Kodak, The Teddy Bear.

Of all my dogs I have to give credit to the Big Man Himself for being such a wonderful....well dog. Kodak fits the definition a truly "loyal dog" and you know what makes Kodak happy? Anything that makes you happy. Whether that's getting a nail trim, taking a walk or whatever you throw at him even if it's not a favorite activity of his. At the end of the day he's a big 84lb lug who's snuggled up next to you making you feel like you've done the best job you can. Originally Travis and I didn't know if we could handle 3 dogs (even though he was only supposed to be a foster) and the moment he walked in our door Travis fell in love just like I did.

 

 

A fresh face in our home.

 

 

2 Months old.

 

 

2.5 Months Old.

 

 

3 Months old.

 

 

4 Month old Kodak with August and Nanook.

 

 Even as a 2 month old pup he wanted nothing more than to lay at your feet and please you as his owner and he's still this way today. I'll be on the computer typing and I feel a sloppy kiss on my elbow, I look down and It's Kodak just coming to say "Hi and I Love you!" then he'll lay at my feet. Aside from Travis and I, He's the best big brother the others could ask for.

 

 

 

A big reason he can't do daycare anymore is because he's very protective of his sister and brother in the medium daycare group. He is always looking out for them and as they enjoy each other during down time he's always making sure they are comfortable.

 

 

The biggest thing that tugs at my heart is how Kodak is with Nanook. Nanook is a misfit of the bunch due to his pessimistic nature so therefor he gets picked on by the alphas (the girls). It's the way of nature in a pack and he chooses to be at the bottom of the totem pole but Kodak doesn't think so. Kodak never instigates the bullying of Nanook, in fact he'll join in to distract the girls and get the attention off Nanook. He's always cleaning his ears and licking his wounds. Kodak is just a big teddy bear and at the end of a long day when I flop on my bed with my uniform still on, he's right there beside me laying his head on my chest as to say "Good job today Mom, I love you" And as I lay my head to rest on my pillow at the end of the night he sleeps right beside the bed and guards the door as to protect the room and his family. I love this boy.

 

 

Kodak and his Daddy.

 

 Getting love from his Momma.

 

I'd say he's found the perfect home since being tied to that gas station pump at 2 months old. We still have his original "hobo" collar and torn and tattered bandanna in a keep sake box. We love him to pieces.

 

Training is Key.

Honestly I have a very well behaved bunch, I can't complain. They all have their issues and with my job I have unlimited resources and knowledge for anything that may come up. Dogs have very distinctive personalities and like children can be taught manners. With positive reinforcement (mine require food motivation) dogs can be taught to do anything.

I literally said "Up" and snapped once and all four dogs jumped on the couch for a photo. It kinda makes me wonder what I could really make them pose on. lol.

These two are the softies of the bunch and they look out for one another.

But every once and a while they need to let off some steam and wrestle! Again, sometimes any of the 4 can get a little carried away and fight alittle too rough just like kids to with their sibling. A quick correction and they are back into reality and away from their heated debate.

Dubs watches on the sidelines with a bone for once lol. Usually she loves to get in on the action.

Start training at a young age and the hard work you put in will pay off. (quick trick for you, use Cheerios when they are puppies to avoid overloading on fatty treats)

My Clients are Such DOGS!

Now most people hate working with the public due to what you have to deal with. (rudeness, attitude, etc) but it's all worth it when the clients I deal with are such Dogs! Ha ha I'll show you a few for example.

 

 

This is Baxter and Reggie. What squishy faces!

 

Chase is posing for his photo shoot.

 

Lulu is a beautiful Bulldog who loves to play with the bigger kids.

 

Murphy can be lazy but will rough house with a few favorite buddies.

Eva is one of our newest clients who is recovering from a broken leg with weekly swim sessions.

 

Stewart is one of our groomers pups. She died him red for "Bark in the Park" at the Red's stadium. What a fun day at the ball park to be able to bring your pooch!

 

Lazy hour in Daycare with Keshet, Bella, Oliver and Simeon.

 

Hazel the German Short Haired Pointer got a little sleepy and decided to take a nap on one of the staff members chairs.

Lola enjoys her swims. (Just like Kodak)

 

 

A view into our daycare outside play yard.

 

Little Louis is so very cute.

 

And Beau Loves to run around the play equipment outside in the sun.

 

We have hundreds of clients come and go daily and after working there for 2 years now I can proudly say I know about 97% of them as well as their last name and color of their leash and collar. Lots of memory to store! I couldn't ask for better clients! (especially when they pay in kisses!)

"Wanna Go For a Ride In The Car?" (Tilts Head)

All 4 of my dogs absolutely LOVE car rides. On our way to and from work is a joy ride for the pups and when the weather is right the windows are down with fur blowing in the wind.

 

 

Nanook is probably the biggest fan of sticking his head out of the window. He will perch himself on the center console to see out over the dash.

 

August will sometimes cry in the car as a sign of anxiety but when those windows are down shes all for the breeze.

Loving life in the "Wagin'Wagon"

 

All those car rides make Nanook one sleepy boy.

August loves a long snooze after a car ride as well. (after dinner of course)



 

Dubs is already passed out.

 

Kodak's working on some big dreams.

 

The original team all grown up. Love them.

Spoon Feeding a Dog?

First I'd like to point out that as dog owners we all feed our dogs scraps. Well, most of us anyways, but who's to say the right way is to throw your dirty plate on the floor and let them go at it fighting over scraps. Well, I've found a more amusing and easier way. Spoon feeding! As silly as it sounds all my dogs know how to take food off a spoon as if a child was sitting right in front of me. Take a look for yourself!

