so you wannabee a Domestik Goddess? » Pets

Storm’s Dog Boots

Domestik Goddess — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:09:25 +0000

There have been so many lovely stories of dogs who’ve been helped by the dog boot pattern I scribbled out and posted when I had to make a quick set of winter boots for my greyhound, Casey — it’s really pretty heartwarming.

Old dogs who slip on the ice…
Dogs with injured paws in need of protection…
Dogs with tender toes who are sensitive to cold…
Outdoor sporting dogs who need a little extra warmth and traction…

Like this GSD beauty, Storm, who lives in Canada’s cold far north:

photo: YKStorm

Pat’s daughter took her German Shepherd dog out on a rescue mission — looking for a lost Corgi pup who’d bolted in a panic when he got scared on a trail. The pup was found and brought safely home — “fine and much more obedient after 3 days out in -40″ — but Storm lost one of her boots in the snow.

Pat used my pattern to make new doggie booties for her: a beautiful blue colour, extra tall for use in deep snow, with reflective patches for safety.

photo credit: YKStorm

Pat’s one of a growing number of clever and caring dog lovers who have improved on my simple pattern to suit their own dogs’ needs — by adding extra length or a stretchy cuff, experimenting with different non-slip materials on the soles of the boots, and sewing up waterproof versions of the fleece original.

Best yet, these dog lovers are very generous in sharing their ideas with others through their comments.

But that’s not the end of the good puppy karma. Some people — with Casey’s full blessings — are now making these dog booties for sale to help other dogs who have non-sewing owners, dogs in foster homes, and even as a fundraiser to help a greyhound adoption group! You know, I said that it’s heartwarming, all this sewing and creative adaptation… but it’s the sharing that really brightens up a dark winter day and gives hope that, even in tough times, we self-involved human beings can learn to be as giving and caring as our dogs.

Dogs in the Performing Arts: the PuppyCam Tale Continues

Domestik Goddess — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:01:44 +0000

If it broke you up to say good-bye to the Shiba Inu litter whose “Puppy Cam” webcam broadcasts stole hearts through the holidays, fear not — a new pooch passion’s here. Once again, we’ve got a chance to watch fuzzy adorable pups of exotic breeding as they romp and snooze and rip apart toys in the nursery — awaiting the time of weaning and adoption — but this time it’s a litter of Thai Ridgeback puppies.

Online video chat by Ustream

If you’re still pining for the Shibas, however — and who wouldn’t? — you’ll be glad to know that the original Puppy Cam madness continues. Richard Gere and the Puppy Cam Shibas are teaming up in a remake of Hatchiko, the Japanese tale of a brave and faithful little dog…

I’ve not seen the Japanese film, but a dear friend with whom I shared the love of a Shiba for a number of years gave me a copy of a children’s book called Hachiko Waits that tells the dog’s story — and if you’re a dog lover, and if you’re lucky enough to come across a copy, I’d grab it. (And if I were a publisher, I’d be haggling for the reprint rights, before the Hatchiko movie is released!)

A New Old Dog

Domestik Goddess — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:23:07 +0000

Let the ooh, sweet doggie baby-talk commence!

This beautiful 12-year-old Golden Retriever has just moved in. She needed to find a new home quickly — and I thought about it for all of, oh, maybe a nano-second, when asked if I had room for a second dog.

Casey the Wonder Hound (my long-suffering greyhound), fortunately seems to agree that Cinder (that’s her name) is the kind of gentle, calm, refined lady-dog with whom he can share his domestic arrangements.

He’s still in charge of the squeaky ball — in fact, of any dog toy that sounds like prey in its final death throes — but she is allowed to wander about with a knotted rope or a Kong in her mouth, dropping it at people’s feet. Oh, and Cinder is also responsible for making sure that large amounts of white-gold fur are properly distributed all over the house; greyhounds aren’t famous for doing much shedding. And both dogs are sloppy eaters, but not inclined to guard their spilled food.

So, really, it’s all working out quite nicely.

Want to see another picture of what might very well be the world’s most attractive geriatric Golden Retriever? Sure, you do!

All together now — Awwww!

Matisse Dance Dog Toys

Domestik Goddess — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 18:13:05 +0000

Who says that dogs don’t appreciate art?

