The right dog for you

Finding the right dog for you is like finding Mr. or Ms. Right.  It's different for everyone.

I often feels guilty that I always tend to favour the female dog more than the male dog.  So far,  everytime we have dogs,  we first adopt a male dog and then subsequently we adopt a female dog.  We always felt that one dog by itself is sorta lonely.  I don't know why we get the male first, it just happened that way.

As I'm used to having two dogs at a time,  it's easy to tell between the two which one is right for me.   The choice is even easier when you can clearly see that your dog likes another family member more than you.

With that said though, I'm sure if I only had one dog at a time,  he/she would feel right because they would not be competing for my attention or comparing my treatments of them.

With Okee and Q, one of them had behavioural issues while on leash and the other had behavioural issues during car rides but they always wanted to go on walks together.  Both would whine the entire time at home,  if you take only one out at a time.  Just think about the dilemma I have to go through every time I want to take them out for a walk.  More on the dilemmas of walking two dogs later.  Maybe tomorrow if I don't know what to write about.

I guess it's a lot easier if it's only you and one dog.  The dog would be like this is my person and the person would be like this is my dog.  So shame on you for abandoning your dog because you obviously didn't think it through.  Don't take it personally if your dog runs away, it happens.  Remember to thank your neighbours profusely when they return your dog.   Who knows how far your dog could've traveled.  Don't be too embarrased to drive around the neighbourhood in pajamas screaming your dog's name (especially if you just got he/she recently, he/she should have a tag too. The tag helps a lot).

Anyways,  if you really, really have to choose the "right" dog for you,  here are a few things to consider:

1. Dog size relative to your size
2. Your place of residence.
3. Your schedule
4. Your monthly budget
5. What you intend to do with your dog.   Don't be too ambitious now!

Remember,  you don't know your dog until you lived with it for a while.   Some breeds are easier to train than others though.  I can say this because I had the privilege of having dogs for almost all of my life.  I've spend time with at least three mongrels, a sheep dog (think lassie but a size smaller or the the dogs in babe but not black and white) and a Siberian Husky.  They are all very different from each other but all of them are very loving.

Keeping Okee Young at Heart

A lot of dog owners may disagree with me but when I first got Okee and Q I wanted them to remain as dogs.

A decade later,  the two of them hasn't changed much.  They've gotten wiser though.   When I look at them they are still like babies yet they know how to take care of themselves and others.

They are playful.  While on walks in a park area,  one of them crawled through a fence once and the other stayed put at the other side.  I couldn't crawl under or climb over,  they are both leashed.  Don't ask me how I problem solved this one.   But leashes and fences remained in tact.

You see those dog owners with well-trained dogs that would bring the Frisbee or ball back.   Well mine would run over to it, stop it and move on to something else until I pick it up and throw it again. See, I'm very creative with play time.

At offleash parks,  I've been to a gigantic one before,  I had to be fearful the whole time because I don't know when they would run back to me.   Plus there were lots of trees and play areas for them so it's hard to have my eyes on them the whole time.   Good thing I had their poop with me so they can smell their way back to me.  If I start screaming or shouting their names in a panic I'm sure they would storm back.  Anyhow,  I can only say this now because we've been together for so long.

Keeping your dog young at heart is not difficult as long as you have heart.   See, love is lame.

Cooking with Okee

I watch cooking with dog sometimes.  Okee definitely doesn't cook with me but she and her doggie buddies are great help around the kitchen!

You are chopping away vegetable and a piece of it tumble away,  say a carrot!  It is gone!

A word of my humble advice, make sure you don't accidentally drop raw meat.  Extremely bad idea.

Our search for a jogging partner

I don't like running or jogging.   That's why I run/jog with Okee; however,  this prevents me from meeting other dog owners because people tends to get out of our way.

I'm also getting bored of all the routes I frequents.   That is why I am going to make a poster in search of a weekly jogging partner entitled "Not a LOST DOG" poster.

Anyhow selfie of Okee and I in 2009 and last night in preparation for our poster.

I'll write about what I've learnt from running with Okee and Q another day.

Benefits of leash designed for bigger dogs

I previously blogged about how Q broken a number of dog leashes.  Here are some common ways of how your beloved dog may break your leash:

1. Biting
2. Pulling
3. Wear and tear

The earlier your leash is broken,  the worse your training or purchase was.

if you start out with a big dog,  you can probably use all of your old dog leashes with the little dog because it's made for more wear and tear.

While baby sitting my brother's dog, I decided to use my own dog leashes instead of the ones his wife has purchased.   I felt like they were easily breakable (especially the extendable dog leash). 

