Tag Archives: old school

Oh, Toto

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… and by Toto, I mean the dog.  Not to be confused with the band who blessed the rains down in Africa.  (Full disclosure – I used to think the lyrics were “I miss the rains down in Africa.”  I love a good misheard lyric… aka the mondegreen.)

Anyway… the 71st anniversary of the Wizard of Oz (the film) was Thursday, August 12.  I learned this fact thanks to Google’s cool logo and Life with Dogs.  Man, I was so scared of those flying monkeys as a child.  For years, I couldn’t make it past that part of the movie.

Given the recent anniversary, it seemed like a good time to dig this Wizard of Oz-themed post out of the pup archives and share it with you:

Leonbergers and Terriers and Airedales – oh my!

Enjoy!

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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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When he jumps high, he flies like a wild eagle…

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Anyone else remember Snoopy’s foray into the world of dance?  I loved It’s Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown.  My mom taped it for me when it was on TV, and I definitely made good use of that VHS.  While we’re on the subject, I’d like to share a bit of random trivia I just discovered – the voice of Lucy in this special was none other than our very own Stacey “Fergie” Ferguson, she of Kids Incorporated fame (and the Black Eyed Peas, of course… but she’ll always be the girl from Kids Incorporated to me).

So… that’s my roundabout way of introducing the topic for this week’s No Frown Friday.  No… not Fergie.  Today, we’re focusing on Beagles!  It’s half of Bella, after all.  Let’s get to it:

  1. Your punny pet names for the week are Beagle-inspired, of course: Colin Howl, Ezra Hound and Bucky Scent.  (I was also about to make a Flock of Beagles joke, but Google revealed that I was far from the first to think of this pun.  Such is life.)
  2. For your Friday amusement, I direct you to this compendium of famous cartoon Beagles.
  3. I love the puppy parties at Paw Nation – click on over to watch a whole bunch of Beagle puppy clips.
  4. Feeling confident about your Beagle IQ?  Test yourself with this PetSugar quiz.

Finally, I’d like to leave you with the following dose of awesome:

Want your own Flashbeagle?  Find your local Beagle rescue – however, be aware that not all Beagles come outfitted with their own pair of leg warmers.

Have a puptastic weekend!

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It’s an ad ad ad ad world

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Have you ever wondered about the Michelin Man’s real name?  Or if Mr. Clean has a first name?  If the mystery of Comic Book Guy’s real name has been keeping you up at night, say farewell to insomnia.  This article on CNN is for you – it reveals the real names of several fictional characters.  Both interesting and useful, in my opinion.  I always like to keep my brain cells filled with bits of random trivia – after all, you never know when a spontaneous game of Trivial Pursuit will occur.

Stick with me here… it’s tangent time.  The aforementioned article reveals that even the Pillsbury Dougboy has a real name: Poppin’ Fresh.  This news is not new to me… I learned it around the time I heard that the Geico cavemen were getting a sitcom.  If starring in a sitcom is so easy that a caveman could do it (though history would prove that it was, in fact, not that easy), then couldn’t other advertising luminaries make the move as well?  From this simple question, the following imaginary TV shows were born.  (Around that time I created an anonymous blog, posted a few times, and promptly forgot about it… however, I’ve resurrected these ideas from that failed attempt just for you.)

  • Pop ‘n’ Fresh – The Pillsbury Doughboy (“PD” for short), fresh out of culinary school, gets a job at a local bakery.  The pay is low, so he finds a room to rent on craigslist.  His roommate?  None other than the cantankerous Michelin Man (and fan favorite, the Michelin Dog), who works as a bouncer at the local pub.  Wackiness ensues, as the series takes a page from How I Met Your Mother and tells the story of how a young PD met his wife, one Mrs. Poppie Fresh.  I picture this on CBS, maybe on Monday nights.  The series will officially jump the shark when the Fresh family’s two children are added to the cast.
  • Yo Quiero a Comeback – This one is a faux-reality show inspired by HBO’s The Comeback.  Once everyone’s favorite spokesdog (with all apologies to Spuds McKenzie and Suds McDuff), chihuahua Gidget has been unable to find further success in Hollywood.   Although the Taco Bell campaign launched her career, it’s now holding her back.  Aside from a few Geico commercials and a brief appearance in Legally Blonde 2, she’s been unable to find work.  Her mentor, Moose (Eddie of Frasier fame), passed away a few years ago, and no one has stepped in to fill the void.  No directors are willing to take a chance on her, but then the reality show producuers come knocking… Expect Entourage-style cameos from other famous canines.  Definitely a single-camera show, perhaps best suited to NBC’s Thursday night lineup.
  • Rabbit’s Run – Years of species-based discrimination have pushed the Trix Rabbit too far.  He’s been buying Trix on the black market for years, which has resulted in a dangerous sugar addiction.  The Rabbit has dreams of moving up the ladder from sugar junkie to power player in the sugary underworld.  (Mmmm… sugary underworld.)  Tag line:  “Be careful who you call a silly rabbit.”  Perfect for Fox, no?

