BlogPaws Episode 5: Blogging with the stars

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.

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Things’ll go your way…

No theme today… just a hodgepodge of random things that I’m enjoying.  It seemed fitting to send you into this potentially gorgeous weekend with several random doses of silly:

  1. As always, we begin with punny pet names: Maya Rudog and Kristen Pig (totally what I would name a potbelly pig if I had one, by the way).  This week, they’re inspired by Bridesmaids, which I saw last weekend.  Hilarious. (As a result, I also have Wilson Phillips on the brain – in fact, I may have serenaded Bella with Hold On this morning.)
  2. All of this lovely summer weather has me thinking about days gone by… and these Jim Henson themed cakes are a perfectly sweet accompaniment to my nostalgia.  What I wouldn’t give to have my own heckling balcony, like Statler and Waldorf
  3. So… have you ever wondered what would happen if the dialogue in classic Peanuts comics was replaced with random tweets?  Probably not, but the answer is out there anyway – visit @Peanutweeter to find out.  I can’t do the hilarity justice here, but I especially liked this one.  (Speaking of Twitter, follow me at @wantmorepuppies and say hi!)
  4. Additional blast from the past brought to the present: Jem, narrated honey badger style.
  5. I’m going to indulge my nerd side here for a moment.  This blog post on punctuation made me smile… really.
  6. Animals riding on animals?  Sounds like a winner to me.  Enjoy a Chihuahua riding a tortoise and then let the cute continue with a baby sea lion riding a turtle.  Hmmm… why are turtles and tortoises the preferred method of transportation?  Given their lack of speed, you think they’d be hitching a ride instead.
  7. I have nothing witty to say about this next one, so here you go: cute bunnies jumping.
  8. This dog wants to swim with the dolphins, and this one wants to hang out with a cow.  It’s a crazy and adorable world out there.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the most random of them all?  Based on the following video, it’s probably me (at least today).  However, I cannot stop laughing when I watch it:



(via Jezebel)

Thanks for being such wonderful readers… if I could, I’d send you all a puppy bouquet.  I’m participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure tomorrow – it’s the first time I’m doing it as a runner!  Wish me luck, and have a weekend full of wags!

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Happy Easter!

In honor of Easter, I thought I’d give you two videos today.  In the spirit of the holiday, I’m giving cats, dogs, bunnies, and chicks a moment to shine.  First up, Simon’s Cat celebrates Easter:



(via Cute Overload)

Don’t you just love it?  I have a feeling you’ll like this next one too:



(via The Dog Files)

Now that I’ve filled your Easter basket with cute, get out there and have a wonderful day!

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Bella’s Bunnies

First, have you read yesterday’s Blog the Change post about Make Mine Chocolate?  As you may know, I’m spreading the word about that cause to advocate giving chocolate bunnies instead of real bunnies for Easter this year.  However, there are lots of wonderful bunnies looking for a home – so if you have done your homework and think you’re really ready to become a bunny parent, then today is your lucky day.  All Things Dog Blog has gone to the bunnies, and is hosting an Easter Rabbit Adoptathon.

Allow me to introduce you to a few beautiful bunnies (click on their names for more info):

Meet Stella and Natasha in Virginia.  Both of these cutie pies may have been handled a bit too much in their previous homes, and can be a little wary or shy around humans.  However, they have been making a lot of progress while living with their foster mom.  Stella is 4 years old, and is looking for a home with a patient person who will work to earn her trust.  Natasha is 2 years old, and is looking for a “loving, patient, permanent home with someone who will let her run and explore and shred some papers and boxes.”  (Loved the description, so couldn’t pass up using it.)

Next up, meet Felt in Washington, DC.  She’s a 4 year old mini Rex rabbit who loves to be petted.  Due to a sinus infection, Felt does have some special needs, but if you have lots of love to give she may be the one for you.

To participate, visit All Things Dog Blog for instructions.  To visit other blogs participating in the Adoptathon and see a whole bunch of adorable bunnies, check out the blog hop after the jump…


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Blog the Change: Honey Bunnies

Blog the ChangeEaster is right around the corner.  So, for this round of Blog the Change, Bella wanted to highlight a bunny-related cause.  After all, she did have a bunny cousin – who she tried to lick during their first encounter.  In any event…

Today, I (and Bella) want to talk about the Make Mine Chocolate campaign (organized by the Columbus House Rabbit Society).  This cause was recently featured on Be the Change for Animals, and it’s a great one.  Just as movies like 101 Dalmatians result in lots of children asking their parents for a Dalmatian, Easter has the tendency to result in requests for bunnies.  While I’m all for adoption, I’m not in favor of families acquiring the pet of the moment and realizing that perhaps pet ownership was not really for them.  If a family is prepared and knows what they are getting into – more power to them.  However, the sad reality is that many of these bunnies end up in animal shelters or worse.

The key here is education – before adopting a rabbit, it’s important to know if a rabbit really is the right pet for you.  (Sound advice before adopting any animal.  Check out the cool Interactive Bun feature at Make Mine Chocolate to see if you’re bunny material.  For those who get the Interactive Bun seal of approval, I recommend visiting All Things Dog Blog tomorrow to meet some wonderful bunnies from Petfinder – it’s an Easter Rabbit Adoptathon!  Go here for details on how to participate.)

So, this Easter season, spread the word about Make Mine Chocolate.  Commit to giving only chocolate (or cute plush) bunnies as gifts.  Visit MMC’s website or the Facebook page to learn more.  (After using that abbreviation, I momentarily drifted off to think about the Mickey Mouse Club.  Anyone else remember The Party?  Okay, back to the serious stuff… focus.) 

Also, I realize it’s not technically part of the Make Mine Chocolate campaign, but I’d also like to take a moment to discourage giving children chicks and ducklings as well.  First, they grow up.  Chicks become chickens, and ducklings become ducks.  Second, unless you’re Chandler and Joey, it’s just not a good idea.

Interested in participating in Blog the Change?  Learn more here.  You can find the list of other participating bloggers (and join the blog hop yourself) after the jump.

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