A blogger’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love

My apologies to Tennyson

Anyway, I am very excited about the weekend ahead. Dinner with old friends tonight, more March Madness… not to mention The Hunger Games and Mad Men.  Lots to enjoy! For that reason, today’s post has a simple, not-so-much-a-theme theme: stuff I love!

  1. Your punny pet names: Catnip Everdeen, Peeta Mebark, Primnose Everdeen, and Gale Pawthorne.
  2. A few things I love: Downton Abbey, Mad Men, and puppies. It’s hard to decide which is more awesome – imagining the characters of Downton Abbey as different dog breeds (Dogton Abbey lives!) or comparing them to the cast of Mad Men.
  3. A Mad Men choose your own adventure game? Sold! (However, I will be forever loyal to the Saved by the Bell one – it’s first in my heart.) Have I mentioned my childhood obsession with both Choose Your Own Adventure books and fuzzy posters? Where is my Mad Men fuzzy poster? 
  4. You know I love Dr. Seuss… so of course I enjoyed this Dr. Seuss alphabet!
  5. I also love turtles (as you know). This turtle is no exception.
  6. I’m planning to see The Hunger Games this weekend. (Have you read the books? I am always searching for more people to chat with about them, as I have thoughts… lots of thoughts.) Speaking of both games and hunger, these cakes are awesome.
  7. The love doesn’t stop there… I love this song, which I happened to hear on the radio yesterday. It’s been ages since I last heard it, but it’s perfect for the dog lover!
There are many things to love about the following video…

(via Jezebel)

What are you up to this weekend?

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Adorable dog cleans up her toys, wins hearts

Bella has the habit of returning all of her toys to her chosen Toy Corner. (I didn’t train her to do it, but maybe some of my Type A rubbed off on her.)  However, she just keeps them in a big pile, which tends to expand throughout the week until Toy Corner has somehow annexed half of the family room.

Apparently I should have taught her to put them in a box instead, like this adorable gal:

Does your dog clean up his or her toys?

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Adorable adoptables in northern Virginia: Heidi & Rhapsody

Every week, I’ll be featuring adoptable pets from local rescue groups.  This week, I’m sharing adorable adoptables from Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA). Ready to meet this week’s pups, Heidi & Rhapsody? Here we go…

First up, meet Heidi!  This adorable Basset Hound/Black and Tan Coonhound mix is approximately one year old. I met her at an adoption event a few weeks ago, and she’s a real sweetheart! Here’s her bio from FOHA:

“I may be short in stature, but I make up for it with personality plus!

In case you couldn’t tell, I’m a lap dog extraordinaire, and will sit happily with you for as long as you like. I’m friendly and fun-loving. I get along famously with other dogs! Maybe it’s my height, you know, non-threatening and all.

I’m great with people of all ages. I’m very loving and will show you by giving you kisses whenever I get a chance. I love riding in the car, and I’m such a good girl I always get to go to PetsMart or other fun outings. But what I really want is a new home – someone to frolic and play with, and best of all someone to love.”

Do you have the perfect home for this happy hound?

Up next, meet Rhapsody!  This Doberman mix is approximately 3 years old. Here’s her bio from FOHA:

Some of the most talented individuals come from less than ideal situations and Miss Rhapsody is no exception. This young girl had a tough start but a kind woman saw her potential and saved her life.

Rhapsody is an athlete. She also has stunning good looks, a heart of gold, and will even occasionally sing her own little song. This long-legged beauty absolutely loves a good romp in the playyard and would love to find a home with a yard or maybe a daily running partner. Miss Rhapsody has been working on her patience and will sit nicely for her leash to be attached. Once she’s all leashed up though, she is certainly ready to go. Daily exercise and positive reinforcement of leash manners will be very important for her.

Once she gets her exercise, Rhapsody is ready for lovin’. She settles in next to her person and loves having her chest and neck rubbed. When invited, she even hops right into the back of an SUV and makes herself comfortable for her pet time. Did I mention she’s smart too?? Miss Rhapsody is very food motivated which makes her very trainable. So, with Rhapsody, we have beauty, brains, energy, and love. What more could you ask for?? Please consider meeting this black and tan lady and she’ll show you how wonderful a Dobie can be!

If you’re interested in adopting Heidi or Rhapsody, visit the FOHA website for more information, or email doginfo@foha.org.  To view the other pets available for adoption at FOHA, click here.

