CNBNews

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. If he is wearing a license tag, there is probably a veterinarian’s number on it. If he is wearing a rabies tag it will usually list the county from which the rabies shot was... 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 I bent down to hug one of them my behind stuck out. If I stood up, I’d lift them off their feet. Either option could cause trouble, so I usually just kept my distance.... 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 of dog training. I use and recommend a combination of positive and negative reinforcement. That is, the dog is rewarded (reinforced) when he responds appropriately and given a frown or denied attention when he... 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 seat of my slacks and everything was hanging out there for their viewing pleasure. I did not buy coffee. I did not buy donuts. Another time I accidentally made folks laugh was after an... 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 as a symbol of their friendship. To prove this, I was shown the bottom of the statue where “Made in China” was printed. The panther had green jewels for eyes. “Chinese jade”, Grampa told... 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 twelve-week-old puppy can be taught to go ‘potty’ outside or on a puppy pad within four weeks. If you are unsure about the housebreaking technique my book, Training Your Dog With Love and Compassion,... 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 presents itself. Ask your veterinarian for a plan of action. Take out pet insurance if you have not already done so. Discuss the end of his life with your family. I have been doing... 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 smelled like the rosewood bubble concoction I’d dumped in. I shut off the water and prepared to be indulged. Since the tub seemed to be narrower than my lower body, I shifted to the... 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 you share with your family. And keeping a safe distance is easy if you keep moving! Keep a mask handy in case someone breaches the six-foot restriction, but most folks are compliant with the... 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 house was directly across the street, we couldn’t exactly tell folks we were sick when all they had to do was look through our windows and see us watching television. Anyway, Mother awakened us... 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 to instinct if given the opportunity. A good example of instinctual behavior is allowing a dog with a known, high prey drive access to a rabbit. Sure, the dog may seem friendly toward the... 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 perhaps the neighborhood was having a scavenger hunt I wasn’t aware of and this was her way of letting me know! Much to my disappointment it was a note that said, “Parking on this... 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% of vegetarians feed their dogs slaughter-free proteins. Domestic animal diets are a source of much speculation. Recently, it was discovered that the absence of grain in animals’ diets greatly increased their risk of heart... Read more →

Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Each of my dogs had a distinct personality. Two of my dogs are elderly. One of them is so old that I carry him around in a pouch on my shoulder. Every half hour or so he wakes up and forgets who I am, and he barks at me. I know better than to reach for him—his teeth are sharper than his mind. Sammy, my other elder is a feisty little Jack Russel/Chihuahua mix. Smartest dog I ever had. He will... Read more →

Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Some folks tend to over-feed their pets, especially those that have been rescued from a neglectful background. Generally, adult dogs should be fed twice a day. Under normal circumstances a meat-and-plant based diet is ideal. According to the VCA (Veterinary Centers of America) dogs’ diets need to include the essential vitamins and amino acids found in many high-end dry dog foods. Whether to supplement dry food with meat and/or vegetables is a matter of debate. You can research on-line and find... Read more →

Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Let’s discuss the elephant in the room: Social Distancing. I picture getting the “All Clear” sign from the government which will set off an instant opening of doors all over the world. Folks will stumble outside, holding up a hand to block a sun they haven’t seen for a long time, except through a window that’s been scrubbed so often it’s thinning in places. Women with ragged nails and unibrows will climb into their bird-bombed cars with bearded men, only to... Read more →

Dawn Watson/CNBNews Contributor (Gloucestercitynews.net)(March 21, 2020)--When a beloved pet passes away the grief is very real. We ache and the pain is overwhelming. It doesn’t help that non-pet owners do not understand this void. Whether your pet passes away from old age, an accident, or must be euthanized due to advancing age, extreme aggression, or illness you have a right to grieve! Do not let others demean you for your emotions! There are support groups both online, via phone, and in person that may help... Read more →

Dawn Watson/CNBNews Contributor I’ve lived through quite a few symptomatic adventures in my life. When I was eight, I survived the Summer of Poison Ivy. Although it doesn’t sound serious it is if it covers your entire body and causes you to lay naked on a rubber sheet in ninety-degree weather because your mother doesn’t want to wash icky sheets or articles of clothing. And we didn’t have air conditioning. At twelve I discovered chicken pox. All my friends had it, too. I gave it... Read more →

Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor In 1828 New York initiated the first laws that outlawed animal cruelty. In 1866 the ASPCA was created. In 1966 the Animal Welfare Act was created to set minimum standards for the care, sale, and overall handling of domestic animals. In 1970 the AWA broadened its scope to require anesthesia for lab experimentation on animals. In 1980 People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) was founded. In 1990 the AWA was amended to require that all dogs and cats be... Read more →

Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor “I wanna tell you, kid and I’ll give it to you square. I’m leaving you. I’m sorry it shook out this way but you and me don’t belong together, see?” “Oh Roscoe, how can you say that? How can you? After all we’ve been through. How many times did I fight with my mother and father, telling them you’re a swell guy.” “It’s no good I tell you! Your parents think one way and that ain’t the way I think, see?... Read more →

Dawn Watson/CNBNews Contributor Your friend comes for a visit and wants to be friends with your dog. She talks loudly and reaches to pat him on the head but instead of him acting like the happy dog you know him to be, he snarls or hides in a corner. What now? Think about your friend's entry and relate it in human terms--you don't speak the language and you're accustomed to a calm environment. Suddenly, along comes a giant, shrieking maniac (remember, dogs' hearing is 100... Read more →

Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor I’m confused about colors. When I was very young, I was as plump and ruddy as a MacIntosh apple. My mother dressed me in hand-me-down boys’ shirts she cleverly disguised as blouses by putting the buttons where the buttonholes were and cutting buttonholes on the opposite side. Colors were not an issue. In my teens I donned tie-dyed tee shirts that looked like somebody’s nightmare and wore makeup to match. I was part of a group that treasured individuality as long... Read more →

