Debbie the Beagle: I resolved a big argument and feel peace. My exclusive advice interview with Bella and DiDi.

                                              Debbie the Beagle

Howl,

A few weeks ago, a lovely dog named Debbie wrote to us about a fight she was having with her close friend Lexi. To Debbie’s horror, Lexi had passed around a false rumor to their friends.

This week, we spoke to Debbie over the phone to see how things were going. Here is our interview.

 

Bella and DiDi: Hi Debbie! Can you hear us?

Debbie: Yes, I can.

Bella and DiDi: Excellent. We sometimes have trouble getting good reception in the yard. So what is going on with you and Lexi?

Debbie: After chewing a whole rawhide bone, I felt calmer. I spoke to Lexi and told her how upset she made me.Lexi felt awful and now understands my feelings better.

Then I did as you recommended and took the anger muzzle (contraption that ruins your communication and food intake while angry) off my snout which allowed me to be my normal self again.

Bella and DiDi: Good job removing the anger muzzle! It would have just tightened and made you uncomfortable had you not resolved your issue with Lexi. It is always best to keep your mouth free in case the humans drop food on the floor.

The way you let go of the anger sounded like it was easy. Was it?

Debbie: It’s not that simple. I made a decision to resolve things with Lexi but it took a little more time for things to go back to normal.

Bella and DiDi: That makes sense. Sometimes you have to let the anger leave your body slowly. We think it stays around to teach us something. Or maybe it just likes being near a furry body?

Debbie: I think the anger liked my multi-colored coat. However, it did teach me that I don’t want it to visit often. I also truly discovered what peace is. That is how I felt after resolving things with my good friend Lexi.

Bella and DiDi: We love feeling peace. When the humans are safely tucked into bed, and the breeze from outside creeps through the window and blows through our fur, we feel peace. It is a wonderful thing.

We are so glad you are doing better. Do you have any final thoughts?

Debbie: It is okay to be angry but at some point you have to resolve the problem. This takes both involved parties to sit down and communicate. Never get stuck wearing the anger muzzle.

Bella and DiDi: We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Be well Debbie!

Debbie: Thanks Bella and DiDi.

 

 
Woof,

Bella and DiDi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Margot Ahlquist and Paws to Talk, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Margot Ahlquist and Paws to Talk with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Bella and DiDi: We’ve been absent. Did we get detention?

Howl,

We know. We’ve been absent from our duty as blogging Poodles and advice givers. Do we have to surrender any treats because of this? If you say yes, tough luck. However, we are sorry for not being here and on your pages lately.

                         Bella and DiDi: We’ve been swamped tending to the yard.

Life in our yard has been a bit busier than anticipated. We are working on responses to your letters and questions as you read this (of course we take plenty of breaks for play, treats and kibble).

Also, our humans got us something called a “.com.” We have no idea what this is. Could it be a secret word for detention? We’ll let you know more when we find out more.

Until then, have a fabulous day.

Woof!

Bella and DiDi

Charlie the Boston Terrier: How do I spice up my weekends?

Dear Paws to Talk,

Lately, my weekends have been very boring. My human has been working hard and has just wanted to lay on the couch and relax. She is not neglecting me by any means. We still go on a walk a day and I have plenty of toys and kibble.  However, I am over this lazy scene. I need my weekends to get away from the grind of digging holes, fetching and taking care of my yard. What can I do to make my weekends more fun?

-Charlie the Boston Terrier

Howl Charlie,

Just because your human wants to sit on the couch and be distracted by the TV doesn’t mean you have to. Go out into the yard and start a conversation with your neighbors. Find out what is going on in their lives and on the block.

Use your athletic ability to get the car keys off the counter. Seize them. Then stand in front of your resting human and shake the keys. If she gets annoyed don’t be deterred. Keep shaking until you get a car ride. Enjoy the time away from your yard. Take in the sites. See what others are doing. A nice car ride always allows me to recharge my battery. Plus, I like the heated seats in my humans’ car. I hope you have those too.

When you are out on walk, talk to canines. Keep an eye out for that female you like. See if anyone wants to get together for a game of chase.

If you want more excitement then you have to take this situation into your own paws and make it better. A fun-filled weekend does not appear out of thin air. Hopefully, your human will snap out of it and want to do some more activities on the weekend. If not then keep reminding her. Dangle those car keys.

Good luck.

Woof,

DiDi

© Margot Ahlquist and Paws to Talk, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Margot Ahlquist and Paws to Talk with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Bella and DiDi: Let yourself adjust.

Howl,

As many of you know, we got two new family members over the past month or so. First came Toby, our lovely Poodle nephew who our human sister Rosebud adopted in August.

Then our other human sister, Petunia gave birth to our adorable human nephew Cooper in early September.

All of this change has been dizzying and enough to cause a canine to see images of treats floating over his or her head. Needless to say, it has taken us some time to adjust. Toby and Cooper have had to do the same thing.

