Laura Ojeda Melchor
Best Chuckit! Products for Your Active Dog
Growing up with two German shepherds meant that I had to find plenty of ways to keep them active, because with German shepherds, activity equals happiness. Neither of my German shepherds wanted to stick around for hours to cuddle. Instead, they’d bring sticks, twigs, even leaves sometimes, and drop them at my feet and then …
Why Every Dog Needs a Retractable Cable Tie Out
On a recent trip to visit with friends at Alaska’s well-known Red Eagle Lodge—which is near the United States’ largest national park, the 13-million-mile Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve—I found myself in a conundrum. I’d brought Eira on the trip because she’s part of our family and deserves to relax and play away from …
Should You Give Your Dog CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol oil, commonly referenced as CBD oil, is the hottest trend on the natural health market these days. One of many cannabinoid compounds found in the cannabis plant, CBD is NOT tetrahydrocannibol, or THC, which intoxicates the user. But like THC, CBD is currently being used and studied for its healing properties. It’s known for …
Does Your Dog Stink? Dog Shampoo for Odor Control That Works
My childhood German shepherd, Clancy, absolutely hated getting a bath. She loved going swimming in lakes, ponds, rivers, and oceans, and she loved playing with the water that comes out of a hose. But the second she caught on that you were trying to bathe her, she’d sprint back to her yard and make herself …
How the Best Retractable Dog Leash Healed my Relationship with My Dog
I brought my Alaskan shepherd, Eira, home the week of my birthday. Even though my toddler hated it when she howled, we all loved our half German shepherd, half Alaska malamute puppy. I started training her right away and was shocked by how quickly she picked up “sit” and “down” and even, sometimes, “stay.” But …
The Best Kong Products for Big Dogs
The best qualities of big dogs—their love of play, their strength, their protectiveness—also make it difficult to find toys that suit them. You can’t just hop over to the grocery store and grab a couple of fluffy stuffed toys. The moment your big dog gets ahold of them, they’ll be destroyed. That’s where Kong comes …
7 Signs your Dog May be Depressed and What You Can Do About It
In the not-so-distant past, people didn’t think dogs were capable of much feeling. They relegated canines to farm dog status, not taking much stock in their pups’ thoughts, feelings, and emotions. People rarely considered the idea that their dog may be depressed. If your dog seems depressed, read on to find out what common signs …
Dog Bladder Cancer – Signs of Bladder Cancer in Dogs and What to Do
In this dog bladder cancer guide we walk you through the signs you should pay attention to and when you should take your dog to the vet. The most common type of bladder cancer in dogs is transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). When I was sixteen years old, my family German shepherd, Clancy, gave birth to …
My Dog Almost Got Killed By A Moose. Here’s What You Need to Know.
Eira Vs. Two Moose For most of the month of February and a good chunk of March, two enormous young moose lived on my street. I live in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley in Southcentral Alaska, where thousands of moose roam forests and towns alike. They’re magnificent, gangly creatures, and it’s thrilling to watch them walk right …
Teaching Your Dog to “Say” Yes or No
We all know dogs are smart, but I recently learned that their intelligence goes beyond their ability to quickly learn different commands. Ones like “sit” and “come” and “stay”. My Alaskan shepherd, Eira, learned those within her first week home. But I wondered if there was something more I could teach her. Something that required …