The Dog Company: Newsletter

Volume 60 - January 30, 2004

Materials in this newsletter are the sole possession of the authors and Dog Company. Please do not copy or use in any fashion without written permission

This is a classic trick! This can be the beginning of great service for you! Your owner loves to relax and you know you love to work!

You've been taught to retrieve and have practiced with different things of different textures to bring back. So this will be another one of those.

Have a folded newspaper (just one section). Tape it with duct tape on both ends so it can't unroll. The paper gets tossed out ... "TAKE IT....BRING THE PAPER" YOU RUN OUT, GRAB ON AND BRING IT BACK. Geeesh, how easy is that! This will go on until you readily just go for it, then ..........

ONE morning when your owner goes to get the paper, there will be two. One for you (she put it out earlier) and one for her. Your's has the tape. If you're still not sure, she will pick hers up first and then tell you "TAKE IT, BRING THE PAPER." You grab yours ... gently now .. and carry it into the kitchen (or where ever she reads hers) and give it to her. IF YOUR PAPER COMES IN A PLASTIC BAG OR IS DONE UP IN RUBBER BANDS, GREAT!

Now when you hear that all too familiar thud as the paper arrives (hopefully on your porch) you will be able to go and get and bring it in........CLEVER DOG THAT YOU ARE!

If the paper person is a terrible tosser and it lands on the roof.... NOT YOUR PROBLEM! Perhaps your owner will encourage the paper person to aim better by telling them there is a tip at the end of the month if the paper is on the porch for you everyday.

Why not...you're worth it! GO FETCH IT!

Woof...Sweep ^..^~~!

(To our advertisers: we'd love to hear if your ad in the Woof was successful. Please drop us a line and let us know.)

Home Wanted: Black, Beautiful, and looking to be your one and only

My name is Shadow. I'm a great dog, mid sized, built like a Greek God and I love to play and run! I am three years old. As you can see, I have a great smile to go along with my good looks. Like everyone else I have one or two small quicks...for me, I want to be your one and only! My parents love me and I know it. I have had a wonderful home with them and I am very well trained. However, I don't know how it happened, but they had a baby! Can you believe it! It has no fur, no teeth, no bark, no walk or run. What were they thinking! Anyway, I like the little guy and all, but really I wanted to be the one and only. I have tried to show them I am not happy about it all; I have started barking and just being a brat, lIke when I was little. Now they have said they can't take the baby back...so I have asked if I could find someone who, like me, wants me to be their life. I know you're out there. Please email jasnlis@shaw.ca or call 544-1018. I can't come to the phone but Jason or Lisa are good about taking messages.

Tail wagging and waiting....Shadow

Wanted: Your 'articles', your 'For Sales', your 'Want Ads', your birthday wishes, your letters to Mam'selle, your ......... ????? By Wed. Feb.11th .... for the next Woof, please...... mailto:peni@dogcompany.com

(Disclaimer: Advertisements posted by the Woof are done as a service, not as an endorsement. Please communicate directly with the ad contact for further information on any items.)

Dear, Mam'selle,

My boyfriend is starting to get a bit rough when we play. He likes to put his head over top of mine, and sometimes, he sort of opens his mouth near my neck or face. We really get along well most of the time, but I'm getting a bit afraid of him when he acts like this. I've not told him off yet, but I've raised my hackles a couple of times. What do you think is happening, and what do we do it about it?

Timid Teeney

Dear T.T.

Sounds like the fun play has been kicked up a notch and he is becoming dominant during your play sessions. One thing you can do is make sure you play only where your people can keep an eye on the situation. If they don't seem to notice, you can bring it to their attention; at the first move the boyfriend makes to get rough, run to your people and sit beside them. They will soon figure something is up and keep a close eye. If they tell you to stop being such a baby and tell him off...... well, I feel sorry that you have parents who just don't get it. In that case just don't play with this dog at all anymore. Sooner or later it will be a big fight and you will get hurt!

woof...Poutine ^..^~~!

Have I told you lately about my flyball career and teammates? Nah, I haven't mentioned that at all, so must be time to bring you up to date. After all, I am a sport dog wannabe.

A while ago, we had a whole bunch of newcomers trying to learn about flyball. One of these was my big buddy, Chinook. Now Chinook, for those of you who don't know him, is kinda big. He's an Irish Wolfhound and Great Pyrenee cross with maybe a little bit of moose thrown in for good measure. Don't let his size fool you though - he's really a great guy. You should see him get down to play with little dogs. Anyway, he was in the group learning flyball. He really enjoyed the part about running up to the box - he hardly even needed to jump the hurdles - he just sort of stepped over them. Unfortunately, he could also jump over the ball box and that's what he did - more than once. He just didn't care to hit the box with his feet and get the ball out. He did trip the box sometimes, but getting that ball and bringing it back just wasn't his thing. I'm not sure if he's gonna come back and try again later on.

