Dogs Archives - Award-Winning Writer and Graphic Designer

Basket of Adorables: Photos From Halloween Dog Parade in New York City

dorriolds — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 11:30:44 +0000

Happy Halloween, Everybody. Boo!

I hope you enjoy my photos from the Annual Halloween Dog Parade in Tompkins Square Park. The costumes this year were spectacular. You can read about the “Howling Good Time” on Sniff and Barkens magazine.

More doggie ghosts from Halloweens past

There was a huge turnout despite the rainy, cold and windy weather. Here is a teaser of photos.

See more fun Halloween dog photography here!

One touching story came from Lorna Li who came dressed as a chef holding chopsticks. She talked about her darling dog, a Pekingese named Iggi. He has his own Instagram account: everyonesiggi. Read more about the amazing rescue of her little Iggi.

You’ll also hear exclusive quotes from beloved dog advocate Ada Nieves, who co-chaired the event.

Halloween Costume of Cotton Candy won the grand prize at Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade

Bulldog rocking his Halloween butterfly costume

I’m dying to know what this dog saw when I snapped the photo.

Amazing Homemade Andy Warhol Halloween Costume

All the photos on this page are mine except for this one. Source: Evan Ross Katz, mic.com

Grace Forster and her dog Rosie dolled up in homemade Mermaid Costumes. The top photo is Forster’s Portia.

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Tips For Calm Dogs on July 4th

dorriolds — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 01:00:00 +0000

Dogs on July 4th

Dogs on July 4 are not having as much fun as you are. Sure, some may get a kick out of fireworks but it’s more likely that July 4 will freak your dog out. Why? Because it’s loaded with unfamiliar and near-deafening noises. While people gaze up at the sky watching the wonders of cascading lights, humans know that it is a noisy night and that is all part of the fun.

Fireworks Are Great For Us

But For Dogs, Not So Much

Skies bursting with fireworks are not canine friendly. For Fido or FiFi, explosions sound terrifying. And every year we hear stories about dogs running away during July 4 celebrations. Your precious pet may bolt in fear from crowds. Loud partiers getting lit and whooping and hollering to big kabooms in the sky, is bizarre to your dog.

Doggies Left Alone Are Also Frightened

Rover’s terror may be even worse when left alone. They do not recognize the sounds of pyrotechnics. For all you know they may be hiding under the sofa, shivering. So, may the 4th be with you, but please protect your beloved pets from what sounds like the end of the world to them.

Hot Fun in the Summertime

Yes, summer is exciting! And this year, more than ever. We humansw were just beginning to exhale after a long stretch of stress of loneliness after our first pandemic. Even loners like me caught acute cabin fever. However, July and August are looking a whole lot brighter now that Covid-19 isolation is letting up. Thanks to Fauci Ouchies. Yay! And thank you, President Joe Biden!

Tips for Calm Doggies

What do we want? Fun. And when do we want it? Now. It is so easy to get caught up in party planning for holiday festivities but it is also a time to make plans for your dog. Buddy needs to be in a safe, quiet environment. It is a smart move to hire a dog-sitter for the evening. Or leave with a homebody friend who wants to stay far from the commotion.

Dogs Thrive on Routine

Dogs thrive on routine. When daily activities are suddenly turned upside down, dogs can experience confusion. That can create high anxiety. There are many ways to help dogs deal with potentially stressful times. It begins with recognizing your dog’s body language and behavior. When a dog is stressed, be their pack leader. When your pooch can’t identify the alpha she can become anxious and insecure.

“You will see signs often in conjunction with each other,” says Darlene Arden, dog behaviorist and author of over a dozen books including “The Angell Memorial Animal Hospital Book of Wellness and Preventive Care for Dogs.” “It is important you remain calm. If you’re anxious, your dog will pick up on that.”

To help identify stress, Arden said to look for the following signals:

• Excessive licking of paws, nose or lips

• Panting that isn’t heat related

• Pacing

• Trembling

• Pinning back ears and cowering

• Hiding

• Refusing treats

• Diarrhea or vomiting

• Whimpering

• Clawing at walls, doors or gates trying to escape

Ways to Soothe Your Stressed Dog

“Drawing the curtains helps to keep out flashing lights that may startle your pets,” Arden says. “And if you plan on being out, leave a few lights on. That can also help ease a dog’s mind.”

