What Creates a Heart Dog

Some dogs just seem to have a dramatic effect on us, much more than any of our other dogs—a heart dog –one that bonds with you deeply. If you’ve ever had a heart dog, you know it – they bond to your soul. I’ve been very fortunate to have owned two heart dogs, both springer … Read more

Should Senior Citizens Own Pets?

That depends… Most own a dog for companionship. But can they care for a dog—both physically and financially? Will a dog hurt them by tripping them or knocking them over? Do they have a Plan B for someone to care for the dog if they get sick or injured? Each of my relatives below shows … Read more

Is euthanizing our pets hard for veterinarians?

Cocker spaniel at the vet

The decision on if, or when, you should euthanize your pet is one of the hardest decisions a pet owner has to make. But sometimes we make that decision too soon, such as convenience euthanasia. Sometimes we are too late, letting our pet suffer from an incurable disease or trauma. The last two dogs I … Read more

Raw Dog Food—is it right for Your Dog?

Let your dog decide

Feeding your dog raw food is a fairly new concept based on what dogs ate naturally in the wild. Modern technology changes much faster than anatomy, which may take many hundreds of years to adapt to dietary changes. Dog eating

This trend to feed natural foods based on a dogs ancestral diet is similar to people going back to natural foods after more than a half century of eating a processed diet that contributed to many illnesses.

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Why You Should Pick Up After Your Dog

Forty percent of dog owners don’t pick up after their dogs, so why should you?

The average dog produces ¾ pound a poop a day X 83 million dogs in America = 10.6 million tons of dog crap each year.

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Can Pets Prevent Suicide?

“Everyone thinks of committing suicide at some time,” my walking partner said as we settled into a steady pace for the 5K Wauk for Suicide Prevention and Awareness this past Saturday.  We had both known people who have attempted and some who had succeeded at committing suicide.

Cocker spaniel giving author a hug
Buffy giving me a hug.

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Is your Dog a Ball Dog?

About half of my dogs have loved chasing tennis balls. I love to hit the ball with a baseball bat to make the ball go faster and to test my skill at hitting it with one arm. This post is dedicated to some of the ball dogs in my life, both living and not (including my mom).

Cocker spaniel with a ball
Buffy & her ball

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Celebrating Snow – or Not

Does your dog love snow? Or hate it? Up in northeastern Illinois, we received about a foot of snow last night, after two months of not having any. My cockers hate it, and Buffy wouldn’t go out this morning until I shoveled. She tends to pee right outside the door unless I shovel a path in the yard.

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