Dogs, Buy or adopt?

Posted: under Home and Family.

Buy or Adopt That is the question. If you intend to breed or show your dog there is no alternative but to buy your dog from a reputable AKC-REGISTERED breeder. Should you be in a position where nothing but the best satisfies you, then buying a registered, pedigreed dog is also your best choice. Another alternative for those wanting to acquire a fine pet is cross bred dogs. They are not for breeding or show but some of the handsomest dogs I have ever seen were mixed breeds. But, buying a mixed ...
Read the rest of this entry »

Jan 19 2012


The Fugitive

Posted: under Home and Family.

Where are the dogs of yesteryear? They all seem to be some breed or another these days. They never used to be. Back in the forties, we had dogs that LEANED in one direction or another. Or maybe two or three directions at once. But we never went out and bought a specific brand of dog. Why would you buy a dog when the neighbors were giving away perfectly good pups for free, along with a jar of peaches and maybe some string beans? It has always been hard to earn a living farming, and the animals ...
Read the rest of this entry »

Jan 18 2012


The Cat and the Evil Mower

Posted: under Home and Family.

'A coward dies a thousand deaths; a brave man dies but once.' Our cat Der Doc proved that this applies to cats as well. Caution was the watchword in Der Doc's life. He was a grey cat, striped like a tiger but decidedly without the tiger's courage. Daddy said, 'He's the original scaredy-cat.' Der Doc had the run of our farm in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana, and the farm had multitudes of opportunities for a diligent cat. The chief opportunities lay with barn mice during the winter and field ...
Read the rest of this entry »

Jan 14 2012


Dixie Dawg

Posted: under Home and Family.

DIXIE DAWG Copyright 2004, Michael LaRocca I met Lisa when I was 21 years old. She was 15. Her father took us to their house. Meeting the family cats may not sound like a big deal to you, but it was to Lisa's family. One cat was Siamese. Her name was Dusty. Here's what I knew about Dusty. When Lisa was a baby, crying in her crib, Dusty tried to shut her up by biting her. This was an ancient family pet, full of pride and dignity, greatly loved by all. Here's what I didn't know about Dusty. She ...
Read the rest of this entry »

Jan 12 2012


Signs You Might Be A Cat

Posted: under Home and Family.

SIGNS YOU MIGHT BE A CAT Copyright 2005, Michael LaRocca You can get cuddles whenever you want them. You yowl loudly if your litter box is not clean. You yowl loudly at the full moon. You yowl loudly for no reason. Floor swimming! Ping Pong balls! You find yourself bathing Daddy every day because he doesn't know how to clean himself. You don't understand the language that your pet humans use, but you always know when they are talking about you. Daddy won't change the weather no matter how many ...
Read the rest of this entry »

Jan 07 2012


A Tragic and Brutal End for our American Horses.

Posted: under Home and Family.

Each time I write or pass along this information, my whole intention is to save at least one more horse. Alone I know I cannot save them all, although I whole heartedly want to, but to reach one more person's eyes, heart and conscious and they respond in kind then I suppose that is just as good. I purposely want these articles to strike a nerve and open the American public's eyes to the senseless practice of horse slaughter. Our American horses of all types are being slaughtered as would ...
Read the rest of this entry »

Jan 06 2012


Why Crate Train My Dog?

Posted: under Home and Family.

A few years ago, before I decided to stay home with my kids, I worked as a veterinarian technician in an animal hospital. While at that job I saw so many clients who would bring in their dog and be upset because they had eaten something in the house, other than food, and were now sick. One client brought in her chocolate lab that had gotten into her sewing box and eaten a pincushion, pins and all!!! Off to surgery the dog went and the owner was out about $1,500. Case number two was a giant ...
Read the rest of this entry »

Jan 03 2012


Crate Training Dogs & Puppies- FAQ

Posted: under Home and Family.

b> 1) Why should I crate train my dog? Crate Training is the fastest and most humane method of housebreaking dogs. Have you ever seen a dog under a table, chair or bed? The reason is that dogs naturally want to seek shelter, even in a house. If you don't provide it, they will create it themselves in an effort to feel safe and secure. A crate serves as a den for your dog. 2) How does crate training work? Like babies, puppies cannot control their bladders until they mature (usually between ...
Read the rest of this entry »

Jan 01 2012


Tinkling of Bells Helps Pet Avoid Accidents

Posted: under Home and Family.

If you listen carefully, you may hear bells ringing in the quiet suburban town of Simsbury, CT on a regular basis. That is, the sound of numerous family members being trained by their pooches. This innovative product solves the communication gap between man and his best friend, his dog. Typically dogs are trained to signal when they need to go outside and do their business in a variety of ways such as barking, whining, scratching at the door or perhaps sitting and waiting. All of which can lead ...
Read the rest of this entry »

Dec 25 2011


How To Housebreak Your Dog...Even If It's Still A Puppy.

Posted: under Home and Family.

The one unpleasant aspect of owning any puppy is the job of housebreaking. As cute as puppies are, each must be trained but remember that every puppy will conquer housebreaking although at a different rate. While some dog breeds can be housebroken in a very short amount of time, other breeds can be quite challenging. Paper Training Paper training or using commercially made training pads should be avoided. While this method of training has long been promoted as being easy and successful, the ...
Read the rest of this entry »

Dec 20 2011