Dog Awakens Sleeping Homeowner After House Catches Fire

A dog is credited with waking its owner up during a house fire in Francestown early Sunday morning.

Flames broke out around 2 a.m. Sunday at the home on Poor Farm Road.

Officials said one of the homeowner's dogs woke him up by barking. When the owner went downstairs to investigate, he saw the rear room of the house on fire.

The man was able to get his two dogs and one cat out of the home safely and call 911.

Firefighters fought heavy flames shooting out three windows.

There was heavy fire and smoke damage in most of the home, firefighters said.

Officials said the cause of the fire does not appear to be suspicious.

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How To Choose A Name For Your Dog

When you bring home a new puppy or well-deserving older dog, you need to give him a name as soon as possible. Dogs are smart and learn quickly as to who's who, and his own name gives him a special place of dignity in the home. Choosing a name for you pooch is an individual journey, but many dog owners prefer to select names that are meaningful to themselves.

When mulling over your collection of potential names, remember that a new puppy has a simplistic mind and can relate to a one or two syllable name much easier that a complicated title. You need not settle for Spot or Rover, but over indulgent names may take your dog longer to learn his identity and may very well embarrass you one day when the dog's name is called at the vet's office. Although your bulldog may look like a "Sir Nottingham of Ghent", he shall surely thank you for something a little more simple. Find a name that suits your dog's face and personality without going over the edge and he will learn quickly who he is. In addition, for rapid recognition, be sure to use his name whenever you call him and associate the name with only positive activities such as food and play time, never a scolding.

If you have multiple dogs, especially those of the same age, you may wish to rotate your usage of vowels and consents to avoid a sound so similar that the names are confusing. King and Bing may sound cute for your canine Bobsy Twins, but the animals may find it difficult to distinguish their own names. Each dog should have his own name of distinction with no room for error or confusion with another animal.

When choosing a name for your dog, you may wish to list all the possibilities drawn from your favorite things in life. Like classical music? Mozart and Chopin take the top of the list. Be creative and select a name that has meaning and emotion for you. This little dog is going to be your constant companion for years to come and he deserves a name worthy of his friendship.

By Joe Cline

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Dog hotel celebrates expansion with pet blessing

Marketing data shows Americans spend billions annually on their pets and much of that is pampering beyond the basics of food and veterinary care. It's why dog kenneling alternatives like the Rose Cottage Dog Hotel in Greenwood are cropping up in communities both large and small.

Saturday the canine hotel, located on 27 acres just south of Interstate 20 on U.S. Highway 79, celebrated the opening of its new 7,500-square-foot dog pavilion with a pet blessing and ribbon-cutting.

"We had a great turnout," said owner Karen Buckley.
As host of dog owners showed up with their animals for the free blessings conducted by Buckley's husband, Gil Loe, who holds a doctorate in theology and psychology. Loe offered a prayer for pets and their owners.

"Man needed a companion other than other humans, a companion that would run, fetch, cuddle and for some even purr," Loe said.

Buckley, who hails from England, said she started the business because she is an animal lover with four dogs, an exotic bird, three horses and five cats. Her well-appointed dog hotel lodgings have names like the Exmoor Lodge, Quantocks View and The Day Lily. All rooms at Rose Cottage have tile floors with a doggy door and individual fenced-in play areas.

"I wanted to provide the extras for animals while their owners were boarding them," she said. "I wanted it to be the kind of place I would want to leave my animals."

Rose Cottage has 32-rooms, air-conditioned kennels, fenced playtime pastures, even movies in the Barkinham Palace living room. There also is a tiki bar for dogs to unwind and have a drink by the pool, filtered water, and individual hotel-like rooms with accoutrements such as couches and beds, music, indirect lighting and isolation panels. If that's not enough, Rose Cottage also has massages, a dog groomer and even a taxi service where they will pick up and drop off dogs.

"We provide all these things because to most people, their dogs are family," Buckley said.

At the free event donations also were taken for local Andy Shaw who helps stray animals with his own funds. Buckley said there will be more events that will include opportunities for animal adoption programs in Shreveport-Bossier City.

"We raised about $200," Loe said.

The event also showcased the new covered pavilion which will allow dogs to play outside in wet or hot weather.

BY JANE BOKUN 

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