Muggles was another of the new dogs learning to play. She was the opposite of Chinook - she was little, but boy oh boy, she had a voice. When she started off, you'd think she was going to tear Carla apart from the sound of the growls but it was all for show! She'd scurry up and over the jumps, hit the box, grab the ball and come tearing back..... most of the time! She really liked playing and decided to stay on and join the team when her lessons were over. We're all happy about that because that means the jumps stay down lower.

We had some new border collies learning to play, too. Jim was one, and he's joined the team. He's a guy I can relate to - he sometimes goofs up too! Young Katie and Dodger both learned a bit, but maybe they were a bit too young, 'cause they didn't really get too interested. I bet they try again later when they're older.... in fact, Dodger did come to a practice just last week and again this week; he's starting to catch on, too. If he takes after his big brother, Rabbit, he'll be really good.

Missy is another furface who took the lessons and decided to stay on. She's all black, really fast, and she and I often have words! Think maybe I'm jealous because she's so much faster than me, but I should get it over it, I know. After all, I do hit the box better than she does! In fact, I'm starting to really make that swimmer's turn the human people keep talking about. My speed is getting better too, so I guess I'd better please Mom and try to not have such an attitude!! There were a few others who tried our game, but they decided it wasn't for them I guess. I've heard that a new pup, Bustle, will be starting lessons later on probably. He's another little dog, so I know Mom will really get on my case if I'm not polite.

I've not mentioned the others who are part of the team already - that's Rabbit and Bela and Saffron. Sweep has retired from flyball, and Saffron is getting ready to, so I guess that means we young ones need to really get our act together. We've never gone in a tournament, but I think the coach is starting to think we might be getting ready. Wish us luck.... we'll need it!

HRH Trouble (athlete with attitude)

Little Barbara was terrified of dogs, and when a puppy ran over, barking and wagging its tail, she jumped into her mother's arms. "Calm down," said her mother. "Look at its tail go. See how happy it is to see you?"

Barbara looked from the tail to the mouth and asked, "How do you know which end to believe?"

Man is a dog's idea of what God should be.
-Holbrook Jackson

German Shepherds have 225 million cell receptors in their noses, making them ideal for police work and search and rescue activities.

"Slick" Martin Fitzpatrick - Oct.1989 - Jan. 2004

It is with the deepest regret that my sisters and I must tell you that our brother, Slick, has passed away.

Slick was a very special guy. He has told us many times that he was thankful for all his family - dogs and humans who totally adored him. Everyone loved the "Slickman;" he gave total love, attention and devotion and he received it back a hundred fold. Slick's most favourite person in the world was our mom Peni. There was nothing he would not do for her. He had a fabulous life that has been full of adventures. In the past 15 years, he has starred in movies, done commercials, took part in free style dance, Frisbee demos, Sheep herding, scaring away the birds at the golf course, Agility and Flyball (Slick was still a competitive flyall dog at 11 years of age), visits to schools and visiting hospitalized kids, etc. shows for the elderly..the list just goes on and on. All his human grandchildren, and all kids actually, loved him as he was always willing to play ball or snuggle..... he could nuzzle a hot dog out of any kid's hand at a family BBQ by leaning against them so they had no choice but to love him up and he would just slip that wiener out of the bun. We learned from the best! He had all kinds of tricks like that. Now you know why he was called "Slick"

Some of his favourite things: he loved drinking from the toilet and leaving wet drips on the seat and he loved to take his time to sniff all the flowers and pee on as many as he could. Most of all he loved Peni and loved to lay across Peni's lap during his review of the movies (Slick's Flicks). He loved our new puppy the moment she came through the door and was very sweet to her and let her snuggle him and walk with him. Slick liked his sleep over girl friend "Mindy" - those Aussie terrorists had a thing for him. He loved all snacks, walks, cars rides, dogs, children, old people, Jim coming home from work, and going and being with Peni. He loved sharing warm, cuddled together sleeps with us girls and on all the warm, summer days, he liked to stretch out on the sun deck ... sleeping in the sun or just being able to be close to Peni. In the last few months he didn't want Peni out of his sight.

Over the past couple of months, Slick was slowing down quite a bit, and our walks were slower than some of the other dogs would have preferred but we knew the "Old Boy" still wanted to be part of it all, so we let him set the pace. He would like to thank his friend, Trouble and her mom, Marg, for keeping him company on some of the walks. Truby always had a big kiss for him each time she saw him; he knew he still had it "with the ladies." Slick's human girl friends, Brianna and Carina, always made a fuss over him on the walks too; he had a lot of friends, human and canine, in the "Canine Trail Blazers".

