Endless Possibilities for Barlow

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Barlow was bred and trained by Guide Dogs for the Blind in order to protect and serve a blind human, however, like a sizable percentage of their pups, he was “career changed” and became available for adoption as a pet. Guide Dogs probably thought “pet” was the last title he’d hold. However, we’ve found at Doggy Lama that Barlow still has an admirable work ethic, even if it is not necessarily one usually associated with service dogs. Barlow’s main interest relates to puppies, specifically entertaining them, exercising them, and welcoming them into the hiking/boarding/traveling-in-the-doggy-mobile experience. He has seemingly inexhaustible energy and patience with the younger furry set, and revels in teaching them the finer points of getting dirty, playing tug-of-war, and mouth wrestling. There has yet to be a puppy in the vicinity of Barlow that can remain shy for longer than 30 seconds. We call him our ”Puppy Recreation Director.”

Because he is an extremely handsome and outgoing fellow with a disarming grin, I have found, (at the other end of the leash,) that Barlow is also a very effective babe magnet. Although I am not currently looking to meet babes, I can sense a business or social services opportunity here. Perhaps Barlow’s humans might consider loaning him out to shy humans for walks along sidewalks in dog-loving neighborhoods like Rockridge or Montclair. He could serve as a conduit for timid people to make meaningful connections with other dog-loving folks. While Barlow’s around, there could never be a shortage of conversation fodder. I can see it now—one person strokes his great blond head, and perhaps, when the timing is right, (this might take several sessions of Barlow-walk meet-ups,) his or her hand might stray lower, along Barlow’s back, to where the object of affection is giving BarBar an above-the-tail butt rub. It might sound strange, but I have seen Barlow’s therapeutic effects in a variety of settings, and if any dog could facilitate a love match among the romantically challenged, Barlow could do it.

If I really let my imagination fly, I can imagine all sorts of scenarios where Barlow could help improve relations. Middle East peace talks not going anywhere?—bring Barlow into the room—he’s sure to bring down blood pressure levels and give leaders something positive to agree on, “What a cute and happy guy!” Dreaded layoffs or announcements of furloughs?—bring BarBar along to bring some comfort to those who will be affected, “At least I’ll be able to spend more time with my family now—hey, maybe now I can adopt a dog!”

Then again, Barlow’s in retirement—what am I doing suggesting the poor guy should go back out in the work world? Really, when I look at my friend I can tell he’s happy to be on puppy detail strictly as a volunteer. He’d rather keep his contributions local and known only to a select circle—Barlow’s not in it for the fame or glory—he’s Puppy Recreation Director for the joy of it.

Raider the pug, fabulous vacation companion

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

I love when Raider, senior pug extraordinaire, comes to visit. He is such a sweet and mellow guy, appreciative of every pat on his head and walk we take in the hills, that I find myself slowing down and relaxing when he’s around. He’s the kind of dog that when we’re snuggling at night on my bed, I feel like a kid again, content to have a dog to whom I can tell my hopes and dreams, without fear of judgment.

I was fortunate to be able to take Raider on a three-day road-trip down Santa-Cruz way last spring. He proved to be a perfect traveling companion—never complaining about my need to take stops from driving to rest my back, musical selection, or my choice of dog-friendly hotel. Whether on beach or sidewalk, Raider was an ideal ambassador to make friends—welcoming to young and old alike. At day’s end, Raider’s soft snores lulled me to sleep.

Raider, thanks for being such a gentle and loving friend. I look forward to our next adventure together.

Foster, Rescued from an Animal Hoarder’s House, Inspires Me

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Foster, a German Shepherd mix, was rescued from an animal hoarder‘s house in rural Virginia less than a year ago. At this house, where there were more than 200 animals, Foster stayed in a small pen with an aggressive dog. He learned quickly that he would be attacked by the dog less frequently if he stayed in one spot and didn’t move, made no noise, and didn’t make eye contact. When he was rescued after 5-6 years of this shadow-life, he was in extreme emotional and behavioral shut-down.

His adopted guardian, Steve, has tried to make Foster’s entry into life as a “regular pet dog” as gentle as it can be, but Foster still finds daily life very exhausting and overwhelming. He would like to hide in a dark corner rather than go outside. He pants and drools when he’s especially anxious, although his twice daily doses of the anti-anxiety med Xanax help a lot.

