Tag Archives: wag that tail

Back in black

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That’s right… I’m starting you off with an AC/DC reference before the holiday weekend.  Originally, I was thinking that this post might have a Columbus Day theme, but it was not to be…Instead, our focus today is on the one of the less adoptable groups in the pet world – black dogs and cats.  Today (thanks to our friend Lily Danel) I saw a great article about how one shelter is attempting to help black cats overcome their undeserved reputation as bearers of bad luck.  The Loudoun County Animal Shelter in Virginia is hosting Black Cat Weekend on October 16th and 17th (all black cats adopted from the shelter will be spayed/neutered for free).

In honor of this great idea, I dedicate this post to all of the less adoptable black pets out there:

  1. As always, your punny pet name for the week: Blackeared the Pirate.
  2. Pawcurious has the right idea: Black is the New Black.
  3. I know it’s No Frown Friday, but I promised nothing with regard to tears. Check out this moving video about black dog syndrome via Of Cows’ Tails and Chew Toys.
  4. Here are a few lighthearted reasons to adopt a black dog or cat.
  5. Check out the crew over at Life with 5 Dogs… how could anyone pass up cute dogs like these?

Growing up, I had four dogs that would qualify for the black dog club – a German Shepherd (Shadow), a mutt named Pedro, and two Flat-Coated Retrievers (Sparkle and Bourbon).  Here are a few photos of my loves:

Shadow
Pedro

 

Sparkle & Bourbon (during their puppyhood)

Fun fact: while looking for photos for this post, I dug out one of my old photo albums.  When I put the album together (maybe 10 years ago), I apparently decided to ditch any chronological order and organized it by dog photos first, then family. I couldn’t stop laughing.  (To any family reading this post… no offense!)

If you or someone you know is looking for a pet, make sure you don’t overlook the black dogs and cats out there.  (Adopt a less adoptable pet… all the cool kids are doing it.)  Visit the Black Dog Rescue Project, Start Seeing Black Dogs and http://www.blackpearldogs.com/ to learn about other ways to help.  Don’t worry – we didn’t forget about the kitties!  Check out Black Cat Rescue and read about helping black cats here.

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In the mood for food

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It’s been pretty dreary and rainy lately, and that’s got me thinking about comfort food.  So… today’s No Frown Friday is food-related.  (And pet-related, of course.)

  1. Your punny pet names for the week are inspired by famous chefs: Tom Colickio, Barko DiSpirito and Woofgang Puck. (Cat Cora needed no alterations.  My favorite chef?  The Swedish Chef, of course.)
  2. Check out this dog named Dumpling… eating a dumpling.  Very meta.
  3. Quick math lesson: tiny kitten + tiny hat + tiny ice cream come = awesome commercial. (Congratulations! Simply by reading the preceding sentence, you’ve passed Cute Math 101.)
  4. Remember when Bella ate ice cream?
  5. Cats and dogs eating popsicles and peanut butter. (Serious Eats really has all of your needs covered when it comes to cute animals eating.)

Hmmm… not a lot of healthy foods in that list above.  Might I recommend you stop by Gardening with Wyatt?  The gorgeous photos of Wyatt the dog and the yummy food from his garden will inspire you to get that diet back on track.  In addition to eating better, you’ll need to hit the treadmill:

No, not like that! Try it this way:


(via Cute Overload)

Seriously though, if your pet is overweight, that’s not a good thing.  Bella’s had her battles with weight in the past, but on our vet’s advice we reduced the amount we were feeding her.  These days she’s slim and trim.  (Don’t get me wrong… she still licks the empty bowl – repeatedly – and looks at me forlornly when she finishes her meal.  She’s like a canine Oliver Twist.)

Given her druthers, I’m sure Bella would eat until she couldn’t move.  Luckily, our dogs have us to exercise self-control on their behalf – they can only eat what we feed them.  (Unlike humans – the blame for that extra cookie is all mine.) Hope you have a happy and healthy weekend!

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Oh, baby…

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The combo of kids and dogs seems to be everywhere I turn lately.  Accordingly, they provide the inspiration for today’s post.   

  1. Today’s punny pet name:  Furry Cruise.
  2. Pop quiz, hotshot: can you tell the difference between dog toys and baby toys?  Give it a try – I’ll wait.
  3. Puppies are just baby dogs (or babies are just human puppies… take your pick).  Thus, this video of Marshmellow the white pug puppy (courtesy of The Dog Files) is totally in keeping with the theme.  It’s just two minutes of utter cuteness.
  4. A boy and his dog… epically adorable.
  5. Lots of baby animals in the news lately: lion cubs, komodo dragon hatchlings, and snow leopard cubs have made headlines, just to name a few.  (For breaking news about adorable baby zoo animals, I recommend you check out ZooBorns.)

