My Experience Having a Dog

In my experience, having a dog has changed my perspective on caring for other living beings. It's empowering to know you can change so much for another being. Having a pet can show you gratitude and love in ways you never would have imagined. Having pets can also show you your capability of caring for someone other than yourself and teach you about selflessness and empathy.

I had my first dog when I was around eight years old. We got him in the winter and he was a Boggle (beagle Boston terrier mix). His name was Zephyr and he was my first pet. He had beautiful brindle fur and was incredibly strong even as a puppy. He was so full of energy and loved to run, he could run faster than any other dog I have seen. His love for running became a problem when he got out because he was impossible to catch. I learned so much about caring for dogs when we had him because I took him outside, watched over him, and learned what chocolate does to a dog when they steal a small piece on Halloween. I learned how to feed him, clean up after him, and how to discipline him. I did not only learn how to care for a pet with Zephyr, I learned how to deal with the loss of a pet with him. He was more than a teacher though, he was a loyal friend that was there through everything.

A few months before Zephyr died we got our second dog. He's a pug named Bamboo and the inspiration for this blog. Having two dogs for a short time was a lot of fun, but definitely had it's stressful moments. Bamboo was a mischievous puppy that loved to play and bite Zephyr. This issue persisted until the last day of Zephyr's life. He was getting old and was always very calm and loved to lay in his bed, but he was being bothered by this little puppy that just wanted to play all day. Aside from that, it was fun to have both dogs and  have two of us take them out and I would always take Zephyr because he was my best friend.

Having Bamboo really saved our family when Zephyr died because he gave us something to care about after such a harsh loss. If we hadn't already had him it would have taken much longer for all of us to heal and even longer before we got another dog. Today, Bamboo is our number one just like Zephyr was for so many years. Learning to accept Zephyr's death taught me a lot in and of itself. I learned about how I deal with loss and how I need to grieve. I also learned how to come to terms with the fact that I would never take him on another walk, or hug him, or comfort him during a thunder storm.

Through all of this I have developed a deep love for dogs. As I have loved my pets over the years I have wanted to show people the love and happiness that can come from having a pet, especially a dog. You can learn from, love, laugh with, and cherish dogs. The purpose of this blog has been to share as much knowledge about dogs as I can and to show the importance of having pets and to explore why humans have such strong connections to these animals.

Zephyr

Bamboo

Animal Shelters in Massachusetts

I want to provide the names and locations of all the animal shelters I could find in Massachusetts because rescuing a dog when possible is (I believe) the best route to go. If I can help any animals get adopted into loving homes, that is what I want to do.

Second Chance Animal Shelter- East Brookfield, MA
Northeast Animal Shelter- Salem, MA
Here Today Adopted Tomorrow Animal Sanctuary- Brimfield, MA
Sterling Animal Shelter- Sterling, MA
Friends of Charlton Animal Shelter- Charlton, MA
Save a Dog- Sudbury, MA
Dakin Humane Society- Springfield, MA
MSPCA Animal Care and Adoption Center- Jamaica Plain, MA
Dakin Humane Society- Leverette, MA
Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton- Hopkinton, MA
Buddy Dog Humane Society Inc.- Sudbury, MA
Forever Paws Animal Shelter- Fall River, MA
Animal Rescue League of Boston- Boston, MA
Medfield Animal Shelter- Medfield, MA
Animal Rescue League- Worcester, MA
Quincy Animal Shelter- Quincy, MA
Standish Humane Society- Duxbury, MA
Second Chance Animal Shelter- North Brookfield, MA
Animal Shelter- Scituate, MA
Massachusetts Humane Society- Weymouth, MA

The Dog From Chile and The Leonberger

One of the few times we've had to take my dog to the veterinary hospital came with a couple of  interesting stories. We sat in the lobby of the walk in for a long time and saw many dogs come and go with various problems. Sitting across from myself, my sister, my mom, and my dog was this young woman with a rather large dog of an undeterminable breed. We met this dog and learned that he was there to see a behavioral specialist and had been taken in by this woman when she was in Chile. He had been a street dog without a finite genetic makeup. He  had followed her home and from there she took him in and back to the U.S with her. This story has stuck with me because it is so cool to me how she just took in this dog that followed her home. I guess it just goes to show that your life can turn around at any moment.

