It’s official all my partyin’ pups:

Bow Wow Beach in Stow is back open as of today!  Woof!

To get a little more scoop on the beach for bow wows, you can read one of our past barks here

Or visit Stow’s website here.

See ya at the park!

If you read previously, I am a dogsitter this week to a lovely 12 year old Weimereiner named Abby.

She’s 12, but I swear you would never know it.  I have spent so much time with this pup, I know her every habit.  A car goes by, she barks.  Nothing goes by, she barks again.  A squirrel goes by, forgeddaboudit…

She is a total bed hog.  Which makes me chuckle…hey, she’s 84 in human years, she can have whatever she wants.  LOL

She paws at me in the morning to go out (being that I am soooo not a morning person) and gets me up at 6AM to let her out.  I pour my cup of caffiene, she bolts in and straight to the pantry that houses her treats.  Hmmm…she’s done this before…

We walked yesterday, and will again today since the weather has cleared up.  We haven’t quite established our walking routine just yet.  I usually keep my canine companion directly heeled to my right since we go the distance at a brisk speed:  there is no time for sniffing, we have walking to do!  Abby isn’t too sure about this just yet, but by the end of the walk, she was heeled perfectly like a champ.

And the other thing:  our girl Abby loooooves to eat.  No doubt.  If she could eat everything in the kitchen, I bet she would.  She is in tune with treats, food time, and I have been giving her peanut butter snacks at night:  she is waiting for them now.  Cracks me up.

So, the point to this tale about pupsitting Abby folks:  is that dogs adjust their sails fairly quickly.  And although I know Miss Abby misses her family big-time, she has accepted me as the interim Aunt for now.  Your pups will always miss you when you are gone:  but if you have a great facility you trust, or a pupsitter you trust, your pup will be just fine.

Woof,

Teddy’s Mom

Ted and his bud Jayson on a hike.

I’m not going to lie, I have some serious spring fever.  Although the thought still looms in my head, that I still think we might get one more snow before we are done with this winter.  I hope not…but….I digress…

With that in mind, I can’t help but think of my hiking plans with Ted this year.  He and I love to hit the trails for a run, or a long, long hike.    We are lucky here in Ohio, there are a TON of trails to choose from, all mapped out for you so you don’t get lost in woods.  (which is something that would totally happen to me)

Summit County Metroparks have a decent amount of trails that take you through the woods and with mile markers so you can raise your head high after hitting that 6th mile.  Sand Run is totally one of my faves for a run:  Mile markers are clear, you get a taste of the woods, but the trail keeps you alongside the road, so you never dive too deep into the woods… which sometimes I am in the mood just for that!   Deep Lock Quarry was a pretty cool trail site too, which Ted and I have explored.  It’s further into the woods, but a cool adventure.

Then there is the Cuyahoga Valley National Park area too that is oh-so-close.  This park preserves 33,000 acres (!!) along 22 miles of the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron.  This park is the home to the infamous towpath trail, which if you don’t know about it:  totally check it out.  There are cool sites at nearly every trail head, and it’s totally worth the investigation on your and your hound’s part.

Ted and I are going to shoot some fun vids through the year about paw-ticular trails in the hopes you scoop it out with your own best friend.

At any rate, check out these parks with your pup once the weather breaks and the mud dries up.  You will be a hero in your hound’s life…I promise!

Woof!

Hello My AkronDogStuff Friends,

On the occasion, I am asked by pup parents to watch a pup or two while they travel out of town.  Not all pups do well in a boarding situation, and sometimes I am trusted in a pup & house sit situation.  But what happens when you and your family goes out of town and your pup is in the hands of a temporary “aunt” such as me?

I can tell you through my years of caring for dogs in all kinds of situations, the family departure situation usually is the same.  This week, I am watching Miss Abby, a 12 year old Weimereiner who still acts very much like a pup…but it took all day today for her to come out of her shell.

You see, most dogs go through a typical adjustment process when their family leaves them.  It’s almost always the same.  Abby saw suitcases a couple days ago, and her mom told me she sensed something was up.  Her anxiety level went up a little bit, then her family left to catch a plane bright and early this morning.  A few hours later, a stranger (me) walked in with my own suitcase.  Abby looked at me with her big ol eyes with a look of confusion.  I first put my bag down and sat alongside the stairway just to let her hang out with me a few moments.  She was a bit confused, to say the least.  I let her out and then had her hang with me in the living room.  That lasted a few moments.  Abby then drug her pillow to the front door, curled up on it and fell asleep.  To me, it was as if she was waiting for her family to return.

From my experience, this is totally typical.  I knew that dinnertime would tell another tale.  Once that food was poured, Abby ate like a champ, and rushed out to the door to go out.  It was as if it were her normal routine.  Then, once she came back in, straight to the treat door.  Success.  In my eyes anyway.  You see, dogs adjust to situations pretty quickly, and when I see the potty trips and dinnertime are normal, I know we’re all good.

