Doggy Dundee

Doggy Webmaster Running Off to Colorado

Chase and I raise our paws and send best wishes to Nancy Bolton Rawles, the Doggy Dundee webmaster who, along with her hubby Bruce, is leaving the Northwest soon to start life anew in Colorado and be close to family again. They’ve been “good dog friends.”

Her Persistence Urged This Blog

Not only has Nancy been our friend and webmaster; more than that, her witticism helped spark the Doggy Dundee name some years ago after I flew into the office one day just in time for work (by about one second) telling a tale of yet another lost dog I’d found wandering and had to rescue on my way into work. Well, that made about five dogs (and breathless entries racing into work) in just that month, which took everyone aback. “Are you some kind of Doggy Dundee?” Nancy quipped.  Well, Nancy wouldn’t let that idea go, and it was her persistent urging that prompted me to overcome blog angst and start Doggydundee.com.

Nancy remains a good friend to us and other furries (though her preference is cats), and will be available for “HELP!” emails from Doggy Dundee should those emergencies ever arise. Right now, she’s sleuthing the reason why recent officially “approved” comments are not showing up on the post page, though they are listed as approved in the system.  (So, that’s also an apology to any reader who doesn’t see their recent comment – It’s being worked on, though packing is Nancy’s priority at the moment. Keep posting though – It’ll get fixed eventually.)

Nancy is also a very fine artist and graphic designer. Check out the Nancy Bolton Rawles website! 

Hey dog friends, enjoy the journey and much success on the road less traveled!

Essay: What Is Doggy Dundee Doing On Our Summer Vacation?

G’day, Mates! Writing an essay like this about Doggy Dundee’s a bunch more fun than turning in one of those required school essays. Chase and I are having a great time, spending lots of doggy summer vacation time camping, racing through the Pacific surf, jumping in creeks (sorry, no camera handy those days), and lakeside. Figured our mates would enjoy these pics!

Big adventure this summer was Doggy Dundee’s camping trip to Washoe Lake State Park, outside of Carson City, Nevada. It’s high desert that’s hot as a tin roof in the middle of the summer in Marble Bar, surrounded by majestic, snow capped mountains! We planned it well, tho’ coz you’ll notice the word “lake” in the name of this state campground. So, even though Chase is a camping dog, the initial arrival and tent set up wasn’t all to Chase’s likin’ (“Where have you taken me, a woofer with such long, thick, black fur?”), you can bet we had a good time at Washoe Lake, where Chase enjoyed majestic views while swimming, found the greatest sticks in the mud, and I was able to laugh and laugh at her antics! Got surprised our first evening -Was a full moon, and when that moon slowly and finally rose very late over the mountains, the total blackness of the camp was transformed as if into daylight and our bodies cast very long shadow behind us-Magic! 

Had a full day of doggy summer vacation fun  in Virginia City, Nevada where cowpokes took a likin’ to Chase, and I kept drenching her with water coz it was a stinker of 100 degrees. Finally found a western saloon that would let us in (health codes bar dogs, so since I don’t want to get the bar keep in trouble I won’t mention the name), and I enjoyed a cool beer and Chase lounged on the floor next to me drinking pails of water and enjoying the friendly attention of the bartenders and all the tourists (What’s a saloon without a woofer asleep on the floor, right!)

The trip was cut short by one night in Carson City when I returned to the car after leaving it “just for two minutes” (and also leaving a bag with a fried chicken breast and wings in the car with Chase) to discover no chicken, no bones, no bag. Yikes! Well, some raw bones are all right for doggies, but any cooked and breast and wing bones not good! All vets were closed, so I raced back to the campground, tossed Chase lots of bread to munch on, tore all the gear down, and stuffed everything in the car within 27 minutes, and drove the 6-1/2 hours back at 20 miles over the speed limit (slowed down at curves, though) to make sure Chase would have access to her own vet if any problems developed during the night. Status? No problem at all-ever. Sigh and a big “thank you!” Amazing to think back on that drive and know what you can do when you need to do it, though.

Chase is a real beach dog and enjoys the ocean, so a doggy summer vacation trip to Brookings Harbor means lots of running along the coast, running with other beach dogs, jumping into the waves, stealing the best sticks, and dig, dig, digging for hours. Brookings was the site of the very first camping trip Chase and I had ever taken back in 2004 when she was just a pup of about seven months old. Our tent was in an overflow area at an RV campground just 100 yards from beach. So, you see that we hold fond memories for Brookings which we visit regularly whether to camp (usually enjoying much more enjoyable tent camping at Harris Beach State Park than our first “overflow” days campsite) or just drive out for a daytrip.

