When the Riding gets Ruff

Ruff Rider Buddy here, out Riding the Range.  Ok, well maybe just riding around Bend mostly in the back of my nicely appointed VW SUV or Subaru, but you get the idea.  You folks may or may not know that my Mom’s business is to fly around on private jets with people who fly with their pets and treat them like royalty.  Now that IS her business and I try not to judge that, but really, OTHER pets???  But I digress…  She not only spoils them but is a fanatic about their safety and she carries a pet oxygen mask, pet flotation device and Roadie Ruff Rider pet seat harness on every flight.  She did a lot of research to find the right harness that was tested to DOT human standards and would be the most likely to withstand an aircraft accident.  I’m telling you all of this because as the Budster, and the one who always has your back, I think that might mean it would be a good one for you to use in your car too.  Yes, your CAR!

      

 

 

 

 

Now I like a good walk-about in the car as much as the next guy and who hasn’t taken a certain joy in that look of terror on their human’s face when you nudge that gear shift from drive into “N” on the freeway???  Apparently “N” means NOOOOOOOOO because that’s what they always scream.  It isn’t so much fun when they have to swerve around something and you go crashing into the window or they brake suddenly and your head gets rammed into the front seat.  Our noses are sensitive you know!  It only gets worse in an accident when that sweet 90 pounds of fur in the back seat becomes a projectile and hits someone else in the car who is otherwise safely secured as it sails by on its way to the windshield.  Perhaps your pet survives the impact and escapes the car and is running around in traffic in a panic and gets lost or hit by a car?  It’s a lot to think about isn’t it?

As you can see, the fun isn’t all over just because you are securely tethered to the seat belt system of the car.  I can sit up or lie down and yes, I can even stick my head out the window which is one of my most preferred positions when driving.  My Mom wants me to wear my Doggles when I do that so I don’t get debris in my eyes, or so she says, I think it’s just so I look cool, which I do.  Truth be told, you put this harness on and forget about it, you don’t even know it’s there.  Just slip the seat belt through the loop in the back and off you go.  You can leave it on and get out and walk around and use it as a short leash or attach your leash to it and then hop back in the car and go again, safe as can be.    I like this brand the best because it is simple to use, not a lot of moving parts, tested to human standards and doesn’t twist all around me and bunch up (that’s a technical analysis from ol’ Bud) when I move around.  I’ll give you a link below to find them real easy on their website, or you can find them on Amazon or lots of places.  The important thing is to give this some thought and start buckling up so you can keep Being the Dog and enjoy the ride!!!

Click on the logo below to go right to their website, or visit them on Facebook too!  And no, I’m not getting any free kibble out of this, just trying to pass along good info about something I think is a good product…  There ya go!

           Ruff Rider

Tag… You’re IT!

Yo everypawdy!  Buddy here and I’m back pretty quick this time because this is so related to my last post.  You would think my Mom had nothing better to do than sit around and read dog magazines and surf the net looking for the perfect stuff for ME.  Well, if she didn’t eat bon-bons there would be more time for that, but I digress…  OK, so she keeps reading about all of these cool hi-tech pet tags and has been intrigued but for one reason or another she rules each one out.  Now this is a woman who LOVES tech.  She has a desktop computer, an iPod, an iPhone, an iPad, and if they come out with an iLitterbox… well lookout cats!  None of the techy tags floated her boat until this one:  The Pet Hub Smartlink Tag.

And here’s what one looks like:



So why does Mom like these so much?  Here’s a few reasons…

The one on the right can be worn as a flat collar that won’t get caught on anything and maybe disappear.  Especially good on a cat who you usually don’t attach a leash to.    Either way, the tags have both a QR and URL code on them.  The QR code is that funny looking square design you’re seeing pop up everywhere that you can just scan with a smartphone and unlock all the information about your pet.  There is also a traditional URL web address for Pethub.com that folks can type in on their phone or computer and get all of your info you want them to have.

