Bella Holiday Tip #19

It’s been a busy week… so instead of your regularly scheduled No Frown Friday, I’m going to go ahead and share another Bella holiday tip.  Enjoy! 

I already showed you our 2008 holiday card.  Last year, we moved into a new house a few weeks before Christmas.  Bella used this experience as inspiration.  She advised us to send out our 2009 holiday wishes and our new address at the same time.  She’s a resourceful one:

Bella Holiday Tip #19:
Moving during the holidays is tough when you have lots of bones to pack – so let your holiday cards do double duty.
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Bella Holiday Tip #27

A few years ago, we ditched the traditional holiday card in favor of one with Bella on it.  Each year, Bella shares a holiday tip with the lucky recipients.  Before I unveil this year’s photo and tip, a walk down memory lane seemed appropriate.  First up, 2008’s card…

Bella Holiday Tip #27:
If you can’t find a festive outfit for your holiday party, accessorize any old outfit with a few shiny bows.


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Celebrate Shelter Pets!

Today is Celebrate Shelter Pets Day!  (Check it out on Shelter Pet Project’s Facebook page.)  As you may already know, this blog is all about Bella, my own little rescue dog.  We love rescue stories around here, and hope you do too.

In lieu of another Bella story, I decided to share a clip from a recent episode of Community (“Cooperative Caligraphy“).  In that episode, the cast becomes desperate when they are kept from a puppy parade organized by the local shelter as part of an adoption event.  Here’s what you see over the closing credits:



(Intrigued? You can watch more Community here.)

All shows should end with a puppy parade.  Actually, all events in my life should end with a puppy parade.

Next time you’re looking for a furry friend, just remember: shelter pets rock!

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So… now what?

Peanuts
(via Peanuts)

I think Snoopy’s predicament above accurately represents how I feel the day after a big holiday. Planning, preparation, anticipation… and then it’s over, just like that.  I made some yummy cranberry sauce muffins this morning to help fill the void.  Now I need a new project…

In the meantime, it’s time for this week’s No Frown Friday:

  1. Your punny pet names for the week reveal that I still haven’t accepted the fact that Thanksgiving is over: Myles Foodish and William Labford.  (For my fellow pun lovers, you simply must read last Sunday’s Pearls Before Swine. Can you figure it out?)
  2. Want to see something amazingly adorable? Check out these photos of dogs dressed as turkeys.  All will seem right with the world after you do.
  3. Don’t eat too many leftovers… or else this might be your fate.  (Not sure what to do with all of those leftovers?  Serious Eats has some ideas.)
  4. Did you cook a turkey yesterday? I hope that you weren’t the one that asked these stupid questions of the Butterball hotline.

Speaking of turkey, this puppy would really appreciate it if you could send some her way:



(For more videos of dogs who want turkey, go here.)

Anyway, I’m finally going to see the new Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows tomorrow.  I know… after my recent Potter-themed post, I bet you thought I’d be first in line on opening day.  Unfortunately, things have just been too busy.  In honor of my pending movie trip, I made my own butterbeer to go with dessert last  night – it was a hit (and unlike Universal Studios, I offered an alcoholic version as well). 

As I write this post, the peace talks between Roscoe and Bella have reached a new level – they’re both sleeping on the couch at the same time (dreaming of turkey, no doubt).  Expect some photos and a recap after Bella’s hostessing duties are done.

Hope you had a wonderful holiday!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Remember our buddy Roscoe?  He’s visiting us for a few days.  If you’ll recall, Bella wasn’t very hospitable last time he came to visit.  This time?  So far, so good…

I am thankful for many things today, including the Bella-Roscoe Thanksgiving Peace Treaty of 2010.

Have a wonderful holiday!

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To all the dogs (and cats) I’ve loved before

With this post, I reach a bit of a milestone – 100 posts!  For a while, I was stumped regarding what to blog about for number 100.  (I then went on vacation, which resulted in a total post hiatus… more to come on that later.)

While driving earlier, it hit me – the perfect way to commemorate my 100th post.  I’ve decided to dedicate this post to all the pets I’ve loved before.  (Yes, that’s a nod to the Red Headed Stranger – bonus points if you figure it out without clicking on either of the links.)

Anyway, you obviously know lots about Bella, my current fur child.  I’ve also introduced you to some of my past loves – Shadow, Sparkle, Bourbon & Pedro.  Today, I’d like you to meet the rest of the pups and cats I shared my house with growing up…

Each of these wonderful animals (as well as the ones above) really deserves their own post.  So many stories to share – definitely a topic for future discussion.  For now, I’ll just stick with the basics…

I should start at the beginning (a very good place to start).  My first pet was – believe it or not – a cat.  A white cat that I named Buttercup.  (Don’t ask me why… I’d love to ask my three-year-old self the same thing.)

She wasn’t the friendliest of cats to start with, but that’s a story for another day.  She was my first love.

Next, I’d like to introduce you to Kandi, a chihuahua that my dad adopted and brought home one day.  Note – when she got older, her tongue began to stick out all the time.  We used to say that her spring was broken.

Quite the character, that one.

We also had a Norwegian Elkhound named Lady – one of the many dogs that found us over the years.

I loved to cuddle with that gal.

My sister also had a cat – though Tiger joined us when I was much older.  She was once our neighbor’s cat, but decided to adopt my sister instead.  She even decided to have her kittens in my sister’s lap – I believe my sister was around three at the time.  Talk about a surprise!

Last, but by no means least, I must introduce you to the source of my terrier love.  When I was ten years old, I met the most wonderful dog.  My parents had promised me I could get a new dog that would be officially “my” dog.  I considered many breeds, and had my heart set on a Scottish Terrier.  However, when I met this girl, that plan went out the window.  I’d already settled on the most creative name (sarcasm intentional) for the Scottish Terrier I had convinced myself I was getting.  Thus, Scotti the Toy Fox Terrier joined our family.


Take note of the teddy bear in the photo to the right… this is one of the two teddy bears that Scotti adopted and carried everywhere.

Long story short, Scotti was by my side every minute from the time I was 10 until I left for college (as well as every moment I returned home during college and beyond).  Definitely a girl’s best friend.

I have tons of wonderful stories about each of these special animals (as well as several other animals who didn’t live in my house but were responsible for some great memories).  I’m sure I’ll be sharing them over many nostalgic nights in the future.

For now, I just want to say thanks for reading my blog – the first 100 posts have been fun, and I look forward to many more.

In closing, say hi to your puppy for me… and then give him or her a big hug.

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Trick or treat

Until this year, we lived in an apartment – thus, Bella had very little exposure to children seeking candy on Halloween.  After the first trick or treater came by tonight, Bella decided to camp out by the door in case more showed up:

We’ve turned off the doorbell (which makes her a bit batty) and sent her to hang out downstairs with Mr. Pup Fan while I man the door. After carefully evaluating our candy selection (respecting the candy hierarchy), I’m ready to hand out treats.  Wonder what kind of costumes we’ll see tonight…

Anyway, thought I’d share a few quick photos of some of our decorations… the last one is my favorite.

 

Happy Halloween!
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