Author: Karen Harrell

As I watched this past year my star performer, Cupid, tumble off the edge of the stage (unhurt thankfully), I realized he was getting older.
Cupid has begun to loose some vision and has developed chronic canine bronchitis. Both of which require changes in the routine for our stage act as well as everyday life.
Since we travel about six months out of the year, it’s extremely important that I pack enough of the required medication.

We’ve all seen them, the creepy crawlies, those dreaded spiders that we wonder about.
Recently, I saw my one year old poodle jumping excitedly around something small and brown on the floor. As I approached, I realized it was a Brown Recluse Spider. Brown Recluse spiders are found in the south from California to Virginia.

So, it’s that time of the year again. You pack up the car and the pooch and head down the highway to warmer ground.
But, do you know what possible dangers lurk outside of your own backyard. People are often surprised to learn there are actually hundreds of plants potentially poisonous to dogs.

Here are the top 10 most common poisonous houseplants and landscape plants dog owners should avoid.

Recently, after performing with my three trained “trick poodles” at the South Florida Fair, I made the drive farther south to Homestead, Fla., to visit my friend and expert Poodle Breeder, Rose Thompson. She had informed me last October that she had three poodle litters born in September but to check back with her to to see which ones will go “show” and which will be “pet.”
Now, this is “show dog” talk for all of you novices.

Now that you’re at your winter destination with your favorite furry friend, you’re away from familiar surroundings and your own backyard. This means the doggies must go for a walk. But, do you know the rules in the area you’ve decided to call your snowbird home? For instance, on Pensacola Beach bringing a dog onto the beach can cost you a fine of up to $500. For the most part, there is ample signage posted but I’ve run into a tourist or two who didn’t know and gasps when finding out what they their afternoon walk with fluffy could have cost them. Usually, the Beach Patrol will be friendly enough to give you a first warning if you’re from out of town.