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We hope that you enjoy the DOT posts and the different views from everyone included. We promise lots of cute pictures, laughter, maybe a tear or two, and some information. Please note that the views and opinions expressed here are each author's own and do not necessarily represent DOT as a whole.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Dogs on Thursday

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend.
Inside of a dog it's too dark to read."
~Groucho Marx


Welcome to a quiet week at Dogs on Thursday!
Other than the abundant storms that have plagued our area it has been a quiet week.
I hope everyone is fairing well and surviving through these turbulent summer storms, hurricanes, fires and even the earthquake in the west and the sweltering heat that seems to hang on like a fly stuck to honey.
Elise and I have been hanging out in the air conditioning during the hot part of the day, getting caught up on our summer reading and enjoying our peaceful quiet time until the kids come home from their vacation. Elise likes to be read to, but falls asleep a lot!
(I hope it is not the sound of my voice. Haha!)

For those that are in the DoT's Dog Days Of Summer Secret Swap
I hope you are having a fun time.
Lets try and get the boxes out in the mail by August 15th.
If you have any questions or troubles please contact me or Natalie.

Go check out Nichole's Blog for a great review of a dog friendly bag and a fun new contest she is having!

Don't forget the DoT's Bloggerversary Contest runs until September 10th;
Create a Representation of Your Dog(s)!
This can be achieved in any creative form, such as painting, drawing, quilt, poem, knitting, crochet, sculpture, etc... The ideas are endless and so use your imagination to your wildest extent!
There will be two categories for the prizes.
Category A: A representation using Fiber (ie, fabric, yarn, unspun wool, cotton, yarn/fabric dyeing, etc...
Category B: A representation not using Fiber (ie, painting, drawing, writing, clay, wood, metal, etc..)





Thursday, July 24, 2008

Dogs on Thursday

Welcome to this weeks Dogs on Thursday!
I have to do a quickie post as we are having thunderstorms here today and the power has gone out and come back on already several times while I was trying to post this morning.

For those that are in the DoT's Dog Days Of Summer Secret Swap;
I hope you are having a fun time collecting items for your pal and her dog(s).
If you haven't already contacted your pal please do so.
You can send a snail mail card, anonymous message on her blog (if her blog allows them), or send an email from a secret email account, or send an e-card.
Also if you have any questions or troubles please contact me or Natalie.

Here is a re-cap of DoT's Bloggerversary Contest that is going to run until September 10th;
Create a Representation of Your Dog(s)!
This can be achieved in any creative form, such as painting, drawing, quilt, poem, knitting, crochet, sculpture, etc... The ideas are endless and so use your imagination to your wildest extent!
There will be two categories for the prizes.
Category A: A representation using Fiber (ie, fabric, yarn, unspun wool, cotton, yarn/fabric dyeing, etc...
Category B: A representation not using Fiber (ie, painting, drawing, writing, clay, wood, metal, etc..)

Oh there goes another crack of lightening I better post and get off of here quick.
I hope everyone has a cool and comfortable week!



Thursday, July 17, 2008

A Doggie Spotlight for Cooper

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures;
they give unconditional love.
For me they are the role model for being alive. ~Gilda Radner

Welcome everyone to this weeks Dogs On Thursday!

For those that are in the DoT's Dog Days Of Summer Secret Swap;

I hope you are having a fun time collecting items for your pal and her Pup(s).

Also, don't forget to contact your pal (anonymously please) this week and let her know you are out there and thinking of her and her K-9(s).
You can send a snail mail card, anonymous message on her blog (if her blog allows them), or send an email from a secret email account, or send an e-card.
Also if you have any questions or troubles please contact me or Natalie.

Here is a re-cap of DoT's Bloggerversary Contest that is going to run until September 10th;
Create a Representation of Your Dog(s)!
This can be achieved in any creative form, such as painting, drawing, quilt, poem, knitting, crochet, sculpture, etc... The ideas are endless and so use your imagination to your wildest extent!
There will be two categories for the prizes.
Category A: A representation using Fiber (ie, fabric, yarn, unspun wool, cotton, yarn/fabric dyeing, etc...
Category B: A representation not using Fiber (ie, painting, drawing, writing, clay, wood, metal, etc..)

Here is a wonderful Pupcake recipe from Susan:
(and Elise wants me to say wonderyummmyful because I have made the blueberry ones already and they made her so happy!)

Blueberry Pupcakes by Susan
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup honey
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream (regular or low-fat)
1/2 cup skim milk
1 1/4 cups flour
1 cup quick rolled oats (though I use the whole grain oatmeal)
1 T baking powder
Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease 12 cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Whisk together oil and honey. Add eggs one at a time, then whisk in
sour cream and milk. I like to whisk in the baking powder next, then
add the flour and oats. Stir until moistened, then gently fold in the
blueberries.
Put 1/4 cup of batter in each muffin cup and bake for approximately 30
minutes. Cool thoroughly before serving to your dog.
This recipe also works with other fruits, including strawberries and
bananas. It would probably also work with carob chips, too.
(Just don't use chocolate or any other foods that are bad for dogs.)


