Weekly Recap and Message from the Dogman

                                              The Dogman begs:

Read my blog. Please leave me comments, complaints and compliments. I am responsive to feedback.

Pass this blog along. If you like a particular piece, send it, or a link, to a friend. Post it on Facebook. Twitter it. Give it a thumbs up on StumbleUpon. Write your thoughts in the comment section. If you dislike a piece, I'd like to know as much as if you like one.

The blog's look has changed due, in large measure, to reader input. I stopped running random Google ads and switched to Amazon, so I could personally recommend my favorite dog related books and products. I've also added Amazon's Dog Blog, because it seems to nicely complement the den. As always, I remain open to your ideas.

It's Halloween weekend, so please make sure your cats, especially, and your dogs, are indoors or somewhere safe.

Again, thanks for reading, and now, without further ado, the weekly recap!

How to Breed the Perfect Dog

An article detailing a model breeding program in the tiny town of Abeytas, New Mexico. This is the ancestral home of Levi!

Dogs and (Pole) Cats

The peculiar relationship between dogs and skunks. Why do dogs seem to like smelling like that? A theory is presented.

Cerberus Meets Caligula, a play in one scene

Unintentionally, one of the Dogman’s more controversial pieces. A.K. of S. California hated it. V.R. of Madison, WI, loved it. I think it’s…alright. A light hearted look at the three-headed dog who guards the Gates of Hades, and his encounter with deranged Roman emperor, Caligula. An affectionate nod to Monsieur Sartre's great plays, No Exit and Caligula. Read it and voice in with your comments. Warning to sensitive readers: Cerberus, guard of the nether world, spends a good deal of time cleaning his nether regions! Make sure children don’t read it, because they might giggle at the idea of a dog licking himself, and we must discourage that kind of frivolity!

“Look Out, Cat!!! ™

A description of, and rules for, the favorite indoor game for two or more dogs who live with a cat. Read it. Leagues forming soon in your area.

Coming Saturday: Dog News and, hopefully, your pictures of your dogs in Halloween costumes.

© 2009, All Rights Reserved, Rich Sands

ScottsdaleDogMan.com

ScottsdaleDogMan.blogspot.com

Please share this blog with others.

Dogs in Superman Costumes

My original intent was to use today’s post to get on a soapbox and decry the practice of putting dogs in Halloween costumes. I was going to charge owner’s who did this with cruelty, and point out that they were certainly embarrassing their dogs. As a dogman, one thing I know is dogs hate to be embarrassed. Does the poor guy dressed as a hot dog above look proud?

When writing these posts, I usually turn to the internet to find images to illustrate them, because people these days expect pictures with their words, at least in a blog.

I’m sure I’m violating copyright all kinds of ways, but until I have enough readers to complain, I have no plans on worrying about it. Anyway, it's Fair Use.

I have next to no photos of my dogs (or anything else from 1975-2003, or so), so when I post pictures of a German Shepherd on a piece about Arthur, for example, I’ll usually use images I find of a dog that looks sort of like he did.

Luckily, today, when preparing this entry about how awful it was to make your dog wear a Halloween costume, I searched for the pictures before I wrote the posting. This Google Image search led me to a completely different conclusion than my original.

Everyone should dress up their dog for Halloween. Superman is a classic choice, and classics are such for a reason. Who doesn’t look good in a Superman costume! Batman is a perennial favorite as well.

I don’t want to discourage anyone’s creativity. Dress your dog in whatever costume you can imagine. But dress him for Halloween! And maybe Christmas. Or just to brighten up any boring day.

Please send me any pictures you have of your dog in a costume. My e-mail is ScottsdaleDogMan@gmail.com. My Facebook friends can also post their pictures on my wall.

Would you look at how cute all these guys are?! And this was just from a quick search. Look, this golden is dressed as Cerberus!

And, finally, it wouldn't be Halloween without a "sexy" outfit for the bitches in your house. Though canine sexualization remains a serious problem in this country, we won't solve it by burying our heads in the sand. If your girl proposes leaving the house in this costume, it's time for the two of you to have a long talk, especially about body language and its consequences.

The Scottsdale Dogman eagerly awaits your pictures of costumed dogs. I doubt there are many available of costumed cats, because I can't imagine a self-respecting cat permitting it. But I've been surprised before.

© 2009, All Rights Reserved, Rich Sands

ScottsdaleDogMan.com

ScottsdaleDogMan.blogspot.com

Please share this blog with others.