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This Sydney Life

~ Mostly Recipes & Musings on Health

This Sydney Life

Tag Archives: Poodles

Get a Dog!

03 Thursday Apr 2014

Posted by Joanna in Dogs, Random Stuff

≈ 20 Comments

Tags

Companionship, Dogs, Health, Health benefits of owning a dog, Life, Love, Pets, Poodles, Spondylosis in dogs, Stress Management

Bella the poodle

(Image by TSL)

If you don’t own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life. (Roger A. Caras)

Bella, the fluff-bucket is in doggie hospital as I write this. She woke up this morning very wobbly and unable to walk. A far cry from her usual morning licks and kisses. Frankly, it was a little scary. We don’t yet know how serious her problem is. 

I am not coping very well.

And, because I am not really thinking about much besides my lovely little Bella today, you get a post about what I’ve discovered since she came into my life…

Bella on the Spit to Manly walk

Bella on the Spit to Manly walk
(Image by TSL)

Bella was originally LM’s dog. He had her when we first met. I remember actually being disappointed that she was a Poodle. I thought a more ‘dog-like dog’, something like a Staffie’, would have been better than a fluff-bucket like her.

I no longer feel that way. Of course I love her because she is uniquely herself. But there are some added practical benefits to choosing a miniature poodle. She doesn’t shed. She doesn’t drool. She’s very neat and clean. She’s intelligent. And, she doesn’t scare wee kidliwinks at the park. And – despite the fluff – she is still very much a dog-like dog.

Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer. (Dean Koontz, False Memory)

Bella in repose

Bella in repose
(Image by TSL)

Did you know that owning a dog comes with added health benefits?

Dogs are hugely affectionate. They love nothing more than a really good cuddle. Dr Alan Beck, director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine and his co-researcher Aaron Katcher found in the early ’80s that when people interact with dogs, “[they] actually get a drop in blood pressure – a true relaxation response”. And, researchers in Japan found that when dog owners just met their dogs’ gaze, they experienced a spike in oxytocin – a neurotransmitter that helps us cope with stress.

Dogs are social. And fluffy miniature poodles attract kids. Guaranteed. When you’re walking with your dog, you meet people. They are conversation starters. A 2000 study found that someone walking with a dog had three times as many social interactions than when that same person walked alone. Pretty amazing, I reckon’.

And, since I’m currently on the Autoimmune Protocol, and stress management is a big part of the programme, let me also say that owning a dog is GREAT for helping to manage stress. According to Alan Beck, “[playing with your dog] keeps you in the moment. So when you’re talking and playing with your dog, your mind is not free to worry. We intuitively try and do this anyway – we listen to music, we sit in a coffee shop, we watch TV – just to keep our minds focused on what’s going on right now. But if that focus is nature or an animal, it’s that much easier.”

Dogs force you to take time out of your day. And, they love to play. Bella’s favourite activity is when LM and I take her to the park (together!) and she can play with her ball. There are days when I really don’t want to do this, but I just know how disappointed she will be if we don’t go. And, I always feel better for having done it. There’s something about being outside playing with a dog that makes your problems seem less significant.

And, dogs don’t care how silly you are. As with small children, playing with dogs allows you to remove some of your inhibitions.

Of course, it’s a no brainer that owning a dog also forces you to exercise every day. Dogs will never willingly turn down a walk. So, in addition to lowering stress levels, walking your dog can give you a stronger heart, lower blood sugar, more restful sleep, lower cholesterol and better memory.

For me, the very best thing about Bella is the unconditional love she gives me. At the markets on a Saturday morning (where stall-holders know her by name), when I return from picking up my veggie haul, she greets me as if she hasn’t seen me for a week. And, nothing beats the excitement of a dog greeting you at the door when you return home. And, that joy is infectious.

Bella on the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk

Bella on the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
(Image by TSL)

I had never had a dog before Bella. I didn’t realise how life-changing a dog can be. Now, I can’t imagine life without her. Here’s hoping she’s on the mend very soon…

Update: Bella has returned home from doggie hospital. X-rays and bloods have been taken. She has been diagnosed with spondylosis (she has a bone spur on one of the vertebrae of her spine) and probably moved in an awkward way that cause her significant pain.

We’re supposed to keep her quiet and walk her on the lead for the next three weeks. She will not be happy! 

Dog Wisdom IV

30 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by Joanna in Dogs

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

Charles M. Schulz, Charlie Brown, Dog, Dogs, Pets, Photography, Poodles, Quotes, Reflection

Bella Bear

Bella 
(Image by TSL)

Yesterday I was a dog. Today I’m a dog. Tomorrow I’ll probably still be a dog. Sigh! There’s so little hope for advancement. (Charles M. Schulz)

 

The One About Spring Being Sprung In Sydney…

03 Monday Sep 2012

Posted by Joanna in Dogs, Sydney

≈ 33 Comments

Tags

Clovelly, Dogs, Gustav Mahler, Henry Ward Beecher, Photographs, Poodles, Quotes, Robin Williams, Samuel Butler, Spring, Sydney

Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!” (Robin Williams)


A beautiful spring weekend here in Sydney – people outside enjoying the sunshine everywhere. Bella (the poodle) was beside herself with all the ball action she received – both at our local park on Saturday and at Clovelly on Sunday…

Bella & Her Ball

Bella & Her Ball

Spring won’t let me stay in this house any longer! I must get out and breathe the air deeply again.(Gustav Mahler)

