
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
In The Company of Dogs

Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
the People and Pups We Meet
And apart from falling asleep on the couch at 6:30 pm and waking up at 3am, not much going on around here!!
This morning, since we were awake very early, we got out on an early walk as well. I could tell he needed it, and I certainly needed it. And shock of all shockers!! The ground was relatively dry at 7:30am...so we made our way round the block in the quiet sleepy neighborhood....
This morning he was DETERMINDED to get us to the park, but I thought it a little early yet, even if a little bit light already - after what we know happened some days ago at the park he loves to chase unsuspecting squirrels in!! So he ends up dragging me toward the park and I relent, thinking I'll steer him clear once we get upon it, we'll go the other way towards home.
As we were about to make that turn away from the park, Micahel sees a beautiful dog off in the distance, which I first thought was a smaller Irish Setter, with a silver haired lady in tow...So, I give him the go-ahead and off we ran to meet our new friends...
We walked with them through the park and I shared with her to take care in and around the park and school as thugs are accosting people with fists and knives in the quiet dark of the morning. She agreed to pass on the warning to other people she knows come to the park as well. I told Pat I'd love to take her and Mattie's portrait, but sadly, did not exchange info with her. I just know that they are in my neighbhorhood. I was kicking myself wishing I'd carried some cards with me to give her, so she could contact me and I could perchance have the opportunity to visit with her and Mattie and make some lovely portraits of these two beautiful ladies...I cried all the way home.
My heart went out to her so much! I am crying even now, as I write this an hour later...I can't express how much I can feel for other people, and have agonized over the pain in the world. Pat and I agreed how much of a difference it makes to have a dog. Mattie took to me and stood happily glued to me for my loving hugs. I was thankful for meeting her today, and I know Michael enjoyed Mattie, too. To see that bounce and playful show of happiness to us, yeah, that sweet old Golden made our day...I so hope we see them again and I vow to start taking my photography cards - and my camera out on our walks with us for when we meet such beautiful folks that they must have be captured and remembered this beautiful forever...
notes: The beautiful Mattie pup. Here is where we are meeting and just starting our walk with Pat & Mattie. I'm sorry my voice is so loud and Pat's is so low.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Whole Food Recipe for Dogs
Michael currently gets baked chicken, sweet potatoes (really good for their skin & coat!), carrots and a bit of egg yellows along with a sprinkling of Innova dry food. I have always been concerned about the food that is put out there for dogs, and what people buy to feed their pets! This really came to light for me when I was hired to promote Eukanuba food and learned through their training more about dog foods. This has led me to add a lot of this information on this blog and finding other information that while sickened me ( like here, and what's "really" in the dog food), made me better equipped to decide if what I'm feeding my dog is worth the "savings" (the reason SO many people gave me for feeding their dog total CRAP when I was promoting Eukanuba). You can get some great information at the Whole Dog Journal and here is the Raw Dog Food Book to check out as well!
This blog actually started when Michaelangelo was having some severe reactions to flea bites. I didn't want to put the "frontlines" and all this on him, I thought it was dangerous! And my research shows IT IS! And a showdown with my vet - who only pushed steroids to treat Michael, then yelled at me when I dared question him about there being another way - led me to the Hawthrone Vet Clinic where Michael is treated at his visits with not only love, but herbal remedies and accupuncture if needed. Since we use Comfortis for flea control, Michaelangelo has never had another allergic reation where his skin turns brrrrright red and he scratches holes into his lovely soft skin!! I'm SO thankful I found my vet clinic, and urge you too, if you are not in a bigger city where this might be available to you to do your research and figure out how to help your pet be as healthy as possible for a long, loving life as your "kid"!
Some of my 'raw food friends' on facebook were discussing healthy raw diets for dogs, and has gotten me thinking about doing away altogether once and for all with any dry food for Michael. Our pup doc even said to just do away with it if possible.
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DOGGIE MENU = 4 cups daily (this menu was based on a 65lb dog ADD 1 chewable childrens' vitamin every other day)
Here is the recipe:
4 cups rice
8 cups water
5 lbs. ground turkey
8 eggs
5 lbs shredded carrotts
Preheat oven to 325
Pam sprage large roaster pan
Mix rice - water - turkey - beaten eggs in roaster pan
Bake 1 hour then Stir well
Bake 1 hour more
Mix mixture with raw shredded carrots in big bowl
Freeze in daily portions or refridgerate for no more than 3 days!
Enjoy!
Thanks Lucille & Jerry!
WOOF!!
Friday, January 07, 2011
Beautiful Katy Pup Saves Owner from Knife Weilding Thugs!!!

