Luxury Mutt

Jennifer Aniston & her mutts

luxurymutt@gmail.com — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:54:00 GMT

Jennifer Aniston and her corgi mix Norman.

Elle Magazine photo shoot. Jennifer Aniston and her dog Norman. 2005

Jennifer pays $250 a week for Norman to have spa sessions which includes dog massage, Reiki and acupuncture treatments, according to Bang Showbiz.

A Mutt Like Me

luxurymutt@gmail.com — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 02:07:00 GMT

A Mutt Like Me

Not since Richard Nixon’s famous Checkers speech has a dog featured so prominently in presidential politics. During President-elect Obama’s acceptance speech on Tuesday night, he told his daughters, Sasha and Malia, they “have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House.” When asked about the puppy during his first post-election press conference on Friday, Obama explained in more depth:

This is a major issue. I think it’s generated more interest on our web site than just about anything. We have two criteria that have to be reconciled. One is that Malia is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic. There are a number of breeds that are hypoallergenic. On the other hand, our preference would be to get a shelter dog. But obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me. Whether we’re going to be able to balance those two things is a pressing issue in the Obama household.

Adopting a dog is a meaningful experience in anyone’s life, and the Obamas are right to consider the unique needs of their family and approach the decision with care and deliberation. Animal lovers are grateful that the First Family-elect wants to rescue a shelter dog, and I’ve written before on this blog that adoption can send a powerful message of hope and change for all the dogs suffering in cages at abusive puppy mills or waiting in shelters for a second chance and a loving home.

So the question that remains is whether it’s possible for any family—presidential or otherwise—to balance their desire for a shelter dog with a child’s allergies. My answer: “Yes we can!”

First, adopting a purebred is easy. One of every four dogs in U.S. animal shelters is a purebred. If a family wants a particular type of dog, such as a breed that might produce fewer reactions in people who suffer from allergies, the local animal shelter should be the first stop. My colleague Kelly Peterson adopted her dog Keely (pictured)—a soft-coated wheaten terrier, one of the breeds said to be less irritating to those with dog allergies—from the Portland shelter run by the Oregon Humane Society.

There are also purebred rescue groups that specialize in particular breeds of dogs, keeping abandoned, rejected, or stray purebreds until they can be placed in loving, permanent homes. And online resources like Pets911.com and Petfinder.com allow people to search for specific breeds in need of adoption.

Second, contrary to popular belief, there are no “hypoallergenic” or “nonallergenic” breeds of dogs or cats, and even hairless breeds may be highly allergenic. People respond differently to dogs and cats, and one animal of a particular breed may be more irritating to an individual allergy sufferer than another animal of that same breed. Children sometimes outgrow allergies, although adults rarely become accustomed to pets to whom they are allergic.

Cats tend to be more allergenic than dogs for allergic people, although some people are more sensitive to dogs than cats. Dogs with soft, constantly-growing hair—the poodle or the bichon frise, for example—may be less irritating to some individuals, although this may be because they are bathed and groomed more frequently. A mutt who is a mix of those breeds would have the same benefits for people with allergies.

The Humane Society of the United States has tips for reducing the symptoms of allergies when pets are in the household, such as cleaning your home properly, bathing your pet regularly, creating an “allergy free” zone where the pet is not allowed, and considering allergy shots. By doing some research and taking simple precautions, we can keep people and pets together—from the White House to your house.

By Michael Markarian

Animal & Politics Blog

Naming Your Dog Well

luxurymutt@gmail.com — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 18:20:00 GMT

Naming Your Dog Well By Kathy Diamond Davis - Author and Trainer

Does it make a difference what name you choose for your dog? Yes, it does. If you know in advance that you will be adopting a dog, take time over the choice of a name. Start using that name when you first meet the dog. Your dog will learn the new name quickly and will more easily learn how things work at your house because the new name signifies a new lifestyle.

The dog’s name is a word you’ll say many times over a period of years. Make it a word with meaning for you. Choose a word that will please you to say and see written.

A good name for your dog will help the two of you bond, and it will help everyone who hears the name have a higher opinion of your dog. If you want your neighbors to trust your dog around their little kids, don’t name the dog “Rabies”! An aggressive-sounding name for your dog leaves the impression that you value aggressive behavior in a dog. How would that play out in court in a case of someone having been injured if you were accused of knowing previously that your dog was dangerous? Perhaps not in your favor.

Dogs do not mind when we change their names. They have no “identity” connected to their names. They’re not embarrassed by other dogs teasing them about their names! It’s just a familiar sound that means you want the dog’s attention. At least, that’s what it needs to mean. Dog names should not mean they need to go hide from your wrath! If you create that meaning of the name, you’ll have trouble getting the dog to come when called!

