Archives for 2016

A Successful Vet Visit for Lobo: Our Rescue Boy Learns to Trust the Doctor

December 30, 2016 by janet

Our last visit to the vet with Lobo was a great success. He had a full exam, with blood taken, and he was only muzzled for a short while. This victory is the result of a long term plan, laid out since we adopted him over a year ago.

Our goal of course is for him to not need a muzzle at all at the vet’s office. This boy, however, has a lifetime of fears to overcome. As a rescue dog with an unknown past, the path to comfortable vet visits is paved with patience, understanding and compassion.

We do know one story when Lobo was being fostered at a doggy daycare center. Left alone at night, he tried to escape his pen and bloodied his paws and mouth in the process. He was discovered covered in blood and was taken to the vet on an emergency visit in a state of great anxiety and stress. We are not sure, but the mysterious scar under his chin may date from this sad event.

Lobo loves his vet, without a doubt. All of our dogs do. Dr Marsha Smith is about as sweet and compassionate and laid back as a vet can be. Her love and respect for the animals in her care is obvious; she has a gentle manner that puts dogs at ease. Yet Lobo will wag his tail and bare his teeth at the same time when she tries to examine him.

When we first took Lobo to her, he was merely accompanying our other two dogs for their checkups. He found a spot right by the door to the room and parked himself there, ready to bolt at the slightest crack of that door.

Before each visit to Dr Smith, we stop at Wendy’s for hamburgers for the pack. We want Lobo to associate a visit to the doctor’s with something positive and special. These dogs get Wendy’s hamburgers at no other time except vet visits.

On the second visit to the vet, Lobo snarled and bared his teeth when Dr Smith tried to examine him. We muzzled Lobo and tried to get a full exam to no avail. We could not get him to stay still, even in a headlock. We gave up after a short while, not wanting to stress him any further.

The next visit to the vet’s was for the girls and not for Lobo. Easy peasy.

The visit after that, was all for Lobo. He was really in need of a thorough exam. Dr Smith talked with us and the dogs for a while. Gave pets and bits of hamburger to all three dogs. And then my husband and I held Lobo firmly but gently while Dr Smith started the exam. He was, amazingly enough, fine with this. At first his heart rate sped up, but he calmed down once he realized that there was nothing to fear. We were careful to be calm ourselves, because dogs can read our emotions like a book.

Now the true challenge, taking a sample of blood. The vet and tech had tried that unsuccessfully on Lobo’s other attempt at a checkup, to take blood from his back leg so he wouldn’t see what was going on. This time we decided to go for the front leg to eliminate the unknown, muzzle on for a short while, and us holding him. It worked like a charm. The muzzle was off in no time and he was enjoying more hamburger bits with the girls!

We considered this vet visit a triumph. Next time we hope the muzzle is not necessary at all. Wish us luck! And please share any vet experiences of your own in the comments.

Catskill Mountain Adventures: Dog Friendly Venues and Breathtaking Scenery

September 16, 2016 by janet

THE CATSKILLS: NATURE’S PLAYGROUND
We wanted a camping destination relatively close to our central New Jersey home. The Catskill Mountains are just a little over two hours drive, only an hour and a half north west of Manhattan. They are known by locals as the “blue mountains” due to their uniquely beautiful coloring. There’s dense forest as far as the eye can see. This sylvan paradise was perfect for a three day weekend holiday with the pack.

We also desired a vacation spot that offered dog friendly activities. When we took the leap and added the third husky to our pack last year, our lovable rescue Lobo, we realized that travel might become more difficult with that many large dogs in the family. This is how we discovered the beauties of a travel trailer, the relatively luxurious camping that comes with it, and the ease with which one can travel with canines. The Catskill region is made for camping with dogs, with dog friendly campgrounds located in every possible area you might want to visit, and outdoor activities in abundance to keep both dogs and people happy.

PLACES TO VISIT IN THE CATSKILLS

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
The aerodrome has been in operation since 1959, when an old farm was purchased by pilot and vintage airplane enthusiast Cole Palen to house his vintage plane collection. He formed the aerodrome museum foundation in 1993 so the preservation, education and entertainment could continue past his lifetime. His cheery refrain when facing a complicated restoration job on an old plane was “No problem. It’ll fly.”

