If you live in Iowa City, no dog park for awhile.

Due to the excessive amount of water present at Rita’s Ranch Off-Leash Dog Park in Iowa City, the park will remain closed until further notice.

If you have any questions, please contact the city office at 319-356-5100.

Posted under In the News

I’ve received several emails from people concerned about dogs, especially in southeast Iowa, going missing from yards.

I think this is a good reminder for all pet owners not to leave dogs alone in the yard.

Personally, I don’t believe in leaving a dog to run around outside in a fenced yard or be chained up for hours at a time alone.

Very often I sit outside with Cubbie, and if I don’t go outside, I’m standing at the door or window looking out watching him. Quite frankly, you never know what could happen.

Some dogs were found abandoned in a camper in Pennsylvania, but the plates were from SE Iowa. 

Here is an email from a veterinarian I received:

“As you may know, many dogs have been disappearing from their own yards in Iowa. Please take a minute or two to brouse these pictures of these stolen dogs from Iowa.
If you have a dog missing in Iowa you believe to be stolen please contact your local sherriff dept. and send a picture to be added to the data base with a contact number as well as date and address where dog went missing.”

Posted under In the News

Four years ago on June 28, Cubbie Bear Wagner was born in Osceola, Iowa!

My little guy is no longer a little guy. Sadly, I’m working today so he has to spend part of his birthday by himself, but I did give him a few presents this morning before I left.

Part of his birthday surprise was ruined. I got him some gifts Saturday when I was at the grocery store. I set the sacks on the kitchen floor, and before I could hide the sack with the presents, Cubbie had already gotten one of his toys out!

He was so excited, I just let him have it.

I saved another toy for this morning, and he was also excited about that one. Based on the pictures, I think I also need to trim the hair around his eyes.

Posted under Cubbie stories

Cubbie isn’t a fan of having me brush his teeth. So I thought maybe I would try giving him a denta bone so we don’t have to brush his teeth as often or as long.

Let’s just say my idea failed completely.

I gave Cubs the denta bone, and as soon as he got it he ran out the back door (it was still open while I was bringing in some groceries).

Normally he just chews on bones, but not this time. He ran straight for a patch of dirt behind the air conditioner and started burying the bone. By the time I saw him, it was already in the ground and his nose was covered in dirt.

A few minutes later the bone was back out of the ground and he was running around with it. I assumed that meant he was ready to chew, so I grabbed a book and sat in a chair in the backyard with him.

Well, he went back to the hole and buried the bone again. He ran around the yard a few times, then dug up the bone, then buried it yet again! What a goofball.

At one point he tried to bring it inside, and I put a stop to that. It was bad enough his face and paws were dirt covered, I wasn’t going to have this dirty bone in the house, too!

Since I wouldn’t let him bring the bone inside, it stayed out all night. Of course it got drenched in the rain and basically fell apart. So much for cleaning Cubbie’s teeth…

Posted under Cubbie stories

Earlier I posted information on Take Your Dog To Work Day. A co-worker’s wife sent an email about the dogs at her office Friday. ME&V had about eight people bring dogs to work. She said all the dogs got along and one took a swim in the pond out back during lunch!

Here’s a photo of some of the ME&V employees with their dogs. It’s great to see businesses supporting pet owners!

Posted under Pet Events

June 25th is National Take Your Dog to Work Day.

First celebrated in 1999, Take Your Dog To Work Day was created to celebrate the great companions dogs make and to encourage their adoption from humane societies, animal shelters and breed rescue clubs.

This annual event asks pet lovers to celebrate the humane-canine bond and promote pet adoption by encouraging their employers to support TYDTWDay by opening their workplace to employees’ four-legged friends on this one special day.

Tips for a successful dog day at work:

–Dogs should be kept on a leash, unless in the employee’s office or cubicle.
–Employees should use a baby gate to prevent dogs from leaving their office unsupervised.
–Specific areas, such as bathrooms or employee dining halls, can be designated as dog-free.
–Have a back up plan for taking the dog home if he is not comfortable in the work environment.

KWWL is very supportive of its employees who own pets, but it would be difficult for me to get work done with Cubbie at the office! I think it would be too difficult for me to hold Cubbie’s leash AND carry the 40 pounds of camera gear we have!

For more information on Take Your Dog To Work Day, click here.

Posted under In the News

One of my co-workers and her fiance just got a beagle puppy named Zoey. She is about ten weeks old and absolutely adorable!

We invited Nikki and Zoey over for a playdate. At times, Cubbie forgot he was bigger than her, but overall it went very well.

They both played with toys, they sat together in the yard and Zoey even gave Cubs a few kisses. At one point, Zoey walked under Cubbie, it was so cute!

Here are some pictures of Zoey and Cubbie at their first play date. We hope to have many more!

Posted under Cubbie stories

Thank you so much to everyone who attended the Cubbie Tails/Waterloo Bucks Dog Day at the Ballpark!

I am so grateful for the turnout, the people who bid on silent auction items and the weather!

I can’t lie, I was beginning to stress out leading up to the event. I really wanted it to go well for the sake of the humane society, and I was very concerned about the weather.

Hopefully, everyone I had fun. I know Cubbie was exhausted by the time we got home Sunday night!

Special thanks to the Bucks for inviting us, and letting me throw out the first pitch! (No, I didn’t make a fool of myself, surprisingly).

The event raised more than $1200 for the Cedar Bend Humane Society in Waterloo, and I couldn’t be happier!

Thanks again for all your support, and a special thanks to my volunteers: Nick Kuker from work, my aunt Lisa and my parents. I really couldn’t do it without their help. Thanks Dad for spending Father’s Day with me!

Enjoy pictures of some of the dogs at this year’s ballpark day. Thanks to seven-year-old Rileigh Lamos for helping me take pictures.

Posted under Pet Events

Don’t forget about the Cubbie Tails/Waterloo Bucks Dog Day at the Ballpark!

Tomorrow (Sunday, June 20) enjoy a baseball game at Riverfront Stadium with your dog at 3:05 p.m.

The cost is $10.

There’s also a silent auction and baseball-themed shirts for sale for $12.

Proceeds go to the Cedar Bend Humane Society in Waterloo.

Bring Dad and the dogs and enjoy some baseball with us!

Posted under Pet Events

P.E.T. P.A.L.S. plans to have an informational booth at Sturgis Falls in Cedar Falls on Sunday, June 27th.

P.E.T. P.A.L.S. takes pets to nursing homes, child care centers, retirement facilities and other locations in the Cedar Valley.

If  you’re interested in learning more or becoming a member,  contact Sue at 319-233-3624 or stop by the booth on June 27th.

Posted under Pet Events