Bodhi’s homage to the art of Matisse — the elegant Henri dog toy — is crafted in toothsome polyester canvas-backed suede, a dog-pleasing texture for hours of playful pleasure.

A durable noise-making squeaker inside will amuse the dog, while your more sophisticated friends can admire the elegant (and yet, oddly bone-shaped) form inspired by one of Matisse’s most famous paintings, Danse II.

The Henri dog toy is double-seamed, non-toxic and machine washable, in three colors and sizes: 16” (turquoise), 12” (celery), and 9” (olive) as shown here.

Affordable art for your pampered pup, starting at $14.00.

Sew Your Own Dog Collar Cover

Domestik Goddess — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:26:47 +0000

Photo: Penny Sanford Porcelains

Home sewing fans know the satisfaction of making their own fashions. Now you can doll up your dog with the leftover fabric remnants, and set out in matching style!

Embellishment is the key word for high-end handmade dog clothes, so download Penny Sanford’s easy free pattern and sew a variety of these slip-on bandana scarf or tube-type covers… then decorate them up to be one-of-a-kind works of wearable art.

Your dog may not go out of his way to thank you, but this could be a wonderful fun project to do with a young pet-lover, if you have a young friend who wants to learn how to sew or do embroidery, etc., over the summer holidays. (And don’t skimp on the sequins!)

Now all I’ve got to do is figure out a variation on this pattern to dress up my greyhound’s martingale style collar that slips over the dog’s head in one piece instead of unbuckling…

Cat Desk Box

Domestik Goddess — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:43:22 +0000

If you’ve ever been owned by a cat, you’ll know what a charming pest a cat can be. Bored cats and the desks of busy people are (a) inevitably going to come together at some point, if there’s a cat in the house, and (b) not always a wonderful thing for productivity.

My own habit of obsessively hitting the Save button comes directly from an Important Life Lesson taught to me years ago by a fluffy grey tom named Jasper: A quick trip to the loo, then I stepped back into my home office to see Jasper bathing himself elegantly on my keyboard, one fluffy paw planted firmly on the Delete key. Amazing, how fast that cursor raced backwards and up the screen. And simple astounding, how quickly the screen went blank when the cat shifted round at my yell, successfully quitting the program before I could lunge across the room. Gone, the work of a hard three hours — all gone!

Ever since, and to this very day (although this is currently a dogs-only household, and the desk is my own once more) I save-save-save-save-save as if racking up high score on some Video Game of Life. So, a bad cat incident gave me a good habit, I guess… but something like this Cat Perch box (at The Refined Feline, via a comment at Matt Cutts‘ blog) would have come in handy. Apparently it works for chihuahuas and other tiny dogs (under 20 lbs.) too.

Kay’s Tiny Felted K9s

Domestik Goddess — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:16:38 +0000

Kay Turple is a Canadian artist who makes amazing 3-dimensional dog portraits — all sorts of dog breeds, like this gorgeous fluffy Old English Sheepdog — working from your photographs to make a tiny true-to-life model in felted wool.

How does Kay make her miniature pets? She gives an overview of the needle felting technique at KaysK9s.com, but simply put –

Simply put, needle felting is the process of taking raw wool roving and using a barbed felting needle to sculpt it into shape. The sculpting is done by poking the wool thousands of times until the fibers interlock and felt together. This process is extremely time consuming, and each dog or cat normally takes 10 – 25 hours to create.

Indulge an urge, add something very special to a collection of dollhouse-scale miniatures, or commemorate a beloved companion animal. They run from 1″ to 4″ in size, or are made in standard 1:12 dollhouse scale. (She does cats and other creatures, too.)

These are true art pieces, not toys — and are priced accordingly, reflecting the many hours of skilled handcrafting that goes into each felted dog.

Best yet, a portion of all proceeds is donated to support the Ontario SPCA and local animal shelters. As well, Kay sponsors a shelter dogs — see a picture of Chico, the Chihuahua mix who is her current “foster pup,” at www.kaysk9s.blogspot.com. What more could a dog lover ask?

Bored Dogs are Waiting for Spring

Domestik Goddess — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:18:08 +0000

Spring could come along just about any time now, if my dogs had anything to say about it.
(No argument here!)

I’m just saying.

It’s a Broom, It’s a Dog…

Domestik Goddess — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 20:23:47 +0000

This just in from Amanda Nicole, our Girl in Vancouver: the Doggy Broom!

