Vanessa Rodriguez

Vanessa Rodriguez

Joined: Apr 14, 2018

A meandering writer from the small town of Wahiawa, Hawaii. I love dogs and food...oh, and my husband too.

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Eli, a Chihuahua, poses as a Thanksgiving turkey at the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade on October 20, 2012 in New York City. Hundreds of dog owners festooned their pets for the annual event, the largest of its kind in the United States. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Thanksgiving fixings your dog should avoid

MELVILLE, NY - JANUARY 24: Ziggy, a golden doodle dog plays in the snow in the aftermath of Winter Storm Jonas on January 24, 2016 in Melville, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Safety: Tis the season

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 13: Fireman Frankie competes in The Best Dressed Dachshund Costume Competition during the annual Teckelrennen Hophaus Dachshund Race and Costume Parade on October 13, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. The annual 'Running of the Wieners' is held to celebrate Oktoberfest. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Costume ideas for your pooch

LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 26: Anna Britton, 88-years-old, reaches out to Kirby, a Pet Assisted Therapy (PAT program) dog dressed in a sheep Halloween costume while visiting with hospital patients at the Torrance Memorial Medical Center October 26, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. The PAT program began at the hospital in 1990 to bring specially-trained therapy dogs to patients' bedsides twice each week. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Therapy dogs: The low-down

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 05: A Labrador peers from its box on the first day of Crufts dog show at the National Exhibition Centre on March 5, 2015 in Birmingham, England. First held in 1891, Crufts is said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part and vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

Dog-Eared Reads: William H. Armstrong’s “Sounder”

ROWLEY, MA - OCTOBER 25: Hounds follow the scent during the fox hunt at Kitty Crossing Farm on October 25, 2015 in Rowley, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Vegetarian diet for dogs

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: A dog is teased with some dog treats outside The Houses of Parliament during the Westminster Dog of The Year competition in Victoria Tower Gardens on October 25, 2012 in London, England. The annual competition was won by Charlie Elphicke, Conservative MP for Dover and Deal with his Norfolk Terrier Star, who was among the 24 dogs entered into the competition which is run by Dog's Trust and the Kennel Club. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Homemade dog treats: Simple recipes your dog will love

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Saga, a 10-month-old Dalmatian, poses for a photograph on the second day of Crufts Dog Show at the NEC Arena on March 10, 2017 in Birmingham, England. First held in 1891, Crufts is said to be the largest show of its kind in the world. The annual four-day event features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part and vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Breeds 101: The Dalmatian

TOKYO, JAPAN - APRIL 12: Chocolate, a miniature dachshund receives acupuncture therapy from veterinarian Satoshi Okada to help with lumbar disk herniation, at the Marina Street Okada animal hospital on April 12, 2013 in Tokyo Japan. The number of pet dogs in Japan has been increasing steadily to 11.5 million animals, almost one-fifth households. One-tenth of Japanese families have at least one dog, according to the survey of Japan Pet Food Association. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

Dog disease: The preventative measures

CHESTER, ENGLAND - JUNE 14: A young girl holds a flag and toy Corgi as well wishers line the route as the Duchess of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II walk from Storyhouse to Chester Town Hall on June 14, 2018 in Chester, England. Meghan Markle married Prince Harry last month to become The Duchess of Sussex. This is her first engagement with the Queen. During the visit the pair opened a road bridge in Widnes, visited The Storyhouse in Chester followed by the Town Hall. (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

Royal Puppy: A History of Dogs in Buckingham Palace

7th December 1931: Devon fisherman Ben Smith playing affectionately with his dog on the beach at Sidmouth. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

Affectionate dogs: The pooches with all the love

TOWCESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 01: Astute Missile (T4, black) at the first bend before going on to win The Star Sports 2017 English Greyhound Derby Final at Towcester greyhound track on July 1, 2017 in Towcester, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Greyhound racing: The controversy

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 09: Tomo McLoyd holds the paw of her dog Rocky, 14, as veterinarian Wendy McCulloch euthanizes the pet at their apartment on May 9, 2012 in New York City. McLoyd had made the difficult decision to call McCulloch to perform the procedure after the pet could no longer walk. End of life issues have become increasingly important for pet owners, as advanced medical treatments and improved nutrition are extending pets lives well into old age. McCulloch runs Pet Requiem, a home veterinary service designed to provide geriatric care and in-home euthanasia for dying pets in the New York and New Jersey area. Many pet owners are choosing such in-home care to try and provide a humane and compassionate "good death" for their beloved pets. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Loss: Dealing with the death of your dog

Sony Corporation Announces The Launch Of The Dog-Shaped Autonomous Robot Called "Aibo" That Can Express Various Emotions And Responsed To External Stimuli Using Artificial Intelligence To Respond May 11, 1999 . The Robot And An "Aibo Performer Kit" Motion Editor Enables Users To Create Original Movements For Their Own Aibo, The First Robot Designed For Home Entertainment Purposes. Sony Said 5,000 Units Will Go On The Market In June At 250,000 Yen ($2,100) Each. (Photo By Getty Images)

Hi-Tech Gadgets for your dog

MALLES VENOSTA, ITALY - JULY 28: Katharina Brueggebors scans the meadows for lost and injured cattle with her sheepdog on her daily circuit on July 28, 2013 at the Sesvenna Alpe near Malles Venosta (Mals), Italy. As herdswoman she watches over the herd of 300 cattle that she is overseeing for the summer months during the traditional alm summer livestock grazing. Brueggebors, a former hotel chain manager, has no experience in farming but hopes the calm and quiet six months in the Alps living in a traditional alm, which is a small wooden mountain cottage, will provide will help her in reorienting her life. Alm livestock herders regularly hire inexperienced help from many walks of life to help in the summer months, when farmers in valley villages commission the herders to bring the animals up to mountain plateaus to spend the summer months feeding on the grass-rich meadows. Alm tradition in the mountains of Switzerland, Austria, northern Italy and southern Germany goes back centuries and is an integral part of alpine life and agriculture. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)

Mountain Dogs: From the Bernese to the St. Bernard

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 17: Obama family dog Sunny takes a walk on the South Lawn of the White House on May 17, 2014 in Washington, DC. Sunny joined the Obama family on August 19, 2013. (Photo by Leslie E. Kossoff-Pool/Getty Images)

Presidential dogs: Pooches in the White House