Tag Archives: bringing in the paper

Flashback: Celebrating the cone of shame

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It’s almost the first anniversary of I Still Want More Puppies, so
I’m sharing some of my favorite posts with you this week.  The post
below originally appeared on August 13, 2010.  Hope you enjoy!

Speed Bump
(Speed Bump via Comics.com)
Ah, the cone of shame.  Immortalized by Dug, that awesome dog in Up.  Speaking of, how awesome was Up in general?  So much fun, and so many quotable lines in that movie.  (One of my faves?  “My name is Dug. I have just met you, and I love you.”  Very dog-appropriate.)  Anyway, it seems like someone I know mentions the cone of shame at least once a week.  Although Bella’s never had to wear one, the mere mention makes me smile.  For that reason, it’s the theme of today’s No Frown Friday.  Here we go…
  1. As always on Friday, I bring you punny pet names.  Given this post’s medical undertone, this week’s names are doctor-inspired:  Dr. Cliff Pupstable, Dr. Chewingsbone (I presume), and Doogie Howler.  You should be proud… I didn’t go for the more obvious Doggie Howser joke.  Oh wait, just did…
  2. Looking to spice up your decor?  You can even decorate with the cone of shame.  Check out this awesome dog bowl from me me me.  (Thanks to under the blanket for the link!)  Perhaps you’d prefer this cone of shame nightlight.  Want something a little more cozy?  How about these cone of shame pillows?
  3. You can even wear your own cone of shame – in t-shirt form.  Check out this cute shirt featured on PetSugar.
The pup in the video below battles his cone of shame, then battles a water bottle.  The result is magic.

(Seriously… how could that not make you smile?  If that’s not enough cuteness for you, go check out another fun cone of shame video over on phetched.)

Because this post was inspired by Dug, I’ll leave you with a joke from the movie:  “Hey, I know a joke! A squirrel walks up to a tree and says, ‘I forgot to store acorns for the winter and now I am dead.’ Ha! It is funny because the squirrel gets dead.”

Tell it to your dog – I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.

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Flashback: Head of the Class

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I realized this week that it’s almost the one year anniversary of I Still Want More Puppies.  With that in mind, I thought I’d spend the week sharing some of my favorite posts from the past year.  This post originally appeared on September 17, 2010 (one of the many No Frown Friday installments).  An interesting update related to item #2 below – Yale now has a therapy pup on staff after all.  Guess I was just ahead of the curve.  Hope you enjoy!

Speed Bump
(via Speed Bump)

It’s September… which means school is back in session.  I haven’t been a student in quite some time.  Neither has Ms. Bella.  She did take one obedience course… seven years later, she does sit when asked (most of the time). 

We’ve been lucky – Bella’s a fairly low-maintenance gal who doesn’t get into much trouble.  When we eventually adopt dog number two, we’ll have to be much more diligent! 

If you haven’t already guessed, the topic of today’s No Frown Friday is… school!  Let’s hit the books:

  1. This week’s punny pet names are based on some famous names that chose the School of Life instead of a college degree: Drew Hairymore, Nose-Anne Barr, Roarin’ Beatty, and J.K. Howling.
  2. During college, I often found myself suffering from doggie withdrawal.  Earlier this week, I read that Yale Law School had recognized this epidemic, and offered a solution: if you needed a boost, you could check out Monty the pup for a 30 minute play date.  The circulation listing quoted in that post is so cute it’s out of control.  (A sample… “Subjects: Dogs in libraries; Stress reliever for law students.”)  It turns out that Monty might not have been available, but that’s okay.  A girl can dream.  I would have owed so much in overdue dog fees.
  3. Who needs obedience school? This “” has a college degree!
  4. You may (or may not) remember those great literary punny pet names I shared back in June.  In any event, there’s a second installment – quite a treat!  (Be sure to take the pun-filled quiz… I’m still giggling about Captain A. Lab.)
I’ve pulled today’s video out of the Internet archives, and dusted it off for your amusement.  I remember when I first saw this video last year. It quickly earned a place on my list of favorite things:


Reactions: (1) I would have been so much better at science if it was taught by puppies.  (2) I would like to open a school where all lessons are taught with the help of puppies.  (3)  I’ve already got a foolproof plan for the drama program.

Speaking of smarty pants pups, sometimes well-educated service dogs school others in the Americans with Disabilities Act.  If you want to learn more about the valedictorians of the doggie world – those amazingly smart service dogs – check out Canine Companions for Independence.  CCI spoke at Blog Paws West last weekend, and by all accounts it was amazing!

