Happy "Mew" Year!

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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.