If you have a dog that suffers from separation anxiety, make sure all doors and windows are locked before you leave the house so the dog can’t run off. Play noises your dog is familiar with like the TV, radio or CD player and encourage your dog to hang out in their den.

A den can be a crate with soft blankets and a pillow. Or you can create an area where you place a cushiony, comfy bed. Whereever you set up this doggie den, make sure to include your pups favorite toys. Another item that works well is a treat-release toy, or a puzzle game that has hidden kibbles.

Let This Summer Go To The Dogs

Taking your dog for long walks, playing fetch, or spending some time learning new tricks are other ways to help relieve pet stress. But it is important to think about how your canine will be spending the loud July 4 holiday. If you’re going to be out while the fireworks are kabooming, it’s best to hire a petsitter for that time. If you’re having a big party, your dog might feel better tucked away in his den.

Bonnie Brown, founder of Dog Trainers Connection, recommends trying a popular pet product to reduce anxiety. “Use a Thundershirt,” she says. “Maintained pressure helps calm the dog’s sensory receptors.” Think of it as swaddling a baby to encourage a feeling of security. “The wrap helps to minimize the dog’s involuntary shivering, which in itself can help your dog feel calmer,” says Brown. Securing a T-shirt or towel around your dog can also have a similar calming effect.

I agree with Brown. I’ve seen Thundershirts work well for anxious pooches. In all honesty, I also know a dog who did not feel comforted by a Thundershirt. So part of raising a calm and happy furry family member is trial and error. As with humans, what works for one child, may not work for another.

More Tips For Pups

Aromatherapy mists, calming supplements and pheromone collars are other products that can promote relaxation and relieve nervousness. Brown also recommends speaking to your vet about prescription anxiety medications if your dog suffers from severe stress and anxiety.

The dog mentioned above – the one who was still anxious despite being swaddled in a Thundershirt, was eventually put on periodic vet-prescribed meds. They were only used for thunderstorms or any other high anxiety events. One caveat: “puppy-uppers” or putting pooches on Prozac should only be considered after trying everything else.

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Dog Pics Guaranteed to Cheer You Up

dorriolds — Tue, 31 May 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Yes, Dog Pics Are Antidepressants

Smiling Dog © DorriOlds

Dog pics are the best antidepressants and that’s no lie. I’m no doctor, but I know what I know. When I’m feeling exhausted — which is all the time lately — the answer is dog pics. When looping existential questions make my head loopy, the answer: more dog pics. Can’t get to sleep, or can’t get up? Look at dog pics.

Got The Blues?

Dog Pics to the Rescue!

No matter what the question, the answer is staring at more dog photos. My extra pandemic-pounds make my pants tight. The best cure I know is playing with my dogs. I play with friends’ dogs and my neighbors’ dogs. I draw dogs. I photograph dogs. Googling and staring at dog photographs is the answer. I swear it works.

Now, indulge me for a hot minute for my Parliament-Funkadelic paraphrasing. If you’ve got backaches, migraines, coronaphobia, or depression, listen up. Whatever part of your body it is, dog photos not only move you, they can remove bad news, dig? The desired effect is what you get when you improve your life with dogs.

Angel Song © Dorri Olds

Dogs For A Day

Take one day off. Instead of news, stare at dogs for a day. I get mad when friends say, “I can’t watch the news, it’s too depressing.” So, that’s not what I am suggesting. We need to stay informed and fight for equal rights and holding corrupt politicians, corrupt cops, cheaters and scammers accountable. Hence, let’s follow news from reputable sources six days a week. Then we’ve earned our one day off each week to google and gaze at funny dog faces.

I’m no doctor, but I know what I know. This is a guaranteed way out of a funk. The more dog pics I see, the better my moods get. So, for you and for me — for all of us — enjoy my dog art, my dog photos, and my great finds via google searches. If anybody knows the origin of some of the doggie images, please let me know. You can tag them on one of my facebook pages: Dogs, Dogs, Dogs.

Dogs Are My Favorite People!!

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Another Moving Rescue ‘Tail’

dorriolds — Wed, 11 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Rescue Dog

Grab a tissue for this beautiful tail … er… tale of rescue written for Sniff & Barkens

Jack the rescue dog was born in Kentucky and officially labeled a mutt. Part Australian Bernese Mountain Dog, he was mixed with Border Collie. At the age of one, Animal Control removed this malnourished pup from his home and transported him hundreds of miles to Michigan. There, his luck changed.

