Heart Like a Dog

The Good, the Bad, and the Oh My God of living with dogs!

Thwarted Again

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Well there’s good news and bad news.

Whenever anyone says to me, there’s good news and there’s bad news, what do you want first?  I always choose the bad news.

I figure, let’s get this over with.

Today I’ve got good news and bad news.  What do you want first?

Too late, I’m making the decision for you.  You’re getting the bad news.

I heard back from my attorney friend today.  His legal opinion is that adding “Just” to an already trademarked “Be The Dog” could be considered trademark infringement.

Poop, thwarted again.

The way I see it I have two options.  I can contact someone at the Be The Dog website and see about working on a collaboration or I can do my own thing.

I’m a do my own thing kind of girl….BUT….I really like Just Be The Dog. (Decisions, decisions.)

I’ve gotten some great advice from many of you.  Not the least being choosing a blog name should be well thought out.

I have put  a lot of thought into this and I feel strongly that the blog should somehow be associated with my name.

I sort of feel like an egomaniac saying that, but if I use my name, then I can write about whatever I want.   I’m not pinned down to writing strictly about my life with Sampson and Delilah.

And then I discovered there’s another Jodi Stone who’s also a writer.  No, no, it’s not the lady bug Jodi Stone, it’s a another one!  Yes by golly, there’s three of us….all writers.  This Jodi Stone has a facebook page and writes stories about princesses.

That all kind of sounds like bad news, but I wanted to give you that information so I could share some good news.

Here are two Jodi Stone names I’ve been considering:

thisisjodistone.com

youvereachedjodistone.com

I also thought I could stick with:

lifewithsampsonanddelilah.com

And then I kind of got a bit creative and thought of these two:

doinitdoggiestyle.com

whatsthebark.com

It’s a pretty major decision and I want to make sure it’s the right one for me.

When I started this blog I had no idea what I was doing, they said I needed a name and so I used mine.  I didn’t use my imagination because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to blog about.

As it turns out, using my own name with the Life with Sampson and Delilah tagline, worked out pretty well.  Because what I’ve come to realize is I’m selling myself as a writer, a speaker and I hope someday….a leader.

I’ve always said I’m technologically challenged, but if I’m reading all of your comments correctly, my blog will stay the same, it will just move over to the new website.  When you go to this blog site, it will just be hosted somewhere else.

So what do you think?  Did you like any of the names?  Should I have a name the website contest?

Oh and speaking of contests, have you seen the Something Wagging Match Game?  It’s pretty darn cool and yours truly is participating.  If you haven’t checked it out, well what are you doing now?  Head on over, Pamela’s giving away some awfully good swag. 🙂

 

What's Right For Your Dog?

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Today’s post was inspired by my friend Donna over at Donna and the Dogs.

I opened my google reader this morning and was greeted by this, When Did We All Become BAD Dog Owners?

It seems Donna’s been noticing a trend of people (including yours truly) who feel guilty about the amount of exercise their dogs have been (or not been) getting.

I feel like it’s important to know your dog and know what your dog requires for exercise AND to try different things to find the perfect fit.  Not every dog needs the same kind or amount of exercise.

When we got Sampson at eight weeks old, he didn’t get  a lot of exercise.  I started taking him for walks after work but as he got bigger he became more and more of a punk, so I stopped walking him.

We tried to play fetch with him, but it wasn’t his thing.  He would chase the ball once or twice and then lay on it as if to say, I’m done.

He did like puppy play group which took place one day per week, and of course we did the standard obedience training.  That was it.   We had a really laid back, low-key lifestyle and Sampson adjusted to it.

When he was a bit older we started hiking on the weekends and quickly realized this was something he loved.  The hiking stopped for a while when Delilah joined our pack but I’ve recently taken it up again.

What I’ve discovered from Delilah’s addition to our pack is that in terms of quality and quantity of exercise, I have two vastly different dogs.

Sampson really, really loves his walk.  If he never got another lick of exercise in his life as long as he had an off-leash walk he’s quite content.

Delilah LOVES to play fetch in the water and can do it for hours, Sampson hates it.

Delilah is also very happy to take a walk, but she has a different level of energy and she also needs some mental stimulation, which is why I started taking her to agility class.

Sampson HATES agility.

Delilah, I’m not so sure, but I’m working on finding different things to try with her.

I’m always amazed at the dogs participating in our Thursday night agility class.  Last week we had an Alaskan Malamute, an Akita, two Labs, an Australian Shepard, a Pittie mix and two other breeds I’m unsure of.

Two weeks ago, I watched the Pittie’s mom struggle through the course using bits of food for motivation,  it seems Brisco only wanted to play with the squeaky ball.  Sara suggested instead of treats that the mom use the ball as a reward.  Brisco had a much better run.