With an aluminum handle that’s shaped like a dog leash in zero gravity, and a colourful plastic broom that vaguely resembles a small long-haired dog — dare we suggest that the Scopa Cane Doggy broom (ViceVersa) is the perfect household item for those pet lovers who are severly allergic to fur and animal dander?

[via Brilliant at InventorSpot]

How to Teach a Dog to Wear Boots

Domestik Goddess — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 13:25:59 +0000

This greyhound of mine looks a bit embarrassed about having to wear his winter boots (a.k.a. “paw protectors“), doesn’t he?

Don’t be fooled by that hang-dog look — when we go outside in minus-20°C weather (that’s, um, 4 degrees below 0°F for our American friends), the big guy’s whole attitude gets adjusted pretty quickly!

So, when do you know it’s time for your dog to wear winter boots?

That will depend in part on the individual dog’s breed and on your climate and lifestyle, but here’s a good rule of thumb:

When you’re walking somewhere that salt has been spread to melt the ice and snow.
When the snow is cold enough to squeak when you walk on it.
When the dog tries to hold all his paws off the ground at once.
… or when it’s cold enough that you, yourself, can’t walk the dog in comfort without earmuffs or something over your ears.

We don’t bother with boots just to pop from the house to the car, but in the depths of a Canadian winter, dogs often will need boots to take a walk or even to go in the yard to do their “business”. Obviously, there are many parts of the world where paw protection just isn’t even needed. But for the rest of us…

Lots of people say that their dogs “don’t like” wearing boots, or just kick them off, or refuse to let the boots get put on their feet in the first place…

But no worries, if that’s your situation.
This can be solved:

First off, you can see from the photo that my greyhound isn’t too crazy about the whole boot concept either — not when we’re in the warm kitchen! — but once we get outdoors in the snow and ice and road-salt, he soon decides that he likes the idea.

Secondly, the dog boots pattern I drew up a while back has proven to be simple and effective. (Cheap to replace, too, if we lose one in a deep snowdrift!) The boots just slip on over the paw — use one hand to hold those toes together and guide the foot, while the other hand holds the bootie — and it fastens with a combination of Velcro and elastic that makes a snug secure fit around the dog’s ankle.

And the third trick, the really big one — Don’t wait for mid-winter to introduce a dog to wearing that paw protection.

Let your dog get used to his boots gradually, over time, and it’ll save a whole lot of grief when you’re in a hurry to walk him and get to work!

This greyhound stands patiently to have his boots put on, even when a smaller dog is getting curious and bugging him. Not only that, he’ll accept the putting on of winter boots from anyone — even the neighbour kids — without struggle or protest.

I tell you, a bit of training makes life so much easier!

How to “Boot Train” Your Dog

As part of a grooming or training session, just slip a boot onto one of his feet — don’t fasten it, the first time — just slip the boot on, give a wonderful treat, and then slip it right back off again and go on with your other activities.

Stand your dog for this exercise — or have someone hold his collar, if he isn’t likely to stand still. You don’t want him trying to walk around with this loose floppy weird thing on his foot! A slip on the floor or a successful kicking-off of the boot will just make “boot training” your dog more difficult.

The next day, repeat with a different foot… and the next… and the next… Then, try two feet. And a different two feet, the next day. What you’re doing here is working up to the point where your dog is happy to get his feet handled and get a boot on, because he knows he’ll be getting a lovely treat when it happens.

Step by step, build up his tolerance for the whole footwear issue. Don’t be tempted to go too fast! Patience will pay off in the long run.

Note that I have suggested doing the boot training as part of your regular training sessions. That’s to help your dog to understand that the boot is just another part of the wonderful “school game” you play together. Go at the dog’s pace, and stay within his comfort zone when you’re introducing anything new.

For some timid dogs, that could mean you start out simply by showing him the boots (and reward him for being near them), then just gently touching one to the top of his paw (and reward while the boot is touching him) , then touching one to his paw while you lift his paw in your hand (and reward)… and so on.

If your dog isn’t used to having his feet handled, or has had a bad experience with clipping his nails, etc., this could take a good number of days to get him comfortable. Keep it calm and happy, with lots of great treats, and gradually build up his comfort level with this strange new activity.

It bears repeating: Don’t be tempted to go too fast!

