Brotherly Love

There are good dogs and then there are great dogs. Dana falls into the "great dog" category. She was such a serious puppy. From the day we brought her home, 12 years ago, she took on the task of watching over our family, especially her brother/litter mate, Fox.

Fox was the clown and the one always getting into trouble. On walks in the woods or in the long hallways of the renovated factory building where I have my studio, Fox was always too far ahead, sticking his nose into everything, while Dana would keep pace with us slower humans, making sure we didn't get lost.

Not that she didn't have a fun-loving and mischievous side. It's hard to believe that the 60 and 70 pound dogs were once so small that they could play tag under and around the coffee table and play tag under the couch. I'm sure she played a major part in the chewing up the floor, the walls and baseboards in the mud room. I nailed plywood sheets over the chew holes in the walls, mainly to cover electrical outlets that may have been next on their list of things to destroy. After a little painting, it wasn't too bad a job. The effect was sort of shabby chic wainscoting.

We finally got around to replacing the floor, drywall and baseboards this past winter. It was just one of those things that we never seemed to get around to. After all, what's more important, spending time and money on replacing a linoleum floor or taking walks with and buying toys and treats for dogs?

She was always the first to spot trouble. Usually in the form of a squirrel or chipmunk. She was persist ant and usually managed to wear us down when it came to getting treats. She perfected the forlorn look and more often than not, I'd find her positioned right in the path past the cookie jar to my easy chair.

From her favorite resting spot in the living room, she could watch over all of us whether we were in the living room, family room or kitchen. We decided to get two dogs because my husband and I work full time and, although we spent all of our free time with the dogs, they were home alone for nine or ten hours at a time. Even as they grew and stopped playing "puppy games" they seemed to enjoy being together on car rides and long walks. The only time they were separated was the overnight Fox spent at the vet's, recovering from cancer surgery two or three years ago.

In late June Fox became ill. A trip to the vet and lots of test didn't determine the cause. We took care of him as best we could but it was soon obvious that we would have to let him go. As anyone who has been in this position knows, it isn't easy but as you also know, it is the right thing to do.

Once the decision was made, I took the first appointment I could get, even if it meant, my husband wouldn't be able to be there with us. I wasn't sure what to do with Dana. Should I take her with us, or leave her home. She made the decision for me. As I struggled to get the 70 pound Fox into the back of my SUV, Dana jumped in beside him. I guess she was going with us.

We sat together in the vehicle until the vet was ready for us. Being a really hot July day, I couldn't leave Dana in the car, so she came in with us. I held him and cried as he drifted away from us. Thankfully it was an easy transition for him. As I was ready to leave, Dana walked over to him and touched his ear.

There were many days of tears after that but I was so glad we had Dana to hug and love. She wasn't eating well, but that was to be expected. Still, a vet visit seemed like a good idea. Yes, she was depressed. Antidepressants might work. I decided to give her another week to see if we couldn't work it out and made a follow up appointment for the next week.

We were giving her Reiki treatments which seemed to calm her but did not bring her spirits up. I took her everywhere with me, including work. She ate less and less. Changing food didn't work very well. Feeding her "people food" didn't either. Finally, the day before her follow up appointment she stopped eating all together.

A frantic call got us an evening appointment. We stayed home from work and cuddled most of the day. Around 5 o'clock Dana left my side and walked across the room to lie down. I saw her start to shake and ran to hold her. A second later, she was gone.

I'm sure there is some medical reason she died. But I know the real reason was her need to continue to be with and take care of her little brother. I respect her decision and love her all the more for it.

It's a Dog's Life

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” (Roger Caras)

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. As we have in the past, Laurel Mountain Basket Company's Studio will be a collection station for donations. In addition to dog (and cat) food, gently used toys, bedding, collars, leashes, and towels, area shelters are in need of office supplies and cleaning supplies such as laundry detergent, bleach and paper towels.

According to the ASPCA, 29 % of dogs are left at shelters because of family living situations and 40% are left because of incompatibility with the family lifestyle or the dog did not meet the family's expectations.

I am amazed at the amount of money people are paying for dogs these day. A friend told me they were looking to purchase a particular breed of dog and they were prepared to spend $2000. A "for sale" posting on a local bulletin board offered mixed breed puppies for $300 each and yet many of these dogs end up at shelters because the owners were not prepared to take on the responsibilities associated with owning a dog.

I can't imaging living without a dog. I've had at least one dog as a companion for the last 50 years, so I know what a huge responsibility they are.

Owning a dog is a long term commitment since a dog may life 15 years and they need daily care.

Owning a dog is expensive. In addition to the bare essentials of food and medical care, dogs need training and in most areas, they need to be licensed. Other costs can include grooming, day care, dog walking, kenneling or in home care when the owner will be away for an extended period of time.

If you are considering adding a dog to your household, please consider adopting from a shelter and please give a little thought to the type of dog (large, small, short hair, low energy) and choose one that will best suit your family structure.

P.S. At Laurel Mountain Basket Company we donate a portion from the sale of all of our pet gifts and gift baskets to area shelters. Looking for a special gift for a special dog, how about a personalized pet treat tin!

