Tag Archives: family tree

Give Your Thanks and Don’t Eat the Bones

23 Nov

Thanksgiving, a day of human satiation and enough drool-worthy food to cause any dog to wish they could walk on only two legs and own opposable thumbs. Tomorrow my humans will sit down at the barely used dining room table to tuck in whilst I’m stuck under the table hoping one of them slips me something yummy. Many of my fellow blogs and animal-centric sites are all a buzz with the feast foods one shouldn’t be sharing with their pooches, but what about those dog-friendly dishes? Thanksgiving is full of them! Let’s take a look:

- Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are a great spud for your dog to nosh on. Of course, we’re talking sweet potatoes free of butter, spices, and those little white marshmallows. When you’re busily cooking away for your feast, throw a sweet potato in the oven to set aside for your pup.

- Turkey: Yes! Turkey! The main event! Feel free to slip your dog some skin-free (skin is too fatty and hard for your dog’s digestive system to break down), seasoning-free, light turkey meat. And while it is important to skip cooked bones, a raw bone is totally fine. If you can’t get a raw turkey bone, maybe find a marrow bone or raw oxtail. Not only will your pup love to gnaw on it, it will also keep them busy and not begging at the table.

-Pumpkin: Like sweet potato, pumpkin is a great snack for your dog. Also like sweet potato, make sure it’s plain pumpkin (i.e. no pumpkin pie filling).

-Vegetables: Think cooked (or raw) carrots, green beans, and peas. While not my favorite, there are dogs that go bananas for some cooked, plain veggies.

-Butternut squash: One of my favorites! Remember, no butter, seasoning, etc.

-Potatoes: Some dogs are allergic to this spud, but if yours isn’t, feel free to share some butterless, seasoningless (seeing a pattern yet?) potatoes.

See, your dog can partake in the fun and festivities of Thanksgiving too! Just remember, skip the fat and the extras and keep it simple and plain for the four-legged crowd.

Happy tail wags!

Ratbone Rescues

28 Sep

Since our attempt to become the collegiate elite didn’t quite work out this time around, my mom and I have had some extra time on our hands. Of course, I can spend all my extra time chewing on a delicious ox tail or chasing the cats around the house, but my mom always likes to have projects. She has recently become more diligent in making toys and clothes for her and Angelica’s Etsy shop, The Smiling Frog Pets. My mom has also become a virtual volunteer for a really amazing rescue group called Ratbone Rescues.

Founded in 1999, Ratbone is a nationwide dog rescue dedicated to helping and finding forever homes for Rat Terriers in need. Ratbone’s Rat Terriers are usually pulled from kill shelters and given a second chance at life. As there is no actual facility or shelter, the dogs under Ratbone’s care are fostered in homes throughout the US until they are adopted. Ratbone Rescues’ entire existence is dependent solely upon the countless volunteers who work tirelessly transporting, fostering, fundraising, going through adoption applications, writing letters and emails, and generally helping to spread the word about the current Rat Terriers that are up for adoption.

This is Jozi who is currently available for adoption.

My mom’s main focus in her volunteer work is to help spread the word not only about the rescue, but about their fundraising efforts on various social media avenues. In fact, she just helped launch Ratbone’s newly revamped twitter account, @Ratbone_Rescues. It’s a little empty now, but it’s sure to be hopping soon. As all of Ratbone’s good work is based on the monies raised through fundraising, it’s really important to spread the word. Their current fundraiser is a quilt raffle! It’s actually their seventh quilt raffle to date.

And it features Rat Terriers of course!

The raffle runs until October 31st. Each ticket is $5, but there are deals (such as $10 for3 tickets) the more tickets you want to purchase. All proceeds go toward covering the cost of spay/neuters, vaccinations, and other general veterinary care. You can read more about the quilt raffle and but a ticket here (or click on the photo of the quilt above).

If you’d like more information about Ratbone Rescues, please visit their website. There you will find not only a list of all Rat Terriers currently up for adoption, but also information about how you too can volunteer to help such a pawesome rescue! And don’t forget to “like” the Ratbone Rescues page on facebook.

Happy tail wags!

I Love the Beach

3 Jun

Warmer weather always means more opportunities to go to one of my favorite places, the beach! I’ve been enamored with beaches every since my first trip to Crockett’s beach as a pup. Of course, back in those days I was stuck on a leash due to my past habit of not always coming when called and running away from my mom when she would come to collect me (I thought we were playing chase, I swear!). Now I’m a lot better at the recall thing (though not perfect yet. Of course, that may just be the only thing I’m not perfect at), so I’m allowed to go off leash a lot more.

Over the weekend, my mom took me to Rockport Harbor, the location of one of my favorite beaches. It’s a smaller beach, and usually crowded with humans so I don’t often get to play on it. However, this weekend we had it all to ourselves! Not another being was on the beach so I was able to tear up the sand to my hearts content.

