I want to let everyone know that this is the last month Lisa and I will be the bloggers on For The Love Of Dog. I can’t tell you how much we have enjoyed working on the blog over the last year and a half, and we hope that our postings helped make a difference in the dog community.

The blog is going to be going in a bit of a different direction, a little lighter. This is great and I have no doubt it will be fantastic, but while working on the blog over the last 15 months Lisa and I have discovered we have a true passion when it comes to dog rescue. We want to continue working on the issues that have become so important to us, get the word out about all those dogs in need, let people know how they can help.

We will still be on Dogster everyday, and continue to be very active, just not blogging. You can always reach me via pmail, Facebook, or Twitter. You can stop by Bo’s site, BoKnowsOnline, or his new author page at BAD TO THE BONE MEMOIR. And you can always order Bo’s book online at Amazon, or your favorite retailer. We will continue to write freelance and are looking into working with Anna Nirva on Sunbear Squad, will update when I have more details.

Our time on the blog is coming to an end so let’s make the most of it and have a great November.

Come join us on November 27th, Black Friday, from 11-1 pm at the Books-A-Million in Acworth, GA.

This time we even have a special treat for people purchasing a pawtographed copy of Bad to the Bone. We will be giving away a free Dogtronics toy to the first fifty people that purchase a book.

These toys rock, and Bo won’t play with anything of lesser quality or fun factor.

The store is located in Acworth, GA on Saturday. The store is located at 3372 Cobb Parkway in the Super Target plaza.

Grab a couple of copies, it makes a great stocking stuffer.

Stop by Bo’s new author page BAD TO THE BONE MEMOIR to keep up on all the latest events and media.

*One toy per customer

We’ve received so many comments on the How Smart Is Your Dog post, many questioning the validity, that I thought it’s important to give a dog’s perspective about the whole thing.

The article lists the so-called smartest and not-so-smart breeds, but what about all the mixed breeds?  I mean c’mon….I wrote a book, that takes intelligence, and a little help typing with these non-opposable paws of mine.  So, here’s another test, this one is to see how smart your owner is.

Why are our owners so obsessed with finding out how intelligent we are? All they need to know is that we got it going on upstairs. How else to explain us living in their homes, eating their food and having them pick up our feces? And all of that without us paying them a dime.

In the interest of giving my parents some bragging rights, I decided to take this Canine IQ test. Let’s go question by question and see how I fared.

Test 1: Food under can

This is a test of your dog’s problem solving ability.

How to do the test

1. First sit the dog, if it won’t stay you’ll need someone to hold the dog by the collar.

2. Show the dog the tidbit of food and let it sniff it.

3. With the dog’s full attention, slowly place the tidbit on the ground about two meters away and place the can over the tidbit.

4. Start timing and encourage the dog to get the food.

Scoring: If the dog knocks the can over and gets the tidbit in 5 seconds or less 5 points; 5 to 15 seconds 4 points;15 to 30 seconds 3 points; 30 to 60 seconds 2 points; [over 60 seconds and it's still looking for the treat? Then we'll give the dog a point for being able to breath on its own]

No need for a stop watch on this one. I’ll sit and wait until my owner picks up the can and gives me the treat underneath it. No energy exerted, maximum treat scored = genius but the scoring on this test will give me:

+0 points for being lazy

Test 2: Dog under towel

This is another measure of your dog’s problem solving ability.

How to do the test

1. Your dog should be awake and reasonably active

2. Let the dog sniff the towel

3. With a quick smooth motion throw the towel over the dogs head so its head and shoulders are completely covered (you may want to practice this without the dog first). Start timing and watch silently.

Scoring: If the dog frees itself in 5 seconds or less 5 points; 5 to 15 seconds 4 points;15 to 30 seconds 3 points; 30 to 60 seconds 2 points

I think the test results on this one are hinged on ‘your dog should be…reasonably active’. At my age, if someone throws a towel on me it’s because I’ve wet myself not because my teacher sprung a surprise quiz on me. I’ll gracefully bow out of this question. That way I don’t have to worry about someone throwing a towel at me and ‘turning out the lights’ as I’m walking toward a stairwell. Canine IQ score for this question:

+0 points for being safety conscious

Test 3: Can your dog recognize a smile?