For our Doggie Spotlight, meet Dianne's Cooper!

Cooper's Story:

"Hi! My name is Cooper!

I also answer to Coopster, Coopey Baby, Mr. Coopey Doo, and Little Man.
I’m the new guy here in BritKnitter-ville.
I’m nine years young, but mommy says you would never know it ‘cause I act like a goofy teenager!
When I first came here, I was filthy dirty and smelled pretty bad.
At least, mommy said I smelled bad. I kind of liked my rolled-in-something-dead cologne.
I got a bath (really a scrubbing!) first thing, and mommy was amazed that I didn’t fight her or try and run away from the hose.
I even let her take all of the ticks off of me.
I don’t know how many there were - mommy lost count at 23.
After my bath, I got to meet these two really cute babes...turns out, they’re my new sisters.
I tried to get a little too friendly with Emma, but she put me in my place.
She is obviously the top dog around here, and that’s OK by me.
My next big adventure was a trip to the Vee-Eee-Tee where I got a good going-over, and some needles in my butt. That wasn’t so bad.
Later that week, I went back to the Vee-Eee-Tee where I had a nice nap, and came home minus some parts, if you know what I mean.
There are some odd rules here, like I’m not allowed to climb over the fence or pee in the house.
I only had two accidents inside the house before I learned.
Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Mommy says I’m too skinny, and need some TLC ‘cause I’m a bit skittish, but she said she will take care of that.
In this place I have two meals a day (plus lots of treats), some fun sisters for company, and everybody loves me.
Mommy says she knows my first nine years were not that great, but she will make sure that the rest of my life will be the best she can give me.
I wonder why she was crying when she told me that?
Then I gave her kisses, and she cried some more.
Humans are funny creatures."




Thursday, July 10, 2008

Happy Birthday DoT and a Spotlight on Coco

"Chasing your tail gets you nowhere ... 'cept back to where you started..."

Happy Birthday Dogs On Thursday!
We made it a whole year!

(this is not a picture of Elise but of another very cute basset from the front of a birthday card I got years ago.)


Dogs on Thursday started a year ago this week because I wanted to give my dog a little more attention on my blog.
Then that idea grew into this wonderful place of dog lovers!
Here is a link to the very first post.
(I can't believe how much we have grown since that first month. )
We have been truly blessed and inspired by knowing each of you. Thank You!


To celebrate we are having a Bloggerversary contest starting today July 10th and ending on September 10th.
And there will be prizes!!!
So here we go:
Create a Representation of Your Dog(s)!
This can be achieved in any creative form, such as painting, drawing, quilt, poem, knitting, crochet, sculpture, etc... The ideas are endless and so use your imagination to your wildest extent!
There will be two categories for prizes.

Category A: A representation using Fiber (ie, fabric, yarn, unspun wool, cotton, yarn/fabric dyeing, etc...
Category B: A representation not using Fiber (ie, painting, drawing, writing, clay, wood, metal, etc..)
So put your creative thinking caps on and have some fun with this idea this summer!

Welcome to our newest members this week: Sue: Go meet her and her pack and say hello!

For those participating in the Dog Days Of Summer Secret Swap I sent out matches yesterday.


If you did not receive yours or have questions about your swap pal, please email me.
Don't forget to review the rules Here.
This is a secret swap so the reveal will be at the end when you send your packages which should be in the mail no later than August 21st.
If you are running late or have trouble sending your package(as these things happen as life often gets in the way.) please email me or Natalie.
Also, if anyone is able to be available as an Angel for this swap please let us know.

Now on to the Doggie Spotlight of Mary and Lady's Coco:

"Angel in Disguise!

It was May 13 that found Mike & I looking at puppies. I couldn’t take no more of the quietness and Lady being so depressed, so we found ourselves picking 1 out of 8 adorable pups and oh what a cute and stinky mess she was. This was her first picture right after we got home.

She did get a bath right afterwards as she just reeked, but she’s so fluffy and cute even dirty, you just want to squeeze the little teddy bear. We named her Coco. She is a Chow about 6-9 weeks in that photo and just so adorably fluffy, a bundle of energy and a tail that just makes you smile the speed it goes. Of course Lady had to check out the new little fluff ball that was now in her presence.
Lady has made a great big sister.
Coco’s first vet visit was May 15th and she did fairly well for not liking to be picked up. Wound up taking both dogs as Lady needed shots too. Man, was she wild (think from past few months experiences), but think it all worked out as she got to sniff around the office so on the way home she was a lot better, plus Coco came back out with us J Coco weighed in at 7 lbs 5 oz. and the vet figures its safe to say her birthday would be March 15th. After getting home Coco found her sleeping spot and went to dreamland. Guess the shots wiped her out.
It’s here or by the water bowl she always naps.
Now a month and a half later, Coco and Lady are just, well perfect together. They play, they tug a war with toys and hard rawhide treats. You’d think they’d been together for years. Coco was the perfect pick and Lady has taken to her so well. It just amazes us how well they get along even though Coco bites Lady all the time and winds up with fur in her mouth…lol, but Lady has just been so great with her. It’s been great to see Lady playing and running around again and I can finally add eating again. They sometimes sleep together and we’ve gotten lucky to get pics of them together.

