So now, as Fall approaches, our mission has become very clearly defined.  We are changing Canine Commuter and taking our mission one step further.  So to, will you see changes occuring on our website.  I say thank you to all of our customers, our friends and family, who have supported us and our mission over these last many years.  I ask for your patience during this time of transition, and hope that you will continue to trust our team to lead the mission of Pet Safety.

Thank you & Happy Trails!

Lindsey and the Canine Commuter Team              

Puppies are adorable.  I think God made them that way so that we would overlook the challenges of the crying at 2:00 am stage, the mouthy, needle teeth stage, the potty training stage, the "I’m going to challenge authority" stage…you know, those times that challenge any parent.  As a proud "dog mom" I am very happy to say that I’ve survived those challenges on more than one occasion!  

I remember the last puppy I brought home, I thought to myself - "Now why did I go and ruin a perfectly good thing and bring home another puppy?  I must be crazy!"  Well, as it turns out, after months of owning up to responsible pet parenting – we had another happy, well trained family member who loved to ignore all of the obedience commands and just rolled onto her back and ask for a tummy rub.  It made me laugh – and therefore – that became the routine.  Sit!  (roll over for a tummy rub)  Stay!  (another tummy rub)  Down!  (you get the drift….)  If it got a laugh – then it was the thing to do!  Each dog brings their own special charm, personality and magic into our lives.  Every one quirky and unique - and we should be so happy for that!

So now, I sit and wonder, am I willing to do it again?  As I look into the eyes of my dogs Maggie and Spencer, I see happy dogs.  Dogs who have flourished under my watch.  Dogs who enjoy life – although they now sleep a good portion of the day away.  So…am I willing to do it again?  Absolutely – for the right dog at the right time – I will open my arms and my home to welcome a new puppy, put up with needle teeth and potty training one more time.  I just wait for the Universe to give me the sign….and I’ll be a dog mom once again. 

Happy Mother’s Day!

Lindsey and the Canine Commuter Team     

So now, as we adjust to the suddenly empty spot on the sofa, what do we do?  Maggie and Spencer have taken to bouncing all over the house, what seems to be happiness, but I think they understand the loss and are trying to lighten my spirit.  I pay lots of attention to them and we do have joy as a family during those moments.  We play and Maggie and Spencer grab the big floppy toys and shake them, very much like Pidgey did.  Dogs are very much like people, and they unknowingly adopt the habits of those that surround them.  Maggie has taken to being the first to wake me in the morning by licking the tip of my nose.  Maggie enjoys her belly rubs and Spencer simply loves to give lingering hugs again, without Pidgey’s telltale headbutt to knock him out of the way.  I guess you could say, life has returned to where we were four years ago.  Things are simple, peaceful and very, very quiet.  It’s amazing how much energy one little dog can add to a house.  There is a noticeable void. 

Friends and family have been supportive, but it simply takes time to recover from any loss.  I give myself time to grieve, but there is also peace that I did the best I could for her.  She had a wonderful, loving home during her time here, and I recognize that too.  So how do you heal after a loss? 

1.  Give yourself time.  "Time heals all wounds"  Well, the wounds may not fully heal…but they don’t sting quite as much. 

2.  Find a way to forgive any doubts you have and let go of the "what if’s".  "What if’s" are dangerous thoughts that can make recovering from a loss unmanageable and fill us with unecessary and unwarranted guilt. 

3.  Don’t focus on the events leading to the loss, focus on the joy that your pet gave you during their time in your life.  Focus on happy times, fun memories and the wonderful pictures that remind us of why we have pets in the first place.  They add to the quality of our lives, make us laugh and give us unconditional love.  

4.   And most of all, you need to let them go.  Not only physically, which is difficult enough, but spiritually as well.  Acknowledge their life in some meaningful way – donation to a charity, planting a tree in their memory or even volunteering with a local rescue group.  Recognize the joy they gave you, thank them for the unconditional love and the happiness they brought to your life, pay it forward and wish them well on their journey.  I didn’t say it was easy….but it’s a very healthy and freeing thing to do. 

So, now we begin to dream of the next wonderful dog that will join our happy, furry family and add their own special magic to our lives.

Cheers!  (and Cheers to Pidgey for a life well lived!)

Lindsey and the Canine Commuter Team.

This Easter weekend proved to be very, very difficult for the Canine Commuter family.  Our littlest English Cocker, Pidgey (aka Madison) had to be euthanized due to an aggressive auto-immune response.  Pidgey was 3.5 years old…and a little furry dynamo.  Such a sweet little dog…and we’re all going to miss her terribly. 

Pidgey came to live with us when she was 8 weeks old.  I originally named her Madison, but she used to perch on the back of the couch and look over my shoulder like a little pidgeon.  So…her nickname "Pidgey" stuck. 

Her happy positive attitude and her constant request for tummy rubs made her truly unique.  She made life a game and lived it to the fullest.  She loved to beat me with her stuffed sheep until I gave in for a game of tug-o-war.  She would play ball endlessly.  She loved to help me plant the kitchen garden on the deck and then steal the basil….all the while wagging that little tail….and her eyes said "Catch me…if you can!"  Like I said….life was a game…and Pidgey played it with gusto.  Pidgey loved to watch the Today Show and bark at the commercials that had animals in them – even the animated allergy bee.  Such a little clown.  I will miss her curling up on my lap to catch her favorite TV show, and her sleeping upside down with all fours in the air.   

