The Adventures of Traveling Bob

Happy "Mew" Year!

2012-01-02T12:22:00.000-08:00

Happy "Mew" Year to all our friends - furry and not! Bob is sleeping after a busy Christmas season so Mom let me sneak in a post in his place.

We have been very busy over the past several months. Bob, Austin, and I have been "helping" Mom work on our new website. It will be finished soon. I can't wait for the official unveiling. Plus Bob has several new T-shirt designs that he will be adding to his store.

We had a wonderful Christmas. All the dogs got new chew bones and treats. And we cats got new toys. I am glad that Mom remembered to get me more fuzzy mice. My old ones were pretty chewed up. Fuzzy mice are the best playthings ever!

Bob also got a leather "biker" hat and bandannaa. Mom said it's for pictures for a new T-shirt design. Can't wait to see that. Bob thinks he looks cool, but I think he just looks silly!

Now that the holidays are over, I am glad that we will have some time to rest and relax. It does get cold sometimes during the winter here in NW Arkansas. I am looking forward to some nights curled up in Mom's lap by the fire. I may have to push Bob and Austin out of the way, but some well-placed claws in the right spot might help convince them to share some space.

Mom has been spending the last few days finally getting all her pictures from the camera to the computer. That's exciting because now we can share photos of the rest of the family. Mom is not good about pictures. She takes them, but then she never does anything else with them.

Dad has been working on a new sunroom for us. Mom thinks it's for her, but I have already claimed one of the windows for myself. That leaves a few other windows but I don't think there will be one left after the other cats stake their claim.

Speaking of the sun, I see a a nice ray of sunshine on my favorite spot on the porch. And it's perfect porch-napping weather - not too hot and not too cold. I will have to go let Mom know I want to go outside.

Have a Happy "Mew" Year from all of us - Iris (that's me), Bob, Austin, Oscar, Ginger, Bitty Kitty, JoyBelle, Buddy, Bogart, Cobweb, Gremlin, Bubba and Duchess!

The Joys of Being a Senior Pet

2011-11-17T09:43:00.000-08:00

I am a senior citizen. In dog years, I am older than my Baby Boomer Mom. I admit, that's a bit weird at times. But it's nice to know she's still young enough to take care of me!

Now that I am a bit older, I admit there are some things I cannot do as well as when I was a puppy. Mom needs to help get up in my chair sometimes. And I sleep more now than I used to.

Mom seems to enjoy my company more now too. She laughs at Austin's antics and likes to play with him outside and take him for walks. But in the evenings, she likes to sit in our chair and read or watch TV and I will curl up in her lap and just be with her. She will scratch my ears or sometimes give me a belly rub. It's pleasant to just spend quiet time together. Austin is constantly jumping up and down and Mom finally gets tired of it and tells him to stay down. But she seems to really enjoy having me laying quietly in her lap.

Now that it's getting colder at night, she often lets me sleep with her. We lay quietly next to each other snuggled under the quilt. Sometimes Dad's snoring wakes me up, but Mom will nudge him and he quiets right down. And sometimes Austin will try to squirm his way in. But he can't ever lay still long enough so Mom makes him sleep at the food of the bed or he would keep all of us (Mom, Dad, and me) awake all night.

I remember my puppy years. There was so much to learn. How to go outside so I didn't mess in the house. What toys I could chew on and some things (like shoes) are not chew toys. Mom was often stern with me while I struggled to learn the rules. Now I watch Austin going through the same thing and I am glad that I am old enough to know all the rules. I'm done teething so Mom and I don't have any differences of opinion over what makes an appropriate chew toy. And while Austin needs to run and play ALOT, I'm content to walk quietly with Mom or just sit in the sun on the porch with her or in our comfy chair. Being a older dog is much less stressful than being a puppy!

There are lots of senior pets in shelters all over the country that would welcome the chance to share their golden years with a special Mom and Dad. And there are lots of advantages to owning a senior dog. We are already grown so you know exactly how big we are going to be. We are done teething so you don't have to worry about us chewing up your favorite slippers - or the rockers on your antique rocking chair (sorry Mom!). Most of us have been housebroken already so once we know where we are supposed to go, there aren't the usual puppy messes to clean up. Some of us have even been trained to do other things. When Ginger came to live with us, she soon showed us that she had been trained to herd. Now she uses that training to round up everything from grandkids to cats for Mom. Our older cats have years of experience hunting. So while neighbors complain of mice coming in their houses for the winter or finding snakes in their yard, Mom relaxes knowing that her four-legged mouse traps and snake deterrents are on the job. (I don't have any special tricks or skills. I guess it's a good thing I'm so cute!)

At shelters, older dogs are often the last to be adopted and the first to be put to sleep. When you save the life of one of us senior dogs, you will be rewarded with unconditional love and devotion every day. If you don't believe we can know and express gratitude, just talk to someone who has adopted a senior pet.

Ready for some good senior pet companionship? Check out these programs that specialize in senior pet adoption.

Berkeley East Bay Humane Society
H.A.R.T. (Humane Animal Rescue Team),
Muttville

Nike Animal Rescue Foundation
Peace of Mind Dog Rescue
Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends (AARF)
Pets for Seniors,
The Hinsdale Humane Society
Indiana Petite Paws Rescue Angels, Inc
St. Louis Senior Dogs Project
Senior Dogs 4 Seniors
Posh Pets Rescue
North Shore Animal League
Warwick Valley Humane Society
The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs (SSD)
Senior Dog Rescue of Oregon
South East Dallas Humane Society

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Las Vegas, Baby!

2011-11-04T13:17:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad go to Las Vegas at least once or twice a year. But they never take me with them! I heard them last night discussing another trip and this time I am determined not to be left behind. So, I did a little research on where I can stay and what I can do. Before I share it with mom, I'm going to pass on what I found with you!

There are several hotels in Las Vegas that allow pets. My choice is the Four Seasons Las Vegas. The Hotel welcomes dogs weighing up to 25 pounds each (additional fee applies). Mom and I have stayed in other Four Seasons hotels and they are simply the best. They are located at the end of the strip by Mandalay Bay, so while they do not have a casino (Yeah!), there is one very close by. The rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows so I can have a good view of what's going on, big comfortable beds, and large flat-screen TVs so I can sit in mom's lap and watch my favorite shows with her, just like we do at home.

If the Four Seasons doesn't interest you, other options include Staybridge Suites Las Vegas or The Platinum Hotel and Spa.

I won't be bored while we are there. Mom is not a big fan of the casinos. But I found plenty of places that she and I can go while Dad tries his luck on the slot machines. Red Rock Canyon is less than a half-hour drive from the Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are lots of hiking trails for me and mom to check out. Pets are allowed on trails in Red Rock Canyon as well as the campgrounds and visitor center, but we have to keep our owners on a leash.

There is also a great dog park, Desert Breeze Dog Park, where we can play. It's divided into three large gated sections for small, medium, and large dogs. There are tables, benches and chairs for people to sit and relax while I burn off that energy. A hose and doggie bags available inside park.

I also found Las Vegas DockDogs. It looks a bit challenging for an old dog like me, but it also looks like fun. I think I'm a shoe-in for the Extreme Vertical! I may be small but I can jump!

You know I love to eat and there are plenty of places for me to do just that in Las Vegas! Mom loves coffee. I'm not fond of it, but most places that sell coffee also sell snacks - which I am VERY fond of! And I found the perfect coffee house in Las Vegas - It's a Grind. It sells only the best coffee so I'm sure it has great snacks too. I think I'll be very happy.

I love burgers and I found the perfect spot to get one - Hougan's Racing Sandwich Shop! While I munch on my 1/2 pound burger Dad can have a Philly Cheesesteak and Mom can have a Tailgate. Something for each of us. It doesn't get any better than that!

Hamburgers may be my favorite, but I love just about any sandwich so another place for lunch might be Capriotti's Sandwich Shop. The reviews I read said the sandwiches are so big, they will feed four people - or one little dog! Mom and Dad eat subs fairly often when they are both busy and too tired to cook so this sounds like a perfect solution for all of us.

Places to stay, things to do, places to eat - and all of them dog-friendly! It's Las Vegas, baby! And this time I'm going too! Now if I can just convince Mom and Dad....

Dog contests

2011-10-22T15:48:00.000-07:00

The Be a Responsible Dog Owner Poster Contest was such fun. Mom and I had a great time looking at all the entries. In fact it was so much fun, I decided to see what other types of dog contests were going on. And I found a bunch! There are lots of photo contests for dogs. So have your mom or dad get out the camera. Maybe you can be the next winner!

CutestPetContest.com is currently accepting entries for their quarterly cutest pet photo contest. All of the entries they receive are voted on by their site viewers. The pets with the most votes will win a spot in their next book and qualify as semi-finalists with a chance of winning $1,000.00 in cash. Trophies & $100 Pet Smart Gift Cards will be awarded each quarter and the grand prize is awarded annually. There are absolutely no fees or subsidy payments required to enter the contest. Enter your cutest pet pic today to receive cash and prizes including a cash grand prize of $1,000.00.

The Bark is partnering with Greenies to find the dog with the brightest smile—enter the SHOW US YOUR PET’S HEALTHY SMILE contest for a chance to get your dog on the cover of The Bark. Greenies is inviting cats to join the fun (they've got a special cameo planned for the winner). Both the dog and cat winners will receive a year’s supply of Greenies® Chews and Treats.

Modern Dog Photo Contest - Every week, the dog with the most votes will be featured as Dog of the Week on the moderndogmagazine.com homepage AND will have a chance to appear in an upcoming issue of Modern Dog magazine!

Enter Your Dog's Photo in the Orvis Cover Dog Photo Contest!

Does Your Pooch Have What It Takes to be a Poster Dog? Anchorage Animal Care and Control Center (AACCC) is announcing its annual Poster Dog Contest. The winning dog(s) will be the next AACCC poster dog(s) for the dog licensing campaign in 2012. This contest is open to any licensed dogs, and their people, currently living in the Municipality of Anchorage.

WANTED: Handsome old fellows and beautiful old girls for the Sanctuary's 9th annual photo contest for Graying Muzzles 2013. Don't miss out. Enter your favorite senior dog (7+ years) in our photo contest to benefit the Sanctuary for Senior Dogs. The winners will be featured in the 9th annual Sanctuary calendar. Each winning dog will receive a calendar and be invited to “pawtograph” calendars at a Sanctuary event.

FlipFlop 2013 Calendar Contest. Don’t miss the chance to have your dog’s photo featured on their website. Submit that precious picture of your dog on a FlipFlop vacation. From those received, they will select 13 for their 2013 calendar and the lucky winners (both Owner and Companion Family) will receive a free calendar. Be sure to fill in the application completely and then click submit. You will be notified if your photo is selected for the calendar.

I'm off to get mom to get the camera out and take my picture!

Meet Shorty - and his Mom and Dad

2011-10-08T19:34:00.000-07:00

A while ago Mom and Dad celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. 25 years! That's even older than me! Mom and Dad wanted to go someplace special but not too far away. Since I haven't been well this year they wanted to be close in case they needed to come home quickly. The answer - a trip to Hot Springs.

As I mentioned in an earlier article, Hot Springs is for lovers so what better place to go for a romantic weekend away. And they picked the best place in Hot Springs to stay - Tinkerbelle's Wildwood 1884 Bed and Breakfast. And that's where they met Shorty.

Mom chose Wildwood because she says it's elegant and yet comfortable and homey. It is owned by The Colonel and Tinkerbelle. But Shorty, and his mom and dad, Rebecca and David, really run the place. They came to Hot Springs from Dallas in 1995 to find the perfect Victorian house and searched for 7 years before finding Wildwood. The dream of building Wildwood began when Sarah Elizabeth Van Patten of Washington D.C. became the bride of Prosper Harvey Ellsworth, a physician, in 1873. Sarah moved from a highly cultured and socially conscious eastern city to join Prosper in the rough-hewn country village of Hot Springs. Sarah chose the basic design from a magazine and persuaded her brother to do the architectural work.

As you drive up, you will see Wildwood sitting on a beautiful acre lot set back from Hwy 7 (Park Avenue), nestled in among trees taller than the house. They have plenty of off-street parking and a circle drive to the front which is convenient for unloading luggage.

Mom said one of the best parts of the place is the Butler's Pantry, alias "The Snack Room". Here Rebecca keeps home-baked goodies, bottled water, sodas, popcorn, chips, etc...This is also where you will find the ice machine, ice buckets, refrigerator and microwave. Or, in the main dining room, you can visit the coffee bar for a cup of gourmet coffee, hot tea, or hot chocolate anytime during your visit. All snacks are included in the room rates. Steal a brownie, and then wander around outside and enjoy the grounds and the porches with wicker furniture. Mom says Rebecca makes the best brownies in the world. Dad says the chocolate chip cookies are better. All I know is they didn't bring either one back for me!

Mom and Dad stayed in the Kind David Room. This room is regal with the high-back, half-canopy queen-size bed, complete with featherbed and down comforter. Mom said the room was large enough to relax and Dad liked the TV complete with DVD player. A wide selection of movies are available to borrow from the TV room downstairs at no extra charge. And Mom fell in love with the antique claw-foot bath tub that's right in the room. She couldn't wait to enjoy a candlelit bubble bath! She said Rebecca and David even supply the candles and the bubble bath.

While at Wildwood, Mom had a chance to spend some time getting to know Rebecca and that's when she met Shorty. Shorty is a miniature dachsund that came to live with Rebecca and David when he was 8 months old. He was a birthday gift from Rebecca's son to her daughter. Rebecca's son breeds pitbulls and he traded one for Shorty. Rebecca says Shorty came when she was out of town so it was a bit of a surprise but now he is just part of the family.

Rebecca and David got into the Bed and Breakfast business to help cover the cost of owning an old Victorian home. But once they did, they found they loved doing it and so they have kept Wildwood open. They have 5 bedrooms and 2 cottage suites and are open year round. Mom said that besides her brownies, Rebecca is known for her famous three-course breakfast that is included when you stay at Wildwood.

Mom said she would have been content to just relax around the house and grounds at Wildwood. But Dad did want to get and do some sightseeing. Hot Springs is a great place for a weekend getaway. Mom loves the lakes and trees, and the history. Dad loves the fishing. Plus this trip they took a tour of Fordyce bathhouse. Mom said it was interesting. Dad said it looked like a torture chamber! And of course, Mom took the opportunity to make another visit to Garvan Woodland Gardens.

Small town atmosphere, history, nature, lakes, trees, Bathhouse Row, Garvan Gardens, and Wildwood - Hot Springs sounds like the perfect place for a romantic anniversary celebration. Maybe next time Mom and Dad will take me so I can meet Shorty. Until then, when you visit Shorty - and Rebecca and David - tell them Traveling Bob sent you!

To contact Rebecca and David and find out more about Wildwood, call (501) 624-4267 or (888) 763-3707 (toll free) or e-mail them at wildwood@ipa.net. Or visit them online at http://wildwood1884.com/.

Science Diet Senior 11+ Age Defying Cat Food

2011-09-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

I am still recovering from my eye surgery and not feeling so good today, so I agreed to let Iris do a guest post. She is a cat, true, but she has been around here almost as long as I have so I guess that earns her some privileges. Take it away, Iris!

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I'm Iris, a gray tiger cat that Dad rescued from a drainage ditch and brought home to Mom. I was already a few months old when Dad found me but I'm not sure exactly how old I was. But I have lived with Mom and Dad for 15 years so that makes me a senior kitty and leader of the pack around here. Bob thinks he's in charge but I just let him think that to keep peace and quiet in the house.

I asked Bob if I could type with Mom today since he wasn't feeling well and I had something I wanted to share. I just had to tell everyone about this new food that Mom got just for me and Bitty Kitty.

Mom is a BzzAgent. She says she started doing this a few years ago because money was tight and she was tired of wasting it on stuff that didn't work. She said being a BzzAgent allowed her to try products before she bought them. And it gave her the chance to share the good ones with her friends. Now that things are easier, she says she still does it because she likes the opportunity to try new products and tell others about them.

A while ago, Mom got a chance to try a new cat food made just for us senior cats. It's called Science Diet Senior 11+ Age Defying Cat Food. I'm pretty finicky about my food so I was not excited about trying something new and I let Mom know by taking my time sampling it. Don't tell Mom, but I really like it! It tastes great. And even though it's only been a few weeks, I already feel different. I don't sleep as much and yesterday I even went out to hunt with Bitty Kitty. I was so grateful I brought a frog in for Mom as a treat. She didn't seem to like it much though.

Science Diet Senior 11+ Age Defying cat food provides breakthrough, tailored nutrition for cats 11 and older. It has everything we need for a healthy and happy life. It fights 4 important signs of aging in as little as 30 days. Typical signs of aging include more accidents in the house, sleeping more, less agility, and less interaction with owner. It also contains an exclusive antioxidant bundle which helps defend the body and brain against aging. Age Defying is also rich in Omega-6 fatty acids to help promote soft skin & radiant coat.

Not only does it taste good, it's also got small kibble so it's easier for me to chew and digest. At my age, sometimes those harder pieces in other cat foods are difficult for me to eat.

Mom says Dr. Karen has this cat food at her clinic. She said she also saw it at PetSmart. I am glad there are places that she can buy this close by. I would hate to have to go back to my old cat food once we run out of our sample.

Take my advice. Try this cat food. Even Bob likes it. I caught him stealing some this morning. Of course, I made it clear that would not be allowed!

P.S. Mom has said that I will have a column of my own on Bob's new website. Can't wait to share more tips and recommendations with you! See you soon! Thanks Bob! This was fun!

The AKC Responsible Dog Owner Pet Promise

2011-09-11T08:56:00.000-07:00

Are you a responsible dog owner? Take the AKC Responsible Dog Owner Pet Promise!

1. I will never overlook my responsibilities for this living being and recognize that my dog’s welfare is totally dependent on me.

2. I will always provide fresh water and quality food for my dog.

3. I will socialize my dog via exposure to new people, places and other dogs.

4. I will take pride in my dog's appearance with regular grooming.

5. I will recognize the necessity of basic training by teaching my dog to reliably sit, stay and come when called.

6. I will take my dog to the vet regularly and keep all vaccinations current.

7. I will pick-up and properly dispose of my dog's waste.

8. I will make sure my dog is regarded as an AKC Canine Good Citizen® by being aware of my responsibilities to my neighbors and to the community.

9. I will ensure that the proper amount of exercise and mental stimulation appropriate for my dog’s age, breed and energy level is provided.

10. I will ensure that my dog has some form of identification (which may include collar tags, tattoo or microchip ID).

11. I will adhere to local leash laws.

Post your name and your dog's names in the comments if you are a responsible dog owner.

SIGN THE PET PROMISE ONLINE AT http://www.gopetition.com/online/9290.html

For more information visit www.akc.org or call 212-696-8228.

Are You a Responsible Dog Owner?

2011-09-10T11:12:00.000-07:00

It's Responsible Dog Owner Days! All month, we will be announcing events, writing about responsible dog ownership, and we are even hosting a contest!

Mom and I think that everyone should learn to be a responsible dog owner - and the earlier the better. So we are hosting a contest for kids ages 5-18.

Design a poster showing what it means to be a responsible dog owner. The kids who draw the winning designs will each receive a cash prize, a T-shirt designed by PopArtDiva, and a bag of Beefie Boots for their dogs (my favorite). All posters will be displayed on the new It Should Be a Dog's World website.

I am very excited that Mom has agreed to let me do this.  The people who had my dog mom were not very responsible and that is why I wound up in a shelter. I was lucky and Mom and Dad adopted me and they take very good care of me. Now I want to help you teach others what it is to be responsible.

Official contest rules:

1. Contest is open to all kids ages 5 - 18.
2. Poster must be about responsible dog ownership.
3. Poster must be an original design. No previously published or copyrighted material.
4. Entries can be submitted by mail or email.

     Mail entries to: It Should Be A Dog's World
                             12688 Oak Valley Drive
                              Rogers, AR 73756
                              Attn: Poster Contest

OR

   Email entries to MelodieannW@gmail.com. All entries must be in jpg, gif, bmp or png format, 8 MB
   maximum size.
5. Entries must be received no later than September 30, 2011. Winners will be announced on October 15. 6. Winners will receive: 1st - $75, commemorative T-Shirt, bag of Beefie Boots
                                      2nd - $50, commemorative T-Shirt, bag of Beefie Boots
                                      3rd - $25, commemorative T-Shirt, bag of Beefie Boots
All entrants will be recognized on It Should Be a Dog's World.
7. All entries become the property of WealthTogether, Inc. (That's my Mom!).

I can't wait to see all the posters!

Responsible Dog Onwership Days

2011-09-08T11:45:00.000-07:00

While I was in the pound, I saw many dogs come in that were not treated responsibly by their owners. And I see more out here. Dogs that are allowed to run free with no tags that were picked up by animal control and brought to the pound. Mom and I sometimes see dead dogs on the side of the road where they were hit by cars. Dad told me that one of the stray dogs here was shot by a neighbor because he was allowed to run and would chase the neighbor's horses. We get to run in a big fenced yard so we are safe and don't bother anyone else.