When the dog will eventually allow you to put boots (not fastened) onto all four feet at once, go back to putting a boot on just one foot — but this time, fasten it loosely, just enough so he can feel that there’s something around his ankle. Boot on, fasten gently, treat the dog, take off the boot. Next session, do the same thing on a different foot… again, working up to the point where all four feet can be in (loosely fastened) boots at one time.

Repeat the training cycle — one foot first, working up to all four — but this time you’ll fasten each boot more securely, as you would if your were taking the dog outside.

You’ll find that each training cycle will go more quickly, because the dog is gaining confidence and becoming more comfortable with the whole process.

At this point, some dogs will be quite calm about it all, and more interested in walking around than in standing still with you handling their paws.

If you’ve got carpets in your house, or some other kind of non-slip floor, that might be the best place to start learning to walk in boots.
With slippery tile floors like this one in my kitchen, I’d go back to one boot (securely fastened) on one paw, and let the dog try it out with his other three paws feeling like they normally do. Then work up to all four boots.

You’ll laugh out loud, the way a dog in new boots will lift his feet and shake them, trying to figure out what’s going on! Just keep his mind off those new boots, those first few times — offer treats, a favourite toy, a ride in the car, whatever he sees as a reward and will distract him from the funny feeling of wearing boots…

Before you know it, your dog will be standing patiently while you put boots on his feet and walking gracefully with well-protected paws.

Cell Phones for Dogs

Domestik Goddess — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 21:27:00 +0000

Geocaching? Hiking? Camping? If you’re having great outdoor adventures with your dog these days, you might want to think about a bit of high-tech help in case Rover goes roving and gets lost in the woods.

Hear Now makes a dog collar with a GPS system and 2-way radio built right in — just think, you can call your dog from a range of up to 12 miles depending on the terrain! And of course the GPS system lets you pinpoint his location and bring him safely home.

For urban runaway pups, where buildings and radio interference can get in the way of tracking, there’s the Pet Cell.

Don’t laugh! Yes, it looks about as silly as anything I’ve seen in the pet supplies line, but that’s mostly because it’s pink. Basically, the cell phone on the dog’s collar will automatically answer when you call from one of several pre-set numbers, and you can talk to your dog.

Imagine — “Get off the couch, Rover!” Or, if the dog is lost, “Come home now!”

No, seriously, for a dog that suffers from separation anxiety when you’re away at work during the day, this might prove to be a useful tool.

Again, there’s a GPS system to help track a lost dog, but the PetCell has an added feature that looks like a practical idea — three “speed dial” buttons so anyone who finds your lost dog can call up your home number, your cell number, or an emergency contact, all with the press of one button.

4-Week Walk: Day 15

Domestik Goddess — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 16:47:22 +0000

Today is a day of rest, and I’m about ready for it! Time for a bit of a progress report…

After last week’s weight loss of 3 pounds, I expected to lose only a pound or so this week, and that’s exactly what happened. The quick loss that comes early in an exercise program has a lot to do with water loss. Fat comes off more slowly.

I also know from experience that muscle weighs more than fat, so the bathroom scales don’t always reflect the good news as your fitness level increases.

And that’s where the tape measure comes in…

I measured all the key points before I started the Walk for Weight Loss — chest, waist, that frustrating chubby belly, hips, upper arm and thigh — and now, after two weeks of walking, every one of those measurements is showing a satisfactory loss of inches. Even if I hadn’t measured to be sure, the fit of my favourite jeans is telling me that my waist in particular is getting trimmed down already!

That’s quite inspiring… so, in the next 2 weeks, I’ll make a real effort to watch my diet better, too.

Does This Dog Make My Butt Look Fat?

And here’s an extra bit of incentive to slim down — I’ve been asked to do a dog obedience demonstration at a fundraiser for the SPCA.

It’s almost like it’s “meant to be,” too, because the event is on September 28 — the final day of my 4 Week Walk for Weight Loss.

The dog I’ll be working with is my slim handsome greyhound — and let me tell you, there’s nothing like a long-legged athletic dog to make the owner look, er, a little chunky!

Also, I’m actually a very shy person, so getting up on stage in front of a crowd is difficult for me… If I can look trim and fit, it will give me a much-needed boost in confidence to get up and perform in public.

Wish me luck!

Read the whole 4-Week Walk series!

Dog Hair… meet the Furminator!