Since Cooper doesn’t seem to do anything but sleep, eat and poop (he doesn’t even have to sit for his treats), we thought about how Toby adjusted to our yard.

Thankfully, Rosebud captured it all on a camera.

Bella and DiDi: We didn’t know what this little lamb was doing in our yard. Plus, we just had a scrape with a squirrel.

                      Bella and DiDi: You smell nice and aren’t so bad.

                       Bella and DiDi: You’re one of us now. Let’s play!

We are happy to have our new Poodle and non-Poodle pack members around, even if it took some getting used to.

Woof,

Bella and DiDi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Margot Ahlquist and Paws to Talk, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Margot Ahlquist and Paws to Talk with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Tara the Human: I need a makeover. Do you have any tips?

Dear Paws to Talk,

I am feeling very blah. I think it is time to makeover my style but I not sure how. Also, I don’t have endless amounts of money to pull this off. Do you have any tips?

-Tara the Human

Howl Tara,

Sometimes we all need a bit of a makeover. There is no shame in admitting it. Obviously, we both have different opinions on how to make yourself over, so see our individual suggestions below.

Bella:

-Get a haircut. I find when my fur is in place that I feel better about myself.

-Accessorize. Pick out a nice scarf or pair of earrings that won’t break your bone bank. I love to wear my Halloween scarf. It makes me feel festive and garners a lot of attention from my friends since I wear it the whole month of October.

-Do something unexpected. I believe a makeover isn’t just about physical appearance but should involve a new life experience. Talk to someone who you would never socialize with. Go to a new place. I travel occasionally to New York City to visit my youngest human sister. I find my time in the city reinvigorates me.

DiDi:

-Roll in some mud. Not only is it good for your fur and skin but doing this will provide you with some perspective. Sometimes a good face-plant in the mud is all one needs to get out of a rut.

-Pick out a nice leaf or flower for your fur. Make sure this piece of nature is perfectly positioned in your fur so it can be adorned. What a beautiful look you will achieve with this!

-Hug someone. If you feel blah then you are may be disconnected from those you love. I am a professional hugger and can tell you a good hug always makes me feel happy. Reach those paws out for an embrace.

Woof,

Bella and DiDi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Margot Ahlquist and Paws to Talk, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Margot Ahlquist and Paws to Talk with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Debbie the Beagle: Is it worth the fight?

Dear Paws to Talk,

My good friend Lexi and I are in a fight. She told our group of friends that I had no interest in participating in our annual neighborhood party. Lexi wasn’t trying to be mean when she said this statement but was misinformed.

I always planned on being a part of this year’s party as it is such an important social event. Lexi heard a rumor and spread it as the truth.

When my friends asked me why I wouldn’t be at the party, I was perplexed. I confronted Lexi and she explained the mishap. However, I am so angry that someone would speak for me.

I am a very independent canine and like to use my own voice.

Lexi doesn’t seem to understand this about me, otherwise we wouldn’t be in a fight. I get so frustrated when I think of the situation but I do miss spending drama-free time with Lexi. Is this a fight worth carrying on?

-Debbie the Beagle

Howl Debbie,

We’re so sorry someone stole your voice. That must have been very inconvenient when you needed to bark. How frustrating!

We can understand why you are so mad. No one likes to be misunderstood or have words put in their mouth (although you can put treats in our mouth anytime).

At some point, the anger you are feeling will lose its purpose and start to eat away at you. Instead of enjoying your friends, the yard, toys and your humans, bitterness could take over you.

Make it known one last time that all matters concerning you should be run by you and then let it go. Throw a toy around just to make sure you get that last bit of madness out. Trust us that you will feel better once this whole situation is over.

It is bad enough losing your voice but don’t get stuck wearing an anger muzzle.

Woof,

Bella and DiDi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Margot Ahlquist and Paws to Talk, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Margot Ahlquist and Paws to Talk with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Andrew the Human: My dog acts like a human.

Dear Paws to Talk,

My dog Miles acts like a human. There is no better way to describe it. He knows when I am about to take him on a walk. He knows when I am about to leave for work. He knows when it is dinner time.

Sometimes when I look in his eyes, it is like another person is looking back at me.

Also, he has incredible human skills such as opening doors with his paw and taking things off the kitchen counter.

Dogs are smart creatures but why do they act like humans?

-Andrew the Human

Howl Andrew,

Don’t be fooled by our lack of thumbs or fur coats, we are part human. Whoever made us just decided we should be a different version of human.

We’re the kind that has the human smarts but gets to relax while you earn the kibble and do difficult things such as fighting forest fires. We are grateful for your evolution.

It sounds like Miles is using his human abilities perfectly. Besides the fact us dogs are part human, we are also naturally very intuitive. We sense when things are about to change. Why else would some of us hide before a thunderstorm has even crossed the county line?

While he may not be able to debate current events with you, don’t doubt Miles’ intelligence or awareness. If our human side was more evident to the masses then maybe canines would be taken more seriously in this world.