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Hope springs eternal

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I’ll admit – even though Peanuts comics are now in reruns (a concept I once thought only applicable to TV shows), I still read the strip daily.  As soon as I saw yesterday’s strip, I knew I had to share it with you:

Peanuts
(via comics.com)

I couldn’t stop laughing – Bella deals with this internal struggle every day.  Even though her feeding schedule has consisted of breakfast and dinner since time immemorial (aka when we adopted her), she doesn’t let the past dampen her hope for the future.  When she barrels through the door after spending time outside, she runs straight to the bowl and checks it.  When she comes downstairs after a nap, she checks the bowl.  When she finishes eating, she walks away… then walks back and checks the bowl just in case.  You never know when food might magically appear, after all.

Once I stopped laughing (and believe me, it took a while), I started thinking about how perfectly Charles Schulz portrayed Snoopy.  Sure, he was a (sometimes) talking dog with a bird for a best friend… but strips like the one above really capture the canine personality (or at least Bella’s).  However, I wouldn’t expect anything less from the man who reminded us that “happiness is a warm puppy.”

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Getting into the spirit…

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Dog eat Doug

‘Tis the season… and nothing puts me in the holiday mood like a good holiday special or movie on TV.  We all have them – those classics that we just have to watch every year, or it just doesn’t feel like the holidays.  I thought I’d share a few of my favorite TV specials with you today (links are to clips from the shows where available):

  • Garfield’s Christmas Special – This one was my favorite as a child.  I loved everything about it, and could quote it from beginning to end.  Grandma is the best.
  • A Charlie Brown Christmas – A classic.  Confession: I sometimes have the urge to stage an impromptu dance party with this song.
  • Mickey’s Christmas Carol – Hands down, this is my favorite version of  A Christmas Carol out there.  (The Muppet version is a close second, of course.)  I get emotional just watching the opening.
  • Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – I still refer to the Island of Misfit Toys on a regular basis (possibly as often as once a week).
  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas – I am a Max the dog fangirl.  Cartoon version only, please.  As far as I’m concerned, that Jim Carrey thing never happened.
  • ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – For some reason, this story of some mice and a clock (that’s the Cliff’s Notes version) was always one of my favorites.  The day I found it on DVD was a good one indeed.  I mean, this song…

There are definitely many other worthy choices… like my own personal honorable mentions Frosty the Snowman and Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too for example.  (Not to mention favorite characters, like the Heat Miser and the Snow Miser.)  And that’s just from TV.  As for Christmas movies… well, that’s a post for another day.

Anyway, it’s cold outside… so go snuggle with your pet.  Then tell me all about your favorite holiday TV in the comments!

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So… now what?

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Peanuts
(via Peanuts)

I think Snoopy’s predicament above accurately represents how I feel the day after a big holiday. Planning, preparation, anticipation… and then it’s over, just like that.  I made some yummy cranberry sauce muffins this morning to help fill the void.  Now I need a new project…

In the meantime, it’s time for this week’s No Frown Friday:

  1. Your punny pet names for the week reveal that I still haven’t accepted the fact that Thanksgiving is over: Myles Foodish and William Labford.  (For my fellow pun lovers, you simply must read last Sunday’s Pearls Before Swine. Can you figure it out?)
  2. Want to see something amazingly adorable? Check out these photos of dogs dressed as turkeys.  All will seem right with the world after you do.
  3. Don’t eat too many leftovers… or else this might be your fate.  (Not sure what to do with all of those leftovers?  Serious Eats has some ideas.)
  4. Did you cook a turkey yesterday? I hope that you weren’t the one that asked these stupid questions of the Butterball hotline.

Speaking of turkey, this puppy would really appreciate it if you could send some her way:



(For more videos of dogs who want turkey, go here.)

Anyway, I’m finally going to see the new Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows tomorrow.  I know… after my recent Potter-themed post, I bet you thought I’d be first in line on opening day.  Unfortunately, things have just been too busy.  In honor of my pending movie trip, I made my own butterbeer to go with dessert last  night – it was a hit (and unlike Universal Studios, I offered an alcoholic version as well). 

As I write this post, the peace talks between Roscoe and Bella have reached a new level – they’re both sleeping on the couch at the same time (dreaming of turkey, no doubt).  Expect some photos and a recap after Bella’s hostessing duties are done.

Hope you had a wonderful holiday!

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Give ’em a rake

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Dog eat Doug
via Dog Eat Doug

After last week’s hiatus, No Frown Friday is back!  This week’s theme is inspired by an activity that is in my near future – raking leaves!  (Harry Potter was also in contention, but we just did that.)

Pets and leaves… they kind of go together like peas and carrots, if you ask me.

  1. Coming up with punny pet names to fit the theme wasn’t easy, but I did manage to come up with one: Leif Ericsbone.  After that, the pun-center of my brain went on its own vacation.  Any other pun masters out there?
  2. Check out these photos of some canines who love to play in the leaves.  (Number 6 reminds me of Scotti.  She used to love jumping around in big piles of leaves.)
  3. Feline friends, don’t feel left out.  
  4. Have you ever been leaf peeping?  Here’s a guide to leaf peeping destinations from Bocci’s Beefs (guest post by Fido Friendly‘s Carol Bryant).

