At the Dog Writers of America Awards
My birthday weekend in February brought me a genuine surprise: I won an award from the Dog Writers of America Association for my story in Bark Magazine on the organization…
The Black Dog: How Animals Help with Mental Health
While it has been a few months since I have posted, this blog and its readers have been very much on my mind. We are all doing well, although we…
When Your Dog Wakes Up With the Sun
Are you like me? Do you often say to yourself, “How can I get even less sleep?” If you find that you are spending far too much time in your…
My Dog Never Does This! The Off-Leash Menace
It came out of nowhere. We were in a nice neighborhood where this is not supposed to happen. So much of the day had gone well and without any disruptions.…
Kansas City Swag and Swagger: Roadtripping with a 50+ pound pooch
Last week Sophie and I scrubbed ourselves up and headed off to BlogPaws 2018 in Kansas City. As a proud double-nominee for The Rufus Files, we needed to make sure…
Two years of Rufusness
Two years ago today, I spotted an alert looking dog sitting at the edge of an alley wearing a collar with a leash attached, but without a person. He was…
De-grossification
As a writer, I have learned that the best way to get me to write is to give myself a deadline. In a similar light, as a homeowner, the best…
Big Whoop
Yesterday, in between writing an article for a fancy pants magazine and dog-walking (because we’re nothing if not glamorous), I learned that The Rufus Files had been nominated for…
The Meaning of Sacrifice in a World of Chew Toys
Are my dogs spiritual pups? I’d like to think that in between the wrestling and barking, they pause for reflection. Are we being good dogs? What does it truly mean…
Tongue Out Tuesday: The Black Spotted Tongue
When Rufus was about six months old – a month after taking him in – I noticed that he had a few new black spots on his tongue. Then a…
The Art of Backing Off
Recently I met up with someone whom I had not seen in years. I soon realized why it had been so long. Within half an hour I was getting all…
When Your Dog’s Face Puffs Up at 3:30 am
Friday morning around 3:30 Rufus began moving all over the bedroom. I heard feet scratching the walls, and rolling on the carpet. He even got on the bed and tried…
Fostering A Large Dog With Others in the House: Tales of the Giant Mush Puppy
It’s been another couple of weeks, and a lot has happened in Rufus’ exciting life. He remained unimpressed with the eclipse, essentially telling me we have to travel to the…
National Mutt Day: Family Style
I had zero clue when I woke up today that it was National Mutt Day but the news certainly made me happy. I have nothing against pure breds because I’ve…
Trying to beat the heat
We’ve had a string of some very hot days out here. The dogs are not thrilled but can survive it. Rufus wants to play “Chase” – our game with the…
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