Dog Blog

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Everyone knows "Lassie". The famous Collie initially published by Eric Knight in 1938. For generations, Lassie (a female collie) has enthralled audiences ranging from Children to senior citizens.

In fact, she has been portrayed in Books, Television (Both Movies and TV Shows) and even radio shows. Described as "Mahogany and Sable" in color, story follows Lassie as she strives to return home to the boy she grew up with.

Lassie


However, it is a little known fact that all the Lassies that have been portrayed in Movies are male! Apparently, the males "Look better", and have thicker coats. In addition, they are also slightly bigger than the females making it easier for a child to act alongside for a long time without rapidly outgrowing the dog.

Guess looks are deceiving huh? You can't do that with humans!

Even though the dog has been domesticated, they are still animals with instincts that are brought down from their ancestors in the wild. Sometimes, their instincts override all the training that a human can possibly give. An example that I remember was when a pregnant dog lashed out at me for getting too close. She was well brought up, so she didn't bite - her mouth was closed all the time - but it was a reminder to me that dogs are not humans.

Dog must respect You


It's important that your dog learns to respect you and give you precedence. Not doing so can encourage bullying behavior like growling, or pushiness while coming to food. Such a dog can be a ticking time bomb and for it's own sake, he/she must be taught that humans, and especially you, are superior to them.

You must always keep the idea in the back of your mind, that you are superior. This should manifest itself when your dog is on the leash, when you share food with your dog, and in all other circumstances where your dog's interests might clash even slightly with your own. Your dog must realize that it's interests are secondary to yours. In other words, you must be the alpha member of the pack.

This is neither cruel, nor disrespectful. It is a necessary part of a dog's upbringing for their own sake. Society will not tolerate a dog that goes beyond it's limits, and it is your responsibility to ensure that those limits are never crossed.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Every week Euro Puppy showcases a dog lamp. Is it tacky or wacky? We will leave it up to you to decide. While having our own beliefs, we would love your comments...Enjoy....

Kitsch Dog Lamps

At £50 each, these pretty halogen lamps have quite captured our imagination. There's something unusual about the texture of these playful dog lamps that give a great overall impression when lighted.

Available in many colors including white, red, and orange, each stands just a shy higher than a foot. When lit up, depending on the density of that area, the light shines through in a different hue, and this makes it a very colorful night companion.

Dog Lamp
Dog Lamp
Image Credit: www.liberty.co.uk


They're equipped with 12 Volts G4 halogen lamps, making them very special among our collection of doggy lamps on this blog! Why don't you pick one up for Thanksgiving this year?

Wacky or tacky, what do you think?

-- poll results --



Thursday, November 13, 2008

Let's shut out all the noise, and listen to the sounds of the universe.....

That's it! I'm getting it..I can SMELL it! I'm at peace now :)

Meditating dog


Who can describe the years that we spent with our dogs? Who can exactly talk about the feeling that permeated that period? We may not have thought of him or her all the time, and they may not have been the center of our lives.

But they were a part of us. A part of our security, and a part of our home. Their smell was around us, and their bark was around the corner. And even though we may have other dogs after they are gone, and will love them as much, we can never bring back those feelings, and those years.

Our friends leave us and go, but they leave such a silent and strong stamp on us that we carry their paw prints on our hearts for the rest of our lives.


MEMORIES

"Not the least hard thing to bear when
they go from us, these quiet friends,
is that they carry away with them so
many years of our lives. Yet, if they
find warmth therein, who would
begrudge them those years that they
have so guarded?
And whatever they take,
be sure they have deserved."


--- John Galsworthy ---

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Minnie Driver is best known for her Academy Award nomination in the film "Good Will Hunting". Having recently given birth to her son in September, it's nice to know that they young boy will have black Labrador Retriever to take care of him!

Minnie Driver and her Labrador

Going by registrations alone, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog in the western world, in Europe and USA. In fact, they beat the next most popular breeds like German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers by a huge margin (almost 3-5 times).

The Labrador epitomizes the happy life and is most interested in eating and lots of fun! They are absolutely superb with young children, and is a great dog for a young child to start off life with! The saying goes that they can hold an egg in their jaws without breaking it. Such is the gentleness of this breed.

They are perfect for home and enjoy large families with lots of noise and enjoyment! A labrador brings a sparkle to any home :)

Come and see our Labrador Retriever puppies.

Monday, November 10, 2008

We've always known that having a dog is good for us. It makes us more likable people, and more likely to show compassion and empathy.

However, did you know that research backs up this observation? A study in 1999 on 48 stockbrokers has demonstrated that the group that had a pet including dogs were far less likely to have heart attacks than the group that didn't.

Stress free life
Image Credit: rachel


Following the results of this test, many who didn't have a dog, went out and got one! It's official. Maintaining a dog keeps you healthier and more stressful. In addition, children who are exposed to dogs early on are at a much lower risk of becoming allergic to substances due to the body's strengthened immune system.

So if you were looking for an excuse to get yourself a dog, this is a good one!

Friday, November 07, 2008

Every week Euro Puppy showcases a dog lamp. Is it tacky or wacky? We will leave it up to you to decide. While having our own beliefs, we would love your comments...Enjoy....

Dog Lamps - Dancing Dogs

This week's dog lamp is unusual. Instead of depicting a scene from real dog life, it tries to project a human situation onto our furry friends.

Of course, this doesn't mean it's not lovely. The two dogs seem to be dancing together, or even taking their vows to swear fidelity to one another! A very pretty scene.

Dog Lamps
Image Credit: www.tailsandcompany.com


Unfortunately, the website doesn't give many details about this particular dog lamp, like the material it's made of. If I had to guess however, I would say it's porcelain. The price tag is a bit steep at $260. Maybe it has some other significance that we're not aware of.

But nonetheless, nice to look at, and a funny addition to a dog lover's home decor.

So? Wacky or tacky? What do you think dear Dog lover?

Wacky or tacky, what do you think?

-- poll results --




Thursday, November 06, 2008

Just like in the cartoons, when you see the pilots with their ears steaming back into the wind, and their eyes become slits, along with their cheeks getting pulled backwards!

This dog's name is Banana, and if she had her way, who knows where she'd take the car :)

The photographer's guess is that she's eying the bakery nearby!

co-pilot
Image Credit: hexodus...



I wonder sometimes, that if all the dogs that have lived and died over the thousands of years that man has kept dogs as companions were counted, wouldn't it be amazing to see just how many faithful souls have lived on the earth?

And with each of those dogs, his or her master would stand by them, and what a gathering they would make! The past can never be erased completely, and all of us - dog lovers - are joined forever to each of these dogs and to each of these people. For we share something together. Something that no person who has never really had a dog can understand....


THE BEST PLACE TO BURY A DOG

"There is one best place to bury a dog.
"If you bury him in this spot, he will
come to you when you call - come to you
over the grim, dim frontier of death,
and down the well-remembered path,
and to your side again.

"And though you call a dozen living
dogs to heel, they shall not growl at
him, nor resent his coming,
for he belongs there.

"People may scoff at you, who see
no lightest blade of grass bent by his
footfall, who hear no whimper, people
who may never really have had a dog.
Smile at them, for you shall know
something that is hidden from them,
and which is well worth the knowing. "The one best place to bury a good
dog is in the heart of his master."


--- Ben Hur Lampman ---
from the Portland Oregonian Sept. 11, 1925