Dog Scouts

While drinking a much needed coffee drink at the local Barnes and Noble, I flipped through the most recent edition of "Just Labs" magazine. Now, if you are a Lab owner and don't subscribe to this magazine, then you are missing out on a wealth of information about health issues, training, and the overall life of Labrador Retrievers. (Of course, the Lab pictures are adorable as well)

But I am not going to try and sell you on the magazine. The reason I mentioned it at all is because of a great article about Dog Scouts. Yes, dog scouts! Just like girl scouts or cub scouts, there is a thing called dog scouts. Before you start laughing, it really isn't as "fruity" as you think. Dog Scouts (www.dogscouts.org) is a great non-profit organization that helps enrich the lives of dogs and dog owners by utilizing the natural doggy skills to provide encouragement to the dogs and educate dog owners. They not only have troops all over the United States but hold camps during the warmer months that include agility, flyball, backpacking, water rescue, IMPROV obedience, shaping, herding, sledding, frisbee, search and rescue, freestyle, carting, tracking, lure coursing, and more!

Why are we so interested in it? Quite honestly, Cheyenne has so much natural skill and energy and no constructive outlet. Unlike Dakota, Cheyenne gets bored easily and wants to track, swim, and do everything else Labrador Retrievers were bred to do. She wants to use her skills and needs a great deal of mental stimulation. So, I have contacted a local troop and am waiting patiently to hear back from them. In the meantime, we will be checking out local training classes at the Milwaukee Dog Training Club to help Cheyenne (and Dakota) focus better and get the mental stimulation they need.

Sure, a tired pup is a good pup but trying to wear out dogs with exercise just seems to build up their stamina. They need more than simple walks; especially if they are Labs!

Unconditional Love

Every day I become more amazed by my dogs. Not only do they love people unconditionally but they also continue to be happy no matter what. If we are in a bad mood or sick, they can read these feelings and give us the love and support that we need.

Both Cheyenne and Dakota know when I am not feeling well and will continue to give me kisses as I am laying on the couch. Sure, it can become a pain when I am trying to rest but they look at it as an opportunity to show their support and let me know that they are there by my side and are not going anywhere. It is this type of support that helps people with the worst medical conditions overcome the "impossible". Just the simple love of a fellow creature on this Earth, letting them know that no matter how they look or feel they will never be left alone.

Remember the Days of Pups

With Dakota weighing just around 84lbs and Cheyenne weighing in at 70lbs, it is difficult to remember when they were just wee pups and nothing more than 10lbs each. Those days have long gone and although I feel blessed every day that I see my own Labrador Retrievers, I can't help thinking back to when they were puppies. Alas, my online search for Labrador Retriever puppies came to this cute video of a puppy pack. Sure, they aren't my own pups but they are too cute not to pass along. Enjoy!

DogWire Helps Dog Rescues!

DogWireGifts.com Donates to Dog Rescues Nationally

DogWireGifts.com, an online dog breed, rescue, and mixed breed dog lover gift store announced today the opening of their doggy bags to give money to dog rescues in need of funding.

Milwaukee, WI (PRWEB) August 22, 2007 -- DogWireGifts.com, an online dog breed, rescue, and mixed breed dog lover gift store announced today the opening of their doggy bags to give money to dog rescues in need of funding. Beginning in September 2007, DogWireGifts.com will donate 10% of all its profits from its store to a different dog rescue each month throughout the year. Each month, DogWireGifts.com will choose a different non-profit dog rescue, located within the United States, in which to send their charitable donation.

"We are dog owners ourselves and know there are thousands of dogs across the nation that need help in receiving the medical care and love they deserve. Our own dogs bring joy and laughter into our family and every dog should be given the opportunity to be such a blessing to other families. It is our goal to help these organizations succeed in their objective to find warm, loving, and secure homes for these pups. No dog should go without the love of a good family just because of some terrible circumstances that were beyond their control," shares Shannon Steffen, Founder and President of DogWireGifts.com.

For more information on DogWireGifts.com and its Dog Rescue of the Month charitable program please visit: http://www.dogwiregifts.com

About DogWireGifts.com
DogWireGifts.com is a small, privately owned company that creates and sells original dog breed, mutt, rescue, and dog lover designs on quality apparel and gift items through the Internet. It is the goal of the company to deliver fun and creative products that celebrate each unique dog lover's interests and personalities. DogWireGifts.com currently offers over 160 dog breeds, 1,300 designs, and 60,000 unique dog gift items. Today, the company has sold merchandise to customers in all 50 states online as well as International sales to Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Taiwan, Turkey, and more.

Editors Note: Shannon K. Steffen is available for interviews.

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Rainy Dogs

The rainy weather has dampened the spirits of our lovely pooches. Not only did they miss out on the Doggy Dip Sunday but they have been stuck indoors since last Friday. Lucky for us, they are so well behaved that they haven't driven us crazy yet. Right now both Labs are laying at my feet and trying with all their might not to bark at the mailman. They may be Lab Brats but that doesn't mean they are brats all the time. Even with the damp weather and continuous raindrops pelting on our roof, they still have their good moments. Let's pray that their good behavior outlasts the rain.

