I took Tavish to the vet last month. While we were there, he got a nail trim. The vet tech asked me if he runs around a lot of corners, because his nails had worn in a slanted fashion.
I recently took him in for another nail trim, after which I was informed that the nails on one side of his body were also noticeably longer than on the other.
Apparently, my dog spends a lot of time revving himself up and sliding around corners like some sort of Hanna-Barbera cartoon come to life. I still can’t quite figure out why this has made him lopsided, however. We don’t have any one way signs in our house, so he’s free to take corners from any and all directions, after all.
What gives?
via giphy.com
Oh, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t leave this here, given recent events:
It’s been a year today since I said goodbye to my best gal. It’s hard to believe that a whole year has passed. How has it been that long since she was here?
When we were young…
I struggled to find the words for today’s post. Rather than force it, I’m going to go get some Tavish snuggles and reminisce about my Bella.
I recently bought an awesome new t-shirt that says “Pugs Not Drugs.” (It’s from a cool organization I just discovered – the Chris Atwood Foundation. Obviously, Manly the Pug is doing some good work out there.)
Pug life, yo.
I can’t argue with that message, and it got me thinking (a dangerous prospect, I realize). What other societal ills could we get rid of with rhyming dog breeds? Continue reading →
My maiden name is pretty common. So common, in fact, that I’ve often received emails (both personal and professional) for other ladies with the same name. I try to handle these graciously – telling the sender that they have the wrong person and suggesting they check that email address again.
Of late, I’ve been receiving email for two different people – one college student and one woman with children. (The latter illustrated by the various websites the woman’s child seems to sign up for.)
The most recent installment in this saga is a doozy. I received an email from who I assume to be the dad of the college student. I learned the following things: (1) he is writing her papers for her (there was an attachment as proof); (2) he informed her that “paper #3 you will have to write because your class has a mandatory attendance to the MLK convocation and paper #3 is on that”; and (3) he will provide her with highlighted journal articles that he has read when she comes home next time.
I mean… what does one do with an email like that? Even better, the attached paper was a “think paper” for an education class, in which the “author” claims that she will be able to help shape students to become better model citizens. She/he also notes that she will always take a stand for teaching right from wrong. Um…
Parenting: you’re doing it wrong.
Anyway, I told Tavish about this incident. In response (and thanks to the recommendation of a friend), Tavish decided to channel his inner Ryan Dogsling:
Once again, the time has come to engage in a little bit of omphaloskepsis. I’m still firmly in the anti-belly button camp, but I’ll try to gaze at my metaphorical navel without getting too grossed out.
Anyway, that’s a long-winded way of saying I’m participating in the annual Pet Blogger Challenge hosted by our friends at GoPetFriendly.com. Every year, the Pet Blogger Challenge gives us an opportunity to reflect on the past year and look forward – it’s a chance to deliver our own little State of the Blog address. Continue reading →
It’s that time again, my friends. Trees have been knocked over by intrepid feline Magellans and claimed by dogs confused by the sudden appearance of decorative indoor toilets. Stockings have been knocked off the chimney with care by cantankerous cats and then been mistaken for dog toys. Traditions abound.
One of those traditions? The Pet Blogger’s Gift Exchange (or, as I like to call it, the PBGE) hosted by the brilliant Pamela from Something Wagging This Way Comes. Instead of gifts wrapped in paper and bows, we exchange compliments, encouragement, and love.
I’ve been paired up with some pretty fantastic bloggersin the past, and this year is no exception. You may be familiar with Jan from The Poodle (and Dog) Blog. If not, you’re in for a real treat today – prepare to find a new blog to add to your must-read list! Jan’s been blogging since 2005, showing us all how it’s done. She’s smart, funny, and generally just the greatest.
So… today, I’m dedicating a link roundup to The Poodle (and Dog) Blog and all of its awesomeness. Join me as we explore some of the many reasons to love this blog (and, at the end of this post, find out how you can help me make this gift really special). I’ve picked some links from 2014 to highlight, but trust me when I tell you that all of the archives are worth checking out. (Chuck Norris agrees.)
I hope you’ve been good* this year. Tavish Claus has been watching.
Tavish Claus in the house, y’all.
Tavish Claus is Coming to Town
You shouldn’t go out. You better not lie.
You better stay home. I’m telling you why.
Tavish Claus is coming to town.
He’s going to kiss. He’ll be licking you twice.
He’s gonna ask if his dinner you’ll dice.
Tavish Claus is coming to town.
He sees you when you’re eating.
He knows when you’ve got cake.
If you’re smart, you’ll share your food,
Or a giant mess he’ll make.
You shouldn’t hold out. His patience you’ll try.
He will refuse to go out, until he’s eaten your fries.
Tavish Claus is coming to town.
*In this context, being “good” means giving your dog lots of food. All the food. So much food. (Tavish Claus thinks with his stomach, obviously… I’m the one who has to think about his waistline. I totally get how Mrs. Claus must feel.)
The news lately has been pretty upsetting, infuriating, and depressing. (I’ll leave it to you to decide which bucket you put each story in. However, it seems to me that they all fit neatly – and horribly – into all three.) It’s tempting to bury yourself in cute animal videos, holiday shopping, and other distractions. I know I’ve been tempted.
However, while I was putting up my Christmas tree the other night, I happened to pop in the DVD of one of my favorite specials – ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Surprisingly, the animated tale of some mice breaking tradition and stirring on Christmas Eve inspired some deep thoughts. In particular, this song proved quite relevant to my state of mind:
Frankly put, sometimes the world kind of sucks. (I’ll leave the eloquence to this brilliant lady.) It can seem kind of hopeless and that it will never change.
I can’t believe that. I can’t let myself believe that. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people let the world happen to them and claim they have no agency in the situation. Obviously, sometimes terrible things happen that are out of our control. However, we can’t just sit around waiting for a miracle to fix our problems, whether personal or societal. After all, even a miracle needs a hand, right?
I mean, does your dog just sit in the kitchen hoping that food will magically fall to the floor? Okay, bad example. He probably does. BUT… he probably also considers counter surfing when he sees an opportunity to make his own gastronomical miracle happen. I prefer to keep an eye out for chances to give those needed miracles a boost, rather than waiting for them to just happen. I aspire to be a counter surfer for change… or something like that.
I’ll return to our regular scheduled goofiness with my next post… just felt the need to get this one out there. Can you think of any other lessons from holiday specials that we can take to heart during these times of trouble? Share in the comments!
