Rule of Dog

How to Help Your Dog Get Over a Fear of Fireworks

2010-07-04T13:58:00.000-07:00

Photo by Tony the Misfit

Just because you enjoy a nice fireworks display doesn't mean your beloved doggy does, too. Most household pets, dogs in particular, are scared by fireworks. I don't know why this phobia is so common but I do know that there are some things you can do to help your dog get over his or her fear of fireworks:

Desensitize Your Dog to the Sound of Fireworks

* Find a video or recording of fireworks.
* Play the video or recording at the lowest possible volume a few times during the day.
* Pair the sound of the fireworks with things your dog likes, such as treats, meals, cuddle time, or a game of tug-of-war.
* Slowly begin to raise the volume of the recording or video over the course of several days, and continue to pair the sound of fireworks with good things for your dog.
* If at any point your dog begins to show signs of fear, turn the volume down to a point where he feels more comfortable.
* Repeat this several times each day until your dog can hear the sounds of the fireworks at a fairly high volume without becoming fearful.

Help Ease Your Dog's Fears

* Don't change your behavior. Many people feel compelled to baby their dogs when the dog is showing signs of fear. We pet them more than usual, cuddle them, and talk to them in soft voices. Rather than easing a dog's fears, however, this often reinforces the dog's fearful behaviors.
* Try not to react to the fireworks yourself. If you jump or tense up when you hear fireworks because you are anticipating your dog's fear, you may make his fear worse. Your body language can tell a dog that there is a reason to be afraid.
* Drown out the sound of the fireworks. Try to turn up the radio or television and keep your windows closed during the fireworks. If the weather permits, a fan or air conditioner (if your dog isn't afraid of those sounds) can help, too.
* Don't push your dog past his comfort zone. Allow him to hide if he feels more comfortable in his crate or under a bed. Don't pull him out or try to force him closer to the fireworks in an attempt to get him used to the sounds. This may result in an increase in fear, and a frightened dog may become aggressive if pushed past his comfort level.

Dealing with a Dog's Severe Fear of Fireworks

In the case of a severe phobia, nothing may work to ease your dog's fear. If there's a chance your dog make exhibit this level of fear, talk to your veterinarian about medication. He may be able to prescribe an anti-anxiety medication or sedative to keep your dog calm during the fireworks.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2010-06-21T04:06:00.000-07:00

Photo by Ciaran McGuiggan

What better way to start your week?

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2010-06-13T21:07:00.000-07:00

Photo by Gore Fiendus (Jerry Frausto)

It's Monday morning, time to go to work with a big smile on your face.

Your Memorial Day Monday Morning Dog Zen

2010-05-31T05:49:00.000-07:00

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Reese and his military working dog Grek

Photo by The U.S. Army

It's Monday morning, Memorial Day.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2010-05-23T22:23:00.000-07:00

It's Monday morning, time for your weekly adorable pinko belly of puppyness.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2010-05-16T22:12:00.000-07:00

Photo by Debora e Cleiber

It's Monday morning, time for another adorable sleeping puppy to help you start the week off on a great note.

Your Monday Night Dog Zen

2010-05-03T20:06:00.000-07:00

Photo by billfromesm

Behold, the pinko belly of adorableness!

Your Tuesday Monday Morning Dog Zen

2010-04-26T22:59:00.000-07:00

AP Photo/Jim Cole

A special treat because of the Your Monday Morning Dog Zen on a Tuesday: St. Bernard, Hannah with three day old pinto stallion named Einstein who weighs in at just 6 pounds.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2010-04-18T22:02:00.000-07:00

Photo by basykes

What better way to start your week than with two adorable sleeping puppies and one cute pinko belly?

