Miss Daisy, Roving Reporter

I Know Dogs

Hi
Hope all is well with you and your dog.

Urination.

“Dogs do it, bees do it, and even educated fleas do it.” When it comes to humans, even sophisticated millionaires do it… but won’t talk about it because it’s not dinner conversation. Even Broadway musical shows do it. Urinetown, did it and amused and generated snickers universally.

When dogs do it, it’s done out in the open for all to see. Some squat, some leg lift, and some try to cover up the spot with a dash of dirt. Humans are different and retreat to a restroom or enclosure and flush as quietly as possible, wash their hands, and come out smiling.

In Embarrass, Mn, my hometown, no one is embarrassed. In fact, they take this natural phenomenon with pride and celebrate with a regional competition and recognition. Men are particularly encouraged to participate in the annual peeing contest and the winner gets a $2500.00 gift certificate to the Mall of America in the Twin Cities.

Peabody’s Bar and Grill, just outside of town, sponsors this event with 14 beer companies, 6 coffee companies and a waiting list of 24 soft drink companies. The sponsorship funds are hefty and Peabody is making a fortune.

• Continue reading or Leave a comment... (3)

Miss Daisy, Roving Reporter

I Know Dogs

Hi
Hope all is well with you and your dog.

I came across this article in: USA Today: You Can Teach An Old Dog New Tricks and found that humans and dogs can learn new behaviors. Since all dogs are above average, it should be no biggie. Even humans can learn new tricks like Robert.

They wrote: “FIGURE OUT WHAT MOTIVATES YOUR DOG. Some dogs like balls. Others are very focused on food. Most love attention.”

(Robert, my editor, loves food and attention…balls too, yes, meatballs.)

“Don’t assume that whatever works for your neighbor’s pooch will work for yours, says Victoria Wells, manager of shelter behavior and training at the ASPCA in New York City, who appears on Animal Planet’s “Animal Precinct.” You may have to try more than one approach before finding the best motivator. Once you know what will work, you can teach just about any canine or human a new behavior.”

(Robert is different because he doesn’t do what normal neighbors do. He is so vain that he over responds to compliments, attention, and food at the same time. His best motivator is all three together. Then he pets me on the head and throws me a treat.)

• Continue reading or Leave a comment... (0)

Miss Daisy, Roving Reporter

I Know Dogs

Hi
Hope all is well with you and your dog.

The editor (Robert) was watching a Viking football game in the office one day and I happened to glance up from my reporting desk in Edina, MN to see a player named Adrian Peterson glide through some nasty linebackers.

Now, I’m not a football fan but when I see some dude running with the skill of a gazelle or (ahem) a Greyhound, I am enthralled and ecstatic. I’ve been to a lot of dog races and seen the best but this guy deserves the ‘One Leg Up’ award for outrunning and juking the best pro players.

• Continue reading or Leave a comment... (0)