Here are some demonstrations of my usage of the leashes.   Keep in mind that aside from the harnesses,  all leashes were originally used by a Siberian Husky (Okee) and a mutt (possibly a lab-beagle mix ?)(Q).

In terms of harnesses, again they made the error of buying too small. Tight is great but it's a struggle to button them up everyone especially for the little one.  I'm sorry I have big clumsy fingers and they have long fur.  The harness rope is of the right length but change the freaking buckle.  I'm scared that it would break.

Purchasing puppies vs. Adopting non-puppies

I've been baby sitting my bro and sister in law's puppies for a while now.  Prior to this engagement,  I have never owned puppies before.   Every dog I've ever had were always at least 1.5 years old.

Puppies are a handful.   The are way too  energetic.   They are also very attention seeking.  These two have been trained but it's training in progress so they don't sit 75% of the time.

Don't let that cuteness fool you because that cuteness is what they use to get away with everything.   I might be able to understand why people in apartments or condos might end up abandoning their beloved pets.  Neighbours could complain about the continuous barks of puppies.

If you are going to bring a dog into your life please think about it first.   They are with you for at least a decade.

Caption This!

It's family day today so I don't feel like writing instead caption my picture :)

If you want to read my caption continue reading.

Read from left to right.

Title: So you wanna be Alpha!

Note: all dialogue told in perspective of the teenie tiny yorkie.

1. Why did you tie me to Ms. Okee

2. What's happening

3. Come back

4. ...

(To be not continued aka end)

Undecided Song Title about Dog Walking

Last week, we released our first parody song to One Short Day from the musical hit Wicked where we sang about one short hour in the off-leash dog park together with a visit to the vet.

Today we are releasing a new parody.  This time, it's a parody to Can't Take My Eyes Off You. Our Parody is a chronicle of dog walking experiences.

You’re just too good to be true

Can’t  take my leash off of you

You’ll give everyone a fright

I don’t want to see you take freight

At long last fall has arrived

And I thank god I am alive

You’re just too good to be true

Can’t take my eyes off of you

Pardon the way that Q stares

I have no arm strength to spare

This side of my body is weak

I have no strength nor time to speak

But if you feel like I feel

Please let me know that it’s real

You are just too good to be true

Can’t take my eyes off of Q

Stop running QQ, it is not alright

Please Come Back QQ, it’s late at night

I love you QQ, trust in me when I say

Oh naughty QQ don’t run down the hill

Oh naughty QQ now we are stuck with a bill

Let me hold you baby, let me love you

You are just too good to be true

Stop running off with the leash

We do not want to tangle

Or run around in rectangles

At long last you have returned

Let’s check our calories burned

You are just too good to be true

Can’t take me eyes off of you

I love you QQ but if it’s quite alright

I need you QQ to keep the harness tight

I love you QQ, trust in me when I say

Oh pretty QQ don’t take the harness off

Oh naughty QQ now that you took it off

I still love you, baby, I still love you

You are just too good to be true

Click to Listen. (Bad Singing, you've been warned)

Okee and Woofstock

I've been to Woofstock twice, once in the summer and once in the winter.   Okee has only been to a summer Woofstock. 

On our first Woodstock trip, I dressed in a blue platter shirt to match with Okee's eyes.  We also rode the public transit for 2 hours to get there.

Some nice people sat beside us on the bus and regretted their decision because she was shredding.  Some people opened the window which made the situation worse.   Anyhow Okee was a little restless during the ride.  Bus then subway.

When we got there,  there were less dogs then I expected.   I was proud when a photographer asked to take a picture of Okee.  I don't think I was in the picture lol.

Anyhow,  I got a gigantic bag of denta stix.  That was the only freebie I got everything else was geared for little dogs.

Nevertheless,  it was enjoyable going to a dog convention with Okee.  She behaved very well.

Introducing Q (aka Mr. Q, Q Jai)

Q came into my life a decade ago.   He was bony and liked to crawl underneath of things.   Before he joined our family his name was REX, possibly because of his big jaw and shiny teeth which he had maintained throughout his life.

We named him Q because he was cute!  Despite his seemingly aggressive behaviours, he is actually one of the most calm, gentle and not playful dog I've ever known.  He would bark for help, to warn and annoy or just to say hi.

He is gentle because of his big jaw.   We used to play hand.   He was always scared of accidentally biting me and I can always easily close his jaw.  He also acted like squirrels and chipmunks sometimes by hiding things in his mouth.   At times, I had to run home with him in order to get a dirty cloth out.

