Like most dog owners, I think my dogs are pretty smart. After all, they learned everything I taught them. My Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Chester and Devon, were particularly bright: Chester sat on a "stand stay,” Devon rolled over on a "down,” and both went to the end of their leashes on a "heel”! It […]
Author Archives: Penny Grey
Pet Wellness: Ears & Tails Controversy
Ear cropping and tail docking are sensitive subjects in the dog world. Some people see these procedures as cosmetic mutilation and others defend them because of historically established standards. Cropping appears to have begun for medical reasons. The ears of dogs bred for fighting were particularly prone to injury and so were cropped. Some hunting, […]
Exquisite Destiny
You have an idea of what you want or where you’d truly love to be. But something always gets in the way: the kids’ music recital, the boss wanting that damnable report on her desk by tomorrow, or your neighbour telephoning to say that your dog pooped on his lawn. To top it all off, […]
Bringing Up Barkley
More than 30 years ago, before we were married, my husband and I decided not to have children—though we are most certainly parents. True, our kids get around on all fours, carry things in their mouths, and shed all year round, but ask anyone who knows us—our dogs are definitely our kids. Our most recent […]
Pet Wellness – Insured for Life
When I was a kid, our Labrador Retriever, Sandy, was a much loved member of the family; but when he was diagnosed with liver cancer, not only was treatment not available, it wasn’t even considered. He was just a dog, and for two working parents with a brood of six there was no extra money […]