BLOGS FROM US^®

O.k., this is a serious topic so let’s make sure we know what we’re talking about from the top. Dog Insurance. That’s insure, not assure or ensure or insecure or any of the other “ures”. We’re talking about purchasing a policy that will pay for healthcare for you dog throughout his life. And the girl dogs, too. All of us.

It’s also called canine insurance. Pet insurance for your dog. Veterinary pet insurance for your dog. Affordable pet insurance for your dog. Top pet care insurance for your dog, and a bunch of other names, too. But, whatever you call it, it should save you money in the long run and give your dog the best medical treatment available.

So why bother? Because stuff happens and because a lot of dogs have congenital health issues specific to their breeds. In fact, mixes can have a rougher time since they’re susceptible to the maladies of all of their ancestor breeds.

And while we don’t like to think about it, we should plan for it. Especially in tough economic times. Because it makes dollars and sense to spend a little now to save a lot down the road.

For example, one in three pets (that’s all pets, not just us dogs) require unexpected healthcare in any year. And, 30 to 40 percent of all insurance claims are for chronic conditions, lasting more than one year. Ka-ching. Ka-ching.

Fortunately, there are pet insurance companies that allow humans to customize policies to meet both needs and budgets. There is at least one company that covers hereditary conditions without a dollar limit. And pets can also be covered for life even if we develop a chronic condition. Very nice.

So, find a good dog insurance company and give it a try. Both you and the dog in your life will be tail-wagging happy that you did.

See you in the mirror.

Here’s the thing. Shiba Inus hate water. Not on the inside, of course. I mean, we love to drink the stuff. It’s on the outside where we have a problem. We are so water-averse that we walk around puddles.

And that’s the big issue with dog grooming. It’s not the nail trimming or the ear cleaning or the teeth brushing or even the de-shedding tool. It’s the bath. If dog grooming meant everything but that last part, it would be a hit. Instead, it’s a run – as fast as you can in the opposite direction.

Too bad Mom doesn’t get it. Every five weeks, Riley and I get groomed. Darlene, our groomer, is nice enough. She drives her big pink dog grooming bus to our house so we don’t have to be taken anywhere.

I know, I know. Riley once blogged that we are driven to the groomer. But, Mom changed that. Now, the deed is done in the driveway. And, once she puts us inside the bus, things go downhill fast.

It’s the same routine each time. Creatures of habit and all that. I’m personally very stoic. I just sit there and take it. No fuss. No muss. Get the thing over with.

Then there’s my brother. He’s quite the drama boy so his bath is always a major production. It has three parts. Act I is the “I’m too cute to be bathed” scene where Riley tries to get out of it by being cloyingly adorable. Act II is “I’m dead weight” where he hopes inertness will save him. Finally, in Act III, we are treated to the “I’m freaking desperate” spectacle, where he ends up on top of the groomer’s head.

Of course, the show ends the same way every time. Like me, he gets the water treatment.

I know there are worse things than dog grooming. It’s just that, once every five weeks, I can’t think of what they are.

See you on the left side. Even you dog grooming people.

Here’s the deal. If I’m called a fox one more time I’m going to explode. Usually, I’m very mild-mannered and considerate. But, I’ve been a called a fox for the past six years by people who see me out walking with Mom. That’s maybe six thousand times. Here’s a big hint – does anyone really think she has a fox on a leash? How many animal control violations would that be?

I know Shiba isn’t a common breed here in the U.S. And we do bear a superficial resemblance to exceptionally cute foxes – but, come on. This little “fox” has dog tags, rabies tags and a chip tag. Think people. Don’t let the left sides of your brains become a foreign country. No borders under our scalps.

I guess this is my day to rant. I apologize in advance for this next one because it’s about my brother. I do love him. But, boy, Riley can be trying. For one thing, despite his adorable narcissism, he’s a neat freak. And, you know, I can’t always keep my lab pristine. Some of those experiments get really messy. Especially the explosions. When they happen, I can count on Mr. Squeaky Clean poking his head in and tsk-tsking the whole thing. I know he keeps his mirror crystal clear and everything, but it is only a mirror after all. It’s not like there’s original thought coming out of it. In fact, there’s not even a reflective thought anywhere near it.