Dad has a friend whose dog is so fat he can hardly walk. When we visit Dad will tell him he needs to stop feeding Butch ice cream and chips. But Dad's friend says he hates to see Butch begging and he likes his treats. Dr. Karen told Mom to put me on a diet when I was only a few pounds overweight. I wonder what she would say about Butch!

These are just two examples of irresponsible dog ownership. To help put an end to this kind of behaviour the AKC is once again hosting Responsible Dog Ownership Days. AKC invites and encourages all dog and pet-related organizations to commemorate AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Days by holding a community event that publicly promotes responsible dog ownership anytime during the month of September.

We will be doing our part. Throughout the rest of the month we will be writing about responsible dog ownership, sharing news of events being held, and listing ideas for events to help others get involved. And Mom has even said I can host a contest! I'll be sharing more about that tomorrow.

Last year, more than 550 dog clubs and other organizations hosted events reaching millions of dog lovers and potential pet owners through extensive media coverage. Dog lovers also posted thousands of "Acts of Responsible Dog Ownership" on Facebook and Twitter.

We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to interact with the public and gain positive exposure for your club, breed and the AKC. Your participation will help this worthwhile program continue to gain momentum each year, benefiting dogs and dog owners everywhere!

For further information about AKC RDO Days please contact Stephanie Smith at 212-696-8228 or Communications@akc.org. And stay tuned to this blog!

Bobcat Fever

2011-09-06T11:09:00.000-07:00

Mom and I spent the a lot of time this weekend missing Mittens. We also did some research on bobcat fever, the disease that killed her. Since we had never heard of it before, we want to make sure that others who may not know of this illness get the information to keep their cats safe.

Bobcat fever is also called cytauxzoonosis. Only cats can get it. They get it from ticks. Once the tick bites a cat, she will start looking and acting sick in about a week. Cats die pretty quickly after they start looking sick. Mittens died only 3 days later.

The only way to tell if your cat has bobcat fever is to take her to a vet. The vet will take some blood and look for the bug that causes the illness.

When a cat has bobcat fever, she gets depressed, withdrawn, and doesn't move much. She has a fever and doesn't eat.  One of the articles Mom and I read said "the disease rages through the body attacking blood vessels in all organs; heart, lungs, liver, kidney, spleen. Under such systematic attack the liver & kidneys quickly overload with damaged blood cells & the body becomes jaundiced. In the end phase, the cat begins to vocalize frequently & at greater & greater length, a heart-rending agonal cry, hemorrhages, & dies." (The Helios Project).

The sickness is passed from bobcats to our cats by ticks. The bobcats don't get sick (I don't understand why. That doesn't seem fair!) Only our cats get sick.

Bobcat fever has been reported in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois (southern),Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas & Virginia.

Dr. Karen told Mom we should keep our cats inside since it is the only way to be sure they don't pick up any ticks. But Mom said most of our cats are strays that have been out on their own so long, it's almost impossible to keep them in. One actually ripped through a screen to get out. Since that is not an option, Mom said we will use the best tick killer and tick repellant we can find. And since even that is not a guarantee, the cats will get the same daily combing that we (Oscar, Austin, Ginger, and I) get before bed. Dad combs each of us with a fine-toothed comb. Now he will comb the cats too.

Mom and I hope this information will help other cats. The only good thing is that Mom made the choice to let Mittens go to sleep before she got to the end of the illness where she would have been in lots of pain. If you have any other questions about the disease, Mom and I found a great website called The Helios Project.

In Memory of Mittens

2011-09-04T14:20:00.000-07:00

Mittens, one of our cats, died last night. I know I always say I don't like cats. But Mittens was different. I actually did like her - sort of. She was pretty pitiful and I felt sorry for her at first but then I got to like her.

Mom found Mittens stuck in a tree on our property. She was up there for 3 whole days! Every day Mom and Dad would go out and try to coax her to come down but she wouldn't. Then on 4th day it was storming bad here. Mom could hear Mittens crying from the tree. She was very upset and she looked at me and said "Bob, we are going to get that cat out of that tree before she dies up there!" The next thing I new she was dragging Dad's big ladder down over the hill to the tree. Now Mom hates ladders almost more than anything so this was a pretty big deal! I went out the pet door and over to the fence in my yard so I could watch. Mom set the ladder up against the tree and started up. I could hear her talking to Mittens but I couldn't hear what she was saying. Then there was a loud thunderclap and I heard Mom holler at Mittens that it was now or never and if she wanted to be safe and warm she needed to come down. Mom reached up and Mittens jumped! I thought she would get hurt but she didn't. I guess everything they say about cats landing on their feet is true. Mom came back down the ladder. By now it was raining pretty hard. She called Mittens and this time the cat actually came to her. Mom brought her to the house, dried her off, and gave her some food.

Mom and Dad spent the next few days trying to find Mittens mom and dad. But no one claimed her. Since we live at the end of a dirt road in the country with lots of woods, animals get left out here all the time. Mom said someone probably left Mittens on the road. Mom said since she was clever enough to find her way to our house, she could stay. She was black except for white booties on her front feet. Mom said since we already had a Boots, we would call her Mittens.

Mittens had some problems. She never meowed again after her days in the tree. And she couldn't purr. She tried. Sometimes you would hear a small sputtering sound. But she never actually purred like Puck or Peasebottom. But she loved it when someone showed her some attention. She was afraid of most of the others and would only eat if Mom put her in the pantry with a bowl of food. But she would curl up on the chair with me to sleep. At first I didn't like it, but later it was nice to have someone to snuggle with - even if it was a cat. Mom loved her too. I think Mom loved her almost as much as she loves me.

Mittens would always get up with Mom for breakfast. But a few days ago she didn't come to eat. Mom looked for her but wasn't worried. She thought maybe Mittens was just off playing or sleeping. But that night Mittens was in the bedroom and was just laying still. Mom thought maybe she didn't feel good. She told Dad to help keep an eye on her and see if maybe she needed to go to the vet. The next day, Mittens was up and around and Mom thought everything was good again so she stopped worrying.

Last night, Dad came home from work. Mom had gone grocery shopping and so I was waiting for him. He came in and I barked to let him know he needed to come to the garage. Mittens was laying in the garage and wasn't moving. I knew she was in bad shape. Dad took one look and called Mom and told her to come home right away because Mittens had to get to the vet.

When they came home later that night, Dad was carrying the empty cat carrier. I knew Mittens was gone. Mom said she had something called Bobcat fever. Mom said she had never heard of it but the vet said you get it from ticks. I was worried that I might get it but Mom said only cats get it. She said the vet told her that it's very hard to diagnose and most cats die once they get it. Mom said she had the vet help Mittens go to sleep because she was suffering and Mom did not want her to suffer anymore.

In memory of Mittens and to keep other cats from getting the same thing, Mom and I are doing some research on bobcat fever. We will be sharing what we learn here on this blog.

I miss my friend Mittens. I hope she knew how much we loved her.

Choke Leashes

2011-09-01T20:29:00.000-07:00

Mom and I were out walking today in the park and I saw a dog with a leash I had never seen before. It was all one piece - no collar. And every time the dog ran a bit ahead, his dad pulled on the leash. This made it tighter around the throat of the dog and of course, he would stop. Mom said these are choke leashes. She said some people use them for training.

When we got home, mom said she wondered if these were safe for dogs. She was still pretty upset by the thought of tightening a leash around the throat. So she did some research and this is what she found.

Most people use choke leashes because it allows them to control their dogs with a tug of the leash. They are often used to control big, strong dogs like Ginger. They are also used to control more "aggressive" dog breeds like Maggie, a Doberman that belongs to our friend, Chris. When tugged, they put pressure on the dog's throat. This will make the dog stop whatever unwanted behavior it is doing. (I would think so. Squeeze my throat and I will stop what I'm doing too!) Mom said most trainers say they are safe if used correctly, but can be harmful in not used correctly. She said they can actually damage the trachea of the dog. And there is a lot of potential for abuse since you can use them to basically choke a dog.

I have never had a choke leash or a choke collar. Neither have Ginger, Oscar, or Austin. We all learned to walk on a leash using Easy Walk harnesses. Well, all of us except Ginger. Mom had to use a pinch collar on her. It looked awful with those big metal prongs, but Mom said that it only pinched the back of Ginger's neck when she tried to lunge or pull and wouldn't actually hurt her. Mom said Ginger was a big dog and could hurt someone if she didn't learn to obey. And since she had been abused before Mom and Dad found her and brought her home, she sometimes got scared or mad and didn't want to behave. Mom said if she didn't learn she would probably be put to sleep and we were her last chance. Fortunately, she did learn and now she is just a big baby. Even the cats like her!

Anyway, Mom said that choke leashes are not something she would recommend since there are other alternatives available. I am glad. I wouldn't want to learn something by being choked if I forgot. Try the Easy Walk harness or if your dog is big and scared like Ginger was, use the pinch collar. These are both better ideas than a choke leash or a choke collar.

FHTM Welcomes The Flying Basset

2011-08-21T18:19:00.000-07:00

FHTM is pleased to announce The Flying Basset Organics in the US!

Flying Basset is the Leader in Organic Supplements and Natural Treatments for Dogs & Cats

Flying Basset is an all natural whole food and organic animal care line dedicated to providing your furry friends with the best, quality products to maintain a healthy and active life. Flying Basset Organics proprietary, technologically advanced formulations are created with the highest quality certified organic and standardized ingredients.

Product Categories Include:

Digestive Support
Bone and Joint Support
Whole Food Supplements
Immune Support
Coat Support
Treats

At Flying Basset customers’ health and satisfaction come first. By strictly monitoring their cGMP processes while producing small lot batches, enabling them to maintain consistency and freshness in all of their products. They take pride in offering the best products available. Flying Basset has the only whole food plant cell based vitamins, minerals, and CoQ10 available on the market for your animals. Improve your furry friends' lives with supplements to support digestive health, strengthen immunity and provide joint comfort. Use The Flying Basset's natural treatments to relieve your pets of fleas, hot spots and worms. Flying Basset Organics products are shipped directly to your door, ensuring that you will get the best quality, at the lowest possible price!

Mom has been buying these products for me and the others for a while now. The treats are yummy! I wasn't sure about them when Mom told me they didn't have any meat in them. She said they were made from plants. Do I look like a rabbit? But they sure are good and they really do make me feel better. I feel almost 15 again! I was even able to jump the landing the other day on my way out to the back yard. I haven't been able to do that in a long time.

Mom says I have to tell you that we sell these products through our FHTM business. She says it's a law so that you know we are recommending something we also sell.
Help improve the quality of your pets' lives with Flying Basset Organic Products. Visit us to learn more about our products!

On The Road Again?

2011-07-27T20:57:00.000-07:00

Take my advice. When Mom tells you to get away from the snake, listen! Because when you don't and they bite you, it is not good.

It has been a long, hard road, but I am finally feeling better. Mom has even said she will let me write again. But unfortunately, I probably won't be doing much traveling anymore. Between the fact that I am getting a bit old now (105 years old Mom says) and the fact that battling the snake bite took a lot out of me, I'm just not up to it anymore. So Mom says it is time for me to retire and let the young pup do the traveling. And so any further travel adventures will be brought to you by Austin. You remember Austin - that pampered, furry rat Mom brought home?

Now that does not mean that I am being put completely out to pasture? (Do dogs get put out to pasture? Okay, maybe we just get put in the dog house.) Whatever - I will still be working. Mom and I are building an entire site just for pets - particulary dogs. And she has said I can use a big part of it to promote adoption and spay/neuter programs. Since I am a former pound puppy, this is a very important issue for me and I can't wait to get started.

All of our family will have a piece. So over the next few days, I will introduce you to the rest of them. You'll meet Ginger and Oscar, Iris, Cobweb, Puck, and Peasebottom, and even Bubba. You might even get to meet the raccoon twins if they decide to put in an appearance. You'll learn a bit about how they came to be part of the family and what each of them will be contributing to our site. That way, when it's ready, you'll already know us - you'll be part of our family too!

I do want to thank everyone who has sent me kind wishes while I have been recovering. And whoever the mystery benefactor is that sent the Beefie Boots - you are my new BFF! You know who you are. Thank you. You made little dog VERY happy!

Galveston Oh Gavleston!

2010-06-11T12:53:00.000-07:00

We are back from our whirlwind trip through Texas! Actually, we been back for a bit, but Mom has been so busy, she hasn't had time to share the computer with me. But I finally did convince her to let me have some time today. I'm really good with the "puppy dog eyes"!

The first place we went to was Galveston. Neither Mom or I have been there before so it was an new experience for both us. We love exploring new places together!

Galveston is actually on an island. I didn't know that until we got there. That was great because islands mean beaches and water and sun - all things I love! Mom says because it's an island, it has seen lots of big storms. She said there was one in 1900 that almost destroyed the entire island. But she said the people who live on Galveston are strong and determined and they just fix whatever the storms break and keep going on. I'm glad they decided to keep rebuilding so I could come visit.

When we arrived in Galveston, Mom had a room for us at La Quinta Inn Galveston. What a great place! There was water right across the street from us. Mom said it was the Gulf of Mexico. The bed was one of the best I have ever slept on. Texas is HOT but our room was always nice and cool. And Mom really liked the big bathroom. I am glad that pets are welcome at La Quinta Inns. They are great places to stay!

Mom had work to do in Galveston, so Dad and I were on our own a lot. But Mom did find time to go with us to Galveston Island State Park. Mom says there was a big storm named Hurricane Ike that did a lot of damage to the island, including the park. But people have been working on it to make it ready for visitors again and much of it is open. (I have a friend named Ike. I didn't know they named storms after dogs! Cool! Does anyone know if there is one named after me? Hurricane Bob! I like that!). We went and walked on the beach for a while. Dogs are allowed on the beach as long as they wear a leash. We saw a lot of birds. I like birds. Mom and I feed them at home, but we don't have any that looked like these. What we didn't see was oil! Mom said there was an accident and someone caused a lot of oil to spill in the ocean. Some of it has come to the beaches but luckily not to Galveston. I have watched Dad take oil out of Mom's car and it's nasty! I can't imagine what it would be like on the beach. I'm glad it didn't reach Galveston and I am sorry for the beaches where it did reach.

Mom and I love the beach so we also visited Stewart Beach. There were lots of families on the beach when we went there. Mom says they have a sandcastle building contest here. We had a great time here too. Even Dad liked it although he's not much of a beach person. But he liked that fact that he could walk out on the jetties and fish. He's quite a fisherman! I like the fact that they have a snack bar. I get hungry walking on the beach!

After playing on the beach, I was ready for some food! We found some great places to eat in Galveston, but my favorite was a place called Mosquito Cafe. I don't know why they named it after mosquitoes. I didn't see any mosquitoes there - not even on the menu. But that's why Mom wanted to try it. She just liked the name. Mom didn't take me with her. I was tired and needed to rest. But she brought me back a steak sandwich that was yummy!

We had a great time in Galveston - and made some new friends while we were there. As always, we found some four-legged friends needing homes. I'll tell you all about them in my next post.

Bob's Travels

2010-05-04T21:54:00.000-07:00

It's been a tough year for us. Dad has been sick. I've been sick. Even Mom was sick for a while.  And while Mom has been taking care of Dad and me, we haven't been traveling.

Fortunately, Mom found some new pills that are making me feel like a puppy again! Okay, maybe not quite that young. But I have felt better lately.  I even chased a squirrel yesterday.  And I was able to clear the landing between the sunroom and the garage in one leap yesterday. I haven't been able to do that in a long time. I'll be telling you more about these pills in a future post. For now, just know that they work!

Dad has also been working really hard to get well.  While he still has some bad days, he does seem to be getting better a little bit every day. I tried to get him to take some of my pills. I kept one that Mom gave me and took it to Dad and dropped it in his lap. He didn't seem to understand though. He just gave it back to me. I know they would make him feel better if he would take them. He might even want to help me chase squirrels!

The good news is that with both me and Dad feeling better, Mom says she needs to go visit some of her clients and friends again. That means we will soon be on the road again. In fact, Mom has already decided where we are going first - Houston and Galveston. Mom says both of these are in Texas. And since we will be in Texas already, she said we will also go to Corpus Christi to visit Christine and baby John. John has a new baby of his own named Brianna. I can't wait to see them. And then we will stop in Dallas to see Mai Lei and Mark and all the cats.

I have already written about all the great things to do in Corpus Christi and Dallas, but I will still keep you updated on our visit with the babies and the cats. But I have never been to Houston or Galveston. I am looking forward to seeing what sorts of adventures I can have there - and of course, letting you in on all of the pet-friendly things to do.

Mom says after we get back from Texas, we'll be home for a little bit. Then it's back to Las Vegas for a few days.  Vegas is way cool. I can't wait to share all the fun we'll have there. Mom says we are going to rent a dune buggy this time so I can go for a ride in the desert! I love to take rides.

Mom has been planning a lot of upcoming trips. After Vegas, she says it will be time for her friend Ken to have another of his jvAlert meetings. I'm not sure what that is, but Mom always seems to like them. She says the whole idea for me came from one of those meetings. Mom says it will probably be somewhere on the West Coast. I don't know if I will get to go with her then. She will be in meetings all day and I don't like to be bored. But Mom says she also needs to go to Philadelphia to meet her new friend, Doug. She and Doug are working on a new project together that has her pretty excited. And she says that she also needs to go home to Honesdale to visit her sister.

We are going to be busy this summer. I'll be traveling with Mom again just like we used to. Dad said he will come along too - at least most of the time. He'll probably stay home with me when Mom goes to jvAlert. But the rest of the trips should be the three of us - just like the old days.

So stay tuned. Traveling Bob is traveling again. And I'll be writing and sharing my journeys with everyone. On the road again. I can't wait to get on the road again!

Traveling Bob

2010-01-04T20:40:00.000-08:00

I want to tell you a story about a little dog. This dog was a good little dog. Yes, he chewed on shoes and piddled on the floor. But he didn't mean it. He was just a puppy after all. He wanted to be good. But the man and the woman who lived with him and his 4-legged mom said they had too many dogs already and that the little dog was too much trouble. So they took him to the animal shelter. The little dog was put in a small cage with no friends to play with and no one to pet him. He had food and water and sometimes he got to go outside and walk around, but most of the time he was in the cage - alone. It was very scary! Sometimes the people who worked at the shelter would come and get a dog for a walk - and the dog would never come back. The little dog heard that they were put to sleep. Sleep was good, but somehow sleeping and never coming back didn't seem right. The little dog worried that might happen to him and he was afraid. Sometimes, people would come in to the shelter and take a dog from the cage. These dogs also never came back. But the little dog heard that this was different. These dogs were going to new homes where they would be loved and be part of a family. The little dog wished every night that someone would take him home.

One day a man and woman came in to the shelter. They stopped at the little dog's cage and talked to him. The little dog sniffed at the woman's fingers as she reached through the cage. She asked if she could hold the little dog. When she picked him up, the little dog reached up and kissed her on the chin to say thank you for taking him out of the cage. The woman cuddled the little dog, looked at the man, and said, "I want him." That's was all it took! The little dog couldn't believe it. Someone was going to take him home.

The man and woman took him to a big house in the country. There were lots of trees with squirrels to chase. There were some other dogs to play with. There were also cats, but the little dog soon learned that they were almost as much fun to chase as squirrels - except for the big one with the claws!

Every day the man left the house to go to someplace called work. Then the woman would go upstairs to a room and also go to work. She began to let the little dog in to sleep in a chair while she worked. The little dog watched her work on something called a computer and talk on the telephone. Pretty soon he began to understand that what the woman called work was actually helping people find hotels and other locations for meetings, weddings, and other events. She knew a lot about hotels and different cities and enjoyed helping others find just the right location.

One day the woman announced that she had to go to one of these events to meet with a client. The little dog was sad because he did not know what would happen to him while she was gone. He sat every day in the chair in the office worried about where he would go while he watched the woman make plans to travel. One night after the man came home, he and the woman were talking. They decided that they would both go on this trip so they could take a vacation after. Then the woman started talking about what worried the little dog - what they would do with him while they were gone. The little dog listened and as he did, he couldn't believe what he heard. The woman did not want to leave him alone because he was so little and not used to being alone. True, she said someone would stop by a couple of times every day to check on them and make sure they had food and water. But she said while the other animals who lived in the house were used to this, the little dog was not. And so they decided to take the little dog with them!

The little dog had the best time on his trip. He would spend his days with his new dad while his new mom went to meetings. Then they would all go for walks in the parks or on the beach. At night, mom would bring dinner to the hotel room and she and dad would eat and sometimes share a bite with the little dog. Then they would all curl up on the bed and watch TV or read. The little dog was so happy!

One day on the trip, the woman and the little dog met another lady who was traveling with her dog. The women stopped to talk to each other for a while. On the way back to the hotel, the woman began to talk to the little dog. She said the other lady had a hard time finding a good place for her to stay with her pet. She said it was too bad that there wasn't some place where you could not only find listings of pet-friendly hotels, but actually learn enough about them to know which one was the best. Then she looked at the little dog and said perhaps she and the little dog could help others who travel with their pets find the best places to go, just like she helped people having meetings find the best location.