What’s nice about this?  Well, first of all it doesn’t cost a leg and a paw like some other technology.  You can get a tag for $12.95 and then you sign up and activate it for free.  Mongo likes free!  You set up a profile for your pet online at their site which is where folks will be directed if they find your Furbaby out wandering.  You can include info in there about their vet and medications and conditions too!  Cool thing is, if you move?  No need for a new tag, just go in and change your profile and ta-daaaaaa!  Instantly up to date!

So that’s our latest find in keeping your loved ones safe and secure.  It’ll look cool hanging from the new Ruff Wear collar anyway right??  Party on everyone, be safe out there with Halloween…  stay away from the candy and the adult beverages and as always Be the DOG!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Choked Up

Hi again, Buddy here.  I hope you all took some time to really think about what you’ll do in case of a fire, that is important stuff to think about BEFORE you need that information.  Then you can go back to “Being the Dog” as usual.  I don’t know about you but I have been loving the cooler weather.  I’ve been kind of tearing around a bit and I’m loving the transition to “comfort food” in our house.  Can anyone say MAC and CHEESE????  Now we are talkin’ DOG here!  Today I want to draw another safety kind of thing to your attention.  A few weeks ago, one of my pack members on Facebook: the illustrious Ecco de Oro almost left us way too early due to an accident with his collar of all things.  You see, he was playing with his bro and his bro’s tooth got caught in it and he couldn’t get untangled!!  Luckily his peeps were close by and they helped.  Even they could not undo the mess and had to cut the collar off.  Ecco had 2 black eyes, but no permanent damage to his throat.  THAT was close my friends!  My Mom knows of another story where a dog playing got his collar caught under the refrigerator when trying to get a tennis ball that had rolled under there.  He was not so lucky as nobody found him…  he did not survive.  Both dogs were wearing Martingale Collars.  Now these are not bad collars in and of themselves!!  They just should not be worn around the house full time like an everyday collar.  They have their place in training a dog, but should NEVER be worn for any other purpose ok???  Here’s a picture of what one looks like, I know, this used to be my collar until 2 weeks ago:

So you know my Mom.  Ugh.  She did research ad nauseum.  She loved the idea of break away collars, but I am a pretty RUFF guy and she could, quite honestly, see the collar breaking away more than staying on.  More research.  We went to a lot of stores, which I liked because you really can snarf up a lot of snacks at grazing level in those stores when nobody is looking, but I digress.  So Speaking of Ruff, here’s what she came up with right here in our own back yard (Bend, OR) that is so amazing she wants to tell you all about it.

This is my new collar.  Doesn’t look all fancy like some I’ve had right?  It’s by Ruff Wear and it has some pretty cool features.  Start at the buckle:  industrial “Buddyworthy” strength, also heavy weighted which makes a difference later.  Come around to where you see the tags, it comes with the black rubber one you see in the middle so my tags don’t jangle around and make a lot of noise.  Now look where the thingy (that IS a technical term) to hook the leash onto is…  it’s on the TOP!!!  What a concept right??  The weight of the buckle is just enough to always keep it at the bottom, which always keeps the thingy at the top.  Result?  No fishing around under my neck in a panic as I dart out of the car at the dog park to try to hook me up quick.  Genius!!  Also, the leash doesn’t keep getting tangled in my legs which I really appreciate.  One last detail…  that stripe is reflective.  That’s a lot of thinking packed into one collar isn’t it?  I’m tired just thinking about it.  If you click on the words “Ruff Wear” above you’ll go right to it and see all the colors.  We just think they’re cool, and we like to pass cool along.

Whatever you choose, be safe out there and take care of yourself.  Enjoy Being the Dog and truly… enjoy the ride ::

Saving your Pet from FIRE!

