This old video of Jimmy Stewart on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson is so sweet. He reads a very touching poem he wrote to honor his best friend Beau. I love this clip for many reason’s. Although I didn’t train Mr Stewart or Beau, I have trained the wonderful family and their dogs that now own the famous Jimmy Stewart property. The house itself has changed yet the property and street still have an air of a mystical and magical mystique of old Hollywood times. So when I heard this beautiful monologue that speaks to every dog owner so magnificently, I had to share it!

If you’re thinking Labradoodles or Yoshons or Puggles, think again. I have been training dogs and people for many decades in Los Angeles and have seen a rising trend among my celebrity clientele. Years ago the trend in dogs was high priced pedigree pups. Now the pedigree pup can officially move aside and Labradoodles are yesterday’s news. The plain old pound puppy prevails! This is the new recycled cost effective choice of the Hollywood elite. What could you have in common with my clients Mandy Moore, Ryan Adams or Will Ferrell? Well, they all own rescue dogs! They are among many celebrities that would have it no other way.

The dog trends have favored many different breeds over the decades. In the 1950’s the Poodle rocked. The Afghan hound took the 60’s with flower power. The 1970’s hit with an overwhelming number of stray dogs. A serious crisis hit the dog world. In L.A County alone the number of animal euthanasia’s hit 100,000 in 1974 alone. The 80’s popular favorite was the Jack Russell; then came the 90’s which held firm on the Chihuahua as a popular pocket dog breed.

I think the Mutt is here to stay in our hearts.

If your dog has the, “Call of the Wild” fever and this scene is familiar to you, that means trouble! You should always be able to take a bone away from the family dog without him growling. If you can’t, seek out professional help. And remember, never leave bones lying around in the backyard. This can create aggression over time!

I hope everyone is having a lovely Wednesday! Today I thought that I would take a few moments to show off the talents of a new client of mine, Lulu Powers. Her ravishing new recipe and entertaining book hit stores this spring with a whirlwind of great reviews. It’s called Lulu Powers Food To Flowers, and you can buy it here.

Along with being a caterer to the stars, Lulu has three little fluff-balls of her own known as Sweet Pea, Mr. Pickles and the newest addition, Teddy Kennedy, who was adopted from a local LA rescue group.

Lulu has tons of fresh and fun recipes and entertaining insights on her website (the Million Dollar Bars are mouthwatering!). Check her out and tell her Inger sent you!

Greetings, my Canadian dog owners!

Being a native of Toronto, Ontario, I am ecstatic to announce that I will be appearing on CityLine, Canada’s longest running lifestyle show! Tune in at 9:00 am on the 26th of May to Citytv to get the scoop on integrating dogs and kids into your family, plus tons of fun tips and activities for the entire bunch!

xo,
Inger

We love Ellen! The next time you pay a bill or send a note, seal it with a kiss for a dog or cat in the shelter…

The United States Postal Serviceâ„¢ and  Ellen DeGeneres, have teamed up to promote awareness for pets in animal shelters around the country. During the launch of the new Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet stamps, Ellen’s pet food company, Halo: Purely For Pets, will deliver one million meals to animal shelters in the United States.

The campaign’s mission states, “We want more Americans to know about the millions of shelter pets that need good homes. Nearly half of the animals that enter animal shelters are euthanized. Many of these cats and dogs would have made a wonderful pet… if only given the chance. YOU can make a difference. Adopt a pet, volunteer at a shelter, or just get the word out about buying these stamps.”

Ellen also offers several simple and free ways for you to join in on the effort to donate these first-class meals to the pets that need it most. Here’s how you can help!

Pre-order the Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet stamps here!

Thank you Ellen and the United States Postal Service for a great idea!

Please share this blog with any and all pet lovers and let’s make a difference together!

xo, Inger

What a stunning Beagle! I am privileged to say that I have had the honor of training this handsome boy, who expertly models the limited edition James Perse Dog Bowl and Bed.

A perfect example of applying Feng Shui With Fidoâ„¢, both of these products keep your dog’s best interest in mind while allowing you to have a beautiful, un-cluttered home.

The James Perse Dog Bowl is made from 100% teak wood and stainless steel and is weather resistant, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. It comes in two sizes, small and large.

The James Perse Dog Bed is also made from teak wood, allowing for indoor and outdoor use. A comfy spot for any size pooch, it comes in small and large as well. The cushion is made with hypoallergenic foam with a waterproof covering and polyfill duvet. The cover and duvet are made of 100% cotton and are machine washable.

Both products are limited edition and are available in James Perse boutiques only. To find a boutique near you, click here.

The other day a friend of mine rescued an amazing dog from the animal shelter. I was invited over to meet this dog-a-licious babe, and I couldn’t go empty handed! I instantly thought of this really cute book by my friend Jim Dratfield called Underdogs: Beauty Is More Than Fur Deep.

I decided to include the book along with a few dog chews and voila! A fabulous present for a new dog owner!

For more of Jim’s great work check out the Petography site.

If you live in the metro St. Louis, Missouri area, tune in to the Diane Jones Morning Show on KLPW AM at 8:15 a.m. tomorrow morning, Wednesday March 3rd, 2010. Looking forward to discussing the doggedly challenged! Listen to the show live online here!

I am so excited to have read in this week’s People Magazine that not one, but two of my clients were featured. Mandy Moore and Kathy Ireland are both proud owners of amazing shelter dogs. Kathy’s dog, (featured on page 66), was hand picked by me personally for her family from a west LA shelter a few years ago. Choosing a dog from a shelter can be a magical experience. As I was searching for the right dog for Kathy, I stumbled upon a six month old terrier mix with a balanced temperament, perfect for kids. At the shelter, the dog was called Sparky. And to my surprise, Kathy later told me, that without the children knowing his original name, they had decided to call their new pup Sparky. Now that’s destiny!

Newlywed Mandy Moore also found muttrimony with a spunky diva from a rescue. Great dogs, puppies, and all breeds can be found in the pound! Getting a dog from a breeder does not guarantee you a dog that will grow up without any afflictions. Trust me, every breed has its own genetic ailments. It is just like having a child– it is the luck of the draw. It’s love, education, and putting energy into the relationship that helps attain success.

Can you really resist a face like this one? Check out a rescue shelter near you! Here are just a few great places to start your search:

The Yellow Pages Shelters

The Pet Rescue Center

LA Animal Services

Noah’s Bark Pet Rescue

Adopt-a-Pet Rescue Shelter