TV execs out there (of which I’m sure so many read this blog), you’re welcome.  If one of these shows ever appears on the air, I better get a cut of the profits.

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Bella’s back… tell a friend

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This week’s No Frown Friday is brought to you without commercial interruption by Bella.  Bella: your number one source for cute since 2002.

Moving on:

  1. Today’s punny pet names were inspired by some of the nominees (and one honoree) for this year’s Tony Awards:  Jude Paw, Sean Jayes (for your feathered friend who seems like he’d make a good awards show host), Catherine Zeta-Bones, and David Rawhide Pierce.
  2. Will you be watching the Tony Awards on Sunday?  (As both an awards show addict and a theater fan, I can’t wait.)  If you’re not up on the theater scene, the Washington Post has come up with five reasons you should watch the Tony Awards anyway.  If you’re a Glee fan, you should know that Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison (who were Broadway vets before they became our very own Rachel and Mr. Schue) will be performing on Sunday’s telecast.
  3. Speaking of Glee, the season finale aired on Tuesday.  I have to say, I loved it – it was funny, touching, and hit all of the right notes.  (Pun actually not intended.)  Anyway, if you’re not quite ready to say goodbye for the summer, TWOP has put together a list of the best musical moments from the first season.  While I agree with the moments that made the list, there are a few others that I loved.  (Expect those moments to appear on this blog in the near future.)
  4. Okay, that’s enough about how I love shows that allow me to pretend it is totally acceptable to break into song at any given moment.  Let’s shift our focus… it’s time for some cute!  These photos from the Dachshund U.N. illustrate what it would be like if walking hot dogs ran the world.  I have a feeling that calling them “wiener dogs” would be a punishable offense.  Show some respect.  (Link courtesy of my favorite globe-trotting librarian.  Thanks for the tip!)

Finally, Bella informed me that she’s a bit disappointed in her lack of face time on this blog lately.  I’ve promised to remedy that problem, starting now:

Bella also wanted me to tell you to have a great weekend.  She’s thoughtful like that.

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Another Golden Girl says goodnight

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As you’ve probably already heard, Rue McClanahan passed away today.  It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of the Golden Girls, and I was very sad to hear that the woman who brought Blanche Devereaux to life is with us no more.  She was, among other things, a great actress, an animal lover, and an inspiring survivor.  (Worth a read:  this tribute to Rue, the “original Jezebel.”)

Although Rue played many roles (I remember watching her as Aunt Fran on Mama’s Family, and I wish I could have seen her as Madam Morrible in Wicked), her time on the Golden Girls was truly magical.  Here are some of those magical moments:

(via People)

Now she’s left us to join Bea and Estelle on that big lanai in the sky.  We’ll miss you, Rue.

Given this sad news, can someone please create an immortality potion for Betty White?  A world without a Golden Girl in it would be a very sad world indeed.

 

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Leonbergers and Terriers and Airedales – oh my!

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It’s about time someone remade The Wizard of Oz with dogs, right?  The Wizard of Dogz clip below is short and sweet (only two minutes), but well worth watching.  My personal favorite is the Tin Dog.

(via Dog Blog)

When I was a child, I had to turn the movie off when the flying monkeys appeared.  Those things were scary, and definitely gave me nightmares.  The flying kitties in this clip are a bit frightening too, but I hope that they won’t be making any cameos in my dreams now that I’m an adult.

I’m all for casting dogs (and puppies, as long as there are rules in place to protect these young actors) in remakes of classic movies.  Although I’m not a whiz with the YouTube and have no skill in directing, I am happy to serve as writer and producer on any future projects you may consider.  After all, I am the creator behind the fake and successful TV show Golden Retriever Girls.

