Westward Ho!!

Buster and I are headed West this week to check out Portland, which calls itself one of the most pet-friendly cities in the U.S. Buster is already packing his toys and can't wait to check out the famous Westin Hotels Heavenly Bed, which comes in a pint-size version just for pets. Check back later in the week. We'll be reporting live from the City of Roses on all the hot spots to see and be seen with your pet!

The Not So Wondra Litter Box

I was headed down the pet aisle at the local grocery store and happened upon two women who were in an intense discussion about litter boxes. Always looking for a better alternative to that onerous task of keeping the litter box clean, I joined the conversation. They were singing the praises of the Wondra litter box. I had never seen one on the shelf. They are so popular, they were always sold out. It was a rare day that they happened to be in stock, and between the three of us, we cleared out the inventory. Based on their testimonial, I couldn't wait to try it. It was supposed to be the ultimate in odor control and eliminated the need to clean the litter box. You just toss the whole thing out.

After about 3 days, I realized that the Wondra box was not so wonderful. My house had that distinct kitty box aroma. Did I mention that the same duo sold me on a new brand of clumping litter too? I looked in the litter boxes and found a soggy, smelly mess. So much for the Wondra box. I switched back to my tried and true pine litter mix in my plastic litter boxes.

Another great way to control odors around the litter box is to hang a bag of volcanic rocks near the box. They naturally absorb odors and last forever. You just have to "recharge" them every 8 months or so, by leaving them out in direct sunlight. The rocks are a much less expensive alternative to the odor-absorbing gels that work well, but have to be replaced every month. Drs. Foster and Smith sell the volcanic rocks under the brand name Pet Clear Crystals.

Tinkle, Tinkle, Little Bell

Recently I went to a pet trade show to see what was new in the marketplace. I am always amazed at the products that people dream up -- like the top that fits over your water bottle that adjusts the flow so your dog can drink from it too. Or the water bowl that adapts to the drink holder in your car. I could certainly use one of those. We've had many overturned water bowls on long car trips with the dogs.

But my favorite new invention was the doggie doorbell. At first, I thought it was a leash with bells, which would make for a very noisy walk. I had heard of something like this before. Some clever owner trained their dog to jingle a bell when they needed to go out. By only rewarding them for ringing the bell when they have to do their thing, and not for going out to play, they eventually learn to use the bell for what it was intended. And now some enterprising businesswoman came up with the Designer Doggie Doorbell. The doorbells are simple to make, but if you don't have the time or the inclination, you can purchase one to suit any decorating style at Poochie Bells.

Adopt a Rescue

When to get another pet after you've lost one is always a very personal decision. There is no right answer for everyone. After losing Lily, my sweet Collie, I stayed off of the pet sites and ignored rescue emails from well-meaning friends. I just wasn't ready for another dog. And Buster, my Chihuahua/Boston Terrier mix, seemed to be enjoying his status as an only-dog.

Then I happened to open an email from Best Friends Rescue. The group was trying to help Angel Dog Rescue place some dogs from south Georgia. Unfortunately the state has one of the highest euthanasia rates and lowest adoption rates in the country. Rescues in rural areas have an even tougher time getting adopted. When I clicked on the photo in the email, I was staring at the soulful eyes of a Treeing Walker Coon Hound named Bella. She had been fostered for 2 years by an 85-year-old woman who had just lost her husband. Single-handily managing a large property and multiple pets would be overwhelming for anyone -- especially if you were older. She needed to find a permanent home for Miss Bella.

Buster and I drove down to meet Bella to see what we thought. By nature, Coon Hounds can be a handful. After reading online about the breed, I was a little intimidated. But Bella had been fostered for 2 years, so I had a pretty good read on her personality. She didn't fit the Coon Hound mold and was the proverbial couch potato. We packed her up and took her home with us. Bella quickly adapted to her new life and lived up to her coach potato reputation. Within the first week, she had tried out every soft spot in the house, no matter how small. Much to the dismay of the cats, even their wicker bed was fair game, whether she fit in it or not.

Bella turned out to be a gem of a dog. She was house-broken, very sweet, and got along with everyone. Many people ignore rescues in favor a cute puppies. They forget it takes a lot of work to train them to become well-behaved dogs. Rescues may have bad habits that need correcting too, but at least you know what you are dealing with if they have been in foster care for any length of time. A vet can give you a list of rescue groups in your area, many which are breed-specific. And speaking of breeds, be sure to look for traits that suit your lifestyle. If you are a high energy, active person, you may be happy with a dog that needs a lot of exercise and is a part of your outdoor activities. Some people (like me), would be worn out just thinking about it. Animal Planet has a great interactive tool that helps match your lifestyle with the traits of different breeds to make sure that you AND the dog are happy with each other.

Remembering Lily ~~ December 16, 1995 - May 26, 2008

It was a gorgeous day, and one that Lily would not live to enjoy. Lily was recovering from a debilitating seizure in the emergency room. Several days ago when I visited her at the vet, I was encouraged that she may recover as she stood shakily to greet me. Today, she looked my way, but that was all she was able to do. I could tell that Lily was ready to move on.

