Meet my three dogs: (left) Shep, (middle) Faith, (right) Junee
Black Girl In a Doggone World™ (on Substack) 2024
This publication is for dog sitters, dog walkers, dog boarders, dog walkers, and (especially) Black folks who defy the stereotype that we're scared of or don't like dogs. Occasionally my complex feelings about cats come up too.
Subscribe to this Substack column for $5 per month or $50 per year. For $80 as a founder, get full access to “Black Girl In a Doggone World™,” “Homegrown Tales,” "I Do See Color," "One Black Woman's Vote" and “Window Shopping” too.
Follow "Black Girl In a Doggone World™" on social media:
Instagram @BlackGirlDoggoneWorld and Threads @BlackGirlDoggoneWorld
(Looking for BGIDW 2019-21? Click here. 2022? Click here. 2023? Click here. 2025? Click here.)
Subscribe to this Substack column for $5 per month or $50 per year. For $80 as a founder, get full access to “Black Girl In a Doggone World™,” “Homegrown Tales,” "I Do See Color," "One Black Woman's Vote" and “Window Shopping” too.
Follow "Black Girl In a Doggone World™" on social media:
Instagram @BlackGirlDoggoneWorld and Threads @BlackGirlDoggoneWorld
(Looking for BGIDW 2019-21? Click here. 2022? Click here. 2023? Click here. 2025? Click here.)
59. Who chewed a hole in the couch pillow? ~ Away for the holidays with a dog misbehaving out of boredom and anxiety
58. Dear dog, your toys are not supposed to be under the couch ~ Why are dogs so obsessed with leaving pet toys in the middle of the room?
57. Power of patience with your elder dog ~ The way you treat human senior citizens is probably how you treat elderly dogs
56. Air plants, the safe plant to keep around dogs ~ With a laundry list of toxic houseplants and plants in the garden, which ones are pet-safe?
55. 5 ways for dog owners to save money while being pet-health friendly ~ PART 5 OF 5: Reduce, reuse, recycle clothing
54. Your dog has a cyst, so now what? ~ While there is no immediate cure or surefire way to avoid dog cysts altogether, these tips may help treat them
53. The best parts of being a dog walker on Wag for almost 6 years ~ Yes, black women of all ages are dog walkers and dogsitters too
52. When pets and pollen are competing to make you sneeze ~ Best tips to avoid allergy season giving you miserable days
51. Happy Halloween from Junee and a Black Girl In a Doggone World (Part 2 of 2) ~ The most hilariously spooky version of Peek-a-boo with Junee and Jackie
50. Happy Halloween from Junee and a Black Girl In a Doggone World (Part 1 of 2) ~ Junee wants all the smoke, Jackie is ready to go home!
49. Review: Bedsure Foldable Human Dog Bed was always going to be a 5-star review ~ Why I became an Amazon and Impact Marketing affiliate
48. Should all dogs learn to swim even if they hate getting wet? ~ Pet safety tips for private and public pools, and dog beach activities
47. 5 reasonable things to buy your dog for Halloween ~ No, I'm not referring to a Halloween costume
46. Black Girl In a Doggone World 'best of' and 'top' listicles ~ ADVERTISEMENT: The pet shopping trip you didn't know you needed to take
58. Dear dog, your toys are not supposed to be under the couch ~ Why are dogs so obsessed with leaving pet toys in the middle of the room?
57. Power of patience with your elder dog ~ The way you treat human senior citizens is probably how you treat elderly dogs
56. Air plants, the safe plant to keep around dogs ~ With a laundry list of toxic houseplants and plants in the garden, which ones are pet-safe?
55. 5 ways for dog owners to save money while being pet-health friendly ~ PART 5 OF 5: Reduce, reuse, recycle clothing
54. Your dog has a cyst, so now what? ~ While there is no immediate cure or surefire way to avoid dog cysts altogether, these tips may help treat them
53. The best parts of being a dog walker on Wag for almost 6 years ~ Yes, black women of all ages are dog walkers and dogsitters too
52. When pets and pollen are competing to make you sneeze ~ Best tips to avoid allergy season giving you miserable days
51. Happy Halloween from Junee and a Black Girl In a Doggone World (Part 2 of 2) ~ The most hilariously spooky version of Peek-a-boo with Junee and Jackie
50. Happy Halloween from Junee and a Black Girl In a Doggone World (Part 1 of 2) ~ Junee wants all the smoke, Jackie is ready to go home!
