Why is a labrador called a man's best friend?

I recently had the following key word search bring someone to my blog: "why is a labrador called a man's best friend?" I could write a whole post on my answer to that question . . . oh wait, I wrote a 95+ post and counting blog answering that question already.

So I decided to do the search myself and ended up at an adorable collection of quotes about Labradors written by young kids. Here are just a few:

I love Myffy (Labrador Retriever) because he is a cute little pup. I hope he will grow up to be an intelligent and responsible dog. He loves to play with me and enjoys running around. Anupama, Age 11, New Delhi, India

We have two Labradors. Our first dog, Max Million, he looks like a big bear. Our second dog Maddie, looks like a Salamander, because she lays on her tum tum with her legs spread out! Anonymous, ages 11 and 9, Washington USA

I have some dogs too! Yeller (named after Old Yeller): He is a yellow Labrador Retriever and very obedient. He is 6 years old and he has mellowed out a whole bunch! I got him when he was a puppy. He can be very cute and cuddly at times! Kara

I have a black Lab. His name is Chivas. I had another dog but she died. Her name was Bailey. She was a yellow Lab. I also had a chocolate Lab. His name was Captain. We had to give him away, because he kept on digging out. I want another dog so that my dog can have a playmate. Kimberly, Age 9

My Lab, Mac, is so cute. He is three months old and loves to chew on things. He is a purebred yellow Lab.
Kelsey, Age 12, Florida USA

Now if you're a lover of Labrador's like me you have to be smiling after reading just those few. For more visit: "LoveYourDog.com"

Because laughter's always the best medicine !

Fair Warning!!

"Happy Birthday Coco" - Reviewed

When I first received the E-mail asking me to review children's books I thought it had to be a mistake. But it was clear that it wasn't when 13 children's books showed up at my store step.

The invitation was intriguing:

I just came across your blog dedicated to dogs and all things related to your pets. How fun! We thoroughly enjoy your site and want to give you the opportunity to receive samples of our books to share with your readers.
Although none of our books feature Labradors, specifically, I thought perhaps some of your readers might be interested in books that feature dogs as main characters. Happy Birthday Coco is one of our best-selling gift books for readers of all ages and has been sold at independently owned pet boutiques across the country.
Thanks so much for taking the time to review our books.
Best regards,
Sondra LaBrie
Marketing Manager
Kane/Miller Book Publishers

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So it should come as no surprise which book I first chose to review.


"Happy Birthday Coco", originally published in Japan in 2005 this charming children's book was translated and published in English in 2006.

This beautifully illustrated book opens on the morning of Coco's first birthday. Coco, a wire hair fox terrier is a year old and over the next year has a lot to share with readers of all ages. Month by month we enjoy her special moments. The year brings many fun adventures, several new friends, and a sad goodbye. From pointing out the pitfalls of harsh words to beautifully demonstrating the perfect greeting with new dog friends, it's easy to see why she's a favorite. As the book comes to a close we once again say, "happy birthday Coco", only this time she truly has become our little friend.

Book: Happy Birthday Coco
Author: Oneones
First American Edition 2006
Publisher: Kane/Miller Book Publishers
Original Publication: 2005
Poplar Publishing Co., Ltd
Pages: 56
Age Range: All ages (picture book)

Flies... and what we can learn about our dogs!

Nutmeg absolutely loathes flies, especially in the house. It's beyond the normal neurosis and yet I can appreciate her vehemence on the matter. The other day no less than three found their way into the kitchen and a crisis ensued. Everything came to a standstill until I had tracked down every last one.

After dipping into a worse spell than usual, she finally gave up, tucked her tail and headed to her crate in the middle of the day. Something she NEVER does! When I had finally killed the last one I was more thrilled than then she was.

In an truly elated voice I told her it was safe to come out, that they were finally all gone. That's all I had to say. She came out tentatively and kissed my face in appreciation then joined be back in the kitchen in her favorite sunspot and life resumed it's usual pace. And to think, someone just the other day was saying that they had a dog that would eat bees. Who knew!?

Who are we fooling when we want to believe that Freud wrote the book on physiological disorders and that as humans we were the first and only species to truly understand complex emotions.

Although this is no stellar example of a "brainiac" dog, it still goes to show the complexity of and beauty that makes up these amazing companion creatures. Next time you notice something is "off" with your dog take the time to figure it out. They'll thank you for it.

Update:
For more on this topic check out this article: "What your pet is thinking"

Awesome dog waste bags !

Ok, first for a little humor! Cause I need it and I hope you enjoy it.

Follow this link to Pappy's Dog Blog, If Dogs Could Say What They Are Thinking... then come back and read the rest of this post.

When you have two dogs not to mention two big dogs and you live in a suburban neighborhood their are certain aspects of owning a dog that are "more charming" than others. Namely picking up their poop. And in our case I have gone to the extra trouble of training my dogs to do their business on the "pee gravel" path next to our driveway. Unfortunately, you still have to get it from there to the trash and that's where it starts getting costly. My new favorite product is the NoztoNoz Bottoms Up Pet Waste Bags - canister found at Kings Wholesale Pet Supply. There are 150 bags in each canister and these bags are way tougher than most!!

(Click on the image above to go to their order page.)

As my dogs are not going anywhere and neither is the fact that they poop, I got the case of six canisters. It ends up being about a nickle a bag, which is better than most I've seen. The canisters are compact enough that they can easily go in the car. I haven't tried the smaller dispenser or refill rolls so I can't comment on them but if any of you do try them, let me know what you think. The canisters just made so much sense to me, for sitting on my counter by the door, I was thrilled to find the product. I hope this is a product you enjoy as well.

In case your interested, here's what Great Green Pet has to say on the subject. What’s the green solution for getting rid of dog poop?

A "must see" recommendation

Take a few minutes and follow the link to check out this beautiful hand painted labrador portrait. Enjoy!

Labrador Retriever Pet Portrait in Coloured Pencils

Here's a link to the "Work in Progress" page of the above finished portrait link.

When in doubt - take the dogs swimming!

The past couple weeks have been very busy and stressful (see the end of my last point for the reason), so, this week was coming to a quick close with too many things still on my list of things to do.

One of those things was to give the dogs a bath. They were smelling a bit "gamey" and with how much my husband and I like to snuggle up with our dogs they were a bit over due for "freshening up."

So armed with my things to do and the shopping errands mapped out for most efficient maneuvering around town I started my day. The dogs got their run at the park, the groceries list was tackled and I was soon headed back to the house to finishing the laundry and bathe the dogs. As I turned down the last long stretch back to the house I realized that the water reservoir ponds were just a quarter mile away and I could kill two birds with one stone. Great exercise and a bath all at the same time. So I quickly turned around, and we were at the ponds in no time.

The dogs were thrilled and I was smiling myself. I needed this as much as they did. We all enjoyed a fun game of toss and fetch. I kept it short as the water is still quite cold but they loved every minute of it. Needless to say, although such a venture is not without it's charming wet and cold moments for me, I was drier than if I had given them bathes at home.

After a good rub down and a spritz of coat conditioner spray (Buddy Splash Spritzer - Lavender & Mint) on our return, the dogs and I were further down the list of things to do much easier than I had initially thought.

So next time you find your self debating "do I really have time to bathe the dog(s)" make it fun for both of you and take your dog(s) swimming.