Doggy Dundee’s also gone camping this summer, as well as day tripping, at the regional Howard Prairie Lake  resort, where we enjoy lakeside tenting. Nothing like being awakened by a dog at 7 a.m., being able to unzip the tent and watch her fly out and leap into the lake, then slip into my bathing suit and jump in to swim with Chase! What a great way to wake up in the morning, and get prepared for coffee. There is always lots of sticks (or a ball) to throw into the lake so that beach dog Chase will swim out to fetch it, and then she’ll run along the sand and drop it and run back to me and bark bark bark (in dog language that’s, “Now you go fetch the stick. I’ll wait for you to throw it again, though”). By the middle of the afternoon, Chase is very wet, bushed and napping, so I get a chance to sit down and read a good book.

Who knows what other summer fun adventures will entice Doggy Dundee (Undoubtedly at least one more camping trip). Wishin’ all our mates fun!
Half your luck!

Chase and Claire – Celebrating Birthdays Together!

Chase and I are sending a big “shout out” to all dog and human Aquarians as we all celebrate our birthdays together.

Both of us -Chase and Claire) share a doggy birthday, so there’s ample reason why Chase and I act so much alike. Chase and I both believe life is meant to be happy-and is- though I (Claire) do have to admit that Chase actually lives this every single moment, while I (sigh…) lapse.

Our first mutual gift to all of you is this advice: Live each day in the moment and don’t create a future structured on a past that doesn’t even exist! instead create a present and future on the finest!

And (Gift #2), remember to give and receive doggy kisses!

AND (Gift #3) is that if you haven’t already done so, download a “Good Doggy” certificate from this site by clicking on the “Subscribe” tab and scrolling down to the certificate. Once the certificate is downloaded you will - once and for all – prove to all that you are a certified “Good Doggy.”)  Happy birthday, Aquarians!

Unplanned Walk Leashes Stray Hound Dog

Good Day, Mates!

Leftovers on the stove tonight, and we couldn’t live another minute without aluminum foil, so I leashed Chase for a quick walk to the corner market. Stubborn – or instinctive? – girl that she is, instead of coming right home, Chase refused to take my lead and pulled me back toward the post office like a determined sled dog. Once there, I’m shuffling around impatient like, waiting for Chase to stop rolling on the grass when (naturally) I spot eyes reflecting off the street lamp and the outline of a large stray dog  begins coming into view. Okay, so we’re again fulfilling our mission of finding stray dogs. Thanks Chase.

It’s a hound. A large hound. Maybe a Tree Walker Hound? Reminds me of Jenny (see pic) but  this post-office-lawn-prowling-pooch is taller, larger, and obviously male.

Instinct tells me Chase will spook this woofer, so I lead Chase into the post office lobby where she can wait behind the closed glass door. Back outside, I call the pooch and leash him with the extra leash I carry (as should every good Doggy Dundee!)

The leather collar’s secure, but there’s no tag. “What the heck should we do now?” I wonder, plunking myself down on the bench outside the post office. This big guy was marking everything in sight, so there was no way he was coming home with Doggy Dundee! A dog ID tag would have ensured this stray hound dog got home real quick, though. When will people learn?

Where’s A Cop When You Need One?

I knew the local police could take this woofer into the animal shelter’s locked overnight cage area, but where was a cop when you needed one? Answer – Right there as soon as I’d asked the question! The cruiser pulled up and the officer got out to check the lock on the skateboard park gate, but ended up with a large dog lounging on his back seat instead.

I’ll check on the woofer tomorrow, Sunday, when the shelter opens to the public at noon.  But it will have been a needlessly lonely and cold evening for that hound for two reasons: The owners didn’t keep him protected and secure, and also didn’t provide a secure tag with an address and phone number. Won’t the owner just love (not!) the fine he or she will have to pay to spring their dog. Lesson learned? Well, we can only hope.

SPAY/NEUTER YOUR PETS

G’day, Mates!  It’s not “cute and cuddly” for Doggy Dundee to see a box of puppies (or kitties)  being given away (or sold) outside of a market or on a street corner. I gave a good lecturin’ to two guys giving away a box full of furry kitties outside Tark’s Market in Talent, Oregon the other day.  Why?

