Some good articles found online

Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon canceled due to lack of snow - Hahaha, bummer for them, however, it looks as though we won't be having that problem.

Retired bomb-sniffing dog captured after airport escape - Darn that wild Arco, sounds like a smart one but quite the rebel. I believe we have come across a few Belgian Shepherds or a mix with that breed in the past. They are neat dogs!

Big dog saves her little pal from the clutches of a hungry owl - That Ramadi is one lucky little pooch, way to go Sadie! One of our past customers would bring in her Chihuahua from time to time because Hawks would attempt to swoop down upon it in the backyard. Once they built an arbor, the pup was safe. That's pretty intense.

World's smallest working dog - Therapy dogs our awesome, way to go Lil' Lucy you're one cool pooch, even if you don't weigh more than a few sausages lol.

Dogs have built-in Snow Boots - Rivaling the frost stopping powers of Penguin wings! Too cool! I've been wondering about Gibby's paws during our arctic treks to and from home haha. He doesn't seem to mind the cold and absolutely loves the snow.

Dog eats 100 rocks, lives to bark about it - Wild stuff... Antler dog chews are wickedly popular with customers here at The Fort. All of our personal dogs gnaw on them too. With that said, I do my best to remind customers to monitor their canine friends while they enjoy an antler. Inspect the antler from time to time as well. If it seems really hollow, like a chunk is going to break off, or, if it is "splintery" discard it!

Take it easy,

-Grant

The Musher's Secret

Click on the image to enlarge it and actually be able to read the info :)

Well, considering it's a snowy day out there I thought I'd mention a real swell product we've been carrying here at The Fort for years. Our buddy James, Vet Tech next door at Fircrest Veterinary Hospital, recommend we carry it. It's called Musher's Secret and I may have mentioned it a bit in the past. It is amazing, all-season, Paw Protection for dogs. We use it on our own dogs pads when they've been through some heavy activity. For instance, a long summer walk on hot asphalt or hiking trips. Occasionally we will have a new canine friend at Fort Fido that's a tenderfoot. If they play really hard and their pads can't handle the rubber-flooring, due to dryness, Musher's Secret saves the day by preventing cracked pads. It's made from 100% natural waxes, ideal for any dog be it working, hunting, mushing, service or pet. It's cool stuff folks, we and many others swear by it.

Take it easy out there today on the roads. We won't be closing regardless of weather conditions. Please call to reschedule your day if you can't make it due to the weather. If you don't let us know you risk losing the day, nobody wants that now now!

;)

Stay warm,

-Grant

Big dogs play ball, too!

If you're curious about the playtime today, here's a cute clip of pups Gordon, Emily, Pearl, and Winston tossing a couple of balls around!


And here is today's news round-up!

Lucy is the World's Smallest working dog, tipping the scales at a scant 2.5 pounds and measuring only 5.7 inches at the withers. Lucy is a certified therapy dog who visits people in nursing homes, schools, and other places.

In Kansas City, a dog hero is revolutionizing policy at a shelter for battered women to allow them to keep their pets. This particular pup saved the life of a woman, who then refused a place at the shelter if it meant giving up her hero. The immense loyalty on both sides, woman and dog, is touching and inspiring.

A memorial is being erected to a police dog who fell in the line of duty in New Jersey.

Dogs in Hollywood can look forward to their own awards--Golden Collars!

Thanks to donations, an 88-year-old man and his beloved pup have been reunited in a new home.

In New York, a dog alerted its household to a burglary in progress, and the suspect was quickly apprehended by authorities.

Don't get snowed in now!

-Hope

P.S. If you're looking for something to watch while you're snowed in, consider checking out the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge.

Stella's a spitfire!

Please welcome Stella to The Fort. She is a darling, five month old, thirty pound, Boxer that had her assessment early today. Stella did amazingly well for her first day. She spoke darn good "DOG" for a pup and got along wonderfully with all of the pack members. The Medium Roll is the quintessential fit for her at this time. We have Boxers in both the Big and Medium Rolls. Stella is full of energy yet quite intelligent, most of the Boxers we come across here at Fort Fido tend to be this way, lucky for us lol! They are definitely a striking and popular breed. Swell job today Stell ;), we hope to see you around these parts again.

Enjoy your weekend,

-Grant
P.S. Checkout these two clips I scored of Stella playing this morning. One features Tikvah (no surprise there) playing with Stella and the other shows her tearing it up with Buddha... Unfortunately the fence got in the way of that one.

Cool, Calm and Calvin

Meet Calvin! He is a four year old, seventy-three pound, Golden Retriever that assessed this morning. This handsome, brown eyed, fella is quite unique. Calvin has an extremely tranquil disposition. Cool, calm and collected would be the best way to describe him. Being a newcomer to the Medium Roll, all the pack-members were eager to check him out. While Calvin didn't interact much with the other dogs, he seemed very comfortable and relaxed. We hope that regular attendance will give Calvin the confidence to engage more with the other canines and become a full-fledged pack member. Nice job today Calvin, see ya soon!

Take it easy,

-Grant

Nancy's Chicken Chase Game

The Little Roll was treated to some hilarious fun this afternoon. Nancy's brainchild, The Chicken Chase Game, was a comical hit. Beija, Frizzy, Gherie and Samarah seemed the most interested out of the group but many tried it out. Nancy thought that dogs with a bit of "prey-drive" would really be into this game... The game being a very popular Skinneeez Stuffing-Less Toy (they come in many different animals including chickens, foxes, rabbits, skunks, etc...) attached to a slip lead and stick. Kinda like an old-timey fishing pole or carnival game. You can whip this thing around and many dogs in the little pack seem to really enjoy it. Pretty funny stuff, here are a few clips of the Chicken Chase Game in action hahaha.







Cheers,

-Grant
P.S. Of course, we carry the Skinneeez line of dog toys. They are quite popular, an awesome toy that tends to last, check 'em out! ;)

*Public Service Announcement*

We do not promote/recommend exacerbating any animals Prey Drive instincts (Notwithstanding, certain styles of training or activities; working dogs, hunting dogs, guard dogs, etc...) However, given the circumstances, this game ended up being just fine for the Little Pack. We would never try this in the Big or Medium Rolls, it simply would not fly (no pun intended there) and would potentially cause a fight. The Little Group is just a different beast. We know each of our Fort Fido dogs well and would never put them in harms way. Today's group was able to handle the chickeny-funness without drama. :)

Kool Kona Pic and Clips

(Our badge pic of Kona doesn't do her justice lol, she was very excited that day, hence the blur.)


Kona's owner brought me in a marvelous picture of the ever so sweet Kona posing with the Christmas toy Fort Fido gave her. Thanks for the photo guys! We are glad you enjoyed it Miss Kona.



Here are a couple of clips from this morning.

Our Little Roll was having an awesome time today, that's fairly normal of course. I thought this clip was funny, every pup cheesin' for Nancy. Pearl even throws her own ball hahaha.



From the Medium Roll, we see that new friend of The Fort, Gus, is fitting in with the pack seamlessly. I should have recorded minutes later, Gus was taking on everyone, doing it well and having a great time.



Last but certainly not least, the Big Roll. McGee and Marco Polo are birds of a feather. There was a lot of action in there today amongst the big dogs but this clip seemed the best.




Take care,

-Grant