Bichon Frise Literature

There are many sources of information on dogs and Bichons in particular, and we have tried to include below the best of the best, items we either enjoy or refer to regularly. If you would like us to add your favorites, please let us know and we will post it for all to share. Thanks.

American Kennel Club Family Dog Magazine. A cover to cover read.

The Bark, a modern dog culture magazine where Dog is my co-pilot. Also a cover to cover read.
Dog Is My Co-Pilot, the book, is a great collection of the Great Writers on the World's Oldest Friendship. All available at:


Bichon Frise's, a Popular Dogs Series by A Popular Pets Magabook.

The Bichon Frise, An Owners Guide To A Happy Healthy Pet by Mary and Kathie D. Vogel

Know Your First Aid for Your Dogs from The Pet Library Ltd. by George D. Whitney, D.V.M.

Guide to Home Pet Grooming by Chris C. Pinney, D.V.M.


Your Dog

He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
-anonymous


All about a Dog's Life: I Rescued a Human Today


Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels.  I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.  I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage.  I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today.  Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past.  I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me.  I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.

A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms.  I would promise to keep her safe.  I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.  I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor.  So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors.  So many more to be saved.  At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.



JUST A DOG

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or "that's a lot of money for just a dog."
They don't understand the distance travelled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."
Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."
Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought aobut by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."
"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.
So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that its' not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man" or "just a woman."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog," just smile, because they "just don't understand."
~Unknown Author~

Why Dogs Sniff

Once in the days when dogs had kings, one such dog king wished to marry a dog from a neighboring kingdom. "We must send a messenger to ask for the princess's hand," said the king to his vizier. The vizier called one of the king's servants before him, but saw that he could not represent the king without a good washing. And so the servant's scraggly fur was cleaned and combed and curled and scented with the sweetest perfumes, until the vizier thought he would make a good impression. But things did not turn out as planned, because as soon as the messenger set off, he began to wonder, "What's to keep me from looking for a wife for myself, handsome as I am?" And quick as one wag of a dog's tail, he veered off the path, went to the nearest village, and found himself a lively and lovely wife with no trouble at all. Their children and the children of their children were to inherit the father's good looks and sweet smell, and that's how the Bichon breed came to be.

When the king's messenger did not return with his princess bride, the dog king decreed that all of his subjects must search for him. So, while Bichons sniff each other because they love the perfumed scent of their fur, other dogs sniff because they're still trying to find the messenger.

-Reprinted here through the kindness of the author Madeleine Scott and Folkmanis, Inc.

Subject: How Pets Were Created

A newly discovered chapter in the Book of Genesis has
provided the answer to “Where do pets come from?”

Adam and Eve said, ‘Lord, when we were in the garden, you
walked with us
every day. Now we do not see you anymore. We are lonesome
here and it is
difficult for us to remember how much you love us.”

And God said, “No problem! I will create a companion for
you that will be
with you forever and who will be a reflection of my love
for you, so that you will love me even when you cannot see me. Regardless
of how selfish
or childish or unlovable you may be, this new companion will
accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourselves.”

And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam
and Eve.
And it was a good animal.
And God was pleased.
And the new animal was pleased to be with
Adam and Eve
And he wagged his tail.

And Adam said, “Lord, I have already named all the
animals in the Kingdom and I cannot think of a name for this new animal.”

And God said, “No problem. Because I have created this
new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a
reflection of my own name, and you will call him DOG.”

And Dog lived with Adam and Eve and was a companion to
them and loved them.
And they were comforted.
And God was pleased.
And Dog was content
And Dog wagged his tail.

After a while, it came to pass that an angel came to the
Lord and said,
“Lord, Adam and Eve have become filled with pride. They
strut and preen
like peacocks and they believe they are worthy of
adoration. Dog has indeed taught them that they are loved, but perhaps too well.”

And God said, “No problem! I will create for them a
companion who will be with them forever and who will see them as they are. The
companion will remind them of their limitations, so they will know that they are not
always worthy of adoration.”

And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam and Eve.
And Cat would not obey them.
And when Adam and Eve gazed into Cat’s reflection of Godeyes,
they were reminded that they were not the
supreme beings.
And Adam and Eve learned humility.

And they were greatly improved.
And God was pleased.
And Dog was happy.
And Cat didn’t give a darn one way or the
other.

-anonymous
Cats and Dogs

What is a Cat?

1. Cats do what they want.
2. They rarely listen to you.
3. They're totally unpredictable.
4. They whine when they are not happy.
5. When you want to play, they want to be alone.
6. When you want to be alone, they want to play.
7. They expect you to cater to their every whim.
8. They're moody.
9. They leave hair everywhere.
10. They drive you nuts and cost an arm and a leg.

Conclusion: They're tiny little women in fur coats.

What is a Dog?

1. Dogs lie around all day, sprawled on the most comfortable piece of furniture
in the house.
2. They can hear a package of food opening half a block away, but don't hear
you when you're in the same room.
3. They can look dumb and lovable all at the same time.
4. They growl when they are not happy.
5. When you want to play, they want to play.
6. When you want to be alone, they want to play.
7. They are great at begging.
8. They will love you forever if you rub their tummies.
9. They leave their toys everywhere.
10. They do disgusting things with their mouths and then try to give you a
kiss.

Conclusion: They're little men in fur coats.

-anonymous



A Dog and a Cats Diary

The  Dog's Diary

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Liver treats! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Dinner! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

The Cat's Diary

Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They
dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or
some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations
perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up 
my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to
disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse
and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike
fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities.
However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good 
little hunter" I am.  DARN IT !

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed
in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could 
hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was 
due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use 
it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my
tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try 
this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The
dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be
more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird must be an
informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly.  I am
certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged 
protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.  For now...

-anonymous

The next three came from Julie Hill at DogCastRadio.com

My sunshine doesn't come from the skies, it comes from the love in my dogs eyes."
-Author Unknown
 
"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. "
"If you don't own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life."
 - both by Roger Caras


The Talking Dog

A guy is driving around the back woods of Tennessee and he
sees a sign in front of a broken down shanty-style house:
"Talking Dog For Sale."

He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells him the dog
is in the backyard. The guy goes into the backyard and sees a
nice looking Labrador Retriever sitting there.

"You talk?" he asks.

"Yep," the Lab replies.

After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog speak,
he says, "So, what's your story?"

The Lab looks up and says, "Well, I discovered that I could
talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government,
so I told them. In no time at all they had me jetting from
country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world
leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping.
I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years
running.

"But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I
wasn't getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I
signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover
security, wandering near suspicious characters and listening
in.

"I uncovered some incredible stuff and was awarded a bunch of
medals. I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I'm just
retired."

The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he
wants for the dog.

"Ten dollars," the guy says.

"Ten dollars?! This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you
selling him so cheap?"

"Because he's a liar. He never did any of that stuff."

-anonymous