I just have to write about this, I'm sorry... it just ticks me off to no end... Here I rant...

I live in a pretty affluent neighborhood with many dogs and many dog walkers. We have a dog poo bag dispenser just around the block. So will someone PLEASE tell me WHY is there dog poo on the sidewalk!? Why? I just don't get it. I mean, no one wants it in front of their house! Why are people letting this happen....

I will admit that I have occasionally been caught without a poo bag, but for the most part, I usually carry one with me. Furthermore, if my dog did poo on the sidewalk, I would at least try to kick it to the side or the gutter or something. Find a stick or something to move it! Have some class, will you?

No kidding. I went for an approximately one and a half mile loop and saw not one or two or even three, but four separate poos, probably done by at least three different size dogs. I swear I am going to take pictures of it next time I'm out walking Rocky.

For all of you dog walkers out there who let their dogs poo and just leave it.... you suck. You know who you are and I won't take it back! Be responsible, clean up after your mutt... No self-respecting dog owner would be caught dead letting their dog leave a load in the middle of the side walk. So disgusting.......

This is my horse, So Happy Lucky. Lucky for short. 27 years young and going strong. When I am depressed and nothing in this world seems to be right, just seeing Lucky makes me feel better. He is the best anti-depressant in the world. He is a happy guy, content just to "be".

Lucky always keeps me in the moment....no past, no future just what is going on right now. He doesn't hold a grudge, or get mad or resentful. He is my angel and I love him with all of my heart and soul.

I almost lost him four years ago... he had a really bad abscess in his foot. The infection became systemic, and attached to his heart. He lost weight, had a stage 4 heart murmur and looked ready to be put out of his misery. For three years we tried to get him to gain weight.... Everyday, someone would ride by his pasture and stop and ask if he was being abused or neglected. He was under a veterinarian's care and I was doing everything within my power to get him to gain weight and nothing worked. Finally the vet suggested as a last resort, to try giving him large dosages of vitamin e. (no selenium!) .... it was a miracle!! He had a noticeable weight gain in the first week!! After that he continued to gain and when the MD came out to check him he no longer had a heart mumur. But he has never been the same. I know a large part of it is because of his age. .........

He is so mellow now. It's hard to believe that he was a pistol, even until he was in his early 20's. I've had so much fun with him.... I used to show him in Western Pleasure and we were always in the ribbons. I took him on three day, camp and trail ride trips and rode him throught the streets of Wilbraham, MA. I've groomed him for hours and hours.

Lucky has brought me more happiness than any person deserves or at least this person. I love you, Luckmeister, my shining star.

Winter has finally arrived in North Carolina. Brrr. It was in the 20's last night, but the wind chill was in the low teens. I made sure I went out to see my horse, Lucky, to double blanket him. The top blanket is water proof and the under blanket has some fiberfill to it. So basically he looks like a little child in a snowsuit, trying to get around....

Many horse people don't think horses should be blanketed, but my guy is almost 28 years old and it takes a lot of calories to keep warm. When Lucky was younger, and we lived up north where he was stalled every night, I didn't usually blanket him, but now that he is older and has arthritis, I do. He doesn't seem to mind it, and it lets me sleep at night knowing he isn't freezing to death.

I have lucked out!!!! .... I have been able to locate a puppy for my daughter (at a reasonable price) and she is like an expectant mother....it's nuts! She is very anxious to get the puppy and it's about all she can think about. Last night it was the - "what are we going to name her" game. The puppy is a purebred, snow white Standard Poodle who is really, really pretty. The puppy is coming to my house first so that I can spend a little time with her and see what she knows and what she needs learn. My husband and my daughter are upset because they are afraid I will get too attached to it and want to keep it....

To be fair, I probably will get attached, but this dog is supposed to go to Heather. (Nevermind that I wanted a girl so I could "foo foo" it up. ) I'm a dog groomer with a specialty in Poodles so why wouldn't I want to groom her all in all kinds of styles....that just makes sense! But I will never trade my Rocky for this little one.... on the other hand I always wanted one of each .. a black poodle and white poodle, with the female being white.... ok ok enough!!

My daughter has never had a dog before in her life. She is in for a big surprise. Dogs are great, but they need a lot of attention, exercise, training and affection. I'm not concerned with the attention and affection aspect of it. I'm not even concerned with the exercise part of it. What I am concerned about is the training part. I don't want Rocky's little sister to be an obnoxious poodle. Honestly, does the world need another? I, for one don't think so...

