Update on Lucy's Dog House Best Pet Photo/Adoption Story Contest

The Ex Toy

This is the Ex Toy. You know we all have that ex somebody, husband, boyfriend, room mate, best friend, whatever. Now you can just feed that ex-whoever to your dog and let her chomp on his head.


This is an update on the contest we are having at Lucy's Dog House. So far we have 8 really awesome entries and I will be posting those here pretty soon. I will be accepting entires up until Dec 15th. Below is a cut/paste of the original post aout the contest.


At Lucy's Dog House I am going to be holding a Best Dog Photo/Best Adoption Story Contest. Please send in a picture of your pet with the story of how you adopted your dog. The story should be about 100-200 words or so. I will be accepting photos/stories until Dec 15th.

Then from Dec 16th to January 15th I will open up the voting to the public. The ddog with the best photo/story will win a $100 gift certificate to www.lucysdoghouse.net.

Please send in your photo/story to hans@lucysdoghouse.net

Ah, The gift that keeps on giving

Rememeber yesterday when I said that Lucy had gottn into a pile of something and just rolled around in it. Well she must have really gotten into it. I was petting her late last night and what do I smell? That same horrid smell from the day before.

This is after a good 20 minutes or so washing her off yesterday. Luckily we have a walk in open shower that she can just, well, walk in. She does not mind it too much.

So, I used some wipes that we keep around the house for this very reason and Lucy is back to be the sweet smelling girl that she should be.

Oh, the fun does not stop. Every morning Kona comes into bed with us and gives us a bunch of Kona hugs which involve her putting her paws on our shoulders and some nuzzles and licks. Well, I think you know where this one is going. Oh yeah, same smell. Got to love it.

I am pretty sure I am going to come down with the plague or something.

I made my first squidoo lens

I just made my first squidoo lense, www.squidoo.com/treatstiks. It took me a couple of hours but I am sure the next few will go much quicker.

If you don't know, squidoo is a site that lets anyone make a webpage about anything that they want.

Interesting Day Already

So today I was a little over caffinated and grumpy about something stupid. Anyway, I let the dogs out into the yard. Now we do not have a fenced yard but I still let them off the leash from time to time during the day when no one else is home. They run aound on our beach and in the marshy areas to the right and left of the beach. Usually no problems. They just run around chasing after the birds for a little while. They are both responsive to voice control most of the time.

Well not today. Lucy found the most awful smelling stuff and decided she wanted to roll around in it. Was it a little, ohhh nooooo, of course not. It was a big pile of something. So I get her in the house and give her a bath and I have to tell you that whole episode made me laugh and put me in a good mood. Wierd huh??

I guess it is hard to mad at this face for very long and when I am I realize how stupid I am.

Thanksgiving Dinner Disaster

Well, we had a Thanksgiving disaster tonight. Well not really a disaster but it still did not go so well for Lucy.

We thought it would be a good idea to cook up a couple of chicken breasts for the girlies for their Thanksgiving dinner. That and some sweet potatoes. They love sweet potatoes for some reason. Well Kona ate hers just fine but Lucy totally bolted her food which she does not normally do, even if it is something special. Well tonight she did it and it did not go so well.

We spent the next half hour or so cleaning up all the chicken after it came back up. It was still intact, it did not look like there was even a tooth mark on most of it.

I know to much information but hey it is my blog.

Lucy is doing well laying on her blue coach and getting lots of love.

I should have used one of the
Brake Fast Bowls that I have. That would have made it impossible to do that.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you that might be reading this blog.

It is unseasonally warm here. I went to take the dogs on a walk today and I was all bundled up ready to brave the cold northeast and it was almost 70 degrees out. Needless to say I was a little warm on my walk with the girls. The temperature definately helped but it taking a Great Dane on a walk after being pretty much cooped up inside for 5 days is quite the workout. I need to work with her more because she is pulling like crazy on her lead.

It is a good thing it is high quality leather dog collar. It is from a company called Purple Peebles and I am going to have to start stocking them at www.lucysdoghouse.net becuase they are great collars. I always like to use a new product with my dogs for a while before I go ahead and stock anything.

Top 10 pet Friendly Cities Continued...

