Woof, Woof, Woof…..and wild tag wags!!

Fellow 4-leggers, get your heads out of that delicious mud puddle and dig this: 

Some scientists just spent a bunch of money and subjected several hundred undergraduates to a “research study”, to discover what we pups have known forever:  Cuddling with a dog significantly improves humans’ well being!  All the researchers at the University of British Columbia-Okanagan had to do was to ask yours truly, duh! A Standard Poodle with superior brain power!  Anyway, one good result from this study is this:  the study urges schools to provide access to dogs as students return to college campuses.  (I guess cats will do in a pinch.) 

New Pups in the ‘Hood!

Please join me in welcoming Ellie and Dooley (and their human parents, Ann and Leonard Bolton) to Fiddlers Point Drive!  Ellie is all Dachshund, while Dooley is Cocker Spaniel/Schnauzer.  Both are about 13; Ellie is a “true” rescue, while Dooley is a “friendly adoption” from the Bolton’s son.  The paw-rents told me that Dooley is a romantic, who’ll kiss you if you get close, while Ellie is peaceful, quiet, and reserved.  Both love to bark from their front door if you pass by! 

Please let me know about other new pets, so I can welcome them in my column!

Letter from an Almost-Friend

Dear Daphne,  First, an apology for not wanting to play with you, a “sister” Standard Poodle.  I love my humans, but just am not that into dogs  Our moms are buddies, so I’ll keep trying. 

I was adopted in December 2020 from Carolina Poodle Rescue.  I love living with Meri-Kathryn and John Peed in March Creek:  walks on the beach, camping trips to FL state parks, chasing rabbits in the back yard, and afternoon thunderstorms.  Yep:  thunderstorms!  There’s nothing better than sitting on the lanai with Mom, enjoying the rain, lightening, and thunder.  Mom says I’m unique, and gives me kisses while we relish the spectacle. 

It seems my predecessor Standard Poodles were terribly afraid of storms, but Mom had some solutions that I’m happy to share.  First:  a “thunder jacket”.  They’re quite fashionable and come in a variety of colors.  Next:  several over-the-counter calming medicines, including Serenity Now chews, Rescue Remedy, and Sentry Calming spray, ointment, and collar. 

For really bad storms, Mom got some heavy-duty medicines from the vet.  She also would put a bean-bag chair in the laundry room, turn on the dryer, and sit there with the dogs until the storm ended.  (BTW, I love the bean-bag chair, which now lives in our family room.)

Storms, ok; wet grass, uh uh!  I do NOT want to do my “business” in a wet yard!  Clean feet or wet, messy feet:  A girl has her priorities!  Mom is none too happy about this ‘cause she has to get dressed, find my leash, and walk me to the street (with a poop bag, of course).  I get “the look”, but I also hear her mumble that it’s better than sitting in the laundry room, listening to the dryer.

Love (almost),

Miss Bea

Dear Miss Bea,

Thank you so much for your letter!  I’m pretty cool with storms, tho there was a crack of thunder recently that had me scurrying inside Dad’s closet.  I’m sure there are plenty of pups who’ll be sharing your advice with their humans!

More Pet Gear

I borrowed Mom’s hat for this pic.  Thanks to my human sister, Nancy, for keeping Mom supplied with poodle stuff.  The tennis gals wear their hats this way with their ponytails, so why not me? 

Please send pics of YOUR cool shirts, hats, socks, etc….!

Now, a sad note.

Farewell, My Dear Friend, Henry

I so miss my good friend, Henry, who recently crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.  We used to visit just about every day during his walks with his mom or dad (Judi and Bob Knowlton).  The folks sent me this lovely tribute written by Linda Pastan:

We’re signing up for heartbreak,

We know one day we’ll rue it

But oh the way our life lights up 

The years a dog runs through it 

I see you smiling from above, Henry (2007-2021)

Please let me know about other beloved pets who cross over the Rainbow Bridge, so I can acknowledge them here.

Til next time, have great walks, enjoy new sniffs, and wag often!  (And make sure your parents and walkers pick up and PROPERLY dispose of your poop!)

Woof!!!

Daphne

daphne4legs@gmail.com