Tag: Labrador

Dog Play

Esther’s writing prompt: September 30, 2026: Play

Click here or here  to join in.

For this prompt I decided post stories about dog’s playing as well as pictures of dog’s playing. Some of the pictures are my photos. Some pictures I generated with the help of ChatGPT. My first story is about when our big Leonberger dog playfully greeted our neighbor by putting our neighbor’s head in his mouth like the circus lion trick.

Swallowing the neighbor’s head is impolite

A Leonberger dog is putting his paws on a short man’s shoulders while licking his face.
Our friendly neighbor and our big playful dog. I made the picture with the help of ChatGPT.

On one occasion, one of our neighbors came over to say hello to our big Leonberger dog Bronco. We’d had Bronco for a year by then, so he was big. As our neighbor entered our hallway, Bronco came running, and before I had a chance to stop him, he jumped up and put his paws on our neighbor’s shoulders. This man is somewhat short, so Bronco was able to lick his head, which he proceeded to do. Then Bronco did something we were totally unprepared for. You know the circus trick in which the lion tamer puts his head in the lion’s mouth? Yes, that’s the trick Bronco performed on our friendly neighbor.

Bronco was just playing and having fun, but that’s not how to greet a neighbor. I apologized profusely, but our neighbor said that it was perfectly all right and that there was no harm done. He looked a bit unnerved, and obviously he had not expected to be part of a circus act, but he said that Bronco was a wonderful dog and that he really loved the big galoot.

A Leonberger dog is putting his paws on a short man’s shoulders while opening his mouth big and putting the man’s head in his mouth.
Our shocked neighbor and our big playful dog. I made the picture with the help of ChatGPT.

Despite what happened, our neighbor was always very nice to Bronco. However, for us that first encounter was a red flag. We had to get the jumping-up-on-people problem under control.

Japanese Chin Sings Opera

We used to have a Japanese Chin called Ryu. One of the things that stood out about Ryu was his singing. Japanese Chins are famous for their singing—well, actually, it’s closer to howling, but Ryu’s was a beautiful howl, and he was very proud of it.

The photo shows the bottom half of a girl hold the front paws of a happy black and white Japanese Chin. The dog’s mouth is wide open.
Our happy Japanese Chin Ryu. Our daughter is holding his paws. This is my photo.

As soon as he discovered that he got a lot of attention for it, he started doing it quite often. Whenever we came home, he would sit politely, look at us intently—it seemed like he was clearing his throat, too—and howl. Like an opera singer, he would slowly turn his head to look at us, as if he were performing. In fact I think Ryu’s howling sounded just like a night at the opera—especially when the lyrics are sung in Italian.

We would say, “Good boy, Ryu,” and clap, and he looked mighty proud. Other people thought it was cute and wonderful, too, and they gave him lots of praise, and of course he loved doing it and got good at it. When Rachel played the harmonica, Ryu would howl along. They made quite a duo. “Good boy” might not be the kind of praise Andrea Bocelli would want, but Ryu was perfectly happy with it.

The picture shows the same hallway as above. However, in this case there is Japanese Chin howling, a girl playing the harmonica and a family of four standing in the background clapping their hands.
Ryu howling while our daughter is playing the harmonica. I made the picture with the help of ChatGPT.

Our German Shepherd Baby & our Leonberger Puppy Bronco

We used to have a German Shepherd called Baby. She came from a shelter and from not so good circumstances. Even though Baby was a shy and anxious dog at first, once we got our Leonberger puppy Bronco, her personality changed. She loved Bronco, and she took on the job of being Bronco’s adoptive mom. She played with him; she watched him; she was fiercely protective of him. Bronco was her puppy. She seemed rejuvenated, as if she had found an important job to do a purpose, if you will. It was beautiful to see her take care of Bronco and play with him. She became happier and more confident, and Bronco loved her.

A black female German Shepherd and Leonberger Puppy almost as big as her are lying on the floor playing with each other.
Our German Shepherd named Baby is playing with our Leonberger puppy. She was like his mother. Photo by me.

Tug of War the Not So Great Game

Photo of Baylor and Baby. They are laying down.
Our yellow lab Baylor on the left. Our black German shepherd named Baby on the right. My photo.
A close up photo of a yellow lab.
Our labrador Baylor (allegedly quarter mix with Rhodesian ridgeback) was a very playful dog. Our photo.
Yellow lab grabbing a thick rope with his jaws as a man on the right is pulling hard.
I sometimes played tug of war with Baylor. We had fun but I’ve learned that this is not a good game. It can make a dog aggressive. Baylor never became aggressive though. I created this image using ChatGPT.

Dogs at Play

A photo from a dog park. Our lab and our Japanese Chin are in the photo and so is one more dog.
Our Japanese Chin Ryu playing at the dog park. Baylor is running in the background. My photo.
Black and white Japanese Chin lying on a red sofa.
Our Japanese Chin Ryu on the sofa. My photo.
Our Pug Daisy is wearing a pink birthday hat.
Our pug Daisy. It is her birthday. My photo.
A toy duck and our Pug Daisy laying on her back.
Our pug Daisy taking a rest in the sun after playing with her duck toy. My photo.
Our Pug Daisy has her head stuck in a tissue box.
Playing with a tissue box is risky. Poor Daisy. My photo.
Illustration showing a man chasing a Leonberger dog.
Our big and strong Leonberger Bronco was playful. Once when I walked him the leash failed and he got lose. He had a lot of fun with me chasing him around the neighborhood. I made this picture with the help of ChatGPT.
Our Leonberger Bronco swimming in slightly brownish water.
Our Leonberger dog Bronco loved to swim and chase ducks and egrets. He had no regrets. My photo.
A dark brown and white mini-Australian Shepherd peering from behind a sofa.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo as a puppy. He loves to play and run around. My photo.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo is lying playfully on his side showing his belly to our Leonberger Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo loved to play with our Leonberger dog Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle. My photo.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo is rolling and biting an orange volleyball.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo love balls. Here he is playing with an orange volleyball. My photo.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo is rolling and biting a soccer ball.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo love balls. Here he is playing with a soccer ball. My photo.
Rollo is lying on his side facing Bronco who laying down.
Our little mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo wanting to play with our big Leonberger Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle. My photo.
The photo shows a mini-Australian Shepherd biting a Leonberger’s tail.
Rollo loved our Leonberger Bronco, but he was all over him, biting his tail, swinging in his tail, sitting on him like as if he was a horse. Well, his name was Bronco. Bronco was very patient, but we had to intervene. My photo.
The photo shows Rollo surrounded by a plastic fence that constituted his baby jail.
When left Rollo alone with Bronco, we put him in a playpen that we called baby jail. We trusted Bronco completely, but Rollo could be obnoxious and for his own safety we thought baby jail / playpen was best while we were gone. My photo.
Leonberger is swimming with a ball in his mouth.
Leonberger is swimming with a ball in his mouth. Leonbergers are playful and love swimming. Stock Photo ID: 720242263 by Christian Mueller.
Two sand colored Leonberger puppies playing.
Two Leonberger Puppies at play Shutterstock ID:2141564415 AnetaZabranska
The picture shows a Leonberger running on grass chasing a green tennis ball.
A Leonberger dog is chasing a tennis ball. Leonbergers are playful but not fond of repetitive play, so throwing the ball will only work for so long. I made this picture with the help of ChatGPT.
The picture shows a little boy sitting on a Leonberger. The picture has a big red X over it.
Playing with Leonbergers is fine. They are friendly and playful, but don’t do this. Don’t do this to any dog. I made this picture with the help of ChatGPT.

