Category Archives for "Parenting"

1 Why we get so hurt by those we love.

Duaa asks: “Why sometimes do we feel hurt by our dear ones and cannot smile? What to do then?”

Oh Duaa, I wish I had an easy answer for that!  The more we love someone, the more they can hurt us.  That’s part of what love is – when we open our hearts to someone, we let them in, with all their faults.  So if someone we love tends to say harsh things when they get angry, those mean words will hurt us more.  And if someone we love tends to pull away when Continue reading

0 What to do when you’re feeling hopeless and seeing no reason to keep living.

Suds Asks: Shirelle, sometimes I feel so hopeless I don’t want to live anymore. Does that ever happen to you?

Hi Suds –

I’m sorry you feel so lousy.  I know what it’s like to feel really sad and frustrated and lonely and angry.  But no, I’ve never not wanted to live anymore.  That’s because dogs are different from people – we just never think that way.  But I have to tell you, I’ve never known a human who hasn’t felt just Continue reading

2 Why are ticks attracted to dogs?

Schnapsie asks: Shirelle, why are tics attracted to our kind, that is the canine family?

Oh Schnapisie, did you have to ask this?!  Now I’m going to have nightmares all night!

For a dog, ticks are just about the worst thing there is.  They latch onto us, spread disease, drink our blood, and are impossible for us to scratch off!  While we always appreciate what our humans do for us, handling ticks is one of the most important and valuable things people can ever give us.  So please:

–       Do what you can to prevent our getting ticks

–       Find ticks as soon as possible when they’re on us

–       And when you do find them, get them off of us in a big big hurry!

But your question is about why ticks are attracted to dogs in particular.  Well, the answer is… Continue reading

0 How to deal with houseguests whose children break things

DeuceDog asks: Hi Shirelle – There is a neighbor boy (7 years old) who we love to have pay us a visit, but every time he comes by – he breaks something. Whether it’s a toy that we have for him and other children, or one of our gardening tools that he likes to slam onto the ground. His father is a nice guy, but a little slack on discipline – I don’t want to overstep my bounds and I don’t want to frighten this nice little boy – but his path of destruction is getting a little difficult. What would you say to him and his father to help appease the situation? Thanks.

Well, DeuceDog, if I haven’t made it clear enough, I was just like this boy!  I was a very destructive puppy, and just loved getting into Continue reading

0 Fair-weather Friendships

DCW asks: My friend, Patrick said “I wanted to be your friend because I wanted to be in your play,” then he wasn’t my friend anymore after the play. That’s when he said it. What should I do? I really want to be his friend.

Wow DCW, that’s really tough! It sounds to me like Patrick doesn’t really understand what friends are for, or what friendship is about. I imagine he’ll learn more as he gets older.

But for now, I don’t know Patrick. And you are my Continue reading

0 Fostering good relationships between siblings

Bert asks: How do you recommend fostering good relationships between siblings?

Hi Bert!

Great question!  First, check out my answer to “Why is my brother such a bonehead?”  Showing that to the kids might help.

But next, I’ll start with the bad news: Sibling problems have always Continue reading

0 How should a parent discipline their child?

MaggieMay asks: How should I discipline my child?

When Handsome first brought me home from the pound, I had two main interests:  First was Not Going Back To The Pound, and second was Continue reading

0 When are bad words okay for kids and teenagers?

JoannaLove asks: What do you think about bad words?

I don’t speak with words, I bark.  But I definitely use bad language at times.  Like when I see a squirrel or a dog I don’t like outside my window.  Or, worst of all, a cat! Oh do I use nasty language then!

So it would make me a pretty big Continue reading

0 At what age is it okay to start watching Harry Potter movies?

Caldonia asks: What age is okay to start watching Harry Potter movies?

I am a dog.  Stories don’t really work for me.

When Handsome reads books or watches tv, though, I do pick up on what he’s feeling.  And that can be really good or really bad.

For example, sometimes he Continue reading

0 How to deal with a mean teacher.

StillRose asks: What should I do about my mean teacher? She hates me!

Handsome once had a teacher who just hated little boys.  So it wasn’t just him she hated, but still it made his stomach hurt all year!

It’s no fun to be around people who don’t like you, I know.  Some people don’t like Continue reading