Welcome 2011!

Pablo wishes everyone a happy and safe new year.

 

The Kenny Coat

The day I’ve been dreading all year arrived–the first snowfall of the season. Snow equals salt, which our neighbors sprinkle with abandon on their sidewalks. And all that salt, combined with the arctic weather conditions, means that Pablo can’t go for his walk until he’s been wrestled into his parka and booties. We call the parka his Kenny coat, for obvious reasons (at least to fans of the comedy series South Park).

The red booties came about after much trial and error. Made of a rubbery material, they are so thin a dog can feel the sidewalk under his paws. They’re also disposable, but we’re able to get a number of walks in before we have to throw a set away. And, more importantly, they are the only boots that work with Pablo. Without them, he’ll reach a patch of salt and lift his paws when the salt begins to burn. Then he won’t continue. Too many times, I’ve ended up carrying a 20 plus pug home through mountains of snow and slush.

And so winter begins in all its glory. How I hate it!

Pablo

Kenny

Throw Another Log on the Fire

If you’re of a certain age (that is, as old as the hills), you probably remember the yule log crackling on TV every Christmas Eve. Growing up, our family didn’t have a fireplace, so we huddled around the TV instead, watching the flames flicker and listening to carols. In the spirit of those happier times, here’s a yule log for your Christmas Eve. Pull up to the computer  monitor, break out the eggnog, and enjoy my all-time favorite Christmas song.

Decked Out for the Holidays

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Merry Pugmas

Spent all day Saturday decking the halls, tra la la la la la, and all that. Then today I thought I’d take some photos of Pablo under the tree. No such luck. No matter how much I begged and pleaded and bribed him with treats, he wouldn’t sit still for a good shot. I’ll have to try again when K gets home.

So, instead, I’m posting a photo taken by my daughter of Pablo on Christmas morning four years ago when I lived in upstate NY. I’ve always loved this image, and one year used it for my holiday cards.

Why will he sit so patiently for E and not for me????

Happy Cat Herding Day!

Who knew? December 15th is Cat Herding Day. Rita and OC generally don’t need to be herded (unless a trip to the vet is called for). Sometimes, though, Pablo gets it into his head to herd them, driving them from room to room until he gets bored. Question: is it considered herding if it’s two cats?

Don’t have a clowder of cats to herd? Have no fear. Watch this clip and join in the celebration of this special day.

Hey Diddle Diddle, the Pug and the Fiddle

Pablo’s List to Santa

Dear Santa,

I’ve been a very good pug this year. I hope you will bring me lots of nice things. Here’s my list (with visual aides). Click the product name to see where I found it on the web:

First on my list is my favorite toy in the whole world–Bite Meez hand puppets. Santa you left me one under the Christmas tree my first Christmas and I’ve had two more since. I’d love another, perhaps a scary shark or a cowardly lion to beat up?

My own Puppy Tweets! Please, Santa, please! Why should my people have all the fun writing blogs. With my electronic dog tag every bark or move I make sends a tweet via Twitter. The world could finally hear what I have to say.

Mr. Poops might look like, well, s***, but he squeaks up a storm. It would be great to chase after him and gross out my people, especially since I can’t get to the kitty litter now that it’s in the basement.

I wasn’t sure about this one, Santa. I mean, I like to think that I’m still in my prime, but age has been catching up and it’s not so easy to jump on my special chair or the sofa. And the bed! I could never reach it, so my people have to lift me (so undignified). Maybe, just maybe, pet stairs would give me the extra help I need.

A Christmas dog gift basket full of treats! I can’t wait to dig into this one! I was going to ask for some tasty pig ears (my fav), but after my stay with Petey the Pig I’d feel disloyal. This basket is packed with all kinds of pig-free goodies: a tree toy, a snowball toy, minty mutt bones, peanut busters, beefy cheese dogs (yum), Christmas cookies, and more.

To wash all those goodies down, a six pack of Bowser Beer would hit the spot. It’s doesn’t have alcohol in it (dogs should never drink human beer). Instead it’s made with a  lip-smacking beef brew. Yum!

So that’s it, Santa. Did I mention how good I’ve been?

Love,

Pablo

P.S. You might want to give my people the Doggie Fart Extinguisher. It might come in handy after I drink all that beer!

Let Your Doggy Do the Walking–and Shopping

Photo from CEN

Deng Deng the sheepdog lives–and shops–in Changsha, China. His owner has trained the one-year-old pooch to go grocery shopping. Deng Deng trots off with money and a list tucked into one of the two shopping bags that hang from a specially-built harness. After the order has been filled at a local shop, back home he goes with his bags of grocercies.

There’s a slim, okay very slim, chance Pablo could be trained to go to our nearby 7-11. But come back with all those goodies? No way.

Snug as a Pug