It was with amazement that we watched lovingly restored planes from 1909 through the 1930’s, take flight before us. It is a feast for the eyes and a tribute to Cole Palen’s dream and his legacy. The engines roar to life and some planes take to the clear blue skies and others (the very old ones) would simply float gracefully across the demonstration field. It is a true living history of flight.

Dogs are warmly welcomed at the aerodrome. We were told by several people where to find the oversized green water bowl and water faucet to keep the pups hydrated. And we were cautioned that some few dogs might find the show too loud – not so much the planes – there are some simulated shoot outs as part of the theatrical program. Our pups were not phased by the show at all. Lobo did get bored and begin to bark – that is so very Lobo – so we took a walk to get some popcorn together and he was fine after that.

The aerodrome is open all day with active planes arranged around the fields and hangars housing other planes in various states of restoration. Seating for the 2 pm weekend show is on rustic wooden benches arranged beside the field. There are several consignment stands with everything from salmon burgers to ice cream to popcorn. The popcorn came in handy when we ran out of dog treats!

The fee for the museum and afternoon air show is $25 per person. One can also purchase tickets for a flight in a vintage plane for $75 per person. People queue first thing in the morning for the flight tickets and they do sell out. The experience is truly unique, viewing the Catskill mountains and forest of the Hudson valley below, from the vantage point of an open cock pit in a vintage plane. Old cars and motorcycles are also part of the show and audience members are invited to dress up in vintage clothing and take a ride.

The aerodrome is a true treat to visit and a bona fide gem of the Catskills.

A replica of The Spirit of St Louis ( Charles Lindbergh’s famous plane)

Sam’s Point Preserve
Sam’s Point area is part of the larger Minnewaska State Park Preserve. The drive up to the park entrance winds up the mountain, past some steep cliffs and gorgeous views. A few miles from the parking lot, along a scenic stopping point, is a hot dog stand. That vendor has a challenging location but the best view of any food vendor I have ever seen!

The parking lot was quite full but we managed to find a spot. There is a parking fee of $10 per car, which is paid in a convenient parking kiosk. The park is a “carry in, carry out” location so there are no garbage cans and you must bring any trash home with you. The park is pristinely kept so it’s obvious everyone respects this rule, which is common in many state parks.

The trail leading to Sam’s Point from the parking lot can be taken from the left or the right path. We chose to take the longer path to the left. The trail is as wide as a road, sometimes dirt, sometimes gravel and sometimes paved. It is well shaded and scenic, with mostly a gradual climb, although there are some more challenging inclines. Half way around there is a pretty lake to visit, Lake Maratanza. The pups dipped their feet in to cool off and enjoy the view.

There are ice caves as well as a water fall, although we didn’t visit those. The waterfall area was closed and the ice caves we decided to save for a future visit, as there was no ice this late in the summer.

Sam’s Point has a lot to offer. The loop we walked kept us busy for hours at a leisurely pace, enjoying the weather and the scenery, and allowed us to visit the lake and the Sam’s Point overlook. There was an abundance of hawks along the cliffs, soaring on the breeze with outstretched wings. This untouched mountain area looks like a hawk’s paradise! There are eagles as well although we didn’t see any this time.

(A word of caution, there are rattlesnakes in this area. It’s nature after all, with acres and acres of untrammeled wilderness. We didn’t see a single one for which I am very grateful.)

Lobo splays out – I made it to the top, mom!

Skyway Camping Resort
Skyway is pet friendly, people friendly, and well run. The bath houses and restrooms are sparkling, obviously cleaned several times a day. The pool and hot tub are set well apart from the camping spots and overlook the surrounding forest and mountains. The entire place is scenic, spotless, and well-laid out. The staff could not be nicer if they tried.

We arrived late, after dark, and were escorted directly to our spot by a friendly young staff member in a golf cart. Our spot was perfectly level, offered trees for shade, some bushes for privacy, a gravel surface for our patio, and a picnic table and fire pit.

There was some loud partying going on around us but it all ended nicely once quiet hours began at 11 PM. After that it was quiet, peaceful, nothing but crickets, and we slept long and well in our little haven.

