Dog Reacts To Sarah Palin's Speech

A doggy chomps down on the microphone and reacts with customary willfulness to Sarah Palin's words. If Palin is the attack dog of this political season, a mike munching blonde Lab has the upper jaw.

Bed Manners

Who can dispute the comfort of a dog on the bed? Dog Lady writes of this in USA Weekend magazine. In England, after the chief veterinary surgeon spoke out about the practice of bedding with doggy, his warning resonated across Europe. Nonetheless, dog lovers say fear of superbugs won't stop them.
(This painting, "Master Bedroom," is an Andrew Wyeth classic)

Oprah Promotes Shelter Dogs

(Sophie and Oprah in happier times as they gussied up for a fancy luncheon)

(Diva, attired as an Oprah orphan, was adopted from the SPCA's Cincinnati shelter.)

Oprah Winfrey, talk host and cultural phenomenon, encourages her dog disciples to adopt shelter strays in a new show.

"Oprah" stringer, Lisa Ling, presents a dire report on puppy mills, calling these dank dens where dogs are churned out like marshmallow peeps "horrific" and "haunting." Winfrey decries the mills and pronounces herself an old dog's new best friend. "I would never, ever adopt another pet now without going to a shelter to do it. I am a changed woman after seeing this show," she says.

Winfrey dedicates the episode to Sophie, her late cocker spaniel and first dog, who died after 13 years. While dabbing her eyes, Oprah speaks very movingly of her bond to Sophie. The queen of all media is only human when describing her beloved pet's medical travails. Her mournful tribute reminds us no one is immune from loving and losing a dog -- no matter how much money is spent. By the way, "Sophie" is also the name of the straw corporation that recently bought a penthouse for Gayle King, Winfrey's great friend.

Oprah lost another dog last summer, golden retriever Gracie, when the animal choked on a plastic ball. At the time, Winfrey said she was distraught over the loss.

Sophie and Winfrey's goldens retrievers were purchased from breeders, but Winfrey declares she is never going on this route again in adopting dogs. Winfrey got the idea for the show from a billboard posted in Chicago. She wants "anybody anywhere who loves a dog, has ever loved a dog, or just cares about their basic right to humane treatment" to tune in. As you might imagine, the audience will be vast and hugely admiring. Dog Lady, who can barely read the "pets" section of Craigslist without tearing up, will try to watch without bawling.

God Loves A Terrier (Even This One)

Dog Lady stumbled upon this charming blog that celebrates the cairn terrier. The blogger has been silent for awhile, but previous postings reflect a quirky take on all things terrier. You can even find the lyrics to Dog Lady's favorite song, "God Loves A Terrier," the showstopper sung by Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara in the Christopher Guest mockumentary, "Best In Show" (with a wink to Westminster).

A Warm-Fuzzy Dog Show Person

Dog Lady must confess she still hasn't figured out the whole dog show world. Sure, she watches on TV and will be tuning into Westminster when it airs in February, but there still seems something detached about everybody who participates at dog shows -- as if they view the dogs somewhat differently than the rest of us who are besotted. Maybe Dog Lady feels this way because she watched the movie "Best In Show" too many times. Also, her darling dog would not be allowed to enter a winners' circle because he has too many physical quirks (a twisted tail and rotating kneecap. He's also fixed). Still, Dog Lady believes he should never be cast aside in any arena as a less than perfect specimen.

Karen Norteman, however, seems a dog show person with a charming sense and soothing perspective as she leads her readers through the various ups and downs of competition with her bearded collie. Her blog is user and dog friendly.

Barney, First Dog, A Little Gray Around the Edges

These annual holiday White House videos starring Barney, the First Scottie, used to be cute. Last year's provided the perfect fodder for comedian Jon Stewart to riff and ruff through. This year, Stewart's out of production and Barney seems out of material.

The basic plot here is that Barney and his lady Miss Beazley want to be National Park rangers, with cameo appearances by President George Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, the Bush daughters, and former British prime minister Tony Blair who has the best line about Scots "doing well."