This is a test of social learning.

How to do the test

1. Pick a time your dog is sitting about 2 meters away from you

2. The dog must not have been told to stay or sit

3. Stare intently into your dogs face, when your dog looks at you, count silently to 3 and then smile broadly

Scoring: If your dog comes with tail waging 5 points; If your dog comes slowly or only part of the way with no tail waging 4 points; If your dog stands or rises to a sitting position but does not move toward you 3 points; If your dog moves away from you 2 points; If your dog pays no attention 1 point.

Why should I start wagging my tail if I see my owner smile? The only reason I can think of is if he’s got spinach or pesto between his teeth that he’s going to let me pick clean.

A more appropriate test would be to see if, after a dog farts, his owner’s facial expression changes. If Rover wags his tail in less than 10 seconds, not only is he capable of social learning but he’s also the proud owner/operator of a highly efficient fart power plant. Resulting Canine IQ score:

+0 points for being emotionless

Test 4: Retrieving from under a barrier

This is a test of your dog’s problem solving and manipulation ability.

How to do the test

1. Make sure your dog is watching you from nearby

2. Show your dog the tidbit of food and let it sniff it

3. With the dogs full attention, slowly place the tidbit just far enough under the table that the dog can use its paws to retrieve it

4. Start timing and encourage your dog to get the food

Scoring: If your dog uses its paws to retrieve the food in 60 seconds or less 5 points; If your dog uses its paws to retrieve the food in 1 to 3 minutes 4 points; If your dog uses its muzzle only and fails to get the food or if it uses its paws and hasn’t retrieved the food after 3 minutes 3 points; If your dog doesn’t use its paws, simply sniffs and gives one or 2 points wo tries with its muzzle; If your dog has made no attempt to retrieve the bait after 3 minutes 1 point

Why would I want to lift a couch, table or any other object to get a treat when I can just stare my mother in the eyes and will her to give me bologna? Manipulation, yes, but not how this test wants to see it. Regardless, I’m on the scoreboard:

+1 point for being spoiled rotten

Test 5: This is a test of language comprehension

How to do the test

1. Your dog should be settled comfortably around two meters in front of you

2. In the voice tone you use to call your dog call “refrigerator”

Scoring: If the dog shows response to come 3 points; If the dog does not come, call “movies” in the same tone. If the dog comes 2 points; If the dog still has not responded call its name. If the dog comes or shows any tendency to move to you 5 points; If the dog has not moved, call its name a second time. If the dog comes 4 points;If the dog still doesn’t come 1 point

When I hear the word ‘refrigerator’ I always respond with, “Could you bring me the tub of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream?” If the answer is yes, I’ll move to an upright sitting position. If the answer is no, I’ll continue to lay flat like a bear rug. Canine IQ points scored:

+1 point for waiting to be served

So let’s tally that up…nuthin, nuthin, nuthin, woof, woof = 2 woofs. Impressive. Most impressive.

Let me look at the scoring chart to see where that places me…Oops, it appears our reporter forgot to include it. Nice move genius!

Grab a copy of my new funny dog memoir BAD TO THE BONE: Memoir Of A Rebel Doggie Blogger for yourself or the dog lovers in your life. It’s the pawfect stocking stuffer. Order now...click here!

As a fun way to kick off the start of the holidays we’re offering up three pawtographed copies of Bo’s book BAD TO THE BONE: Memoir Of  A Rebel Doggie Blogger.

Just in time for the holiday season, “Bad to the Bone: Memoir of a Rebel Doggie Blogger (published by Kensington Books), the first memoir ever written by a dog, is a laugh-out-loud look at how a canine and two seemingly normal people wreak havoc on an unsuspecting world while creating a lifelong bond in the process.

Bo Hoefinger is not your everyday, run of the mill author; he’s a mixed-breed shelter dog with an attitude.

Let’s get this clear right away: I’m a dog.

