 Our expert, Carol has been a practicing Registered Nurse for over 40 years. In her free time, she cares for her two Shih Tzu dogs, although she has had experience with all kinds of dogs and other pets. She is a co-leader of an online Dog Care Group, dispensing practical medical advice with alacrity, tact and compassion.
These tips are intended to help you during times when you are traveling and away from your regular vet, at times when the vet’s office is closed, or when various other situations prohibit an immediate call or visit to your vet. As soon as you have stabilized any problem, please seek veterinary assistance.
Itchies:
Hot spots and rashes: Hydrocortisone Spray (find it in most chain pharmacies) is good for treating scratches, “hot spots” or any rashes that may appear on your dog. Help your dog to avoid licking it.
General unusual itchiness: Bactine is also good for soothing itchy skin.
Severe discomfort: If your dog is itching a lot, you may give ½ of a 25 mg. Benadryl tablet to all dogs above 12 pounds. Under 12 pounds you should give ¼ tablet. This also works well as a sedative, if your dog is anxious (thunderstorm or other scary situation). But never medicate for an airplane flight and do not use sedatives in place of attention and soothing activities for storms. (Going into a tiled bathroom, ceramic tub, shower stall or even an underground basement also calms a dog in a storm.)
Sore Spots:
If your pup tends to lick sore spots: you can apply Noxema, then wipe it off in 5 minutes (use a cool washcloth). It will have soothed the area by then, but what residue is left will not be harmful if licked.
Burns:
For any kind of mild burn: Solarcaine Spray will alleviate the discomfort.
Tummy trouble:
For diarrhea: ½ childrens Pepto Bismol tablet MR 2 X. CAUTION: Pepto Bismol has Salicylate, an aspirin like prep, so this is not recommended if dog is vomiting. For diarrhea with vomiting, use Immodium tabs instead.
For diarrhea: Alternately (with or without vomiting) give ¼ adult Immodium tablet. May repeat 3 times a day.
For loose stools: feed boiled chicken breast and white rice. CAUTION: Do not use prepared (canned) chicken broth from the grocery store, as it usually has onion flavoring and anything with onion should not be given to dogs. When you boil the chicken, you can freeze the remaining unused broth so you always have some available in case you need it. Boiled lean ground beef can also be good, as long as it is cooked in water and drained well. White rice is now available in a cooked already version (Uncle Bens) and you don’t need to heat it! Comes in pouches found in the rice section of the grocery store.) Canned pumpkin is good for bowel issues also; one tablespoon is usually all it takes. The rest can be frozen and put into baggies & stored in the freezer to minimize waste.
For constipation: Only if you find the dog’s belly is soft and not painful to touch or bloated, you can use ½ tsp of Milk of Magnesia.
Ears:
If your dog develops a reddened outer ear and it has a yeasty smell, you can use clotrimazole cream (found at most groceries and pharmacies in the foot care section) and some hydrocortisone cream. Apply with a soft cotton swab (do not poke the swab into the ear canal) or cotton pad. Stroke the dog and try to prevent him/her from shaking the head for at least five minutes. Most often itchy, reddened outer ears are due to a yeast infection and while this needs to be looked over by a vet, this treatment will help a doggie be more comfortable until you can see your vet.
Pain:
For pain, ¼ to ½ baby aspirin can be given with some food once a day. If the pup weighs 15 pounds or over, ½ tablet is the dose we’ve used. If 8-15 pounds, you can use ½ tablet. Give with food. Try to use the enteric coated aspirin as it is gentler on the tummy.
In case of ingesting:
Administer 1 or 2 droppers of hydrogen peroxide orally to induce vomiting. Use a children’s flexible dropper when possible. Do not induce vomiting if your dog has swallowed anything bulky that will not come out easily, like a popsicle stick or any large solid mass. In the case of the latter, rush to the vet.
Cut paw pad:
If a dog has a cut paw pad, you can clean the area with hydrogen peroxide or Bactine. Apply some gauze squares to help the blood clot and wrap the foot with a neoprene bandage which adheres to itself and doesn’t need to be taped. Get the dog to a vet asap since the pad may need sutures or firmer bandaging.
Broken bone: If you suspect a bone has been broken in the leg or foot area, you can bandage to try to keep it immobile, and get the dog to the emergency clinic asap. To bandage, fold cardboard over to do a makeshift splint, wrap the leg snugly with the neoprene bandage to keep area stable.
