The phrase “Trick OR Treat” implies that you’d better give a treat or else someone will do a trick on you.  That’s usually a negative consequence, EXCEPT when it comes to dogs.  Dogs excel at tricks and they are good tricks for the most part.  Not counting the counter surfing trick, or [...]]]>

Happy Howl-O-Ween!

The phrase “Trick OR Treat” implies that you’d better give a treat or else someone will do a trick on you.  That’s usually a negative consequence, EXCEPT when it comes to dogs.  Dogs excel at tricks and they are good tricks for the most part.  Not counting the counter surfing trick, or the shoe chewing trick or the hiding my car keys trick, most dogs do entertaining tricks that we are conditioned to reward for.  Sure, that’s how we get more tricks.  “Will Trick for Treats” is the motto of most dogs I know.

At Halloween time, please go easy on the treats, otherwise  you will be buying a holiday gym membership for your dog instead of a stocking full of toys.

Here’s the Top 10 reasons why dogs love Howl-O-ween.

1. Dogs LOVE to howl with their outside voices.
2. Au Natural dogs can laugh at all the ones forced to dress up.
3. Owners drag them to party after party – full of treats!!
4. If they eat too many treats, they won’t be able to fit into their costumes anymore (sad puppy look – smirk – sad, sad puppy eyes)
5. Grazing opportunities increase ten-fold for bowls of goodies left at snout level.
6. Chances of finding appetizers on coffee table increase with start of holiday party season.
7. Candy!!  Do I smell candy?
8. OK, I’ve been eating carrots, apples, and grain-free biscuits all year, now gimme that brat!
9. They look good in orange, especially brown dogs.
10. Extra long walks so their owners can walk off their sugar highs.

Drink and treat responsibly with your dogs and Happy Halloween!

Jake grew up beside the warm waters of the Gulf coast.  He loved nothing more than a good run on the beach in the morning to start his day.  When the oil spill occurred he was happy to donate his shorn locks to help the clean up – it didn’t seem to be that [...]]]>

Jake grew up beside the warm waters of the Gulf coast.  He loved nothing more than a good run on the beach in the morning to start his day.  When the oil spill occurred he was happy to donate his shorn locks to help the clean up – it didn’t seem to be that big of a deal.  Until one day he found himself sitting in a strange, scary place that was a far cry from his warm, cozy home.  Jake had been abandoned by the only family he had ever known.  Jake is not a Brown Heron or a sea turtle, but another innocent victim of the oil spill.

Hundreds of dogs like Jake are being dropped off at Gulf Coast shelters because their owners can no longer afford to care for them.  To give up a beloved family pet at a time when that very pet can provide comfort and be a buffer to despair, is truly heartbreaking.  Dogs live for their families – how devastating is it to them to lose everything they know and love?

The Louisiana SPCA and other organizations have been actively trying to provide assistance through programs such as The Gulf Coast Companion Relief Program to Louisiana pet owners in the fishing industry.  It’s a start, but where is BP in all of this?  Have any payouts been earmarked for pet related issues?  Perhaps pets should be allowed to file claims for assistance.  After all, there are a lot of working dogs who are now out of a job because their owners aren’t fishing.  One day you are getting 3 squares and chasing birds and the next the whole family is crying in your fur as they leave you at the shelter.  Ken Feinberg – are you listening?

After Katrina struck, many pets were put in shelters.   Later, when the owners had relocated or found a stable housing solution, they could not reclaim their pets because they had been adopted out.  It’s like losing a child and knowing he’s out there somewhere.  Will the same thing occur again?   At the bleakest of times no one should have to make the Sophie’s Choice of giving up their pets.  Hopefully more organizations can provide interim relief so that no dog goes hungry or has to be relinquished.

Right now, organizations are dependent on private donations . . . so check them and please give.

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 [...]]]>

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

Enjoy and Happy Easter!