What is your dog’s favorite place to play?

Happy tail wags!

 

Harry’s Story

15 Mar

Prudence asked me if I was willing to write a guest post about my story for Adopt the Internet Day. You see, unlike Prudence, I came from an animal shelter known as the Humane Society of Knox County. I know I’ve talked a bit about it before, but it is a story that stands to be repeated because it is a classic example of what pets in a no-kill shelter are going to face while waiting for their forever home.

I was brought to the HSKC as a kitten. My history before the shelter is foggy at best and all I really remember is being stuck in a cage, unable to socialize with other cats other than my litter mates due to an upper respiratory infection. It wasn’t fun, and the shelter staff did the best they could to keep me happy and comfortable, but with over a hundred cats (both in the shelter and being fostered) as well as the countless dogs under their care, their time and attention was spread thin. There were some catnip toys and a few balls to keep us occupied, but what I really wanted was to be held, to be cuddled. Not to mention the shelter can be a very busy and therefore stressful place. Luckily at that time, I was new to the world, so things didn’t stress me out too much. But some animals do become stressed and incredibly unhappy.

I was so very happy the day that my human walked into the shelter looking for a cat to share her life with. I knew this was my chance, and I would not let it slip out of my paws (I can be a bit conniving like that). So, when she knelt down to check out my litter mates and I, I reached out my paws and grabbed her hand to tell her that it was me she wanted. Thankfully she fell for it and that is how I find myself here, in her home, living the high life and no longer in want of anything (except maybe peace from Prudence).

Not all cats and dogs that find themselves in a shelter are as lucky as me. Some wind up in kill shelters where they are given a week, sometimes just days, to find a home or they will be euthanized. Sometimes, even those animals that are in shelters like the HSKC that are no-kill, will face months or even years of waiting for that one human to come in and give them what we all want, a place to call home. While it is true that my human did not go on adopt Prudence from a shelter or a rescue, she now understands the importance of adopting over buying and what that means for that one lucky pet who will finally get to go home.

So, if you are ever considering adding a four-legged (or even bird-legged or finned as birds and fish can also be found in shelters and rescues) member to your family, please choose adoption.

Happy Adopt the Internet Day!

Wordless Wednesday (Sort Of)

21 Jul

Every so often I like to use Wednesdays’ posts to showcase a few of my favorite photos, mostly including myself. I mean, can you honestly tell me that you can’t stand to see my cuteness all the time? I’m just THAT adorable. But this time, instead of just showing off my curly mop of hair and beautiful brown eyes, I’ve decided to post a photo of me and my favorite human:

My mom

Happy tail wags!

Buy now!

15 Jan

Remember the penguin that my mom made me for Christmas? Well, now your pooch can have one too!

I'm a model!

Angelica has hired my mom to work with her on Angelica’s online store The Smiling Frog. My mom is going to make dog toys and clothes (like she already makes for me). Right now, the new and improved penguin squeaky is available for purchase! Just click here.

I will make updates for every new item posted, so check back often. Also, I might be doing a giveaway of one of the toys.

Happy tail wags!

Spoiled Rotten

1 Jan

I was very much the spoiled pup on Christmas. It made my tail wiggle extra hard when I woke up and my stocking was full of goodies from Santa Paws. I got everything I asked for!

A new collar!

Yummy treats!

And even a Snook with a bow like in the Twas the Night Before Christmas my mom wrote. She must have talked to Santa Paws about that.

I also got really amazing presents from my family and friends. Angelica and Leo made me a cute navy blue hoodie with an anchor on the back.

As my mom would say: Adorable!

GG and Gramp got me a couple of cow’s tails that I ate right up. Nanny and Payton bought me this thing called a Snuggie. Everyone laughed when I unwrapped it, but I don’t know what was so funny. Mom got me a really fun toy from Planet Dog called the Orbee-Tuff Ball. It’s really fun to play tug with. The sweetest present of all was a hand made squeaky toy my mom made for me. It’s a fun little penguin who has a really loud squeak.

Me, my penguin, and my Angelica made hoodie!

Happy tail wags!

Beyond the Sea

28 Aug

My mom isn’t feeling very good today, so we did the one thing that always cheers her up; visit the beach. We go there a lot because there’s lots of room to run around, tons of dogs to meet, and lots of things to sniff.

Let's play!

Let's play!

I have discovered that I don’t mind the water all that terribly when I’m just splashing around in the waves. Not only is it not as cold, but there are fun things floating around that I can snatch up, like seaweed. My mom likes to snoop through the sand and shallows for pieces of smooth glass and shells. She found this really neat thing that kind of looked like a ball, but with a hole in the middle. It smelled like salt and made me sneeze. It was something called a sea merchin, if that means anything.

