Marina

Marina is awarded a ribbon at AKC obedience trial! Maybe not yet, she is still in the Santa Cruz Humane Society. A few years ago winning a ribbon for anything at all would have been impossible but not today. Years ago, Marina would have been disqualified not for her lack of ability but for her lack of documentable ancestry. 

Marina loves to try new things and already knows that walking on a leash is a good thing. Sit, stay, come when called, leash walking...we imagine she could learn them all easily. Someone who always wanted to be involved in dog sports like obedience might have a head start with Marina. Just getting in the obedience trial ring is no longer first contingent on a dog's heritage. Mixed breed dogs can go paw to paw in all events now. 

Getting Ready For Halloween!

Our 'to do' list for Halloween:

Attend Halloween bash at vet's. Check

Go to pumpkin patch. Check

Make a pumpkin puppy. Check

Wish everyone a Happy Halloween. Check!

WTF

Nope...not what you think. In this blog, WTF stands for 'why the face'. Usually about dogs, today's blog has everything to do with dogs and their people. Why does my dog look the way they do? Why does my dog love the things they do? Why can't I make my own thigh muscles elongate through exercise and look like some movie stars? Sorry about the last one...I digressed. The answer to these questions is a simple one...DNA. DNA is the answer to WTF. DNA is a molecule that makes us all unique. It contains the instructions that are passed to offspring so they will know what to look like. We hear the expression to love the skin we're in. We should also love the DNA that's in. Us. W.T.F. 

Life Changing

Often, I read something and think 'wow, if I took this advice it would be life changing'. Then, I move on to the next thing, changing absolutely nothing. I'm determined that this: 16 Things You Should Stop Doing To Be Happy With Your Dog by Roger Abrantes is one of the things that will change my ways. Lots.

In Roger Abrantes' blog, #3 is "stop your desire to control everything...take it as it comes." We live in a nice little neighborhood, very walkable streets, everything is pretty predictable. I've taught Astrid that the dog and person on the other side of the street has as much right to be there as we do. She buys into that...as long as dog and person stay on their side of the street. This is a rule that I have set up. Astrid is actually a dog that can go anywhere (and does) and socially acts better than most children, some adults and is very dog friendly.

Enter Fling and Fling's dad. Fling is an adopted greyhound that lives directly opposite the little park that Astrid, her dad and I walk to every night. We've passed Fling out on our walks many times. He stays over on his side of the street, we stay on our side. Fling looks at Astrid, Astrid sits like a perfect little angel dog and looks at Fling. We talk back and forth across the street. Fling's dad is very, very personable. He has recently set up his schedule to leave his house while I am standing on the sidewalk directly opposite where Astrid and her dad are taking a walk in the little park. But now Fling's dad has thrown in a new twist. When he is coming out for his nightly walk with Fling, he is crossing the street to chat with me, Astrid's mom. Uh oh...that wasn't in our plan. Astrid makes a fuss. She barks. How dare they not do exactly what her mom has always dictated they do...stay on their own side of the street! Ah...but Astrid's mom has strategies. Astrid's mom will walk and meet Fling and Fling's dad outside of their own house, give Fling a few pets and then say "see ya later, Fling". Hopefully that will put an end to to this gross disruption! This strategy was all set up before I read this blog. Probably a better answer would be for me to learn to relax, let Fling come over with his dad for a little chat on a hot summer's eve and Astrid can learn that her mom isn't the controller of all things pertaining to being out for a walk.

Facing one's flaws can be brutal. I'm always looking for topics to blog about. I think I just found 16.

Sunrise At The Shelter

This fictitious story is told through the eyes and mind of a shelter dog. The picture is an actual unaltered photo taken by me at a shelter in 2009. 

The sun is coming up and it's another day at the shelter! I like it when it gets to be daylight because it is more fun around here. Humans come and go more. My name is Dog 1836. My dad used to call me Ace, but when he left me off here, I guess they thought I needed a new name. Up until yesterday, I had a friend in this kennel with me and his name was Dog 1832. That's when a man with a really nice voice came to the shelter, walking all around looking at every one of us. He came back to the kennel Dog 1832 and I were in and told the young woman that always carries the keys around here "that's the one (pointing at my friend). He's perfect. I'd like to take Sunny home with me today." I guess he didn't see the sign that had my friends name on it. The man with the nice voice handed a dog collar and a leash to the young woman that always carries the keys and said "I'll meet you inside and fill out the paper work". Then he walked away and the young woman that always carries keys opened the kennel and put the new collar on my friend named Dog 1832. My friend and the woman then walked out of the kennel and she turned and lock the door. Shortly after that, Dog 1832 and the man with the nice voice came walking out, got in the car and drove away. So, it's just me in this kennel today but the sun just came up and people will start to come and go and everything will be more interesting. Maybe even some man with a nice voice will come and point at me saying "he's perfect". It is even okay if he wants to change my name.  

Do Dogs Day Dream?

We hear so many opinions about dogs. Some say they are color blind, some say they see all colors, some two colors... Do you think dogs day dream? What might they day dream about? Brody looks like he may be day dreaming about piloting his own plane like the pictures on his bandana. I bet he never day dreamed that he would grow into such a big handsome boy so quickly quickly! He is seen here at 4 months and 4 days in his 'Dogs In Planes' bandana from the Astrid Nicole Etcetera Etsy shop and there he is all grown up wearing exactly the same bandana. It comes as no surprise that his mom had to add some extensions to help it fit. 