Judy Winter and Jack

Judy Winter was working as a volunteer at the local Michigan Humane Society. She was nursing a broken heart after having lost her 12-year-old son Eric. Due to a long and difficult birth, Eric had been born with cerebral palsy and died from a complication related to his disability. She’d spent years as an advocate for her son and had written an award-winning book, “Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs.” After the book tour, and still suffering from crippling grief, she didn’t know what do with herself.

It was then Judy signed up to volunteer at the shelter. “My first week there,” she says, “I fell in love with Jack at first sight.” When they met, the poor little pup didn’t know how to bark. He didn’t know what a treat was. “I’m not sure he’d ever been taken on a walk,” says Judy. “He was clearly over-disciplined and terrified of people—especially men. He’d hide behind me and was so psychologically wounded he didn’t even know how to be a dog.”

Jack the Rescue Dog

She guessed that Jack had been taken from a dog breeding situation. “Herding dogs are in big demand down south,” she says, “because of all the ranches. Right away she could tell that he was incredibly smart and “his face looked like the most adorable stuffed animal.”

After adopting him, she spent weeks rehabbing him. “It was my first dog so I spent a lot of hours educating myself on how to treat a dog, how to discipline him, how to be a good pet owner. It was by applying a lot of love, appropriate discipline, and spending quality time together regularly.”

Judy and Jack took long walks together. She also socialized him and soon saw a great turnaround in his demeanor. “I never babied him,” Judy says. “I never pitied him. I treated him as you should a dog. There are things you can do to raise a healthy animal and he responded beautifully to that.”

Dogs: Expert Training Tips for a Perfect Pooch

dorriolds — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 16:10:00 +0000

So, you decided to get a dog or train the four-legged pal in your family. Dogs enhance our lives tremendously, but they can be a handful, to say the least. When you’re out on the town with your furry best friend, use these simple techniques to ensure you both still love each other by the time you get home.

These Paws are Made for Walkin’

Dog expert Cesar Millan explains that a happy, well-behaved dog knows how to walk on a leash properly. The Dog Whisperer takes a six-step approach for stepping out with your furry friend.

Walk in front. You’re the pack leader. Stay in front and always enter the door first.
Keep ‘em on a short leash, which gives you more control and makes it easier for you to correct missteps.
Don’t rush walks. Dogs love walks mostly in the morning, and most breeds need 30 to 60 minutes of quality walk time per day.
Reward dogs for good behavior during the walk. If your dog behaves, let him sniff around and relieve himself. You decide when reward time is over.
Keep leading. Make your dog wait patiently and obediently while you put his leash away.
Reward your dog for working hard with a healthy treat. Provide a purpose, and make dogs work for their food.

For more Cesar Millan Tips check out his YouTube Channel.

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10 Holiday Foods to Keep Away from Dogs and Cats

dorriolds — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Holiday Foods

Holiday foods can be treacherous for dogs and cats. This is a list of 10 dangerous holiday foods that can harm dogs and cats if ingested. Your pets have no idea how to pick and choose which table scraps to gobble up. Read on to learn about common yet dangerous holiday foods that are the most important to keep out of reach from your pets.

My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Buddy, was at the tippy-top of every year’s “I give thanks for” list. It’s easy to write out the reasons he rocked my world: Buddy stared at me lovingly with big brown eyes like Bambi’s. He followed me around because he needed to know where I was and whatever I was doing every second of every day.

DANGEROUS HOLIDAY FOODS

Size Matters

The smaller the pet and the larger the portion of the food they ingest, the more likely you will have to rush your dog to the emergency room, so don’t take any chances. Be sure that all of your guests, especially children, understand that they are not to give anything to the dog or cat. Many people have no idea what certain foods can do to animals, so here is my list of the top 10 worst offenders at a holiday celebration:

Buddy James Olds ©DorriOlds

TURKEY OR CHICKEN BONES

These are extremely dangerous for your pets because the bones can easily splinter and get stuck in your furry loved one’s gastrointestinal tract. The sharp edges from splintered bones can cause dangerous perforations. An all-too-common choking hazard can occur if a bone becomes lodged in the throat of your dog or cat. Please be careful over the holidays to not leave anything in the kitchen garbage. Pets know how to be sneaky and can easily get into it. Take the garbage outside, tie it and secure it in a covered garbage can far away from Fifi or Fido.