Okee and Q were quite a team.   One selects while the other hides.

A song dedicated to Q

Today's Valentine's day and also the passing away of Q.  My other dog that I have not properly introduced yet.

We went on many walks this past year,  I'm thankful that I had time to spent with him while he was sick.  Last Friday after writing my first parody song,  I wanted to write another for Q.

It was sad watching Q slowly deteriorate day by day.   I wanted to change the lyrics to can't keep my eyes off of you to fit my watching of Q but I couldn't so I wrote funny lyrics about how hard and scary it was to walk him instead.

It was hard when he was young and it got only a little easier as he got older.   At times it was so difficult.

While listening to my recording of "
Can't take my eyes off of Q" today,  I found it funny that it fits my watching of him being sick too.  Just a little.

I love you Q.  Happy Valentine's Day.

I'll share the song this Friday.

Book recommendation

Thunder Dog, the true story of a blind man, his guide dog and triumph of trust at ground zero.

That's the book title.  The title sums up the book well,  there are also interviews with the author and the guide dog.

Definitely a good read.

One Short Hour

ONE SHORT HOUR

(Parody Lyrics to One Short Day from the Hit Musical Wicked)

CANDY

Come with me.  To the off-leash dog park.

OFF-LEASH DOG PARK STAFF

ONE SHORT HOUR

IN THE OFF-LEASH DOG PARK...

OKEE

Oh, I've always enjoyed being off leash!

OFF-LEASH DOG PARK STAFF

ONE SHORT HOUR

IN THE OFF-LEASH DOG PARK...

ONE SHORT HOUR

IN THE OFF-LEASH DOG PARK

ONE SHORT HOUR

FULL OF SO MUCH TO DO

EV'RY WAY

THAT YOU LOOK AT THIS DOG PARK

THERE'S SOMETHING EXQUISITE
FOR DOGGIES TO VISIT

BEFORE THE DAY'S THROUGH!

CANDY

THERE ARE CLEAR LAKES AND PINEWOOD TREES

OKEE

SECRET TREATS!

CANDY

AND PUPPIES TOO!

OKEE

COYOTES!

CANDY

STRAWBERRIES!

CANDY & OKEE (BOTH)

NOTHING'S GONE WRONG

THERE ARE WONDERS LIKE I'VE NEVER SEEN

OKEE

IT'S ALL FRESH

CANDY

AND IT'S ALL GREEN

OKEE & CANDY (BOTH)

WE'VE FOUND A PLACE WHERE LEISURE WALKS BELONG!

TO BE UNLEASH

IN A STRESSLESS WAY!

CANDY

SO I'LL BE BACK FOR GOOD SOMEDAY

CANDY & OKEE (BOTH)

TO MAKE MY LIFE AND MAKE MY WAY

BUT FOR TODAY, WE'LL WANDER AND ENJOY ...

ALL (OFFLEAH DOG PARK STAFF+OKEE+CANDY)

ONE SHORT HOUR

IN THE OFF-LEASH DOG PARK

ONE SHORT HOUR

TO HAVE A FULL WEEK OF BARK

ONE SHORT HOUR...

CANDY & OKEE (BOTH)

AND WE'RE WARNING THE CITY:

NOW THAT WE'RE IN HERE

YOU'LL KNOW WE'VE BEEN HERE...

ALL (OFFLEAH DOG PARK STAFF+OKEE+CANDY)

BEFORE WE ARE DONE!

CANDY

Okee - Come on - we'll be late for the vet!

VET STAFF AND GUESTS CHORUS

WHO'S THAT VET

WHOSE MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS

IS MAKING ALL PAWS MERRIER?

WHO'S BAD PET

WHO RUDELY BARGED IN TO VET

ALL POSTERIORS!!!?!?

WHOSE ENTHUSE FOR DOGGY GREETING

HAS ALL OF US GO SHOO SHOO-ING!

WOOOOOOOOF!? WOOOF?!?!

WOFN'T HE QUITE A HANDFUL?

(NOW A HANDFUL OF LIZARD?)

AUDIENCE                                            VET STAFF AND GUESTS CHORUS

ONE SHORT HOUR                               WHO'S THAT VET

IN THE OFF-LEASH                                WHOSE MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS

     DOG PARK                                          IS MAKING ALL PAWS MERRIER?

ONE SHORT HOUR                               WHO'S BAD PET WHO

TO HAVE A FULL WEEK                      RUDELY BARGED IN TO VET

     OF BARK                                            ALL POSTERIORS!!!

WHAT A WAY TO BE SEEING

      THE CITY ...

