Guest Dog of The Week - Trouble

This week's guest dog is Trouble, a 5-year-old female Border Collie from the Bronx. Trouble was taken in by her humans after she almost got hit by a car while wondering the streets as a puppy. She loves having her belly rubbed, wrestling with humans, and helping her human knit, but hates thunder storms, when human leaves for college, and squirrels. Isn't she a cutie?

To help pets in Trouble's area, visit Animal Care and Control of New York City. Donate, volunteer, adopt, or attend events throughout the NYC metro area.

And thanks to Trouble's human who visited my site and submitted her information!

Your Best Friend,
Sonny

What A Wonderful World

It's been a while since I've been out on the road. Over a year, in fact. I miss those days when I was a free traveling dog, the wind blowing through my fur, visitng beaches and mountains and farms and cities. I can't wait until I get to do it again.

My family is planning a big road trip next year. I mean BIG. I am going to visit places I have never been before. So far, here is where we plan to go:

KANSAS, OKLAHOMA, TENNESSEE, FLORIDA, LOUISIANA, TEXAS, ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, OREGON, WASHINGTON, IDAHO, COLORADO, MISSOURI, MINNESOTA, WISCONSIN, ILLINOIS, MICHIGAN, OHIO, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, MASSACHUSETTS, KENTUCKY, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON D.C., MARYLAND, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA

Add all of those to the other places I've gone like Nevada, South Dakota, and Utah - I'll have seen a bunch of cool places!

If you know of any fun stuff that dogs can do in any of these states, please let me know. I'd love to go, cuz I'm a roadtrippin' dog!

Your Best Friend,
Sonny

Guest Dog Of The Week - Tyson

This week's guest dog is Tyson, a Boxer puppy from Charlotte, North Carolina. Tyson's dad and my bud Tom used to be roommates in college, and my mom used to be on their bowling team (I sure wish dogs could bowl!).

To help pets in Tyson's area, visit the Charlotte Humane Society. Adopt, donate, or participate in the 2005 Pet Parade. Sounds like a blast to me!

Your Best Friend,
Sonny

Some Books For The Road

During our travels around the country, my mom has used two books to help us make the most of our trips. Traveling With Your Pet - The AAA PetBook and DogFriendly.com's United States And Canada Dog Travel Guide let us know the right places to stay and how to get to them, parks and attractions that allow dogs, even some emergency vet information. The DogFriendly.com book also lists restaurants and shops that allow dogs in a number of "pet friendly" cities. These are super helpful resources for roadtrippin' dogs like me!

Downward Facing Dog

Sometimes, being a dog can stress you out. Luckily, humans are beginning to realize this and doing something about it!

Many classes are popping up around the country to teach "Doga," yoga for dogs! The fitness chain, Crunch, for example, holds a class called "Ruff Yoga." The Crunch website says of the class:

Join Crunch for 30 minutes of Yoga with your Pup! This free yoga class will bring you and your pup closer as you do traditional and non-traditional yoga poses on the same mat. Mats will be provided. Class takes place outdoors, weather permitting.

Studies show that relaxed pet parents have more relaxed pets, so yoga for you can calm your crazy canine! Plus, wouldn't you love to spend 30 minutes bonding with your dog? I thought so! Ohm......


Your best friend,
Sonny

Guest Dog Of The Week - Dingo

This week's guest dog is Dingo, a 4-year-old Australian Shepherd mix from right here in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was featured as a puppy on a pet adoption segment of a local morning tv show, and was so cute, he got adopted by the show's weather man!

To help pets in Dingo's area (and mine too!), visit The Utah Humane Society. During the month of August, certain dog adoptions (which include spay or neuter surgery, de-worming, the first distemper immunization, a leash, and a complete physical examination) will be available for only $37.50 - half price! Bring home your new buddy today :)!

Your Best Friend,
Sonny

Photo Op

Tonight, as my mom watched episode after episode of "Sex And The City" (I personally think they only get good once Pete and Scout, the dogs, show up), I wrestled with my favorite toy, Charlotte Yorkshire, a stuffed terrier from Toys R Us. This is one of my best toys because I have had it for over a year and still haven't been able to break it open and get all the stuffing out. Most toys I can rip open in a matter of minutes! Durable is definitely good when it comes to my toys. And she's kinda cute too!

To get your own indestructable dog toys, check out the selection at Pup Life. They may not be as sophisticated as Charlotte, but they sure are fun!

Your Best Friend,
Sonny

Cats...grrrr

I don't know much about other animals. I pretty much hang out with humans and other dogs. I have spotted birds and squirrels and things before, but I don't have much experience with them. This makes me so curious. I mean, all these other different things are out there - I want to see them!

Well, in the past two days I have discovered another animal - that cat! Yesterday, while I was taking a walk, I saw this strange creature in the bushes. I tried to run over and meet it...but I was on a leash and it just held me back. I was disappointed not to get a look at the thing up close, but I was told it was a "cat" and would be afraid of me anyway.