In case you haven't figured it out by now, the little dog in the story is me. And this is how Traveling Bob was born. Mom and I have traveled together all over the country. I have learned a lot about what makes a good pet-friendly hotel in a great pet-friendly city. I love sharing what I have learned with other traveling pets. And I'm really excited now that Mom is letting me have my own website so I can put all this great info in one place.

So the next time you are going on a trip and taking your furry family members with you, ask Traveling Bob for advice. We'll make sure you find the best place for you and your family. Remember - it should be a dog's world, even on the road!

New Year - New Changes!

2010-01-01T21:52:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since my last post. The last few months have been difficult ones for me and my Mom and Dad. Lots of illness and time spent in hospitals and doctor's places. Hard things for Mom and Dad to have to talk about and think about and decide what to do. I tried to help as much as I could by cuddling up with Mom or Dad when I saw they were troubled and letting them know they were loved and needed.

Last night was better though. Mom and Dad said it was New Year's Eve. There was food, and people wearing funny hats, and lots of noise. And at midnight Mom kissed Dad, and then all the kids and grandkids and said 'Happy New Year!" And then she picked me up and I kissed her nose and she said told me Happy New Year and things would be better now.

Everyone left shortly after that, and Mom and I sat in her chair. She talked to me and called me her special boy. She reminded me of how long I had been part of the family. It made me think. I am an old dog. I may not look my age, but I'm getting up there in years. And just like Mom has Austin now to help with things I can't do anymore, I've decided to have Mom make some changes here also.

Mom has been teaching Austin all about traveling, so he know all about it now - almost as much as I do. He is going to start sharing his travel experiences with us so that when I get too old to go as much as I used to, Austin can carry on.

We've have also decided to let some of the others share their experience. When Mom first brought Oscar home, he had been sharing an apartment with Jessica, Mom's baby. Oscar knows all about dog friendly apartments and what makes a good town for a dog to live in. He'll be sharing that knowledge with all of us on our new website.

Beauty is old - even older than I am. But she is still pretty spunky. That's because she knows all about how to stay healthy and strong, even when you're her age. Beauty will be sharing the latest in health, grooming, and nutrition tips - all of her secrets that keep her so young at heart.

Ginger is big. I mean REALLY big. But thankfully, she is very well behaved. If not, she could hurt one of us just because she is so much bigger than the rest of us. She'll be teaching other dogs how to behave well and maybe even do some tricks like when she dances with Mom.

And of course we have The Rat - I mean Austin. Not only will he be helping me with the travel tips, but he will have an entire section of his own for kids. Austin loves kids and they seem to like him. He'll be sharing our adventures with them, and teaching them how to care for their pets, and giving them lots of fun things to do.

Along with this, we'll have some guest appearances by the others in our family - the cats: Iris, Little Bitty Kitty, Bogart, Buddy, and JoyBelle. The racoons - George and Gracie. The possum. Our friends - Pixel, Aspen, Copper and Tink. Even Shiloh the grumpy grasshopper might stop by.

We are working very hard to get the new site ready. Mom says now that the holidays are over and everyone is well again, she will spend all her spare time getting it done. Meanwhile, I'll introduce you to Oscar, Austin, Ginger, Beauty and the rest in our blog.

Everyone is excited about their part in our new project. We hope you will be as excited about it as we are.

Happy New Year!

Where to go from here?

2009-11-21T03:04:00.000-08:00

I love sharing my travel stories with everyone! And I hope my recommendations are useful to other pets traveling with their moms and dads. But I want to do more! I have been giving Mom "puppy dog eyes" for weeks now, trying to convince her to let me. And at last she has agreed. The only problem? We don't know what you want.

So now is your chance to request the services you would like from Traveling Bob. Mom helped me put together a survey just so I could ask everyone. It's very short - only 10 questions. But it will help me make sure I'm giving all my traveling friends the support they need.

Click here for survey! And then watch for your suggestions on our upcoming new and improved site!

Thanks and nose kisses to all of you!

Explore Westerville, OH with Debra Shiveley Welch, Chris, Kelly Belle, Emma Lou, and Me!

2009-10-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

It's time to meet another one of Mom's friends from the Divas of Boomer Diva Nation! This week we are off to Westerville, OH to meet Debra Shiveley Welch, her son Chris, Kelly Belle, and Emma Lou.

From the time Debra moved out on her own, she has had pets, and of all them were rescued in some way. So when the time came to find a pet to share with her husband, Mark and son, Chris, she went to the pound and found Kelly. Actually, Mark found Kelly. As Debra tells the story, "When my husband saw this white, shaggy puppy, he got what I call “the goofy look”: that expression that comes across a person’s face when they see a cute baby, a fuzzy kitten or any baby for that matter, which they simply can’t resist. Yes, it was there – goofy as could be. So, we chose Kelly." Kelly was three months old when she became part of the Welch family and has been with them ever since. Debra says she has been a loving companion to all of them, but especially to Debra's son, Chris.

The other pet in Debra's life is Emma Lou, a gorgeous, black, white and tan longhaired Calico cat. Emma came to the family in a bit different way. Instead of Debra and family adopting her, she adopted them! Debra tells the story of how Emma came to them: "Chris was sitting on our deck, playing his guitar, when this fur covered skeleton climbed the stairs to our deck and plopped herself in the middle of his lap. Chris pet her for a while, cooing to her and quietly examining her, when she jumped out of his lap as quickly as she had appeared and ran off. We speculated about the obviously abandoned cat, and decided that the next morning, we’d buy some food, just in case. Around nine that night, a pounding was heard at our back door. It was Emma, knocking and demanding to be let in. We opened the garage door, made a bed, and Emma spent her first night in our garage: alone, but safe. Early the next morning saw me at the store, purchasing cat food, a litter box and litter. Emma has been with us ever since."

As you can see Debra has her hands full as wife to Mark, and Mom to Chris, Kelly Belle, and Emma Lou. But she is also an award winning author! In 2004, at age 52, her first book A Very Special Child was published. It has won the Faithwriters Gold Seal of Approval – Outstanding Read award and has been on Amazon, Amazon Japan, Buy.com and Barnes and Nobles best sellers list. And she has passed this talent on to her son Chris, who is a gifted writer himself. Since that first book in 2004, either she or Chris have published a book a year. Jesus Gandhi Oma Mae Adams made its appearance in 2005, Christopher Bullfrog Catcher in 2006, in 2007, Son of My Soul – The Adoption of Christopher, winner of the Faithwriters Gold Seal of Approval – Outstanding Read, Book and Authors Literary Excellence and Books and Authors Best Non-Fiction Book 2007 made its debut, and Just Chris, her son’s companion book to her latest work in 2008. She is now working on Cedar Woman, her first romance novel and a cookbook with her son.

Debra, her son, Christopher, and her husband, Mark, live in Westerville, Ohio. Home to just over 35,000 citizens and the birthplace of the Anti-Saloon League, Westerville is a charming family-oriented town with several parks, the Inniswood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve, and Otterbein, the private liberal arts college founded in 1847. With its low crime rate and diverse parks and family-oriented activities, Debra says it is a great place to raise a family.

If you're planning a trip with your Mom to Westerville, you will actually want to stay in Columbus. It's only 5.5 miles from Westerville. When we looked for hotels to stay in, the Columbus OSU Red Roof Inn was our pick. It's a very good location to bring your Mom because there is a lot of grass so you can take her for a walk. The rooms are clean. There are restaurants and a grocery store nearby - in case Mom forgot to pack your food. When we called to get information about the hotel, the lady on the phone was very helpful. And best of all - I get to stay for free. In fact all pets stay free!

Once you get to Westerville, ask your Mom to take you to the Brooksedge Dog Park. Brooksedge is a big fenced in area with 3 separate sections for different dog sizes. The area has parking, a dog waste bags dispenser, trash cans, water bowls and fountains for both you and your Mom. There are benches for Mom so she can sit and watch you play, some large climbing toys, and even a water hydrant!

If you just want to go for a nice walk, Mom can take you to Blendon Woods where you can walk the Goldenrod Pet Trail. It's an easy 1.2 mile grassy trail, located in a beautiful 653 acre metro park with a 118 acre waterfowl refuge and an 11 acre lake that is sanctuary for 100s of birds and wildlife. You'll want to wear your leash here so Mom doesn't get lost - and anyway it's a rule. Mom will also need to bring the pooper scooper so she can clean up after you.

Debra mentioned the Inniswood Botanical Garden as a great place to visit. Dogs are not allowed in Inniswood itself but they also have a trail where you and Mom can take a walk. The Chipmunk Chatter Trail is easy, less than a mile long, and paved. And of course, you must be on leash, under control and cleaned up after.

No wonder Debra loves living in Westerville. Next time you're in Ohio, stop by and visit! Tell her Traveling Bob sent you.

Are Aluminum Dog Tags Safe?

2009-09-29T23:47:00.000-07:00

I love my red collar with it's shiny dog tags. Mom says they are made of stainless steel. She says she pays a bit more for them, but I'm worth it. In fact all five of us wear stainless steel tags. Mom even bought one for the rat!

My friend Snickers doesn't have a shiny tag like mine. His dad says Snickers' tags are made of something called aluminum. Mom and I like Snickers and his dad, so Mom explained to him why my tags are a better buy.

When you buy a dog tag for your dog, it's because you want to be returned to us safely if you get lost, right? It's not a necklace or some sort of decoration. It has a purpose. If I lose Mom, I want someone to know how to find her again. That's why I wear my name and Mom's name, address and phone number on my tag. I've had my tag for a long time - almost as long as I can remember. At least as long as we have lived in the country house. Mom says it still looks as good as when she first bought it.

Stainless steel doesn't rust. And I can't chew it up (even if I could reach it. I have a CollarTag™ so that's almost impossible!). But Mom says aluminum is soft - one of the softest metals available. She told Snickers' dad to think about how easy it is to crush an aluminum can. Mom says aluminum tags wear out very quickly. She says the writing gets harder to read the longer the tag is worn - and most people don't think to change their dogs' tags regularly. Pretty soon you can't even read what's there.  So when you lose your mom or dad, no one will be able to help you find them because they can't read where your mom or dad are.

Mom says she gets lots of questions asking if aluminum dog tags are safe.  The problem is not safety of the tags. It's the fact that they are so cheaply made and wear out so quickly that it's not safe to wear them because you don't know if anyone can read what it says. Aluminum is okay. It's not being able to find your mom or dad that isn't safe!

What tag should you buy? One like mine if you can. CollarTags™ from Boomerang Tags. Mom says they are the best dog tag available. But if you can't get the CollarTags™, please check out their selection of plastic, stainless steel, or brass tags. Anything but aluminum!

Adopt a Friend from Marietta, GA

2009-09-14T20:33:00.000-07:00

Last week you met my friend and woman of wisdom, Debra Stokes and her grand-dog, Rex. Now it's time to meet some other friends - friends who desperately need a home. Our newest partner shelter is the Cobb County Animal Control Unit. Located at 1060 Al Bishop Drive, Cobb County Animal Control houses lost, abandoned and unwanted animals of Cobb County - Marietta, Georgia.

Cobb County Animal Control has many adoptable cats and dogs. Those shown here are only a few of the many adoptable animals housed at the shelter. The adoption prices: Dogs 12 months and older $40.00 Puppy under 12 months $30.00 Cat 12 months and older $35.00 Kitten under 12 months $30.00 This includes the first set of shots and worming. Most animals are Microchipped. Take a look at each of these furry bundles of love and then visit Cobb County Animal Control for your next pet!

Nina
Nina is a white/tan Pointer mix. Nina is up-to-date with routine shots and spayed/neutered. I think she looks like my friend Beauty, the Jack Russell that lives with me and Mom and Dad. That's why I hope she finds a home soon!

Alizay
Alizay is a 9 month old white Pitbull. I don't normally like pitbulls. But the people at Cobb County Animal Control say she is a sweet girl. Alizay is up-to-date with routine shots.

Wafer
Just look at Wafer's eyes! She is saying '"I just want a family to love me, please." Won't you take her home? Wafer is a 2 year old black retriever mix. Wafer is up-to-date with routine shots.

Snowflake
I used to have a kitty named Snowflake too! She was all fuzzy and pretty. This Snowflake is pretty too - just like mine. Snow Flake is a beautiful and sweet 3 year old white dlh. Snow Flake is up-to-date with routine shots.

I have been blessed to be adopted by a wonderful mom and dad. Please be a blessing to one of my friends in Marietta.

Explore Marietta, GA with Debra Stokes, Rex, and Me!

2009-08-31T11:59:00.000-07:00

It's time to meet another one of Mom's friends from the Divas of Boomer Diva Nation! This week we are off to Marietta, GA to meet Debra Stokes and Rex. Rex is actually Debra's granddog. As she says, "The 'Most Handsome Pound Dog in the Universe' is Rex, my Grand dog. Rex was rescued from a pound in Auburn, Alabama, by my daughter when she should have been getting a college education!"

The other doggie in Deb's life is Nicky, a Cairn terrier. Nicky is no longer with Debra and her family. He suffered a stroke about two years ago. But he lived with Debra for 16 years and she still misses him.

Debra is very involved with a group on LinkedIn called Women of Wisdom. She established this group to provide a forum where they share the lessons they have learned along their Christian journey. And she writes a great blog which you can read at www.womanofwisdom.wordpress.com. And her business, Eloge Enterprises, has two great products that Mom said she wishes had been available when she needed them. Mom says they would have been a God-send. I'm not sure what they are for exactly, but if Mom says they are great then you definitely need to check them out: Glistens and Kool-nex.

They all live in the northern suburbs of Atlanta – Marietta or May-retta, if you’re a local. Debra says, "We have lots of parks and nature trails along the banks of the Chattahoochee River. This is a very pet-friendly area. We’ve had the same vet for nearly 20 years and they still take care of our pets without requiring that we pay before we walk out of the door!!!!!! It’s like family."

Sounds like Marietta, GA is a great place for a little dog to visit! Actually, Marietta is not far from Atlanta. Mom and I have been here before. And when we come we stay at the Homestead Studio Suites Atlanta-Marietta-Powers Ferry. Mom was very nervous the first time we stayed there. A room with a king-size bed for under $50 a night? But this was a last minute trip and it was all that was available. What a surprise we had. While it is definitely no-frills, it was neat, clean, and best of all - they take pets. One pet is allowed in each guest room and when you bring a pet, there will be a non-refundable cleaning fee charged upon check-in on the first night. This charge will be $25 dollars for each night of your stay but will not exceed $150. Weight, size and breed restrictions may apply.

There's a grocery store nearby so I can get my favorite food without having to pack a lot of stuff with me. And on the nights Mom wanted to eat out, there were several restaurants close.

Marietta has a great dog park for me to play in. Sweat Mountain Dog Park was Marietta's first official off-leash dog park. It has an area for big dogs and a separate area for little guys like me. And it has benches for Mom to sit on so she can watch me play.

When we are not at the park, we sometimes walk the Silver Comet Trail. It's one of the top trails in the country. I have to wear my leash because lots of different folks use the trail. Mom and I just walk, but there are joggers, bikers, and skaters using it too. So I let Mom put my leash on me so I don't get run over!

Next time you're in Georgia, stop by Marietta and visit my friends, Debra and Rex. She say you are welcome in Cobb County!

Why Every Dog Should Have a Human

2009-08-14T23:25:00.000-07:00

Most dogs want a human at some point in their lives. If you have been considering adopting a human family, I highly recommend it!

Dogs who have humans are happier, healthier, and live longer than stray dogs. And since dog owners also tend to be happier, healthier, and to live longer, it's a win-win combination! The properly trained and socialized human makes a loyal, loving and faithful companion and guardian. The daily responsibility of owning a human brings great joy and comfort to many dogs. Providing our humans with love and companionship can be challenging at times, but seeing the smiles on their faces as they pet you, or hearing the love in their voices as they call your
name makes it all worthwhile.

Humans are a dog's best friend. That's a fact! They may not chase squirrels with you or dig for buried smelly things in the yard, but there are so many other things you can do together. My mom and I share all sorts of adventures. She has added so much to my life.

Before my mom came and brought me home, I never got to go for a long walk. Now mom and I walk almost every night. I love sharing this time with her. And she says that walking with me has helped her lose weight, get in better shape, and relieve stress.

Before I came to live with my mom, everyday was pretty much the same. But now I have responsibilities like waking her up in the morning, sleeping by her feet at night to help keep her warm, and sitting next to her in her chair to keep things from bothering her. I know it sounds like a lot of work. But she is always so happy to see me that it makes me happy too! And the more I wag my tail and nuzzle her, the happier she seems to be.

Mom protects me from bigger dogs and mean people who would hurt me. She makes sure I have my shots and trips to Dr. Karen so I don't get sick. She brushes and bathes me so I don't have fleas or ticks. And I help take care of her by barking when something or someone comes in our yard that doesn't belong there. When we walk, I can spot snakes or skunks or other things before she does and I stop and bark so she doesn't run into them. And I can always tell when a bad storm is coming and I let her know by running in through the pet door as soon as it starts raining! When she is sick, I stay by her so she doesn't feel lonely. And when she can't eat all her food, I eat her leftovers so she doesn't have to waste them. When she's not home, I guard the house for her and bark at everyone that comes there to let them know that mom has a dog on duty! I know I am small, but when I bark, Ginger barks too, and she is a BIG dog. When she barks, it scares people!

I love to help mom with her housework too. When she makes the bed, I help by grabbing the blanket in my mouth and pulling it across the bed. She sometimes gets a little annoyed because she says I am pulling it the wrong way. But most days she says thanks for helping to make the bed. And I help her remember to keep her socks and things picked up so she doesn't lose them. If she forgets and drops them on the floor, I will take them and hide them for her so they don't get lost.

When I was kept in a cage, every day was so boring. But now everyday is fun! She knows how to fetch and play catch and shake hands. She's really pretty smart for a human! Sometimes we just go outside and romp around the yard together or just sit on the porch in the sun. I help her when she's digging in her garden. It took me a while to learn that I can't just dig in there whenever I want to. Some things that I thought were weeds were actually things she had planted. But even when we just sit together and read or watch TV, we still have a good time.

Just remember - they are only human after all. So take good care of them and train them well. Give them lots of love and affection. Let them know how much they mean to you. Train them to walk on a leash, relax in the sun, enjoy a good nap, and teach them how to give proper nose kisses. You'll be rewarded with a lifetime of companionship that can't be beat!

Adoptable Pets from Tyler, Texas

2009-08-05T00:38:00.000-07:00

If you have been following me and my mom on Twitter or read any of my mom's blogs, then you know why I haven't been on the computer much. First we had 3 new additions to the family - Reid in April, Brianna in May, and Mylie in July! They are all cute as can be and mom and dad and I went to see each of them as soon as they were born. That's the good news. The bad news is that right after we came home, dad got real sick. Mom said it was his heart and that we needed to slow down and take care of him. I don't mind - dad takes real good care of me when I'm sick. So I have been spending my days sitting in dad's lap while he rests and gets better. And he is getting better. We even went out in the boat today. Mom and Reid's daddy had to get the boat ready so dad could ride with us. But it was still good to get out in the sun on the water with him and we had a great time together. I know mom driving his boat made him a little nervous - but it's a big lake! What could she possibly hit? And she didn't lose anybody over the side so I guess she did okay.

Now that dad is getting better, mom said we can start working and writing again. So it's time to get back to my blog. If you remember, I had a mission this year of helping 1000 homeless pets find homes. We were off to a great start too, and while my absence may have set us back a little, I am not giving up. So, to get the momentum going again - and in honor of my good friends Betty Lynch and Copper, I am going to highlight some of the wonderful companions available in Betty's town of Tyler, Texas.

Since I am a huge supporter of the Humane Society of the United States, I chose the Humane Society of East Texas to be my partner shelter for our adopt a pet drive. The Humane Society of East Texas is an animal advocate agency. Their goal is to find forever homes for the animals at the shelter and to promote responsible pet ownership. It was established in 1963 by concerned citizens after they visited the City of Tyler’s inadequate animal impoundment facility. At that time, animals were housed in one small building regardless of the health of the animals. The Society requested that the Tyler impoundment facilities be turned over to the newly founded Humane Society of East Texas. Construction of the animal shelter was completed in 1968 and the Humane Society of East Texas's animal shelter was opened.

Animals may be adopted at the Humane Society’s animal shelter. Dogs and cats are available for adoption by responsible pet owners and have been spayed or neutered if old enough. If the pet is too young, at the time of adoption, a Certificate of Sterilization will be included in the adoption packet. The adoption fee includes spay/neuter, microchip, all vaccinations (including rabies) and 30 days of free pet health insurance. Adoption Fees: Dogs $130 Cats $115

There are many adoptable pets available at the Human Society of East Texas. Since I can only highlight a few, I chose those that are most in need of a home. Won't you open your heart and home to one of them? If you do, please let me know. Because for every pet adopted from one of my partner shelters this month, I will send their new mom and/or dad a free Traveling Bob pet bowl!

I have been blessed to be adopted by a wonderful mom and dad. Please be a blessing to one of my friends in Tyler:

Buster - Buster is a 4 year old Chihuahua who has had a hard life. He lost one of his eyes, was malnourished, but friendly when he first arrived at the shelter. After having surgery to remove his damaged eye, he became very protective. His disposition changed for a while until he realized that no one was going to hurt him again. He still mistrusts people, until he gets to know them. He is very playful with other small dogs, is neutered and weighs about 7 lbs. Buster will need an extremely patient owner, who will understand his moods. He will have to be watched, when company comes, because he will bite their heels. Buster has been at the shelter for 590 plus days.