Bella & Her Ball - Sundown

The dog is the god of frolic. (Henry Ward Beecher)

Ball Action

Dry Paws…

Bella Gets Wet

Oh look! I found water…

Bella Has a Bath

Yeah, yeah. I know I had a bath yesterday…

More Ball Action

Wet Paws…
(All images by TSL)

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too. (Samuel Butler)

Clovelly Beach, Sydney

Clovelly Beach, Sydney
We weren’t the only ones enjoying the sun
(Image by TSL)

Pooh and Tigger and Star Signs and Thanks and Blog Friends and More…

11 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by Joanna in Random Stuff

≈ 20 Comments

Tags

A.A. Milne, Art, Australia, Blog, Blog award, Blog Awards, Books, Christopher Robin, culture, Design, Dogs, food, Illustration, Kenzo, Literature, New Zealand, Piglet, Poodles, Pooh, Shoes, Sketches, Slow Food, Tigger, Winnie the Pooh

Into The Sunset With Pooh and Piglet by E.H. Shepard

Into The Sunset With Pooh and Piglet by E.H. Shepard
(Image sourced from here)

Back in April, when I wrote my Oscar speech, I mentioned that I had held off responding to a couple of blogging award nominations because I found it much, much easier to write or post about almost anything other than myself. Well, it appears it hasn’t got any easier with time and I am well overdue again. How rude of me! 

“Oh Tigger, where are your manners?”

“I don’t know, but I bet they’re having more fun than I am.” – A.A. Milne

So, as with Tigger and his guilty conscience, I apologise for my tardy response, and I now give you a wee post to say thank you to a few of the lovely people out in blog-land who have nominated This Sydney Life for a few more blog awards.

First, there is Life in Relation to Art with the One Lovely Blog Award. Next, Simple Cherishes with a double banger – the One Lovely Blog Award and The Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Finally, my Polish blogging bud’, Layyla Over the Rooftops of the World with The Versatile Blogger Award. To you all, I say a very heart-felt ‘Thank you!’…

Type Written Thank You

(Image sourced from here)

Sometimes,’ said Pooh, ‘the smallest things take up the most room in your heart. – A.A. Milne

I don’t think I’m a terribly naïve person. Truly. And, I’m not a girl who follows her horoscopes, either. But, it has been mentioned, on more than one occasion that I may be a typical Libra. This is possibly a good thing given my birthday is in October! I did a quick google search and it turns out that, with one or two exceptions, that could be correct, too*… A Libra loves art, is a slight perfectionist, is charitable, can be bossy at times (LM nods head), enjoys a debate, dislikes ugliness (who doesn’t?), and apparently can’t take criticism.

Anyhoo, all of this is a long-winded introduction to me attempting to inarticulately express how much I’m getting out of this blogging gig, which in turn seems to tick a lot of those ‘Libra boxes’** So much more, in fact, than I ever could have imagined. And, that is almost entirely due to the connections blogging has provided me from around the globe. This includes the comments I receive about my wee shares and finds – mostly, but not always, from fellow bloggers who have stumbled across This Sydney Life; and also, the bloggers I meet through reading their blogs – some often, and others more intermittently.

I knew when I met you an adventure was going to happen. – A.A. Milne

Without exception, my experience in ‘starter blog-land’ has been a welcoming, friendly and supportive adventure. It has surpassed all expectations. My wee band of subscribers is growing, so I must be doing something right. Best of all, I have a legitimate outlet for all those little design-oriented finds I want to share. How lucky am I? 

If the person you are talking to doesn’t appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear. – A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

One of the great things about the blog world is that you can find a blog about just about any subject you can imagine. And, because blogs, by their very nature, are not like committing to a novel, you can dip your toe in the water to see if you like the temperature before subscribing. And, they’re free. Yeah, Baby!

So, just for a bit of a gas, I thought I’d randomly choose some topics that interest me right now on this Sunday afternoon and google them to see if I could find blogs on these subjects. Here’s what I found:

New Zealand Design: Fancy – a yummy looking blog featuring awesome design stuff from New Zealand & around the world. But mainly NZ. I am now a fan.

Australian Design: ModaMuse – modern Australian and New Zealand designers, artisans and crafters. Oh, yes please

Shoes: All That Shoes – I’m a girl so it follows that i like shoes. Check out this tumblr site for some oh-so-sexy shoes… Don’t even get me started on the last pair I purchased – orange patent Kenzo heels, no less! 

Slow Food: Red-Tail Blog – Slow food in Australia that is good, clean and fair. I wish I’d found this one much earlier. GREAT blog!

Poodles: The Poodle & Dog Blog – a blog to celebrate the remarkable, the ordinary, and the very funny dogs that share our world. Enough said.

Sydney Eats: Grab Your Fork – Sydney eats, tasty travels and a feast of photos. Helen has been writing this award-winning blog for a while now. There’s a reason it is so popular…

I love the inter-web!

I think I’ll sign off now. I’ve rabbited on for long enough. But thanks again, to all of you, who pop in to This Sydney Life. I appreciate it. Every time.

TTFN. Ta Ta For Now! – A.A. Milne

* If you happen to be an expert on horoscopes, I haven’t done an in-depth study on my Ascendant sign or Moon sign. I readily acknowledge I am no professional in these matters.

** ‘Libra boxes’ – perhaps not the most appropriate term I could have chosen, hmmm?

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