About | First Time Dog Owner’s Guide

I like to help Dog Parents find unique ways to do things that will save time & money -- so I write about "outside the box" Dog Tips and Dog Hacks that most wouldn't think of.

I’m a lifelong dog owner -- currently have 2 mixed breed Golden Aussies that we found abandoned on the side of the road as puppies. I've always trained my own dogs and help friends train theirs, as well. Professionally, I worked at a vet and have several friends who are veterinarians -- whom I consult with regularly. (And just because I love animals so much, I also worked at a Zoo for awhile!) I've been sharing my best ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998 (the same year that Google started... and before the days of Facebook and YouTube).

My daily motivation is to help first-time dog owners be better prepared from the first day your new puppy enters your home. I like to help dog owners understand what's 'normal' and what you can expect in terms of living with and training your dog -- how to get through the ups & downs of potty training, chewing, teaching commands, getting your dog to listen, and everything else that takes place during that hectic first year!

When I'm not training, walking, grooming, or making homemade treats for my dogs, you will find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites). To date, I've written over 600 articles for dog owners on this site! Many of them have upwards of 200K shares.

I'm a health nut, a frugal mom, a dog lover, a DIYer, and a gadget girl. Personally, as a post-divorce, working single mom on a budget I have a lot of experiences that I enjoy sharing so others can learn from the things I wish I knew earlier! Professionally, I've worked full-time in a variety of marketing, sales, and editing jobs. You can always find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as Managing Editor at The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).

I have been a certified tightwad since I became pregnant with my first child and decided to find a way to stay home with him. I enjoy sharing my experiences in my journey back to financial health and planning for a future -- which will include sending 2 kids to college and early retirement.

I’m a first-time mom. I work from home and write — mostly about my outdoor adventures, DIY projects, newly discovered products, and helpful tips as a first-time mom. I also like to share details about the alternative choices I’m exploring, as I enjoy this journey called motherhood. My family includes a toddler, 2 stepchildren, 1 dog, 1 cat, and a wonderful husband. My pre-pregnancy life was full of freedom and adventure, so I have a fresh new perspective when it comes to walking away from a career to become a full time stay at home Mama.

I have 2 Miniature Pinschers. My husband and I consider them our 4-legged kids.

I’ve been involved in RVing for 50 years now -- including camping, building, repairing, and even selling RVs. I’ve owned, used, and repaired almost every class and style of RV ever made. I do all of my own repair work. My other interests include cooking, living with an aging dog, and dealing with diabetic issues. If you can combine a grease monkey with a computer geek, throw in a touch of information nut and organization freak, combined with a little bit of storyteller, you've got a good idea of who I am.

My heart wouldn’t be full without dogs in my life. I've been around dogs since I was a kid, and became a first time dog mom of two over 15 years ago. I have experienced and learned a lot over the years -- as a lifelong dog owner and as a full-time professional pet sitter. I am especially passionate about pet nutrition and enjoy learning new holistic approaches to healing their bodies. My goal is to eventually open a Sanctuary For Senior Dogs -- rescuing seniors and bringing them to their forever home where they can live out their golden years.

Our current dog family consists of 2 Beagle-mix sisters, Susie and Fluffy. Over the last 35 years I've had anywhere from 1 to 6 dogs at a time, so I definitely have tons of dog and puppy stories to share! By the way, our dogs are going on 2 years straight with absolutely NO commercial pet food or dog treats. I like to make my own food and treats for my dogs.

I love writing about almost anything, especially my life experiences. Other favorite things to write are how-tos, household hints, nature and fishing articles, among others.

I'm a dog owner, jewelry designer, and goldsmith. After I suffered the loss of my dog Amber, I was unable to find a remembrance item that was large enough to hold my dog's ashes yet small enough to keep by my side. So I designed my own. It was my passion for animals that led me to create my own line of jewelry and online store to benefit charities.

My favorite things to write about are topics that have to do with weather, pregnancy, weddings, saving money, living green, and my life with dogs. When I'm not writing, I love to spend time with my husband, read, create 3D artwork and Native American beadwork.

I travel worldwide to help facilitate the communication process between people and animals through workshops, courses, private consultation, and a popular radio show called Conversations With Dog.

I've been working in and around log homes for most of my adult life. I truly enjoy helping people plan, design and decorate their log homes -- inside and out!