Chuck the Former Congressman

I have been keeping up with the blog Dooce since 2007; I was still in high school and absolutely adored Heather, her kids, and of course, her dog Chuck.  I would spend hours on my computer going through her archives and laughing out loud at the things she balanced on Chuck's head - hairpieces, clothing items, and allll kinds of treats.  (All photos from Dooce)

Quite the talent, no?

I read about Heather's daughter's birth (Leta is now 11, I think), and how Chuck reacted to the new arrival.  

And I read about Chuck getting older, then older still.  

And this week I read about Chuck passing away.  I sobbed like it was a member of my own family.  I woke my husband up with my cries.  And even though you will need a package and a half of Kleenex, I beg of you...click and read that link.  What a devastating, heartwrenching, beautiful piece of writing.  

The entire Internet misses you, Chuck.  Rest easy, sweet boy.

PS:  Thank you all for your incredibly thoughtful comments on Monday's post.  Your words help more than you know.

How to Human, According to Riley

Do you know how to Human?  Well, I do, and I can teach you!  It is very important that us dogs can Human, because one day we will take over.  (It's going to happen for sure.  Have you seen how they go Potty?  They collect it.  In a giant porcelain water bowl - what's up with that?!)  There are many ways for us to Human - sitting upright on the couch (best to save that for when They aren't home), getting to know the neighbors, giving Them meaningful looks when we want something...the list goes on.  But today I'm going to teach you the art of Human Sleep.

Step 1:  Wait until your Mom or Dad gets up to go to the bathroom.  This might take some patience.
Step 2:  When you hear the bathroom door shut, make your move!  Creep up to take the empty place they left behind.  Be careful to move slowly, or you'll wake up whoever else is in the bed!
Step 3:  Carefully place your head onto the pillow.  They will have left behind a warm spot, which can be quite nice.  But I myself prefer a cooler spot just to the side of where they were laying.
Step 4:  Fidget and kick until the blankets cover you to your liking.
Step 5:  When you hear Them coming back, quickly close your eyes and make a satisfied, sleepy sound.  I tend to go with the, "snort, Snort, SNORT, sigggghhhhhhh..."  It's an old favorite, and it never fails to win Mom and Dad over.
Step 6:  Enjoy your Human Sleep!  If you've followed the steps correctly, They won't want to disturb you from such a comfy position.  You might even get some scritches behind the ears if you're being extra cute and convincing!

Remember, this is only one part of learning how to Human - there's lots more to learn, but practice makes perfect!  So go ahead - steal Their pillows!  (Let's face it, they're basically just rectangle-shaped dog beds anyway.)

Does your dog know how to Human?

xoxo Love Riley

It's Taco Time!: (Mostly) Wordless Wednesday

Since I missed Tuesday's Tails this week, I'm featuring an adoptable animal today instead.

I mentioned Taco in one of last week's posts, but I figured I'd share his photos again since I can't believe he is still at the HSNI!  He is just about as awesome as a dog can get!  Why, you ask?

Reasons to Adopt Taco:

1.  Who doesn't love a "Pocket Pittie"?  

2.  Those eyes, though.

3.  Leash-walking skills that cannot be beat (seriously, we were impressed)

4.  He's a leaner - you know the type.  Taco loves to snuggle into your legs if you're standing near him!

5.  Sits pretty for treats

6.  SO well-mannered for only 2 years old

7.  Um, photogenic much?!

8.  His petite body makes him the perfect size for doggie clothing/accessories!  Somebody get this guy a bow-tie, stat!

9.  ...Did I mention those eyes?

10.  Taco's got lots of personality... As you can see from his photos!  Clockwise from top left:  Happy-go-lucky; focused/"Give me dat treat, human"; "I want to lick your face please"; mid-woof!

What do you think?  Which face of Taco's is your favorite?  (My personal fave is the bottom right - that little tongue sticking out!) :)

Please share Taco with your friends to help find him a forever home <3

BlogPaws 2015: (Mostly) Wordless Wednesday

Holy crap.  BlogPaws was so much fun, y'all.  (Can you hear my Nashville accent?!)  Lots of learning, lots of amazing people, and TONS of inspiration!  More pics to come...

Pawprint String Art

I thought I'd share with you my most-pinned image from my blog and Pinterest page.  It's reeeeally not a great shot of it, but it does look much nicer in person.  I wanted to create some wall decor that was unique and easy to make...enter string art!  This project was super simple:

1.  I did a Google search for clip art I liked and found the heart within a paw print.

2.  I purchased my plain ol' wood slab from Walmart and painted it white.

3.  I printed my template out on a sheet of paper and had my husband hold it to the wood, while I...
4.  Hammered small nails evenly into the piece of paper as well as the wood behind it.
5.  Once every nail was in place, I tore the paper away.
6.  Then I started stringin'!  This was fun but a bit time consuming.  Basically, you just start with a knot around one nail and then loop from nail to nail in whatever  pattern you'd like.  (I'm sure there is a more professional and precise way to do this, but we really kind of winged it.)
7.  A dab of super glue on the end of the string kept the ends from sticking out.

