Pet Monologues

October is adopt a shelter dog month.

ASPCA’s message this month is “Think Globally, Adopt Locally.” They encourage people who are considering adding a four legged barking buddy to their family to adopt from their local shelter. And, if you do bring a new friend home, they also have tips that will help make the transition go smoothly for you and your new dog. Here are some of their tips…

1. You Better Shop Around
Stock up on supplies before Fido arrives! Your new pal won’t need much—the Burberry overcoat and crystal tiara are optional—but essentials include food and water bowls, safe chew toys, grooming tools, a collar and leash, an identification tag and a crate with bedding (towels will do if you don’t want to spend money on a fancy crate pad).

When it comes to food, try to buy the same brand he’s already eating. If you want to change foods, make the switch gradually, mixing old food with new, over a period of a few weeks. Read the rest of this entry »

Recently I read an article about dogs. It defined purebreds, hybrids, and mutts. The “hybrid” was labeled a “designer dog.” Of course this was the one I was most interested in. I am a designer.

What the hell does “designer-fill-in-the-blank” mean? Dogs are labeled “designer dogs” because many of them are bred “by design” for specific reasons like minimizing allergies to shedding and dander, having good temperaments as family pets, and eliminating excessive drooling. Is “designer-this-or-that” an admirable label? I can’t deny it, “designer dogs are pretty popular.”

The design thing:
“By design.” You know, everybody knows, designers are “trained” to arrive at beautiful looking and/or beautiful working solutions. It’s part of the process. It’s what we do. In a perfect world designers always use the process for our work-for-hire solutions. Some use the process for personal solutions, like “living and breathing” design. 24 x 7. I can think of several as we write. Read the rest of this entry »

Our boxers were immortalized for us on a floor mat by our aunt as a wedding gift in 2003.