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2010-04-12T08:20:00.000-07:00

Photo by GollyGforce-viewing the world my way

It's Monday morning, time for another adorable sleeping puppy to put a smile on your face.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2010-04-04T16:07:00.000-07:00

Photo by treyevan

It's Monday morning, time for an adorable bunny-puppy.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2010-03-23T18:07:00.001-07:00

It's Monday morning, time to take in a pinko belly of adorableness.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2010-03-14T19:55:00.000-07:00

Photo by Michale I Ruiz

It's Monday morning, time to bask in the serenity of a sleeping puppy.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2010-03-07T19:00:00.000-08:00

Photo by philip.bitnar

It's Monday morning, time for an adorable puppy to put a smile on your face.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2010-02-21T21:23:00.000-08:00

A special treat for you this Monday morning.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2010-02-15T09:26:00.000-08:00

Photo by lululemon athletica

It's Monday, time for an adorable pinko belly to brighten your week.

Also, don't forget, tonight's the night: The 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2010-02-07T20:52:00.000-08:00

Photo by Sara Bjork

It's Monday morning, the perfect time to revel in the splendor of an adorable sleeping puppy.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2010-01-24T20:47:00.000-08:00

Photo by Zevotron

This Monday morning, two lovely sleeping puppies for the price of one.

Your Monday Afternoon Dog Zen

2010-01-18T19:23:00.001-08:00

Photo by Orfgen

No matter the day and time, a sleeping puppy is still utterly adorable.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2010-01-10T23:17:00.000-08:00

Photo by basykes

It's Monday morning, what better time to let a bunch of sleeping puppies put a smile on your face?

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2010-01-03T20:55:00.000-08:00

Photo by apanoply

It's Monday morning, time to allow the pinko belly of cuteness to put a smile on your face.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-12-27T21:10:00.000-08:00

Photo by Shawn Allen

It's Monday morning, time for another amazingly cute sleeping puppy to brighten your week.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-12-20T22:21:00.000-08:00

Photo by coral11

It's Monday morning, snow and chilly outside, warm and pawdorable in here.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-12-13T16:46:00.000-08:00

Photo by jelene

It's Monday morning, can you spot the adorable sleeping puppy?

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-12-07T09:33:00.000-08:00

It's Monday so what better time to look at a bunch o'sleeping puppies and smile.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-11-22T20:01:00.000-08:00

Photo by youngthousands

It's Monday morning, time for some cuteness overload.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-11-15T20:54:00.000-08:00

Photo by apanoply

It's Monday morning and some of us look quite fashionable while we sleep.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-11-08T21:51:00.000-08:00

Photo by JunCTionS

If there's anything we could all use this Monday morning is the serenity of an adorable sleeping puppy.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-11-01T20:13:00.000-08:00

Photo by boboroshi

It's Monday morning; what better way to start the week than with a good pinko belly nap?

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-10-19T03:58:00.000-07:00

Photo by youngthousands

It's Monday morning, time for an adorable duo puppy nap.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-10-11T22:16:00.000-07:00

Photo by basykes

What better way to start your Monday morning than with a pile of sleeping puppies?

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-10-05T04:50:00.001-07:00

Photo by tidagny

It's Monday, well past morning--should I, or should I not, get up?

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-09-28T05:14:00.000-07:00

Photo by creatingkoan

It's Monday morning so off to work you go while I take a quick nap standing up. You know, because I'm adorable and I can.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-09-21T07:43:00.000-07:00

Photo by jimw

It's Monday morning so while you're off to work I shall take a well deserved nap.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-09-13T22:14:00.001-07:00

It's Monday morning and what better way to start your work week than with...wait for it...Mini, the Riverdance Dog:

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen, on Tuesday

2009-09-08T06:33:00.001-07:00

Photo by Tom Maisey

What with the holiday and everything, I almost forgot you're still in need of a dose of sleeping puppy to start your work week off right. So, behold, the cuteness that is me.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-08-30T19:50:00.001-07:00

Photo by MeaganJean

I'm too sexy for my paws, too sexy for my paws, too...um, I mean, have a nice Monday morning.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-08-23T20:30:00.000-07:00