Thanks

Marie

Dog Days

At Laurel Mountain Basket Company, we love pets. So when I recently read an article about summertime safety tips for pets, I thought I would pass the information along.
1. Never leave your pets in the car. When the temperature outside starts climbing above 70 degrees, the temperature inside the car can reach 100 degrees in a matter of minutes.
2. Make sure your pets have access to plenty of water at all times. To keep the water cool, add several ice cubes. Remember that they will need to pee more, so be sure to increase the number of times you take them outside.
3. If your pets spend lots of time with the family in outdoor activities, be careful that they don't over do it. A leisurely bike ride for you can be a stressful run for your dog.
4. Not all dogs are great swimmers. When boating make sure your pet is wearing a properly fitting life preserver at all times.
5. Pets can have allergic reactions to insect bites and bee stings. Be alert. If you think your pet has been stung or bitten, call your vet. Swelling from the poisons in bites or stings can cause breathing problems that can be fatal.
Your pets rely on you to take care of them. Be a responsible pet companion.

Enjoy a fun filled summer with your pets.

Marie

Most Interesting Gift Baskets

At Laurel Mountain Basket Company we create gift baskets for every occasion and will custom design gift baskets for our clients.
An interviewer once asked me what was the most interesting gift basket I ever made. My answer: a baby basket for a horse. A client wanted a gift basket for her friends horse. The horse had recently given birth and my client thought it would be fun to send a gift basket.
It was a challenge. But it was really fun to design. I used a straw cow boy hat as the "basket". Made a trip to the local feed and grain store (not one of my usual shopping haunts) where I purchased some carrot flavored cookies, shampoo and conditioner, a curry brush and a few other items necessary to create a SPA basket for a horse. My client loved it, as did her friend. I don't know what the horse thought.
So when I read article about the 20 horses entered in the Kentucky Derby receiving gift baskets, I wasn't that surprised. These gift basket will contain stuff a highly trained athlete needs before a big race including a super joint solution to help with inflammation and stiffness.
At Laurel Mountain Basket Company we make a lot of gift baskets for pets and the people who love them. Most are for dogs or cats or their owners but occasionally we get a request that makes us smile. Some day I'll tell you about the one we made for a Ferret.
Give your pet a big hug!
Marie

Food For Thought

The month of October is Adopt A Shelter Dog Month. Laurel Mountain Basket Company is dog friendly and we donate a portion from the sale of all of our pet gifts to several local animal rescue services. I also donate items I know the shelters need to continue to operate. Items like gently used toys, office supplies and laundry supplies. This year I decided to send an e-mail to our clients and let them know, that during the month of October, I was collecting items for the local shelter. I know that our clients are great people but I was amazed at the response we got.

We collected several cases of canned dog and cat food, a big box of office supplies, another box of paper products and laundry supplies. Blankets, towels, pet dishes, collars, and leashes, Hundreds, yes hundreds, of dog and cat toys, all of them in perfect condition, many of them new. Dog beds and three cat condos!

Well, it's November and Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away. To me, Thanksgiving means food and lots of it. We celebrate Thanksgiving with my sister and her family in Connecticut and every year she serves up a wonderfully traditional Thanksgiving meal. Everything from turkey to pumpkin pie with plenty left over for sandwiches for the next day. It was touch and go with the stuffing the first couple of years after she got married since she and her husband wanted to use their family recipe. They've been married now for over 25 years, so I guess it worked out okay.

We are very fortunate but we know there are many who are not. That's why I've decided, since collecting for the shelters was such a success, we are going to collect food for our local food pantry. From now until Thanksgiving day, Laurel Mountain Basket Company will be collecting non perishable food for the Easthampton Food Pantry.

Help share our good fortune, bring your food contributions to the Laurel Mountain Basket Company studio at the Eastworks building at 116 Pleasant Street in Easthampton any time. We filled our Toyota 4 Runner with supplies for the animals, I' m hoping to do the same for the people of Easthampton.

Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

The Best Dogs In The Universe

I tell my dogs daily that I am very lucky because when I went looking to adopt a dog, I got the best dogs in the Universe. Okay, so I tell little white lies occasionally but you have to understand that their "universe" is rather small.
When we lost our Boarder Collie mix Cassie, my husband was lobbying for two dogs. We work all day and he felt that they could keep each other company. Great in theory but you've heard the expression "two can live as cheaply as one" well, "raising two dogs is as easy as raising one" is just as true. Also, I knew that I would be the one who would be doing 90% of the work, taking them to obedience classes, buying the food, visiting the vet, etc., etc., etc.
I have had a dog companion since I was in college. I've been lucky in that they have all been healthy and had long lives. Each of those four dogs has come from a shelter. So, we called F.A.C.E.S., Inc. in West Springfield, Ma. and arranged to see a litter of puppies they had. The home where the puppies were being cared for (F.A.C.E.S., Inc. is an all volunteer rescue and adoption service so the animals are kept in private homes) was about an hours drive from our house.

As soon as we entered the yard, a little black puppy came up to us. She was so beautiful and so cute, we both knew immediately that she was the dog for us. As I started making arrangements to sign the paperwork and write the check, my husband said, "Look over there. You have to see this other dog. The shy little guy in the corner." Somehow I just knew that if I looked, we would be signing paperwork for two dogs. Now I ask you, could you resist that face? I couldn't.

Two dogs rode home in the cabin of a pick up truck with us that day. Ten years later we are still one big happy family. Our cute little puppies have grown into two beautiful dogs and I've never regretted looking at the shy little guy in the corner and agreeing that we really did need two dogs.

Because we adopted our "best dogs in the Universe" from F.A.C.E.S., Inc. our company, Laurel Mountain Basket Company, donates a portion from the sale of every dog gift basket and dog gift to that organization. Please visit our site, and know that if you purchase one of our beautiful gift baskets, you will not only be giving a favorite pet or pet owner a great gift, you will be helping a wonderful organization.