Dawn Watson | CNBNewsnet GLOUCESTER CITY NJ (November 5,2018)(CNBNewsnet)-- Anyone that knows me can gauge what I’m watching on television by the way I look and act—I follow the lead of the season premieres of my favorite shows. As an avid fan of Survivor, you’re likely to find me buying coconuts at the ShopRite dressed in a sarong or a blouse that hides a bathing suit top. Family sitcoms have me dressed casually and being sarcastic but when viewing Dancing with the Stars you’re liable to see me walking my dogs with sparkles on my face and a pair of... Continue reading

Dawn Watson/Cnbnewsnet I have often witnessed puppies that, due to unfortunate circumstances, are abandoned immediately or shortly after birth.These puppies need special care if they are to survive. Not only do very young puppies need to be fed every two or three hours but they also need to understand social cues and proper behavior. From the moment of birth, a puppy's mother teaches her baby how to get along with litter-mates, how to be assertive, and the importance of hierarchy. A dog that is removed from the litter may suffer life-long emotional and social damage. He may be unable to... Continue reading

Dawn Watson | Cnbnewsnet I’ve come to the realization that everything is temporary. Discounting anything spiritual, there isn’t anything that lasts forever. Sure, long-term marriages lasting fifty-plus years show longevity and loyalty but forever? I think not. I once purchased a battery-operated candle that poetically promised everlasting light—it conked out after four days of continuous glow. Ninety-some hours is hardly forever. And let’s talk about permanent markers. They aren’t. If they were people wouldn’t bother getting tattoos, they’d simply draw on their skin like an etch-a-sketch and save the pain of the needle Even tattoos aren’t permanent; they fade until... Continue reading

Dawn Watson | CNBNewsnet GLOUCESTER CITY NJ (October 27, 2018)(CNBNewsnet)--A friend of mine was walking her dog the other day and suddenly, her dog began barking and lunging at a stranger who was coming from the other direction. They were new to the area and previously, the dog had not shown any such tendencies. My friend was puzzled at her usually-calm dog’s behavior so I explained my opinion on the topic. Molly (the dog) lived in a suburban setting with few neighbors before moving to the city. She was accustomed to the relative quiet of her former neighborhood. Due to... Continue reading

Dawn Watson | CNBNewsnet GLOUCESTER CITY NJ(October 22,2018)(CNBNewsnet)--When I was a child I dreamed of becoming someone special. The criteria for success changed weekly depending on the resources surrounding me. For example I often dreamed of becoming a figure skater but even at a young age I didn’t have the figure for it. I thought of teaching but did not possess the confidence or temperament. Besides, I was afraid I’d favor the dorky kids and start punishing the bullies. In my teens I dreamed of becoming a dog trainer. Although I eventually achieved the title I never quite enjoyed the... Continue reading

by Dawn Watson | CNBNewsnet GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (October 20,2018)(CNBNewsnet)--Recently, media sources have criticized the validity of some pets labeled “service animals”. There are two types of service dogs. An Emotional Service Dog is one that has been trained to recognize when its owner is stressed or otherwise emotionally troubled. These dogs are especially useful in calming those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Autism, and other mental and emotional disorders. The other type of service dog helps its owner cope with conditions such as diabetes, blindness, paraplegia, and a multitude of other issues that may interfere with his quality of life.... Continue reading

Dawn Watson | CNBNewsnet When my kids were little I lied to them frequently, until The Teen Years when they no longer cared to address me. That period ended early in the year 2000, thankfully. Here are ten lies I told them and the reasons behind those lies: 1. The truck that plays music in summer takes children away and they never return. (I couldn’t afford to buy them ice cream so I got them to hide when they heard Mr. Softee.) 2. The car’s engine won’t start unless you have your seatbelt on. (Seatbelt Reluctance Disorder.) 3. The shot... Continue reading

by Dawn Watson |CNBNewsnet Little dogs often have large personalities. Puppies will instinctively snarl and growl. If the dog is a small breed we tend to laugh and cuddle him which shows him that he has done something good. The behavior escalates with age until finally, your little adult dog nips at anything or anyone that moves. Dogs thrive under benevolent leadership no matter what their age. Under normal circumstances they can read facial expressions and body language. Give your dog the structure he needs by telling him, “No!” when he behaves inappropriately and a “Good…” (the good behavior, like... Continue reading

