Good for NYC dogs

Less dogs are being put to sleep this last year in NYC then ever before. Check out this article in the New York Times.

Toby's long walk

Toby-on-wall-4, originally uploaded by phaird.

With the continued nice weather, Toby and I are starting to take longer walks. Neither of us our winter weather fans so most of the winter has been cooped up in the house. If Toby was more of a winter dog, I'd be willing to spend more time outside (and buy even bigger winter coats) but he is happy to get back inside and under the covers.

We went for a long walk and he really appreciated it. He was able to get out that nervous energy that he gets at the park and wasn't a compete nervous wreck. I hope he'll continue to do well. I know I could use the walks as well.

Cesar's Daddy is gone

I'm really sad to hear about the passing of Daddy, Cesar Millan's pit bull. I'm a fan of Cesar but an even bigger fan of Daddy. I know that Cesar's process has some flaws but he also gets results for his clients and loves his dogs very much.

An inevitable truth of inviting dogs into our families is that they will pass. Daddy had everything a dog could ask for. He will be missed.

Spring is such a tease

girl petting dog, originally uploaded by phaird.

Last week was SO nice! The temperature was in the 70's and felt so good. It was short lived though and the cold, rain and even snow has returned. I can't really complain though. More warm weather is on the way and more dogs were out today because of spring. For most dogs, this is ideal. It's cool enough to run around an not get over heated but not too cold to keep them (or their owners) from going out. The pond has thawed out so those water dogs can run in and swim. The melting has passed so the mud is hardening up and little bits of green is popping though the hard ground.

I'm so looking forward to the trees turning green again though. With spring ramping up, I can shoot more and Toby can play more. I'm going to try to take every chance I get to take him to the park to calm his nerves. It won't be easy because the gun clubs are working too. Having two small boys at home that need attention often leaves Toby to get shorter walks but he has been really good. I hope to bring my oldest to the park on Sundays over the summer.

I hope to even have a photo event at the park this spring. I'm hoping in April to set up a portable studio and shoot dogs as a promo. Keep a look out because I'll be putting dates up soon.

Spring is coming

Toby BW, originally uploaded by phaird.

We've had a really nice stretch of weather here in New England. It's been sunny and warm for days. As it comes to a close and more normal weather starts moving in, I really wanted to get Toby to the park. We didn't get there till after 11 so most of the regulars I know were already gone.

The hard part for Toby is that with warmer weather comes loud noises from the local gun clubs and soon, thunder storms. I always feel bad for Toby when that happens. He just can't help himself. In this photo, his only thought is to get back to the car. We could hear the gun club from the moment we got to the park and he just wanted nothing of it. There was still a lot of dogs running and playing. The lake was thawed and the water dogs were all splashing around. Only a week or so ago, that was all frozen over and people were still skating on it.

We ended up leaving after only 20 minutes of walking up a trail and back. We didn't make it too far because of all the mud now that the snow has melted. On the upside, Toby was good. He didn't get into any fights even with all the big dogs were charging at him. Good boy Toby.

The Animal Odd Couple

This video is over a year old but I just found out about it today and had to share. I always enjoy these videos where love knows know bounds. There is a follow up to this story as well. After this story aired, the couple was inundated with book and movie offers. Not surprising. This youtube video has more then 3 million views.

another small step for dog rights

The Mass House has voted to ban the surgical "debarking" or silencing of dogs or cats unless a vet says it's needed for the health of the dog. These small steps help in reducing the amount of animal cruelty that happens. The vote was 150-1.

I just found out about this and was shocked to find a 15 year old from Needam high, Jordan Star, proposed this bill with the help of Scott Brown and backed by Democratic House Majority Whip Lida E. Harkins. This process is over a year in the making and seems to be one way of getting both parties to work together. Good work.