Welcome to Dawson’s Corner
Observations from the Dog Side
People say they wonder what their dogs are up to while they’re away and I’m no different. Granted, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it but just the other day I came across some information that surprised me.
Many of you know I train my dogs to compete in agility. Grady has been competing for a few years now and Dawson is continuing to learn stuff so he can eventually compete. Both of them love training and have a good work ethic. And both of them hate to miss out on any fun that the other one might be having. Dawson, in particular, really hates to miss anything.
How do I know this? Because there was a long, long, long period of time when Dawson would bark in his crate while I trained Grady (or some other dog). And not just your average, run-of-the-mill barking. Oh no. What good would that do? Dawson’s bark is L-O-U-D loud with a pitch that is as irritating as nails on a chalkboard. Insistent and impossible to ignore, Dawson’s bark could make a grown man cry. For the longest time nothing could silence him although I am pleased to report that lately he has been very good in his crate. Perhaps Dawson has accepted his fate, I thought.
I was wrong.
Apparently, Dawson has started a movement. It’s called Abolish the Crate Federation and it is very popular among our canine companions.
I knew Dawson wasn’t thrilled about being crated during agility training but I really had no idea how strongly he felt about it. I found organizational documents, personal correspondence, fund raising ideas, minutes from board meetings, and so forth. Since Dawson has such strong opinions, I’ve decided to give him his own blog to express himself.
Welcome to, “Dawson’s Corner, observations from the dog-side.”
Dawson’s Corner
Dog Time
Dear Friends, Family, Fans and Abolish the Crate Federation Members: Why do humans insist on have their dog wait to do fun things? Even when I prompt Mom to hurry up by barking in my crate or while walking into the agility ring or walking to the flyball area or...
Biscuit Love
Dear Friends, Family, Fans and Abolish the Crate Federation Members, I confess I don’t pay much attention to the holidays, but Grady does, and nothing bugs him more than all the attention that Valentine’s Day receives. Rather than try to explain Grady’s position, I...
New Year! Love You!
Dear Friends, Family, Fans and Abolish the Crate Federation Members, Welcome 2021! It has been brought to our attention that many humans feel that the start of a new year should bring about changes, referred to as New Year’s resolutions. “New Year, New You,” seems to...
Grady’s Letter to Santa
Dear Santa, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Now that’s out of the way, I would like to applaud you for the awesome gig you have going - I believe you have it all figured out. Here’s why: You are loved by children everywhere. You are around a large amount of toys...
Grady, on the origin of “Thanksgiving”
Dear family, friends, fans and Abolish the Crate Federation Members, Another year has flown by and the Thanksgiving season will soon be upon us. Every year I like to make a list of all the things I’m thankful for but Grady is a little miffed that his Holiday Feast for...
Reflections From The Birthday Boy
April 22, 2018 Dear Friends, Family, Fans and Abolish the Crate Federation Members, Today I turn 4 years old and I thought I would share my thoughts about my past year. Grady says it is good to take time to reflect upon one’s past so you can set goals for the...
Treat Philosophy by Grady Buford Huntley
Dear Abolish the Crate Federation Members, Grady has a message that he would like to share with all of you. I believe his Treat Philosophy would be helpful so please read carefully. I am currently working on "focus games" with my Mom which is surprisingly taking up...
Grady and Dawson’s Holiday Stress Busters
Dear Abolish the Crate Federation Members, friends and family, Santa is coming and for some of our humans, that seems to be a particularly stressful event. I’m not sure why. From what I’ve heard about Santa, he seems to be a decent, generous guy who enjoys a cookie...
A Holiday Feast for Dogs
Dear Abolish the Crate Federation Members, Good news! Grady has agreed to write the blog for this entry so long as he could address an issue which has recently caught his attention. I will tell you we have had many conversations about it. While initially I was...
A Whirlwind Year!
April 22, 2017 Dear family, friends, fans, and Abolish the Crate Federation members, Thank-you very much for all of your birthday wishes! I celebrated with a delicious peanut butter flavored cake, lots of playing with Grady, some Nose Work, cuddling with Mom...