Betty - Betty is a Retriever, Labrador/Australian Cattle Dog and is almost 2 years old. She likes other dogs and plays well with children and she likes to ride in a car. She was previously kept outdoors.

Tebow - Tebow is a Yorkshire Terrier, just like Austin, the rat that mom brought home one day for me to play with. I have to admit, he is not as much of a nuisance as I thought he would be so I can say that Yorkies are good dogs. Tebow walks on a leash (unlike Austin who hasn't quite mastered that yet!), and likes to ride in the car. He is used to being indoors, which is where Austin lives too. Yorkies are small and need to be indoor pets. He is shy and nervous but friendly and I'm sure will give lots of Yorkie love to the right family.

Mr. Wiggles - Mr. Wiggles is a 3 year old Chihuahua. He sure was named right because he is a very frisky boy that loves to run and play and likes other dogs. He does dig and is afraid of loud noises but some TLC can teach him not to do those things.

Kitter Kat - Yes, I want you to adopt a cat! I have cats of my own. Every dog should have a cat or two of their very own. Kitter Kat will need a real special home, one without other pets. Kitter Kat has Feline Leukemia, which is contagious to other cats. Other wise he is very healthy. He is the most lovable, social cat that has ever been at the shelter. He is litterbox trained, very playful, and just wants to love and be loved back.

Nanna - Nanna is a grey tiger kitty, just like my kitties, Iris and Little Bitty Kitty. Nanna is litterbox trained, knows commands, likes other cats but does not like dogs (nobody's perfect!). She plays well with small children and is friendly and playful. She was previously kept indoors and is front declawed. Nanna was surrendered because other cats in the family did not like her.

To adopt one of these great furry bundles of love, contact the Humane Society of East Texas. And tell them Traveling Bob sent you!

A Visit to Tyler, Texas with Betty Lynch and Copper

2009-04-26T07:26:00.000-07:00

It's time to meet another one of Mom's friends from the Divas of Boomer Diva Nation! This week we are off to Tyler, Texas to meet Betty Lynch and Copper.

Betty is the creator and author of My Country Kitchen. She makes all kinds of yummy things to eat. Then she shares how to do that with her friends. She has taught Mom how to make all kinds of good snacks for me. My favorite is Grandma's Meatballs. I love meatballs, and the ones Ms. Betty taught Mom to make are the best!

Betty is also a mom, just like my Mom. She takes care of Copper. Betty rescued Copper in May of 2008. Her vet found him standing in the middle of the road, stopped and picked him so he would not get run over. They ran ads and no one called for him. Knowing Betty had just lost her last pet, the vet called her and told her about Copper. It was love at first sight. Although Betty has realized that Copper had been mistreated as he runs from everyone who comes in her house, Copper is adjusting well and she loves him to death.

Betty sent Mom some information about Tyler.

"We are located in East Texas, also known as the Bible belt. It is a mid size city, population about 100,000. Also known as the Rose Capital of the world. The farming industry is roses. We have a beautiful rose garden that is the home to many, many years worth of beautiful and expensive beaded ball gowns from the previous rose queens.

Our city is also the home of a beautiful Tyler Zoo, oil refinery, medical community, large legal field, ranchers and some of the nicest people you could ever expect to meet. We have Tyler Junior College, Texas College, University of Texas at Tyler, along with a number of private schools. Our city is so clean and we have managed to keep smog to a minimum.

Many things to enjoy in Tyler including, museums, stage performers, concerts, traveling shows, E.T. Fair, tennis, football, basketball, soccer, both indoor and out, golf courses, bowling, miniature golf, skating, pottery, craft fairs, azalea trails, boating, wineries with lots of one of a kind shops.

Winters are very mild, however our summers get very hot with temperatures at 100 plus degrees with high humidity."

When we go to Texas, we don't normally stay in a hotel. Mom has lots of friends and family in Texas. But for those of you who don't Mom did some research and found the perfect place for you to stay - The Holiday Inn Select - Tyler. Mom found out that they have big comfy beds with lots of pillows just the way I like. And when Mom called to talk to them about bringing me, she said the people on the phone were very friendly and helpful. That's always a good sign. If the staff is friendly to me on the phone, they usually are once we actually visit the hotel as well.

Along with all of the great things to do that Betty listed, Mom found a park we can go to. Mom and I love to walk in the park. Some parks even have cabins or let Mom bring her tent and we stay for a few days. Tyler State Park has all the things that make parks great for me - hiking trails which I love, even though I do have to wear my leash. And Mom found out the park has raccoons! We have a raccoon at home. He is an outside semi-pet that Dad found when he was a baby. Mom and Dad didn't put him in a cage. They said he was big enough to be on his own with some help. So now he comes and sits on the porch with us at night and eats cat food out of his bowl. I like raccoons. I'm glad the park in Tyler has some. It would make staying there sort of like being at home.

I hope Mom will take a trip to Texas soon. Then maybe we can stop in Tyler and visit Ms. Betty and Copper. And maybe she'll teach Mom how to make some more yummy things to eat!

Top 10 Places To Vacation with Your Mom and Dad

2009-04-19T03:01:00.000-07:00

Mom and I like to travel. Sometimes we even take Dad with us. In our travels we have discovered that some places are more welcoming to pets than others. So here's my list of the top 10 places to travel with your Mom and Dad!

1. My own neighborhood - Northwest Arkansas. Whether you stay in Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville, or Fayetteville, there are hotels that will make you feel welcome. Lots of outdoor trails and parks to walk and play in. Big Wag Dog Bakery! Boat rides on Beaver Lake. It just doesn't get any better than this.

2. Colorado Springs, Colorado - home of the Olympic Training Center, Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods and the U.S. Air Force Academy. Plenty of pet-friendly hotels, dog parks, and 113 vets!

3. Portland, Oregon - a garden for mom, lots of places to stay, the largest city park in the US for me to visit, and more dog parks than almost any other city in the country!

4. Albuquerque, New Mexico - mom loves taking me to see the petroglyphs (whatever they are. All I know is it's a nice walk). Plenty of places to stay, Three Dog Bakery (almost as good as Big Wag Dog Bakery) and the Annual Doggie Dash & Dawdle, Animal Humane's largest fundraiser.

5. Austin, Texas - Mom and Dad found Austin on a trip to Corpus Christie. Mom loves bats and Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America. I was hoping I could chase them like I do the birds at home, but Mom only lets me sit by her and watch. There are lots of pet-friendly hotels and dog parks for me.

6. Asheville, North Carolina - We just discovered Asheville through our friend, Beverly Mahone. If you read my story about her and Asheville then you know why I love it. Great places to stay and things to do. There's even a camp for dogs!

7. Charlotte, North Carolina - Another great place in North Carolina. Mom likes baseball and the Charlotte Knights baseball team has a day that they let their four-legged fans come watch them play. Charlotte is also the home of Barbara's Canine Cafe and Catering. Again - it's not Big Wag but it's a close second when I'm far from home. Lots of parks and pet-friendly hotels.

8. Virginia Beach, Virginia - Maggie Wags Dog Boutique (I still have my Egg Babies), Just Dogs Gourmet, Canino's Pet Bakery and Boutique (Cheese and Bacon birthday cakes!), and lots of other places that cater just to us. Virginia may be for lovers but Virginia Beach is for dogs!

9. St. Louis, Missouri - St. Louis has an entire museum dedicated just to dogs - The American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog. 'Nuff said!

10. Orlando, Florida - Beaches, beaches, and more beaches. Great hotels to stay in. Sun and sand - what more could a dog want?!

Save a Life - Adopt a Pet in Asheville, NC!

2009-04-01T12:37:00.000-07:00

Continuing my campaign to help other pets not as fortunate as I am to find happy homes. Today, we are featuring the Asheville, NC Humane Society. I'm sure you remember that Asheville is Boomer Diva Nation founder and my friend, Beverly Mahone's favorite place in North Carolina! Let's make it an even better place by helping some of local four-footed and furry residents find permanent homes!

Asheville Humane Society/Buncombe County Friends For Animals is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization with over twenty-five paid employees. AHS is governed by a fifteen member, active, volunteer Board of Directors and supported by more than 800 general members. AHS receives payments from Buncombe County and the City of Asheville under a contract arrangement to operate the Shelter and Pet Adoption Center. The organization programs are also supported by donations, memberships, grants, and fundraising.

Asheville Humane Society is dedicated to promoting the compassionate treatment of animals in our community through education, sheltering and adoption.

Asheville Humane Society was formed in 1984 as Buncombe County Friends for Animals Inc., primarily as a governing body for the County Pet Adoption Center and Animal Shelter, which was previously operated by the County. Asheville Humane Society has operated the Shelter since September 1990. On July 1, 1996, we started operating and enforcing Animal Control within Buncombe County. On October 1, 1997, we began providing animal control services for the city of Asheville as well. In late 2002, due to state budget shortfalls, the City of Asheville elected to take City Animal Control back under its police department. In July of 2006 the Buncombe County Sheriff's Department, with the advice and direction of AHS, once again began providing animal control in the unincorporated parts of the county. AHS still provides sheltering services for Buncombe County, including all of its municipalities.

Here are some of the great friends available! I hope you will find a place for one of them in your home!

Walker
Whoever says that hounds can’t be trained has never met me! I’m super smart and I love training. I’ve already learned how to “sit”, and I’m working on walking nicely on a leash and on how to lay down. Of course, I am a beagle—I like to follow my nose!—but I’ll follow it right to the treat in your hand as you teach me something new! Ask to see me next!

Springsteen
Terrier, Pit Bull/Mix
This pet also comes with 30 days of pre-paid pet health insurance. For more information please visit http://www.sheltercare.com/us/index.asp or call 1-866-375-PETS.

Bowser
Retriever/Mix
This pet also comes with 30 days of pre-paid pet health insurance. For more information please visit http://www.sheltercare.com/us/index.asp or call 1-866-375-PETS.

Clover
Domestic Shorthair/Mix
This pet also comes with 30 days of pre-paid pet health insurance. For more information please visit http://www.sheltercare.com/us/index.asp or call 1-866-375-PETS.

Our organization offers 24PetWatch microchips, which include free registration into the 24PetWatch pet recovery service. For more information visit www.24petwatch.com or call 1-866-597-2424.

Learn How you can SAVE A LIFE! Click Here!

Remember, my goal is to help 1000 pets find homes this year! Check out my newest partner shelter - Asheville Humane Society. And when you adopt a pet, be sure to let me know so I can track my progress toward my goal!

Explore Asheville, North Carolina with Beverly Mahone and me!

2009-03-22T10:37:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago, Mom "met" a woman named Beverly Mahone. I say "met" because I don't think they have ever actually seen each other face-to-face. They have only gotten to know each other through Mom's computer. And yet, Mom says meeting Miss Bev was one of the turning points in her life and business. Bev is the founder of Boomer Diva Nation . She invited Mom to be part of something she called the Baby Boomer Diva Web of Fame. Mom says that is where she met other women like Miss Bev - all trying to make a difference in the world. She says they are the women who inspired and encouraged her to make some of the choices she has made lately that have helped her have a business that let's her stay home with me. I LOVE Miss Bev for helping my Mom be able to spend more time with me. I know that once you get to know her, you'll love her too.

I told Miss Bev that I wanted to feature her home in North Carolina in my blog, but she told me that her favorite place is Asheville. That's where she and her husband went for their first wedding anniversary. She sent me something she wrote about it and I want to share it with you.

"I was born and raised in Ohio and North Carolina was not on my career map after college. But I ended up here and have lived in North Carolina long enough to be called a "southern fried yankee." North Carolina is nothing like I thought it would be. As someone who grew up in the midwest, I expected a "separate but equal" mentality but that's not the case at all.

As a news reporter, I've had the privilege of visiting many cities and towns in North Carolina but my favorite has to be a little town in the mountains called Asheville.

"Quaint" "friendly" and "artsy" are a few words I would use to describe Asheville, NC. That's where my husband and I decided to spend our first year wedding anniversary. Asheville is one of the best kept secrets for tourism in a state known for tobacco and basketball. Asheville is nestled in the mountains of Western NC. The one thing that impressed me the most about Asheville is the fact that it has a rural, small town feeling and tourists blend in to the community. Every place we went we felt welcome and easily struck up conversations with many of the locals. It was really difficult to tell who the tourists were.

The mountain air was refreshing and the landscape is breathtaking. Asheville is also the home of the Biltmore House,which has 250 rooms and each one has an interesting story behind it. The gardens are absolutely exquisite!

I love living in a place where I get plenty of Carolina blue skies and an opportunity to experience the very best the entire state has to offer. "

Doesn't Asheville sound like a fabulous place? I think so! And there are lots of things to do with your pet. So let's take a look at dog-friendly Asheville, NC!

When Mom and I looked for a pet-friendly place to stay, we found the perfect spot. The Residences at Biltmore sets the precedent for luxury accommodations in the Asheville area. This concierge condo hotel is nestled on top of a hill cradled by old-growth hardwood trees, just outside the gates of the Biltmore Estate in South Asheville. Doesn't sound like the kind of place that would have a room for me, does it. Well surprise! You can request a pet-friendly room! It all looked great online, but Mom called just to get a better feel for the place. Mom spoke to a woman named Leah who was very helpful and knew a lot about Asheville. After talking to her for a few minutes, she said that Leah had just confirmed her feeling that The Residences would be the place to stay on our visit to Asheville.

Now that we know where to stay, what is there to do for little dogs like me? Well, the first place you have to visit, of course, is the Biltmore Estate. This opulent estate of George Vanderbilt is America's largest home covering 4 acres with 250 rooms on 8000 acres. A variety of sites and activities include an interpretive 1890's working farm, an award winning winery, extraordinary formal gardens, a one-of-a-kind shopping center, several eateries, and they also provide a variety of festivals and special events throughout the year, and numerous outdoor recreational opportunities. Dogs of all sizes are allowed throughout the grounds; they are not allowed in buildings. It is up to individual stores whether a dog is permitted inside. Dogs must be under their owner's control, leashed, and cleaned up after at all times.

Another great place to visit is the North Carolina Arboretum. The 434-acre site is nestled in one of the most beautiful natural settings in the United States. Mountain peaks bound the property's visual perimeters and 1.8 miles of the Bent Creek stream run through the center of the Arboretum. Dogs are allowed throughout the park and on the trails. They are not allowed in any buildings or in the Bonsai garden. Dogs must be under their owner's control, leashed, and cleaned up after.

One more stop on our tour of Asheville, NC - the Asheville Urban Trail. Learn about Asheville's architecture and historic past on this unique 1.7-mile walking tour, which includes delightful sculptures along the way, including Thomas Wolfe's size 13 bronzed shoes. Tour leaders or audiotapes are available to guide you. Dogs are welcome on the trail. They must be under their owner's control at all times and be leashed and cleaned up after.

Along with great places to visit, there are events just for us! If you happen to be in Asheville in April, check out Chimney Rock Park's Bark in the Park on the 18th. Chimney Rock goes to the dogs for this special event dedicated to our canine companions. Agility demonstrations, rescue organizations, contests and lots more will keep you and your pup busy.

If you can't make it in April, then go in September and take your canine companion to The Dog's Camp. It's September 20-25, 2009 in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is a week devoted to the joy of training and competing in canine sports. They've brought together top instructors to coach you in all aspects of working with your dog. Learn the skills that will help draw you and your dog together as a winning team; develop the know how to train, communicate, and compete effectively.

After a full day of outdoor fun, you know I'm going to be hungry. Mom checked for some places that would allow me to come and eat with her. As I'm sure you have learned by now, only outdoor restaurants allow little dogs like me. But Mom found a couple that sounded pretty good. I don't know about the food, but I sure do like the names. They just sound fun and friendly. The first place she found is The Laughing Seed Cafe. Mom said it's vegetarian. I think that means green stuff. But some of that is okay. Dogs are allowed at the outer tables. They must be under their owner's control, and leashed or crated at all times.

The other place Mom found is called Sunny Pointe Cafe (see what I mean about fun names?). This eatery and bakery specializes in using local, organic ingredients with dinner and daily specials, and indoor and outdoor dining options. Dogs are allowed at the outer tables. Dogs must be under their owner's control, and leashed and cleaned up after at all times.

I see now why Miss Bev loves Asheville, NC so much. What a great place to visit! And while you're there, be sure to call Miss Bev and tell her Traveling Bob sent you. While you're at it, check out the Divas of Boomer Diva Nation. Who knows? Maybe Miss Bev has room for one more Diva and maybe it could be you!

Touring with the Divas!

2009-03-11T18:46:00.000-07:00

My Mom is a member of a great group of women - The Baby Boomer Divas of Boomer Diva Nation (http://www.boomerdivanation.org). They live all over the country. There are even Divas in Canada and Australia!

Now that you have learned all about dog-friendly Arkansas, my home state, I thought if would be fun if Mom and I introduced to you the homes of the other Divas. So I am going to do a series of posts on each of the cities where the Divas live. I'll tell you all about the great pet-friendly places to go and things to see. And you'll get to meet the resident Diva. Many of them have pets of their own so you'll get to meet them too! Aspen, Copper, and lots of others!

To give you an idea of what's in store, here's a partial list of where we'll go and who you'll meet!

Raleigh, North Carolina - Diva Beverly Mahone
Grande Ronde, Oregon - Diva Angie Baker
Marietta, Georgia - Diva Debra Stokes
Melbourne, Australia - Diva Kathie Thomas

And that's just the first month! Lots of places to visit and Divas to meet.

First up - A visit to dog-friendly Raleigh, NC, home of the founder of Boomer Diva Nation, Beverly Mahone.

Little Rock, Arkansas Dogs and Cats Who Need a Home

2009-02-26T00:10:00.000-08:00

My campaign to help 1000 dogs and cats find homes this year continues. This time we focus on Little Rock, Arkansas and the pets available through CARE - Central Arkansas Rescue Effort for Animals.

CARE was established in 1998 for the dual purpose of rescuing abandoned dogs and cats facing euthanasia as well as to provide programs to help people get their pets sterilized. From a group of 4 initial volunteers, CARE has grown to the point where hundreds of volunteers devote thousands of hours to our rescue and spay-neuter operations. Since CARE does not have a shelter facility, they use their website as a virtual shelter where you can view pets available for adoption and submit an adoption application on line.

The animals pictured on this page are homeless, and in immediate need of a foster or permanent home. Who are they? These are animals that have been identified by CARE as adoptable pets. Where are they? These animals are currently housed at the animal shelter of one of central Arkansas’s municipal or county animal-services departments OR have been otherwise abandoned OR are living in some other situation where the animal cannot or should not remain.

If CARE can locate a volunteer foster home for these animals, then CARE plans to take them into its rescue program and proceed to search for a permanent (“adoptive”) home for each of them. The first step in that process is to place the animal in a foster home. CARE has no kennel or boarding facility of its own, but relies upon volunteers to provide temporary (“foster”) homes for the animals that are in its rescue program. For this reason, without volunteer foster homes, CARE's rescue program could NOT operate.

With respect to animals in the municipal or county animal-services shelters, each animal is assigned an “available date” that is based upon the date when the animal is admitted into the shelter. The “available date” is the date when the animal becomes available either to be adopted from the shelter or to be euthanized there. Each of these shelters is required to accept all animals within its jurisdiction that are surrendered to the shelter or are collected by the shelter in the course of its duties. Thus, unless an animal in the shelter is timely rescued by its owner or adopted directly from the shelter, the animal must be euthanized at some point after its ”available date” in order to make room in that shelter for more animals.

If you can open your heart and your home to save one of these lives, please contact CARE at telephone: 501-603-2273 or telephone: 501-804-2273 or email CARE at care@careforanimals.org.

Read their Foster Family Agreement & Fill O ut a Foster Application On-Line

Sweetie Petey is a wonderful cat, who truly fits his name. He comes to CARE from Little Rock Animal Village where he was picked up as a stray. Sweetie Petey has a great disposition -- very affectionate with a calm, laid-back personality. He gets on well with other cats and seems to be okay with dogs as well. Sweetie Petey loves to be petted, and rolls back and forth on his back when he wants a belly rub. He also rides well in a car. Sweetey Petey is neutered and vaccinated; he will be microchipped. [01-23-09]

Jessie comes to CARE from the Mayflower Animal Control where she was found walking down a busy road. Jessie is a beautiful dog with a sweet personality. She is very smart and quickly learns commands. Jessie loves to cuddle and be close to you. She loves to play frisbee and will be happiest in a home with a yard. Jessie is being treated for heartworms; she will be vaccinated, spayed and microchipped. [2-12-09]

Marcy is a happy, active two-year-old yellow Labrador retriever. She is getting along well in her foster home and plays happily with the foster's two dogs and six-year-old daughter. Marcy loves playing with toys and playing chase with them. She loves to eat and happily sits for treats. In keeping with her Labrador-retriever genes, Marcy loves water. She does well with other dogs and children. Marcy has been spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped. She was a rescue from Benton Animal Control. Marcy is doing well with housetraining and walking on a leash. [12-28-08]

Buck comes to CARE from Mayflower Animal Control where he was picked up as a stray. Buck is a very strong, happy dog and is eager to learn. He knows basic commands like "sit" and "stay," and Buck loves his treats. He will be vaccinated, neutered, and microchipped.

