Its a Dog's Life!

Wow!  Did you see all the dogs in the news this week?

First, there was the Westminster Dog Show,

the top dog of all dog shows where they introduced six new breeds...

the Entlebucher (ent-lee-BOO'-kehr) mountain dog,

the Norwegian Lundehund (LUHN'-dee-hund),

the American English coonhound,


 (this guy has got to be my cousin, just look at that face!)

the Finnish Lapphund (LAP'-hundh),

the Cesky (CHESS'-key) terrier






 

and the Xoloitzcuintli (show-low-itz-QUINT'-lee), previously known as the Mexican Hairless.









These photographs were stolen copied taken borrowed from this website.


Then,

Malachy the Pekingese won the top dog prize at the Westminster Dog show (you know top dog of all dog shows).

A twelve pound hairball? Really?

Oh well, I suppose he deserved it.



AND

Uggie won the first Golden Collar Award,











beating out

Blackie

despite Martin Scorsese's best efforts to the contrary.









And my favorite...

Rin Tin Tin has a book written about him.

One of these days, that will be me.

Love,
Buddy

Finally V-Day is over...

It isn't that I hate Valentine's Day, it is that I don't like the hype and what could be considered unreasonable expectations of the day.  I am really sick of the shades of pink and red that have decorated all the stores since January 2nd and I hate having sentiment shoved down my throat.

I am a classy dog.  I show affection every day.   Some days I show it better than others.  I'd rather give one rose for no other reason than a passing thought than to be required to give a dozen because a specific date has arrived on the calendar.  Ugh!.

Now I can start looking forward to the next holiday.
Actually I was thinking that it would be Saint Patrick's Day - one of my favorite holidays,

but a quick look at the calendar shows that first we have to survive ;

President's Day (a Monday holiday)

Mardi Gras (aka Shrove Tuesday)

Ash Wednesday (the beginning of the Lenten season)

Leap Day

and the bane of my existence the beginning of Daylight Saving (I know, I know...certainly not a holiday but a day that I have to contend with non-the-less)

All the more reason to look forward to Saint Patrick's Day.

In the meantime I'll just have to survive by thinking happy thoughts. 

Like...

Doggie treats

Chasing squirrels

Gnawing a big ol' juicy bone

Playing with Spencer

Getting petted
and laughing a lot.











Yep, I think I'll survive.

Love,
Buddy

Get Bent!

I am lucky enough to spend my day around art, good art, inspiring art, art to sooth the soul (not that my soul needs to be soothed but the art is certainly pretty to look at).   I am always on the lookout for something interesting to share.

So today I happened across this interesting site,

 which led me to this interesting site.







Now that is some funny art.  I laughed my tail off. 

Love,
Buddy

National Geographic Photos

I suppose just about everybody has heard of National Geographic or at least seen one of their photos.  This is one site you should take the time to visit everyday.  They have an enormous amount of information and you could get sucked into a black hole of lost time and image overload if you aren't careful.

 (Guess what this is)





But did you know they had a photo contest for kids? They must be raising a new crop of photographers for the future.

This one I liked.

But this is my favorite.  How cute is that?








Love,
Buddy

I Want To Do This!

In the course of a day the studio receives a lot of information about art stuff.  There are art fairs, art festivals, art classes, art exhibits, art shows, art opening and artistic endeavors of all kinds, shapes and sizes.

Some are interesting (some are not) but today I found THE MOST interesting art project. Creatively, it ranks right up there with Project Runway and Destination Imagination.

It is called Mystery Build, and it does cost money, but there are prizes to be had.  More importantly, it is just the just the thing to have fun and get the creative juices flowing.  There is a theme and rules and most important, a deadline.

AND
There is a project just for kids.

Their website also has a page of art information that is worth a visit.

I especially like this piece by Paul Hill. 






Now I just have to figure out how to get my paws to create some art.

Love,
Buddy

Listen to the "Bark Side"

 A teaser from Volkswagen for the Super Bowl.  

 My two cents....why suffer through all that football when you have the internet.

Love,
Buddy

Can We Talk?

I guess I am going to have to go back to school.

I thought I was a well educated dog.  Even when Spencer came along (taller, stronger, better behaved Spencer) and knew more words than I did, I still thought I was pretty darn intelligent.  I learned all Spencer's words and then pretended I didn't understand....now that is smart in my book.

Then I found this dog who knows a lot more than I do.  She knows over 1000 words!