Hey there everyone… Buddy here.  I have been havin’ me a summer I tell ya, but I guess you’ve been following that.  Now it’s Fall and things are coolin’ off but there is still a very HOT topic out there.  October is National Fire Safety Month, and I want to help you learn a few ways to help your pets stay safe too.  I’ve mentioned this before, but my Mom’s company,     Sit ‘n Stay Global provides flight attendants for private jets and specializes in flying with OTHER PETS.  Ok, I’m learning to deal with that part, but the cool thing is that she takes their safety really seriously.  She even trains other flight crews how to be just as safe when a pet is on board.  Recently she got this dog from the UPS guy (who always brings me treats) named CasPeR.  CasPeR is a fake dog (there’s some fancy name for it like mannequin or something, but if you ask me she’s fake… she’s got no FUR) that you can practice CPR on.  You can see her chest rise and feel chest compressions and even find the femoral pulse.  First of all, I’m glad Mom has stopped demonstrating on me (BOL!) and secondly, if you refer to the picture…  I’m just saying if you pumped air into my hind quarters you could detect my pulse all over my body.  But I digress…

Mom also carries pet oxygen masks on her flights with pets, because they really are a superior way to get oxygen into a pet suffering from smoke inhalation or in a decompression.  Our girl CasPeR is modeling one in the picture quite nicely.  It just seemed natural for Mom to support folks trying to get these masks into the hands of our fire departments on the ground who respond to house fires, and she throws her support behind the pawsome efforts of her amazing friend: Miss Emma Zen.  The Emma Zen Foundation works to make sure pets on the ground are protected like Mom sees to pets in the air.  She’s a good lookin’ dog too, if I might say…  But recently we read an article that can help you prepare right in your own home in case the unthinkable ever strikes your home and you have pets inside. You see, what most folks don’t realize is that your pets will run and hide or go to their “safe” place when something wild happens like a fire breaks out.  Their first instinct is not to run to the door.  They do not have opposable thumbs (those that could even reach the knob) to open the door anyway.  They go hide somewhere that they think is safe.  Scary huh?  Take a few minutes and actually click on this link and read the recommendations this firefighter has for how to train your trainable pets to come to you in an emergency:

Pet Talk:  Prepare yourselves and your pets for a fire disaster  by: Jocques Von Lunen for The Oregonian

He also has great ideas for how you can best help pets like cats who usually don’t come on command, but do have a favorite safe place (which, btw, should NOT be my bed or couch…).

Really, read up and add it to your safety plan.  It’s stuff ya just never think of, but once you think of it, it just makes sense and is not hard to do.  Ranger Buddy here… over and out!

Keeping it FUN

Hey, Buddy here!  Hope you all are enjoying your summer.  The thing I love most about summer is swimming.  Man I LOVE swimming.  I love running and diving into a pool, the ocean, a lake or anything.  You name it, the bigger the splash the better.  And toys?  Bring ’em on!  I can go for hours chasing water toys or a tennis ball or even Mom’s pool float.  She’s not so wild about that last one, but dogs have to be creative sometimes.  Even though my energy isn’t what it used to be between turning 9 and having cancer, I can still rally for a big swim.

Last week when we went to the upside down pool where we go to cool off in our neighborhood, Mom and I met another dog there named Sysco.

Chillin'

Sysco is a cattle dog and he’s almost 16.  He had never been to the upside down pool and wasn’t too sure.  He can’t see too well and is deaf, but when he saw me he knew he wanted to be a part of it.  Sysco has arthritis so bad in his back legs that he pretty much hops on his front legs to walk, so he hopped on over and stood next to me with his feet in the water.  It was so cool I knew it right away, being a dog and all, but pretty soon my Mom figured it out too…  Sysco was getting to do something NEW again.  Sysco was going back to the days when he could swim!    I went over and stood under the fountain part where the water falls on your head and Sysco came too.  At first it startled him.  Then you could almost see him smile as his whole body got wet.  Slowly the tail that had been still for over 3 years according to his human wagged.  Slow, but it moved!  Then, he barked!!  She said she can’t remember the last time he barked.  I wanted to run around, but just stood there.  I knew something big was happening there and I was lucky to be a part of it,  Sysco was living again!!  I was so honored to be a part of it.