Then there are his many, many requirements. Always the same thing in the same way at the same time every day. If I have to listen to one more lecture on punctuality I’d drive a nail through my head except that it doesn’t fit with the theme of our website. So, I’ll just skip it, but it’s tempting.

Well, I guess that’s it. Thanks for giving me space to vent. I’ll be back to normal by tomorrow.

I’ll look for you on the left side.

There’s only one thing to do with cars. Avoid them. This goes for cars of all shapes and sizes. Little cars, big cars, SUVs, station wagons – the entire species. Just stay away from them. At least if you’re a dog.

The trouble with cars is not the vehicles themselves. It’s where they take us. Let me tell you, those places are not good for dogs. We end up at the vet or the groomer too often for our own good.

I know that some dogs really love car rides – with their noses out the window and the wind flapping through their ears. But, I’m here to tell you, the momentary thrill of all those smells isn’t worth what’s waiting at the end of the ride. Take the vet for instance. I know old people really love going to the doctor but you’ll never catch an old dog standing in line for the vet. Ever.

And the groomer. Ours is Alpha Lori. Boy, does she ever have her way with us. Water, soap, nail clippers, tooth brushes, ear cleaners. The whole nine yards. She’s a great human, but water is a Shiba’s worst nightmare. We even jump over puddles. And the shower at home? Sidney calls it the enemy within.

Of course, if you read our Letters you will see frames with me in the bathroom, just getting out of the shower. But, that’s just because I really like that Esther Williams towel look.

Anyway, Mom did try taking me other places in the car. Like one time when I was much younger, we went to one of those warehouse-style home improvement places that let humans bring their dogs. Huge mistake. Huge.

I mean, those aisles – they’re so long they converge at the horizon. And the shelves – they end somewhere on the far side of forever. Jacob’s ladder would be envious. And so many people pushing those wire death traps overflowing with dangerous stuff from the shelves.

There was no way I could protect Mom from all of that. I was just a nervous wreck. So, we never went back, although I suspect she still goes there from time to time. But, we don’t speak of it.

So, that’s my tip. Just say no to cars.

See you in the mirror.

Hi, I’m Sidney. I’m a dog. That makes this a dog blog. Ha, ha. That’s pretty funny for me.

I’m not really a typical dog. My interests are in the pursuit of science. Not the diet stuff, although I’m sure that’s perfectly fine. I mean the academic discipline, research for the advancement of knowledge.

My interest in science began early in life. When I was a brand new puppy, my canine instincts were finely tuned. I understood the value of the pack structure (and still do). So, for example, I had the need to groom other members of the pack. But, then I took one serious look at Mom (like all humans, she’s huge) and went directly into a career in science. And, I love it. Turns out, I’m very left-brained.

I do have other interests, classical literature and music, but also more typical dog stuff. I love to chase squirrels and rabbits and flush birds. But I never catch any. The thrill is in the chase. I like camping and hiking and exploring – and all kinds of outdoor activities. I really love taking walks with Mom.

I have a brother, Riley. His blog follows mine. He views the world very differently, but I’ll let him explain that. And, of course, Mom, our human caregiver. She’s alpha in our pack. Riley and I are both beta, making our family more of a pyramid. But, it works for us.

Well, I don’t have a lot more to say right now. But, I will as the days go by. I’ll blog about animal welfare, science, current events and just stuff. Sometimes, Riley and I will write about different sides of the same issue – making this a dog diablog. (For me, that’s really, really funny.) Oh yeah, and if you write letters to us, we will try to answer some of them in our blogs.

If you’d like to hear from me sooner, please subscribe to our Letters. I know most web comics are free. Ours aren’t. Think of the subscription price, first and foremost, as a way of supporting all animals – by contributing to The Humane Society of the United States. They’re the biggest and best animal protection agency in the world. All animals benefit from their programs and services. The rest of the subscription is just postage!

I’ll look for you on the left side.