Representing Queens for the 2013 FeatureShoot.com article

http://www.featureshoot.com/2013/11/exclusive-portraits-of-nyc-dog-walkers-and-their-fascinating-stories/

They interviewed a pack walker for each of the five boroughs.

I appeared for Queens. Go LIC!!

The pack walk in New York City!!! Amid crowded streets, high-rises, and construction sites, I navigate traffic with my dogs, maintaining a relaxed and attentive energy while doing so. A strong and positive bond with the pets I am entrusted to handle allows them to be off-leash for photo opportunities!!
My disclaimer: do not attempt off-leash walking unless, 1) you have a beautiful and strong relationship with your dog. 2) Are willing to pay the fine - $200 for off-leash dogs.

RyanForDogs Has a New Website: RyanForDogs.com

For all new comers and previous followers of RyanForDogs Blog:

Click link below for my new website:

RyanForDogs.com

Hope you like it!

Elevator Risks For Dogs

Stella: alive, well, and with one of my group walks! She is the Shitzu on the bottom right corner.

The Stella incident (see earlier posts) has found its way onto national news.

Little do city dog owners suspect how dangerous an elevator can be.

In the following CNN excerpt, both dogs luck out and are still with us. 

However, it does not always end up that way. There have been cases where the dog did not survive an elevator accident.

Please be careful in elevators! All it takes is the mind wandering for a potential disaster!

Dog Owners versus Dog(Owner) Haters

Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair NYC, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil dog messes make civil hands unclean. 

From forth the fatal opinions of these two foes 

A pair of star-cross'd groups take their measure;

A sampling of graffiti in LIC demonstrates some of the feelings non dog-owners sometimes have for dogs and their owners. The first sentence was rebutted with a second sentence (I assume added by a dog-owner).

There are many people sharing our planet who don't particularly like dogs. 

I see plenty of examples as I walk my packs of dogs through our neighborhoods. Some people are outright unpleasant.

In the past, I was less tolerant of those I judged as intolerant. I would snarl back at them or argue with anyone who criticized dogs and their habit of relieving themselves outside.

("I tried to teach him to use the toilet, but he just didn't cooperate!" was one of my sarcastic replies.)

If we take some time to reflect, it's easy to see why some people don't like dogs. All it takes is one errant footfall or a past bad experience with an agressive dog, etc...

No one likes seeing excrement on the sidewalks, not even dog lovers.

That being said; all we dog-owners can do is pick up after our dogs and respectfully keep a distance from people obviously uncomfortable with canines. 

Also...if you spot someone not picking up after their dog...offer them a poop-bag.

If someone still complains to you...my unsolicited advice is: smile at them and move on. No reason to be upset by people who don't seem to notice that dogs are a part of the American lifestyle...love 'em or hate 'em. 

Training Tips: Lowering Voice for Commands

How you pitch your voice when communicating with your dog is more important then what you actually say. A dog will instinctually listen to a low voice more readily than one which is higher pitched.

(Lower your voice for commands and raise it for praise.)

Why is this?

Pick up two glasses of different size from your kitchen and lightly strike a spoon against their sides. The bigger glass will give off a lower sound than the smaller glass. Bigger objects/animals give off lower/deeper sounds than smaller ones. Your dog doesn't know you are lowering your voice by choice; they only know you "seem" larger when your voice is lower...which makes it more likely they will listen.

Okay...I admit I like cats, too!

This is the "Ryan For Dogs" blog...I know, I know.

But I am admitting I have always loved cats as well. I grew up with cats and dogs in the household and have always liked both.

This particular blog entry, I am dedicating to "Mimosa (Mim for short)". She had a heart attack and died in my arms last Friday afternoon at the age of nine. A complete surprise; my world is a little dimmer for now.

The following essay is for all of you who have lost a pet close to your heart.

Mim (top) was the best cat I have seen in my entire life. She was even trained to use the toilet bowl!

The Apple of My Eye

I used to sing to her. Often, my voice was off-key, but it didn’t matter…we had a connection which bridged petty judgment. What mattered was we had each other. True symbiosis.

My heart was pounding in my chest and my lungs burned as I ran down the street. A mere annoyance compared with the pain of my psyche, the rush of guilt waiting to drown me. As I clutched her limp and floppy body to my breast, I knew I was late. As I charged through the doors and handed her to the professionals, my insides ached; I tried to act composed. For a brief time (seconds?) I remained calm, cool.

I was late; too much time had passed and she meant the world to me.

I collapsed, shaking with grief.

The apple of my eye.

No judgments. Triumphant or disgraced, I entered my home every evening to the warmest of greetings. Had I graced the world that day with integrity or with cowardice, I was still accepted and adored. And I gave my affection to her as she did to me.

When I placed her cold, stiff body into the earth, the pain was exquisite. I wondered how it could hurt more than burying my parents or losing a partner. I wondered how I would function without my warmest companion.

The critics say we are flawed to invest affection into an area which we are not challenged to grow. “They don’t talk back to you”, is the knock. “Too easy”, the critics say.

I would admit they accept us exactly as we are, they don’t ask for personal growth.

Exactly as we are.

Interesting how I spend my life searching for people who do exactly as she did.

How I try and fail, and try again to accept my peers as she accepted me.

Okay...I actually like all animals!

Cooling Your Dog Off

The familiar sight of panting dogs

The summer months are here and they have been brutally hot. How are the dogs holding up?

There are many misconceptions about dogs, but most people know dogs use panting as a way to cool themselves. Humans sweat; dogs pant. Both use evaporation as a way to rid the body of excess heat.

Heat stroke in dogs can happen suddenly and is extremely dangerous. Staggering or vomiting are signals that your dog needs cooling immediately. Hosing them down, ice packs, or possibly a rush to the animal hospital.

Dogs most at risk: Brachycephalic breeds (short-faced, e.g. bulldogs or boxers), dark-colored dogs, very young or very old dogs, and over-weight dogs.

Stay in the shade as much as possible when outside and have a good water supply available when your dog is hot. The colder the water, the more quickly it will lower your dog's temperature. Adding ice to the waterbowl is efficient; the dog doesn't have to drink as much to cool off. If they drink a ton of water to cool off, you have to take them out in the heat to relieve themselves quite soon after...a vicious cycle.

Adding ice to the water bowl is a great trick

Sophie examines the floating objects before taking a drink