I first met Lily on an equally beautiful day in the fall of October 1996. She was a 10-month-old tri-colored Collie who lived on quiet farm that raised Collies and German Shepherds. Moving to the big city was quite a change for her. She was afraid of everything, and it took her a long time to be comfortable even going for a walk. After having lived with so many dogs, she was lonely living with just 2 cats.

Several months later, I rescued a Cocker/Lab stray and named him Chipper for his lively personality. He turned Lily's life around. They became fast friends and great playmates, chasing each other and squabbling over toys and chew bones. Though shy and insecure when I first adopted her, Lily became the Alpha dog after Chipper arrived. Next a sweet King Cav mix named Holly joined our family, and Lily's pack was complete.

I frequently brought home lost and abandoned animals, and Lily was always accepting of whatever came in the door. Unlike most animals, she graciously shared her food bowl and toys with every visitor. Though she seemed meek and mild, Lily was better than any alarm system and ferociously guarded her turf against any perceived threat, including an evil neighbor. Never letting down her guard, Lily barked at this neighbor until her final days.

When Chipper died unexpectedly several years ago, Lily mourned his loss. Though she soldiered on, Lily never seemed to fully recover from losing her best friend. Now she is reunited with both Chip and Holly, who were probably the the first to welcome her on the Rainbow Bridge. Though we miss all three of you tremendously, we are glad you are together again. Godspeed.

"Dog Whisper Episode Guide" Reviewed

Buster, my kamikaze terrier/Chihuahua mix was having some behavioral issues. I couldn't fault the little guy. He's a Katrina rescue who survived the hurricane and a near-fatal bout of heart worm disease. Anyone would need a little therapy after that.

Buster has always been a little skittish but it had gotten worse -- to the point where he was reluctant to leave the yard for a walk around the block. Most dogs beg to go for a walk, but not Buster. If I drove him to a park or unknown area, he had no problem walking on a leash and seemed to enjoy the exercise. If I tried to walk him in his neighborhood, he wouldn't go past the driveway and would try to scoot inside to the security of his favorite chair in the living room. Sidebar: on the advice of my vet, I even tried giving him some doggie antidepressants. But the medication didn't seem to help him get over his fears.

Enter the Dog Whisperer. I picked up his latest guide on dog behavior, "Dog Whisperer The Ultimate Episode Guide", since it had some chapters on dog phobias. While the guide didn't provide a lot of direction on Buster's problem, I found it interesting to read about challenges that other owners had faced with their pets. I admired their tenacity to work through the problem with the dog, rather than giving up on their pet.

The book is like a TV Guide version of the episodes rather than a in-depth guide on how to correct behavioral issues in dogs. Cesar Millan is obviously a gifted trainer, and his editors would do him justice by devoting more detail to the recommendations and follow-up sections of each episode. In any case, "Dog Whisperer The Ultimate Episode Guide" is an interesting read for any animal lover. If you are looking for advice on how to correct a serious behavior problem, you may want to check out other sources.

Do you have a recommendation on how to correct a dog phobia like Buster's? Please share your comments.

Visiting that Dog Mecca Called Carmel

If you've ever traveled with your pet, you probably know that it takes some advance planning to ensure a fun and hassle-free vacation. There are different definitions of "pet-friendly", however Carmel-by-the-Sea is the standard that many pet destinations should aspire to. Many of the hotels are indeed pet-friendly, but the grande dame is the Cypress Inn, which is co-owned by animal lover, Doris Day. Your pet is welcome anywhere in the hotel, even in the dining areas.

This beautiful hotel in the heart of Carmel is easy walking distance to great restaurants, fabulous galleries and shopping. Best of all, it is a few blocks from the famous Carmel Beach on Ocean Avenue, where you will find dog lovers and their loyal canines frolicking in the waves.

The Cypress Inn offers a terrific breakfast that you can enjoy in front of a cheery fireplace with your pet or on the lush garden courtyard. The hotel also hosts a daily happy hour, where guests as well as the locals enjoy a cocktail with their canine buddies. Cats are welcomed at the Inn as well. The staff keeps a scrapbook of the pet guests who have stayed at the hotel. Many are frequent visitors and stay in touch via Christmas cards to the staff between visits.


The Cypress Inn provides a list of all the pet-friendly restaurants and stores in the area. Most establishments welcome pets as long as they are on a leash and well-behaved. To stay on the good side of the health department, many restaurants allow dogs in their outside dining areas but not inside. Some will let you bring your dog in if it is in a carrier, but it is always best to ask first. If you would like to leave your pet at the hotel, a staff member will either pet-sit for you or arrange for a sitter to take care of your pet


San Jose is the closest large airport to Carmel and is a scenic 80-mile drive. Petfriendly.com offers a list of pet-friendly hotels, attractions, restaurants and shops in the Carmel area.