Thursday 1 August 2013

Choosing the right breed of human


Fellow pups, I have been giving much thought this week to an oft overlooked matter, namely the importance of selecting the right breed of owner, with suitable characteristics compatible with one's own lifestyle.

You see, I have come to realise that in the case of my human, it is very important for her mental stability and overall well-being that she is given energetic exercise at least once a day.

As you know I am normally very diligent in carrying out this duty, being a lively little chap myself (yes Gail, 'lively' is the word I meant to use, not 'hyper'). But this week, on top of all else that is going on here in Nottingham, I have had a very sore paw, and although I try not to make a fuss it really has not been possible to give Gail the exercise she needs and as a result she has become fractious.

Worse, last night, Gail managed to open the front door when she was not attached to my lead, and took herself for a walk ON HER OWN. Well of course I was frantic with worry, especially as I was unable to go and search for her. I am so relieved that she returned safe and sound an hour later, just before it got properly dark.

I might also note that Gail needs feeding at regular intervals, as if the blood sugar drops below a critical level, then her normally sunny disposition clouds over faster than you can say emergency Mars Bar.

It is clear from my observations over the past three years that this requirement for lots of exercise and frequent feeding is a breed trait common to all Gail's family.

Perfect for me of course.

I wonder what kind of humans my canine friends live with, and would be most interested to know, for scientific purposes you understand, if they too have noticed any unique and interesting breed characteristics?


PS from Gail: Bertie has picked up a paw infection, presumably through a cut in in his right rear pad, and it is news to me that he has 'not been making a fuss'....After a visit yesterday to a local vet, he is being treated with antibiotics.


23 comments:

  1. Poor Bertie.

    We may have chosen the wrong breed. We have to MAKE HER take us for walks, and SHE is definitely hard to train. On walks, when we let HER off the lead, we have to stick close by so SHE doesn't wander off.

    We think we should have chosen a human who eats more, and drops more. But overall, we satisfied.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

    Oh, and one that doesn't keep using a Vacula.

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  2. Bertie we send POTP to your paw. We hope it gets better soon and you and Gail can get back to your routine. The servant here is no good to man or beast. I drew the short straw trust me. Glad you did better on your selection of your human. Have a tremendous Thursday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  3. Hari OM
    OMD Bertie - paw infection = love and affection... in theory anyway! This wasn't a ploy to grab back some attention, now was it? Does cause you to pose rather pretty though.

    I think Jade would have said we were pretty well matched - she chose me after all!

    Sending lots of love and hugs to you both for healing inside and outside. YAM-aunty xxx

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  4. Oh Bertie, I hope your paw is feeling better soon! You know, I get all worried sometimes when my peeps leave the house without me - sometimes they sit on the front patio, or water the grass, water the bushes, trim the bushes. So much attention is paid to the growing things Then they come back inside all dirty and wash it right off. I don't get it.

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  5. Feel better soon Bertie. I know that you're putting on a brave canine face for Gail. I imagine that her solitary walk last evening was to mask from you the wailing and beating of the chest she felt at seeing your pain. Yes that's it, I'm almost sure of it.

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  6. Bertie we hope that foot heals faster than the speed of life.

    Our Lady's breed - also needs some exercise and fresh air. she needs a daily walk and need to go outside 4 or 5 more times a day for short breaks. She eats frequently. She doesn't cook, but likes to bake which = treats for us. Sometimes she sits in front of a screen too long. Thankfully we are here to help her.

    Have a great day. Lee and Phod

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  7. Perhaps you have seen articles about dog breeds that say something like "this mix or breed loves excercise but if not available is perfectly willing to curl up and cuddle instead." Thats me, Bertie, I am half labrador retriever and half Spaniel. I am always happy with a good walk, but if not available, a good snooze is fine too. I guess if I were human, I would be described as "easy-going".

    Sincerely,
    Stella

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  8. I thought very long and hard about the pawfect human for me. I actually had another family about to adopt me, but I turned them down because they weren't right for me. My foster family thought about "foster failing" with me too, but I told them my pawfect home was out there! Momma is pawfect for me, because she never hesitates to take me out for walks -- TWICE a day!! -- and snuggles with me all the rest of the time. I do like how she's independent and doesn't need me supervising her ALL the time, so I can get some much-needed beauty sleep. I just have to make sure she takes regular breaks from whatever she gets wrapped up in. All in all, we're a grreat team!

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  9. Sore paws are never much fun - we hope it heals fast so you can take your human for more walks

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  10. First of course, Get Well Soon Bertie! Gail needs you in top shape to meet her breed demands...Momz is an easy-going breed...she does like the regular exercise, but understands if I choose to stay in on rainy days...she does have the habit of parking herself on MY furninture, but I let that slide...as for meals, she's adapted herself to my preferred schedule of 2 meals/day but I notice she indulges in more snacks than I believe is good for her...Gonna have to work on that one

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  11. Is Gail related to mom?
    Benny & Lily

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  12. Horatio has thankfully found a similar breed of human. It must be a fix terrier thing.