I think Mom learned a lot from it too.  This week she is staying with our good Chi friend Sam.  Sam is only 9, but has congestive heart failure and other problems with his heart so isn’t running around like he usually does.  At first Mom felt bad, but then she thought of Sysco…  She decided to keep it FUN for Sam and headed out to find a new kind of fun.  She sent me a picture of this cool toy that you stuff goodies inside and Sam doesn’t have to chase it but it’s like a puzzle and he works on it to get the treats out.  She fills it up a few times a day and they work on it and he has indoor fun rather than just lay around.  I think she is more confused by it than Sam, he’s pretty smart!

So remember us dogs are like people.  As we age or our physical condition changes we may not be able to do all the things we used to do, but our minds remember and sure do appreciate the effort if you try to “keep it fun” for us.  I think it keeps it fun for you too, judging from the grin on my Mom’s face!

Feeling Bloated??

Hey everyone,  Buddy here and wow has it been a busy summer or what?  I mean we started right in with the camping, and that’s still rolling right along.  Got the upside down pool rockin’ it, even a few kids have started joining me which is kind of funny.  I’ve got a BIG challenge going with my facebook friends to see who’s gonna chip in more money than me (ok, this is not a competition my Mom says, no wagering please) per mile on my FURiend Emma Zen’s bike tour to Sturgis.  Oh you missed that?  WELL.  Emma Zen the biker dog raises funds for pet oxygen masks on fire trucks and she’s on this epic ride to Sturgis in her sidecar with her furless parents to raise awareness AND moola.  You can follow the whole sordid affair on facebook and check out her site:  http://www.emmazen.com/  She’s pretty cool!

Mom met her because Mom always carries pet oxygen masks when she works those flights on private jets that she works on and any of the Sit ‘n Stay flight attendants do.  Mom really kinda over thinks these things I think, but just go with her.   I hate it when she leaves me, but what she’s doing up there is important.  She’s been flying like, forever (don’t tell her I said that… she hates that) and didn’t feel that the safety standards for pets flying in the cabin were up to par.  She also noticed she had more and more clients on private jets bringing their pet family members on board, so she re-wrote the book for pets so they would have all the same safety considerations that people have when they travel.  She brings a pet oxygen mask (for decompression or fire), pet flotation device and pet seat restraint.  She uses special cleaning products that we can’t lick up and make us sick.  She makes fancy meals for the pets.  She even stays on at the destination as the pet nanny a lot of the time and leaves me at home!!!!!!  I think that’s pushing it.  She goes out hiking and to the beach and out to lunch and shopping with OTHER PETS!!!!  Then, she tells me it’s WORK.  What do I look like?  A cat?

                                                                         Ricochet, in FURst class!

But I gotta tell ya, my Mom loves me and when she is home she spoils me rotten.  One of our favorite things to do is go to the beach, and it was playing in the water and gulping a bunch of water and air too fast once that gave me a wicked condition called in layman’s terms: BLOAT.  This is big, so listen up.  It comes on pretty quietly and us dogs don’t really like to make a big deal out of it so you have to be observant.  I’m gonna post a link to the most comprehensive description of this I have ever read (YES, I read) and urge you to read it.  This was posted by one of my fave magazines:  The American Dog Magazine , who always has our back and posts some pretty meaningful stuff, on their Facebook page yesterday.  Their advice about having Mylanta in the house is spot-on.  My Mom is also certified in Pet First Aid and CPR, and she always carries it with her on the plane.  She says this is the one condition she would ask a pilot to land the plane for if a pet developed these symptoms.  It is akin to a human having a heart attack in flight, you must get to a trauma center NOW.  I was lucky, Mom realized what was happening early and got me to the doc quick.  I got away with just getting a tube stuck down my throat and, well, let’s just say I didn’t really feel lucky but I’m a lucky dawg I know!