Home Made Emergency Kit:
It is recommended that you always keep 5 items with you in your home first aid kit, or when you travel with your dog: a thermometer to check the dog’s temperature; a ¼ inch roll of neoprene bandage, a box of 2x2 gauze squares, a disposable sports cold pack and a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. A large, flexible dropper is helpful also if you have to administer peroxide to induce vomiting because your dog has swallowed poison of some kind. Other handy items to have are scissors, a pill splitter, Q tips, cotton pads and a simple saline eye wash preparation for flushing the eye in cases of foreign body in the eye or irritation.
A gel pack (found in eye masks in the drug store) is great to keep in your fridge or cooler to handle facial swelling or to apply to a swollen limb to give relief.
Some facts:
Normal temperature for dogs is 100-102.5. Temp should be taken for 3 minutes.
Normal pulse for dogs is 60-100 beats per minute. If you are not sure how to take a pulse, put your ear to the dog’s chest on the left side and listen for the heartbeat.
Normal respiration rate is 10-30 breaths per minute (in resting state).
For symptoms of shock (shivering, cold feet and legs, listlessness, weak pulse, mental depression, pale skin, white gums), wrap the dog up to keep as warm as possible, carry the dog in a “football” carry as you might a little human baby, with its head down so blood flow is directed toward the head. You can also rub the chest and abdominal area to help stimulate the circulation. Shock is a true emergency and needs to be seen by a vet ASAP.
Raja and I want to thank Carol for her good advice! We made up her suggested first aid kit and have it packed in Raja's travel bag so we won't have to worry on his next big adventure.
Really Big Trees: Muir Woods & Mount Tamalpais The San Francisco Bay area is famous for its damp enveloping fogs and moderate weather. For dog oriented travelers, this dog loving area offers great experiences culturally, gastronomically and- er- arboreally. The Bay Area is home to the Giant Redwoods, the tallest trees in the world, averaging between 400 and 800 years old, but many of the largest trees are over 1000 years old. To grow as tall as they do, the Redwoods absorb moisture from the air all day. They could not survive in dryer, hotter, or cooler areas. The Bay climate is like a gigantic terrarium for these ancient evergreens.
Muir Woods is the famous “tree museum” of the north west coast, established as a national monument by Teddy Roosevelt in 1908 and named after the naturalist John Muir. Muir Woods is spectacular, but- you guessed it- dogs can’t go in Muir Woods because presumably dogs represent grave threats to 250 foot tall trees. After all, dogs were behind the attempt of water works and logging projects to decimate Muir Woods in 1900. Plus dogs are always dropping trash, setting forest fires and pocketing twigs and rocks from the park. Nothing ruins natural environments quite as fast as dogs do… or maybe it’s those careless humans the dogs bring in with them?
No matter, Mt. Tamalpais State Park backs right up to Muir Woods and it is filled with Redwoods and scenic, doggy-permitted trails. Want to show Fluffy some really, really big trees, follow the map to Mt. Tamalpais and hike all day in the forest primeval.
Raja has been hiking in the Redwoods several times and he kind of takes it in stride. To be honest, a humungous tree is quite as good as a sapling, but I think it does him good to put paw prints on the shady forest floor under the trees and to discover he can literally wander inside and through the Redwood trees. Over the centuries, fires have periodically swept through the forests, but, amazingly the forests weed out old growth opening up the floor for saplings to germinate and reach for the sun. Redwoods drop seeds and grow in clusters, so the decay of the parent tree allows the saplings to take over. Also, amazingly while many fires have gutted the old trees, creating cathedral like rooms inside, the trees continue to grow up and up around the hollow center.
For many hundreds of years, a tribal group named the Miwok have lived in the San Francisco Bay area. The first written accounts of the Miwok culture came from a crewman on Sir Francis Drake’s exhibition from 1579. Early Miwok dwellings were conical wood structures, but walking among the chambers of the Redwoods, following Raja in and out through the trees, I really did imagine living peacefully in this temperate misty forest, in the trees and among them. And perhaps that’s how the proto-Miwoks lived.
