Hairy Garfield & the Half-Belated Birthday Doodle

Today’s topic is artistic ability. I have a little – occasionally, I can render a pretty good drawing, although I never quite mastered perspective and scale. I’m by no means an artist, so today we’re actually talking about doodles: what you doodle, when you doodle, how you doodle. (That word gets more fun each time I say it… doodle, doodle, doodle. How do any of you with a Labradoodle or other -doodle dog get anything done? I’d just repeat that to myself all the time.)

Why doodles, you might ask? Well, I’m a habitual doodler, but not terribly creative. Those that have ever sat next to me in a meeting, taken a class with me, or known me for years are aware that I have a doodle of choice. It’s appeared in countless notebooks and textbooks over the years.

Yesterday happened to be the birthday of my favorite doodle inspiration, so I thought I’d honor this esteemed personage with a belated birthday doodle…

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Give me your ears, and I’ll lend you a paw…

As usual, it’s time for some Friday linkage. This week, the theme is helping out. Confused? Stick with me…

  1. Your punny pet name: Corg Clooney. (You know, if George Clooney were a Corgi.)
  2. Check out this post from Oh, Corbin announcing Blogville Pitty Post Day on Monday, June 4. We intend to participate – I hope you’ll join in!
  3. Did you know that Be the Change for Animals (one of my personal blogging inspirations) had a birthday earlier this week? Head on over and wish the team a happy birthday! (There’s even a bit of personal news in there – I’ll be helping out as a staff writer. I can’t wait to get started!)
  4. Because I’m addicted to blogging, I’ve also agreed to help out with the blog for City Dogs Rescue in DC. Here’s my first post!
  5. Is it scattered that I’m helping with two different rescues? I think it’s kind of fun. I also help with the Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA) Twitter account (which you should totally follow), and participate in FOHA adoption events. Guess I took my own advice!
  6. I’m actually attending a cool FOHA adoption event this weekend. It’s called Sit, Sip & Stay, and it’s at Bluemont Vineyard in Bluemont, VA. Attendees can taste wine while helping FOHA’s medical fund. Pretty neat, huh?
  7. I totally think that all rescues should steal this calling card idea. Thanks to Pamela from Something Wagging This Way Comes for sharing this one with me. (Warning: ear worm within. No, not that kind of ear worm. I think that link should earn me some geek cred.)
  8. Speaking of helping animals, here are thirty-five that could use your help.
  9. The chance to help name an otter? On a website called You Otter Know? Obviously, I’m in. I’m pulling for Sam Otterston.
  10. I guess we all find our own ways to help. This little girl has taken it upon herself to help her dog learn a very important life skill.

It’s not a one-way street, however. Dogs help us too. Like this dog helping his baby friend learn to crawl.

I kind of want a series featuring the adventures of this dog and baby as they grow up together. Rated TV-CAA (Cute, Awesome & Adorable).

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Black and white and cute all over

I’m in a penguin mood today. It happens from time to time. Guess I just can’t resist a bird that comes equipped with built-in formal wear. (Wouldn’t a penguin make a great prom date?) Anyway, on to the links!

  1. First up, the traditional sharing of a punny name. Today, I give you: Penguin Stefani. (Bonus: Penguinona Ryder. See #2.)
  2. Also, I have decided I want to remake Heathers using an all-bird cast. The Heathers will be played by penguins (including renowned feathered actress Shannen Do-birdy). I’ll be calling it Feathers. Obviously.
  3. I can’t get enough of these awesome penguin photos. Apparently there are places where you can get up close and personal with penguins. Needless to say, I want to go to there!
  4. Any hockey fans out there? Whether you are currently immersed in the NHL playoffs or bored to tears, I bet you’ll enjoy this adorable sports fan.
  5. This real penguin hanging out with a plush penguin just about did me in.
  6. I would like to go back in time and purchase all the seats on the train of this adorable penguin conductor.
  7. Speaking of penguins with jobs, check out this therapy penguin. No, really. His name is Roast Beef, people. Roast. Beef. I need a minute.
  8. In addition to being adorable, penguins are also hilarious. Exhibit A: a penguin bit Newt Gingrich. Exhibit B: a penguin pretending to be Garfield kicking Odie off the table.

Even fake penguins are hilarious. Observe:

(via Jezebel)
Have a fantastic weekend!
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The pugs will see you at the crossroads…

Happy Friday! On to the links:

