In a strange way, I can’t help but smile when I think about my own last words being something along the lines of “where is my dog?” I know that she’ll be right there by my side – nestled between me and MG. 

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The first question you may be wondering is, will I change the name of the blog now that I’m no longer just aspiring to own a dog? The answer is a resounding NO. At the conception of this blog, I hoped and prayed that I would one day become a dog owner. I decided at that time that Aspiring Dog Owner would still apply even after I have a dog of my own. Now, instead of aspiring to own a dog, I”ll be aspiring to be the best dog owner that I can be. I know, I’m so tricky! One of these days, I’ll have to update the “About Me” page on this blog. One step at a time though.

The next question you may have is how I came to become a dog owner.  As I mentioned in my very first blog post, I grew up with dogs and I’ve been a dog nut my entire life. Unfortunately the time was never right for us to choose a dog of our own…until now. My fiance and I have had a crazy year. Overall, our lives have continued to get better and better and we couldn’t be happier, but there were a few loops thrown our way that forced us to reevaluate some of our priorities. Fortunately, we’ve come out the other side stronger and, much to my surprise and joy, found ourselves ready to bring a dog into our lives.

The actual search for the perfect dog was surprisingly brief, but very exciting. Over the next few days, I’ll post the details of our search, some of the websites that I found helpful, etc. For now I’ll cut to the chase, so to speak:

We are now the proud owners of an 18 month old female black lab named Chloe. And she is the light of our lives.

More details, and oh yes, photos photos photos, to follow!

One of the unexpected but delightful benefits of signing up the AspiringDogOwner on twitter has been that I’m finding all kinds of dog lovers, dog products and dog info through my Twitter followers and those I’m following.  In fact, yesterday’s post on Yoga for Dogs and my earlier post on the Sarah Palin dog wig were both inspired by Twitter discoveries. I expect the trend to continue, so you’ve been warned!

Today’s Twitter discovery of the day comes from one of my new followers, WoffWellness. I was curious about what WoofWellness was all about, so I checked out their twitter profile, which led me to a WoofWellness blog post, which eventually led me to their website www.woofwellness.com. I learned that WoofWellness offers, get this, PEANUT BUTTER FLAVORED vitamin water for dogs! Have you ever heard of this? 

According to the WoofWellness site, this special water for dogs contains vitamins, minerals and nutrients designed for endurance, strength and an enhanced mental state of mind (whatever that may mean for your doggie). And did I mention it’s PEANUT BUTTER FLAVORED? Apparently it’s some sort of Gatorade for dogs.

I suppose I should have seen this coming, what with our previous discussions about the extent to which humans are increasingly treating their pets like humans. There are a lot of bottled water drinkers on there (though that may be on the decline per this article), and I’m sure a lot of them are dog owners, so by extension there are probably a lot of potential dog vitamin water customers out there. The timing of the product launch is a little dicey with the state of the economy – the product officially launches in March 2009 – so it will be interesting to see how the product is received. But lets face it, there’s probably a bigger market than there probably should be. There, I said it.

As far as product information for WoofWellness, I was a little disappointed. They have so many marketing communication methods (Twitter, blog, website, who knows… they’re probably on Facebook, MySpace and more) but not a lot of actual information out about the product. It would be nice to see a detailed list of ingredients for the product, information about the mystery veterinarian that approved the formulation, some additional information about safe use of the product and more detailed product benefits. I just don’t feel very educated, or moreover, sold, after visiting the site so I think they’ll need to kick that up in order to move the project forward. 

Hearing about WoofWellness made me wonder if there were other dog water companies out there. Of course there are. A quick google search for “bottled water for dogs” uncovered several other options including the K9 Water Company, which offers “the world’s first flavored, vitamin fortified bottled water specifically formulated to provide your dog with essential vitamins that contribute to overall good health and provide the hydration your dog needs.”

The K9 Water Company offers such mouth-watering flavors as Gutter Water, Toilet Water, Puddle Water and Hose Water. Oh my. In contrast to WoofWellness, K9 Water is available for sale today on their website. Curious about the cost? I was, too. Prepare yourself…a 4 pack of 16.9 ounce bottles sells for $7.49 plus shipping! Wow. You get a volume discount if you go up to a 24 pack, but it’s still $1.50 per bottle. The K9 Water Company site has more information available on their site – the FAQ is decent. But again, still not enough to sway me over toward a purchase I’m afraid.

 
OK, time for another survey. Share your thoughts here!