Here is the rest of the article

Chicago
If you're a baseball fan, diarize the White Sox annual Dog Day baseball game each spring. This cosmopolitan city has lots of pet-friendly places to visit, a wide selection of outdoor cafes and pet-friendly bars. Upscale hotels such as the luxurious Hotel Burnham and Hotel Monaco both welcome dogs of all sizes. Lake Michigan, a focal point of the city, offers more than 18 miles of paved trails that trace the lake’s edge. Want to take a lake cruise? Many boat operators will happily take Fido along too. And if your dog is getting bored with eating kibble, be sure to dine at Cucina Bella on N. Sedgwick or the branch on W. Diversey where he will be served a complimentary bowl of pasta.

New York
Some of the most fashionable hotels in this city can be a temporary home away from home for your dog, including the trendy Soho Grand Hotel. (For travelers who can’t bring their pets, the Grand offers a complimentary goldfish at check in, and will bag it for take-home.) Despite being a concrete jungle, there’s a lot for pets to enjoy in the Big Apple — a carriage ride through Central Park is a must-do activity. Many upscale stores also welcome well-behaved pets, and if Fido will sit quietly, you can drool over the jewelry at Tiffany’s on Fifth Avenue. The NYC Dog Walking Tour visits such neighborhoods as Greenwich Village, Soho, Lower East Side and Little Italy. A special highlight is a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at dusk. Be sure to visit the William Secord Gallery on East 76th St. that specializes in 19th Century dog art — your pooch is welcome to browse too. And if you want your dog’s portrait painted, it can be arranged it at a price.

Orlando, Fla.
Be sure to visit Sam Snead's, on E. Pine Street. It was here that Governor Jeb Bush signed Florida's doggy dining law that allows dogs to sit with their owners in an outside location. Both dogs and owners can have fun meandering the paved paths of the Paw Park of Historic Sanford and cooling off at the misting tower. Because of Orlando’s location to Disney World, Universal Studios and other theme parks, there are lots of pet-friendly hotels in the immediate area; and the theme parks will pet-sit your dog while you go off and enjoy the rides. One place dogs are especially welcome is in Celebration on U.S. 192, a tiny town created by Disney with a population of around 2000. Downtown Celebration is a lively mix of retail shops, restaurants, offices and apartments that line a wide promenade circling the lake in the center of town.

Colorado Springs, Colo.
Colorado Springs is all about nature and the great outdoors. Hiking and walking trails abound, making this an excellent pet destination. Pets are welcome at the Bear Creek Nature Center, as well as the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Preserved under a protective red sandstone overhang, the authentic Anasazi dwellings were built more than 700 years ago. The Garden of the Gods Park is another popular natural landmark. With its towering sandstone formations, paved and unpaved hiking paths, it’s a great place to enjoy various outdoor amenities. Dogs are allowed off leash in the area east of Rock Ledge Ranch & south of Gateway Road. Tucked away in the foothills of the famous Pikes Peak region of the Rockies, your pet will be in the lap of luxury at the grand Broadmoor Hotel. This five-star resort is set in 3,000 acres of manicured gardens acres against a backdrop of breathtaking scenery. There are three golf courses, gorgeous shops and pet sitters on hand to give pet parents some alone time to enjoy any one of the complex’s 15 restaurants.

Austin, Texas
Austin boasts 12 off-leash parks for doggy fun and games. In particular, canines love to cool of in the natural creek in Bull Creek District Park and Greenbelt on Lakewood Drive. Pooches are also welcome to tour the city in a horse-drawn carriage, a popular pastime, so it’s best to call ahead. The Spider House Patio Bar and Café on Fruth Street, on the edge of the University of Texas campus, is a popular student hang-out and is reputed to make the best espresso in town. If you enjoy ribs (and what dog can resist) Artz Rib House on S. Lamar Boulevard will draw you with its irresistible aromas. Stock up on special treats such as PeaMutt Butter Pleasers and Yummy Chummies at the Groovy Dog Bakery on Baylor Street. Finally be sure to visit Plush Pad on W. Anderson Lane and buy your pooch a cowboy hat — a great souvenir to take home from the Lone Star State.

Happy travels!

Sandy Robins is an award-winning pet lifestyle writer. She is a member of both the Dog Writers Association of America and the Cat Writer’s Association of America. She lives in Southern California with a menagerie of well-traveled pets.

The best places to eat, stay and play with your furry mates

This is an article from MSNBC and is by Sandy Robbins.

As it becomes more common for people to travel with their pets, cities around the country are beginning to appreciate the discernable impact the doggie dollar is having on their economy. Consequently, many are reacting to this tug on their purse strings by making an all-out bid to label themselves pet-friendly on the tourist map.