Dawn Watson | CNBNewsnet Well, it’s finally happened: I’ve lost my mind. I’ve decided to sell my house and most of my belongings, buy a van, take my dogs and hit the road. Gloucester City will always be my home; when my driving years are over I hope to return and seek shelter at the building facing the water, made specifically for folks of a certain age. Either that or take a walk in the woods so that my decrepit body can feed the woodland creatures. (I’ve been feeding animals my entire life; might as well feed them when I’m... Continue reading

((CNBNewsnet)(GLOUCESTER CITY NJ)(October 6,2018)--I’ve often heard or read people complaining about the “outrageous” costs of adopting a dog through a rescue organization. I’m sure these folks don’t have a full understanding of the rescue process. A rescue group is not a “sticks and bricks” building manned by people paid a salary—it is a group of people that offer their homes and lives to dogs that have been abandoned, abused, or otherwise left to fend for themselves. They pay the veterinary bills, training, food, toys, and comfort of the dogs they care for, surviving on donations to get the job done.... Continue reading

Dawn Watson | CNBNewsnet I was at a park today and I was able to participate in one of my favorite pass-times: people-watching. ‘People-watching’ is an art form and one must be careful to avoid eye contact lest it be labeled ‘staring’. Learning the proper form can save you from a scolding or a punch in the nose and every attempt must be made to avoid confrontation. Rules include no staring, no laughing, no pointing, and most importantly, no nudging the person beside you and combining the aforementioned. In addition, an avid people-watcher knows that obviously special people are off-limits... Continue reading

CNBNewsnet Where have all the mean kids gone? You know the ones; they all sat together in the cafeteria and bullied you in the hallways. They whispered about you at school events and tortured you in the bathrooms and on the bus. You were a nerd, you were a dork, you were too fat or too thin, wore glasses or weren’t fashionable. I’ll tell you where the mean kids are now: the mean boys are fat and living in the past as they sit at the bar drinking shots, their youthful escapades growing larger at the bottom of the glass.... Continue reading

CNBNewsnet I’ve often heard from people complaining about the “outrageous” costs of adopting a dog through a rescue organization. I’m sure these folks don’t have a full understanding of the rescue process. A rescue group is not a “sticks and bricks” building manned by people paid a salary—it is a group of people that offer their homes and lives to dogs that have been abandoned, abused, or otherwise left to fend for themselves. The organization pays the veterinary bills, medicine, training, food, toys, and comfort of the dogs they care for, surviving on donations to get the job done. Often,... Continue reading

CNBNewsnet I’m old. Let me tell you how I know this to be true. The sound of most millennial pop-stars makes my eardrums hurt. The words to rap music embarrass me. I refer to anyone under forty as a “kid”. I can tell when it’s going to rain because my knees hurt. When I pass a mirror I think it’s my mother, coming back to haunt me. My toenails are hideous. When I apply polish they become hideous painted toenails. Prilosec is my friend. Beano is my other friend. I’ve considered having a port-a-potty in every room of the house.... Continue reading

CNBNewsnet Let’s talk about a delicate subject. I must often correct clients when they talk about their dogs clinging to them or other objects and making a movement that can be somewhat embarrassing. This movement has nothing to do with the urge to procreate. Dogs are sensitive about the ranking in their pack. When they are attempting to dominate a member of the pack they will sometimes attempt a mounting movement. If there is no other dog or person around they may substitute an inanimate object. Males as well as females show this instinctual fight for hierarchy. Although people joke... Continue reading

