Woofs And Wags

Dog Lady thanks all her readers for the inspiring questions about dogs, life and love. She is most grateful when she leads a challenged dog keeper to an answer -- or when a challenged dog keeper nips back. Here's a few riffs and ruffs from the mail bag:

Dear Dog Lady,

I just thought I would say I love your site -- very well done and creative. I really enjoy the sections etc.

Alan, Ottawa, Canada

Dog Lady's Two Cents: Alan, thank you. You make Dog Lady blush. Let me turn the tables and tell readers your favorite human treat is banana cream pie and your two dogs, MacKenzie and Hudson, play a wild game of "chase the cat." You also share in Dog Lady's survey that your favorite game is Dogopoly.

Dear Dog Lady,

You have alot of Scotties on your website. Do you have a Scottie?

Aroooo,
Jane

Dog Lady replies: For readers who may not know the language, "Aroooo" is terrier talk. No, Jane, not a Scottie. Yet, Dog Lady has a special tugging in her heart for a tenacious terrier who, right now, snoozes on Dog Lady's bed.

Dear Dog Lady,

I just found your site, and although we are without a four-footed child at the moment (for the first time in my life), I wanted to check it out. I thoroughly enjoyed what i've read so far and will add your site to my list of 'favorites' Thank you so much for my first morning's chuckle, and bless you for the sound advice you offer.

Barbara, Dallas, TX

Dear Dog Lady,

Don't need an answer. Just thought I would introduce myself since a friend sent me your name and web site.

Lucile, Colorado Springs, CO

Dog Lady answers anyway: Wow, Lucile, your email address distinguishes you as a "dog lady" and, my, my, you do earn the mutt moniker. According to the Ask Dog Lady questionnaire, you keep five dogs: Monkey, Quinta, Cinnamon, Lady, Oprah and Cinder -- a Lab, poodle, snoodle, two Pekinese, and a spaniel. Phew! Your home must be a shrine to kibble.

Dear Dog Lady,

Are you stupid?

Petey, Sindrsville, India

Dog Lady's Two Cents: Petey, yes, Dog Lady is dumb for her dog. Thank you for filling out the "Ask Dog Lady" questionnaire. Glad your two-year-old Westie likes bacon and you play Dogopoly. Put my money on Pooch Palace.

Dear Dog Lady,

I do believe you are my new best human friend. After reading some of the letters and your responses to them - I was hooked!! Your advice and suggestions are perfect and I love reading the great variety of topics people write to you about. My great passion in this life is - very simply - dogs. Ironically, as a child I was terrified of these creatures and avoided any friend's invitation to come play at their house if they had a dog. Why the fear? I really don't know as I was never bitten or traumatized by one as a child. Even in my teens and 20s I went into "automatic agitated mode" when I was in a dog's presence. Then due to a series of changes in my life I went to work at an area animal hospital and the experience was the best, most gratifying, most life-changing-for-the-better I have had to date.

As I write this, I am surrounding by my animal family, dogs Louie and Chuck, and cats Scamper and Midas. I love them beyond words - each with their very unique, distinct personality, little quirks, likes and dislikes. I have also seen the ability of both dogs and cats to literally make life worth living for some troubled/disabled in one way or another individuals. I read the letter from the neighbor of the elderly woman and her dog "Blarney" and - oh Lord! - let's just say - I could identify - big time.

Thank you for being there. I'm sure I will be seeking your advice or opinion very soon about any of a zillion K9- as they say today "issues" - Ha! I love that word! ....we all have a lot of them, don't we?

Kathleen
Anthon, Iowa

Dear Dog Lady,

I am having a Bark Mitzvah for my golden retriever and want to thank you for the article you wrote on the subject (http://askdoglady.com/archives/bones_social_creatures/000117.html). You hit all the points I have thought of and experienced on the head. I've had two family members say that it is sacrilegious and an insult to Judaism. However, everyone else I've told about the event is excited and supportive. So thanks for that letter, I've printed it out to show the two family members who don't agree with the idea of a Bark Mitzvah.

Regards, Diane

Note from Dog Lady:Here's a very amusing article from the New York Times of December 21, 2004 about a Bronx bark mitzvah.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/20/nyregion/20mitzvah.html?ex=1104653846&ei=1

Dear Dog Lady,

Thank you for the advice, which came at the exact right time (http://askdoglady.com/archives/bones_dog_in_the_house/000136.html).

I was very close to bringing Bishop back to the no-kill shelter where we adopted him. My husband and I started to pack up all of his things -- his bed, his toys--and I could smell his scent on everything, and I broke up. I just couldn't do it. Now, a couple of weeks later, I'm so, so glad I didn't. He's made us into a family, not just a couple, and really enriched our lives. It helped to know that what I was going through was normal, and something better was waiting on the other side of the frustrations and depression.

All best, Holly

Dear Dog Lady,

Sorry to disagree with you (http://askdoglady.com/archives/bones_dog_in_the_house/000116.html), but my Golden retriever really does smile. He curls up his upper lips and grins and smiles when I first come into contact with him after being away. He can hardly contain himself.

Paul

Dog Lady replies: Paul, lucky you to have your own golden Grin Tin-Tin. You must not have seen the letter on the site from Kathleen who also knew and loved a smiling dog -- http://askdoglady.com/archives/bones_dog_in_the_house/000127.html

Posted by Dog Lady at July 17, 2004 01:24 PM