Let’s move beyond photos… time to see a pup in action:



(Bonus points to my hub for sending this one my way – don’t you just love the soundtrack?)

Leaves aren’t just for playing – if you’re feeling really ambitious, you can decorate your home with them.  Or even a cake (the cake topper at the end of that post is to die for).

In any event, I’ll be spending at least part of my weekend removing the leaves from my yard.  Perhaps I’ll ask Bella to check out these tips from another leaf-removing canine and give me a hand.

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Happy Howl-o-ween!

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Dog eat Doug
(From Dog eat Doug – want more? Two more great Halloween strips here and here.)
Trick or treat!  It’s a Halloween-themed No Frown Friday, just for you:
  1. We begin, as always, with punny pet names: Ichabark Crane and The Great Pupkin.
  2. Speaking of names, this dog’s name is Boo, and he’s adorable.  Perfect for Halloween weekend, right?
  3. You must check out this collection of awesome canine costumes from the Annual Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade in New York.  Trust me.  (If that doesn’t satisfy your costume needs, check out the entrants in FIDO Friendly’s costume contest and then find out what Winston the cat is wearing this year.)
  4. Do you have a jack-o-lantern this year?  You could make one of these ambitious fantasy pumpkins.  Or perhaps you can create a tribute to your favorite dog breed using one of these stencils.  (If you’re not feeling up to pumpkin carving, you could always pick up one of these cakes.  Or maybe not…)
  5. Stuck with a cone of shame this holiday season?  Follow the example of Noodles the Pug and make it into an awesome Halloween costume.

Whatever your plans for the weekend, I hope it’s a wonderful one.  If nothing else, I plan to schedule a showing of my two favorite Halloween specials –It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and Garfield in Disguise (though I think it’s now called Garfield’s Halloween Adventure).  It’s an annual tradition. I even have the book version of the Garfield special (in addition to tons of other Garfield books… was something of a childhood obsession).

With that in mind, I want to share this inspired video combining scenes from the Garfield special with the theme from Halloween:

That music can make anything scary.

Have a fantastic Halloween (and remember to keep your pets safe)!

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Lick the moon

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The comic below made me think of Bella, who likes to lick things. And by things, I mean any and all things she encounters.  (Seriously… everything.)

Little Dog Lost
(Trouble reading? Go here for a larger version.)

Due to the convoluted workings of my mind, I now have “Kiss the Rain” stuck in my head.  As a result (and due to the convoluted workings of the Internet), I found this gem to share with you.  (Hint: it involves the song above… and the Creek.  Yes, that Creek.)

I should probably stop now.

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Head of the class

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Speed Bump
(via Speed Bump)

It’s September… which means school is back in session.  I haven’t been a student in quite some time.  Neither has Ms. Bella.  She did take one obedience course… seven years later, she does sit when asked (most of the time). 

We’ve been lucky – Bella’s a fairly low-maintenance gal who doesn’t get into much trouble.  When we eventually adopt dog number two, we’ll have to be much more diligent! 

If you haven’t already guessed, the topic of today’s No Frown Friday is… school!  Let’s hit the books:

  1. This week’s punny pet names are based on some famous names that chose the School of Life instead of a college degree: Drew Hairymore, Nose-Anne Barr, Roarin’ Beatty, and J.K. Howling.
  2. During college, I often found myself suffering from doggie withdrawal.  Earlier this week, I read that Yale Law School had recognized this epidemic, and offered a solution: if you needed a boost, you could check out Monty the pup for a 30 minute play date.  The circulation listing quoted in that post is so cute it’s out of control.  (A sample… “Subjects: Dogs in libraries; Stress reliever for law students.”)  It turns out that Monty might not have been available, but that’s okay.  A girl can dream.  I would have owed so much in overdue dog fees.
  3. Who needs obedience school? This “” has a college degree!
  4. You may (or may not) remember those great literary punny pet names I shared back in June.  In any event, there’s a second installment – quite a treat!  (Be sure to take the pun-filled quiz… I’m still giggling about Captain A. Lab.)
I’ve pulled today’s video out of the Internet archives, and dusted it off for your amusement.  I remember when I first saw this video last year. It quickly earned a place on my list of favorite things:


Reactions: (1) I would have been so much better at science if it was taught by puppies.  (2) I would like to open a school where all lessons are taught with the help of puppies.  (3)  I’ve already got a foolproof plan for the drama program.

Speaking of smarty pants pups, sometimes well-educated service dogs school others in the Americans with Disabilities Act.  If you want to learn more about the valedictorians of the doggie world – those amazingly smart service dogs – check out Canine Companions for Independence.  CCI spoke at Blog Paws West last weekend, and by all accounts it was amazing!

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