Domestik Goddess — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 20:34:59 +0000

This is Riley, a 7-year-old Lab-Husky dog mix.

His turn-ons include taking long walks in the woodlot, dining on anything that looks remotely like it might be food, and crafting a furry blond cover for all dark furniture, carpets, and clothing.

This is a dog who sheds, baby!

And this is the FURminator in action —

And this link right here goes to Amazon, where we picked up Riley’s big yellow FURminator for 39% off.

It’s not cheap, but one good dog grooming with this thing can save you many long hours of pushing a vacuum cleaner… or chasing your shedding dog around the house with the vacuum’s upholstery attachment.

IKEA for Cats

Domestik Goddess — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 17:22:55 +0000

I had no idea that IKEA had such a sense of humour — was there ever a more amusing cat bed than this cartoon-style stuffed knocked-out mouse?

I can just see the big fat old Moggy perched on top of the Bastis pet cushion, purring up a storm, and looking like the proverbial cat who ate the cream!

Technorati Tags: cat, cat bed, IKEA

Cool Dog Treats

Domestik Goddess — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 22:01:55 +0000

Here’s a dog-treat maker that I sure wish I’d found at the beginning of the summer, to give “my furry boys” a frozen ice treat on those scorching-hot days!

A fun way to keep your dog cool, properly hydrated, and happily occupied in hot weather, the reusable Cool Dogs Ice Treat Maker suspends your dog’s favorite treats in a block of ice that’s firmly held in place with an extendable, heavy-duty stainless-steel base.

Doggy popsicles!

The kit includes the base, a freezer bucket with a lid, an extension rod for mounting to the ground, and a recipe book for making your own dog treats.

Definitely a clever trick to keep in mind for next year…

Tips to Control Insect Pests

Domestik Goddess — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 21:57:00 +0000

Insects just don’t seem to get it, that they’re not always welcome to share our homes! Especially in summer, and at the change of seasons, they march (or fly) right in and make themselves at home…

If you don’t want to spray poisons around your living space — and who would? — prevention is the key for how to control those pests.

Keep the bugs out!

Install window screens and repair any holes in your old screens. Seal up whatever small cracks and crevices you can find, wherever you notice that insects are entering the home.

(That crack-sealing work may be tedious and time-consuming, but you can take comfort in the thought of an added bonus in cutting your energy bills for heating and cooling costs!)

But sometimes you just can’t keep bugs out.

Once they get inside, insect pests often seek out warm, damp, dark places in which to hide and make a huge number of new baby bugs. Prevention, once the bugs have moved in, means doing what you can to make your home a place that insects won’t like.

Here’s how to do it:

Keep your home clean, and as dry as possible.
Vacuum well and often, particularly in corners, baseboards, heating vents, and other dark warm hiding places.
Repair loose wallpaper.
Store food in closed containers and wash dishes promptly.
Use a garbage container with a tight-fitting lid.
Fix leaking pipes, faucets, or toilets, and wrap any pipes that collect condensation, and check under appliances for damp spots.

And there are different things you can do to fight back against specific insects, too.

Are house flies bugging you? A ceiling fan, besides making the room more pleasant in summer, will create air currents that house flies don’t like. Invest in an old-fashioned fly-swatter, or use a rolled-up newspaper. A fly can produce hundreds of offspring, so killing them one by one is more productive than it might seem!

If a sticky fly-strip hanging from the ceiling is not too gross for you to handle, choose one that works by stickiness alone, and avoid any that kill flies by giving off toxic vapours. (It astonishs me, frankly, that some companies are still making those!) Air-borne chemicals that can kill a fly just can’t be much good for people and pets, either!

Ants leave a scent trail for others to follow. Confuse them! Watch carefully to find the spot where they enter the house, then wash down the area with soapy water or vinegar. A mixture of borax and sugar makes great ant bait. The ants carry it back to their nest where it is shared among the whole colony and wipes them out.

Cockroaches are a real problem in some climates, no matter how clean you keep your place. (You know what they say? — that cockroaches are likely to be the last critter left standing, when the world eventually comes to an end… and I believe it!) Among commercial products, the sticky traps (”roach motels”) are safer than sprays. If you plan to call in a pest control professional, be aware that extermination is only effective if all rooms in a building are treated at the same time.