CHOCOLATE

Obviously, chocolate can contain a lot of fat, that is why we get fat when we eat too much of it. Fat isn’t any good for your pets, either. Chocolate also contains methylxanthines, which are stimulants including the obromine and caffeine. Depending on the size of your dog or cat, the amount of chocolate eaten and the type of chocolate (milk, dark or baking), horrid things can happen. Your pet may experience vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, irregular heart beat, seizures and even death. Their little pancreas can become inflamed causing pancreatitis, which can be fatal. Four ounces of milk chocolate — or merely half an ounce of baking chocolate — can seriously harm a 10-pound pet.

DANGEROUS HOLIDAY FOODS ALSO INCLUDE

No matter how much you love your animals, you may not be aware of some of the most dangerous holiday foods for them. While alcohol and chicken bones may be obvious to you, were you aware of xylitol, nuts, dairy, grapes, raisins? And did you know that other dangerous holiday foods for pets are garlic, onions. certain spices and some nuts?

XYLITOL

This sugar substitute is often found in candy, gum or other packaged foods and even in toothpaste. If your dog or cat ingests as little as an eighth of a teaspoon of xylitol, it can cause pancreas to secrete insulin, which can lead to dangerously low blood sugar. Ingesting half a teaspoon could lead to liver damage or even liver failure. Symptoms include vomiting, loss of muscle control, lethargy and seizures. Liver failure can occur quickly. Rush your pet to the animal hospital.

GRAPES OR RAISINS

Did you know that your dog or cat could become extremely sick just by eating a handful of grapes or raisins? Nobody knows exactly why because the poisonous substance has never been identified, but even in small amounts, grapes or raisins can cause acute renal failure, and your beloved fur-baby could die. Don’t take a chance. Symptoms of a toxic reaction include diarrhea, excessive thirst, urinating excessively or not at all and lethargy. There is no antidote. Get your pet to a hospital immediately.

ALCOHOL

What you may perceive as only a smidgeon of alcohol can poison your pets. It’s very common for drinks to be left unattended at a holiday gathering, and your pet could easily be attracted by the smell of liquid in a glass, especially if it’s a sweet cocktail. Don’t leave open bottles on counters, either, and remember that many other foods — like rum cake or wine sauce — can contain enough liquor to put your dog or cat in danger. Alcohol poisoning can cause liver and brain damage. Just two teaspoons of whiskey can cause a coma in a five-pound pet; three teaspoons could kill. Obviously, the higher the alcohol proof the more damage it can cause.

DAIRY PRODUCTS

Most cats are lactose intolerant. Dogs can be, too. Lactose is made up of two sugar molecules. For a dog or cat to digest foods that contain lactose, their bodies must contain lactase, an enzyme that can split up the two sugars and make them digestible. Without lactase, your pets’ system cannot digest dairy foods containing lactose. Signs of upset include vomiting, gas and diarrhea.

MACADAMIA NUTS & WALNUTS

Macadamia nuts can cause toxicosis. Symptoms usually occur within 12 hours of ingestion and last for approximately 12 to 48hours. Your poor little doggie can experience vomiting, tremors, increased heart rate, fever, hypothermia and even become unable to stand. Although uncommon, it can lead to death.

ONIONS, GARLIC, SAGE, NUTMEG

Onions and garlic contain sulfides, which can damage red blood cells. Too much of one of these taste enhancers can cause toxic anemia. Days can go by before you notice a problem. This warning includes all forms of onion: powdered, raw, cooked, dehydrated, leeks, scallions and chives. Nutmeg can cause seizures. Sage and other herbs have oils that can cause stomach pain and/or affect a pet’s central nervous system. Cats are especially sensitive to sage.

CAFFEINATED COFFEE, TEA & SODA

Caffeine can harm your dog or cat. It can cause heart palpitations, rapid breathing and muscle tremors. In large quantities, it can cause death. Caffeine is also in some cold medicines and pain relievers, but I’m sure you already know that any medicine for humans, even over-the-counter stuff, can kill animals. That’s why there are warning signs all over the packaging and many medicines come with safety caps. So, as Judge Judy loves to say, “Don’t be stupid.”