Obviously I can't let another dog know more than I do and since online learning is my educational method of choice, my first line of attack begins with Dictionary dot com.  One of their links, Word Dynamo, is full of word games; all different grade levels, subjects, and languages.  I did pretty good on the Latin prefix words, fairly well on the Twelve Absolutely Ridiculous Words, and not at all well on French.

Check it out and see how well you can do, then we'll compare notes. (I'm not competitive, really!)

Love,
Buddy

Recycle your Christmas Cards

Now that the food has been consumed, the dishes are done, the decorations have been packed and the tree put away, it is time to go through all the lovely Christmas cards you received this year (or maybe the ones you never dealt with last year).  First, update your address list, because that is important and you don't want to lose track of your family, friends or passing acquaintances.  Then decide what you are going to do with the cards 'cause it would be a shame to throw them out.

If you want to make something for next Christmas...

 Or help a charity...




Whatever you decide, have fun!

Love,
Buddy

Got Milk?

Photo of a milk splash by Denis-Carl Robidoux on Flickr -
noncommercial use permitted with attribution

Milk Day is today.

Milk is the state beverage of New York.

Real milk comes from cows.

A sports drink?

The best thing about milk? Ice Cream!



Love,
Buddy

Epiphany

 Remember those Twelve Days of Christmas we talked about last month?

Well, here we are-the twelve days are up and we have arrived at Epiphany.  (there are other, more religious definitions too)

I rather like the idea of epiphany, not only is it an extension of the Christmas season, but it sorta represents a birthday party when you think about it.

I think a Three Kings Cake and some gifts are in order. Why stop the celebrations at New Year's Day when winter has only just begun?

Love,
Buddy

Did you know....

...that January is National Thank You month along with National Volunteer Blood Donor month?

Its official.
Now go give blood
and
Thank you.

Love,
Buddy

res·o·lu·tion

http://hitgirl.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/new-years-resolutions-a-word-of-caution/

 res·o·lu·tion   n   (rez-uh-loo-shuh n)
1. The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination.

2. A resolving to do something.

3. A course of action determined or decided on.

4. A formal statement of a decision or expression of opinion put before or adopted by an assembly such as the U.S. Congress. 

I hear about "resolution" all the time.  When a camera comes out, resolution gets discussed.  When a photograph needs to be taken, resolution gets discussed.  When printing needs to be done, resolution gets discussed.  However, none of these things get put off until New Year's Day just because of the resolution.  Humans!

Apparently most resolutions never get fulfilled, I am guessing it must be those resolutions involving definition # 4 and Congress.

The only resolution I intend to make for 2012 is to not make any resolutions.

Love, 

Buddy

Happy New Year?

Is this the last time we inhabitants of Earth will get to celebrate a New Year's Day?  If so, then today is very special indeed. However, if it isn't the "last" New Year's Day is it any less enjoyable or important?

  I suppose by now almost everyone has heard of the famous (of infamous) Mayan long count calendar whose cycle ends on the winter solstice in our year 2012.  A lot of people have different theories on exactly what this means.






When you read all this stuff, please keep in mind that the measurement of time is man made.  Time passes, seasons change, the Moon orbits the Earth, the Earth orbits the Sun, the Sun has its place in the Orion Belt of the Milky Way, the Milky Way has its place in our Universe.  We Earthlings have no control over the occurrences of solstices and equinoxes or when they happen.  We only mark time showing when they happen.

So, let me tell you that I don't give a rat's patootie that the Mayan calendar has come to the end of its cycle, I don't care what dire (or other) predictions are being made, I don't even care is something really does happen or if nothing at all happens.

You see, whatever happens at whatever time, I have no control over it.  I can't make it start, I can't make it stop, I can't make it happen or not happen.  However, I do have control over what I do and how I react. 
So, I intend to;
savor life and all its offerings
wag my tail with enthusiasm
bark to the best of my ability
live my life with purpose. 
love as much as I can
hug as often as I can
laugh as hard as I can, 
take chances
give chances
be

You should too.  Happy New Year.

Love,
Buddy

The week of limbo...

Well...
That was fun....food, music, food, pretty lights, food, gifts and did I mention food?  I have been in a food coma for three days and have only now recovered enough to sit at the computer.

Christmas was certainly enjoyable,  I can hardly wait until the next one rolls around.


Now we begin the week of limbo, the week between Christmas and New Year, the week between gatherings, the week when everyone is still relishing the glow of Christmas and looking forward to the revelry of New Year, the week when no one really wants to do any work.

It is a week to ponder.
Ponder the year past, ponder the year to come, ponder all those resolutions.