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  13. Bertie we so hope your paw feels better u take such great care of Gail
    Urban hounds

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  14. Bertie,
    Humans require considerable attention from their canine pals and being sidelined with an owie can result in you not being able to do your training duties. I see that your Gail is already getting distracted and confused regarding exercise and feeding and I hope that you are back on all four soon.

    I, too, am compelled to walk my momma at frequent intervals and I sometimes worry that on daycare days she spends so much time sitting that her vital mental juices pool in her bottom.

    Kisses,
    Dexter

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  15. Oh Bertie, you are so right ...only don't mention the thing about needing a dog to exercise with to my assistant. Heaven knows she could certainly use more exercise, but exercise is really not my thing.

    Your pal, Pip

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  16. Bertie: Catching up after the muzzer returned from St.Loulis. We agree that hoomans need exercise! We walk ours at least 4 times a day, and often more frequently.

    We also read your post about the "care home" where your HGD is. We visit our Great Aunt frequently at the "assisted living" place in St. Loulis, and we are quite possibly the most popular members of our family! We feel they appreciate terriers (and particularly wire foxies) more than younger folks. Theirs is the generation that made Asta famous, after all. I am amazed at how many of them had a dog "just like you" and me!

    gussie

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  17. Hope your paw get better quick and you and Gail can resume your normal routine. I have mixed breed peeps (a him and a her) and they don't always agree on the same routine. I find this disagreeable and have lately been opting for a love the one you're with technique which so far is highly effective! In case of a tie I go to "guys rule,", and dad and I join forces and totally upset mom's applecart, whatever that means!

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  18. HEY HANDSOME BERTIE.
    I'M SO VERY SORRY YOU HAVE A SORE PAW BUT GLAD TO KNOW IT IS ON THE MEND. I'M SENDING YOU A KITTY KISSY TO MAKE IT ALL BETTER.

    AS FOR PICKING THE RIGHT HUMAN...MOM AND DAD HAVE THEIR CONTRACTS RENEWED AND REVIEWED EVERY 4 MONTHS. NO YEAR CONTRACTS FOR THEM THEY ARE TOO PRONE TO SLIP IF THEY GET TOO COMFORATABLE
    HUGS ALL AROUND MADI YOUR BFFF

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  19. I think I have done OK. My male human is excellent at exercising me and playing (particularly soccer) and mum is excellent at buying me stuff and feeding me. I do wish to scrub out the bathing and grooming bits mum does.... as well as the combing of the fur clumps outa my paws - THAT'S the WORST TRAIT SHE HAS. She says she does it because she loves me.... but I try and bite her hands anyway.

    I think the BEST thing about my peeps is that they don't work anymore..... so we gets lots of time together and it is very rare that I'm stucks at home on my lonesome. I feel for my furiends who don't have this rare situation. I even get to go on most of their holidays!!

    All the best for a quick paw recovery Bertie.

    Tail Wuggles, Rubie xxx

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  20. Hi Bertie
    Thankyou for visiting our blog. We are apalled to hear Gail went out without you, sheesh.
    It really made Mum smile when she saw you were a Wire Haired Fox Terrier as those were the dogs she had growing up!
    As for Robin Hood's Bay, we have no idea why Robin Hood has a bay in Yorkshire, it's pretty strange. We will have to look up the origin of the name and see if there is any connection - good question!
    Dip Bridge and Elliot x

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  21. Bewtie
    I'm afwaid I mistakenly chose a wafew lazy and unfit hooman , who appeawantly is unanle to ho fow mowe than 10 metews when the tempewatoowe gets to 40C ..thewefowe my summews cuwwently awe dismal and bowing, howevew, bof my hoomans get enewgised as soon as it coold off and then behave in the pwopew way gow my needs to ho explowe. Theiw nice chawactewistic in taking me wif them fow all food pawposes does make up gow othew showtcumings. I hope this helps yoow weseawch
    Smoochie kisses
    Asta

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  22. Awww Bertie,
    We are sorry to hear about your paw, pawticularly at this time when Gail needs her exercise.
    You asked about our humans....
    mmmm....The are mega-couch-potatoes (like us...)interspersed with some energetic guilt exercise, BOL!
    Lotsalicks
    TOBY IN SOUTH AFRICA
    ps Mom says to send you her love and hope that all is going well in Nottingham. Love to HGD and HGY too.

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  23. Oh no Bertie, that's not good about your paw! Hmm, does Gail, like my old people, think she can just walk all over you and do as she pleases? We should make a little plan of how to stop this nonsense. My person goes to the shop with out me! But then again, I would have to be tied up outside, so maybe there is a reason in leaving me at home!
    Pippa :)

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