Save a life today! Sometimes just a few extra days can mean the difference between life and death for a dog or a cat on "death row" at animal shelters. CARE is often asked to rescue gentle, well-mannered, healthy dogs and cats from animal control shelters and emergency situations. Their ability to help these animals is limited to the availability of foster homes. If you love animals, please consider opening your heart and home to one that might otherwise die.

I was lucky. I have a Mom and Dad who love me and I have lived with them for a very long time. Please help me give other cats and dogs the same opportunity. A foster pet may stay at your home for as short a time as two or three days. Sometimes, it takes a couple of weeks before he or she finds a permanent home. Fostering an animal, whether for a day or a week, is an incredibly rewarding experience.

Are your a Person who thinks "Gee, I'd love to foster, but I won't be able to let them go to another home." -- everyone at CARE has gone through that stage. One thought helps the most - if you let this one go to a great home (maybe not as great as yours, but still a very good one... ), that opens up your house to save another cat or dog.

Click here to find out more information about becoming a CARE foster home.

Save a life. Call today and foster or adopt a pet! Tell them Traveling Bob sent you!

501-603-CARE

Have You Fed The Birds Today?

2009-02-15T20:13:00.000-08:00

Mom just came home from shopping. I saw the bag from the pet store and thought it was a treat for me. No such luck. All she bought was a bunch of bird seed! BIRD SEED!? I don't eat bird seed. I was a little upset - alright I was a lot upset. But then Mom reminded me how much I enjoy chasing birds. And she told me that in the winter, birds have a hard time finding food. She told me that it's so hard for them that people all over are joining together to remind others that they need to feed the birds. After listening to her, I felt bad that I had been mad. I like the birds. I can chase them. And when I'm tired and I'm just sitting in the sun, I can listen to them sing. It helps me sleep. I would not like a world without birds. So I've decided to do my part by sharing some information Mom got from the Wild Bird Center.

Consider that: - A typical backyard bird doesn't weigh as much as two nickels. - Birds spend most of their waking hours searching for food -- without the help of "hands" and "fingers". - They may consume 15% of their body weight overnight just keeping warm enough to survive. - Like mail carriers, they're outside in sleet, snow, wind and cold.

One-third of the adult population feeds wild birds in their backyards. Providing food, water and shelter helps birds survive, benefits the environment and supplements wild birds' natural diet of weed seeds and harmful insects.

Backyard bird feeding is an entertaining, educational and inexpensive pastime that can be enjoyed by children and adults. It provides a needed break from today's frantic lifestyles that helps keep families together. Young children are drawn naturally to the activities involved in feeding wild birds. Chickadees, for example, fly back and forth between a feeder and a nearby tree. On each trip, they take a single seed and fly to a perch. While holding the seed with their feet, they peck it open and eat the kernel. This can capture a youngster's imagination.

Adults enjoy the relaxation and peacefulness afforded by watching birds. Nature serves to relieve the stress and can get one's day going on a tranquil note. For example, the Northern cardinal is a common visitor to many feeding stations. A beautiful bird, the bright red male and his more camouflaged mate often will be the first at the feeder in the morning and last to leave at night. Mated for life, they can be observed sharing morsels of sunflower and safflower seeds during the nesting season.

Feeding wild birds in the backyard is an easy hobby to start, and it need not overtax the family budget. It can be as simple as mounting a single feeder outside a window and filling it with good-quality birdseed or oil sunflower seeds. This feeder can be a hopper, platform or tubular variety or one that sticks to the window.

Parents can challenge an inquisitive child's mind as they explore together these factors to encourage visits by their favorite birds. It also makes excellent material for school projects and reports. In fact, bird feeding is an excellent teaching tool. Children can assume daily responsibility for cleaning and filling the feeders. Different species of birds can be identified with a field guide. And the activity can be expanded form that point, depending on the interest of the family.

For example, suet products often are put out in wire baskets to attract woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees and others. Another variation of feeding is to provide sugar water in special red-colored feeders to attract hummingbirds in the summer. These little wonders of nature will hover right in front of you to drink, and present an entire bird study all by themselves.

If you offer water, particularly if it's dripping or running, you may attract birds that do not visit your feeders. Many interesting and eye-catching species are not seedeaters, preferring insects or berries instead. Adding a birdbath warmer to keep water from freezing in northern states during winter creates an oasis for bird watching. To round out the family's backyard birding program, birdhouses can be purchased to provide shelter in winter and breeding sanctuaries during spring for cavity-nesting birds.

Feeding backyard songbirds is an extremely popular wildlife-related recreational activity around the home. A stress-free and inexpensive activity, backyard birding brings a welcome flash of color and dash of motion and splash of sound into everyone's daily life.

Mom and I will fill our bird feeders tomorrow. She has lots of them all over our yard. We have a big yard so she needs them all. I hope you will feed them too.

Little Rock, Arkansas - A Great Destination

2009-02-12T19:29:00.000-08:00

I decided to continue our tour of my home state, Arkansas, with a visit to the state capital. Little Rock offers lots of exciting things for you and your parents to do. Made famous by "Bill and Hil", Little Rock has become a favorite destination for travelers.

Where do you stay when visiting Little Rock? Like all good pet-friendly cities, there is a wide range of choices. But as usual, I have my favorite. It's where Mom and I stay whenever we're in town. The Comfort Inn and Suites Downtown is a nice hotel with a very friendly staff. The fact that they are also smoke-free is a huge plus. Cigarette smoke makes me sneeze and Mom cough. The beds are so comfy - plush, plush, plush! And they have microwaves and refrigerators, so Mom and I can have breakfast together. Some of the rooms even have recliners, so Mom and I can relax just like we do at home.

In Little Rock, the first place everyone wants to see is the Clinton Presidential Center and Library. The Center has numerous exhibits and Mom says it houses the largest archival collection in American presidential history. I'm not sure what that means, but it sounds important. Mom only goes when Dad or someone else is in Little Rock with her because she likes to look at the exhibits and I'm not allowed inside. But I am allowed on the grounds and trails by the river. Since Dad wasn't a fan of Bill's, he doesn't mind keeping me company on our walks while Mom satisfies her historical and political cravings. I do have to be on my leash while we walk, but it's so nice here, I don't mind a bit. I love being near the river!

History buff that she is, Mom also likes to visit the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. She says General MacArthur was born right here (in the museum?) and that it honors Arkansas men and women who served in the Armed Forces, just like Dad and she did. I'm not that much of a history fan, so it doesn't bother me that I am not allowed in the buildings. I am allowed throughout the park and, just as when we visit the Clinton Center, Dad usually keeps me company while Mom goes inside. I sure have a great Dad!

After abandoning me to Dad all day, Mom usually feels guilty enough that she tries to make it up to me by taking me to the River Market District! It's always great, whenever we go. As long as I'm on my leash, I can go with Mom through all the streets of the district and even some of the open air restaurants. She always lets me have some BBQ - even though it's not all that good for me. I do only get a few bites. And sometimes, if I've been especially good, she lets me have a bite of her caramel cheesecake. It's yummy! I don't get as many treats as I used to though. I'm still on that diet.

After caramel cheesecake and BBQ, we go to Paws Park at Murray Park for some exercise. Paws Park is a fenced, OFF-LEASH, dog park. It has fences so the big dogs are kept away from little dogs like me. And there are water troughs so I can drink whenever I'm thirsty. Mom and I will play for a while and then she and I will sit on one of the benches and rest before dinner.

MY favorite place to eat is the Arkansas Burger Company. They have the best burgers in town - and you know how I love burgers! I like to sit at the outside tables and share a "Hog" with Mom and Dad. (For you non-burger lovers, a "Hog" is the world's best bacon cheeseburger!).

I just love it when Mom says lets go to Little Rock for the weekend. It has everything needed for the perfect dog-friendly getaway.

February is Adopt a Rabbit Month

2009-01-31T19:39:00.000-08:00

You know I'm on a campaign with my Mom this year to help as many homeless animals - 1000 is my goal - to find the same type of happy home as I have. And while I do spend most of my time promoting dog and cat adoption, there are those Moms and Dads who just aren't cat or dog people. Hard to imagine, I know, but it's true. But I have a solution for them. How about a rabbit?

February is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month. The House Rabbit Society and the ASPCA are encouraging rabbit adoption with the theme for this year's celebration - "Warm Your Heart, Warm Your Home - Adopt a Rescued Rabbit."

Marinell Harriman, founder and president of HRS, explains that the timing of this educational effort couldn't be better. "As we move into the months preceding Easter, it is critical that we get the word out. There are thousands of rabbits in shelters around the country waiting for homes; many of these rabbits were babies purchased as a whim during last year's Easter season by families who didn't know how to care for and interact with them. Now the kids have grown tired of them, and parents have dropped them off at already-crowded shelters."

HRS's mission is twofold - to educate the public about these often-misunderstood companion animals, and to help rescue and "re-home" domestic rabbits. However, Ms. Harriman cautions, rabbits are not for everyone, and therefore House Rabbit Society volunteers work hard to educate the public about what rabbits are, and what they are not.

I don't know much about pet rabbits. All the rabbits at my house are not pets. I see them hopping around in the field sometimes and I think it might be great fun to chase them but Mom won't let me. But Ms. Harriman knows all about rabbits. She told me that rabbits can be wonderful indoor companions, get along with many other companion animals (including cats and dogs), are intelligent, affectionate and inquisitive, and can readily be trained to use a litter box. That's pretty smart. Even I don't know how to use the litter box! However, they can also be destructive. The ideal "rabbit person", in addition to being gentle, patient and eager to get to know a rabbit on his or her terms, must be willing to rabbit-proof their home to prevent destructive chewing. (See Mom - I'm not the only one who chews on things they're not supposed to).

Like the ASPCA, HRS says rabbits can and should be spayed and neutered - both for health reasons and also to help put an end to the animal overpopulation problem.

HRS also tries to teach people that rabbits are not always a good pet, especially for children. Even baby bunnies tend to be willful and independent, and do not enjoy being picked up and carried. HRS also cautions against buying or adopting a rabbit as a gift, or on impulse, as the novelty of having a new pet usually wears off. When a family realizes how much day-to-day work is involved, the rabbit is, unfortunately, often turned loose or surrendered to a shelter.

I have a bunny right here in Arkansas that needs a loving family. Her name is Maggie Mae and she is beautiful! And she sure would love to have a home of her very own. She lives in Little Rock, AR with a foster mom right now but waits for the day, just like I did in the shelter, when her Mom and/or Dad will come to take her home to stay. If you decide a rabbit is the right addition to your household, make adoption your first option. If you would like to adopt Maggie Mae, contact the Arkansas Pet Rabbit Network. Or contact your nearest House Rabbit Society Chapter or local shelter or rescue group to meet the rabbits who are waiting for homes in your area. Remember - tell the Bob sent you. And let me know when you bring your new bunny friend home so I can see how I'm doing towards my goal.

Also, this month, in honor of Adopt a Rabbit Month, for each purchase from the Travels with Bob shop (http://www.cafepress.com/travelwithbob), not only will Mom make a donation to the Petfinder Foundation, she will also make a donation to the House Rabbit Society.

Mom and Bob and Boomer Living - What Fun!

2009-01-22T18:06:00.000-08:00

There's a great new resource for baby boomers available. Boomer-Living.com just went "live" recently and it's wonderful. My Mom is a baby boomer (and a Diva!) and she says it's already been valuable to her.

You might some familar faces when you visit! Most of you know my Mom, Melodieann Whiteley, is a meeting planner and site selection specialist. That means she travels - a lot! Thanks to a partnership between the Divas of Boomer Diva Nation and the editors of Boomer-Living.com, she shares those experiences with everyone through the Boomer Adventure column. She writes about the different places that make great trips for boomers and offers suggestions on where to stay, what to visit, and even where and what to eat. Mom has traveled widely for many years and she knows how to do so inexpensively and comfortably. Look for her recommendations at http://boomer-living.com/travel

There are a few other faces you might recognize - there's quite an assortment of Divas sharing their wisdom and experiences with the readers of Boomer-Living.com. BDN founder Beverly Mahone blogs about "Making Your Mess Your Message." I'm not sure what that means exactly. Mom doesn't like it when I make messes. I need to read Bev's blog so I can learn to make it my message. Then maybe Mom won't be so upset!

And Mom's friend and fellow Diva Rhea Becker shares her thoughts on all things 'boomer' with her blog "Boomers with a View." Mom just read me her story about the boomer pilot that saved the lives of his passengers by safely landing his plane in the Hudson river after it hit a flock of birds. Who knew a flock of birds could bring down a plane? (One more reason why I prefer to drive when we travel. I am not a bird-dog!) You can catch up with Bev and Rhea in the Coffee House http://boomer-living.com/coffeehouse/.

What's that? You say you see one more familiar face in the Coffee House? Yes, you're correct. That's me! I also have a blog on Boomer-Living.com. I am a boomer too, after all. And each week I'll be talking about my adventures traveling with my Mom, and offering advice on training your people to travel well and suggestion on how to take the best care of your Mom and Dad. I'm very excited that Mr. Doug (that's the guy who runs this whole thing) thought my blog was interesting enough to include. Ms. Bev, does this make me a Diva too? Oh...Mom just told me that only girls can be Divas. I guess I'll just have to settle for being Bob.

Please stop by http://boomer-living.com and check us all out. And let us know that you did - tell Mom, and Bev, and Rhea, and Mr. Doug that you heard about them here at The Adventures of Traveling Bob!

Teo and Pearly need homes!

2009-01-12T19:01:00.000-08:00

As promised, this post features some of my Hot Springs brothers and sisters that are waiting to write their own story that ends with beginning life in a new home. All of these pets are available at the The Humane Society of Garland County.

The Humane Society Of Garland County was established in 1974. They were originally known as The Garland County Animal Welfare Association Inc. The H.S.G.C. is a non profit, 501(3) (c), donation funded no kill organization. Currently they care for over 100 animals. They have both dogs & cats at this time. The majority of their animals come to them as a result of abandonment, mistreatment, cruelty, and neglect - which means they would REALLY appreciate a home of their own with someone to love them! The H.S.G.C. functions mainly from volunteers, with only (3) part-time paid employees in the entire organization. As part of their mission since the H.S.G.C. was founded they concentrate on rehabilitating all animals that enter their facility so that they can become socially interactive and be placed for adoption. They have recently opened a low cost spay/neuter clinic on site in order to help control the unwanted,pet over population. If you like one of the pets listed below, or if you want to see other pets that are available, visit the shelter at 1249 Ault Loop, Lonsdale, AR.72087. The shelter is open Tue.-Sat. 11:00am-4:00pm Sun. 12:00-4:00. They are closed on Mondays. Or visit their web site at http://hsgconline.org/ for more adoptable pets.

Their adoption fees are as follows: Dogs-$60.00 Cats-$60.00. Requirements: you must have a fenced yard and be able to provide care for the animal. The animal must be spayed/neutered.

Contact the shelter today to adopt one of these great pets!'

Duke

Duke is a beautiful Redbone Hound. He was born approximately 2007. He was brought to the Humane Society as a stray. He weights about 60 pounds, has a beautiful red coat and is gentle and gets along well with the other dogs.

Teo

Teo is a female black lab. She also has a sister at the shelter named Rio. They are happy pups and are learning to walk on leashes. they live in the same run and would love to be adopted together but like sisters, they would be happy for each other if they had to be parted if they both got happy homes. They are both very sweet!

Sissy

My name is Sissy. I don't quite understand why I am here but all I know is my family split up. The nice lady in my family left and the nice man in my family travels long distance all the time and could not keep my sister and I any longer. They had us neutered so we can't have puppies, which we didn't want to do anyway. We are Shepherd mix, medium size and both of us are very pretty. We were born approximately 2006. We like other dogs and in our last house we were house broken. It was a little hard for us here at the Humane Society to get adjusted. We were afraid to go for walks but now we do and we are right next to each other, which we like very much. Both of us hope we can find another home, this time forever.

Pearly

Pearly is 8 months old. His mother and siblings were found under an empty trailer He loves to play. Will make someone a very good companion.

Remember, I have a goal of helping 1000 dogs and cats across the country find homes like mine by the end of the year. So if you adopt one of these pets, please let me know. I need to be able to track my success.

Dog adoption and cat adoption saves lives. Adopt a dog or adopt a cat and you'll have a friend for life! Contact this shelter, or contact another local humane society, animal shelter or SPCA. You'll be so glad you did. Just ask my Mom!

Even Dogs Fall in Love with Hot Springs!

2009-01-04T14:38:00.000-08:00

This week we're taking a "virtual" trip to Hot Springs, AR! It's one of the first places Mom and Dad went after we moved here. They loved it so of course, after they adopted me, they had to to take me there to see what's so special about it. The answer - EVERYTHING. Hot Springs is a very friendly place - especially to little dogs!

You may have already noticed that Mom and I REALLY like staying at the Embassy Suites. It's not different when we go to Hot Springs. The Embassy Suites there is great - just like they always are. The Embassy Suites Hot Springs is located right in Hot Springs National Park. And it's just a few miles down the road to some of my favorite places to visit. All the rooms are suites which means I have plenty of room to stretch after our drive. And of course, it has three essentials for my comfort...nice cozy beds, a refrigerator for my snacks, and a TV. All the comforts of home. Pets up to 75 pounds are welcome, which means even big old Ginger can come with us sometimes. There is a $35 dollar per day charge, but Mom says I'm worth it, and besides, that includes a bed (which I never use - I sleep with Mom) and a pooch pack! You can check it out for yourself at http://hotsprings.embassysuites.com/. Tell them Bob sent you!

When we are really going to relax and get away then we do something special - we rent a cabin! I love it when Mom and Dad take me there. We stay at Five Points Lake Cabins - right on the lake. Take a look at the picture and you'll see just how gorgeous it is. Dad takes me fishing and

Mom and I go swimming. At night, we curl up in front of the fireplace and Mom reads, while Dad and I just relax. They even stock the refrigerator for your breakfast with eggs, bacon, English muffins, cinnamon rolls, milk, and orange juice, and also provide regular and decaf coffee for the coffeemaker! Once again, Mom has to pay a little bit extra for me. But any place that leaves me bacon can charge Mom anything they want! (Sorry Mom - but you know how much I love bacon!). If you want to learn more, email them at info@fivepointslakehamilton.com. Or call them at (501) 525-1622. Make sure you tell them that I told you about them!

Besides fishing and swimming, there are other things to do in Hot Springs. Sometimes we go for a cruise! We ride a riverboat on the same lake where the cabins are. It's called the Belle of Hot Springs Riverboat (http://www.belleriverboat.com/) and I can go as long as I stay on the outside deck and always wear my leash. It's fun to ride around the lake and look at everything, especially the mountains.

Mom loves gardens so just about everytime we go she has to visit Garvan Woodland Gardens (http://www.garvangardens.org/). It's a big garden, lots bigger than Mom's! We go there to walk around and look at all the beautiful flowers. I like sitting on the benches in the Nature Preserve. Mom's favorite is the Garden of the Pine Wind. Dad doesn't have a favorite. He just goes to keep Mom happy. He'd rather be fishing! There is a charge of $4.50 per pet and I must be kept on a leash at all times. I'm not allowed in the Gift shop. I have to stay on the pathways and Mom has to clean up after me. But still it's lots of fun!

Very soon (hopefully) there will be a dog park in Hot Springs. Mom says people are working hard to make the Hot Springs Bark Park. The land is ready, but they need to raise money for a parking lot, fencing, benches, water stations and a whole host of other things before it's done. You can help. Buy A Brick for only $55.00 and we'll have it laser engraved with your name or your pet's name, and place it in the park permanently! Mom says she's going to have my name put on one. That will be cool! My name in the dog park for everyone to see! I'll have to have her take me to see it when it's done so I can get a picture.

As you can see, Hot Springs is a great place. But as with all cities, it has it's share of pets looking for homes. So next week, I'll be telling you about some Hot Springs furry friends that would love to show you around their town - after you adopt them, of course!

My Favorite Things - Dog Food

2008-12-26T12:06:00.000-08:00

I've been sharing with you all of my favorite things from my travel list. I've told you about my leash and my collar and even my dog tags. But the most important thing, in my opinion, that Mom packs when we travel, is my food. Mom says she buys only the best food for me because she wants to make sure I get the proper nutrition. I eat a combination of dry food and canned food, along with some treats and biscuits. She says all of them are made from the best ingredients and don't contain anything I shouldn't eat. Mom rotates my food each month. She said she read that this is the best way to feed me because I get a range of different foods that way, which helps make sure I get all the nutrients I need. So, since I don't eat one particular food all the time, Mom said I could share what I'm eating right now.

For dry food Mom feeds me a mixture of two different brands. She said that's one more way she makes sure I get my nutrients from a variety of sources.

