. A black dog in a white diaper.

jonathan adler dog

2010-04-16T23:56:00.001-07:00

jonathan adler dog
Originally uploaded by dogulove

Muffin April 14–2010 in a little beach town in southern California–prepared for a very rare rain soaked morning walk–we got through it–and muffin made it touching and wonderful. We understand each other completely–I am with her far more than any other living being–we communicate effortlessly.

is your dog leash aware?

2010-03-10T20:40:00.000-08:00

You're walking your dog and approaching a tree or pole. Does Fido walk on the near side, close to you, avoiding a leash situation or does he take the far side forcing you to detour or reach around the tree with the leash?

In my post a few weeks ago about practical dog intelligence, I neglected to mention leash awareness.

Yes, Muffin is leash aware and does not walk on the wrong side of trees, poles or whatever obstacle we approach. On that rare occasion when it slips her mind, a gentle leash nudge is all it takes to correct her.

It's something I take for granted until I walk a dog like Sophie, a less experienced walker who seems to be absolutely clueless about the leash location, consistently taking the wrong route. A fun walk can be become a real drag if the dog is not leash aware.

Diaper Wearing Wheelchair Bound Pug

2010-02-26T19:18:00.000-08:00

Duncan: He plods around in his wheelchair with a runny nose, wears diapers, bumps into stuff and sleeps lots--stapled butt in the air and head buried in his heating pad.

It's not easy being a handicapped 13 year old pug.

Surrounded by lots of love, the increasingly frail and tired little guy hangs on. He and fellow pug, Reiley, are very close. Reiley will just sit there allowing Duncan to incessantly lick his face and body every chance he gets.

Besides love, feeding time is a joy he still relishes as he gobbles his wet food with gusto, leaving much of it smeared on his face. He'll swallow hard treats almost whole and can't chew very well so he's now limited to only the soft stuff. When hungry before his breakfast and dinner, he'll yelp like a hoarse seal. When not eating he sleeps or combs the yard for poop with an ability to uncover the most miniscule nugget hidden in the grass. Although lately he seems a bit too foggy to engage in this repulsive pursuit.

Like too many pugs Duncan is the victim of shamefully exploitive breeding. His spine, after two operations and extensive rehab has continued to degenerate. Over the past few years his hind legs slowly failed him as he was rendered incontinent. Sharon delayed getting him wheels because they would surely have eliminated what little strength and movement remained in his hind quarters.

It was remarkable to see how his spirit and vigor returned when he got his wheels almost a year ago. Until that time I had only known him as handicapped, slowly dragging along, chest and front legs getting stronger as the rest of him weakened. He had his good days where his legs seemed to work pretty well, and others where he could barely get around.

The moment he got his wheelchair, little 10 lb. duncan was on Red Bull, zipping around the yard like a bumper car gone wild. No training or treats were needed, he just zigged and zagged like he was born on wheels. He even devised a way of sleeping while in the wheelchair and it's actually better for his delicate, sore-ridden, stapled buttocks to remain elevated. When it's warm outside he'll bake in the therapeutic sun for hours. When the early evening chill sets in, he does his seal yelp and demands to be reunited with his heating pad.
Through it all Duncan has it pretty good: big yard, warm climate, caring mom (Sharon) and his doggy mates Reiley, little Sophie and Muffin--who ignores or growls at him--and his 2 coveted meals. He's also been battling reoccurring urinary tract infections but his determined little spirit propels him onwards.

MUTTS RULE!!!

2010-02-17T17:42:00.000-08:00

A couple of Peta protesters disrupted final round of the Westminster Dog Show last night at Madison Square Garden. Good for them!!! All dogs are wonderful and should be celebrated, but shouldn't brains and struggle count for something too? These shows are simply vapid expensive beauty contests featuring coddled dogs, only required to look right and walk around in a circle. Thank you Peta for telling these nudnicks what many of us mutt people needed to hear. And as for the winner, Sadie--George W. Bush had a Scottie and it was the only thing I liked about the guy, but who wants to be reminded of those years!

Muffin Got Me A Valentines Card!

2010-02-14T22:54:00.000-08:00

Would you rather have spent valentines day with your pet than your partner? I spent mine with both, but a new poll shows that in the US 27% would rather spend it with their pet. Muffin even gave me such a sweet card today. Here is it...

Practical Dog Intelligence--Does your dog have it?

2010-01-29T15:32:00.000-08:00

First let me get this out of the way--Muffin is the smartest dog I've ever known and probably smarter than all the dogs I don't know.
OK, now you're mad because your dog is smart too.
A smart dog understands what is expected of her and acts accordingly with all of her spirit, playfulness, and dignity intact.
Many of the smart tests online are more than ludicrous. Some involve throwing a towel over your dog's face and measuring how many seconds it takes to fling it off. Or putting a treat under a low surface or in one upside down cup out of three and determining her ability to remove the treat or identify the correct cup.
Ohh Puhleeeze!
Muffin would ace these (she can sniff out balls 20 feet above, 5 feet in the ground, anywhere in the car, and hundreds of feet away on the beach) and I wouldn't even insult her intelligence by subjecting her.

Practical intelligence is far more important, useful and enhances every moment we spend together.

Below are 10 examples of practical canine intelligence.

I often hear excuses for dogs that rip up couches or topple the trash when they are left alone. "Oh my dog is so smart that it needs to occupy himself this way"--Pure Bull. A smart dog understands this is wrong and and won't do it. An uncanny thing about Muffin--she has never touched anything but her own toys and balls here in the house. Never picked up a slipper, never chewed a pillow, never went near the very accessible trash can, nada!
Muffin is tuned into me at all times, looking directly at me often. Exploring the beach or walking ahead on the sidewalk, she will always check back to see where I am, always staying within a reasonable distance. She's loyal, dedicated, and we're always on the same wavelength.
Leash free walks are stress free. Again there is a psychological connection. She knows to stay put at curbs and wait for my command "OK!" to proceed.
She's wary of strangers and doesn't blindly cling to strange people or dogs. When strangers approach her she won't automatically let them touch or pet her and scurries away. My reply: "you have to earn her friendship and trust". That's how it should be. Sweet but savvy.
She'll bark at external things when at home, but never at me. If she needs something she'll sit quietly or touch me with her paw. If I can't find her ball, she'll look towards where it is (i.e. under the couch) and then look back at me. Her bullysticks are always on top of the refridge--I'll say "what do you want?"--she'll look up there then back to me.
When she wants to play ball, she'll sneak it next me and there it is when I turn around. She aces the intellegence toys immedietely too, like the IQube Puzzle Plush Dog Toy and the Kyjen IntelliBone Puzzle.
Muffin has a remarkable ability to know if I'm going to leave without her, picking up the most subtle cues and remembering them even after a long walk. For instance--if I closed the sliding doors slightly and put on something decent to wear--she won't want to come back inside after a walk. And won't chase her ball down the stairs making me retrieve it while she waits at the door! When I do finally say "you're going to stay here"--she goes to her spot on the couch and mopes.
She never forgets routine things like knowing where to go when it's time to brush her (out to the porch) or hulking under the desk when I take the toothbrush out and making me follow her into a corner in the closet. OK, so this does cause some anxiety and she's not the ultimate angel here, but eventually she does get her teeth brushed, they look terrific and her breath is great!
If I'm on the phone she waits until I say "bye" or "talk to ya later" before asking for anything.
Her vocabulary is immense, she always understands what I'm telling her, and reacts to the the most subtle body language. Her understanding of words is more about the tone and emphasis rather than the word itself. She uses her ears, eyes, expression, and body language to talk to me.

