Lessons From My First Dog

Although she's been gone for two and a half years now, sixteen years ago today I adopted my dog Lasya from Larimer County Humane Society in Fort Collins, Colorado. I was finishing up my final semester at Colorado State University, applying for jobs all over the country (and in fact I turned down a dream job offer at The Farm Sanctuary in upstate New York after I adopted her because it was a live-in position and I could not bring a dog). It was the worst time to get a dog. My relationship was on the brink of ending, and we'd just lost our incredible family dog - a German Shepherd mix called Ripley - tragically young to a rare form of canine leukemia. It was the best time to get a dog. Like all my dogs since, I picked her out from an online picture in the early days of the internet. I'd always loved my grandparent's chow mix, Brutus, and she reminded me of him. Besides, I was a bit of a goth back then and black pet hair matched all of my clothes.
 

When Only Both Will Do

 The dog’s agenda is simple, fathomable, overt: I want. “I want to go out, come in, eat something, lie here, play with that, kiss you. There are no ulterior motives with a dog, no mind games, no second-guessing, no complicated negotiations or bargains, and no guilt trips or grudges if a request is denied. 

~

Caroline Knapp

Boca's wants are clear and true. She wants what you're having. She wants to lay in the nearest sunbeam, or on either monogrammed dog bed (she can't read, so Ruby's is fair game, too). She wants to sleep in, but only after breakfast is served. Most of all, she doesn't want to have to choose - she wants to have her bone and chew it too.

 

Ruby Reviews: Raw Paws + Giveaway

The Ginger Sisters were given the opportunity to try some food & chews from Raw Paws Pet Food recently. Raw Paws Pet Food is an online retailer of thoughtfully sourced raw food, including meaty bones, organ meat, pre-made complete raw diets and single ingredient chews. They have a large selection of common and novel proteins and even make a grain-free kibble. Their starter packs and auto-ship plans take the guesswork out of raw feeding whether you are a dedicated raw feeder or are interested in supplementing your dog's rotation diet.