Doggone It

The article written by Victor Flowers

I have a very bad dog. Mac, my twelve year-old lab/pit mix, has, over the years, become the source of many stories within my circle of friends and in my classroom. He provides endless material for status updates, and maybe one day, he will be the inspiration for the book that been simmering inside my soul for quite some time. Mac was a rescue from a job-site that my husband had delivered some pieces of heavy equipment to when he worked for a large equipment company. Based on his size and weight, he was probably no more than a few weeks old. We loved this dog as he was our “first baby.” And, like the birth of a first born-child, there is a period of bliss that overcomes new parents when they meet that sweet baby that can do no wrong. In a blink, something happens- call it sleep-deprivation, insanity, or demonic possession- something happens to shake you from this blissful slumber into the stark reality that you have a being that is dependent on you now and for the rest of your god-given life. At month two, Mac at the ball out of our computer mouse. Shortly thereafter, he ate an entire pack of cigarettes, a bar of soap, and an advertised “indestructible” dog toy. Each of these ingestions landed us at the emergency vet with the bills piling like a blizzard. This pattern has not stopped, and he is entering the latter part of his life. Many days, I have tuned in to Cesar Milan, “The Dog Whisperer” on Direct tv for some guidance and direction. Cesar Milan can surely perform miracles with canine-behavior, and I often wonder what our life would be like with his help. Maybe this month we would not be replacing the staircase he has gnawed to bits or the sofa pillows he annihilated into piles of feather and down.

50% Off Select Dog Toys

DogToys.com has a great clearance and sale section (check out their website for all the special sales and deals).

Right now you can save 50% off select ShopByBreed items. You'll find rope and plush dog toys at unbelievable prices!

Add if you use the coupon code in the previous post you'll save even more!!!

Gentle Leader HeadCollar Is The Best

Here is a review of the Premier Pet Gentle Leader Headcollar by Regina M.

My Golden Retriever, Sandy, would always make a walk around the block a tedious and somewhat painful chore. She has zero sled dog blood in her, but she does a convincing job at pulling me around the block as we go for our nightly walks. I have come to dread this activity as Sandy's pulling has given me lower back pain as I try to anchor my feet into the ground when we walk. I hate feeling like a bad parent. I know people think it's my fault the reason Sandy pulls; I must not have trained her, but I did take her to puppy classes and she passed with flying colors. When she has to go out she even rings a bell. My girl is so smart!

I had just about given up my dream of taking Sandy for nice, peaceful walks, when my friend Michal recommended the Premier Gentle Leader. This miracle device is made of nylon and comes in several colors and sizes. The collar is not traditional, but rather an innovative play on a horse halter-"where the nose goes the body will follow." The first part of the collar goes around the snout of the dog, the second goes around the back of the head.

You actually clip the leash under the chin of the dog and when they pull, their head turns and the pulling stops. At first Sandy didn't like the feel of the Gentle Leader, but after a few minutes she didn't even know it was there! Sandy is a changed dog. Gone are the days of her pulling me around town; she now walks next to me without an ounce of force. Gone are the days of my lower back pain. As the packaging states, "Consumer Digest Best Buy," it is my best purchase ever!

With such high praise we felt we needed to pass that on to you folks. Don't forget to use the link to the right to get 10% off your order when you purchase at DogToys.com!