One of the last dogs I met before we left the pet hospital was a Leonberger.  This is a giant dog breed who's name derives from a German city. They are huge and fluffy and my younger sister was obsessed with them for a while. When I saw this dog I was so excited to tell my sister I had seen a Leonberger in real life since they are more rare than other breeds. When I met the owners and this dog I learned that she had kidney problems and was given a 3 or 4 month life expectancy. Learning this made my heart drop. Here she was, so sweet and unassuming. All I could do was hope she lived out her last days in pure bliss. I will never know if she lived past her expectancy, but I do know that I'll never forget her story because it truly touched me.

Appreciation Post

   
This is just an appreciation post for my dog and who the inspiration for this blog. He's a 2 year old pug named Bamboo. He's one of the best things in my life despite his invasive and messy antics.

"Two poems about what dogs think (probably)" By Billy Collins

This is a short Ted Talk by Billy Collins in which he recites poems written from two different dog's positions.
Link: http://www.ted.com/talks/billy_collins_two_poems_about_what_dogs_think_probably/transcript?language=en

Breed of the Week: Whippet

Environment: Adaptable due to medium size, but if they are in a colder place a jacket is recommended.
Health: Watch out for their teeth, can live up to 15 years
Grooming: Self-groomed and odor free
Trainability: Need positive reinforcement
Family Friendly: Good with children, but not always compatible with cats.

The Whippet was first mentioned in the English language in 1610, but the breed was created in the late 1800's by working class people in Northern England by crossing the greyhound with the terrier. This breed is the most popular among the sight hounds, perhaps it's because they can run up to 35 mph (fast enough to outpace a grizzly bear, whit tail deer, or kangaroo), can navigate in the dark, have 250 degrees of vision (humans have 180 degrees of vision), and have hare-like feet. Whippets are able to run as fast as they do because of their double-suspension gallop which means that with each leap all four paws come off the ground twice. This breed is more common in a shorthaired version than the longhaired version and has a thin smooth coat that comes in many colors. Although these dogs can run fast, they are a very laid-back breed that is good for lazing around the house.

http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/dog-breeds-l-z/

Breed of the Week: Tibetan Mastiff

Environment: Need a cool and dry climate and strong fencing because of their territorial nature.
Health: long lives but have many health problems including- hip dysplasia, thyroid problems, skin issues, and ear infections to name a few.
Grooming: Seasonal shedder
Trainability: Need early socialization
Family Friendly: Loving and protective of their family but weary of strangers.

This breed's ancestors live with nomads in the Himalayas and were brought to Europe by people like Attila the Hun. Tibetan Mastiffs are treasured for their size and bark as well as their heavy build, plumed tails, and their thick double coat (especially on the neck and shoulders). Their size and territorial nature makes this breed posses the strength and intelligence to protect their family and flocks from outside threats.These dogs are stubborn and do not make a good first dog. These dogs are especially popular in China where having a Tibetan Mastiff is considered the ultimate status symbol. They even hold conventions for just Tibetan Mastiffs.

http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/dog-breeds-l-z/

Breed of the Week: Shiba Inu

Environment: Adaptable to any environment due to mediums size and relative quietness.
Health: Relatively healthy, but susceptible to hip and eye problems, but have a life expectancy of 12-15 years.
Grooming: Just an occasional brushing
Trainability: Intelligent and independent and can be difficult to train
Family Friendly: Loyal and loving pets, but recommended for families with dog experience

Originating from Japan, this is one of the oldest breeds, bred to hunt bore, birds, and bears these dogs are tenacious and courageous. Shiba Inu means brushwood in Japanese. In 1936 the breed was declared a national treasure in Japan. Shiba Inu's have dense self-cleaning coats that repel dirt, arched tails, and triangular tipped ears. These dogs are loving and loyal with their families, but can be less warm and welcoming with strangers due to their independent nature.

 http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/dog-breeds-l-z/

Breed of the Week: Samoyed

Environment: Can live in an apartment if given exercise. Sensitive to warm climates and can overheat.
Health: Prone to diabetes, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, and kidney disease, but have an average lifespan of 12-15 years
Grooming: Demanding, need daily brushing because they shed a lot.
Trainability: Need to start early
Family Friendly: Excellent family dog

This breed originated from Siberia and is one of the 14 most ancient dog breeds. They were used by the Samoyed people for sledding, herding reindeer, and warmth. They would shed and their fur was used to spin and make yarn to make clothes with. Some of the signature features of Samoyeds are their black lips that curve upward giving them the nickname "Smiling Sammies", their heavily-coated upward-curving tail, limited odor, their straight outer coat, and their coats coming in white, white and biscuit, and cream. These dogs also like to bark and "sing".

