Archive for September 2012

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On the road again!

September 28, 2012

After a bumpy start, Cookie now loves riding in the car with us.

When she was a very little puppy, we had a pet carrier for the car we would place her in.  She would cry and cry and usually ended up getting sick in the car.  After a couple tries we figured out not being able to see us made her very anxious.  So, for a while we held her on our laps in the back seat, and when she got too big for that, I bought a foot-long leather mini-leash for the car.  First I run the seat belt through the leash opening and click the seat belt into the car’s receiver.  Then this leash gets attached to Cookie’s collar.  She is securely attached to the seat belt, but she can lie down, sit up, stretch out, etc. and have the room to do so.  It used to be she would just zonk out and nap or chew her bone, but now she enjoys sitting upright and staring out the window at the world.  It’s a classic case of the great companionship dogs provide us.  Well, Cookie and I have another errand to run together, so, Happy Trails!  Warm & Fuzzies, Diana

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Categories: Big Adventures
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P.B. & Me

September 26, 2012

An almost-empty jar of peanut butter makes a great toy and treat for me!

When my family has scraped out all that they can from the peanut butter jar, and there’s just not enough for one more sandwich, they do something wonderful – they remove the label and lid and give me the jar.  This happens outside in the yard, so my paws don’t spread the peanut butter in the house.  First I blissfully extract as much peanut butter from the jar as I possibly can.  And then I have fun carrying, nosing and batting around the jar until it ends up in the recycling bin.  

I love all kinds of dog treats, but peanut butter may be my favorite.   Your dog probably is a nut for peanut butter too, so, the next time you’re at the end of a jar, (and provided it’s a plastic one) offer it to your dog!  They’ll be glad you did.   And remember, watch over their fun and remove the jar when it shows signs of chewing and wear.

With Woofs, Cookie

 

Categories: A Puppy's Perspective, Amusing the Aussie
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Aussie Screen Gems

September 21, 2012

In the 1950’s through the 1970’s, Jay Sisler’s Aussies performed amazing feats and

were stars of  both the big and little screens. Today, we can see them on YouTube!

Cookie & Bear-Bear are ready to watch “Stubs”!

Jay Sisler was a rodeo star, animal trainer, and owner of two Aussie celebrity dogs, Stub and Shorty, as well as the popular Queen, and several others.  His popular dogs starred in The Disney movie  “Stub: The Best Cowdog in the West” (1973) and appeared in “Cow Dog” (1956) and Run, Appaloosa, Run (1967). 

If you visit YouTube and search for “Jay Sisler” several reels of vintage Aussie home movies will list, including “Jay Sisler Home Movies Part 1 & Part 2” and “Jay Sisler and his Aussies.”  Take five minutes to take a look – they are priceless!  You will be amazed as you watch these performing pooches jump rope (one turns the handle too!), walk upright, twirl, dance, stand on their heads, walk on their front legs, balance and stand on a bar, leapfrog over one another, ride a see-saw, jump through hoops, and of course, herd a myriad of animals.

Cookie has put “Stub” in our family’s Netflix cue, and looks forward to watching and giving you her review!

Warm & Fuzzy’s, Diana

Categories: All Things Aussie
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Cookie’s Big Adventures: Stone Barns Center

September 18, 2012

For a walk you and your dog will never forget, visit the Stone Barns Center in Pocantico Hills, NY.

The Stone Barns Center is a non-profit farm and education center, with a mission of increasing awareness of healthy, seasonal, and sustainable food, educating children about sources of healthy food, and training farmers. There are acres of fields where vegetables and flowers grow and pastures full of animals including chickens, ducks, geese, pigs, piglets, cows, calfs, and burrows.  Beehives buzz with activity, the Terrace Garden is still full of lovely flowers as of today’s date, and the Greenhouse is producing all sorts of yummy veggies too.  In the middle of all these activities, in a lovely stone chateau & barn, are the Farm Store, the Blue Hill Cafe, and The Farm Market, open on weekends.  The well known restaurant, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, is on site as well.  Throughout the year the Stone Barns Center offers amazing opportunities to learn about egg collecting, gardening, cooking and farming.  There are tours of the facility and children’s programs every weekend, and Farm Camp is offered throughout the year.  

But best of all from Cookie’s point of view, dogs are welcome to come and visit and walk through the center’s rolling hills and idyllic paths.  Breathing in the freshest of air, and enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of the livestock and crops – what could be better for a dog?  And also for you?  With the Autumn leaves coming in, it’s a wonderful time to come visit and spend the afternoon.

The Stone Barns Center is open Wednesdays thru Sundays. For more information, visit http://www.stonebarnscenter.org.  Cookie plans to be a frequent visitor this Fall..hope to see you and your dog there too!

Warm & Fuzzys, Diana

Don’t forget to vote for me on the PetSmart Monster Cute Contest!  Entry name: Cookie  Entry title: Angel Eyes  Thanks!

