tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29906233949507889962011-08-19T03:02:40.693-07:00A <i>Familiar Wolf</i> Anthology:<br> Nature and the Outdoors,<br> Health and Wellness,<br> Training and Behavior.<br>CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.comBlogger391100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-21965125057013491412010-10-07T16:00:00.000-07:002011-02-15T11:29:10.722-08:00

Dog by Pablo Neruda The disinterested dogs along the roads, without returning, through the wandering dust, to the light of the indifferent wind and rain. O God of lost dogs, small god of sad legs, come nearer to our hemisphere of long humiliated tails, of hungry eyes that chase the bone-colored moon! O careless God, I am poet of the highways, and I wander in vain, never finding a language of

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-37079327448102603552010-10-07T15:05:00.000-07:002010-10-07T15:32:18.553-07:00

Want to see a dog's eye view of the world?  Thanks to Smartdogs, this vintage film has come to my attention, and it's worth sharing.

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-1359224370223855642010-09-25T20:53:00.000-07:002010-09-25T21:09:37.107-07:00

So your faithful friend just met Pepe Le Pew for the first time.  When you drive by that sweet smell on the highway, you used to ask yourself, "What's the big fuss?  Skunk smell isn't that bad!"  Then....you found out, as your pup gazes happily into your eyes like she doesn't have a clue why you won't let her inside.  Skunk is, perhaps, the most wretched scent you've ever sniffed.  How to get it

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-32770921674751258782010-08-07T21:20:00.000-07:002010-08-07T21:20:43.111-07:00

For the current 2010 fire season, I am working on a wildland fire engine for the United States Forest Service.  This puts me some distance from my beloved Glory.  However, she is well cared for, and I am able to be with her most weekends.  For this reason, updates and articles on Buoyant Dog Blog may be few and far between for the remainder of the fire season.  Stay tuned, for we have not left! 

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-50303608320246423922010-07-19T23:07:00.000-07:002010-07-19T23:07:02.434-07:00

It's time for me to share interesting photographs with you.  MSNBC's Today Show has compiled an interesting and hilarious slide show of awkward family pet photos.  Skunks as pets is for real.  Enjoy!

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-78558978216593099192010-07-02T20:20:00.001-07:002010-07-02T20:20:33.669-07:00

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-79470138911857105872010-07-02T20:08:00.000-07:002010-07-02T20:12:38.948-07:00

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-80681563892537443952010-04-06T15:17:00.000-07:002010-04-06T15:24:02.907-07:00

There appears to be a link between low levels of omega-3 fatty acids and aggression in canine behavior.  Italian scientists specifically point towards low levels of omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (better known as DHA on fish oil supplement facts), in the bloodstream of aggressive dogs.  The Italian study states the following: "Compared to normal dogs, aggressive dogs showed lower

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-76559100219158311882010-03-25T16:36:00.000-07:002010-03-25T17:48:31.333-07:00

It's time for a dog poem.  One of my favorite poets, and one of this day's most neglected modernist poets is California's own - Robinson Jeffers.  If you are interested in modernist poetry's alternative to the drone and languor of Eliot and Pound, more information about Robinson Jeffers can be found here, here or here, or even here. The House Dog's Grave  by Robinson Jeffers (1887-1962)  I've

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-45801716898824243822010-03-23T10:39:00.000-07:002010-07-02T20:12:16.674-07:00

Do they sell these at Babies "R" Us??

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-20516880529545394412010-03-16T21:58:00.000-07:002010-03-16T21:58:26.309-07:00

Good news!  This is Squirt Update #3.  Squirt, the 12 year old border collie mutt who got run over by an oil tanker is just about back to his old self, if not, better!  It took a couple months, but his tail finally fell off....and.....nobody knows where it went.  But at least he's not tripping over a paralyzed tail, so he almost looks like an Australian Shepherd now.  Squirt has been hiking with

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-22722081489469911952010-03-14T12:17:00.000-07:002010-03-14T12:20:30.442-07:00

Previously, on Bouyant Dog, I reported on Cyrus, the dog photographer.  Cyrus' medium is film, while other dogs use paint, but one dog uses a medium unlike any other - Tucker uses pee. This is the story of Tucker - an old, stray German Shepherd Dog who ended up at a county animal shelter, weighing in at only 49 pounds.  Tucker, who was diagnosed with the canine equivalent of multiple sclerosis,

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-3822553243141485522010-03-03T21:13:00.000-08:002010-03-28T11:46:21.246-07:00

Every time I visit a new grocery store, I take a quick peek at the "dog food" isle.  What are people really feeding Cosmo and Brandy?  Usually, I am sorely disappointed to find the same old bags of sawdust and bacon grease in bright and colorful packaging.  The packages say things like "Really Good Dog Food," "Nutritious Dog Food."  Some claim that they are the "Caring Leaders of Pet Nutrition."

