Words to live by

Remember this quote when training your dog...

The direct use of force is such a poor solution to any problem, it is generally employed only by small children and large nations."

--David Friedman,

American economist and writer

single black female

This has to be one of the best singles ads ever printed. It is reported to have been listed in the Atlanta Journal.

SINGLE BLACK FEMALE seeks male companionship, ethnicity unimportant. I'm a very good girl who LOVES to play. I love long walks in the woods, riding in your pickup truck, hunting, camping and fishing trips, cozy winter nights lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. I'll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me.... Call (404) 875-6420 and ask for Annie, I'll be waiting.....

Over 150 men found themselves talking to the Atlanta Humane Society.

Dog Pack attacks Crocodile in Darwin

At times nature can be cruel, but there is also a raw beauty, and even a certain justice manifested within that cruelty. The crocodile, one of the oldest and ultimate predators, normally considered the "apex predator", can still fall victim to implemented 'team work' strategy, made possible due to the tight knit social structure and "survival of the pack mentality" bred into the canines. See the remarkable photograph below courtesy of Nature Magazine.  Note that the Alpha dog has a muzzle hold on the croc preventing it from breathing, while another dog has a hold on the tail to keep it from thrashing. The third dog attacks the underbelly. Not for the squeamish

Big Dog Little Bed

Do dogs really care what size their bed is - especially after a long walk? Apparently Stella doesn't care but Becks certainly does. Really is there a more comfortable way to spend an afternoon - sometimes I think a dog's life must be the best life of all but then I remember all the dogs that are abandoned and abused. I wish they all had been raised by devoted owners who cared enough to learn the keys to a great relationship with their dog. Far fewer would wind up in shelters, given up because of behaviour issues.

Foster Puppy Rook

Turtle Gardens is on one of my favorite rescue places - perhaps because my little dog, Becks, was rescued by Dave and Yvette seven years ago. They have rescued and rehomed more than 250 dogs every single year since - that's more than 1,750 dogs. Can you imagine!

So I am happy to do my small part in helping them. For the last few years we have held a Man and His Dog Fashion Show fundraiser with proceeds to Turtle Gardens, I've done a couple of home visits for potential adopters and recently fostered Rook, one of the most shy creatures ever.

For the first 36 hours after she arrived, Rook was shut down. I had envisoned taking her on a pack walk upon arrival but wound up having to lay in the grass with her at the park while my friend walked her dogs and mine (good thing it was a sunny day).

That was Saturday. The following videos shows Rook's reaction to the leash and her first walk, helped along by my dog Stella.

And then she walks!

After just 2 weeks she has perfected the basics

Rook walked well after that first lesson and was able to go on hikes off-leash within the week. She knew the sit request with 2 days but we waited a bit longer to work on the down. This video was taken just before she went to her new forever home where she is adored.

Fostering was great and I highly recommend it. I did lose one pair of shoes though :}