We are finding out that Coco either doesn’t like cats or wants to know what it is as she is always barking at Dyna and watching for her.

Like Lady, Coco didn’t take an interest in playing in the pool or with the hose this past weekend. This was Lady
(don’t think she likes water, do ya?)
And this is where we found Coco

Coco definitely wanted back in the house, lol.
Let just say, I know now this was the best thing Mike & I did for not just Lady, but for Me too. She’s a blessing- An Angel puppy in Disguise for us. We just haven’t been the same with Coco here now.
I’ll leave you with my favorite picture of the two.

Lady was asleep until she felt Coco, but she stayed. Have a feeling their will be many more of the two together as they do this quite often.
Thank you all again, you’ve all been great with all of your support. I do believe it’s safe to say we are doing great now! Happy Doggie’s day to you all!"




Thursday, July 3, 2008

A Doggie Spotlight for Lola


Welcome everyone and to our newest member Madame Purl to this weeks Dogs on Thursday.

It is July already and Dogs on Thursday will be 1 year old next Thursday July 10th!
There will be a contest in celebration of our 1st anniversary and it will be announced next week so stay tuned!


Also, the sign ups for our Dog Days of Summer Secret Swap are still open and will close at midnight July 8th.
I will then sort out and email the matches on the 9th.
The swap runs from July 10th to August 28th.
It is a secret swap and here are the rules.
So far we have 7 signed up!
We need more so please join in the fun!

Tomorrow is America's Independence Day and I hope everyone has a most exciting and safe holiday!
Our Elise and the felines will be celebrating that night under the bed once the fireworks start.
I received these wonderful 4th of July dog safety tips from Mindy and I will surely be utilizing many of those ideas to help Elise.
Another dear friend told me she turns up the TV and the fans to help buffer the noise for her K9's.
If you have any helpful tips on how to help our furry friends during this trying holiday for them please post it in the comments box today!

Nichole also sent me this great safety alert about The Dangers of Xylitol.
Did you know that Xylitol, a sugar substitute (artificial sweetener) that's found in chewing gum, hard candy, gum drops, sugar-free pudding, jello, diabetic foods, baked goods and toothpaste, can be fatal to pets?
To keep your pets safe from this harmful substance, please keep foods containing Xylitol, well out of their reach. It could save their lives. Even a very small amount of Xylitol can be potentially life-threatening.
Xylitol causes mass insulin release in dogs, leading to sudden hypoglycemia, a drop in blood sugar levels. Dogs can show symptoms in as little as 20 minutes, or as late as 12 hours. Symptoms include ataxia (staggering gait), depression, lethargy, confusion, seizures & in some cases, death.
If you suspect your pet has eaten a food or candy containing Xylitol, call your local emergency vet immediately to let them know you're on your way, and go straight there for urgent treatment. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for advice, on (888) 426-4435 but it is crucial not to delay medical attention because of the very sudden effects of consumption.

Today's Spotlight is on Nichole's Lola
Lola also has a fun "Dogster" page you can visit here.
Happy Birthday Lola!

Lola will be turning 6 years old on July 4th and has always been known as my "Baby Girl," but now "The Queen" seems more fitting, since little sister Sophie (aka The Princess) joined the pack last October.

We got Lola from the local humane society at 4 months of age when we realized Zeus really needed a sibling/playmate... she was listed on Petfinder as a Boxer mix, but when we went to visit her we knew that was obviously NOT the case!

She was found as a stray in the local woods and our best guess is a Doberman/Lab mix.
I actually want to get the new Doggy DNA test done on her to find out for sure, since she is such a great dog with an amazing temperament.

She is very loving and affectionate (a trait of Dobermans!) and all around, a wonderful dog.

She is never far from one of her humans!

Lola is a lickasoris... she licks EVERYTHING... humans (naked legs & ears are the best!), dogs (she's always been very motherly towards the other dogs), the floor, tables, chairs... anything!

We had thought that perhaps she might be part blind due to all the licking, but are confident that is not the case.
Lola loves empty plastic bottles (iced tea, juice, etc) and carries them around like they are a prize! She also loves to play with her bones, squeaky toys and stuffed animals.

Lola has 3 siblings, an older brother Zeus, a younger brother Teutul (Tut) and a younger sister Sophie. Lola & Teutul will be appearing on the "smiling" pages of The BARk! magazine in the July 2008 issue.