If you don’t smile while watching the baby and dog below, I’m concerned for your emotional well-being:


(Via The Dog Files – it’s a gold mine.  While there, check out this baby & hungry dog, a dog teaching a baby to high five, and a dog giving a baby crawling lessons.)

Dogs and babies go together like peas and carrots, right?  So… get that kid a pet!  If nothing else, it’s something to consider if you have a child.  Beyond the cute factor, kids with dogs are more active and might even have less trouble with allergies when they get older.  As a kid who grew up with pets galore, let me tell you – having a house full of furry playmates is the best.

In any event, I have a feeling that many of the readers of this blog would have the opposite problem – how to introduce a baby to a house that’s already accustomed to the pitter patter of furry feet.  You’re in luck!  Fido Friendly has some great tips here and here.  Want to learn more?  Check out Dogs&Storks, a program that is all about creating harmony between your furry and non-furry offspring.

Just sticking with dogs?  Then check out Nico & The Bandit for a weekly reason that dogs (and cats) are better than babies.

*Disclaimer: despite the focus of this post, the title of this blog still controls. I just want more puppies. Happy weekend!

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Head of the class

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Speed Bump
(via Speed Bump)

It’s September… which means school is back in session.  I haven’t been a student in quite some time.  Neither has Ms. Bella.  She did take one obedience course… seven years later, she does sit when asked (most of the time). 

We’ve been lucky – Bella’s a fairly low-maintenance gal who doesn’t get into much trouble.  When we eventually adopt dog number two, we’ll have to be much more diligent! 

If you haven’t already guessed, the topic of today’s No Frown Friday is… school!  Let’s hit the books:

  1. This week’s punny pet names are based on some famous names that chose the School of Life instead of a college degree: Drew Hairymore, Nose-Anne Barr, Roarin’ Beatty, and J.K. Howling.
  2. During college, I often found myself suffering from doggie withdrawal.  Earlier this week, I read that Yale Law School had recognized this epidemic, and offered a solution: if you needed a boost, you could check out Monty the pup for a 30 minute play date.  The circulation listing quoted in that post is so cute it’s out of control.  (A sample… “Subjects: Dogs in libraries; Stress reliever for law students.”)  It turns out that Monty might not have been available, but that’s okay.  A girl can dream.  I would have owed so much in overdue dog fees.
  3. Who needs obedience school? This “” has a college degree!
  4. You may (or may not) remember those great literary punny pet names I shared back in June.  In any event, there’s a second installment – quite a treat!  (Be sure to take the pun-filled quiz… I’m still giggling about Captain A. Lab.)
I’ve pulled today’s video out of the Internet archives, and dusted it off for your amusement.  I remember when I first saw this video last year. It quickly earned a place on my list of favorite things:


Reactions: (1) I would have been so much better at science if it was taught by puppies.  (2) I would like to open a school where all lessons are taught with the help of puppies.  (3)  I’ve already got a foolproof plan for the drama program.

Speaking of smarty pants pups, sometimes well-educated service dogs school others in the Americans with Disabilities Act.  If you want to learn more about the valedictorians of the doggie world – those amazingly smart service dogs – check out Canine Companions for Independence.  CCI spoke at Blog Paws West last weekend, and by all accounts it was amazing!

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Are you ready for some football?

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If I had to guess, I’d say that Bella is not a football fan (jersey photos notwithstanding).  Although she loves rope bones and plush toys, balls have never been her thing.  Seeing Bella playing with a tennis ball is kind of like finding a four-leaf clover.  It’s an extremely rare occurrence.

Anyway, football season is here!  It’s my first year participating in the confusing world of fantasy football – I may not know what I’m doing, but I do think my team name is pretty awesome.  (Go Rush Puppies!)  Accordingly, today’s No Frown Friday takes us to the gridiron…

  1. Your punny pet names for the week are inspired by some Hall of Famers: Terry Bradspaw, Vince Pombardi (for your Pomeranian football fan), and Howly Long.
  2. Check out this cool football gear for your dog over at Phetched.
  3. Speaking of dogs playing sports, even the Canine in Chief enjoys a game of football every now and then.
  4. Got some time to kill before the games start this weekend?  You can watch full episodes of The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show – including this episode about Snoopy’s football career. 

In my quest to find the perfect video for today’s post, I came across the very talented dog below.   He’s not playing football in the American sense of the word… but he’s cute so we can overlook that, right?


He makes me smile.

