Seedpods and Fox tails and Burrs, Oh My!

It’s a lot of fun playing outside, but occasionally, I’ll feel really itchy after I do. Little burrs and fox tails can get stuck in my fur, and I can’t pull them out with my teeth or my paws. Sometimes my family will see me working on one (I’m too proud to ask for help) and come to my rescue. These little stickies can become a really big problem for pups like me, especially if they get stuck between my toes, or somewhere really hard to reach. In some cases, burs can get under the skin and even cause an infection… yikes!

Whenever you go out with your furry pals, make sure you take a minute to check for any seedlings that may have become attached during playtime. Not all dogs can communicate when they have them, like me, and they can become really big problems if left unchecked. If you see your fuzzy buddy picking at something, or trying to shake something loose from their fur, lend a helping hand!

A Friend in Need

There are days I just know I need to stay close. A look in Her eye, a quieter-than-usual demeanor, even Her smell lets me know when She's having a tough time of it.

I'm not making this up. There is actually scientific research demonstrating that we of the canine persuasion can sense human emotions by sniffing our peeps' sweat! (D’Aniello, B., Semin, G., Alterisio, A., Aria, M., & Scandurra, A. (2017). Inter-species transmission of emotional information via chemo signals: from humans to dogs (Canis lupus familiaris). Animal Cognition, 21(1), 67-78. doi:)

When I sense She's upset, that's when I step in to do my best job being (Wo)man's Best Friend! Sometimes it's as simple as lying nearby. Other times She needs more, so I lay my head on her lap while she's reading. She might not want to be with people but She's always happy to be with me!

When I'm giving the best of myself, it's only a matter of time before She's back to her old rockin' self, and we're chasing toys, doing tricks, and getting treats!

Staying Cool

Yep, that’s me, sitting directly next to the air conditioner with a fan pointed straight at me, sitting in the shade of Sam’s desk. It’s the coolest place I can find in this heat wave! I heard it was over 100 degrees outside! Do you know how hot that is in dog temperature??

Luckily, Sam made a nice little spot for me where I can chill out. Being hot stinks, but being hot and furry is way worse… At least my fur is white, so I don’t get as hot as some other dogs!

Make sure you’re keeping your furry friends comfy as the summer continues to heat up! Oh, and don’t overheat yourself either! Don’t worry about me though. I’m in good hands, and a suave dog like myself knows how to keep his cool.

Freshly Groomed and Feeling Fresh

There’s not a lot better for a good boy than a good haircut. Seriously, my friends at the groomer’s do such a great job with me, I almost feel like a puppy again! Of course, when you’re looking this fresh, it’s hard not to get some attention; the extra round head, the short need fur, it’s a babe magnet!

I honestly don’t mind the extra love, even when I’m a little sleepy. When my fur is so spotless and clean, I feel like I could be the center of attention for hours, so even when I’m feeling a nap coming on, I’ll try to look my best. After all, it’s not nice to leave your fans (and family) wanting!

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

I’m a pretty cute guy, so I get a lot of attention when I’m out and about; “Oh, he’s so cute, can I pet him?” is not an uncommon phrase to this lucky dog. I love the attention when I’m ready for it, but at the end of a long day of exercise and preening for my fans, a boy needs some rest!

Occasionally, though, the fans won’t relent. I get paparazzi in my room when I sleep, or sometimes they wake me up when I’m sleeping on the couch because it’s time for a walk… can’t they see I’m in the middle of some quality snoozing? Oh well… I know I shouldn’t complain, but I wish I could let them know I’d like to not be bothered when I’m asleep!

Beauty and the beasts

About once a month, I have a hair appointment: I go for a shampoo and a trim with my friend Mimi, who has become one of my very best buddies. I don’t even mind being dropped off at her place! Here’s why:

While all the other beastly dogs are placed in kennels awaiting their turn at the tub, Mimi lets me roam the salon freely. I like to sit at her feet while she clips the other dogs. After my turn on the table, she ties a pretty ribbon around my neck and lets me roam around until Mom comes to fetch me. I especially like eavesdropping on her phone call telling Mom I’m all set. “Your boy Scout is ready,” she says brightly. 

Mimi always gives me a treat before it’s time to go. Sometimes when Mom comes to pick me up, Mimi asks if she can keep me for a week or two. So far, Mom always says ‘no,’ and I’m glad! But it kind of makes me happy that that Mimi asks every time. She says I’m her favorite. I want to believe her.

For the best haircut in town, try Mimi’s Pet Grooming in Redwood City. Mimi and her husband Henri are two of the nicest people I know — almost as great as my own family!

Kindness

The older I get, the more I value the gift of kindness.

Receiving kindness in the form of a pat, a snuggle, or a treat is awesome. The gift of giving kindness is even sweeter.