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-17190030865391813672010-02-23T15:17:00.000-08:002010-03-25T17:52:31.359-07:00

Unfortunately, there are serious negative consequences for all the negative thinking out there about negative reinforcement.  The consequence is that a lot of dogs are not being trained properly because their owners are relying heavily on dangling pieces of meat and cheese in front of a dog's face or clicking them to insanity.  Positive reinforcement has its proper place in dog training, and for

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-61388355626656137652010-02-22T12:14:00.000-08:002010-02-22T13:13:05.862-08:00

For a history lesson and and a bit of entertainment, check out Life Magazine's photo essay, WWII: Dogs of War.

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-27799687171495043012010-02-11T14:02:00.000-08:002010-02-12T18:22:05.258-08:00

For those of us who enjoy hiking with our dogs, knowing how to release non-game animal traps goes hand in hand with hiking.  Whether you are hiking close to home or in the backcountry, legal, as well as illegal traps are out there.  It is important to be prepared mentally, having gone over trap release procedures in your mind.  It is also important to be prepared by having 3 simple tools.  One, a

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-74693258839998296672010-02-04T00:17:00.000-08:002010-02-04T00:18:59.203-08:00

When is the best time to go snowshoeing? When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie. Is it a flashlight which lights your way? The moon hits the snow and light is a glow. Don't forget your sunglasses.   Or the beer.

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-86781937852979830682010-01-29T23:52:00.001-08:002010-02-01T11:34:45.103-08:00

I have learned a great deal from Squirt, following his accident. The speed of Squirt's recovery has surprised me. Although Squirt isn't walking quite the same as he used to, and his tail still doesn't work, his dog-optimism is probably what has kept him alive.Although we have much to teach our dogs, man's best friend can also teach us about some things that human society has erased from our

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-3256973491685148162010-01-19T11:05:00.000-08:002010-01-19T11:08:45.493-08:00

Everyone who's someone knows something about Tillman, the skateboarding bulldog, by now.  I mean, there are Tillman chew toys, stuffed Tillman, and Tillman dog treats.  I recently bought a 30 pound bag of Tillman Dog Food, just hoping Glory is gonna wake up one of these mornings with inherent skateboarding talents....so far this hasn't happened.  If she doesn't gain super skateboarding abilities,

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-68793597620568946652010-01-16T19:17:00.000-08:002010-01-17T10:54:57.790-08:00

With the exception of feed stores and gun shops, Southern California has everything - dog beaches included.  Huntington Dog Beach is a must visit if you're within an hour's drive of Huntington Beach.  This is the largest and longest dog beach on Southern California's shores. Okay, so the sweatshirts on Dog Beach's website might be a little much for the average dog guardian, but in reality,

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-29405077078735103452010-01-15T21:34:00.000-08:002010-01-17T10:54:01.732-08:00

Heading further south still, along the California Coast, just when the spires of Hearst Castle begin to appear high in the hills to the east, we were able to see Elephant Seals, only yards from the highway on their very own beach.  The Elephant Seal rookery is just south of the Piedras Blancas Light Station on Highway 1.  Friends of the Elephant Seal have a very detail website, so check it out!

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-67339769509198307042010-01-14T23:21:00.000-08:002010-01-17T10:53:00.486-08:00

Next day, the pack (ok, minus the kitty) headed south to Monterey.  Here, we visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium and obtained our one of a kind Seafood Watch wallet handbooks.  Please visit the afore mentioned link to learn more about Sustainable Seafood (more on seafood sustainability later).  Here is a picture of my most loved "seafood," which I more commonly catch and release. At the aquarium

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-74080624847484536202010-01-12T11:40:00.000-08:002010-01-17T10:56:18.243-08:00

After the steam train ride, we returned to Santa Cruz.  It is local legend that there is an unofficial off-leash dog park.  After cruising Cliff Drive and talking to a local, we finally found the dog beach exactly across the street from Lighthouse Field!  Take a trip down some unofficial looking stairs, and voila!  This was by far the most beautiful "dog park" I have ever been to, and to top it

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-42475153755239881232010-01-11T14:33:00.000-08:002010-01-17T10:57:09.302-08:00

One week ago, we returned home from a California coast road trip. Lots of exciting things happened, especially for my pooch, Glory. So, in a "New Years Road Trip" anthology, I will write a full report, pictures included. Our first stop was Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. "Does this tree make my butt look small?" After a short loop, oogling at the sky high redwoods, Glory relieved herself on

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-27459939610906461062010-01-09T21:07:00.001-08:002010-01-17T10:50:24.365-08:00

BOSTON Local 7 News WHDH -- Duty calls for an East Boston resident. Someone is getting called for jury duty...but it's no human. A family is trying to figure out how their pet cat was summonsed for jury duty. “I said, Sal, what’s this? You know, I don’t believe it I was shocked,” said Guy Esposito, Sal’s owner. Sal’s owners, Guy and Anna Esposito, think they may know the source of the mix up

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-8746487590734235582010-01-08T23:32:00.000-08:002010-01-17T10:49:44.518-08:00

Glory's best dog-friend, Squirt, was hit by an oil truck today. I hope he pulls through. Got some broken bones. I think he's paralyzed from the tail down. No more waggy tail. Just a sad dog. This is the third dog I know who has been struck by a vehicle in the past 6 months. The other two died. *UPDATE* As of today (January 9th), Squirt is up and walking on 3 legs! His tail is still not

