What You Might Not Know: MSPCA-Angell
As I sat in the parking lot of the MSPCA-Angell gathering my camera, notebook, and pen; I could not help wondering how they could need such a big building. I had been offered a tour of the facility and an opportunity to meet some of the people who make the MSPCA-Angell happen. For the life of me, I could not imagine what was behind the doors to this old seminary. I share below what I learned about an incredible organization of people with the desire to help others, animals being the forefront of their efforts. Continue reading
Speaking For Spot, by Dr. Nancy Kay
Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs
This is the best book I have found for preparing YOURSELF to take your dog to the vet the next time things go awry. This is why it is on my must read list for dog lovers. Dr. Nancy Kay does a fantastic job explaining what you should be aware of when it comes to the well being of your dog. And what you should be prepared for when visiting the vet. If you want to help your vet help your dog before all hope is lost this is an excellent book.
Unfortunately Rosettta Stone has not created a learning disk for speaking dog; all bad jokes aside. Unlike a human dogs need someone to fill in the blanks to better help diagnose the problem. However, Speaking for Spot also delves deeply in ways to prevent canine sickness and injury. It is one of those books where chapter after chapter is full of very useful information for dog owners. Dr. Kay also helps in the all important decision of when it is time to go to the vet and have available hen you arrive.
I will stick to my guns on this one, a dog owner is foolish not to have a copy of this book and not read this cover to cover. Speaking for Spot was the initial inspiration for reviewing books for dog lovers.
Starting Certified Therapy Dog Training
Become a Therapy Dog Team
By Cynthia J Hinckley
Do you enjoy volunteering and helping others? Are you looking for an activity to do with your sweet, friendly canine companion? The two of you might enjoy becoming a certified Therapy Dog Team and visiting folks in healthcare facilities or helping out in a school classroom or children’s reading program at a public library. Continue reading
Getting Into The Mind of Your Dog
I have often wondered why it is my dog is so smart, unless of course I happen to be shaking my head while calling him a knucklehead. Well, today I decided to call someone in the know, I called Marc Hauser, Ph.D. at the Canine Cognition Lab of Harvard University to learn more about how my dog’s mind works.
It turns out you don’t need to own a Poodle to have a dog that can figure things out for themselves. I, like many others, have always believed that certain breeds were smarter than others. It turns out this may not be true. There are other factors that Dr. Hauser and his team have noticed, including dogs that excel while being run through a series of fun tests/games, which measures the spontaneous thought process of your dog, or a dog’s ability to remember and figure things out for himself.
Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital
When push came to shove, we found ourselves racing Moose to the vet in Woburn. We had heard good things about this hospital from some of our neighbors and with Boston busy at rush hour, I estimated that we could make it to Woburn from Charlestown Navy Yard faster than cutting across town to Angell in Jamacia Plain. I was right. We were there in under 15 minutes. There have been times where I have spent 15 minutes sitting at a red light in Boston. I will say that you do have to watch the 93/95 junction as it can be very backed up at certain times of the day. Here is a shortcut in case. Now for the story, as well as the good and the bad. Continue reading