  1. Your punny pet names: Pug E. Pug and Michael Puglas. (These were obviously inspired by #2 on today’s list.)
  2. Bone Pugs-N-Harmony. Seriously, you guys… I can’t even. This offering rendered me speechless for about five minutes. Pug Life!
  3. Once you’ve watched that, the occasional expletives over at Text from Dog will probably not phase you too much. This one might be my favorite. (Thanks to Katherine from Life with Arie for sharing this one on Twitter!)
  4. I can’t get enough… enjoy May the Ads Be Ever in Your Favor. (It’s no May the Kibble Be Ever in Your Flavor, but I’m probably just biased.)
  5. Speaking of ads, I could play with this Gendered Advertising Remixer for hours, I think.
  6. I’m not a huge April Fool’s Day fan, but I did enjoy this one involving dogs in glasses. (Bonus non-April Fool’s links – Cats in Clothes! Or at cafes!)
  7. I love baseball. In honor of Opening Day, enjoy some team-related cute.
  8. I plan to do some baking for Easter brunch on Sunday – although I’m not sure I’ll be feeling this ambitious, I cannot deny that these bunny cake pops are extremely charming.
  9. Having a rough day? These thirteen simple steps will get you through it. I honestly can’t decide which one is my favorite. (Great minds think alike – Pamela from Something Wagging This Way Comes shared this one on Facebook yesterday too.)
Finally, this week’s video reminded me of The Big Bang Theory:

The look on the face of the other cat says it all.
So tell me, what are you up to this weekend?  I will be allowing my heart to go on tonight, while revisiting Titanic on the big screen. I did promise them I’d never let go, after all.
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May the kibble be ever in your flavor…

Apologies for the post title… I couldn’t resist. (Also, it will make much more sense when you reach the end of today’s post.)

I did see The Hunger Games last weekend, and it’s been on my mind ever since. I took a dystopian lit class in college – so when I read the book (and again when I saw the movie), it activated that English major side of me that absolutely loves analyzing literature. Yes, I’m aware that I am a dork.

Moving on, it’s time for your Friday linkage…

  1. This week’s punny pet names: Haymitch Aberwaggy and Effie Trincat.
  2. Check out this video compiling the 50 best (?) “very special episodes” of some favorite TV shows. I have to admit, I thought #2 would score the #1 spot, but I can’t really argue with the one that they chose. (I’m not crying, it’s just been raining on my face.)
  3. You can’t go wrong with dogs in party hats.
  4. Just because I’m feeling generous, here’s another puppy slideshow.
  5. Forget the Sorcerer’s Apprentice… the mascot’s apprentice is way cuter. (I hope that Jack the bulldog gets well soon – poor pup.)
  6. I’m pretty sure Bella isn’t really qualified to be the mascot for a sports team. Have you seen her catch? (I kid, I kid…)
  7. I love that Jon Hamm is actually kind of a ham. These goofy photos endear him to me even more. (Speaking of Mad Men, surely I’m not the only one who has been singing Zou Bisou Bisou all week? And by singing, I mean singing only those three words, because I do not know the rest)
  8. I’m easily amused – thank goodness the Internet is always there to amuse me. The They Volunteer tumblr is one-note, but still amusing. These two were my favorites. (Apparently I have not recovered from last week’s obsessions. Or my other obsession.)

Time to give cats their due – this week, enjoy a tribute to felines on film. (Also, a warning: there may be one word not for sensitive puppy ears in there. It’s not my fault – blame Brad Pitt. Geez, the nerve of that guy.)

I can’t even decide which one is my favorite, but it’s kind of hard to top Say Anything.Okay, I’m going to go off book here, and share a second video today. Behold, the most adorable hunger games ever played:

I bid you farewell for today, dear readers… may the kibble be ever in your flavor!

 

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A blogger’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love

My apologies to Tennyson

Anyway, I am very excited about the weekend ahead. Dinner with old friends tonight, more March Madness… not to mention The Hunger Games and Mad Men.  Lots to enjoy! For that reason, today’s post has a simple, not-so-much-a-theme theme: stuff I love!

  1. Your punny pet names: Catnip Everdeen, Peeta Mebark, Primnose Everdeen, and Gale Pawthorne.
  2. A few things I love: Downton Abbey, Mad Men, and puppies. It’s hard to decide which is more awesome – imagining the characters of Downton Abbey as different dog breeds (Dogton Abbey lives!) or comparing them to the cast of Mad Men.
  3. A Mad Men choose your own adventure game? Sold! (However, I will be forever loyal to the Saved by the Bell one – it’s first in my heart.) Have I mentioned my childhood obsession with both Choose Your Own Adventure books and fuzzy posters? Where is my Mad Men fuzzy poster? 
  4. You know I love Dr. Seuss… so of course I enjoyed this Dr. Seuss alphabet!
  5. I also love turtles (as you know). This turtle is no exception.
  6. I’m planning to see The Hunger Games this weekend. (Have you read the books? I am always searching for more people to chat with about them, as I have thoughts… lots of thoughts.) Speaking of both games and hunger, these cakes are awesome.
  7. The love doesn’t stop there… I love this song, which I happened to hear on the radio yesterday. It’s been ages since I last heard it, but it’s perfect for the dog lover!
There are many things to love about the following video…

(via Jezebel)

What are you up to this weekend?

