Registered Since: Jun 10, 2008
About: The editor for AJCPets
Posted April 10th, 2009 by cyoo - 23 Comments »
I understand affection. Really, I do. But I have to say I find this behavior rather puzzling: kissing your pooch on the mouth. You’ve seen such a scene in many movies, including that tanned senior who just loves her poodle in “There’s Something About Mary.” Dogs often sniff and lick things we wouldn’t put near our mouths, right?
Do you let your dog show love with a smooch on the lips?
Posted December 29th, 2008 by cyoo - 56 Comments »
You know that movie with Jennifer Anniston and Owen Wilson? The one about a dog named Marley? Apparently, that was the top movie over the weekend.
Did anyone go? Like it?
According to estimates Sunday from distributor 20th Century Fox, “Marley & Me” debuted at No. 1 with $37 million in weekend ticket sales and a total of $51.7 million since opening Christmas Day, says AP.
It’s about Newlyweds John and Jenny Grogan adopting a puppy who grows into an handful.
A film critic of the Austin American Statesman writes, “Out of boredom and to stave off creating children, Grogan [The main character] buys his wife a puppy for her birthday. This is Marley — named after Bob, the far mellower reggae crooner — who immediately exhibits an unruly rebel personality. He galumphs and gambols, chomps and devours, smiling the whole time with a flapping tongue the size of a beach towel. He’s infected with doggie joie de vivre, presenting predictable moments of canine slapstick and cartoonish mischief.”
Many people are said to have cried during the movie.
Did the film resemble a pet owner’s life? Thumbs up or thumbs down, dog lovers?
(Photo of Marley: AP)
Posted December 26th, 2008 by cyoo - No Comments »
Raven, an 11-month-old spayed Labrador retriever mix, is a happy dog who will be a loyal friend. She is very energetic, and loves to go outside and run around in a fenced yard, especially with other dogs. She will play hard for hours and then crash on the couch. Raven is a smart girl who really wants to learn and be a companion. She already knows how to sit and do some tricks. Like all young dogs, Raven will need structure and confinement when she’s not being supervised and gentle but firm guidance on how to behave in your home. Come see if this jet-black, medium-sized dog is the right pet to help you ring in the New Year! He will be available today at the Atlanta Humane Society, 981 Howell Mill Road N.W. Adoption will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Howell Mill Road NW. The Atlanta Humane Society is open seven days a week.
Meet some of Raven’s friends who also need a forever home. Or check out the cute pets available for adoption at Clayton County’s Animal Shelter. Also, consider adopting from an Animal Control location near you. Photo by ALISON BEARMAN / Atlanta Humane Society
Posted December 4th, 2008 by cyoo - 57 Comments »
Cesar Millan, star of the show “Dog Whisperer” on the National Geographic channel, comes to town Dec. 6 for his first Atlanta seminar. During the three-hour event, Millan will discuss how people can have happier, healthier relationships with their dogs.
In advance of his visit, we asked him a few questions about what he’s been up to, about dogs in general, and about what kind of dog President-elect Barack Obama should get for his family.
Q: You’ve had best-selling books, a hit television show and DVDs. What are you doing now?
A: I’m doing a book and a video right now on how to raise a puppy. People say you have to do different things with different breeds, but the truth is, they’re all dogs. You just have to reach the dog in them and help that flower. We’re filming Season 5 right now, and we just celebrated our 100th episode not too long ago. We had a big party with 100 dogs and their owners there. Not one fight. Everybody was in their happy/calm state.
Q: Americans obviously love their dogs. So why are so many messed up?
A: If you spoil a dog and they don’t have to work for it, you get an out-of-control dog. A dog, what he wants is a good walk, interaction with others of his kind and rules. The most positive thing I’m doing is training a human to be a calm, assertive leader. I don’t train dogs, I train people.
Q: You’ve probably heard the Obama family plans to get a dog once they get to Washington, but because their older daughter has allergies, they want a hypoallergenic dog. Any suggestions for them?
A: They should not get a high-energy dog. Because they’re such a busy family, they need a medium-energy dog. If they don’t know how to get a medium-energy dog, I’d be happy to help them. But that’s more important than any hypoallergenic or not hypoallergenic. And then the president has to practice leadership with the dog as well. It’s the most primal message.
If we see the dog running in front of the president getting off Air Force One or running into the White House first, then we’ll know he’s lost control. The dog rules.
(The interview was conducted by Reporter Sandy Eckstein)
IN PERSON
Cesar Millan seminar. 2 p.m. Dec. 6. $24 and up. (Put “Gwinnett” into promotions code field at ticketmaster.com and $5 will be donated to the Gwinnett Humane Society.) Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway. 770-916-2800, www.cobbenergycentre.com.
Book signing. 4-6 p.m. Dec. 5. Costco, 6350 Peachtree-Dunwoody Road, Sandy Springs. (You must be a Costco member to attend.) 770-352-8660, www.costco.com.
What would you like to ask the dog whisperer if you can’t go and see him in person? Or would you even want to?
Check out the photos of Cesar Millan when he was in town a couple of years ago to help a Marietta family with their pet.
Also, AJCPets ran a previous entry on Cesar Milan and received a lot of responses.
Posted November 28th, 2008 by cyoo - 11 Comments »
So what are you going to do with all your leftovers?
(Insert the smiling face of your beloved furry friend here.)
You could make turkey chili all you want, but you know you’ll get sick of it at one point. So why not share it with your pet?
I’m sure some of you have you done it. Or maybe thinking about doing it? Your friend will like it, I’m sure.