Some brief movie pitches for you to consider:

  • King Kong – A twist on the classic, sponsored by the good people who make Kong dog toys, of course.  Since the idea of a dog climbing a building probably won’t work, I’m thinking we have a dog protagonist and a cat that climbs it instead.  ‘Twas catnip felled the beast.
  • Dog, Where’s my Car? – Yes, we’re going with a loose definition of “classic” here.  Just replace Ashton Kutcher with a cute pooch.  Done and done.
  • Pup-E – Instead of a trash compacting robot, we follow the story of a robot dog left behind when all of the humans left Earth.  When the humans send another robot, Dog-E, to check out an alarm, puppy love ensues.
  • Seven Dogs for Seven Brothers – Parents get their oldest son a dog, and realize they then have to get their other six sons a dog as well in order to avoid a mutiny.  I’m picturing lots of musical numbers and a convincing case for adopting a rescue pup.

I’m sure I’ll think of better examples as soon as I publish this post… perhaps one of these days I’ll post a sequel.

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Everything’s drawn and super 80s

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It’s another No Frown Friday…

  1. I’m still in an 80s kind of mood (I blame/thank Glee – apparently I’m not the only one), hence this week’s punny pet names:  Simon LeBone, Olivia Chewton John, and Cat Benatar.
  2. Not in any way related to the 80s, I loved these pictures of the Smithsonian’s new clouded leopard cubs.  I think I’ll just make a tangentially-related ThunderCats reference here to shoehorn this item into this week’s theme.  (It’s rumored that a movie is in the works.  Snarf?)
  3. Speaking of 80s cartoons… I’m sure it will not surprise you to learn that the Pound Puppies are high on my list of favorites. I totally had the board game (Pooch on the Loose).  Now that I think about it, perhaps Pound Puppies is partially responsible for my love of punny pet names.  Nose Marie, anyone?  Also, in moment of synergy that would make Jem proud, not only does this item combine the 80s and puppies, I just remembered that one of the pups was named Bright Eyes, which relates to my next item…
  4. Did you watch this week’s Glee?  The performance of Total Eclipse of the Heart was amazing.  (Thumbs up for the angry ballet )  That song was already a guilty pleasure, and I’ll definitely be adding the Glee version to my iPod.  Every time I hear the song, I think of two things:  (1) this hilarious literal video version; and (2) the summer before I started college.  I vaguely recall that during the summer orientation weekend, there was some sort of anti-drug performance using Total Eclipse of the Heart as a soundtrack.  I think that it included people in black t-shirts wearing the names of drugs, and it was full of dramatic moments such as the main student character being surrounded by all of the “drugs” and cut off from her family and friends.  I don’t recall whether I found this hilarious or moving at the time – but in retrospect, I declare it kind of awesome based on soundtrack alone.  Anyway, please excuse the long-winded intro to the fourth item on this week’s list.  In honor of all of that reminiscing Glee made me do this week, I thought I’d leave you with another one of my favorite literal videos – Take on Me:

With that, I bid you good day.  Turn around, Bright Eyes, and have a puptastic weekend.

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My hungry eyes spy some cupcakes

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Oh, Friday… one look at you and I can’t disguise.  I’ve got… hungry eyes.  I feel the magic between you and I.  (I know it’s poetic license, so I’m trying to put my grammar concern aside and just go with it.)  Anyway, let me count down this week’s items for No Frown Friday:

  1. Punny pet names… a tradition that perhaps only I enjoy.  In honor of number 4 on this week’s list of things to help you wag your way into the weekend, this week’s name is Johnny Cats-le.  That one was too easy, but I think I earned a pass given that last week I offered up enough names for you to stage an all-pets Golden Girls production in your home.  (If anyone I know ever does stage such a production, may I suggest “Golden Retriever Girls” as a possible title?  Also, I’m expecting a cut of the inevitable profits and a producer credit.  I’m just saying.)
  2. Just kidding… even when I try to stop, I can’t.  So here are two bonus punny pet names, continuing on the classic TV theme:  Julia and Suzanne Sugarbarker.  You’re welcome, Internet.
  3. Speaking of sugar… gazing at these muppet cupcakes has left me incapable of commentary beyond, “Me want cupcakes!”  (Bonus: many awesome muppet moments in the comments, including the Swedish Chef.)
  4. This tribute to Dirty Dancing put a big smile on my face.  Go check it out, spaghetti arms… or pop the DVD in for the millionth time and watch it again this weekend.  You know you want to.  If you need me, I’ll be listening to the soundtrack on repeat.