Last weekend I was able to do what we Jewish dogs call the mitzvah of bikkur cholim — the kindess of visiting the sick. You don’t have to be Jewish to do this kindness, but it’s very satisfying to have a framework around the deeds that make me feel so good.

I’ve heard it said that when you’re feeling down, the best pick-me-up is to do something nice for someone else. I hardly ever feel down. After all, I’m a dog, and a lucky dog at that.

Still, visiting my elderly friend in her nursing home, and having the opportunity to show her some affection is a completely satisfying way to spend a few weekend hours.

Don’t believe me? Try it out and see how good you feel!

The Other Kind of Hot Dog

Is it me, or has it gotten hotter lately?

Lately it’s been so warm I’ve felt like melting into the ground. On days like that, I usually try to spend most of my time inside—if you think warm weather is tough to deal with, try it covered in fur! Luckily the house is really cool, and I always have plenty of water to get me through the day. I’m glad I don’t have too many appointments so I can just stay in when I get too hot!

While you’re out and about, don’t forget to drink your water either! I think people are supposed to drink three cups of water each day (or bowls, for the rest of us). Hydration is really important, and you don’t want to overheat. Of course, doggy kisses can help a little bit to, so I try to do as much as I can, but it’s not a substitute for staying well hydrated!

I hope everyone stays safe as things continue to heat up!

Small Dog, Big Internet

It really looks like my “blog” has been taking off lately! I don’t really know what it means… but I’m glad the numbers are going up!

It’s really exciting to see, but sometimes I worry about being too fixated on social media. It’s fun, but it’s not real life—it’s not a substitute for real head-pats and belly rubs. I think it’s easy for people to get lost in the digital scramble. Less easy for dogs, but hey, I’m a trend setter.

I’ve seen people get too stuck on social media, so I’m making sure to limit my time online. If the internet ever gets you down, don’t forget you can always go outside and take a breather! The internet makes life seem really fast paced sometimes, but it’s okay to slow down. Internet drama has a way of taking over and making it seem like the end of the world, I’ve noticed.

Safe surfing, everyone!

Better Living Through Chemistry

Spring has sprung, and with it, the pollen is flying! The yellow dust is all over the cars parked on our street, and it’s getting to me, too. I’m sneezing, scratching, and generally so uncomfortable I cannot get a decent night’s sleep.

Sometimes I can’t even eat I’m so overcome with itchy discomfort.

But there is a solution — a quick injection that takes all my allergy symptoms away. It’s called Cytopoint. I’m a little sleepy for a couple hours after the shot, but then, life is good again!

My friendly technician Pamela at VCA Palo Alto made the injection pain-free for me. Plus, she’s so nice to me, I like to pop in and visit her from time to time. I love all the people at VCA. 

Now I’m breathing easy and itch-free. Better living through chemistry!

Toothless

Some readers (fans?) have noticed that my smile is a little different from other dogs, and there’s a reason for that: I’m missing like 12 teeth!

I don’t really know how it happened; Mom took me to the vet one day and the next thing I remember, they were gone! Mom wasn’t too happy about it, but I think the lady in the white coat said it was necessary… Honestly I was a little mopey after it first happened. It’s hard to learn how to eat and chew again when you’re a few teeth short. Jack joked for a little bit that we should change my name to Fang, but I don’t think I could handle another name change… But even though it was embarrassing, I practiced and practiced, and now it feels like normal!

Don’t think I’m all bark and no bite either, my teeth are just as good as anyone else’s. I still love to play tug of war, and I can still defend myself, it’s just a little different than it used to be. Change like that can be scary, but I promise, with hard work, you can get through it!

When I'm Alone

When everyone goes out and I have the house to myself, I can do whatever I want! But… that’s not as much fun as it sounds. I like snuggling and socializing, so being alone can be kind of boring sometimes, especially because I don’t know how to tell time and I don’t know how long I’ll be alone for! Sometimes it feels like forever!!

Things are usually pretty quiet when the house is empty. There’s no one to play with, so I try to focus on work and not get to excited every time a car that looks like Mom’s drives by… I know she’ll come back! It’s moments like this that I remember I’m an extrovert, and I get my energy from playing with others.

Luckily I’m never home alone for too long, and Mom makes sure people check in on me if she can’t, so I’m usually only a short nap away from seeing her again!

Finding a Spot in the Sun

There are lots of great places around the house to rest your head, but I’ve noticed that if you spend just a little longer to find the right spot, it makes it that much better. Take Mom’s office for example; it’s got some great corners to lie down in, or if I’m feeling bold I can go up on the couch, but if I take my time I can find a nice warm spot in the sun.

I’ve noticed this happens outside too; there are spots that are warmer and nicer if you look for them. Laying down wherever doesn’t hurt, but you’ll be glad you put in the extra effort, I promise! Next time you need to settle down somewhere, take a little extra time and I’m sure you’ll be even more comfortable when you finally find that nice sunny spot!

Oh yeah. I could stay here for hours…