FOHA also has monthly adoption events at the PetSmart in Gainesville and at the Treasure Hound in Chantilly.  To find out more info on these events, click here
(If you have your eye on a specific pet, please email for information
first – not all pets will be at the monthly event.  However, there are a
lot of awesome pets in need of homes, so if you’re in the neighborhood,
stop by and meet some of them!)

Do you have room in your home (and your heart) for one of these cute canines?  Then contact FOHA.  If you know someone else who might be in the market for an awesome companion, please share this post.  Let’s find some homes for Heidi and Rhapsody!


Bios and photos from the FOHA website.  This post is not on behalf of or officially endorsed by the group.
 

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One more reason to love a herding dog…

So, another Friday is upon us.  Let’s get to it.

  1. Your punny pet names: Colin Furrell and George Bernard Paw.
  2. Self-promotion alert… I finally updated my oft-neglected baking blog.  Even more surprising?  I updated it twice!  Check out my recipes for Green Beer Cupcakes and Spotted Dog.
  3. Speaking of recipes, I want to try this recipe and make my own Shamrock Shakes.  I do not, however, wish to replicate any of these cakes.
  4. Need a smile today?  Then check out this post about dog people.  Trust me.
  5. March Madness is here once again.  Not into basketball?  No problem! Check out Go Pet Friendly’s Best City for Pet Travelers Tournament instead.
  6. This next one is unrelated to the month of March or St. Patrick’s Day, but I just had to share.  Behold, a basic truth about Nutella.
Finally, here’s your video for the week… I’m loving this ad from Guinness:


What are your plans for St. Patrick’s Day?  I’ll be having a few friends over for dinner and beer.  Can’t go wrong with that, in my opinion. Well, unless you’re this guy.  (Might as well end today’s post on a beer-related note.  So, enjoy these videos of animals burping.  You’re welcome.)
Have a great weekend!
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Obey the bandana…

Well, you can’t argue with the bandana.  That’s a pretty clear directive – someone better just go ahead and adopt this awesome guy.

The adorably adoptable Willis, on our way to an adoption event 

Willis has mastered the art of the not-so-subliminal message.  (I suppose that makes it a liminal message?)  Considering he’s part Border Collie, I’m not surprised that he’s so smart.  And awesome.  Did I mention that he’s awesome?

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Adorable adoptables in northern Virginia: Gulliver & Muncie

Every week, I’ll be featuring adoptable pets from local rescue groups.  This week, I’m sharing adorable adoptables from Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA). Ready to meet this week’s pups, Gulliver & Muncie? Here we go…

First up, meet Gulliver!  This handsome Lab mix is approximately three years old. I met him at an adoption  event this weekend, and he’s even cuter in person! Here’s his bio from FOHA:

“Gulliver is a little bit shy right now and may not do well with children because of his fear. He does absolutely love other dogs and likes to play rough.”

Gulliver seemed like quite the sweet pup when I met him over the weekend – check out his bio to see more photos of his adorable mug.

Up next, meet Muncie!  This Shepherd mix is another pup that I had the chance to meet this weekend. Here’s his bio from FOHA:

Do you know what it means to dog-ear a page in a book? Well, that’s what my ears look like! Bent over just a bit on the top – it helps you notice me, and remember me. I’m Muncie, a middle-aged man, with a very pettable and soft coat and warm eyes. I’m a casualty of a divorce – which isn’t the easiest thing for a loving and easy-going guy like me to understand. But, I’m hoping you’ll come by for a visit and that’ll help. I’m shy at first with some folks, but I’ll warm up and be sitting confidently by your side in no time.

I like other dogs, and don’t mind cats – but may be a little too shy for a house with young children. My human friends here at FOHA say I will need a human committed to helping me get safe, frequent exercise and a healthy diet so I can shed some pounds… I say it’s just my big coat, but I know they are right. Who doesn’t like an extra treat now and again? So, come say hello, see my dog-eared ears, and who knows – maybe we’ll hit it off and you’ll win yourself a very loving and loyal forever friend.

If you’re interested in adopting Gulliver or Muncie, visit the FOHA website for more information, or email doginfo@foha.org.  To view the other pets available for adoption at FOHA, click here.

FOHA also has a monthly adoption event at the PetSmart in Gainesville and at the Treasure Hound in Chantilly.  To find out more info on these events, click here
(If you have your eye on a specific pet, please email for information
first – not all pets will be at the monthly event.  However, there are a
lot of awesome pets in need of homes, so if you’re in the neighborhood,
stop by and meet some of them!)

Do you have room in your home (and your heart) for one of these cute canines?  Then contact FOHA.  If you know someone else who might be in the market for an awesome companion, please share this post.  Let’s find some homes for Gulliver and Muncie!