Moths multiply in hidden places, but moth eggs and larvae can’t survive a week or more of extreme heat or cold. Store winter clothing and extra blankets in a hot attic for the summer; and store summer clothing in an unheated space for the winter.

When clothing must be stored for more than one season, take it out once in a while and hang it in the sun. Shake it out to dislodge any insects and moth eggs that might be hidden in the folds and seams, and vacuum the storage space well before replacing the clothing.

Silverfish hide in warm places like heating vents and linen closets. Vacuum these areas well whenever you think of it and have the time. You can also trap silverfish where they hide by setting out a shallow dish, baited with 1 part molasses and 2 parts vinegar. They’ll crawl in and drown.

To fight Fleas, vacuum every corner of rugs, carpets and upholstered furniture, to collect flea eggs before they hatch. Vacuum, vacuum, replace the vacuum cleaner’s collection bag, and vacuum once more! Wash pet bedding in warm soapy water, and bath your pet too.

Ask your veterinarian about the kind of flea medication that’s a liquid you place on the back of the animal’s neck. I won’t mention brand names because your vet knows best about your pets, but we use a monthly application that kills fleas in all stages of its lifecycle and is gentle enough to use on the youngest of kittens and puppies.

Technorati Tags: pest control, insects

Storm Warning

Domestik Goddess — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 18:08:00 +0000

Something peculiar and unsettling happens when a thunderstorm is rolling in… I wrote this little piece on one of those unsettled steamy storm-threatening days last summer. Now we’re back into those restless days when bare thighs stick to wooden chairs and animals pace in small circles while purple clouds stack up on the horizon… If you, too, have a love-hate relationship with stormy weather, you’ll know the feeling it brings on.

Storm Warning

When long days at the computer and on the phone with raving idiots are threatening to turn me into a raving idiot myself, and the tension builds behind my eyes like an incoming storm… there are only two kinds of medicine for mind and spirit:

I can put on hiking boots, take a book and a dog to the woods, find a mossy bank beside a sun-sparked stream, and sit a while.

Or I can go among the bees.

On this day, I shut down the computer at noon and jump up and go out — no radio, no book, not even a dog beside me — across the dooryard and through the rampaging wild roses at the back of the orchard to the bee yard.

It is hot and muggy and without a breath of wind, the morning dew still heavy where the hedgerow shaded the grass. A silly young robin freezes at my approach, head cocked to one side, eyes bright, a caterpillar dripping from her beak. The air smells like honey.

Bumblebees drone in the flat-topped white yarrow at the edge of the hayfield, a bass note to the higher hum of the honey bees, and the white paint of the clustered wooden hives is unbearably bright in the sun.

A butterfly skitters across my line of sight, the palest yellow — I must look it up and learn its name, I think: it’s good to know the creatures who live here with me.

There is a superstition that honeybees know the beekeeper. That seems unlikely, in a literal sense — their lives are so very short, and my forays into their hives (to check their health or to steal their honey) are infrequent once we get past swarming season. But I do think the bees know, somehow, when I have no meddling intentions. When I am in the bee yard only to smell the scent of honey and hear the bees’ song, they do not sting.

From time to time a slender tawny young worker, new to foraging in this huge bright world, will notice me and land, curious, on my hand or arm. She’ll pick her way across the band of my wristwatch, bob her head and abdomen as if making its acquaintance, then wander on. Her tiny feet tickle on the inside of my elbow — and then she flies on. No, my tiny winged lady, I am not a flower.

The alsike clover is still in bloom, and the purple vetch, and the wild yellow rocket in the ditches — nectar-bearers, all — so the bees have better things to do than sting a silent watcher. And to sting is to die. So I sit among the hives, like an old woman on a front porch watching traffic, as the returning field bees fly in low and heavy to the entrance of each hive; others, heading out empty, take off with a sudden smooth upward arc and are lost to sight immediately against the hedgerow’s green mosaic and the sky.

But in this unsettled weather, with rifts of mackeral clouds to the east and distant thunderheads rumbling beyond the western ridge, pale heat-lightning flashes on the horizon, the bees are unsettled.

Truth be told, I am a bit unsettled, too.

Even the soothing song of the bees can’t quite drive away the thoughts of deadlines and negotiations, errands to do and meetings to arrange… its pitch has changed, and the field bees are suddenly coming home, shouldering in at the entrance, vibrating their wings.

