Big Day

The "Big Day" is almost here. That's right, folks! In just two weeks, my owners will be getting married.

But the "Big Day" I'm referring to is, of course, the day before the wedding when they're taking me hiking to the top of Vermont's 3rd highest peak -- Camel's Hump. You better believe I'm excited! The trail going up is less than 4 miles long, but I am definitely planning on covering at least 12 miles when you count going back and forth on the trail and my little off-trail forays. I'm going to be all over that peak!

Of course, Mark and Ali are excited for "their" big day. What the heck, why not? They are, if you don't mind a puppy being sappy for a moment, a perfect match -- and great puppy owners! Seriously, they have great communication -- so good that they never mess up and feed me extra (regardless of how pathetic I make myself look). Still, they feed me twice a day, and they give me lots of treats when I'm good. And I won't hold it against them ("them" in this case, meaning of course "mostly Alison") that they put that nasty tick medicine on me once a month, because they hike me at least once a day and often more than once. Lately, they haven't even been tying me up when we go out in the yard, because, now that I know the grass isn't really greener on the other side of the road, I more or less stay close!

So to sum up, the September 11 hike up the Hump is going to be one awesome day. And, just in case I don't get to put up any more posts between now and then (puppies like to assist and get our noses in all the wedding arrangements, and that can keep us very busy!), let me just say now that it's going to be a VERY special occasion!

Oscar, My family is moving to a new house next week. How do I make friends in my new neighborhood while letting them know I'm the top dog? -- Riley

photo: hanging with friends Willow, Maisy, and their owner

I hate to answer a question by asking another question, but here goes: Why do you have to let them know you're top dog?

Here's what I do, and I recommend it to you, too. If you're top dog, just be comfortable with your superior position to the world, and don't worry about asserting your status. Who needs all the growling and barking anyway? Generally, I just assume that everyone loves me and wants to play. If it turns out that they don't, it's their loss, right? I mean, hey, I can't help it that they're missing out on being jumped on and licked constantly! If they're non-receptive to me, they'll never know how many sloppy wet kisses they missed or how good it feels to have their back leg chewed by me!

As for friend-making technique, here's the program I use:
1) Wag tail and smile.
2) Prance right up in friendly way. Rub noses.
3) Sniff crotch-area.
4) Sneeze. (Usually, they will also sneeze now too.)
5) Jump on them and start playing.
6) Enjoy beginning of life-long friendship!

Note: this approach works with both dogs and people.

Good luck with the move, Riley!

Oscar, Why are dogs afraid of thunder? -- Casey & Dakota

Dear Casey and Dakota, I have noticed this too. You could be the meanest, baddest rottweiler or German Shepherd, but as soon as dark clouds start to roll in, the leaves start swishing, and the thunders starts to rumble in the distance, you're under the bed or trembling in the corner of the bathroom!

In my house, we have a front porch that, in my puppy days, was puppy-proofed (except for one old foam couch, and boy did that arm-rest taste good!), and that's where I stayed when my parents were out. One day they returned to the scene of what seemed to them like a severe thunder storm had come through: tree branches down, saturated lawn, leaves upside-down -- all the tell-tale signs. And let me tell you, they were right; that storm was biblical! Thunder, lightning, pouring rain... wild. And there I was when they came home, tongue out and wagging my tail as if nothing happened. Nope, thunder doesn't really bother me.

But, for some dogs it does, and this behavior can -- but doesn't always -- indicate some sort of traumatic experience. I have heard of one beagle -- the famous Hunter who lived to be 17 -- who became afraid of loud banging noises after his owner brought him along one time to sight in his 30.06. Hunter's owner had a friend, Mr. B, who also had a beagle named Becky. Same thing: she was gun shy. But her owner made her sit right there while he sighted his rifle, and she learned to deal. (She never liked big bangs, but she dealt with it.)

Many vets and pet experts recommend medication for the fear of loud banging noises like thunder. Come on, guys. Don't be a bunch of dog-dopers. Fear of thunder is not a big deal (unless your dog's anxiety causes destructive behavior). If your dog is wrecking stuff, work with him/her, by playing (at low volume) thunder CDs in your house to get him/her used to the sound. During a storm, give your pet some attention; be reassuring and even play fun games like fetch. Sometimes it calms them down and sometimes not. And sometimes a pet that seemingly is cured of the fear of thunder has a relapse.

All of this is normal behavior, but I want to assure everyone: unless you are on top of a mountain during a thunderstorm, there's really not much to be afraid of.

Record Distance!

Today during our weekly group run, I refused to leave my owners. Generally, in the heat of summer, when they do their long runs (usually 14 miles or more) for marathon preparation, they leave me at home. Today, they made arrangements to have Brenda take me back to the Camp at the 8.6 mile turn-around.

But I said "No way!" Nothing against Brenda, but what do they think I'm going to do, sit at the house while they get all the fun? Generally, their policy is that they don't take me running more than 13 miles, and I doubt they will again. But, inspired by the Beijing Olympics, I ran today's 16-mile training run -- farther than they've ever let me run at one time -- quite easily, thank you very much! Then I went back to the Camp and ran and played with Fanny, the neighbor dog, for another hour.

What they don't understand is that when they take me hiking, I easily travel distances up to ten times their hiking distances. Running around is what I do!

Oscar, I just saw an ad for Grape Nuts. No grapes, no nuts... what gives? -- Solomon

You're right, Solomon. No grapes, no nuts. Solomon went on to say his mom, Rebekah, leaves him a "non-descript bowl of cat food, but in the event that she ever leaves me cereal, I want to be an informed consumer." Great attitude, Solomon -- especially for a cat. Anyway, here's the deal on Grape Nuts:

Grape Nuts cereal was developed in 1897 by C.W. Post, who used "grape sugar" (aka glucose) instead of the more common sweetener sucrose. Then, some people said the cereal had a "nutty" flavor; hence the name "Grape Nuts." As for the flavor, I disagree. In my opinion, they taste more like wood; therefore, I would eat them happily.

Good-bye to a friend

Andy 1997-2008

Best wishes to Brenda and George who lost a good friend yesterday. From Brenda's email:

"We brought him home and we buried him in the most beautiful spot in the deep woods behind our house. This is a spot where George, Andy, and I have spent a lot of time together. It is my favorite spot.... I don't know what else to say; we buried our best friend yesterday and we are going to miss him very much."

That's the truth: dogs and people are great friends. I am definitely thinking of Brenda and George, because losing a friend is no fun.