 First, it means the pet owner wasn’t responsible and ended up with an “unwanted” litter. Second, it means that at least half of  “unwanted” pups/kits will be carried home by people who also won’t “spay/neuter” and so that young puppy/kitty will be, unfortunately and painfully, having its own many  ”unwanted” litters, which, in term, over several future years adds up to hundreds of thousands of unwanted animals born every year. That means more strays, and more shelter dogs and cats, ferrel kittens, sick animals (infecting other animals), and just plain hungry, or mean, animals bred down the line.

Here’s some stats per an SPCA website. They state that, “These statistics as to how just one litter can result in hundreds to thousands of unwanted pets:

So, people, make life easier for pets and everyone, and “Just Say Yes” to spay/neutering your pet. Even if you adopt a pet from a boxed give-away, be responsible and have the pet checked by a vet, so a diseased pet can receive proper care and not infect other animals. (Parvo, mites, giardia, and other illnesses require immediate care). Then, when it’s old enough, spay (female) or neuter (male) your doggy or kitty. 

Doggy Dundee volunteers at an animal shelter, and know the result of this human neglect and human stupidity. (Yup, no pulling the punches on this one, and I don’t care if you have a Ph.D. , if you don’t spay/neuter, you’re a dolt! More info about SPAY/NEUTER MYTHS HERE.

Chase’s Doggy Birthday – Gift to FOTAS?

G’day Mates! What can you do for a birthday dog who gets everything (and does lots of good, too)? How about donating to the organization that helps the doggies (and kitties) at the Jackson County Animal Shelter where Doggy Dundee spends lots of time?

The Doggy Dundee birthday DATE is January 28th (Both Chase and I share a birth date – How’s that for a great “coincidence” – Not often doggies and owners share a birthday!). That ORGANIZATION would be the Friends of the Animal Shelter , which is celebrating its 20th “birthday” year in 2010. FOTAS is a 501(c)3 non-profit that has been helping pay for animal medical care, defray some lower-cost adoption fees, building walking and agility areas, and has a lot of volunteers who are out daily – in all kinds of weather – walking, playing with, and loving on the animals at the Jackson County Animal Shelter. All that work is very necessary, because the animal shelter doesn’t receive any money from the state’s General Fund; ergo, the work FOTAS does is essential to maintaining quality care for the shelter dogs, cats, and other animals.

So, anyone wanting to say “Happy Birthday, Chase,” can send a donation check made out to “FOTAS” to this address: FOTAS, P.O. Box 92, Ashland, Oregon 97520. (Donations are tax deductable).

Yorkie – The Foster Shelter Dog 

If you have an opportunity to apply to be a foster parent for shelter dogs, do! Lots of times a dog comes into an animal shelter who wouldn’t be eligible for adoption unless she/he can be cared for outside the kennel for a bit. Such is the tale of Yorkie.

DoggyDundee Says Bye Yorkie

Caring for Yorkie

Yorkie’s parents were a retired couple. The husband, to whom Yorkie was devoted during the man’s illness, died. Later the wife ended up requiring a walker and had limited mobility. Yorkie couldn’t be cared for properly, so the woman sadly decided to release Yorkie to the animal shelter for adoption. Problem was, this normally alert and devoted dog became despondent, stopped eating, and wouldn’t interact with anyone.  Not a ideal adoptee.

Doggy Dundee had recently applied and been approved as a foster mom, and I agreed to take Yorkie home as a foster dog.

It was touch and go. Yorkie was inquisitive, but not trusting at first. Kept Chase at bay, but Chase and I set an intention that Yorkie would be fine and  find a home within a couple weeks, stipulating it would be a happy home where he could be doted on as the only dog and also have a yard – pays to be clear with intentions.

Happy Ending for this Shelter Dog

Yorkie’s profile was posted on CraigsList and Petfinder 1-1/2 weeks later, and he was adopted the next day by family in Yreka, California. My phone interview with Terry, the wife, passed muster. She immediately drove over the mountains to fill out the paperwork and that looked good, so she came to my house to meet Yorkie.  It was a nice get-together, so adoption paperwork was completed. Yippee! Yorkie stayed with me one more night so the couple could prepare their home, and then both of Terry and John, her husband, drove up to Oregon again to pick up the pooch. 