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (September 10, 2018)(CNBNewsnet)I get depressed. Everyone does, to a certain extent but mine comes and goes like a runaway bus. When a dark cloud arrives it hovers over me, sucking up joy until nothing is left but feelings of uselessness and despair. Ten minutes later, I’m baking a cake, humming a tune, or dancing with my dogs. If there was a therapy group for my particular type of mood swing affliction there would be two circles of chairs—one for the happy moments and one for the sad feelings. The people could rotate depending on their status, like... Continue reading

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (September 8, 2018)(CNBNewsnet)--Fall is almost here and with it, some new challenges for Fido. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes love to hide in piles of leaves just waiting for you and your dog to plow through and give them a free ride and a free meal. In addition, leaf spores can cause serious allergic reactions to occur. Squirrels are actively foraging for food to take them through the long winter ahead. If Fido likes to chase them he may be more distracted on walks during this season. Check his leash and harness routinely to make sure they aren’t... Continue reading

CNBNewsnet When I was young I lost some weight. I found it when I turned fifty. Since then, it’s been on and off more times than Comcast cable. I lost all memory of the summer of ’69. If my kids find evidence, the rules I made for them when they were teens will come under great scrutiny. I found the bucket list I made when I was twenty-five. I’ve yet to do numbers eight through ten because I lost my mojo when I turned sixty. And no, I’m not telling anyone what those numbers represented. I’d be lost without my... Continue reading

(Cnbnewsnet) I am often asked why I foster dogs. Although I'm no longer an active foster mom for the many rescues to which I belong, I still take the occasional hospice case. Hospice dog are usually elderly, fragile souls that have been abandoned by their owners or have spent many years in shelters. They are sad, sick, and confused. I give them a place to rest their weary heads and am present when they pass away. I carry them in a specially made, soft carrier so they are constantly by my side. Someone has to be there at the end.... Continue reading

Dawn Watson | CNBNewsnet I’m the world’s clumsiest woman. Just Sayin graphics file I trip over my own feet, stumble on every sidewalk, and narrowly miss being flattened by cars, all because I can’t measure distance. There’s a dance that’s done as two people approach one another; you’d expect them to give one another enough room to avoid a collision, right? Not me. I end up in awkwardly intimate embraces with strangers whenever I go for a walk. Last year I broke my foot while hopping over a mesh barrier. I should have remembered that incident before my recent attempt... Continue reading

by CNBNewsnet Staff What pictures are conjured up when someone says the phrase, “Gloucester City”? Over the last few years Gloucester City has been defined as a city of hope and change. More people are sharing their talents here, understanding that there is a growing interest in creative arts. For example, the annual Arts and Music Festival is expected to draw a crowd of thousands when local artists, jewelry makers, crafters, and innovative food vendors set up in Proprietor’s Park on September 29. New programs are now available in Gloucester City. Thanks to a group of community activists issues of... Continue reading

Dawn Watson | CNBNewsnet GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (August 20, 2018)--Of all the seasons of the year I dislike summer the most. It wasn’t always so—in my youth I lay on a blanket, tanning my lithe body smeared with baby oil, moving not a muscle unless it was to flip face-down and inhale the ants that were attracted to the lotion. I wore sundresses, flaunting my almond-colored shoulders and legs, knowing I was the envy of my pale-skinned friends. Fast-forward 40 years or so. My arms are laden with Solar Lentigines (age spots caused by the sun) and my face looks... Continue reading

Dawn Watson | CNBNewsnet GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (August 18, 2018)--If you are considering adopting or purchasing a dog it’s best if you decide which breed or mix will fit into your lifestyle. For example, if you live in a small apartment a large, active dog is not for you. A smaller breed will be able to stretch his legs and thrive in your scaled-back home. If you are insistent on adopting a larger breed, consider looking for one that is less active, such as a Bernese Mountain Dog or a mix. If you have an active lifestyle with plenty of... Continue reading