Yes there are some things I wish she wouldn't do. There are a few dogs in the hood she just seems to hate--her anger becomes so intense (heavy breathing and pulling) that I need to leash her and hold her back. Usually they are terriers or the 2 Shar pei's that drive her nuts whenever she hears them walking by outside.
Sit, stay, paw, lie down, yeah she does all that, but smart goes way beyond the rudimentary stuff. Muffin communicates constantly and wants you to reciprocate. She just gets it.

Balls Beach Rain and Dogs in CA

2010-01-23T23:57:00.000-08:00

Yes it was a most unusual week in Los Angeles. It rained. When it rains around here streets flood, roofs leak, people can't drive, dogs don't want to poop.
Hah! Just got a hard face licking from Muffin, she's hungry. OK back to rain. Although we took no runs together this week she got in a couple of great beach workouts.
Muffin lights up and goes nuts as she quickly comprehends that we're hitting the beach with whatever tennis ball she's into that week. This week it's been a full-size yellow one that she found at the front of our building and wouldn't put down when I told her it was too dirty. I've since cleaned it.

She jumps up at me and barks on our entire 50 ft walk to the beach. My first throw sails above the sidewalk adjacent to the beach, she runs, catches it after the first bounce, then hits the beach and starts digging a hole. She likes to find a shallow pre-dug hole, drops the ball in and furiously digs around it, then jumps back and waits for me to throw it.
She races as the ball soars 200 feet or so makes a sliding stop as she fields it with her mouth and runs back to me and the hole. After a few throws and lots of digging she flops down in the hole and rests for a few minutes before the digging begins anew. Her face has a huge energized smile the entire time.

Sometimes she'll fling the ball out of the hole and I can't find it. She then will just look at and pivot her face back to me until I see it.
Brilliant little girl.
She'll be seven next month but has barely slowed down and can run with the best of them. Thanks to her I've become an expert thrower, on the beach, in here against the door, down the stairwell, she always makes a Derek Jeter like play and brings it back.

We get back to my place--I think she's done and ready to collapse, but every time she still wants to do a few stairway fetch runs and then collapses on her side. When she lies on her side, I know she's tired.
After the rains the sand and sky looked like a different planet, the moon meets the mojave.

Another sublime little experience with my little girl. Sorry to be corny, but I really have the best times with her.

Signs That Piss Me Off!

2009-09-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

Where I live we have lots of beach but very little actual green grass.
Dogs love grass, it's one of their few simple pleasures.

We like to think we live in an enlightened era, accepting of dogs, but do we? Here in LA you cannot bring a dog anywhere but a pet store and the few brave cafes who will sidestep the law and allow them on the outside patio. Dogs are technically not even allowed to even touch the sand on a beach with a leash -unless it's one of the very few dog beaches!
Between the houses near our bungalow are these compact grass courtyards that Muffin enjoys peeing on, pooping (of course this gets picked up immediately), and sniffing, but I can't let her play there anymore with her ball--not when every single courtyard now has signs reading--"CAUTION: THIS LAWN HAS BEEN TREATED WITH A CHEMICAL THAT MAY BE HARMFUL TO YOUR PETS".
Wow.
What if the word pets was replaced by KIDS? And what does this mean exactly? Instead of signs threatening to poison my little girl, why not something instead that threatens the owners, like "Have fun but you better pick up the poop and limit the peeing and we're watching you". Pets face enough hazards already. Why create more while depriving them of yet another place to frolic?

First post from iPhone

2009-07-31T23:39:00.001-07:00

Muffin lying in her freshly dug hole a liitle spent after all the
frenzied digging.
This is fabulous exercise for the little girl. Between the digging--
our runs together--and the fetch the ball and run up and down the
stairway--she is truly a physical specimen with amazing running
jumping and mental acuity.

dumbest dog product ever

2009-07-02T14:49:00.000-07:00

Looking for a useless, expensive, cumbersome, and totally ridiculous mess of a product to futz with while walking fido? We’ll I’ve found it for you...The Pawsby PooPatroller could easily be mistaken for a joke, but it appears to be real since they bothered to take out a quarter page ad in Modern Dog magazine in addition to a professional looking website with flash video. Why anyone would want this thing is beyond me. It’s a clumsy contraption with a built in crank flashlight, hygienic concealed poop bag holder, removable water bowl, attached hemp leash--you actually have to hold this thing while it’s attached to your dog--which gives you no control of sudden leash jerks or pulling--and it has little compartment that holds a few dog treats. The price--$84.95 includes 350 biodegradable waste bags, which would be it’s only saving grace. You can actually buy only the 350 bags on their site for $53.50.
That’s still a very high price compared to an Amazon seller where 700 Biodegradable, Dog Waste Bags, Pet Waste Bags - BLUE + FREE Dispenser
can be had for only $19.98. Perhaps this contraption’s only purpose is to grab your attention so you’ll buy their bags..that must be it!!
Their own promotional video does a horrible job of trying to sell this. Just watch how much time and effort it takes to load a single bag onto the holder!
If you’re too squeamish to pick up your dogs poop you shouldn’t have a dog. Poop cleanup with with a bag in your hand should be second nature. Apparently you can place the loaded bag back into the device until you find a trash can. Ughhh. If anyone actually has this thing, please tell me all about your experience!

treats--food--collars--bowls...everyday muffin stuff

2009-06-20T14:46:00.000-07:00

Muffin's everyday stuff...

muffin waits for dinner

2009-06-06T21:26:00.001-07:00

Special dinner tonight--tripe!! Whenever I add some canned tripe to her Honest Kitchen Embark--Muffin becomes mesmerized and hyper focused on her meal. She absolutely craves the tripe and can smell it right through the unopened can. Tripe--as I have mentioned before--is a superfood for dogs--very very healthy. Slide the narrow bar below the photos to see them all.

who would you save? husband or wife or dog? correct answer--DOG

2009-06-04T17:21:00.000-07:00

A tsunami strikes--a real life possibility here on beach near venice, ca--in a split second you must decide who to save--your wife/husband (or girlfriend) or your dog. For me this was easy--although I deeply care about Sharon--I'm diving for Muffin first.