If you’re in the northern Virginia area, you might want to check out the Pet Fiesta this weekend at Reston Town Center.  There will be puppies everywhere!  Below, a representation of this event in video form:

(via Cute Overload – if you think you can handle the cuteness, there’s another one here)

Note: your actual experience at the Pet Fiesta may differ.  Have a good weekend, kiddos.

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Donna Martin graduates, a slap bet is born, and I choo-choo-choose Glee

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Let’s talk last week’s Madonna-themed episode of Glee.  In all honesty, that was one of the most enjoyable hours of television I’ve watched in a while.  I’ve been listening to the soundtrack all week.  As Sue Sylvester would say, “Madonna.  Simply saying the word aloud makes me feel powerful – even in voice-over.”  I can’t argue with Sue on that one – though at least one person more eloquent than me has written some beautiful and thoughtful words on Madonna and Glee.  I couldn’t say it better, so I’m not even going to try.

However, I will use this Glee intro as the overly-complicated setup for a completely different  topic.  (I’m like a Simpsons episode in blog form.)  Well, not completely different – just another one of those tangential leaps that my brain seems to enjoy.  Anyway… today’s topic:  awesome episodes of TV.  I’m talking about amazing episodes of great (or not-so-great) television shows.  I’m fairly confident that Glee’s Madonna-themed episode just vaulted into a spot on my list of all-time fantastic episodes – an episode that I will be thrilled to watch over and over again, even though I have already watched it so many times that I could stage a reenactment using sock puppets.

Given that Glee’s Madonna episode is joining this elite crowd, I should probably introduce it to the other members of my personal Episode Hall of Fame.  I’ve put together the following non-exhaustive list.  It’s mostly sitcoms, with a Saturday morning confection and a soapy nighttime guilty pleasure thrown in for good measure.  (I may do a later post on those dramas that have had a similar effect on me – however, “thrilled to watch over and over again” might not be an accurate description, considering most of those episodes reduce me to a blubbering mess.)

  • Friends, The One with the Embryos – You may remember this one as the episode in which Ross hosts a trivia contest – Rachel and Monica versus Chandler and Joey.  Every time I subscribe to a magazine, I have to resist the urge to request that it be addressed to Ms. Chanandler Bong.
  • How I Met Your Mother, Slap Bet (aka Robin Sparkles) – I will never stop singing “Let’s Go to the Mall.”  This episode was brilliant, and the writers still call back to this episode seasons later.  If you are not watching How I Met Your Mother, be warned that I may sit you down and make you watch this episode on DVD.  Consider me a series dealer, trying to get you hooked with a little taste of awesome.
  • Beverly Hills 90210, Something in the Air – They should have just named this episode “Donna Martin Graduates.”
  • Futurama, Jurassic Bark – I can’t even describe this episode.  In fact, every time I attempt to type up my thoughts on it, I can feel the tears forming at the corner of my eyes.  As a dog lover, I apparently cannot even think of this episode without having an emotional reaction.
  • Scrubs, My Screw Up – The first time I watched this episode, I definitely wasn’t expecting the Sixth Sense-ish twist.  However, knowing the twist doesn’t diminish this episode for me at all.  As usual, Scrubs manages to handle a weighty subject like the death of a loved one with humor and grace.  It gets me every time.
  • The Simpsons, I Love Lisa – Ralph Wiggum is my favorite Simpsons character, hands down.  Always beware the power of a Valentine indicating that you choo-choo-choose the recipient.
  • Saved by the Bell, Jessie’s Song – I mean, come on.  This episode is responsible for my (now-forgotten) fear of caffeine pills and for my inability to say “I’m so excited” without “I’m… so… scared!” tacked on to the end of it.  That’s an impact… and perhaps something of a disease.

I’m sure as soon as I publish this list, I’ll think of some gems I left out.  It’s a risk I’ll have to take, since my DVR has thoughtfully recorded enough of Glee so that I can skip the commercials.  That show is required same-night viewing for me.

What episodes make your hall of fame?

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