This week, I can really use some smiles… thank goodness No Frown Friday is here when I need it most! I also have an important zombie survival tip to share with you. But first, a few things to send you into the weekend with a giggle or two:
Your punny pet name: Tyribone Lannister. (Confused? See #2 below.)
This one has no real connection to anything else on the list… but it’s my blog so I can take some liberties right? It’s a cheese grater that looks like a hedgehog!
I don’t know what you saw, but I’m pretty sure I just learned how to survive a zombie attack – always sit on a kitchen rug so that the zombies can’t quite reach you. If only someone had shared this info with the cast of The Walking Dead.
Anyway… what are you up to this weekend? I’m going to a corn maze/pumpkin patch with friends, and then we’re heading back to my house for a pumpkin carving party. For Bella, that means extra people to pet her and give her love. I don’t think she’ll mind that at all.
This week, I’m featuring two Coonhound mixes. Did you know that Coonhounds fall into that dreaded “less adoptable” category that makes it harder for them to find homes? (As always, I’m convinced that “less adoptable” really means “awesome but people are too dumb to see it.”) Check out this week’s post about Coonhound Companions over at Be the Change for Animals to learn more about this awesome breed.
Now, allow me to introduce you to some adorable Coonhounds who are looking for their forever homes…
First up, meet Scupper! This guy is a Coonhound mix, and he’s approximately 3 years old. Here’s his bio from A Forever Home:
“Scupper is a sweet boy with a great personality. He’s completely crate
and house trained. He loves to play tug-o-war with his foster brother
Bailey. Even though he’s skinny he’s a fairly tall dog, so he would do
best in a home with older children. Scupper would greatly appreciate a
new home with active people and a fenced back-yard for play time, and he
would make an ideal running partner. Scupper does have a little fear
of certain dogs and some men, however, I have not had any problem with
him when there’s been a proper introduction. Scupper takes a while to
bond with his caretakers, but once he does he’s forever yours, and has a
great memory for people. Please come visit him at the next adoption
event.”
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!)
Up next, meet Connie! This lovely lady is also a Coonhound mix, and she weighs approximately 45 pounds. Here’s her bio from HSFC:
“They don’t get any sweeter than Connie unless you dip
her in sugar. She’s a Black and Tan Coonhound and one look into her eyes
will have you hooked forever. She did not had a good life before coming
to us. She was emaciated when she came into our care and very
frightened. She has gained weight and learned to trust us completely.
Her personality shines through more and more each day. She’s great with
other dogs, is only a year old and tries her best to please you. Please
give this sweetheart a chance to show you how wonderful she is. Send in
your dog adoption application today and get ready to be loved
unconditionally.
Attributes: Super Sweet Missy!”
If you’re interested in meeting Connie, visit the HSFC website for more information on how to experience her sweetness in person. 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.
Previously… I ate some cheesecake and finished the educational portion of Day 1.
After learning about various bloggy things, the first day of sessions was over. It was time to head back out into that big lobby and chat it up once again before our screening of Spooky Buddies. Luckily, I quickly encountered Kim from This One Wild Life, who was kind enough to allow me to be her wingwoman (wingblogger?) for the evening.
We grabbed a glass of wine (farewell to my final drink ticket) and some popcorn (in my book, wine goes with anything) while we waited for the evening’s festivities to get underway.
After mingling for a bit, the doors opened and we headed inside. We picked up some movie snacks and grabbed a seat a few rows from the front. Little did we know that the rows in front of us would later be removed and we’d be in the very first row… not that I’m complaining, but it was somewhat unexpected. Anyway, Kim and I chatted for a while about this and that – it was like hanging out with an old friend. (Kim, feel free to correct me in the comments if you thought it was more like hanging out with an annoying person who won’t go away… I kid, I kid.)
Here’s the coolest part… not long before the movie began, Kim and I checked our Twitter feeds (hey, it’s a blogging conference) to find out the results of the Petties (it’s like the Oscars, but for pet blogs). Be the Change for Animals (which Kim co-founded) won for Best Cause Blog! It was a pretty amazing moment – and fortunately, the BlogPaws photographer happened to swing by at the perfect time and get it on camera.
(Check out her acceptance speech – Be the Change for Animals donated its $1,000 to Best Friends Animal Society. Pretty great, huh?)
Not long after that, it was time for the movie premiere of Spooky Buddies – BlogPaws was the first press screening in the country. I’ll admit, I’ve never seen any of the other movies in the franchise, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
The basic story – the five main characters (a.k.a the Buddies, a group of five adorable Golden Retriever puppies) encounter the legend of the Howl-oween Hound and must stop Warwick the Warlock’s evil plan before it’s too late.
The movie was cute… not necessarily one I would have sought out on my own, but I definitely think kids would like it. I actually enjoyed it – there was something about the crowd (including dogs barking at the screen) that just made it a fun experience. Here’s the trailer:
Obviously, I’m not the only blogger writing up her thoughts on her Spooky Buddies experience these days. For a few more, go visit Bocci’s Beefs (and find out how many stand-ins each puppy had on set), My Tail Hurts from Wagging So Much (for an interview with the director), and The Chronicles of Cardigan (for a firsthand account of what it was like to watch the movie with your pups).
