Monthly Archives: June 2012

Poll: Is your Golden Retriever afraid of Fireworks??

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It’s Canada Day this weekend, and the Fourth of July.  I recently learned that the busiest day in animal shelters in the U.S. is July the 5th.  Can anyone guess why?

I was just sitting out on my back deck enjoying this crazy heat, and listening to the odd firecracker go off.  Its not even dusk.  Why does this always happen?  Cant people wait until dark??

Shortly after, I heard someone roaming the neighborhood calling for their pet.  I can only imagine the crack of fireworks scared the pet and it took off.  Of all the dogs I have owned, the only two who weren’t afraid of fireworks and thunder were my two goldens.  My german shepherd was terrified of both, so were my malamutes.

I realize my readership is still rather small, but if you would share this post with any golden owners you know, that would be appreciated.  Please vote!

I will leave you with a cute video of a golden retriever listening to fireworks….

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Did the “King of Pop” own a Golden Retriever??

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June 25 marked three years since Michael Jackson died.  I can still remember where I was standing when I heard the news.  A part of me wasn’t surprised, but another part of me couldn’t believe that the man who had so much influence on my teenage years was gone.  I remember my first fake “walkman”  I remember the Thriller cassette I would play in it over and over and over while I played Mousetrap on my Atari.  I remember standing in front of a mirror for hours perfecting the moon walk. (and I did perfect the moonwalk)  My penny loafers had scuffed toes doing the iconic Michael Jackson pose.

I honestly can’t remember where I found an article today that that said Michael Jackson was afraid of dogs, but after much coaxing from his children, he allowed them to get a Golden Retriever.  The research began.  First, I found absolutely no photographic evidence of this. (not that there was much photographic evidence of the family life of Michael and his children)   Second, there is only one source that I was able to find, and his name is Jonathan Margolis.   Jonathan is an English journalist who has written for Time, The Financial Times, The Guardian, and the Daily Mail.  He has also written about several celebrities.  He wrote an article called Why my friend is a good father about the time he spent  with the Jackson’s.  According to one  article, of which I could not find an original source, Jonathan spent time with Michael and his family over the thanksgiving of 2002, and has nothing but wonderful things about Michael.

“He is terrified of dogs but has bought his children a golden retriever, thinking it was wrong for him to pass on his irrational prejudice”  This is taken from a couple of blogs, but nothing of significance, so I continue to wonder….

I, being a huge fan of Michael, would love to know if this was actually true.  I realize the Jackson’s were a very private family, so it is possible.  My doubts arise when I can’t find the original source of the article that claims Michael owned a Golden.  I also find it hard to believe that he was afraid of dogs.

For now, it will remain a mystery.

The Puppy Diaries: Raising a Dog Named Scout

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Reblogged from Just Another Blonde B*tch: A Dog Breeder's Daughter:

Click to visit the original post

One of the coolest things about what my mom does is how it connects her with people from all walks of life. Almost three years ago, Jill and Henry Abramson drove up from New York City to meet a litter of our puppies. They fell in love, and returned a few weeks later to finally bring Scout home.

We knew Jill was a writer for the…

Read more… 219 more words

Can't wait to read this! Love Jill's writing skills. (that kinda rhymed)

One Nation Under Dog: A Call to Action

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Reblogged from Rescued Mutts:

Recently there was a New York Times article about how 20-somethings are using their parents' HBO Go passwords to watch Girls. I'd recommend finding an HBO Go password of your own to watch One Nation Under Dog.

I will warn you though, it's thoroughly heartbreaking.

I cried, a lot.

It's the "Betrayal" section of the documentary that really gets to you.

Read more… 505 more words, 1 more video

Golden Retriever (really) wants to be on Ellen

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Okay, this blog is new, so please excuse the delay, as this occurred in February, but I felt it was worth sharing. (Original story from the LA Times.)

Madalyn Ruggiero is a freelance photographer and dog owner who dresses her golden retriever in various costumes and makes them into greeting cards.

