My Dogs and Me Archives - Page 7 of 23

Would an Australian Shepherd Be a Good Dog Breed for You

March 8, 2017 / Dog Training, Dogs in General, Just Dogs, My Dogs and Me / By Karen Shanley / 8 Comments

I’ve been getting a lot of emails and comments lately on these two posts Five Facts You Need to Know Before Choosing an Australian Shepherd and Bringing Home an Australian Shepherd Puppy: What You Need to Know.

There are many wonderful people out there who think their lives might be enriched by sharing their lives with an Aussie, and they’re asking my opinion.

So who would make a good match for an Aussie and vice vera?

I’m going to try … Read More

Supersonic Hearing

February 17, 2017 / My Dogs and Me / By Karen Shanley / Leave a Comment

Graidy is 14ish now. He sleeps the sleep of the dead most of the day. That is, unless he hears a twig snap outside anywhere within a mile radius of the house.

Case in point. Out of a sound sleep, Graidy leaps up, rushes outside and commences barking. I go to check on what it is–because I know he doesn’t bark at nothing. It takes me a while to spot what woke him up…

There is a doe hiding in … Read More

Fourteen-ish

December 14, 2016 / My Dogs and Me / By Karen Shanley / Leave a Comment

We got Graidy through a BC rescue outfit, so we don’t know his birthday. But they thought he was around 10 months when we got him, which would put him at around 14 years old now. He’s still going strong.

If Only People Paid As Much Attention As Dogs

September 19, 2016 / Dogs in General, My Dogs and Me, spirituality / By Karen Shanley / Leave a Comment

Admit it. You can’t even move toward your shoes without your dog(s) knowing that you are going out. And whether those shoes are hard-soled or sneakers tell them whether they’re going to get to go with you.

That’s because our dogs really pay attention. They notice every little action we take. Every little facial expression. Every little sigh or laugh. Every little everything. They. Pay. Attention.

And they know exactly what that action, expression, sound means.

I cannot move an … Read More

And Then There Were None

September 12, 2016 / Dogs in General, My Dogs and Me / By Karen Shanley / Leave a Comment

I have a dog friend who lives in another part of the country. We try to talk by phone at least once a year.

And how does one get a “dog friend,” you might be thinking.

Back when I first started experiencing dog aggression problems between Kiera and Molly, many years ago now, I researched, joined dog training lists, and read prolifically. In the course of one of my online travels, I met Heidi. She was a PhD Psychologist turned … Read More

The Most Important Lessons My Dogs Have Taught Me

July 17, 2016 / Dogs in General, My Dogs and Me, spirituality / By Karen Shanley / 6 Comments

Someone was asking, in conversation, what was the biggest lesson my dogs have taught me. I had to think about it, because there are so many valuable things I’ve learned from them. I’ve narrowed it down to two, which are of equal importance to me.

Lesson 1: Play, laugh, and love everyday.

Lesson 2: Shed a lot.

Lyme Bulls-Eye on Dogs

June 26, 2016 / Dogs in General, My Dogs and Me / By Karen Shanley / 2 Comments

Some vets will tell you that dogs don’t get the common bulls-eye rash that humans do when infected with Lyme disease. I’m here to tell you that dogs absolutely do.

Right now, Graidy’s got a beaut of a rash on his inner thigh. His fur is white and very fine, so it’s easy to see down to his skin. (That’s a photo of his bite. Sorry, I couldn’t get a better shot, Graidy wasn’t interested in staying still, but it … Read More

Housetraining Your Dog and Putting It on Cue

June 19, 2016 / Dog Training, Dogs in General, My Dogs and Me / By Karen Shanley / 1 Comment

There are times in life when I just don’t feel like standing around while my dogs find the perfect spot on which to relieve themselves. Like when the temperature outside is in the minus digits. Or, when I’m in a hurry to go somewhere and I don’t have hours for them to decide to do the deed. Or, when it’s late and I’m so tired that I’m not sure what’s holding me upright any longer. I’m sure you could think … Read More