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-61074887766753276562010-01-04T14:55:00.000-08:002010-03-25T17:53:49.130-07:00

I must begin this review by telling you...Merle's Door is the only book that has ever made me cry.  It is a book that will leave you thinking about Merle and the wonder of his adventures for a long time. I give this book 4.5 stars.  The missing half-star is for one reason.  Merle's world should be considered fantasy by us "normal" people and "normal" dogs living "normal" lives with "normal"

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-44544317260032410732009-12-31T21:37:00.000-08:002010-01-17T10:57:43.710-08:00

After reading a recent post on Smart Dogs' Weblog, I have decided to write about the important subject of non-game animal traps. Glory and I both love hiking, so it is definitely something I need to investigate. I have done some research on the web to find webpages which explain the various types of traps and how to release them.  One of my favorite web pages which explains the subject most

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-48295653588141726462009-12-28T23:15:00.000-08:002010-01-17T10:48:28.707-08:00

On a little California road trip right now. Santa Cruz. Monterey. Carmel. Big Sur. LA. Will write soon. You may find more artwork at: http://penandmischief.com/index.html.

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-33035334974679408862009-12-20T22:35:00.000-08:002009-12-20T22:39:03.109-08:00

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-89140386371525451212009-12-17T23:58:00.000-08:002010-01-17T10:50:04.540-08:00

http://dougsolomon.etsy.com 11. Your dog might run after a skunk and come back smelling like burned poop. 10. Somebody might try to lecture you on keeping a closer eye on your dog because...you know, some people eat dogs! 9. Your dog might poop in someone's yard when you blink an eye. 8. Your dog might run after an antelope (or deer) and not come back for at least a half hour. 7. Somebody

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-45429443513491599472009-12-17T23:03:00.000-08:002010-01-17T10:47:11.754-08:00

Squirt... ...the mangy old cute rascally neighbor dog...came inside after a late night walk...and went right back outside again.  Squirt got SKUNKED!!!  I can't get that stench out of my nostrils for the life of me, and Squirt won't be coming inside to visit for awhile....  If you think you've smelled skunk from inside the car on the highway....you're wrong.

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-45559207597222458802009-12-12T22:39:00.000-08:002009-12-17T23:14:03.357-08:00

Nothing on the internet has ever captured my attention as much as the story of Cyrus the dog, who became a professional photographer, with his eccentric style of scratchy, shaky, sometimes crooked photographs of small town life.  A complete news article from the Missoula Independent can be found HERE.  The Missoula Independent notes... "The first cat Cyrus photographed was Dr. Neil Coconut.

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-5413767570868773542009-12-10T19:22:00.000-08:002010-01-17T10:46:31.156-08:00

Temperatures in the negatives... ...make strange bedfellows.

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-76486020519948397672009-12-06T11:06:00.001-08:002009-12-17T23:15:33.231-08:00

Before yours truly's stellar performance at a local rendition of Handel's Messiah (just before the Magical Country Christmas downtown!), Gloria Beatrice and I sport our eye make-up! Sorry, my humbug dog wiped off her eye shadow before donning her new Santa Hat...

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-51966984568540441232009-12-06T10:39:00.000-08:002009-12-17T23:16:06.057-08:00

Last night, we went to A Magical Country Christmas downtown. I knew that we couldn't go without Glory wearing something festive, so surely, Walmart would have our answer... Since there was a "Toys for Tots" drive downtown until 8, purchasing $5 worth of toys was a must. It was then, I saw Tech Decks! Tech Decks are miniature skateboards that were popular when I was in middle school. Only

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-81568600339027884042009-11-30T12:23:00.000-08:002009-12-17T23:16:33.661-08:00

Do they have such an organization? If they do.....my dog surely needs to join. Even if it wasn't an anonymous organization, I don't think she would mind! Glory doesn't seem to be the least bit embarrassed about this putrid habit. As I write this, she is currently lying on the carpet, staring at me, her schnozz resting on bits of cat litter. Glory has set up a 24-hour vigilant patrol over

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-63163608678897809142009-11-29T23:47:00.000-08:002010-01-17T10:45:17.031-08:00

A few days ago, I decided to write the Nevada Humane Society, where I adopted Glory, to let them know how Glory (aka Gloria) ended up. Well, Glory "helped" me write it, and here goes... DEAR NEVADA HUMANE SOCIETY, Thank you for taking me in last February when times were tough for me. I was adopted on February 9, 2009, and my best pal Christina and I are inseparable. I am training to be a

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990623394950788996.post-84658103002867857262009-11-29T11:12:00.000-08:002010-01-17T10:44:44.703-08:00

I have decided to start a "Dog Blog" about the adventures of my dog and I. Since adopting Gloria, I have had many adventures, encounters, and new experiences. So here begins an anthology of "Dogventures" - adventures one would never have without a dog. "Dogdom" is a mysterious world where strange dog owners place their dog in a position somewhere between a pseudo-child and a house pet. Some

CHRISTINAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504844813017670920noreply@blogger.com3