THE MAKINGS OF THE MEAL

The kitchen is one big danger zone. While you are preparing your holiday meals, keep the following big offenders in mind. Uncooked eggs can cause salmonella poisoning or E. coli infection. Yeast dough is an extreme hazard. The uncooked dough can rise, and while it is expanding in your pet’s stomach, it can cause dangerous distress. If you abandon the kitchen to join your guests, do not leave any of these things accessible to your pet: fat trimmings, gravy, rich sauces, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, turkey cloth, wax paper, batter, spoons, toothpicks — all of these can be swallowed and can cause consequences that are too terrifying to even think about. Just don’t do it.

One last note: No matter how careful you are things can go wrong. It’s important to keep phone numbers on auto dial for your vet, the local 24-hour animal hospital, and ASPCA’s Animal and Poison Control Center: 888.426.4435. Now that you are armed with info, have a safe and happy holiday season!

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September is Happy Cat Month

dorriolds — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 12:14:00 +0000

Happy Cat Month

Anyone who meets me knows I’m obsessed with dogs. Especially my dog. You may not know that I grew up with a stray that my family took in. The only problem was my mother’s severe allergy to cats. Mom’s eyes swell up, and she breaks out in a sneezing fit. The solution was to make a cozy home for our kitty in the garage. She was happy with the trifecta: a loving family, privacy, and freedom.

Cat Named Telka

My oldest sister named the cat Telka after an Egyptian princess. I envisioned a royal family with dark hair and olive skin — in retrospect, they looked suspiciously like my family. The princess had long black hair, large brown eyes, and full lips like Cleopatra but with my sister’s face.

My Cat Telka

However, I recently googled ‘Telka Egyptian Princess,’ and it appears there was no Egyptian princess with that name. In fact, I can’t find any princess from any country named Telka. Oh well, that only makes the memories more magical.

Telka waited for me every day. She sat at the curb across the street from my elementary school. I have no idea how long she sat there, but she had an internal clock for meals, so she must’ve sensed when it was time to come get me. I’d cross the street and greet her with a scratch behind her ears. Her reaction was to elicit loud, long purrs. Then, as we began to walk, she would rub her body against my legs, which made her purr louder. She walked around my legs, weaving as if drawing the infinity symbol.
I knew she was saying, “I love you to infinity.

A girl hugging her cat. Joaquim Alves Gaspar. (Wikipedia).

My childhood home was a block-and-a-half from school. Upon arriving at the front doorstep she’d purr again, then run off to chase birds. The only thing I wasn’t crazy about was her proclivity for bringing me “presents.” Her gifts were poor little dead birds left in front of the door. Not only was it sad, it was disgusting to clean them up.

“Such adorable serial killers cats are,” said my Facebook pal Dan Collins. “When we got our cat Muffin, the family was overcome by his overwhelming cuteness. He was a little lint ball of a gray kitten. Who knew he would mature into Catzilla? At his best, Muffin was a lovable curmudgeon. At worst, he was a vet’s nemesis and the inspiration for Stephen King’s “IT.” Muffin never brought us a bird, but he was quite a good mouser.”

I asked my 2D and 3D friends what makes their cats purr. Here are the funny responses:

Lara B. Sharp’s Oscar

Lara B. Sharp, freelance writer said, “My cat Oscar purrs as loud as an idling truck when he sees the only non cat food he will eat. It’s nacho cheese Doritos. Poor little Oscar. He can’t meow properly. He walks around the house saying , “Wow, wow, wow.” But he makes up for his inabilities with an over abundance of enthusiasm. I say, “Oscar!” and he says, “Wow!” like he’s stunned that I have the ability to talk so he makes me feel like a genius.”

Andrea Butler’s Stimpy

Andrea Beitler, who works for the nonprofit USO (United Services Organizations) said, “My cat loves licking plastic bags at night while I’m trying to sleep. He also loves snuggling. His name is Stimpy and we have a Chihuahua named Ren. Stimpy thinks he is the Lord of the Laundry. He loves lying on laundry piles. He also enjoys chasing his tail and bopping Ren on his head. He’s content lying in gift wrap at the bottom of a box. I never see him anymore. I just hear crinkle, crinkle. I tried to get a photo of Stimpy and Ren together but as you can see Stimpy gave me a look that said, “I will not sit with that lowly plebeian — even if it is for a picture.”