http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/dog-breeds-l-z/

Breed of the Week: Irish Wolfhound

Environment: Need little exercise but a lot of room to roam, a great indoor pet
Health: Short lifespan of about 6-8 years due to bloat, bone cancer, and heart trouble.
Grooming: Just need one good brushing every week
Trainability: Starting young will ensure obedience later
Family Friendly: Patient, loyal, and docile- good for a family pet

The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest dog in the world and can stand at 7' tall when on their hind legs. As puppies these dogs can gain a pound a day and can weigh as much as 90 pounds by the time they are six months old. They can eat up to 3 pound of food per day, or 25 pounds of food per week. This breed has many distinct features such as their rough and wiry coat, wide and deep chest, and long legs. Their long legs, however, can be an indicator of how healthy their heart is. This breed's heart is 3 ft. from their feet and this can cause gravity to pull blood into their feet and cause swelling, if they bite at their feet you may want to get their heart checked. Ancient Celtic writing suggests that these dogs existed around 273 BC and were also mentioned in Julius Caesar's comments about the Gaelic wars. The Irish Wolfhound was highly esteemed and given as gifts to kings and emperors. These dogs were also used as hunting dogs to hunt elk, bore, and wolves and were so good at it that those species became sparse and the Irish Wolfhound almost went extinct in the 19th century.

http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/dog-breeds-a-k/

Breed of the Week: German Shorthaired Pointer

Environment: Need room to roam and exercise because they are highly energetic
Health: Few health problems and can live up to 16 years
Grooming: Shed a lot, but easy to groom
Trainability: Required thorough training
Family Friendly: Better for families with older children

The German Shorthaired Pointer was developed in 19th century Germany and have been thought to be a mix between the Spanish Pointer, English Pointer, Dalmatian, Weimaraner, Tracking Hound, German Bird Dog, and the Vizsla breeds. These dogs are known as the most versatile working dog and have versatile coat pigmentation as well. The pigmentation of their noses match the pigmentation of their coats. They also have short flat water- resistant coat and spoon-shaped webbed feet.

http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/dog-breeds-a-k/

Breed of the Week: French Bulldog

Environment: Good for apartment living since they don't need much exercise
Health: Prone to thyroid conditions, eye irritation, spinal diseases, and have poor respiration due to being brachycephalic
Grooming: Easy to groom, but be diligent about cleaning between wrinkles
Trainability: Stubborn and like to be the boss
Family Friendly: Good with all family members

Originating on England, this breed was created to accompany lace makers during the Industrial Revolution as a mix between pugs, terriers, and a dwarf version of the bulldog. Due to this mix of breed in ancestry these dogs coat's come in brindle, fawn, white, and black and typically stand between eleven and thirteen inches tall and shouldn't weigh over 28 pounds. This breed has many signature physical features including their bat ears, facial wrinkles (designed to draw blood away from the eyes in case they were wounded in a fight), narrow hips, weak legs, and large heads. These dogs are top heavy due to their short faces, cleft palletes, and narrow hips. This top heaviness prevents them from swimming, naturally reproducing, and naturally delivering puppies. Female French bulldogs have to be artificially inseminated and often have to have C- sections when giving birth because of their weak and narrow hips. Because these dogs are Brachycephalic, they cannot handle a lot of heat or a long game of fetch.

http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/dog-breeds-a-k/

Breed of the Week: Dalmatian

Environment: Need running room  
Health: Have bladder problems and need a special diet
Grooming: Easy to groom
Trainability: Start early and be patient and consistent
Family Friendly: A good pet for active families

These dogs are believed to have originated in Egypt as war and guard dogs. The first known breeder of this breed in the US was George Washington. They were later bred to be coaching dogs (that run alongside coaches to clear the way) and were then used to coach fire trucks. Due to their fame in movies and books they were indiscriminately bred which caused aggression and bad temperament, but with good training and breeding they can be good pets. This breed is known for their spots that are sizes between a dime and half dollar, but are actually born without spots.These dogs are also very active due to their stocky body and muscles, they are very smart, independent, stubborn, and sometimes like to run away and can have selective hearing.

http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/dog-breeds-a-k/

Breed of the Week: Chihuahua

Environment: Sensitive to heat and cold due to their small frame
Health: Very healthy as long as you don't overfeed them which would cause diabetes and dislocation of their knee caps
Grooming: Low maintenance
Trainability: Easy to train if you start early
Family Friendly: Not good with small children

