Good To Know #7

Good To Know #7 - More than just chocolate can hurt your dog!  Macadamia nuts, raisins, grapes, cooked onions, apple seeds, pear seeds, anything with caffeine, and of course, chocolate, can harm your pooch.  Even a little bit of any of these can cause renal failure and other fatal problems.  Sorry pup, you're out of luck!

Shoreline Dog of the Week - Bruin

Bruin

Age:  3 years
Breed:  Chocolate Lab
Home Town:  Old Lyme, CT
Nickname:  Handsome
Favorite Place:  Central Bark Dog Park, Groton
Favorite Dog Food:  Pup-Peroni
Favorite People Foods:  Anything you're willing to share!
Favorite Toy:  "Foxy" - Stuffed Kong Toy
Favorite Activities:  Playing with other dogs, Hide and Seek
Most Annoying Habit:  Interrupting you when you're talking to someone

Good To Know #6

Good To Know #6 - Dogs are capable of understanding as many as 250 words and gestures.  They can also count up to five and perform simple math problems.  The average dog is as intelligent as a two year old child!

Maggie, the Dog Scholar

Good To Know #5

Good To Know #5 - The closest thing to dog body odor is commonly called "Frito Feet."  Dogs' feet are in constant contact with the ground, and they pick up thousands of tiny organisms in their paws, claws, and fur on their feet.  When a dog sweats through the pads on their feet, the combination of all the bacteria and moisture releases an aroma that resembles corn chips.  Therefore, its nickname is "Frito Feet."

Good To Know #4

Good To Know #4 - Life spans are different for the size and breed of a dog.  Believe it or not, small dogs live the longest.  For example, some breeds, such as the Tibetan Terrier live as long as 20 years.  Toy Breeds can live up to 16 years or more.  However, the life span of larger dogs is 7-12 years.

Good To Know - #3

Good To Know #3 - Marshall's is a great place to find terrific deals on toys, treats and quality beds for your pooch.  We recently picked up some tasty training treats and a water bottle toy (see Top 5 Doggy Diversions) in the Clearance section.  The store also carries training aids, feeding supplies, and canine hygiene products at discount prices.

Good To Know #2

Good To Know #2 - Dogs read people by their energy.  You may overwhelm a dog by presenting an excited or nervous energy.  Instead, try to maintain a calm and assertive energy so that you can really meet the dog without it being overwhelmed.  This is an extremely important key when meeting a dog for possible adoption, as the dog can appear badly behaved when the wrong type of energy is presented.

Adoptable Dog - Lady

LADY

Lady needs a loving home!  She is a Shiba Inu mix, around 1 year old and weighs about 40 lbs.  She is very affectionate and happy.  Lady is crate trained, house trained and loves other dogs, cats and children.  She does not show any aggression and loves to run, play, go for walks and ride in the car.  To visit Lady, please email Lori at shorelineconcierge@gmail.com

Good To Know #1

Good To Know #1 - Dogs LOVE yogurt! Make sure that its plain and does not contain added sugars or artificial sweeteners.  Yogurt is high in calcium and protein, and yogurts with active bacteria can act as a healthy probiotic for a dog's digestive system.  It's yummy too!  Yogurt is also a nice, cool treat on a hot day for any pup.  Try some for your pooch today!

Places to take Your Dog - Watch Rock Review

If you are ever looking for a fantastic place to take your dog, Watch Rock is the place to go.  It's located in Old Lyme CT and is one of the town's secret treasures.  Not many people know about it, so you and your pooch will most likely have this vast area on the river to yourselves.  It has a convenient stand at the entrance with information and dog waste bags (we all LOVE that part of the hike)! This spot is one of my favorites and I highly recommend it for you and your hound.

The path leads into a shady hike with small pathways sprouting off the main route if you want to explore further.  One of the pathways leads into a "fairy wonderland" made by Old Lyme Girls Scouts.  It's great for children as there is a scavenger hunt, a puppet stage, animal masks, a fairy tea table, painted rocks, and other fun activities for little kids to enjoy. Other side tracks lead to picnic tables, clearings, small beaches, and other interesting spots to explore.