I do believe the studies that show that living with a dog is good for your mental health because of their unconditional love, their excellent listening skills (haha) and the joy of getting to look at their adorable faces every day. I also believe that yoga is truly a miracle drug in its own right. So put the two together and you’ve got yourself some kind of supernova of happiness and healthiness for both dog and owner, right? Hmm…

We talk a lot about what we humans get out of the relationship with dogs, which is obviously a lot. But how much do we focus on what the dogs are getting out of the relationship with us…aside from the obvious food, shelter, someone to throw the ball for them, etc.?

In this case, I’m not so sure how much my dog is going to get out of practicing yoga with me. I mean, aren’t dogs kind of yogis already? They’re pretty much practicing yoga every day as it is. Case in point – we learned the downward dog from them and I see them do it often! They’re already centered and in the moment 100% of the time (given that they really don’t have much sense of time at all). They’re not spending hours thinking about how a coworker treated them badly at work today, or about bills piling up, or about needing to get to the gym. Face it, they don’t have a lot of doggie baggage that they need to release. So that’s the skeptical side of me thinking this one through. 

On the other hand, dogs do love our attention. And, assuming the dog is even remotely interested in participating in the asanas without too much coercion, it would provide an excellent bonding opportunity, and maybe even a little workout for the pup. Plus, I’m assuming if you go to a doga class that there’s also a chance  for the doggies to chit-chat before and after class for a little extra socialization (Hey – cute doga mat! Your downward dog was looking great today! I think my owner tooted during mountain pose – P.U. Not cool!). So maybe there is some value in it for both owner and dog. 

Either way, I do have to say that I am curious about it. And yes, once I have a dog of my own, I may revisit the idea. I stumbled across the Yoga 4 Dogs website today where you can purchase a dog yoga dvd so that’s an option.

I was also curious to see if I could get a taste of dog yoga online so I stopped by YouTube and found a series of doga dog yoga videos from Expert Village. Here’s a little taste for you – this one made me smile cause Toby is a cutie! Regardless of what you think about the idea of dog yoga, you won’t be able to deny that Toby rules!

By now you already know I’m a crazy dog lover and that anything dog related is going to move me emotionally, whether it’s howling with laughter at some silly dog trick or sobbing uncontrollably at someone else’s story, yes even a complete stranger’s story, about losing a beloved pet. I’m one of those people who finds it challenging to open up and bond with other people but can make lifelong friends with a dog in a matter of seconds. So of course, I feel like the PBS Nature special “Why We Love Cats and Dogs” was made for me and I could not be more excited to see it on Sunday. If you’re reading this blog post, chances are you’ll feel the same way.

The PBS Nature team has posted an introduction to the “Why We Love Cats and Dogs” episode and you can watch a video clip, enter their photo contest, share your stories and more.

Check your local listings to confirm what time the episode airs in your area. And swing on by this post again after you watch the Nature episode to share your thoughts and your stories!

Rule #1: PLEASE, NEVER GIVE A DOG AS A GIFT!

As I’ve posted before, choosing a dog requires extensive research with full commitment from the new owner and all family members so it’s too risky to make the decision for someone else. Even you’ve been discussing getting a dog for some time, completed your research, the entire family is in agreement and the only variable is when you’ll surprise them with their new pup I think it’s still best to wait until everyone has had an opportunity to at least meet the pet in person. If you’ve done all of that though, by all means, surprise away and let the puppy shenanigans begin! 

Rule #2: OBNOXIOUSLY ADORABLE DOG CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES ARE 100% APPROVED! 

I recently discovered the Pup and Co boutique on Twitter and I now realize how much I have to learn about the world of high-end pet clothing and accessories. I know, I know. In this economy how can we rationalize spending $62 on a Paris Hilton by Little Lily Pink Bow Dress? Most of us probably can’t at this point. Or ever. However, they are currently offering 20% off your order at Pup and Co if you enter the code (hearts) at checkout. So maybe that helps? If not, at least you can amuse yourself and your pups by doing a little window shopping on their site. 

And boy was I amused when I poked around the Pup and Co site and discovered that they offer Dog Wigs!!

The "Sarah Palin"

It’s too hard to choose a favorite out of the bunch, but I’d have to say the Sarah Palin dog wig (pearls not included?), the Afro dog wig and the Marley dog wig (a la Bob Marley) were pretty hilarious. Do yourself a favor and check out this site when you have a minute. It will open your eyes to a truly hilarious and yes, disturbing side of the pet lover industry.

In the meantime, have a very Happy Valentine’s Day with your loved ones!