Calling all Water Dogs!

The Milwaukee Off Leash Dog Parks Association is having their yearly Doggy Dips this weekend and we wouldn't miss it for the world! Last year was the first time our Dakota & Cheyenne went to the doggy dip and although it wasn't their first introduction to water, it was the first time they ever swam! So, the Lab Brats will be attending this year's Doggy Dip at the Sheridan Park pool in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Here is more information on the event:

• What: Annual Milwaukee Doggy Dip
• When: Sunday, August 19, 6pm - 8pm
• Where: Jackson, Sheridan and Washington Park pools
• Price: $5.00 per dog

All proceeds go to help fun Milwaukee off-leash dog parks. There is also one on September 3rd, Labor Day, Cool Waters, 6pm - 8pm. We will definitely be at the Sheridan Park Pool this weekend and will try to make the Doggy Dip at Cool Waters as well.

Hope to see you there!

AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day

The American Kennel Club has created AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day to help educate first-time dog owners about the commitment required and to help current owners enhance their relationships with their pet. Each September, all across the country, hundreds of free events are held to commemorate this day and educate people about responsible dog ownership.

Part of this initiative includes the AKC Responsible Dog Owner Pet Promise which brings the tenets of responsible dog ownership to life. It’s an oath that reminds both novice and veteran dog owners that raising a healthy dog is about more than just playtime and pampering. Training, grooming, nutrition, exercise and veterinary care are equally important in nurturing your best friend.

We hope you will abide by the Pet Promise and show your support by signing online. You can also print a copy here.

Read more about RDO Day.

Hiking With Dogs

Another dog article, written by yours truly, has been published on the web!

• Hiking With Dogs
  All the plans are set, the course laid out, safety gear purchased, and all preparations have been made. But what about your dog?

Read the full article here!

Paws in the Park

On Sunday, we took took the girls to Paws in the Park. It was "Big Woof Day", which means that there were a number of vendors and events for the Lab Brats to get their paws into.

For the first few minutes, they pulled us every which way. Lucky for us, we had the prong collars on them or I would have ended up short one arm. *laugh* It wasn't so much the amount of activity; it was the fact that usually when there are those many dogs out in the open, they think they are at an off-leash dog park. So, Cheyenne had no clue why mommy was keeping her on the leash so long. Poor girl!

Our dogs liked the free dog treat samples that were being given out and didn't care much as mommy and daddy looked at the dog products. All the girls wanted was to sniff butts and rub against dead rabbit fur (being sold in one of the booths as a toy).

Although it was hot, it was a great day. And had Cheyenne not been pulling me all over the place, I would have had pictures to show as well. Alas, such is life with Labrador Retriever puppies surrounded by loads of food and doggy playmates.

Pet Sitters: Questions to Ask Before You Go

Another dog article, written by yours truly, has been published on the web!

• Pet Sitters: Questions to Ask Before You Go
  You want to leave on vacation, but what about Duke and Fluffy? For some, boarding kennels are a perfect solution for their pets to receive the care they need, but for others, they want their pet to receive more personalized care during their absence. For them, there is no better option than a pet sitter.

Read the full article here!

Lab Puppy vs. Kitten

I stumbled across this earlier today and even though it isn't the Lab Brats, I thought other Lab owners would enjoy this as much as I did. Enjoy!

glumbert.com - Puppy vs Kitty

Dog Rough Patches

Those rough patches on Dakota's elbows are getting so bad. She doesn't seem to mind but it looks like she is abused and not taken care of well. The problem is that she is obsessed with the sun and wants to always lay out on our cement patio to bathe herself in the UV light. Unfortunately, every time she lays down, her elbows scrap against the rough cement and chafe the area even worse. So, I am now resorting to putting neosporine on her elbows a couple of times a day until I can find a doggy lotion that is non-toxic to dogs. Then we will begin the task of putting that on her elbows a couple of times a day and continuing to limit her sun bathing ritual.

Too bad she won't let me put elbow pads on her! *laugh* For some reason I don't think she would like that too much! Eh, Labs!

Spoiled Labs

I guess they missed us. Dakota and Cheyenne just won't leave my side. Sure, my husband has returned to work and Dakota sulks but they want to make sure we both don't leave again. Alas, since I work from home, I am stuck with chocolate noses poking and prodding me every few minutes - just to make sure I am still the real mommy and not some invasion of the body snatchers wanna-be.

The spoiling they received while we were on vacation has easily been remedied with some loving training. It seems their pup sitter let them get away with just a little here and there but the Lab Brats have learned very quickly that mommy don't play that! Now it is all about their loving and mushy faces and lots of belly rubs. I hope to get some new pictures up soon since their grandpa from the east coast will be visiting with us over the next few days. Dakota hasn't seen him in 2 years (she was 6 months old) and Cheyenne has never met him. Luckily, he adores animals so I am sure that grandpa will be spoiling our chocolate babies just like a grandpa should!