Current Category: Swiss Mountain Dog

Once a child who couldn’t resist “borrowing” the neighborhood dogs, Marjie Alonso grew up to make her passion her profession. She spent decades as a dog trainer, behavior consultant, and executive director of animal behavior nonprofits. Over the years she shared her life with Emma, an American Eskimo, Betty and Addie, a pair of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, Nellie, her first beagle, and now Alice, along with countless foster dogs. A devoted parent and storyteller, Marjie writes with humor and heart about the joy, mischief, and everyday conversations that make life with dogs so deeply meaningful.

 

Marjie has just completed a memoir about taking her sons to meet their biological mothers in Paraguay and a reckoning about adoption. She writes essays for publication, and has a weekly Substack.

Goddamned BeagleGoddamned DogSwiss Mountain Dog

It’s Been A While, Beagle

Dear Goddamned Beagle, It has been a while, I know. A very long while. There is a word in human, "umwelt," that means "the world as ...
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Goddamned BeagleGoddamned DogSwiss Mountain Dog

I Still Win, Beagle

Dear Goddamned Beagle, I am not someone who enjoys Fritos. I should, I guess, as I like other salty, crunchy things very much. But Fritos, no. ...
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Goddamned BeagleGoddamned DogSwiss Mountain Dog

Two Years Gone

Dear Goddamned Dog, It was two years today. Thing 2 came home from school after your pain became unendurable. We spent the night with you, carried ...
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Goddamned BeagleGoddamned DogSwiss Mountain Dog

You Had ONE Job, Beagle

Dear Goddamned Beagle, I believe you've understood that we have a dozen-or-so behavior professionals staying with us here starting today and through the weekend for a ...
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Goddamned DogSwiss Mountain Dog

Goodbye, Addie

Dear Goddamned Dog, I’m writing now as I will from now on, to the empty corners of every room, to the dozen years past, to the ...
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Goddamned DogSwiss Mountain Dog

Boofing to be Heard

Dear Goddamned Dog, I am very sorry you don’t feel well. This much at least is clear.
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Goddamned DogSwiss Mountain Dog

Rain And Christmas Cookies

Dear Goddamned Dog, We have to talk about rain. And Christmas cookies, but rain first.
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Food on HeadGoddamned DogSwiss Mountain Dog

Begging

Dear Goddamned Dog, I believe I asked you to stop begging when I eat a banana at my desk.
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Goddamned DogSwiss Mountain Dog

I Must Be A Little Thick

Dear Goddamned Dog, I apologize for not understanding.
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Goddamned DogSwiss Mountain Dog

Festival Clean Up

Dear Goddamned Dog, Dozens of 10' tents; hundreds of pounds of gear and paper goods
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