My Other Responses to Esther’s Prompts

Designing a Stylish and Durable Dog Friendly Home

A professional content writer by the name of Ryan Goodchild contacted me about me posting an  article he had written on designing a stylish and durable dog friendly home. The title of the article is “How to Design a Stylish and Durable Dog-Friendly Home That Lasts”  it is below. Ryan wrote the article and I provided pictures.

Our Labrador Baylor and German Shepherd Baby. Bronco wearing a soft cone and accidentally clearing a table. Our Leonberger dog Bronco sleeps on our big leather sofa. Young Bronco is giving me a hug. Our Japanese Chin Ryu is licking our Pug Daisy’s ear. Our Leonberger dog Bronco is sitting in my wife’s lap. Bronco and our Pug Daisy are eating a gingerbread house in the kitchen. Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo biting Bronco’s tail.

How to Design a Stylish and Durable Dog-Friendly Home That Lasts

For design-minded dog owners and busy households with pups underfoot, home should feel welcoming without looking worn down. The real challenge is balancing pet needs and aesthetics when muddy paws, shedding, scratching, and daily mess collide with a polished space. Dog-friendly home design isn’t about sacrificing style; it’s about choosing durable home materials and stylish pet accommodations that hold up to real life. With the right mindset, long-term home functionality becomes a design feature, not a compromise.

Bronco is standing by the entrance to the kitchen with little Rollo right in front of him.
Our Leonberger dog Bronco and our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo when he was a puppy.

Upgrade Room by Room: 8 Dog-Proof, Design-Forward Ideas

A dog-friendly home doesn’t have to look like a kennel, or feel like you’re “settling.” Start with the rooms you use most, choose finishes that hide real life, and upgrade in layers so your style stays front-and-center.

The German Shepherd is lying on the floor and the Leonberger puppy is on his back.
Our German Shepherd Baby playing with our 4 months old Leonberger Bronco.
  1. Start at the entry with a “dirt-control” landing zone: Put a washable runner (or indoor/outdoor-style rug) right inside the door and add wall hooks plus a closed bin for leashes, towels, and paw wipes. This keeps grit from traveling to your nicer surfaces and makes departures less chaotic. If you can, add a low bench so you can wipe paws without wrestling.
  2. Choose scratch-resistant flooring where claws hit hardest: In high-traffic paths, entry, hallway, kitchen, prioritize tough, easy-clean surfaces and keep area rugs for warmth and style. If replacing floors, ask for samples and do a real test: drag a key lightly, spill water, and see if it shows. If full replacement isn’t in the budget, a long runner in the “zoomie lane” protects what you already have.
  3. Upgrade to easy-clean fabrics (and make them work harder): For sofas and dining chairs, look for tightly woven performance fabrics or removable, washable covers in mid-tone colors that hide fur and smudges. The right pet-friendly upholstery fabric can cut daily maintenance and keep your room looking “done” longer. Add a throw you don’t baby to your dog’s favorite spot so you’re laundering one layer, not deep-cleaning cushions.
  4. Build a feeding station that’s neat by design: Convert a lower cabinet, nook, or mudroom corner into a built-in feeding station with a wipeable surface and a pull-out bin for food. Add a washable mat under bowls and mount a small hook for the scoop so it’s never on the counter. This keeps crumbs contained, reduces slipping bowls, and makes the area look intentional instead of temporary.
  5. Dog-proof storage with small hardware changes: Use lidded cans, add simple childproof latches to low cabinets, and keep tempting items behind closed doors. A few minutes spent removing personal items from reach prevents chewed shoes, shredded mail, and unsafe snacking. Aim for one “dog-safe” basket in each main room so clutter has a place without becoming a hazard.
  6. Create a durable “rest zone” that protects your layout: Give your dog a defined spot, bed, crate, or mat, near where you actually hang out, not tucked away. Place it on a washable rug or low-pile mat to protect flooring and help anchor the room’s arrangement. When your dog has a predictable place to settle, you’ll see less pacing, less furniture-hopping, and fewer dirty paw prints on upholstery.
  7. Make your yard a secure outdoor dog space, not a stress zone: Check fence gaps, latch reliability, and sightlines at gates, then add a double-latch or self-closing hinge if you’ve had close calls. Define one “dig/zoom” area with mulch or gravel and keep the rest landscaped for looks. A shaded water spot and a clear path back to the door reduce tracking mud through the house.
  8. Choose pet-safe landscaping that still looks polished: Skip plants known to be toxic to pets and avoid cocoa mulch; use sturdy groundcovers and hardscaping borders that won’t splinter or poke paws. Create a rinse-off station with a hose and spray nozzle near the door so muddy days don’t wreck your floors. These aesthetic home upgrades let the outdoors feel curated while staying practical.
Six Leonbergers with celebration hats are looking straight into the camera.
Six Leonbergers and a birthday celebration. Photo by friend Jen O’Keefe.

If You’re Building New: Ask These Warranty Questions at Closing

After you’ve planned dog-tough finishes and built-ins, it’s worth protecting the structure those upgrades depend on. When you’re closing on a new build, ask your builder whether a structural warranty (or similar long-term protection) is included, and what it covers if defects show up after you move in. This kind of coverage can help safeguard the home’s integrity, which matters when you’ve invested in pet-friendly choices like durable flooring or built-in features that are meant to perform for years. Getting clarity up front on coverage expectations, and whether a third-party, insurance-backed option like a builder-backed warranty for new homes is part of the package, can add peace of mind as your dog settles in. Next, we’ll tackle the practical questions homeowners ask most about odors, stains, fences, and resale value.

A two story house with six dogs in front. From the left to right, a Leonberger dog, a Labrador, a German Shepherd, a Pug, a Japanese Chin, and finally a mini-Australian Shepherd.
A dog friendly house. Generated with the help of ChatGPT.

Dog-Friendly Home Design: Common Questions Answered

Q: What actually keeps dog odor under control without making the house smell like chemicals?
A: Start with what holds odor: washable covers, low-pile rugs, and sealed floors that do not absorb. Use a HEPA vacuum weekly, launder soft goods often, and run a carbon air purifier in the main hangout zone. If odors persist, an enzyme cleaner beats masking sprays because it breaks down the source.

Q: How do I remove urine stains from floors or carpets without ruining the finish?
A: Blot first, then apply an enzyme-based cleaner and give it enough dwell time before rinsing or blotting again. Avoid steam cleaners on fresh urine since heat can set stains and odors. Test any product in a hidden spot, especially on hardwood sealants.

Q: What fence type and height works best for most dogs?
A: A solid, climb-resistant fence with minimal horizontal rails is a reliable choice for many homes. Many installers consider the ideal fence height 4 to 6 feet, with 6 feet as the industry standard for containment. Match the design to your dog’s jumping and digging habits, then add a buried edge or kick plate if needed.