Each time Foster boards with me he comes out of his shell a little more. Although it’s not easy to get him out of the house and he pulls back toward the house as we walk, we have, over the last few months, gone from a walk around the block to longer walks in the neighborhood. We’ve graduated to hour-long walks in the woods, and, recently, a couple walks at Pt. Isabel, which I know was extremely challenging for him. (All that open space!) He’s happy to get back to the house, but I notice that every time he is less stressed out by the adventures I take him on. I think having friendly, well-adjusted dogs in the house who are excited about these romps helps him worry a bit less.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do”.

I love watching Foster blossom day by day. He has been through such a difficult time in his life, and every day is a challenge, but he is learning to trust people and dogs and to even enjoy himself a bit out in the big world. I applaud Foster’s courage and trust. He inspires me.

Posie, My Summer Dog

Sunday, August 16, 2009

When my friend and client, Diana, got laid off from her graphics designer job about 9 months ago, understandably she had to stop dog walks to make the most of her funds. I was surprised and excited for her, when, a couple months later, she told me she’d finally found a contract position, but that it was Down Under—in Australia! The only hitch was what would she do about her four-legged life partner, Posie?! I seized the opportunity to have the charming Posie-girl to myself for a time, and so, for May through July 2009, she became “My Summer Dog.”

Posie stayed with me for three months to the day and we had quite a time together. First off, she led me to understand that Casey was not “my” boyfriend—he was “our” boyfriend. (This is definitely the first time I’ve shared a man!) (Casey, for his part, who had identified as a “cat person” in his pre-Molly days, fell madly in dog-love with Miss Posie.) We developed dozens of nicknames for Posie, a few of which were: Posie-pose-athon, Posie-Pose-ification, and Posie-Posita. We also developed a term for her frequent snout-y check-ins: being “nudge-y.”

Once Posie chased a deer and nearly gave me a heart attack, (she was gone for almost 10 minutes). Although she became more comfortable with “pack living,” (she is emphatically an “only dog” at home,) she liked to make sure everything was cool downstairs in the main room and then go upstairs for some personal time. Over time she clarified exactly how much of an in-water-stick-fetcher she is—she will go after a stick in the water exactly twice. We celebrated her stay with us by taking her on vacation with us to Marin a few days before her mom rolled back on into town.

Posie’s mom is home from Australia now and I haven’t seen her for a couple weeks. Posie, thanks for all your love and companionship. No matter how many seasons pass, you will always be My Summer Dog.

Less than 14 Pounds and More than 14 Years of JR-Terrier Attitude!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

I didn’t know Chi Chi as a young pup. In fact, when she began boarding with us, she had already been in doggy AARP for many years, but “Cheech” still packs a wallop in Jack-Russellian stubbornness and ability to get the world to revolve around her as its axis. One day Chi Chi convinced me she was too feeble to take a group hike, (I suspect she didn’t like the other dogs along—I heard her sniff, “no class,” about a certain lab puppy)—a few days later, when I brought the baby sling to carry her when she got tired, she did a rugged 4-mile hike in the Oakland hills—practically leaving me in the dust. Cheech has insisted that she go with me to the beauty salon for my pedicure, (you’ve never heard a more pitiful wail than she can conjure up with hardly any excuse,) and can take up an unbelievably large amount of space in the center of a double bed.

Chi Chi is my Muse because I love to look at, photograph, and daydream about her. She’s a purebred but she’s too “pointy” for perfect Jack Russell conformation. My friend recently compared her singular, triangular beauty to that of the title characters of ”Spy Vs. Spy,” the comic strip that’s been running in Mad Magazine for almost 50 years. If I could ever make her understand it, I think she’d get a kick out of that.

Stuart Is “Mr. Personality”

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Originally a Manhattanite, Stuart relocated to the Bay Area with much trepidation. I’ve heard he was afraid he’d “lose his edge.” (No chance.)

Stuart is definitely one of our most entertaining charges. To start with, he hates feet. He will bark fiercely if a foot comes close to him, (never mind that he likes to hang out under desks and tables,) or dares to move under the covers when he’s on the bed. Then there’s the fact that Stuart does not appreciate when people answer or talk on the phone. He will attempt to derail peoples’ attempts to answer phones and will sometimes bark during the call. When being picked up for group walks, Stuart refuses to ride in the back of the truck with the dogs (he probably doesn’t think he is one). But our favorite Stu-ism is that he gives hugs. Really. If you pick him up he will curl his paws around your shoulder and tuck his snout into your neck and settle in for a good long snuggle. At the end of a tough day, there’s nothing better than a Stuart hug. Yay, Stuart—we love you!