This has given me something to think about, as I am always on alert while walking, I'm super alert when it's dark and we of course don't go inside the park at dark... Anyway, here is Katy, the beautiful Golden who saved her dad from harm! And here is our park ranger feeding one of her squirrel friends by hand!! Be extra careful out there!!!!
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Wintertime Fun on Mt. St. Helens!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Warhol Pup!!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Get Your Dog's Teeth Cleaned!!!

Last year or half-so ago, I had a gal come to my home and clean Michaelangelo's teeth right here on my living room floor without the high cost of the actual office visit. It was still $150. I found her card at my vet's clinic and talked to them briefly about it. I decided to check her out and put off the "real" cleaning as long as possible. She came out, got Michael into her with a couple of yummy organic pup treats, then managed to swaddle him in a pup-sized blanket and clean those puppy pegs! Like, actually scraping on his teeth (she is a trained dental assistant and somehow she got into working on dogs) I guess it worked for that time, but yeah, it was now time, I could see from really inspecting those back canine molars that the proper Pup Doctor took a proper look-see for the proper assessment of the puppy pegs!!!



Thursday, September 30, 2010
Pups that Like to Dress Up!
I don't believe hats are fun for him for too long, he does funny little sideways walking and backwards scooting which seems funny for a few seconds, but it makes me think I'd better get that off him! Michaelanelo has a super cute "Little Devil" costume with a little disco in it, and he's had it for a couple years, he's worn it for a total of about a half hour! lol! We wore it to an animal Halloween party which he was most popular at! And then for photos! It's early yet for Halloween, but once in a while, can't resist!
Some people come up with some pretty creative and funny costumes for their pets!! If you know anyone that does, or if you have some cute pictures of your animal dressed for Halloween, please send them to me at pmichelletaylor@gmail.com and I'll put them in my little "Dress Up Your Pup" video I'm already started on! Thanks, I'll look forward to seeing your photos!!
Until then = have fun getting ready to have fun at Halloween! ; )
xo
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Hanging Out, Having Fun!!


We hope everyone has had a fun summer wherever you are! We in the Northwest have had a kind of weird off and on summer, but we are having the most beautiful Indian Summer! Even though it's been gorgeous & warm outside, the leaves are changing, falling and the mornings can be pretty chilly! It's funny that we are meeting more pups than ever out on our walks here lately!


Sunday, May 23, 2010
People Do the COOLEST STUFF with their Pets!!!

SOME PEOPLE ARE SSSSOOoooOOOOooo COOOOOOOOOL!
I was doing a little googling about "make your own dog bike basket" or something to that effect, to see if I could find any examples of people making their own cool baskets and not having to pay a hundred bucks for some snazzy thing from the pet store. I found THIS amazing woman, Kathy Schubert and her Miniature Schnauzer, Joey, (here is her home page, showing her as Elvis, and all their travels and fun around the world!!!) who were famous for traveling around to all kinds of biking events together! Check this OUT! Joey even got to go to FRANCE!!! Joey passed away in April 2009, but obviously lived a happy and adventurous life with her obviously happy, loving owner. I'm so inspired sometimes....and she even gives instruction to put together the cute basket AND the doggie HELMET her Joey went biking all over the world in!! I can't wait to make one for Michaelangelo!
http://www.kangarooconnection.com/kathys_new_personal_page.htm
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Summer's Coming!!!!




