Yellow Dog Project!

The Yellow Dog project encourages dog owners to attach a yellow ribbon to your excitable or sensitive dog's leash. The idea being, allow better interactions with the dog by taking it slow and quiet. This is a great idea. Hopefully the person approaching your dog is inquisitive enough to question the ribbon, before enthusiastically asking to pet the dog.

Safety is my number one concern when I'm caring for someone's pet. Unless a leash walk is part of the dog's daily routine, I don't walk them. Now that the Yellow Dog project has gained awareness, I'll use these yellow ribbons as a default, whether the dog is excitable or not. It's a tool for promoting respect for dogs as well as personal safety.

Cheers in the New Year!

Phyllis Phans

Video (c) Hayley, Phan courtesy ULAE.
Phyllis and a fan from Hayley Nichols on Vimeo.

Miles will always be . . . Happy Birthday!

In remembrance of Miles, 
No one will ever sing Happy Birthday as well as Miles.

Thanks Pooch

Feeble Attempt at Feline Photography

Cosmo!

Photographs Courtesy J. Viola Blackberry Photography, copyright 2009

One Nation Under Dog

Yes it's true! Take it or leave it, the culture behind dogs leads us to wonder which came first, The dog or the friendship. . .

Dog Joke!

A guy is driving around the back woods of Montana and he sees a signin front of a broken down shanty-style house: 'Talking Dog For Sale 'He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells himthe dog is in the backyard. The guy goes into the backyard and sees a nice looking Labradorretriever sitting there. 'You talk?' he asks. 'Yep,' the Lab replies. After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says'So, what's your story?' The Lab looks up and says, 'Well, I discovered that I could talk whenI was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so I told theCIA. In no time at all they had me jetting from country to country,sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figureda dog would be eavesdropping.' 'I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running. Butthe jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't gettingany younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at theairport to do some undercover security, wandering near suspiciouscharacters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings andwas awarded a batch of medals.' 'I got married, had a mess of puppies,and now I'm just retired'. The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog. 'Ten dollars,' the guy says. 'Ten dollars? This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?' 'Because he's a liar. He never did any of that shit'.

Dog Parks!

Map of Long Island Dog Parks Although there are not many dog parks on LI, check back to this posting to see if the number grows. Dog Parks are great for "socializing" your dog. Let your dog be all the canine she can be! An additional perk, dog parks are great for socializing PEOPLE too. Exercise, common interests, singles scene. . . Have fun and bond with your pet at the dog park near you.

Then and NOW

Burt, the Tabby cat, was born May 2006, here is a "baby" photo I had to share,

Sneaker and Walker

Once Upon a time there was a dog named Walker, and he had good friend named Sneaker,Walker and Sneaker do everything together, but Sneaker prefers, to be out in front! To learn more about the affectionate and loyal Vizslas, visit the AKC breed profile

Lucy the Easter Bunny

Tick Removal

"Spring is here and the ticks will soon be showing their heads. Here is a good way to get them off you, your children, or your pets. Give it a try. Please forward to anyone with children... or hunters or dogs, or anyone who even steps outside in the summer!! A School Nurse has written the info below -- good enough to share -- And it really works!! I had a pediatrician tell me what she believes is the best way to remove a tick. This is great, because it works in those places where it's some times difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of dark hair, etc. Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few seconds (15-20), the tick will come out on its own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away. This technique has worked every time I've used it (and that was frequently), and it's much less traumatic for the patient and easier for me. Unless someone is allergic to soap, I can't see that this would be damaging in any way. I even had my doctor's wife call me for advice because she had one stuck to her back and she couldn't reach it with tweezers. She used this method and immediately called me back to say, 'It worked!' Please pass on. Everyone needs this helpful hint." -Courtesy, PaVVS family members, Thank you!

New! PaVVs calendar

Pets on the Deck

Two peas in a pod. . .. well one Pea and one Burt!

That bond we share. . .

Take a some time to watch this feature documentary on Nature about the unique psychology behind our bond with domestic dogs and cats.

