Last summer as I was spending a few days with my son at Worth Scout Ranch here in Texas (which I quickly nicknamed Molten Lava Scout Ranch), I decided that I have never been anywhere so hot, so humid and so utterly unbearable weather-wise. Thankfully I love scouting, so I made it. But the high temperatures, lack of shade and virtually no wind made it a tough week for this city girl.

Now that school is out, the fun factor for your canine companion can really go up a notch. Kids just need gentle prodding and fun suggestions to interact with the family dog.

When we do our jobs correctly, we expect to be paid on time. It is no different for our canine companions.

One of the most useful commands your dog can learn is the sit command. I like to teach this two different ways simultaneously.

A couple of years ago, I had the blessing of nursing several sets of newborn kittens. It was hard work, but I had help.

Helping your dog to lose weight is not at all easy. I have been trying for over a year to shed weight off of my five year old yellow lab.

So I have been involved in canine obedience for about four years now and showing dogs in AKC obedience trials for about three years. When I first started attending dog shows, I was so green.

I agree with the author that for us to fully enjoy the relationship with our dogs, we need to remember: a dog is a dog. I think they are adaptable, but they were created unique from us. Unselfishly we should recognize that and interact in a way they will appreciate. For all they give to us, it is a small gift in return.

One of the most fulfilling things I have done with my dog Beau is visiting a retirement home. A year ago I was invited to do an obedience demonstration at a retirement home in Arlington.

Those of us who cohabitate with dogs know that they thrive on ritual. Doing the same thing the same way over and over again. I am sure an animal behaviorist would have us realize that it is conditioning; the dog is responding to the circumstance over and over again. If it is a favorable circumstance [...]