News, Advice and Resources for Thoughtful Pet People
Posts just about dogs.
Professional photographer, Steven Sable, has 13 tips for taking better photos of your dog. I really like the advice to stay at eye level or lower with your dog. Sable has two photographic series on rez dogs—Rez Dogs Biographies and Rez Dogs Scenarios. Most of the images are from the Navajo Reservation in Arizona, New Mexico, & Utah.
Don’t miss this previous post on taking creative canine photographs!
xoJane has practical advice on how to How Not To Be A Dick At The Vet Hospital. Both of Claire Lower’s parents are vets and she’s heard lots of stories about difficult owners. Her father says, “Not all pet owners are crazy, but all crazy people have pets.” Your pets will be better off if you’re not one of those crazy people!
Claire’s mom has also written a piece on her own blog on being a good vet client. I was really struck by this piece of advice:
Be upfront with the doctor. If you only have $250 to spend let them know. The worst feeling is running blood tests and X-rays then finding out there is no more money to treat the pet. I have a saying.. “X-rays are not therapeutic”
Don’t let your embarrassment hurt your pet. Speak up and tell your vet what’s going on. Your pets are counting on you!
Hurray for gate springs! They are an inexpensive (~$11) way to make sure your gate closes and latches anytime someone opens it. This a a great way to keep your dog safe without having to rely on people actually remembering to make sure the gate is closed.
Gate springs can be found at most hardware stores and are really easy to install. Use some care in adjusting the tension on the screw.
Here’s some serious sweetness! Lennon the Boxer meets Figgy the kitten. Lennon is such a polite pup—very nice manners. He’s showing lots of great body-language.
Do you see any more polite body language? If you want to know more about canine body language, check out one of my favorite books, Canine Body Language: A Photographic Guide.
I love Valentines—so pretty! Here are a bunch of DIY Valentine’s Day projects for you to make for the pups you love. Just add a squeaker or mylar, if your dog likes crinkly toys. All of these patterns are free. Be nice and don’t use patterns to make things to sell if the author asks you not to. These people have been really generous in providing all these patterns, so consider supporting them if they have etsy shops, stores, books, or patterns for sale.
Row 1: