Share your Christmas story

Growing up I always had dogs and cats.

Our dogs were usually a type of retriever or Labrador mix.

One of the bonds I had with my Dad was our love for the dog shows. We would always watch them together.

My love was always the Afghan hound, and my dad LOVED the Golden Retriever.

When our dog Huxley, a black lab/German shepherd mix, passed away, my brother and sister and I decided to do something special. We were young but I had some money from tutoring and babysitting, and we searched and finally found Golden Retriever puppies that would be ready to adopt for Christmas.

We brought the puppy home Christmas Eve and hid him downstairs, hoping he would not bark. (Of course we were down there with him most of the night.) But he was so good, and did not bark.

The following morning, Christmas morning, after we opened all of our gifts, we said, “Oh, there is one more” We went downstairs and put the puppy in the wrapped box we had all ready with a big red bow on top, and placed the puppy inside.

We put the box on his lap and the box began to move and of course he thought it was a joke gift. When the puppy popped his head up and out of the box! A beautiful, dark gold, adorable puppy.

Well my father had no words…. He picked up the puppy and walked out of the house....
You see, he was too choked up to speak, and not being an emotional man, did not want us to see him crying.

Later he walked all around the neighborhood showing that puppy to everyone.

He wanted to call him Chips, but as this was our very first pedigree we needed a sir name for the official papers. :-)

So he named him Sir Andre' Chips.

My favorite Christmas ever.
(This is not Chips, but looks a lot like him)

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Please, before getting any type of pet as a gift for someone else, do consider the following:
The decision to add a new pet to the family needs to be a carefully considered one, not an "impulse purchase." A dog, in particular, is a long-term commitment, not just a Christmas morning puppy thrill.
If you and your family really want a dog, that's great! Just make sure that they are ready for this commitment, and take your time when it comes to choosing a puppy, or any pet. After all, he's going to be a family member for a long time.

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We knew my Dad wanted a new dog, and knew he would accept this new addition.

I don't think we expected such an emotional response though. :-)

Do you have a favorite Christmas story you would like to share?

Diana

www.DianaDesignsNY.etsy.com

www.StylinDogsBoutique.etsy.com

Deck the Halls

December Pet Photo Contest
Accepting entries now.

Click the Furbabies link above to go to the contest and rules. Visit us in the forums where we'll be hanging out and introducing the new entries.

Sasha's Night Before Christmas Part 3

Twas The Night Before Christmas Sasha's Version Part 3
(Click on the pictures to see how you can get one of your very own.)

"Now, Frankfooter! Now, Tinker! Now, Oscar and Dude!
On, Chloe! On, Daisy! On, Peewee and Atta-Tude!

To the end of the porch! To the end of the yard!
Now dash hound away! Dash hound away! Dash hound away hard!"

As crazed squirrels before wild doxies fly,

When met with an obstacle, bound for the sky.

So up to the house-top the doxies they flew,
With a car full of toys, and Santa Paws, too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing and each little woof.
As I was turning my long body around,
Down the chimney Santa Paws came as a hound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his paw,
And he was the cutest hound that ever I saw.
A bunch of treats, he had in his sack,

And he looked like a lone pupper missing his pack.


To Be Continued Next Week.....

Holiday Sing-A-Long: Jingle Bell Bark

Feel Free To Sing, Bark, Yawl, Or Whatever With This Holiday Video.

Kennel Cough

At this time of year as people travel, at times dogs must be boarded or kept by friends. This gives the opportunity to catch kennel cough. Kennel cough is a type of bronchitis caused by a highly contagious virus that’s readily passed from dog to dog. (Cats don’t get this condition.) Kennel cough can be prevented by vaccination. Most kennels require dogs be immunized against the disease before checking in for the night. Never board your dog at a kennel that doesn’t require proof of immunization.

A simple trick vets use for distinguishing a simple cough from a possibly serious infection like kennel cough is this: Press gently on the front of the dog’s throat. She will go into a coughing spasm if she has kennel cough. The virus particularly likes to irritate the lining of the trachea. If your pet doesn’t have kennel cough, pressing gently on her throat probably won’t make her cough.

If the worst happens, and your dog does contract kennel cough, here are a few things you can do to help her feel better:

-Clear the air: For a pet with irritated airways, clean air is important. This means protecting your pet from fireplace or cigarette smoke or fumes from household cleaners.

-Put moisture in the air: Keeping humidity high will help tame the cough by soothing your dog's throat and airways. Running a humidifier or vaporizer or even taking your pet into the bathroom when you shower or bathe can give some temporary relief.

-Move her gently: When your dog is coughing and congested, taking a slow, gentle walk can help her airways drain. Avoid letting her get tired or overheated which can set off further bouts of coughing. It’s also a good idea to avoid choke chains and tight collars which can bring on a coughing spell.

-Keep her alone: Since kennel cough is contagious, you’ll want to keep the ’patient’ away from other dogs.

*These tips are home remedies only and should not ever be used as a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your veterinarian. If your pet has a medical problem, we urge you to seek competent medical care.

Alice England

Makingstuffwithlove.etsy.com

DECEMBER 1st! Yipee!

In light of our recent conversation at the Petsjubilee Forum about Lucy and Linus, I thought it might be nice to let the Peanuts characters say a few of their own words about Christmas.

Since Etsy is bursting with holiday goodies, I’ve included a handful of appropriately themed artwork for you to enjoy!

24 Days until Christmas!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61653843

“I know nobody likes me. Why do we have to have a holiday season to emphasize it?”
–Charlie Brown about not receiving any Christmas cards

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61604405

“Get hot water! Get some disinfectant! Get some iodine!”
–Lucy about being licked by Snoopy

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61131564

“My own dog—gone commercial. I can’t stand it.”
–Charlie Brown, dismayed about Snoopy entering the “Lights and Display” contest

http://www.etsy.com/listing/17445169

“Gee, do they still make wooden Christmas trees?”
–Linus

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61702061

“Are you going to let all this beauty go to waste?”
–Lucy explaining why she should be the Christmas Queen in the play

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62044257

"I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards, and decorating trees and all that, but I’m still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed.”

–Charlie Brown

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62508024

“He never got his picture on bubble gum cards, did he?”
–Lucy explaining to Schroeder why Beethoven isn’t so great.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/33639932/

“Charlie Brown, you’re the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem.”
–Linus

Written by Patty from Catcalls and Dogbarks

TUESDAY LAUGHS - PART 2

I hope this made you smile.

Thanks for looking.

Diana

http://www.dianadesignsny.etsy.com/

http://www.stylindogsboutique.etsy.com/