Back… when we were innocent

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Pup Fan

This photo was taken in approximately 1 BC (one month Before Cone). In fact, it’s a photo from the vet’s office. If only Bella knew what she was getting herself into that day… wonder what she was thinking?

We head back to the vet on Friday. I hope that means that the staples come out and that the cone can be put into storage (after a thorough cleaning, however… that thing is pretty gross because Bella spends half her day licking it).

For bonus points (on the imaginary quiz I am apparently giving you): Can you guess what song inspired the title of today’s post? (These two posts might provide a clue.)

Give up? Here’s the answer.

Happy Halloween from the Cone Ranger

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Pup Fan

When she’s not being a flashlight, I like to think that Bella is dressed in costume as the Cone Ranger. Accordingly, here’s a video of her in “costume” for your Halloween enjoyment (especially since I already shared my favorite Halloween song on Saturday). I’d recommend watching this one with the sound on to get the full benefit of the soundtrack. Poor Cone Ranger – life on Coney Island is full of challenges.

Hi-Yo, Salamander! Away!

Seriously, she was so full of energy last week (when I shot this footage) that her crazy was at an all time high. We’ve managed to institute some “cone breaks” into her schedule, which seems to help. While supervised, she seems to – mostly – be leaving her incision alone. She’s still all coned up at night and when home alone, however. I don’t trust her that much yet.

Hope you have a great Halloween!

Adorable adoptables in Northern Virginia: Shea & Bonnie

Posted on October 30, 2011 by Pup Fan

Every Sunday I’ll be featuring adoptable pets from local rescue groups. In particular, I’ll be sharing adorable adoptables from the Humane Society of Fairfax County (HSFC) and A Forever Home Rescue Foundation (A Forever Home). (In light of the holiday, perhaps I should have saved Boo for today!)

Let’s get to it!

First up, meet Shea! This Lab mix is approximately 5 years old. I just want to snuggle with her! Who could resist that face? Here’s her bio from A Forever Home:

“Shea is a beautiful, loyal black lab mix. She is
very laid back and loves relaxing around the house while lying on her
back. Nothing makes her happier than greeting you when you come home
and letting you rub her belly. Snuggling in bed is also at the top of
her list of things she loves, as are car rides and walks around the
neighborhood. Shea is very relaxed and can be good around other dogs
once she gets to know them better. Shea spent the last 4 years being
best friends and house mates with her fellow lab–mix friend, but did
take some time getting used to him. Shea would do better in a house
without young children.”

If you want to be Shea’s snuggle buddy, visit A Forever Home for more information or email Info@aforeverhome.org. To view the other pets available for adoption at A Forever Home, click here.

A Forever Home also has a weekly adoption event at the PetCo in Chantilly. For the address and to find out more info, click here.
(If you have your eye on a specific pet, please email for information
first – not all pets will be at the weekly event. However, there are a
lot of awesome pets in need of homes, so if you’re in the neighborhood,
stop by and meet some of them!)

I’m changing it up a bit this week… I’m adding a cat into the mix! When I saw this beautiful black cat, I just knew I had to share her with you. So, without further ado… meet Bonnie! Here’s her bio from HSFC:

“Bonnie’s a real beauty. Her white socks and the white tip on the end of
her tail, sets her apart from other black long hair cats. She knows
she’s beautiful and walks proudly strutting her stuff. She needs a home
of her own so her true personality can shine.”

Do you have the perfect home for this gorgeous gal? If so, visit the HSFC website for more information. To view the other pets available for adoption at HSFC, click here.

Do you have room in your home (and your heart) for one of these sweethearts? Then contact HSFC or A Forever Home. If you know someone else who might be in the market for an awesome companion, please share this post. Let’s find some homes for Shea and Bonnie!

Bios and photos used with permission from HSFC and A Forever Home.

A big fat Halloween cat

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Pup Fan

It’s no secret… I love Garfield. So, in honor of Halloween, I wanted to share my favorite song from Garfield in Disguise (which I think has since been renamed, but I’m old school like that).

(Seriously, why was it renamed to Garfield’s Halloween Adventure? Was it that hard to connect the dots that “in disguise” might refer to a Halloween costume? Moving on…)

There’s some weird box in the middle (I don’t edit ’em; I just find ’em). However, you can hover over it and then click the X to get rid of it..

So what will you be? Happy Halloween!

