Dog Blog!

Dogs Lovers Unite!
Asheville, NC is the most dog-friendly city in the United States. Denver, Colorado comes in second. In Asehville there are dog treat shops featuring with a glorious selection of canine tummy yummies. Asheville has no kennels; they are Doggie Day Spas where dogs can get daily massage and reflexology. What I'd like to know is can I go there for the day? I had never heard of “Shampoo-Your-Own” dog washes until I moved here. Actually, it’s a genius idea. You don't need to clog your own bathroom drain with fur. People have daily Play Dates in the Park for their pooches. Local restaurants have Yappy Hour. Yes, there are special alcohol au jus cocktails just for dogs. There are dog parks a ball’s throw from your back porch. The annual Halloween Dog Parade offers prizes for the most original. Dogs and their people who dressed in matching outfits get commendations. Dogs strolling in the neighborhood always keep their people on a leash. Their human servants are made to carry poop bags and clean up after their canine masters. The biggest draw to Asheville’s annual street fair (attended by 100,000 people) was the Purina Air Dog Competition. This is a new sport, surpassing the popularity of dog frisbee. The Air Dog Show folks inflated a 20 x 40-ft. swimming pool, taking up an entire parking lot. Owners stood at pool end of a 40-ft long ramp and threw a ball into the swimming pool. Dogs sprinted down the ramp and took a flying leap into the pool to catch the ball. There were tics on the side of the pool indicating, like a tape measure, how far these dogs could jump. Golden retrievers rocketed to a breathtaking distance of 20 feet! I believe that the record holder for Air Dog competitions is held by Callie, a black labrador retriever who made it to 30 feet, 10 inches! In addition, Asheville has an abundance of Animal Communicators. These super-sensitive souls tune in psychically to your dog, find out what he’s feeling, and translate it into our human language. Personally, I think barking, whining, and tail wagging will do. But, perhaps your dog has more to tell you . . .
Asehville is the most dog-friendly city in the U.S. Does YOUR dog want to move here now?

The day the Stress-o-Meter exploded

The day the Stress-o-Meter exploded
At my stressful job, I finally got to the point of not caring. My attitude was, “If you have an issue, take a tissue!” There was a large tissue box conspicuously placed on the edge of my desk. A large sign near the door read “There will be a $10 charge for whining. My fees have gone up.”
The last straw was when I worked a 12-hour day. Not so irregular in my line of work. But, that day I was not feeling so well. Cursed with back problems for many years, I have downed more than my daily RDA of Motrin, Tylenol, and Asprin. My chiropractor was on speed dial. My back ached and I longed to curl up at my desk and put my feet up to alleviate the stress on my back. Of course, the big boss wanted everything NOW. No time for the luxury of sitting down. Oh, did I mention that I was extremely pregnant with my first child? I did not realize at first that I was in labor. Labor pains were supposed to be in front -- in the stomach area. My stomach felt fine; it was by back that was killing me. Later I learned that some women have back labor. Never heard of it! I finished my tasks for the day at 8 pm, now fully realizing I was about to have a baby. I was not a such a dedicated employee that I as willing to give birth at my desk. I went home. The next morning I said hello to my beautiful baby girl. What a change in perspective! She was the single most important thing in my life! Can I stay on maternity leave forever?