The main pathway leads to a clearing on the river with porta-potties and tables.  My pups love to splash around in the water here, and there is an island not too far from the shore if your pooch is a strong swimmer.  My golden retriever, Maggie, loves swimming out to it and bringing backs sticks and rocks as souvenirs.  Beware of the swans though - many swan families live in this area and linger around the island and shore.  Be careful with your dog when these large birds are nearby, as they can get angry and injure your pup.

Many people visit Watch Rock for its incredible and natural beauty.  It is a fantastic spot for sunset picnics and hikes, as the sight is truly breathtaking at dusk with the sun shining over the beautiful Connecticut River.  I highly recommend it for everybody - dog owner or not.  Try visiting Watch Rock today!

Directions

The Watch Rock property is reached by taking McCurdy Road from the center of town, crossing 156, and turning right on Joel Drive. Then a left and a quick right brings you to the entrance and the parking lot. The preserve is also accessible from the water by kayak or canoe.

Shoreline Dog of the Week - Annabel

Annabel

Age: 5 months

Breed: German Shepherd

Home Town: Old Lyme, CT
Nicknames: Anna-Belly-Bum-Bum, Anna-Belly, Belly, Bum
Favorite Place: Under the Desk
Favorite Dog Food: Rawhide

Favorite People Foods: Plain Yogurt and Raw Eggs

Favorite Toy: Squeaky Water Bottle Animal

Favorite Activity: Riding in the car

Most Annoying Habit: Chewing EVERYTHING in sight (including her dog sister's ears!)

Top 5 Doggy Diversions

Are you always trying to find ways to calm your crazy pooch down? For my dogs, these 5 diversions have proven to be favorites without fail.  Both of my dogs are extremely different from each other, but one thing they have in common is that they adore these toys! From squeaky to stuffed, I assure you your pup will be busy for hours with these items that dogs love.

Empty Plastic Water Bottle - Some stuffed animals come with a hole to put an empty plastic water bottle in, and dogs -especially puppies- LOVE to make that crinkling sound that drives us crazy! It will keep any dog entertained for hours.  My dogs' favorites are the ones shaped like animals with squeaky buttons on the tail and head.  Try one out for your pup!

Stuffed Rodent/Bird - Retrievers especially like these toys because it is in their nature to fetch for animals of this kind.  It's not too complicated, and it's a great item for fetch or tug-of-war.  Sometimes they come with squeaky buttons, and my dogs love those.  They are a fun toy for any dog, but I highly recommend one for your retriever.

Sadie loves to chew!

Rawhide - This classic favorite will occupy most dogs for hours on end. Although they can get disgusting after too much chewing, they are good for puppy teeth and keeping your dog silently busy.  Make sure to get one that doesn't splinter, because you always want to get the safest products for your pooch.  They're great fun for any pup!

Ice Cube - The cool slippery feeling of an ice cube will busy your pet for  - well, as long as the ice cube exists!  It might create a wet mess on the kitchen floor, so settle your pup down on a towel or blanket to chew on this refreshing snack.  Dogs especially enjoy an ice cube on a hot day, as it cools them down and distracts them from the heat. Plus, you don't have to purchase this chilly treat!

Carrot-  Your pooch will be chewing from dawn 'til dusk with this secret toy replacement. Carrot sticks are actually good for a dog’s teeth, and are high in fiber and vitamin A.   If you want your pup to be busy for a longer time, try avoiding baby carrots, or give it multiple sticks.  This is both a healthy and fun snack for any pooch!

Shoreline Dog of the Week - Maggie

Maggie

Age: 7 years

Breed: Golden Retriever

Home Town: Old Lyme, CT
Nicknames: Magalena-Hagalena-Hoopatalka-Walkatalka-Holka-Molka-Polka, Mags, Maggot
Favorite Place:  Watch Rock, Old Lyme
Favorite Dog Food: Greenies

Favorite People Food/s: Scrambled Eggs

Favorite Toy: Stuffed Birds

Favorite Activities: Swimming and sleeping on the bed

Most Annoying Habit: Being so smart that she understands English!