Bouncer, babysitter,playmate,punching bag . . . Dax fills all these rolls as older brother and mentor to the newest member of our family,Muggsy. In his young life,Muggsy has never encountered foxes and wild animals like his older,more worldly canine brother.
This morning I was enjoying my morning coffee when I heard Muggsy frantically barking outside. With a mother’s intuition,I flew out of the house,knowing it was a bark that said “There’s something out there and it’s scary”.
I saw him racing back and forth across a patch of ground cover at the fence line,with Dax locked on an object like a heat seeking missile and emitting a low,menacing growl. We live in a desert environment and there is an aroya (a dry gully in desert terms) on the other side of our back fence. Standing there was a large coyote,licking his chops and looking at Muggsy like he was a piece of danish in a Starbucks bakery case. He probably didn’t see that there was a manager on duty (Dax!) and it was just dawning on him that this would not be his lucky day. As I scooped Muggsy up,he was barking and shaking at the same time. Dax’s eyes never left the coyote,who was now beating a hasty retreat. Coyotes can jump a fence so he might have been considering this option before the stealthy Dax made his appearance.
Coyotes are actually members of the dog family and their scientific name,Canis latrans,means ‘barking dog’. Barking Dog .. meet Growling Dog! Small dogs are often preyed on by these carnivorous creatures,as we all know from the sad fate of Jessica Simpson’s poor little pup,but he was smart enough to back off from the canine equivalant of ‘Jaws’.
So sometimes it IS good to be a Rottweiller and to have one at your back. Never mind that he is now sound asleep with several stuffed animals clutched in his paws,he can be a tough guy when needed. Coyotes beware . . . .
Our friends at Beer Magazine were kind enough to put us on their front cover!!
Bowser Beer was featured in an article called Pooch Hooch on pg. 34. The online edition is not up yet,so run out and pick up a copy.
The article pointed out that it’s tempting to sneak some beer to your thirsty pals but there are safer alternatives…like Bowser Beer for dogs. Nicely done,Caitlin!
Earlier in the month,in honor of Beer Day (March 1 for those not aware of it),Chicago NOW ran an article on the 15 most bizarre beers around. We were listed in the #3 slot. So,we are proud to say we are both bizarre and legitimate!
Seriously,now that summer is fast approaching,dogs need hydration. Sometimes water is just not enough. Their appetites may be affected by the heat so make sure they get enough to drink. And beware of those puppy dog eyes pleading for your beer!
The Barkery Bistro,located on beautiful Main St in Greenville,SC,is our featured store. About 2 years ago Meghan Ludwig and her Mom,Diane,opened this upscale boutique with a serious focus on nutritious food and treats for dogs,as well as a desire to offer a wonderful shopping experience to their customers. It has since become a hub for ongoing events,parties,and community fundraisers for the canine set.
As masters of Southern hospitality,resident Bistro greeters,Bentley and Duncan welcome all visitors and lead them to their favorite spot in the store… the cookie case! And who throws a party better than a Golden?
Pictured here are snaps from their recent Mardi Gras in-store party. Taking a break from strewing beads and making sure their guest’s bowls were filled with Bowser Beer,they posed with Meghan. We can only guess that she might be saying “Take it easy guys,you have to get up and go to work in the morning!”
Bowser Beer is proud to be served at the Barkery Bistro Yappy Hours. We all share in a deep concern for the nutritional value of what we give our pets. We also want to have fun with our dogs and help those who are not as fortunate to find a home. For this we salute The Barkery Bistro.
If you are in Greenville,be sure to stop by and say ‘hello’.
Peeps are the Spam of the sugar world. Everybody loves them but who wants to eat them?
Well,four years ago the good folks at the Washington Post came up with the idea of challenging their readers to think of creative ways to use them ….and the Annual Peeps Diorama Contest was born! Each year,I can’t wait to see the top picks,with themes both old and current to today’s world. The entries keep getting better and better and this year’s are even more delightful and mischievous. Who knew that the White House party crashers would be featured in not one,but two entries? The winner,shown here,is a masterpiece celebrating the feel-good movie,‘UP!’ ,called EEP.
Click here and see all the entries. Some are simple designs,but others,like EEP rival modeling for a movie set.