A "Sea Merchan"

A "Sea Merchin"

I also met two really big dogs. The first was a Shepard that really didn’t care too much about me. He really just want to chase his kong into the water. His parents were friendly though, even if they thought my name was Brutus. There was also a big, black lab who was all on his own. He must have come down from one of the various houses on the shore. He wanted to make sure I was taking over his territory. P8280819It was a fun little adventure today.

I LOVE the beach!

I LOVE the beach!

Happy, salty tail wags!

All photos were taken by my cousin Lizzie.

It’s My Party and I Can Wear a Tutu if I Want To!

2 Aug

My party was today! I had a blast. So many people showed up, and so many dogs. I had it at my grammy’s house because my house and yard are just too small. My mom and nanny set up two tents (it was misting) and made tons of snacks.

The snack table.

The snack table.

For the humans there were veggies (ICK!) and dip and little sandwiches my mom cut in the shape of dog bones.

I wish I could have gotten my paws on those.

I wish I could have gotten my paws on those.

For us pups, my mom made ice rings with dog treats in them (she used peanut butter flavored Zuke’s Mini Naturals).

Mmm!

Mmm!

My aunt now runs a company called Sweet Cheek’s Treats. She bakes cakes, cookies and cupcakes. My mom hired her to make cupcakes for the humans and a special dog cake for us pups. The cake had peanut butter and carrots in it, and luckily you couldn’t taste the carrots!

Cake and paw print cupcakes

Cake and paw print cupcakes

I was dressed in my finest and ready for my guests to arrive.

Yes, I am wearing a tutu.

Yes, I am wearing a tutu.

First to arrive was my sister’s friend Olivia and her neighbor’s pup, Snoop, who is only five months old.IMG_1459My second guests were my great aunt, cousins, and their friend Kendra.

Kendra, my cousin Liz, my nanny, and my great aunt.

Kendra, my cousin Liz, my nanny, and my great aunt.

Then my friend Leo and his mom, Angelica, came.

Leo and his mom.

Leo and his mom.

Lauren, my favorite shopkeeper, also showed up. And last, but certainly not least, my nanny’s friend Denise, her son Noah and their pups Bella and Diesel arrived.

Me, Bella (the black and white one) and Diesel

Me, Bella (the black and white one) and Diesel

After everyone arrived, we guessed at doggy trivia. For example: Which breed of dog is know for its black tongue? (answer at the end of the post!) Leo and Angelica won that one. My favorite game was musical sit. Every dog got a human and we had to walk around in a circle while some music played (it was “He’s a Tramp” from Lady and the Tramp, my favorite movie). When the music stopped, which ever pooch sat down last was out. We did this until one pup was left, which was me! musical sitAll the pups enjoyed the cake and the ice treat rings.

Nom

Nom

Nom

Nom

All in all it was a fun party! funI would like to thank my nanny, my aunty, my mom, Angelica, Leo, Lauren, my great aunty, my cousins, Kendra, Olivia, Denise, Noah, my grammy, Snoop, Bella, and Diesel for coming to my party and being the best guests ever!

Come back tomorrow for details on my presents (they are AWESOME!) and a few recipes.

Happy, exhaustively content tail wags!

Answer to trivia quesion: Chow Chow

Interview with a Cousin

26 Jul

It’s time for another interview with some of my favorite humans! This time, it’s with one of my cousins. Well, she’s actually my second cousin, but it’s easier to just call her my cousin. Her name is Lizzie!

Liz 'n me!

Liz 'n me!

How do you know me?: Your mommy is my cousin!

Do you have any furry children?: No, my mom doesn’t really like pets. She says that she’d be the one caring for it. I think that’s what every parent says.

What is your favorite treat?: Chocolate! Which you can’t have. Or you would die.

If you were a dog, what kind would you be and why?: I think I would have to be a dalmatian, because I would get to wear spots!

A dalmation

A dalmation

Where do you like to shop?: I like to shop at American Eagle, or anywhere, really!

What is your favorite toy?: My favorite toy is my laptop, because I can use it for everything!

Where do you like to take walkies?: I prefer to take walks on my road, but I’ve walked so far so many times that I like to walk different places now, too.

What are you afraid of?: I am afraid of bugs, bugs, bugs. They are the worst things ever!

Do you like to swim?: I like to swim, I’m just not good at it. Let’s just say, I’m no Michael Phelps.

How do you feel about cats?: Um, well…cats hate me. I like them better at kitten size, that way they can’t eat me whole.

Do you love me?: Hmmm…yes! I love how you’re always thrilled when I come to your house. You’re one-of-a-kind!

You’re one of a kind too, Liz. Thanks for letting me interview you!

Happy tail wags!

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