The brand I am eating right now is called Innova EVO. She said there just isn't a better dog food available. It has lots of meat and potatoes, just like Dad eats. She heard about it from a breeder friend of hers. It took her a while to locate it but she bought it on Amazon.com. It's a little expensive she says, about $24 for a bag, but since it's too rich for Austin since he's still a puppy, it will last all month.

The other dry food I am eating is actually named after one of Mom's favorite books. That's actually one of the reasons she tried it. It's called Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul. She found it on Amazon.com when she was going to order the Innova. She said it was nutritionally sound and she liked the name so she ordered some of it too. It's cheaper than the Innova too - about $19.00 for a bag. That's good because I share this with Austin. Mom mixes it with his puppy food. It's got chicken, turkey, chicken meal, turkey meal, and brown rice and there are no chemical preservatives.

My canned food is readily available just about anywhere. Mom is feeding me Pedigree right now. She says most store-brand canned food is not good for me, but Pedigree does contain lots of meat and poultry. It DOES contain some lesser quality by-products, but it has more meat than most other store-brand foods. She says it costs approx 85 cents a can at WalMart.

You all know where Mom buys my treats - BigWag Dog Bakery! I love the honey bears and the beefie boots. And Mom bought me something new for Christmas - Ginger Bread Chew Chews. They were okay, but to be honest - I still like the beefie boots better! Order some for yourself and see. http://www.bigwag.com.

When we travel, Mom takes some of my dry food with her in resealable containers and some cans. She says travel is hard enough and we don't need to upset my tummy eating the local food. So even though I get the occasional treat if she stops to eat somewhere - like the meatballs in Orlando! - I still mostly get my own familiar food. I like it that way. I know Mom has had some bad meals because there wasn't anyplace to eat where we were. At least I know that will never happen to me. I always know what I'm going to have for breakfast or dinner!

What should you look for when shopping for dog food and treats?

Look for certification by the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials). According to the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, "An AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement is one of the most important aspects of a dog or cat food label. A 'complete and balanced' pet food must be substantiated for nutritional adequacy by one of two means. The first method is for the pet food to contain ingredients formulated to provide levels of nutrients that meet an established profile. The alternative means of substantiating nutritional adequacy is for the product to be tested following the AAFCO Feeding Trial Protocols."

Choose a food that has whole meat or whole meat meal (lamb meal, chicken meal, etc.) as its top ingredients. Grain sources should also be whole grains, as opposed to glutens or other processed products. Rice and barley is better than corn or wheat.

Avoid BHT, BHA and ethoxyquin as preservatives.

Pet food safety is a growing concern. Recent recalls of dog foods because of wheat and rice glutens contaminated with melamine have spotlighted some major issues regarding pet foods and their ingredients. While the majority of foods have been deemed to be safe, this is an ongoing issue. It is a good idea to keep a watchful eye on things for the foreseeable future.

Next week - you've been introduced to Northwest Arkansas. Now we'll take you to Hot Springs!

There's no place like home for the holidays

2008-12-18T13:55:00.000-08:00

I want to tell you a story about a little dog. This dog was a good little dog. Yes, he chewed on shoes and piddled on the floor. But he didn't mean it. He was just a puppy after all. He wanted to be good. But the man and the woman who lived with him and his 4-legged mom said they had too many dogs already and that the little dog was too much trouble. So they took him to the animal shelter. The little dog was put in a small cage with no friends to play with and no one to pet him. He had food and water and sometimes he got to go outside and walk around, but most of the time he was in the cage - alone. It was very scary! Sometimes the people who worked at the shelter would come and get a dog for a walk - and the dog would never come back. The little dog heard that they were put to sleep. Sleep was good, but somehow sleeping and never coming back didn't seem right. The little dog worried that might happen to him and he was afraid. Sometimes, people would come in to the shelter and take a dog from the cage. These dogs also never came back. But the little dog heard that this was different. These dogs were going to new homes where they would be loved and be part of a family. The little dog wished every night that someone would take him home.

One day a man and woman came in to the shelter. They stopped at the little dog's cage and talked to him. The little dog sniffed at the woman's fingers as she reached through the cage. She asked if she could hold the little dog. When she picked him up, the little dog reached up and kissed her on the chin to say thank you for taking him out of the cage. The woman cuddled the little dog, looked at the man, and said, "I want him." That's was all it took! The little dog couldn't believe it. Someone was going to take him home.

In case you haven't figured it out, the little dog was me and the story is how my Mom and Dad found me at the shelter. I was lucky. I have lived here for 11 years and I am loved and cared for every day. I have food, and a bed, and toys, and playmates - I even have a cat. Mom helps me write this blog and holds me and takes me for walks and plays with me. I have a great life. But there are thousands of dogs and cats who aren't so lucky. So this Christmas, I am asking you to think about adding a furry friend to your home. I'm not suggesting you give a pet for a gift unless you are certain it will be a good idea. That's how many of us ended up in shelters to begin with. But if you have room in your house and your heart for one more thing to love, please visit your local animal shelter and adopt a pet in time for the holidays! They would love to share Christmas with you.

To help with this, each month I am going to take one post and devote it to featuring some of the pets from different shelters across the country. Since I introduced you to NWA last time, I'm going to introduce you to some great NWA pets that need homes today.

The following pets are available from the City of Rogers - Animal Services. They are a city-run shelter that handles animals within the city limits of Rogers, Arkansas. They strive to provide caring, competent, and professional assistance to the animals and community. Their adoption procedure is very simple. Find the perfect pet that you can give a "forever home". Their staff will help match your personality and needs to the pet that best suits you and your family. Adoption costs $61.00 per animal. This fee covers a Bordatella vaccine, worming, microchipping and $40.00 towards the spaying or neutering of the animal. ALL ANIMALS ADOPTED FROM SHELTER MUST BE SPAYED or NEUTERED! A few things to remember about the adoption application.... **If you rent, you will have to have letter from your landlord stating that you can have pets. This letter needs to include limitations if there are any. **If you have other animals, regardless of where you live, you will have to provide proof of rabies vaccinations for each pet. You may now access their application online at http://www.rogersarkansas.com/! You can find all of the pets featured here - plus others - at http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/AR125.html

Baby, female, Black and white, terrier mix

D06 1853

D39 2010
Labrador Retriever, Shepherd [Mix]
Large Adult Male

D20 2049
Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler [Mix]
Medium Adult Female

D09 2126
Shepherd [Mix]
Large Baby Female

C05 2191
Tortoiseshell
Small Adult Female

I would like a couple of favors, please. First, if you adopt a pet featured here, please let me know so I can put another needy pet in their place. Plus I have a goal of helping 1000 dogs and cats across the country find homes. I need to be able to track my success. Second, tell the shelter you found your pet on my blog. I am trying to encourage them to link to my blog and if they see it's successful, that might encourage them.

I also want to help a wonderful organization in their efforts to find homes for pets - PetFinder.com. So - starting today - for every purchase from my CafePress store (http://www.cafepress.com/travelwithbob) Mom will make a donation to the Petfinder.com Foundation so that every little dog like me can find a happy home.

Welcome to Northwest Arkansas!

2008-11-28T22:17:00.000-08:00

As you know, Mom has said I can't travel for awhile. I was sick a few weeks ago, and although I feel much better, she said it was a serious illness and I need to rest over the winter. I guess she does know best and she takes good care of me, so I think I'll do as she says.

Since I can't go visit anyone right now, I'm going to invite everyone to come and visit me. Northwest Arkansas is a great place. I can't wait to share all that it has to offer with you. When you do decide to visit, make sure you let me and Mom know so we can get together. We might even put your picture on my blog so everyone can see what a great time we had.

When you come, the first thing you will need is a place to stay - providing of course, you don't just stay with me and Mom and Dad. My personal favorite is the Embassy Suites in Rogers. Dogs (and other pets) up to 10 pounds are welcome here with a deposit. I'm a small dog so it works great for me. The Embassy Suites has very comfortable beds and there is a refrigerator and a microwave in every room - for those midnight snacks I like so much. They even have room service so they just bring my snack right to my room. Heaven! Check them out at http://www.embassysuitesnwa.com.

If you're a bit bigger than 10 pounds, don't worry because there is a great place for you to stay also and it's just up the road in Bentonville, home of Walmart. It's the La Quinta Inn & Suites Bentonville. They allow dogs of all sizes with a refundable deposit. And they make the best biscuits and gravy - if your mom will bring you some from breakfast. You can find out more about them at http://www.lq.com/lq/properties/propertyProfile.do?ident=LQ790&propId=790.

Of course, there are many other places to stay and when I publish my travel guide for NWA, I will list them all. But since I don't have much room here, I will only share my favorites.

Now that you have a place to stay, what are we going to do. Some of that depends on when you come. One of my favorite things to do in the summer is go out on Beaver Lake in Dad's boat. He says I am a good boat dog! We speed across the lake to his favorite fishing spot. Then he fishes while Mom reads and I nap in the sun. It's a great time - except for the time I fell off the boat into the lake. I didn't like that very much. But Dad jumped right in and got me and Mom held me all wrapped up in a towel until we reached the marina. Sometimes we take the tube or a raft out and watch Jessica and Carter try to ride it. That is funny! They always have trouble staying on, especially when Dad is driving the boat. They seem to do better when Mom is driving. I wonder why? If you come when it's warm enough to take the boat out, I promise we won't make you ride the raft! You can find out all you need to know about the lake at http://www.beaverlake.com/.

When it's too cold to be in the boat but still nice enough to be outdoors, I love to go hiking with Mom in Devil's Den State Park. It is located in Winslow which is close to Fayetteville, home of the U of A Razorbacks. There are lots of trails for us to explore. Dogs are allowed throughout the park and in the campground for no additional fee; they are not permitted in buildings or public swim areas. Dogs must have proof of inoculations, be leashed, and under the immediate control of their owner at all times. One year she even took me camping there. The camping and tent areas allow dogs also. That was the best. There's nothing better than a nice walk and then a good hot dog cooked over a campfire! I slept on Mom's sleeping bag so she wouldn't get scared. In the morning she let me have some bacon with my regular food. Have you ever noticed how everything tastes better cooked over a campfire? Learn more about Devil's Den at http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/devilsden/.

If you are a history buff like my Mom, then you will want to go to Pea Ridge National Military Park. Mom says a battle was fought here during the Civil War and that some of Dad's relatives fought in it. She says it's the only battle in the war that had Cherokee fighting in it. There are lots of trails to walk or you can walk on the tour road if you watch for cars. Sometimes you can see deer or turkeys, but you are not allowed to chase them. I saw a snake once too. Mom said it was a rattlesnake. I didn't get to chase it either. You can learn about all there is to do here at http://www.nps.gov/peri/index.htm.

People in NWA love their dogs and are always hosting events for us. This past April, the city of Rogers held Dog Days Downtown. Local businesses had a variety of activity stations set up throughout Frisco Park for our sheer pooch pleasure. Mom and I enjoyed the demonstrations and helpful speaker sessions on Frisco Stage. And if your family was looking for a new addition, the Animal Shelter and Humane Society had pets available for adoption. It was so much fun, I hope they do it again this year. And before that, in March, there was the Easter Egg Hunt at Murphy Dog Park. Now that was fun! I hope they do that again this year too! And the Kennel Club is having a dog show next weekend. I'm not going. It's for fancy dogs like Austin. But Mom said she might go just to take a look at what sort of competition Austin might face if she decided to show him.

Now, about the food. Did I tell you my FAVORITE dog treats are made right here in NWA? BigWag Dog Bakery is right here in Rogers. My favorites are the honey bears and the bacon roll and of course - THE BEEFIE BOOTS! There is nothing better in the world than a beefie boot. Okay maybe sausage and biscuits, but Mom won't let me have that very often. But I can have a beefie boot every day if I want. Check out all their treats at http://www.bigwag.com/. Aspen, Pixel - if you're good, Santa might bring you a bag of honey bears or beefie boots...if you're good.

You can see NWA is a dog's paradise. Good fun, good food. What more could a dog ask for? I hope you'll come and visit me soon.

I'm An Entrepreneurial Dog!

2008-11-14T11:29:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update. Mom and I are putting together all of the information about NWA for you. But while we are working on that, we also put together my store! It's on CafePress. I am very excited about all of the great merchandise we have to offer. And once my travel guides are published, you'll be able to purchase those through my store also.

I have to admit, it's not as pretty as I want. Mom is still learning to how to use CafePress resources. But at least it's up and functioning and I didn't want to to wait until it was finished to share it. So here's the link! Stop by and check it out and let me know what you think.

http://www.cafepress.com/travelwithbob

Look at me! I am a business dog now!

I've been busy!

2008-11-02T11:23:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've been able to get Mom to type for me. I'm getting stronger every day, but I still sleep a lot now and Mom won't wake me so we can blog. She thinks I need to rest. I don't know how she thinks I get much rest with the rat - I mean Austin - always pestering me to play. But I am feeling better.

I haven't been completely lazy. First, did you notice the new look to my blog? Our friend, the PopArtDiva, has finished my portraits. This is the masthead she created for me. Isn't it great? Now I can start working on my store. I'm excited at all the great ideas I have. I just need to get Mom busy on my stuff instead of hers so we can get started.

I also have a MySpace page! Mom helped me get it all set up. I'm still working on it so if you have some suggestions, let me know. I'm kinda new at this stuff. If you want to visit my page, here's how: http://www.myspace.com/adventuresoftravelingbob.

Mom still won't let me travel so I'm going to be working on several projects. I'll keep you updated on them. And I am going to take her suggestion and write about my favorite places to visit. But first I'm going to tell you all about the place I live. Hopefully, once you see all the great things to do here for you and your Mom and Dad, you'll come visit me. I love meeting new people and since Mom won't let me go to them right now, I have to find a way to bring them to me. So next post - A dog's eye view of Northwest Arkansas!

No Travel for Awhile - I Have to Recover...

2008-10-06T16:06:00.000-07:00

It's been a rough week for me. Sunday evening Mom noticed I was shaking and not eating. She thought maybe I was just cold so she put me on my blanket. But later when I went outside, I was having some other issues (I think the blood scared Mom). She called Dr. Karen and was told to bring me in right away. When we got to the Dr. Karen's office, the nice new vet, Dr. Hobbs, was there. She took my temperature (105!) and did some tests and discovered that my liver was not working properly. She asked Mom if I had eaten anything like a toadstool (Yuck!) or if I had shown any other signs of being ill. Mom said no. Dr. Hobbs decided I needed to stay there for a few days until they decided whether I had an infection or a tumor. They put an IV in me and gave me all kinds of fluids and medicine. The good news is I'm feeling better. It must have been some kind of infection. I even ate a little bit today. Dr. Hobbs gave me some baby food and it tasted real good. Mom brought me home tonight but I'm still a little weak. So she said no traveling until I have fully recovered. In fact, she said we might just not go anywhere until summer so I have lots of time to rest and get strong.

I asked Mom what I could write about and she suggested I could share some of our favorite places from past trips. Plus she reminded me that I was still sharing my favorite things on my packing list. And I have to get MySpace up and running and I've been working on my store. So I guess I do have enough to keep me busy.

I guess she's right. I'll just rest and get well for now. I like Dr. Karen and Dr. Hobbs but it's good to be home!

There's a Rat in my House!

2008-09-26T10:59:00.000-07:00

It even has a name! Mom calls it Austin! She brought him home Sunday. She says he is my new playmate. He looks more like a cat toy than a playmate!

Mom says he is a registered Yorkshire Terrier and that his full name is Baron Sir Austin III of Oak Valley. He has papers and is worth a lot of money. I don't know much about fancy dogs like this one, but the only papers I've seen so far are the newspapers Mom puts down to housebreak him. Heck! It that's all it takes to be a fancy dog, I can piddle on all the newspapers Mom needs.

Mom used to raise fancy dogs like this a long time ago - before she met me. She says she wants to start doing it again. Dad doesn't seem too excited about the idea. I'm siding with him this time.

Am I looking properly pitiful? I must be, because Mom just told me that I was still her baby boy and that no one would take my place. Austin will not have a blog like mine. He might get to travel because she will be taking him to shows, but she said I could go too. And he is not going to have his own PopArt!

Mom is picking the rat up and putting him next to me. I'll just show him some teeth and maybe snarl a little just to show him who's in charge here. Yuck! He just licked me! Mom likes my puppy kisses, but I don't like Austin's! But he is trying hard to be nice. Maybe he won't be so bad. And it would be fun to have another dog to share my adventures with me. Don't all hero's have a sidekick? He's very tiny so he won't eat much or take up much space in the bed. And Mom really seems to like him, so he must be a good dog. I guess I'll give him a chance. Maybe we can call it the Adventures of Traveling Bob and Austin. What do you think?

Back from Orlando and into the Storm!

2008-09-19T15:45:00.000-07:00

We're back from Orlando. We arrived home last Thursday. So why am I just now sharing the news about our trip? Because we arrived home just in time for a storm! Hurricane Ike hit the U.S. and had a big impact on many of my family and friends.

We spent Friday waiting to hear from Christine and baby John. If you remember, they live in Corpus Christi and for a while they thought they would have to leave. If so, Mom was going to go help because Christine is going to have another baby besides John and Mom wanted to be there to help if necessary. But we heard Friday evening that they could stay and so we thought we could rest a little easier. We knew that we still had many friends in harm's way, but all we could do for them was pray that they would be safe.

Saturday we got up early and went car shopping. Mom thinks she wants a new Jeep. We didn't buy one but Mom found a couple she is interested in. We got home, called Christine to see if they were okay, had dinner, and settled in for a quiet evening. Both Mom and I must have fallen asleep in our chair because suddenly we heard noise like a train heading straight for the house. Mom got up fast and went outside. The wind was blowing and it was raining so hard that even Iris, our outdoor cat, decided to come in! Mom was going to turn on the television to see what the weather man said, but just then the lights went off! I don't like the dark and the noise scared me so I started to cry but Mom picked me up and went to get a flashlight. She took Iris upstairs to Dad and then came back down and lit some candles. She said she was going to wait a bit to see if the power came back on. We waited for what I thought was a long time and then we finally went to bed.

So now you know why I haven't posted yet. By the time the lights and then the computer came back on it was Monday. And then Mom got busy trying to find out about our friends. And she also found out that a hotel in Texas where one of Mom's friends was supposed to have a meeting soon - well it got the roof blown off. So Mom has been busy trying to find another place for them. When she is busy she tells me she doesn't have time to type for me so I have to be patient and wait. Today she finally called me into the office and said we could write about our trip.

We stayed at the Residence Inn Orlando Lake Buena Vista. Mom said she had heard really good things about this hotel and wanted to check it out. I was a bit disappointed. The rooms were small! Smaller than other hotels we've stayed in and I like to have room to walk around and stretch my legs after a long drive. And Mom said they charged $100 extra for me to stay there. That's more than many other places we've been. The air conditioner made a lot of noise but fortunately, Mom never leaves it on at night so I was able to sleep. The staff was nice to me and they did bring me a different snack every night. Mom says they do that for all of the guests but I think Lola and I had a special bond! All in all I would give it 3 bones. (By the way, my bones aren't working on my computer. Mom said something happened to them because Dad was on the computer during the storm. But she said she can fix it - she just needs to find time. So meanwhile, you just have to imagine bones!). You can check out the hotel at http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mcorl-residence-inn-orlando-lake-buena-vista/.

Whenever we are in Orlando, Mom always takes me to Hip Dog. I love it there! It's got a place where I can swim in warm water. Mom comes in the pool with me. She says lots of people bring their dogs here to help them after they get hurt or get old. Mom and I just come to swim in the warm water. But I have to admit, I do walk a little better after I've been in there. Hip Dog is one of my favorite places in Orlando. 5 bones!!! Check them out at http://www.hipdog.net/.

Orlando has a lot of parks just for us. At many of them, I don't even need to wear my leash! My favorite is Downey Dog Park. It has a play area for small dogs like me so I don't have to be afraid of the bigger dogs, a time out area, water fountains, and even poop stations! Mom and I go there whenever we come to Orlando. 5 bones for Downey Dog Park. Mom says they don't have a website but you can find them by looking for information on Orange County Dog Parks.

Mom had to meet with a client. That's why we came to Orlando. Mimi was one of Mom's very first clients and knows me. That's why Mom said I could come. We met Mimi for lunch so I could come too. We went to Cafe Bravissimo which has really good lasagna! That's what Mom had and she shared a little bit with me. We had to sit outside because I'm not allowed in the actual restaurant. But Mimi said she prefers dining outside anyway. And the person who brought us our food said it was okay for dogs to be there as long as they were well-behaved and on a leash. We have never been here before - Mimi chose it - but I liked it so I give it 5 bones. You can see their menu at http://www.cafebravissimo.com/.

We also had dinner one day at Dexter's of Thornton Park. I like it here because they bring me a water bowl. I can't go on the weekend, because they say it's too busy and I get in the way. But on Tuesday night, when we went, it was nice. Mom got something with meatballs so she could share a couple with me. They were yummy! And I got to just rest under the table while Mom and Mimi talked. I enjoyed it - especially the meatballs! 5 bones for Dexter's meatballs! http://www.dexwine.com/

We soon left for home. It's a long drive and we only went for a couple of days to see Mimi. But I got to swim and go to the dog park - and have some yummy meatballs! I know Mom was tired but it was a good trip for me. Next time, I am going to take PopArtDiva's advice and make Mom take our video camera so we can put movies online so you can see these places too.