Now, my little buddy is hanging out with me and occasionally comes over for a pat on the head.  We’re gonna be a-okay…maybe it was the peanut butter treat I slipped her?  Ha, hey, her family is on vacation, and so is Abby!

Woof,

Teddy’s Mom

Take a Pet Saver Class to find out the best ways to save your pup (or kitty too) in case of emergency:

Brought to you by The Dog People

Saturday, May 22nd, 2010

9AM – 5PM

AGMC Montrose Health & Wellness Center

To sign up pup:

Call 330-666-2821 or email TheDogPeople@verizon.net

So, I meet lotsa pups and their parents around here and I think it’s time I start barking about it…

Vito donning a new Spring Line

Let’s take Vito’s Dad for Example:  The owner of Floriano Productions, a super duper entertainment company that provides murder mystery entertainment (for corporate parties and more nationwide), DJ Services, Impersonating acts, and pretty much any other entertainment needs you may have… but aside from all the entertaining glitz and glam, I met Vito:  A happy-go-lucky pup that loves to make you stand at the door to let him in and out about 100 times. 

So, I decided that inquiring and -not to mention-nosey- AkronDogStuff readers want to know a little bit more about this pooch…

ADS:  So… what kind of dog is Vito?

Vito’s Dad: He’s an Italian Wolfhound…”you barkin’ at me? I heard you barkin’ at me…you barkin’ at ME….”

(Incidentally, we think that inside he thinks he’s an Italian Wolfhound)

ADS:  What is Vito’s favorite thing to do?

Vito’s Dad: He LOVES to sing the National Anthem in Swedish…not sure where he picked it up, being EYE talian and all, but there you have it…he puts Whitney Houston’s version to shame…

ADS: IF Vito was human, would he prefer to go to the opera, camping or…?

VD: He would prefer Olympic Curling, I think…I mean, a broom? You can chew it AND pee on it, what could be better!

ADS:  If reincarnation is real, who was Vito in a past life?

VD: Probably Oscar Wilde, he’s not sure if he’s gay or straight and we keep sending him to doggie jail because of it.  Plus, whenever I say “buggery”, he looks at me askance…whatever that means…

ADS:  Give us a touching or funny little tidbit about Vito…

VD:  When we had to put his buddy Bosco down about a year ago, when we came home, he knew, and he was very upset, ran around looking for him, and was obviously upset.   Almost as upset as I was….

(Awwwww, *sigh*  leaves me a tidbit sad)

Keep checking in loyal AkronDogStuff readers, more profiles are on the horizon!

Woof!

If you’re anything like me, you probably like to take pictures of your dogs.  You probably put them up around your house too, or on your computer desktop.

If you’re anything like me, you probably took each of your dogs to get professional pictures taken when they turned one. You probably also found out that taking a dog to a busy photo studio that has all sorts of weird things like slippery floors and lots of people can be terribly frightening and over stimulating for them. You probably decided not to do that again.

I’ve been wanting some newer, more recent pictures of Hazel and Timber. I knew going back to a photo studio was not an option. I also wanted some that were a bit more natural but still professional quality. This is when I contacted JaNicki Photgraphy. I was a little apprehensive about the whole photo shoot idea but Margaret is a real professional.

A one woman show, Margaret has always had a love for pets and has began photographing her black Lab, Baci, since the day he came into her life. She says that dogs are natural and don’t mind an hour romp in the snow to catch the perfect picture. She also didn’t seem flustered by my crazy pups jumping on her!

A session with JaNicki Photography lasts about an hour to an hour an a half so be sure to bring your pup’s leash and a favorite toy (maybe even some treats!). Margaret suggests choosing a place where your dog will be comfortable but if you can’t come up with a location, she can definitely offer some suggestions.
Margaret can be found on Facebook and at JaNicki Photgraphy

Ah, the sun is shining.  It’s getting warm!  Hooray!   But before you get all excited puppylovers, keep in mind that with winter thaw-out comes springtime MUD!  Ted and I took our chances today and jetted off to the park.  We were so excited to celebrate the warm weather with a run, we didn’t think of the consequence:

Ewwwww.

So, after a quick tiptoe around the yuckness, and some dirty feet:

Yes, his toenails are still red. Hehe.

I decided “No More” and Ted hopped in the car and went for a drive instead.  So we cruised on over to the Blue Heron Nesting area.  Now, if you haven’t seen it yet or don’t even know about it, it is the coolest thing to see.  Take a drive and check it out.  On Bath Road, there is a spot where Blue Herons nest annually.  I think it looks somewhat prehistoric in a lot of ways: these giant birds nesting in trees.  Ted dug it too.  We parked alongside of the road, I rolled down the window and we watched the wonders of nature from our warm and non muddy car.

Ted's checking out the nesting area from the window. He digs it.

Want to find out more scoop on the coop?  The Beacon Journal did a great article. It is amazing to see, do a drive-by with your dog!  You won’t be disappointed! Woof!

So, who has cabin fever now?  Ted needed a paw trim, but I went the extra mile.  Do you think the kids at the dog park are going to make fun of him?

hee hee hee