| Poochie's Dog Park Inc. Newsletter |
February 2010 |
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First Annual "Dog Walk for Cancer"
"The Dog Walk for Cancer" at the Orange Park Town Hall Park on Feb. 6th was lots of fun for all the pups and their owners. It was nice to see several familiar "tails" from Poochies!
Barry had a great time as Poochie The Dog(our mascot) and he wished that he could've worn the costume for longer. Next time Barry, next time.
We are looking forward to participating again next year and working with the organizer, Lisa Martin!
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Bark in the Park!
The next event that Poochies will be going to is the Safe Animal Shelter's Bark In The Park. A reunion for all the Safe's adoptees and a party for all dogs.
Poochies is giving away FREE 1 MONTH PARK memberships for anyone who adopted a dog from the S.A.S.
It's the Safe Animal Shelter Adopted Dogs Reunion and Party for All Dogs
Sunday, March 7, 2010
1pm-5pm at Orange Park Town Center
Pooch Parade, Talent Contest, Costume Contest, Doggie TreatsPrizes: Biggest, Smallest, Pet/Owner Look-alike
Party favors for all canine participants
BYOWB: (Bring your own water bowl) All dogs on leash, please
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Casting Call Casting Call Casting Call
Calling All Stars...Calling All Stars
Is Your Dog a Movie Star???
 Each month we're looking for handsome, gorgeous (the ladies), comical, K-9's to feature in our Poochies Video!
If your pup is attending Daycamp, or, is at Poochies on vacation, you might just see them in the Best of Poochies Pictures and Music Video!
Click here to see if your furry friend is a January Star! Be sure to turn up the volume for the music!
Poochies Smugmug Pictures and Music Video
If you haven't seen them yet, don't miss all the videos that were made last year. To watch them, just go to our website, www.poochiespark.com, then click on the PhoDOGraphy tab at the top. Next, scroll down towards the bottom of the page until you see all of our "Galleries". Click on the one that says "2009 VIDEOS". Or, if that's too much, just click here. Enjoy!
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Love and Affection with Your Dog
Since February is Heart Month and the month of Love, this edition of Poochie's Park Newsletter is devoted to the love our dogs, cats, and other pets, bestow upon us everyday!
Please enjoy the heart-warming stories of love and affection of "man's and woman's" best friend in this Newsletter.
 Remember that time spent with your dog is a major signal to the dog of your commitment. Time also nurtures attachment, affection: love.
Communicating patiently with your dog, kindness in your efforts to help the dog understand, and persistence in trying to understand the dog's efforts to communicate with you-also nurtures love.
Loving another means helping them get what THEY need, not what we would need. Specifically, a dog needs different things than a human does. We must understand that, if we are to truly treat our dogs with love. Dogs love, if they are given someone to love. And they strive to please, if the person appreciates what the dog does.
Training and teaching your dog is part of loving your dog. Dogs who don't get taught  enough to function successfully in a human world live in constant danger of their lives. If you love your dog, you train and teach. At the same time you learn from the dog. Education goes both ways. We don't know if the student understands the message unless we pay attention to what the student tells us.
Think about why you have a dog. Do you want to be your dog's boss, parent, or partner? What works? Perhaps in a well-rounded relationship, all of these roles have a place. After all, a good "boss" pays well, motivates rather than intimidating, and inspires people to good work through leadership. That's not a bad model for educating your dog.
 A partner, ah, that's the ultimate in a relationship with a dog. It comes from training, teaching, motivating and yes, inspiring your dog. It involves two-way communication between you and your dog. Partners have common goals.
Is there a difference between a dog who assists a police officer or a disabled person and a dog who is "just a pet"? Why should there be? More dogs are extending and enriching human lives as companions in the home than through any other job. They deserve the same loving care. Love CAN be the foundation of your relationship with your dog. It works.
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7 Ways to Enjoy a Special Valentine's with Your Dog!
No one wants to spend Valentine's Day alone, including your dog. Valentine's Day is the perfect time to reflect on the importance of the relationship you share with your dog and the unconditional love he gives you. Show your best friend that Cupid made a good match when he linked your hearts. Below are ways to enjoy a special Valentine's Day with your furry sweetheart.
1. Snuggle on the couch. There's nothing your dog loves more than spending quality time with his best friend. Invite Fido on the couch to snuggle beside you and enjoy some cuddles and TLC.
2. Give your dog a massage. Dogs get sore, stiff, and tense too. Strengthen your human-animal bond and bring relaxation to both your dog and yourself.
3. Take a walk through the park. Just the two of you. Activity, nature, and you - three of your dog's favorite things. Put your schedule, your cell phone, and your worries aside, and enjoy some quality time with your furry friend.
4. Bake some yummy, homemade treats for your dog. Healthy treats made with love make a  great Valentine's gift for your dog. Choose a PetPlace recipe, and surprise your dog by allowing him to snack on the ingredients while you cook, enjoy the aroma coming from the oven, and feast on the end result!
5. Turn off the TV. Tune into your dog rather than the latest reality show. Your dog knows when you are truly enjoying his companionship. Be goofy with him; play on the floor with him, let him lick your face, give him belly rubs.... and have fun!