But what does it mean for a city to adopt this title? Generally-speaking, “pet-friendly” can be equated with “dog-friendly” as canines are undoubtedly America’s most well-traveled animals.

For the last three years, the editors at Dog Fancy, one of the country’s leading canine-centric magazines, have compiled a list of the best cities in the U.S. to be a dog, naming San Diego as this year’s winner of their DogTown USA award. Chicago and Portland Ore., topped the polls in previous years.

“It takes a lot to create a city that truly embraces its canine population,” says editor Susan Chaney. “We look at over 20 criteria. Naturally, it has to be a fun place for dogs and their owners. For example, we check into dog-centered activities, such as doggie festivals, parades and other events, as well as how many hotels are dog-friendly and how many restaurants allow dogs to eat on their patios. However, excellent veterinary care and an active humane society are also key elements of a pet-friendly city, and are as essential for travelers passing through as for the pets and their people who reside there. Further, it's clear that in the cities on our annual list, both the local government and general population embrace having that ‘doggie element’ in their communities.”

Here are suggestions to have fun with your pet in 10 cities that have been collared pet-friendly.

San Diego
The warm Californian climate makes this a year-round animal playground, and there’s a wonderful selection of both pet-friendly and off-leash beaches. The Otay Ranch Town Shopping Center has an off-leash park as part of this sprawling facility, making this a one-stop entertainment center for both pets and their people. A pet sitting service is provided at $5 an hour so that pet parents can enjoy a meal in one of numerous eateries. Seaside La Jolla boasts a selection of pet-friendly restaurants such as the Nine-Ten Restaurant and Bar on Prospect Street that offers great sea views from its outdoor patio. In addition, your dog may enjoy a kayaking excursion around La Jolla Bay — although pet life jackets are provided, dogs should be good swimmers.

Long Beach, Calif.
Belmont Shore is fast gaining a nationwide reputation for hosting several annual pet parades and doggie beauty contests, such as the Easter and the Howl o’ween parades and the Most Beautiful Bulldog competition that draws contestants from near and far. The city also has the only off-leash dog beach in L.A. County. Situated between Roycroft and Argonne Avenues, it's open daily year-round. All the stores that line Second Street are pet-friendly offering bowls of cool fresh water and lots of doggie treats. Pet parents will enjoy crepes and crisp salads at La Creperie while their canines snooze and watch the passing parade. The French bistro-styled eatery hosts a popular bar in the evenings and you can enjoy the soft sounds of live jazz.

Carmel, Calif.
Without doubt the pet-friendly Cypress Inn on Lincoln Street is a tourist attraction in its own right and is widely recognized to have pioneered many of the pet-friendly policies practiced by many of the large hotel chains and private inns around the country today. Co-owned by the legendary Doris Day, it’s filled with memorabilia of this Hollywood star. Your pet will particularly enjoy snoozing in front of a roaring log fire in the lounge, while you enjoy a pre-dinner sherry. Walking tours are a great way to discover the town’s scenic charms, and dogs will enjoy the smells along the way. Cats are regulars at this fur-friendly inn too.

Portland, Ore.
Traveling and touring can be thirsty work. The Lucky Labrador Brewing Company is a great place for both beer and man’s best friends. The brews with dog-inspired names cater for all tastes. Looking for a little perk-me-up? The Iron Mutt Coffee Company will ensure that you get a great caffeine fix while your pooch enjoys fresh eats and a complimentary biscuit. The Portland Saturday Market located under the Burnside Bridge between S.W. Naito Parkway and S.W. 1st Ave. offers an eclectic mix of merchandise and is a great place to stroll and shop. There’s no shortage of off-leash dog parks in the city — be sure to visit the Hoyt Arboretum on S.W. Fairview Boulevard. that offers canine visitors more than 185 acres of greenery to enjoy.

Seattle
For travelers who enjoy visiting historical points of interest and appreciate beautiful scenery, be sure to add a trip to Blake Island State Park the ancestral campground of the Suquamish and Duwamish Indian Tribes and believed to be the birthplace of Chief Seattle. Foodies (and that includes your dog) will enjoy Chinook salmon cooked Northwest Coast Indian-style around an open alder wood fire.

