Riley is the sweetest creature on the planet. He is a no-fuss-no-muss dog. He knows his job is to pump love into the world, and he excels at it.
He only has one flaw.
He never barks.
I’d stepped out on the deck to take a call because the reception is better out there. I didn’t realize he had slipped out behind me, and I wasn’t thinking to look for him when I came back inside.
An hour passed. Not … Read More
Ever heard of the term “Jump Down Syndrome”? Me neither, until my Aussie, Kiera (who was 12 at the time), jumped out of my car at the Vet’s for a routine checkup. That simple jump triggered the onset of Vestibular Disease, which she battled for the rest of her life. The irony of that moment—taking her in to keep her healthy and instead setting off something that would plague her to her death—still gets me.
My vet called it “Jump … Read More
Arrow has been dealing with allergies, and getting his meds straightened out has been tricky. Stomach upsets have been a problem. Last night was not a good night for him. At 3 AM he needed to go out. Not my favorite time to be up and outside in the cold. So imagine my delight at being rewarded with getting to see this!
All the while being serenaded by a Great Horned Owl in the background. Mother Nature, she sure is … Read More
[Make sure to read through the comments. There are hundreds where I answer specific questions that may speak directly to your situation.]
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Q: From the Mailbag: Natasha asks, I currently have two male dogs (a Labrador 5 yrs and a Yorkshire Terrier 2 yrs) and they both get along great. I’ve always wanted a Rottweiler. Do you think it would be a bad idea getting a 3rd dog? What sex would you say would be better? Thanks.
A: Natasha,
It’s that time of year again when the kitchen fills with the sights and smells of freshly picked Asian pears. The baskets are overflowing, the counters are covered, and the rhythm of slice, core, and stir sets the pace for the afternoon. There’s something deeply satisfying about the simple ritual of putting up fruit.
This batch of pears will soon become pear butter. I’m thinking maybe some crisps for the next batch. Those make great holiday gifts. But for now, … Read More
Twice a day, for the past few weeks, the Canadian Geese have been flying overhead from the fields to the lake and back again, as they work to store up food.
Morning and evening, hundreds of them decorate the sky like fluid strands of necklaces. There are so many of them that I can hear the concussion of their wings beating the air like drums. They honk in chorus, flying in formation, getting ready to sing their way south.
The … Read More
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