100 Awesome Dog things

#94

Dogs that drink out of the hose


I have always wanted a dog that when you wash the car, he would come over and drink out of the hose, or if the sprinkler was running, he would make a game of chasing the water and bite at it like a toy. When we got Moose, I thought yeah a retriever of course he will like the hose. Well, Moose not only didn’t know how to swim when we got him, the first time a washed my car with him lovingly next to my side, I brought out the hose and he ran into the house for cover. Three years later he still does, but at least he swims now, in fact we can’t keep him out of the water. When we got Hoss, I thought what are the chances a Great dane would like the hose? I mean they are not known to be water dogs, in fact they don’t even swim really, ( they are too barrel chested to float properly in the water) Well Hoss can’t get enough of it. The harder the hose is blasting the better he likes it. He bites at the water and jumps at the hose like a puppy. I love watching Hoss do this, the only sad part is in the corner of my eye, I see Moose running towards the house.

100 Awesome Dog things

#95

Dogs that howl at sirens

At the dog park the other day, an ambulance rushed by with its siren blaring and Kaiser a cute little schnauzer started to howl along with the sound. Looking at Kaiser, he had a look that he was generally helping alert everyone and aiding to the response time for the ambulance. Us humans at the park giggled and almost started howling ourselves at the site of little dog snout pointed to the clouds oblivious to our laughing. Wouldn’t it be great if we could howl at sirens like dogs? Of course people would probably laugh at us too, but wouldn’t it make you feel like you were helping the ambulance.

100 Awesome Dog things

#96

Dogs that don’t wear outfits or costumes.

Dogs are born with a coat, do they really need to wear a designer Gucci (or Pucci) one too? When I was training dogs in Vancouver, I saw, especially in Yaletown, dogs mostly small dogs sometimes in purses (another issue all together) with more outfits and accessories than I have. On most of their faces I saw that look, you know the one where if they could talk they would say “I hate this, you are embarrassing me, and I don’t like pink!”. There is even a website where you can get wigs for your dog. Could you imagine dreadlocks on a mexican hairless?. Yah mon. The fact is that when dogs wear clothes that cover their back, tail, ears, or head it limits their ability to contact with other dogs because the other dogs can’t see their body language which can result in aggression and bad behaviour. Big dogs with bandana’s well not so bad. so I thought. I have to admit my first Golden Retriever Clancy went to the groomer once around Christmas time and they put a bandana on her (with dog bones on it) and a cologne that made her smell like a sugar cookie. She gave me “that look”. Need less to say, the bandana came off right away, and she had a bath when we got home.

100 Awesome Dog things

#97

Dogs who look like their owners.

We all know someone who looks like their dog don’t we? I think deep down we do pick dogs that kind of remind us of ourselves, either by looks or personality. When my 6 foot 4 husband said he wanted a Great dane, I was not surprised. The thing is he looks more like our golden retriever Moose. They both have red hair and a dopey look on their face most of the time (which one of the reasons I love them both). Now if there was a red headed Great Dane I know my husband would definitely pick one for our next dog.