Remember to keeps your pets hydrated in this scorching summer sun.  Not only do dogs love fresh water, but they like it to be ice cold.  Change out your dogs water every hour or so, and add a few ice cubes to keep the water ice cold.  My Bichon Frise, Ginger, loves her “doggie cocktail” with three ice cubes. 

According to the American Humane Association, more American households have pets than have children, and we spend more money on pet food than on baby food.                                                                                                    

   If you are looking for the perfect dog, I highly suggest a Bichon Frise.  They are mild-mannered dogs that don’t shed!  Bonus!  You get the benefits of all that beautiful fluffy hair, but none of the shedding.  Love that!  It was this little dog that converted me into a dog lover…. see how I was converted here. 

  Sweet little Ginger is now 3 years old.  Yes, spoiled beyond spoiled, but I realize, that’s my own fault.  Not once in her three years has she ever been in a bad mood.  Not once!  She’s perfect for small kids.  And she literally seems to smile all day long.  She’s just perfect!  Highly recommended.   

I didn’t want a dog, for the record.  I feel a little guilty about saying this, but I really wasn’t that into pets.  A dog, to me, felt like just an extra responsibility, an extra mouth to feed.  Another dependent that I’d have to find care for when I went on vacation or business trips.   A dog seemed like something that was sure to mean bad times ahead for my carpet. 

But I thought it was important to have a dog, if for anything, for the kids.  I did my due diligence and found the right pedigree, a Bichon Frise.  That is, in theory, they are supposed to be a “perfect” breed…not necessarily in practice.    A $500.00 piece of perfect fluff, right?  Well, I can’t say that I found perfection in her….we’ve had our carpets cleaned more than once and she’s embarrassed me plenty by stealing my lingerie and bringing them out just in time for the UPS guy or a neighbor to see.  Ginger prefers lingerie to shoes, she’s a total girly-girl.  

At the end of the day, I can now say, without a doubt, that I’m a pet person.  I love this $500.00 piece of fluff so much.  I’ve completely spoiled her rotten.  She sits under my chair all day anticipating my every move.  She’s thrilled to see me when she wakes in the morning.  She’s thrilled to see me anytime.  Where can you find dedication like that elsewhere?  My little Ginger has changed my mind and my heart about pets.  They can certainly make you happier than you ever thought they could.  Doing Pilates wouldn’t be the same without her rubbing noses with me while I’m in downward facing dog position. 

 I’ve been converted.  I’m a dog person.  I grill chicken breasts for her, for the love of God.  I really do love her.  Just look at her little face…who could say no to that little girl?  I’m such a dog person now that I’ve been eyeing the neighbor’s Old English Sheep Dog.   (Picture Ginger magnified x 10.)   I think she needs a sister!