Bios and photos from the FOHA website.  This post is not on behalf of or officially endorsed by the group.
 

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In space, no one can hear you clean…

Here we are… my 404th post (and not, as previously predicted, my 502nd).  No matter.  Live every day like it’s your 500th post, right?  Or something…

Anyway, confusing numbers aside, here are your squeaky clean links for this week’s No Frown Friday:

  1. Your punny pet names for this week: January Bones (for a dog), Christina Findricks (for a fish) and Elizardbeth Moss (self-explanatory).  Can you tell I’m ready for Mad Men to come back?
  2. Speaking of Mad Men, Jon Hamm’s birthday is tomorrow.  Here’s your present. (Proposal: I think that we should celebrate Jon Hamm’s birthday by giving presents to each other. It will be like Christmas, but we celebrate the birth of Jon Hamm instead. Who’s in?)
  3. Um, moving on… this tiny kiwi chick is so fluffy that I just can’t stand it.
  4. This canine thief is adorable, but he’s not quite as savvy as that dog and bird duo I shared the other day.
  5. A cat running for the Senate?  Why not?  His ad’s pretty convincing.  (However, I hear that the Canine Caucus is questioning his credentials.)
  6. I have decided to start using the phrase “Tiny leaping goats!” to express my surprise.  You’re so over, Heavens to Betsy. 
  7. Have you ever wondered how a puppy is like an old man?  Now you know.
  8. This photo is awesome.  On a related note, 3 people have found my blog by searching for “corgis in space” – I had to giggle.  This factoid inspired me to Google “corgis in space” (the situation is very meta), and I found a tumblr dedicated to the subject.  Full circle.
Tiny leaping goats! I have a feeling that this dog and I would understand each other perfectly, based solely on our Type A personalities. (I realize she might just be cooling off, but in my mind, she’s the Monica Geller-Bing of the canine set.)


(via Jezebel)
I love how she just owns it:  “That’s right. I’m cleaning my ball, and it’s awesome. Deal with it.”

Finally, you know I can’t resist a little shameless self-promotion… but this time it’s for a good cause!  A friend and I have teamed up to start a new blog dedicated to ovarian cancer awareness.  It’s called Sisterhood of the Whispering Crowns, and I hope you’ll check it out.  (You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.)  Stay tuned for more, including the story behind that name – you know you’re curious.

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I’m good with words, not math

I have a confession… apparently my celebration of 500 posts was a bit premature.  By a bit, I mean 98 posts premature.  Allow me to explain…

When I logged into my Blogger account to write Wednesday’s post, the dashboard stated that I had “499 posts.”  Being a somewhat reasonable individual, I assumed that the post I was in the process of writing would be my 500th.  Apparently not.

I logged into blogger to write today’s No Frown Friday post… and my dashboard said I still had 499 posts.  My Spidey sense began to tingle, as I realized something was amiss.  Trying to reconcile the deficiency, I thought maybe the dashboard was counting both published and draft posts – however, that number is currently 503, so that didn’t add up.  I checked the list of archived posts on the blog’s sidebar and did some quick math, which revealed that Wednesday’s post was actually my 402nd post. (At least that’s what I got – as my math skills have obviously been called into question, for all I know it was the 384th post.)

So… thank you for the congratulations that I did not deserve.  I will let the future 500th post pass by without comment, as I’ve already been congratulated on it. (Perhaps it’s better this way – 500 gets all the glory, and no one ever cares about poor 402.  On Wednesday, 402 finally had the chance to shine.)

Anyway, my apologies for my poor math skills and inability to decipher my Blogger dashboard.  No wonder Bella seemed so bored.  (Your captions were stellar, however.)

Anyway, now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, stay tuned for your regularly scheduled Friday linkage later today… perhaps that will help me atone for my accidental deception.

Good with words, not math.

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Caption this: It’s (not really) my 500th post!

Hard to believe, but today marks my 500th post on the blog.  Here’s how Bella reacted when I told her the big news…

She’s so enthusiastic.  Now it’s your turn to let slip the dogs of creativity.  (I realize that doesn’t make sense… but let’s just pretend it did.  Not every post can be full of lyrical genius or flights of Seussian fancy.)  Anyway, it’s time to caption that Bellaface… hit me with your best shot!

Update (3/9/12): For reasons I will explain in today’s post… this wasn’t my 500th post after all.  (I even updated the post title to reflect my error.) So, um… thanks for the congratulations!  I’m sorry for my poor math skills and inability to understand my Blogger dashboard.  No wonder Bella seemed so bored.

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