She will sit in front of the television on her butt with her front paws in the air and make this insane crying/screaming noise as she follows the animal around on the screen. There is no doubt in my mind that she knows what she is watching because she only does it when there is an animal on the television. After doing research, many believe that dogs are not actually watching television, but instead it’s just that it caught their attention. It is believed that since their main sense, smelling, is not involved, that the television will not keep their attention. I am the first person to disagree with this statement because I have proof that dogs actually watch television–just like a person.

While I don’t doubt that a dog’s eye is much different from a humans, I do think they are able to differentiate between objects. So my question is, do your animals watch television? If so, what is their favorite show/channel to watch. Chloe loves anything on the Animal Planet, especially Meerkat Manor.

The pug’s comical look has made it one of the most popular breed of dogs in the United States. The pug is of Chinese descent. They fall into the toy breed category, but top the charts as the largest of the toy breeds. Normally a pug weighs between 14-18 pounds. Our pug, Tito, weighs a little more than that. Actually, he is officially the fattest pug in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. He out-weighs the record holder by over ten pounds. We can’t put him in the Guinness Book of World Records because he doesn’t have papers.

Pugs are known for their short, flat faces, bulging eyes, and wrinkles. They come in black, fawn, apricot fawn, and silver fawn. Tito is a silver fawn (we call him ‘silver back’). Maintenance for a pug is easy, but they shed extremely bad. Tito used to shed so badly that we decided to start shaving him. Pugs are also prone to skin irritations. It is very important to keep their wrinkles clean because the crevasses are breeding grounds for bacteria. Their curly Q tails stand high on their back. Another prominent feature of the pug is their eyes. While doing research I learned that a pug’s eyes can pop out of their socket easily if their collar is being pulled too tightly. This condition is called Proctosis, and the eyeball should be put back into the socket immediately if this happens.

The pug is a great addition to any family because they are loveable and they are loyal companions. They are easy to train and maintain. Pug faces are so precious that you are guaranteed to smile every time you look at it.

Small compact body, low body-fat, long legs, and lean muscle; the description of the rat terrier breed describes Ozzie Ann perfectly. My family has had rat terriers for as long as I can remember, and they are great family pets.

Rat terriers are a combination of smooth fox terrier, Manchester terrier, beagle, whippet, and even a little chihuahua. Having such a diverse gene pool, the true lineage of the rat terrier is unclear. Therefore, this breed is not recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club). Rat terriers come in many different colors: pearl, sable, chocolate, red/white, tri-color, black/tan, blue/white, and brindle. Ozzie is actually a large toy rat terrier, weighing about eight pounds (normally the toy weighs 4-7 pounds). They also come in mid-sized (6-8 pounds), and standard (12-35 pounds).

Rat terriers were developed in Great Britain in the 1800′s. They were bred for speed to hunt small game, squirrel, hare, and vermin. Ozzie’s instinct to hunt has been an issue in the past. She loves to chase birds and squirrels. There have been a few occasions when she brings in her ‘kill’ to show me. She is such a princess, but she loves to chew on and roll in anything dead and stinky. Rat terriers are common on farms because they are really good farm hands. This breed is very intelligent and easy to train. After doing some research, I learned rat terriers like to swim and do a pretty good job at it. Ozzie Ann doesn’t even like to get her feet wet, so she may be an exception.

Rat terriers are total people pleasers. Although they can be energetic, rat terriers just want to be loved by their owner. Luckily for me, rat terriers also live 15+ years. Ozzie Ann is seven-years-old, and with all the energy she has I think she has at least 10 more years. If you’re thinking of getting a dog, check into this breed. They are such great companions!

Jack Russells are commonly known as ”live wires.” They can be hyper, bounce a lot, and have corky personalities. These popular dogs originated in South England in the 1800′s. Like the Boston terrier, they were also bred down from the extinct white terrier. Originally, Jack Russells were bred to hunt fox. Their name came from the fox-hunting enthusiast, John Russell. Until this day, the Jack Russell is one of the finest strains of hunting terriers.