Click here to see a video that showcases the top five entries. Get behind-the-scenes information on the craftsmanship that goes into these creations. The details are incredible! This contest is open to the public and they have over a 1000 entries. Feel free to explore entries from previous years and be wowed by things you never thought could be done with these timeless,sugary Easter time icons.
For a fun look back at the history of Peeps,which have been around since the 1950’s,check out the Peeps Story
Last night,Rachel Maddow tackled a question that all dog owners would like to know the answer to –why do dogs get so excited at some TV theme songs? While our dogs have never gotten excited about Law and Order,our English Mastiff Maggie used to go nuts if anyone tried to watch the Colbert Report. She really,really hated the screeching eagle sound and would come running at the TV from a sound sleep. Which meant,of course,that all the other dogs would come running right behind her –not exactly what you want at 11:30 at night!
What theme songs do your dogs go nuts for? Tell us in the comments section!
Wow,talk about a medal run! Giant George,owned by David Nasser,stands 43in tall paw to shoulder,and weighs 245lb. He was just named by Guinness World Records as both the world’s Tallest Living Dog and Tallest Dog Ever.
Like Susan Boyle,four-year-old Giant George has become an overnight celebrity in his hometown of Tucson,AZ. First,he won the dog-equivalent of the Oscars and then he got invited to be on Oprah’s show. Can he handle it ?? Apparently he can.
On the plane trip to Oprah’s show,American airlines gave him a row of three seats to himself. His arrival in Chicago was met with a growing legion of adoring fans and paparazzi,and most curious to him…..snow!
But he took it all in stride,sleeping off the jetlag anywhere he wanted at the hotel(but mostly on his own mattress). We’re not sure he’s up to signing pawtographs yet but watch for him to be on someone’s red carpet.
Read about his recent adventures to Harpo studios and what it takes to feed (110lb/month!) and house this gentle giant,on George’s own website.
Congratulations George! He’s a George we can be proud of.
The 3 Busy Dogs team was on a trip to DC when the big snowstorm hit. 20 –50 inches of snow is a lot for any dog so we are not surprised to hear they get ‘Cabin Fever’too! Like kids,dogs went a little beserk in the snow and some got into BIG Tra- bull!
Tully,a 4 year old lab,was so excited,he went to romp in the snow with his friend,Balto the Alaskan Malamute and fell into a nearby pond. Firemen rescued him while his 14 year old human brother shouted encouraging words for the exhausted pup to hang on. It was a happy but frosty ending for Tully’s Adventure.
There was a Black Lab mix who fell into a storm drain after a snowplow had knocked the cover off. Again,a happy ending,but this guy needs a home and a safe lap after his ordeal. Fire fighters score another dog rescue!
And then,just when you think it’s safe to go out,a dog gets mugged for his coat! First reported by the New York Post, it happended in Brooklyn of all places - Tony,where are yous guys when we need ya? Again,Lexie got off with just a few chills and a renewed commitment of supervision from his owner.
So,the 3 Busy Dogs have come up with 5 things to do with your dog to keep them out of trouble while you are still digging out from winter. Nothing takes the place of knowing where they are at all times but here goes. . .
1. Stair Race: Need 2 people (unless you are training for the next Olympics) and a favorite toy
With one person at the top and bottom of staircase (preferably carpeted to prevent slippage),toss the toy up and down the staircase to encourage Fido to fetch it. A couple of runs will give him a good workout and naptime will ensue. It’s like monkey-in-the-middle with an elevation thrown in.
2. Peanut butter ‘n toast tea party:
Nothing gets the 3 Busy Dogs’ juices flowing than the smell of toast in the morning. The toaster is a favorite gathering place in the morning. Why not have a little tea-party with your furry friend and treat him to some PB on little pieces of toast. He’ll think he won the lottery! And maybe he’ll share some with you.
3. Hide and seek: best played with several bored children
Brush up his tracking skills by playing everyone’s favorite game. You may have to ‘help’him get on the scent but once he catches on,he’ll want to play until everyone is found several times over. Be sure to whoop it up to let him know he found his query. He won’t mind being ‘It’again.
4. Belly rubs in the snow followed by catching snowballs: Requires winter gear for you.
Dogs love to roll in the snow. Enhance their experience with a good belly rub and watch them go! They don’t mind a little snow on the face but watch for ice in their toes and don’t let them eat too much snow –it’s not fattening but it can bloat them. Snowballs are so much fun –you can catch and crunch in one swoop. The energy required to jump up to catch them will result in a great follow up nap.