The grooming part is something she is going to have to learn how to do. It's a lot of work, but she's got time to learn. Until then, she is either going to have to bring her up here to get groomed or to my old employers. Heather's boyfriend wants the dog to have a beard. Come on, wake up. This is a conformation SHOW BITCH. How can you take a well-bred, petite white poodle and mess her up with a beard? When I told the breeder, she almost fainted.

But I digress. Ok, so the training. That is the primary reason for her coming up here first. So that I can assess this puppy and help Heather to train her properly. She is a little timid and needs to gain some confidence. With a dog like this one, she needs training and she needs to be praised and rewarded for the smallest little achievement. I think I will tell Heather to make a list of things she wants her puppy to learn and a list of things that she doesn't want her dog to do, so that we can put together a training plan designed for her lifestyle. Versatility, is probably a good thing to strive for.... meaning, she can be in any situation without having a problem. Anyway, that is my plan. I've attached a photo.... any names come to mind?

My daughter has always had cats. Independent, mind of their own, cats. Run of the house cats, if you get my drift. Every place she lived in has had conveniences specifically for her cats. Wait till she gets this dog and the cats freak. Actually, I hope for her sake they don't. One or both of them have been known to "mark" their territory.

Lets face it folks. Dogs are needy and clingy and are always under foot unless they are up to no good (or as in the case of the missing Rocky.......... me forgetting to let him back in after having let him out to "get busy" or dog gets sick of waiting for me to go to bed and puts himself to bed..) They don't typically do their own thing, they wait for you and want to do what you are doing. Basically, they are like little kids but they sleep more.

I really want this puppy thing to be a positive experience for all of the parties involved - especially the dog, since she has nothing to say about her circumstances.

Hi all, I bet you have all waited with bated breath for my maiden blog. Well, here it is.....

I guess I want to discuss the new designer dogs that are out there for sale. I am so sick of disreputable breeders selling the public mutts. Sorry, that is what they are and no one is going to change my mind. If you want a mutt, mixed breed or whatever, save yourself some money and go to your nearest animal shelter and adopt one. For example, people try to breed poodles with almost anything. Think of it, Labradoodles, goldendoodles, schnoodles, cockapoos, shi-poos, maltipoos, and those are just the ones at the top of my mind.

Now don't get me wrong. I love all dogs (some more than others.) Some of the most beautiful dogs I've ever seen have been mixed breeds. But check out www.petfinder.com . Type in poodle....just do it! What I see breaks my heart. I usually type in Large Poodle. I see lists and lists of the above mentioned mixes.

Now this may come as a shock to you, but all puppies are cute!!!!! What isn't cute is uncontrollable energy, chewing, barking, biting, and not being housetrained among other things. When you mix a poodle with ANYTHING, you are more than likely going to have a very energetic dog who needs a lot of exercise. A poodle is smart. They learn quickly. If you mix it with a dog who doesn't mature mentally as soon as a poodle, then you are going to have a big dopey high energy dog who is hard to manage.

Do your research. There is NO GUARANTEE that a poodle mix will not kick up allergies if you have them. There is NO GUARANTEE that a poodle mix will not need to be groomed as often as a regular poodle. There is NO GUARANTEE that poodle mixes don't shed. Don't be stupid. Buyer beware. I am a dog groomer. I know what I am talking about.

And here is something else you need to know. NO REPUTABLE breeder of any purebred dog would cross breed their stock to create a mongrel. If they claim they are reputable they are a liar. Reputable breeders try to perfect their breed. They do testing on their breeding stock to make sure that they are breeding strong, healthy animals. I personally like a breeder who also shows their animals in conformation competition. Why? Because they are willing to put their money where their mouths are and campaign and compete with an animal that they believe is conforming closely to the breed standard.

I ask you, as a dog lover, if there are any of you out there that are thinking Labradoodle, please think again. Don't encourage these backyard puppy mills to continue to fill our pet shelters with their "planned mistakes". If you must have one, please check out Petfinder or other shelter to adopt a deserving, innocent dog that you are willing to put the time and effort into training to be an adoring member of your family. Don't be duped into getting the latest fad dog and pay insane money for it. If you must throw your money away, send it to me.

If you would like to see some of the aforementioned "designer dogs" check this link out!
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/poodlemix.htm