Then last night, I heard the most horrible wailing sound coming from the back yard. I didn't know what it was. For several minutes, it sounded like a human baby crying, but I knew it wasn't. It was something else. I hid under the bed and growled. Grrrrr. Suddenly, through the wall, I heard a scuffle and a loud "Meeeeooooow!" I recognized that sound - it was a cat again!

I went nuts as a burst out from under the bed and started barking at that cat. How dare it wake me up? How dare it make noised in MY BACKYARD! No wonder cats are afraid of me - they should be!

My barking must have scared it off because the rest of the night was quiet. But then this morning, when I was out walking again, I saw it. Across the lawn was a cat. I busted through the sprinklers (and you know how I hate water!) to try and get it, but again, that darn leash kept me in one place. Grrrrr! Cats are so frustrating! Bu tI am determined to meet one someday. And I'm gonna give it a piece of my mind!

Your best friend,
Sonny

Guest Dog Of The Week - Sam

This week's Guest Dog is Sam, a beautiful mixed breed (sheltie and doberman) from near Ottawa in Canada who loves Frisbie, chasing dirty squirrels & chewing pig ears (my kind of dog!). Sam is the first guest dog from Canada AND the first dog to get submitted by a reader - thanks to Sam's human Kathie!

To help dogs in Sam's area, visit the Ottawa Humane Society. Adopt, donate, volunteer, report lost or found pets, or be a pet foster parent!

If you are a reader with a dog who would like to be Guest Dog Of The Week, send me an e-mail at sonnysdogblog@yahoo.com. Thanks!

Your Best Friend,
Sonny

And For My Next Trick...

I have pretty much mastered the whole standing up on my hind legs thing. I told you I was smart - that didn't take long at all! I have gotten to the point where as soon as anyone pulls a dog cookie from the cookie jar, I would be up, balancing on my back legs. And I'm good at it!

Well, like always, the people in my house have thrown me a curve ball. No more "stand up" for me, oh no. Now, in order to get my cookie I have to do this new thing called "shake." I haven't worked out all the details yet, but basically it entails someone telling me to "sit," picking my paw up off the floor, and wiggling it around. Doesn't make much sense to me. At least "Standing up" made me taller. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure they're even doing it right. But whatever. I will persevere. Nothing can keep me away from my Beggin' Strips. So "Shake" it is.

Barking in Beantown

My mom is from Boston and even though I only lived there for a few weeks as a puppy, it is a place that is close to my heart. While I was there I played all day with my cousin dogs, Willie and Chico, dug big holes in the backyard of my mom's mom's house, and spent lots of time running outside with no leash on - man, I love yards with big fences! So when I heard about DoggieFest Boston, I just had to tell you guys about it!

DoggieFest Boston, an all day event being held at Bunker Hill Community College this Saturday, is the perfect event for the active New England dog. Activies including leash-free playgrounds, frisbee and agility competitions, beauty services like doggie manicures and baths, plus charicatures, portraits, obedience training, toys, and treats - DoggieFest Boston is full of furry fun!

If you are a Boston dog, let me know how it goes. And go Red Sox!

Your Best Friend,
Sonny

Guest Dog Of The Week - Bert

In honor of my mom's recent vacation, this week's guest dog is Bert, a male basset hound living with mom's cousin in Frisco, Colorado. Bert is a playful guy who likes to bask in the glow of nature from his porch in the Rocky Mountains. I hope I get to meet him some day!

To help pets in Bert's area contact Summit County Animal Shelter. You can adopt, donate, volunteer, take classes, or get a pet license. Summit County is very dog friendly and is also a great place to visit with your pet!

Your Best Friend,
Sonny

Reunited

My mom was gone for four whole days, and I was starting to worry that she wasn't coming back. I know that she has been gone for a few days before and has come back, and every time I get dropped off at the kennel, I get picked up again a day or two later. But every time, I get a little bit nervous. You know, someone did leave me at a shelter once and never came back. Of course, that is how I met my mom.

Anyway, I kept sitting by the door, never giving up hope. I did enjoy "guy's weekend" with Tom, but enough is enough, you know? Tom would leave and come back alone. Then leave and come back alone. It was getting tedious. I was getting sad.

Finally, though, it happened.

I heard someone coming. The door opened...and it was Tom. I was disappointed. I was sure my mom was out there! But it was a trick!! Cuz you know what? My mom came in right after that! Oh, I was the most excited dog in the world! I jumped and twirled and ran around in circles. I tackled my mom and licked and kissed her all over - I just couldn't stop! It was the greates feeling in the world. Mom was home, and I was safe and warm and fuzzy again.

She and I sat together for a while. She rubbed my tummy and I licked her face. Then I got to cuddle up with her in bed, like we do every night. It was the best. I love my mom. And she loves me. And I hope she doesn't leave again for a really long time.