Merle's Door

Winnie and I like to read.  It's not unusual to find us sitting around with a Sitepoint publication (or in Winnie's case a copy of The Doctors Foster & Smith catalog) and a snack.   But summer seems to be a good time to catch up on the books you want to read. 

One of my favorites (of all time, not just on dogs) is one called Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote.  I would absolutely put this on a must read list for dog owners.  The author is an outdoor journalist by trade and Merle's Door seems to be a natural extension for him.  Equal parts research, autobiography, and adventure story Merle's Door let's you have an intimate look at a life long relationship between a man and his dog. 

In the book Merle's Door, Ted has been researching different breeds and trying to find the right pup to match his active lifestyle he finds his perfect match in a stray yellow mutt along the side of a river while on a kayaking trip.  Being a bit of an academic, he finds himself working through eons of dog research and life experience on a 15 year quest to build a life where both man and beast meet their own needs and those of each other.

Merle's Door is a fast read.  (I'm a terribly slow reader and I burned through it in about 2 weeks)  The story is compelling because we find ourselves both in the emotion and the questions that are asked.  We love Merle because Merle is our dog.  We bond with Ted because Ted deals with the same struggles and victories as we do.  I promise you'll love the story but the bibliography is priceless.  This is the book that made me go buy others like The New Work of Dogs: Tending to Life, Love, and Family and The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs.  Whenever Ted is at a turning point on how to handle an issue you'll see a footnote that leads to the richest resources you could ask for.  This book will help you articulate why you do what you do with your dog and give you the tools to carry it out with confidence.  Get it today, you won't be sorry!

Hot Dog

Let me start by saying that I know there are a lot of people living out there in the 120 degree DRY Arizona heat but I am not cut out of it.  Michigan has been hit with several days in the 90's with a terribly high humidity and it's starting to take its toll on everyone.  There was actually a heat advisory that included tips such as: stay inside, don't keep pets in the yard all day, drink lots of water, and check on your ill or elderly neighbors.  Winnie has taken this advice to heart.  She planted herself in our recliner and has held her post without much exception.  I snapped this photo last night (sorry for the poor quality, the only thing handy was my phone) when it occurred to me that this was almost exactly the position I found her in that morning. 

So... Winnie and I wish you and yours a summer of fun... as long as it's not too hot.  :-)

Weekend Travel

Independence Day weekend is a big one for travel in Michigan.  Many people head to their cabins up north or to family get-togethers at state parks.  It's a great idea really because if you ask me Summer is the BEST time to be in Michigan.  Travel somewhere warm when its cold, I say.  Stick around when is beautiful.  We live in the center of the state while most of our family lives south.  This is great news when the interstate looks like a parking lot crawling North but you're heading down the map. 

This weekend we spent a lot of time with family and friends who offered dog-friendly hospitality.  I'd like to send out a big THANK YOU to you and all of you who are sensitive to pets that travel.  Don't get me wrong.  I knew before I got a dog that some decisions would have to be made.  The big decision being "to go or not to go" if your pup can not come along.  Sometimes you can get a house/pet sitter, board at a kennel, drop the pooch off with a relative, or decide to host the event yourself.  But I am always grateful when another host says "Bring her along!"  It takes a little prep but I think its a lot of fun. 

I should have taken more photos but here's the list of Independence Day dog adventures: go for car rides, play with cats, milk table scraps from people that don't know better, run around the FANTASTIC back yard at the in-laws, play with another dog, go for more car rides. I'd like to think Winnie had a good time.  The heat and excitement defiantly pooped her out.  It was in the 90's!  (Here she is falling asleep with her ears in the full upright position.  She's tired but she doesn't want to miss anything.) 

I find it helpful to keep a travel bag packed for her that's just ready to go.  It includes:

• Food
• Plastic Food & Water Dishes
• Yard Leash
• Poop Bags
• Shampoo & Towel
• Ball
• Raw Hide Chew

It gives us everything we can predictably need to be good house guests.  We also take her travel crate into whoever's house we're staying in so we can be sure she doesn't get into anything when we're out.  I'd feel terrible if great-grandma's special something was turned into a toy while we were out to lunch. 

At any rate, the sleepy pup (now in front of the AC vent) and I had a relaxing weekend with family and friends and I'm very appreciative of those who supported the idea of my furry buddy tagging along.  Thanks!