May the kibble be ever in your flavor…

Apologies for the post title… I couldn’t resist. (Also, it will make much more sense when you reach the end of today’s post.)

I did see The Hunger Games last weekend, and it’s been on my mind ever since. I took a dystopian lit class in college – so when I read the book (and again when I saw the movie), it activated that English major side of me that absolutely loves analyzing literature. Yes, I’m aware that I am a dork.

Moving on, it’s time for your Friday linkage…

  1. This week’s punny pet names: Haymitch Aberwaggy and Effie Trincat.
  2. Check out this video compiling the 50 best (?) “very special episodes” of some favorite TV shows. I have to admit, I thought #2 would score the #1 spot, but I can’t really argue with the one that they chose. (I’m not crying, it’s just been raining on my face.)
  3. You can’t go wrong with dogs in party hats.
  4. Just because I’m feeling generous, here’s another puppy slideshow.
  5. Forget the Sorcerer’s Apprentice… the mascot’s apprentice is way cuter. (I hope that Jack the bulldog gets well soon – poor pup.)
  6. I’m pretty sure Bella isn’t really qualified to be the mascot for a sports team. Have you seen her catch? (I kid, I kid…)
  7. I love that Jon Hamm is actually kind of a ham. These goofy photos endear him to me even more. (Speaking of Mad Men, surely I’m not the only one who has been singing Zou Bisou Bisou all week? And by singing, I mean singing only those three words, because I do not know the rest)
  8. I’m easily amused – thank goodness the Internet is always there to amuse me. The They Volunteer tumblr is one-note, but still amusing. These two were my favorites. (Apparently I have not recovered from last week’s obsessions. Or my other obsession.)

Time to give cats their due – this week, enjoy a tribute to felines on film. (Also, a warning: there may be one word not for sensitive puppy ears in there. It’s not my fault – blame Brad Pitt. Geez, the nerve of that guy.)

I can’t even decide which one is my favorite, but it’s kind of hard to top Say Anything.Okay, I’m going to go off book here, and share a second video today. Behold, the most adorable hunger games ever played:

I bid you farewell for today, dear readers… may the kibble be ever in your flavor!

 

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22 things that made me smile in 2011

‘Tis the time for reminiscing about 2011…

Last year, I shared some of my favorite posts from this blog.  This year, I’ve decided to stop the navel gazing (until the Pet Blogger Challenge later this month, of course) and highlight some of my favorite posts from other bloggers.  (Thanks to Mel from the No Dog About It blog for the inspiration.)

It’s a tough task, actually. There is a ton of great content out there in the pet blogging community.

The posts below all have one thing in common – they make me laugh or smile (one of those really big smiles).  There are many beautifultouching, and thought-provoking posts that touched my heart this year. However, today I felt like aiming for tears of laughter or joy rather than the other kind.  Hope you don’t mind.

It was a long year. I’m sure there are some others I adored that slipped my mind when writing this post.  (Perhaps one of my 2012 resolutions should be to do a better job of keeping track of my favorite posts. You may notice that this list skews toward the more recent entries.)  In no particular order, here are 22 posts I loved this year…

  1. My Most Embarrassing Dog Moment from My Brown Newfies – I have no words. Just go read it.
  2. The Puppiness Project – Everything’s Better with Puppies from Something Wagging This Way Comes – With a title like that, how could this post not make my list?
  3. 10 Pictures of Dogs Reading Books from Doggie Stylish- I love dogs. I love books. I love this post.
  4. Favorite Video Friday – Stella’s Shasta Adventure from No Dog About It – I don’t know how Mel finds so many great videos.  However, I still watch this one when I just need a moment of Zen.
  5. (Viewing this may cause extreme joy) More Happy Pets! Part I from The Chronicles of Cardigan – It really did cause extreme joy. Extreme.
  6. Adopting Beelzebub: A Beast of a Bird? from This One Wild Life – An adoption story that warmed the cockles of my heart.
  7. 17 Things Bella Has Stolen from Bringing up Bella – I’m kind of glad my Bella only hoards socks.
  8. Spam Saturday: Amazing Products, Thrilling Occasions, Thanks-a-Mundo! from Will My Dog Hate Me – This post is masterwork. Go put the lime in the coconut and drink it up, okay?
  9. 32 Simple Things You Do That Matter To Dogs from Peggy’s Pet Place- More warming for those cockles.
  10. Dog a Day Project – Why I Don’t Have Kids from Doggie Stylish – I’m just going to start replying to everyone who asks me when I’m going to have children by emailing them a link to this post. (Don’t get me wrong – I don’t know what the future holds. However, I tend to think people should mind their own beeswax and stop asking.)
  11. 5 Reasons Puppies are Easier Than Kids from Smart Dog – A perfect companion to the Doggie Stylish post. 
  12. She Who Cannot Be Trusted from Postpartum Paradise – A toddler, a dog, and adventures in unconventional (and unsanctioned) grooming.  See? I can appreciate posts involving kids!
  13. Senior Dogs: Appreciate, Don’t Discriminate from Grouchy Puppy – This one is actually a guest post that Sharon from Grouchy Puppy contributed to this blog. I just love the message.
  14. The Mystery of Burt’s Bees from Tales and Tails – Or, as I like to think of it, “how to collect puppy kisses in one easy step.”
  15. Dogs in International Costumes: Bone Voyage! from Will My Dog Hate Me – Just because.
  16. Drunken Master IV:  Canine Fu from Rescued Insanity – A funny tale of DWWI (Dog Walking While Intoxicated).
  17. For Woofing Out Loud from Kol’s Notes – In case you’ve ever wondered if your dog thinks you’re as funny as you think you are… the answer is apparently no.
  18. 15 Ways to Tell if You’re Dog Crazy from Something Wagging This Way Comes – Just a genius post, and, well… it’s funny ’cause it’s true. This post inspired me to start that whole dog song parody series of posts. 
  19. Pinterest Tuesday – Dogs Making Messes from Two Little Cavaliers – The cutest kind of mess is the kind that I don’t have to clean up.
  20. Chinese Takeout = Bad Dog Parenting from Life With Desmond – Speaking of messes… wondering if something is trash or treasure? Just ask the dog.
  21. Dressing Up Dogs at Holidays from Grouchy Puppy – I just love this creative take on the antler photo.
  22. From the DDY Digs Desk from Daley’s Dog Years – I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m including this post partly because of the Ryan Gosling photo.