49. Review: Bedsure Foldable Human Dog Bed was always going to be a 5-star review ~ Why I became an Amazon and Impact Marketing affiliate
48. Should all dogs learn to swim even if they hate getting wet? ~ Pet safety tips for private and public pools, and dog beach activities
47. 5 reasonable things to buy your dog for Halloween ~ No, I'm not referring to a Halloween costume
46. Black Girl In a Doggone World 'best of' and 'top' listicles ~ ADVERTISEMENT: The pet shopping trip you didn't know you needed to take
45. People's views on women's rights can be reflected in dogs ~ Does spaying and neutering a dog really stop aggressive behavior?
44. Dog sitters, be patient with first-time owners ~ Take my dog out to the ball game
43. 5 ways for dog owners to save money while being pet-health friendly ~ PART 4 OF 5: Ignore the Jonathan Majors $75K dog training rumor
42. The big payback: Babies and dogs gone rogue ~ Why dogs should be trained to never rush out of doors, even if they lead to gated backyards
41. Is a coyote-proof dog harness worth buying if you live in a busy city? ~ Review: Sheripet Coyote-Proof Dog Vest
40. Let's take a walk: 21 best dog harnesses ~ ADVERTISEMENT: The pet shopping trip you didn't know you needed to take
39. Why would your dog need glucosamine? ~ ADVERTISEMENT: Improving senior dogs' health with these nine food options
38. The coyote versus dog debate on NextDoor ~ 10 tips to keep your city dog safe while out on walks after coyote sightings
37. Puppy playdate: 16 best dog balls ~ ADVERTISEMENT: The pet shopping trip you didn't know you needed to take
36. Dog day grooming: 14 of the best nail clippers ~ The pet shopping trip you didn't know you needed to take
35. Boston Terrier versus French Bulldog: What’s the difference? ~ BGIDW won't tell you who's cuter, just how to tell the two breeds apart
34. 7 of the best outdoor dog beds ~ The pet shopping trip you didn't know you needed to take
33. 13 of the best legume-free dog food ~ The pet shopping trip you didn't know you needed to take
32. Should dogs be allowed in the kitchen? ~ Until you pay my mortgage, don't tell me where my dog is allowed to go in my home ... with two exceptions
31. What makes some dogs act like Mean Girls (and Mean Boys) at dog parks? ~ When dogs declare their dominance, should owners be concerned or assume it's just part of wolf descendant nature?
44. Dog sitters, be patient with first-time owners ~ Take my dog out to the ball game
43. 5 ways for dog owners to save money while being pet-health friendly ~ PART 4 OF 5: Ignore the Jonathan Majors $75K dog training rumor
42. The big payback: Babies and dogs gone rogue ~ Why dogs should be trained to never rush out of doors, even if they lead to gated backyards
41. Is a coyote-proof dog harness worth buying if you live in a busy city? ~ Review: Sheripet Coyote-Proof Dog Vest
40. Let's take a walk: 21 best dog harnesses ~ ADVERTISEMENT: The pet shopping trip you didn't know you needed to take
39. Why would your dog need glucosamine? ~ ADVERTISEMENT: Improving senior dogs' health with these nine food options
38. The coyote versus dog debate on NextDoor ~ 10 tips to keep your city dog safe while out on walks after coyote sightings
37. Puppy playdate: 16 best dog balls ~ ADVERTISEMENT: The pet shopping trip you didn't know you needed to take
36. Dog day grooming: 14 of the best nail clippers ~ The pet shopping trip you didn't know you needed to take
35. Boston Terrier versus French Bulldog: What’s the difference? ~ BGIDW won't tell you who's cuter, just how to tell the two breeds apart
34. 7 of the best outdoor dog beds ~ The pet shopping trip you didn't know you needed to take
33. 13 of the best legume-free dog food ~ The pet shopping trip you didn't know you needed to take
32. Should dogs be allowed in the kitchen? ~ Until you pay my mortgage, don't tell me where my dog is allowed to go in my home ... with two exceptions
31. What makes some dogs act like Mean Girls (and Mean Boys) at dog parks? ~ When dogs declare their dominance, should owners be concerned or assume it's just part of wolf descendant nature?
