First CNBC announces they will air the pet food documentary A Dog’s Breakfast. Then they remove it from the schedule with no set date to reschedule. Did CNBC remove the documentary from the schedule because of pressure of Big Pet Food?
Nonetheless, you can still watch Pet Food: A Dog’s Breakfast! Click HERE to see the video. The re-production value leaves a little to be desired, but it’s still quite watchable.
And, then visit our blog pal Jim McBean at Doggy Bytes. He wrote an in-depth post about the documentary last July 12. In case you missed it, as I did, read it here.
UPDATE: Droopy was adopted on Sunday, February 13, 2011! We hope he’s loving his new home.
Have you ever met a Dogue de Bordeaux?
I hadn’t until Droopy came along. This handsome guy with the big smile is a Dogue de Bordeaux/Mix, also know as a French Mastiff. True to his breed, Droopy is friendly, playful, and even tempered.
Why anyone would abandon this exceptional dog to wander two of the busiest roads in Boulder (HWY 36 and Foothills Parkway) is beyond my capacity to understand. But, lucky for Droopy and his to-be forever family, a kind soul brought him to the Humane Society of Boulder Valley (HSBV).
Droopy is about three years old, a perfect age. He’s past adolescence and settling into becoming a lovely young adult. And, of course, he’s neutered.
He’s been a rock star at the HSBV, successfully meeting both dogs and cats, and greeting everyone with a big tail wag. And, loves treats!
Does Droopy’s gorgeous mug make your heart go pitter-pat?
If you think Droopy might be the one for you, please call HSBV at 303-442-4030 during their regular shelter hours to speak to an animal welfare associate. Click here for a map and directions
This sweetheart of a teddy bear would love to meet you!
Even though Sadie is a fearful dog, I’m convinced her natural state-of-being is joy.
When she feels safe, she oozes delight. She launches her body into midair and twirls it around just because the snow tickles her toes and the sun the shinning. Her tail whirls like a helicopter at the mere sound of Ira’s voice.
Learning Treibball with Sadie is sheer joy! Check out this video montage created by Mary Manka who also owns the barn in which our class is held.
Sadie and I are having a blast learning individual cues that will be chained together later.
I’m reminded of the Suzanne Clothier workshop, Working with Fearful Dogs,that I attended last fall. She emphasized working within the dog’s safe zone. Although Suzanne’s focus was addressing fearfulness and reactivity, I’ve carried the question as to whether or not Sadie feels safe, and make adjustments accordingly, into every situation, including Treibball.
So, what makes Treibball safe for Sadie? Several things.
When Sadie and I first met Dianna Stearns, the instructor, at the Treibball Winter Gamesa few weeks ago, Dianna was very sensitive to Sadie’s shyness. At my request, Dianna didn’t approach Sadie. Dianna let Sadie approach her and immediately offered Sadie a treat keeping her hand close to her own body. Sadie took it. Sadie started bouncing back and forth between Dianna and me, kinda like she (Sadie) was working out her own version of treat/retreat. Pretty soon she was just following Dianna around.
Dianna made it clear that Treibball is taught exclusively using positive reinforcement, true to the spirit of sport as developed by Jan Nijboer, a Dutch man living in Germany. No punishment. No pain. Mistakes are ignored. Getting it right gets rewarded. No fear. Just fun.
And, Sadie and I are in this just for fun! I don’t have visions of one day competing in Treibball. Maybe we will, maybe we won’t. That’s entirely up to Sadie. I think by my not having an agenda I’m not pressuring Sadie, even unconsciously, to perform.
Another big plus is that Hilary Lane of Fang Shui Canines, and the co-founder of the American Treibball Assocation, is there. I’ve come to know Hilary over the last year and her presence is wonderfully welcoming. She also knows Sadie is shy and gives her lots of autonomy and freedom to approach or not.
I can hardly wait! Next Sunday will be our fourth class of an eight-week course. After the first class I was flying higher than a far flung frisbee. I went to last Sunday’s class feeling edgy and out-or-sorts. As you can see from the video, that funk evaporated!
Learn more about Treibball here and watch more of Mary’s Treibball videos here.
Welcome to Boulder Dog! Meet Sadie, the muse, and Deborah, the blogger. We hope you enjoy our blog and visit often. Oh, yes. Please leave a comment. Sadie loves comments.