The neighbour’s Border collie, who is terrified of storms, comes thrashing through the uncut hayfield seeking comfort and circles, panting and black and smelling vaguely of the skunk she caught last week. She begs me with her rheumy old eyes, and I give in, sigh, rise, and lead her back to the house.

She’ll pass the storm in our stone-walled cellar.

I’ll know that the weather has cleared (and it’s safe to plug my computer back in) when she emerges, all spider-webs and wagging tail, and sets off at a jaunty pace for home.

My own dogs are still asleep on the floor beside my desk, when I go in. One raises a lazy head to watch me refill my tea mug, sit back down, and turn the computer on, then his chin hits the floor and he closes his eyes: his job is done, I’m back at work. From what the bees and the Border collie tell me, we’ve got about an hour left before the storm rolls in.

Cool Dogs Do Outward Hound

Domestik Goddess — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:38:10 +0000

You know what Mountain Equipment Coop and L.L. Bean are to the trendy outdoorsy type? For dogs, think Outward Hound. Look no further, if you want to keep your dog happy and comfortable on those summertime adventure trips — whether that is a hiking and camping expedition in the bush or just a spur-of-the-moment exploration of the wilds of your own neighbourhood park.

Friends who are serious hikers introduced me to Outward Hound a couple of years ago — they swear by the doggie saddlebags for their Lab, who is plenty big enough to carry his own supplies.

I couldn’t do without the Port-a-Bowl, myself — well, I could, but my active and ever-hungry dogs might not! It’s a vinyl-lined canvas bowl that crushes easily into a back pocket or knapsack, ready for use on doggie demand. (When it gets grungy, by the way, I just swish it around in water or toss it in the washer with my jeans.)

But a folding bowl is hardly the beginning. You almost wouldn’t believe all the cool dog gear that’s available — from canine life jackets for the boating enthusiast, to brilliantly designed fanny packs and bags, pet carriers of various sorts, and safety vests for the dog who needs to be highly visible on the roadside or in the woods…

In these hot summer days, however, I’m looking closely at several good ideas in the temperature-control line. Shade shelters, for example, are little screened tents like portable doghouses: cute and practical. There are also products they call Hydration Systems — a little water-filled backpack (the dog carries his own water supply!) with a special bite-valve for multiple uses — or the Bowl-and-Bottle bag, if you want to carry the water yourself.

My favourite hot-dog product, and the next thing on my shopping list, is Outward Bound’s Cooling Bandana, a tube-like scarf that’s filled with tiny non-toxic polymer beads that absorb up to 30 times their weight in cold water. Fasten it around the dog’s neck with a Velcro fastener, and it can keep your dog more comfortable for hours.

You know, I really should have thought of the cooling bandana much earlier — because I picked up the human version of it for myself about four years ago!

Toys for Smart Dogs

Domestik Goddess — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 22:18:22 +0000

A tired dog is a good dog, dog trainers will tell you. And many the owner of a high-energy puppy can agree that’s the truth!

Not surprisingly, it is the smartest breeds of dogs who seem to need the most entertainment, to occupy their minds and keep them out of trouble — especially while their exhausted owners are trying to get a little quality time…

So your dog’s a total genius?

Give him the double helix.

Bouncy! Springy! Colourful rubber DNA shapes! These toys are sized right for the small and medium-sized dog at 4 1/2″ long, and — according to Jeff, who gave one to J.R. his hyperactive Jack Russell terrier about six months ago — they’re delightfully durable, too.

For $4.00 at the Small Dog Mall, this might very well be the perfect toy for the dog who can party like Einstein’s frat brothers.

Catnip Ravioli

Domestik Goddess — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 16:15:00 +0000

Organic is a real plus, in these days when a pet lover can never quite sure what’s in some of the food and treats on the market for our furry friends…

Mind you, I’m not convinced that any catnip toys could distract fat Mowgli Cat from begging at table when cheese pasta is on the humans’ menu, but these happy little catnip-stuffed felt ravioli squares are certainly more appealing in concept than watching as the cat savages a traditional catnip mouse…

Ravioli made from colorful craft felt and stuffed with yummy organic catnip! Sold in sets of three ravioli, tied with brightly colored yarn!

Each ravioli measures 2.5″ wide x 4″ long. Set of three, $4.00 from MaryJane’s Attic.