Sonny The Roadtrippin' Dog "writes" about his travels around the U.S.A.!

Saturday, July 30, 2005

Join Me At The Dog Show!


If you're a dog in my neck of the woods, you might be interested in the Wasatch County Fair "Strut Your Mutt" Dog Show being held next Saturday, August 6 at 10am at the county fair grounds. This dog show feature four categories: Dog/Owner Look-Alike, Best Costume, Dog Talent Show, and Ugliest Dog. Winners receive $25 prizes, and everyone has fun! The show is judged by local vets, groomers, and kennel owners.

This event is also an opportunity for dog adoption with Heber City Animal Pound, Friends, and Furburbia in attendance.

Hope to see you there!

Your Best Friend,
Sonny

Guy's Weekend


sontini


My mom went out of town this weekend, so my buddy Tom and I are spending some quality time just doing some male bonding. We are wrestling, playing ball, listening to Dodger games on the radio, and having a "Star Wars" movie marathon. We are also gonna watch "Swingers" - I even got my water in a martini glass with olives (MUCH cooler than my usual plastic bowl)! Of course I miss my mom, but sometimes, a guy needs to hang around with other guys, you know?

Hope your weekend is as fun as mine!

Your Best Friend,
Sonny

Thursday, July 28, 2005

For The Cultured Canine


I am a dog that likes to rough it, but I know there are many pups and owners out there that have a more refined taste. Here is the festival for you!

On Sept 17 & 18, 2005, the second annual Art Bark Fest will be held at Lake Tahoe. As one of the only animal themed art and wine festivals in the country, Art Bark Fest features over 50 artists creating dog themed art in various forms and media. Plus wine tastings include animal inspired flavors like Mutt Lynch Winery's Unleashed Chardonnay.

There is fun for dogs as well - don't forget to sign up for the Dog Lake Jump/Retreival Contest or adopt a new pet for your family! Entry is free and proceeds from wine events benefit the Humane Society of Truckee Tahoe & Pet Network.

Have a great time!

Your Best Friend,
Sonny

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Guest Dog of the Week - Cooper



This week's guest dog is Cooper, a gorgeous female mixed breed rescued from the woods when she was just a puppy. She was abandoned with her mother and sister but luckily, they were all saved. Coop and I were roommates for a brief period of time in the summer of 2003 when our human moms shared a house. She is a great dog, and now a big sister to Mac, another dog recently adopted into the family!

To help animals in Cooper's area, visit the Darlington County Humane Society. Here you can report a lost pet, report pick up of stray animals, and adopt homeless dogs and cats (seniors get reduced rates).

Thanks for all your help!

Your best friend,
Sonny

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Nooooooo! (Bath Time)



Tonight was one of those dreaded nights. The nights that I hear my mom say four really bad words: "Wanna take a bath?" No! I do not want to take a bath! But I haven't learned to use my tongue in the human speech way yet, so I ended up in the tub.

I may have mentioned before that I HATE water of all kinds, dating back to the day a VERY MEAN MAN thought it would be funny to throw me into a swimming pool at three months old to see if I could swim. I could swim, but it was very traumatic. I threw up every time I took a bath for a while after that. You should never throw a puppy in the pool, believe me!

Anyway, I have gotten used to it, and tonight I only tried to escape once before it was all over ( a dog has to try). Now I am clean and I am happy, and only rolled around on the floor a little, just to get that shampoo smell off of my fur.

For some great advice on giving your dog a bath, check out Bathing-A-Dog.com. And if you or your dog are too skittish to do the bath thing at home, find a professional groomer to help you out. You can search for a groomer near you with the BreederWeb Dog Services Directory. If you happen to be a dog, I recommend trying to stay as clean as possible. The less time spent in the tub, the better!

Your best friend,
Sonny

Monday, July 25, 2005

Old Dog, New Baby


This a picture of me meeting Tom's niece, Aris, for the first time. I was fascinated to see a person who was as little as me! All I wanted to do was kiss her, and she loved to look at me and pet me. I guess the big humans didn't trust me, though, because they made me stay on the leash the whole time she was at my house, and would pull me away when I got too excited. But I couldn't help myself - she is just too cute!

If you are adding a baby to your dog's home, you can get a few tips from "New Baby And The Family Dog" by David "The Dogman" Klein, Canine Behaviourist, or Ask The Expert at BabyCenter.com. Good luck!

Your Best Friend,
Sonny

Friday, July 22, 2005

How does a dog blog?



You may think that since I can't speak English and don't have thumbs I can't possibly be writing this blog. What you may not know is that I can communicate telepathically. Using my brain, I tell my humans what I want them to type and they type it for me. I have little human secretaries! To find out how you can communicate with your dog using pet telepathy, read this article on the phenomenon by Rose Ann Schwab.