 

 

They all know how and they don't BITE the fork, they gently take off the food with their gums and tongue.

 

 

August is enjoying some olives as the others wait their turn.

 

 

Well, with a weekend off Travis and I had our Saturday date night and decided to stay in a watch DJANGO...great movie by the way. Lucky for us the dogs were all pooped out by the end of the night from the long day.

 

 

 I found Kodak laying in his crate like this. They say if a dog sleep on his back with his feet and belly exposed then he's comfortable. I'd say a little more so in his case lol.

 

 

Found Nanook on our pillows, as usual, snoring away.

 

 

And no matter what we choose to do, Dublin is always the one right there at our feet hoping to jump into our laps for some attention.

 

Can't help but love um!

Home Remedies for Dogs

With four dogs come a lot of expenses. Every time a dog throws up or has a large cut we can't always afford to go to the vet let alone the emergency vet and we learned this the hard way. After having two dogs we started wondering if it was even worth spending hundreds of dollars for a professional to treat something we could ourselves here in our own home. Most busy pet parents who have the money will take their pet to vet for everything and I mean everything....I see owners pay hundreds of dollars because their dog had loose stool one day and come to find out they switched their food and didn't know that that would upset their stomach, so they pay $50 for a medicine to firm up their stool when they could pay $4 total and fix it themselves. Don't get me wrong in some situations yes, a professional vet may be needed to treat something on a a necessary basis but a lot of people don't have the common knowledge to treat minor things themselves and save quite a bit of money.

 

A healthy bunch!

 

Let's say your dog is extremely itchy all of the time. Gnawing at their paws, back, tail and are biting themselves raw. They may even just have dandruff but either way I have solutions. Kodak and Dublin both have pretty bad allergies like some kids do and I've found a few ways to ease the itch and treat their condition for pennies a day.

 

Benedryl, name brand or off can be used on dogs as long as u verify its benedryl because this allergy medication has no chemical that will injure your pet and you can look up the dosage per pound online. So many milligrams per pound is very important when giving medication not prescribed and that applies to everything medicine wise. Fish oil tablets, again look up dosage per pound online, but I buy them and freeze them as ice treats to avoid them tasting the fish oil.

 

 

 

Each of mine get one a day to improve coat and skin and Kodak and Dublin get one extra tablet per day and it helps reduce flaky skin. I recently discovered coconut oil helps as well for overall dry skin and coat condition as well. (plus the dogs love the taste!)

 

Next will be an upset stomach. I have learned that a spoonful of honey will help coat a dogs stomach to avoid nausea and vomiting when they do not feel well. Nanook uses this ever so often as his stomach is extremely sensitive.

 

 

Loose stool can be caused by many things especially switching foods. Cooked rice and even plain or vanilla flavored yogurt can help to firm up loose stool and settle their stomachs and this is actually a trick we use at work for boarding dogs who use our house food temporarily while staying with us for a period of time.

A cut, broken nail, scrape, or even a minor gash can be treated at home as well. Clean the area gently with luke warm water and antibacterial soap and dab the affected with a rag. Rinse very thoroughly and apply antibacterial ointment (make sure they can not lick it off). Wrap if possible (i use socks on their feet). This will heal within a few days to a week and won't cost you much at all. Anything more serious obviously see your local veterinarian but when it's minor, why pay the money?

August's raw patch we treated with some ointment.

 

On a toy note, if your dog is an expert chewer and goes through toys like a snack try antlers. It is well worth the investment and lasts for a long period of time. Nylabone are even too easy for my dogs now so I will buy an elk antler which won't run for too much money if you find the right pet store. Deer antlers can flake, splinter and chip which can be a choking hazard so I've learned to buy elk antlers only. Once bored with them I will soak in chicken or beef broth overnight and it's like a whole new toy! My dogs love it! Be sure that the antler you buy is still not a chocking hazard to your pet's size even at the half way point.

Hot outside? My dogs love to have frozen vegetables out in the yard. I'll spread a frozen bag of $0.99  peas or green beans around the yard and they search for hours! It cools them off as a frozen treat (unlike a $6 box of frosty paws). It is also very healthy for your pet. Raw carrots are great for a daily treat and when bought in long stalks can clean their teeth efficiently.

 

As a complete side note if you have a pet and can't afford update vaccinations every year check out your local organized pet groups. Some shelters, low cost spay/neuter clinics and even some local vets do vaccination drives monthly or biannually and will update your pet's vaccinations at a discounted rate. I've used local UCAN and had Dublin spayed and vaccinated at an extremely low rate. They are safe professional veterinarians that do it a low cost at the better of the local community and your pets.

 

It's dinner time! How else do you think Dad and Mom can afford all our dog food!?! These tips can help enormously!

Kodak The Dog? Nah, He's a Fish!

Kodak is a natural when it comes to the water. Whether it's the hose, a baby pool out in the back yard, or a large mass of water. He can't get enough of it!

 

 

 

Can you guess Kodak's favorite favorite day of the week?.....Any that involve SWIMMING LESSONS!!!! Not like he needs them but he LOVES to Spend some Time with our Swim Instructor Sherry Lynn.

 

 

Want to know his motivation for the water? A Ball. Simple as that.

 

The look of dedication.

 

A Natural Retriever.

 

I got the Ball! 

 

20 minutes in the heated pool is equivalent to a 5 miles walk. I think he's tired!