Why Did I Choose My Particular Dog?

As I have posted before, I have a Spitz/Westie mix. She is the delight of our lives. She is smart, energetic, loving, loyal, alert to her surroundings, wary of strangers, and small.

My hubby and I are getting older. Both of us are retired and in our sixties. It seems, at least according to the news, older folks tend to be the victims of crimes such as break ins, theft, door to door scam artists, etc. I knew we needed a dog that would alert us to unwelcome visitors or intruders.

My hubby retired a few years before I did. He was quickly becoming a vegetable. He had little to no interest in going anywhere or doing anything constructive. He became less and less active, only moving if he had to. I had to do something to change that.

Lucky me! A friend’s Westie had pups..half Spitz and half Westie. So I got one. And from day 1 hubby’s life changed. He loves that dog. (Granted, I am the Alpha as far as she is concerned) And that dog loves him. He talks to her, takes her out back to play. He gives her treats and makes sure she has food and water. She follows him around all over the house and out in the back yard too. Because of her he is physically and mentally more active.

I’ve made this sound like I do nothing with her, but that is not the case. I am the one who brushes her, bathes her and takes her on her daily walks. My life has also changed because of her. I am more active than I was and those daily walks have improved my health, mobility and set me on a healthy path to physical fitness and weight loss.

She has definitely improved our lives and I hope she is around for a very long time.

So why did you choose your dog?

Remembering Dad on Father’s Day

My dad died over 30 years ago, 2 years before my mother passed. He was a Navy man.

As a child, we moved around a lot. Mostly we lived along the Eastern Seaboard, from Canada to Florida. There were a few other posts, Hawaii and Quagaline in the Pacific. To me, he seemed to work all the time. I don’t recall him ever taking a vacation, a real vacation.

When he retired from the Navy, he got employed with the U.S. Post Office and he worked for them until he died.

I remember him being present at my high school graduation. He was so proud. And I remember him at my wedding. Another proud moment for him.

He was not an overly affectionate person, but you could always tell when he was happy. He was good to us, provided for us and saw to it that we got what we needed. He never raised his hand in anger against my mother. That just wasn’t the kind of person he was.

When he died, my mother was devastated. And she soon followed him to heaven. They are buried next to each other, as they would have wanted.

I know they are both happy and at peace. I can imagine them smiling down on my brother and me, happy for us both.

Miss you, Dad.

Motivation

We all need some sort of motivation to keep us going on the healthy path. It is too easy to slip back into old habits. So we must be ever vigilant in our travels to a healthy state.

I know there are plenty of mornings when I get up that I just dread going on my walk. But I try to think about the pluses of my walk.

1. My dog LOVES it and looks forward to it daily.

2. My clothes fit better.

3. I am no longer short of breath when walking long distances.

4. I am getting healthier.

5. I get to be outside in the fresh air.

6. My bad cholesterol has dropped from 220 to 89 (WOOHOO!)

7. My bones are stronger. I will be less likely to have osteoporosis. I will be less likely to break a bone due to osteoporosis.

8. I burn more calories because I am developing more muscle mass, instead of fat.

9. I have more energy during the day.

10. I feel good about myself when I am done with my walk. I have accomplished something good for myself.

What do you do to motivate yourself to continue with your healthy lifestyle?

See you on the good side of healthy.

What Do You Do When You Have an UNFRIENDLY Dog?

As I have mentioned before, my dog is part Westie and part Spitz. She is very protective of me and my hubby. She lets us know if someone comes around, whether we are in the house, or the yard or out walking. She doesn’t like other people or dogs to get too close to us. And, if they do, she will growl, lunge and bark her head off, regardless of the size of the dog or its owner.

I have to be ever vigilante when I am walking her. I must pay attention to who or what is around us. If I meet someone walking their dog, I will cross the street to keep a safe distance between us. I will also shorten my hold on her leash to keep her at my side. Will she bite? I don’t know. She hasn’t, but her attitude towards strangers, 4 footed or 2 footed, indicates that she might or at least that she is considering it. I also warn those who get too close that she may bite them and to NOT approach.

But there will always be someone who thinks all dogs are friendly. So what do you do then? Well, I have been very rude and blunt. But if it keeps her from biting someone and doesn’t give any lawyers a good case, then rude I will be.

So please folks, if you are told by a dog owner that their dog is not friendly, believe them and keep your distance.