Tag Archives: community

Use all the dog resources

Your dog is unique and special. That’s absolutely true. But it’s also true that anything you and your dog go through, somebody’s been there before. And we’re so very lucky to have, in the palm of our hands, access all the dog resources you’ll ever need.

Check your community

We’re not talking about using either search engines or social media for diagnoses or treatments. And certainly not for emergencies. Where internet resources excel (aside from shopping at Golly Gear!) is figuring out the life style options that are best for you and your dog.

Picture of a gray miniature Poodle to illustrate "dog resources."

For instance, we got a call from someone who was looking for a groomer for her Miniature Poodle. We’re not groomers, but she was trying to find a recommendation. She was having some difficulty finding anyone in the area who does a traditional Poodle cut. We asked if she belonged to any Poodle groups on social media. That’s a perfect use of social media. Ask “Does anyone in my area know a good Poodle groomer?” 

Anything you need or want

With our dog training site, we’ve become even more interested in things like fear-free veterinary care, as well as dog fitness and conditioning. And found boatloads of information online, as well as social media groups. When you find something you find intriguing, you can ask people like you if they’ve tried it, how it works, if their dog liked it, etc.

Don’t just dive into anything because someone you know said so. Get all the information you can, then ask other people, including pet professionals you trust. We know someone who, on the single opinion of her dog walker, switched her dogs to a different food. Her dogs gained weight rapidly, and lost conditioning. Only when our friend noticed the changes did she get other opinions, and found out the “recommended” food was, in fact, a poor choice for her active dogs. 

Ask too much

In college, Hope was a journalism major. One of the best pieces of advice a professor gave is true not only for writing news stories, but for life in general. Always ask another question, even if it ruins the story. 

That’s the way you get the complete picture, the best advice. If you’re not sure about something with your dog, from food, to grooming, to dog parks, classes, veterinary care – ask! And if opinions vary, consider the credentials of the people giving the advice. 

We all want what’s best for our dogs. And we understand that there it’s hard to choose with so very many options available today. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Call on your community, both local and online, for help. 

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There’s no people like dog people

I (Hope) just got back from a week celebrating dogs. French Bulldogs in particular – it was the French Bulldog Club of America 2017 National Specialty.

There was competition in conformation (the beauty pageants of the dog world), barn hunt (dogs sniffing out rodents), obedience, rally obedience, agility, and even lure coursing.

Hope and Torque

Hope and Torque in conformation.

Frenchies aren’t generally known for their athletic prowess or trainability, but our dogs strutted their stuff and we had a wonderful time.

My dogs and I competed in several events, and, measured in “wins,” weren’t particularly successful. We came home with a couple of ribbons – but those aren’t the reasons we went.

The “Nationals” are our yearly chance to catch up with friends from around the country, and the world. We share a common bond – loving all the quirky looks, personalities, foibles and bizarre sounds that make up French Bulldogs.

Some of those friends are long standing. Others are new. And some fall into a unique 2st century category – people I’ve “friended” online and never met until this week.

Virtual friends are now actual. And it’s the community that our dogs create that make dog clubs invaluable. We’ve already started planning more get-togethers, a couple days a year isn’t enough.

For that bubble of time, we’re just friends having fun with our dogs. The pressures of “real life” are a step removed. Truthfully, I don’t even know what some of my “Frenchie friends” do in real life. Or whether they’re married, or have children. I know nothing about their politics, religions, or professions. I do know we all like to share a laugh, a meal, and our love for our dogs.

If you could use a chance to relax and just have fun with your dog, look for a dog community near you. There are meetups around for every kind of dog; by size, breed, maybe even color. There are clubs for every possible dog event or interest.

You may find you and your dog discover hidden talents you never knew you had. You’ll definitely find friends among the best people ever – dog people.