Melinda Dalke, the artist of Laughing Paws Art Studio adopts rescue cats. She said, “Miso and Saki love playing fetch. Sedona enjoys watching birds, Mocha loves my lap and Rebel loves everything —especially food.”

Freelance writer Shelley Renee said, “My cat’s name is Sebastian. He is a funny cat. Whoever thought up the term ‘catnap’ to mean a quick little snooze obviously never had a cat. Sebastian naps for about 20 hours a day. The other activity that he’s fond of is eating. Other funny behaviors are that he loves to sit on the windowsill and watch the birds outside, and he loves to play with my elastic hairbands. He will roll around with them and chew them all up. Sebastian also likes to taunt visiting dogs. He has been known to beat them up and then steal their beds and toys.”

Real estate appraiser Neil Adams said, “Technically, Karma and Ollie are my roommates cats but it’s been two and a half years now so I know them well. Karma is a big fatty who loves her cat food and spends all day in her cat tree. The only time she seems interested in anything else is when I offer her catnip. She’ll still stay in the cat tree but when I give her the catnip she’ll bounce around a bit and then get down with her nip. Ollie is skinny and has to eat a special diet but he likes chicken or tuna when he can get it. He’s not as enthusiastic as big Karma but Ollie is much more cuddly and purry. He has zero interest in the catnip. If they had jobs Karma would be on unemployment and Ollie would be a thief.”

Freelance writer Linda Melone said, “My cat’s name is Sephora. She’s named after my favorite store. Sephora loves getting brushed and loves it so much she rolls around purring and drooling. It’s a riot. Cracks me up.”

Ada Nieves and Martini Beethoven

Pet fashion designer Ada Nieves said, “Martini Beethoven loves boxes. Whenever he sees a box he jumps into it right away. Then he glares, communicating “Don’t you dare take this box away. It’s mine.”

Happy cat mom Jane Mitchell said, “Violet loves drinking straws and adores her cat climbing furniture thingy. Violet rules the house from her perch.”

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15 DIY Halloween Costumes for Your Dog

dorriolds — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 06:00:00 +0000

Last Minute DIY (Do It Yourself) Costumes!

I don’t know about you, but I hate to drop $50 on a dog costume when it is easy enough to make one myself. These photos serve to spark ideas for costumes you make with your recyclables, knick-knacks and leftovers. These are options that will cost you next to nothing. And, they’re easy peasy to put together. Have fun by tapping into your artistic side and create a memorable outfit.

Marilyn Monroe. This is my little Buddy James, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They were bred for royalty, and Buddy seems to know that. He has a low tolerance for doing anything he doesn’t want to. He takes after me. My free-spiritedness must’ve rubbed off on him because he prefers to be unencumbered by frilly fashions. The best way to get him to cooperate for Halloween is to make the most minimalist of costumes. Here he is as Marilyn Monroe — the wig was leftover from my old costume. It’s always smart to save and recycle ‘em whenever you can. The only thing is I couldn’t get Buddy to sing “Happy Birthday, Mr. President,” but Buddy looks damn good, doesn’t he?

Dog Taco. This is the little dog sandwich I met during a fundraiser for animal shelters. Costume ingredients: 1 small dog, 1 light-colored dishtowel, felt strips — hopefully matching the color of the dishtowel — snaps, buttons or Velcro to hold the costume in place around the neck and underbelly. For doggie sandwich fixings, create lettuce, tomato and onions by sewing snippets of lace to the sides of the towel or, if you’re in a hurry, use leftover gift-wrapping ribbons.

Groovy Hippy. This is Nadia the Shih Tzu. She belongs to my friends Terry and Elena Stewart. Nadia is shy, but apparently she lets her hair down on Halloween. Terry used his art skills to make a decorative “Hippy Chick” label, which they safety pinned onto Elena’s flowered scarf, and voila! Instant happy flower-power hippy-dog.

Chinese Laborer. This is a patient pug that I met at one of the annual events. If you’ve never been, I highly recommend it as it’s always a joyful occasion. This costume is simple to duplicate. You’ll need one long piece of bamboo cut into two pieces and another piece left over to shred into flat stringy strips. Or go easy on yourself and pick up some beige string. For the little buckets and woven hat, you can try online or your local crafts shop, florist or hardware store. Any old scrap of material will work for the wrap-around garment, but I do think red works especially well. You can shake things up by attaching a sign to the overworked laborer that says, “Where’s my union rep?”

