Labrador Retriever Dogs Blog

Last week, my mother described to me a dream she had had. In it, she and I were walking with two of our dogs: my Labrador, Toby, and her eldest German Shepherd, Kayla. As we strolled along together through the forest, my mother held both leashes while I trailed behind them. As she tells it, I started complaining. First, I rambled on about how I didn’t feel that she could safely handle walking both dogs simultaneously. Why I wasn’t walking my own dog remains a mystery, however, the next thing I muttered was, “For some reason the back of my neck feels warm, and wet.”

When my mother turned to see what I was whining about, she saw a ferocious grizzly bear looming over me, breathing down the back of my neck and showering me with drool.

Stunned, she dropped both leashes and shouted, “Donna, get off the path!”

Because it is the nature of dreams to shift and slide like sand between your toes in the surf, when I stepped out of the way, the great bear morphed into a giant wolf. With nothing between them, the ferocious beast fixed its cruel gaze upon my mom and started a stiff approach.

Then, the action began. Looking to protect her guardian, Kayla flung herself at the beast as any loyal Shepherd would, snarling and snapping in an attempt to ward off the woodland attacker. Yet the wolf was swifter, snatching Kayla in its giant maw and thrashing the hapless dog about, while my mother looked on in terror.

Where was I at this point? Who knows? Maybe I fled into the woods. Hopefully, I was looking for help. In either case, I had left my poor mother all alone, and faced with her dog being torn apart by a malicious creature of the night, she started screaming for help.

“Toby!” she cried, but even as she called my dog’s name, she thought to herself, ‘What in the world is Toby going to do?’ After all, this is a Labrador who has no idea that he is equipped with weaponry in the form of fierce fangs and a powerful jaw. A peaceful being who believes life revolves around food and fun. A dog who was once seen play bowing at a frog.

Yet – to my mother’s astonishment (and mine) – Toby appeared from the woods and charged the wolf. Remaining in character even in a dream, instead of trying to bite the wolf, he ran straight at it and rammed it with his head, freeing Kayla, waking my mother from her dream, and executing a rescue in true Labrador style.-        

 Donna Owczarekwww.donnaandthedogsblog.com

Who would want a dog that will drag you down the road as if you were an unnoticed scrap of toilet paper on a shoe?

Here is an animal that thinks stool is a delicacy and will go through great lengths to satiate their disgusting desire. Besides poop, they will eat just about anything they can get their paws on. Given the opportunity, a Lab will steal food from your counters, raid your trash, and pilfer anything remotely edible – including discarded wrappers, soggy sanitary items, and rotten mulch.

Whenever you sit, intending to relax, your dog will rush over and deposit a drool drenched tug toy into your lap. No matter how many times you shoo your pal away, he will return. You decline to tug, he brings you a ball. You refuse to toss it, he carries over a bone. You hand him back his bone, he brings you his leash…

Once your dog gets you outside, you will find he is happiest when digging up the earth or diving into a puddle. Before you know it, you can’t tell your yellow Lab from your black one.

Back inside, in order to gain your attention, this dog will steal your valuables and attempt to entice you to play his version of ‘chase.’ “Look what I’ve got,” he taunts. “I shouldn’t have this -right? Well, you better get off your bum and catch me, or your [insert precious item here] will be destroyed.

”Sounds awful right? So why is it that this particular canine is the most popular breed of dog?

Firstly, Labs only pull because they want to experience life to its fullest. “What’s over here? What’s over there? Who can I make friends with today?”

Keep in mind, a dog that eats anything, is also a dog who isn’t fussy. You won’t find this dog turning his nose up at his kibble, like some other ‘delicate’ breeds tend to do.

No matter how sad, tired, or grumpy you feel after a long day, this dog will entice you to put aside your troubles and play. Even if it takes him hours to do so, eventually, you will give in and have a nice romp with your pal.

By delighting in dirt, your Lab is only reminding you of your childhood – when playing in the earth was fun. When you were a child, no one cared if you were covered in cotton candy or chocolate cake – you could always take a bath. Besides, a Lab’s coat repels dirt like oil repels water. A quick rub down with a towel and your dog is good as new. Try that with some of the long haired ‘showy’ breeds.

Even his larceny is in your best interest – your dog is merely making sure you get enough exercise for the day. You will never be an overweight couch potato with a Lab for a personal trainer. Along with your possessions, this dog will steal your heart. Look into any Labby’s eyes and you will understand why. Beneath that clever charade, you will find only love, because a ‘true’ Labrador shares the heart of a saint.

– Donna Owczarek
www.donnaandthedogsblog.com

While I am gazing out my window at the crystalline snow that has blanketed the earth, I am thinking of the muck that will follow in its wake. It has already begun to melt in spots, uncovering the grassless wasteland that is our yard, reminding me of the sodden paws I will soon be wiping and the muddy footprints I will soon be mopping.

For a fleeting moment, I wonder, “What would it be like to have a lawn?”

But with three large dogs with a passion for play, I know my desire for grass is merely a wistful fantasy. An impossible dream, a mirage meant to tease and taunt me.

The dogs take great pleasure in tromping down even the hardiest of blades as they tumble, tackle, and tug their way over nearly every inch of the yard. If that weren’t enough, they each take on additional tasks, in order that they might eradicate anything green that dares to bud.

Leah has battered down the perimeter of the yard with her relentless patrolling, as she busies herself with her self appointed mission of preventing the neighbor’s feral cat colony from crossing under the fence line. No doubt, some sort of flock guardian is deeply rooted in her quizzical mix of genes.

The Labrador, Toby, excavates with gusto, digging himself a wallow similar to that of a hog, unsurprising for a breed that will eat, well, just about anything. Construction complete, into it he dives and rolls, before sprawling out and grinning from ear to ear in delight at having covered his coat with grime.