Slick passed away in loving arms of his family and under the care of his devoted Vet, Dr. Lorie Clarke, who knew it was his time.

"Slick" - awesome dog, faithful friend, great teacher....... Jump, run .. be joyful with your sister "Chase" and your brother "Jiggs!"

woof..Sweep, Poutine & Swift ^..^~~!

"He was my friend, my partner, my dog. I was his life, his love, his leader. He was mine and I was his - faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. I owed it to him to be worthy of his devotion."

His paw prints on my heart forever....Peni Fitzpatrick ^..^~~!

The Rufus Chronicle - by C.W. Gusewelle
It's about love and time and not wasting either. It's funny, you'll cry .. but you'll love it!

In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.
- English proverb

It's tough being a cat. For one thing, we have to put up with dogs living in our houses and getting far more than their fair share of the attention. Consider my case. There's Trub - she gets to go off with Mom all the time, she gets treats and when people come to visit, they make a big fuss over her. Look at what happened when the folks went away and we had babysitters. Sure they fed me like they did her, I got to sleep on the bed as usual although they didn't seem to like being awoken early but when the folks came home, it was was always "Truby this and Truby that" in the stories they told Mom and Dad; the only thing they said about me was that I had my claws out when I was trying to tell them it was breakfast time. (It was an accident, really!)

Not only is there Trub in the house, I have to put up with Kaleb part of the time. That boy is big! He's not allowed to chase me, thank goodness, but he's sure interested in me though. If I venture out of the bedroom, he's watching every move I make, just quivering with eagerness. I don't know what's going through his mind, but I figure I'm probably safest if I keep away from him.

Another thing that makes it tough being a cat is finding a place to get comfortable. I keep moving around the house but sometimes Mom doesn't seem to appreciate the places I try. Like right now, in this cooler weather, the mantel above the heater in the living room is pretty good. So, I might accidentally knock a picture down... what's the big deal? I'm warm and that's what should be the most important thing, right? I used to get on top of the aquarium 'til I found this new spot and Mom had a problem with that too - she said I scared the fish.

I guess I'm probably better off than some cats. Mom told me about seeing all sorts of cats who had to look after themselves when she and Dad were away and Peni said she saw some where she went too. At least I have a home.

We've had news of Blu... even if it did come from that Sadie dog again! It's been awhile, so you might need a reminder that Blu is standing trial, falsely accused of trashing the house when it was really all the two dogs' fault!

Good afternoon, folks. Sadie Snoop Beagle here, reporting live from a news conference held jointly with Dr. C. U. Well of the Uptown Animal Wellness Clinic and Passit On, Court Communications Officer.

"Passit, what is happening with the trial involving the Troublesome Threesome? Some feel the delay is a deliberate tactic on the part of the Crown to quell the public meowing of King Kat's innocence. What do you have to say?"

"Well, folks, as you know Judge Owl has taken ill. It is the decision of the Attorney General's office that the court proceedings involving the Troublesome Threesome be recessed until such time as Judge Owl is ready to resume his duties. The Attorney General himself has stated that this case is too important to assign a new judge and take the chance of the Defense seeking a call for mistrial."

"Passit - when do you anticipate Judge Owl will return?"

"I'll let Dr. Well respond to your question."

"Folks, my name is Dr. C. U. Well and I'm the exotic decease specialist at the local Wellness clinic. Judge Owl is indeed sick - most likely just the plain old flu. However, it has come to my attention that Maki Tanaki, one of the Judge's cousins visiting from Asia is also sick. As you are all aware, there is a terrible epidemic of the Bird Flu happening in that part of the world. As a precaution, we have quarantined both Judge Owl and Mr. Tanaki until such time as we are sure neither of them are carriers of Bird Flu. Staff at Wellness hope to know more by next week. In the meantime, the trial has been put on hold as Ms On has already announced."

"Dr. Well - this is terrible news. Why haven't you isolated all the two and four-legged critters that attended the first court sessions? Aren't you taking a chance of the Bird Flu epidemic spreading here?"

"Folks, at this time there is no evidence that either Judge Owl or Mr. Tanaki have the Bird Flu. The quarantine is strictly a precautionary measure. I have nothing further to say."

"But, but, sir ........ Folks, I don't believe this is happening. What a shocking news release. I'll have to stick my nose in someone's face to get to the butt of this. Sadie Beagle signing off for now. Don't worry folks, you haven't heard the last of this."

And how about some of you other felines? Try writing something and I'll put it in the Purrrrr... would be great to hear from you.

Cleocatra
(Cats rule .... dogs drool!)

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