Happy Dog Online

Bem-Vindo

2011-12-31T06:11:00.000-08:00

On December 28, 2011 the hard work of Marcia and Karina began a new venture in Brazil. The American Pet Club was opened. It will be a retail store in a very busy section of Brazil. Enjoy the pictures and more to come. The dynamic duo are the tired ones in the last photo.

As far as the eye can see, NO beyond that.

2011-08-16T15:57:00.000-07:00

Oi everyone,
I have witnessed some amazing sights since my last post. On Saturday Marcia's brother Marcelo took us about two and a half hours up into the mountains. It is one road that winds in and out of some breathtaking views. I was literally speechless at more than one point. I took as many pictures as I could when we stopped. We passed through a very small town of coffee bean growers called Araguaya and everyone waived or said hi.
On the way back down I really wanted to walk up into one of the coffee plant fields. We stopped at someones house to ask permission. The man wanted to meet me and welcomed me to his house and farther than the eye could see coffee plants. Once walking up a ways, we met Manuelle. He worked in the fields and showed me how to pick the fruit (which I didn't know was fruit not beans) and even let me do some. The experience was phenomenal because of what a huge coffee fan I am and also the way people are. I have never experienced anything in my life like that. Just stopping at someones house and being welcomed like a genuine lifelong friend. I couldnt thank him enough and he was doing the same to me for stopping by his home.
I am off to the beach on Wednesday and am enjoying the feeling of getting back to a much simpler time in my life. --Tchau

Vai Brazil

2011-08-08T16:51:00.000-07:00

I am on a extended break in Vila Velha Brazil with Marcia. The first night was churrasco (barbeque) where there was food, music and so much happiness. The pictures are from different locations I have seen. The big guy who is white will get darker before I come back (I promise).

We were going to go out one night and her ninety year old grandmother thought I would be cold. The blue jacket was given to me to wear in case of that. Enjoy.

The New Guy

2011-01-21T06:34:00.000-08:00

Over the summer we were introduced to Oscar. After meeting him and spending a little time I knew it would be a good fit. He will be living with us until July 2011 and we couldn't be happier about it.

When we have a dog stay with us, we are always told of how he acts and what he does at his own home. What I find the funniest is all the little things we learn from him just being here. He loves all of our dogs, he is the lookout across our street only if he is in HIS favorite chair (picture number 1).
Finally, when he is sleeping the sounds he makes are some of the funniest I have experienced since I started doing this. I am looking forward to all the adventures over the next several months. He will have three friends over this weekend to enjoy as well as the fresh foot of snow we are getting right now. Stay Tuned.

Ember

2011-01-18T14:28:00.000-08:00

From the start this is usually the position in which Ember arrives at our place for overnights. Her owner takes her out and about on almost all his errands and our job is to give her some much needed rest. Whether she has her boyfriend Lucky or is peeking around the corner to greet me when I get home, she is a wonderful addition to our lives and we are very happy she comes to play. As far as the last picture I don't quite remember what happened there but she is so cute I added it.

Snow Day

2011-01-12T13:23:00.000-08:00

It was too much snow to drive and too far to walk. We stayed home, shoveled out and prepared for smaller roads in Cambridge on Thursday.

Living the dream

2010-11-06T05:56:00.000-07:00

November 5, 2004. It was a late Thursday afternoon when I took over as owner of Happy Dog. The client list I started out with was small but I was confident that it would grow. The day after I signed as owner I lost 10 clients immediately. The first winter there was more snow than I had scene in a while (or maybe I just wasn't outside for eight hours a day). We had 3 weeks of ten degree weather and then 13 days of rain in the spring. I commuted from the south shore for over an hour each way daily.
My clearest moment was the day after the rain stopped. It was nine in the morning, bright sun and 70 degrees. I was walking a huge Rotty and Dobermann (Bico and Precious) dragging me everywhere around the park. As each step went I had a grin from ear to ear. I really think I made the right choice and could not have been happier with what I do for a living.
The Great Otis as a puppy ----->

Thanks to all my clients past and present for six wonderful years of playing with your dogs.

The weekend adventurer

2010-06-19T07:59:00.000-07:00

In a few days will be the beginning of summer and my favorite time of the year. Days are longer, sun is beaming and starts vacation time for a lot of clients.

This weekend I had Lady on the schedule and we began the weekend with two left feet.

For whatever reason she didn't want to be around the greatest dog man on the planet (I think we all know who). I was racking my brain to see why my sweetness was not responsive or playful. Through discussions and suggestions I thought we should bring her to my place, GENIUS!!!.

She immediately got excited for the car ride and could barely control her enthusiasm. When we arrived at the estate Lady bound into the back yard and went to town on all the new sights, sounds and of course smells. Ophelia was also with us and decided to say hello. Her idea of hello is to bark as if she is a 150 pound Great Dane when in reality shes a 4 pound Dachshund.

Lady said hello politely and then went back to investigating.

She has always been a joy to stay with and am so glad she feels comfortable in our house.