Stick with this to the bitter end because, after the credits, you see an outtake of Bush chasing after Barney. The squat Scot has a mind of his own.

The Doggy Style of "Sex"

(Isabella in Virginia wants to know the breed of the tiny dog, Mr. Winkle, the scene-stealer at Carrie's (Sarah Jessica Parker) book signing. Mr. Winkle is actually a miniscule mutt of no discernible pedigree except cuteness. )

Dog Lady gets a ton of questions from all over the world, but no topic piques her readers' curiousity more than the dogs in "Sex And the City," the beloved HBO comedy now playing endlessly on DVD and in reruns. Just today, Dog Lady got this query from Kaitlyn in Edmonton, Canada: "On a "Sex And the City" episode titled "Easy Come, Easy Go," what was the breed of dog Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) had at the beginning of the episode?" Answer: Dog Lady hasn't a clue. Miranda Hobbes always seemed a dogless sort. (Readers, if you know, please share).

"Sex And the City," the TV series, must have been written by dog lovers because mutts as metaphors figure prominently in many plotlines-- particularly in the barren case of Charlotte (Kristin Davis). Dog Lady has catalogued these canines. However, it appears Candace Bushnell, the original author of "Sex And the City," is clueless about four-legged friends on her TV spawn. This according to a snarky report in Gawker, the Manhattan media rag to which Dog Lady is shamelessly addicted.

Sure, She Could Date Other Barneys

Kenzie is a shameless Youtube hussy whose come-on video bids Barney, the First Dog, hither. Actually, Kenzie tells Barney she will go thither and romp around the White House. By now, Barney must know about Kenzie because her Youtube video has drawn an insanely large number of viewers as well as a featured spot on ABC's "20/20."
Kenzie is quite the rare bird. She's a wheaton Scottish terrier, a tart with beige icing. Now, she flaunts it for Barney -- and for anyone else who wants to see the most adorable dog video maybe ever. Kenzie's keepers are travel buffs and multimedia mavens. They have created many Scottie Tails videos and slide shows on their site to show off their dogs in poses around the world.

Wolf Or Stuffed Animal?

The issue of designer dog breeds -- to wit, pugs crossed with beagles produce puggles -- is explored by Jon Mooallem in the New York Times magazine (2/04/07). Mooallem theorizes the trend toward "doodles" and "puggles" is based on human vanity. We seek our dogs to serve our selfish needs -- our laziness about training, our macho about wanting a dog who's not a frou-frou purse puppy, or our space limitations in a post-modern world. The reporter's journey took him to a cross-breeding puppy factory in Wisconsin where he witnessed a terrible dog fight and an injured stud poodle limping into a corner. Dog Lady worries about the canine crazy quilt trend. Although the puggle label is fetching, this mutt-by-any-other-name could have all sorts of issues medically and tempermentally since the two breeds are at direct evolutionary odds with each other -- ie. pugs have runny noses; beagles run with their noses. Check out other designer cross breeds. These are harmless. No real dogs were hurt in the breeding of these jokes.

Piercing and Dyeing: Dog Lady Don'ts

As the year begins, Dog Lady gives a shout-out to the seekers who've written "Ask Dog Lady" with their funny, touching, tough, or puffball queries about dogs, life and love. Whether you've read the columns online, or in the newspapers; whether you've typed up askdoglady.com directly or stumbled upon "Ask Dog Lady" via search string, Dog Lady thanks all her readers. Without you, this lady would be just another dame looking for work.

Thank you for making "Ask Dog Lady" one of the "most popular" advice sites in the Yahoo! directory. And thank you for caring enough about the mysterious critters in your life -- both canine and human -- to bother asking "Ask Dog Lady."

Dog Lady wishes she could answer every query, but some inquiries leave her gasping for answers. To wit -- or witless, as the case may be -- there are those befogged bowser keepers who want to know whether to dye a Chinese crested's crest fuschia or hang hoops from Pomeranian ears. . .

Dear Dog Lady,

Sally, Chula Vista, CA

People, please understand that dogs are living creatures. They do not ask to be draped, dyed and decorated. Their ears are their most precious asset and dogs' fur and skin are extremely sensitive. To tamper with these natural gifts seems abusive, although some get-a-life folks on a Dogster message board disagree and chat happily about dog jewelry.

