Info, Tips, Health

Whispers in the Wind

Last night the wolves called my name.
Not the name I now carry,
but the one I was known by,
a million winters ago.

How they knew it was me I am not sure,
for I knew it not myself,
but part of me knew,
and part of me answered,

“Come, my brothers, let us run together,
Let us weave the patches of moonlight
into a story, written on
the fresh fallen snow.

For the world in sunlight to know
that a band of brothers
passed this place in time.”

(excerpt from Whispers in the Wind)
by George Rodgers

By |2007-01-07T09:54:57-05:00January 3rd, 2007|Dogs in General, Nature|1 Comment
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Marking Up My Winter Wonderland

(sung to the tune of Winter Wonderland)

Dog tags ring, are you listenin’?
In the lane, snow is glistenin’.
It’s yellow, NOT white,
I’ve been there tonight,
Marking up my winter wonderland.

Smell that tree? That’s my fragrance.
It’s a sign for wand’ring vagrants;
“Avoid where I pee,
It’s MY pro-per-ty!
Marked up as my winter wonderland.”

In the meadow dad will build a snowman,
Following the classical design.
Then I’ll lift my leg and let it go man,
So all the world will know it’s mine-mine-mine!

Straight from me to the fencepost,
Flows my natural incense boast;
“Stay off of my Turf,
This small piece of Earth,
I marked it as my winter wonderland.

Author Unknown

By |2006-11-25T11:52:30-05:00December 22nd, 2006|Dogs in General|0 Comments
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Dangerous People Food for Dogs

In the midst of the holiday season, with lots of cooking and entertaining going on, I thought I’d share some foods that can be potentially poisonous for your dogs. Perhaps you’re already aware of most or all of them. I found a few that surprised me.

Here’s to safe and happy Holidays for you and your pets.

Foods and Substances That Could be Deadly for Your Dog:

  • Alcoholic Beverages: Can cause intoxication, coma, and death.
  • Avocados: The fruit, pit, and plant are all toxic. They can cause difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation in the chest, abdomen and heart.
  • Bones: Cooked bones can splinter and damage a dog’s internal organs. Raw bones should always be supervised.
  • Chocolate (all forms): Can cause staggering, labored […]
By |2007-11-13T08:00:51-05:00December 19th, 2006|Dogs in General|5 Comments
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I’ve Been Nominated!

I just found out that my book, Dogs of Dreamtime, has been nominated for the DWAA (Dog Writers Association of America) 2006 awards, in the category for best general interest dog book. I learned of this through a friend who’s on a dog list, who read a posting from another friend, who’d received an email newsletter from DogWise. Wonder when DWAA was planning on letting me know…?

Anyway, here’s what DogWise (the Amazon of dog books) has to say about it:

  • “Dogs of Dreamtime by Karen Shanley. A story about second chances and the power of love between a woman and her dogs. We are all betting that this book is likely to be one of the […]
By |2016-10-24T09:57:00-04:00December 15th, 2006|.My Dogs and Me, Dogs in General, On Writing|6 Comments
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Cesar Millan – Take 2

Seems Cesar has a way of stirring things up wherever he goes. He’s attracted a fair amount of attention here in Shanleyville. Irma, a thoughtful reader, left a comment on why she found Cesar’s approach useful for certain situations. She brings up some valid points.

Different trainers become popular with different people for different reasons. Obviously, the Dog Whisperer show has struck a nerve. I don’t find that surprising; there are a lot of dogs who need more training. And there are a lot of people who have problem dogs and don’t know how to help them. I’m just saddened that, with all the progress and advances in training and all the truly great trainers out there, it’s been an old-fashioned, […]

By |2016-10-24T09:57:01-04:00November 14th, 2006|Dog Training, Dogs in General|1 Comment
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Two Dogs vs. One Dog

Watching Kiera and Graidy playing with each other this morning, I’m more keenly aware than usual of the benefits of having two dogs.

I’ve just come back from a visit to my mother’s. She has one dog, Zoe; a beautiful, 4 yr old German Shepherd, who’s a ball nut.

zoe1.jpg Because Zoe is a high energy dog, and doesn’t have another dog to help tire her out, she is constantly looking for someone to throw her ball. My mother does her best. Even so, I know I’ll wind up taking Zoe out a bunch more times. With all of that, it hardly puts a dent in her […]

By |2016-10-24T09:57:01-04:00November 9th, 2006|.My Dogs and Me, Dogs in General|46 Comments
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