If you and your dog go hiking in the Bay Area Redwoods, be sure to take plenty of water and a snack for yourself and your dog especially. Late Summer and Early Fall are often dry and you two cannot absorb the ubiquitous mist. Plus, unless your dog is capable of catching Coho or Steelhead Salmon that run upstream in the Tamalpais and Muir area steams in early Fall, he will need something to keep him going. Do stop at the ranger station for a map. Among the trees it is very easy to get lost in this large territory. And finally, hiking shoes are a must as the forest floor is rocky, rugged and surprisingly slippery going uphill. Dog trail boots should be removed in steep areas. Your doggy will be a dust and mud ball when the day is over, but it will have been worth it for him to have an opportunity to regain his wild and wolf-like self walking among the ageless trees.
** Raja wants blog readers to know that we have a new recipe posted this week for a tasty, savory meatloaf doggies love. Please check out “Laci’s Meatloaf”- comfort food in classic 50’s style- in the recipes section. We do not advocate home cooking for pets and we are not dog nutritionists. These recipes will work as special occasion recipes for dogs. Raja eats home cooked meals all the time. Do whatever works for you. Wishing you happy travels and nice meals always… Raja and Helen **
This week Raja interviews Bailey, the talented American Eskimo dog athlete. Bailey reports about all the fun she had at the Spirit of St. Louis Canine Games on Sunday, September 27. Over to you Raja… Raja: Bailey how did you hear of the Annual Spirit of St. Louis Canine Games? Bailey: I have some good Dogster friends that live in St. Louis. We had a meetup last year at a dog park there and planned to do this activity for this year. Raja: Backing up, as I understand it, agility is a hobby rather than a profession for you? Is that correct? Bailey: I have been taking lessons for two years purely for enjoyment. We have no plans to compete, but if you end the lessons, you end the experience. Raja: So true. Specifically, how do you see your hobby benefiting your life and the lives of your humans? Bailey: I enjoy the running and climbing and going through the tunnels and the jumps and weave poles. It is good exercise for both Mom and me. It keeps us active and it’s an activity that we do together. It also teaches obedience and trust in your handler. Raja: Bailey you have a very good family! So let's discuss these games... You had to travel how far to get there? How did you travel and what was that hotel room like? (It was your very first hotel experience I hear.) Bailey: We drove by car about 3 1/2 hours to St. Louis. We hit some bad rain when we got to the city, but most of the trip was made in good weather. The hotel room was very nice and I sniffed and explored it thoroughly. Mom and Dad ate in the room with me both their dinner and their breakfast. The hotel had a pool, but I believe they did not want dogs using it!Raja: Eating in the room with you was really thoughtful. As we have noticed, many people want to travel with dogs, but they tend to neglect them and their needs when they want to do non-dog things. Your family really followed through. Plus there’s no point in upsetting an athlete before competition! Not going in the pool must have been hard. I know you have a nice pool back home and you’re an accomplished swimmer. So, going to the actual day- When you got there, how were things set up? Did you find it easy to compete? Bailey: When we arrived at Purina Farms the registration area was easily found and we registered and bought tickets to participate in the events. All events were for fun but some events were actually handing out prizes. You could also take your AKC Canine Good Citizen test there and there were some demonstrations such as Water Sports. They also had vendors there selling dog gift items and Purina Farms had its own gift shop and restaurant for the pawrents to eat at. Raja: So well planned! So now what we all want to ask- How'd you do Bailey???? Bailey: I did well on the agility course, but had no interest in catching a Frisbee or Flyball. Little Georgie the Min Pin ran faster than me in the Race The Wind event. She was clocked at 18 miles per hour and I was 17 miles per hour. We all received gold medals and certificates and ribbons. Georgie and Jackson won a prize in the Costume Contest. They were pirates! Raja: You are very agile, as we saw two weeks ago. I have no interest myself in catching a Frisbee, but I do like to pick it up and play keep away. You might like that too. You can tease your humans for hours. Were there other furry friends there? Bailey: I joined my good friends Georgie and Jackson and Mr. Duffy McDuff for a very fun day. Jackson unfortunately hurt the pad on his foot about lunch time and could not do any more events. He had to have it bandaged up. Raja: I think Jackson was very brave. I’m sure he’ll be back next year. These Olympics are open to all dogs I hear... and it's a charity benefit. Can you tell us a bit about that please?Bailey: It is open to all dogs and it is sponsored by The Spirit of St. Louis Samoyed Club and the St. Louis Samoyed Rescue. I saw many white dogs that looked similar to me only bigger. The picture of the dog pulling a cart is a Samoyed and not me. We did not try that one. Raja: I almost thought that was you at first. But then I thought that doggie was too big. Bailey thanks so much. Is there one final statement you want to end your interview with- anything special to share? Bailey: I just want to say that if anyone has the opportunity to go to an event like this. it will be a wonderful day for you and your pawrents. This was such a nice day made even better because we spent it with good friends. If you go, check out next year’s schedule eventually showing up at: www.stlsamoyed.comRemember, it’s not the winning, but the competing that makes for big fun and games for dogs and their people.
