Day of the Dog

Tihar, also known as Diwali, is the Nepali festival of lights, a 5 day Hindu celebration. Each day a different animal and God are worshipped. The 2nd day, Kukur Puja, is the worship of dogs. They are adorned with garland and given delicious food. Dogs are believed to be a messengers of Yamaraj, the god of death.

The above picture is of a police dog in Katmandu, Nepal.

Golden Beauty

Gold Paw Print

Did you know that its possible to use the remains of your pet to create a diamond? A round brilliant as beautiful as the love you feel can be yours for $30,000USD (for an average size Golden Retriever).

For the rest of us, is the below option. Custom made from their unique paw print. Quite Special.






http://www.european-jeweler.com/gallery_pawprint_all.html

Shades of Gold

The Golden Retriever's coat is normally a shade of gold or cream. The coat is normally flat or wavy, dense with a waterproof undercoat. The variation of colour of this this breed adds to its allure. From the darker golden, almost copper-like, referred to as American Golden Retrievers to the white British Golden Retriever. The Canadian Golden Retriever is in the middle of the spectrum. These terms are often disputed, but it is a matter of breed standards and has been generally accepted among the public. The British Golden Retriever has a wider, shorter muzzle, a block head and is stocky with light colouring. The American Golden Retriever is lankier and less stocky in darker shades of gold. Note that most puppies are lighter and darken as they mature. The colour of the ears will indicate the eventual coat colour.

Golden Retriever Grooming

The Golden Retriever requires weekly care and grooming. Grooming consists of not only brushing out the coat and bathing but also giving attention to the eyes, teeth, ears, feet and nails. A regular routine also ensures that any potential health problems are identified as quickly as possible, especially important in puppies and older Golden Retriever dogs.

The Golden Mane


Their needs differ depending on the the age. Puppies do not need heavy brushing, but getting them use to the brush is very important at this stage. Puppies will lose their puppy fur (light, fluffier version of an undercoat). Adult Goldens do lose their winter fur(a thick undercoat) in the summer, so you may notice extra fur bunnies around and will needs to upgrade your brushing frequency and house cleaning (Yay). Once they have grown their adult coat, you need to get a brush specifically for the undercoat. Once a week, brush head to tail going with the hair growth. The back end, hips and chest tend to take more work. Going in the opposite direction of the hair growth proves ultra successful and cuts the brushing time in half. Doing this, you may be able to get 2 weeks out of a brushing session. If I am going to bathe my dog, I brush them before hand, which makes the drying process easier. This brush looks mean, but its not. It is quite effective.





Bathing
With regular brushing, your dogs skin is stimulated and produces a healthy amount of oils to keep their hair and skin clean. Some people are against bathing their dogs (depending on the breed) because they say it causes skin problems, by drying it out. This is true. They suggest bathing once a year (full out suds and bubbles bathing). But inevitably, there is dander, which is an allergen and really is a disgrace to that beautiful golden coat. So what to do? Well, its obvious that once a year is not going to work for those of us who love our dogs and like to get close. I dont believe that it is healthy to bath once a month, though in puppyhood, i inevitably did so for the first 4 months (out necessity or just plain fun!). Twice a year (winter and summer to freshen up) and the occasional emergency bath ( due to mud puddle mania or skunk surprise) seems to work without any problems. Generally, for a muddy dog, a rinse should suffice. The beauty of the Golden Retrievers coat is that when they dry, the sand will fall off, and they look beautiful and smell like they should. No need to mess with the PH balance due to our obsession with clean. They are dogs after all. What do we expect them to smell like?



Summer Bathing Ritual
I find that i bathed my dogs more in the summer because of the opportunity the heat presented to play with the water. The do love water. As well, there was no hesitation on my part, due to an accelerated drying time. It usually takes 3 days for a Goldens coat to fully dry. Whether it is just for the fun of it, or because they had a swim in the river or lake sometimes a rinse is all it takes. When you do use shampoo(in 1 or your 2 annual tune ups) make sure that it is the canine kind or baby shampoo(a must!especially for the face) and rinse thoroughly.

Towel dry as best you can. I usually use 3 towels, one for the dog,one for the floor and one for me. Focus on the thicker areas and dont forget armpits and other areas that arent fully exposed to the breeze.

