Travel with Raja, pet travel advice, airplane travel tips, travel with my dog, how do I travel with my pet, Raja, shitzu, dogs
 
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Jill Cahr, a pet oriented writer and Billy Rafferty, a famous dog groomer, have teamed up to put together one of the most comprehensive dog care books ever: Happy Dog Caring for Your Dog’s Body, Mind and Spirit.  Billy is a Certified Master Groomer and grooming show judge.  Jill has been involved with animals in shelters and has enabled her personable young son, Ian, to raise thousands of dollars with his friends for pet charities.  Billy and Jill’s joint project is 380 pages of very good advice written with cheer and energy.  It would make a very good gift for a new or potential pet owner. 

Grooming is the way pet owners show their respect and love for their pets.  The human touch values, maintains and communicates love and health.  A vet once told me that most dog owners only touch the heads of their animals, so physical problems like tender spots, sensitive areas, skin conditions, or emerging lumps do not get detected.  Billy and Jill advocate using grooming as an opportunity for careful daily inspection.  A comprehensive chart showing which breeds or types have which kind of hair (39-41) leads toward another chart called “Hairstyles of the Furry and Famous” (44-45).  The authors believe that each breed or type depends upon its natural coat to maintain insulation, warmth, and protection of the skin from sun.  The authors do not advocate short summer hairdos for long-haired breeds because short cuts can expose the skin to sun burn and skin cancer and create an irregular grow out (46-47).  Since Raja’s coat flows all year long, personally I felt vindicated against all the advice to cool him off by buzzing him down.  (Thanks, pals.)  And Billy and Jill ban those cold, shocking baths all the TV commercials love to depict as “just so much fun” with the dog, a tub and a hose outside (319).  Bravo! 

While grooming is the gateway to a tactile, caring engagement with your dog, the authors also thoroughly and compassionately address dog nutrition, dog medical emergencies, dog safety at home and on the road, dog first aid, choosing a doggy daycare or kennel, fun activities with dogs and- Raja’s and my favorite topic- dog travel in cars, boats and planes.  The authors have definite views on all topics and the book is unwaveringly clear about best practices, but they always advocate a level headed, analytical approach to the commitments of dog care: 

“A healthy dose of skepticism and common sense helps when wading through all the marketing puffery, vague claims and fancy packaging [for commercial dog food].  Look past the … vague endorsements and self certifications.” (79) 

Meaning, be self-referential and maintain your sovereignty over how you process product information.   

I especially appreciate Billy and Jill’s advice about yard care and want to share it with you here since flea season is upon us right now: 

The authors say:  “Treat Your Yard” (and I thought, “Oh no, here come the chemicals.”)  But no, they say … 

“Fleas like to hide out in the long grass and moist shady spots.  Mow your lawn; remove weeds; clean up grass clippings, old leaves and other yard waste and remove all standing water. “ (193)  Same for ticks.  (And for those living in apartments, seek groomed areas for dog walks in flea season.)  Also, as a first defense against fleas indoors, they want you to vacuum all the time.  OK, well that works better than anything. 

Happy Dog: Caring for your Dog’s Body, Mind and Spirit is a labor of love for the authors.  They value our commitment to our furry family members deeply and offer this meticulous guide to help us all, combs and brushes in hand, along the path to fun with our happy dogs. 

While Raja says, sorry Billy, he will never really be super happy about baths, he appreciates all Jill and Billy’s nurturing thoughts about pets and water and will do his best to see his frequent baths in a scrupulously clean (319) and rubber mated kitchen sink as my attempt to help him toward self actualization and comfort. 

Check it out:  Happy Dog: Caring for Your Dog’s Body, Mind and Spirit $12.00 US, $20.00 CAN. 

And don’t forget Ian and his hard working friends.  Read about them at:  http://www.iansbeadcompany.com/ 

9/16/2009 01:31:11 am

Thanks for a wonderful review! LOVE LOVE the photo of Raja and the book!

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8/16/2012 05:33:30 pm

You guide your client through the discovery process. You create a system of accountability to help the client take action on his discoveries.

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Pat & Buttercup
9/16/2009 08:05:49 am

We will run to the store and get the book !! sounds like a GREAT READ ! I don't mind baths .. it always involves treats and since i don't get many , i stand like a little solider ! We can't wait to read all the other suggestions .. Thanks Raja for a good recommendation !

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Billy Rafferty
9/16/2009 11:31:00 am

Thank you for the INCREDIBLE review!
Raja is so beautiful.

Best,
Billy Rafferty :-)

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Rufus Puppy & Sheryll
9/16/2009 11:07:22 pm

My mommy says she wishes she had been taught to groom me and brush me everyday when I first adopted her. She says I would not be so stubborn about the whole grooming thing if she had started the paw and brushing thing on a regular basis, immediately.

Everyone needs this book.

Rufus Puppy

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Rufus Puppy & Mommy
9/16/2009 11:16:32 pm

My mommy says she wishes this book had been given to her when I first adopted her, so she would have known to start rubbing my paws and brushing me everyday from the very start. She thinks I wouuld not have been so stubborn about my feet being touched and groomed.

Rufus Puppy

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Sheryl (& Veronica & Piccadilly)
9/17/2009 06:08:42 am

What a beautiful way to describe grooming; showing love and respect for your pet.

It's nice to have a recommendation.

xoxo
- S

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Love the review and will DEF buy the book! Had grooming & handling lovingly every day not been a part of our routine, we might never have noticed a tiny bump, which turned out to be a cancerous mast cell tumor in the early stage on our first shih tzu, Chloe'. Subsequent surgeries and chemo, plus supplements & common sense allowed us to have her for a full year longer. I shudder to think of not inspecting her & finally seeing a big mass, surgery and losing her or having to make a very difficult decision. I'm SO impressed by the view of the pet & pet owner's relationship that I will not only buy a book for myself, but buy more copies for what I would consider a thoughtful gift!
XO, Renee & the Girls~

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    RAJA BLOGS ABOUT PARIS FOR FIDO FRIENDLY As a world reknowned traveler Raja was invited to blog for his friends at fido friendly.com a website that helps pet owners find accommodations. Click here to visit Fido Friendly


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    Helen  feels most comfortable in places where she doesn't speak the language; she  likes to do almost everything, except hunt and watch TV sports. 
     Raja is a Shih Tzu.  Directly descended from the Mongolian wolf, Raja is hardy and loves to roam with his pack.  Tamed in the monasteries of Tibet, he takes the long view.  Finished in the palaces of 16th century China, he is elegant.  Rescued from China by the artistocrats of Europe, he is a ham.

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    Eat at Mustang's
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    Corral those wild Shih Tzus!
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    Bailey walks the beam!
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    On the Teeter... little tongue out thinking carefully.
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    YAY!
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    You can do it Cara!
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    Lori and Raja at the front desk.
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    Here it is: 555 De Haro St!
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    In the Potero District, North West of the Waterfront
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    Peju Province Winery's oak casks
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    Welcome to Castelo di Amorosa
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    Snoozin' in Restorante Allegria
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    Lupo working hard.
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    Buttercup stays cool.
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    Boots save paws.
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    Chloe loves hand knits.
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    A hat prevents hypothermia.
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    Morgan, biker girl.
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    Carolyn's originals ready for work.
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    Touring the gardens in my Carolyn's Originals visor.

pet travel advice, airplane travel tips, travel with my dog, how do I travel with my pet, Raja, shitzu, dogs