If you were really honest I’m sure many would answer the same way. I know muffin would do anything for me at any time unconditionally--no ifs ands or buts. Would Sharon do the same? I’m sure she would but I’m still saving muffin first. She was a little upset after the earthquake because I leeped for Muffin first. Sure I’m shooting myself in the foot--but I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

You probably already heard about the man who rescued his very cute 2yr old 14 lb rat terrier from the jaws of a shark in the Florida keys last October 2008. Remarkably after getting stitched up from the bite wounds Jake the dog was not critically injured and made a full recovery. The owner dived into the sharks head like a battering ram--arm extended--fist first--punching the shark--and releasing Jake from its jaws. Tough situation to fathom, but I certainly would fight with everything I had if this happened to Muffin. I’d rather be dead then live after seeing her go this way. What do you think...

Earthquake Tonight!! Dogs are Fine!

2009-05-17T23:17:00.000-07:00

Wow--the house was shakin' tonight and it was violent and scary--luckily everyone is OK and nothing fell down. I was here at Sharon's in Redondo Beach--very close to the epicenter in El Segundo.
I pannicked and my first instinct was to protect Muffin, but she was fine and I banged my foot into the kitchen doggie gate! After 15 seconds--always feels longer though--it stopped. I was in LA in 1994 for the big Northridge Quake and all the quakes since then. This was definitely very intense--I really thought the house was going to crumble, worst one I can remember since '94. Didn't even check the garage yet, where lot's of boxes are stored above the car. The Cal Tech earthquake gurus said it was only a 4.7 but it really felt more like a 6.0. Well, going to try to sleep now--Muffin, Sophie and Sharon are already in bed. The pugs--Reilly & Duncan--are asleep in their kitchen bed.

Doorbells on TV and Barking Dogs

2009-05-15T01:16:00.000-07:00

Does your dog bark when she hears the TV doorbell?
Why so many doorbells on TV??
Muffin lets me know she's just heard a TV doorbell by barking and running to the door--ready to tear the invisible man behind it to shreds.
We don't even have a doorbell--I think she's rarely if ever actually heard one. Either I'm watching too much television or there are too many ringing doorbells on TV. Luckily she doesn't do this every single time and isn't a big TV watcher unless she hears a TV squeaky toy.
Tune in now and you'll hear doorbells on...

pizza commercials
dog shows like Dog Whisperer and It's Me or The Dog--not a big fan of hers
pizza commercials
hmmm--just about any show or commercial

Now I shudder every time I hear the damn TV doorbell--and they never stop!
Look for my set-top TV Doorbell Silencer soon.

REVIEW--Secret to a Shiny Healthy Coat and Less Itch--Dr. Harvey's Health & Shine

2009-05-14T17:35:00.000-07:00

These little capsules have probably improved Muffin’s appearance and health--and she was always beautiful--more than any other product. About 3 years ago the soft silky lustrous coat she now wears was slightly coarse not too shiny and quite itchy. Back then I just figured it was in her makeup and let it be. As I acquired more dog smarts--better foods definitely made some subtle improvements but not enough.
The secret is omega 3 fatty acids or fish oil. The benefits of a diet rich in omega 3’s are HUGE for both humans and dogs.
What can fatty acids do for your dog? Where do I begin?
• nourish the skin-promote a shiny coat-reduced shedding
• anti-inflammatory properties fight joint pain and arthritis
• can treat allergies, high cholesterol, kidney disease
• promotes a healthy heart and better circulation
• slows cancer growth
• improves immune system
• promotes a healthy brain and can slow mental decline
Certain dog foods have some omega 6 fatty acids, but if you’re feeding dry food your fido is definitely lacking in the crucially important omega 3’s.
Now here’s the big problem with adding an actual oil to your dogs food--they are messy and the fishy smell stinks up everything from your counter top and hands to your dogs mouth. You also want a very pure oil free of the toxins found in fish and oceans. Some brands seemed to soften her poop too much--and it’s important to experiment with the dosage until you get the perfect poop. Do not do what I once did--gave Muffin my own Trader Joes Omega capsules. After a day or she smelled like stale fish and was probably way too high a dose!
These Health and Shine capsules are EASY and don’t stink. Doctor Harvey’s has an actual pioneering veterinarian behind it--Dr. Harvey Cohen--who uncovered the importance human grade pet foods and over-vaccinating--and helped many dogs lead better, longer lives. Muffin’s food--Honest Kitchen-- needs to hydrate in warm water for about 10 minutes--so the capsule begins to dissolve beforehand. You’ll see the effects after a couple of weeks--and as I always say--the extra money spent now on things like quality food and supplements will save you a bundle in present and future vet bills.
• A jar of 90 capsules--muffin gets 1/day--should run about $20-$25.
This is simply great stuff--start using it now.

Bath Photos of Muffin & Sophie Using Doc Ackerman's Shampoo

2009-05-09T00:28:00.000-07:00

Top photo--me bathing Muffin with Doc Ackerman's Botanical Colloidal Oatmeal Shampoo--look at that incredible lustrous healthy coat right after the bath! Sweet little Sophie in the tub--lower right.

