What Books About Dogs Do You Love?

One of the first books I recall reading about dogs was The Poky Little Puppy. I don't remember the story, but I definitely remember the illustrations. I am uncertain why I remember this book—perhaps it was only because of the pictures, but I'm sure I read it at a time when I began to understood a dog's position in my life—integral.

When I was a child it was discovered that I had skin allergies. I was allergic to many things including dog dander. My mother made a strategic choice: she felt it was better I learn to live and care for animals, than be itch-free. My guess is my mother couldn't live without a dog, but I have never thought her decision wrong. Each new dog that entered our family was greeted and treated as a loved family member. For a short period, my allergies would flair until I became used to that particular dog. They couldn't lick me, I couldn't brush or bathe them as that much contact with fur set my skin off. Still, it was a small price to pay. Bella is the first dog I've allowed to lick my hands (my most reactive spot). Nothing a good, immediate hand wash can't cure!

So along with loving dogs and having at least one in my immediate circle for all but a few years of my nearly six decades, I have enjoyed reading about dogs. Not unusual. There are many training manuals that I've appreciated and used for years, but the novel, now that's a book that speaks to the heart! So what books stand out?

• A Dog's Purpose—a story from a dog's perspective about experiencing several life times.
• The Hidden Life of Dogs—a study of what dogs do.
• Marley & Me—sweet and silly, read in a day to my husband when he was ill.
• Merle's Door—the relationship between a man and his dog.
• Old Yeller—the original break down and sob story.
• The Other End of the Leash—understanding canine communication.
• Pack of Two—a wonderful story about the healing powers of a dog.
• Racing in the Rain—a wonderful story from the dog's point of view.
• Three Among Wolves—a couple and their dog who live a year in the wild studying wolves.

The thing I hate about lists is knowing I've left something out. I'm sure there are many I've forgotten. These are the ones that came to me on first flush. So what books about dogs do you love?

What's in a Name?

I've been asked many times why I named my blog Peas & Beans when it is about a dog. Good question! I had actually started a gardening blog sometime in 2006 with this name. I was curious about blogging and wanted to give it a shot, but was not very diligent about writing.

However, in 2007, our previous dog started exhibiting symptoms of going lame. In our quest to discover what was happening to her, we learned she was a candidate for back surgery. Although I could find information about the surgery itself, I couldn't find much about caring for her afterward. Thus Peas & Beans the gardening blog, became a dog blog. I knew I wasn't the only one with dog going through this and thought our tale might help them deal with a similar situation. I deleted all the gardening posts and began writing Lucy's story. I saw little reason to change the title as I am also an avid gardener and much of the dog's time is spent in the yard with me while I garden. (Not to mention all of my dogs have eaten more of my blueberries than I have!)

So there you have it! A rather half-baked (did I mention I am an ardent bread baker also?), gardening blog morphs into a dog's story!

Routines

With my husband gone this month, Bella and I have established our own routine. She still wants breakfast at the crack of dawn and on a weekend I stumble around fixing it before I shower or return to bed. As much as I may grumble, I actually like getting up early. It allows me a long, slow awakening before having to be fully functional.

Waiting for food; the drool is just starting.

I'll start water for coffee and while the coffee steeps (French press), it's Biscuit Time. There are several steps involved here. First, she needs to ring the bells hanging from the door knob in order to go outside. Once outside, we go through a series of tricks in which a biscuit is sometimes awarded after each trick or may not appear until the very end. The tricks are pretty standard: wave, weave (between the legs) and down plus waiting to eat the biscuit(s) between her front paws. Sometimes I'll mix in stay, come, front, heel, but it depends on the weather and how functional I am considering I still haven't had my coffee!

Post breakfast is a long walk, rain or shine. If it's a work day, her day is confined to the kitchen with a deliciously packed, frozen Kong. She's familiar with this routine, and trots over to her kitchen bed in anticipation. I'd love to give her the run of the house, but we use an alarm system (after our awful break-in) and a loose dog and the alarm don't mix. If it's a free day, anything goes. I often work from home and she's content to snooze or play with her toys, but is happiest when I work in the yard or better yet, go hiking!

Later in the day sees another walk and a chuck-it session. The latter is the highlight of her day and if we have the time, she might have more than a single session. She's worn grooves in the alley dirt from all her retrieving! The number of lost balls in neighbors bushes will one day be a great archaeological find. Each wind storm spits out a ball or two that's an absolute lottery win! Unfortunately, as my aim is not always spot on, there are still many hidden in the laurels.

