I have seen people riding their bike holding on to a dog leash with their dog happily running along side their owner. I have always thought “that is dangerous”. Sure, the dog is out for a run, but how safe is it?
I received an email from a man in Oregon, Mark Schuette. He has invented an awesome way for your dog to go for a run with you, a dog powered scooter or a dog powered recumbent trike. Mark says it is best for medium to large sized high drive athletic dogs. It is also appropriate for blind and deaf dogs. Mark has also done a few trikes for handicapped people and wounded war veterans with service dogs.
This joke was posted way back in 2009. Now I figured we need a few laughs, and this one is a good one.
A shepherd was herding his flocks in a remote pasture when suddenly a brand new Jeep Cherokee advanced out of a dust cloud towards him. The driver, a young man in a Brioni suit, Gucci shoes, Ray Ban sunglasses and a YSL tie leaned out of the window and asked the shepherd: “If I tell you exactly how many sheep you have in your flock, will you give me one?”
The shepherd looks at the yuppie, then at his peacefully grazing flock and calmly answers, “Sure!”
The yuppie parks the car, whips out his notebook, connects it to a cell-phone, surfs to a NASA page on the Internet where he calls up a GPS satellite navigation system, scans the area, opens up a database and 60 Excel spreadsheets with complex formulas. Finally he prints out a 150 page report on his hi-tech miniaturized printer, turns round to the shepherd and says: “You have exactly 1586 sheep!”
“That is correct, take one of the sheep.” says the shepherd. He watches the young man select a sheep and bundle it in his Cherokee.
Then he says: ” If I can tell you exactly what your business is, will you give me my sheep back?”
“Okay, why not” answers the young man.
“You are a consultant.” says the shepherd.
“That is correct” says the yuppie, “How did you guess that?”
“Easy” answers the shepherd. “You turn up here although nobody called you. You want to be paid for the answer to a question I already knew. And you don’t know bleep about my business because you took my dog.”
Enjoy your day, friends.
AMAZON FINDS
Our dog, Blue Belle, is a cancer survivor. To help us pay for her various medications our family has become Amazon Affiliates. We appreciate your support. Looking for some products for your puppy? This will get you started.
Disclaimer:
DogBlog: A Dog’s Eye View and BestDogBlog.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Originally posted January 2009 about this super cool elephant dog relationship. Our dog, Maggie wished she had an elephant friend.
Maggie’s cousin Jessica (she’s a human) sent us a great email about an elephant and a dog. This is so cool. Tara and Bella are very close friends. Bella is a stray dog that found a home in an elephant sanctuary. They are absolutely inseparable. You have to see this amazing story found on CBS News – Assignment America. This Animal Odd Couple Story is a must see video.
Aren’t elephants amazing. Do you want to learn more about the Elephant Sanctuary? The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, founded in 1995, is the nation’s largest natural-habitat refuge developed specifically for the care of African and Asian elephants. Discover more information on the FAQ page.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.
If you are an elephant or dog enthusiast, you might want to explore these fun treasures.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, some of the links in our family’s cancer journey will take you to products you may find of interest.
By: Julie Walton and Blue Belle the Canine Contributor
Can We Rescue The Rescue Dog Who Rescued Us?
Blue Belle, the rescue dog that rescued us, now needs to be rescued again. Blue Belle has been a special member of our family for over 12 years. We adopted her when she was one year old. We traveled from Idaho, across the state to Wyoming where we were told a no-kill shelter had the perfect dog for us. She had been found in a dog pound where some uncaring family threw her away where she was to be euthanized. The loving people of Lucky’s Place saved her and put her up for adoption. We were so happy when we found our new furever dog.
Blue Belle has had some health issues, but she has been a loyal companion so the vet visits and expense of caring for our fur baby is definitely worth the cost.
We Hate Cancer!
We are talking about canine cancer. Can we rescue our precious dog from this awful disease?
In 2024 we discovered a lump on Blue Belle’s back leg. The vet said to keep an eye on it and when it grew quite a bit in a few months we knew to make another appointment with our vet. He performed surgery the next day and we returned to the vet clinic several times for wound care. A sample was sent in to the lab and sadly we learned she had cancer.
Blue Belle had a large lump on her back leg. After surgery the vet sent in samples to the lab.
We learned a new term. MCT, Mast Cell Tumor. We had no idea what that was. But knew it was serious. Our vet gave us several options. One option was to make an immediate appointment with an oncologist and he gave us the name of a local oncologist he recommended. I called her office right away and was pleased to get an appointment within a few days.
Your dog doesn’t care if your patio furniture is West Elm or Walmart. What matters to them is safety, space, and spots to sniff. Shaping your home and yard into a haven for your pet doesn’t have to run your wallet ragged. With a little grit, a pinch of planning, and a sense of what dogs genuinely need, your space can transform. No need for sprawling lawns or fancy gadgets either. Just smart choices, creative reuses, and a few changes that make life a whole lot better for both of you.
Pet-Safe Landscaping
Start by asking yourself where your dog likes to wander. If it’s the flower beds, you’ve got a problem, but not an expensive one. Consider raised planters or hardy border shrubs to protect fragile areas while giving your pup clear boundaries. Swap out toxic plants for hardy, non-poisonous ones like marigolds, sunflowers, or rosemary, which not only survive your dog’s curiosity but also look decent doing it. Mulch smart, too—skip cocoa mulch and go with cedar or pine. Browse these dog-friendly backyard ideas to help you sketch out the transformation.
DIY Dog Fencing
You don’t need a contractor to build a fortress. In fact, most dogs just need consistency and a clear line between theirs and the outside world. You can use wooden pallets, lattice panels, or repurposed fencing to create barriers that fit your budget and blend into your landscaping. Just ensure the height suits your breed’s jumping prowess and that gaps won’t tempt small adventurers. Invisible fences are an option but not always ideal for every temperament. Some of the smartest cheap dog fence ideas can be built with materials sitting in your shed.
If you’re the kind of person who slows down when you see a dog on the street and instinctively uses that “good boy” voice without thinking, it might be time to stop ignoring that itch to work with dogs for a living. Starting a dog care business isn’t just about turning your love for pups into a paycheck—it’s about showing up consistently, building trust with clients (both human and furry), and learning how to run a business that’s more than just cuddles and walks. The demand is real. People are busier than ever, but they don’t want their dogs to suffer for it. That’s where you come in.
Figure Out What Kind of Dog Care Actually Fits You There’s a difference between loving dogs and loving dog care work. Not everyone wants to walk five huskies in the rain or scoop poop at 7 AM, and that’s okay. Maybe you’re better suited for in-home boarding, training, or even mobile grooming. Don’t feel pressured to copy what everyone else is doing. Build your services around what you genuinely enjoy and what your schedule allows. If you hate early mornings, dog walking may not be your jam—but maybe late-day drop-in visits are your sweet spot. Know yourself before you start promising the world.
Build Your Business Backwards—Start With the Client Too many people dive in with a logo and an Instagram page before they’ve even thought about who they’re trying to reach. You need to reverse-engineer your business from the dog owner’s perspective. Ask yourself what they’re worried about. Is it safe? Reliability? Socialization for their anxious doodle? When you know what matters to them, you can build your offerings, policies, and communication around solving those exact problems. That’s how you become the no-brainer choice in your neighborhood.