The instructions make it seem complicated, but it definitely wasn't!  If I had known it would be so popular on Pinterest, I would have taken step-by-step photos.  I love that string art is so easy to personalize - you can do whatever shape (dog silhouette, words), color, and pattern you'd like!

If you're inspired by this project and make something similar - please share!  I'd love to see what you come up with!  

He Wore Flowers in His Hair: (Mostly) Wordless Wednesdays

Riley is preparing for spring!

Dirty White Dog x2!

The first picture is Riley's Pound Puppy (from PetSmart) in its bright-white, brand-new prime.  The second is the same puppy, just a day after Riley got ahold of it.  Dirty, crusty, and missing some stuffing - that's how Riley likes his toys! :)

Instagram Puppy Love

In addition to following (and loving!) all you fellow bloggers on Instagram, I also follow several pups that I just adore.  Click the links to check them all out - I'm sure you'll fall in love too!!

Toast is a King Charles puppy mill rescue.  (photo from here)

Everybody knows and loves Tuna, the adorable Chiweenie with an overbite!

Digby and Aloysius van Winkle are two fashion-savvy, hipster Griffons. (photo from here)

The Dogist, a canine version of the Humans of New York photographer, posts frequent amazing photos of city dogs.

Look at this lil' guy!  Norbert is a 3-lb therapy pup with his own book series. (photo from here)

The goblintheboston Instagram account features Goblin (a Boston terrier with beautiful eyes), Fiona (a bluenose Pitty), and Zane (an Anatolian Shepherd).  Three of the most photogenic pups ever!

Go, Ginny, go!  Ginny the Jack Russell is a rescue from the UK who loves naps. (photo from here)

Casper & Stitch are two Pekingese who were on "death row" at a kill shelter..before their lucky family rescued them!

Not hard to recognize this face - it's Marnie, the senior rescue who rubs shoulders with celebrities like Taylor Swift and Sam Smith!  (I own a t-shirt, a calendar, and a bumper sticker featuring this gal!) (Photo from here)

Beautiful Beatrix is a King Charles who hails from Canada - she is such a pretty dog and is always up to something adorable.

Trust me when I say you will love Uncle Samsung.  He is a 14-year-old Pekingese/Shih Tzu mix who has a best friend...a bird named Geegee! (Photo from here)

Who is your "doggie crush" on Instagram??

Every Breath You Take, Every Move You Make...

...He'll be watching you!

A recent photo from my Instagram - Riley is the ultimate StalkerDog!

Gidget: (Mostly) Wordless Wednesday

Every year for Christmas, my family designs a calendar for my sister featuring her Shih-Poo, Gidget.  It's always a blast figuring out different poses and accessories for each month.  This was for the month of November...Gidget's face was just so precious in this photo, I blew it up and put it on a canvas for my sister.  I'm a sucker for an adorable doggie underbite :)

Best Buds

This goofy Pyr pup - who is a regular at doggie day care - is totally in love with my husband!  Don't they make a cute pair?!

There's Nothing Like a Dog: (Mostly) Wordless Wednesday

"I have found that when you are deeply troubled,

there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship

of a dog that you can get from no other source."

- Doris Day

Mending a Broken Heart

Working with animals is a lot of things.  It's rewarding, exhausting, joyful, entertaining...and, yes, it is often heartbreaking.  You ache inside when someone tells you they are looking for a new home for their dog.  You feel inexplicably like crying when a new "Missing Pet" post pops up on Facebook.  It is true that there are many happy endings to balance out all that heartbreak - but it doesn't make it any less difficult.

Tonight my heart breaks for the animals that are outdoors in these below-zero temperatures.  Whether they are chained up or on the run, cared for or neglected, they deserve better.  I wish I could do more for them.  Thinking about it for too long is too much for me to stand; if you've got any uplifting videos that help you put a Band-Aid over the hurt, send them my way.

Here are my personal favorites.  I hope they lift your spirits like they do mine.  (They're all under 2 minutes and well worth a watch...or ten!)

Our Christmas Card

I'm in Puppy Love!

"Hello, I'm adorable - nice to meet you!"  (A recent guest at our dog hotel)

I'm participating in the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Hop!  Click the above link for more great bloggers.

Twinsies!

My niece and her fur-sister Tia, both belly-up for the camera! :D

I'm participating in the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday hop...click on the link above to check out more great blogs!

On the Road Again: (Mostly) Wordless Wednesday

 

 

Check out these three cuties!  Over the weekend, Jared and I helped transport Scruffy the Schnauzer mix, Presley the Boxer, and Precious the Chihuahua to a rescue in Wisconsin.  We were pretty lucky with who we got for passengers, because they were three of the sweetest dogs I've ever met - super loving and cuddly.  For those of you looking for different ways to volunteer, I highly recommend getting involved in transports.  They're so much fun!

I'm participating in the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.  For more great pet blogs, click on the photo above!