Blog Entries ( Tasha )

I've often heard people refer to their dog as "my best friend." However, in my case, it's also the other way around. I am my dog's best friend. Being an only dog, and a  rescue, Tasha is so connected to me that's it's rare to see her following anyone else. Of course, she is my girl, and she loves me unconditionally. I never treat her badly. In fact, I've made ...

It's far less expensive to buy frozen meat bones from a butcher than from a pet store. I try to get my dog Tasha bones on Thursdays, when my local butcher has bones on tap. They come six to a pack, and cost only about $3.00. Compare that with the frozen bones at the pet store, and it's a real deal. The marrow alone is ...

I am fortunate to live across from the beach access to a fairly large lake. It’s great for me, and of course it’s wonderful for Tasha–especially in the summer. Dogs aren’t allowed in the lake until 6:00 in the evening, so we wait for the magic hour when she can get into the water. The problem is that my golden retriever doesn’t retrieve the balls that I ...

Crazy dogs at play

Sometimes I take care of Leo, my “ex-dog.”  When I got divorced, Leo went with my ex-husband, and our wonderful Shepherd mutt, Bear, stayed with me.

Bear died rather abruptly, after fighting lymphoma for over two years. Several months later, I got eight-month old “crazy girl” Tasha.

When I travel, Michas (my ex) and Leo take care of Tasha; when Michas goes away, Leo gets to stay at my house and be entertained by Tasha and me. Leo, who is half Border Collie and half Golden Retriever, is an angel–except when he nuzzles me with his wet nose at 6:00 in the morning! He doesn’t want food; he wants me to get out of bed for some attention.

Leo and Tasha are great pals, and in spite of their age difference (Leo is about 10-years old now and Tasha is three), they generally play like…well, crazy dogs. They run together and both try to catch the tennis ball that I throw; they swim together in the nearby lake; and they eat together, licking each other’s bowls after they’ve finished with their own food.

I’m sure that when Leo goes back home that Tasha will be bereft—until the next time they get to hang out together and play “chase the dog.” They do love each other.

Michas adopted Leo from the Humane Society, so Leo is forever grateful. He sticks close to Michas, his proud guardian. While Michas is away, Leo pouts for a short while, and then he stays close to me and to Tasha.

This last time I took care of Leo, it took him awhile to stop pouting and to get used to me again. While it seemed that he didn’t remember me, I thought he was probably just adjusting to a new/old place. But after a couple of days, he started “dogging” me again and sleeping on the bed along with Tasha (and of course, me!). It gets a little crowded, but it’s full of love (and fur!)

My dog Tasha, a three-year old Golden Retriever, loves stuffed toys. If I give her one, or if she finds one, she immediately takes it in her drooling mouth, as if she’s retrieving a waterfowl for her person. After proudly showing off the toy and making satisfied whiny noises, she starts the process of demolishing it. Tasha eagerly takes out all of the stuffing by chewing on ...

Tasha celebrates her third birthday with friends Leo and Fargo, cupcakes and hats!

Video by Michas.

My new golden-haired puppy slept downstairs in the kitchen. I had just adopted her that day. Not knowing much then about raising a dog, I put down some newspaper for her, water, and some puppy food. I improvised by putting up chairs against the swinging door so she wouldn't escape into the rest of the house. When I closed the door, she whined for awhile. It ...