 Guest blogger Renee and her husband have bought a whole huge RV and a whole huge SUV to make sure their three Shih Tzu dogs travel in a home-like environment as they navigate the roads of the American West. When Raja travels it’s only one doggy and a little Sherpa tote, but, when Molly, Gracie and Bella take to the road, it’s spacious elbow room all the way. For those of you with multiple dogs who want to move about the country, please take note of all the useful equipment Renee has selected to make sure her three pups don’t go off in three different directions. Over to you now Renee…..
We recently drove our RV to Colorado, to enjoy the cooler, September climate & fresh air, with mountain views. Because we don't like to leave home without them, this mode of travel makes perfect sense for us and our dogs. Traveling in the motorhome ensures that our Girls, three Shih Tzu, are always welcomed. That said, we also like finding alternative accommodations that allow us, as well as the Girls, to feel just as welcomed. We enjoy that kind of experience at the Jerome Hotel in Aspen. The staff is polite, professional & downright friendly! This year we enjoyed dining al fresco at Mustang's, where the wait staff was as attentive and helpful to the Girls, as they were to us, even offering to take our picture.
Because of all the room available to us in the RV, I bring everything that I believe will make the Girls' hotel stay a good experience for them, the staff and other guests. Leaving our RV behind in Breckenridge at the Tiger Run RV Resort, we load up the SUV and drive to Aspen. I feed the girls an early lunch and after a quick walk, they sleep together in their travel crate, most of the way to Aspen. We stop about 20-30 minutes before we reach Aspen, to walk the dogs and give them a drink, to make arrival at the hotel more comfortable for all of us. It's too time consuming to help the bellman organize our belongings, check in at the front desk and go to our room, before the girls, Molly, Gracie & Bella are taken back outside, for a walk. As we pull up to the hotel,(& stop ;) I take them out of their travel crate and put them into their stroller and zip them in. As I go about the check in process, I know they are safely with me & out of everyone else's way, while I attend to business. (If I had only one dog, I would simply hold the furbaby.) I point out, at check in, that most of the time the Girls will be with us, but to please call my cell phone, if they need us for any reason. They are also supplied with an emergency contact, for the Girls.
Upon entering the room, I set up their playpen and Xpen to fashion a sleep & play area for them, in the room, which they can be left in, while we're out. They have plenty of toys and their water bottle inside the area, and it is left open while we are in the room with them. I put the do not disturb sign on the door, but if I ever failed to do so and staff entered our room, our girls are safe, unable to escape, because they are confined to their special area in the pens and they have more room than being in a crate. I work with them before we leave home to help them remain quiet, as we leave the room & return, as it's an excitable time for them, and do not go to them until they are quiet. Since they aren't yappy dogs, this is a fairly easy task. Although it is not necessary, I bring linens to cover the bedspread. A king size duvet cover from home, folds flat and packs easily, for this purpose. Because we require canned prescription dog food, we bring a rolling ice chest and replenish ice, as needed.
Inside my purse, I carry a written explanation of our travel, with emergency contacts, in case anything happened to my husband & myself, to notify for the girls. I update my note when necessary, to say what RV park, space #, or hotel & rm. #, etc. to let someone know of their location. Located with their food, meds and supplements are detailed instructions, because of health issues. I also travel with grooming aids and health notebooks for each girl, which contain their Veterinary records. As we go out for dinner, I usually stop by the front desk with my name, cell phone #, and room number written down, to give to the clerk du jour. This step is strictly for my peace of mind. This year we met a Maltese, named Jack, staying just down the hall from us. Jack was vocal, when left alone. This encouraged our otherwise quiet trio to be on alert, and one of them to find her voice. Positioning their confined area between the television and the radio and turning on both, before we left was sufficient to stop her from "answering" him. We can now relax and enjoy our vacation!
