The CDC (canine dental care) plan I’ve created for Jaxson is new, but I’m seeing progress… Allow me to start this post with “true confessions” – I am not a diligent dog ma when it comes to brushing a Dood’s teeth. #thereIsaidit I am improving because Jaxson is starting to show tarter on his tooth, and I don’t want it to become an issue. He’s never been a difficult dog to work with – he will let me stick my hand down his throat if need be (and when he was a pup I almost had to in search of an ingested sock. #hilarioustalepleaseread Jaxson’s last annual went well, but for the first time – Doo ..read more

Sharing Jaxson’s 2023 Doodle review seems like the right way to – end 2023 celebrate another BarkDay share plans for 2024 THE FIRST HALF OF 2023 –  we were in full swing with the Charleston PD, providing much-needed canine therapy to our courageous men and women in blue… As well as supporting medical staff… Harley, by mid-February, had slowed down considerably, so when the humans were gone – Jaxson stayed home in charge of hospice care. He took this assignment seriously, and did a dog-gone good job #Imightadd… On those days when he didn’t work, he loved spending the mornings in our ..read more

Woofessentials has changed my life when it comes to walking Jaxson in the rain. This is their new Puddle Jumper Big Dog Raincoat... This company has made all my Doodle dreams come true by catering to the big dog regarding wet weather apparel. Rarely can I find apparel for big dogs. All Jaxson’s life – the only “non-lined” all-weather rain gear I could find looked something like this… …trust me when I tell you, this didn’t do much in terms of protection, but this was all I could find that fit him #somewhat When the wind blew his back got wet, and Jaxson’s gait tosses mud and debris (like damp ..read more

The discussion about finding the right life balance for working dogs -particularly ours, has been a popular topic in my house lately… Jaxson works four days a week. We work from home on Wednesday – which was designed with him in mind. It allows me to catch up with administrative responsibilities, he’s free to sleep late and loaf, or accompany my husband in running errands, play ball, and lay on the porch with me at lunchtime as we “people watch.” Translation? Wednesdays are all about him being a regular pet. Yet at least twice a week, Lee continues to ask me – Is Jax okay? All he does is sle ..read more

I am living with a ball-obsessed dog! If that describes your pet parent’s life – exhale, and know you are NOT alone! Jaxson has been ball-obsessed his entire life… Color me tardy to the party, but I have finally given up on stuffed animals, puzzles, and Kong toys. He’s not a very complex Dood, if it rolls, no matter the size – it’s a hit.  Plain and simple… Even this one didn’t last but one weekend When I look back at his puppy photos – balls were the only toy that seemed to bring him great joy… …especially if you throw a human in the mix… I’M NO BALL EXPERT –  however, I have sp ..read more

Honoring the life of your pet is certainly a very personal decision, one that I didn’t give any thought – sorry to say – with Harley’s passing. For me, even though he/we are too public to be private between this website, social media, my job and the podcast, I grieved privately. He was my everything, and his absence created such a hole – spending every moment living in the past – only allowing Jaxson in – was my healing wall… AFTER HARLEY – more dogs in my life began to pass away. Therapy dogs who I loved as my own, furrends of Harley and now Jaxson – were racing across that damn rainbow brid ..read more

I think about the power of dogs a lot. Mainly because I’m up close an personal watching them release their super powers to just about everyone they meet on a daily basis… I’ve heard people say no dog’s ever met a stranger, but I’ve often pondered – What’s the connection for the stranger? In the past this was one of my private thoughts as I watched strange humans become overwhelmed with emotion petting Jaxson as we walked through the hospital… Whether they were a patient, family member or staff – sometimes the display of affection baffled me. Remember, I’ve not been a dog enthusiast all my ..read more

I first heard about the Dog Aging Project from a dear friend a few months ago. She and I were talking about Harley, and it just sort of popped up #youknowhowthatgoes… Even though I’d never heard of it before, the trusted source I was listening to made it easy to sit and listen to more – The Dog Aging Project is an innovative initiative that brings together a community of dogs, owners, veterinarians, researchers, and volunteers to carry out the most ambitious canine health study in the world. Dog Aging Project LONGER, HEALTHIER LIVES – for all dogs… and their humans, is a goal I can get behin ..read more

As promised, here is Jaxson’s canine toy tester – the conclusion story I promised to write, and the review of the toy we used for the contest. Entering Jaxson in PetSmart’s Canine Toy Tester contest back in February was a family members idea… When it comes to my Dood, I am no different than any other pet parent, dogma or Doodle Mom, I too think he’s amazing, excels in everything and should be #pawsdown testing destroying toys and getting paid for it!… #thereitis #Isaidit RULES OF ENGAGEMENT –  to enter this contest required I – complete an application provide a 30 second video of Jax i ..read more

Pivoting with a senior pup brings difficult decisions. I never imagined the pain associated with the words how, when, and where. After my last story about cognition issues in senior pups, I took Harley to Doodle Doc for a quality of life appointment. This was a discussion meeting only! I wanted to share my concerns as well as have them lay-eyes-on-him and help answer ALL of my insane and “I’m afraid of what I’m seeing” concerns to better equip me with our future… It was a lengthy assessment!… They examined him for what seemed like hours… and as we all sat on the floor against the wall tal ..read more