Yorkie at New Home

This picture shows Yorkie at his new home in Yreka, CA. Thanks to Terry and John for adopting Yorkie. So, can you provide a temporary home for a foster dog?

A Nifty Woofer

G’day mates! There’s always a way to tell when someone has a Doggy Dundee spirit. Sometimes it’s that look in their eye or the way they carry themselves or maybe just the tilt of their hat. Well, check out this sport – he’s got it down!

Victor

Nancy sent us this photo of Victor, the 8-year old Border Collie/Queensland healer X who adopted her brother’s family when just a pup. Well, Chase loves that jaunty hat and look in his eye, insisting I depart from our usual path of lost dogs, stray dogs and shelter dogs to show everybody how a Doggy Dundee dead ringer might dress.

Quite the bloke, ain’t he?

According to his aunt, Victor was born in Georgetown, CA. His favorite game is playing footie (that’s soccer in Aussie slang). Got his own ball and at local matches during half-time Victor entertains onlookers by chasing and retrieving his ball. “All the kids love him and with all the soccer balls out, he knows his own. He also loves to travel and seems to understand everything. He’s quite the character.”

Well, of course – Victor’s a doggy dundee – and quite a fun sport!

(More Aussie slang translations for you: Woofer = Dog; and Bloke/Sport/Mate = friend or male friend; and Footie (the ”t” is pronounced as a ”d”) = soccer or football/rugby; and Dead Ringer = likeness/replica/copy).

Another Open Gate Stray Dog Tale

So far, most of the stray dogs Doggy Dundee has found simply went exploring because some human “forgot” about securing a gate – and also “didn’t think” to license or ID tag their dog.

"I'm back. Where's the treats?"

We’ll call this dog Chumpski, a cute, raggedy-looking tan, gray and brown combo of Llapso Apso/Schnauzer/Beagle (at least to my eyes). He was tracing a quirky/curious nose-to-every-scent-on-the-ground path along Talent’s Front Street approaching the tracks where Chase and I stood watching him at 6:45 a.m

When he finally got close, looked up and spotted us, it was panic-time! Back and forth, run away and hustle back, scared-to-death-but-maybe-trust, and all the time the fur flying and the legs skittering at a frenetic pace.  Chase nudged me to go ahead while she hung back. I stepped forward to entice the raggy little sweetie. Thankfully, he was more than happy to hear a friendly voice, munch my offered treat, jump into my arms and lick my face.  Obviously, this little guy hadn’t been gone from home too long. No collar and no ID though. 

Since I already had another dog staying at my house who probably wasn’t (more…)

Timing Is Everything When Dogs Rule

Doggy Dundee knows that sometimes an Invisible Hand is literally pushing us to cross paths with stray dogs – but sometimes it takes me awhile to “get it.” 

Chase lazing

Those particular fated days usually start when I awaken and I’m completely organized and ready to get going: “A place for everything and everything in it’s place.” Then life falls to tatters, and I’m suddenly not able to get out of the house on time in the morning because absolutely nothing is going right: Coffee grinds spill all over the kitchen counter, my keys are missing, the shoe I just put down has evaporated, a button pops off — and this is all in one single morning!

So, I’m exasperated, wiping off counters, tearing up and down the stairs, strings of holy vows choking the air, tossing clothes, magazines, pillows around like a wild women before all finally seems settled and the counter, the keys, shoes and new shirt are arranged nicely. Chase knows better, of course, and has been waiting patiently for me to remember that goodness is ours today. By now, though, I’m definitely l-a-t-e  and tellin’ Chase we gotta hustle so I can get to work on time and we run down the street.

It never fails that there’s a lost dog to be found somewhere along our route on those fateful mornings, and Chase hops with joy, the pooch comes rushing over to us as if we’re right on schedule, and that always takes my breath away. The other magnificent aspect of those particularly crazed ”found stray dog” kinda days is that no matter how late we started out of the house, no matter how out of our way we have to walk or drive to return the dog (“Oh, thank you, my son must have left the gate open when he ran out to school”), no matter the need to still bring Chase home and get her settled – miraculously my drive to work is quick, smooth, peaceful and my arrival on time as if the laws of time/space have been rearranged – as, indeed, I’m sure they have been – because dogs rule!