Bronco is standing in a blue kiddie pool. He is getting washed.
Our Leonberger dog Bronco and fence you cannot dig holes under. Leonbergers are expert diggers.

Q: Can I keep resale appeal if I choose dog-proof materials?
A: Yes, when choices read “durable and neutral,” not “pet-only.” Stick to classic colors, consistent hardware finishes, and quality flooring that any buyer would see as an upgrade. The best pet-friendly features look like smart maintenance, not a special-purpose remodel.

Q: How do I reduce everyday wear and tear from paws, nails, and outdoor mud?
A: Create a simple entry drop zone with a washable runner, hooks, and a closed bin for towels and wipes. Keep nails trimmed and place scratch-friendly surfaces like washable mats near doors and feeding stations. Outside, use hardy groundcover or gravel in the main run path to limit dead grass and tracked-in dirt.

On the hooks there is a dog leash, a jacket and a bag.
Leonberger dog at the entrance of a house standing on a washable runner. There are hooks and a bin for towels. Generated with the help of ChatGPT.

Finish-Strong Dog-Friendly Home Checklist

This checklist turns good ideas into repeatable habits, so your home stays stylish while handling real life with dogs. Use it to decide what to upgrade now, what to schedule, and what to maintain each week.

✔ Choose sealed, non-absorbent floors for high-traffic zones

✔ Add washable slipcovers and throws to the main seating

✔ Place low-pile, easy-clean rugs where paws land most

✔ Run a HEPA vacuum on a weekly calendar reminder

✔ Keep an enzyme cleaner stocked for fast accident response

✔ Set an entry drop zone with towels, wipes, and a closed bin

✔ Inspect fencing for gaps, dig spots, and climb points monthly.
Check these off once, then protect them with routine.

Backyard, relax and portrait of dog on grass for obedience, support and fun in leaves in sunshine. Nature, foliage and Labrador with tongue out in garden by fence.
Labrador in front of fence in the backyard. This is good fence but has a potential dig spot. Shutterstock asset id: 2485564001 by PeopleImages
Bronco is laying on the ground facing the broken fence. He has a plastic bag around his bandage.
The fence needs to be fixed after a tornado went through the neighborhood. Bronco had just had a toe amputation.

Make Style Last With Dog-Ready Materials and Layouts

Living with dogs can feel like a constant trade-off between a home that looks pulled together and one that can take daily wear. The steadier path is designing for real life: choose materials supporting pet durability, use layouts for pet and people, and keep integrating pet features in ways that maintain home style with dogs. Design for the dog you have, and your style will last longer. Pick one high-impact change from the checklist this week, swap in a tougher surface, protect a high-traffic zone, or refine a room flow, then build from there. Long-lasting pet-friendly design protects comfort now and creates a calmer, more resilient home for everyone.

Daily Health Habits for Dog Owners

A professional content writer by the name of Ryan Goodchild contacted me about me posting an  article he had written on daily health habits for busy dog owners. The title of the article is “Simple Daily Health Habits for Busy Dog Owners to Boost Well-Being”  and you can see the article below. Ryan wrote the article and I provided pictures.

Hachi a Canadian Leonberger with my book. The owner and photographers are Brenda Saito and her husband. Mak another Canadian Leonberger with my book. Photo by Debbie Ireland. Black and white photo of our Leonberger Bronco when he was three months old. Baylor our Labrador. Baby our German Shepherd. Ryu our Japanese Chin. Daisy our Pug. Rollo our mini-Australian Shepherd.

Simple Daily Health Habits for Busy Dog Owners to Boost Well-Being

Ten Leonberger puppies sitting on a sofa. They are brown with black face masks. An adult Leonberger is lying in front of them.
Are you a busy dog owner? Shutterstock-ID: 561107650 by Akbudak Rimma.

For busy dog owners balancing work, family, and constant pet needs, personal health often gets squeezed into whatever time is left. The pet owner lifestyle brings common health challenges, irregular sleep, skipped meals, nagging aches from walking and lifting, and stress that builds quietly across the day. Daily health routines that focus on simple, consistent head-to-toe care help turn scattered self-care into a steady baseline for energy, mood, and recovery. The payoff is holistic well-being that holds up even when the dog’s schedule runs the day.

Build a Simple Day Routine Around Dog Care

This day structure helps you care for your body from morning to night without adding extra “projects” to your schedule. It matters because small routines done consistently are easier to keep even when your dog’s needs interrupt your plans.

A woman in black stretch pants, white top and gym shoes is stretching.
Start the day with stretching Pexels free photo by Maksim Goncharenok
  1. Start with a 3-minute morning stretch reset
    Start right after your first dog outing with a quick sequence: neck rolls, shoulder circles, gentle hip hinges, and calf stretches while the coffee brews. Focus on slow breathing and comfortable range of motion, not intensity. This is a simple way to reduce stiffness from sleep and make walks and lifting feel easier.
  2. Choose a 60-second mindfulness “pause point”
    Pick one reliable cue you already have, like clipping the leash, washing your hands, or opening your laptop. Do one minute of box breathing or a quick body scan from jaw to shoulders to hands, then relax what you notice is tense. This tiny reset can lower stress spillover before it snowballs into the rest of your day.
  3. Pair your hydration with your dog’s water routine
    Each time you refill your dog’s bowl, drink a full glass yourself and keep a bottle where you feed them. Learning the signs of dehydration in pets like dry gums and lethargy also helps you stay alert to your own needs, since busy days often mask thirst as fatigue. The goal is steady sipping, not chugging at night.
  4. Lock in oral hygiene with two “anchors”
    Tie brushing to two non-negotiable moments: after your first meal and after your final dog walk. Follow the simple rule to brush your teeth twice a day so it becomes automatic instead of optional. This protects your mouth and supports overall health with almost no scheduling friction.
  5. Use a dog-friendly bedtime routine that protects sleep
    Set a fixed “last call” window: final potty break, dim lights, prep tomorrow’s leash and poop bags, then phone on charger outside the bed. If your dog wakes you, keep it boring and brief with low light and no scrolling, then return to bed immediately. Consistency trains both of you to settle faster.
Photo of seven Leonbergers on the sand on a beach.
Digory with Leonbergers friends on the beach. Photo by friend Jen O’Keefe.

Keep Your Mind Sharp With Lifelong Learning You Can Schedule

Lifelong learning keeps your mind active and engaged, which can strengthen mental well-being over time by promoting personal growth and building confidence. As you practice remembering and applying new information, you reinforce memory retention and create a steady sense of progress that can reduce stress and make busy weeks feel more manageable. An online degree can deliver these benefits no matter what career track you’re on, because it offers a structured, self-paced path you can fit around dog walks, work, and home responsibilities. For example, a bachelor’s in information technology online can provide hands-on knowledge in networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data management, and systems administration, building practical skills alongside personal confidence.

Neural Networks. Black Hole Stock Illustration ID: 2476711459 by Vadim Sadovski. Malware, Shutterstock asset ID: 1916985977 by Sashkin. Artificial intelligence, Shutterstock Asset id: 2314449325 by Stock-Asso. Stock Illustration ID: 1372134458 by Boris Rabtsevich

Tiny Habits That Boost Health and Your Dog Bond

Small, repeatable actions work because they lower the friction of self-care on busy days. Give each habit time to stick, since 59-66 days is a realistic window for many routines to feel more automatic.

