Our logo dog, LarryDog, is 13, actually 13 and a half. Of all the dogs we have had, only one has lived longer than Larry. Not that he is showing any signs of quitting! He still barks enthusiastically at anything that might possibly warrant it. He still loves us with all his heart.

If you have an aging dog, you probably know the combination of celebration and poignancy that I feel. I have also developed a few habits to adjust to his changes. LarryDog can’t see as well or  hear as well as he used to. We don’t let him run loose anywhere except in our yard. We don’t want to have to get his attention if a car were to come down the street.  Just in case, though, I am getting him used to my touching him on his back, to have another way to get his attention. Read the rest of this entry

I may be a bit late in announcing that January is National Train Your Dog Month, but here is a nice website about this project: http://www.trainyourdogmonth.com — this is sponsored by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, a terrific organization that I belong to. Members are committed to positive, pain-free methods. Anyway, on the Train Your Dog Month site, there are interesting stories and training tips.

Here’s a story on that site about a puppy named Callie who was biting her new owners so much they couldn’t get anywhere with her, till the trainer showed them some things.

I am still neglecting this blog while the local public library district gets going, with me on the board. This blog isn’t the only thing I am neglecting right now… but I have some great ideas for later!