It can be dangerous though to eat grass that has been sprayed with chemicals so that might be why they want you to quit! And sometimes, eating things other than our doggie food can be a problem.  If your human is wanting to know more about our grass eating habits they can read more about it here.

Wag, wag…

Jasmine

Today I want to share on a subject that hits very close to home with me. How do you know if you are ready to adopt and what to do if you adopt and end up not being fully prepared?

When I was in college I adopted a dog on my own thinking that I was ready for this responsibility. After all I had my own place, I had help from a friend, and I knew I was ready to be a mommy of my own for a pup. With all that going for me, I rushed to pick up my new puppy Tinsley.

Unfortunately, after just a few months of having her I realized I was not as prepared as I thought I was. I started realizing that this was a much bigger responsibility than I ever had imagined.

Since I was in college I was always out at class or with my friends resulting in leaving Tinsley alone for hours and hours. It broke my heart to leave her but at the same time I could not bring her everywhere with me. The help that I thought I had moved away and I was left alone with this awesome responsibility. I started to panic wondering what had I had gotten myself into. I felt guilty for thinking this way because I loved her so much and knew she needed a loving home which I wanted to give her so bad. Shortly after the panicking started I lost my job and had a very hard time paying for her shots, meds, and food. I could barely take care of myself, let alone this puppy that depended solely on me.

This was the hardest decision I knew I would ever have to make. I knew I was unfit to take care of her any longer but I knew she deserved the best home there was. I began the search to find Tinsley the home she deserved and thankfully a good friend stepped in to help. She had children of her own at home, a huge yard and a steady job. I knew this was the right thing to do for my puppy. I had the hardest time giving her up that day but I knew it was the right thing for her and for me also.

Adopting a dog was a much larger responsibility than I ever knew. There were so many factors that play into adopting a dog and every one should be aware of everything that comes with it. Make sure you do your research and understand that it is a lot of work, a lot of money, and a lot of time needed. Always make sure you are ready and if you become unready such as I did understand that you are not a terrible person and always make sure to find a perfect home for your little one.

Adopting can be so wonderful and was for me at other times in my life, but just make sure you are ready for the responsibilities that come along with that cute little dog!

Have you had a similar experience?

Happy waggin’,

erica

We had two dogs that my step dad brought into our home when he married my mom.  They were both Goldens and had been rescued/adopted.  The first dog that I was involved in adopting was Jasmine, who has inspired the creation of  Waggin’ Delights. We adopted Jasmine after our dog Jessie died.  There was no replacing Jessie, but we decided it was time to get a new pup.

The Golden Retriever Rescue League of Atlanta  is able to set you up with the most amazing Goldens so we called them.  We were very excited to meet “Fergie” (and so was Max our other Golden). When we got there all I saw was the cutest little fur ball I had ever seen, (granted this was the first puppy that has ever come into my life at this point), but I was so excited I could barely handle it. We found out that “Fergie” had been abused by her original owner and was bald on her tail and her paws from burnings. My mom asked me if I still wanted her and all I could say was “YES!!!”. I was so excited to bring sweet sweet “Fergie” home with us. Our older Golden at the time, Max, was ready to be her mentor and teach her the ways of the house. Shortly after Max also passed away but before leaving us he was able to teach “Fergie” everything she needed to know. As we got to know our new pup better we decided to change her name to Jasmine. my life has never been the same since we rescued her and  I encourage everyone I know to adopt!

I would love to hear your adoption success stories so please share!!

While we are away from our dogs, most of us, miss our dogs incredibly and can’t wait to get home and see them. The other part of us feels bad for leaving them and assume they will be mad at us for leaving them. Truth is we are missing our dogs more so than they are missing us. As much as we would like to think that they are thinking about us the entire while we are gone that is not necessarily true.

