Life, unlike newspaper headlines, lacks titles & bold fonts
I have worked on student newsletters, business newsletters, and now I write for a countywide magazine. I find writing an opportunity to learn about many topics and issues. A newspaper reporter repeated an old saying to our Redwood Writers members who wanted to write stories set in Sonoma County for our club’s 2017 anthology, Sonoma: Stories of a region and its people. I have a true Sonoma story in that publication, on Barn Owl’s and local bird expert, John Schuster.
Robert Digitale said, “Dog Bites Man is not a story. Look for the stories where Man Bites Dog.”
I value the story coaching Digitale provided Redwood Writers. I came to look at “why read a story” then there are billions of news and magazine stories in English. Most writers know they should provide a hook, a story question or window that pulls readers eyes and minds. Beyond a great opening, readers need a compelling narrative, a strong writer’s voice, or a burning need to know what happens, why is this important, or whom can I learn about. I know I am a better writer from having worked with Digitale and his colleagues at the Press Democrat. Robert Digitale also writes fiction, you can visit his site at Horse Stalker.com
Man Bites Dog Story
This section header strikes me as funny. Indeed, any parent or dog parent can relate to a sudden reversal. When we stay calm and provide examples of healthy social behaviors, in hindsight those days seem natural. What about the days when we lose it? What about yelling at our barking dog or becoming upset at a cranky toddler? What of having to carry a crying toddler from a store who cannot cope with a grocery store a single minute longer? Ever have to leave a crate of food essentials like squash, rice, and juice? Yes, I have had one of those days—more than once.
I have never bitten my dog. Is a first time for everything?
In a veterinarian’s office recently, I spoke about how many times our sixteen-pound Cockerpoo had bitten me in his terrible twos. She laughed and said if she had to report everytime a Chihuahua or other small dog had bitten her, she would have had to report to animal control daily! Well, that was news to me. I had no idea how often dogs tried to bite medical staff. As a child, I feared the doctor and his office, which meant pain in the form of injections, exams, etc. If I had not been prepared by my mother, I might have bitten the doctor to keep him away. But then hindsight can be funny or valuable, right?
Is your puppy or a baby teething?
Have you ever had one? How did you cope? What did you do with a barking dog when you had a headache? Put him in the bathroom? Bribed him with food? I know I had days when with little sleep our baby began crying at ten o’clock in the morning. She had a good reason. Cutting teeth turns out to be painful and has been studied and rated at the top of the human pain tolerance scale. Scientists stated in one study that adults would go mad from the multiyear gum distress. Even our puppies go through teething. Thousands of remedies have been invented from cold teething rings or a puppy-sized Kong for chewing to gum soothing gels.
Dog Leader Mysteries Blog
My goal for Dog Leader Mysteries blog keeps me on track. I continue to help dog lovers save their dog’s lives and their sanity. I share my knowledge, observations, and experience from raising five adopted dogs. Although I did not parent them at the same time, I have friends with multiple dogs. My dogs came to me as one-year-olds or older. I have cared for and taught dogs as large as a German shepherd and as small as a Pomeranian and Chihuahua mix.
Food is the best medicine for dogs
- Do be choosy about your dog’s food.
- Read labels.
- Notice the usual potty habits your pup or dog has.
- Switch to a bland diet when needed.
- When your dog’s tummy is upset, try a soothing change.
Shannon, a long time Keeshond raiser and trainer, suggested we feed only cottage cheese, rice, and chicken broth for a few days when our Keeshonds experienced upset stomachs. Similar to the BRAT diet for people, simple foods allow dogs’ digestive systems to relax. So don’t bite your dog, feed him a modified diet until he or she is back to normal.
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Please share modified diets you have used with your dog.
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