Categories: Big Adventures
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Cookie’s Book Club

September 15, 2012

Cookie here!  In my family, we all love a good book…

My people love to read them and I love to chew them!    Even though I can’t read, I’d like to tell you about some great books featuring dogs that my family is currently enjoying reading.  

Be sure to check out this Sunday, 9/16/12 The New York Times’ Sunday Book Review, Children’s Section for some great reviews of just-published middle grade novels for teens & tweens (“Rescue Dogs” selections reviewed by John Grogan) and picture books for children (“Bookshelf: Woof selections reviewed by Pamela Paul) all featuring dogs central to their stories.  Here’s the link to these reviews to copy into your browser:

“Rescue Dogs” 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/books/review/almost-home-by-joan-bauer-and-more.html?_r=1&ref=review

“Bookshelf: Woof”

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/books/review/bailey-at-the-museum-by-harry-bliss-and-more.html?ref=review

My Mama Diana is currently reading the Canine Classic “Man Meets Dog” first published in 1954 by Konrad Z. Lorenz – described on the cover as “A loving study of the canine personality, with a digression on the feline, by a world authority of animal behavior.”  This book was a gift to my family upon my arrival by Mama’s longtime and dear friend Catharine, for which we thank her.  At the time of publication Dr. Lorenz was, per the book jacket, the “world authority” on the study of animal behavior.  In the book Dr. Lorenz tells the story of how dogs came to live with men; about living and training his own dogs; and not to be neglected, cats and cat behavior.  It is full of very charming illustrations by both Miss Annie Eisenmenger and the Author.  Lorenz also wrote “King Solomon’s Ring” – another book about dogs and cats. 

Mama is finding “Man Meets Dog” thoroughly charming – and hopes other dog (and cat) lovers like you will rediscover the book too.

Warm & Fuzzies, Cookie

Categories: Cookie's Book Club
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Howl-o-ween’s coming!

September 13, 2012

Cookie tried on her Halloween costume the other day…

..and we think it fits her great!  PetSmart has something fun happening now called the Monster Cute Photo Contest where you can submit a picture of your pet in their Halloween costume…visitors to the site vote for their favorite pets  & costumes, and several prizes are awarded around Halloween.  The Grand Prize is $10,000 – that’s a lot of bones!!!  If you like this picture of our  Little Angel, Cookie and I would be grateful if you took a moment to vote for her on the site.  You can visit PetSmart’s Monster Cute page on Facebook, or, here is the link to Cookie’s entry for your browser:

http://apps.facebook.com/monstercute/showentry/1295900

You can also search by pet name (Cookie), Category (Cutest), and entry title (Angel Eyes).

Take a moment to enter YOUR pet in this fun contest too!   If you have a PetSmart in your area, they will also be holding Halloween pet parades at their stores.  Thanks for your support, and Warm & Fuzzies, Diana

Categories: Canine Couture, Holiday & Festive Occassions
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I’m not a bad dog…

September 8, 2012

….I just look like one!

Cookie wearing her Gentle Leader harness at the park.

Cookie here!  When I go for walks, such as in the photo above, I wear my Gentle Leader headcollar.  When I meet new people out in the world they sometimes think I am wearing a muzzle, and ask if I bite.  This makes my People laugh, because they know that while I might lick you, I’d never bite you…because I’m a lover, not a fighter!  So, because a lot of you don’t know about these kinds of headcollars, please let me explain how they work.  When we puppies are doing our walking-training, some of us are real pullers, due to our breed characteristics, temperament, size, etc.  Pulling on the leash isn’t good for us and it isn’t good for our People – we choke ourselves against our collars, and drag our owners behind us, potentially causing a fall, a trip to the chiropractor, or worst of all, them losing their grip on our leash and our running off.  I myself am a major puller when my leash is attached to my regular neck collar.  I get very excited about being out and very opinionated about just where we should go. And because I’m a big strong girl now, I can really drag along just about anyone on the other end of the leash.  But that makes for a very frustrating walk for both me and my People.  We learned about the Gentle Leader both from my Trainer, Sarah Hodgson, and also friends here in Katonah who used them to walk their dogs.  It took some getting used to, both for my People to learn to put it on me properly, and for me to get used to wearing it.  But now, it is very easy to put my headcollar on, and very easy for the whole family to walk me without me feeling the urge to pull and surge ahead.  When I do, the headcollar puts pressure on my head, and this discourages me from pulling further.  It also has a calming effect overall on me.  Wearing a headcollar has helped me grow into being a very good walker….which means I get to go on more walks, yeah!  Mom & Dad want you to know they have not been paid by the folks who make the Gentle Leader…we just wanted you to know about it since it’s been so helpful to us.  And that I’m no “Cujo!”  Warm & Fuzzies, Cookie

Categories: A Puppy's Perspective
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Backpack Stowaway

September 4, 2012

PLEASE TAKE ME WITH YOU TO SCHOOL..I WON’T TAKE UP MUCH ROOM!

HAVE FUN AND LEARN A LOT!  LOVE, COOKIE!

Categories: A Puppy's Perspective

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