It’s a very hard thing to accept….and as part of her passing I wanted to ensure that she could benefit science and help other dogs overcome or avoid auto-immune disease…so I have donated her body to a research hospital.

I am so glad that I was able to be your mom while you were here.  I love you and I will miss you….          

Bring a towel and wear old clothes….but you’ll have a ball @ Newfiepalooza  March 19th, 2011!

Happy Tails!  Lindsey and the Canine Commuter Team

Leash Set –  DoggyRide will be including a leash set with all of the trailers.  Canine Commuter highly recommends using a leash set in combination with a safety harness to help protect your pet during your bike trailer travels. 

The DoggyRide Mini – same great Mini design – but the leash hookup placement has been modified slightly.

The DoggyRide Original - again, same great Original design, with the leash set included.

The DoggyRide Novel – the engineers at DoggyRide have improved the air circulation and incorporated a wind/rain cover.  This allows you to control the air flow circulation, which would make things more comfortable for your dog and helpful in windy and colder areas.  The kickstand is now an optional item for the trailer.

If you’re looking for a bargain on your DoggyRide – check out Canine Commuter’s bundles!  We offer various bundle packages on each DoggyRide trailer model - Mini, Original and Novel – each comes with free shipping and an included discount on the included accessories.  You save more – because we save more.   Good Karma – we like that!

DoggyRide will be launching their new products mid-March – and we highly encourage you to place your order now to reserve one from their new shipment.

Oh…and keep your eyes out for Canine Commuter’s DoggyRide Challenge in the coming weeks!  It’ll be good for you…and your dog! 

So get ready, get set….go!  Spring will be here before you know it….and we’ll all be out enjoying our DoggyRides!

Happy Trails!  -  Lindsey and the Canine Commuter Team

At Canine Commuter, we love our customers, and we love hearing from you!  Our customer, Sheri, emailed us earlier this week after receiving her Getaway Carrier – " LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this purse/carrier!!!! Its awesome!!!"  See…I’m not making this up – it’s a great carrier!  Storage for your wallet, phone, etc….roomy compartment for your dog!   

So…if you’re looking for a very reasonably priced, well thought out design with great construction quality - check out the Jaraden Getaway Carrier.  You’re gonna love it too! 

Lindsey and the Canine Commuter team! 

Vicious traits in dogs can be brought on by a host of medical problems.  Once your vet has ruled out the medical problems, he will evaluate for neurological problems.  Neurological problems are much harder to deal with – and to be honest, after my experience with Rupert, I take a hard line, realistic approach to dealing with this type of temperament issue. 

When I brought Rupert home, we knew right off there was something different about him.  He was very aloof and didn’t want to socialize with the other dogs or our family members.  One evening, I was working with him at a local training event when the lead behaviorist noticed I was having problems controlling my dog.  She pulled me out of the lineup and took me aside.  Carol told me that Rupert’s behavior indicated to her that he had some "issues".  Rupert had snapped at me during our training.  Deep down, I knew what she meant – your gut knows.  My first reaction was to take Rupert to the vet for evaluation.  My vet told me Rupert displayed neurological problems and in her opinion, his temperament could not be trusted.  The attacks would likely continue and get worse.  Her recommendation was euthanasia before he hurt someone.  "Not my dog!  No…I can’t do that to him!".  I left in tears, bound and determined to find some other way of curing my dog.  I worked with behaviorists to no avail.  I contacted his breeder to see if she could help me.  I had this beautiful dog who wouldn’t let anyone near him.  His aggression continued and got worse.

The problem compounded itself because I wasn’t being a responsible pet owner and dealing with the problem responsibly – I was in denial.  I wasn’t able to have my friends come over to my new home to visit because Rupert was a bite risk.  I was risking my first home because homeowner insurance policies were now being modified or denied if your dog was a bite risk.  I was making excuses about his behavior.  He wasn’t always vicious.  Just occasionally something would set him off.  He didn’t break skin when he bit me.  Excuse after excuse to justify his existence.  

I wasn’t sure what caused it, but after time, Rupert’s expression changed.  His eyes became glassy.  He’d sit under a table and stare and growl at me.  The closer I got to him the more threatening his behavior.  Then he did the same thing to my mother.  It was at that point I finally took responsibility for my animal.  I couldn’t risk him injuring my mother or anyone else for that matter.  It dawned on me how stupid I was and what I was risking to keep this dog.  I had given up nine years of my life because my dog was a bite risk.  I ignored the advice of the professionals I hired to help guide me – my vet, trainer and behaviorist were all in agreement.  Heck, I even went for third and fourth opinions with local vets – and they all told me the same thing.  I ignored them too.  I had knowingly put this animal before the people I loved and made excuses for him.

