The Dog Blog is a community of ordinary dog lovers who have come together to discuss our extraordinary dogs. Each Monday, a new topic is introduced. If you've got an opinion, share it. If not, look for the current "anything goes" topic and introduce a discussion of your own. On Fridays, weigh in about your training questions and successes. Your host: Mike Lewis is a little-dog nerd and the proud owner of Eddie and Jillian, a pair of Yorkies who think they're huskies, and Lucy, a sweet Chessie. R.I.P., Rusty. Contact mlewis@adn.com
Post a picture of your pooch in costume before the Oct. 28 deadline, then check back to view the submissions in our 5th Annual Howwwwl-oween Costume Contest.
Puppy Paws, the first YouTube episode on the lives of Denali National Park's new litter of sled dogs.
This summer, Denali National Park's kennel is opening its virtual doors to something special -- the birth, rearing and training of a its annual litter of sled dog puppies.
Kennel workers will do this through YouTube videos, a live webcam as well as the attached pictures taken by Jamie Dittmar of the National Park Service.
Use this space to discuss training issues -- brag about successes, lament setbacks or bounce a question off the group.
We're wrapping up our (I hope) our annual "no bark" classes. Each spring, it seems, my dogs and the neighbor dogs on two sides forget that we all agreed that barking incessantly is not allowed through the fence.
I don't know if it's because they don't see each other as often in winter or that it's not as much fun to run up and down the fence in the snow, but a refresher course is always in order.
Use this space to discuss anything you'd like, or just drop by and say hello.
All's well with my pack. I bought some of those Himalayan Dog Chews on the advice of longtime Dogblogger RobynandBatman. I'm pleasantly surprised. I was certain Lucy would still demolish it in minutes, but she's going on two days now and has hardly made a dent.
Rascal was featured as our Pet of the Week in July 2009, right about the time when he participated in the Anchorage 4th of July Parade and did wonderfully with crowds and families! This handsome fellow is friendly and pleasant, curious, and enjoys the company of humans. He's
Do you feel comfortable letting your dog say "hello" to another leashed dog that you pass on a walk? Have you ever had a bad experience?
I used to allow it regularly, but I've had a number of bad experiences and now avoid it. For a reason I don't fully understand, dogs are more protective when they're on leash.
I've been in an especially sad mood today. Our little-dog group lost a member of our pack. Lucy, who has gone to just about every twice-weekly meetup we've had for the past two years, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge this morning.
My apologies for the late "Monday" topic of the week. I don't know where the time goes.
This one came as a suggestion from Jerseygirl01:
What are the best kibbles for various issues (coat/digestion/arthritis/weight/behavior...)
Obviously, most of us will talk to our vets or a canine nutritionist when trying to come up with the best food. But with that said, what have you learned? What's worked for you?
<By JEFFREY COLLINS and HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Fourteen people in at least nine states have been sickened by salmonella after handling tainted dog food from a South Carolina plant that a few years ago produced food contaminated by toxic mold that killed dozens of dogs, federal officials said Friday.
Use this space to discuss training issues -- brag about successes, lament setbacks, or bounce a question off the group.
I have a brag and a lament all wrapped into one: Eddie passed his therapy dog recertification test twice on Saturday (once with me, once with Kelly).
The lament is mine: My passing score was significantly lower than Kelly's. On a 2 is best, 1 is passing and 0 is fail basis, Kelly and Eddie got all but one 2. Eddie and I got 10 1's. She kicked my butt!
Use this space to discuss training issues -- brag about successes, lament setbacks or bounce a question off the group.
EDDIE: He takes his therapy dog recertification test on Saturday, and I feel pretty good about it. I'm not as nervous as the two other times I took it with him, at least. And my nervousness and preparedness are really the only issues we've ever had.
Here are the things I've been criticized for before in passing the previous tests:
Anchorage Animal Care and Control Center recently launched a new campaign promoting responsible pet ownership. Check out these humorous video public service announcements below, and share the link or let them know what you think on AACCC's Facebook page.
If you could have any dog from television or film as your pet, who would you pick?
My friend Jenifer, one of the original contributors to the Dog Blog who still visits from time to time, posted this on her Facebook page and gave me permission to use it. She said it could be any animal, but I'm limiting it to dogs for this discussion.