Friday, March 19, 2010
Mending......
I woke up on Saturday morning about 2:00am....I had been watching tv/sleeping on the couch for hours...The pup was asleep on his little bed the last time my eyes were open....Now he is not there....I get up to go potty and look for him, thinking it's awfully strange, he lately stays in one place....I went around the house, not seeing him....I went to the back door, figuring the boyfriend must have let him out for a potty, and I figured I'd find him shivering under the picnic table....
Still I don't see him, and he is not coming to my call...I step out on the deck go down the steps and peer around the corner to the gate area, making sure it's shut....I see him cowering in the corner...by the fence....sitting, shivering...I call him again, he just won't move...I go change out of my house slippers and put on a pair of shoes...I go over to where he is and he tries to get up and walk but it's obvious he can't really...Immediately I go into a state of andrenaline panic, rushing through my veins, I see now blood on his mouth and he's shaking so badly, he's almost convulsing...I don't remember alot, but I got him inside the house, I remember him crying out when I went to pick him up...I feel sick and faint, but know I have to get him inside safe and figure out his damage...I get him to the tub, and put him in, he stands there waiting patiently with a very sad look on his face....I see that he's missing two teeth in the front, and his belly has an abrasion there...I wash him gently as possible, his paws dirty dirty muddy and there's some black something on his back....what is that? And a big spot of blood, which the boyfriend was saying was his, from the gash on his hand that he got whilest working on the RV...I remember him getting that....I'm sort of spinning in my head about HOW DID THIS HAPPEN???? and WHAT THE BLEEEEEEEEEP HAPPENED TO MY DOG???????
Thankfully there is a 24 hour vet clinic less than a mile from my house, I bundled Michael up in a towel and went there directly....I told them what I knew, and they took him in back, and I started really shaking and spinning, just kind of in shock of what I was thinking....anyway...
I'm going to skip some other parts of that story....But the good part is that he seems to be doing "ok" other than his left food/leg area is still causing him to limp and hop around, favoring it. When we went on the hike, he amazingly went all over the place just fine....After the walk, he was limping and favoring the leg again....Hhhhmm. I think we need to go back to the vets for a check up. And we need to go out our vet anyway, the fabulous Hawthorne Vet Clinic in Portland.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Beautiful Autumn Days....
We've been particularly blessed with lovely weather here in the Northwest this autumn! The skies are blue usually after a foggy, chilly morning...This was one day in particular that was sunny & very breezy. Beautiful. We love to walk on these days!!
Hope all our pals are happy & well! xoxoxo
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Been Way Too Long!!!
I can't believe it's been SO LONG since I posted on Michaels Dog Blog!! Almost a year!!! That's crazy! I guess I took a break from all of my blogs - there was A LOT of stuff going on last year, which carried over into THIS year, and I'm now getting back on track with some of the fun things in my life...
We've been doing good! Michael especially! Hours and hours each summer day, spent outside on our deck in the back yard, chasing teasing squirrels around and around and up the trees...We do our usual walks and adventures...We're ALWAYS up for some fun & adventure....
The other GREAT news is that this year I discovered COMFORTIS at our holistic vets!! I have never been so happy to find a vet! These people are the bomb! Michael has not had ONE FLEA on him this year, so all that misery we suffered before - is now GONE with Comfortis...It's a natural flea remedy and will not hurt your animal. They make it for kitties too...Check out the natural way to keep fleas off your dog and not poisioning them slowly with pesticides!!
Michaelangelo got to go to a "play date" with a bunch of other Jack Russells, put on by a woman who has a ton of acreage AND a bunch of rowdy JR's!! We had a blast chasing lures, ratting in the hay cages, but we need a little practice on the go-to-ground aspect! Michael refused to stay in the tunnels, just KNOWING he could just go right over there where the rat is!!! haha, it was funny....He did pretty good on the lure racing, though at the end, he veered off course, again - Michael's pretty clever, and "Hey? Why run all the way over there, when I can plainly SEE the "bunny" is right here?!" Yes, we do need a little more practice!!
Hope everyone & all their pups are happy & well...We hope you had a great summer!
Stay tuned!!! More soon!
xoxox Michael & his mom
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Night Time Hiking at the of Start of Autumn........
Unfortunately, I missed a lot of it because I was shrouded in a grief process after my father passed on May 20th....
Been keeping busy though, with house projects, making things nice and pretty....Upgrading things for possibly selling up next year and moving on....or??? Keeping it, renting it out and going off on a little sailing and scuba diving winter adventure with T....
HHHHHhmmmmmmmm......Who knows what adventures might be around the corner???
The Big T has been working on some training with Michaelangelo....He also spoils him with the real food a good deal, and now he is deciding that he will cook raw food for Michaelangelo...
Michael now responds when T points him "out" of the kitchen, so that's good....
Now Michael sleeps his nights on the living room couch under many puppy blankets...It was tough at first, Michael would come to the hall door and scratch....I would have to get up and take him back to the couch and go back to bed and do this two, three times a night....
Now, I'm happy to report he will spend the whole night on the couch, unless he is hearing a bunch of moving around in the middle of the night (me or T going to the loo, for example).....
So, our sleep is getting better.....
Nightfall comes much quicker now....We started out on a little walk in daylight at our local park and 15 minutes later it was dark! It was a fun little adventure....I just have to remember to adjust my time with our evening walks.....
I hope everyone has had a nice beginning to their fall....It is a fun time and my favorite time up to Halloweeen!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Dog Days of Summer
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Scary Near Misses - Aggressive Dog Trauma