Why 22?  I have no idea. I feel like this list could have gone on forever (for example, I wanted to include a post from BZ Training, but I just couldn’t pick a favorite photo shoot, so I’m cheating and linking to the whole blog here). Finally, I just held an intervention for myself, cut myself off, and sent myself to list-making rehab.  
What was your favorite pet blog post of 2011?
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I just like to smile. Smiling’s my favorite.

It’s time for another holiday edition of No Frown Friday.  I’ve got an overload of awesome linkage for you today… consider it my Festivus gift to you.

  1. Your punny pet name: Yukong Cornelius.
  2. Self-promotion alert!  I updated the baking blog this week.  Check out these candy cane cupcakes. Bella and I were also interviewed at Coffee with a Canine – swing by and say hi!
  3. Hey, girl… this video contains the cutest sleigh full of reindeer ever (although these guys are giving them a run for their money).  It also contains Ryan Gosling.
  4. Two words: puppy Christmas.  (A reminder, however – a pet shouldn’t be an impulse buy or a last-minute gift idea.)
  5. The title of this post is “Light the Meownorah” – that’s just awesome. (While I’m at it, here’s some more Ryan Gosling.)
  6. Speaking of brilliant names… Ham Skillet may be my new favorite dog name.
  7. An easy way to help shelter dogs this Christmas – toss a virtual Angry Bird at your friends.
  8. Still have gifts to wrap?  Maybe your dog can help.  (Be sure to wrap the gifts… not the cat.)
  9. If not, perhaps they can help you with the caroling instead.  (Feel free to go traditional or mix it up a bit.)
  10. Finally, just for fun… here are a few of my favorite pop culture things, including holiday TV, Christmas movies, and the best Christmas special ever.
Maybe next year I should videotape Bella’s Christmas card shoot…
That’s all I have for you today… although I do encourage you to answer the phone all weekend by saying, “Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?

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Corgis (and Ryan Gosling)… in… space!

Before we get into the usual Friday linkage, I wanted to take a moment to thank the veterans who have served our country.  We owe them a great deal.  As always on this holiday, my thoughts go to the poem “In Flanders Field” – those verses say so very much.  If you have a chance, I also recommend you check out these amazing and inspiring photos from a new book on canine soldiers.

Now, it’s time for your usual installment of No Frown Friday…

  1. We begin, as always, with punny pet names, this time with a farming twist: Billy Goat Idol.
  2. Take an iconic album cover.  Insert adorable kitten(s).  Achieve awesomeness.  (Bonus punny pet name: David Meowie.)
  3. Also awesome?  Puppies running in slow motion.  You know I can’t resist puppies having a Chariots of Fire moment.
  4. Apparently the Internet is all about giving me plenty of slow-mo dogs this week.  Thanks, Internet.
  5. This next one’s not slow-mo, but it’s fantastic… talk about a unique dog.
  6. Now it’s time to answer an age-old question.  Forget puppies versus babies, the real cute-off is between puppies and Ryan Gosling. (I’m beginning to think Gosling needs his own category on the blog.  Oh, fine – here you go.)

Another topic that makes frequent appearances?  Space.  So, without further ado, I give you this week’s video:  Corgis… in… space!



 (If you can’t get enough space, go watch Nyan Cat too.  Someone should come up with Nyan Gosling Cat.  Get on it, Internet.)

That concludes your regularly scheduled linkage.  Before I go, you should know that a pretty cool event is going on in blogland this weekend – it’s a Blogpocalypse!  A group of wonderful bloggers will be participating in a blogathon to raise support for various causes.  I hope you’ll check them out.  (If you do, you might even see a guest post from me over at My Brown Newfies!)

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Hey girl… bird is still the word

Today’s post is inspired by that whole Ryan Gosling “Hey girl” thing (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, you should stop whatever you’re doing and check it out – I’ll wait).  It’s not the first time Mr. Gosling has made an appearance on this blog, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.  I mean, the man’s dog has an adorable mohawk, AND he shares his name with adorably tiny feathered creatures.