Photo by SuperFantastic

It's Monday morning, time for you to go to work and time for me to nap in the cutest way possible.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-08-16T17:41:00.000-07:00

Photo by Richard Stowey

Soon it will be Monday morning, time for you to be off to work where you shall, of course, contemplate my adorableness all day long.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-08-09T19:32:00.001-07:00

Photo by basykes

Two beautiful sleeping puppy noses to put a smile on your face this Monday morning.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-08-02T18:04:00.001-07:00

Photo by Michael | Ruiz

It's Monday morning, time for you to go to work and think of how impossibly adorable I look while I nap.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-07-26T20:25:00.001-07:00

Photo by basykes

It's Monday morning and you need to be off to work to escape the unbearable puppy cuteness that is me.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-07-19T21:00:00.001-07:00

Photo by prakhar

Look at my nose, look at my nose...um, I mean, have a nice Monday morning!

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-07-12T18:43:00.001-07:00

Photo by Joi

It's Monday morning so I get to sleep in your bed while you're off to start the work week.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-07-05T17:48:00.001-07:00

Photo by trazomfreak

It's Monday morning and I'll be sure to dream of you as you go off to work.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-06-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

Photo by art_es_anna

It's Monday again, and we are many, sleepy, and uber adorable.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-06-21T18:33:00.001-07:00

Photo by Fingerz

It's Monday morning and I'm here to take your mind off, for just a bit, from all the upheaval going on in the world.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-06-15T07:44:00.001-07:00

Photo by mikecpeck

It's Monday morning and off to work you go, basking in my supreme splendor!

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-06-07T21:06:00.000-07:00

Photo by jinwesst

It's Monday morning. Off to work you go thinking of my adorable sleepy nose.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-05-25T06:35:00.000-07:00

Today is Memorial Day, so everybody, including me, is up and about in a patriotic sort of way.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-05-17T22:23:00.001-07:00

Photo by ColbyOtero.com

It's Monday morning and I promise to look picture perfect, not to mention coordinated, while you're off at work.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-05-10T21:06:00.001-07:00

Photo by basykes

It's Monday morning and I shall continue to look adorable while you're off to work.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-05-03T21:13:00.000-07:00

Photo by Joi

It's Monday morning! Some of us need to be off to work, others need to look adorable under the sheets.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-04-26T22:26:00.000-07:00

Photo by Tina Keller

It's Monday morning, time to for you to be off to work and time for me to take a beauty nap.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-04-19T20:10:00.001-07:00

Photo by simax105

It's Monday morning, time for you to go to work and think of my supreme cuteness.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-04-12T22:47:00.000-07:00

How can this much cuteness not put a big smile on your face?

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-04-05T22:52:00.000-07:00

Warning, sleeping puppy cuteness overload!

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-03-29T23:13:00.001-07:00

Photo by faster panda kill kill

It's Monday morning! You've got work to do, we have dreams to dream.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-03-23T08:13:00.001-07:00

Photo by ElBosco

It's Monday morning; I'll be right here blending in the scenery and sleeping while you're at work.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-03-15T22:50:00.001-07:00

Photo by mikecpeck

It's Monday morning; time to step lightly (some of us are still asleep, you know!) on your way to work.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-03-08T23:22:00.001-07:00

Photo by Tigerzeye

It's Monday morning, time for my splendor-in-the-grass beauty sleep.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-03-01T21:58:00.001-08:00

Photo by liamahal

Do not disturb!

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-02-22T21:29:00.000-08:00

Photo by noahg.

While you're off to work this Monday morning, I may, or may not, be taking a nap on the couch.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-02-15T21:37:00.000-08:00

Photo by basykes

It's Monday morning, but not to worry. I'll keep an eye on you as you go off to work.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-02-08T21:49:00.001-08:00

Photo by basykes

It's Monday morning and you have a long commute ahead of you. Like my bed?