Skyway is a dog friendly camp ground. There were dogs everywhere, much to our pups’ delight. Dogs love dog watching just like people love people watching. It’s a constant source of amusement. There is an enclosed dog park for off leash fun for your canines; we were so busy sight seeing that we didn’t avail ourselves of this thoughtful amenity.

After days full of adventure, at the Aerodrome and Sam’s Point and simply driving the beautiful forested roads of the area, we were happy to return each evening to our relaxing camping spot in Skyway.

All in all, a very happy excursion to the Catskills!

THE COLEMAN LANTERN EDITION TRAVEL TRAILER (192RDS)
Our Coleman Lantern Edition travel trailer offers a queen size bed and a couch and dinette, both of which convert into beds. It’s on the small size for a travel trailer at 19 feet but it is just perfect for our family. Two people and two dogs can sleep on the bed (cramped but we’re used to it!) and one dog takes the floor or the couch.

With a small kitchenette and bathroom with shower, we are well kitted out to camp at length should we choose. The bathroom even has a small tub should one dare to wash a dog…! The couch is a fake leather which is ideal for those like us with shedding dogs – no need to vacuum – just brush it off and sweep it up!

This small trailer has the advantage of being tall which makes it seem even roomier. As my husband is 6 foot 3″, this is a definite plus.

Having tent camped last year with the pack, this travel trailer is like a luxury hotel to us. We love it so much we sometimes sleep in it in our driveway on weekends when we are not camping!

Pet Industries Inc LED Dog Collar: A Woofus Product Review

July 8, 2016 by janet

At Woofus, we love to see dogs on the go! The Pet Industries LED collar is a modern dog accessory for any pet who travels with you after dark, whether it’s a short walk or a long vacation. Light up the night with a long, safe walk with your woofus using a high tech, LED lighted collar. They come in a variety of tempting colors to suit even the most discerning canine taste.

Have you ever walked your dogs at night and worried that they can’t be seen or noticed by others around you?

Cars driving by might get just a little too close for comfort.
Cyclists share the road with cars and pedestrians and need to see your dog to avoid a collision with your pet
Your pet could get stepped on and seriously injured, especially in crowded areas.
People who are walking near you could be startled by your dog, harm themselves, or scare him.
If your dog gets loose, how the heck are you going to see him to find him in the dark of night?

Pet Industries LED dog collars are the perfect solution to these safety issues!

With the beautiful colored light emanating from this collar, your dog is clearly and easily seen at night. Walk with confidence knowing your dog is in clear view for all to see, including you! The collars are a must have on walks after dark. They also come in handy when your dog is out at night in your yard. You can always tell where your dog has wandered, by the pretty, vibrant LED light around his neck.

When you smell a skunk in the area, you want to find your dog and bring him in pronto! With an LED collar on, your dog can’t play hide and seek with you when it’s time to come in. Find him fast and bring him inside to safety.

We went camping in New Hampshire and had the dogs on long leads tied up to a tree at our site. It gets very dark there at night in the woods. As we sat by the light of the campfire, we could see clearly where each dog was located in the dark, and watch every movement they made, with their light up collars on. It was one less thing to think about, so we could relax and enjoy ourselves on vacation.

There are numerous, attractive color choices. We choose Blue for Fiona, Orange for Lobo and Rainbow for Secret (she just has to be different). We felt it made sense to have a different color for each one, so we could tell the dogs apart at night. We found that our fellow campers liked the different colors, too – we could hear the kids say eagerly, “oh, here comes Lobo – he’s orange, and there’s Fiona, she’s blue – oh and here comes Secret, she’s the rainbow one!” It was pretty cute.

At crowded nighttime outside events, dogs walk below a human’s line of sight. They can easily be stepped on or tripped over, leading to great bodily harm for both dog and human. Small dogs in particular can be seriously hurt. The light up collar helps avoid such accidents by ensuring your dog is easily visible to all around him.

We walked to our local parish fair, about a twenty-minute walk each way, and the road we take is not well lit in some parts. With their lighted collars on, our minds were at ease because the dogs were clearly seen by cars and any passers by during our journey. We also could see exactly where they were at the end of the lead and knew immediately if any dog stepped outside what we considered a safe pathway.

