Living the dream

November 5, 2004. It was a late Thursday afternoon when I took over as owner of Happy Dog. The client list I started out with was small but I was confident that it would grow. The day after I signed as owner I lost 10 clients immediately. The first winter there was more snow than I had scene in a while (or maybe I just wasn't outside for eight hours a day). We had 3 weeks of ten degree weather and then 13 days of rain in the spring. I commuted from the south shore for over an hour each way daily.
My clearest moment was the day after the rain stopped. It was nine in the morning, bright sun and 70 degrees. I was walking a huge Rotty and Dobermann (Bico and Precious) dragging me everywhere around the park. As each step went I had a grin from ear to ear. I really think I made the right choice and could not have been happier with what I do for a living.
The Great Otis as a puppy ----->

Thanks to all my clients past and present for six wonderful years of playing with your dogs.

The weekend adventurer

In a few days will be the beginning of summer and my favorite time of the year. Days are longer, sun is beaming and starts vacation time for a lot of clients.

This weekend I had Lady on the schedule and we began the weekend with two left feet.

For whatever reason she didn't want to be around the greatest dog man on the planet (I think we all know who). I was racking my brain to see why my sweetness was not responsive or playful. Through discussions and suggestions I thought we should bring her to my place, GENIUS!!!.

She immediately got excited for the car ride and could barely control her enthusiasm. When we arrived at the estate Lady bound into the back yard and went to town on all the new sights, sounds and of course smells. Ophelia was also with us and decided to say hello. Her idea of hello is to bark as if she is a 150 pound Great Dane when in reality shes a 4 pound Dachshund.

Lady said hello politely and then went back to investigating.

She has always been a joy to stay with and am so glad she feels comfortable in our house.

Instead of explaining all the rest, I might just start writing a long note or map to my house for the owners, HA!!

"Do you want a TREAT?"

A sentence that will usually cause great excitement in most dogs. In the case of Miss Lily Jean we also get the cute expression. Lily has been apart of the group since I started this adventure. Her day to day activities include ripping it up with most other group members. If she is not feeling like her usual social butterfly then she can retire to the front porch to get some sun (a usual nap spot for her as well).

When traveling in the morning or afternoon in the car with the pack she sometimes enjoys sneaking into my lap and letting the cool breeze run through her hair. (only one of two dogs with lap privileges). It took some time but Lily has become close with me and very affectionate especially when food is involved :).

The Terrible Terriers

There are some dog's that are a handful and cause you to work a little harder. At the same time these are the dogs that you grow a very close relationship with.

Jesus and Murphy have been in my life for about three years now. They spend their days lounging around waiting for me to come by and run with them in the backyard. Murphy is a little more timid but we have both worked hard to get to a close point. Jesus is a very outgoing guy that loves to run and run and run. I have the privilege of staying at their house from time to time. One of the funniest parts is when we sit and watch TV and any dog passes on the screen the frenzy begins. They are very lovable and I am very glad to have them in my life.

The single picture is a very usual position of Jesus waiting at "his" breakfast table for me to prepare some food :)

There are Dogs in Pittsburgh

A friend of mine decided a couple months back to adopt a little Jack Russell that would be homeless without his help. The household already had an older mix named Sadie as well as two cats. They never knew what was to come when an almost six month old came to turn their quiet life into a whirlwind of puppy frenzy.

Georgie (also known as Sparky) had the usual learning curve of a puppy. He needed to learn the kitchen wasn't his own personal toilet as well as sharing the attention with the three other animals. He did test his new owner with many late night wake up calls and feeding was a challenge with two dogs. The call was made and I gave the simplest of suggestions of routine and timing of the activities.

As far as humping the cats, those activities will have to be addressed by the owner (sorry to Mr. Herbert the cat).

I am happy to report that in such a short time Georgie is on his way to growing into a productive member of the 4409 club.

As always, here is a picture of the wonderful addition with his loving sister Sadie.

Good luck to the Pittsburgh area with all the barking Georgie has grown accustomed to providing.

Mica and Ione

Seems to me that the older we get the more people we want around. That was exactly the case with Mica. He had a wonderful life with Mom and all kinds of friends, but he was looking for more. Someone young and enthusiastic that would help push him to do more in his later years. His dreams were answered in a little sister with endless energy. Ione entered the picture and we all were put to the test to see if we could keep up with her. She is a wonderful mix and great companion for Mica. Sure, they mixed it up a little when the ball came into play, but Mica was very happy to have a little one to spend the days with. Ione was elated to have a permanent home with such a great Mom and loving older brother. They spend the days lounging around or when I arrive fighting for attention. Although Mica has slowed down, when its time to play he can act as if he found the fountain of youth. I am so lucky to spend time with two wonderful dogs a few times a week.

A wonderful man

Certain people come into your life and bless you with wisdom, laughter, knowledge and genuine kindness to what you do and who you are. Bob Parker displayed all these and more in my life. He passed on Monday 1/18. From the first time I met with Joan, Bob, Pearl (the third) and Rosie I felt more as a guest in their home than someone who worked there. He told me from the first couple of times I came by for Pearl that I would give him a break from his writing. On the other hand on the days I would see him with a hard glare at the screen I would know it was a quick hello (usually with no response) and then hi tail it out behind Pearl who was always in the lead.
I would hear stories from his earlier life, interviews with people that wanted to know more about him and quite often in Summer time it was the Red Sox.
Bob was someone that I felt very lucky to have met in my lifetime. He was one of those people that with everything fast and furious around him, he made time for the simplest things.
I will miss him and have very found memories of the time I was able to see him and his family.