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-02-01T21:30:00.000-08:00

Photo by ElBosco

[whisper] It's Monday! You get to go to work while newborns get to sleep. [/whisper]

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-01-25T13:38:00.000-08:00

Photo by Misserion

It's Monday Morning! While you are off to work, me and my adorable nose are off to sleep.

Top 10 Most Popular Dog Breeds

2009-01-25T13:10:00.000-08:00

Photo by The Daily Puppy

You've already heard that the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog in America for the 18th consecutive year, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).

But do you know what dog breed was most popular at the time of the organization’s founding in 1884? Here's the list from 1884:

AKC Registered Breeds in 1884

1. Pointer
2. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
3. English Setter
4. Gordon Setter
5. Irish Setter
6. Clumber Spaniel
7. Cocker Spaniel
8. Irish Water Spaniel
Sussex Spaniel

And if you're wondering what breed is most popular in your area, check out this 50 Largest U.S. Cities Top 10 Most Popular Breeds finder.

PetSmart Grreat Choice Dog Biscuits Recall

2009-01-21T15:04:00.000-08:00

Photo by schuette67

The widespread peanut butter products recall has now extended to dog biscuits. The twist, it's not your dog that's in danger of salmonella contamination, it's you and your family:

PORT CHESTER, N.Y. (CBS) ― More and more products made with peanut butter continue to be recalled – more than 120 of them to be exact – all suspected of possible contamination in the nationwide salmonella scare.

The list now even includes pet foods. "Grreat Choice" dog biscuits are the first pet food to be voluntarily recalled during the peanut butter salmonella scare. The Food and Drug Administration says the biscuits pose very little danger to dogs.

The real concern is for the humans who handle the biscuits, according to Saungi McCalla, the head of Infection Control at White Plains Hospital Center.

"If the biscuits are contaminated, you touch the biscuits, then if you do not wash your hands and do a proper job than you can contaminate yourself or other food products," McCalla said.

[...]

The recalled products include only the following types of Grreat Choice Dog Biscuits sold between Aug. 21, 2008 and Jan. 19, 2009:

Small Assorted 32 oz., UPC 73725702900
Small/Medium Assorted 4 lb., UPC 73725700601
Small/Medium Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700605
Small/Medium Assorted 10 lb., UPC 73725702755
Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700638
Extra Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700779
Peanut Butter 4 lb., UPC 73725700766

Customers who purchased the recalled dog biscuit products should discontinue use immediately and can return the product to any PetSmart store for a complete refund or exchange. Customers can visit www.petsmartfacts.com for more information or contact PetSmart Customer Service at 1-888-839-9638.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-01-18T22:28:00.001-08:00

Photo by Toronja Azul

Once again, it's Monday morning. Since I fit in the palm of a hand, I, unlike you, get to sleep in.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-01-11T20:33:00.000-08:00

Photo by basykes

It's Monday morning! You: off to work. Me: off to napy-poo.

Poodle Mix Cuteness

2009-01-09T18:09:00.000-08:00

Photo by The Daily Puppy

A little cuteness overdose from Baxter, the Cocker Spaniel/Poodle mix.

Puppy Behavior Basics

2009-01-07T12:24:00.000-08:00

Photo by moriben

Here are six puppy behavior basics tips from Cesar Millan:

1. When a puppy enters the world, his first pack leader is his mother.

2. Newborn puppies don’t get a name like we do.

3. As newborns, first the puppy's nose starts to work, then the eyes, and finally the ears.

4. In their natural habitat, dogs earn food and water and experience the world around them by walking.

5. There can only be so many pack leaders, so most dogs are born submissive.

6. As adults, dogs look to their pack leader to create that stability.

Beatrix, the Golden Retriever

2009-01-05T20:30:00.000-08:00

With a name like Beatrix and a face like that it's hard not to be most adorable.