The Pensione Nichols Bed and Breakfast on 1st Ave. in downtown Seattle is a well located pet-friendly establishment. Well-behaved leashed dogs of all sizes are allowed on the buses and trains throughout the city. Dogs on leashes are also allowed at the tables on the patio at Crave on 12th Ave. (only operative in the summer). Madison Park Café on 42nd Ave. E. is another attractive garden setting and welcomes pets. And if you have time, add Norm’s Eatery and Ale House on 36th St. to your list. This laid-back pub is named after a dog and your pet will feel more than welcome here too.

continued....

Seventh Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

Here is the Press Release about the American Kennel Club National Championship. I never ever in my life thought that I would be looking forward to watching a dog show on TV but things have really changed for me. I actually am looking forward to it.

NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Kennel Club(R) and Eukanuba announced today that 2,444 dogs will compete for a total of $225,000 in cash prizes at the Seventh Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on Dec. 1 and 2, 2007 in Long Beach, Calif. The show is held in conjunction with the AKC Agility Invitational and the AKC National Obedience Invitational (entries of 470 and 95 respectively) making for a combined entry of nearly 3,000 dogs competing in the three events.

The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship will be simulcast on Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 from 8-11 p.m. (ET/PT). Highlights from the AKC Agility Invitational will air on Animal Planet on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008 from 8-9 p.m. (ET/PT).

"The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is a unique experience for any dog lover -- whether they are watching it on TV or enjoying it in person," said Ron Menaker, Show Chairman. "With nearly 400,000 square feet of event space, 3,000 dogs in competition, dozens of vendors, 148 educational displays, numerous demonstrations and now 40 international competitors in our Eukanuba World Challenge event, there is nothing that can compare to this complete canine extravaganza."

"The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is a phenomenal event that brings together the best breeders, handlers and champions to encourage and celebrate the excellence of dogs," said Dan Rajczak, general manager, Procter & Gamble Pet Care. "Alongside our partners -- AKC and Animal Planet -- we're proud to be part of one of the most prestigious and well-respected dog shows and to provide a showcase that allows the world to appreciate these amazing animals."


Event highlights include:

-- Eukanuba World Challenge -- This inaugural international competition
will feature top dogs from 40 countries and six continents. Rare
breeds such as the Spanish Greyhound and the Azawakh will compete
against more traditional favorites such as Poodles and Dalmatians for
the title of "Eukanuba World Challenge Winner" and a total of $15,000.
The 2006 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship and 2007 Westminster Kennel
Club Best in Show winner -- "James," an English Springer Spaniel --
will represent the U.S.

-- AKC Meet the Breeds(R) -- Dog enthusiasts will have the opportunity to
get up close and personal with 148 breeds, as the AKC/Eukanuba National
Championship continues its honored tradition of highlighting
responsible dog ownership with its "AKC Meet the Breeds" event.
Designed to showcase a wide variety of adult dogs and puppies, breeders
will also be on-hand to share their insights and expertise on unique
canine characteristics. Visitors should make sure to stop by the
booths of the two newest AKC breeds -- the Beauceron and Swedish
Vallhund.

-- The AKC Agility Invitational -- The AKC's fastest-growing canine sport
and one of the most exciting to watch, agility allows dogs to
demonstrate their athleticism and versatility by racing against the
clock and overcoming a challenging obstacle course of tunnels, weave
poles, jumps and seesaws. It's a sport of physical skill, control,
patience and -- most importantly -- teamwork between handler and dog.
The top five ranked agility dogs in each of the AKC recognized breeds
are invited to attend this prestigious event. A total 470 dogs of 129
breeds from 41 states plus Puerto Rico and Canada will compete. The
AKC Agility Invitational airs 8 p.m., (ET/PT). Feb. 10, 2008, on Animal
Planet.

-- AKC National Obedience Invitational -- Obedience trials demonstrate the
usefulness of a dog as a companion to humankind. Accuracy and
precision are essential, but the natural movement of the handler and
the willingness and enjoyment of the dog are also important. To be
invited to this prestigious competition, a dog and handler must be
ranked within the top 10 percent of their breed or be ranked in the top
25 nationwide. A total of 95 dogs of 30 breeds from 44 states and
Canada will compete.

-- Junior Showmanship -- The excitement of competing in the National
Championship isn't just for adults -- 159 Junior Handlers (ages 9-18),
who have met high academic standards and qualification criteria based
on year-round competition will compete for prestigious wins and
scholarship money.

