This was then…..Cole and Daphne, 2002

This is now…Cole and Daphne, 2010

A few days ago, I was mingling with strangers when a heartless friend introduced me as “someone who knows a lot about dogs.”  Naturally, one of the strangers was thinking about getting a dog. I took a sip of my coke, looked at the inquiring face staring expectantly at me and thought, “Here we go again.”

Smiling, I inquired what kind of dog he was thinking about. For the next twenty minutes, he talked about the family Lab that had been an integral part of his childhood. “I want my kids to have a dog like I grew up with. He was great. Of course, I’m divorced and only have the kids on the weekend.” I then casually asked if he remembered who took care of the family dog. He gave me a what-does-it-matter look and said, “My mom.”  I asked if his childhood dog was physical and active. “Oh yeah!” he exclaimed. Our Lab would play ball for hours and hours and wanted to go everywhere we did.”

Still smiling, I said, “Well then you want an active dog that loves to play ball and go on long walks.”
“Well, sure … on the weekends, with the kids.”

After countless conversation like this one, I have learned to cut to the chase. I looked right at him and said, “Well, if we can convince your mom to move in with you, and find a Lab that only wants to play ball on the weekend, we will have found the perfect dog for you and your children.”

I don’t think I offered the kind of help he was looking for, and yet, if he heard me at all, I offered the kind of help he needed to hear.

The average life expectancy for a dog is 12.8 years. There is a big chance the dog you bring home will live with you longer than your kids will.  One of the most important questions to consider when deciding what type of dog you want to bring into your home and heart is, “What is this dog bred to do?”

A Labrador Retriever lives happily-ever-after in a family that is prepared for a large, boisterous, energetic dog that retrieves everything that’s not nailed down. A Lab is not going to be happy only playing with the kids on the weekend and being left alone for long periods of time. A Lab is going to want to be your best friend even when you go to the bathroom.

An older couple shared with me that they were considering buying a  Portuguese Water Dog. Curious, I asked, “What do you like about a Portuguese Water Dog?”

“Well, our last dog shed a lot and we were looking for a dog that didn’t shed.” Okay, that makes sense, I thought, as I waited for them to continue. We stood looking at each other awkwardly for a few seconds before they added, “They shed hardly at all.”

“What else do you know about the Portuguese Water Dog?” I inquired, having pretty good idea of the answer.

“President Obama’s family has one.”   Yeah, well rumor has it that the Obama family had to hire three staff members and a full-time trainer to provide Bo with enough training and exercise to turn him into first dog material.  The Portuguese Water Dog is a working dog.  Their historical purpose was to assist the Portuguese fisherman to do a day’s worth of work. This translates to, “If you don’t want a very active dog, consider a different breed.” The couple considering the Portie was more inclined towards cruises, car rides, and parking spots close to the entrance of the places they were driving to.  I smiled and shared with them that a Bichon Frise is another breed that “sheds hardly at all” but needs a more moderate level of activity.  Bichon Frises were bred to be companion dogs, and well, Barbara Streisand owns a Bichon Frise!

Dog breeds are not interchangeable. Dogs are bred to do a specific job.  Today, few dogs do the jobs they were bred to do, but they still harbor the skills that made them successful in their original careers.  There is a right breed for every family, and making the right match is important.

Profiling before contracting to provide a forever-after-home for the pup of your dreams is encouraged. Take some time and research dog breeds.  If you are considering adopting from a shelter, you have a better chance of a good match if you have in mind “something like a Lab” or “some kind of terrier. “
There is a breed of dog for everyone. With a little effort, you can find the right breed of dog for your lifestyle, fall in love, and live happily ever after.

The End.

Pats for your pups!

Ch.Soquel's Last Souvinere (Trinket)

Ch. Soquel’s Last Souvinere “Trinket”   finished her Championship Title in June  and  has moved into the Obedience Show Ring. In this video Trinket shows off a few of her newly learned obedience skill.

Pats for your pups!

Katybeth

Love,

Katybeth, Cole, Rascal, Skippy, Scooby

Rumor and Trinket came along with my parents to visit us for the holidays. These Southwest girls are not use to Chicago cold, snow and slush. Rumor however, has been practicing catching snow flakes and by Jove we think she’s got it!

Posted via email from katybeth’s posterous

A guy is driving around the back woods ofMontana and he sees a sign in front of a broken down shanty-style house: ‘Talking Dog For Sale ‘ He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells him the dog is in the backyard.

The guy goes into the backyard and sees a nice looking Labrador retriever sitting there.

‘You talk?’ he asks.

‘Yep,’ the Lab replies.

After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says ‘So, what’s your story?’
The Lab looks up and says, ‘Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA. In no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping.’
‘I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running. But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn’t getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security, wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals.’ ‘I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I’m just retired.’

The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.

‘Ten dollars,’ the guy says.

‘Ten dollars? This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?’

‘Because he’s a liar. He never did any of that stuff.

Posted via email from katybeth’s posterous

Here is an Odd product both Rascal and I love! For those of you who recycle with the intensity of a terrier, you are going to love the fact that you fill these beds with things you no longer use. I filled one for my campers with old soccer goalie shirts left over from the days when Joe coached soccer, along with an old pillow.

Of course, there are tougher dog beds available but these dog beds are FUN! Fashionable! Responsible! And easy to keep clean. This works for me.

I’m not associated with this company or Molly in any way. I just like sharing fun things with you, especially if they are a little Odd: molly mutt: the dog bed duvet company. I’m digging it and so are my campers.

Camp Is Good!! Hope you are too!

Katybeth