Chihuahua's are the smallest breed in the world and come in coat colors of tan, black, red, white, or splashed and in head shapes of deer or apple. Chihuahua's also have large brains relative to their small size and are the only breed with a molera (soft spot on the head) and develop radar dish ears after having flat ears as puppies. This breed has a false sense of toughness, but should not be left alon outside because of the danger of them being eaten by birds of prey.

http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/dog-breeds-a-k/

Breed of the Week: Bernese Mountain Dog

Environment: Needs room to roam
Health: Many health problems include hip dysplasia, bloat, various cancers, and a joint problem called osteochondritis all of which result in a rather short lifespan averaging about 8 years.
Grooming: Sheds, but minimal grooming necessary
Trainability: Requires patience and consistency
Family Friendly: Great family dog

This breed is believed to be up to 2,000 years old and originated in the Bern Canton of Switzerland. The Bernese Mountain dog was bred to be a cart-pulling breed that was replaced during the Industrial Revolution which resulted in concentrated breeding that almost caused extinction. Albert Heim and other Swiss breeders reestablished the breed during the early 19th century. These dogs have been known to pull up to 1,000 pounds ( ten times their weight) and are good work and farm dogs. These animals are also very loving, affectionate, sometimes playful and have a signature look that includes their tri- color markings, long and silky coat, and powerful legs for climbing mountains.

http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/dog-breeds-a-k/

Breed of the Week: Akita

Environment: Not good for apartments or condos
Health: Bloat and joint dysplasia
Grooming: Intense shedders. Coats come in any color, but in three different coat patterns in America- solid, brindle, and pinto.
Trainability: Trainable if started early. Akita's are big and strong, so you want to establish a clear relationship by the time they are full size.
Family Friendly: Good pet if trained

Akita's originated in the Akita prefecture of Japan and are a part of the Nordic dog family, which causes their fluffy and tightly curled tail, fully pricked ears, and plush double coat. These dogs are built for rugged and cold environments due to their long legs and muscular build that helps when climbing mountains or moving trough snow. In ancient Japan these dogs were so highly regarded that only the ruling class was allowed to have them. In Japanese culture Akita's symbolized health and well- being. The first Akita was brought to America in 1937 by Hellen Keller from Japan. This breed was in danger of extinction during WWII in Japan because they were killed and their pelts were used as lining for the coats of Japanese soldiers. Today, having an Akita can raise your insurance because they are considered high risk for biting and aggression just like Pit bulls and Rottweiler's. Akita's are some of the most primitive dogs on the planet and are very territorial and protective and don't like to share space or time with other animals

http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/dog-breeds-a-k/

"Dogs Are More Like Us Than We Thought"

I found this article by National Geographic and thought it was interesting and I wanted to share it here.
Link: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/07/150720-dogs-animals-science-pets-evolution-intelligence/

Breed of the Week: Rottweiler

Environment: Can live anywhere as long as there is exercise
Health: Prone to weak bones, hip dysplasia, and weak shoulders because of overbreeding
Grooming: Need daily brushing for double-layered coat and to prevent shedding
Trainability: Early training is a necessity, they need hard work and dedication, highly intelligent and easily trainable. Training is necessary to their knowledge of when to protect and when to be calm. Training is not optional with this breed.
Family Friendly: Use caution with strangers

Rottweiler's were bred in Rome to herd and guard and have since been bred to work, protect, and please. They also have many distinct features such as black and brown coloring, docked tail (docking is illegal in the UK), and their loyalty when properly trained. They are also known for for their iron jaws that hold 328 lb of pressure per inch, and since the strength of a dog's bite is relative to skull size and Rottweiler's have larger skulls. Rottweiler's are also easy to overfeed, but if you feed them too much protein they will have growth spurts which will further weaken their bones.

http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/dog-breeds-l-z/

Breed of the Week: Siberian Husky

Environment: Prefers the cold and lots of exercise
Health: Prone to hip and eye issues
Grooming: Need weekly brushing to prevent matting of their undercoat
Trainability: Strong willed, patience required, don't try to outsmart them
Family Friendly: Bonds well with families and children

Siberian Huskies originated in Northeastern Siberia and were developed by the Chukchi people to work in harsh winter conditions. They were brought to America in 1909 by way of Alaska and were used as sled dogs because of their insulated paws, double layered coat, and strong claws for traction. Other unique features of this breed are their striking eyes that are typically an icy blue, their unique metabolism that allows them to work vigorously and maintain their fat cells, as well as their affinity for digging.

http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/dog-breeds-l-z/