Ask Dog Lady

Bothered and bewildered? Crazed and confused? Dog Lady delves into your most dogged dilemmas.

BOTHERED AND BEWILDERED? CRAZED AND CONFUSED? IF YOUR DOGGIE DILEMMA HAS YOU DOWN IN THE DUMPS…

Q

Dear Dog Lady,

I work with a woman who tells anybody who asks that she will never get another dog because she couldn’t stand the heartbreak of losing him. This seems like a tremendously short-sighted rationale. I thought I would ask you how you would advise this woman.— Cecily

A

If your colleague has known the pain of losing a cherished pet and chooses not to go through the ordeal again, there is nothing anyone can say—except that fear of loss should not hold her back from experiencing life, taking chances, plunging in. Granted, after losing a dog, there is often a deep reluctance to get another so quickly because the pain is deep. These animals are like family members. Some people who are newly dog-less find a replacement dog right away. They don’t want to live without four legs. Others take time to savor the newfound independence and honour the memory of the departed. They will wait until the time feels right. You don’t know where your colleague falls along this spectrum. She may stay true to her word and never get another dog. Or perhaps “the lady doth protest too much” and her adamant posture indicates she feels just the opposite of her assertion. Maybe she really wishes to be coaxed into getting another dog. Dog Lady bets your colleague has not sworn off dogs completely and will probably make a canine connection before too long. Why not try including her in a group email (so as not to single her out) containing a petfinder. com link to an adoptable cutie in your area and see what happens?

Dear Dog Lady,

I have a West Highland Terrier named Murphy who is 15 years old (!). He will be 16 in April. I just love him, but because of his age I know he is living on borrowed time. My concern: What if my sweetie passes away in my lap some evening or overnight on the bed? I’ve never had to deal with this. Shall I just wrap him in his blankie and take him to the veterinarian in the morning? —Jill

A: Oh yeesh, you tug at the heart strings. Dog Lady also has a 15 1/2 year old Westie (named Shorty). He will be 16 in July. Loving care accrues to longevity and Westies can live a long time. Shorty’s mother was 17 when she died.

You should have a talk with your veterinarian about what to do if Murphy expires in your arms. Certainly you can wrap him in his blanket and place him in the coolest spot in the house for the night. You can bury him in his “blanky” too. Do you want him cremated or buried? Make these arrangements now so you’re prepared for the moment. In the meantime, enjoy him. Ah, hold that little guy close.

Dear Dog Lady,

My old friend, a 60ish widower, has brought in a puppy to ease the loneliness. He answered an ad and went to New Hampshire where he got a Cairn Terrier, Angus, an impossibly cute and energetic dog. Angus is also very smart. He was house-trained in what seemed like a week. But my friend cannot control him around the house. In particular, Angus jumps and barks at the TV. When my friend complains about this, I tell him to train his dog but he always has an excuse about why he can’t. Could it be my friend likes his dog’s bad behaviour?— Mona

A: We all have perfect dogs—dogs perfect for us. Over the years, Dog Lady has

come to believe that some owners indulge bad dog behaviour because they think it’s cute or funny or just an indelibly endearing part of their dear dog. The designer Isaac Mizrahi once gushed proudly about his dog’s rotten behaviour in an interview with People magazine. Your friend obviously thinks Angus is the cat’s meow. So don’t overthink this. Yes, he loves Angus’ hijinks but will never admit he’s oddly tickled when the puppy yaps at the TV.

Dear Dog Lady,

My new partner, whom I consider a man of taste and style, loves dogs—and me. Unfortunately, his good taste does not extend to dog art. He has a poster hanging in his living room of dogs playing poker. I am tired of looking at it. I would like to invest in a fine painting or sculpture of dogs as a gift to him. My question is two-fold: in the art world, are there “dog collectibles?” Where would I find them?— Matthew

A: Yes, there are “dog collectibles”—paintings, prints, sculptures, collars from the 19th century, ceramics, needlework, Disney cells, old dog licenses, vintage toys—you name it. There are many lovely (not to mention tasteful) ways to celebrate the animals we love so well. Domestic companions have sparked the artistic imagination through the centuries. All of this makes that poker table poster look quite primitive indeed.

For example, Dog Lady has a favourite, a Morgan Dennis print of a curious Scottish terrier perched on a chair. The dog admires its likeness as reflected in an easel where there’s a mirror image drawing. The charming dual image captures all of that terrier tenacity and curiosity. Dennis, a renowned 20th century dog artist, also did the etchings of the Scottie and West Highland white terriers for the Black and White Scotch advertising campaign of the 1950s.

As for where to go searching for dog collectibles more inline with your personal aesthetic, the William Secord Gallery specializes in the exhibition and sale of fine nineteenth and twentieth century dog and animal paintings and is the only gallery of its kind in North America. You can check out their gorgeous offerings at dogpainting.com or stop by the gallery if you’re in New York City. eBay is also a great place to begin browsing for dog oeuvre and objets.

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