I’m 1′10″ and weigh 63 lbs, and although I’m a mutt on the outside, I’m a purebred on the inside. My good nature comes from the Golden Retriever side of the family, while my stubbornness is clearly from my Chowchow bloodlines. I’ve got Rastafarian ears, a black tongue for licking, and paws that should be on a dog twice my size.

I type 60 words a minute.

My name is Bo, and this is my story.

From shelter dog reject to beloved pet and popular doggie blogger, Bo’s life has been anything but ordinary.

Join this incorrigible canine as he welcomes us into his life, complete with his wacky “parents,” a constipated feline housemate, and chipmunk warfare. All tales are 100% true and will put animal lovers in fits of laughter. Bad to the Bone is an unforgettable, laugh-out-loud tale of love and loyalty that reveals the true heart of a modern American family.

To enter to win a copy just leave a comment in the comment section letting Bo know why you would like to read his book. The contest runs today through Monday, November 9th when I will choose the winners.

You can get a copy of  BAD TO THE BONE on Amazon, click here,  it’s the perfect stocking stuffer for the dog or dog lover in your life.  Please bark the word about Bo’s book to all your pup pals, it’s not easy being a writer in a fur suit so we’re depending on word of mouth to help get news out.

* Thanks to my pal Flicka for making the book cover pic for me.

Bow-Wow!, the free monthly newspaper for dog lovers on the Oregon and southwest Washington coast, has been keeping readers informed about dog-related events and activities since 2000. It’s entertaining, too, with regular features about dogs and their people.

In this month’s issue, rover reporter Gus Nevan gets his paws on a copy of my book. Since this was the first review of my book typeset on recycled trees, I was a bit nervous as I read along.

Bo Hoefinger, now that’s my kind of dog. A dog’s dog, if you know what I mean. He gets it, man, he really gets what being a dog is all about. And he tells it like it is, none of that high-falutin’, nose in the air attitude stuff for him. No sir. He’s not afraid to call a dog fart a dog fart. And, like me, he’s not ashamed of letting one rip, either.

All I can say is that Gus Nevan gets it, man, he really gets what being a reporter is all about!

Bad to the Bone is more fun than a ride in the car with the windows open—especially for my fellow mutts who have wagged their way out of the shelter system and into a devoted family. I say, drag your parents down to the book store and have them fetch a copy.

Here’s the link to the October issue of Bow-Wow!.

Go to my site at Bo Knows, and then click on the image at the top to read the whole thing. 

Click here to order a copy of BAD TO THE BONE: Memoir Of A Rebel Doggie Blogger for yourself or the dog lover (or dog) in your life, it’s the perfect holiday gift!

How we got him is actually a funny story, it involves one visiting sister-in-law and PetSmart. Lisa and her sister, Marcy, went to go grab some dog food, a daily errand at our house. The only problem, it was dog adoption day, never a good idea. Before Lisa knew what was happening her sister had jumped out of the not yet parked car and found us a new dog.

We had actually been thinking of adopting a playmate for Logan, since Bo can’t play because of his age and Copper never really did. Long story shorter….they never made it into PetSmart to get what they went for but our family did grow by one fuzzy member.

,

If you can’t see the video click here.

We had our first book signing on Saturday, October 17th, it went great.  We had 37 books and sold out!  I want to give a special shout-out to Bella’s dad Alan who drove about an hour to come see us.  I also want to thank everyone again for all the support we’ve been receiving, for helping spread the word about Bo’s book.  If everyone keeps passing on Bo’s info I know his adorable mug will be in front of bookstores in no time.

Want to order your copy, click here.

]]> http://dogblog.dogster.com/2009/10/20/good-day-atlanta-xtra-appearance/feed/ 10 http://dogblog.dogster.com/2009/10/15/culling-poop-in-taipei/ http://dogblog.dogster.com/2009/10/15/culling-poop-in-taipei/#comments Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:20:27 +0000 Bo Hoefinger http://dogblog.dogster.com/?p=23698 Hey- It’s Bo here, sharing the scoop on poop….

When owners tell their pups to “jump”, most dogs will ask how high?

When I hear that phrase, I ask why? I mean, why risk a hip fracture? Why risk a twisted paw? Why risk leaving mother earth for even a split second?

