Yesterday, my landlord was doing work at the apartment, and when I found out, it was too late to get a dogsitter for Comet. As I often do when I’m desperate, I turned to the net for a solution.

And this time, I found civilization’s next giant leap forward: doggie daycare. Not your usual kennel, where dogs are kept in cages, but a place that keeps them in common rooms with other dogs, with outdoor access and people and educators who play with them all day. The center is complete with grooming facilities, an obedience training school and a boutique. I decided to give it a try.

Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t kind of place I could afford to - or would even want to - send Comet to everyday. I mean, who am I, Michèle Richard? I was a little iffy on the yuppiness of the concept, but when I got there it was clear I was dealing with real people. Real dog people. (Oh, and cats. Lots of cats freely roaming the waiting area).

When I picked Comet up, the head trainer spent a good twenty minutes giving her an evaluation, discussing her with me and giving me great tips and pointers. Most surprising of all, he doesn’t think she’s stupid. I had to call T with the news! But I’m not completely convinced of it yet myself.

Anyway, I’m sold. It was great to find that I had a humane alternative to a kennel, a place where I could always leave her with responsible, competent dog lovers.

The place is called Montreal Dogs.

(picture from www.montrealdogs.com)

Is this creepy? Useful? Desirable? Undeniable proof of the decline of civilization?

(Thanks Benj)

Dogs can sniff out cancer (?)

(via Paulski)

Because dog-gone it, she didn’t look quite ridiculous enough already…

And now, for the matching hat with white pompom…

This weekend, I found out the hard way that the dogs get their period. I’m not kidding. And I say the hard way, because Comet shares my bed.

The most bizarre part of the experience was going online late at night to get more information about this phenomenon. That was truly humbling. Here I was, flashbacking to Bali, the sick and crusty dog capital of the world, where horribly mangy wild pooches walk the streets everywhere. I was trying to understand what’s happening, if it’s normal, if she’s sick, if I have to take her to the vet, if I have to avoid taking her outside, if it’s an early sign of fatal heartworm disease etc, and all I could find were sites trying to sell me feminine hygiene products for canines. You heard me.

In my foggy state of mind, I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that this was happening, much less that it was normal enough that someone had actually invented doggie diapers for this specific purpose. And I thought following a lower lifeform around with a plastic bag was bad.

This is when having a veterinarian friend is handy. I called him on my appropriately-red telephone:

“Well, she’s… uh, bleeding.”
- BLEEDING?
- Yeah, out her…
- Ah, she’s bleeding out of her (whistles). [Don’t you hate it when doctors use their jargon?]
- Yeah. And you know when you used to say “the plot thickens, la plotte épaissit”?
- Ah yes. Well, that’s normal, she’s just in heat.
- Yeah. Ok. Great. So, can we, uh, make it stop?
- Yeah, just bring her in this weekend and we’ll fix her.

Well what do you know. My baby’s all growns up. Still it’s a good thing she isn’t a cat. When Lynne’s cat went into heat and drove her insane with the horny meowing, Matt’s advice was to simply indulge the kitty with a Q-tip. Apparently that would cause ovulation and shut her up for a few days. No, really.

Comet graduated doggie first grade last night. We’re very proud. She was stressed out about the finals (especially in her least favorite subject, Stay) but in the end it and went quite well. Now Sit, Stand, Lay Down, Stay and Heel have no secrets for her.

She is taking a sabbatical during our vacation, but she’ll probably continue onto second grade this summer.

Way to go, pooch!

If your vet offered you a chance to assist in the spaying of your pet, would you?

As far as “reasons to buy a camera” go, it doesn’t get much better than that!

This is a post that belongs more on Comet’s blog, but I think mine has more of a readership and I want it to get out. When I started her site, I had the intention of eventually publishing a list of people who were willing to babysit pets (in their home, not a cage), for free or a fee. If you know of anyone who does that please let me know (along with any conditions).

This has become more of an urgent request since I’m going to Toronto for five days starting on April 12th. I’m looking into taking Comet with me, but if not I’ll need a place to leave her.

This weekend I used my big red exercise ball and my little dog, to recreate a scene out of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Hours of fun.

Now has a name, and a blog.

Eh oui.