I am suffering from allergies. Bad. The kind where every time you sneeze, your whole body is involved. Honestly, I didn’t know such loud sounds could come from me - but I guess mold brings out the worst in people.

While I have been suffering the past few days, Maizie and Marleigh have been trying to figure out what is wrong with me. At first, they mistook my sniffles for being upset. When I woke up one morning and began sniffling, Marleigh immediately came to my side and rested her head on my stomach and looked up at me as if she was comforting me. Little did she know, the worst was yet to come.

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Maizie and Marleigh are inseparable. Anywhere one goes, the other is less than a tail’s length away. With that being said, I shouldn’t be all that surprised when the antics of one begin to rub off on the other.

It would be great if the year of Maizie’s training would inspire Marleigh - but that would be boring, wouldn’t it? Instead, why not have all of Marleigh’s puppy antics and weird personality traits start showing up in Maizie’s behavior?

Continue Reading "Double Trouble" »

One of Chloe's work partners got into a "discussion" with her husband over feline communication. Anne is convinced that her cats are responding to her calling out their names by twitching their tails. Her husband says no way a cat knows it's name?

I think I have to side more with Anne on this one. While I can't prove they know their names I do know they are responding to Anne's voice with attention and enthusiasm.

Cats use body language as their primary means of communication. They may vocalize too, but more often than not, they send messages with their ears and tails and how they carry their bodies. A confident cat will approach another cat with an erect tail and ears up and tilted forward. The more a cat tilts the ears to the side and the more they flatten the ears the more apprehensive they are. Flat ears all the way back are a fearful sign.

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Why, the day after being diagnosed with a pinched nerve and muscle spasm in my back, do my dogs feel the need to loose their minds on their morning walk.

I knew it was going to be uncomfortable to take them on a walk, to say the least. I thought I would take them on a shorter route, one that doesn’t have many other dogs on it. But, why would that work out well in my favor?

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Most dogs freak out during thunderstorms. They will get as close to their owners as possible, trembling and panting at the sound of the thunder and flashes of lightening. It shouldn’t be a surprise that Maizie and Marleigh and completely undeterred by these events. In fact, they enjoy them.

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I don’t know what has gotten into Marleigh and Maizie. I think they have lost their furry little minds. This past week they have been acting like...well...animals.

Maybe it is the change in the time or the weather, but something has gotten into them. And it is driving me insane.

Continue Reading "Something's Wrong with Maizie and Marleigh" »

It can be shocking how much money people are willing to spend on their pets. I am no exception. Yes, I’ll admit it, I spoil my two fur-babies. Not to the point where I will indulge them with a collar that costs more than $6, but I do go a little crazy when it comes to toys.

I don’t want to know how much I have shelled out on Maizie and Marleigh when it comes to squeaky toys, plush critters and bones. They have a whole basket dedicated to their addiction (OK, my addiction) to toys. However, no matter how many toys I buy them, there are somethings that are just far too entertaining to pass up.

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 Sorry for not updating last week, I was sick again. Although Marleigh and Maizie tried to help, their puppy eyes and precious squished faces were no match for this virus.

 But, before I came down with my ailment, I went with Marleigh to her first day of school. I took Maizie with me as inspiration for her little sister - so much for that idea.

Continue Reading "Marleigh's First Day of School" »

I have finally decided that it is time. Marleigh is going to school.

The days of arm socket dislodging, pillow destroying, food spreading and midnight bark-a-thons will soon be over. Six weeks from Wednesday, I will be the proud parent of a masterfully trained dog who is astonishingly obedient.

Am I excited? Of course. Am I nervous? Absolutely.

Maizie was a dream student. She was attentive, wanted to learn, gave me undivided attention and was the superstar of the class. I have absolutely no idea what to expect from Marleigh. Not a clue.

All I know is I am going to prepare for anything...and everything.

-- Chloe Ochse --

Traditionally, New Years resolutions are commitments people make to themselves that are intended to keep them on track in the new year. Sometimes people want to resolve to lose weight, get control of finances or volunteer more. Often New Year’s resolutions come down to simply being a better person. As a pet owner, being a better person may mean more than dropping a few pounds, it may mean helping your pet do the same.

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