Walking and Reading: 8|10|13
Feb. 9, 1928. Washington, D.C. “Peter Pan, wire-haired terrier pet of the personal secretary to President Coolidge and Mrs. Edward T. Clark, arrived at the White House today attired in ‘flapper galoshes‘.” (source)
For the Dogs:
So many of us are waiting for veterinarians to catch on to the idea that they can (and should) make exams less scary, less stressful, and more compassionate for our pets. Thank you Dr. V for writing about Fear Free Vet Practices.
Architecture for Dogs (Isn’t that Bark-i-tecture? Ugh. Sorry). The “Wanmock” might be a real hit.
You may want to think twice about signing for an unexpected package if you live in Brunete, Spain. Warning: poop ahead.
For the Humans:
If you love books, animals, and libraries, this amazing collection of great reads and the paper art they inspired will make you giddy.
Our failures of kindness may be our greatest regrets. George Saunder’s advice to graduates has (rightly) gone viral. It hit me square in the chest.
For the Laugh:
Suzanne Clothier posted this Cookie Monster video as a reminder to teach your dogs self control. It may be the best dog training/dance song/puppet advice ever produced. I can’t stop watching it: Me Want it, But Me Wait.
And Offline: I finally finished On Looking – really good! I’ve also been reading an amazing book I picked up at an antique store called “Our Town and City Animals” which was published by the ASPCA in 1937 as part of their humane education program. As soon as I’m done, I’ll share some of it with you!
Comments are closed.
notes from a dog walker 
I seriously don’t think that there is a better vet in the world than my vet. My dogs dig her. And I can take them in for fear-free vet visits. You just stop in, everyone pets your dog, and you set it on the scale and it gets a treat. Sometimes they glance in the ears or mouth, just for a second, so it’s a quick experience with a positive outcome. They credit your account $5 every time you bring the dog in for one. I think they allow you to bring it in like 20x a year or something for those visits… Then when you have appointments, the money goes toward your bill. They are fantastic there. Exams are done on the floor (I’ve never had my dog up on the metal tables in the rooms for anything there. The tables are pushed off to the side, up against the walls!), they will do all procedures with you right there in the room if that’s what you’re comfortable with, etc… I plan to move into my RV soon, and I’m more concerned about leaving my vet behind than I am with leaving the people I know behind! *lol* I will definitely be popping back into the state regularly, just so I don’t have to give them up!
I love the idea of a credit for visits like that – so smart! Would you like to share the name of your vet? Maybe there’s someone near you that could use the recommendation. And happy travels to you!
I like the credit idea because it encourages people to go in for a fear-free visit, which makes the dog easier to handle at the clinic when it has an actual problem because it’s used to being there, and being “okay”… The vets say it’s been making a difference in the behavior of the dogs they see. And if it means a better experience for the dog, and less chance of being bit for the vet, it’s totally worth a few bucks. 🙂
My vet in Animal Care Center in Bountiful, Utah. They are the best sports vet in the state, complete with an entire state-of-the-art rehab center. And did I mention the vets are FANTASTIC? I’ve lived in two states and been to a lot of vets. These ladies are the best of the best, hands down! 🙂
I’m reading a book by Alexandra Horowitz too called “Inside a Dog”….it’s a great book, but a tough read. She is clearly well educated and I found I needed a dictionary beside me at all times! Some sections I found hard to read because I just didn’t understand her. I consider myself to be a fairly intelligent human being, but I do find her writing style a bit tough.
Is On Looking much the same? Have you read “Inside a Dog”? How do they compare to on another?
I read “Inside of a Dog” a while ago and I think “On Looking” is pretty similar in style. I learned a ton from both books, but found that I needed to slow down (I’m a speedy reader) and really take my time with each chapter, so that I could absorb everything. Otherwise I’d be lost. It’s not exactly light reading (though some chapters in “On Looking” are much easier than others)!
Here’s a great synopsis of “On Looking”, if you’re interested in the highlights! http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2013/08/12/on-looking-eleven-walks-with-expert-eyes/