Persnickety Dog Lady doesn't dream of dressing her darling in studs or chandeliers. She advises not to pierce skin or dye hair on your pet. Final answer.

Cesar Salad

Cesar Millan, the eponymous Dog Whisperer, takes a tough love approach to dog training. Perhaps too tough. One of Millan's clients, a TV producer, has sued.

The National Geographic Channel, which airs "The Dog Whisperer" on Fridays at 8 p.m., stands up for its star Cesar, cash cow.

Millan's methods seem heroic and balletic to Malcolm Gladwell who wrote a profile in the New Yorker (May 22). Gladwell finds Millan's tipping point, which is the trainer's extreme grace under pressure when soothing those savage beasts that bite and steal. Millan blames human troubles for dog problems. Read this interview with Gladwell in which he talks glowingly about Millan.

As might have been expected, Gladwell received a hefty amount of nips for his profile elevating Millan to pop angel cult status and bestowing unto the dog trainer unearthly powers. Gladwell disseminates and dissects the criticism on his blog.

A tail from the dark side is this op-ed by a dog expert decrying Millan and his punitive methods. The author argues the cult of Cesar has bombed dog behavioral training back to the stone age.

And the Dog Whisperer's "walk 'em 'til they roll belly-up" methods are ripe for satire, as seen in this recent episode of Comedy Central's "South Park," when Cartman's exasperated mother hires Millan to train her psycho son. Millan and mom put the brash butterball on a leash and beat down his evil spirits.

When all is said and done, read "Et Tu Cesar?" and find out what Dog Lady thinks of Millan.

Woof Weidersehen

Dog Lady grew weary of sobbing through "Animal Precinct" so she switched channels to "Project Runway," the reality series on Bravo, hosted by Heidi Klum with a supporting cast of various flaks and flakes. Dog Lady's darling is Tim Gunn, the rap-their-knuckles headmaster from the Parsons School of Design who keeps the frosh designers in line.

In an early episode, the challenge centered on dogs as fashion accessories, which was a totally tasteless concept -- until the fashions hit the runway. The crew of misfits and perfect fits had to design a garment inspired by a dog, with companion duds for the canine muse. Such fantasy got Dog Lady thinking of the outfit her own dog would spark in a couturier's imagination. Try as she might to see leather and lace, Dog Lady comes back to reversible plaid and brown oxfords. Oh well.

Uli won the challenge by imagining a kicky career woman in a knockout chic print. She also designed a very cute outfit for the pug Einstein, which doesn't impress Dog Lady one bit since she abhors dressing dogs in clothes.

Dog Lady grudgingly sided with the obnoxious Keith, who refused to design canine togs. (He has since been booted from the show). And Dog Lady winced while watching a Yorkie writhe on the runway as the dog tried desperately to shed his sailor hat. At that moment, "Project Runway" became a lot like "Animal Precinct." But New York's animal cops never arrived to rescue the fashion victim Yorkie.

Tim's blog tells the whole story of the dog challenge, with pictures of the designers, models and doggies.

An Ocean Of Devotion

Devotion, indeed, as Emily Scott Pottruck discovered in her journey to write and self-publish “Tails of Devotion: A Look At the Bond Between People and Their Pets.” She was spurred to explore this fertile territory when her 5-pound Yorkie, Andy, made a near-miraculous recovery after a being attacked by a much larger dog. “At first, doctors thought his neck and back were broken,” Pottruck writes in the introduction. “They wanted to put him down, but they soon realized they would have to put me down at the same time.”

Pottruck’s book contains handsome photographs and hand-written stories of deep attachment from a remarkably diverse a group of pet keepers, some of whom articulate the same undying loyalty toward beloved lizards and snakes as the dog devotees express toward their woofers. Novelist Amy Tan wrote the preface, which includes a lovely “Ode to Our Perfect Companions.” The book costs $29.95 -- a bargain considering you get both a beautiful book and the satisfaction of knowing all proceeds benefit animal charities.