REVIEW--Give The Dog A Bath--The BEST Dog Shampoo

2009-05-08T13:52:00.000-07:00

Look no further--this is the best shampoo for dogs. Most dogs have dry or sensitive skin and many shampoos--including baby shampoo--are too harsh--irritating--artificial--and heavily scented--for our sensitive dogs. Doc Ackerman’s Botanical Colloidal Oatmeal Shampoo
has proven itself time and again with our combined 4 dogs. Yes, you can find hipper bottles and trendier brands--the name sounds a bit hoaky and lenghthy--and the Doc’s website looks like it hasn’t been tweaked since 1995. But 10 years went into developing this stuff--the company has been around since 1979 and in today’s fast track culture this company retains a homegrown authentic pedigree. And you get a very generously sized bottle for only about 12 bucks. Colliodal Oatmeal is very finely ground or pulverized oatmeal and has been utilized for centuries to treat skin problems. It supposedly binds to the skin--moisturizing and softening--all natural. Unlike my Pantene shampoo (which I’m going to stop using)--Doc Ackerman’s has no Lauryl Sulfate--a harsh irritant deemed somewhat toxic yet found in myriad consumer products. We’ve used Doc Ackerman’s on Muffin and Sharon’s three dogs--pugs--Reilly and Dumb Duncan-who at 12 is incontinent and pees on himself--and little papillon mix--Sophie. It leaves all of them soft and silky and much less itchy--with a light vanilla bean scent--fresh but not over-powering. It certainly doesn’t have that cheap cologne scent common in many dog shampoos. I love Muffin’s natural frito-like scent and after a week and a half it comes back again as the shampoo fades. If you have very smelly dogs like pugs, I reccomend leaving the shampoo on for at least 10 minutes and scrubbing very thoroughly! It won’t hurt their eyes and rinses out well. Don’t bathe your dog more than once a week with any shampoo or you’ll wash off their natural oils. Brushing is a great way to mantain a healthy glossy coat. I use the Furminator--wow the price on this has really come down!--on Muffin 2-3 times/week and she glows aftwarwards. She also gets a Dr. Harvy’s Health and Shine Essential Fatty Acid Supplement every day. Review coming soon--these are fabulous--with huge benefits for Muffin’s coat--reduced shedding and itching--and overall health. You won’t find these great products--aside from the FURminator for an inflated price--WOW $45 at Petco online and probably more at the store --at your typical corporate pet emporioum--but I urge you too seek them out or use my links. You and your doggie will not be dissapoointed.

Runyon Canyon with Muffin & Sophie

2009-05-01T00:13:00.000-07:00

Me & Muffin

Muffin & Sophie

So a few weeks ago we hiked Runyon Canyon--right in the heart of hollywood, ca--it’s a nice hike with some stunning views--but the best part--it’s all about the dogs. Dogs rule at Runyon Canyon and thats really what makes it special. Many dog-centric celebs frequent the park too, but I really couldn’t care less about that stuff. It was a rare chilly, windy day in socal--wish it could have been a little more balmy. Anyway--if you’re headed here from the 101 freeway via the Barham exit--DO NOT trust the directions given on the iPhone! Navigating the myriad steep, narrow mountain roads with tons of little turn-offs proved too challenging for Sharon’s iPhone--as much as I love the thing.
We started the hike from the top--off Mullholland, worked our way down and back up again. Certain sections were designated off-leash and I wanted to just keep Muffin off the leash the entire hike.
BUT--
my last hike with Muffin went very badly through no fault of her own. We hiked Coral Canyon in Malibu. Usually Muffin leads the way with a big smile and lots of energy. On this hike about halfway through she became very clingy with me and seemed uncomfortable. Finally when we took a water break I saw something crawling on her little head--TICKS!! I panicked! I tried to pull them off her but there was little I could do until we got back down. I put her on a bench, and Sharon had a brush but there were still too many all over the place. I was having a heart attack as Sharon drove to the vet where Muffin got a tick bath. After getting her home we pulled about 6 more dead ticks out of the poor little girl and for the next month I was feeling her constantly expecting to find more--and a couple more turned up!! I said NEVER AGAIN--our hiking days are OVER!! Until Runyon Canyon.
These memories were still fresh when I asked a nice dog walker about the tick situation here in Runyon Canyon--he said there are definitely ticks out there but his dogs had Frontline on and it kept them at bay. Well, I try not to use these poisons unless absolutely necessary and I’m striving to be all natural these days with my flea and tick treatments. Muffin had nothing on--no poison and no natural stuff. SO the entire time I kept here on shortish leash in the middle of the trail while thoughts of ticks jumped around my nervous noggin. Naturally we did not enjoy the experience as much as we should have, but at least she emerged tick free.
For all of you that don’t have my hang-ups it’s a great way to spend a couple of hours and finding anyplace that welcomes dogs in LA is not so easy. There were more dogs than people and all were well behaved, except for the few people that were too busy to notice their dogs were pooping. We read a few reviews saying that poop was everywhere and be careful not to step in it--well that really wasn’t the case. I’ve seen more poop on my beach in Marina Del Rey and on New York City sidewalks than I witnessed on this hike, so don’t worry about that. If Muffin had some kind of tick repellant on her and I wasn’t such a nervous nellie, we could have had a much better experience. But simply spending time with my little girl is ALWAYS a great experience!

DOGA--Yoga With Your Dog

2009-04-08T21:41:00.000-07:00

Now instead of doing it alone, you and your four legged better half can bond even further through DOGA. Yes, Doga, yoga you do with your dog. OK, at first glance today's New York Times Doga article was downright ridiculous. Combining massage, meditation with some light stretching, Doga unites human and dog on the yoga mat.
Yoga is something that's always scared me a little. I picture myself clumsily flailing about in a pool of sweat while lithe lovely young models just a few feet away snicker and sneer. However...if I could yoga with Muffin--and she already knows the downward dog-- yes I would try it immediately. Dogs break the ice, the tension, the stone cold seriousness of most any situation. And that's where Doga may excel, the more stuff Muffin and I can do together the happier we are. As the article illlustrates, you need the yoga, your dog needs your attention, and the bonding benefits the health of pet and partner. "Were it not for their pets, many people would never take daily walks in the park. By extension, it’s easy to see how taking your dog to doga may be a surefire way to make certain you do yoga yourself." --NYT Photo by Michael Nagle for The New York Times

A Dog Show for Mutts! Nuts for Mutts

2009-04-07T16:47:00.000-07:00

Sick and tired of stuffy ridiculously lame purebred dog shows? Oooh look, that lovely little Yorkie can stand still while getting its butt inspected before walking around in a circle--on a leash!
Now let’s do it all over again with another 100 or so carefully bred professional dogs that probably can’t do much of anything.
How about a dog show featuring the best dogs in the world--MUTTS! And these mutts compete in interesting categories like...
• Most Vocal
• Best Physically Challenged
• Best Smile
• Cutest Mutt Couple
• Most Toy/Ball Crazy (Muffin should enter this one!)
• Best Kisser
• Best...Lab Mix--Shepherd Mix--Pit Bull Mix
• Best Trick
And over a dozen more! Nuts For Mutt’s Dog Show and Pet Fair near Los Angeles celebrates the mutt and 2009 will mark it’s 8th year. Sorry, no purebreds allowed--you guys can enjoy your Westminster snooze fest--kudos to 10 yr old Stump.
The show raises funds for New Leash on Life Animal Rescue, a local non-profit that rescues and rehabs homeless pets. Over 500 dogs will compete and you can bring your dog even if she is not competing. Over 10,000 dog lovers will attend on May 17, 2009. See the Nuts for Mutts website for pricing and tons of other info.
Sounds like a lotta fun.

