I better start from the beginning. A good friend of mine just got her first tattoo. It is not a huge tattoo but it took three hours to be completed. She said getting a tattoo hurts like hell. Of course, pain perception of everyone is very different and it also depends on the location of the tattoo, but it always hurts!

You might wonder why I’m telling you this? Well because people are not the only ones who endured the pain of getting a tattoo. Look at these pictures, yes sadly you can believe your eyes.

[Warning! People of a nervous disposition shouldn't read further]

These dogs have tattoos, real tattoos! I hate to look at these pictures or even think about it, but I want to spread the word that you should never ever do this to your pet!!! A dog is not a toy, a doll or in any way yours to torture! It’s a lovable creature who trusts you without restrictions and loves you without wanting you to give him/her anything back.

I know that a lot of dogs have a registration number tattooed on their ear or are micro-chipped. The microchip has the size of a grain of uncooked rice. These are measures which conduce to finding your dog when you lost him/her. It might save your dog from ending up in a dog shelter and maybe never seeing you again.

However they say implementing that chip is not more painful than a vaccination.

I haven’t seen such a tattooed dog yet and I really hope the dog owners out there are wise enough to never get their dog tattooed.

If you really want to have a picture on your dog use non-permanent paint or better, use a suit with that picture on it, that is way less painful!

The best would be to leave your dog as he/she is!

Thank you all very much for sending me those great pictures!!

Now it’s your time to pick the winner wisely:

View This Poll

I’ve got something you’ve waited all month for… the cute candidates for July’s “dog of the month” contest!

Why is that? Well there are thousands of reasons for it, but some dogs just want to have fun, and that fun was captured on camera. Most of the pictures were taken while the dogs thought that their owner, well their best friend isn’t nearby to watch them, see what can happen:

So what if you leave your kids with your dog? Depends of course on your dog and the person who is left with him/her. Dogs endure a lot of things, especially from children. They can be unbelievable patient.

On the other side, if objects like the television or a card game gets more attention than your dog, he/she might do something to attract your interest

In my last post I talked about hair, well fur. Weather you dye it or not (which you shouldn’t, I hope I made that one clear) some people have other methods to change the outer appearance of their dog(s). Often seen on Halloween or other occasions are dog, who don’t really look like dogs anymore..! What am I talking about? No, not about dogs in little sweaters, this is by the way for some breeds like Chihuahuas  indispensable to life, at least in winter, because they are unable to regulate their body temperature as well as we humans do. Tiny dogs with little fur who live in places where they naturally shouldn’t be living, need additional warming when it gets cold outside. So don’t laugh at the poor little dogs in winter wearing something warm.

If you have a look at the dogs, you won’t think that dogs wearing sweaters are such laughing stocks anymore, but judge yourself:

don't use hairspray on your dog!

What to wear? Which color matches my pants, which my shirt?

Dogs don’t have to ask themselves this kind of question! Lucky them? You betcha! Would they care about how they look? Nope not really, but sometimes their owner care a little bit too much.

Some people style the fur of their dogs just like their own. They comb, braid and put the fur up in weird looking hairstyles.

Lhasa Apso

There is nothing wrong with taking good care of your dogs fur, especially dog breeds with long fur like the Lhasa Apso or Afghan Hound need a lot of attention, but not as much as the fur of Pulis or Komodors.

Puli

Their fur looks a bit like human dreadlocks, and without taking care of it, it would be a big matted mess.

But apart from that look which might still look natural, some people love bright colors, and not only on themselves, so they dye the fur of their dogs(!) You might think “so what? That tiny bit of color doesn’t do any harm, I dye my hair since the age of 16!” But you should know, dying your dogs fur can stress them out during the process, cause them to be a little less self-conscious (they hide more) and it can irritate their skin

dyed fur... too colorful?