Misfit or Movie Star

A widely held misconception is that dogs in shelters are misfits. The unfortunate truth is that many....maybe even most...are the casualty of humans who didn't have the time, patience or know how to help them to become well behaved members of the family. That's Astrid on the left in 2006, still in the shelter. And that is Astrid on the right. Neither a misfit nor a movie star (except for staring in her own movies) there are thousands just like her in shelter's across the nation. Looking for a specific breed? There are shelters that are specific to breeds or try a mixed up dog like Astrid. German Shepherd, Mastiff, Border Collie? Yes, you can have it all...it's in there.

The Pampered Pooch...Hot and Cold

We came across a great idea for our senior pets the other day that would be especially 'cool' in a warm way in Winter or on those damp and chilly days. Toss your dog's blanket or even a towel in the dryer for a few minutes on warm, then drape it over them and enjoy some snuggle time with your pet. Imagine how comforting this would be for older dogs with arthritic joints. At age 7,  Astrid is still free from joint problems but she was a willing model for this idea.

The Pampered Pooch - Something Scent-sational

We (maybe you too?) often wonder what we can do to pamper our dogs a little more. Maybe we already take nice long walks but we feel...and no doubt our dog feels and senses it...that we could walk the same path we always take in our sleep. Possibly you think along the same lines as we did...what is wrong with being predictable. We know the route and the dogs and people we will meet along the way. No surprises there! Maybe that's why our dog yawns when we do the same old tricks in the same old room of the house and then take a walk on our same old path.


To give our dog some new excitement in life we don't have to change our schedule or even learn new tricks. Walking the sidewalk on the other side of the street will bring all new scents and a different perspective. So will practicing 'tricks' and behaviors in different rooms of the house. Anything just a little different will be 'scent-sational' for the dog and their person.

Spring and Summer Dog Fashion

Spring has sprung and Astrid is showing off her treasure trove of Spring and Summer fashions from her Etsy shop. All sizes, you will find bandanas, collars and even some matching totes for Mom. All sales from our AstridNicoleEtcetera Etsy shop benefit the Santa Cruz Humane Society in Nogales, AZ. Astrid is a proud alumni of the shelter, finding her 'for ever' home with us in 2006.

A Good Day To Play Dress Up

It's March. It's cloudy and there is a little rain off and on. What to do...what to do? It's a good day to play a little dress up. A little fun, a few treats for being so co-operative and even a cloudy, rainy day turns into fun for Astrid and Astrid's mom. 

Mardi Gras

Astrid might be a day late at the party, but there sure were enough beads to go around. Here she gathers with a few of her friends.

Hearty Dog Pause - Puppy Love

Some may remember this song by Paul Anka in 1960. While it wasn't written about dogs, it does bring to mind warm, cuddly puppy dogs. As adorable as puppies are, there are lots of reasons to consider an older dog when choosing your new sweetheart from the animal shelter. Here are 10 very, very good ones: The Senior Dogs Project.

Hearty Dog Pause - Funny Dogs Too!

If you are looking for a sweetheart for Valentine's this year, you might try the animal shelter near you. Besides big dogs and little dogs, there are lots of funny dogs to warm your heart all year. Astrid models her 'Funny Dogs' bandana that comes in three different sizes so it is sure to fit whatever size new best friend you choose.

Hearty Dog Pause

Today through Valentine's Day, instead of our weekly 'Fashion Paws' we will be doing a Hearty Dog Pause (Paws). So, Astrid...along with her hearty little friend...would like to say that all Valentine's sweethearts don't come in red, pink or white. The one's waiting in shelters come in brown, black and tan too. If you are looking for a new best friend for this Valentine's day, there are lots of them in a shelter near you. 

National Dress Up Your Pet Day

Saturday, January 14 is National Dress Up Your Pet Day. Some where, sometime you have probably come across the controversy surrounding this topic. Here is Astrid and her mom's take on the subject: It can be a source of endless entertainment for the pet parent and for the pet, as long as both are enjoying themselves equally. Our guess is that the dog (or any other pet) does not really care what color sweater was picked out for them or if it buttons down the front or the back. What they love is the interaction between themselves the people they are devoted to. 


Pictured here is Sugar, a former resident of the TLC (Tender Loving Care) Rescue in Grove City, Ohio.  She loves playing 'dress up'.

Fashion Paws...Big, Small or Inbetween

Everyone has heard the old adage 'the cutest clothes only come in small sizes'. Well, these three are here to bark "no way!" It's all a matter of finding the cutest things in your own size. Whether you are big, small or inbetween, love the skin (and fur!) you're in! 

National Bird Day

Today, January 5th, is National Bird Day. There are so many wonderful ways to enjoy birds, learning about their behavior and needs. At home, Astrid is celebrating the day with little whimsical lovebirds all over her bandana.

Fashion Paws...Develop Your Own Style

While following the latest fashion trends is fun, it can be more fun to develop your own style. Astrid, along with her friends Tucker, Sugar and Brody aren't afraid to get off the beaten track in their 'Boho Chic' bandanas.