Sometimes I’m way ahead of the curve. For example, I’ve been blogging about doggie dental care since the beginning of this month, well in advance of the designated Pet Dental Month, February. (Of course, I’m not big on designated months; see November Is Pet Diabetes Month: Oh the Irony). Sometimes I’m far behind it. On…
Contest winners, book reviewers, storytellers
First, the contest. The people have spoken! The final two winners of the What Books Would Bore Your Dog? contest are: Bone Free by Joy Catamson, submitted by Kath Usitalo and Mastering the Art of French Poodles by Julia Styled, submitted by Ellen Perlman. Congratulations, Kath and Ellen! As soon as I have copies of…
Frankie’s excellent adventure
It’s been a hectic weekend at the Jarolim/Doodle residence (that’s Doodle for Frankie Doodle; see my July 3 post to learn how he came by that surname and to get dog naming tips). Frankie had some kind of intestinal distress — the effects of being a dog, was my vet’s scientific diagnosis– and spent Saturday…
Happy National Dog Day!
It’s National Dog Day and I hope you’ll take the opportunity to devote a bit of extra time to your dog. If you’re buying into the whole outdated dominance theory/need to overpower — as opposed to lead — your dog, toss it in honor of the holiday. Throw away shock collars, prong collars, spritzers, scary…
No dogs were harmed…
…in the making of this video. I’m afraid I don’t have any production shots that show the smoke and mirrors — or, to be precise, green screen and owner crouching under a table and cradling her dog’s butt — but trust me. Unlike the videographers of Open Lens Productions who set up large, hot lights…
A shaggy surf dog story
Here, at last, is my report on the Loews Surf Dog Competition. Sort of. It’s still more about my friend Clare, our dogs, Frankie and Archie, and a cast of supporting characters who became involved by sheer coincidence. *** So…Clare and I didn’t manage to get to the contest site, Imperial Beach, early enough to…
Car travel, Part 5: Why driving won out
I let my reservation on Southwest from Tucson to San Diego lapse because of: Money Part of it is my fault. I came up with the idea of flying too late to be eligible for the 14-day advance fares that ordinarily make the trip from Tucson to San Diego so appealing on Southwest. But no…
Car travel, Part 4: Maybe I should fly?
I woke up this morning with a sense of dread — not uncommon, I admit, but this dread had a specific source. I’m planning to leave on Wednesday for San Diego to attend the surf dog festival and I’m worried about the drive with Frankie. It’s not a terribly long trip from Tucson, about 7…
Great Expectations: A Tale of Two Dogs
“What’s wrong with that one?” demanded the smug-looking guy with the good-looking girlfriend, pointing at my terrier mix, Frankie. He had just rejoined the line that had formed outside El Mirasol, a popular Mexican restaurant in Palm Springs. My friend Clare had gone in to put our names on the list for the dog-friendly terrace,…
Japanese dog dressing, part 1
I have no hard data, but anecdotal evidence and online research suggest that Japan is the world’s Number 1 dog dressing nation. The size and breed range of dogs involved, the array and elaborateness of their outfits, the variety of events providing canine fashion occasions, the widespread enthusiasm for the practice… Japan rules the roost…