There are three simple, easy to change settings to control the LED light on the dog’s collar – one click: solid light on, two clicks: blinking light on, three clicks: light off. They are changed with a mere click of a button; the button is cleverly and elegantly hidden inside the collar, yet still easily accessible while your dog is wearing it if you want to change the setting.

Just what does LED mean and why is it an important difference? LED lights are modern, high tech, “light emitting diodes.” They are small, long lasting, durable and extremely energy efficient lights. They also operate well in extreme heat and extreme cold. Hello, snow dogs?! We’ll put this to the test this winter!!

I remember one time when my digital camera literally froze and never worked again, on a snowy day at the dog park (Okay, it was a blizzard, and we were the only ones there. Crazy husky pet parents? Yes, ahem, guilty as charged). This collar should have no trouble lighting up when it’s cold and snowy out, or hot and steamy for that matter.

The collars are USB rechargeable and come with a charging cord you can plug into any convenient USB adapter. The charge lasts a long time – we charged ours once and haven’t had to recharge yet, after numerous uses. That’s the main benefit of LED lights – they last a long time. The charging port, like the on / off button, is neatly hidden inside the collar.

These collars are durable and well made, for long lasting use. The collars snap closed securely with a solid metal locking clip. They are available in several different sizes to accommodate dogs from very small to very large. Each size is of course adjustable as well.

Available Colors: Electric Blue, Aerospace Orange, Atomic Green, Cherry Blossom Pink, Cosmic Rainbow, Crimson Red, Racing Yellow

Sizes: Extra Small (10” – 13.5”), Small (12.5” – 16.5”), Medium (15” – 21.5”), Large (18.5” – 23.5”)

Save 15% on Pet Industries LED Collars with code WOOFUS15
Available on amazon at: http://www.amztk.com/woofus

The Power of Routine for Dogs: The Pack Returns to New Hampshire

June 21, 2016 by janet

Our latest foray into New Hampshire was blessed with cool mornings and evenings and warm, sun-kissed days. The longest day of the year was nigh and that was lovely too – we had glorious daylight until almost nine o’clock.

Fiona, Secret and Lobo are great travelers. We create routine for them within the boundaries of travel and this is a key to happy, travel savvy dogs. How do we do this? The basic routines involve, quite simply, food and potty breaks.

THE MORNING ROUTINE
When we wake in the morning, whether it’s 6 am or 9 am, we walk all three dogs so they can pee and poop if they need to do so. They know this, expect this, and rely on this, as well they should. This typically means wandering around camp bleary eyed in our pajamas, with a roll of blue poop bags sticking out of my pocket, but camping is casual and that is fine for us. No matter how sleepy we are, we are watchful for critters (chipmunks, snakes, bears, frogs, other dogs, moose). Rob takes two dogs and I take one.

Soon after we return to the camper, the tea kettle gets placed on the stove for me, and I begin preparing their bowls of food in our handy dandy bento bowls. At home, each dog is given his or her food bowl in a specific order and in a specific spot. This is how I create order and boundaries for meal times. I do the same in the camper – Fiona first by the dinette, Lobo next by the door, and Secret, third, is fed in the middle near the fridge. The dogs take a fish oil vitamin every morning in cream cheese and this is given before or after their breakfast. Lobo, ever vigilant for breaks in beloved routines, barks at me if I forget!

THE EVENING ROUTINE
The same routine is followed in the evening. Dinner is served somewhere between 5 pm and 7 pm. I like to vary the time – same goes with breakfast – so they learn to be a little flexible. Before we go to bed, they get a long walk around the campground to pee and poop. Then we settle in for the night of watching a movie, sitting by the campfire gazing at the flames, or falling blissfuly asleep to the tune of crickets and bullfrogs.

CAMPING WITH DOGS
You will find dogs everywhere in campgrounds. On leash, off leash, in vehicles, in golf carts, in tents, in pop up campers, in travel trailers. It really is a dog lover’s paradise. This is why camping made such sense to us; it makes traveling with dogs easy. We’ve done the hotel stays with one dog or two and that was great, albeit expensive. Now with three canines in our family, camping is the answer. Of course camping also means a lot of time spent outdoors, which we, as a family, love and appreciate.

