How to be a Good Pet Neighbor

Hidey Ho Neighbor!

It is important to be a good pet neighbor.  Here are a few dog to dog reminders.

1.   Don’t be “that” dog that barks continually.

2.   If you must use the neighbor’s yard for a relief station, make sure your human bags the evidence.

3.   If you go for a walk, always put your person on a leash.  Just click one end to your collar and show them how to hold onto the loopy handle.

4.   Never chase cars, bikes, or joggers.  They can all turn vicious and hurt you.

5.   Neighborhood romances never work out.  Don’t be a Mountie.


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Let's Make a Difference

   Is there anyone that enjoys seeing photos of abused or neglected dogs?  We have all seen the ones that I’m talking about today.  They are used for shock value and they must work or they wouldn’t keep printing them.  I don’t like that type of “in your face” campaigns.  I know horrible things are going on in the world.  I know that here in the United States 5,500 shelter dogs are going to be killed today.  It boggles my mind that in a country as incredible as ours, we allow this to happen.

*Prepare for rant…

B & W Sunshine

Dogs brighten our days.

A Letter to my Dog

Dear Bentley,

   I wanted to write you a letter to say thanks for being such an awesome pal.  You always seem to know exactly when I need a hug, a big slobbery kiss, and just a friend to sit with me.  I’ve never lied to you about the other dogs.  There were six of them before you came dragging your long ears and big feet into my heart.  You have touched a part of my soul that I never knew existed.  I can actually feel the love for you bubbling up inside.  What is it about you that is so special?  I could write a book about it.  No, wait…  I DID write a book about it!

   Every morning begins with your nose pushing my covers back, so that you can give me kisses.  I open my eyes to your grin and there isn’t a better way to start my day.  As I stumble out of bed, you roll over for some belly scratches.  I lay down on the floor and you put your head on my shoulder while I scratch that always itchy belly of yours.  It is one of my favorite parts of the day.

Paisley Dreaming

Paisley is such a joy to watch play, but I have to admit that she is adorable when she sleeps.  I love to watch as she stretches out to dream.

Snapshots of Life ~ Dreaming

Do Our Dogs Communicate With Us?

 

"Hello?  Hello?  It's me, Bentley."

 How many times a day do you have this conversation?  Your spouse/child: “Did you say something?”  You: “I was talking to the dog.”  I am not ashamed to say that this scenario is played out between Bentley, Pierre, my husband Skipper, and me several times a day.  We both talk to the dogs just like we talk to each other.  No squeaky voices, no baby words.  We simply speak to them as we would any other member of the family.  Does that make us weird?  I don’t think so, but then again, I’m the one carrying on conversations with a Basset Hound and a Westie.  The question is, “Do our dogs communicate with us?”  We offer the following proof.

About That Bass ~ et

'Bout that Bass~et!

*Get your ticket to the 2015 BlogPaws Conference May 28 – 30^th in Nashville, TN.  Use my discount code BP15-Amb-Melissa-10 to save 10%. Click here to order.

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We are joining the BlogPaws Community for Wordless Wednesday.  Visit other participating blogs by clicking on their sites below.

Bentley Basset in B & W

Snapshots of Life #Joyful

Snapshots of Life Week #3 
The word is JOYFUL.

 Joyful - adj. 1. Feeling, expressing, or causing great pleasure and happiness. Source: Merriam-Webster.com

What makes Bentley joyful?

His favorite toy, his nose art, and his Basset level window to the world.

Basset Chassis

How to Make a Flat Pet

Flat Bentley with the Hill's Pets representatives' Flat Pets.

   One of the great things about the BlogPaws conference is that it is a pet-friendly event.  Deciding whether to bring your pet to the three-day event is sometimes difficult.  You need to ask yourself if they are well behaved in crowds, around other animals, and can you control them while attending sessions.  I must say last year’s pets were all on their best behavior.

   Since we were flying to the conference, we knew Bentley wasn’t joining us. He will NOT travel in cargo.  As we have discussed before; cargo has no snack or beverage cart, no in-flight movie, no micro-toilet, and no Basset Hound!  He passed the “cabin-size” requirements about 30 pounds ago.

   I started feeling sad that all of these other cool dogs and cats would be there and I wouldn’t have Bentley.  I turned to BlogPaws for the answer.  Quite a few people that couldn’t travel with their pets had bought or made something called a “Flat Pet.”  What in the world is a Flat Pet?  I’m so glad that you asked.