Blow drying is a huge advantage to those who have the patience to teach it. Best started in puppyhood, begin by slowly introducing it is 5 to 10 sec sessions, just using my fingers to run through the hair. Never force them or you can kiss this idea goodbye. Always reward them with a treat when they can endure it for a short session or two. Eventually, they will come to enjoy it and you will be forever greatful.

Doggy Dental Hygiene
I will go into this further in another post but at this time I leave you with this great new product. The Chew it yourself toothbrush! Great idea! but i will continue to brush manually and properly inspect for myself. Saves me $$$ too!

Clean Ears Often!
I will address this later as well. It is suggest to do weekly, though depeding on the season and physical activites, it can vary. Typically, I find during summer or when they have been heated up from exercise, the wax mets and builds up faster.






Nail Trimming is important for both you and your dog. To avoid scratches on floors or pulls in clothing, etc, as well as for your dogs balance and alignment. Its best to start early and ensure you understand the proper technique, though even an experienced dog owner can make the mistake and cause bleeding. Taking a look at your dogs nails you will notice within the nail there is a dark area, known as The Kwik. It contains nerves and supplies blood to the area. The kwik can curve with the dogs nails but eventually will shorten with consistent nail care. It is easiest to identify the kwik on clean nails.


It is suggested to cut the nails at a 45 degree angle and each toe may differ. I find the middle two to be similar and grow quickly, while the outer toes have a somewhat different shape. And dont forget the dew claw (located a few inches up the inner ankle). Depending on the type of clippers (scissor type or ejectable blade) you will find the best way for you. I prefer the scissor type, where the pressure is even from both top and bottom. With the ejectable blade type, it is important to clip from the top down. Syptic powder is used to stop bleeding, as cutting into the kwik can be messy. Wet a cotton swap and dip into the powder and hold against the cut.

If all goes well and if you have the time, why not try this?




..we can dream..

Doggle!

For all you dog crazy bobble lovers, check out this Golden Retriever Bobble Head. Available on calendars.com for $14.99US (adhesive sold separate). Display your Doggle proudly! Available in a variety of breeds! For all you animal lovers, a visit to bobbleheadanimals.com might have exactly what you're looking for.




Also, for a unique gift to yourself or someone else, check out AWESOME custom made bobble heads at www.youbobble.com. Send a picture, pick a body and bobble. Im not sure if they create pet bobbles, but judging by the quality of their work, im sure it wouldn't be a problem.

जेनिफर गार्नर एंड दोग मारता स्टेवार्ट

As if we if theres isn't enough to love about Jennifer Garner from her movies "13 going on 30", "Juno" and so on, She is Dog Lover! Here are some great shots of her and gorgeous Labrador, Martha Stewart.






Jennifer is the leader of her pack consisting of Maggie-May, a beagle-boxer rescue, and Charlie-Rose, a maltese, as well. All girl dogs! It takes a strong pack leader to rule over bitches.

Great real life dog story

Saturday, September 5, 2009 CBC News

B.C. toddler lost in Yukon gets to keep dog he followed

A two-year-old boy lost in the Yukon bush overnight after wandering away from his family's campsite will get to keep the dog he followed.

The toddler, identified only as Kale, wandered away from a campsite north of Ross River, Yukon, on Thursday.

The boy, from Kamloops, B.C., apparently trailed after a dog, which stayed with him throughout his 25-hour adventure.

Mike Bondarchuk was among many searchers, including Mounties, search-and-rescue experts and volunteers from the nearby community of Ross River.

He said a helicopter pilot, using infrared technology, spotted Kale.

"I guess he had spotted some kind of heat. So he got one of the crews … to go over and check and they did a walk and, sure enough, there was the little boy standing there and the dog was with him."

Bondarchuk said the boy seemed to be doing well.

"He just wanted some juice. He was pretty dehydrated there. I guess this dog took pretty good care of him."

Police say it's likely the boy survived by cuddling up with the dog, Koda, to keep warm through the night.

Koda's owner, Kim Dolan, said it's amazing the two made it out safe and sound.

"From what the parents have said, they're just total outdoors people and he was in his element, the little guy … with a guardian angel of course."

Dolan said she was happy to let the boy keep the dog.

"We gave Koda to them because he, obviously, helped play a big part in making sure the baby survived."

Dolan said her own kids weren't immediately keen on the idea of giving their dog away.

"I have two children, two boys of my own, that were kind of upset about my decision [to give the dog away] until they met the family … and understood the situation a little better," she said.