Want this Apt ? Must Have A Dog or Two !!

2009-04-03T16:26:00.000-07:00

Now how cool is this??
If you happen to be looking for an apartment for you and your pooch most of the time you’ll be slammed with something like--“no pets”--and if you’re lucky maybe the ad will say --“pets OK”.
But when was the last time they hit you with--“Must Have 1 or 2 Dogs”!!
Ahh some truly enlightened souls still do exist in California despite the high taxes, traffic, and smog. This ad was found in the Feb/March issue of The Pet Press, a local free paper here in Los Angeles.
If you have actually shuffled through any apartment listings lately you probably noticed lots more “Pets OK” thanks to the recession. Your local greedy landlord just cannot afford to be Mr. “NO” anymore. So despite all the gloom and doom blather, it’s actually a pretty good time to be looking for a pet friendly rental apartment, and rents have actually come down a little too. And I’m usually the glass is half empty guy!

REVIEW: The BEST Bully Sticks -- MOO

2009-03-04T15:40:00.000-08:00

Most dogs have never run into problems from chewing on rawhide, but the dangers are real.
Rawhide consists of actual animal hides whose origins are largely unknown and virtually unregulated! In short the hides are treated with harsh toxins and bleaches leaving behind residues of formaldehyde and arsenic! I certainly would never give these to Muffin after reading this must-read article from my friends at Tails of Santa Monica. The hide can also expand in the stomach, resutling in serious gastrointestinal issues like intestinal blockage.
Thankfully there are plenty of great alternatives. Muffin’s favorite chew would be the bully stick. She loves chomping on these sticks almost as much as playing with her mini blue squeak tennis ball. Air Kong Air Squeaker Balls, Extra Small

The best ones I’ve found are Moo Free Range Dog Chews from a company called Free Range Dog Chews. What’s great about them?
• They are odor free as result of correct manufacturing procedures (some bully sticks smell awful!)
• Sourced from 100% Brazilian Free Range cattle
• They are free of hormones, antibiotics, and animal by products
• Manufactured in the company’s own facilities, inspected through every processing step and meet all strict USDA standards.
• Very digestible and may benefit teeth and gums (although not a substitute for regular brushing)
All I know is that they are much safer then any rawhide and how many companies can actually claim these high standards?
All the dogs crave these, and Muffin will literally sit next the refrigerator alternately looking at me and then to the top of the re-fridge where I keep them. She’s 18 lbs and I give the 6“ or 7“ sticks. She’ll usually make it halfway through one in about 30 to 40 minutes. I’ll tell her she’s had enough, she’ll take a big drink of water, and I’ll save the other half for next time. Although she’s a very thorough and conscientious chewer, I’ll usually ask her to put it down when 2” or 3” are still left just to make sure she doesn’t accidently swallow a big chunk.
She’s inherited my yuck factor of not taking things from someone else’s mouth! If Sophie or the pugs start the stick, muffin won’t go near it! And like her daddy, she’ll almost never drink from someone else’s water bowl, especially if it looks the slightest bit dirty.Such a smart little girl.

REVIEW: Best Dog Groomer-BUBBLES PET SPA, Torrance, CA

2009-02-25T00:52:00.000-08:00

Before finding Bubbles Pet Spa my dog grooming experiences left me frustrated and unfulfilled. I stopped going to one after they cut Muffin's nails too short. They bled all over the carpet when we got home. Sure mistakes get made, but it would have been wise for them to inform me. That way I would have tried to keep her solitary for a while and avoided a mess that Muffin felt absolutely awful about.
Here a few things you should expect from a dog groomer...
• Is the facility clean, freshly scented, and open, with no secret back rooms?
• Is is staffed with dog people who understand how to relate to me and my mutt?
• Are the dogs already there happy and calm?
• Are they open 7 days a week with the option to book online?
YES YES YES and YES to all of the above at Bubbles.
• Do they keep all previous instructions and prior groomers readily accessible on their computers. YES
--i.e.: I should not have to specify each time that I don’t want their whiskers cut and leave the ears as long as possible.
• Is the name of last groomer and length of cut also in front of them? YES
• Hair Length-I love that they have an actual chart showing me exactly the different length options. I would always have to tell my old groomer, “well umm make it pretty short but not too short...” Now WYSIWYG!!
• Are they fast, yet thorough and gentle?
YES, they are always done sooner than expected and when I arrive Muffin and Sophie are in large clean cages patiently waiting with their sweet pink bandanas.
• A regular grooming includes a brushing, bath, haircut, nails trimmed, ears cleaned and excess hair pulled out, anal glands cleaned.
• Paws are always perfectly tapered and trimmed, coat is cut evenly and super silky soft, and they smell clean and fresh for days . Although I must admit, I love Muffin’s natural corn chip-like aroma!
• They offer many other special services like pickup and delivery, furminator treatments, special shampoos, do it yourself wash, “Hydro Bath”.
• Coupons and discounts are frequently mailed out.
This review is for the Torrance Location. Other location is in Manhattan Beach, CA.
We’ve been there about 6 times, usually with just Muffin and Sophie. Sometimes with Muffin, Sophie and the dumb pugs.
Very comprehensive website with all the info:
http://www.bubblespetspa.com/

Happy Sixth Birthday Muffin!