Those better be some good treats

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Pup Fan

It’s almost time to watch Halloween cartoons! (Yes, I am five.) I do love It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown – however, for my favorite special, I have to break out the DVD player. Which one is that, you might ask? Garfield, of course. What’s yours?

Anyway, before I do that, I owe you some Halloween linkage. Enjoy…

This week’s punny pet names are inspired by my friend Coney McConerson: Conan O’Whinin’, Ichabod Cone and Cone Crawford. (I’ve also added a few new nicknames for my Coney Island friend. One of my favorites? The Cone Ranger.)
Looking for an easy Halloween treat this weekend? Try making this candy cane bark I shared over on the baking blog.
Halloween is Monday… which means it’s the last Friday that I can share Halloween costumes this year. Let’s start with 6 awesome dog costumes inspired by food.
Those photos were taken at the 21st Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade. Want more? I aim to please.
Remember that awesome collection of cat costumes from last week? Now there’s one for dogs too.
Still haven’t figured out a costume for your pup? Lucky you – Doggie Stylish has a ton of ideas and tutorials! Or perhaps you’d prefer something simple? (Whatever you choose, make sure to follow these safety tips from To Dog With Love.)
Bella’s not so into pumpkin carving… maybe she’s just intimidated by the skills of these carving creatures.
Speaking of pumpkins, these Dog O’Lanterns from PupLove and Gardening with Wyatt are pretty awesome.
Don’t feel like carving? It’s not necessary for maximum cute. Exhibit A: some photos of pooches hanging out with pumpkins.

Finally, this week’s video:

I hope that you have a wonderful Halloween weekend!

The accidental Halloween costume

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Pup Fan

It’s time for the big reveal. What will Bella be for Halloween?

To be honest, I don’t have the heart to make Bella wear a Halloween costume when she’s already stuck in a cone. (She’s not a huge fan of being dressed up even when she’s in a good mood.)

However, the new cone appears to have a silver lining… literally. This weekend, we discovered that the cone has some reflective qualities. As a result, photos taken with a flash end up like this:

Have you guessed it yet? Keep reading…

She’s going as a flashlight!

Poor Coney Island. The insults never stop coming… I even got some of this snazzy flashlight action on video:

What’s your pet’s Halloween costume this year?

UPDATE: I just got a call from the vet – Bella’s lump was benign! Yay!

UPDATE 2: It’s a Halloween Parade Blog Hop from afFURmation!

An update from Coney Island

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Pup Fan

Bella has a new cone (the Comfy Cone). She seems to prefer this one to the plastic monstrosity she was wearing on Saturday. Her navigation has improved. It also makes drinking easier and appears to make sleeping more comfortable.

However, the new cone has not caused her to develop an appreciation for life as the sole occupant of Coney Island in our household. I still catch her shooting me dirty looks on a regular basis. The fact that I keep referring to her as Coney Island and Coney McConerson probably isn’t helping matters. (When she takes a nap in the middle of the living room these days, she’s like her own little island of annoyance. I wouldn’t recommend it as a tourist destination.)

I asked Bella to watch the following video shared with me by Pamela from Something Wagging This Way Comes. She was not amused (apparently they don’t enjoy cone humor on Coney Island). However, as a not-so-proud member of the People’s Republic of Evil Cone Purchasers, I found it highly entertaining.

Thanks for sending this my way, Pamela. I love it!

On a related note, I think Bella has been deploying her cone to score maximum sympathy points. Last night, those points were awarded in the form of chicken. The cone has really upped her game in the begging department.

Tomorrow, I reveal what Bella’s going as for Halloween… any guesses? (Hint: the cone is involved.)

Adorable adoptables in northern Virginia: Buddy & Marty

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Pup Fan

First up, meet Buddy! This Border Collie/Spaniel Mix is approximately 6 years old. Could this handsome guy be the one for you? Here’s his bio from A Forever Home:

“Buddy and Boo lost their home due to their family breaking up. Buddy is
a lovebug. He gets along with other dogs and loves everyone. He is
housebroken and would just like a lap to sit in.”

If you have a lap for Buddy, visit A Forever Home for more information or email Info@aforeverhome.org. To view the other pets available for adoption (including his pal Boo) at A Forever Home, click here.

