I was sent an email with this sample of a new comic strip called “The Dogs of C-Kennel: Where the Bark is Funnier than the Bite” from Creators Syndicate, a website that showcases a variety of columnists and cartoonists and sells rights to them. I’m not sure if it’s “the next big thing to hit…
Fire Hydrants: An Ode
I occasionally miss things about New York that I never would have anticipated, including weird urban sights like smoke rising from manhole covers in the middle of the street. Frankie would hate the city, I suspect — too many people, too much noise — and he’s not a competitive urinater. He either squats or lifts…
Why Girls Who Own Dogs Make Better Wives: Marriage Advice From an Unmarried Dog Trainer
Today I’m turning my blog over to Dino Dogan, the titular Unmarried Dog Trainer. I first met Dino on Twitter a few months ago, when he started retweeting my tweets so often that I couldn’t fail to pay attention to him. He then wrote a post on seven bloggers he admired, and included yours truly,…
Lily Greyhound, Departed Diva, Rest in…What?
My friend Karyn had to say good-bye to her greyhound, Lily, on Friday. It’s always tough to part ways with a beloved pet, but Lily was 12 3/4 years old, very long-lived for a greyhound, and Karyn knew she was doing the right thing when the vet told her that Lily would never be able…
Happy Birthday, Frankie!
Today is Frankie’s birthday, at least the one I chose for him. He was five when I adopted him and of mysterious parentage (royalty who fell on hard times, I suspect). I decided on July 4 because he came prenamed Frankie, it was clear he was dandy, and… well, I told the story on this…
Take Your Dog to Work — Or Vice Versa
Today is Take Your Dog to Work Day, an event started 11 years ago to promote pet adoption by demonstrating to the uninitiated just how charming canine companions can be. For some of us, every day is take your dog to work day. And as much as I bitch and moan about the insecurities of…
Santa Barbara Snaps: Competitive Dining & Drinking
As I wrote before leaving, my visit to Santa Barbara was a bit of a sentimental journey to see my best friend Clare and her best friend Archie, who was recently diagnosed with canine cognitive dysfunction. Leaving them at the end of the visit was tough, but I’m not going to dwell on that here.…
A Sentimental Journey
I’m very much looking forward to my upcoming trip to San Diego and Santa Barbara, two of my favorite cities and home to many of my favorite people. And many of my favorite dogs. But visiting my best friend, Clare, and her dog, Archie, will be bittersweet. It’s almost certainly the last time that Frankie…
Only the nose knows: A Frankie mystery tale
As you have surely noticed, Frankie is a very handsome dog. He has many appealing features, including soulful eyes and a tousseled chic coif. But the one attribute that stands out for me — literally — is his nose. Black and cute as a button, it’s like the cherry on the top of an ice…
Mutt-er’s Day Greetings
Not everyone is a mother. Nor does everyone still have one. Chances are good, though, that if you’re reading this blog you share your life with a creature that fulfills the stereotypical motherly roles celebrated on this day: acceptance of your flaws and unconditional love. So this photo essay is dedicated to those who might…