There are two types of Jack Russells-long leg and short leg. They can also have smooth, slick coats or rough, wirey-hair coats. They have a double layer of hair to help them brave the elements. These dogs can easily adapt to most any type of environment. The Jack Russel breed is extremely intelligent and easy to train. Because they are so easy to train, they are popular for television and cinema. They are known for their expressive face. Chloe is very expressive. If she wants something, she will sit in front of you and growl and show her teeth, then let a little bark out. It’s so cute- it’s like she is talking to us.

With all of their energy, Jack Russells need daily exercise. If they are living in an apartment, they need to get out for at least 30 minutes a day. The ideal situation would be a descent sized backyard for them to run in. We have to play fetch daily with Chloe. She has a slight obsession with chasing tennis balls. Chloe, like many Jack Russells, loves to talk. Unlike our Boston terrier, Max, Chloe loves to talk–a lot.

Chloe Bell is the baby of our family. I have to admit, I was concerned about getting a Jack Russell at first, but she is a wonderful dog. I would recommend this breed for someone who has the patience to train them. Jack Russells tend to be strong-willed and independent. They can outsmart their owners if dominance isn’t established. Although she can be a handfull, I can’t imagine our household without our Chloe Bell.

I am fascinated by all of my dogs personalities and traits, and I began wondering why they act and look the way they do. I had never thought about researching the breed of my dogs, but this sparked my interest. I did some research over each breed of dog that I have, and found some interesting information. I would highly recommend doing this if you are interested in a certain breed. I will start with Boston terriers.

In the mid 1800′s, Boston terriers were the first breed developed in America to be recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club). Boston terriers were originally bred by the coachmen of wealthy Bostonians. A mixture of English bulldog and white English terrier, the Boston terrier was bred to be a fighting dog. Over the years these adorable dogs have turned into great companions.

Boston terriers are a very popular breed in the United States. This is no surprise considering all of the great characteristics these dogs have. They have short, slick hair that is easy to maintain. Boston terriers have a distinct look. Brindle, seal, or black in color, with a white band across their short muzzle and on their chest. They have the nick-name  “American gentleman” because their unique markings look like they are wearing a tuxedo.

Boston terriers are smart, lively, highly trainable, and they are people lovers. They are very sweet-natured, which makes them great family dogs. I can attest to this because Max wants to be everyone’s best friend. He never meets a stranger. Another great characteristic of Boston terriers is they are quiet, and don’t bark very often. Max rarely barks, and when he does it is low-pitched. Boston terriers are prone to respiratory issues due to their short, deep muzzle. Their short muzzle also causes them to snort, grunt, and snore. Yes, Max does all of this. It’s so funny because sometimes he snores louder than my husband.

I feel so lucky to have found such a wonderful dog. Statistics show that Boston terriers live on average to be 15 years old, or older. I would absolutely recommend this breed of dog to anyone. Boston terriers are full of love and can add tons of comedy into your life.

1. Potty training can be extremely difficult. We have found that kennel-training is the most efficient method. While we are gone, we just put the dog into the kennel and they are less likely to potty in their own area. Of course they can only hold it for so long, but being in the kennel help train them to hold it. Don’t use pee-pee pads. That just confuses the dog by giving them mixed signals about going potty in the house. One last thing, when you are getting ready to go outside and potty, don’t carry the dog. Make them walk to the door on their own because picking them up and carrying them out may confuse them. They will wait for you to carry them outside every time, instead of walking to the door to let you know they need out.

2. Groom your dog regularly. If you start at a young age, it works best. They get used to it and it is much easier. All four of our dogs have short hair, but three of them shed. We brush them with a wire brush to reduce loose hair that eventually falls onto the carpet. The two that shed the worse get haircuts. We shave Tito and Chloe. You would be amazed how big of a difference it makes in the amount of hair in our house. They love it because it is cooler in the summer, and they look so cute with short hair. We were reluctant to shave a pug, but he looks so handsome.

3. Dogs should not have human food. I know that our dogs shouldn’t, but I think that an occasional treat is okay. We usually grill an extra steak or piece of chicken to split between the four of them.We put it into their bowls and they love it. We don’t feed them from the table because they start begging. See http://www.peteducation.com for a list of human foods to avoid.

4. Finally, make sure that your dog gets exercise. It’s good for you and your dog. Get out in the yard and teach them to play fetch with a tennis ball, or take them for a walk around the neighborhood. This can possibly reduce the dogs urges to chew on things, too, because exercise reduces the extra energy. 

