So it is only logical that we, the dog's companion and helpmate, would be interested in any study of doggie noises as he tries to talk to us, right? Luckily, Japanese researchers analyzed many thousands of woofs, wails and growls to develop a gadget called the Bow Lingual, which translates a dog's utterances into one of 200 phrases on a hand-held monitor. I first saw it advertised in 2003, but have never seen it in any pet shop I've frequented, even though it was said to be in U.S. shops at that time (but never mentioned which shops or where).
This would be a handy gadget, though my companion is a Basenji and the breed doesn't bark. But, since mine is a not-apparent mix he does bark. He also sits and yodels on hearing any siren. He barks only to get his messages across and he is very good at it. As a watchdog he leaves nothing to an intruder's imagination with his challenge. When he wants into the house he sits in front of a window and barks once, short and sharp. If he wants attention, he stands directly in front of me, ears alert and stares expectantly into my face, and does it until I notice and ask him "What?" He will than go to the door, to go out, or the kitchen, for food, or the coat rack, which holds his collar and leash for daily walks. In short he has beaten this handicap of non-speech with logic and patience. Most dogs will do the same if we but pay attention. But it would still be nice to have one of those Bow Linguals!
Another item I've noted that might be handy, though the notice was only a U.S. Patent Office number (6871616). It was a combination leash and umbrella, for people who hate wet hair smell coming into the house.
Even handier might be the illustrated hard-cover book and accompanying CD, titled "Relaxation Music for Your Dog", composed by the japan School of Music Therapy. The CD features friendly frequencies designed to calm your dog; the book is filled with "adorable" dog photos and "memorable "quotes. (Dog Recreation Pack, The Music Sales Group, $14.95).
For those, like Daniel Keeton, who like to include their dog in the celebration, there is Dawg Grog, which Daniel, who works in Bend, Oregon's Boneyard Brewery, has concocted from spent grain and vegetable broth. It sells at the Visit Bend Store. Perhaps not so surprisingly this isn't the only dog grog being marketed. The other has been created by a Dutch pet shop owner who ljust wanted to have drinks with his Wleimeraner after hunts. But the date on the clipping where I saw it was January 2007, so you may have to Google it if you too want to drink with your dog.
If this pastime overlaps with football season, think about getting your dog a replica football stadium bed - $60 to $80. Much more comfortable than just curling up beside your easy chair. I don't know where they are sold, but I saw one in Sports Illustrated Magazine, Dec. 2014 issue.
Dog food companies have, for some years now, kept track of hotels and motels that welcome travelers with their pets. Just contact them for listings.
Just as handy to have would be a list of toxic plants for dogs. Contact aspco.org/toxic plants..
Pet-friendly airlines - Pet Airways, based in Delray Beach, Florida, and operating out of Washington, New York, Denver, Chicago and Los Angeles basically - likewise enjoined traveler-dog convenience. Seats have room for 50 dog and cat carriers, which are checked every 15 minutes by an attendant. Much better than shipping pets in cargo planes, where they could be exposed to temperature extremes, poor ventilation and rough handling! One-way fares vary from $150 to $400, depending upon dog size and destination. Google www.pet airways.com.
Of course you are going to give gifts to your dog too, so look at some niftys my dog has nosed with interest during shopping tours.
How about a Bubble Ball? It speaks to your dog as he plays with it. I have no idea what it says: "Easy,boy!", "Good hit, but put more spin on it", "Ten more mnutes of your exercise time remaining"? (Pet Querks for $8.99.)
Another talking item is eTag's digital Dog-e-Tag ($39.95 by phoning 866-364-3824). Get up to 40 lines of info on the e-Tag, like "Go home now!" or "Dinner time," or even "Get away from that hussy of a Poodle."
And then there is the Flying Squirrel, a squirrel your dog can finally catch! It's a squared-off furry Frisbee. Sells for $8.95 to $12.95 if your pet store has them.