Meadow, ironically named, bounds through the yard with the unbridled energy only a young Vizsla can possess, practically burning the grasses as she blazes by at breakneck speeds. Due to her penchant for escape, she drags a thirty foot line behind her, the bright yellow nylon cruelly dispensing with any remaining vegetation that gets in its way.
No, a lawn will never take hold here. My yard will forever be named ‘Mud.’

 - Donna Owczarek
www.donnaandthedogsblog.com

Dog shot with arrow adopted, recovering
Aiden, the young black male Labrador retriever that was shot through the chest with an arrow, continues to recover and has been placed in a Jefferson County home by the Shamrock Foundation, the pet-aid organization that came to the dog’s rescue.

Read more on Louisville Courier-Journal

There was goofy post on the chatboard recently about how a guy hated people that dressed their dogs up in costumes. Halloween is a few days away so I imagine that he will have to lock himself in the basement Night of the Living Dead style because I think he is going to see a few people out and about with their dogs in costumes. I wonder how he feels about equestrian apparel? Does a horse with a blanket on it grind his gears? In honor of his distaste of dogs in costumes or people that dress their dogs up I present a few cuties for everyone to enjoy.

I finally figured out a good little tip for planning big projects around the house. Today was labour day which means it's the day my other half pulls out the industrial equipment supplies and gives the house a once over. Well it's not that bad but pretty close. It's full laundry, dishes, mopping, bathroom cleaning and scrubbing day around the house which as you know with a labrador retriever can be quite the ordeal.

Today we waited until just after noon, right when Cooper takes his afternoon nap. It's a perfect time to have to yourself and get a few things done that you just can't with a nosey dog at your feet. It took no time at all and Cooper just slept on the couch and everything went off without a hitch.

It's bad enough that I have to be around when working with tools. I am a bit of a clutz sometimes and have been known to cut myself or get the odd electric shock from changing outlets or plugs around the house. The last time I cut myself I probably should have had stitches but fought through it with steri strips. As with small children you should always be careful of your pets when working around the house. Sometimes I find the old labrador retriever more nosier than the children.

Tonight I was playing with a box cutter near my work bench. I was cutting up some cardboard for recycle day. Cooper was of course by side watching. Probably looking to steal some cardboard to chew. I dropped the cutters right beside him. Thankfully they didn't land on him and thankfully they were the type with a saftey mechanism. Nobody got hurt but it got me to thinking. Even doing something as harmless as cutting up a few boxes could have turned bad.

I am watching the news right now of all of the Fires in California and thinking about all of the pets and animals that are in danger as well. I found a few tips to help you be prepared in case of an emergency.

Tip #1. Get a Pet Emergency Supplies Kit. Have it readily accessible and make sure it consists of at least the following items:

• Pet first aid kit that will cover your pets’ emergency medical needs. If your pets take any medications, add some extra supplies.
• Food (in water proof container) and water, 3-day ration.
• Collars with ID tags – make sure the information is current and updated. You might consider microchipping as permanent identification as collars get lost.
• Safety harness and leash.
• Sanitation Items.
• Rescue Pet Decals – to alert rescue teams to save your pets inside the house.
• Comfort toys and blankets to take with your pets if you have to evacuate.

Tip #2. Pack a picture of your pets in case you get separated. It will help rescue workers to identify and reunite you with your pets faster.

Tip #3. Get your pets familiar with their carriers or crates. Usually, pets associate them with visits to the vet and become stressed at the first site of them. Let your pets play in the carrier or get them some treats to make the transition easier when the time comes.

Tip #4. Know your pets hiding places in and out of the house. At the first warning of a disaster, you might consider putting them in one room in case you have to leave in a hurry.

Tip #5. Have a Family Emergency Plan Ready:

• Map out a get-away plan: how you pack your pets, where you go.
• Check with the nearby shelters, veterinary hospitals, and hotels to see if they would take your pets in an emergency.
• Develop a pet care buddy system – arrange for friends or extended family to take your pets in if you must evacuate in a shelter that doesn’t allow pets for health issues. Instruct your caretakers on the location of the emergency supplies kit and anything else you might find useful.
• Learn about various disasters that could strike your particular area. You might have to wait home longer before getting an order to evacuate, so get some extra supplies of food and water.
• If you have to evacuate, take your pets with you if possible.

Quite a few friends ask me if labrador retrievers make good guard dogs. I can't speak for the entire breed of dogs but I think for the most part you would be better off looking into home alarm systems if you want to protect your house. That isn't entirely true but a german shepherd might be better suited. Instead a labrador retriever is more of a watch dog. Cooper is a total watch dog. He watches the street all day and always alerts me when there is action outside. You couldn't ask for a better watch dog and I praise and award him when he barks to let me know somebody is outside or just passing by. That in itself is just another bonus of the labrador retriever. They will watch your property and are protective of their domain.

I was up this morning fairly early and Cooper and I went outside and the first thing I could smell was some lingering skunk smell. I guess it's that time of the year again. I have noticed any skunk up until today. I guess we have to be careful when I start letting him outside at night. We haven't had any incidents in awhile. Last time was a few years ago when he ran into one but didn't quite get sprayed straight on. Here are some things we do when we he let him out after dark to do his business.

I turn on the outside light first for a bit to give the backyard a chance to light up. We also use one of those big halogen light bulbs. They really light the backyard up. Skunks don't like the light, so having a well lit backyard will help keep the skunks away. I also like to make some noise when we go out so we give them a bit of scare. The last think, I don't let Cooper run around out there too long unsupervised. At night, it's do your business and get back into the house. When dealing with skunks you have to use a little common sense and you shouldn't have a problem.