Reincarnation Examined

Statistics show that people can match pure bred dogs with their owners. This means that when dogs are put in a room with owners people can match the dog up with the right owner. The question is why can we do that? Michael M. Roy from Elizabethtown College examines this question and the answer seems pretty simple, we pick dogs based on our personality and or looks.

I've always joked that when I die I want to come back as a dog in our family and so I decided to write a breed description of my sister!

Here it is:

Yael's breed would be medium sized with females running between 35-40 lbs and males 40-45 lbs. The hair is light and short with skin spots. These dogs are always ready to play and socialize. The Yael is fairly easy to train however they can be somewhat stubborn and impatient so it's crucial to turn training into a game and stop when it's not working anymore. If you work these dogs too hard they will shutdown and you run the risk of turning training into a fight of the wills- and I can promise you the dog wins every time. This dog needs a firm handler because the breed has been known to stray without firm guidance and unwanted behaviors can arise.

The Yael will really follow any leader but it's a firm experienced handler who can make this dog into a wonderfully obedient canine citizen. Yael's are always looking for the next game so this dog does need to be taken on walks and light jogs. Do watch the Yael for signs of boredom because they need stimulation and can get themselves into trouble. Because of this mischievous streak Yael's sometimes have separation anxiety. However, their daily needs are easily met with a short walk and some fun at-home play sessions. This dog needs to be taken places with you and will enjoy just running the daily errands. They do well in big crowds if socialized at a young age.

Finally, while this is a sturdy dog they are prone to some skin allergies due to their light fur color and thin skin so be sure to use sun screen in the heat of the day and use hypo allergenic products. All in all, this is an easy going dog, with a good nature, and a taste for adventure.

Be sure to find a reputable breeder and do your homework before taking this dog home. You can also get Yael's from rescue organizations.

Here are some links below to help you find a good breeder

http://www.hkc.org/breederchoice.htm

Rescue:

http://www.petfinder.com

His Fateful Swim

As Jake breezes through the water, the pool becomes an unrecognizable fantasy ocean. The tides come in quickly as Jake fights to stay upright. The waves thrash about and water swells into his mouth, now his breathing is a gruesome task. The fight has become more difficult but he must prevail. He must not let the ocean take him, he must swim harder and faster. He must use his paws as a dolphin would use her fins.

Jake is scared the fight is getting harder and he notices beasts among the sea. Below is a kingdom of demons lurking underneath waiting for the moment to take him but he must not let his anxiety consume his thoughts. The beasts may take him one day, but "not today" he says. He must remember his cause...his master is waiting. He need not swim like an Olympian, but rather a hero with a cause.

With every thrashing stroke he takes he must remember she too is fighting for her life. He cannot stop now, he has come too far, too much is riding on this swim. He will not let her down. He has prepared his entire life for this moment.

Usually his swim is leisurely, moving with ease and beauty like a bird soaring through the sky on a summers day. Today, his moves are like clockwork, with tactical planning. Like an army commander, he moves with purpose. this is what he was designed for, this is what thousands of years of evolution and careful breeding has created. He swims with his ancestors. He swims with the wolves. He swims with the ones who gave him his abilities.

He will prevail. He will get to his master and with each breath he swims harder. He laughs to himself as he hears his breathing, it sounds like a wheel that needs oiling or a basement door that needs fixing. CREAK. Creak. Creak. He must keep moving. He is in sight of his master's home, he is reassured that he will make this swim, he is almost home. He is so close to her he can smell her scent, he can smell that she needs him. He is so close...

And as the tide comes in Jake suddenly hears his owners voice as she screams for him to get out of the pool and the fantasy world he was engulfed in comes crashing down like a piano in the sky. Back to his life he goes, remembering it's much less stressful but he swears to himself that he will train harder and wait for the day where his services may need rendering. He is prepared and he will make it to his master.

Another post starring a Zoey

Today we have an interview from a border collie mix. We would have interviewed Zoey directly but she has a very busy schedule and wasn't up for the interview. Instead she put us in touch with her head of PR who is also Zoey's human sister, Joanie.

Here's what Joanie had to say about her client:

Here's the 411 on "The Other Zoey"

Nicknames: Zozo, Zo, Gow-Gow (meaning little dog in Chinese)
Birthday: April 16, 2009
Breed: Half Border Collie, San Miguel Cattle Dog
Weight: 57 pounds
Build: Athletic
Lanuages: Chinese (Cantonese), English
Hobbies: Spending time with dad, terrorizing neighborhood Pomeranians, chasing after skateboarders, playing fetch, eating cheese and crackers, howling after fire engines, tackling and knocking down other dogs, wiping her constantly-wet Gingerbread chew toy all over someone's pants