Dinner is followed by cocktail ball time, chewing on any and all toys, cuddling up while I read. This is a lovely time and I've grown to really love the quietness and togetherness of this. If I'm on the ground, she'll lay as close as possible with her head and paws on me. If I'm in a chair, she's at my feet. Such pals—I love it.

Scratching Up Dirt

No other dogs I've had have done this behavior. None of the dogs we had growing up did this and none of the dogs I've had as an adult...until Bella. Nearly every time she eliminates, she'll walk a pace or two forward and scratch up the earth. Why?

Initially my guess was to cover the spot where she'd gone. Yet I had seen a program on dogs and part of it covered (no pun intended) their urination habits. The one bit I remember most distinctly was about a little Jack Russell, who in his attempt to pee higher up the post (proving he was the BIG dog on campus), would stand on his front legs and hold his entire back end in the air while he peed. Now there's a dog with attitude!

It also occurred to me that cats rub against you not as a sign of affection, but to rub their scent on you. So perhaps dogs scratch up the earth to spread their scent and make a bigger spot designating "their territory."

Ah! The beauty of the search engine! I Googled it and found out I was correct. From the Purina One site, I found this answer:

The scratching behavior after elimination appears to be a marking behavior. Dogs have scent glands on their feet and not only will they leave a scent mark, but they also leave a visual mark when they engage in this behavior.

Dr. Horwitz, Veterinarian

Did she learn it from her mother? Her sister doesn't do it. Was it something her father did? In other words, is it inherited or learned or individual preference? From the little I've looked into it the behavior seems to be instinctual and elicited by the smell of other unknown dogs. (I will have to watch and see if she does this when she's with her buddies.)

All the other links said basically the same thing. Perhaps I could rent out Bella as an organic lawn thatcher, but then she'd have to drink an awful lot of water first!

Follow-Up on Poisoning of Dogs in Baja Community

There is a daily email message board service for those connected with the Baja community where I stayed. It's general news regarding some restaurant menus, free concerts or art fairs, lost and found, things for sale, etc. Usually the news is a collection of odds and ends submitted by the readers and local businesses, but occasionally something really important comes through. That was the case today. There was a short article about the recent rash of dog poisonings.

For those of you who read this blog, you are aware that this was a concern of mine and one of my reason for not bringing Bella on this trip. While I was down there, I asked people what they knew about the poisonings and received very vague responses—"Well, I heard..." So was it an issue or not?

Most people who brought their dogs, even if leashed elsewhere, let them run loose on the beach figuring it was a "contained" space and therefore safe. I can't tell you the number of dogs I saw eating dead fish and fish skeletons. I was pretty surprised at this. From living in the Northwest, I am aware that a dead salmon can be highly toxic to a dog if eaten. My sister-in-law nearly lost her border collie under these circumstances. Plus, I don't know—are fish skeletons safe? The fish were big, therefore so where the bones, but does this make them less risky?

I've posted the story from the email below. It seems that the dogs may have consumed dead puffer fish. They refer to this website for the bulk of their information. The toxicity from puffer fish is devastating: paralysis, respiratory failure, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and death. Bottom line—don't let you dog eat things if you don't know how it will effect him or her!

Dog Deaths/Poisonings Locally

There have been several "mysterious" deaths/poisonings of dogs this year in the La Ventana/El Sargento area. Initially, there was much talk of these being intentional; a sinister thought in what we know as paradise.  A recent case was caught early, the dog's symptoms closely observed, and with supportive care seems to be on the route to survival, although is not "out of the cactuses" yet.  The "parents" however may not survive after being up 24/7 for 5 days trying to keep the dog sedated, restained with IVs, cleaning up vomit, bloody diarrhea and urine. 

The good news coming from 5 days of intensive care and observation is that the toxidrome appears to be that of puffer fish poisoning and is unlikely to be malicious.  The bad news is that these toxic puffer fish are dead in masses on the beach, an unfortunate bicatch casualty from the shrimp boats, now making unsuspecting dogs part of the environmental shrimping disaster.   

It is most prudent therefore to keep your pets close by and closely observed whether near the beach or in the desert. A local [individual] states that the farmers use the livers of puffer fish as a cheap poison for pest control.