-- AKC Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) -- Given annually to dogs in
five categories (Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Therapy, Service
and Exemplary Companion), the ACE Awards commemorate loyal,
hard-working canines that have made significant contributions to their
community. The five honorees and their owners -- including Junior
Handler Francisco Sanguino who discovered the sport of dogs with the
help of his foster mother and a rescued Rottweiler -- have been flown
to Long Beach to receive their awards and be recognized in front of the
AKC/Eukanuba National Championship audience.


For more information visit www.akc.org or topdogshow.com or to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.akc.org/invitational/2007/tickets.cfm.

The American Kennel Club (AKC), founded in 1884, maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world. Its rules and regulations govern more than 20,000 canine competitions each year.

Eukanuba offers the most complete food lineup, delivering nutrition that is customized by breed and breed size, as well as health and performance requirements. Eukanuba is a division of Procter & Gamble , and you can visit us on the Web at www.eukanuba.com or visit Iams at www.iams.com.

Animal Planet, available in more than 93 million homes nationwide, is the only television network dedicated exclusively to the connection between humans and animals.

keywords: dog collars, dog toys, dog beds

Our pets sometimes tell us things we do not want to hear

So I am starting to develop a little bit of a complex about this. Kona my little english lab girl always lays right at my feet when I eat. Plus she looks up at me like she is just waiting for something to fall. She does not do that for my girlfriend. I didn't think I was much of a piggy eater but maybe just maybe my girl Kona is trying to tell me something.

Blogging

This is a somewhat unrealted post. You know I never understood everyday folks like me blogging. I mean what is the point. Since I have started blogging I understand it a lot better. It is a lot more fun than I realized.

Why do you blog?

Dan The Basset Hound

Here is a picture of Dan. Dan as you can probably tell is a Basset Hound. We see Dan almost every time we go to the dog park. Dan is a really good dog with an owner that really loves him. Dan plays with most dogs and runs around barking in his deep basset hound voice.
Dan has some really silly habits. I think it is because he is a scent hound he likes to roll around in poop more than your average dog to bring the scent back to his pack. One time Lucy really let one go. Great Danes are a pretty big dog and with big dogs come big messes. Sorry for getting a little graphic but it is a funny story. Remember I said Dan likes to roll around in poop. You know where this one is going. He was there quicker than anyone could get there and sure enough he was sure able to carry that scent around for a while.

The funny part of the story was he turned around to his owner, ran up to her and sat up like only a basset hound can. They sit on their butt with their long body vertical in the air. I do not think I have ever seen a dog more proud of himself. He sat there giving that doggie smile, wagging his tail like crazy.

I know this goes without saying but it was a while before his owner was able to get the stuff off and into the car.

Lucy and Kona's trip to the dog park

Well, we went to the dog park as planned. It was a good time and the girlies had a good time just running around. Lucy, of course, went from person to person getting them to pet her. She acts like she gets no attention at home, she looks up at everyone with those sad, sad eyes of hers and people just love on her for a while. When they get tired she goes to the next unsuspecting person. Kona just goes from person to person, to dog, to person tail a wagging the entire time. she is very much the social butterfly. Both girls had a good time chasing the other dogs. Kona usually gets some unwanted attention from a dog while we are there and yesterday was no exception. She is pretty good at letting the other dog she wants to be left alone. But sometimes the other dogs just do not get it. That is usually when Lucy comes over and gives her very inimidating growl combined with a little aggressive posturing. Strangely enough that has a 100 percent success rate. It is kind of funny but Lucy treats Kona like her little sis or daughter. She is very protective.

We are off to the dog park

since it is a nice day here. well nice and cold we are off to the local dog park. the girlies love it there.

Getting Your dog to be more affectionate

I was just reading in one of my dog magazines that if you want to get your dog to be more affectionate you should hand feed them. I thought that was a pretty cool idea. But then I thought about it for a second. I would have to feed Lucy from both hands. Then I thought about it some more, I do not think that I could handle her being more affectionate. Both Kona and her climb into bed (usually with a dog toy) with use pretty much every morning, especially on the weekends. Kona is a little more of an issue as she is jumping around, lightly biting me on the face (I understand that is a way of her showing companionship) and eventually sitting on my head. Lucy just wants to be pet the entire time. It is hard to say no when she looks at you with those big calf like eyes.

She always looks so sad even when her tail is going around the world.