Although not many studies have been done, the ones that have been made have shown us that dogs do not perceive time the same way as humans do. For instance, if we leave our dog to go out of town for a week we may think about them a number of times during the day and get very excited when we are about to return home to our dog, Dogs however, live in the present, there is no day, or week or month to a dog their time span is only made for that of the present. Comforting to know yet sad at the same time. I only say that because now we know our doggie isn’t thinking about us as much as we think about them-a little sad and a little dent to my ego.  BUT on the other hand they do not stay mad for long when we leave!!

It still does not diminish the happiness and wagginess they respond with when you return. They may not have been depressed while you are gone, when you walk through the door, in that moment they are the happiest they have ever been.  AND since we have been missing them so much it is a joyous reunion!

I hope this helped relieve some guilt about leaving!  How do you feel when you leave?  How do you think your doggie feels?

I can’t seem to understand whyI can’t eat what my mommy and daddy eat for dinner? I always try to have some of their food but they won’t let me. I would let them have some of my food if they wanted!!

Jasmine, please explain why mommy and daddy won’t share their food with me.

Sincerely yours,
always hungry dog

Dear Always Hungry Dog,

I used to have this same problem, and still at times; I wish it was the other way! After doing my doggy research I have come to understand that our stomachs are much different than our mommy’s and daddy’s. As it turns out we are unable to digest certain things that our humans eat. This explains a lot why we get so sick when we do end up getting some of their food. Some human food can cause major issues –serious illness or even death. For instance eating grapes or onions can be really bad.

Also, if we eat too much of their food over a period of time it can cause us what our humans call diabetes; this disease is very bad for us and also our humans. Humans have more of a variety of foods they eat everyday but they also have to be careful what they eat too so these same symptoms don’t occur for them. Unfortunately, Always Hungry Dog, there is no way around this!!! Be thankful for the food you have in your bowl; you may need to stop being envious because it will probably not change.
I hope this helps Always Hungry Dog.

Jasmine
 

Sincerely,
Very Scared Pup

Dear Very Scared Pup,

I hate hearing that you are afraid your humans won’t come back. I used to have this problem also which makes me believe it is normal. It took me a long time to realize that my humans will always come back and love me. I have also learned that when they are gone, my going potty outside makes a much more pleasant welcoming when they come home. Mommy and daddy always talk about their “busy lives” which I guess is why they need to leave. I say “busy life, shmisy life” stay home and play frisbee!!!!!!

Happy Waggin’-

Jasmine
 

The biggest difference we notice in Teddy while traveling is he goes potty inside more often. I believe this is because he is used to his smells in his yard and  the different groundcover such as gravel instead of grass or leaves instead of pinestraw makes a huge difference. As humans we sometimes forget about these factors and just assume since they are outside we expect them to know that is where they should use the restroom. That is not the case at all, dogs are very ritualistic and do not adapt as easily as humans. If the yard we are at has different grounding than our yard at home we try to find a place that is similar to what he is used too. If we are unable to find a place that he is comfortable with we find it necessary to take him on walks frequently instead of just opening the door and letting him go out. This gets him used to the new scents in the new surroundings which tends to make him more comfortable and if that doesnt work then hopefully he just wont be able to hold it anymore! =)

What are your traveling with dog tips?  Do you have to take special things with you for your best friend?

Sarah

Hi Sarah,

This is a simple one!  You are doing the exactly what you need to do.  I would also suggest that you start the new sleeping arrangement now, so that she is used to sleeping in  “her” bed before your new husband arrives!  By then, she will be totally used to the new situation and it will be less stressful for everyone.

Please try to not feel guilty about the new sleeping arrangement.  Never say “I’m sorry” or “It’s ok!”, as you say that with empathy.  Always be upbeat and praise her when she gets in her new bed.  Maybe even give her a “night-night” treat when she goes into her bed each night!

Be strong if she gets up on your bed in the middle of the night also!  Lead her back to “her” bed and praise her again (no treat) !  Leadership is “consistency and persistency”!

I wish you luck, happiness and health as you start a new chapter in your life!

Tina
MerryMac Dog Training & Nutrition Center

Sprayberry Square Shopping Center
2550 Sandy Plains Road NE, Suite 365
Marietta, GA 30066

Phone: 770-579-3865