Your best friend,
Sonny

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Guest Dog of the Week - Sweet Pea

This week's guest dog is Sweet Pea, an adorable 10-year-old male Pug from Hollywood, California recently adopted from a Los Angeles shelter. To help pets in Sweet Pea's area, visit Actors and Others for Animals . Adopt your own gorgeous pup, donate to needy pets, or hobnob with celebrities like Betty White, Diane Keaton, and David Hasselhoff!

Your Best Friend,
Sonny

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Sonny Goes Hollywood


I'm a dog who loves the movies. Sadly, I can only watch them on DVD because as you know, pets aren't allowed at most movie theaters. But today is my lucky day! I just discovered DogFest , a film festival for dogs, about dogs, and starring dogs! Happening all over the country and benefiting local animal rescue groups, DogFest Film Festivals show creative and fun dog-related short films, and are a great place for movie lovers who also love dogs, dog lovers who also love movies, and, of course, canines of all ages. Check out their web site and see how YOUR dog can go Hollywood, just like me!

Your Best Friend,
Sonny

Saturday, July 16, 2005

Sonny Goes To College


Here I am at The University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.



And here I am at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

I mentioned earlier that I have visited many college campuses in my travels. University of South Carolina , University of Notre Dame, University of Michigan , University of Wisconsin, Brigham Young University...I should have a PhD by now! I know human society hasn't progressed to a point to where dogs can get a higher education, or even attend an NCAA football game, but I know I am a smarter dog just for having been to so many campuses. If you are a smart dog living in the Earlysville, Virginia area, you can get obedience training at Canine Campus . God luck with your college career! If you are looking to adopt in that area, contact HART , a no-kill animal rescue and support group in Fairfax Station, VA.

Your Best Friend,
Sonny

Friday, July 15, 2005

When I Was Just A Pup...





I was 9 weeks old when my mom took me home to live with her. These pictures were taken on my first full day living with my human family. I only weighed 9 lbs! Everything before that is kind of fuzzy, but I do know I lived in a shelter for one day before she adopted me.

I lived in that house in South Carolina for three months before embarking on my first wild adventure. Those good ol' days in the South hold some fond memories for me. My mom started out as a stay at home mom for me and we got to spend a ton of time together. She house-trained me, took me for walks, taught me tricks and games - it was loads of fun, and a great learning experience.

Are you think about getting a new pet for you or your family? As a former homeless dog myself, I recommend you adopt a shelter puppy. We are cute, smart, and just waiting fo your love! Find your perfect match at Petfinder.com . Learn if a puppy is right for you and tips to care for the new little guy at Pup Life . He'll be so thankful you rescued him - and you just might be thankful too!

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Dogs Like Baseball Too!



Baseball is a great sport for dogs - I know I love to catch things, throw things, and run around outside! Did you know you can take your dog to the ballpark with you? Many Minor League teams have "Take Your Dog To The Ballpark" promotions. Even some Major League Teams have "Dog Days of Summer" promotions where with a special ticket you and your dog can take in a big league game. San Diego Padres (Jun. 4), Toronto Blue Jays (Jul. 31), and San Francisco Giants (Aug. 6) all have this cool promotion in 2005. Also, if you are traveling with a pet in Chicago, you can take in a White Sox game and leave your pet at their Pet Check for only $3 (The money goes to non-profit organizations that train service animals)! And if you don't like baseball, your dog will probably settle for some tennis ball tossing in the yard :). I don't recommend you buy him a dog-sized baseball cap like my mom bought me for my birthday - wearing human clothes is so embarassing!

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Guest Dog Of The Week - Mayday




Here is a new idea I'm going to try - posting pictures of my fellow canines who are just as cute as me! Kicking off the "Guest Dog Of The Week" tradition is Mayday, a 4-year-old, female Dachshund from South Carolina. Isn't she a beauty?

To help pets in Mayday's area, visit The Greenville Humane Society . Thanks!

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Good Dog!








Earlier this year, I walked in "Strut Your Mutt," a 1.5 mile event raising money for No More Homeless Pets In Utah, an animal rescue and welfare group. Since I was a homeless puppy once, adopted from a shelter in South Carolina, I feel like it is important to help other pets so they can be as lucky as me. I raised $300! That made me a fundraising superstar and gave me access to "The Backyard," a special place where I got free treats, free toys, and even glitter for my fur and a spraypainted tattoo! It was fun to hang with all the other dogs and I felt good about myself for walking for a good cause. See the pictures above, and check out the website of No More Homeless Pets In Utah if you would like to help, too!

Monday, July 11, 2005

Beach Baby



Here are some pictures of me (and one with my mom) at the beach in Carpinteria, California. We camped there for a couple of weeks when we first moved to Los Angeles and were waiting for our apartment to be ready. Dogs were not allowed on the beach directly in front of the campsites but we could walk down a path a bit and play further down the beach. There were even some seals down there! I have never seen an animal like that before!

I'll admit I don't really like any kind of water (as you can probably tell by the top picture where I am trying to escape), especially the ocean, which chases me when I try to get out! But I do enjoy the sand as a cool place to roll around, plus seaweed is pretty tasty!