Up next, meet Marty! This little cutie weighs approximately 15 pounds. Here’s his bio from HSFC:

“This little fella is not only cute as a button, but
about as sweet as you can get. He’s only 4 yrs. young, super small,
loves everyone and everyone loves him. Marty was neglected and wants
desperately to find someone who will love him. As much as this boy has
been though, he is still full of sweetness. He has a beautiful grey and
white coat and is a purebred Shih Tzu. Come and make Marty’s biggest
wish come true…a family who will love him forever!

Attributes: Incredible Little Fella!”

If you’re interested in meeting Marty and loving him forever, visit the HSFC website for more information. To view the other pets available for adoption at HSFC, click here.

Do you have room in your home (and your heart) for one of these pups? Then contact HSFC or A Forever Home. If you know someone else who might be in the market for an awesome companion, please share this post. Let’s find some homes for these great pups!

Bios and photos used with permission from HSFC and A Forever Home.

Cone of Extreme Annoyance

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Pup Fan

Bella would like to register a complaint. She has decided that “Cone of Shame” is not really an accurate name for this torture device. It’s more like a Cone of Extreme Annoyance.

I think I’m currently on her List. She keeps running into things and giving me dirty looks.

So far, she’s doing okay, other than the fact that she’s obviously annoyed. She currently has so many pills that I’m beginning to think she needs one of those pill caddies, however. (Antibiotics and pain meds plus her usual thyroid medicine.)

Looks like I’ll be having a lazy day of watching TV so that I can hang out with her and keep her from overdoing it. Could be worse…

Hello… is it a doggie you’re looking for?

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Pup Fan

I’ve got lots of linky goodness for you today. Before we get silly, however, I have some cool information to share with you in honor of Pit Bull Awareness Day, which just so happens to be tomorrow.

Our pals over at love and a six-foot leash have put together a special adoption event with the Montgomery County Humane Society. For a select group of lovable wonderbulls known as Little Zee’s Fabulous Four, all adoption fees will be sponsored. Once a dog in the Fabulous Four is adopted, a new one will take his or her place on the list.

If you’re in the DC area, check out the details on how you can bring one of these adorable pups home. (Even if you’re not looking for another dog right now or aren’t in DC, you can still help by spreading the word!) For bonus points, head over to Peaceful dog, where a donation will be made to the Washington Humane Society for each comment. Pretty cool, huh?

Now, back to your regularly scheduled puns…

Your punny pet name: Lionel Itchy.
Remember how much I loved that Lionel Richie teapot? Well, here’s an awesome flyer to go with it. I don’t know why he fascinates me so… perhaps I’ve been wooed by his grammar skills.
On a related note, I saw the sign below one day, and it was the highlight of my week. I’m sure the people who saw me taking this photo thought I was nuts – however, anyone who gets the reference below scores instant awesome points. (I’m beginning to think I need to join Lionel Richie Fans Anonymous. Their motto? “Hello… is it therapy you’re looking for?”)

Lionel Richie crossing

Um… moving on… looking for a treat to make for Halloween? Check out these creepy eyeball cake pops from Bakerella. (Continuing on that theme… there photos of animals’ eyes up close are pretty cool.)
If that didn’t satisfy your sweet tooth, try these awesome cakes inspired by Tim Burton. (There might even be some new eye candy on my baking blog… head on over and check it out.)
Last week, I highlighted some dogs in Halloween costumes. This week, cats get their due. (Speaking of cats, this diagram should clear up what all the fuss is about.)
Also… I think this might be the best costume ever (although I doubt it’d translate into a pet costume).
Want to see more cute pet costumes (and vote for your favorite)? Go to All Things Dog Blog to vote for the Most Original Costume, and swing by DogTipper to vote for the Cutest Costume.
I wish I’d read this article about pumpkin carving tips before I tried to carve mine last weekend. Nonetheless, maybe it’ll help you in your carving endeavors. (Are you a pumpkin carving savant? Then you might want to enter this contest.)
This photo looks like it came from some sort of horror movie.

The video below, however, looks like it came from the best movie ever.

It’s like a remake of 8 Seconds only much more fun and without Dylan McKay.

Oh, and I know it’s No Frown Friday, but I want to keep you posted on what’s up with us today. Bella had to go in for surgery to have a lump removed this morning, and I’ll be picking her up this evening if all goes well. That being said, we’d appreciate any healing vibes you could send her way.

I’m hoping that it’ll turn out to be nothing, and that the worst part of the whole ordeal will be her displeasure regarding the cone of shame. (At least we don’t have a doggie door, I suppose…)

I Still Want More Puppies

If you love puppies and you know it, read this blog