May/June 07
6.30.07
Spring fling 2
I last told you about my “excursion” into the wilderness area here in southern New Jersey known as the Pine Barrens, and my close encounters with some strange animals called alpacas. But I didn’t mention some new friends I made there with whom I have a bit more in common.
They and their people are all members of an organization called the New Jersey Beanfield Earth Dogs Club. But while you’d never guess it with a name like that, these pooches – mostly small terriers and dachshunds around my size – are also dedicated “canoe canines.”
In fact, when I met them – at a place called Wells Mills County Park – they were getting together and getting all geared up to go on a canoe trip on the Oswego River, one of those Pine Barrens waterways where you can bark to your heart’s content and no one will complain.
Some of the Beanfield dogs waiting for their canoes to arrive at the Wells Mills dock.
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During the wait, Star became impatient and decided to take a dunk on his own.
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After I left Wells Mills Park, I headed to Surf City where I met Lulu, a Spanish water dog taking a kayak trip with her person on the bay.
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Here I am in the brand new life jacket my person got for me -- still very much on dry land, but closing my eyes and imagining I'm out on the open water.
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Each dog wears his or her own life jacket – just in case. But from what I saw, these guys weren’t the least bit worried about getting dunked. In fact, while I was there one of them – a terrier named Star – decided to dive off the dock in the park’s lake, just for the fun of it.
After seeing all this canine fun on the water, I though I’d like to give it a try. Maybe next time the Beanfield dogs go canoeing, they’ll invite me!
And by the way, if you’re wondering how my new water-loving friends came to be called Beanfield Earth Dogs, I’m told the name originated with a tradition of using them to rid farmers’ soybean fields of pesky groundhogs. Who knew they’d also be so at home in a canoe?
I could tell you more, but I want to try on my life jacket again. Talk later.
Posted by Bumby at 2:20 pm
6.5.07
Spring fling in the Garden State
| Even though my fur is white, I consider myself to be a 'green' dog, and I promise to do my share to help save the Earth. There's lots of stuff I can do -- for starters, eating dinner! By eating Pet Promise for just one year the average dog can help eliminate more than 2,000 doses of antibiotics fed to chickens and cattle and over 670 doses of artificial growth hormones given to cattle. That's big! Another way to be green is to see what wonders the Earth has to offer. After all, the more you know about what's at stake, the more you will want to do to protect it. |
Me, 'hiking' in the New Jersey Pine Barrens.
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My part of the world is a bit unique. Although lots of people (and dogs) live in New Jersey, down in the southern part that I call home, not too far from New York and Philadelphia, there are over a million acres of protected pine forest, cedar swamps, rivers, streams and cranberry bogs in a region known as the New Jersey Pine Barrens.
Here is what I, Bumby, found on my visit to the Pine Barrens;
- A narrow sandy trail that felt good under my paws;
- A winding path cut between dense pigmy pines;
- A bog turtle sitting on a rock near a pond;
- A ladybug flying right by my nose;
- A small, seasonable pond with lots of tadpoles in it and delicate, white 'petals' floating on top that turned out to be insects, not flowers.
But my best find was in a town called Warren Grove!
Here, not too far from the "heart" of the Pine Barrens, I found these strange creatures that at first looked like camels with bad haircuts. They turned out to be alpacas.
The herd of alpacas living at the Mancini farmette are friendly and multi-colored with the softest coat ever. I met Winnie, Nolan and a tan-colored guy named Solomon. Once a year they all get "sheared," giving them enough time for their winter coats to grow back. They seemed friendly enough and didn't appear bothered by a small dog observing them. |
Alpacas, I was told, are half the size of llamas and with much softer coats.
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I could tell you more, but I need a nap after all this excitement! Talk later.
posted by Bumby at 8:30 pm
5.21.07
My spring tune-up
Well, it's that time of year again. Every spring I go see my doctor for a checkup and heartworm test. My person told me where we were going; none of that "bye, bye time, let's go to the park" stuff for me. Anyway, I was going to be very brave this year (last time my doctor said I looked like I was going to faint). I walked into the office without coaxing and did very well, I think. (Okay, I did have a little 'accident' on the examination table, but everyone was very nice, and I don't really want to talk about it). Every dog should see their vet at least once a year (see my tips below). Remember, if I can do it, all my fellow canines can, too!
First I got weighed (20 pounds).
I made sure I knew where the exit was
(in case of an emergency, of course).
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Then Dr. van den Broek listened to my heart, while my friend Ann held my head and patted me on the back.
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After that, I got my rabies shot. While it didn't hurt, I always hum to myself when I get a shot. Afterward, I got a Pet Promise jerky treat for being (and I quote) a "really good dog!"
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Before I left, Dr. van den Broek took a blood sample for my heartworm test. Sometimes needles make me feel faint, so Ann hugged me and held my paw.
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As I said, if I can be brave about this; any canine can. Here are some things I've learned about why it's so important for a dog to make yearly visits to the vet.
- Heartworm test: This is really important, so listen up. Anywhere there are mosquitoes, dogs can become infected with heartworms. This is true whether your dog stays inside most of the time or spends a lot of time outdoors. Heartworm disease is nasty - but easily preventable. It's important to get a simple blood test each year to check, and especially important to get the test done before starting on a heartworm preventative. (Even if your dog is on a preventative year round, an annual blood test is still recommended). I get my test done each spring, but you should check with your vet when the best time is for your doggie to get theirs (depending on where you live).
- An ounce of prevention: The yearly checkup is a really good way for my vet to take a look at me from head to paw and make sure I'm in 'top-dog' shape.
- Get to know your vet: It makes me feel better to know my doctor -- and to know that he knows me when I'm at my best!
I could tell you more, but my best friend Nikko is about due to come round the block. Talk later.
Posted by Bumby at 1:30 pm |