Our Leonberger dog Bronco is standing in front of me and looking straight into the camera. I am sitting in the sofa.
Our Leonberger dog Bronco as an adult. He is coming up to me. He wants my attention.
One-Minute Skin Sweep
  • What it is: Notice new spots or irritation while brushing your teeth.
  • How often: Daily
  • Why it helps: Early awareness keeps you proactive and reduces health anxiety.
Gentle Face Cleanse
  • What it is: Wash with a mild cleanser after your last dog walk.
  • How often: Daily
  • Why it helps: It removes sweat and grime without overdrying skin.
Leash-Up Breathing Reset
  • What it is: Take six slow breaths while clipping on the leash.
  • How often: Daily
  • Why it helps: It downshifts stress before the next task.
Food-as-Training Microgame
  • What it is: Use a few kibble pieces to practice name and recall.
  • How often: Daily
  • Why it helps: It builds trust and mental stimulation in minutes.
Our Leonberger Bronco is lying on the floor. Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo is lying on his side wanting to be petted.
Our Leonberger Bronco and our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo.

Common Questions Busy Dog Owners Ask

Q: How can dog care actually help my sleep quality?
A: Aim for a consistent last potty break, then keep lights low and screens off after you come back inside. A short, calm walk can reduce restlessness for your dog and help your body shift into wind-down mode. Many owners find that predictable evening cues lead to fewer middle-of-the-night wakeups.

Q: What are easy hydration tips when I forget to drink water?
A: Tie your water to your dog’s water: every time you refill their bowl, take 6 to 10 gulps from a bottle you keep nearby. If plain water feels boring, add ice or a squeeze of citrus and keep it visible on the counter. A “first drink before first scroll” rule also helps.

Q: When my routine gets interrupted, how do I keep up with oral care?
A: Use a two-minute minimum: brush once, even if you skip floss. If you truly cannot brush, rinse well with water and set your toothbrush out so it’s the first thing you see next time.

Q: Can a quick walk really count as self-care when I’m exhausted?
A: Yes, because movement and daylight can improve mood and energy without needing a full workout. Even long walks with your dog can support physical fitness for both of you when you have time.

Q: Should I feel guilty if I only manage one tiny habit a day?
A: No. Consistency beats intensity, especially on chaotic days. Pick the smallest action that keeps your identity as “someone who takes care of themselves” intact.

Paintings of our Pug Daisy and Leonberger Bronco.

Lock In One Week of Health Habits With Your Dog

Busy dog owners rarely struggle with knowing what’s healthy, it’s the constant handoffs between pet needs and personal needs that break consistency. The health strategy reinforcement here is simple: commit to health routines that are small, repeatable, and designed to survive imperfect days, so sustainable wellness habits become automatic rather than aspirational. Over time, that approach supports a balanced lifestyle for dog owners with better energy, steadier sleep, and fewer “start over Monday” cycles. Consistency beats intensity when life is crowded. Pick one one-week upgrade you can keep during your busiest days and do it daily. That ongoing self-care motivation builds resilience for both you and your dog, week after week.

A Dogs Prayer

This is going to be a short blog post. First, I would like to make an announcement. My wife and I became grandparents for the first time a little bit less than a week ago. The baby’s name is Jack.

This post is about a dog’s prayer, which I with permission is borrowing from fellow blogger pensitivity101. This post is also related to one of my previous posts : Promises To My Dog.

The picture features a dog’s prayer on black and the head of a sleeping Labrador. The full dog’s prayer is shown below.
A dog’s prayer – anonymous author

A Dog’s Prayer

I am typing out the prayer in case it is hard to read the text in the picture.

Before humans die, they write their last Will & Testament, give their home & all they have, to those they leave behind. If, with my paws, I could do the same, this is what I’d ask…

To a poor and lonely stray I’d give:

  • My happy home
  • My bowl & cozy bed, soft pillows and all my toys
  • The lap, which I loved so much
  • The hand that stroked my fur & the sweet voice which spoke my name

I’d Will to the sad, scared shelter dog, the place I had in my human’s loving heart, of which there seemed no bounds.

So, when I die, please do not say, “I will never have a pet again, for the loss and pain is more than I can stand”.

Instead, go find an unloved dog, one whose life has held no joy or hope and give MY place to HIM.

This is the only thing I can give…

The love I left behind

Author Unknown

Promises To My Dog

Esther’s writing prompt: 17th September : Promises

Click here or here to join in.

Dogs are domesticated wolves. To survive in our human society, they need to be taken care of. We often get them as puppies and all they know is how to live with people. When you get a dog, this is a lifetime commitment. Despite this fact a lot of people buying puppies bring them to shelters and many irresponsible breeders bring unsold puppies to shelters. In addition, 7% to 20% of dogs adopted from shelters are returned to the shelters, mostly due to behavioral issues or owners’ unrealistic expectations. Dogs who were returned for behavioral issues were also more likely to be euthanized.

Some dog owners don’t even bother to turn their dog into a shelter, they just abandon them. In the U.S., approximately 3.1 million dogs enter shelters each year. Many of these are abandoned, the offspring of abandoned dogs, or lost pets. In the U.S., about 60% of dogs entering shelters are strays. As a side note, abandoning a dog is illegal in almost every US state, including Texas where I live. We dog owners need to do better. We have responsibilities towards our dogs, to feed them, raise them, train them, exercise them, take care of them, and continue to shelter them when they get old and sick.

The Leonberger community has taken significant steps towards protecting Leonberger dogs from abuse and abandonment. First, the Leonberger Club of America certifies responsible breeders and work to prevent dogs from ending up with backyard breeders and puppy mills. Breeders are required to take back and care for a dog if it does not work out. All prospective Leonberger owners are interviewed and must sign a contract dictating how they should treat the dog. If they find out that you have mistreated a dog or failed to take care of a dog you cannot buy a Leonberger. To see the transcript for our Leonberger interview click here.

12 Promises to my Dog

  • Dear fur angel, I promise to feed you properly.
  • Dear fur angel, I promise to protect you from toxic foods such as raisins, grapes, chocolate, xylitol, birch sugar, onion and garlic.
  • Dear fur angel, I promise to protect you from toxic plants, dangerous household items and animals.
  • Dear fur angel, I promise to keep one or more water bowls always filled with fresh and clean water for you.
  • Dear fur angel, I promise to comfortably shelter you.
  • Dear fur angel, I promise to train you and care for your physical and emotional needs.
  • Dear fur angel, I promise to walk you every day (on days when this is possible).
  • Dear fur angel, I promise to take care of all your veterinary needs.
  • Dear fur angel, I promise to play with you, pet you, and throw balls.
  • Dear fur angel, I promise to never abandon you.
  • Dear fur angel, I promise to be there for you when you cross the rainbow bridge.
  • Dear fur angel, I promise to love you forever.