Musical Memories in Black and White

52 Snapshots of Life: Week 2 ~ #Music

 I try very hard not to be a pack rat. (No offense to my rat friends) One episode of hoarders and I am cleaning closets.  There are certain things that I will never part with and many of those things belonged to my grandmother.  She passed away when I was young, but I remember her and cherish those memories.  One of the main things I used to love was listening to her play the piano and the organ.  I am glad to have some of her sheet music.  We have framed several pieces, but these are some of the others that I think are really cool.

Pet Blogger Challenge Accepted...Again

 I am joining with pet bloggers everywhere for the fifth annual Pet Bloggers Challenge.  This is our second year to participate and we excited to learn more about our favorite bloggers.  We are challenged to answer ten questions that are supplied. 

1. How long have you been blogging?  And, for anyone stopping by for the first time, please give us a quick description of what your blog is about.  Barking from the Bayou celebrated its first anniversary on Dec. 3, 2014.  We share our reviews of pet products, report the pet world news on Monday’s BFTB NETWoof News, share funny stories, and leave you a little happier than when you arrived.

10 Bad Excuses Vs. 10 Good Reasons For Walking Your Dog

"I get so BORED!"

There are a gazillion human excuses to avoid taking walks.

   1.   It’s too hot.

   2.   It’s too cold.

   3.   It’s spring allergy season.

   4.   It’s fall with the flu season.

   5.   I’m so tired.

   6.   I’m so busy.

   7.   I have to cook dinner.

   8.   There are so many other people out walking.  I hate having to stop and talk.

9.   Isn't there a smog alert?

10. Let me check Pinterest for just a minute.

Get Healthy & Fit with Your Pet

Long-eared dogs need to keep their ears dry to avoid yeast infections.

Health and fitness go hand-in-paw.

“Okay, I think I’m dry now.”

I Love Lucy Pet Foundation

I love Bowl Games!

Bentley: “Hey Pierre!  Have you shopped for the big game day treats?  I don’t want to be all geared up for the game and there not be snacks.  Those cookies from my birthday would be good in the shape of a football.”

Pierre: “Yep!  I’m ready to cheer on the Tigers to the National Championship!  WooHoo!  LSU!”

*Bentley leans over and whispers into Pierre’s ear.

Pierre: “It's seems that it is not the LSU Tigers playing.  It must be the other bayou team.  Let’s go Saints!  Who dat?  Drew Brees is dat!  WooHoo!”

*Bentley leans over and once again whispers into Pierre’s ear.

Pierre: “Okay, so it's not the Saints either.  Maybe next year guys.  Until then; Two bits, four bits, six bits, a dollar all for Team Dog stand up and howler!  WooHoo!  Cats don’t drool, dogs RULE! 

It's All Fun and Games until...

It's all fun and games until someone steals my Slappy toy.

52 Snapshots of Life ~ One Week at a Time

   Throughout last year, I have seen several photo challenges on various websites.  I was intrigued, but hated joining halfway into a challenge.  When I noticed some of my blogging buddies were joining The Lazy Pit Bull and the 2015 “52 Snapshots of Life,” I was excited!  The prompt words are fun and seem easy to achieve.  We are excited to accept the challenge.

   The first word is NEW.  What can be better than a NEW puppy?  In case you missed her introduction earlier, this is our new “granddog” Miss Paisley the Chocolate Lab.  At seven weeks she is a bundle of jumping joy. Soon, she is going to join my son and his wife on their fishing trips.  Paisley has a fantastic life ahead of her.  I’m sure you’ll be seeing a lot of her.  You can follow her Instagram account here. 

“When I get a little bigger, I’m gonna be a fishin’ dog.  Real girls fish!”

It's a Whole New Year

  Well, we have made it through another year and greet a new one with high hopes.  Things have changed so much for us here on the bayou over the past 365 days!  Just like each year, things will change even more in 2015.  Our wish for you is that each change is positive and makes you happier.

  One of the ways that we try to ensure a wonderful New Year is to eat a traditional New Year’s Day dinner.  There are certain foods that we eat religiously here in the south on January 1^st.  In case you aren’t familiar, let me explain.  In order to have a terrific 2015, I cook a ham for progress, a huge pot of black-eyed peas with ham hocks for good luck and two heads of cabbage for money.  That is served with pans of fresh baked cornbread.  For desert, we have icebox lemon pie.  It is my husband’s favorite and is super easy.  I cannot guarantee this meal to magically change your year, but it is delicious and why take the chance?  Here is the Lemon Pie recipe for you.