In other dog news, next week you can help dogs simply by writing a post on your blog. For every blogger that posts about the Pedigree Adoption Drive between now and September 19, Pedigree will donate a bag of dog food to shelter dogs.  Cosmo Havanese over at To Dog With Love has all the details.  Go check it out!  We’ll be doing a dedicated post on the subject next week – hope you will too.

More of a blog reader than a blog writer?  That’s okay – for every new person that likes the Pedigree Adoption Drive on Facebook, Pedigree will donate a bowl of food to shelter dogs.  It doesn’t get any easier than that!

Happy weekend!

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Inglewood, 90310

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As you know, yesterday was 9-02-10.  What you may not know is that many people, including myself, found this particular date very exciting.  Obviously, the calendar wanted us all to reminisce about Beverly Hills, 90210.  Right?

It’s obviously no longer 90210 day… however, I don’t have fond memories of a show called Inglewood, 90310.  Thus, even though it’s a day late, the theme of today’s No Frown Friday is 90210. (Though let’s be honest… that show could have used more puppies.)

  1. Today’s punny pet names: Brindle and Brandog Walsh (littermates, of course), David Sil-Bird, Donna Barkin, Kelly Tay-Roar, Steve Salamanders, Houndrea Zuckerman and Dylan Sit-Stay.  (Though it’s non-punny, I also think Mrs. Teasley would be a good pet name.)
  2. Looking back at the fashion of 90210 is a surreal experience.  To think I thought that these outfits were so stylish… eek.  Speaking of fashion, have you ever visited Fashionista Puppies?  If not… do so immediately.
  3. I enjoyed this comparison of Mad Men and 90210 characters.
  4. Finally, check out a compilation of the other 90210 celebrations that happened on the Interwebs.

You may have seen the standard credits over the years, but did you ever see the pilot sequence?  Brandon’s mullet is amazing.

Da na na na, da na na na, tsh tsh… now I’ll be humming the theme song for days.

To bring it back to puppies (as I must)… if you live in or near the Bev Niner and want to adopt a dog like Donna and Brenda did that one time, my Google-fu also revealed that there’s a program in Los Angeles called Pets 90210.  It’s sponsored by the Beverly Hills Pet Care Foundation, and features pets for adoption from L.A. Animal Services.  You know David would have totally volunteered to host…

The Hope for Paws rescue group is also based in L.A. – you may have seen some of the videos from this group.  I urge you to check them out – they do great things!

Happy weekend!

 

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Luke, I am your puppy

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This photo over at Dogs in Duds (love the name) inspired today’s No Frown Friday.  We talked about real space travel last week, so let’s talk about some fictional space travel today.  That’s right, it’s time for Star Wars… puppy style!

  1. First up, punny pet names: Obi Wag Kenobi, Arf Vader, Slobber the Hutt, Luke Skybarker, Arftoo-D2, Boba Fetch, and Lando Abyssinian.
  2. In case the list above didn’t tip you off, Star Wags: A New Rope Toy is next on my imaginary movie producer list as soon as I wrap up Golden Retriever Girls and Seven Dogs for Seven Brothers.  Perhaps I’ll call the next episodes The American Shorthair Strikes Back and The Return of the Pedi-Paws. I should probably move on now…
  3. Speaking of felines, is this cat Jabba the Hutt’s stunt double?
  4. Not really pup related, but still worth a sniff… cool Star Wars cakes.
  5. This chihuahua will teach you the ways of the Force.
  6. You know you want a shirt in Chewbacca Pink.

Ok, so I had no idea what an AT-AT was until I saw the video below.  All you need to know is that it’s one of those walker things from Star Wars, and apparently it is awesome (and perfect for today’s post):

AT-AT day afternoon from Patrick Boivin on Vimeo

(via Phetched)

That concludes today’s No Frown Friday… but before I go, I’d like to bark about one of our blogging friends who has a Star Wars connection.  Stop by The Life and Times of Chew the Shih Tzu and say hi! (While you’re there, you can also learn how Chewy got his name.)

Happy weekend… may the pup be with you!

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Dogs… in… space!

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That’s right.  It’s a Pigs in Space joke.

Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik 5.  Aboard this spacecraft?  Two dogs, named Belka and Strelka.  The Soviet Union sent these pups (along an odd assortment of traveling companions including mice, rats and flies) into space.  This motley (muttley?) crew survived the trip, and proved that living beings could endure space travel.  The dogs became national heroes.  (Other dogs weren’t so lucky.  One of the most famous of these was named Laika.)

While the use of dogs (and other animals) in these sorts of situations is of questionable morality, I won’t delve into that here.  (Although I admit, I have been pondering that issue ever since I read the story.  Some of the background reading I did for this post just made me sad.)