LEAVE THE CAMPER BEHIND?! HECK YEAH
We discovered a great travel trailer “trick” on this last trip. The campground we were staying at has a policy, based on availability of course, where you can leave your trailer in place for two consecutive weekends, as long as you book and pay for the two weekends at once. To keep the electric on (and the items in your fridge and freezer cold) you pay a very minimal fee.

So the camper waited for us patiently all week long and we didn’t have to drive it back and forth from New Jersey twice. It was like having a familiar vacation home waiting for us in another state. I guess this is why some folks have “seasonal” spots at campgrounds and just drop their trailer in place for the entire summer season.

The savings in gas and tolls alone almost paid for our second weekend. When we drive with the trailer, we must stop at least every two hours to gas up. When we drive the car alone, it is every four or five hours.

The difference in ease of travel (not having an extra 22 feet of vehicle in tow to maneuver) and savings (cut the gas expense in half) with not having something in tow is huge. Staying two weekends in a place satisfies our desire to get to know a place better by staying longer. This pack is ready to travel!

The SpringLeashToGo: A Woofus Product Review

May 30, 2016 by janet

Bicycling is a very big part of our lives. I’ve always loved to ride and my husband Rob is more bicycle than man. He started riding a two wheeler later than most, about age ten, yet from that moment on he was hooked. He rode and raced BMX for years. He was a highly skilled bicycle courier by trade in his twenties. Now he is an avid mountain biker and dirt jumper. Our first trip in the K9 Camper was to a mountain bike park for opening day. He humors me by riding paved trails with me, which is much more my style, yet I am also always happy to hop on a bike and go.

Since dogs are also a very big part of our lives, it has become time for the two passions to become one! I asked for the Spring Leash to Go for my birthday. I had no idea what I was getting into but hoped for the best. What we discovered is a product that is well made and which the dogs took to quite naturally.

The Spring Leash hooks to the bicycle seat post via a heavy duty, stainless steel mounting bar and spring; the included leash itself actually hooks to the end of this spring and thence to the dog’s harness. The mounting bar removes easily when not in use via quick lock buttons. This also allows the bar to attach to another bike if you purchase an extra set of mounting hardware.

Our three pups range in their adaptability to new things. Fiona was a natural and took off running; I had to slow her down to make sure I could maintain control. Secret was nervous but willing. Lobo was willing but easily confused. With a little time and practice, each dog will gradually become more and more comfortable with this new and exciting activity.

I thought I would get a good workout too, but having huskies who love to pull, I did not pedal much at all. It is a great way to exercise them at what they love best – pulling and running. They all were smiling and panting happily as it gives them a tremendous amount of freedom, yet in a controlled manner which keeps them safe. I felt totally secure that the dogs would not get loose. We are also going to teach them left and right commands like true mushers, so we can navigate more freely and easily.

It does take time to get used to it. Occasionally the dogs would try to switch sides behind me and that wreaked havoc. The spring and leash are not long enough to allow it but it does stop you from going forward. Fiona got excited by a neighborhood beagle puppy who was out in his yard and I had to practice her “leave it” command very sternly to make it past this “obstacle”. Lobo stopped to raise his leg at a fire hydrant which was on the other side of the bike and we had to stop. None of this is a fault of the product, but of my control of the pups.

For riding at night, the company sells their “Halo Lights” which are USB rechargeable, light up collars. You can purchase them separately or as a package with a Spring Leash.

I am very excited for this new way to spend time with the pups. They enjoy letting loose and really running. I love seeing the pure joy on their faces!

Where to buy: You can fine more information and order online at http://www.springleashtogo.com

Price: Solo packs start at $49.99. You can also run two dogs, one on either side of your bike (this sounds awesome but I am not ready for this yet!). The two dog or “chariot pack” is $79.99.

At Woofus, we love to see dogs on the go! The SpringLeashtoGo is a fantastic way to spend time with your pup and give him or her some much needed exercise. As an added benefit, you can both spend more time in the great outdoors!

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