Superdog. Here’s my Buddy again. I found this inexpensive cape at my local CVS, but it would be simple to make. All you’ll need is one yellow plastic garbage bag, yellow string, scissors and a red fabric marker. Draw the Superdog “S,” and you’re done. Buddy and I got lots of laughs the year he wore this little superhero cape.

Dog Boat. If you’re seeking a fun project for the whole family, here it is. You’ll only need standard supplies. Google blue and brown cardboard or stop by an art store. You’ll need a matte knife or scissors to cut out the wave shapes and the sides of the boat. Cut scraps of white fabric and poke holes for the string. You’ll build your cardboard boat around a milk carton. That’s where the dogs will sit. Attach the fabric to sticks with string, then attach them securely to the milk carton. The whole thing should rest securely atop a sled or wheeled cart. You could throw in a pirate hat or an “Ahoy, mate” sign. That’s it.

Scary Cape. If you’re in a hurry and don’t want to spend any money, look through your drawers for a black shirt. I happened to have this “Saw” T-shirt from a movie premiere, but any creepy image will do — skull, skeleton, Chucky, Freddy Krueger, or you can use felt and glue to make white eyes and a creepy red grin. Bah-da-bing, done.
Note: This dog model is my neighbor Norman.

Rock Groupie. Here’s another T-shirt route. Pull out any of your rock ‘n roll T-shirts and feel free to accessorize. For Jimi Hendrix, you’ll want to tie a scarf around the forehead a la Jimi. If your dog has a tendency to let his tongue hang out, a T-shirt with The Rolling Stones logo will be perfect, or you can go the Bob Marley T-shirt route and add a multi-colored hat with long felt strips for dreadlocks.

Two-Headed Dog. Here’s another super-simple option. If you have two dogs or if you want to team up with a friend and her dog, reach into the closet and pull out a large flannel shirt. That’s all you’ll need. Dress the doggies in the shirt as shown in the photo. No muss, no fuss. Of course, you’ll need two dogs that get along swimmingly, and hopefully they’re both mellow because if one darted off after a squirrel, things could go terribly awry.

Witch’s Sidekick. Have to come up with something quick? No problem. Cast a spell over your closet and pull out black garments to drape over you and your pooch. No double, double toil or trouble. If you happen to have a witch’s hat from years past, throw that into the magic brew, too, or make a black yarn hairpiece for Fifi. That’s it, and you’re good to get on your broom and fly to the last-minute party.

Degas Ballerina. All you need is a yard of pink tulle fabric or that old dance-class item abandoned in the bottom of a drawer. Fetch gift-wrapping ribbon from your “re-gift” box. Cut the tulle into thick strips. Grab the ribbon and cut a piece that is long enough to wrap around Fido’s middle. If you only have small pieces of ribbon, knot them together until it’s long enough, then attach the tulle to the ribbon by either tying knots or sewing. When all the tulle is attached, wrap the ribbon around your doggie and tie a knot. You’re ready to plié to the party.

Spooky Tree. This sexy number requires brown ingredients. The tree in the photo is made with a combination of burlap and wire. An easier, softer way is to use an old brown T-shirt you don’t care about, brown paper, cardboard and tape or glue. Cut the cardboard into one 4 inch by 24 inch piece. Score the cardboard strip at 12 inches and fold the two sides so it looks like a thin letter A. Cut the brown T-shirt from the bottom so you have enough T-shirt material to wrap around the cardboard. Tape and/or Krazy Glue the cardboard/T-shirt A-shaped piece. Roll, twist and scrunch pieces of brown paper for the branches and secure those with tape and/or glue. Lastly, make sure it’s sturdy so it doesn’t flop over.

Chinese Food Container. Here’s another arts-and-crafts project. You’ll need pieces of white board or Styrofoam. The vegetables in the container can be made with brightly colored strips of paper. With a red marker, create the Asian artwork on the side.
Note: This Pug’s owner created a wire handle so the container won’t wobble or fall off. This costume requires a very mellow dog and lightweight materials.

Subway Map. Yup, that’s my adorable Buddy again. Isn’t he photogenic? I happen to have a cool T-shirt with the New York City subway map on it. But you could use a white T-shirt and colored markers to create a map of your local transportation. For the streets on the map, you can use colored tapes.