Instead of explaining all the rest, I might just start writing a long note or map to my house for the owners, HA!!

2010-02-23T12:38:00.000-08:00

"Do you want a TREAT?"

A sentence that will usually cause great excitement in most dogs. In the case of Miss Lily Jean we also get the cute expression. Lily has been apart of the group since I started this adventure. Her day to day activities include ripping it up with most other group members. If she is not feeling like her usual social butterfly then she can retire to the front porch to get some sun (a usual nap spot for her as well).

When traveling in the morning or afternoon in the car with the pack she sometimes enjoys sneaking into my lap and letting the cool breeze run through her hair. (only one of two dogs with lap privileges). It took some time but Lily has become close with me and very affectionate especially when food is involved :).

The Terrible Terriers

2010-02-03T05:43:00.001-08:00

There are some dog's that are a handful and cause you to work a little harder. At the same time these are the dogs that you grow a very close relationship with.

Jesus and Murphy have been in my life for about three years now. They spend their days lounging around waiting for me to come by and run with them in the backyard. Murphy is a little more timid but we have both worked hard to get to a close point. Jesus is a very outgoing guy that loves to run and run and run. I have the privilege of staying at their house from time to time. One of the funniest parts is when we sit and watch TV and any dog passes on the screen the frenzy begins. They are very lovable and I am very glad to have them in my life.

The single picture is a very usual position of Jesus waiting at "his" breakfast table for me to prepare some food :)

There are Dogs in Pittsburgh

2010-01-24T08:02:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine decided a couple months back to adopt a little Jack Russell that would be homeless without his help. The household already had an older mix named Sadie as well as two cats. They never knew what was to come when an almost six month old came to turn their quiet life into a whirlwind of puppy frenzy.

Georgie (also known as Sparky) had the usual learning curve of a puppy. He needed to learn the kitchen wasn't his own personal toilet as well as sharing the attention with the three other animals. He did test his new owner with many late night wake up calls and feeding was a challenge with two dogs. The call was made and I gave the simplest of suggestions of routine and timing of the activities.

As far as humping the cats, those activities will have to be addressed by the owner (sorry to Mr. Herbert the cat).

I am happy to report that in such a short time Georgie is on his way to growing into a productive member of the 4409 club.

As always, here is a picture of the wonderful addition with his loving sister Sadie.

Good luck to the Pittsburgh area with all the barking Georgie has grown accustomed to providing.

Mica and Ione

2010-01-21T14:55:00.000-08:00

Seems to me that the older we get the more people we want around. That was exactly the case with Mica. He had a wonderful life with Mom and all kinds of friends, but he was looking for more. Someone young and enthusiastic that would help push him to do more in his later years. His dreams were answered in a little sister with endless energy. Ione entered the picture and we all were put to the test to see if we could keep up with her. She is a wonderful mix and great companion for Mica. Sure, they mixed it up a little when the ball came into play, but Mica was very happy to have a little one to spend the days with. Ione was elated to have a permanent home with such a great Mom and loving older brother. They spend the days lounging around or when I arrive fighting for attention. Although Mica has slowed down, when its time to play he can act as if he found the fountain of youth. I am so lucky to spend time with two wonderful dogs a few times a week.

A wonderful man

2010-01-20T14:56:00.000-08:00

Certain people come into your life and bless you with wisdom, laughter, knowledge and genuine kindness to what you do and who you are. Bob Parker displayed all these and more in my life. He passed on Monday 1/18. From the first time I met with Joan, Bob, Pearl (the third) and Rosie I felt more as a guest in their home than someone who worked there. He told me from the first couple of times I came by for Pearl that I would give him a break from his writing. On the other hand on the days I would see him with a hard glare at the screen I would know it was a quick hello (usually with no response) and then hi tail it out behind Pearl who was always in the lead.
I would hear stories from his earlier life, interviews with people that wanted to know more about him and quite often in Summer time it was the Red Sox.
Bob was someone that I felt very lucky to have met in my lifetime. He was one of those people that with everything fast and furious around him, he made time for the simplest things.
I will miss him and have very found memories of the time I was able to see him and his family.

Jimmy

2009-07-08T14:41:00.000-07:00

There is always a reason someone does something, for me that is to meet some of the best dogs and owners on the planet. We have missed James in our group just because he has moved away. He does visit from time to time and here is one of my favorites of him and a wonderful owner (JH #1)!! The flag (as you can tell by his expression) was forgotten for several hours on his tail, he was the farthest from happy.

A day at the Beach

2009-07-08T14:29:00.001-07:00

We all could use a day off and Lucky seemed to make the most of a bright, sunny nantucket day.

He was so wiped out he needed a vacation day from his vacation.

Welcome

2009-05-31T07:17:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our new website. I would first like to thank Gail for her excellent work in the design of our new site. Secondly the JH for helping with the language and set up.
In the upcoming days, weeks and months I will be going over day to day happenings with Happy Dog and add some nice pics of our friends. Please Enjoy.