When one googles the definition of “hero,” the first result we are given is “a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength.” The list goes on to describe champions, a mathematician, song titles, Greek mythology and even a type of sandwich, but nothing mentions our selfless friends in the animal kingdom. Did you know that there countless dog hero stories out there?
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HOW TO TEACH A DOG TO SWIM
It’s the middle of summer – warmth, sunshine, and free time. What better way to spend it than at a cottage with your best canine friend? The water’s clear and warm, just begging you to jump in. Ol’ Spot, however, wants absolutely nothing to do with any of it. Luckily, we have a simple solution for how to teach a dog to swim.
Contrary to popular belief, and the deceptively named “doggy paddle,” not all pooches know how to swim! While a dog like a Labrador loves to be in the lake, many other dogs simply don’t have the size, strength or body fat to easily stay afloat. Don’t go and cancel your cottage getaway just yet, though! Just like for humans who’ve got some trouble swimming, there’s a solution for water-averse doggies: canine life jackets.
CAN YOU SPIN DOG FUR? THE PURSUIT OF AN ECO-FRIENDLY DOG SWEATER
As I was running around in the rain the other day, connecting hoses to sub-pumps in an attempt to prevent our basement from flooding, I was struck by an idea. I wondered how wonderful it would be to grow a fine fur coat like my dog. With such coat, I could stay warm in the rain and simply shake the water off once I was back inside. Unfortunately, genetics are not so kind. I have to strip down to my skivvies in the kitchen and then dance in front of the stove to warm up. However, a question had been planted — can you spin dog fur into “wool” to make a sweater? (more…)
DOGS AND VEGETABLES: THE VEGGIE PETS DEBATE
If you were perusing British newspaper headlines in 2002, you may have come across the story of Bramble the dog. Bramble, who had recently celebrated her 27th birthday, was then considered to be the oldest living canine in the world. While any dog living to be 189 dog-years-old is remarkable, what had many pet owners talking was the fact that the border collie had been fed a strict vegetarian diet since the age of two. Her story sparked a conversation about dogs and vegetables.