Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Recently, I read a disturbing post on social media. In it, a broken-hearted dog owner bemoaned the fact that her puppy had been given over to a training facility which insisted on keeping the pup for eight weeks in order to train the dog properly. During that... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Your dog looks to you for guidance. As a pack animal, he searches for your leadership as the Alpha. If that leadership is lacking he may assert himself, growling when you sit in "his" chair, snarling when you disturb him in the middle of "his" bed, and... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Whether you’ve had your dog for a long time or he’s a recent addition the new year can bring about some wonderful changes in attitude and behavior for your entire family! A dog reacts by instinct—he does not understand “spiteful behavior”, nor does he have the capacity... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Some dogs seem to take up all your time. They cry for attention, interrupt your daily activities by pawing, staring, and even being destructive. If these behaviors occur on a regular basis it may be time to set some boundaries. Be gentle but firm when attention-seeking behaviors... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor On average, a middle-income American will change his place of residence 11.7 times. The family pet will likely be involved in several of those moves! You can ease Fido's anxiety about moving by taking him to the "new place" and allowing him to sniff and explore all... Read more →
Gloucestercitynews.net files EDITOR'S NOTE: In the coming weeks on Monday local author Dawn Watson will be posting a short story exclusively for readers of CNBNews and perhaps a private site or two on Facebook. The stories will eventually be part of an anthology, available on Amazon as an eBook and paperback.... Read more →
A Very Old Man By Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Written in 1993. Winner of several literary awards. He shuffled along the street trying to make out the forms moving about him through his thick glasses. The bag he carried was heavy but too precious to set down, even for a moment.... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Jeffrey and Jason tiptoed quietly into the house, thankful that their parents were still sleeping soundly. They climbed into their bunks, exhausted. “We never should have gone trick or treating on our own,” Jeffrey said softly. “I wish we had stayed with Erin,” Jason whispered. “She was... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBnews Contributor Dogs bark for many reasons—because they are excited, anxious, or feel the need to warn. However, some dogs bark for no reason at all. It’s frustrating when Fido is constantly barking and shouting over the noise does nothing to calm him. What can you do to correct... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Part III The door slammed behind the boys and they hugged one another, terrified as their eyes adjusted to the darkened room. CNBNews files “Would you like some cookies?” the old woman asked. “I just made them.” “No thank you,” Jeffrey said. “We just want our sister.”... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor “Jeffrey! Wake up!” Jason whispered to his brother. “What time is it? Why are you dressed?” Jeffrey asked sleepily. “It’s midnight. I couldn’t sleep. Put your clothes on. You’re going with me to find Erin!” After Jeffrey scrambled into his clothes, he was handed a flashlight and... Read more →
By Dawn O Watson CNBNews Contributor Each Monday for four consecutive weeks the continuing saga of A Halloween Adventure will be posted for our readers’ enjoyment. (Gloucester City, NJ)(CNBNews)(Oct. 5, 2020)--The children dressed excitedly—finally, Halloween eve had arrived! And this year they were old enough to go trick-or-treating on their own,... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor When you adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue you may be given information about his or her past. It may be a sad or disturbing story that will make you vow to make up for all of your dog’s past suffering. However, if you approach... Read more →
Dawn Watson/CNBNews Contributor Your puppy has been a member of your family for several months, or even a year. She’s been friendly with your kids and your other pets, housebroken, and has been taught not to chew the furniture. But suddenly, she’s like a different dog—barking, nipping, being rude in day... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Many dog owners go to great lengths to fence in their yards to permit the family dog to exercise. However, that isn’t all that Fido needs to stay healthy and happy. Walking is a social exercise. It stimulates your dog into being social and allows him to... Read more →
Your dog is aging. He has slowed down, he struggles to walk or sit, and you suspect his joints ache, he’s developed cataracts, and no longer seems to engage with the family. Is it time to gently ease him from this world and onto the next? There is no right or... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor The “new normal” of the pandemic offers a great opportunity for your family to work on Fido’s social skills. There are many tutorials on YouTube and elsewhere that can greatly add to learning, grooming, and generally caring for your family’s pets. When viewing these tutorials keep in... Read more →
Local columnist Dawn O Watson recently announced the arrival of her new novel, Blue Earth. (Gloucestercitynews.net)(September 2, 2020)--Blue Earth is the story of a dystopian society that struggles to survive under a protective dome. Outside, the world is irradiated and desolate, inhabited by the outcasts of society who are afflicted with... Read more →
I often view videos that show a toddler ‘playing’ with an adult dog. The video is supposed to depict the love the child has for the dog or vice versa. It’s likely that nothing could be further from the truth. Toddlers must be constantly observed if they are near a dog.... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Obesity in dogs is a serious problem. It will shorten a dog’s life and decrease his enjoyment of life. You are not doing him any favors by over-feeding your dog! There are many ways to slim down an overweight dog. Most of them are simple and fun... Read more →
CNBNews Gloucesterite Dawn O Watson, a columnist for Gloucester City News has announced the publication of her eleventh novel, Blue Earth. Blue Earth is the story of a future world where the government decides the fate of humanity and life is lived within a protective dome. The outside world is filled... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Previously, a dog’s age was calculated by multiplying his age by seven. A new theory has been discovered that adjusts that timeline. When a dog is a year old, his aging factors can be compared to that of a thirty-year old human. The new theory suggests that... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor There are thousands of animal rescue groups in the US. Every type of animal is represented, from ferrets to donkeys. It is fortunate that there are so many caring groups concerned with providing homes for abandoned or unwanted animals! . You may wonder why it is so... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor My husband used to ask me, “Don’t you just love an adventure?” The answer was always an enthusiastic, “Yes!” But now, my brain can’t keep up with my age. Inside, I’m still a kid. Outside, I’m pushing seventy. My face still breaks out when I’m nervous. Only... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Dogs are social animals. That means introducing humans and other animals is an important part of creating a well-rounded life for your dog. Take your dog to parks, on hiking trails, and to dog-friendly neighborhoods. Introduce him to lots of people and observe his interaction with them.... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Your dog has grown accustomed to your company because of the pandemic. If this is the case and you are now contemplating going back to the office Fido may show signs of anxiety. Please be patient with him as he relearns spending time alone! One way to... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor The American Kennel Club has been around for one hundred thirty-five years. During this time the organization has grown and prospered, offering many services for dog owners, trainers, and breeders. One of the many services they offer is the Canine Good Citizen evaluation, where trained evaluators assess... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor My hair hates me. If I make plans to go out with a friend or I have an appointment with a doctor or even if I decide to take a walk, my hair senses it and reacts. I get a hair bump. In the greater scheme of... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor It’s allergy time and that means Fido spends the better part of his day scratching! He’s being driven mad by bug bites, pollen, and his arch enemy, the flea! There are plenty of topical and oral medications on the market that boast about their power to get... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor It’s that time again. Summer, when my dogs get in my face, panting their hot breath on me, raising the temperature at least ten degrees. As if I wasn’t already sweating. Summer, when kids are outside my window, screaming bloody murder by eight in the morning, continuing... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Many dogs are fearful of loud, sudden noises. Thunder and fireworks can reduce a dog to a quivering, whining wreck who does not calm down until the noise has gone away. There is hope, however! One way to help your dog calm down is to purchase a... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Owning a dog can be expensive but there are ways to give your pet a great but economical lifestyle! Pet insurance plans are a great idea. Research them first, however—there are big differences in benefits and price! Research veterinarian practices, too as some offer discounted services under... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor I read that the life expectancy of a female in the U.S. is now eighty-one years and one month. That’s good to know. Makes planning easier. Barring illness or being hit by a bus I’m letting everyone know to set April of 2032 aside. I’m saying the... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor You love your little dog and she loves you. She is quiet, housebroken, and obedient. There’s only one thing she does that upsets you. She bites. She bites other dogs. She bites humans (except you). If she slips her harness, she will bite anyone or anything she... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Generations ago people believed that pet dogs were to be kept outside to guard the homestead. Often, these guard dogs had no shelter and lived their lives at the end of a chain. Fortunately, this is no longer the case. In fact, in most states it is... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor In the past I was a gifted sleeper. I slept gloriously all night long and napped most of the day. I’d fall asleep anywhere—on a bus, in a car, on a straight-backed chair. Once, when I was called upon to testify in Court, I had to be... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor When you bring a puppy home he is likely to "mouth". That term describes a young dog's habit of chewing on everything--including you! Usually, this behavior stems from the pup being removed from his mother's care before she has taught him essential manners. When a puppy is... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNewsnet I have addressed the steps to take if you have lost your dog. But what should a responsible person do if he or she finds a dog? If the dog is friendly check to see if he has tags. There may be an address and/or phone number listed.... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor I’m social distancing. I’ve been at it for sixty-nine years. As a child I was always the tallest among my friends. That made it awkward when one of them insisted on hugging me. Most of them didn’t quite reach my chin. Some of them were chest-height. If... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor I am often asked how to make a dog stop exhibiting inappropriate behavior. In my years of teaching, training, and mentoring I have only used a physical correction one time, and only because I was attacked by a dog during a training session. There are many methods... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor I hate waiting in lines. I was waiting at Dunkin’ Donuts and the people behind me were sharing a joke, laughing uproariously. I enjoy a good joke, so I turned around and asked what was so funny. A lady pointed at my behind. Seems I’d torn the... Read more →
When I was a kid my relatives told me some interesting stories. As I grew older, I realized there wasn’t much truth to them. There was the story about the panther statue that graced my grandparent’s coffee table. My grandfather told me that a Chinese nobleman gave it to his great-grandfather... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Pet Tip of the Week Puppies Puppies are fun! They are cute and cuddly, and nothing can make you laugh harder than a baby dog’s antics! There are certain things to consider before bringing Baby Fido into your family, however. With strict adherence to a schedule a... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor As your dog ages he may show signs of age-related maladies. It is heartbreaking to witness and can be expensive to cure. Your best buddy could suffer silently or cry from pain. Look for signs of discomfort—panting, lethargy, lack of appetite—and deal with each issue as it... Read more →
Dawn Watson/CNBNews Contributor My knees don’t bend the way they used to. I discovered this when I was attempting to sit down in a bathtub. I usually shower. But this time I decided to treat myself to a good, long soak. Soon, the bathroom was filled with steam and the air... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Maybe you and Fido have been munching out during this time of quarantine and now you are both a little ‘rounder’. There is an easy fix for getting rid of that extra weight—take a hike! Walking around your neighborhood is a good way to enrich the bond... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Easter was a big deal when I was a kid. We went to the church in which my mom was baptized, confirmed and married, and in which my brother and I followed suit. We were obligated to go to church and Sunday School every week. Since our... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor There are many theories on training dogs. Some folks like to think they can get their dogs to do anything they train them to do. Conversely, they believe they can make their dogs stop behaviors that are unacceptable. While that may be true, most dogs will revert... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor The other day I saw a neighbor putting a piece of paper on the windshield of my truck. Curious, I waited until she’d gone back inside and nonchalantly walked over to see what she’d written. I was excited, thinking it was an invitation to a party! Or... Read more →
Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor There are many people that practice vegetarianism or veganism and the number is growing. More and more humans are protesting the way animals are treated prior to being slaughtered for food. Scientists are producing more foods that contain “artificial” proteins. According to the American Veterinarian website 70%... Read more →