Puppy Versus Old Dog Photos

Below are some photos of our dogs. Except for the first photo, which is a photo of our Labrador Baylor and German Shepherd Baby at an advanced age, the photos are arranged so that the first is photo of the dog as a puppy followed by a photo of the same dog at an advanced age. I should say that we got Baylor and Baby when they already were adults and we don’t have puppy photos of them. What happened was that family members of ours had got them from a shelter and when those family members later needed to move, we offered to take care of them.

Both dogs are laying on their stomach. Baylor, a yellow Labrador, is on the left and Baby a brown and black German Shepherd is on the right.
Our Labrador Baylor, left, and our German Shepherd Baby, right. Both dogs are at an advanced age. I should add that Baylor was partially a mix. He was three quarters Labrador and one quarter Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Our Leonberger Bronco Puppy is sitting looking into the camera and wearing a red scarf.
Our Leonberger Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle at three months old.
Our Leonberger Puppy is sitting looking into the camera and wearing a scarf. It is a black and white picture.
Our Leonberger Bronco at three months old.
Our Leonberger is standing on the left. My wife is standing on the right and holding the Grey Muzzle Award diploma.
Our Leonberger Bronco received the Grey Muzzle Award for longevity at age 12. Leonbergers typically live 8-10 years. It was the Leonberger Health foundation International that gave him the award. My wife is holding the Grey Muzzle Award diploma.
Our soon 13 year old Leonberger Bronco is lying on the lawn in front of our house. He is looking into the camera.
Our soon 13 year old Leonberger Bronco.
Ryu our Japanese Chin is dancing with our daughter. He is looking into the camera. It looks like he is laughing.
Our Japanese Chin puppy Ryu loved to sing and dance when. Well, howl and dance.
Ryu our Japanese Chin is sitting and looking serious.
Ryu is old in this picture. He has an illness, and he is more serious.
Daisy, our pug, is in our son’s arms. He is wearing a red shirt.
Our pug Daisy in our younger son’s arms. She is a puppy in this picture. People typically assumed that Ryu was the female and Daisy the male, but it was the other way around.
Our pug Daisy, is wearing a pink party hat and she is eating a Pup Cake.
Daisy’s 15th birthday. She is getting old. She is having a Pup Cake.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo puppy is looking into the camera. He is white and dark brown.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo as a puppy.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo is sitting in a black and pink pet stroller.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo is grown up but not yet old. Here he is sitting in Daisy’s stroller. Strange noises such as ducks quacking used to scare him and then he wanted to sit in her stroller.

Dog Poems of Love and Grief

This is a Leonberger blog, but I also post about other topics including book reviews of books that I love and want to promote. With this post I would like to promote a beautiful and touching poetry book that is about a Labrador called Copper: King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry by Lauren Scott.

Below is an overview of the two formats of King Copper by Lauren Scott

  • Paperback –  Publisher : Baydreamer Writes (August 6, 2025), ASIN : B0FK21KS3T, ISBN-13 : 979-8349341014, 66 pages, Item Weight : 3.53 ounces, dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.14 x 9 inches, it cost $14.99 on US Amazon. Click here to order it from Amazon.com.
  • Kindle – Publisher : Baydreamer Writes (August 6, 2025), ASIN : B0FJJ3VWJ6, 70 pages. It is currently $5.99 on Amazon.com. Click here to order it from Amazon.com.
The front cover features the title and author, a big photo of Copper and a pumpkin.
Front cover of King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry by Lauren Scott. Click on the image to go to the Amazon page for the paperback version of the book.

Amazon’s Description of King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry by Lauren Scott

When I knelt down to Copper’s level, my heart melted. His amber, soul-searching eyes told me all I needed to know.

I recalled sitting at the table, perusing a Labrador rescue website. A lab sporting a copper-colored coat stood out like a citrine crystal in a bowl of black diamonds. I had to meet the handsome fellow.

So, on a late winter March day in 2012, my family drove to Oakland to meet Copper. A woman was fostering him in her small apartment. He had a gentle demeanor, and after a walk around the block and some play time, I was ready to take him home. My son and I were excited to welcome Copper into our lives. But my husband and daughter were hesitant to adopt another dog so soon. Would we be replacing Lucky Girl, our black lab mix, who passed just four months earlier?

Despite telling the woman we needed time to make a decision, only three days later, we found ourselves signing the adoption papers. Copper effortlessly jumped into the back of our car for a ride to his new home. We heard that the best way to get past the grief of losing a pet is to get a new one, and that’s what we did. Lucky Girl would always be in our hearts. But after many conversations, we felt the timing was right. I, especially, couldn’t shake the feeling that Copper was meant to be our next canine friend.

From the hugs, cuddles, and games of fetch, Copper learned to trust us. And so, he became family. For thirteen years, he gave us unconditional love. He crossed over the rainbow bridge this past March. It is serendipitous to know that he came into our lives in March and left our earthly world also in March – the month of new beginnings. He was a bright light in our lives that will shine eternally. This is the power of our dogs or any pet. They leave a positive, long-lasting imprint on our souls.

This is my Amazon five-star Amazon review of King Copper

The Life of a Dog named Copper

Copper, a rescue Chocolate Lab, was picked up from a foster home in March of 2012 by a loving family and in return they received 13 years of unconditional love from Copper, who turned out to be a quite remarkable dog. This touching and beautiful book recounts his life in the form of poetry. What better way to tell the life of a dog, than through poetry. Some of the poems are from Copper’s perspective and some of them are from the author’s perspective. Some of the poems are fun, some speak of love, and some speak of grief. I think that everyone who’s ever owned dogs will recognize themselves in this book. I certainly did.

Dogs have personalities, they can express themselves, they are innocent, they are fun, they are loving, they can sense your mood and feelings, and they want to comfort you when you are sad. They love you and they can do amazing things, and they are part of the family. All of this is beautifully expressed in this book. This is a heartwarming book that will leave no heart untouched.

There are also a lot of great color photos in the book. I thought it was fun to look at the various photos of Copper and the people he interacted with. There is also explanatory background information. The book is well written and well laid out and the author is obviously a great poet. I highly recommend this book to all dog lovers. Actually, I recommend it to everyone.

An overview of the book and a tilted photo of Copper, on a dark-brown background. The text says: “A poetic account of the joy that arises when a lovable chocolate lab walks into your life and changes it forever. And the eventual heartache you feel when he crosses the rainbow bridge thirteen years later and still too soon.”
Back cover of King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry by Lauren Scott. Click on the image to go to the Amazon page for the Kindle version of the book.

About the Author of King Copper

Lauren Scott is a poet and writer of fiction, memoir, and children’s books. She has authored three collections of poetry: New Day, New Dreams (2013), Finding a Balance (2015), and Ever So Gently (2023). In 2021, she released her memoir, More than Coffee, and in 2024, Cora’s Quest, her first children’s book was published. Lauren’s poetry and stories have been published on Spillwords Press, a literary Ezine where she was voted Author of the Month in May 2023.

She is a contributing author in the anthologies, Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships (2022), This is How We Grow (2023), Petals of Haiku (2024), and Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku (2025). Her poems are shared monthly on the online literary site, Gobblers and Masticadores. Writing inspiration comes from her love of family, spending time in the great outdoors, and finding joy in the simple things.