6. Take your dog to a pet supply store to pick out a new toy. It's a great way to spend quality time with your dog and for your dog to gain social skills. The best part, he can sniff out all the toys and pick out his favorite!
7. Book a weekend at Poochies Play Park. Enjoy a mini-vacation that focuses on your dog. It's a dog's paradise!
Your dog gives you unending love. He comforts you when you're down and celebrates with you when you're happy. Your dog is always happy to see you. He wants nothing more than to be with you.... Your dog is the perfect Valentine. Show him how much he means to you.
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Hachiko, Japan's Most Faithful Dog
Loyalty, faithfulness and unconditional love are qualities that have earned dogs the title of "man's best friend". One particular Akita dog took these qualities to such an extreme, he has earned a place in the hearts of all Japanese people, and has kept that place for over sixty years!
Chu-ken Hachiko (lit. the faithful dog Hachiko) was born in Akita in 1923 and was first brought to Tokyo in 1924. He and his owner, Mr. Eisaburo Uyeno, were inseparable friends right from the start. Each day "Hachi" would accompany Eisaburo, a professor at the Imperial University, to the train station when he left for work. Upon returning, the professor would find the dog patiently waiting, tail wagging. This happy routine continued until one fateful day in 1925, when the professor was taken ill on the job and unfortunately died before he could return home.
Despite the fact that Hachiko was less than two years old at the time, the bond between dog and owner was strong. Hachiko continued to wait each day at Shibuya station for a friend who was never coming back. At times, he wouldn't return home for days at a stretch.
The Akita became a familiar sight to commuters as he kept his vigil for over ten years. On March 8, 1935, Hachiko finally went to meet his master. He died on the very same spot he last saw his friend alive.
Statue Erected
The people who passed the loyal dog each day were so touched by his story that they erected a statue in his honor in 1934. The famous artist Ando Teru was commissioned for the original bronzed sculpture, which was melted down during WW2.
After the war, Hachiko was hardly forgotten. In 1948 The Society For Recreating The Hachiko  Statue commissioned Ando Tekeshi, son of the original artist who has since passed away, to make a second statue.
During my last visit with "Hachi," I encountered an old man who had also come to pay his respects. He told me in broken English "I knew him. I used to bring him treats. The station was much smaller then." With that he approached the statue, gave it a friendly pat, wiped a tear from his eye and slowly walked away.
Though Hachiko stood only two feet tall and weighed 92 pounds, the message he left on the importance of good friends is enormous. Hachiko's life has been portrayed in a book and motion picture (The Hachiko Story).
Copyright: Cheri Sicard--2007 |
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Compelling Books about Friendship with our Dogs
 Hachiko: the True Story of a Loyal Dog, by Pamela S. Turner
Dogs Never Lie About Love, by Jeffrey M. Masson
Merle's Door: Lessons From a Freethinking Dog, by Ted Kerasote
Bark If You Love Me, by Louise Berrikow
For the Love of a Dog--Understanding Emotions in You & Your Best Friend, by Patricia B. McConnell
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The Greatest Love of All
We are very fond of dogs. We think a lot of them. We love them. At RWF Talking Software there is always a dog lying with his head inside the office and his body outside. The office, you  see, is off limits to Diezel, our beautiful Belgian Shepherd Dog. But it doesn't stop him from coming in whenever he thinks something
Diezel
interesting is happening. Indeed, as I write this he is outside the door lying upside down with his hind legs splayed apart frog style and his front legs folded over his chest. He's showing a little teeth, but only because gravity has pulled back his slobbering mouth to reveal them.
We couldn't imagine life without our Diezel and we are in awe of such trained and fantastic animals as turned out by the likes of Guide Dogs for the Blind. I think alot of our awe stems from the fact that our beloved Diezel is a wild young man.
Before Diezel my wife and I had Laddie, another Belgian Shepherd or "Groenendael" sheepdog. Laddie was the best friend that either of us ever knew. You can read about him on his web site here: Our Beautiful Laddie. Laddie passed away on the 11th June 2004. His ashes are still in our lounge, packaged as they were when we received them back from our veterinarian.
Its been over a year now since we said goodbye to Laddie. It still hurts to  remember him. Sometimes its nice to think of the fine life he had and the love we shared as a family.
We're not too strict on Diezel. We were never strict on Laddie. When Laddie's condition became known to us, we decided to enjoy him as much as we could and to be lenient with him. I think it made him a better dog. We're following the same route with Diezel. And although Deez is a little unruly, he's a good boy. He'll come back 9 times out of 10 when he's called and he's great with other dogs.
I titled this article "The Greatest Love of All'' because I really believe it to be true, and especially for my wife. You see, before I came along Bernadette was frightened of dogs and would never have considered a dog anything more than a scary animal. She'll often tell me even now that one of the greatest things I gave her was the love of a dog. After all, what better gift is there than a love that doesn't know any limit?
All the dog owners will understand.
Copyright: Richard and Bernadette Fairbairn
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February is National Dog Dental Month!
"Doggie Dentures, Denture Your Dog"
Sponsored by Pedigree and Dentastix Daily Oral Care
Your Dog Could Be a Star!
Have some fun and/or enter your dog in the Doggie Denture Contest! Your pup could star in one of their upcoming ads!
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Thank you for supporting this event and raising about $3300 dollars for the 