This past week I happened to be next to her in class and I observed the two of them together, she was still struggling.  This guy has a LOT of energy, he’s actually quite a hoot to watch.   I wondered as I stood there, if maybe agility just wasn’t his thing.

But how do you say that to someone?

When we had each completed our runs I asked her if she had considered fly ball for Brisco or Treibball.  She had never heard of either so I quickly pulled up a Treibball video on youtube and let her check it out and explained as best I could what flyball was.

I don’t ever want to discourage anyone from interacting with their dogs, but I also believe that not all dogs are cut out for all things.  If you find something that your dog loves to do, then you should do it.

It shouldn’t matter if your neighbor next door takes their dog running every morning, it might not be YOUR dog’s thing.

Find something you and your dog both like and do it, don’t worry what anyone else is doing, the important thing is that you are BOTH enjoying it.

Just Be The Dog.

Why My Vet Shouldn't Give Me Her Cell Phone Number

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A few months back I had an eye exam scheduled.  About two hours before the exam, my Dr. called me on my cell phone to tell me the office was without power and they would be contacting me to reschedule the appointment.  She mentioned that she was calling from HER cell phone because the office phones were down.

As soon as we hung up I saved her number.

At the rescheduled appointment I told her I saved her number and don’t be surprised if she gets a call from me.  We both laughed, but I was dead sirius.

If you call or text my cell phone, I’m saving your number.  Do you hear that Mr. Obama?  You better make sure to dial the right number, because you don’t want me having yours.

A few years back I got a text about a bond.  I played along, asking questions.  Finally the guy wised up and called me, he said he had the wrong number, and could I just delete the text.  Naturally I asked him what he did, and I found out he’s a bail bondsman.

Hmmmm… good number to have just in case Mr. Obama does call my phone number by accident.  I stored the bail bondsman’s number in my phone, it simply says, Bondsman.

You never know when you might need to post bond…

I like having people’s numbers in my phone.  For instance, I have my State Senator’s cell number in my phone and call him when I need his thoughts or his ear. 🙂

Oh yes, I am that woman.

While I was on the phone with the vet’s office Friday night I joked with the receptionist that my vet better hope I never get her cell phone number.  If I did, I imagine I would probably text her quite a bit.

It might go something like this:

Monday

Me: Hi Dr. Soutter this is Jodi Stone, I have a question for you about Sampson.

Dr. Soutter: How did you get this number?

Me: Um… I think I saw it accidentally the last time I was in your office.  Anyway, Sampson threw up his breakfast this morning and I was wondering if you thought it was something I should be worried about?

Dr. S: Jodi, I know you worry, but unless Sampson is vomiting every meal, I think you should just keep an eye on him.  And please, forget you got this number and call the office next time.

Me: Thanks Dr. Soutter, have a great day!!

Tuesday

Me: Hi Dr. Soutter, on our walk today the dogs, particularly Delilah kept getting chomped at by deer flies.  I was wondering if you knew of anything I could give them that would repel the deer flies.  Oh and gnats too!

Dr. S: Is this Jodi?

Me: Yes, yes it is!

Dr. S: If you have a question please phone the office.  The receptionist should be able to help you with insect repellent questions.  I would really prefer to keep our relationship professional.

Me: Ok Dr. Soutter, have a great day! 

Wednesday

Me: Hey Dr. S, you know Sampson and Delilah are on the garlic tablets right?  Well I forgot to give them a dose, do you think they’ll be ok?  I hate to give them too much because it does make them gassy and oooh, boy you don’t want to be around for that one! LOL

Dr. S: I think they’ll be fine.  Again, please call the office with your questions.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I have surgery to perform. 

Me: Thanks Dr. S, have a great day!

Thursday

Me: Hey Alexis, how’s it going?  I forgot to mention yesterday that Delilah is gulping her water.  What are your thoughts on this?

Dr. S: Jodi, call the office with your questions. 

Me: OMG, you stored my cell phone info!!  I’m so excited.  Are you free today for lunch?

Dr. S: I’m trying to be nice and professional but you are pushing my buttons.  What you are doing is bordering on harassment!  And please, we are not friends, call me Dr. Soutter and NO I AM NOT FREE FOR LUNCH!

Me: Thanks Alexis!  Have a great day!!

Friday

Me: Hey A, you won’t believe this, but I found two white hairs on Delilah’s back, do Chocolate Lab’s usually get white on their back?

Me: Alexis?  Alexis?  Are you mad at me?

Response:  I’m sorry, you have the wrong number, there is no Alexis here.  I just got this number today….

YEP, if she’s smart, she probably shouldn’t give me her number. 🙂

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