A new approach to not being "approached" and a reminder about safety tonight

[BG and Gavin]

Have you heard of the yellow ribbon campaign?

Dog owners are used to approaching an unknown dog with caution. For dog owners who have sensitive dogs, an unknown dog coming your way means quickly changing direction, crossing the street or telling the other dog's owner politely to stay away. This might leave the other owner assuming that you don't socialize your dog, your dog is aggressive or as a dog owner, you're just plain "doing it wrong".

The Yellow Ribbon Campaign aims to educate all dog owners on dogs that aren't necessarily able to meet and greet with other dogs. Not because of sheer aggression or poor socialization, but because they are sick, hurt or just need some space for other reasons. For example, they may be a recent rescue or adoptee with an unknown history  and need time to adjust.

Owners with dogs who are sensitive and who would prefer not to have any contact with other dogs while on walks can tie a yellow ribbon on their leash as a sign to please stay away to other dog owners out walking their dogs.

Read more here: http://earthrated.com/blog/have-you-heard-of-the-yellow-ribbon-camp...

**On another note, please be careful with your dogs tonight.  Make sure your dog has his collar and tags on and is leashed or crated if unreliable at the door.  With all the kiddies trick or treating it would be easy for an oppotunistic dood to slip out the front door into the dark night and be spooked by all the ghosts and goblins in the street.**

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

Cute picture..Quincy is such a sport.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Such a sweet picture! I would choose Quincy over a piece of candy any day!!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Quincy really is a special dog :)  I would prefer him over any kind of candy and that is saying a lot :)  OMD....I just read Rickula's comment AFTER I wrote mine. Two lumps think alike. Isn't Rickula a cough drop??

[Camilla and Darwin]

Aw, Quincy you are precious!

[BG and Gavin]

Hey Donna, who's the short kid dressed up as Quincy?

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

We are in a very kid-heavy neighborhood and had about 100 children at our door tonight.

Luna was on umbilical around daddy's waist and did fantastically :)  She barked a bit when the doorbell rang, but otherwise just wagged and sniffed at children.  It was a great training session actually - by the end of the trick or treating she was very calm at the door.  Lots of the kids (and parents) said hello to her and she got some rubs.

She is an especially social dog though (and used to small children), not a strategy I would recommend for everyone!

[BG and Gavin]

Good thinking putting Luna on umbilical!  Perfect solution for control and training.

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

Chester was a little spoiled- Our Neighbours came to our house and brought him treats!

He was a bit worked up at first but after the first couple times he got the routine and just watched from afar.

It was pouring here- we are getting the after effects of Tropical Storm Sandy.

[BG and Gavin]

Nice life Chester!  People come to you to treat you.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

This is the first year that Lucy and Sophie have not gotten to sit outside with us for Trick or Treat.  We have so many kids  that there is no way we could stay inside and answer the door.  I wasn't sure how many would be out tonight because it is about 38 degrees and raining but we still had about 130 kids.  Normally we get about 400-500 kids.   I waited until today to buy candy because the weather has been so bad and I asked when I bought it if I could return any unopened bags and they said I could.  Good thing or I would be in trouble.

[BG and Gavin]

Sherri that is a ridiculous number of kids!  We usually get 40-50 but only got thirty this year due to the crappy weather.  You could go bankrupt treating that many!

[Anna and Achilles]

Super ideas!