In a desperate attempt to have her dog appear on Ellen,   she rented a billboard in Los Angeles, near the Ellen studios that read “Ellen, Denali the Dog Wants to Meet You”   She dressed the dog to look like Ellen.  Apparently, she originally wanted Denali to be in Elvis garb, but the billboard company suggested the Ellen stunt.   Madalyn paid $6000 to rent the billboard.

Photo from ToledoBlade.com (artist’s rendering)

After only 5 days, Ellen staffers demanded the billboard be taken down.

Tim Fox, director of governmental affairs for CBS Outdoor stated “Our CBS Outdoor Attorney has advised that we take down the Denali The Dog bulletin ASAP due to the fact that the clothes the dog is wearing in the copy and the use of the name Ellen appears that they are trying to trade on the public image of Ellen DeGeneres.”

The billboard was replaced with a public service message for the Marine Corps.

Creative?  Yes.  Extreme?  I would say so.  I could think of a lot of ways to spend $6000.

Dock Dogs: “The Fastest Growing Sport for Canines (on four feet!)”

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According to Dan Mussell, DockDogs is all the rage in Canine Sports.  I would have to agree.  I have even noticed DockDogs competitions in my local area.  I would LOVE to get Tucker involved in these events!!!  He is currently humping a pillow while I blog, so I can honestly say he has the drive and energy.

Listen up water dog lovers!  Here is your chance to have some fun with your dog at a novice level, in an atmosphere not as intimidating as a show ring or an obedience or agility trial.  Please visit the DockDogs site for a trial near you.

In a story from KCRG News, Dan and Jan Mussell own three golden retriever girls,  Madison 3, and rescue retrievers Finley, 4, , and Jaidan, 5 mos. Madison won a 2010 junior national title with a jump of 18 feet 8 inches.

Credit: THE GAZETTE-KCRG

Madison and Dan Mussell Credit: THE GAZETTE-KCRG

Apparently the sport has been televised on ESPN, ABC and the Sports Channel.  I’m going to have to look into this! :)   There is a Dock Dogs event 30 minutes away this July but unfortunately I am working nights.  Going to see what I can do to get the night off….

Here are some more amazing photos of Goldens in action at the Dock Dogs competition at Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival  Friday, June 22, 2012. courtesy of Nikole Hanna/The Gazette-KCRG

Credit: THE GAZETTE-KCRG

Bella “Big Air” Credit: THE GAZETTE-KCRG

Shannon Conner, of West Des Moines, and her four year old golden retriever, Bella, focus on the dummy while practicing for the Dock Dogs Extreme Vert

Shannon and Bella at Dock Dogs in Cedar Rapids Credit: THE GAZETTE-KCRG

Please visit the DockDogs site and consider a trial near you!  Look at these beautiful Goldens!!

Best of luck Madison and Bella!!

Beer for Dogs….

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Does your Golden Retriever like beer?  Due to the fact that my dog has a strange obsession for anything with booze in it…I think Tucker would like to try this…wonder if it tastes like real beer…Too bad they don’t have it in Canada (I guess)

What do you think of Bowser Beer?

Beer for Dogs – Custom labels available!

Golden Retriever brings home 12 loaves of bread….yep!

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In a town called Camden, in New South Wales, near Sydney, there lives an 8 year old golden retriever named Gillie. Apparently Gillie likes to wander the neighborhood.   She has recently been returning home with random loaves of bread and packages of muffins, lying proudly wagging her tail when her owners find her.  A golden retriever who doesn’t totally devour the loaf of bread???  Really?   What an excellent retriever you are Gillie!

Photo courtesy of The Daily Telegraph “Gillie with six loaves of bread”

According to owner Neil Shaw, the nearest shop is a 10 minute drive away, so he is  not sure where she is finding these loaves of bread.  Full story from The Herald Sun here.

On a sidenote, Neil, please make sure Gillie has tags, or a tattoo, or a microchip, or something!  I’m not sure what the by-laws are there, but if you are going to let her roam free, it is the responsible thing to do :)