It is also a week to plan.
Oh sure, there is New Year's Eve to consider.  There will be a party, drinks, food, music and how to get home.  However, I am more concerned about the food for New Year's Day.  The traditional food that is consumed to insure a happy and prosperous year.  I am making a list (and checking it twice) because I take my food seriously, especially if it is going to bring me good luck.

More later....


Love,
Buddy

Happy Yule Day!

Happy Yule Day to you.
Happy Yule Day to you.
Haaa-ppy Yulllle Daaay dear Pagan.and.any.others.who.wish.to celebraaaaaate.
Happy Yule Day to you.




http://www.earthwitchery.com/yule.html

http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/yule.htm

I'm all for the sun coming back around to this part of the world.
(not looking forward to the long cold winter)

Love,
Buddy

Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?

Oh oh oh it is almost time and all the humans are getting excited. 

The most interesting topics of conversation revolve around the pretty packages under the tree.

The first question is do the gifts get opened Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

If the answer is Christmas morning then the next question is do gifts from Santa get wrapped or not?

Once that is answered the next question is do the presents all get opened in one free for all or do they get opened one at a time?

However, if the answer to the first question is Christmas Eve then the second question is how long do we have to wait on Christmas Eve before we get to open the packages, followed by do they all get opened at once or one at a time?

Who knew opening a package could get so complicated!

I am all for Christmas Eve so there is more room for the stuff Santa brings.  I'm not sure I have the patience for opening one gift at a time, I kinda like the idea of a free for all, but hey just give me a bone to chew on and I won't care.

Oh, and don't forget to go look at all the light.....that's one of the best parts of the season.

http://www.christmasdisplays.net/

Love,
Buddy

Oh, and Santa, if you are reading this... I really have been a good boy, or at least I have tried, or at least I thought about trying, well....I'll try next year...I promise.

A week?

 

 

Really!  Christmas happens in a week?  When?What?How?

 

How did we go from "oh, Christmas is later this month" to "Christmas is a week away"?

 

Oh the stress........................

Well, I guess I need to take a deep breath, take a step back and let's see what needs to be done.

 

Tell friends and family how much I love them? Check.

Christmas tree up? Check.

 

Christmas tree decorated? Check.

 

Christmas letter typed? Check.

 

Christmas cards addressed? Check.

 

Christmas cards mailed? Check.

 

Christmas tree acquired? Check.

 

Christmas tree decorated? Check.

 

Presents bought? Check.

 

Presents wrapped? Check.

 

Presents mailed? Check.

 

Tell my friends and family how much they mean to me? Check.

 

Hmmmmmm....maybe there is no need to be stressed....maybe I'm gonna be okay.....maybe everything is gonna work out, no sweat, no problem.  

Maybe I can look forward to...oh yes, Christmas dinner!!  

 

Love,

Buddy 

On-line, Catalog or Brick and Mortar?

Some people just don't like shopping.

Some people thrive on it.

Some people don't like to talk on the phone.

Some people thrive on it.

In my opinion (and I am an expert on my opinion) on-line shopping is the best of all worlds.  Those that don't like to go to the mall can get their gift buying done without having to find a parking place, pass the bell ringers at the door, put up with the crowds, or wear their feet to nubs. 

Those that like the mall, can let their fingers do the walking on the computer keyboard and once all the goodies have been found on-line can go to the store and get their shopping high in person.

Personally, I like to go through all the catalogs the nice mailman brings, go on-line to order, then the nice mailman delivers the gifts right to my door.

These are interesting on-line catalog sites:

L L Bean

FREE SHIPPING!

Sundance

Edmund Scientific's

Signals

Woolrich

Betty's Attic

Retro to the Max

Hammacher Schlemmer

Acorn

Bas Bleu

National Geographic

Hickory Farms

Stonewall Kitchen

Cheryl's

Wisconsin Cheeseman

The Popcorn Factory

Wind & Weather

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Wolferman's

X-treme geek

Catalog Favorites

Norm Thompson

Herrington

Nueske's

The BEST meat I ever wrapped a tongue around!






Sometimes I get so engrossed in the catalogs, I forget that I am actually shopping. I thrive on it.

I hate to admit this, and I wouldn't tell just anyone, but I had every one of these catalogs sitting right here by the computer, with duplicates of LLBean (five of them) and Nueske's (only two).  Most of them are from this year but I did find a couple dated 2008! Maybe a little spring cleaning is in order.

The good thing is I am now done with all my Christmas shopping.  Now aren't you jealous?

Love,
Buddy