Cuteness, Wild Animal Division

2009-01-05T07:48:00.000-08:00

More Monday morning animal cuteness, with an accent:

Cute Animal Christmas Song @ Yahoo! Video

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2009-01-04T18:14:00.001-08:00

Photo by suchitra prints

It's the first Monday morning of a brand new year so, off to work you go! Meanwhile, I'll take a nap and dream of all the great things we'll do in 2009.

Brilliant Dog Tricks

2009-01-03T10:56:00.000-08:00

But with...cats:

Kitty Plays Dead @ Yahoo! Video

Dog Biscuits and Treats Training

2009-01-03T09:01:00.000-08:00

Photo by FlyNutAA

Dogs and their treats are a winning combination. You simply can't go wrong if you use dog biscuits and treats as a training reward.

From The Dog Daily, here are seven tips on how to best use dog biscuits and treats during training sessions:

1. Allow your dog to sample the treat.

2. Use small treats or biscuits.

3. Vary the flavors.

4. Be timely with food rewards.

5. Alternate food rewards with petting and verbal praise.

6. Don't vary treat quality.

7. Reward your dog with a “jackpot” when deserved.

Two brands I've had great success with for my beloved 71 lbs mutt are the Milk-Bone Dog Biscuits (small) and AKC Super Premium Biscuits (peanut butter, small).

I use the small biscuits as a regular treat (we have to watch that waistline, you know!), and the large Milk-Bone biscuits as a "jackpot" reward.

Pet Poisoning: What To Do In An Emergency

2008-12-30T17:48:00.000-08:00

Photo by nightthree

Speaking of holiday plants that are poisonous for your dog, here are 10 very useful tips from a vet on what to do in case of accidental pet poisoning. A sampling:

1-Keep the pet poison control number handy. If you live in the US, the ASPCA’s Poison Control Center is the organization most veterinarians are comfortable with. The center charges $60 per phone call (and it’s well worth it). Keep the number handy or simply bookmark the home page for easy reference.

2-If you suspect poisoning from a specific substance, pick up the remnants of the toxin, the box, the bottle and anything associated with it. Keep this “evidence” handy so you can answer your veterinarian or poison control’s detailed questions.

3-Attempt to ascertain how much of the substance could have been ingested. Think worst-case scenario for safety’s sake.

[...]

6-NEVER induce vomiting or administer home remedies for poisonings without talking to a trained individual first. I’ve seen seizuring pets die from ill-advised milk and oil administration. Caustic compounds can damage sensitive anatomic structures on their way back up. It’s best to let a professional do these things—or at least walk you through them.

[...]

8-When you’ve determined that the poison your pet ingested requires veterinary attention, my preferred approach—whether it be Tylenol, plants or toilet bowl cleaner—is to open up a file with the ASPCA’s Poison Control Center. You can do this on your way to the hospital (or when you called to determine whether the toxin required medical attention).

(This service costs no more than the $60 phone call. Whether the poison control’s toxicologists need to be in constant contact with your vet for two weeks or tell you your pet will be fine, the fee is the same.)

Poison control will advise your veterinarian as to the best course of treatment: induce vomiting or not, fluids or not, charcoal or not, antidotes, labwork, surgery, etc. I cannot say enough about the value of this service. There’s no better way to treat a poisoning patient than by the poison control’s books, IMO.

Interestingly, this is something not every vet knows about. But YOU can take control of your pet’s care by initiating this clinical interaction. I think it’s especially helpful when sending my patients to the ER. I know they’ll get great care when the poison control’s on the line.

Your Monday Morning Dog Zen

2008-12-28T21:06:00.000-08:00

Photo by Toronja Azul

It's Monday morning, so off to work we go! Well, mostly you go. I, being the adorable Chihuahua puppy that I am, get to sleep in late.

But not to worry; I promise to dream of you.

