Quote of the month
“A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of.”
- Ogden Nash
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Canine Trivia
In 1987 cats overtook dogs as the number one pet in America.
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Breed of the month
Saint Bernard
Origin: Switzerland
Life span: 8-10 years
Grooming: Smooth: weekly brushing, monthly bathing; rough: daily brushing, monthly bathing.
Height/weight: Males: 27 ½ inches minimum at the shoulder, 160-165 pounds; females, 25 inches minimum at the shoulder, 130-135 pounds.
Activity: Moderate.
Activity: Moderate.
Intelligence: High
Trainability: High
Character: Sweet, stable, loyal, loving.
Good with children: Yes, excellent.
Good with other pets: Yes, but avoid same-sex pairings.
Strangers: Typically friendly.
Watchdog: Protective
AKC group: Working
Function: Companion
Source: DOGFANCY
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Joke
How to Photograph Your Puppy
1. Remove film from box and load camera.
2. Remove film box from puppy's month and throw in trash.
3. Remove puppy from trash and brush coffee grounds from muzzle.
4. Choose a suitable background for photo.
5. Mount camera on tripod, check flash and focus.
6. Find puppy and take dirty sock from mouth.
7. Place puppy in pre-focused spot and return to camera.
8. Forget about spot and crawl after puppy on knees.
9. Focus with one hand while fending off puppy with other hand.
10. Get tissue and clean nose print from lens.
11. Put cat outside and put peroxide on the scratch on puppy's nose.
12. Put magazines back on coffee table.
13. Try to get puppy's attention by squeaking toy over your head.
14. Replace your glasses and check camera for damage.
15. Jump up in time to grab puppy by scruff of neck and say- "No, no outside!"
16. Call spouse to help clean up the mess.
17. Fix a drink.
18. Sit back in chair, put your feet up, sip your drink and resolve to teach puppy "sit" and "stay" the first thing in the morning.
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Poem
PET STORE PUPPY
I'm a little puppy, so cuddly, sweet and small
I live inside a cage, you see at Pet World in the mall.
I'm not an only puppy, my sisters are all here.
My brothers, too, except for Ralph who died out of fear.
It's lonely here at nighttime when all the lights go dark,
We tremble in our cages and we whimper and we bark.
But no one comes to hold us or pet our fears away
We sit all night in terror til the store opens next day.
We don't remember mama, left so far behind
she did the best she could for us til Man said "It is time."
He crammed us all in cages too small for us you see
We rode for hours; we could not help but lay in poop and pee
And now we sit in Pet World where kids come taunt and squeeze
They do not hear our whimpers or understand our pleas
We're miserable and it's scary here we all would rather die
But since we don't we do our best to run away and hide
I know you think my story too sad to leave me be
You want to take me home with you, a happy little puppy.
But please, though it is fearful to live here against our will
If you take me that leaves a spot another pup will fill.
You can stop our suffering but not by taking us home
You must be strong and leave us here, unsold and all alone
For if you do not take me, then another pup won't come
And maybe he will not be shipped so far away from home
Tho some of us may not survive the cycle 'ere it falls
If we don't sell they will not need more puppies in these halls
And if they need no puppies then the Man will not bring more
Eventually it can all stop! You CAN close the door.
So when you see a puppy face so sad and sweet and small
In a cage at Pet World at your neighborhood shopping mall
The best thing you can do for him is leave him sitting there
That is the best way you can tell all dogs how much you care.
By Amy Butcher
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Web site of the month
Saint Bernard Club of America Home Page
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Breed Spotlight
Black Russian Terrier
Personality- Intelligent and loyal but pushy. Laid back unless they think their owner is in trouble. They often bond intensely and are fiercely protective in threatening circumstances.
Best home- Indoor/outdoor home with a fenced yard and older, well-behaved children.
Perfect match- Experienced handler/trainer who enjoys constant canine companionship and can think of lots of directed doggie activities to keep body and mind fit.
Be forewarned- Not a good choice for the first-time dog owner. Black Russian Terriers require skillful handling and obedience training from an early age. Males may become dominant if not given firm direction.
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Dogs born this month...
Aries (March 21-April 20): Aries (March 21-April 20): Better take your iron pills to keep up with this dog. An Aries is Indiana Jones in a dog collar—an adventurous traveler.
Taurus (April 21-May 21): A gourmet, the Taurus pet loves food—except the canine variety. He’ll eat you out of house and home, but will pay you with undying loyalty and affection.
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How many dogs does it take to screw in a light bulb?
Australian Shepherd: "One, but just *try* to convince them that the burned-out bulb is useless and should be thrown away."