Until our next trip!

Boomerang Tags "For Pets That Come Back"

2008-09-07T13:42:00.000-07:00

We are getting the car packed to head for Orlando in the morning. I'm excited! I haven't been to Florida in a while. I'll be sure to tell you all about it.

Mom and Ms. PopArt had a long phone call the other day. Mom said Ms. PopArt suggested I start setting up other sites of my own like a MySpace page and some YouTube videos. I don't know what all of that is but I'm all for anything that lets me show everyone how smart I am about traveling with Mom so they can learn too. I think we'll get started on these when we get back from Orlando.

Mom has my packing list out and she is putting all my stuff in my little travel bag - my collar, my leash. She packed the collar with my dog tags on it even though I have a microchip. She says it's an extra layer of protection.

I like my dog tag. It doesn't hang down and get in my way or get caught on things like other dogs' that I have seen. It's a collar tag. And it doesn't clink when I walk which helps a lot when I'm stalking cats or squirrels! If you aren't sure what a collar tag is, I have a picture so you can see what it looks like. This isn't my collar. Mine's already packed and I'm not letting Mom dig it out to take a picture! I love my Mom but she forgets things when we travel. That's why she has a list. But sometimes even that doesn't help. I could tell you stories..... But back to the tags. This is a picture off the Boomerang website. That's where mom buys my tags. It looks just like my red collar so you will still be able to see just how cool it is. Mine looks like the top one.

Mom said she first checked Boomerang out because she just liked their advertising: Boomerang Tags "For Pets That Come Back". Then she read more about them and she says they are the best dog tags on the market. She says they may not be "cute" but when it comes to keeping me safe she'd rather have functional than cute. And besides I'm cute enough already! And I think they look great - I'm a manly dog and I don't want anything "cute". Aspen, Pixel and Zeena can wear "cute"!

Mom says Boomerang tags are more durable (that means they last a long time) than those cheap aluminum tags. I've had mine for 6 years now. That's how long they last!

You don't have to get a tag like mine. Boomerang also makes those "hangy" tags if you really want one. You can get a metal one like mine or you can get a plastic one. They are both guaranteed, just like mine.

Mom says she buys my tag to keep me safe so if she gets lost, someone will know how to help me find her again. She says since that's what it's for she wants me to have one that will stay on my collar. She wants the people helping me find her to be able to read my name so they know who I am, and my address and phone number so they know where I live and how to reach Mom. Mom has never been lost, but it makes me feel safer knowing that she has done things to help me find her again.

If you want to find out more about Boomerang tags, check out their website at www.boomerangtags.com. And tell them Travelin' Bob sent you. I don't get anything if you do, but I want them to know how much Mom and I like their tags.

Heading for Orlando in the morning! I'll keep you posted on my trip!

Meet my new friend Zeena!

2008-08-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

Well, it's official. Mom and I are going to Orlando! I LOVE Florida. She has a client out there she needs to visit. And she said I can go this time because the client knows me and doesn't mind if I come along. We'll be planning the trip this week and I'll keep you posted on my adventures, as usual.

Mom was going to make me do a boring - but important - post on the importance of dog tags and tell you about my microchip. But I have exciting news to share about a new friend so she said I could do the other post later in the week.

We got an email this week from our human friend, Teri Dempski. She was so excited to share the news - she had a new baby! Her name was Zeena! Mom laughed and said that was an unusual name for a baby. Then we read further and discovered that Zeena is actually a Chihuahua! Zeena, Warrior Chihuahua Princess! I think it's a perfect name! Don't you agree?

Over the weekend Teri was having a yard sale. On Sunday, a Mexican family stopped to look over all the baby items she had for sale. They didn’t speak English, but the son (maybe 7-8yrs. old) came out of the car clutching something tightly to his chest. Teri heard squeaking, and asked if she could see, in her best broken (poor) Spanish. The boy spoke enough English (with Teri's broken Spanish) and said Teri could buy the puppy for $100.00. Teri said, when the baby is old enough she wanted it. The boy talked with his mother, and she said the momma had 8 puppies, and the momma would not take care of them. The family had been hand-feeding the babies every 2-3 hrs. and wanted someone to take over, so was only letting the puppies go to someone who would be able to devote time to care for them. Once Teri held the baby, whose eyes were barely open, no teeth yet, tiny little whimpers, she fell in love at that moment. Zeena nuzzled Teri's neck and sucked on her baby finger—then happily fell asleep on her chest. The family got the $100.00 and Teri got a new fur baby. **Note to dogs looking for homes - that's how I made Mom fall in love with me! I was not the cutest or the smartest in the litter, but when I curled up on her chest and went to sleep, after a good night kiss on her chin, that's all it took. I'm telling you it works every time!

Teri has never hand-raised a puppy. But she is quickly learning all she needs to do to help Zeena grow strong.

So now I have friends all over the country! Aspen the Yorkie in New Jersey, Pixel in Arizona, and now Zeena in Colorado. Wouldn't it be fun if I could travel to see each of them and tell you all about our adventures? MOM, Hey MOM! I have an idea!

The Best Dog Collar!

2008-08-17T17:28:00.000-07:00

I overhead Mom tell Dad she may be going to Houston in a few weeks. She really seems to like Texas! I don't know if she is going to be able to take me but I hope so. It's been a while since we have been on a trip. I'll keep listening and if so, I'll tell you all about our trip when we get back!

Meanwhile, I'm going to continue with my recommendations for the best of the best items on my packing list. That way, when it's time for you to travel with your Mom and Dad, you'll know what to have them pack for you.

Last post, I shared with you my favorite leash. But a leash is useless without a collar! But before I recommend MY particular favorite collar, I want to share some tips. There are so many different types of collars to choose from that it can sometimes be overwhelming.

1. Make sure the collar is right for you. If you are a big dog, you need a big collar. Smaller dogs can wear smaller, lighter collars. Puppies should wear soft nylon collars so you don't get hurt. A buckle collar is best, especially for puppies, because they are least likely to come undone and fall off and they are easily adjusted if necessary. Choke chains and pinch chains should NEVER be used for your everyday collar. You should only wear them when you are training your human! In fact, Mom has never put a choke chain on me. There are other types of training collars that are much easier on my neck. Choke chains put pressure on my neck and that is scary so I don't always behave as well just because I'm scared. My training collar doesn't hurt me and so I can focus more on showing Mom my newest trick instead of trying to figure out how to get away from the choke chain.

2. Once you have the correct collar, make sure Mom or Dad know how to put it on correctly. It needs to be snug so you can't lose it, but not so tight you have difficulty breathing or swallowing. Mom always puts two fingers between my collar and my neck. She says if she can do that, then the collar is just right. And since there is always some collar left over after she has put it on, she cuts the end of it off so I can't reach it. I wish she wouldn't do that. I have a nice leather collar and the end of it would have been great to chew on. But she said I could possibly chew it off and choke on it so she cut it off and threw it in the trash. Darn! Guess I'll have to settle for one of those "greenies."

I also have a red nylon collar which is my favorite and it is the one I am going to recommend for most dogs. The red color looks good with my black and white fur. And the nylon is soft and doesn't fray so it always looks good - not old and worn. It is a buckle collar, like all of my collars. Mom bought it at Petco, but I think it might be made by my friend, Aspen the Yorkie. Mom says no, but the collar is called the Petmate by Aspen Pet Single Ply Nylon Dog Collar, so I think she might be wrong. Aspen, did you know you have a dog collar named after you? Mom paid $5.00 for my collar but she checked online and said that Petco is having a sale and you can get a collar just like mine for $3.99. What a deal! You can't have the red one because it's mine. But they have lots of other colors to choose from. If you want to tell your Mom or Dad where to get it, tell them to go to http://www.petco.com/.

By the way, Mom told our friend PopArtDiva, that it was time for her to do my PopArt rendering. So keep checking back, because once it's ready, we'll be posting it here and launching my Squidoo lens. Mom helped me build it and it's cool! And we are working on some other projects together as well - all of which will have my PopArt picture from PopArtDiva. It's all very exciting. Stay tuned!

And here are my recommendations so far - 5 bones for both of them!

Leash: The Best Leash (www.bestleash.com)

Collar: Petmate by Aspen Single Ply Nylon Dog Collar from Petco (www.petco.com)

The Best Leash is - Best Leash!

2008-08-08T22:48:00.000-07:00

As promised, I am going to give you a heads up on some of my favorite things. These are all part of my travel kit. Each one gets a 5 bone rating!

Today I'm going to tell you about my leash. Normally, I don't wear it. At home I have a big fenced in yard that I can run free in all day long. But when I travel, I have to be on a leash. Mom says it's a law. It's annoying because I like to chase squirrels and birds and being on a leash prevents me from doing that! But I suppose it does have it's good points. One day when we were out walking a car suddenly veered toward us and Mom was able to use my leash to pull me out of the way. Whew! It was a close call but Mom - and my leash - saved me! And I always feel safer knowing she is attached to the other end and can't wander off and get lost.

If I have to be on a leash, then I'm glad Mom chose the one she did. Appropriately, it's called Best Leash. What makes it so great? Well first, it's 9 feet long. Most other leashes are only 6 feet long. That's 3 feet longer so I have more freedom to move around. Mom often just ties the leash around her waist when we are walking and with 9 feet, I still have plenty of space.

You can order Best Leash at http://bestleash.com for $25.99

Mom says I should also share some leash safety tips with you. So here goes!

1. Never leave your dog unattended while on his leash. A dog can quickly chew through leather or nylon. Or a leash dragging behind a puppy can get snagged and choke the him.

2. Use a leash that is the correct size for your dog. Smaller dogs like me need thinner leashes with smaller hardware, while large dogs may require leashes of a slightly thicker width.

3. Never pull or drag your dog with a leash. If he is reluctant to come, simply backup & call his name in a happy voice.

4. Yanking or jerking a dog leash can injure your pet, especially younger pups and senior dogs.
If your dog likes to pull, consider using a no-pull harness.

5. Keep your leash in good shape. If the snap seems unstable or broken, replace it immediately.

I hope this information will help you and your parents choose the best leash for you. Despite many tales of dogs finding their way home when their humans get lost, it is certainly not the norm. Having a missing human parent is a heart wrenching experience. Mom and I wish all dogs the healthiest and safest life possible. Please use a durable collar and leash combo whenever possible.

Sharing My Close Up and My Tips for Traveling with Your Mom

2008-07-26T21:59:00.000-07:00

I know, I know...it's been a long time. But Mom has been busy traveling (without me if you can believe that - she said it was business and she wouldn't have time for me!). Since I need her to type for me, I've had to be patient and wait.

I have great news! Jessica finally sent my picture. I am a handsome boy if I do say so myself! And now that I finally have my photo, I want to share it with all of you. Here it is!

What do you think? Pretty sharp looking, don't you agree? Especially for 11 years old. That's like 77 in your years. You should look this good when you're 77!

Mom says we aren't going to be taking any trips for a bit. She is redoing her kitchen and she wants to get it done before we go anywhere else. It's really a mess right now and I don't like having strange men in the house but Mom says she needs them to fix her cabinets and build her breakfast bar. The only good thing about it is that Mom isn't cooking so much right now, which means I get to sneak treats from her doggie bags. Not as much as I used to - I'm still on that "diet" - but at least it's better than those "greenie" things she keeps trying to feed me!

Since we aren't going on any adventures right away, I thought I'd share some basic tips on making sure your mom and dad have everything you need when you travel with them. You want to be comfortable, safe, and have a good time so it's up to you to make sure your humans are well trained and prepared. If not, ask them to leave you with a pet sitter or a boarding kennel!

Whenever possible, tell your mom and dad you want to travel in the car. While it is possible to travel by plane, I wouldn't recommend it. Would you believe they treat us like cargo?! And if you've ever traveled in the cargo hold of a plane, then you know it's not much fun. Since I'm small, sometimes I get to sit on the floor under the seat in my carrier with Mom, but that's still very scary and cramped. Always encourage your mom and dad to take the car unless there is no other choice.

If your humans aren't used to driving with you in the car, then they need to take you for some short practice drives. When they get nervous, they can make you nervous so some nice short rides to the park, or to PetSmart, (or for hamburgers!) will help you both learn to ride together. If they still make you anxious, tell them to get some medicine from the vet to help you relax before you go on your trip. And make sure they have a doggie seat belt for you. A regular human seat belt won't work and you want to make sure you have the same protection as they do.

Make sure they plan the trip with you in mind. Remind them you will need to stop every 2-3 hours for a potty break and some water. You should take them for a walk when you stop too, so they can stretch their legs. If you get all cramped up just sitting in the car, imagine how tired they must get driving all the time. A short walk will do you both good.

I am including my traveling packing list. This is everything I insist Mom brings with us so I'm safe, comfortable, and happy. In future posts, I'll go into detail about each item and maybe I'll even rate some of the different options!

My 'Top Ten List of Things I Need on My Trip':

1. My Leash - almost every city has some sort of leash law so bring it along unless you want to spend the entire trip in your crate in a hotel room.

2. My Collar with ID Tags - just in case you get lost, your ID tags should help you get home. Mom got me a microchip, but if you don't have one, you definitely want the collar and tags.

3. Food and Water - who knows what the local food and water may be like. Bring your own!

4. My Dishes - you'll need something to eat and drink from. Bringing your own dishes will also make strange places seem more like home.

5. My Blankie - I always sleep better with my favorite blankie!

6. Pooper Scooper - it's just polite to clean up after yourself.

7. My Favorite Toy - sometimes traveling can be stressful. Having my favorite toy along with my favorite blankie is comforting.

8. Copy of Pet Health Certificate or Shot Record from your Dr. Karen - just in case you do get sick or hurt, this will help the vet give you the best care.

9. My brush - so I always look my best!

10. Carpet deodorizer or Cleaner - just in case. I'm a good dog, but accidents do happen!

That's it! Sometimes she brings some extra things like my carrier, or my toothbrush, or some treats. But this is the basic list. I even have my own little travel bag to pack everything in. Put together your own list using mine to give you some ideas. Then tell your mom and dad that you're packed and ready to hit the road!

We're Back!

2008-07-12T06:22:00.000-07:00

And though it was a fun trip, I'm glad to be home. I think Mom is too. She seems a little tired. Baby John and I kept her pretty busy.

We arrived a couple of days before all the fireworks. I'm not much of a fireworks fan. Too much noise! Too many people! So we checked into the hotel, called Christine to let her know we were there, and then just spent the rest of the evening relaxing in the hotel. Long drives make me sleepy! We stopped at the local Sonic for some dinner and just ate in the room. Mom even let me have a few of her french fries (not too many because I'm still on that diet! But she said if we shared them, then neither one of us would eat too many!). I love Sonic! After dinner, we went for a quick walk and then came back to the hotel and just watched TV. I fell asleep early. I hope Mom wasn't too lonely. She had Dad with her, but I don't think he was much company. He was asleep before I was!

The next morning, we got up early and went straight to Christine's. Baby John wanted to have breakfast with us so we didn't even stop to eat. I was worried because Mom didn't feed me or stop for something to eat on the way. I thought she had forgotten me. But it was alright. Baby John has a new friend named Duke. Duke is a Beagle and he let me have some of his breakfast. It was pretty good. Different from my usual breakfast but not too bad. After breakfast, we just played in the yard with John and Duke. Mom, Dad and Christine sat outside and talked. We played until we all got tired and Mom said it was time for a nap because after lunch we were going for a boat ride! I love boats. I go fishing with Dad all the time. He says Mom and I are his fishing buddies - when he can't take Carter.

The boat trip was fun! We took a ride around Corpus Christi Bay on Captain Clark's Flagship Tours (http://www.captclarksflagship.com/.com/). The captain told us all about the bayfront and I saw lots of odd looking birds (not like our birds at home) and I even saw some dolphins! There were lots of pretty sailboats too! I had a great time! I was so excited by everything I missed my afternoon nap!

After the boat ride, it was time to go home. John and I were both tired. John was cranky and Mom said Dad and I were cranky too. So we had a quick dinner at Christine's and then went back to the hotel to sleep.

The next morning Mom got up early. Dad was still sleeping so Mom and I went to an outdoor bakery called Les Succes Bakery. They are a French bakery and one of my favorite places to go. But when we got there, they were closed! Mom said the sign in the window said they were closed all month so the owners could go on vacation. So we ended up back at the Sonic. Mom bought some breakfast for her and Dad and we went back to the room to eat. I was disappointed because I love sitting at the outdoor table and watching everyone while we have breakfast.

After breakfast, Mom and Dad and I went to see some gardens. Mom loves flowers and spends a lot of time at home working in her garden. We even planted a Pizza Garden this year (I didn't know pizza grew in a garden?!). This garden was big - a lot bigger than Mom's. She called it the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center (http://stxbot.org/). I had to be on my leash and I had to be careful not to potty on the flowers, but other than that it was fun. There were lots of big plastic birds all dressed up in costumes. Mom said they were flamingos. I don't know why anyone would want plastic birds in their garden. You can't chase them so they aren't any fun. But Mom said they were helping to raise money for charity. We even got to vote for our favorite flamingo. I liked the one that was all covered in flower petals. I hope Mom voted for it!

The rest of the trip was spent relaxing. We stayed home on fireworks night and just had some sparklers in the backyard. I don't mind them since they aren't loud. We walked on the beach and went to the park. I played with John and Duke a lot. Mom visited with Christine and sometimes left me and John with Dad and John's daddy so she and Christine could go shopping. It was a fun trip - but I'm glad to be home.

Here are the places we stayed - with my new ratings (thanks again Ms. PopArtDiva!)

The hotel where we stayed:

Omni Corpus Christi Hotel: Mom was a little disappointed with the room. She said it looked old and the bathroom was kind of dirty. She said for a 4 star-rated Omni, she expected more. But the bed was comfortable and everyone on the staff treated me well. I would give it 3 bones but because Mom was a little unhappy, I'm going to give it 2. She knows more about these things than I do.

Omni Corpus Christi Hotel:

Captain Clark's Flagship Tours: Other than the fact that I wasn't allowed to go down on the carpeted area, this was great! 4 bones!

South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center: I'm going to give it 3 bones. It's nice but it's hard to remember not to potty on the flowers.

Padre Island National Seashore ( http://www.nps.gov/pais/index.htm): I had to be on a leash and I couldn't go on the deck of the Visitor Center. But it was still great fun! 4 bones!

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/aransas.html): Dad likes alligators and there are plenty of them here. I had to stay on a leash and we couldn't go on trails where there might be gators so Mom and Dad split up. On the one hand it was nice having some alone time with Mom, but this was supposed to be a family trip. For that reason I'm giving it 3 bones. But it might be worth 4 if your family doesn't have a gator-lover in it!

Corpus Christi dog-friendliness rating: 3 bones! Lots of places to stay, places to eat, and things to do.

Can't wait for my next adventure. After I rest up a bit, I'll be ready to go again!

We Leave Tomorrow!

2008-07-01T15:29:00.000-07:00

I heard Mom talking to Christine today. We are leaving for our visit tomorrow! I'm so excited. I can't wait to see baby John. I'm not excited about the drive to Corpus Christi in this heat, but it's worth it to see everyone.

I was hoping my new pictures would be ready so I could take one with me to give to John. But Jessica has been busy and hasn't finished them yet. She said she would get them done this week. I guess I'll have to wait until we get back to see them.

Our friend, PopArt Diva, made me a little bone widget to use on my blog. She thought my giving the Omni Corpus Christi 5 "treats" was cute and made me a "treat" to use. Which gave me an idea. While I'm in Corpus Christi, I'm going to take notes on the hotel and other places we visit. Then I'm going to report on them when I get back. I'll use PopArt Diva's bone to rate them. It looks like this:

Isn't it great? She sure is talented! You can check out her other work at www.PopArtDiva.com. And Mom is working on Squidoo pages for me so I can share my experience with lots of others. I think I'll use these there too! Thanks Ms. Terri, for making these for me. I can't wait to see what you do with my picture. Someday Mom and I are going to put up a whole website for me, but that is taking a lot of work and we want to share things faster. That's why we made this blog and why we are using Squidoo!

Oh wow! I just heard Mom ask Dad to get the laptop out of the office. That means she's taking it with her. Which means I'll be able to stay in touch even while we're traveling. Maybe Jessica can send my pictures so I won't have to wait to see them.

Well, Mom and I have a little bit more packing to do. I want to make sure she takes everything I need: treats, toys, blanket, leash, collar, food and water bowls, food, water, vet records, brush, odor remover (just in case! I'm potty trained, but accidents do happen...). And she'll need a little time to get her own packing done too. I'm going to help her finish and then I'm going to have dinner and go to sleep. Tomorrow is a big day!

I'm so photogenic!

2008-06-27T22:41:00.000-07:00

This diet Mom has had me on must be making me look really good. Mom had Jessica come to the house today and take pictures of me. Jessica is Mom's daughter and she takes wonderful pictures. She is a photographer! We had so much fun together. I sat up for her and did a few other poses and when we were finished she gave me a treat. She made Mom go away while we worked so the treat is our secret. Mom said the pictures were for my Squidoo pages she is working on. And she said she needed to send one to Aspen the Yorkie. And then she said her friend Terri aka PopArt Diva, needed a picture because she is going to do a PopArt design of me! You can see what I mean by checking out her other work at www.popartdiva.com.