"I think they feel very happy that the dog will have a lovely home. I'm sure he'll be spoiled completely and live a long, happy life."

The family was believed to be resting in a hotel in Ross River on Saturday.
With files from The Canadian Press


B.C. toddler lost in Yukon gets to keep dog he followed

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Music To My Ears

Top Dog Toys

If you are a new dog owner or even an experienced one looking around the pet store, you may be overwhelmed by the selection of dog toys. Bones and pull ropes or squeaky balls and boomerangs, which one to choose? Depending on the breed and age, your dog will have different needs. I have compiled a list, from experience, that will be appreciated by your dog, as well as your pocket book. (Note:this list is based on the needs of a Retriever and Sporting type dog).

1- Balls! A must have. It is worth while to invest in real tennis balls of the almost indestructible ball, $10.









2-Plush Toy
A plush toy to a dog, is like a little friend. Sooner or later, your dog may take it upon themselves to choose something from your personal items (slippers, socks children's toy) that suits the purpose of chew toy, companion and bed time buddy. This is one of those hard choices. With such a variety, be careful to choose one that does not have small pieces, like eyes and noses, as they are chocking hazard. The best choice in this category, are the ones that are flat, or without fuzzy insides, for obvious reasons. The now offer faux squirrels, beavers, ducks, etc, that have a velcro opening to insert squeakers(below $12 @ PetSmart). These are machine washable and the only thing you need to replace is the squeakers , which you can find for $3.
Vote:Is this a squirrel or a beaver?












3 - Bones

The allure of a bone is not easily understood to humans, but this simple things can keep your pup busy for hours. Whether its a real bone from the butcher shop (I suggest a Shank Bone), rawhide chews, an edible or non-edible Nylabone, it will help clean their teeth and provide entertainment. Consult with your Vet regarding the proper type of bone depending on your dogs age. Especially careful with the choice for your puppy. I suggest a variety of edible and non edible bones. Buy in bulk and put some away for a rainy day.

If teeth cleaning is of top concern, Greenies make a nice green toothbursh version. Check out this link for a free sample
http://www.greenies.com/en_ca/FreeSample/

My personal favorite, for a treat, is the DentaBone or BusyBones.














The Chilly Bone. Dogs love chillin' out with the chilly bone! This is perfect for puppys and last well into their adult life. A good investment.











4 - Indestructible Rubber
The Hol-ee Roller
This is a great indoor/outdoor toy. a Must have. It has a variety of uses. Chew toy, fetch toy and challenge toy. Put some large dog biscuits in here and amuse your K-9! Its light weight is perfect for the retriever type. Available in variety of colours and diameters of 3.5" to 8", up to $14.


Also
Dogs in Action Rubber Dog Toy for Large Dogs


Great for chewing or tug-o-war, $10.



5 The king of all dog toys..

THE KONG

Kong has been around since 1976 and claims to be the best. Time has proven this true and today they have such a large selection of great dog toys, you can't beat investing on one. They even have a bird kong!

Thanks to the durability, Kongs are safely used in a variety of ways. You can put a treat or peanut butter inside and it can be used to help your pup learn to use their paws for holding.


Kongs range from Puppy to Extreme.

Puppy Kong is softer for their delicate needs.


They also offer Squeakers, Wubbas, Kongs on a rope and more, price ranges $3 to $15.
Check out this chart to determine your needs. I would call ahead to make sure the store has what you want, because I found certain items to be quite popular and not in stock. But wait, with online shopping, who goes to the store anymore? Me and my dog, thats who!



View another Kong chart here:


http://www.kongcompany.com/KONGSizeChart.pdf



Note on Top Dog Toys.

Toys can be fun for both you and your dog. Playing together is an important part of your relationship, so do it well. Your dog doesnt need at 5 of his toys at once, he'll get bored regardless of how fun they once were. Rotate his selection and re-introduce them seasonally to maximze their effectiveness.


Though I list items in a decent price range, I wish to remind all of you that the best things in this life are free...

Now grab a stick and play fetch!

Mouth Etiquette

Dogs express themselves in a variety of ways. Some of which are misinterpreted by humans. Im not talking about wagging tails or howls and barks, or those big brown eyes saying it all. We undoubtedly understand that, thanks to ESP. Im am referring to the way dogs express themselves through their mouth.


The chewing! Oh, the chewing!

A dogs mouth serves more purposes than simply eating. They chew and carry things. They use their mouth like human use their hands. They feel with their mouth. They clean with it and they use it for pleasure. Though we may not appreciate it fully, its a good step towards thinking like a dog.