Caring Canines

Dog Lady remembers speaking during Volunteer Appreciation Day to members of the Caring Canines, a remarkable non-profit group of healers who take their dogs into schools, nursing homes and hospitals to comfort the afflicted. All participants in Caring Canines -- on two or four feet -- have big hearts. Dog Lady, while flattered to have been asked to address this pet crowd, couldn't impart any wisdom they didn't already know about keeping and loving an animal.

Dog Lady posts this endorsement to encourage those who believe their dog can be a messenger of warmth to think about joining a similar therapy dog program in your area. Also, for anyone who wants to give a woof of approval and a donation to support the on-going good works of this valued assistance group.

Watch It And Weep

Never has Dog Lady seen a more touching display of unabashed, unrehearsed dog love. This video was made back in September 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina when Lisa Ling and Nate Berkus of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" happened upon a man who wouldn't leave his dog. Berkus offered to help the man whose emotional reaction will touch your heart. Even Oprah, who knows the power of doggy devotion, seems overcome. This video was recently re-posted on "Crooks and Liars" to remind us of the mayhem caused by Katrina on the eve of the New Orleans mayoral runoff.

Scared Poopless

Dog Lady sees a lot of dog books. Most of them are cute but inconsequential. Scared Poopless: The Straight Scoop on Dog Care has substance. Jan Rasmusen, a loving dog keeper if ever there was one, has exhaustively researched this compendium on holistic and alternative canine care. The book addresses all those issues that we dog owners ponder: Are yearly vaccinations necessary? Should you really serve up kibble stinking of puke? Does it hurt doggy to graze in the garden?

The enterprising Rasmusen was inspired to write all this when her dog Jiggy became ill. She has published the book herself, with inspiration from Jiggy and her adorable Maltese Chiclet whose bromides and cute pix are scattered throughout the text. "Scared Poopless" is a remarkable effort. To order, go to Rasmusen's Web site.

Dogcast Radio

Watch out Howard Stern. Here's real dog star radio. Thanks to Julie and Anthony of Dogcast for making wonderful sense of Dog Lady's blitherings. Hope you enjoy a laugh or two. Dr. Stanley Coren may not be too amused, but Dog Lady is honored to share top billing with this man who knows how they think and what they say.

"Beautiful" Memories

Oliver was his official name. Beautiful was his last nickname. He was an Irish setter who walked here, chased here, played here, loved here. After Oliver died in 2004, his owner created this Web site to celebrate the dog's life and mourn his death. Dog Lady is very touched. This is a poignant memorial to a beloved pet whose wise ways live on. Anyone who has lost a dog will relate -- and be comforted.

No Mixed Mutts

Here's a complete AKC list of all recognized purebred dogs. Dog Lady just thought she'd throw this link in because she gets so many letters asking about specific breeds (Big One: What kind of dog is the Target dog? Answer: Bull terrier.)

This list does not include all the popular oodle, puggle, and shepherd-somethings. Also, Dog Lady does not endorse getting a purebred over a mutt mix.

Barney, You're Doing A Heckuva Job

Dog Lady admits she stole this headline from another blog, but she had to because it's just so clever. In The Washington Post's roundup of 2005, President George W. Bush's famous praise for David Brown, the ex-chief of FEMA -- "Brownie, you're doing a heckuva job" -- was chosen as the quote of the year.

World problems and domestic issues are sent to the dog house for the annual holiday video featuring President and Mrs. Bush and their pets, Barney and Miss Beazley. In this edition, Barney suffers jealousy and hides gifts of mass destruction.

What's In A Name?

Dog Lady is grateful to her careful readers for pointing about gaffes and glitches on her Web site. One such reader, the webmaster of a helpful site full of dog and cat names, cited several dead links on Dog Lady's pages and suggested Dog Lady add her lively link. After checking it out, Dog Lady can't help but endorse this exhaustive compendium of pet monikers. It's a must for those of you tired of "Lucy," "Spike" and "Rags."

