Does your dog provide therapeutic relief? Parker provides dual counseling to me and my husband. Check out this cute, for-sale tee that benefits a great organization, Therapy Dogs United. The group is selling “My Dog is My Therapist” tee shirts for $15 online: http://www.therapydogsunited.org/donate/

Loss is loss. It doesn’t matter if you are man or animal. I had to share this touching story about an unlikely friendship between Bella, a dog, and Tarra, an elephant, aired on CBS Sunday Morning.

Parker may have British roots. But when it comes to baseball, he’s all Texan. Go Rangers! Thanks Paws Fur Treats for the bandana.

Doggy day care, organic treats, cushy car seats, WallyBeds and dog-friendly hotels and restaurants? Huh? I was definitely born in the wrong era. As the family Beagle adopted in the late 70s, life wasn’t so posh. I lived in the wild outdoors – not inside sleeping on my owner’s bed. My dog food was purchased for $1 for five cans. No one ever asked about its nutritional value or calorie count. Who cared? When my “pet parents and family” went on vacation, I never accompanied them. During this time, I don’t remember ever being driven to doggy day care, securely fastened by a seat-belted harness. And, vet? I met my first vet when I was hit by a Ford Fairlane that I was chasing. Socializing didn’t equal going to an air conditioned, Astro Turf-lined indoor dog park. It entailed meeting up with other unleashed muts at a neighbor’s trash can. Man, how things have changed. It makes me wish I was a cat with nine lives – one of those being Parker’s.

Parker’s crate was packed up and moved to the attic a little over five weeks ago. Since that time, he has loved his home-alone freedom. But, there’s a little glitch. Sometimes, we come home to find him at the front door looking out the side window, like this. At first, we thought he heard the hum of the car engine as it approached. But, I had to know for sure. I asked my husband to stop one house before ours to let me check. As I walked up the steps to the front door, I saw Parker. He was chin-up, eyes fixated and waiting for us. Thank goodness this doesn’t happen every time. His forlorn, abandoned look may cause me to never leave the house.

My husband posed the question “Why do dogs tilt their heads from side-to-side when you ask them a question?” Given the dismal economy, roller coaster-riding stock market and less than encouraging news all around, I was happy to delve into the deep-seated meaning of the doggy head cock. I thought it would be a Wiki-quick answer. Over 20 websites and blogs later, here’s what I found. Some dogs, such as Spaniel Parker, have pendulous (meaning hanging down loosely) ears that obstruct sounds. Short story: Sound waves get muffled by their thick ears. The dog has to cock his/her head so that sound waves can pass through their big, heavy ear flap before reaching their eardrums. I also learned that high-pitched sounds get their attention because they resemble the noises made by traditional prey such as rabbits or chipmunks. I believe all of this. But, I also believe that dogs quickly learn to interpret words that have meaning to them. Parker’s favorites are food, treats, cheese and bye-bye. Just say any one of these words and he is yours. Anyone have any other words that drive your dog or dogs to frenzied happiness?