Say it with Words. Come up with something funny, print a sign from your computer, adhese it to cardboard, add string and hang it around the doggie’s neck. Now, go forth and make something cool. Boo!

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The Most Heartwarming Facebook Page Ever: Susie’s Senior Dogs

dorriolds — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 18:49:17 +0000

Susie’s Senior Dogs is the Best Facebook Page Ever!

Susie’s Senior Dogs is a one-woman movement to save dogs that have entered their golden years. Erin O’Connell lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. A while back, Erin created a Facebook page called, “Susie’s Senior Dogs.” Its tagline reads: “Matching humans and senior dogs one bond at a time.”

Word spread fast. Snce it’s launch in January 2014, the nonprofit’s Facebook page has reached 596,040 likes. This 501(c)(3) organization is responsible for multiple senior dog adoptions. I wanted to find out what had inspired this great effort so I clicked “Like” on the page and sent a private message asking for an interview. Erin graciously agreed to talk about her instant-soup campaign success.

Dorri Olds: What gave you the idea for Susie’s Senior Dogs?

Erin O’Sullivan: The first part of my story is about my boyfriend Brandon Stanton. He runs a project called “Humans of New York.” He takes photos of random New Yorkers. Brandon lives in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn, and three years ago he spotted Susie the dog and her previous owner. He took a photo of Susie, who was 11 then, and posted it to his blog with the caption, “This is the best dog.” Soon afterwards the owner contacted Brandon and asked if he could adopt Susie because his new wife said they couldn’t keep the dog.

Brandon was hesitant at first. Friends said he’d be crazy to take the dog; a senior dog would die and he’d be better off getting a puppy. Who doesn’t love a puppy, right? But Brandon felt bad for Susie. He didn’t want her to go to a shelter so he took her in.

Susie is Brandon’s dog?

Susie is technically Brandon’s dog because he adopted her and if Brandon and I were standing next to each other Susie would jump inside of his lap but I love Susie so much, too. She really is the best dog in the world. Just for fun I started a page called, “Susie The Dog.” It started getting likes and I wondered how to take that already engaged audience who loved Susie and make it more than random meaningless posts. I didn’t really plan anything out but I had this vague idea and made the new Facebook page, “Susie’s Senior Dogs.” Within 48 hours the new direction took hold.

How do you think you got so many followers so fast?

It’s really thanks to Brandon. He had been building his own big audience by taking photos of people he interacted with in New York City. His audience got so big he even has a book now. His Facebook page is up to 3.5 million likes so I asked him if it would be okay to post a link to Susie’s Facebook page. I told him I’ll do all the work and he’d get lots of love. So he said okay. When I’d posted a photos to my Susie’s page I got 400 likes but when Brandon shared it on his page, Susie’s Senior Dogs got 100,000 likes in one night!

What breed is Susie?

We’re not sure what breed she is. Her ears make her look like she’s definitely part Chihuahua and the poof frizz of hair on top of her head makes her seem like she’s part Chinese Crested.

Did you know things were going to catch on this fast?

We were on ABC World News and we’ve been filmed by Animal Haven. It’s been a whirlwind. I just hope we keep spreading the word to encourage people to adopt a senior dog. You know, you can plan and plan in life, but sometimes an idea just comes to you and it works. This was like that.

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Adorable Dogs in Doggie Fashions

dorriolds — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 09:11:03 +0000

All Photos by Dorri Olds

Celebrity Catwalk takes dog couture and animal rescue very seriously, and Saturday, May 30 marks the third annual Paws in the City, where “designers present high fashion close to the ground.” The fashion show of furry proportions takes place in New York City.

When I broke the news that I was unable to attend this year, Paws in the City came to me. Jennifer Bartok-Taylor, the creator of Celebrity Catwalk, arranged a private dog fashion show preview.

Dogs wearing dog fashions for Paws in the City for animal rescue

Jen Bush’s pooch Tiffany modeled a fancy-schmancy dress by the Texas-based designer Lilly Langtree’s Diva Your Dog couture. She’s sitting so pretty in pink. “This is my second go-round with Celebrity Catwalk,” Bush said. “We did the fashion show last year. We were thrilled to be invited back.” I asked about Tiffany’s history, and Bush said, “New Rochelle Humane Society brought Tiffany here to New York City after she was rescued from a hoarder’s home in West Virginia.” Tiffany smiled easily for the photo shoot. She is digging her new life as a fashionista.

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