After the movie, it was time for a Q&A session with the director. I have to imagine that working with kids and puppies is quite the challenge, but he really seemed to enjoy it.
Once the Q&A ended, we had the opportunity to get our photo taken
with one of the stars – an adorable puppy dressed in a bunny costume.
The photographer wasn’t very quick on the draw – which didn’t work so
well when a tired puppy was involved.
In the interest of getting these
photos done quickly so that the pup could get out of his duds and take a
nap, Kim and I did our photo as a duo. Once I have a copy, I’ll
definitely share it here.
Once that was all done, Kim invited me to crash a Greenies happy hour that she was invited to attend at the hotel bar. I was a bit hesitant, but I’m glad I let her talk me into it. I had a fantastic time chatting with Doreen from Doggies and Stuff, Jess from Indy Dog Blog (a party crasher like me), and others.
Eventually, it was time for me to say goodnight and head home. After I got home, I snuggled with Bella and caught up on Project Runway.
One day down, one more to go. I was able to attend the second day, but I did end up ducking out a bit early due to the hurricane. Never fear, I still have lots to tell you.
Up next? More sessions, some great speakers, a photo shoot or two, and meeting up with some more of my favorite bloggers.
Okay, so I know I’ve focused on Corgis before (they were even the subject of my first breed spotlight and inspired me to dream up a detective show starring a Corgi/Jack Russell named Cojack). However, the Internet has made it very clear that it’s time for another Corgi roundup. You wouldn’t believe how much Corgi stuff keeps popping up on my screen. It’s obvious that the universe wants me to give in to the Corgi-fication. Who am I to argue?
On Monday, I treated you to a rare glimpse of the elusive Cave Dog (complete with nature show commentary). Today, I share a few additional shots of this fascinating creature courtesy of our mobile Cave Dog tracking unit…
When necessary, the Cave Dog will construct a makeshift cave using available resources.
The Cave Dog imitates other animals (such as the tortoise) to avoid suspicion.
Highly adaptable, the Cave Dog has even learned how to make its cave portable.
However, as you can see, the Cave Dog is not a stealthy beast.
I have a special treat for you today. We’re going to visit the lair of a mysterious animal known as the Cave Dog. Not too close… we don’t want to spook the magnificent creature. However, if we move slowly, we may be able to catch a glimpse of this cozy canine.
The Cave Dog’s origins are a mystery. Rumor has it that the Cave Dog will hide under anything. At night, the Cave Dog usually falls asleep in its chosen den… after a few hours, one can hear the Cave Dog shuffling out of the cave. This nightly migration from cave to dog bed is a phenomenon that pupologists cannot explain. Only the Cave Dog knows the reasons behind this puzzling pattern.
If you know where to look, you may be able to find a Cave Dog under a sofa, table, or bed. Although the Cave Dog gravitates to these locations, the beast is not stealthy. The observant naturalist can usually spot an errant foot or tail, which will give away the creature’s location. On occasion, the Cave Dog will even leave its head exposed.
Alas, the Cave Dog’s habitat is under attack. When a new bed replaced the old, the Cave Dog could no longer fit underneath it. Although the Cave Dog has managed to squeeze underneath the new landmark in a fit of thunderstorm-induced panic, the habitat is no longer ideal. (Humans are so inconsiderate.) Fortunately, our team of Cave Dog conservationists has constructed a new habitat for the reclusive pooch. By draping an afghan over a conveniently located bench at the foot of the bed, we have created a new den of privacy. The Cave Dog has adjusted well to the new habitat and appears to be quite content.
Now, you’re in for a real treat… we’ve managed to get a photo inside the Cave Dog’s lair!
Believe it or not, the Cave Dog was fairly hospitable and gave us a slurp before we departed. Nature never fails to surprise.
There’s some synergy in the air, it seems. We were just talking about Jack Russell Terriers on Friday… and today I have a very special JRT story to share with you. Meet my new hero, Steve Porter.
For more on this amazing story, go here. You can also see photos of the rescue. Although Jessie ended up with a cone of shame, this story has a pretty happy ending.
As you may know, JRTs are very brave and are built for hunting below ground. Some JRTs even compete in events called Go-to-Ground, which simulate and test a JRT’s ability to hunt underground.
When I was a kid, my Toy Fox Terrier (Scotti) would show off these skills as well. She’d chase squirrels and other animals all over the yard, including chasing them through a small drainpipe that was back there. We were lucky – she never got stuck, although the habit did result in quite a few baths for my muddy mutt. The frequent baths never proved to be a deterrent, however.
It appears that Jessie’s ordeal hasn’t stopped him from following his instincts either. Those terriers are incorrigible. In a good way.
Although Bella’s exact specifications are unknown, I suspect (and many of you agreed) that she has some Beagle and Jack Russell Terrier in there (sometimes known as a Jack-a-Bee), and maybe a little Corgi too. Since we’ve done No Frown Friday tributes to Beagles and Corgis, it’s time to complete the trifecta!
First up, your punny pet name: Jack Russell Crowe.
Speaking of names, do you know how the Jack Russell Terrier got its name? Once you know its origin story, click over to Dogster to learn more about this feisty breed or watch this clip from Dogs 101.