Aspen is extremely dog friendly. We met big dogs, as well as small ones, at our hotel. Our hotel keeps water bowls for furry friends at their entrance, and you'll find this practice in front of many shops. We walk, picnic, shop & enjoy the outdoors, with the Girls comfortably ensconced in their pet stroller, wearing their harnesses. They are allowed everywhere without a problem. I always ask, before I bring them into a shop. Because there are three of them, I believe the fact they are fully enclosed, mesh zipped on their stroller, helps make them welcome in shops & outdoor cafe's. I bring the pet water bottle with us, as well as their leashes, & they are frequently taken out for plenty of exercise.
I once read to carry pictures of your pet, and this poses no problem for me, as they are in my wallet along with other family photos. These, along with their health records can help prove ownership. Once your checklist is compiled and routine established, preparing becomes a snap! It is no coincidence that you'll be welcomed back. Just a few thoughtful precautions can guarantee their comfort and safety and your peace of mind.
Raja and I want to bark a big thank-you to Renee for her second post with us about her adventures with Molly, Gracie and Bella. We love the way she shares all her special tips for being a good guest with a veritable menagerie. Renee’s stories confirm the glorious, nomadic, portable, adaptability of dogs who call home wherever their pack roams.
 HAPPY TRAVELS NEAR AND FAR!
 Barbara encourages Bailey to run down the ramp. The notion of canine performance of feats of agility began in the UK in the 1970’s and spread to the US and around the world through the 1980’s. Dog agility events permit non pure breed dogs- as well as pure breed dogs, of course- to show what they’ve got. Plus they offer a venue through which dogs of all sorts can bark up against the idea that dog shows are for dogs to prance around in whilst only looking beautiful (um… what’s wrong with that, actually?). On the back side of agility trials, behind the scenes, are hours of fun and exercise playing with your dog as you train her to be a performance star. Or, from the canine side, hours and hours of running around making your human smile and getting lots of attention and praise. This week, Raja’s Travel Dog Blog features several agility stars, plus one up and coming blue ribbon winner. See them on Your Tube!The attached You Tube video shows Scamp, Cy and CT zooming through a flexible tunnel and dodging in and out of poles. Not only do Cy and CT do agility, but also they are therapy dogs and pet fashion models. Like the top human athletes, canine athletes donate valuable time to charity work and model their own clothing lines. (Check them out in retail at http://carolynsoriginals.weebly.com ) Raja insists I bark up that it should now be obvious to all doubters that Shih Tzus are not just for laps! (But they like laps too.) Scamp, Cy and CT compete on weekends at various trials, racing against their own records and staying fit and healthy. Meet me in the St. Louis Olympics!The 13th Annual Spirit of St. Louis Canine Games, open to all dogs and benefiting Samoyed Rescue, is happening Sunday September 27. There’s still time to sign up- and it’s all about fun, so no experience necessary. Is that cool or what?! http://www.stlsamoyed.com/uploads/2009_Entry_Form.pdfRaja’s friend, Bailey the American Eskimo Dog is going, but Bailey has had considerable experience. She, along with pup pals Jackson, Duffy, Georgie, Gilbert and Buster (all 6 have met through Dogster.com and the Games are an opportunity to meet nose to nose!) has been working at agility for quite a while. Bailey has never stayed in a hotel before, so this trip is the beginning of Bailey’s own Travel Dog adventures on the road! Bailey learns agility in her doggy daycare. She loves the A Frame, the Teeter, the Dog Walk and the Tunnels. See her pictures practicing at her daycare giver’s farm. Meet a rising star puppy athlete and her mentor!Little Cara the Shih Tzu puppy is just starting out following in her older canine sister Chloe’s paw prints in agility and therapy work. Cara’s finding walking on a ramp and running through the tunnel challenging and we can see her thinking about it watching her earnest little back She’ll likely pick all her skills up fast since she can follow Chloe who loves agility. Look at those flying, fluffy Bichon ears! Chloe and Cara’s human has an agility set up in her house so the girls can work out their routines on rainy days and off hours, keeping their svelte figures. Chloe also does charity work as a therapy dog. Now with Cara teaming up, maybe there’s a clothing label in their future.The motto of the St. Louis Canine Games is:Tap your dog’s talents and strengthen the bond of friendship while having fun! And that’s basically the motivation for engaging in agility activities with your dog. You, your dog, a sunny day and a bar to jump over. Go ahead! Find out about agility clubs: http://www.agilityevents.net/Buy equipment for your backyard or rec room: http://www.pet-super-store.com/pet-supplies/dog-agility-equipment/To find local events, google “canine agility” along with the name of your city, or ask about training and events at your vet’s office and local pet supplies store.