A Snowball's Chance In Hell

The waters have receded. The clean up begins. The world's largest animal shelter in Gonzales, Louisiana has closed. And the legend of Snowball has morphed into myth. Still, the Web reminders linger about the terrible toll of Hurricane Katrina.

The Web site that began as a quest and a plea for reward money to reunite a dog named Snowball with its owner has grown into a chaotic space filled with stories of loss and rescue. Dog Lady finds all this very badly designed but quite compelling.

Canine Couture

Regular readers of "Ask Dog Lady" know Dog Lady does not cotton to garments spun from dog fur. Dog Lady simply cannot imagine wearing her hairy darling as a scarf, sweater or mittens. However, there are veteran weavers and knitters who delight in recycling brushed dog dander -- "chiengora" for cognoscenti -- into a fashion statement. This cozy link tells you how. Alas, Dog Lady will still take a pass.

http://www.geocities.com/roverscomb/

For New Yorkies and Other Downtown Dogs

While Dog Lady does not endorse the commercial dog walking or petsitting services of Downtown Pets, she certainly can promote the many resources for Big Apple dog keepers on this generous Web site, including information about training, leash laws, spaying and neutering, and a fun dog blog.

www.downtownpets.com

Ageless Tails

A reader asks about classic dog literature and Dog Lady has dug up this exhaustive list, as well as a collection of short stories.

http://www.dogbooks.com/lit.htm

http://www.woodslane.com.au/woodslane/searchresults.asp?isbn=1592284574

Murphy's Law

Even if Dog Lady did not personally know Craig Wilson, the USA Today columnist and his partner Jack Cahill, she would have teared up reading this tribute Wilson recently wrote about their late dog Murphy, the wheaten terrier that lapped up dinner rolls and barked at fashion victims. For anyone who has ever loved a dog, the story of Murphy, the dog who lived well and died at home, will resonate deeply.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/columnist/finalword/2005-03-22-final-word_x.htm

Angels For Adoption

Newsweek singles out the remarkable Petfinder as achieving cult status in America's soft heart for animals. Check out the site of abandoned animals seeking homes. You may find the guardian angel of your dreams.

http://www.petfinder.com

Lawyering Up

Many questions involving canine issues are addressed here by a New York attorney who handles legal dogfights. The entire compendium of complications -- from custody to heartless coop boards enforcing petless policies -- makes for compelling reading. Turns out Dog Lady has not heard it all.

http://urbanhound.com/houndLaw/theLawyerIsIn.asp

Dog Story For the Ages

People, click on this link and read this story from the Boston Globe. You'll cry. You'll laugh. You'll look at your dog (s) in a whole new light. Dog Lady did.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/01/30/incredible_journey/

Dog Town

The Boston area is Dog Town -- lots of dogs and lots of conscientious dog owners. Dog Lady tips her hat to Boston Pooch, a great site for sorting through many matters Hub canine related. Check it out.

http://www.bostonpooch.com

Miss Beazley, Another Weapon of Mass Distraction

President and Mrs. George W. Bush show off their new Scottish terrier, Miss Beazley, to the White House press corps. The war still rages in Iraq as the search for weapons of mass destruction has been called off, but the president, once again, shows off his impeccable pooch politics. His relationship with Barney, Beazley's elder brother, seems to be one of the most sustaining of any in his inner circle.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/barney/#

Helplessly Romantic? Or Just Helpless?

Dog Lady singles out a marvelously funny site that makes satiric hash of all those personal ad venues such as match.com and eharmony.

Nothing Personal Ads and Advice features nutty straight and gay profiles that may remind you of your last bad date. Also, read the hysterical advice from "experts" who give Dr. Phil a run for his money. Each time Dog Lady reads Nothing Personal -- and she's giggled through it a dozen times or more -- she starts to laugh out loud.

www.nothingpersonalads.com

Houndini

CBS News presented this charming story of a smart escape artist in London's Battersea Dog Home, a London facility for strays. Red, a Greyhound mix, figured out how to open the door of his cage and then release all the other gates to let the dogs out. The pound's officials were stumped about how the dogs were constantly escaping from their cages, so they put cameras in the pound and were amazed when they saw Red work his magic.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/04/eveningnews/main647343.shtml