Anyway, enough with the serious stuff… after all, it’s No Frown Friday.  I’ve occasionally posted about space stuff before, but this time it’s all about the pups.

  1. Punny pet names?  Of course.  This week, I give you Neil Arf-strong and Fuzz Aldrin.
  2. I never saw that Space Buddies movie, but I have to admit that the canine stars were pretty cute in their spacesuits.
  3. Speaking of spacesuits, check out what real-life canine cosmonauts wore.
  4. Do you remember Snoopy’s stint as an astronaut? (If you’d like to read the week of strips illustrating Snoopy’s trips to the moon, start here.)  Snoopy has served as a NASA mascot, and NASA even gives out a Silver Snoopy award.  If you’d like to learn more about Snoopy in space, you can find more details and photos in this article.

An animated film about Belka and Strelka was released in Russia earlier this year.  When it is released in the U.S., it will be called Space Dogs 3D.  I was unable to find out much information about when it will be released or where you might be able to see it.  In any event, here’s the trailer:

If you can’t find it in theaters, there’s always the eventual DVD release, right?

Anyway, I hope you and your canine cosmonaut have a weekend that’s out of this world!  (I couldn’t resist.)

P.S. Don’t forget to donate to your local shelter or rescue group tomorrow in honor of International Homeless Animals Day.

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Celebrating the cone of shame

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Speed Bump
(Speed Bump via Comics.com)

Ah, the cone of shame.  Immortalized by Dug, that awesome dog in Up.  Speaking of, how awesome was Up in general?  So much fun, and so many quotable lines in that movie.  (One of my faves?  “My name is Dug. I have just met you, and I love you.”  Very dog-appropriate.)  Anyway, it seems like someone I know mentions the cone of shame at least once a week.  Although Bella’s never had to wear one, the mere mention makes me smile.  For that reason, it’s the theme of today’s No Frown Friday.  Here we go…

  1. As always on Friday, I bring you punny pet names.  Given this post’s medical undertone, this week’s names are doctor-inspired:  Dr. Cliff Pupstable, Dr. Chewingsbone (I presume), and Doogie Howler.  You should be proud… I didn’t go for the more obvious Doggie Howser joke.  Oh wait, just did…
  2. Looking to spice up your decor?  You can even decorate with the cone of shame.  Check out this awesome dog bowl from me me me.  (Thanks to under the blanket for the link!)  Perhaps you’d prefer this cone of shame nightlight.  Want something a little more cozy?  How about these cone of shame pillows?
  3. You can even wear your own cone of shame – in t-shirt form.  Check out this cute shirt featured on PetSugar.

The pup in the video below battles his cone of shame, then battles a water bottle.  The result is magic.

(Seriously… how could that not make you smile?  If that’s not enough cuteness for you, go check out another fun cone of shame video over on phetched.)

Because this post was inspired by Dug, I’ll leave you with a joke from the movie:  “Hey, I know a joke! A squirrel walks up to a tree and says, ‘I forgot to store acorns for the winter and now I am dead.’ Ha! It is funny because the squirrel gets dead.”

Tell it to your dog – I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.

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Puppy-saurus

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Another No Frown Friday is upon us… let’s get to it:

  1. Your punny pet names for the week (meant for a duo):  Fred and Wilma Flintsbone.
  2. Speaking of… it’s almost the weekend, so you should make like Fred Flintstone and slide out the door to freedom.  Not literally, of course, since cartoon physics never seem to translate to the real world and you probably don’t have a brontosaurus handy.  (If you do happen to have one on hand, I hope you’re not thinking of opening your own Jurassic Park… we all know how that ends.)  Anyway, that’s my long-winded way of telling you to go watch these videos of dogs sliding down stairs.  It’s the next best thing to sliding down a brontosaurus on your way out of the office.  (So much cooler than an elevator.)
  3. As you have probably guessed, I’ve got dinosaurs on the brain today.  Believe it or not, that Jurassic Park reference above has a puppy connection – I recently watched the Futurama episode “Jurassic Bark.” (It’s one of my favorites.)  If you haven’t seen this episode, you owe it to yourself as an animal lover to check it out.

Hmmmm… that Futurama episode can inspire the waterworks, so I may be stretching the bounds of No Frown Friday a bit with that one.  I need something silly, stat!  Quick, watch this:

Whew… that’s better.  Have a great weekend!

(Also… weekend TV alert!  The National Geographic Channel is airing a new special called “and Man Created Dog” on Sunday at 9pm.  If you’ve ever wondered how wolves became man’s BFF, then this special may be for you.)

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