What the Well Dressed Boston Terrier Wears for Fall

Just in time for Fall, this orange hat is topped with a crocheted brown stem, two green leaves and a small curly green vine. It fastens with two white vintage buttons at the neck. The open weave of the crochet acts as button holes so it is very adjustable. This hat will make a wonderful Halloween costume, but is also practical for dogs living in cold weather areas that risk frozen ears.

Made by Beantown Homemade on Etsy. The seller bio says, "We are Anne and Michael, married couple, east coasters, both artists and teachers currently living in the Midwest. We love Bean and we love animals. We hope more and more pets each year can find a safe and loving home like the one we give Bean. We are a member of Etsy for Animals and we proudly support Hearts United for Animals and Mid America Boston Terrier Rescue."

www.hua.org
www.adoptaboston.com

Cute Baby Boston Pic

-- Discovered by Cindy Lou Ruffino

World's Oldest Dog Dies at 21 - or 147

NEW YORK – A wire-haired dachshund that held the record as the world's oldest dog and celebrated its last birthday with a party at a dog hotel and spa has died at age 21 — or 147 in dog years.

The dog, named Chanel, died Friday of natural causes at her owners' home in suburban Port Jefferson Station, on Long Island.

Chanel, as stylish as her legendary namesake, wore tinted goggles for her cataracts in her later years and favored sweaters because she was sensitive to the cold, owners Denice and Karl Shaughnessy said Monday.

The playful dachshund was only 6 weeks old when Denice Shaughnessy, then serving with the U.S. Army, adopted her from a shelter in Newport News, Va.

Along with her owner, Chanel spent nine years on assignment in Germany, where she became adept at stealing sticks of butter from kitchen countertops and hiding them in sofa cushions in the living room, Shaughnessy said. She also liked chocolate, usually considered toxic to dogs, Shaughnessy said.

"She once ate an entire bag of Reese's peanut butter cups, and, you see, she lived to be 21, so go figure," Shaughnessy added.

Karl Shaughnessy nominated Chanel for the title of world's oldest dog after noticing the Guinness World Records book had no record.

Guinness World Records officials presented Chanel with a certificate as the world's oldest dog at a Manhattan birthday bash hosted by a private pet food company in May.

Chanel loved the party, especially the cake, which had a peanut butter flavor and had been made for dogs, Denice Shaughnessy said.

Chanel exercised daily and ate home-cooked chicken with her dog food, but good care wasn't entirely responsible for her long life, said her owners, who attributed God.

"Dogs are God's angels sent here to look out for us," Denice Shaughnessy said.

A dog from New Iberia, La., named Max, is vying for the record of world's oldest dog. Owner Janelle Derouen said Max marked his 26th birthday on Aug. 9. She said Guinness World Records officials were reviewing documents to authenticate his age; a Guinness World Records official in London didn't immediately answer an e-mail from The Associated Press requesting confirmation of that.

When asked the secret to her dog's long life, Derouen said she was shocked he's still with her.

"I have five kids, and all my kids are grown and gone," she said. "Now my grandkids are playing with this dog."

Where is Tinker Hiding?

Can you find Tinker in this picture?



Here she is!




-- Vicki Rowe
And Tinker Makes Three

Hottest TShirt in Philadelphia

Hints for Working With Deaf and Stubborn Dogs

I wanted to pass along what I think is worthwhile incorporating into any training with deaf dogs, in particular, and another idea for getting your stubborn dog's attention (the hot dog idea).

I've been talking with a trainer recently, especially about deaf dogs because we have a 7 month old that just came in. He recommends putting a beeper that vibrates (this was what we used before cel phones, remember?) on the inside of a harness touching the fur. You send a signal, it vibrates and you immediately treat the dog. Over time, whenever there's a vibration he knows he's getting a treat and has to do something to earn it. It's also good if they ever escape because the beeper works over a great distance. An alternate to that is an e-collar on very low vibrate. Works the same way, but I'm not sure it has the distance a beeper has.

Another trainer - to have a dog always looking at your face for a direction - teach them to catch a treat (like hot dog, or something they love) expelled from your mouth. Pretty soon they will always be looking at you for that treat and you can give a signal to direct them to what you want.

I thought these to be great ideas.

-- Sheryl Trent

Update on MomMom

I am so filled with joy, that i just had to write an update on our Mom Mom. As you all know, we have been struggling with Mom Mom's allergies and overall health for two years now. She has had her good days and her bad days, has been on countless meds and concoctions all to help alleviate her endless itching and allergies. She has been on several special diets, both homemade and store bought, and has taken a bath in just about every single medicated shampoo ever created. Some things worked a little, and some things didnt work at all. Some things made her worse. I have spent many nights laying next to Mom Mom's dog bed looking into her eyes which were so full of defeat. There were many days that i thought that she was at the end, and that it was time for her to pass on. That was up until last month......

We have been taking Mom Mom to the Animal Wellness Center in Chadds Ford Pa. to see a miracle worker by the name of Dr. DiLeva. She is a holistic vet who has been seeing Mom Mom for about a year and a half now. She has tried several different approaches with Mom Mom, including the Dexamethasone shots every two weeks to provide Mom Mom with relief from her itching. She has done extensive research just for Mom Mom to help get her off of the steroid shots, and finally, we have done it! Mom Mom's last shot was on June 24th. Since that shot, she has not had one sign of itch! Dr. DiLeva put Mom Mom on a Chinese Herb called Bitter Purple along with Glucosamine capsules, and my golly, our Mom Mom is back!

Those days of laying in her crate with blank eyes are over! Mom Mom has been up and boy is she full of energy! She has been walking briskly around the kitchen and exploring the back yard! She has been starting trouble with the other girls and she has even been getting up early and demanding her breakfast! We have seen such a positive change in her, and we really owe it all to Dr. DiLeva. I wanted to thank NEBTR for giving Mom Mom a chance and saving her life. Also for providing us with the funding and support to get Mom Mom such wonderful care and the opportunity to try so many different treatments and ultimately the one which has given her relief from her disease. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.

From the bottom of our hearts, Amy and Mom Mom.

Those of you who bought the book "Lost Souls:Found": will have read her story entitled "Life Starts at Twelve". Amy has never given up on trying to alleviate all of Mom Mom's ails, and she and her doctor seem to have done it! What wonderful news.

-- Sheryl

Sweet Baby Boston and Boxer Picture

Puppy Boston, in his new home with his Boxer BFF.

-- Contributed by Pam Yeates
4bostonlovers2chat@yahoogroups.com