 Here comes Cara!
 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/
Some dogs have it all- and we’re not talking about Paris Hilton’s dogs, each of whom may own a trust fund and command a staff. We’re talking about well-loved pups living in ordinary homes, but gifted with extraordinary care. Here is Raja’s interview with Pookie, Chloe, Bella, Lexie, Brindy and Buttercup:
Raja: (Finally my opportunity as the anchor of my own blog!) I am asking the princess pups a few group questions and, then, a specific question for each.
Girls, what is the definition of a princess dog? Is it the looks? The attitude? The home in which she lives? Are princesses made or born? Would you mind if there were a very small pea under your bed?
Brindy: (Fluffs her fur) Her looks and attitude. The home does have something to do with it in that it is a loving home, with owners whose lives are completed by their little princess and there might be other dogs.
Chloe: (Adjusts her hat and veil) I know it's not true that a Princess can feel a small pea under their bed, it's not about being demanding or difficult, at least not in my case. Being a Princess is being treated well because I treat others well.
Buttercup: (Winks at Chloe because both pups use the same exclusive hatter.) I'm sure the home in which she lives is her castle and she has full control of it and her owners. She has them trained just they way she wants them- right there at her every beaconing bark.
Lexie: (Stands and twirls to make her point) Raja, look at all of us! We are all beautiful and we, regardless of circumstances, live in homes where we are loved and cherished. All of us were born Princesses!
Raja: For those of you who are, um, to the manner born, bred, or accidentally rescued into luxury… do you feel princesses have responsibilities, and if so what are they? Do you rule with an iron paw? Are you truly one of the “people’s princesses” doing therapy and charity work? Do you take care of your humans? Do you instruct?
Bella: I take care of Mommy. And I let her know when things are not going by my rule. Most of the time, I win. I have her wrapped around my fuzzy little sugarfoot, err, I mean paw.
Pookie: Princesses DO have responsibility. They must be strong enough, brave enough, to take care of their humans without getting caught at this! In my case, I have another dog who lives in our "palace" and to him is assigned the role of watchpup. This frees me up to spend time on the things that really matter....like being regal and gorgeous. And yes, I do rule with an iron paw....it's the only way! (Buttercup gasps and takes a sip of lemon aid.)
Raja: Lexie, I hear you style yourself as a punk princess who runs with some big dogs. Please tell us how you manage it all?
Lexie: Yes, Raja, I walk on the wild side at times. Thanks to the help of one of my favorite subjects, Mia, who styles my top knot, I am now known as the "Punk Rock Princess." We princesses have to let our hair down sometimes. (Lexie scans her paw pilot for deals at pinkpunkpup.com.)
Raja: Pookie, I hear you feel dogs such as yourself have a mission.
Pookie: I believe Princesses should be friendly toward all humans and give them a chance to experience what royalty truly is. As the plebian crowds ooohh and aahhhh over us Princesses, our humans get all puffed up and proud and feel good. When our humans feel good, they are more likely to hand out more treats!
It's a mission with many benefits. (sigh and a faraway look)
Raja: Brindy, you have been described as a Princess-in-Training. How’s that going?
Brindy: It’s tough living in a house of all boys. I’m a tom-boy too and that is why I am still a princess-in-training. But I do love to dress up in clothes. I have lots, but always welcome more… (hint hint, size 0, I like blue.)
Raja: Chloe, there’s a new girl in town in your house. How are you managing that? Noblesse oblige, or have you bitten that brat on the tail yet?
Chloe: I love my new sister, Raja. I was NOT sure at first, but once I played with her, we have become bestest friends. I would never bite her; Princesses treat others well so that I can maintain all the luxuries I am fortunate to have. And to be honest, Mom goes out of her way to make me feel special. I get petted first, fed first, snuggled with first.
Raja: (Sorry Chloe, I should have known you would never nip, even instructionally.) Bella, how about you? Recently you had a terrible encounter at the vet’s and it is rumored you didn’t bite. Any second thoughts on the biting part?
Bella: It's not very princess-like to bite but, if I could go back, I might give my crown up long enough to get a quick snip and snarl in. Then I'd pick the crown up and put it back on my precious little head, walking out with my head held high and my tail wagging all the way. (Bella demonstrates. All applaud.)