30. 5 ways for dog owners to save money while being pet-health friendly ~ PART 3 OF 5: Don't become an anti-vaxxer because you think you can't afford dog vaccines
29. 5 ways for dog owners to save money while being pet-health friendly ~ PART 2 OF 5: Take advantage of donated pet supplies, giveaway bins, discount deals
28. 'Star': Young adult fiction novel highlights dyslexia, adopt-don't-shop, friendship ~ BOOK REVIEW: 'American Dog' series is full of Lucy Ricardo antics (read: terrible plans)
27. 5 ways for dog owners to save money while being pet-health friendly ~ PART 1 OF 5: Investigate topical flea and tick ointment versus prescription oral dog meds
26. Happy 3rd Adoption Anniversary to Junee! ~ Juneteenth is special to me for two reasons: black history and my four-legged roommate
25. Jamie Foxx made dark comedy 'Strays' oddly funny ~ From couches to stray dogs, Randall Park, Sofia Vergara and Will Ferrell star in R-rated pet film
24. 'American Dog Poppy' is a warm puppy hug for Pit Bull owners ~ Young adult fiction novelist highlights leading by prejudice instead of proof
23. Dog DNA test: Could it help you better train and take care of your dog? ~ From the Dog Scanner app to Wisdom Panel to the Dog Aging project, pet science is fun to observe
22. Dirt Devil vs Tzumi: Which handheld vacuum is better at pet hair removal? ~ FurBeGone Brush is a dog owner's best friend
21. Put your phone away, then walk your dog and play ~ One downside of being a professional dog walker is looking distracted while working
20. The surprising Labradoodle history lesson I learned today ~ A 60% score on Encyclopedia Britannica's dog quiz confirms I need to step my pet-loving game up
19. My DIY drywall project was more successful than my DIY dog trap ~ No chair, no ottoman, no gap in the wall will stop Junee from spying
18. 6 top questions for Prison Puppy Programs ~ A program to train puppies for vets and people with disabilities, and a way to reduce recidivism for inmates
17. Are third-party pet subscription companies worth it? ~ From Petco to Allivet and onward: Should dog prescriptions be vet-only purchases?
16. You may want to be around a pet, but are you ready to be a pet owner? ~ Parents, make sure your child and new pet are prepared for each other
29. 5 ways for dog owners to save money while being pet-health friendly ~ PART 2 OF 5: Take advantage of donated pet supplies, giveaway bins, discount deals
28. 'Star': Young adult fiction novel highlights dyslexia, adopt-don't-shop, friendship ~ BOOK REVIEW: 'American Dog' series is full of Lucy Ricardo antics (read: terrible plans)
27. 5 ways for dog owners to save money while being pet-health friendly ~ PART 1 OF 5: Investigate topical flea and tick ointment versus prescription oral dog meds
26. Happy 3rd Adoption Anniversary to Junee! ~ Juneteenth is special to me for two reasons: black history and my four-legged roommate
25. Jamie Foxx made dark comedy 'Strays' oddly funny ~ From couches to stray dogs, Randall Park, Sofia Vergara and Will Ferrell star in R-rated pet film
24. 'American Dog Poppy' is a warm puppy hug for Pit Bull owners ~ Young adult fiction novelist highlights leading by prejudice instead of proof
23. Dog DNA test: Could it help you better train and take care of your dog? ~ From the Dog Scanner app to Wisdom Panel to the Dog Aging project, pet science is fun to observe
22. Dirt Devil vs Tzumi: Which handheld vacuum is better at pet hair removal? ~ FurBeGone Brush is a dog owner's best friend
21. Put your phone away, then walk your dog and play ~ One downside of being a professional dog walker is looking distracted while working
20. The surprising Labradoodle history lesson I learned today ~ A 60% score on Encyclopedia Britannica's dog quiz confirms I need to step my pet-loving game up
19. My DIY drywall project was more successful than my DIY dog trap ~ No chair, no ottoman, no gap in the wall will stop Junee from spying
18. 6 top questions for Prison Puppy Programs ~ A program to train puppies for vets and people with disabilities, and a way to reduce recidivism for inmates
17. Are third-party pet subscription companies worth it? ~ From Petco to Allivet and onward: Should dog prescriptions be vet-only purchases?