Amiga (left) & Sparky (right)

Amiga and Sparky (aka Spark Plug) are two adorable little female German Shepherd mix puppies that are currently being fostered by my very good friends here in Phoenix. Amiga and Sparky are a couple of weeks shy of being ready for adoption (they’re only about 5 or 6 weeks old right now, I believe) but they’ll be ready to go to their “forever home” in just a few weeks. Apologies for using the creepy phrase “forever home” but I’ve come to find out that it’s intended to be a warm, fuzzy term so I’ve decided to embrace it.

Amiga and Sparky are very sweet little puppies – full of energy, eager to learn and play. They’re going to be great pets for someone out there. Could it be you? If you’re not familiar with the German Shepherd breed, it’s important to do your research so that you are fully prepared for life with your new puppy. First off, please take a minute to revisit my post on the costs of dog ownership. And keep in mind, this list isn’t intended to scare you or dissuade you – just want to make sure you’re prepared!

As far as specific breed information, unfortunately I don’t know what the other part of German Shepherd mix entails so that will remain a bit of a mystery. But as a starting point for you, here’s how the AKC describes German Shepherds: 

“Energetic and fun-loving, the breed is very fond of children once a relationship is established. He is a loyal family pet and a good guard dog, the ideal choice for many families. He requires regular exercise and grooming.”

If you’re interested in learning more about adopting these adorable German Shepherd mix pups, please let me know and I can help you make the connection.

The foster and adoption program is run by the AZ Humane Society here in Phoenix. It’s an amazing organization doing great things for the pet population here in Phoenix. If you’re inspired by the amazing act of generosity that my friends have displayed as foster parents, you can learn more about how to volunteer for and/or donate to the AZ Humane Society Foster program, too.

If Sparky and Amiga aren’t the perfect fit for you, don’t despair! There are plenty of other puppies, dogs, and yes, even cats looking for homes. Visit the AZ Humane Society’s “search adoptable pets” site to find your new best friend.

What, you want more??? Ok, who am I to deprive you of more pics of these adorable little german shepherd puppies. No problem, I’ll even show you a little video that I captured of the puppies in action!

If you’re a Cardinals fan and happen to be in the Phoenix area, you should think about stopping by Bosco’s Biscuits in Carefree, AZ. I just discovered this adorable little shop this afternoon and I highly recommend it to the dog lover living in or visiting the Phoenix area. Bosco’s Biscuits is offering Cardinals dog treats in honor of Super Bowl XLII – Steelers vs Cardinals. Bosco’s Biscuits are baked fresh daily right in the store and they’re preservative and by-product free so it’s a treat you can feel good about sharing with your football loving dogs. They’ve been baking and selling natural biscuits for over 20 years and I’m sure they’ve got many, many satisfied canine customers. Also, they’re not just biscuits over at Bosco’s Biscuits. They’ve got an amazing assortment of unique dog toys, lots of healthy pet food and treats. Check it out the next time you’re in the area.

Let’s not forget the Steeler’s dog fans out there. I wasn’t lucky enough to discover any local options for Steelers dog treats, but I did find this online source for Pittsburgh Steelers Dog Treats. The site describes these as “yogurt covered natural fresh baked biscuits”. They look pretty yummy to me!

If you’d like to make your own dog treats, here’s a link to some great ideas over at the Two Dog Press website.

And last but not least, here’s a list of healthy fruits and vegetables for dogs as outlined by the Partnership for Animal Welfare website. Nothing like a little doggie crudite platter to class up your Super Bowl partay!

• Apples (they contain potassium, which stimulates the immune system, and pepsin, which helps the stomach)
• Brewers yeast (health aid and can help remedy some skin conditions)
• Broccoli (rich in vitamins)
• Carrots (rich in vitamins, great treats to substitute for biscuits)
• Cabbage (rich in vitamins, good for digestive system and skin)
• Cucumber (good for teeth and bones due to potassium content; can combine with carrots to promote a healthy liver and kidneys; in juice form, a good diuretic … peel cucumbers unless organically grown)
• Celery (chopped or juiced; can help with arthritis)
• Flaxseed oil, fish oil, omega 3 and 6 supplements (beneficial and essential fatty acids)
• Garlic (removes waste from blood, can help repel fleas; use fresh garlic finely minced)
• Green beans (lightly steamed; healthy and low-cal treat)
• Parsley (can reduce allergy symptoms and aid kidney function; chop finely or boil parsley and add the juice over food)
• Kale (rich in antioxidants and can help reduce allergy symptoms)
• Green or yellow squash, asparagus and spinach (very healthy; serve chopped)
• Another veggie snack idea: cooked skins from organically grown potatoes
• Bananas (in small quantity; a coveted treat)
• Whole grains including oats, oatmeal, brown rice, millet
• Cereal grasses, such as barley grass, and barley supplements
• Tofu
• Plain low-fat or no-fat yogurt
• Olive oil, sesame oil (a tablespoon a day is good for skin and fur)
• Vitamin B complex can bolster health, calm a stressed nervous system and help repel fleas. A suggested dose is 50 mg of B complex once a day for smaller dogs and cats, and twice daily for larger dogs.
• Preparation suggestions: Many veggies can be served raw, lightly steamed or in juice form. For most vegetables such as broccoli and carrots, it is far better to steam them instead of serving raw for improved digestibility and nutritional value. Also, since dogs have small digestive tracts, you can puree vegetables to enable your pet to digest more. If you use canned vegetables, get the salt-free kinds.
• Organically grown benefits: Due to their smaller size and more compact body systems, pets can be more prone to the toxic effects of pesticide contamination than are people. So it is best to feed them produce that is organically certified, which also has higher nutritional value for everyone.

