Mary Tiegreen's blog

Fabulous Dogs on ME TV!

Well, Chris Miele invited me on another dog adventure! This time she was going to the Nickelodeon studios on west 25th Street to take part in a kids show called ME TV! She had two of her goldens with her, along with a significant amount of agility equipment. And a tornado watch was in the works! Life is always exciting with Chris!

The concept of this show is very cool. The audience can participate with web cams, and can vote and communicate with the hosts live on the air. We spent several hours in the Green Room eating cookies and socializing with the other dog people there.

David Frei of Westminster was a guest host for the show. David is always charming, knowledgable and reassuring. He knows absolutely everything you need to know about dogs. And he gives his time generously to many good causes.

There were a lot of really great dogs in that little room waiting for their turn to shine. Handsome Corgis, an elegant Poodle, two lovable Shar Peis, a brilliant Border Collie, happy beautiful Springers, lively Dalmatians, and of course our two wonderful Goldens, Buck and Dixie.Everyone was quite well-behaved, given the cramped quarters, and a good time was had by all.

Chris ended up closing the show with a dazzling live-tv segment of agility by Buck, the wonder dog!

Here is a short video of life in the Green Room...

ME TV doggies

13 St. Bernards!

On the night of March 23, Poppy, a St. Bernard from East Sussex in England, gave birth to 13 healthy puppies! Here's a link to a video of the happy family.

Golden Retriever performs Heimlich maneuver

Amazing Toby

People Magazine reported in its April 16 issue that Toby, a 2-year-old Golden Retriever, saved his owner's life by performing the Heimlich maneuver. Debbie Parkhurst began choking on a piece of apple and tried desperately to dislodge it, to no avail. Toby awoke from his nap, ran over to her and pushed her down on the floor where he began to jump on her chest. Out came the apple, her life was saved, and Toby was a hero! 

It is only fitting since Debbie saved Toby's life after he was found in a dumpster at 4 weeks old. Lucky lady, lucky dog!

What will Goldens think of next?

Fabulous DogFace #1

The Ancient Shar Pei

Give us this day our daily kibble

Anyone who is a fan of dailycandy.com might want to check out Daily Kibble, The inside poop on the latest, greatest, ottest, and coolest everything for pets! A free subscription brings you a daily email with information on travel, products, services, activities, pet care, and so much more. All served with a lot of style.

Old Shep

Old Shep

In the summer of 1936, a sheep herder, accompanied by his dog, Shep, arrived in Ft. Benton, Montana seeking treatment for an illness. The poor man died several days later and his body was loaded onto a train to be sent back to his family in the east. The dog followed the casket to the train but wasn’t allowed to board.

For the next 5 years, Shep arrived at the station each day to greet four trains in hopes that his master would be on board. He became known across America, thanks to being featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not and began receiving gifts and fan mail. On January 12, 1942 Shep was struck by a train and died. His obituary was carried on the AP and UPI wire services and hundreds attended his funeral. In 1994, Ft. Benton dedicated a bronze statue by famous sculptor Bob Scriver, of Shep, depicted with his two front paws on the train rail, waiting.

A Well-behaved Dog

I just came across a clever little dog that will obey all your commands. Check out idodogtricks.com

Dogs of Paris: Rin Tin Tin and 40,000 other beloved dogs

Rintintin

It may surprise you to know that Rin Tin Tin, our beloved canine star of film and television, is buried in Paris. And that the original Rin Tin Tin came from France! More about that in another post. While Rinty was loved by millions, each of the over 40,000 animals in the Cimetière des Chiens (Dog Cemetery) was deeply loved and cherished by someone.

Cimitiere-es-chiens

The Cimetière des Chiens was founded in the summer of 1899 to create a resting place for the beloved companions of the people of Paris. Located in Asnieres, northwest of Paris, on a quiet part of the Seine, the cemetery was created through the work of lawyer Georges Harmois and journalist Marguerite Durand.

Barry

At the grand entrance is a statue of Barry, the famous Saint Bernard. The most famous dog to come from the Saint Bernard Monastery, he is credited with saving 40 people in the deep snows and avalanches of a high mountain pass. Barry lived in the monastery from 1800 to 1812. Legend has it that he was killed by the 41st person he tried to save, and it is even engraved on a massive tombstone at the entrance to the Cimetière des Chiens in Paris. However, he was actually taken to Bern, Switzerland, where he retired and lived out his last two years. In 1815, his body was preserved and put on exhibition at the Natural History Museum in Bern, where he remains today.

Nameless dog

While canine luminaries such as Rin Tin Tin and police dogs of honor have found their resting place here, the majority were the beloved companions of regular people.

Tintin-vania

The tombstones have  weathered carvings, porcelain photos, toys and flowers. A few, like Tintin and Vania, have their own little dog houses.

Near the entrance to the cemetery is a plaque commemorating a stray dog who, in 1958, died at the gates of the cemetery and became the 40,000th animal to be buried within its walls. Dogs share this lovely spot with horses, cats, birds, and monkeys.

I was fortunate to visit this sacred place while doing research for our book, 1,001 Reasons to Love Dogs. 

Tosca2

Tosca

Sybelle

Jupiter

Dash

Oldbeloved

Dogears

Doubledoghouse

3dogsgone

Dogs of Paris: Shopping dogs

Shopping at Gallerie Lafayette

Spotted in the women's department of Gallerie Lafayette, these two dogs add to the colorful life of Paris.

Dogs of Paris: Diamond Dogs

Diamonds are a dog's best friend

If you're going to wear your diamond collar, the Paris is the place to do it! This doggie in the window of a Paris department store looks ready for the red carpet!