Scratchings-and-Sniffings

Back From Our Backpacking Trip with Miles

Just got back yesterday from our seven day backpacking trip with Miles in the incredibly beautiful Gila Wilderness. We are so lucky to have this area virtually in our back yard. Even if you live back East you should consider a visit if you love the back country. Drop a few bucks with our local merchants on the way in.

There are so many memories from the trip it's hard to pick one to get started with. Miles had a wonderful time of course. There is nothing quite like the unfettered freedom of the wilderness for a dog like Miles. We were fortunate to have had some test runs with him and we used all that learning to good advantage.

A Girl and Her Dog

I've written lots about the unique relationships we have with our dogs and cats. I've written extensively about our dog Miles and the effect he's had on my wife and I since we took him in last winter. He's a special dog and we both love him.  

Lately though, I've noticed something interesting.

Miles is my wife's dog. Oh, he likes me and he's happy to see me in the morning when I come up the steps. He wags his tail and gives me a nice greeting, but he's really waiting for Chris to come up stairs. When he sees her his whole body wiggles and his tail wags and it seems that he even smiles. He's excited to see her and the feeling is mutual.

Gotta Love that Dog's Tongue!

Oh my word! I got all caught up in this fabulous video from Fido friendly and it made my day! It's a bit long, but well worth it. Enjoy!

The Grumpy Old Lady Has a Fit

And rightly so! Honestly, how often do I have to tell Tom and Mom that I am not happy about Snotface (that's the ferret - I finally figured out his name). He's such a busy-body!

Just the other day I was minding my own business - I routinely mind my own business, as it's the only business in the house worth minding, and...out of nowhere, that ferret shoved his nose in my belly!

OMC! (oh my cat!) What's up with that? I gave him the loudest hiss I could and even batted at his head a few times. HISS-HJISS-HISS---- BATBATBAT -- HISS-HISS-HISS... But, he KEPT nosing around from my belly to my whiskers!

Save This Pup

While at BlogPaws East last April, I met the most amazing pet bloggers and pet parents. One of them is Laura Posey who created an idea that I have to share with you. In fact, I think it's such a great idea, I will be writing about it often. And, asking Laura to guest post.

As we each come to terms with the issues around supporting shelters, overturning breed specific legislation, and finding ways to volunteer at local rescues, sometimes an idea of gigantic porportions pops up. This is one. IMHO

Save This Pup - I hope you'll read, get behind this, and help out. Because this is one idea with paws...

Me: How did you come up with idea, Laura?

A Shocking Experience for Miles

Poor Miles. He rarely gets a harsh word around our house. He's so handsome and intelligent, he's hard to criticize. As such, he's not used to punishment. Well, that ended last week with snake training.

As you all know I'm a big fan of rewards based training where you reward for the right behavior until it becomes habit. Try as I might, I can't think of a way to teach a dog to avoid something they would be naturally curious about. Like a snake.

 

Aversion training relies on a certain degree of pain. According to our trainer, you want the dog to associate a rattlesnake with a really bad experience. In this case, a shock collar.

Breed Specific Laws Unfair and Stupid: Pit Bull Lovers Unite!

Yes, stupid. We all know it's unfair. Why are we punishing the dogs when it's the people who don't raise them properly who are the real issue?

This law - breed specific legislation in Denver against pit bulls - is said to be "effective" in preventing attacks or serious dog bites. By outlawing a particular breed, this time it's pit bulls - a dog that may be a mutt of varying breed ancestry but because it "looks" a certain way it's considered dangerous - the public is better served and safer from ... harm by the dog. (remember Our Gang? Their mascot, seen here, was a pit bull!!!)

Truth is, Denver has had MORE dog bites since this stupid legislation was passed. And, not by pit bulls because they're banned!!! Truth is - a dog is a loving creature and it's the people who are the pet parents, but most likely the 'owners', who are at fault when a dog attacks or causes bites and harm. Yes, I suppose there is the occasional rogue. But, we don't ban people when one of them goes rogue, which is far more likely than the rogue dog.

The Grumpy Old Lady Climbs the Stairs

Just to make it clear - I don't do the stair thing very often. Over on Romeo the Cat's blog I shared my so effective wake-up tactic which involves getting my Mom and Tom to come down the stairs to me! (and I look just like this picture when they finally appear)

However, as you'll see when you visit Romeo's blog, I had to get creative yesterday - with his female staff member, who was visiting my Mom and Tom for some business meeting. BlogPaws stuff, they said. For three days it was, "BlogPaws this," and, "BlogPaws that," and, "Are we bringing Wabby to BlogPaws West?" (I said no but I'm not sure they were listening...I'm only going if Romeo goes.)

Meanwhile, I want to know how loud a cat has to be to get attention around here?

Do visit Romeo's blog and tell us how loud you have to be to get your staff up in the morning. Meow!

Saturday's Pet Bloggers Blog Hop! W00t!

Oh my, when I found out about the Saturday Pet Blogger's Blog Hop, I hopped around my desk and sang a little tune! Good thing no one could hear me! BOL

Over at Two Little Cavaliers (are they not adorable??? yes, you have to click the link to see them), this weekly event has been picking up steam for many weeks! I am embarrassed to say this is our first time participating. But, we are finally in the groove!

Along with Life with Dogs (omg! what a fabulous blog!) and Confessions of the Plume! aka BabyPatches (some pet peoplee so creative and talented, aren't they?)... this idea was created to introduce more pet bloggers to each other. Hop around and visit old furr-friends, and find new furr-friends at each blog.

The Grumpy Old Lady Shares 10 Reasons Cats Are Better than Dogs

I hope no one took Mom's post on why dogs are better than cats, seriously. Seriously, she was joking! How could she not be joking - she lives with me!

After looking at that post, and sitting on her desk for an hour giving her the evil eye (she hates it when I do that)...I decided I should write a better post. A post setting things straight!

Here are 10 Reasons CATS are WAY better than dogs:

1. They're cats. What's better than that? Hmph!