WARNING: Do not feed pets any chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, bread dough, meat and poultry bones, salty foods, nuts, onions, tomatoes, avocados, raisins, grapes, rhubarb or spoiled or moldy food. These items can be TOXIC to pets. You can read more about the details here on the PAWS website.

What kinds of treats will you be serving your dog friends on Super Bowl Sunday? Have any great homemade dog food recipes to share? Leave a comment below and let us know your plans!

Super Bowl Doggie Demographics – Phoenix vs Pittsburgh

The American Kennel Club just released 2008 statistics for US dog registrations last week. They’ve also included a breakout by the top 50 US cities so now we can take a look at how Pittsburgh and Phoenix stack up in the dog demographics area.

Most Popular Dogs in the US – 2008 AKC Statistics:

The ten most popular dog breeds stayed the same from 2007 to 2008, but the Bulldog jumped up from the #10 spot up to #8, pushing the Poodle and Shih Tzu into the #9 and #10 spots.

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Golden Retriever
5. Beagle
6. Boxer
7. Dachshund
8. Bulldog
9. Poodle
10. Shih Tzu

Phoenix’s Top Dogs 2008 – AKC Registration Figures by City:

Phoenix brings the Chihuahua into the mix (it’s #12 nationally) and leaves the Beagles out of the top 10. 

1. Labrador Retriever
2.  German Shepherd Dog
3. Golden Retriever
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Chihuahua
6. Shih Tzu
7. Dachshund
8. Bulldog
9. Boxer
10. Poodle

Pittsburgh’s Top Dogs 2008 – AKC Registration Figures by City:

Pittsburgh favors the Pug (#15 nationally) and Rottweiler (#14 nationally) and shows a little less love for the Dachshund and the Shih Tzu than Phoenix or the rest of the US population.

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. Boxer
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Beagle
7. Bulldog
8. Poodle
9. Pug
10. Rottweiler

If the Steelers and Cardinals were dogs, what kind would they be?

Canine expert and Super Bowl ring wearer David Frei has suggested what type of dog breed some of the top Super Bowl players might be: 

• Kurt Warner: German Shepherd. “Intelligent and alert, alpha dog leader with even temperament and character.”
• Larry Fitzgerald: Doberman Pinscher. “Elegant athlete in a tight-fitting wrapper.”
• Anquan Boldin: Greyhound. “Narrow body, big chest, sleek, powerful, athletic and fast.”
• Troy Polamalu: Whippet. “Feisty, prey-driven, fast, champion athlete of the dog world.”
• Ben Roethlisberger: Border Collie. “Leads his flock up and down the field. Smart, athletic and intensely focused on the job at hand.”
• Hines Ward: Siberian Husky. “Compact, athletic, smart, tough and tireless.”
• James Farrior: Rottweiler. “Powerful, intelligent, agile, intimidating, calm and courageous.”

What do you think about Frei’s picks? Do you have a favorite on the Cardinals or Steelers team that he didn’t mention?

Is your pet making any special plans for the Super Bowl? We’d love to hear about it!

Unfortunately, like me, she doesn’t have a dog of her own and she wants one very, very badly. Just like me. So, for her birthday I’ve decided that I want to get her a few doggie books to help satisfy her craving.

I have one in mind already that KRock showed me. It’s called, appropriately enough, Dog and it’s by Matthew Van Fleet and Brian Stanton. As soon as I saw it I fell in love, and instantly knew that my niece would love it, too. 

I’m looking for a few more children’s dog books that I can send her. Do you have any recommendations for dog books that a two year old dog-obsessed toddler would enjoy? Did you have any dog books that you loved when you were little? I’d love to get some ideas from you in the next few days so that I can place my order and get it off in the mail to my niece.

Thanks in advance for your input!