5. Dress up
If you have kids stuck in the house also,give them some old clothes and let them have a ‘fashion show’with their pup. It’s a great opportunity to take fun pictures and build a “Here’s what I did on my snow vacation”Flickr album.
If you have any great pictures from these suggestions –send them to us and we’ll post them on our blog!!
This is is our first ‘Featured Store’and look what’s waiting for you when you walk in the door …. Bowser Beer! Customers can shop in their spacious gift area when they drop their dogs off. At the end of a long hard day of play they can enjoy a nice cold brew. I’ll bet dogs can’t wait to check in.
Resort Operations Manager,Haley says:
Second Home Pet Resort is a mountainside,all-suite resort (more than 16,000 square feet of luxury!) it is the first of its kind in Arizona.
At Second Home Pet Resort we’re passionate about animals and your beloved pet’s comfort,safety and happiness. Our mountainside resort,with more than an acre of play yards and upscale amenities befitting the most particular pooch or finicky kitty,is a true “destination resort.” Our clientele come from all over town,and even from across the country,because they know their pet’s vacation destination should be as special as their own.
Our facility is staffed 24 hours a day,365 days a year;your pet is never left in a building alone without an employee on duty! We are open7 days a week and welcome tours anytime!
As we idle away the evening in front of the TV,watching our beloved American Idol,we got to thinking. In the Idol auditions,the contestants have about 30 seconds to make a good impression – not just with their singing,but with their confidence,personality,and overall appeal to the judges. Some resort to outrageous costumes,crazy stunts,or flirtatious behavior to appeal to the judges. Tough to keep your nerves under control in that situation.
We’re all rescue dogs,but Muggsy was the only one picked out of a shelter. He was listed on Petfinder and his background would have made Oprah cry. Many rescues come from abusive situations and may be confused and frightened sitting in an adoption facility. They wait in kennels and crates with strangers peering at them,wishing they were somewhere else. . . Like a home,but their promotional skills may be lacking and their 30 seconds to impress fails to get them a golden ticket. Some dogs have that ‘Ellen’ personality – bubbly and warm – makes you just want to scoop them up and take them home. But what about the others that are more reserved and unsure?
Muggsy is the happiest dog in the world,but he didn’t arrive that way. When myMom brought him home,he did not exude ‘pet’ karma. But we welcomed him into our home(sort of – myMom made us be nice),sent him to puppy school and now I have a confident,happy,mischievous little brother who ALWAYS wants me to play with him. It’s exhausting how happy he is.
The point is …shelter puppies should all see at least one episode of American Idol and learn from those brave contestants who screw up their courage and try to impress the judges (some more desperately than others). “You’re going to a home!” is the doggie equivalent of “You’re going to Hollywood,baby!”.
CNN is reporting that the American Veterinary Medical Association says people are not paying enough attention to their pet’s oral hygiene! Dogs just aren’t getting their teeth brushed enough. According to the article,dogs hide their tooth problems behind their big,goofy smiles and distract us with lots of tail wagging.
Well,the jig is up . . . let’s get serious. Just announced: the movie UP is an Oscar nomination and dogs everywhere are ecstatic. Note their frenzied circling,jumping,tail pumping and yipping every time they see you. They are bursting with the news and so proud of their movie.
Though it was a classic case of the underdog (Dug,the Golden Retrieverish dog) versus the mean dogs,we were out of our seats cheering for Dug and Kevin,his avian sidekick. Dogs everywhere are lining up to help promote this movie. . . and what is more important when you are schmoozing the Hollywood crowd,than pearly whites and fresh breath!
This oft overlooked secret weapon of the PR set is now taking center stage. Owners should be flocking to their favorite vet for a Chopper Check Up so that their dogs can go out with confidence and minty breath to better network for this nomination.
On a side note,Dax (our rottie),has gotten over his snit regarding how his breed was portrayed in the movie. He realizes the high,silly voice of the Rottweiller was simply a prop for a great cinematic opportunity and Method Acting was not employed in this role.
Breed:Rottweiler
Breed:Not sure but really cute!
Breed:Golden Irish
