The Red Dog Inn

So, if you haven’t heard by now, Disney has another movie coming out about a “family” of Chihuahuas.  I’m sure it’s going to be a gosh darned adorable movie, but I cringe to thing the trend that happened after the Dalmatians remakes were made.

If you recall, right have 101 and 102 Dalmatians were produced, there was a run on dalmatian puppies.  Names like Pongo and Perdita abounded.  However, many families didn’t do their homework, breeders couldn’t keep up with demand and well, a lot of dogs ended up in shelters and rescues. 

Here comes a movie about cute chihuahuas. So families… moms and dads, be smart. Resist the urge to give your children a chihuahua based on this movie. THe chihuahuas in the movie are highly trained. There is no guarantee that you’ll be able to train your chihuahua to perform the same behaviors. Remember, dogs are just like kids. There are A students, there are C students, there are athletes and academic decathletes.  The dogs chosen for the movie are veritable Vasser Scholars! Bottomline… your results may vary.  

Do your homework about chihuahuas. Sure they’re cute, but yes, they are yappy. Some websites suggest they are poor choices for small children because they are so small.  They are susceptible to cold. They require small spaces and supervision when outdoors.  In short, they require a lot of work. 

So, enjoy the movie, but don’t let it be the sole influence in the breed of dog you adopt. (Note that I wrote and emphasized ADOPT , not BUY. Shelters are brimming with all sorts of dogs. Many adoptable dogs have some one who’s been training them. BONUS!!)

It used to be when I was singing in a choir that I’d get excited for school to start because we’d start rehearsing Christmas songs, which meant Christmas was right around the corner. (And you thought you got sick of Christmas carols! Try singing them for a whole 4 months before the holiday!).  Then I started getting excited for Christmas because it meant Equine Affaire was a little more than a month away!  

I’m so excited to go to Equine Affaire later this week and see my pals from Certified Horsemanship Association and the inimitable Julie Goodnight!  If you love horses, if you have horses, or if you just want to get some horse sense, Equine Affaire is a great place to get it. 

Hope to see you there!

http://www.mileydog.com/

Wanna pamper your pooch with some serious bling? You have to check out the blingtastic creations at Mileydog.com!

Miley is our friend. Miley found her new home right around the same time Butters joined the crew at The Red Dog Inn. Both Butters and Miley have taken DNA tests that raised a few eyebrows. (Seriously, Chinese Sharpei?) Both Butters and Miley’s people are downright silly… just the way we like ‘em!

Here’s the story behind Mileydog collars in a nutshell

Not being able to find collars that fit Miley’s sturdy neck and outgoing personality, her person lovingly handcrafted bombastically blinged out collars fit for a diva! We’re not talking ordinary bling, here, folks!We’re talking Swarovski crystal embellished collars in a variety of colors and styles!

Miley is a bit of a “regional micro-celebrity”. So, soon after she started wearing these special colars, other dogs and their owners began asking Miley and her mom, “Where’d you get that gorgeous collar?!” 

After discussing the pros and cons of sharing their one of a kind creations with the world, they decided to share their gift with the world and MILEYDOG.com was born… or whelped.

Check it out. It’s BLING-TASTIC!!!! www.mileydog.com!

It looks like one of the first organizations I wrote about, Baghdad Pups, has found an angel organization to help them do their work.  Now there is a similar movement to help the dogs in Afghanistan find forever loving homes in the dog-loving United States of America!

Baghdad Pups information can be found here: http://www.spcai.org/baghdad-pups.html 

From their page:

“U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan befriend local animals as a way to help cope with the emotional hardships they endure every day while deployed in a war zone.  The Operation Baghdad Pups program provides veterinary care and coordinates complicated logistics and transportation requirements in order to reunite these beloved pets with their service men and women back in the U.S. These important animals not only help our heroes in the war zone, but they also help them readjust to life back home after combat.”

Today: I received two new stories from my friend, Lori, in Texas about what’s being done to help Afghanistan’s canines. Dogs are treated like we treat vermin in the US.  If you think this is your chance to be the change you’d like to see in the world, here are the links to the stories. Let’s do some good, folks!

http://www.northwestmilitary.com/pets/resources/2010/10/northwest-military-ranger-airlifter-newspaper-JBLM-royal-marine-dogs-of-war-Oso-5th-brigade-2nd-infa/

KUJO FINDS A HOME IN THE USA!

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/Dog_That_Befriended_Marines_In_Afghanistan_Has_New_Home_Here_108815394.html

Previous Story: http://www.thereddoginn.com/worthy-causes/

Lula Loves Her Ducks

Congratulations, Teemu Selanne on your 1,300th career point! I was watching! You deserve an ear rub!

And, Curtis McElhinney, I’m sending you lots of squishes so you heel… no, that’s a command I don’t do… HEAL, yeah, that’s it, quickly! (I’m a basset hound. English is my second language.) I was really concerned watching you get hurt, but I was so happy you played so well!

We love our pets. We really do. So we want to feed them the very best.  Most of us feed a packaged pet food, maybe we supplement with a little chicken, beef, salmon, or egg.  But do we really know what’s in those packages?  Here’s an interesting pet food ratings site that you may find helpful when choosing a food for your pet. Remember, if you choose to switch foods, consult your vet and do so gradually over time. Something like:

Week 1 of switch: 75% old food/25% new food

Week 2 of switch: 50% old food/50% new food

Week 3 of switch: 25% old food/ 75% new food

Week 4 of switch: 10% old food/90% new food; or if your pet adjusted well, 100% new food.

Here it is! Give it a look. Let us know if you’ll be making a change by leaving a comment.

http://www.petfoodratings.net/dogs.html

Honestly, I’m thinking about trading up. The product I was using may be contributing to my basset hound’s grass allergy.

In 2010, pet owners rejected more traditional pet names like Fluffy and Fido, for names associated more with humans. Check out the top 10 lists for Dogs, Cats and exotic critters, here: http://www.accessatlanta.com/celebrities-tv/pet-owners-choosing-more-795117.html?cxntlid=cmg_cntnt_rss

Dear Ducks:
I’m really sad that we lost tonight, despite outshooting the Predators. If you want to rub my ears for luck, just let me know.
Your Canine Fan,
Lula

If you’re a horse enthusiast and you live in the Western US, make plans to attend EQUINE AFFAIRE in Pomona, California.  Our friend, Julie Goodnight, will be there along with other trainers, exhibitors and more. 

Kids will dig the breed pavillion and there will be a trail rider pavillion, too.

Check it out!