So what foods are safe for your Fluffy and Mr. Bojangles? Which items are not? (Throw away the concrete fruitcake or that tuna-ritz-crackers-cheddar casseroles that your colleague brought. The pets are hungry but not suicidal.)
Some veterinarians are especially concerned about what their clients may be eating this week.
But, if you are sharing your leftovers, let’s start with the bird: Turkey? Yay or nay?
Stuffing?
Cranberry Sauce?
Green Beans with almonds?
Mac and cheese?
Candied yams?
Mashed Potatoes?
Alcohol?
Oh yeah, do the animals like the leftovers? What did they tell you?
Posted November 26th, 2008 by cyoo - 34 Comments »
This week’s member entry comes from Lala. This is pretty timely, given the difficult traveling week we’re facing. Hopefully, you are not caught in this mess, but such is life, folks:
I’ve taken my dog as my carry-on on two Delta flights — both horrifying experiences because he does not travel well AT ALL! But what I don’t understand is why everyone stares at pet owners when their dog barks in airports. EVERYONE.
Like they have never heard a dog bark before - or let alone *gasp* have a pet fly on an airplane? C’mon people!!
Anyway, the customer service rep. at the check-in counter will issue you a luggage tag for your pet carrier after you paid for your pet’s ticket. I’m pretty sure security and the flight staff check the carrier to make sure the tag is there, so I don’t know how safe or slick it is to try and cheat the airlines by not paying for your pet. I do agree the prices are absolutely outrageous — considering that you may even find a ticket cheaper than your pet’s ticket!
Unless a airline starts that once a week “pet plane,” I’ve learned my lesson and now travel by car with my pet — we’re both happier and not as stressed!
Are you traveling with your pet this week? What is your transportation mode? How will you avoid this predicamemt? Oh, and happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
Posted November 24th, 2008 by cyoo - 28 Comments »
Brenner, an 8-year-old neutered German shepherd/hound mix, is a big boy who came to us from a shelter in Louisiana. Brenner is OK with most other dogs, though it would be better if he not live with a young, energetic puppy. He can be a bit of a “talker,” so he would not be a good dog for an apartment, but he doesn’t need a lot of room. Older dogs tend to get passed by, and often they can be some of the easiest to own, once they settle in. Brenner seems mostly housetrained (though a refresher course isn’t a bad idea) and needs to be an indoor dog. November is “Adopt a Senior Pet” month, and this big, happy dog needs a home. Brenner has had his DHLPP vaccinations and has been dewormed. He will be available today at the Atlanta Humane Society, 981 Howell Mill Road N.W. Adoption will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Howell Mill Road NW. The Atlanta Humane Society is open seven days a week. Meet some ofBrenner’s friends who also need a forever home. Or check out the cute pets available for adoption at Clayton County’s Animal Shelter. Also, consider adopting from an Animal Control location near you. Photo by ALISON BEARMAN / Atlanta Humane Society
Posted November 7th, 2008 by cyoo - 14 Comments »
Yes, Barney, the outgoing presidential dog, bit a reporter.”It seems President Bush’s dog Barney wasn’t much in the mood for friendly attention during his walk outside the White House on Thursday. So when Reuters reporter Jon Decker reached down to pet the Scottish terrier, the seemingly docile dog snapped at him and bit Decker’s right index finger,” according to AP. The reporter has to be on antibiotics for a few days. What happened, Barney? Sally McDonough, a spokeswoman for first lady Laura Bush, told AP this: “I think it was his way of saying he was done with the paparazzi.” Barney must have had a rough day. Check out Barney in this Christmas special video co-starring the president. He was adorable. (The dog, I meant.) And in case you missed it, here’s the video of Barney in action.
Posted November 5th, 2008 by cyoo - 245 Comments »
OMG. Did you catch that part in President-elect Obama’s speech? Yep, the girls are getting a dog! Sorry, catlovers. “I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House,” Obama told Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, during his victory speech, according to Associated Press. “The good news for his daughters came as Obama acknowledged his family’s contributions to his campaign. The news prompted even bigger smiles as they surrounded him. He did not go into details about a name or breed for the new White House pet, who will follow in the steps of the Bush family’s Scottish terriers, Barney and Miss Beazley.” Folks, weigh in please. What breed makes a good presidential puppy? Check out the Presidents and Pets.
Photos from AP: (Top) The Obamas; (Bottom)President Roosevelt with his pooch, Fala, and Ruthie Bie, grandaughter of a caretaker.) 
And check out “All the President’s Pets.” Then, learn more about hypoallergenic breeds before you cast your vote for which one the Obama family should pick.
Posted October 27th, 2008 by cyoo - 50 Comments »
Pssst. We’re all among friends. Let’s be honest. Do you always pick up after your dog? Always always? Or almost always?
Not too long ago, my colleague was at a sports event and ran into a scene that you could recognize: Picture it. A sunny Sunday afternoon. A baseball park in Atlanta.
She was following a woman in a dress and her Boxer into the stadium, somewhere between the parking lot and the entrance. The woman was with two or three other friends.
Then, the dog stopped. She - or he - had to go to bathroom. And, the dog went.
As you may know, “when dogs stop to poop, You have to stop with them,” my colleague said.
The owner waited for the dog to finish the deed, and the crowd moved forward. Except the remnant.
Other people were around but said nothing. It’s like when a stranger’s child misbehaves, but onlookers refrain from saying anything.
What about you? Please share.
And, check out HABITUDE blog: Where to put that dear ol’ kitty … litter?