These are just a few tips that have helped us train our babies. Everyone has their own preferences and ways of doing things, but this works for us. We have discovered that having a dog at the time of adding a new one to the family helps tremendously. The puppy is able to learn from their big brothers and sisters and pick up on their already developed,  good habits.

Studies have shown that having a pet can reduce a person’s risk of depression. They can also lower a person’s blood pressure. Yes, I said lower blood pressure. Studies show that having a pet can be just as effective, if not more effective, than ACE inhibiting drugs at controlling blood pressure due to stress and tension. Owning a pet can also help you get more exercise. Many dogs need exercise, therefore you will be exercising when you take them for a walk. There are tons of animal lovers out there, and having a pet may make you more approachable. If you are out walking your dog, it is possible that someone will want to talk about your dog, therefore increasing the number of people we meet.

Nothing can beat the unconditional love from animals. They are always there when you need them, they keep all of your secrets,  and they are great snugglers. I can’t imagine my life without my dogs. Life would be so boring! Adopt a pet today, and be a healthier person tomorrow.

Love them or hate them, pet costumes are not going away. Many people find dressing animals up for Halloween to be ridiculous. Personally, I think it is fun. I would never do it if my kids didn’t want to, but some people do get a little carried away with it. Personally, I have never dressed my dogs up for Halloween, but this year I am considering it.

As I have mentioned before, only one of my kids, Ozzie Ann, likes to dress up. In the past I have bought her Halloween t-shirts and sweaters, but never an actual costume. My mom and sister always dress their dogs in costumes, so I figured this year I will give it a shot. My only question is, what should she be? There are so many to choose from! It is too late to order one online, so I will have to go to a local store. I refuse to spend more than $10 to $15 because it probably won’t stay on for long.

I have narrowed it down to a lobster (which is hilarious!), a bumble-bee , or a lady bug. They are all precious, but I cannot decide. I will takes pictures and let the world know how my baby does in her first costume. This is going to be great!

*UPDATE: Ozzie Ann was a bumble-bee and Chloe was a plump pumpkin. The costumes only lasted for about ten minutes, but they were precious. Max kept trying to eat Ozzie’s antennas and Ozzie was trying to bite her wings. Chloe just sat there and sulked. They didn’t love it so I didn’t torture them. They wore them just long enough to get a picture.

If there is a specific breed of dog that you are looking for, it may very possibly be at the shelter. If you don’t find the animal that you desire, you should check the breed organization’s rescue program. This is a group that rescues particular breeds and places them into loving homes. They are often much cheaper and they have a lot to offer.

If you are not looking for a pet, but you are a pet lover, you should look into volunteering at a local animal shelter. Most shelters welcome the extra help because they are operated on government grants only, and they are unable to pay for enough help to maintain quality care for all of the animals. It can be a lot of fun to go help. The animals love the extra interaction with humans.

As I mentioned earlier, please check out the humane society before purchasing a dog from a breeder. There are thousands of animals looking for new homes. Please adopt a pet today and have them spayed or neutered to reduce the over-population of homeless animals. The love from an adopted animal could change your life forever!

We woke up and I got my morning kisses from all of my dogs as usual. I know it sounds crazy, but I sang happy birthday to Chloe as we were walking upstairs. She had no idea what I was saying, she just wanted her morning treat. So I gave them one of their Snaussage Breakfast treats (they are shaped like little fried eggs and pieces of bacon, so cute).

Birthdays are a celebration for all of the animals because they all get the same treats that the birthday doggie gets. For breakfast I scrambled eggs for them, which is one of their favorites. I had to go to class yesterday, so I didn’t think I was going to get to spend the day with my birthday girl. To my surprise, my last class was cancelled and I had a test in my class before that, so I got to go home early. When I got back into town from school I drove through Wendy’s to get some chicken nuggets for the birthday lunch. Then Chloe and I went to Feeder Supply because she needed a new necklace. She got a cute hot pink necklace and then we went home to get ready for dinner. Of course we had to finish the day with a good birthday dinner. We had baked chicken last night, so I cooked two extra pieces of chicken for them to share.

What a wonderful day! I can’t believe the baby of the house is three-years-old. Happy birthday little Chloe Bell!