You may choose more than one winner

View This Poll

Tagged: candidates, contest, dog of the month, dogs, June, poll, vote ]]> http://adogsuniverse.wordpress.com/2010/07/01/not-much-time-left/feed/ 1 juliemee contestant June http://adogsuniverse.wordpress.com/2010/07/01/781/ http://adogsuniverse.wordpress.com/2010/07/01/781/#comments Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:25:09 +0000 Julie http://adogsuniverse.wordpress.com/?p=781 ]]> May I proudly present the candidates for June’s “dog of the month contest”:

Tagged: dog of the month, June ]]> http://adogsuniverse.wordpress.com/2010/07/01/781/feed/ 0 juliemee http://adogsuniverse.wordpress.com/2010/06/23/showing-teeth/ http://adogsuniverse.wordpress.com/2010/06/23/showing-teeth/#comments Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:07:06 +0000 Julie http://adogsuniverse.wordpress.com/?p=518 Continue reading →]]> We all brush our teeth 2-3 times a day but do we think of you dogs teeth? Well should we? Yes we should! At least if you want to be able to look at your dogs smile for a long time.

Just like we do, dogs develop tartar, abscesses and many other tooth problems. Therefore it is very important to keep your dogs teeth in good shape!

It is not the easiest thing to brush your dog’s teeth though. But don’t worry, there are special toothbrushes for dogs and even special toothpaste which make it more comfortable for both of you. Of course your dog has to get used to this new thing in his mouth which he/she cannot chew and swallow. My dog always wanted to eat the toothpaste, because it was meaty flavored

finger toothbrush

prodental triple head toothbrush

Additional to using a toothbrush you can give your dog bones. They are really good for helping the teeth clean – they are nature’s toothbrushes! But please don’t give your dog chicken bones or any kind of bones which can split!!

Here is a sweet little example of how you can keep your dogs teeth clean, starring David Hewlett and Mars:

© Kibble Productions Inc 2006

In many ways, dogs are better than kids because they:

1. eat less
2. don’t ask for money all the time
3. are easier to train
4. normally come when called
5. never ask to drive the car or ask you to buy one for them
6. don’t hang out with drug-using friends
7. don’t smoke or drink
8. don’t have to buy the latest fashions
9. don’t need a “gazillion” dollars for college
10. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children.
11. dogs will watch classic Star Trek with you and won’t laugh at the special effects.

Playing soccer with your dog is fun for both of you, but don’t forget to bring some water for your dog and you along

click to enlarge my comic:

Well here is the answer, they simply use the dog face:

© Walt Disney Pictures

1. The dog is not allowed to be in the house!
2. Okay  let the dog in, but only in rooms without carpet!
3. Well, the dog is allowed in all our rooms, but has to stay on the floor, furniture is forbidden!
4. So… the dog may get  on the old furniture only!
5. All right, he can sleep on all our furniture even on my favorite armchair, but he is NOT sleeping on our bed!!
6. Very well then, he can sleep in the bed, but only if invited!
7. Oh, well, the dog can sleep on the bed whenever he wants, but just at the foot of my bed!
8. Fine! He may sleep wherever he wants to..
9. The owners have to ask their dog for permission to sleep in their bed!!!

You may choose more than one winner

View This Poll

Please send me your pictures for June’s contest

Tagged: candiates, contest, dog of the month, May, poll, vote ]]> http://adogsuniverse.wordpress.com/2010/06/05/your-turn-to-vote/feed/ 0 juliemee candidates May http://adogsuniverse.wordpress.com/2010/06/05/choose-your-candidate/ http://adogsuniverse.wordpress.com/2010/06/05/choose-your-candidate/#comments Sat, 05 Jun 2010 11:57:46 +0000 Julie http://adogsuniverse.wordpress.com/?p=431 ]]> Here they are, the candidates for May‘s “dog of the month contest”!!

So.. what if your dogs sees you being online and wants to have his/her own facebook account? I admit that it’s an extraordinary thought, but not as absurd as you might think. There is already a facebook for dogs, it’s called “dogtree”!

Britt Smith’s dog Bear was lonely while she was working, so she thought why not find him a playmate?! And that’s how the idea of dogtree started. Dog owners can register their dog(s) to find playdates, best dogfriends, dog sitting, friends for a walk or run in the park. They just post a picture of their dog and fill in a profile with breed type, age, size, vaccination history, personality and postcode.

So if can’t have a second dog and dog care is too expensive for you, why not give dogtree a try? It’s free and who knows, maybe there is someone with a lonely dog living in your streets who longs for a best dog friend!