So here’s the link, please read and then have a fun and safe summer out there.  As always, enjoy the ride!!

http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm

 

Upside Down Pool

Chillin'

Hey everybody, Buddy here and Happy 4th of July!!!  Happy Summer and just Happy Day!!  Hope you all have been out there grillin’ and chillin’ and enjoying what I consider to be the primo time of the year.  It’s getting a little warm out there and that’s something that can kind of wear on us dogs with our fur coats and all.  You know, we don’t sweat either, except for from our tongues and our paws a bit.  It’s important to keep an eye out for us and consider what it might feel like to be walking around with your coat on in this weather and factor in some “cool time” for us if you don’t mind…

Mom and Dad were a little perplexed when we moved because while we used to have a pool and an ocean, now we don’t so they had to get creative.  We were out walkin’ in our neighborhood and Mom saw this cool “fountain” (I don’t know what the heck a fountain is…) and her mind started clicking along.  She’s pretty good at seeing the world from a dog’s eye view.  She saw what I saw.  Not a fountain, but an Upside Down Pool!!!!!  So off we went, Mom and Dad and Me to the upside down pool (with my tennis balls of course) for a little fun and frolic.  What a hoo-ha!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

So don’t worry if you don’t think you have all the perfect stuff for your dog, or you don’t have time to drive to the dog park for a swim and play every day.  Look at the world like your dog does and make something up!  It’s fun, and you might find something fun inside you too…

While we’re thinking like dogs here on the 4th of July, let’s remember that dogs don’t usually find loud noises and flashing things (fireworks) amusing.  Please leave us at home with a fan going and the TV on and curtains drawn so we have a neutral surrounding.  Make sure the doors are secure so we can’t run out in a panic if you leave us to go see those crazy wild things for some reason that remains unknown to us K9s…  If you take us to a party, remember we only eat one Brat (cannot BELIEVE I’m sayin’ THAT) and we don’t drink beer even of we are over 21 in dog years.  Bring us lots of water, though, because we do get thirsty.

So have fun out there, and look for all the fun things your dog sees to play in.  Play with your dog and enjoy the ride!!

Camp Dog

Hi, Buddy here again.  This week my peeps told me we were going to go camping.  I really had no idea what that meant, but it was with my peeps so I was all in.  It started out with a car ride which is always good.  I love the car and we had a nice ride with the windows down and my fur blowin’ in the breeze.  I helped navigate as usual…

And we got there easy as pie and got all settled in with no problemo what-so-ever.  So first thing I notice is this thing we’ve been hauling behind the car is actually gonna be our “tent!”  Well now that’s cool.  It has heat and A/C, screens on the windows to keep bugs off of me, a table and kitchen with frig for all my food (even a freezer for my frosty paws) and a queen size bed!  Mom really decked out that bed, I’m here to tell ya too.  She has a bad back so she put one of those “memory foam” mattress toppers on it, covered that with 800 count cotton sheets (I can’t count to 800 so that doesn’t really impress me), 2 king size down pillows, 2 regular size pillows and a down comforter that is about a mile thick with a cushy cotton duvet cover.  What the heck is a duvet cover if you put it on a comforter????  Ok well, here’s my point…  I can’t see how all of that is gonna make her back one bit more comfortable if she is still sleeping on the floor on her ol’ stinky therma-rest pad and sleeping bag while I’m up on the bed BOLBOLBOL!!!!!!!!!

My first rude awakening about camping was that it is code for humans putting really big funny shoes on their feet and walking for hours up and down hills and dragging dog with them.  What?  Are we there yet???  The good thing is, you are outdoors the whole time so you can dookie wherever you want and whenever you want.  Cool beans man.  We were on a lake too so I could just go in and swim any time.  That was pretty cool too!  Ok it was all better than I was thinking it was gonna be.  Not sure why they bought that big house thing if we were gonna spend all of our time outdoors, but hey man, I’m just along being the dog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had yappy hour, just like at home which was great and I even got some pretzels!  Had a great dinner by a camp fire which kept us nice and warm and cozy and these amazing things called marshmallows.  YUM!  I have to admit, I was out like a log, all that fresh air and exercise just did me in.  I just barely made it inside the door of the camper and admit I slept right there by the door and kept us all safe.  That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.