Select Zoey stories:
- One day I took Zoey to the backyard to do her business and she ran up the stairs into the kitchen before me, as usual. When I got to the kitchen, the cookies I left on the (very high) kitchen counter were gone. I looked at Zoey, and she looked back at me innocently. I turn my head ahead away and immediately hear chewing "chump chump chump." I look back at Zoey again -- silence. I look to the counter -- "chump chump chump." Back at Zoey -- silence. Sneaky little dog!
- When Zoey was a puppy her favorite thing to do was chew on shoe strings. One day my mom found a pair of her non-lace Sketchers (there are taut elastic bands instead of shoe laces) with all the elastic bands pulled loose. Her shoes will never be tight again.
- Zoey is part cattle dog so her natural instinct is to herd. One morning when she was still a young puppy, we took her for a walk. My mom walked ahead of us and Zoey kept running up to her and nipping her feels. "She thinks you're cattle," laughs my dad hysterically. Another moment where Mama Lam is not pleased.
- Zoey is my dad's best friend. One time when my sister asked my dad whether he thought his little nieces were cute, he replied, "I don't need any other kids. I've got my baby right here." He says this while patting Zoey's head as she sits dutifully by his side.

Meet Zoey!

Zoey is an adorable 8 year old Dachshund.

Here is what the AKC websie says about this breed:

"The Dachshund, meaning "badger dog" in German, is a lively breed with a friendly personality and keen sense of smell. Known for their long and low bodies, they are eager hunters that excel in both above- and below-ground work. One of the most popular breeds according to AKC® Registration Statistics, they come in three different coat varieties (Smooth, Wirehaired or Longhaired) and can be miniature or standard size.

Dachshunds are lovable, playful companions, and an ideal pet for many homes, including those with children with appropriate supervision. They require moderate exercise, and can adapt to most living environments. Depending on their coat type, Dachshunds may need regular grooming."

These little hotdogs range from 16-32 pounds, while Miniatures weigh 11 pounds and under. Zoey weighs a "whopping" 7 pounds! But don't worry though these guys may be little they have HUGE and loving personalities and even though they are small they are good watch dogs. If you are looking for a quiet, easy to train puppy this dog is not for you. Though the dachshund is smart they are extremely difficult to train and because these guys are hounds they are quite loud.

Here are some cute quotes about them:

"Some day, if I ever get a chance, I shall write a book, or warning, on the character and temperament of the dachshund and why he can't be trained and shouldn't be. I would rather train a striped zebra to balance an Indian club than induce a dachshund to heed my slightest command." -E.B. White


"You say my nose, sir, reminds you of a dachshund? That is the first flattering remark anyone has made of it." -Cyrano de Bergerac


“Dachshunds are ideal dogs for small children, as they are already stretched and pulled to such a length that the child cannot do much harm one way or the other.” -Robert Benchley quotes

Time for Dachshunds

In honor of baseball season (which we do not care about) we honor the dachshunds...you know, the hotdog dogs?

For now I will just post this picture but I'll be back to post many many more and give you an idea about who these silly dogs are.

Voila...the Vizsla!

Vizslas are our new favorite dog of the month. We first spotted the vizslas in London getting on a bus near Hyde park and from that moment we were in love. Their giant ears, slender bodies, interesting colored coat, and their attentive and playful nature make for one fantastic breed! The Viszla is great for lots of people. They're easy to train and stay clean. Some say they are cat like because they stay so clean and scent free. Being a hound (a hunting dog), this dog has a prey drive and one fantastic nose so owners need to make sure to fulfill this breeds need for exercise.

Vizslas are part of the hunting group and actually originated in Hungary. They have extremely short hair and weigh between 40 and 66 lbs.

Here are some fun videos:

http://animal.discovery.com/videos/dogs-101-vizsla.html

Hilarious French Vizsla: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV3hk-hwfa4&feature=related

A good video: Is Vizsla right for you? but turn the sound down or off: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSm5-e7uga4

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Announcing a new addition to the world!
An extremely close friend of ours just got the cutest cavalier named Hannah, so we thought it would be appropriate to discuss these royal pups!

You may recognize this dog as Elizabeth Taylor, Charlotte's dog from "Sex and the City." Cavaliers are extremely sweet dogs and they actually get their name from King Charles II of Britain! These silky coated dogs come in four colors, as noted on the AKC website: Blenheim (chestnut and white), Tricolor (black, white, and tan), Ruby (solid red) and Black and Tan. Blenheim is the most popular color. Cavaliers are usually between 13 and 18lbs which puts them in the Toy group category. But don't let their petite size fool you, these guys have big hearts and are similar to the gentle giant personality because they are calm and kind companions, never yappy!

The AKC recognizes the breed as being, "Gay, friendly, non-aggressive with no tendency towards nervousness or shyness. Bad temper, shyness, and meanness are not to be tolerated and are to be severely penalized as to effectively remove the specimen from competition."

Cavaliers are perfect dogs for apartment living but they do love a daily walk in the park. These dogs could thrive with any person, even pets, all they need is a warm and loving home and a good lap to sleep in...Don't forget lots of food because these guys are chow hounds!

Here's a link to Dogs 101 Cavalier: http://animal.discovery.com/videos/dogs-101-cavalier-king-charles-spaniel.html

Remember Elizabeth Taylor..We find out she's pregnant in season 6:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVYC5FSKSmQ&feature=related













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