When I bark “jump”, my owners know it’s time for them to jump off the couch and let me out, or in, depending on the circumstances. It’s to the point where I just move my jowls without making a peep. In the flash of eye, they drool and spring to life to open the door.

It’s a nice party trick but it’s got nothing on what Taiwanese dogs are doing to control their human counterparts. There’s gold in them there poops and Reuters has the full story.

TAIPEI (Reuters) – A city in central Taiwan is offering shopping vouchers to volunteer dog waste collectors in a bid to clean up a perennial problem caused by the large number of stray animals island-wide.

City officials in Taichung, which has a population of one million, said on Wednesday the environmental protection bureau would give vouchers worth 100 Taiwan dollars ($3) for every kilo of dog poo collected. In areas of the city especially affected, the reward will be for every half-kilo.

“By means of offering rewards, the bureau hopes to goad the public into spontaneous clean-up efforts that protect the environment,” the city council said on its website.

The problem began in the 1980s, when Taiwan saw a boom in pet dogs following economic success, but now residents complain about the canine menace and the government has been fighting the issue for years.

After all these years, who would have thought my bowel movements were a money making machine.

* Pic courtesy REUTERS/Simon Kwong

Bo invites everyone to read a chapter from his new book BAD TO THE BONE: Memoir Of A Rebel Doggie Blogger, released on October 1st! It’s a funny memoir about the crazy adventures we have shared together over the last 14 plus years, told through Bo’s eyes.  Want to buy a copy, click here.

]]> http://dogblog.dogster.com/2009/10/15/culling-poop-in-taipei/feed/ 1 http://dogblog.dogster.com/2009/10/13/horsts-books-a-million-book-signing-grab-a-copy-for-a-holiday-gift/ http://dogblog.dogster.com/2009/10/13/horsts-books-a-million-book-signing-grab-a-copy-for-a-holiday-gift/#comments Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:36:01 +0000 Lisa Hoefinger http://dogblog.dogster.com/?p=23555

I want to let everyone who lives in the Atlanta area know that Horst is going to have a book signing at the Books-A-Million in Acworth, GA on Saturday.  The store is located at 3372 Cobb Parkway in the Super Target plaza.

Come join us on October 17 th from 1-3 pm and get your very own pawtographed copy of BAD TO THE BONE: Memoir Of A Rebel Doggie Blogger. Grab a couple copies, it makes a great stocking stuffer.

On Thursday, October 15th Horst is going to be on Good Day Atlanta (Fox 5), between 9-10am.  It’s his first TV appearance, we hope you’ll tune in or DVR him.

Once again I want to thank everyone for all their support, we couldn’t do this without you.  We are still working very hard to get the word out about Bo’s book, if you’ve read it and enjoyed it please pass the word on to all your friends and family.  The most powerful thing we have going for us right now is word of mouth, you would be amazed at the difference that can make.

We also appreciate those that left (or are going to) reviews on Amazon (or other book sites) because it really helps sell a book when potential buyers can read the great comments left by others.  If you stop by a Borders or Barnes & Noble please request they carry Bo’s book.  If you’re a Walmart shopper ask them to carry BAD TO THE BONE.  We are determined to get Bo in all the bookstores,  upfront where he belongs, with your help I know we can do it. Please post and crosspost about Bo, every little bit helps.

Want to buy a copy now, click here.

Here are some of the reviews we’ve been getting….

5.0 out of 5 stars The FUNNIEST book by a dog I ever read!!

October 10, 2009

By Nancy Houser (Central Nebraska) -

The book Bad to the Bone: Memoir of a Rebel Doggie Blogger has to be one of the funniest and most original books I have ever read. Where else can you spend hours laughing at a sneak-peak before sending a friend/family doggie-lover one of the most unique gifts they will ever have? In that case, you may have to order two — one for you and one as a gift!

Written by a “one-time” reject shelter dog who has his own blog online now ([...]) which is also hilariously funny….Bo tells it as he sees it. Coming from the school of hard-knocks, Bo is adopted by the Hoefingers and teaches them to care for him …. properly! And when they end up moving to Georgia, their list of pros and cons did not have Bo’s name on it, nor his best cat friend, Moose.