Raja: And finally Buttercup, lap of luxury now, but a dodgy beginning on the mean streets of Philadelphia. How did you get saved? I can just see you sitting in an alley wishing on a star!
Buttercup: Oh ... I have to tell you the streets of Philadelphia are truly scary! Thank goodness for Annie Trinkle from Animal Alliance. I was lost and lonely when I was found and taken to a high kill shelter. Annie goes everyday to rescue the pups that she feels can be re-adopted. I was on death row when she scooped me up and forever changed my life! I got a nice haircut and my picture was posted on Pet Finder... The rest is history... my mom applied and I have been forever worry free! Living the high life as the princess I was born to be!!
Lexie: If I may Raja, as I mentioned before, all of us are beautiful on the outside, but it is what's inside our hearts that make us revered as special princesses. We can be demanding, imperious and downright stubborn, Raja, but it is our sweetness, our ability to be everything to our subjects that make us so special.
Raja: Thank you Ladies of the Pink Paw. And thank you readers. Our point is that any home can be a palace and any doggy can assume the role of benevolent royal. Rescue us, adopt us, wish upon a star, and dreams come true.
*** If any readers wish to post their tales of grace under pressure, the attainment of a palace of one’s own, near escapes, or lucky accidents in the road through life, please tell us about your royal lives in the comments section.***
 Lori, John, David, Yuko (with Raja) and Paul During our travels in the San Francisco area, we were fortunate to get to visit the headquarters of Dogster Inc., the highly successful global online community for dogs and their people, or is it people and their dogs?… the identities do blur. Dogster is mirrored by its other half, Catster Inc. Together they represent over 700,000 online members world-wide, although by the time you read this post, it may well be over a million. We were hosted by Lori Malm, Dogster’s Community Manager in charge of groups, special projects and law and order. Raja got to meet and photo op with many of the Dogster staff. I am saying “many” because three were on vacation. Dogster central is operated by about 9 human beings. Our interview is with Anders Porter, Editorial and Content Manager at Dogster. H&R: How would you characterize Dogster: social networking for people, a showcase for members’ dogs, or social networking for dogs? Anders: When Ted Rheingold started Dogster five years ago, he wanted to create an online portal where dog owners could post images of their dogs, and easily share them with others. As people joined and started showing interest, they suggested and asked for other features, which (over a period of years) led to the current state of the site: it is a fun combination of four things - social networking for people, social networking for dogs, a showcase for member dogs and a portal for pet-related entertainment and information. The past year has really seen a growth in the information that we provide - we'd like to be the destination for dog owners when they have a health, training, behavior or breed-based issue with their dog. H&R: How would you say the development of Dogster has changed from concept to present? Did the focus stay the same? Anders: As mentioned, we did not know that people were going to want to use it to communicate with other dog owners, only that they would be interested in showcasing their dogs. That proved not to be the case - as social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace grew, people were on the prowl for other networking sites that provided a much more "niched" user experience. Thus, people who join ALREADY have something in common - FB and MS can not provide this with their "broad strokes" coverage. H&R: What are some important things you all have learned along the way? Anders: When it comes to the development of a successful online social networking community, it has to be ALL about the members. Listening to the community is one of the most important things that a "niched" social network can do. People are here because of their love for pets, and because they adore their furry friends and want to show them off to the rest of the world. So taking into consideration the features that they like (and they don't like) is crucial. H&R: Why dogs and cats now. For centuries dogs and cats lived short lives adjacent to human beings. Rather suddenly, they have attained great status in many nations worldwide. What do you think is the cause of this transformation? Anders: I think that dogs and cats have always played important roles in the lives of people, it's just that these roles have changed a bit. Dogs have progressed beyond the role of protector and/or herder and cats have progressed beyond the role of mouse-chaser. They play much more social roles in our lives now, that is for sure - though it is hard to really establish why that is. But the fact of the matter is that pets are family members now, they are important part of the social circle nowadays, which is something that I find very refreshing, and something that makes sites like Dogster and Catster possible. Raja and I want to thank Dogster, Inc. for hosting us and making such a fuss about Raja. Dogster does much more than only provide a forum; Dogster (and Catster) members have bonded and participated in global rescue, assisted in homing thousands of pets and exchanged information about medical and health issues. Besides the tremendous opportunity for play, Dogster (and Catster) validate the importance of animal companionship in our lives. Haven’t been to Dogster yet? Well GO now: www.dogster.com
 Anders and Skeezix (http://blogs.catster.com/the-cats-meow-a-cat-and-kitten-blog/)
 But, no matter… they don’t like wine. However, they do like Napa Valley in Northern California and Napa Valley, California loves dogs! First it’s never terribly hot or terribly cold, so dog tourists are comfortable. Many hotels and B&B’s accept dog guests. And dogs can accompany you dining outside in a plethora of café settings where heat lamps keep you both cozy all year round. A yearly calendar of the winery dogs of Napa attests to the importance of dogs in viticulture. A Napa hint: a bowl of water outside any establishment tells you who’s welcome.