Dont take it personally.
At some point, a new owner may be tempted to return the chew-crazy fur ball, believing it to be defective. But its perfectly normal. And its not you, its them. Really. (at this point at least. After they mature, if they are still chew-crazy, than yes, its you) They dont want to eat you, only to satisfy a natural urge to express all their built up puppy energy.

Puppy Think
Im happy =Chew
I miss my mommy =Chew
Im excited = Chew
Im confused in my new house = Chew
I finally caught the bouncy ball = Chew
I dont understand a word you're saying = Chew
I love my bone = Chew
my bloody teeth!=Chew
you're my favorite person = Chew

Take this picture for example. This is a classic case of puppy play. At 3 months, teething is a main priority. Sharp puppy teeth are worse than adult teeth, especially considering they dont yet have coordination or know their strength. Doggy mouth etiquette is in its beginning stages and owners should be patient.
1-Relax. They will pick up on you energy. It may complicate the matter.
2-Direct their attention to an approved chew object.
3-Repeat.
Proper, safe chew toys are strongly recommended, or else they will chose (chew-se) for themselves. This is a great time to introduce them to the wonderful world of ice cubes.






Minutes later...


Teaching "Mouth Etiquette" is about patience, understanding and persistence. Puppy chewing and biting is frustrating, but manageable. Eventually, it will all work out. But if you have bit off more than you can chew, please consult a professional, for the sake of yourself, your dog and/or their victim.

Continuing on with Mouth Etiquette, this is a great time to introduce your puppy to proper oral care. Beef toothpaste and their own special brush could become a treat for them. Start by treating the tooth paste like a special snack, offering a few licks at a time. Work with the brush, start by allowing them to chew on it a little, in a short session, working up to brushing fully. This takes time. Months, depending. Be sure to rinse the toothbrush after every use and let dry properly. Keep it in your bathroom with your own (I suggest separately), as a reminder. It is recommended to brush twice a week. Your vet will be impressed. As will all the people who your dog decides to get close with.

Golden Retriever Puppy at 4months

How can you resist a big boy dog!?!

Golden Retriever Crossing

Super Dog

Super Bitch

Golden Retriever Puppy Growth Rate

7 wks. - 8-10 lbs.
9 wks. - 10-14 lbs.
12 wks. - 15-17 lbs.
16 wks. - 25-26 lbs.
20 wks. - 32-43 lbs.
6 mos. - 40-50 lbs.
12 mos. - 65-70 for males, 55-60 for females
2 yrs. - 65-80 males, 55-68 females

Some people "guestimate" the adult weight by doubling the weight at 4-5months(for large breeds).

ALSO, see my previous post with a great DOG AGE COMPARISON CHART.


Track your puppys growth with this chart!


Health and Ideal Body Weight

Dog Age Comparison To Human

Age comparisons between dogs and humans are always a matter of debate. After the first year of life, a dog is equivalent to sixteen human years. After two years, they are equivalent to a 24 year old, at three years a 30 year old, and each year after, add 5 human years to determine a dog's age. Enjoy the below chart!






Life Expectancy
The life expectancy for this particular breed is 10 – 12 years. Personally, my boy dog lived until 15 years, but with limited mobility in the last year. He could have kept going if he didnt have to deal with stairs.

Information, Facts & Origins of the Golden Retriever Dog

The Golden Retriever comes from England (1800's) and was bred originally to hunt small game - retrieving. This dog is classified as one of the Sporting Dog Group. The Golden Retriever was first Registered by the AKC (American Kennel Club) in 1925.
Often referred to as the Gold Retriever although Goldenretriever and Golden Labrador Retriever is also used. The word Retriever is often mis-spelt as Retriver, Retrever and Retreiver.

The Golden Retriever is believed to descend from the old Black Wavy coated retriever which is known to occasionally have produced yellow, or gold, puppies. Much of the improvement to the breed can be attributed to Lord Tweedmouth at the end of the 19th century, the breed drew considerable attention when they were first being exhibited in 1908. There is believed to be elements of the Newfoundland, setter and spaniel in this breed. There is a story that the Golden Retriever actually originates from 8 Russian Sheepdogs who performed in a Circus Troupe - although it is impossible to find any historic evidence of this legend.

He thinks hes people

Faux Hawk

Foxy Roxy