2009-02-24T13:11:00.000-08:00

Muffin, born on the streets of East Los Angeles, turns six years old today.
She’s in great shape, very happy but always a little cynical. Hard to believe she’s almost a senior already. It scares me! We have such a limited window with our dogs and it’s now so hard to imagine an existence without her. Sure I may be getting ahead of myself, instead focusing on the here and now. Yes, every single day that she is here with me I am truly blessed. There is no greater love in my life and if that sounds weird, than either you’ve never had a dog or you’ve never truly bonded with one.
Kudos to Mickey Rourke for thanking his dogs and being honest about how important they are in his life!
Without saying a word we can say volumes to each other. Her eyes, ears, and face are constantly speaking to me. I thought we’d start the day with a good 26 minute run this morning. She was smiling the entire time and then wanted to do the ball throwing stair workout when we got back home. She’s propelled me to run faster and happier. No longer focused on my aches and pains, instead watching her compact athletic frame and happy face setting the pace as we run through life together.

CENTINELA GREED

2009-02-04T14:24:00.000-08:00

Centinela Feed is a store that I strive to like but alas always leave angry or upset.
They are a homegrown so-cal chain and stock a pretty good variety of high (and low) quality dog foods (although not Muffin’s Honest Kitchen food), treats, toys and accessories.
I certainly would go there way before stepping inside the national rip-off chains like Petco or Petsmart.
But I may have finally endured my last visit.
Every Sunday I diligently clip their coupon from the LA Times. It's always promised 15% off whatever you buy. For a couple of weeks they actually raised it to 20% before quietly reverting back. These coupons are good for 13 days.
Keep in mind that minus the coupons their prices are solidly on the high side and there stores always feel kinda depressing and strange, like the feng shui is just way off.
Anyway I’m in there last Sunday buying a flea comb and they tell me they will not accept my coupon because it expired the day before!!! Give your local customer a break!! I took the time to clip the damn thing and kept it in my wallet all week!! At Bed, Bath & Beyond the coupons NEVER expire and Ralph’s usually accepts expired coupons too. They gave some excuse about the bar code and the policy blah blah.
Now comes the really sneaky part. Last night I stop in to pick up some bully sticks for Muffin (at the rip-off price of $3.99 each no less!). I diligently made sure I had the current coupon with me and proudly handed it to the cashier. She points out that this coupon is only good on a $50 minimum purchase. WHAT!! When did this happen?? They just snuck that in there for the first time!!! Up until now there was never a minimum.
Ah yes, now “EVERYTHING” doesn’t actually mean everything unless you spend $50.00!!
CENTINELA GREED.

It's a new day finally! Muffin is ready for HOPE & CHANGE!

2009-01-21T13:47:00.000-08:00

Little Muffin has known only one president in her years here on earth, that guy whose name rhymes with tush. Now we’re elated about President Obama!
We got up early for our morning walk the day he was sworn in.
The beach just radiated with a heavenly other-worldly glow. The light, lifting fog, sand, ocean and cloud formations were spectacular. A new dawn was upon us.
You could definitely feel and see that this was a special morning. A true catharsis swept over us, and for the first time in eight long years I am excited and optimistic about our outstanding new president, the nation, and the small world we all share.

Can't bring the dog? Then forget it, I'm staying home!!

2009-01-21T12:39:00.000-08:00

A bratty little 2 year old is crying, screaming and bothering everybody, yet I am forced to leave my polite, sweet Muffin at home. Please explain why kids are allowed to get away with this while quiet, trained dogs are forcibly separated from their loving owners. Not fair!
A dog is only with you on this earth for a limited amount of time and I am determined to spend that precious time with Muffin. She just makes the experience so much better and loves to be included. So if you are a dog owner, always ask a cafe or restaurant if they allow dogs and let them know your utter disappointment when they don’t.
A few places here in LA that should allow dogs outside but don’t are Jerry’s Deli, Urth Cafe, and Starbucks. However, a great place near the ocean in Venice is the Canali Cafe. They always welcome Muffin on the comfortable patio, and the food is quite good. Cafe Mermaids near my gym and overlooking the boats is also a rare find that welcomes dogs. In Culver City with it’s hip new restaurant scene, M Cafe was very enthusiastic about accommodating dogs on the patio. I haven’t actually been yet, but it looks delicious good and is part of the same group that owns Chaya Venice and Chaya Brasserie.

Muffin Whisperer-She just gets it.

2009-01-07T22:06:00.000-08:00

When I watch the dog god, Cesar Millan, I usually feel sorry for his victims - those dog moms and dads who either got stuck with a difficult pooch or have a good dog but no clue about how to proceed from there.
I look at Muffin and think, yeah I’m a great dad. Most everything that Cesar teaches is just common sense to me. But perhaps being a dad to Muffin has also spoiled me somewhat. She just gets it and really never had any behavior issues.
Here’s a list of eleven of the myriad things Muffin does right naturally...
1. She has never even touched an object that wasn’t given to her. She knows the difference between her balls and my socks.
2. Although she’s and aggressive chewer with her bully sticks and green breath bones, again she’s never touched a chair leg or anything else.
3. I can leave the kitchen trash can filled with food and she will never touch it whether I’m home or out.
4. When we’re out walking if someone is on their own lawn muffin will skip it and not pee or poop there.
5. She has no hang-ups with vacuum cleaners or any household appliances.
6. I can let her off leash and never worry about her wandering. She would never stray too far from me and always checks to make sure I’m still there.
7. The only people she barks at are the same ones I would bark at, creepy people who convey a strange or toxic energy.
8. She doesn’t like to play with other dogs, so daddy doesn’t need to worry about her getting hurt or roughed up.
9. When I say I’m leaving she just goes to her spot on the couch & sulks, she’s too upset to give me a kiss but lets me kiss her goodbye. (It’s so hard to leave her-why shouldn’t she be allowed everywhere I go!!??? That’s an upcoming blog post.)
10. She’s never a nuisance, she reads me. When I’m chilling she’s chilling.
11. Her ability to read my eyes is extraordinary. She constantly initiates and holds eye contact. She understands the distinctions of my expressions and voice tonality. Her face, eyes and ears are extraordinarily expressive. She has dozens of ear positions (one back

one forward, both back, both up or down). We can speak to each other without saying a word.
This is just the tip of the Muffin iceberg. Sure she has a few minor issues, but considering all the things she gets right, I can gladly live with her few little idiosyncrasies.

wow, that’s my girl

Muffin at The Del Mar Dog Beach!

