Your Daily Gus

05/04/2018

I knew that adopting a herding dog would be a big change from life with just little Sonic. Although she now tires after a walk around the park and spends most of her time snoozing next to me on the sofa, Mackenzie taught me a lot about keeping up with a highly driven dog. Just like humans, dogs need physical exercise in the form of walks, swimming and/or play in the yard. [ 597 more words ]

I knew that adopting a herding dog would be a big change from life with just little Sonic. Although she now tires after a walk around the park and spends most of her time snoozing next to me on the…

05/02/2018

No better way to celebrate a sunny spring evening than drinking al fresco with a good friend.

04/30/2018

Some thoughts in honor of Popular media often portrays animal shelters as a kind of doggy death row, where if not for the right person arriving at the right time, a clock runs out and the grim reaper rounds the corner grinning. Some animal "rescue" organizations perpetuate this perception of animal shelters with emergency postings of animals whose time is "running out." [ 601 more words ]

Some thoughts in honor of Popular media often portrays animal shelters as a kind of doggy death row, where if not for the right person arriving at the right time, a clo…

04/28/2018

Some people are dog people ( ), some people are cat people, and some people have decided that finding harmony between two species is not enough, so they add a third. The two factors that will have the biggest impact on whether or not cats and dogs live happily together are 1. the personalities and behavioral quirks of the specific animals and 2. [ 906 more words ]

Some people are dog people ( ), some people are cat people, and some people have decided that finding harmony between two species is not enough, so they add a third. The two factors that will h…

04/24/2018

After reading The Perils of Punishment Part1 and Part 2, you may think that I live by the philosophy of snuggling my dogs out of any unwanted behaviors. In reality, however, I am no more gentle, kind or patient than most other people. Of course I do not want to scare, stress or harm my dogs, but they certainly drive me nuts sometimes and I have punished them, but my punishments do not include any threatening behavior towards my dog. [ 763 more words ]

After reading The Perils of Punishment Part1 and Part 2, you may think that I live by the philosophy of snuggling my dogs out of any unwanted behaviors. In reality, however, I am no more gentle, ki…

04/19/2018

I love so many things about life in Seattle, but at the very top of the list is the ease with which I can be hiking in the woods or strolling along the beach on any given day. When the pups and I first moved here, we spent every weekend visiting parks and walking trails around the city and found clear favorites for every mood. [ 502 more words ]

I love so many things about life in Seattle, but at the very top of the list is the ease with which I can be hiking in the woods or strolling along the beach on any given day. When the pups and I f…

04/16/2018

Years ago I had a pet sitting client named Daisy. An adorable miniature schnauzer, Daisy spent so much time with me and my dogs that she began to feel like another member of my canine family. Daisy had a friendly, assured personality and a lot of energy. She lived with a single mom and her two pre-teen daughters in a neighborhood full of families. [ 757 more words ]

Years ago I had a pet sitting client named Daisy. An adorable miniature schnauzer, Daisy spent so much time with me and my dogs that she began to feel like another member of my canine family. Daisy…

04/11/2018

Could somebody please give me a lift? No way am I making it over this branch on my own.

04/11/2018

I'm trapped! Come home and rescue me mom!

04/05/2018

Even in their golden years, my dogs get a bit antsy without regular walks. I, too, get antsy without regular fresh air and exercise so I totally understand. We love walking around our neighborhood,…

04/05/2018

Even in their golden years, my dogs get a bit antsy without regular walks. I, too, get antsy without regular fresh air and exercise so I totally understand. We love walking around our neighborhood, checking out other neighborhoods, exploring Seattle's many parks, romping through the forest and serenely strolling along the seaside. No matter where we walk, we get lots of attention. [ 324 more words ]

Even in their golden years, my dogs get a bit antsy without regular walks. I, too, get antsy without regular fresh air and exercise so I totally understand. We love walking around our neighborhood,…

04/03/2018

At some point in their lives someone (likely you) will touch your dog's feet. Someone else (likely a stranger) will reach their hand towards your dog's face. Someone smaller (likely a child) will randomly hug your dog with no preamble. These interactions may all sound relatively innocuous, but the way humans physically interact with each other is very different than how dogs naturally interact with each other and when we humans bring get all handsy with our dogs they can feel uncomfortable, stressed or even threatened. [ 706 more words ]

At some point in their lives someone (likely you) will touch your dog’s feet. Someone else (likely a stranger) will reach their hand towards your dog’s face. Someone smaller (likely a c…