Enjoy your human/canine hybrid and all he can do. The next time you need some help unloading the groceries don’t forget how well Miles can use his paws.

Woof,

Bella and DiDi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Margot Ahlquist and Paws to Talk, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Margot Ahlquist and Paws to Talk with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Hillary the Human: Why are people mean?

Dear Paws to Talk,

Lately, through work and other aspects of life I have been surrounded by people who are not good. They seem to only care about their own interests and have no consideration for others. Also, some of them tell lies without hesitation.

I can’t understand why certain people act this way. Don’t they feel guilty about how they behave? Can they actually sleep at night?  Why are people mean?

-Hillary the Human

Howl Hillary,

We know some animals like this so the problem isn’t just with humans (for once). This is a good question that we don’t have a perfect answer to.

However, if the three of us figure it out maybe we can fix this lack of world peace problem everyone always barks about. There are probably a lot of treats involved for creating world peace.

Anyways, we digress. It must be so disheartening to be around careless humans. You have to remember that the world is full of beings that come from all different experiences.

Some might have not gotten enough play time growing up? Others might have always been the bully of their litter? Maybe their parents didn’t give them enough hugs? It is hard to know exactly what makes someone act a certain way.

Although, we believe most mean behavior is a defense mechanism. For example,  when our humans give us ear medicine, we tend to behave like monsters. We don’t want to feel the pain of the drops trickling down our irritated ear canals so we show our teeth.

It is unlikely that you are going to change a mean human into a caring and sensitive one. We suggest spending your time being less angry at the horrible actions of others and more time reflecting on what is good in your life.

The world is full of unsavory characters. Just choose to focus your attention on the ones who haven’t gone rotten.

Woof,

Bella and DiDi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Margot Ahlquist and Paws to Talk, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Margot Ahlquist and Paws to Talk with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Henderson the Cat: How do I resist an urge?

Dear Paws to Talk,

I’m not the only animal in my family. The humans keep a bird named Billy in a cage in the living room. They don’t take Billy out of the cage much but just open the door once a day to feed him.

For me this is torture, I look at Billy’s feathers and can feel the drool collecting in my mouth. He looks tasty. I have nothing against Billy but my natural urge to capture him won’t go away.

Should I resist the urge to sink my teeth into Billy as if we were in the wild? If so, how do I do that?

-Henderson the Cat

Howl Henderson,

We have never had a hankering for bird. Maybe it’s an acquired taste? Kind of like caviar or squirrel leg (this is especially good when you get a taste as the squirrel is dashing out of your yard).

It seems to us that Billy is an innocent guy who can’t help that he lives in a cage and has gorgeous feathers. We think you should remove Billy from your buffet options even though you have a strong urge to do the opposite.

Start to think of Billy as your brother. Would you want to eat your brother? We hope not.

Urges are very natural but it’s not always a good idea to indulge in each one. Say you get a hold of Billy and have a delicious meal. The enjoyment will be short-lived as your humans will be distraught about Billy’s demise and punish you in some way.

Do they make bird-flavored toys for cats? If so, then find a way to get one. Also, maybe you could play with one of those feathery cat toys we see in the pet store? Hopefully, these things will help.

It is normal to want to satisfy an urge. Just don’t get caught with a mouthful of feathers.

Woof,

Bella and DiDi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Margot Ahlquist and Paws to Talk, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Margot Ahlquist and Paws to Talk with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Byron the Boxer: I need some new pick-up lines. Can you help?

Dear Paws to Talk,

After the end of a long relationship,I have recently entered the dating scene again. My skills are rusty to say the least.

The hardest part is starting a conversation with a female I am interested in. I stand there in front of this woman like I have a giant chew toy in my mouth preventing me from speaking.

Can you suggest some pick-up lines I can use to end my chew toy mouth?

-Byron the Boxer

Howl Byron,

It’s Toby the Poodle here. Bella and DiDi thought this was a letter that deserved a man’s response. I agree.

In my experience (trust me you want my experience because the females flock to me), it is best to start a natural conversation. For instance, when you find yourself walking next to a female in the park or encountering one in the pet store, this is a good time for a chat.

Women don’t like to feel awkward or nervous while you have chew toy mouth. On the other paw, an ambush with stupid pick-up lines won’t do either.

Please see below my most successful conversation starters.

“Would you like to share this half-eaten sandwich I just snagged from the trash?”

“Did you just get a fur trim? Your coat has the perfect amount of fluffiness.”

“Your human(s) are very well-mannered. You did a good job training them.”

“You must have picked out that collar you are wearing because it is very stylish.”

“I know a great place where they give out treat samples. Would you like to join me there sometime?”

“Is it okay if I say hello?” Then sniff the behind.

“That dental bone you chew is working wonders because I can see my reflection in your teeth.”

I hope these gems help you land some wonderful females.

Woof,

Toby

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Margot Ahlquist and Paws to Talk, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Margot Ahlquist and Paws to Talk with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.