2008-12-12T21:05:00.000-08:00

After a thanksgiving in San Diego, me & Sharon took Muffin and Sophie to the Del Mar Dog Beach on the way back to LA.
Me and the Muffin had a blast. Since Muffin already lives on a beach, she swiftly found her groove. I throw the tennis ball about 80 ft, she leaps into the air with a perfectly timed jump, catches it and brings it back to me. Doing this on my beach can be punished with a $250 ticket!!
You read correctly!
So here she got to show off her skills with a great workout--all guilt free! I don’t know why we don’t have more of these closer to LA, although none would match the scenic beauty of Del Mar, a gorgeous (expensive) little beach town.
There was plenty of room and the sand was just firm enough so the ball would bounce and she wouldn’t have her adorable little face covered in sand. It also discouraged her from digging a hole, like she did tonight on our beach. Digging is great exercise and it really tires her out, but the ball fetching and running had her passed out in the back seat for the 2 hour drive back home anyway.
Sophie has a great time hanging out until we almost ready to leave. She’s not always too trustworthy off-leash. She took the opportunity to meander from the beach about 100 yards, through a volleyball game and almost to busy PCH before Sharon caught up and leashed the little girl. That was the end of her freedom privilege. Muffin I never have to worry about, she never wants to stray far from me especially when I have the ball.
FACTS: Parking along this narrow stretch of PCH can be a bit harrowing with all the traffic coming behind you and the relatively narrow road. We almost didn’t even realize that you have to pay. They have one of these central pay stations. Cost was about $1 per 30 mins and I guess they aggressively ticket around here. You feed your dollar into the machine, it ejects a slip that you place on your windshield. Kind of a pain since you then have to walk all the back to the car. Apparently it’s only an off-leash park from Oct to May so that’s really the only time to go. There were also signs that the water around the beach was contaminated due to runoff (welcome to california) but nevertheless dogs were getting wet, although certainly not Muffin. More info can be found here .
RATING:

n n n n 4 Bones out of 5. Lost a bone due to polluted water and awkward parking.

Why I Don't Like PUGS!

2008-11-25T21:56:00.000-08:00

Awful body odor! UNLIKE most dogs, these oafs have rank armpits and nauseating facial wrinkles that radiate reek up to 5 feet! When Sharon's pug, Reiley, comes within range...well, it's really sickening and one of us has to flee. I would not even know what this odor compares to! Even after a bath, the stench returns in a few days.
These are designer dogs. They were concocted by humans to be 3 things-small,cute, and flat-faced. Otherwise they are almost completely dysfunctional. Due to their smashed faces, they don't breath very well and tire quickly. Don't plan on taking long summertime walks without them needing to stop, rest,drink and do the pug crawl-a ridiculous, goofy ritual where they wriggle & writhe on the grass to cool their belly .
Simple things like eating & drinking become a challenge for these dolts. They eat like pigs with their ravenous heads slamming within the bowl, snorting and sneezing and making a mess of themselves. Water gets all over the kitchen floor after Reiley drinks. Big flat heads just cannot function with any precision. Just getting a biscuit off the floor and into his mouth is tough for Reiley.
They look dumb with their blank stare and lumbering movements. Muffin is the intelligence standard, while pugs are like barnyard animals in comparison. Most dogs seem deficient compared to Muffin. She's a doer, always likes a challenge, and figures out new toys (like the IQube) and situations almost instantly. Duncan (Sharon's other pug) can just sit there licking Reiley's smelly face all day-this is their amusment.
They have an asinine sounding bark. If a regular dog goes "RUFF RUFF" they go "URHHH" "UjerUuhh" - muffled and moronic. Muffin ignores Sharon's pugs and growls at the meat heads if they come too close to her.
Reiley extends his lipstick for just about any reason. Even mundane things like just taking out the garbage seem to trigger his bright pink lipstick and it ain't pretty! Ughhh!

OK, there are a few things I can tolerate...they are generally very friendly and non-threatening to people and other dogs. No need to worry about them escaping from the yard because they cannot dig or jump and really have no curiosity about anything outside their limited scope. Reiley does listen when you tell him to go in the kitchen or outside. And I of course they can be entertaining as buffoons often are. That's old dumb Duncan below.

REVIEW-World's Best Dog Food

2008-11-22T12:52:00.000-08:00

Ever since the extremely scary pet food recall tragedy I've been very discriminating about every morsel of food little Muffin gets.
She actually was eating one of the contaminated recalled food's (Nutro) and you can imagine my heart-thumping panic!
I will not even buy foods at any of the national chains anymore.
Thank goodness I discovered The Honest Kitchen.
They have an innovative super premium line of dried foods-just add water and let hydrate for about 10 minutes.

These are HUMAN GRADE wholesome foods manufactured in a human facility in San Diego. Isn't this how it should be!
Most of their foods contain a protien like beef, chicken, or turkey plus some grains (they also have a grain free food) dried vegetables, fruits and herbs. Added to this is a completely FOOD GRADE vitamin/mineral supplement.

A 10 pound box makes 43 pounds of fresh, nutritious food and retails for about $65.00 at Pet Foods Market in Manhattan Beach CA-where I always buy it .
Muffin weighs 18 pounds and goes through about 1 box/month. Sure it's not cheap, but she's been extremely healthy, and when you factor in less trips to the vet and the peace of mind it's certainly worth it.
I'd rather spend less on my own food than give Muffin anything less than the best.

The Whole Dog Journal, which does very thorough lengthy research and reviews was highly impressed with this food and the facility it's born in.
Finding a food that Muffin's sensitive tummy can tolerate has always been a challenge. Now her poops are beautiful, her coat looks great, she's alert with lot's of energy.

I give her the Embark formulation, which has the turkey protein. She's waits by the bowl as it hydrates and always gets very excited as she licks the stirring spoon just before I place the bowl down.
After trying so many different foods for her, I really cannot imagine feeding her anything but this. It's been said to have many of the advatages of a raw food minus the hassles and bacterial concerns.
RATING KEY-- 1 BONE=Stinky Poop to 5 Bones=Muffin Love (The BEST)
RATING:

Muffin & Sophie Want EGGS

2008-11-05T22:12:00.000-08:00

Dogs LOVE eggs!
Muffin just goes into sit/paw/beg mode as soon as the eggs hit the pan. She also knows to just sit and be calm and give me her patented sad, irresistible face. I always relent even after I tell her "no more food". Hey, she has me well trained!
Eggs are very good for dogs so go ahead and give a dog an egg.
Below are the girls waiting for my eggs last Sunday.

And below are the eggs they so badly wanted, and got!
I focused on the fruit and waffle but those are scrambled eggs in the background.

YUM, that was a good breakfast, my favorite meal of any day.