If you like your dog’s name, you’ll say it with a positive tone that helps your relationship with the dog. It signifies that the dog means a lot to you, enough to take time over choosing the name.

Many people wait until they get a dog and then name the dog for looks or behavior. Thus we have “Whitey,” “Inky,” “Cocoa,” “Red,” “Spot,” “Tippy,” “Bitsy,” “Moose,” “Boots,” “Chewy,” “Digger,” “Lucky,” “Scamp”—you get the idea. Leading names for dogs, if choosing a common name is your preference, are “Max” and “Maggie.” If any one of these is a name that will make you think of your dog fondly and smile when you say the name, then for you it may be a fine choice.

Let’s look at some practical matters about the use of a dog’s name. If your dog has a registered name, the call name does not have to match it or derive from it. The breeder has criteria for registered names that help identify the breeding when people in the breed make genetic decisions about matings. You may not be involved in choosing the registered name, which is fun to do. Then “Tacara’s Kinsman Redeemer” can be the registered name for a dog whose call name is “Redeemer.” But if the dog was already named by the breeder as “Tacara’s Gallant Griffey,” it’s perfectly fine for the call name you choose to be “Gabriel,” even if he IS gallant, and DOES love to play ball!

Dogs need nicknames, and may have several over the course of their lives. These names can be used in play with the dog when you are not saying “Listen up, here comes a command!” Nicknames can also work well during veterinary care when you want to elicit the dog’s cooperation but not make it a command.

Nicknames can also be used when you’re talking to someone about the dog and don’t want to get the dog’s attention. By doing this too often, you would be giving “false alarms” that eventually cause the name to lose its pay-attention meaning to your dog. You will also want a name to tell someone you’re about to give the dog a bath or put stuff into ears, without tipping off the dog. You will want to vary this name so the dog doesn’t get wise to it.

If at any time you feel you don’t like the dog’s name for some reason, the dog will adjust quite easily to a change. Dogs go by the “call me anything as long as you call me to dinner” philosophy. When you associate the dog’s name with good things, the dog will learn it in a couple of days. Your body language also helps the dog recognize you’re talking to him or her. Those of us who have had multiple dogs often get the name for the dog we’re addressing wrong, and the dog almost always responds anyway because of our body language.

For best results, make names and nicknames positive. You will address your dog in a more positive tone if the word is positive. Even your body language will be more positive. Call your dog for good things. The usual advice is to never use the dog’s name in a negative manner. In real life, though, especially if you have multiple dogs, you may find yourself occasionally needing to say the dog’s name combined with a “Stop doing that” command.

This could include “Leave it,” a cue that every dog needs to learn for safety. When the dog obeys this command, praise the dog immediately, using the name. And make a point of using the name frequently for other positive situations. That will compensate for occasionally (not constantly!) using it to get the dog to stop an undesired behavior. Remember that the best course is always to get the dog to do a desired behavior rather than dwell on correcting the undesired one. This results in a better behaved, happier, and more stable dog.

The sound of the name may make a difference to the dog’s response. Soft dogs seem to respond more quickly to softer-sounding works, such as those with “S” sounds and those that end with an “E” sound. (Thus perhaps some dogs respond well to “Max,” “Maggie,” and “Muffy.”) Practice saying and listening to a name to see if you can comfortably speak it.

If you plan to do some sort of rapid-fire work with your dog, a one-syllable name you can say quickly may be a good choice. Two and even three syllable names work fine, too, though, especially for companion dogs. You can also draw out the length of a short name or shorten the length of a longer name by the nicknames you use for particular situations. “Gabriel” could be pronounced “Gab-rel,” or softened to the nickname “Gaby.”

Ideas for Finding Good Names

A good name for your dog is a name you find meaningful and positive. Consider looking for names in lists (on the Internet, in books, polling friends, listening to songs, movies, television—everywhere there are words) where you would find words from one of the following categories:

Names of places that have meaning to you
Movies, plays, books and television: characters, titles, themes, settings
Reference materials about subjects you enjoy: read or skim for words in the text; look through the glossary, table of contents, index, resource list, links, illustrations, etc.
Terms from a sport or hobby you love
Words from favorite songs, poems, or traditional stories
Terminology from your work or other work that interests you
Human names you like or names of people you admire
Words related to your faith, patriotism or other ideals
Words from history or culture of significance to you
Attributes or principles you value (“Honor,” “Hope,” “Buddy,” “Pal,” “Amigo,” “Justice,” “Mercy”)
Words in other languages
Words from nature (“Star,” “River,” names of plants, “Cirrus,” “Rainbow,” “Snowflake,” “Mesa,” “Meadow,” “Wildflower”)
Words referring to your favorite holidays or seasons (“Valentine,” “Noel,” “Dreidle,” “Easter,” “Saint Nick,” “Patrick,” “Shamrock”)

Work of Heart

Your dog’s name can be of great significance if you make it so. It can remind you always of a special animal and a unique relationship. Your life will change through the years and every dog is different, so you will never have a relationship just like this one.

