The First Gentlemen of Virginia, 1909 John Ward Dunsmore
Birthday wishes go out to the first President of the United States of America!
George Washington wasn’t just a President or a General, he was also a dog enthusiast and passionate about fox hunting. He kept over 36 hounds and had some favorites that went everywhere with him. It could even be said that because of his hound ‘Sweet Lips’ he formed a friendship with Mayor Powel of Philadelphia. That led to friendships with men that could influence the government and they in turn lobbied for him and his eventual win to become commander of the Continental Army. (George Washinton: President, General and Dog Breeder )
Washington also helped bring into existence the American Foxhound. By crossing some French hounds with his own Black and Tan hounds, he created the original American Foxhound. The American Foxhound has changed a bit since the 1700’s but Washington was the first! Sounds like his dogs were a handful!
One of Washington’s hounds, Vulcan, black and so big a young boy could ride him like a pony, had powerful jaws and an insatiable appetite. It seems he had a taste for Virginia hams. A story is told of Vulcan sneaking into the Washington’s Mount Vernon kitchen, snatching a succulent ham, and running “straight to the kennels with it locked in his great jaws.” Mistress Martha was miffed, but the event delighted Master George. -Presidential Menageries: George Washington, Hound Dogs and Super Mules
There is also a story told of the Battle of Germantown in 1777. During the battle Washington saw a little terrier between the American and British lines. Luckily for that little terrier he was wearing a collar that identified him as the dog of British General, William Howe. Story has it that Washington fed, brushed and cleaned up the terrier, called a cease fire and returned the dog under a flag of truce to the British General.
Octr 6. 1777
General Washington’s compliments to General Howe. He does himself the pleasure to return him a dog, which accidentally fell into his hands, and by the inscription on the Collar appears to belong to General Howe.
There is a lot we can learn from George Washington, the president. But also much is to be learned from George Washington the dog lover! Thanks George for your place in American and Dog history! Happy Birthday!
If you don’t find it as amusing as Master George when your dog steals food from the table, or if your dog runs away like General Howe’s terrier, contact Follow Me Dog Training LLC. We are training dogs and their owners in the Richmond Virginia area!
Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago at 12:31 pm. Add a comment
The 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show begins today and will be aired on the USA Network, 15-16 February 2010. This is a huge event in the dog show world. Taking place at Madison Square Garden, New York New York, 2,500 Champions will enter the rings and try to win Best in Show.
Last year, a Sussex Spaniel named “Stump” became the oldest dog to win Best in Show.
Leinie, Pepper and I always tune in to watch the Herding group and the Terrier group show, even though neither an Irish Terrier or Belgian Malinois have ever won Best in Show at Westminster. We also watch it because sometimes we see some old friends in the audience. Although we still miss looking at the front row for a shot of the late great dog trainer Captain Haggerty.
First held in 1877, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is America’s second-longest continuously held sporting event.
Westminster pre-dates the invention of the light bulb and the automobile, the building of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Washington Monument, the invention of basketball and the establishment of the World Series. –Westminster Kennel Club
That is a long time to be celebrating dogs! This year, some new dogs have entered the ring. The Irish Red and White Setter, the Norwegian Buhund, and the Pyrenean Shepherd will be making their first appearance.
Follow Me Dog Training LLC encourages you to tune in tonight to the USA Network to watch all the dogs strut their stuff in an attempt to win Best in Show at Westminster!
Oh and if you are thinking to your self “I have a 100% purebred Mutt, my dog isn’t represented” Think again, your dog is made up of two or more of all the dogs that are represented at Westminster!
Posted 6 months, 3 weeks ago at 12:06 pm. Add a comment
The American Heart Association encourages you to Go Red For Women! Heart Disease is the #1 killer of women. For women it is obviously a situation that needs to change. Through education, nutrition, exercise and a low stress way of life we can improve our statistics. Heart disease is preventable with small steps. Having a dog in your life makes these small steps easier! With a dog we exercise more, and stress is lowered just by the simple act of spending time with your dog! Heart disease is something to be aware of and we should all strive to prevent it!
Heart disease affects dogs as well! According to www.yourdogshealth.com about 11% of all dogs have heart disease. With early diagnosis, treatment and management your dog can live a long happy life.
12.5 year old Pepper was diagnosed with a heart murmur when she was 8 months old. It hasn’t slowed her down much but you better believe I keep her healthy and in shape!
In the early stages of heart disease, your dog’s body may make adjustments to allow it to cope with the disease. During this stage of the disease your dog may show no visible signs of being unwell.
As time goes by and the disease progresses into clinical heart failure, your dog’s body will no longer be able to make adjustments for the disease progression. At this stage, owners often notice deterioration in their dog’s health.
Signs of heart failure in your dog that you may notice include any of the following in any combination:
Coughing
Changes in breathing
Difficulty breathing
Shortness of breath
Labored breathing
Rapid/fast breathing
Changes in behavior
Tiring easily
Reluctance to exercise/not wanting to go for walks
Less playful
Slowing down/lack of energy
Depressed/withdrawn
Poor appetite
Weight loss
Fainting/collapsing
Weakness
Restlessness, especially at night
Swollen abdomen
The signs of heart failure can be subtle and mistaken for changes associated with aging. Watch your dog as they go about their daily activities. If you notice any changes in your dog’s behavior, appetite, or level of movement, talk to your veterinarian.
As with humans; education, nutrition, exercise and a low stress way of life we can improve our dogs way of life and provide them with longevity. Talk to your veterinarian and find out all the details about canine heart disease.
So Wear Red today for you. Wear Red for your wife, daughter, girlfriend! Wear Red to help make a difference and topple this disease from it’s #1 killer position!
Posted 7 months, 1 week ago at 10:33 am. Add a comment
February 2010 finds Leinie posing in a new location. Do you know where he is? Follow Me Dog Training LLC encourages you go for a walk with your dog and find Leinie’s favorite spot this month.
Here’s the challenge; find where Leinie is posing, take your dog’s picture in the same spot, or as close as they can physically get. Send the picture and the exact location to renee@followmedogtraining.com. Please send your pictures as an attachment so I can post them!
The first picture I receive with a dog in the correct spot, will win a prize from Follow Me Dog Training LLC, have their dog’s picture posted on the blog and get bragging rights for a month.
The current month’s picture will always be on our Where’s Leinie? page!
Be safe and responsible, please pick up after your dog. Now go out and explore Richmond Virginia with your dog!
Posted 7 months, 1 week ago at 7:12 pm. Add a comment
January’s Where’s Leinie? challenge took Leinie to the Stonewall Jackson Monument on Monument Avenue. General Jackson was one of the South’s most important Generals. Facing North, the monument was erected in his honor in 1919.
I was pretty surprised I didn’t get more pictures but with the snow and rain we had few days in January that people could get out. Keep a look out for February’s Where’s Leinie?
Posted 7 months, 1 week ago at 7:05 pm. Add a comment