Roxy Love

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Roxy, a senior lab and pit bull mix, had a rough start to her life. Animal Control pulled her from a home in which there was significant domestic abuse, and placed her in a shelter. Luckily, The Fates intervened three years ago, and Roxy was adopted by a lovely, gentle woman with lots of love to give. Now Roxy lives with her human and two young kitties in a sun-filled Oakland home and gets to go on hikes with Jack every day. She boards with Jack and Justine, (and me, Molly, when I’m lucky,) and is one of our favorite snuggle-partners ever. Roxy’s seen some scary stuff in her life, but she starts every day with her tail wagging and a kiss to whomever is nearby. She is an inspiration to us. We love you, Roxy Babe!

Saffy (a.k.a. Her Puggle Majesty)

Monday, December 15, 2008

Saffy, an eight-year-old puggle from Chicago is known for being a Cubs fan, (she often sports a Cubs collar,) for striking majestic poses (that’s how she got her nickname,) and for accepting nothing less than the co-pilot seat in Jack’s dog-walking mobile. We like the fact that even though she is a puggle, a “designer hybrid dog,” and lives the sweet life in the Oakland hills, she’s very in touch with her “inner wolf.” We know this because she often rolls in stinky things, a wolf behavior that allows wolves to hunt better without being detected by their prey. Mostly Saffy is hunting for the next best dog treat, but she’s ready, should some other worthy prey come her way. All hail Saffy, Her Puggle Majesty!

Bug the Boston Terrier Puppy

Monday, December 08, 2008

Bug the Boston Terrier stays at Sue’s house in Richmond when his professional artist mom has art openings elsewhere in the country. He’s a fabulous artist’s muse because he has dozens of funny and sweetly inspiring poses, although he mostly isn’t thinking about high art as he runs tirelessly after tennis balls, and commands sticks to obey him. Bug loves to be doggy co-pilot in the car and and to snuggle in Sue’s lap at the end of a long day of being a puppy. Viva el Bug!

George the Tuxedo Cat

Monday, December 01, 2008

This week’s Pet of the Week is our inaugural feline to receive the honor. Always impeccably dressed for any occasion, George the tuxedo cat is approximately 12.5 years old, and resides near Lake Merritt. George has been known to say under his breath, “Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.” George’s hobbies include destroying hair bands and mouse toys, watching Jean-Paul Van Damme movies, making threats to birds on the other side of the window, and sleeping. We love George.

Sydney the Senior BC Mix Is a Model Citizen

Monday, November 24, 2008

15-year-old Sydney the border collie mix, a transplanted Brooklynite, isn’t just the party boy you’d think from the photo above. He’s a trained service dog who helped helped an autistic child in the past and now gives cheer and comfort to people in hospice settings. He’s a wonderful guy who works very hard so we like to spoil him as much as possible when we board him!

The Pug as Athlete: Beenie Breaks the Mold

Monday, November 17, 2008

Beenie the pug was one of Doggy Lama’s first clients, and he’s still one of our favorites. Beenie isn’t the typical pug you might meet—despite his breed’s reputation and build, he is a true athlete who can keep up on a two-hour hike or race around a field with viszla puppies. His mom even takes him rollerblading sometimes! Beenie comes for boarding to us from Sunnyvale and is a champion under-the-covers snuggler.

Whole Lotta Love: Oscar the Beauvier

Monday, November 10, 2008

Oscar the Beauvier is an XXL teddy bear of a dog—he weighs 115 lbs! Oscar plays well with others—from the smallest chihuahua to the biggest mastiff. He specializes in gentle play with small humans—he gets lots of practice with kids because he has a little (human) brother named Joe. We love taking Oscar on romps at the beach and snuggling with him when we board him.

Inaugural Pet of the Week: Dashiell the Corgi

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Dashiell is a two-year-old Pembroke Welsh corgi who lives in Piedmont. A confident and well-behaved boy, Dashiell enjoys playing with other dogs at the park followed by afternoon naps with his humans on the bed. We love hanging out with Dashiell when he boards with us.