REVIEW: SPIKE Lighted Collar $29.00

2008-11-05T17:10:00.000-08:00

Me and Muffin are night owls.
I almost never walk her at night without a lighted collar. Much of the time by the beach she is off leash. With a lighted collar I'll never lose track of her and it gives me piece of mind to that drivers will see her also. She also tends to like to pee in dark corners, blending into the shadows.
The quality of these varies greatly but the new one I just found, The Spike Lighted Dog Collar, blows the others away!
WHY THIS COLLAR ROCKS:

It's built like a tank. Almost military spec with a very rugged rubber on/off button that seems to be sand & waterproof along with a tough rubbery plastic enclosure and clasp.

NOT made in China, made in Canada. The company also leans green, claiming that whenever possible the materials are recyclable and reusable and 2% of the proceeds go to dog-friendly organizations! Nice!

It's flexible like a regular collar. My previous one (The Visiglo-NOT recommended!) was very stiff and uncomfortable. I was always trying to bend it to conform to Muffin's neck but it stayed more triangular than circular. This one feels thin (not flimsy) and very flexible.

BATTERIES! It takes 2 regular boring AAA batteries!! WOW! I must have wasted $100 on ridiculous and EXPENSIVE watch batteries for the Visiglo. Almost every 15 hours I was out spending $8.50 on 2 new watch batteries. And after a few hours the Visiglo was noticeably dimmer! It's been almost a month now and I'm still on my first set of AAA bats and the SPIKE is as bright as ever! Very very impressive.

It's WIDTH (1.5 in) seems excessive at first especially for a smaller dog. But there is a reason for this--it prevents Muffin's fur from covering the collar. Great idea! The Spike won't get buried in a long coat!

Speaking of dog hair, it has protective piece of material that prevents Muffin's hair from getting caught in the sliding clasp when you're placing it on her neck. Hard to explain, but a darn good idea.

Even if the collar is turned off, it's remains extremely reflective.

At $29.00 it may seem a little expensive, but the build quality, innovative features, and battery life will actually save you money in the not so long run. Remember, I probably spent almost $100 on batteries in under a year during my time with the poorly made Visiglo.

I bought mine at a great doggy boutique store in Venice, CA called The Modern Dog. The Spike website does not seem to have a working "buy" link.

Oh, just one more thing. Apparently it made the coveted "O" List, the stamp of approval by Oprah.

RATING KEY-- 1 BONE=Stinky Poop to 5 Bones=Muffin Love (The BEST)

RATING

Halloween 2008

2008-11-05T16:21:00.000-08:00

Yep, I know it's a bit late already for a Halloween post, but we really had a good time at the Zoom Room in Culver City, CA last Thursday night.
Muffin was a BEE and her "sister" Sophie was a Cheerleader. The Zoom Room is a sort of a doggy day care place that also has extensive agility apparatus and teaches dogs how to do the course. Muffin only wanted to do this ramp.

She could have easily learned the other stuff but was too distracted by all the cacophony to just let go and strut her stuff. Sophie is here on the narrow ramp that I couldn't get Muffin to try.

Oddly enough the one dog in the world that somewhat resembles Muffin, is Trixie, who also happened to be dressed as a bee! Not only do they look similar, but their personalities are very close too.

These girls are weary of strangers and other dogs as they know are smarter than both!

October Sunset

2008-10-28T23:54:00.000-07:00

The sunlight around here has been extremely intense lately. I gave Muffin a bath on Sunday and she's looking lustrous. Couldn't resist taking more pictures of the pretty little girl in this fabulous light. Taken in front of our building.

Muffin Run

2008-10-24T01:01:00.000-07:00

Went on a great run tonight just as the sun was setting. It was a HOT 90 degree santa ana winds kind of day at the beach. But so dry (3% humidity) it never felt that hot.
Anyway, Muffin is the best runner
and she sets a brisk pace for me. The entire time she's smiling and frequently looking up at me as I tell her what good and pretty girl she is.
We ran about 4 miles in 26 minutes around the canal and the beach.
I only take her late in the day or she'll get too hot. Muffin stays focused on the run and doesn't get distracted by other dogs or her normal desire to pee every 50 ft. Considering the poor little girl had 2 broken hips when they found her abandoned near downtown los angeles, she's very athletic.

POOP! A love-hate thing...

2008-10-22T23:21:00.000-07:00

HATE IT:

Pick up that poop!! I get sick seeing all the poop, on our Muffin walks, that get's left on the grass or sand.

Poop can spread disease to your dog.

It's disgusting if it's not Muffin's.

Poop makes all dog owners look irresponsible. See that brown pile of stink! Well, of course it's not Muffin's. I ALWAYS pick her's up, but people give me dirty looks anyway. Never leave the house without at least 3 POOP BAGS.

LOVE IT:

Muffin has a very sensitive tummy.
A couple of years ago a solid poop was truly a thing to celebrate. I tried many different super premium foods like Innova, Wellness, Eagle Pack, etc.
Finally I found an amazing food called Honest Kitchen. I give her the Embark version. She's healthy, lots of energy, her coat is silky,

and her poops are consistently great!!

Solid, small, easily picked up, not too smelly, just wonderful premium poops. I highly recommend this stuff.

Is your dog a MUFFIN dog? Eight things about little Muffin.

2008-10-22T14:17:00.000-07:00

1. Always wants to play with her tennis squeak ball: usually on the stairway, but also on the beach, in the living room, anywhere I will throw it to her. Sometimes she'll leave it at my feet for me to discover.

2. See's herself as more human than dog. Muffin seems to say, "you guys can play your silly roughhousing games, and sniff each others butt's. I'll say hello, but I have more important things to do like"...

3. ...Stay focused on my daddy, we are always completely in sync, and she always wants to be there for me, and me for her. She's extremely good at eye contact and understanding subtle gestures and expressions.

4. She lifts her leg to pee like a boy, and likes to mark everything (only outside of course) especially if it's a new area.

5. Amazingly she always knows exactly which toys are hers and has never touched anything that wasn't.

6. Hate's being left alone. She'll just lie on the couch, with her nervous look and will not kiss me goodbye, even after I kiss her little head 20 times.

7. Every morning she'll bark when she hears the UPS truck. Not the FEDEX, Mail, or garbage trucks, only UPS annoys her.

8. She hates being photographed and never holds a pose when I take a photo. That hasn't stopped me from making her my main subject though! I have more pictures of her than anyone else.

Sophie the schoolgirl at Tails

2007-11-16T16:53:00.000-08:00

Halloween 07 @ Tails in Santa Monica

2007-11-16T16:43:00.000-08:00