Top Five Holiday Plants That Are Poisonous For Your Dog

2008-12-28T14:42:00.000-08:00

Photo by thegoinggreenboutique

'Tis the season for joy, celebration and decoration, family gatherings and great festive meals. But just because something sparkles, looks great, or -- oh who are we kidding! -- tastes divine, doesn't mean it's not dangerous if your dog gets a hold of it and eats it.

These five holiday plants can be deadly if ingested by your dog:

1. Christmas tree

2. Poinsettia

3. Mistletoe

4. Holly

5. Amaryllis, Narcissus, Daffodil

And, although not a plant, let's not forget this other holiday danger for your dog:

6. Chocolate

One more thing. Make sure not to miss the alert at the end of the linked article about the dangers of potpourri from India.

New York Tails

2008-12-28T13:43:00.000-08:00

Photo by Paul Keleher

Just what every New York City pet dog, cat, and impish chinchilla need, New York Tails, a magazine dedicated to them:

“I got my ear to the ground,” said Diane West, the magazine’s founder and publisher, who is also a freelance medical writer. She described how “a small ragtag bunch of pet-loving New Yorkers had a dream, reached out to the best pet writers in their respective fields, and put together an all-volunteer local magazine.”

[...]

“Just because they are animals living in a jungle of concrete and steel does not mean they cannot have a good quality of life,” said Bob Marino, who is on the magazine’s editorial board and is president of the New York Council of Dog Owner Groups, whose Web site is NYCdog.org (“nice dog”).

Another contributor to the magazine is Carole Wilbourn, a cat therapist known as the Kitty Freud, who writes the Cat Chat column. There is even a gossip page, Tails About Town, which is put together by Beth Joy Knutsen and her dog, Bella Starlet, whom she calls a diva and who accompanies her on red carpet events. An image of the pooch is tattooed on Ms. Knutsen’s ankle.

“This year more than ever, I want to sink our teeth into controversial issues,” Ms. West told her staff during their meeting at an apartment on the Upper East Side. They discussed pets and housing, feral cats living near Kennedy International Airport and pet obituaries. The last issue included an obituary of Sinatra, a spirited chocolate standard poodle who was struck by a car in Central Park, and another for Loki, a short-tailed opossum, which stated, “We met in August of 2004 at Marc Morrone’s pet store in Long Island, and it was love at first sight.”

A Dog, a Cat, and a Parakeet Go Into a Psychologist's Office

2008-12-28T13:11:00.000-08:00

Photo by FlyNutAA

Do you love dogs, cats, and other pets? Are you worried about the current economic crisis and its effect on your finances? If so, here's a great way to make your love of animals work for you. Consider a career as a pet psychologist, one of six top hot new careers:

Once the local vet has ruled out physical ailments that can contribute to rude pet behavior, people who love their animals may need to call in a trained, certified behaviorist or pet psychologist. As with human patients, pets can be analyzed and taught to act contrary to destructive impulses. There are even certified applied animal behaviorists. To get into the field, you'll need a master's or doctorate degree in psychology, preferably with additional work in zoology and animal behavior. Salaries vary greatly by locale, but can be upwards of $90,000 a year.

Dog Park Lulu

2008-04-23T17:33:00.000-07:00

Lulu looks at you and knows.

In Dogs We Trust

2008-04-19T14:53:00.000-07:00

Photo by KM Photography

Ever had a bad day?

It's Monday morning and you're on your way to a job you don't particularly care for fighting your way through the crowd. The errands you have to run could fill a small notebook. You feel a cold coming on and you have yet to have your first cup of coffee. Oh, and your favorite TV show? Canceled.

Then from the corner of your eye you catch a glimpse of a furry spot. A dog on its morning walk, in all its mushy, mischievous and velvety glory.

And you can't help but smile and, for a moment, your troubles are forgotten and all is well with the world. You move on, a little better equipped to face the day in front of you.

Welcome to the Rule of Dog, your on-line meeting place with that dog that makes you smile.