I'm hesitant to post this post but....It's really been bothering me and....So I have to rant a little....
The other day, Michael and I had just gone out for his afternoon break mini-walk down the block and back...When I think back about it, I'm really thankful that I let him guide sometimes...He wanted to cross the street to start the walk, and so we did....Thankfully, we did....I like to think that dogs know more than we do - that they can sense more than we can....and...essentially would do what they could to keep us from harm......
About two houses down, on our side of the street (meaning the side we live on).....there is an aggressive dog that always runs to the fence with the snarliest i'm-gonna-rip-your-face-off-if-I-get-hold-of-you hysterical Cujo-style fence attack. Usually Michael wants to cross the street BEFORE we get to that dog's fenced yard - then we cross BACK again to get to our house....
Well, this dog - and I saw all of this happen - as if in slow motion - the dog got out of the gate and came tearing around that gate tearing holes in concrete to get to us --
I was watching in horror - this dog on it's terror trail hell bent to get to us in a HURRY - and me picking up Michaelangleo with one hand to throw him over the fence we were walking past and prepare to jump it myself before the dog got to us --
But as I rushed to drop Michaelangelo on the other side of that fence to safety, I saw this dog run blindly right into a passing van -- I saw it, I heard the dog cry out....I found myself screaming "NNNnooooooooo!" and "Help!!" hoping the owner would quickly figure out what was happening -- and she did -- she came running out -- shocked and wondering - crying out "What happened???!!" as I nearly passed out from the sheer rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins....I was standing there holding Michael, shaking, breathing hard, I was scared, I was totally freaked out.....I started running for home.....
We don't walk that way anymore....We never liked walking that way anyway....Wow, that was seriously traumatic. And that is the third time we have been rushed by a loose dog like that in our neighborhood. I'm absolutely terrified each time something like this happens....My mind quickly takes me back to my mother's Pomeranian getting mauled right in front of me, my mother, and my son - at the time 5 . As we tried everything from throwing rocks, hitting the attacking dog with toys, (we were PLAYING in our FRONT YARD!!!!!) we watched and screamed in horror the German Sheppard attacked and left our dog, Wendy Sascha with a broken back and having to be put to sleep. The trauma, I cannot express to you. My son was terrified of dogs for years after that. We all had nightmares for months about rapid dogs....I mean...It left a lasting mark on my mind, ok? And I won't go into further details of what I had to go through with that incident....Court with the owners, I mean. Damn.
So...the neighbor dog that was -- from where I was standing with my dog - out for blood -- was picked up from the street by it's owner and carried off to the vet down the road I'd imagine. She was sort of laying down on the street, but with her head up, so I don't know what state the dog is in...I haven't talked to the owner. I still have felt bad for her with her dog getting hit like that - but what is UP with dogs who act like they want to KILL people? I personally could not live with an animal with those issues, and I wonder why people aren't more careful.... I also wince when I think of what might have happened to Michael and me if that dog had gotten to us. If we had not crossed the street - we would have been right there, with no where to run...It would have been horrible, I'm sure of it. Oh, God, I shudder to think.....
I think I need to start carrying a bat or something with me when we walk. I'm paranoid and nervous when we walk around here. I find that getting in the car and driving to other parks and areas is much more satisfying to both of us. OH and isn't it STRANGE how Michael has to be practically DRAGGED or carried off our property to go for walks??? Isn't that strange, YET when we go other places, he is tearing the window out wanting out of the car.....HHHhhmmmm.....
In any case. This is a scary subject. Once, in the fall, a Pit Bull got out of his owner's hands as they were getting out of their car and the dog came charging, barking at me and Michael, I just picked him up and held him up over my head, while screaming to the owner, "Please HELP ME! STOP YOUR DOG!!!" I thought I was going to die. I can't help but being freaked out with a large barking animal comes running at us....And I have nothing against Pit Bulls, my son has a full blooded Pit, incredibly loving animal, wouldn't hurt a flea, and a Pit-Pointer mix, so...it's ANY dog off it's leash unless it's SO SO SO docile, you know and wouldn't rush people like that. I don't know where I'm standing on this issue right now, but I tell you what, if your dog comes running with teeth bared at me and MY baby, watch out! I'm swinging!!!
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Just Hangin' Around Being Beautiful......

We hope you're having a fabulous fun summer!!!