Click here to visit the author’s website

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

Today is Rainbow Bridge Day or Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day. We remember the dogs, or the pets that we’ve owned that passed over the rainbow bridge. I made a Rainbow Bridge post exactly one year ago today and since we have not lost any dogs since last year, I’ve decided to just reblog last year’s post.  I am also adding illustrations of our lost pets.

Rainbow Bridge Day and the Dogs We Lost
The illustration shows a Labrador crossing a wooden bridge that has a rainbow over it. He is looking back a little bit. The text says “You were our favorite HELLO and our hardest GOODBYE”.
We lost our wonderful and brave Labrador-Rhodesian-Ridgeback mix under very tragic and unexpected circumstances. His untimely and cruel death has left us with a sorrow and regret that we will never overcome. Illustration by Naomi Rosenblatt.
The picture shows a brown-black German Shepherd looking up at a star. The text says, “You have left our lives, but you will never leave our heart.”.
Our German Shepherd Baby was like a mother to our Leonberger Bronco. She played with him, protected him fiercely, and care for him. She passed in 2009.
A black and white Japanese Chin is sitting at the bottom of stairways going up into the clouds where Baylor and Baby us waiting for him. The text says “Little fur angel at the Rainbow Bridge, we will always love you. Run and play little one.”
Our happy, lively and energetic Japanese Chin Ryu was a great singer/howler. He left us in February 2018. Illustration by Naomi Rosenblatt.
Painting showing our Leonberger Bronco’s face. Like all Leonbergers he has a black mask and fluffy hair.
This is a portrait of our Leonberger Bronco who passed on June 16 2020. The portrait was drawn by Veniceme at Etsy (Natasha Dall’Ara) and it is based on one of our photos.
Our Leonberger Bronco is sitting in the middle of the illustration. To his left is Ryu and to his right is Daisy. Ryu says, “they are still talking about you”. Bronco responds, “I know”.
Our Leonberger Bronco lived a long life for a Leonberger, almost 13 years. He was a kind, brave, and friendly dog who loved and protected our other dogs. This blog and the book I write was started as a tribute to Bronco. Illustration by Naomi Rosenblatt.
Daisy our beige pug is laying in the grass and there are some flowers.
A painting of our late pug Daisy who passed away last April. It is based on one of our photos and created by Etsy. I believe by the same woman who made Bronco’s portrait (see above).

The Rainbow Bridge

According to an article in the Washington Post, the Rainbow Bridge is “a mythical overpass said to connect heaven and earth—and, more to the point, a spot where grieving pet owners reunite for good with their departed furry friends.” According to the article, it’s also a poem of unknown origin that spawned a pet-bereavement movement and even a worldwide Pet Remembrance Day, August 28. However, the part about unknown origin may not be entirely correct. Here is an article that tells us about the origin of the poem . The poem in its entirety follows.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they each miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together

National Dog Day

This illustration, cartoon feature nine dogs in two rows. In the top row is a Dalmatian, Dachshund, Pug, and Jack Russel. The next row features a Chihuahua, Corgi, Great Dane, German Shepherd and a Pomeranian.
Cartoon dog pets with happy muzzles. Shutterstock Asset id: 2497974643 by Foxy Fox.

Today is National Dog Day. According to this website “Every year on August 26, National Dog Day celebrates the bond between humans and dogs while spotlighting the many dogs still in need of a loving home.”. It was Jacqui Murray who alerted me to the existence of National Dog Day. As a family we’ve owned six dogs including two rescues. They were:

  • Baylor our funny and brave Labrador Rhodesian Ridgeback mix.
  • Baby our nurturing and motherly German Shepherd.
  • Bronco our funny and loving Leonberger. He is the focus of this blog.
  • Ryu our Japanese Chin and energetic little opera singer (howling).
  • Daisy our calm and easy pug.
  • Rollo our rambunctious but loving mini-Australian Shepherd.

I should say we’ve been around many other dogs and owned other dogs further back in time. To celebrate National Dog Day, I decided to show photos of our dogs as well as dogs owned by friends and a few stock photos of dogs. A lot of the dog photos are of Leonbergers since this is a Leonberger blog. However, I would like to point out that we are celebrating all dogs, pure bred, as well as mixed breeds.

The illustration features four rows with five dogs each. Top Row: Komondor, Kooikerhondje, Korean Jondo, Korean Mastiff, and Korean Yellow Spitz. Second Row : Kromfohrlander, Kuchi Dog, Kunming Wolfdog, Kuvasz, and Kyrgyz Sighthound. Third Row: Labrador Retriever, Laekenois Belgian Shepherd, Lagotto Romagnolo, Lai Dog, and Lakeland Terrier. Bottom Row: Lancashire Heeler, Landseer, Lapponian Herder, Large Munsterlander, and finally the Leonberger.
Cartoon illustration of 20 dog breeds including the Leonberger. Shutterstock Asset id:  2658034883 by A7880S

Below are some of my previous Leonberger photo posts:

Miscellaneous Dog Photos

Ten Leonberger puppies sitting on a sofa. They are brown with black face masks. An adult Leonberger is lying in front of them.
Ten Leonberger puppies with mama. Shutterstock-ID: 561107650 by Akbudak Rimma.
Six Leonbergers with celebration hats are looking straight into the camera.
Six Leonbergers celebrating a birthday celebration. Photo by Jen O’Keefe.
A photo of a Leonberger puppy wearing a red scarf.
This is a photo of our Leonberger Bronco when he was three months old.
A photo of a Leonberger puppy wearing a scarf. He has his tongue out.
This is a black and white photo of our Leonberger Bronco when he was three months old.
Our Leonberger dog Bronco is standing in front of me and looking straight into the camera. I am sitting in the sofa.
Our Leonberger dog Bronco as an adult. He is coming up to me. He wants my attention.
Our Labrador mix Baylor is lying down looking into the camera. He is on the left. Our German Shepherd Baby is lying down and looking into the camera. She is on the right.
Baylor our Labrador Rhodesian Ridgeback mix on the left and our German Shepherd Baby on the right. They were both old in this photo.
Close up photo of Baylor our Labrador Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. He is looking into the camera.
Baylor is younger in this photo. The photo is from around 2005 or 2006. Baylor had a smile that would warm the coldest hearts.
Baylor our Labrador mix is seen swimming in big pool with clear water.
Baylor loved to swim in Claudia’s parents’ pool. Claudia is my wife.
Photo of our German Shepherd Baby at the dog park.
Our German Shepherd Baby was always a little wary at the dog park.
The photo shows a black dog on the left and our brown-black German Shepherd Baby on the right.
Our German Shepherd Baby is reluctantly playing with another dog at White Rock Lake dog park near Dallas, Texas.
Our daughter 9 years old is holding the paws of our Japanese Chin Ryu. Ryu is standing on his back legs, and it looks like he is laughing.
Our Japanese Chin Ryu with our daughter who was 9 years old at the time.
Our Japanese Chin Ryu is sitting on the wood floor.
Our Japanese Chin Ryu.
Our Japanese Chin is sitting on the left in suitcase and our pug on the right.
Our Japanese Chin Ryu and our Pug Daisy are protesting our travel by sitting in our suitcase. They want to come with us.
Our pug Daisy is lying on her back on the gravel. There is also a toy duck.
Our pug Daisy loved to sunbath even when it was hot. Here she is catching some rays while lying on our old backyard porch, which had gravel.
Two Leonbergers standing next to each other and wearing party headwear typical for a carnival.
Digory and Obi are two Leonbergers. Digory was a very brave Leonberger who fought cancer. He was featured in the Leo-Letter a Leonberger Magazine  Photo by Jen O’Keefe. Jen is a friend in the Leonberger community.
Photo of seven Leonbergers on the sand on a beach.
Digory with Leonbergers friends on the beach. Photo by Jen O’Keefe.
A Leonberger is lying on the floor, and my book is leaning against the dog.
Hachi is a Canadian Leonberger. Here he is featured with my book. The owner and photographers are Brenda Saito and her husband.
Photo of a Leonberger lying on a leather sofa with my book leaning towards his chest.
A Canadian Leonberger called Mak with my book. Photo by Debbie Ireland.
Our pug Daisy is on the lawn on the left. Our Leonberger Bronco is standing on the right.
Our Leonberger Bronco and our Pug Daisy
Rollo as a puppy peering out from behind a sofa chair.
Who is peeking out behind the sofa? The answer is Rollo our mini-Australian Shepherd.
Our Leonberger Bronco is lying on the floor. Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo is lying on his side wanting to be petted.
Our Leonberger Bronco and our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo.
Rollo holding a soccer ball with his paw.
Rollo loves rolling and chasing balls.
Rollo our mini-Australian Shepherd is sitting in a pink stroller.
Rollo is anxious and easily frightened. Daisy’s stroller is a good thing to sit in for such occasions.
Bronco is lying in green grass. Our house and brick wall are in the background.
Our Leonberger Bronco is in the front yard.
Rachel kneeling on the floor and petting our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo who is on the left as well as our pug Daisy who is on the right.
Our daughter with our pug Daisy and our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo.
Our Pug Daisy has a pink party hat on. My wife is feeding her a piece of cake.
This is a photo I took. It was Daisy’s 15th birthday. I can add that this photo was stolen by the administrators of several Pug groups on Facebook and posted as if it was their own photo. Sometimes her name was Daisy but sometimes they made up new names for her including male names. They also used the approval feature to prevent you from complaining. This was very common. I was unable to find an honest Pug group on Facebook. Posting dog photos on a blog is much more rewarding.
Daisy our beige pug is laying in the grass and there are some flowers.
A painting of our late pug Daisy who passed away last April. It is based on one of our photos and created by Etsy. I believe by the same woman who made Bronco’s portrait (see below).
Painting showing our Leonberger Bronco’s face. Like all Leonbergers he has a black mask and fluffy hair.
The portrait was drawn by Veniceme at Etsy (Natasha Dall’Ara) and it is based on one of our photos.

Dog Books to Check Out

I wrote a book about our amazing and funny Leonberger . The book also features tips for care and training of Leonbergers and other large dogs, as well as a resource guide. The title of the book is The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle: Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger. You can buy the paperback version here or the Kindle version here. You can buy it on Canadian Amazon here. To find out more about the book and where else to buy it click here.

I would also like to recommend a great dog book, Sam: A Shaggy Dog Story by Sally Cronin. To read my review for the book click here.

Another recommendation I have is The Good Dog: A Novella by Laura Stamps. To read my review for the book click here.

I am also looking forward to receiving a new promising poetry dog book, King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry by Lauren Scott.

The Sense of Smell in Dogs

This evening around 7:45PM my daughter came to me and said that my wife, Claudia, and her, wanted to take Rollo for a walk. I said that I had told Claudia that I would go with her and Rollo for a walk at 8:00PM, and that I was in the middle of something right now. We had an argument, which ended with my daughter and my wife taking Rollo for a walk at around 7:50PM, and I stayed home to finish what I was doing. The reason we are walking him late in the evening is because here in north Texas it is pretty hot, so you need to wait until twilight.

They left, but at 8:00PM I decided to join them, so I went after them. However, I could not find them. When I reached an intersection, I called my wife on her phone to find out which way they went. She did not answer because she had left her phone at home. The same was true for my daughter. But then I thought I heard Rollo barking, so I went that way. It turned out it was another dog. I turned around and started walking home. I had about a mile back home.

Soon after I had rounded a corner in an intersection, I heard a bark. I turned around and there was Rollo running towards me with my daughter running behind him holding the leash. She explained that Rollo had picked up a scent about half a mile back and had started running. She thought he had smelled another dog and along the way they passed a dog. However, he just ran passed the dog without acknowledging the dog. He was obviously after something else. She was wondering what he was running after, and she found the answer as they rounded the corner and saw me.

He had smelled my scent and had started running to find me from half a mile away. It wasn’t like I stank to high heaven. I took a shower today. How could he smell me, just from walking around the neighborhood? The sense of smell of dogs is amazing. Clearly Rollo’s sense of smell was better than my hearing. According to this article (and this) a dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute than that of a human. You can read more about Rollo here and here and here. Below are a few photos of Rollo.

A mini-Australian Shepherd puppy lying on a blanket and looking into the camera.
Close up of Rollo as a puppy.
The photo shows a mini-Australian Shepherd puppy biting an orange volleyball.
Rollo playing with a volleyball.
The photo shows a mini-Australian Shepherd biting a Leonberger’s tail.
Rollo frequently bit our Leonberger Bronco’s tail, and he even swung in it like a swing. He climbed all over Bronco. Bronco was very patient with him.

The Day Our Leonberger Bronco Sniffed out an Insulin Shock

According to the article that I mentioned above “Dogs’ powerful noses are being used in medicine to detect diseases, sniffing them out in a less invasive manner than the currently available diagnostic tests”. For example, dogs have been able to accurately detect cancer, predict seizures and identify people with low blood sugar just by using their noses. This is exactly what I am going to describe below.

We used to have a Labrador called Baylor who had diabetes. Well, more exactly he was ¾ Labrador and ¼ Rhodesian Ridgeback. I used to give him insulin shots after every meal. We also had a Leonberger called Bronco. This was a large dog. Leonberger are related to Saint Bernards and about the same size.

One day as we had just gone to bed our Leonberger Bronco started barking while looking intently at Baylor, then he looked at us, then he turned his head toward Baylor and started barking again. He did this a few times—not aggressively, but to get our attention. It became clear to us that Bronco wanted us to look at Baylor. I examined Baylor but saw nothing wrong at first. Then I looked again. This time I saw that his back legs were shaking slightly. It quickly got worse. His gait became wobbly, then within perhaps fifteen seconds he fainted. He had gone into insulin shock. “Insulin shock” is another name for severe hypoglycemia, a condition where blood sugar (glucose) is dangerously low. Exactly, what dogs can smell out according to the article above. We rushed him to the emergency clinic, where fortunately the doctors were able to revive him.

Bronco detected a problem with Baylor before we could see anything wrong. His warnings gave us that little bit of extra time we needed to save Baylor’s life. Imagine if we had gone to bed, fallen asleep and not noticed the problem. I can add that Leonbergers have a very keen sense of smell. We had never taught Bronco to detect insulin shock or any other condition. It was entirely his own instinct. This was one of the amazing superpowers Bronco had. I should say that we didn’t know this at the time, but giving a dog sugar, or something sweet, can bring him out of insulin shock. To read more about this incident click here or here. Below are some photos of Bronco and Baylor.