 

 

I highly recommend this camping thing to everyone.  Lots of outdoor time with the peeps and not a lot of worldly distractions.  They behave more like dogs for a change, more natural like.  They seem to relax and like it and I like it that way too.  Maybe they should live like that all the time???

 

 

Summer Gear

Hi!  Buddy here.  Got some good feedback on my facebook page last time that you liked hearing from me more than that boring stuff my Mom writes, so she’s letting me try my hand at it again.  Let’s face it, everything is more interesting from a dog’s eye view.  And a dog’s nose view too!

So I’m coming to realize that when it comes to summer, it’s all about the gear.  I mean how DID we canines ever survive for all of those eons on our own out in the wilderness?  As you may know, we have recently moved to Bend, OR to enjoy the great outdoors.  I am loving it and the outdoors is truly great here.  What I did not realize is how much help humans need to enjoy the outdoors and how much help they think we dogs need too.  So brace yourself, while a tent used to be just dandy for camping…  oh nooooooooooooo.  Mama wants something that has a little heat for those cold mountain nights and maybe something that is easier on her back and maybe, well, just looka this:

Now I’m not complaining about the queen size with the memory foam or nothing, but once I get settled on it, I don’t know where she’s gonna sleep and how that’s gonna really help her back if she’s curled up on the floor on her old therma-rest…  but hey, I’m the dog.

Another piece of gear that goes on all of our outings which is really a good idea because you have to remember that us dogs get thirsty, is my new collapsible bowl.  It is really cool.  It smooshes flat and just hangs on my leash out of the way.  Then when we need it, Mom or Dad takes it off, pops it open (as shown) and fills with some of their water they are toting along.  Voila!!!  I can slurp all I want (I’m a big slurper) and don’t have to try to navigate any of those dainty little fancy contraptions she’s tried before.  This one gets the 4 paw award from me!  She likes it because it is easy to carry and out of the way, just hangs on the leash.  Win, Win!!

              

 

 

 

 

 

 

So there ya go.  These are just 2 more ways to make it easier to go out and enjoy the outdoors this Memorial Day weekend as we kick off summer…  Me?  I’m just a dog, but I’m glad you furless ones think of us.  While you’re thinkin’, be sure to take a moment and remember all of those brave souls who this weekend is all about.  The ones who keep this country so free that we can worry about things like portable water bowls and comfy campers.  Semper Dog!!!

Hey, come visit me on facebook too:  Buddy’s “Be the Dog” Life

 

Summer Travel

Hey everybody, Buddy here with some tips on traveling as summer travel season approaches.  Now, I know my Mom works on those private jets with those lucky dogs who travel that way, but then there’s the rest of us (myself included) who use other modes of transportation.  I’m too big to ride in the cabin on a commercial jet, so I always ride in the car with my furless parents and we have a great time.

FURst things FURst.  I always wear a pet seat belt.  No, it does not cramp my style in the least!  My Mom did a lot of research and likes the Roadie Ruff Rider which has the least moving parts, fits very comfortably and even I, the Houdini of Dogs, can’t wiggle out of it.  It has a nice tether so I can sit up or lie down and can look out either back window.  What I can’t do is fly through the car like a projectile in an accident hurting myself or any of the other passengers, or get thrown from the car.  I also cannot assist as a driver, or gear shift technician (which I excel at) should I choose to do so.  It does allow me to stick my nose out the window at the drive-thru window and give them my order.  Extra cheese please, BOL!

Another good thing when out in the car is a good water supply, but who needs the mess??  Mom has this cool donut shaped one in the back of my condo (she calls it an SUV, don’t ask me why) that won’t let the water spill but I can still drink it.  Here’s a link to go see it and buy one if you want one too:

http://www.doggonegood.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=8503&ParentCat=521

So those are the first two things to think of when you hit the road this summer.  Buckle up so you get there safe and remember to take some water with you.  More tips to come, so stay tuned and happy travels ::