Dogtree is at the moment only available in Australia but I think it’s just a matter of time, and it will be soon available in the rest of the world

cheers

I wanted to share my favorite commercial with you! I think it’s the cutest dog and most addictive song ever used for a tv commercial!!  But have a look or two yourself:

Hope you like it as much as I do!

Would you just talk to him or would you like to do something really exciting?

Here are a few fun things you can do with your dog in your free time! Just keep in mind, as long as you and your dog are having fun you can have the greatest time together!!

So what fun things are there to do and where?

I’ll tell you some cool things to do outdoors and how to get there!

You could drive, with your motorbike to a great park near where you live.

Just make sure that your dog is save while you drive!!

If you prefer traveling with a car, make sure that your dog wears a seat belt just as you!!

If the place where you want to go e.g. a park is just a few block away, you can also walk or well.. use a buggy. I don’t approve this way of carrying your dog around though, unless your dog is injured and cannot move at the moment.

If your dog has a big friend you might take him into consideration as well

If you own a bike you can go by bike, but please make sure that you don’t take the busy roads and watch your speed and your dog at the same time! There are special attachments for your bike so your taking the bike is save for you and your dog!

Oh and there is of course the bus. Public transportation do have some regulations but allow you in general to take your dog with you. But please avoid traveling during rush hour.

Tagged: adventure, cute, fun, on the road, traveling ]]> http://adogsuniverse.wordpress.com/2010/05/16/fun-fun-fun-dogs-on-the-road/feed/ 2 juliemee look at me cool driver I cool driver II seat belt for dogs buggy comfy ride bike attachment bus http://adogsuniverse.wordpress.com/2010/05/08/first-encounter/ http://adogsuniverse.wordpress.com/2010/05/08/first-encounter/#comments Sat, 08 May 2010 21:53:41 +0000 Julie http://adogsuniverse.wordpress.com/?p=98 Continue reading →]]> What do you do if you see somebody and you really would love to get to know that person a little more? Try to get eye contact? What if it’s only you who is interested and the other person is lost in thoughts or listening to music and not paying attention to you? Would you say something? If so what would you say? Ask a question, what kind… You see, it can get quite complicated to get someone’s attention.

With dogs it is way easier. In fact, most dogs look you straight into the eyes when you pass by, even though they have to look way up, they do it. Unless there is something which draws their attention like another dog or food (you can’t compete against food with a friendly “Hello boy” just maybe with a “Do you want this huge steak?”)!

I have already told you how awesome dogs are and you probably want evidence in real life now.

Maybe you tried to come into contact with a dog you’ve met on your way to school/ work or you weren’t brave, well let’s not use the word brave here, secure enough to do the first step towards that stranger you’ve just met on the street.

How would that dog react to me?

Will he/she love me and wants to get pet or will he/she hate, even bite me??
Those are all justified question to ask to yourself. Look at the owner of the dog, because the owner of a dog tells you very much about the dog him/herself.

Well of course you cannot apply that to every owner!
I am not talking about those owners whose appearance becomes more and more like their dogs, until you just can distinguish them by their behavior, although that’s not always a perfect indicator..

look-alikes?

Still, the character of dog and owner might be completely different e.g. an elderly person can have a hyper little dachshund which runs always to everybody and want to play the whole time
Even when a dogs seems to be friendly, to feel certain that the dog won’t do anything to you, ask the person who is taking the dog for a walk.. and who knows you might not even make new dog but also human friends

Here a cute little example of a first encounter, enjoy

© Disney/Pixar

I would like to introduce the contest “dog of the month” to you.

Some of you might have a dog at home or know a really awesome dog! So why not share the joy with us all?? I bet your dog would love to get recognized on the street

How is it supposed to be working? I thought about you sending me a picture of that amazing  dog you want to enter in this contest along with any other information you would like to share (e.g. name, age, favorite thing to do, a funny story, practically anything which makes “your dog” standing out). Of course you can send me more than one picture. I know that it is hard to decide which picture is the perfect one. Videos are more than welcome too!

Please send the material to my Email .
At the end of each moth I let you vote for the winning dog!!

What are you waiting for?! The contest for May is open now!!!
I can’t wait to see your dogs!!!

cheers