Dawn Watson,\CNBNews Contributor Good grooming is essential to maintain your dog's health. But how much grooming does it take? Many veterinarians recommend clipping Fido's nails every three weeks. If the nails become too long they may curl under and damage the pads of his feet, causing pain or even infection. Trimming the fur surrounding his pads is also a good idea because dirt can cling to the area or become matted. It requires the help of the best dog nail grinder. Some groomers are qualified... Read more →

A view of the Walt Whitman bridge, from Proprietors Park, Gloucester City, NJ Photo credit Heidi Weaver Copyright Pending Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor (Gloucester City, NJ)(February 17, 2020)--I live in a small town. No, I wasn’t born here. I was adopted. It’s gritty, my town. Filled with what others might think of as “characters”—folks that have sat at the bottom of one too many sad endings. Folks that are awakened each night by the sounds of the skeletons that hide in their closets, waiting to... Read more →

Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Fence fighting. You may not have known what this behavior is called but I’ll bet you’ve seen it. When a dog is left to his own resources outdoors, he may exhibit an annoying chain of behaviors. If you have a fenced-in yard Fido may spot movement outside of the fence and run the length of the enclosed area barking furiously. Eventually, the object or person will disappear from view and the dog will calm down and be quiet. But suddenly, another... Read more →

Dawn Watson/CNBNews Contributor (Gloucestercitynews.net)(February 10, 2020)--I am currently sweetheart-free. I thought I had one for a minute, but he changed his mind. It’s okay though—he has cats. I have dogs. It never would have worked. In theory we could have had a cat room and a dog room, but my living situation is in a state of flux (long story) and he lives in a tiny apartment. So, it ended. I’m a bit choosy when it comes to men, but the criteria is different than... Read more →

Dawn Watson/CNBNews Contributor Spring is a lovely time of year—except when your dog has allergies. Dogs can suffer from many of the same types of allergies that plague humans. For example, pollen can cause dogs to scratch and bite their skin, certain weeds can make a dog sneeze, and some trees give Fido weepy, sticky eyes! Hey may even develop "hot spots", or scratch until his fur comes out in patches. If your dog shows signs of allergies, call your veterinarian. He may recommend an... Read more →

Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor I was born lucky. It was lucky I was born at all—my brother is less than a year older than I, a fact that caused my mother to proclaim me an “accident” throughout the rest of her life. I’m lucky to have survived being extremely clumsy. For example, I only broke three small bones in my foot when I stumbled while celebrating St Patrick’s Day. It could have been much worse. It was crowded. I could have taken down at least... Read more →

Dawn Watson/CNBNews Contributor What does aggression mean when referencing a dog? Aggression is the intent to do harm, whether it is focused toward a human, another dog, or any other animal. This includes resource guarding, (aggressive behavior while protecting an object or person whom the dog probably believes belongs to him). When you label your dog ‘aggressive’ and he attacks, you, as the owner, are doubly liable because you knew he was aggressive. Unless you have been informed by an animal behaviorist with a veterinary... Read more →

Dawn Watson/CNBNews Contributor I don’t mind being fat. Chubbiness runs in my family. Well, it doesn’t run exactly. It saunters casually. No one in our family is actually obese, mind you—we’re just on the way up or on the way down, weight-wise. I count calories in between Oreo binges. While that isn’t the healthiest way to eat, those extra pounds keep me from breaking a hip when I fall on the ice. I just sort-of bounce on the sidewalk a few times. Then, I crawl... Read more →

Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Winter is here. It’s cold, windy, and icy. But your dog still needs to go outside, either for a walk or to the back yard several times a day. There are a few things you can do to assure Fido’s safety and relative comfort during extreme weather conditions. Make sure that your dog is dry before he goes outdoors. Allow plenty of time after a bath so that his coat will not freeze. Use only animal-friendly products to melt ice in... Read more →

CNBNews Contributor On Friday, January 24, Carr's Hardware, located at 22 North Broadway in Gloucester City, will offer the Pi series for sale. Six of local Author Dawn O Watson's novels take place in Pi, a small town that mirrors Gloucester City. "I'm happy that the Carr family likes my books and are willing to sell them at their store," Mrs. Watson said. "Of all the novels I've written, the ones set in the little town of Pi are the most popular, locally. Citizens can... Read more →

Dawn O Watson/CNBNews Contributor Some dogs are escape artists, darting outside whenever they see an opportunity. It's not that they don't enjoy their homes, it's just that they seek the outdoors or a good chase! When you are walking a newly-adopted dog try to take him on the same route every day so that he sees how to get from Point A to Point B. He will smell the pathway back to your house and it will be ingrained in him. When you are on... Read more →

Dawn Watson/CNBNews Contributor I have a thing about shoes. Somewhere between high school and adulthood, my left foot stopped growing while my right foot blossomed into a clown-sized replica of a chimp’s paw, complete with opposable “thumb”. While it’s true I can pick up a dime with it, it isn’t often necessary to do so. I broke a few bones of my left foot at a St Patrick’s Day celebration and since then, it’s twice as fat as my right foot although not nearly as... Read more →

Dawn Watson/CNBNewsnet I am often asked if I approve of dogs being “dressed” for cold weather. The short answer is ‘yes’. Small dogs and hairless breeds can easily suffer from hypothermia. If they are cold for long periods of time, they may freeze to death. It’s important to keep them from becoming over-exposed to harsh weather. Never allow your small or medium-sized dog outdoors without being right by his side. If you are cold, he is cold! It is now a felony in many states... Read more →