Sunday, July 10, 2005

Me & Mount Rushmore


Here is a picture of me and my human bud, Tom, at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota when I was just a pup. Dogs aren't allowed at the actual monument, but I could see it just fine from the parking lot because they did allow me into the national park. There were also designated areas were a pet can answer the call of nature, which was quite helpful on a cross country road trip!

Saturday, July 09, 2005

Pet Travel Resources


Here is a picture of me in front of Devil's Tower in Wyoming. Ain't I cute?

I added some links to a few of my favorite pet travel and pet related sites. A lot of them have good ideas, good products, or good information. I also added a link to Ruffledale Pet Resort and Paw Spa. This is where I stay when my mom travels without me. It is a great place for Doggie day care and boarding, so if you are a dog in the Layton, Utah area and need a place to stay, you should check it out. Maybe we could play together!

Thursday, July 07, 2005

Teaching this dog new tricks


I am a smart dog, if I do say so myself. I know all the normal dog commands like "sit" "stay" etc. I even know how to give hugs and kisses. I like to impress the humans. The other day, my humans decided to teach me another trick. They taught me how to stand on my hind legs. At first I was frustrated because they kept holding a treat high in the air, and I kept jumping for it, but even when I jumped five feet in the air, they wouldn't give it to me! Grrrr. But I am pretty quick and finally figured out that "Stand" meant get up on my back legs and balance. When I do it, my mom will give me a treat AND lots of hugging and petting. I might even practice while she's away. When I "Stand" it's easier to get things off the kitchen table!

Your Best Friend,
Sonny

Wednesday, July 06, 2005

Scarface


I don't mean to do the things I do sometimes. I am excitible. I am enthusiastic. I am curious. I like to play. Sometimes, I admit it, I get out of hand.

Last week, I was snooping around, like usual, tossing myself a tennis ball, and chasing imaginary friends around the living room. My mom was lying on the couch and our friend, Tom, was sitting on the floor using his laptop computer. I jumped onto the back of the couch and walked across it like a balance beam. I had seen some cats do this on Animal Planet, and if they could do it, so could I. I tiptoed to the edge of the couch. I really liked the view from up there - I could see so much! I could even see the top of the end table...and the cup of yummy Dr. Pepper on top of it! I have a weakness for Dr. Pepper, it's true. So, I focused on that like it was prey in the wild. I was a little too focused because I reached out just a bit too far. I tumbled off the couch! Unfortunately, Tom was sitting right underneath the couch, and in all my attempts to keep myself from breaking into a million pieces, I grabbed the first thing I could get my paws on - Tom's head! Now, if you have ever tried to save yourself by grabbing onto a human's head, you'll know it's not very helpful. All I did was dig a big gouge in his forehead with my claws, and land with a splat on the floor. After I stopped seeing stars and realized I hadn't hurt myself, I saw that Tom was bleeding a little. I felt so bad! I licked the wound a little, then banished myself to my bed. Even though my mom said I didn't have to stay there because it was an accident, I just felt so bad I had to punish myself. We're cool now, but I realize that cats have better balance than dogs, and I'll be keeping my distance from the back of the couch.

On Sunday morning, I was lounging in bed with my mom. She decided to take me out for a walk and was getting dressed. She couldn't find any socks to wear so Tom tossed her a pair from the other room. Now, I'm gonna stop right here and let you know that I love socks. Not just like. LOVE. They are the best thing to chew. I am a sock addict. I have been known to sneak into the bedroom and steal them from the hamper I love them so much. So I am just a little dog, and all I see is a pair of socks flying through the air. I am also a very very quick dog and I was on those socks in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately, I had to snag them in the air and as I came down from the jump, I swiped my mom's cheek with my paw. Another gash. Another potential scar. I felt even worse about this one since not only was it my mom that I had hurt, it was also the second time I had done this in less than a week! I am a big klutz, and since then I have been being VERY careful and trying to stay on the ground as much as possible. I also had to get my nails cut which is the worst! Almost as bad as having to take a bath. Lucky for me, the humans love my spunk, and they're gonna keep me around. Even when I scar them for life.

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Fireworks...grrrrr

I have one thing to say about the 4th of July - Fireworks are LOUD! I don't get it. So they make a loud bang. So what? Last night, I was curled up in a little fuzzy ball in bed with my mom trying to sleep when - BANG! CRACK! POW! Fireworks erupted right outside my window! What a racket! I mean, I'm no scardy cat. I'm a mutt! I am brave! I know some Dachsunds who spent the night cowering under the bed. But not me. All I did was get mad. Grrrrrr....GRRRRRR! I barked and snapped until those things stopped exploding. And they did. They heard my barking, telling them this was my house, and my bedtime, and I am not to be disturbed. They listened to my roar. I am king of this castle! Grrrrrrrr!