Shoulder To Cry On

Losing a pet is one of the greatest sadnesses, although often the grieving feel very alone. Society still doesn't have much sympathy for anyone whose animal dies. "Get another" is the most predictable response. The Internet, however, provides a community for people to share their stories, their poems, their memories. And this site is the definitive wailing wall.

http://www.petloss.com

Dog Daze (The Real Stars)

OK, OK, Dog Lady knows on her home page she defined the term "dog days" as astronomical and not canine topical, But check out these great photos of dogs on vacation, as captured on boston.com, and you'll see the definitive word on dogs having their day.

http://www.boston.com/travel/newengland/specials/travel_with_pets/dogs/

Urban Dog Magazine

Urban Dog Magazine is smart, stylish and full of savvy woofs for city or country rovers -- and their human companions. Dog Lady is quite discriminating in her literary tastes. And the conventional dog magazines can seem so yesterday. Dog Lady let her subscriptions run out long ago. Urban Dog, on the other hand, makes you believe in classy canine lit. With its unique features and photography, the magazine taps into the high-minded fun, humor and joy of keeping a dog. Check it out. Oh, and if you hunt closely, you might be able to find a Dog Lady and her muse.

http://www.urbandogmagazine.com

Beam Me Up, Scotties

Good beat, easy to dance to -- not! Instead, this eccentric selection of charming songs about dogs will make you smile. A folkie named Ipse Heather (Dog Lady, once a Latin scholar, translates the name as "herself Heather") plunks on the acoustic guitar and sings of Goldens, Boxers (naturally, there's a song called "Boxer Shorts") and Scotties, of whom Ipse Heather seems particularly enraptured. You will find an ode to Barney Bush, but there are also celebratory songs of Scotties' instincts, independence, and inclination to munch vermin, as well as tear-jerker ditties about elderly Scotties and a Scottie in a shelter. Listen and marvel at how many weird and wonderful sounds float around the Internet.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=172867

South Bitch Diet

After Dog Lady got her dog, she walked off a few stones, as the Brits might say. The weight loss was only one fabulous benefit of having a dog, but it was significant. As the "South Beach Diet" now tops the non-fiction bestseller list, here is another diet that doesn't get as much attention -- the "South Bitch Diet." Dogs are the best diet tools on four legs because they prompt the release of human endorphins. A pet can make you feel happy about exercising. In an article for a New England e-zine, writer Marcia Passos Duffy chronicles how her golden retriever got her off the treadmill.

http://www.theheartofnewengland.com/backporch-0404.html

Beagling the 'Net

Dog Lady confesses she's no blogging beagle. She's still sniffing through the thicket of Web diaries and site sitings. However, a few of the smarter blogs have caught her eye, mainly because these masters of the craft have spotted her first.

Dog Lady must admit she loves the name "buttscratch," which is the name of a political blog "from a left-leaning german shepard."

http://buttscratch.blogspot.com/

French-roast.com is sassy and smart and has linked Dog Lady as a "peops I don't know, but might like if I did" (which is probably true).

http://www.french-roast.com

While caught in the spirit of shameless self-promotion, Dog Lady should also mention that USA Today recently named askdoglady.com as a "hot" site. Regardless of Dog Lady's sizzle, the archive of USAT chosen sites is an impressive Web compendium.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/hotsites/2004/2004-04-28-hotsites.htm

Wags On Wheels

Where am I going? When will I come back? Our dogs take a blind leap when they jump up into our vehicles. They merely want to go along for the ride. This engaging, eccentric site features hundreds of pictures of dogs riding in cars or trucks. Jerome Turner, a British freelance writer and designer, has amassed the photos and assembled them on a crisply-designed, easily navigable site. These dear dogs who hopped aboard without a clue as to the destination remind us to enjoy the journey. Unconditional canine trust and devotion are the underlying sweet messages of "Dogs In Cars." Turner seeks donations to keep the distinctive site riding on the Web.

http://mysite.freeserve.com/jezturner/dogsincars/about.html