“My parents never considered the vast amount of land in our backyard I’d be giving up or the clear alpa dog stature I had achieved in the neighborhood. Nor was the fact considered what effect the sultry Southern weather would have on an extremely hairy dog. Nope, none of that mattered. This decision was ALL about them.”

Instead, Bo’s mother goes to the store and rents the movie “Gone with the Wind” prior to going house-hunting after they had moved to Georgia…..I tell no lies. This was done in order to forewarn Bo about their new living quarters so he would not be disappointed about where they would soon be living. This is just one of the many side-splitting moments in the book!

Buying this book is a once in a lifetime gift for yourself or someone else, a pathway to sheer adventure and pure warm fun…. from a dog’s point of view! And if that doesn’t get to your heart, nothing will.

5.0 out of 5 stars Tears of laughter

October 6, 2009

By Nancy “Checkers’ Mama” (PA, USA) -

OMD! I had tears of laughter streaming down my face as I read the book. You are an excellent writer, Bo, and I could totally relate! Anyone who has had the pleasure of the companionship of a dog should read this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Run and put your paws on this book!

Sep 30 2009

By Josee Quirion -

If you do that you will become an instant fan of Bo ! He is not just cute, he is funny and very, very smart. You want to know what your dog think about you or humans, this is the book for you. If you want to spend good time smiling and laughing, it’s the book you have to read. Dear Bo, I hope that you already figure how you will manage your fan club because it will not be very long before you get one!

Josee Quirion, Gatineau, Canada

]]> http://dogblog.dogster.com/2009/10/13/horsts-books-a-million-book-signing-grab-a-copy-for-a-holiday-gift/feed/ 4 http://dogblog.dogster.com/2009/10/06/bo-is-bad-to-the-bone/ http://dogblog.dogster.com/2009/10/06/bo-is-bad-to-the-bone/#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:41:27 +0000 Horst Hoefinger http://dogblog.dogster.com/?p=23142 Bo’s shameless book plug.

If you can’t see the video click here.

Poor Bo has been but in the back of the bookstore and desperately wants to be in the front where he belongs. You can help get Bo get there by buying the book and spreading the word to your doggie loving friends.

Share his video-MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Stumbleupon, or Digg him- let’s get it to go viral.

No one puts Bo Bo in the corner.

]]> http://dogblog.dogster.com/2009/10/06/bo-is-bad-to-the-bone/feed/ 16 http://dogblog.dogster.com/2009/10/05/ask-dog-lady-asks-bo-about-his-book/ http://dogblog.dogster.com/2009/10/05/ask-dog-lady-asks-bo-about-his-book/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:55:41 +0000 Lisa Hoefinger http://dogblog.dogster.com/?p=22863 I want to let everyone know that ‘Ask Dog Lady’, the syndicated columnist, has asked Horst and Bo to be on her radio show this Wednesday the 7th.  Bo is a big fan of the Dog Lady and thrilled to be on the show to talk about his book BAD TO THE BONE: Memoir Of A Rebel Doggie Blogger.

The radio show is on 980 WCAP Wednesday, October 7th at 2 pm (EST) and can be listened to live or later via podcast .

Dog Lady was kind enough to preview Bo’s book before it came out and gave him 5 paws up.

“Bo’s rebel adventures in naps and squirrels will stir the heart and stoke human understanding of how dogs must think. His ‘voice’ is utterly original, sharp, and kind.”- Monica Collis, “Ask Dog Lady”

I want to thank all the Dogsters that have already ordered a copy of BAD TO THE BONE, we really appreciate the support. If you liked joining Bo on his adventures please leave a comment in Customer Reviews, Create Your Own Review on Amazon. Bo could really use the feedback and will send treats to the Dogsters who leave a nice message.

We need to get the word out about BAD TO THE BONE and would be extremely grateful if you would tell all your doggie loving pals about the book and ask them to do the same. It took three years to get this published, breaking into the literary would when you’re a writer in a fur suit is not easy,  we need to show the publishers out there that the dog lovers of America are ready and willing to buy a memoir written through a dog.

Order your copy now and give your pups something to bark about.

THANK YOU!

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