Peanut

Don't let her poise fool you, Peanut is the stealth hunter of the house, "mousey(s)" are her specialty! Photo courtesy (c) Kim 2009.

Tina!

Yes once again this classy lady has come to visit her buddies Burt, Jack and Phoenix. I think the pictures speak for themselves,

Memo to all Pets:

The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door.

Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack.
Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help
because I fall faster than you can run.
 
I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very
sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch
to ensure your comfort, however. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in
a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular
to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also
know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on
the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.
 
For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom!  If, by
some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it
is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your
paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through
the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years
-- 
canine / feline attendance is not required.
 
The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.
 
Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:


TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:
 
(1) They live here. You don't. (2) If you don't want their hair on your
clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'-niture.
(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people. (4) To you,
they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short,
hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.

Remember,
dogs and cats are better than kids because they
(1) eat less,
(2) don't ask for money all the time,
(3) are easier to train,
(4)normally come when called,
(5) never ask to drive the car,
(6) don't hang out with drug-using people;
(7) don't smoke or drink,
(8) don't want to
wear your clothes, (9) don't have to buy the latest fashions
(10) don't need a gazillion dollars for college and
(11) if they get pregnant, you can sell their Children.

Walker and Sneaker

Technorati Tags: paVVs, petsitting, animalcare

Walker and Sneaker
These vishlus immediately win your hearts. As long as you can tell who is who!
 
Learn more about this graceful breed. . .

Dictation from Walker-- although Sneaker kept interrupting,

Dear Mom,

 Glad to hear you are enjoying the warm Aruba breezes.
We woke up this morning to a bit of snow but that did not deter us from going in the car with Vanessa. After inspecting every crumb on the floor we settled down for a ride to her mother's house. I told her to hurry while we waited in the car. Next we went to the lake and went in the pond --it was freezing, this was Sneaker's idea--

S: --but there were ducks! 

W: --besides the mud was gross!

S: --tell here we saw a jogger!

W: Right, so then we looked both ways and crossed the street. Then Vanessa gave us cookie's and we got to run around the field.

S: --Every time we came back and sat down we got more cookies! It was AMAZING.

W: Sneaker and I made sure we sniffed every square inch of the field, pee'd where appropriate and then before we knew it, it was time to go.

S:-- and we got MORE cookies!

W: Yeah, the cookies were great. Now mom don't forget, down dog, Na Ma Ste

Walker and Sneaker

Technorati Tags: paVVs, petsitting, animalcare

Walker and Sneaker
These vishlus immediately win your hearts. As long as you can tell who is who!
 
Learn more about this graceful breed. . .

Duffy, Kirby, and LuLu!

Dagwood, Piffy, and Bella!

 
Hop, Skip and Speak.

Dagwood will hop(e) for another cookie, while

Piffy will Skip the treat that bounces off her nose.

Bella Speaks in that special dachshund way, even to herself.

Dagwood, Piffy, and Bella!

 
Hop, Skip and Speak.

Dagwood will hop(e) for another cookie, while

Piffy will Skip the treat that bounces off her nose.

Bella Speaks in that special dachshund way, even to herself.

Moo Moo

Moo-moo June 30, 2004 to October 30, 2008. Also known as the “electrocuted hairball” or MOO, she was the sweetest snarling rag-doll Persian cat I’ve ever met. She loved to chase anything that moved as long as it also demanded dramatic twists, swats, and pounces. Preferably, it did not involve snow, or wet grass but somehow rain was okay. She only needed her claws to wake you in the morning and officially collapse the mouse population in West Islip.

Skateboarding Bull Dog!

Who would have thought. ..   this dog is good.

Hunter and Bandit!

These crazy little Corgis are always ready for maximum fun, over under through and around! Yes, they love agility!

Rami!

One of the cutest Cocker Spaniels I know. She has a better hair cut than me too!

Welcome Hunter and Bandit.

Today Bandit and Hunter became the newest members of the PaVVs family. These two jovial corgys appear to smile all day long. Look for photos of these furry friends.

Introduction:

PaVVs is the network of family pets that I have had the privilege to care for over the past 15 years. This blog highlights all the fur and fun.