While speaking with my vet, she reminded me why we have dogs in our lives.  They give us unconditional love.  They make us happy.  They bring us joy.  "What kind of joy is Rupert bringing you?"  The answer was simple…he wasn’t.  He was a nightmare.  I was scared of my dog.  I was scared he was going to hurt me…or someone else.  He was a bite risk and that could have caused me a huge financial burden.  I asked her for a sedative for Rupert and made the appointment to have him euthanized.  It was a very hard thing for me to do…but its part of dog ownership and being a responsible pet parent.  Sometimes we have to make tough decisions.  In hindsight, this wasn’t a tough decision – I knew all along it was the right thing to do.  I stood with him as he was euthanized.  It was a very calm and peaceful moment.  The vet and I talked and I felt the weight of the world lift off of my shoulders.  I knew he was at peace and that I had made the right decision for both of us.  

So now I have three wonderful dogs that light up my life.  They inspire me everyday.  I love to play with them.  I love it when Maggie sings to me when she’s happy.  I giggle when Spencer twirls when he’s excited.   I laugh when Pidgey rolls over and asks for a belly rub.  See… this is what having dogs is supposed to be about.  Joy, unconditional love and happiness.  Never fear, never again.

Lindsey and the Canine Commuter Team. 

For those of you who have elderly parents who have a dog, I encourage you to acknowledge the quality that the companionship adds to their life.  I also encourage you to keep an eye on your parents – and on Fido.  I have witnessed firsthand the pains of the aging process.  The aches, pains, doctors appointments, medication management – it’s a lot to manage – for anyone.  As our parents age, faculties can fade, and they are sometimes unaware of the subtle changes taking place.  Forgetfulness turns to Dementia and honestly, it’s hard to tell when that change takes place.  Fido is likely going to be fine, but imagine if someone forgot to feed him, or give him water.  What happens if Fido is let outdoors during a snowstorm and mom forgets to let him in?   What happens if dad drops his heart medication on the floor and Fido finds it?  Dad’s eyes may not see it or he may not have realized that he even dropped it.  Be aware that as the elderly mind starts to fade, we need to be there to pick up where they leave off.  

As your parent gets older, they will need more monitoring.  I recommend frequent visits – 2-3 times a week to monitor their situation to make sure that both parent and pet are safe and well cared for.  Make sure you quietly monitor – look around – notice how things are being managed.  Parents sometimes get defensive if asked a lot of confrontational questions – so be respectful.  They are dealing with many fears during this time of life – and are increasingly frightened that their independence will be taken away.  I had plenty of conversations with my mother about her driving years ago.  She was terrified of losing her independence – and eventually it became necessary to pull her driving privileges.  They also fear that they are in jeopardy of losing their pets.  

As the aging process continues, our parents may need more assistance managing their pet….or they may not be able to manage caring for a pet anymore.  During your visits do you notice the water bowls empty?  Do you notice that the dog has had accidents inside the house?  Have you noticed medications being dropped on the floor?  If you do, it may be time to intervene for the sake of the dog - and your parent.  None of this is easy – I will caution you – but if you engage the proper assistance you can make things less difficult for everyone. 

In my particular case, I ended up hiring a social worker to come in and do an evaluation of both of my parents.  I explained to mom and dad what we were doing – and why we were doing it, introduced the social worker to my parents, and promptly excused myself and went to a neighbor’s house to wait things out.  The report came back that my parents were no longer capable of managing things on their own.  I was able to leverage the social worker’s expertise and her report to help me make the best decisions for my parents.  I also engaged a care manager to help me manage their health related issues.  From that point forward, I was able to enjoy my visits with mom and dad more.  I would bring my dogs over more frequently since I could see the joy they brought to my mother – she was happy again – if only for a little while.  

My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease last year.  She now lives in a care residence and when the wonderful Pets on Wheels group visits she lights up when the dogs come in.  I’ve taken Spencer over to visit with mom and he gets more excited than she does when he sees her.  As she sits down, she gets lots of kisses and a happy wagging tail shows how much Spencer truly adores her.  I get to spend time with my mom….and mom still gets the unconditional love of a dog.  She likes that – I can tell!  

Lindsey – and the Canine Commuter team.        

I know that when I am not feeling well – my dogs know.  When I am angry – my dogs know.  When I am sad – my dogs know.  They react differently to each big emotion, each mood.  During a recent bout of the flu, the three of them snuggled next to me and wouldn’t leave my side.  When my dad passed away last May, I sat on the floor and cried – they licked my face and fought over who could sit in my lap – it made me laugh and immediately brightened my day.  Dogs are simply amazing creatures.  They understand so much more than we think they do.

Their devotion to us knows no bounds.  Dogs protect us and give us unconditional love without asking for anything in return.  I simply cannot imagine my life without my trusted companions by my side.  They bring so much joy to my life and they inspire me every day. 

To this dog, Leao, in Brazil, her owner, Ms. Santana, was her world.  She must have been a wonderful person - Leao obviously loved her.  Leao’s devotion is heartwarming and not unlike many stories I have read about dogs who wait for their master’s return.  I hope Leao finds a new home and continues her life with happier times.  I’m sure that Leao won’t forget Ms. Santana, her memory will be preserved in a very special way - in the love and devotion she gave to her dog.