16. You may want to be around a pet, but are you ready to be a pet owner? ~ Parents, make sure your child and new pet are prepared for each other
15. Weird dog rules: One group wants vegetarian dogs, another bans Dachshunds ~ Some rules make sense while others are ridiculous and made to be broken
14. Pacemaker no longer needed? Can you donate it to a dog? ~ Even with a 10-15-year shelf life for pacemakers, vets, schools and CanPacers' views on human pacemaker donations are mixed
13. Dogs: Til death do you NOT part ~ Euthanizing a dog shouldn't be based off of your ego, your mortality or your vacation plans
12. Guard your dog, guard your identity ~ Spring cleaning + Dog walks = Saving on (biodegradable) poop bags
11. Dogs are nosy, not afraid of being in the dark ~ How I realized my dog is not terrified to eat in a dark kitchen
10. Pet owners who hire dog walkers have one emergency advantage ~ But there are four more emergency tips all dog owners should have handy
9. Dog attacked Realtor, Realtor shot dog ~ Is the concealed-weapon Realtor right to claim self-defense or were the homeowners deceived?
8. Dogs wanted, rental backyards included ~ Dog-loving homeowners are renting out their backyards as a new side hustle
7. Why doesn't Illinois have a state dog? ~ Chihuahuas top the list for Illinois pet owners, so how do pet owners get lawmakers to confirm this breed as our state dog?
6. House pet training in reverse ~ Countdown to teaching my dog how to use the bathroom inside after mastering potty training outside
5. For dog caregivers, is PetSitter worth it? ~ From Rover to Wag to its competitors, which ones make the most sense?
4. What's up with dogs and bathroom rugs? ~ When your dog has decided the bathroom floor is her new hangout
3. Salt on the sidewalk, salt on dog's paws ~ Getting through wintery, slippery weather without your dog getting hurt
2. When is it too cold for one dog to be walked but not the other? ~ Copycat dogs: Is it playing favorites or setting ground rules?
1. Dogs are the anti-smoking initiative that Truth.com and American Cancer Society can't be ~ North Side Chicago pet owners may disagree with Illinois not making it to the 'States With The Most Responsible Dog Owners, Ranked'
14. Pacemaker no longer needed? Can you donate it to a dog? ~ Even with a 10-15-year shelf life for pacemakers, vets, schools and CanPacers' views on human pacemaker donations are mixed
13. Dogs: Til death do you NOT part ~ Euthanizing a dog shouldn't be based off of your ego, your mortality or your vacation plans
12. Guard your dog, guard your identity ~ Spring cleaning + Dog walks = Saving on (biodegradable) poop bags
11. Dogs are nosy, not afraid of being in the dark ~ How I realized my dog is not terrified to eat in a dark kitchen
10. Pet owners who hire dog walkers have one emergency advantage ~ But there are four more emergency tips all dog owners should have handy
9. Dog attacked Realtor, Realtor shot dog ~ Is the concealed-weapon Realtor right to claim self-defense or were the homeowners deceived?
8. Dogs wanted, rental backyards included ~ Dog-loving homeowners are renting out their backyards as a new side hustle
7. Why doesn't Illinois have a state dog? ~ Chihuahuas top the list for Illinois pet owners, so how do pet owners get lawmakers to confirm this breed as our state dog?
6. House pet training in reverse ~ Countdown to teaching my dog how to use the bathroom inside after mastering potty training outside
5. For dog caregivers, is PetSitter worth it? ~ From Rover to Wag to its competitors, which ones make the most sense?
4. What's up with dogs and bathroom rugs? ~ When your dog has decided the bathroom floor is her new hangout
3. Salt on the sidewalk, salt on dog's paws ~ Getting through wintery, slippery weather without your dog getting hurt
2. When is it too cold for one dog to be walked but not the other? ~ Copycat dogs: Is it playing favorites or setting ground rules?
1. Dogs are the anti-smoking initiative that Truth.com and American Cancer Society can't be ~ North Side Chicago pet owners may disagree with Illinois not making it to the 'States With The Most Responsible Dog Owners, Ranked'