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While most of the world heard recently elected US President Barack Obama talk about the hope and dreams of what's coming, the important stuff was largely omitted.

What important stuff? Well just watch the video below to find out!

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By - Stacy Braslau-Schneck, CPDT

There are many reasons to play games with your dog. It will strengthen your relationship. It will keep the dog from getting bored, which will keep him from things you don't want him doing, and make him healthier. Many of the games described here will actually help train your dog. It's important that you can establish control of your dog even when he's very excited. And finally, most people get a dog for companionship -- isn't playing with your dog the whole point? One thing to keep in mind is your attitude while playing. Most dogs will have fun if it's clear you're having fun, too.

Games as Rewards

Remember that any activity that your dog likes but which you control can be used as a reward for good behavior. Use a favorite game like tug or fetch to reward recalls, long stays and exemplary bouts of loose-leash walking!

Hide and Go Seek

When you are out of sight of your dog, call her to you. You can either use your normal "recall" command or just her name. Be very excited when she arrives. Start making it more difficult by "hiding" behind doors, couches, etc. If she doesn't find you at first, call her again. If your dog is very good at "stay" you can use this to keep her in place while you hide. Some dogs will use their noses for this task, others will just look. Most of them will learn a faster recall. This is a great game for kids to play with dogs, as long as the kids don't encourage the dog to chase them. (I played this for hours with my first dog when I was young!)  read the rest of this article »

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BEASTLY BEST BUDDIES – (RAJEEV SETHI)

"C'est Fou! You must be mad!" My laid back friends with hyper poodles berate me over a lean lunch in Fez." "You cannot go back to India just because your bitch is about to deliver! And why haven't you spayed her? What if she lands you with a litter of 13 mangy creatures?!!"
Thirteen? Choking over the cous cous …I reflect on my little one, Poochi, found as a pup hiding under my parked car, having atleast a dozen neighbourhood street dogs that looked like her.

Poochi simply strayed into my life as a Gift of God three years ago and stayed since. She grew however into a rather reckless adolescent; 'forced' into motherhood when barely 10 months by a scoundrel. I am still trying to lay my hands on. She went through being a reluctant and careless mother two years ago giving me a bundle of 5 pups (not thirteen) that would jump and settle on a piece of territory over my stomach and chest with a deep sigh ….. Bliss that I had never known!

Born of resilient stray genes, the five pups were bouncing fit named after distinct identifiable traits and features. Boota is white below the knees, Booti has 4 white paws, Bhuri (fair) is cream all over and our vet thinks she is the Street Queen of Labradors, Sletty also referred to as 'lafangi' is prone to jump into any car with an open door, and finally Bhola, alas the one most aloof and alone and ignored by most, who slipped away from our life on Rakhi day even as my sisters tied the sacred thread on my wrist  read the rest of this article »

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Hi Geetika, Good to be in a forum with like minded people.
Here are the hotels and resorts that allow dogs:

1. Banjara Camps - They have tented accommodation at Sangla, Orchard Rettreat at Thanedar andhttp://www.banjaracamps.com. Also you can write to Rajesh Ojha at info@banjaracamps.com or call him at +91 9810040397. He is a very nice gentleman and may remember Simba. Please note that all these retreats and camps are in Himachal Pradesh. Retreat at Sojha. These are the places where we stayed with Simba. We also had other people with their four legged friends. Banjara Camps allow dogs in their retreats and Camps. You can get details about them at

2. Log Huts Manali - Simba stayed with us here. These huts are by HPTDC. We normally go to Manali in winters when there is hardly any crowd and stay at Log huts. These huts are individual units with one or two bedrooms and a fully equiped kitchen. In winter these are at 70% of the cost. There was one Mr. Chhabi Thakur, the contact person there. Contact: (01902) - 253225, 253226.  read the rest of this article »

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There are so many was, how shall i ever begin to count them?! Let me try:

• Feed your pet
• Treat him well
• Get him a car
• Get her a barbie doll