Napa Valley has a great deal to offer in terms of natural beauty with easy and challenging hiking trails. But, amazingly, the best hiking trails of all, the slopes of Mt. St. Helena, are closed to dogs to “preserve the natural beauty.” Hmmm, last time I looked, dogs did not start forest fires or drop plastic bags and water bottles. Are all wildlife kept off the slopes? Just saying… Oh well, we are forced back to the wineries….
Raja was recently in Napa Valley and the gracious reception he received at various wineries and cafés deserves a nod of appreciation.
Dog Friendly Wineries (of which there are many) include:
Peju Province Winery, a boutique establishment founded by Tony and Herta Peju that has been justly awarded for having the most beautiful tasting salon in Napa with its floor of solid agate. On a sunny afternoon, that cool, smooth floor feels great to hot paws. The award winning wines are farmed organically and sustainably. Raja enjoyed schmoozing with the staff and posing on the French oak barrels.
Grgich Hills Estate, is the winery that produced the American wine that so impressed the French in a famous 1976 wine competition. While the story of Grgich is not represented with any accuracy in the film Bottle Shock (2008), the fact that Grigch wines challenged Europe is accurate. Today Grigch wines are produced completely biodynamically and tasted in a completely dog friendly environment… which is our most favorite biodynamic part.
Castleo di Amorosa,’s tasting salon is set in a castle on a hill. A segment of the movie Bedtime Stories (2008) was filmed there and you will want to roam around the marvelous, theatrical chambers in the keep. Entering, Raja was greeted warmly by the gatekeepers and in the salon he met Lupo, the enormous and gentle wolf dog who trolls for belly rubs. I suppose the wine is good. I was playing with Lupo and Raja.
Some wineries do not accept dogs. Their loss.
Dog Friendly Restaurants include: Restorante Allegria , Cindy’s Back Street Café, and Michael Chiarello’s Botega. Raja met a lovely girl from the UK at Botega and abandoned his party to sit with her. I don’t suppose anybody blames him. (In an upcoming topic, we’ll be covering pawty manners in cafés because, let’s be honest, doggies can’t mooch or beg.)
The naturalness and relaxation of Napa as a bucolic tourist entity / agrarian manufactory balances industry and gastronomy. Dogs fit right in to this casual but energetic Northern California culture. If you go, say “Hi” to Lupo for us.
 Raja's glamorous friend from the UK.  Veronica from Canada at Arrowleaf Winery in the Okanagan Valley
Raja and I are always barking about getting out and exercising, but in the literal Dog Days of Summer … um… Literally what ARE the Dog Days of Summer?
The Dog Days are the period when the brightest star, Sirius, in the constellation Canis Major (the Big Dog) rises and sets with the sun. Roman astronomers thought the earth was warmed by Sirius because it is so bright and they reasoned that Sirius, added its heat to the sun, causing the hot hot hot weather of July and August. For the Romans, technically, the Dog Days were the 20 days before and after the conjunction of the Sun and Sirius.
Returning to our original topic… the real dogs of summer do have to continue to walk and exercise and get out, even on the most hot and humid days. Heat can be dangerous for all dogs, particularly short nosed dogs, dogs who carry their weight up front, heavy dogs and dogs that have allergies, heart or lung considerations. Getting out early avoids the heat and makes for a safer walk.
Our blog features Raja’s first exercise video. We thought about it for a long time and finally Raja explained that all dogs really want to do is run until they get tired and then roll in the grass. So that’s what he did for our video crew.
For the next week, Raja and I are traveling and working on blog spots of the future to share with you. While we’re gone, we hope the Dog Star of Summer shines on you and your little dog stars wherever your paws are roaming.
 Mollie and Sophie know how to cool down!
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