Mom had a special day today to! She was on a radio show with Dr. Sally Witt. They talked about Mom's work and how she was able to not have to leave me alone all day. Mom told everyone I was special (actually she said special needs. I'm not sure what that means but if it's some kind of special then it has to be good!). She let me sit in her lap and listen while she talked. I tried to get in on the show too but Mom rubbed my tummy and I fell asleep. I missed part of the show while I was napping but Mom said we could listen to it later. You can too. Just go to
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/drsallywitt/2008/06/27/Melodieann-Whiteley.

It's just a few days now before we leave on our next trip. Mom got us a room at my favorite Corpus Christi hotel. We are staying at the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel. Mom says it's 4 stars but I have my own rating system. I give it 5 treats! It has everything I need to be comfortable when I'm traveling - room service so Mom and I can eat together, television, internet access so Mom can work right in the room with me, and a little porch so we can go outside for some fresh air without having to leave the hotel. The beds are soooo comfortable! I wish I had a bed like that at home! And the bay is just a short walk away. It has been awhile since we were there so I hope everything is still the way I remember it. If you want to check it out, visit www.omnihotels.com. And I'll be sure to let you know how it is once I get back.

Hilton Goes Pet Friendly!

2008-06-17T19:24:00.000-07:00

HILTON HOTELS & RESORTS OFFER UP PET HOSPITALITY FEATURING WILLIAM WEGMAN AMENITIES BY CRYPTON

Hilton's new Pet Friendly program makes it easier for Mom to take me to spend time away from home! Hilton Hotels and Resorts announced today plans to welcome me and my friends into hotels in the Americas by this summer. And they plan to roll out the Pet Friendly program to some if their international hotels too! Maybe I'll get to travel to Paris! Of course I'd have to fly so I'll have to really think about that...

Mom won’t be the only one to feel rejuvenated as each pet-friendly room is loaded with specially-designed upscale amenities sure to please the most pampered dog or cat. Designed exclusively for Hilton by famed artist William Wegman (best known for his striking photographs of Weimaraner dogs) the Hilton Pet Friendly collection will include a stain-, water- and microbial-resistant pet bed, as well as food and water bowls with placemat, and an exclusive pet amenity kit complete with dog waste clean-up bags and treats. The bed, placemat and amenity kits are produced by Crypton Fabrics and made with its patented performance fabric. For guests who want to recreate their stay at home, the pet beds will be available for purchase on https://mail.helmsbriscoe.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.hiltontohome.com/, alongside Hilton’s Serenity Collection® mattress and other exclusive, in-room amenities.

Participating Hiltons will also offer pet concierge service with information about local dog runs, veterinarian offices and pet boutiques.

A select amount of Pet Friendly rooms will be designated in each participating Hilton hotel and along with the standard room cleaning procedures, the rooms will undergo a deep cleaning – including carpets, drapery and all upholstered furniture – after each pet guest has checked out. All Pet Friendly rooms will feature a special door hanger alerting hotel staff to the furry guest within.

I guess I know which hotel Mom will be choosing from now on! Yeah Hilton!

For more information on Hilton’s Pet Friendly program, contact my Mom at mwhiteley@helmsbriscoe.com!

Calling all pets!

2008-06-17T06:40:00.000-07:00

Does your mom have a book or product she sells to help support you?

If your Mom is a professional woman with a book or product, give my mom and her friends an opportunity to purchase from her on Friday, June 20.

This is the day Mom and her friends are celebrating who they are as women---as women who are on the move and making a difference!

June 20 is the 2nd annual celebration of Baby Boomer Diva Day. Showcase your product for 15 minutes for the very low price of $10. A few vendor slots still left. Also, there will be plenty of prize giveaways with special guest speaker, Heidi Richards, who will discuss how blogging can turn into $$$ for your business or product. Mom says it's going to be the most fun you've had online in a LONG time. 10am-3pm

To get more information or to sign up now: keybusinesspartners@verizon.net

Dr. Karen says I need a "diet"!

2008-06-13T08:12:00.000-07:00

Well, we are a little behind schedule. Mom has been busy helping Carter and Morgan move into their new home. Carter and Morgan are like baby John only a little bit bigger. They live close enough that I get to play with them all the time. They are moving into a new house but not too far away so I will still get to see them on weekends.

Mom did take me to see Dr. Karen. She looked at me all over and gave me a couple of shots. She said I looked like I was pretty healthy, but could probably stand to lose a couple of pounds. She said I shouldn't weigh more than 10 pounds and Mom said I weighed 13. So Mom said I could go on a diet with her. I guess that's okay - I'm not sure what "diet" means. I only know I didn't get my hamburger after my visit. Mom bought something she called a "Greenie" at Dr. Karen's house and I got that instead. It was pretty good to chew on and it lasted longer than the hamburger. But I still wish I'd gotten my hamburger. Mom's taking this diet thing seriously though. She wouldn't even let me have a piece of her waffle this morning. And she made me go for a walk with her last night. Night time is my relaxing time! I hope this diet ends soon. I'm not sure I like it.

After talking to Dad, Mom has decided to drive to Corpus Christi - yippee! Like I said before, I'm not too crazy about flying. I watch birds fly and it's okay for them. But I like to be next to Mom or some other human. Not cooped up in a crate who knows where. That means Mom will have to get the car ready for the trip. She said she needs to get the oil changed and the tires rotated. I don't know what that means but it's one more thing she has to do before we can leave.

Tonight we get to sit down and look at hotels. Mom does hotel stuff to make money so she knows all about them. She will get on the computer in the office an look at some things. She might even let me in the office to look at pictures with her. I don't get to come in the office during the day when she is working. She says I bark and that doesn't sound good when she is on the phone. But at night it's different. So we'll look at hotels together and then Mom will pick the one she thinks is best and call them to tell them we are coming. I hope she picks a really good one. I have my favorites where we travel a lot. I should share them with you. Lots of hotels allow pets. But some are just nicer to me than others.

Well, Mom is saying she needs to stop typing for me. She says she has a meeting with someone at lunch time. Sometimes, when Mom has lunch meetings, she brings me a treat in a bag just for me. It's called a "doggie bag." I probably won't get one this time though. I'm on a diet!

Corpus Christi Here We Come!

2008-06-01T13:13:00.000-07:00

The votes are in and Corpus Christi won. So it looks like I'll be getting to spend some time with baby John this summer! I hope he doesn't try to pull my tail again. Mom wasn't entirely convinced at first. I think she really wanted to go to Orlando. But we have been there once already this year and I want to go somewhere new. So, I just had to do the "puppy dog eyes" routine whenever she talked about John and Christine. It worked. She called them last night and told them we were coming. I told you I had Mom well trained!

Now we have to get ready to go. Mom said she's going to call Dr. Karen tomorrow and make an appointment for me to get my shots (ouch!) and a pedicure and maybe even a flea dip. Can't be too careful with those pesky fleas. I don't like shots but if I'm good Mom will buy me a hamburger on the way home! I love hamburgers with cheese on them and I only get them after a trip to Dr. Karen's. Mom says they're not good for me to eat very often but a once in a while treat is okay.

Another part of planning the trip is deciding whether to fly or drive. Mom said she is going to get on her Travelocity site tonight and check airfares. I'm not a huge fan of flying. I'd rather drive so I can be close to Mom on the trip. I'm always afraid one of these days I'll get lost and Mom won't find me. I've heard stories about that happening. Mom has a chip in my ear she says will help keep that from happening. But you never know... Mom almost always drives if I go with her so I think we probably will this time also. If not, it may be time for more "puppy dog eyes."

After that, we have to choose a hotel. We are welcome to stay with Christine and baby John, but truthfully, although I love him, spending all day with a baby can be tough on a dog. So I'm glad that Mom is going to get a room where I can have some time to myself just to spend with her. I like our little vacations since it lets me have Mom to all to myself for a little part of each day. At home, I have to share her with Dad, and the grandkids (when the come to visit), and dad's dog Ginger who is lots bigger than me, and the cats and even some fish! I admit I'm a little spoiled. I was here first before all these others (except Dad) and I don't always like to share. In fact, sometimes I get a little cranky about it - especially if it's a treat or a new bone!

Hey! I almost forgot to share the news! I made a new friend! Her name is Aspen and she is a Yorkie which is a small dog like me. Except she is fancier than me because she is all Yorkie and has papers and everything. I am lots of different things (Dad says I'm a Heinz 57. I never heard of that kind of dog before) and I don't have papers - unless you count the newspapers Mom used to put down for me until I learned to go outside. Mom showed me Aspen's picture and she is cute. I wish she lived close enough to come visit since she's almost the same size as me. It would be fun to have a friend my own size to play with that wasn't a cat! Aspen has her own website though, just like I do. She talks about taking care of small dogs and living with her humans. You should check it out. http://www.aspentheyorkie.com/. Stop by and say hello and tell her Travelin' Bob sent you.

I guess that's all for now. It's almost dinner time and I need to be in the kitchen in case Mom drops anything on the floor. I get a lot of treats that way!

Why Everyone Should Own a Dog

2008-05-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

While mom is deciding where to go for our next trip, I thought I'd share this with you. Someone sent it to mom and she was laughing so hard at the end, I thought it must be pretty funny. And anything that gives people a reason to have a dog has to be worth sharing. So watch and enjoy - and then go to your local shelter and get a dog of your very own so you can get in on the fun!

Bob Has Been Tagged!

2008-05-19T13:33:00.000-07:00

Claudia of http://www.workathomegrandmoms.com/ tagged me/us for a blog meme. Oh my oh meme!! Here are the rules:

1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
4. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

1 ) What was I doing 10 years ago? I'm only 10 years old!

2 ) What are five things on your to-do list for today?
chase squirrels
eat
play with mom
eat
get mom to clip my toenails
and did I mention eat?

3 ) What snacks do I enjoy?
jerkey
bacon
cheese
biscuits

4 ) Things I would do if I were a billionaire?
Buy mom a house with an even bigger yard and more squirrels!
Take mom (and dad too) on the vacation of their dreams
Donate to local animal shelters so my fellow canine (and feline) friends can have the same chance to find a good mom that I did

5 ) Three Bad Habits
Eat too much
Sleep too much
Chase cats and squirrels

6 ) 5 places I have lived…
I have only lived with mom in our house in the country

7 ) 5 Jobs I have had
My only job is to provide love and companionship to mom
...and keep the cats on their toes
...and keep the yard free of squirrels
...and bark if anything stray comes near the house (stray people, stray dogs, stray leaves, the wind)

Thank you Claudia! People I have tagged:
Eileen at "Feisty Side of Fifty" http://feistysideoffifty.wordpress.com/
Kathie Thomas at http://vadirectory.net/blog/
Michael Walsh Kaizen Consulting http://business-growth.com/
Beverly at Talk2Bev http://talk2bev.blogspot.com/
Heidi Caswell at http://www.connectsimply.com/blog/

We're Hitting the Road!

2008-05-16T08:41:00.001-07:00

I'm excited! It's summer and Mom has decided to take a trip - and I get to go along! She hasn't decided where to go yet. I heard her on that little thing she uses to talk to other humans last night. She was talking about ideas for a vacation. I think she is trying to decide between visiting Aunt Mai Lei in Dallas (okay, but they have an awful lot of cats that don't like to play with me), Christine in Corpus Christi (that might be fun. I can see baby John! I LIKE babies!) or Desiree in Florida (that gets my vote. I love the beach!)

Once she decides, we will have to get ready. That means a trip to see Dr. Karen. That's always fun. I know sometimes I have to get shots and that hurts a little bit. But the ladies at Dr. Karen's are always nice to me. They pet me and cut my toenails for me so I can walk better. And if I have to get a shot, Mom always takes me for a hamburger afterward!

I hear Mom talking to someone on that black box again. She is still not sure where she wants to go. I know! Why don't YOU help her decide. Vote for which trip you think we should take. I'll do my best to convince Mom that's where we need to go. How you ask? Don't worry. I have Mom well-trained! And I'll keep you up to date on all the fun things there are to do for dogs (and cats too I guess) whereever you decide we should go.

Our First Adventure - Fort Smith, Arkansas

2008-05-01T20:52:00.000-07:00

I want to tell you about our first trip together. Mom (that's what I call my human!) and I had not been in Arkansas long and we wanted to go exploring. So we decided to take a drive to some other locations in Arkansas. We started with Fort Smith since it's not a long drive from Rogers.

We decided we would stay overnight so we could take our time and really explore the area. Mom called around to find a place that would let me stay with her. There were several to choose from including the Comfort Inn Fort Smith and the Holiday Inn City Center. Mom decided to choose the Holiday Inn since it is Fort Smith’s largest full service Holiday Inn Hotel connected to the Fort Smith Convention Center and conveniently located near: UA Fort Smith, UA Fayetteville, Fort Smith’s National Historic Site, Judge Isaac C. Parker’s Museum / Courtroom, the Fort Smith Trolley Museum and Fort Smith Museum of Natural History. Fortunately, I am under the 20 lb weight limit in the hotel's pet policy and Mom did not mind paying the additional pet fee. We did have to stay on the pet floor, but that was alright with me. It gave me a chance to meet some other traveling pet friends.

We packed our bags. Mom brought my leash and my carrier even though I don't use them at home. She just wants me to be safe so I don't mind. She also brought my favorite food and some bottled water, dishes for me to use, my favorite toy, and my blanket. She also packed a pooper scooper and some carpet deodorizer - just in case! Then she made me wear my collar with the ID tags and we were off! On the way we stopped at Dr. Karen's, my vet, to get a copy of my shot record.

The trip did not take long. When we arrived, we went to our hotel first. Mom let me out to stretch my legs and take care of business. Then we visited our room so I could have a drink of water and look the place over. I decided where I wanted my blanket, explored the rest of the room and then it was time to see the city!

We went first to the Fort Smith Dog Park located at the corner of Massard Road and Louisville Street. This dog-lovers park provides an off-leash experience and socialization opportunity for me and my friends while also offering special events and programs. It even has benches so Mom and I can rest and a pond! We played for a while and Mom chased a ball for me. She looks silly doing it, but it seems to make her happy so I always play along.

I was pretty tired and ready for dinner and a nap but Mom wanted to check out Ben Geren Park located at 7200 South Zero Street. She had heard about the annual Top Dog competition sponsored by the local Alzheimer's Association. It's held in the park each year in conjunction with the annual Memory Walk. She thought it would be a dog-friendly place to just walk around for a bit and she was right. I had a great time and I hope she lets me enter the Top Dog contest this year. I know I can win!

Now it was definitely time to call it a day. Mom stopped at the Wendy's drive through for her dinner and then we went back to the hotel so we could eat together. After dinner, we settled down to watch some television. My favorite Saturday evening lineup was on so Mom let me lay beside her and watch while she read her book. Soon it was time for one last visit outside and then bed time. We have to get up early in the morning so we can head for home!

Fayetteville, Arkansas

2008-04-25T21:36:00.000-07:00

Before we set out on our journey, I want to invite all of my fellow pet friends to visit my town. Fayetteville, Arkansas is one of the most welcoming cities around. Even though I live only 30 minutes away, Melodieann often takes me to Fayetteville just so I can enjoy myself. There are plenty of places for us to stay together. Home to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville is a college town nestled in the mountains of northwest Arkansas and offers visitors an array of arts, culture, and natural beauty. Pets and their humans travel from all over to see the area's fall colors and attractions such as the Clinton House Museum, the Arkansas Air Museum, Civil War sites, and the annual Bike Blues and Barbecue. And be sure your human takes you to visit the Fayetteville Farmer's Market on the weekends.

My favorite place to stay is the Courtyard Fayetteville. Located in the heart of Fayetteville, the Courtyard by Marriott offers all of the conveniences necessary for Melodieann and me to be comfortable. The hotel is smoke-free so I don't have to worry about my allergies acting up or getting all that smell of cigarette smoke in my fur. And there are 32" Flat Screen LCD Televisions in every room so we can curl up and watch our favorite shows together after a busy day.

The Courtyard is close to one of my favorite places to walk - Lake Fayetteville Park. There are trails around the lake where Melodieann and I like to take early morning strolls. I do have to let her put my leash on me. There is a city ordinance that requires me to wear it for my own safety. I wouldn't want to get separated from my human and get lost!

Another great place to stay is the Best Western Windsor Suites. The Best Western Windsor Suites is conveniently located off of I-540 with easy access to key area attractions and business locations including the University of Arkansas, Wal-Mart headquarters and lovely downtown Fayetteville. Hotel guests will appreciate a wide variety of options for entertainment and shopping nearby. Each spacious guestroom or suite is equipped with free high-speed Internet access, cable satellite television, free long distance access, toiletries, iron/ironing board, coffee/tea maker and a hairdryer. Suites and mini-suites offer a whirlpool bath, 32-inch flat screen television, refrigerator and microwave. Every day begins with a divine complimentary continental breakfast featuring fruit, biscuits and gravy, waffles, cereals, coffee, and more which Melodieann always shares with me. Other hotel amenities include an exercise facility, business center. Guests may take a dip in the largest indoor swimming pool in Fayetteville. A friendly staff is ready to ensure a comfortable and memorable stay.

Support Adopt a Shelter Cat Month!

2008-04-23T17:22:00.000-07:00

I know - dogs and cats don't get along (or so they say). But I'm going to share a secret with you. I have several cat friends. My human adopted them from the same shelter she found me at and I have to admit they are okay. Once I showed them who was in charge, they really became good companions. They share their food with me and they don't complain too much when I chew up their catnip mice. And on cold winter nights they sleep next to me on my blanket and help keep me warm. So I hope you will all encourage your humans to enter this contest and maybe even consider getting a cat of your own!

We all know how special cats are. But let's face it, not everyone gets it. Unlike their canine counterparts, cats don't have a cool slogan like "Dogs are man's best friend." Throughout history, cats have been the victims of superstition and misunderstanding – and even today, cats are in trouble: More than 70% of cats in animal shelters are euthanized (compared to a still-shocking 56% of dogs).

But you can help. June is national Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month and Cat Fancy has teamed up with Petfinder.com, the world's largest online database of adoptable pets, to raise awareness of the crisis facing our feline friends with the Cats Rule! Ad Contest.

Here's our challenge to you: Create a 7" x 10" ad that shows the world the value and importance of cats. Finalists will be posted online for readers to vote for their favorite, and the winning entry will run as a full-page ad in the September issue and be featured on CatFancy.com and Petfinder.com.

CONTEST RULES
Submissions will only be accepted between April 1, 2008 and May 23, 2008.
Your ad campaign should include a one-page print ad (7"x10"), in PDF format with minimum resolution of 300dpi. (If using a bleed, add 5/8" to all four sides.)

The ad should communicate:
Why cats are excellent pets
Why cat lovers should adopt a rescue/shelter cat
All submissions should be e-mailed to CatChannel as .pdf attachments

Do not:
Include any copyrighted material (photos, logos, etc.)
Use inflammatory images or copy
Specifically denigrate any organization, corporation or group

Ads will be judged by Cat Fancy/CatChannel.com and Petfinder.com on:
Overall creativity
Clarity in expressing the message
Technical & artistic execution
In the event of a tie, the entry judged to be the most creative will win.

RELEASE FORM
By submitting an ad, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to the following terms and conditions:

All entrants must be 18 years of age or older. All submissions become the property of Cat Fancy/CatChannel.com and Petfinder.com and will not be returned. Users warrant that their ads are their own original creation, do not violate any law or regulation or infringe upon the rights of any other person or company (including but not limited to copyrights), and do not contain offensive, defamatory, vulgar or profane content, as determined by Cat Fancy. Ads that do not comply with the above shall be rejected. By submitting an ad, each user grants permission, without further compensation, to Cat Fancy/CatChannel.com and Petfinder.com and their agents and licensees to use the entrant's name and the ad itself in any media now known or hereinafter devised including, without limitation, print, Internet, radio and/or television throughout the world and for any purpose, including advertising, promotional or other purposes, with or without charge or cost to end users or other parties. Submission of an entry will constitute the user's representation that user has secured any and all rights, releases and permissions necessary for Cat Fancy/CatChannel.com and Petfinder.com's use hereunder, including without limitation those related to any person, place, music, performance of music, video, photographs, graphics and/or other elements, and upon request, each entrant shall provide proof that such release and permission was obtained and that no further permissions or fees are due for Cat Fancy/CatChannel.com and Petfinder.com's use of the submission or any elements therein. By uploading an ad, each user agrees that if requested, he or she will sign a release and waiver of liability.

Join Me and My Human On our Travels!

2008-04-20T14:48:00.000-07:00

Hi! My name is Bob. I live with my human, Melodieann, in a great house in the country. I have lots of companions to play with and Melodieann takes very special care of me. I think I have her very well trained! She buys my favorite food and treats, bathes and brushes me, and buys me toys so we can play together. In return, I let her share my bed and sometimes, if she has been very good to me, I even let her share my favorite chair. Best of all, we both love to travel and I often let her accompany me on my adventures! Travel with us as Melodieann and I show you the very best places for you to take your human. Let's get packed!