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I’m not very musical, but this post is quite Seussical

Thanks go to Kolchak Puggle for inspiring today’s theme – I just hope that my bad rhymes do not make you scream…
  1. Today’s punny pet name has both brains and good looks – it’s Fleaodor Seuss Geisel, author of many great books!  (If you have the time and are feeling quite able, you might want to check out this Lorax dessert table.)
  2. Speaking of books, not to be quite contrary, but I don’t think I’ll fit in this little library.
  3. I hear that the ’80s are making a sartorial comeback – will fashion soon be inspired by volumes in my childhood book stack?  (It seems that everything comes back around, from clothing to music, such cycles abound.  This fashionable news fills me with neon-colored dread, but I suppose I should just be thankful we aren’t chasing the ’70s instead.)
  4. If fonts were cats, would they wear hats?  By that of course, I mean the thing called a serif – that a letter sometimes wears a pair of.
  5. This next link will mess with your head and your brain – it’s inspired by Escher, and it’s right up my lane.
  6. Now, Bella gets carsick and can’t go too far, but if she could travel I’d want this plate for my car.
  7. Last week I took the adorable Willis to an adoption event as my friend – although he did like to hug, I’m lucky he did not try to fully ascend.

Before I must go, I shall whisper a secret.  It should fully explain the final thing in this link set.  Dr. Seuss isn’t the only one who entered the world on this day – a certain pup-obsessed blogger also came out to play.

Now that you know of this Seussy connection, perhaps you will realize upon further reflection, that the puns and the parodies are fully explained, and my all-around goofiness was no doubt preordained.Anyway, if you’re feeling inspired by this meandering post, and wish your blog had a similar rhyme scheme to host – sit down at your keyboard and let the creativity pop, then head on over to join up with this Seusstastic blog hop.

 

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A salute to cinematic canines…

Well, the Academy Awards are on Sunday, so I bet you can guess today’s theme… movie madness and dogs on film!  (Sing that last part like you’re Duran Duran… that’s how it sounded in my head just now.)

  1. First up, your punny pet names: Billy Grrr-ystal, Barkin’ Scorsese, and Meryl Cheep (for a bird). 
  2. Throwing an Oscar party?  You could make some punny dishes inspired by the nominees and then decorate with these fun printables.
  3. At your party, you could reenact scenes from past winners.  Just be careful which role you let this guy play.  (In a moment of synergy, I just saw an ad for the re-release of Titanic in April. I’m so there. Be proud, 17 year old me. I’ll never let go.)
  4. If that’s not your speed, you could discuss the greatest movie quotes of all time.  The first category?  Legal movie quotes.
  5. Whatever you do, just make sure you’re comfy – it’s a long show.
  6. I could watch this funny clip of Oscar nominee Jean Dujardin auditioning to be a villain all day.  No joke.
  7. I usually try to watch as many Oscar nominees as possible before the big night.  What’s your favorite?  This year, maybe I should try to catch some of the nominated shorts too.
  8. It’s the year of the dog on the red carpet.  I just have to smile every time I see Uggie, the canine star of The Artist (and a former rescue pup, like our pal Chopper).   Check out this great interview with his trainer, and then get a glimpse behind the scenes with Uggie and Cosmo (star of Beginners). 
  9. Uggie’s far from the first four-legger to rock the red carpet – enjoy this slideshow to see more.  (Sadly, Uggie won’t be on the red carpet on Sunday.  He would have totally upstaged all of the starlets.  However, I hope he’s enjoying his recently announced retirement and that he’s doing well.)
  10. Why stop there? I’m totally into the Golden Collar Awards.  Most adorable nominees ever.
  11. What’s your favorite dog movie?  (Here are some of mine.)

Finally, this video made me smile… and laugh… and cry… and cringe a little. (In any event, I had to share it just for the punny name near the end.)

(via Best Week Ever)

Will you be watching the Oscars?


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Revenge of the nerds… and the nerdy cats

It’s Friday… time for some linkage to send you into the weekend with a smile!

  1. Your punny pet names are for a turtle and dog duo: Shelldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Howler.  (Continuing on the nerdy theme, you could also get a bird and name it Stephen Hawking – no punnification required.)
  2. Speaking of Mayim Bialik, did you ever watch Blossom?  If so, enjoy this story about Jenna von Oy (a/k/a Six) and her pug.
  3. Do you ever watch The Soup?  If so: (a) we should hang out; and (b) you will likely enjoy this Cat Soup parody.
  4. That last clip was a bit irreverent.  This koala was shocked.
  5. You know I love a good shelter photography story. This awesome collection of adorable adoptables is no exception.  
  6. This slideshow of pets on furniture is too cute.  (This one is my favorite.)
  7. Have you ever wanted to attend Hogwarts?  Well, I can’t get you in there (I’ve already called in all of my favors), but perhaps you should check out the Hovawart School of Witchcraft & Wizardry instead. I hear the Care of Magical Creatures class is fantastic.  (Also, I can’t resist a Harry Potter pun.)
  8. You know, I always wondered what made the Angry Birds so darn angry. Now we know.
Anyway, today’s video is cat-related (it’s been a cat kind of week, apparently). Honestly though, my first thought was that this is exactly what it would be like if Stephen Hawking were a cat instead of a human (hence #1 above).
(via Best Week Ever)

As a cat, he’d still be smarter than any of us (and we probably would have already welcomed those feline overlords I keep hearing about).

That’s all for today.  Have a great weekend, nerds!  (I consider that a term of endearment – I’m kind of nerdy myself, after all.)

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