(Before we dive in, I also wanted to encourage you to visit Grouchy Puppy – I did a guest post that will be featured there today!)

  1. Your weekly pun: Goose Newton.
  2. Wondering why I’ve got “Hey girl” on the brain?  I blame this absolutely hilarious mash-up of Beauty and the Beast and that Honeybadger guy.  It’s possible I like this version better than the original.
  3. Apparently this goose would like to challenge the idea that dog is man’s best friend.
  4. This duck would like to help him in that quest.
  5. All goslings (except for Ryan) one day grow up to be geese.  This video beautifully captures that process.
  6. Speaking of birds, anyone familiar with Portlandia and that whole hilarious “Put a bird on it” thing?  Whatever your answer, I recommend you head over to The Bloggess.  You’ll be happy you did.
  7. Related: maybe Portlandia was wrong and you should put a cat on it instead?
  8. Now that we’re on the topic of cats, I just discovered this video that seems to be the perfect follow-up to Monday’s Office Space cat.  Apparently curiosity about the fax machine will land the cat a rocking office job.  (Bonus: cats wearing ties!)

I found today’s video strangely hypnotic:

Is it the music?  I don’t know, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t watch it several times.  Bird is the word, after all.

You know what else I’ll be watching several times?  The return of Pop-Up Video.  There should really just be a channel constantly playing Pop-Up Video. Are you listening, Vh1?

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That’s one way to stay cool…

Happy Friday! I hope that you have not yet melted from the heat… if you have, then I ‘m not sure how you’re reading this, but I congratulate you on your skills.  Anyway, here we go…

  1. Your punny pet names for the week:  PetMe White and Jimmy Falhound. (Not my best work, but they are relevant to the links below.  Here’s a bonus, however: meet Ferris Mewler, feline friend of hilarious individual The Blogess.  That cat’s Eric Northman impression is off the charts… guess we know who would play Ferris Mewler in a made-for-TV movie.  Alexander Skarsgard all the way.)
  2. Wondering what’s new over at my cupcake blog? (Probably not, but I hope you’ll indulge my occasional desire to self-promote.)  If you’re hungry, perhaps these vanilla M&M cupcakes with chocolate buttercream will satisfy you.
  3. Sorry about that cupcake tangent… will you forgive me if I give you 20 dogs slow dancing to Boyz II Men?
  4. No?  Well… how about if I told you I can predict exactly how excited your dog will be to see you based upon how long you’ve been gone?
  5. Still not satisfied?  Man, tough crowd.  If Betty White hanging out with a beluga whale (yup, they’re buds) doesn’t do it, I’m out of ideas.

So, we’re cool now, right?  Because once I linked to a video of a gosling, and had to clarify that I did not mean Ryan Goslng – it was a sad day for all, and I wished I’d been able to share a video of Gosling with a gosling instead.  I don’t have that today, but I have something even better.  Ryan Gosling and his dog (who happens to be rocking a mohawk) just hanging out on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

It’s the little things.  You know, like a dog with a mohawk.  It is important to stay cool, after all.  Anyone else tried out this cut? 

Happy weekend!

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    I’ll rise, but I won’t shine

    Today’s post is inspired by a wonderful activity that I never seem to do as much as I’d like… sleep!  (Last night’s lack of sleep was courtesy of a ridiculous thunderstorm. Needless to say, Bella was not a fan.)

    1. First up, your weekly dose of punny goodness: M. Night Shyamalion and Napawsha Beddingfield.  (Those are not my best work, I know.  I’ll blame it on being tired.)
    2. Next, I give you a puppy falling asleep in his water bowl.  I feel you, little guy… sometimes no matter how much you want to stay awake, it can’t be done.  (Cuteness courtesy of Two Little Cavaliers.)
    3. Puppies who are fighting the good fight against sleep are always adorable.  Exhibit B: this Vizsla puppy.  Exhibit C: this fluffy marshmallow.
    4. In that same vein, I love this video of a gosling (by which I mean baby goose, not Ryan) falling asleep in a little girl’s hand.  (Speaking of adorable feathered friends, did I mention that while I was out running the other day I encountered a little girl being followed around by four ducklings?  No joke. I bet she also has songbirds that tie ribbons in her hair each morning, squirrels to buckle her shoes, and bunnies to tidy up her bedroom.) 
    5. Side note – while watching each video above, I had the overwhelming urge to shout “Nap Attack!
    6. You know, this post is actually the perfect moment to wish an early happy birthday to a champion napper, Garfield.  His birthday, in case you are not as big of a Garfield nerd as I am, is June 19.  In his honor, here’s a roundup of some of the best catnap videos the interweb has to offer.

    Finally, I leave you with a dramatic interpretation of what I look like in the morning when I don’t get enough sleep:


    (via Huffington Post)

    Here’s hoping you have a relaxing weekend… squeeze in a few naps and catch up on that sleep so you won’t be a grump.  After all, as Doggie Stylish says, happiness is a warm place to sleep!

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