CANDY & OKEE

WHERE SO MANY ROAM TO

WE'LL CALL IT HOME TOO

AND THEN, JUST LIKE NOW

WE CAN SAY:

WE'RE JUST TWO FRIENDS

CANDY

TWO GOOD FRIENDS ...

OKEE

TWO BEST FRIENDS ...

ALL (AS IN ALLLLL)

SHARING ONE WONDERFUL

ONE LONG

DRIVER

Your ride is here now!

ALLLLL

DAY!

Click here to hear this Parody Song (Beware of Bad Singing)

So your dog is unwell :(

So your dog is sick and cannot hold its shit!  What to do?

If your dog has been with you for a long time,  you should know its favourite indoor poop area already.   The stinky smell will assist with your search as well!

Is there a point to lecture your dog?  If it's sick and elderly,  probably not, if it's young,  lecture away!

Early detection will be helpful!  Bring out your garden tool! Pick up poop with your chosen equipment. Dump poop to toilet,  flush be gone.  Now clean your garden tool in toilet without hands!  Let tool dry!

Go back to the original poop area for further cleaning.  Bring water and towel,  I'm using a used undershirt here.   Wipe everything clean.   Now clean cloth with warm water!  Let cloth dry.

All good!

Poop be gone brought to you by yours truly!

Girl - Our Sheltie

Girl was the most gentle, obedient and loving dog I know.  She was a sheltie.

She came into my life in early childhood.  Like Okee and Q, she was also adopted.  According to shelter staffs, her first owner was crying as he was abandoning her,  she then suffered doggie fever because she was extremely heart broken.  She was quite sick when we first got her and the vet at the shelter suggested to put her down at one point.  We chose not to and she lived a long life of 14 years.

She was a smart one, she used to volley a miniature basketball with me,  she would act as a goalie in front of a soccer net, she would bark at my command and she would dry herself on a towel after shower.  She also walks in a continuous circle like she was herding sheeps whenever we take walks.

Last night,  while flipping through my old sketch books, I saw my many sketches of her and big boy.  I didn't even remember doing these sketches.  Here are some of my favourites.

Preparing your beloved dogs for car rides

Some dogs behave better in cars than others.  You have dogs that would sit calmly during the ride and there are also dogs that would pace around during the entire ride.

If you would like to ride with all windows up, please make sure the air conditioning is on.

If you would like to ride with your windows down, please make sure your dog will not jump out of the car.

It is important to first take your dog on shorter rides before you plan a long ride.

Crate Training

I have no clue how to crate train but it's very popular. 

Did you know that dogs can actually not pee or poo for 12+ hours?  I know because we flew BIG BOY and GIRL to Canada.  Our first pair of dogs immigrated to Canada with us and we have never crated them prior to boarding the plane.   I was surprised when we picked them up that there was no pee nor poop in the wooden crate.

Anyhow, this picture is my sibling's dog reluctantly crated after a fun filled they with me lol!

Broken Dog Leashes

I've always liked using extendable dog leash.   Dogs don't like walking with a dog leash.  This broken dog leash which has been with me since the early 90s has been used by my first collie-mix, BIG BOY. Let's call BIG BOY as BB for the purpose of this post.

BB used to bite the dog leash hence the wrapping and strengthening of it with shoe lace.  We purchased this extendable dog leash with BB's size in mind which is why it is not the "perfect" leash for Q.  After BB's passing, this leash lasted at least another decade with Q though until he argued with a German Sheppard one day and the handle broke off!  Otherwise the leash still works prefectly.  I sorta want to fix it and continue using it.

Movie Synopsis: Eight Below

I watched a lot of dog movies.  Beethoven, Air Buds, 7 Days of Himawari & Her Puppies, Every Dog Has His Date, and today's feature Eight Below!

All of the mentioned dogs movies are great! Some bought tears, some brought laughs and others brought feelings of nostalgia.

I picked eight below today because it is cold and I was flipping through a travel magazine titled "Artic Safari Guide" by Artic Kingdom.  I thought, maybe I can bring Okee to one of these expeditions and immediately this movie came to my mind.

I watched this so long ago so...here is a really bad summary of the movie.

VERSION 1: 
In a far away land, winter is here.
A man or a group of people, left with eight dogs, storm came, fly off, "nooooo my dogs"... dogs stranded... came back for dogs.. dogs still alive! YAY!

Roll credits.

VERSION 2:
In a far away land, winter storm is coming.
A group of Huskies left to fend for themselves, they united and survived.

Roll credits.

Candy is working

When Candy wants to focus her dogs sleeps or take naps.

<3 Okee and Q