Every moment with these animals whose lives are so short compared to ours is a moment to learn from and to create a good memory. The name and nicknames you choose for your dog will become connected with memories your dog leaves with you long after passing from the earth. Finding a name you love for your dog will add pleasure and meaning to both of your lives.

Finding The Right Mutt

luxurymutt@gmail.com — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:28:00 GMT

FIND A DOG TO MATCH YOUR LIFESTYLE

Unconditional, tail-wagging love - there's a special dog out there for you. Here are some things that the Westminster Kennel Club would like you to think about as you try to find that special four-legged companion for you and your family.

To begin, take your time, do your homework, and find a dog that matches your lifestyle. Owning a dog is a very special experience. The reality is that you are adding a member to your family, as a healthy dog can live for 12-15 years or more. It is important that you give a lot of thought to this process.

Don't get a dog on impulse. Don't get a dog to be trendy. Trends come and go, but your dog will be with you for a long time. The stars of "101 Dalmatians" and "Frasier" and "Beethoven" are wonderful dogs, but they aren't for everyone and they may not be the right dog for you or your family.

Envision the dog as an adult. Every puppy is a cute ball of fluff, but you need to know what it will grow up to be. This is the essence of the purebred dog: predictability. You will know what that puppy will grow up to be in terms of size, personality, conditioning and grooming needs.

Study the breed's history. All breeds were developed to perform a specific function. If you know that purpose and the history of the breed, then you will be best prepared for a successful relationship.

Make a commitment. Having a dog creates responsibilities. Be sure that you will have quality time to spend with the dog.

There are many resources to help you. At the Westminster website (www.westminsterkennelclub.org) you will find descriptions of each of the 165 breeds and varieties currently recognized by the American Kennel Club, and links to all the parent club web sites (e.g., Golden Retriever Club of America).

Here are some other suggestions:

Watch the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on USA Network in February.
Look at books, magazines, web sites and videos.
Consult with your local all breed club, boarding kennel, or veterinarian.
Go to a dog show and visit with breeders and owners.

FIND AN ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE BREEDER

An ethical, responsible breeder breeds to improve the health of the breed, not just to create a product for re-sale. They know their stock, they study pedigrees and they do extensive health screening.

An ethical, responsible breeder is not offended by your questions and in fact will have lots of questions for you. Responsible breeders want their dogs to be in good homes.

An ethical, responsible breeder will have an active history in shows or other competition, and should be involved in a club or rescue activities.

You should visit in person the facilities where the puppy was raised, as this will play a role in the future health and personality of the dog. You should also try to see at least one of the parents and some of the littermates.

An ethical, responsible breeder will provide a contract with health guarantees and will provide papers for you to register your dog. Remember, when you buy a dog from a breeder, you are also buying that breeder, too, someone who should be willing to be a valuable resource and a mentor for you for the life of the dog.

BE A RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER

We like to say that there are no bad dogs, only bad owners. Have fun with your dog. Love your dog, include them in your life.

Know the laws for dogs where you live. License your dog, use permanent identification such as a tattoo or microchip. Practice good manners and dog owner etiquette: be respectful of your neighbors and their dogs. Clean up after your dog, and control barking and behavior issues.

Take them to some basic training and help them be a responsible member of your family. A trained dog is a happy dog.

Pet Theroies

luxurymutt@gmail.com — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 02:52:00 GMT

Place Holder

Huntington Dog Beach

luxurymutt@gmail.com — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:13:00 GMT

Huntington Dog Beach is located in sunny Southern California. One mile of gorgeous beach front, where dogs can run off leash, play in the ocean and make new friends.

The dog beach is maintained by the www.dogbeach.org. Please support them. It is one of a handful of off-leash beaches in So-Cal.

map via www.dogbeach.org

Pet Fitness

luxurymutt@gmail.com — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:02:00 GMT

Luxury Mutt

Jennifer Aniston & her mutts

A Mutt Like Me

A Mutt Like Me

Naming Your Dog Well

Finding The Right Mutt

Pet Theroies

Huntington Dog Beach

Pet Fitness

If you want your dog to look good, its important too....