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June 2, 2019 By Eileen Blass 4 Comments

‘The Important Stuff’ – A reminder for dog owners who compete

The Important stuff hero art

A few years ago, I wrote these words before attending the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America National Specialty. It was a reminder to myself to keep things in perspective.

Filed Under: Agility, Lifestyle, Obedience, Photography, Show, Show dogs, Store, Therapy Dog, Training

August 20, 2017 By Eileen Blass 4 Comments

Eileen’s First Aid Kit for Dogs: How to put one together

Where’s that Liquid Bandage!!!

That’s what I was saying under my breath after one of the Berners suffered a paw pad injury a few weeks ago. Last week I had to hunt for ear cleaner and cotton squares. And I can never find the styptic powder when I need it.

We’ve had a human first aid kit in the house since forever and everyone knows where it is.

For the dogs, not so much. Some things are here. Some things are over there. Sound like your house?

My mission: Get organized.

I needed a first aid kit for the dogs … and so like any good list maker, I made a list. The joke in my family is that I have lists of my lists.

And so, my list became this blog post.

Filed Under: Health, Resources, Show dogs Tagged With: berner, bernese mountain dog, first aid

February 7, 2017 By Eileen Blass 3 Comments

TATTOO or not TATTOO? . . . or am I just completely nuts?

Tattoo cover art

I’m a wuss.

With a pain tolerance so low, I went weak in the knees when I had my ears pierced.

So why was I even pondering this question?

Tattoo or not tattoo?

My daughter, Katie, reminded me that my firstborn, her brother, was a whopping 10 lbs. 7 oz. So I should be able to suffer through anything, right?

Yeah, well, that blessed event was made possible with an epidural.

So, when Katie and I walked into the Allentown, PA, tattoo parlor, naturally I asked if I could have an epidural.

Our tattoo artist, Matt Kramer, owner of Mind’s Eye tattoo, grinned.

He thought I was joking.

Filed Under: Lifestyle

December 27, 2016 By Eileen Blass 7 Comments

21 Ways to Take Great Pictures of Your Dog

21 ways to shoot great dog pictures

Today’s digital cameras are simply mind-boggling.

They do virtually everything for you. Automatic exposure. Auto white balance. Autofocus.

You can even tell the camera what type of scene you’re shooting, and it will choose the right settings for you.

These cameras can do everything by themselves …

EXCEPT …

MAKE a great picture of your dog.

That’s up to you.

Whether you shoot with an iPhone, a little point-and-shoot or a sophisticated DSLR that you just got for Christmas, these 21 tips and concepts will help you take better photos of your dog.

Maybe even great photos.

Filed Under: Photography, Resources

December 17, 2016 By Eileen Blass 14 Comments

So, you want to have a show dog … and show her yourself

Westminster groom

Well, we made it to Westminster!

Westminster, Md., that is.

Like so many competing in the world of conformation, I dream of someday making it to “The Garden,” home of the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

That dog show dream will have to wait just a bit. For now, my Westminster is an agriculture center, home to rodeos, tractor pulls, a farmers market and the Carroll County 4H fair.

These two weekend shows were Ziva’s last two in the puppy classes and that milestone made me a little misty. She was growing up and would be moving to the 12-18 month class competing against older and bigger show dogs.

We finished in second place both days at Westminster, Md., but winning isn’t what it’s all about.

Our journey is about learning.

Filed Under: Show dogs

August 13, 2016 By Eileen Blass 7 Comments

Creating the Bernermobile! The transformation of a minivan

So, one day I woke up and there were three Bernese Mountain Dogs in my house. You start out with one, realize they are the best dogs ever and then you need another and, in our case, yet another. Clearly, my sexy little Mazda CX-5 wasn’t going to work anymore.  We needed room for multiple […]

Filed Under: Resources

May 28, 2016 By Eileen Blass 5 Comments

You just might be a crazy dog lady, if …

Mowing the lawn dog show style

My husband says I’m a crazy dog lady. I insist I’m not. But here are 47 reasons why I am: (Feel free to add your reasons in the comments section below.) You might be a crazy dog lady, if you bought a second car just to carry the dogs and that car has a name. […]

Filed Under: Resources

April 27, 2016 By Eileen Blass 4 Comments

The greatest (and funniest) packing list for going to a dog show

Packing List Art

The countdown has begun. There’s less than a week to go before the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America National Specialty in Frankenmuth, Mich. But the packing has been ongoing for weeks. It’s a skill I perfected traveling the world alone as a USA TODAY staff photographer. Now I travel with Bernese Mountain Dogs (Teddy, […]

Filed Under: Resources, Show, Training

April 24, 2016 By Eileen Blass 4 Comments

How to trim a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy’s fuzzy head [Video]

Ziva's Fuzz Head

To trim or not to trim. That was the question about what to do with the growing Chia Pet hairstyle on my 5-month old Bernese Mountain Dog puppy’s head. With Ziva getting ready to go into the show ring, I decided it was time to give her a little refinement. Step-by-step video Kristen Greenwood Reynolds, […]

Filed Under: Grooming, Resources, Videos

January 23, 2016 By Eileen Blass 9 Comments

Take 3 Berners, add snow and you get FUN! [Video]

Snow: Teddy, Merlin and baby Ziva

Finally, we have SNOW!

Teddy, Merlin and I are old pros when it comes to the fluffy, white stuff, but this was Ziva’s first snow.

The perfect present for her 12-week old birthday. We captured it all on video:

Filed Under: Videos

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What’s happened lately

  • ‘The Important Stuff’ – A reminder for dog owners who compete
  • Eileen’s First Aid Kit for Dogs: How to put one together
  • TATTOO or not TATTOO? . . . or am I just completely nuts?
  • 21 Ways to Take Great Pictures of Your Dog
  • So, you want to have a show dog … and show her yourself

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