Close up photo of Baylor our Labrador Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. He is looking into the camera.
Baylor is young in this photo. The photo is from around 2005 or 2006. Baylor had a smile that would warm the coldest hearts.
Our Leonberger is standing on the large red leather sofa giving me a kiss.
Me and our Leonberger Bronco when he was young.
Bronco our Leonberger is standing in front of me and he is looking into the camera.
Our Leonberger Bronco is ready for dinner

National Mutt Day

Today, July 31st is National Mutt Day. Our Leonberger Bronco, or Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle, was not a mutt, but our Labrador Baylor was. We kept referring to him as a Labrador, but he was actually 3/4 Labrador and 1/4 Rhodesian Ridgeback. Therefore, I am making a post about him today. You can also read about Baylor here . here and here.

Our Labrador mix Baylor is lying down looking into the camera. He is on the left. Our German Shepherd Baby is lying down and looking into the camera. She is on the right.
Baylor our Labrador Rhodesian Ridgeback mix on the left and our German Shepherd Baby on the right. They were both old in this photo.

About Baylor

Our first family dog was Baylor, a yellow Labrador retriever mix who allegedly was one-quarter Rhodesian ridgeback. He was a rescue dog first adopted by our niece Jessica, and then when she went to college he stayed with Claudia’s parents until we finally adopted him a couple of years later. He was familiar with us, so the change was not a difficult experience for him. Naturally he was potty trained and well trained in other regards, so taking care of him was a relatively easy job.

Close up photo of Baylor our Labrador Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. He is looking into the camera.
Baylor is younger in this photo. The photo is from around 2005 or 2006. Baylor had a smile that would warm the coldest hearts.

Baylor was the dog who taught me what it means to be a dog owner. I didn’t grow up with dogs, and for years I felt like dogs were annoying and somewhat unpleasant and even scary. To me, they were just barking machines. People who let their aggressive and poorly trained dogs run loose and bother people on the street and children walking to school had cemented that impression on me. A dog was something I wasn’t interested in having. Hamsters and turtles seemed a lot easier to take care of, and they don’t run around growling and barking at people. But there was Baylor, and I had a lot to learn.

Baylor was an energetic and fun dog. He was also very social. He loved visiting the dog park and playing with other dogs. Like Bronco, he loved swimming. He loved running, chasing balls, and playing tug-of-war. I later learned that tug-of-war is not a great game to play with dogs. It can make them aggressive. Anyway, over the years I grew quite fond of him. I loved coming home to his enthusiastic greetings and then taking him for a walk.

Baylor our Labrador mix is seen swimming in big pool with clear water.
Baylor loved to swim in Claudia’s parents’ pool. Claudia is my wife.

On several occasions, Baylor proved to be a hero. My wife Claudia’s mother told me that once, when she was walking him along a road near her house, she fell into a deep hole in the road. There were no other people around at the time, and the hole, which wasn’t covered and hadn’t been roped off, was around waist high. Not being young anymore, she couldn’t climb her way out. However, Baylor started pulling her. She held on to his leash while he smoothly but forcefully dragged her upward. Working together, they managed to pull her out of the hole. Baylor understood how to help, and he was strong enough to do it.

The Dog Fight

Baylor could also defend himself when he needed to. One time, as he and I were walking down a long straight road in the neighborhood, I turned around and saw two dogs running out of an alleyway around half a mile behind us. Right behind them came a woman, and she was running as well. The dogs were racing toward us and barking, and the woman behind the dogs was screaming at them. It was obvious that they had snuck out of a house and were ignoring their owner. For a moment I thought that maybe we should be running as well, but I decided against it. I would not be able to outrun the dogs, even though Baylor could, and letting him loose would be a bad idea. I decided to keep calm and continue walking.

A few seconds later I turned around to look again. The dogs were coming closer. I could see their glistening teeth and their faces full of rage as they charged toward us. The woman behind them was going as fast as she could, but she couldn’t keep up. Both dogs were around the size of Baylor. One of them looked like a pit bull, and the other looked like a golden retriever. I braced for the worst, and Baylor and I positioned ourselves for a fight.

Then the dog who looked like a golden retriever stopped and sat down. He seemed to be less aggressive. But the pit bull came right at us as if he wanted to kill us. There was a violent clash. Baylor fought back valiantly, and he was able to control the situation, despite being on a leash. (Well, I gave him all the leeway I could.) There were loud growls and snarls and sharp white teeth snapping and biting.

The woman finally arrived. Her face was red, and she was sweating profusely. It didn’t look like she was in good shape, and she had just sprinted half a mile without stopping. Breathing heavily, she grabbed her aggressive dog and apologized. I didn’t respond, even though I felt sorry for her. I knew the whole thing was probably an accident, but after that experience I couldn’t spare much sympathy for her. Luckily, there were no serious injuries.

Many dog owners intentionally let their dogs run loose in public, thinking they have them under perfect control, but then the dogs snap when they don’t expect it and they don’t know why. It probably wasn’t what happened in the episode with Baylor, but instances like this serve as powerful reminders of why we have leash laws.

After it was all over, I felt proud of Baylor for defending himself so well. He was a lot stronger and feistier than I expected, yet he was a very friendly and loving Labrador (mix).

Goodbye Baylor

All life ends and so did Baylor’s, in a tragic and sad way. Those who have read my book might know what happened. If you do read my book, this section is marked in grey and called an intermezzo. This way you can avoid reading this sad part. Less sensitive people are welcome to read it and learn some lessons from our experience.

An illustration of Labrador like dog passing a bridge with a rainbow above. The text says, “You were our favorite HELLO and our hardest Goodbye”.
You were our favorite HELLO and our hardest Goodbye. Illustration by Naomi Rosenblatt.

About the book The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle

Finally, I would like to point out that I currently is running a promotion for my book “The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle, Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger”. The book is focused on our late Leonberger Bronco, but Baylor and several other dogs are also featured in the book. The price of the Kindle version of my book is now only $2.99 and the price of the paperback version is 17.95 (normal prize is $19.95). You can read more about the promotion here.

The gold and beige book cover features the face of our Leonberger Bronco and the text "The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle. Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger."
This is the front cover of the book “The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle”. Click here or on the image to go to the United States Amazon location for the paperback version of the book.
The back cover in gold and beige features a photo of a Leonberger in a snowy forest and an introduction to the book.
This is the back cover of the book “The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle”. Click here or on the image to go to the Amazon.com location for the kindle version of the book.
The endorsements say “A wonderful tribute to the author's beloved Bronco. The stories are heartwarming as well as informative - a true glimpse into life with a Leonberger. D'Nae Wilson, President, Leonberger Health Foundation International.” and “A lovely tribute to Bronco, with lots of resources for general Leonberger information. Julie Schaffert, LCA breeder since 1992.”
Again, these are the endorsements for the book by some very prominent members of the Leonberger community. Click here or on the image to go to the Barnes and Noble location for the book.

Have you ever owned a Mix Breed / Mutt ?