Monday Mischief: Rita's a Howl-o-Weenie!

Rita is not a fan of Halloween. She thinks it's even worse than Fourth of July!

First of all, she hates the decorations people put up:

Skulls with googly eyes have no appeal for her!

K9 Kamp: Are You and Your Pup Keeping Up?

It's time for a check in on how K9 Kamp is going. You might remember that I posted about this month's challenge a few week's back, which is to add an EXTRA 30 minutes of activity with your pup 3 or 4 times a week. 

Mirth Watch Thursday: Trick or Treat? Definitely Treat!

In yesterday's post, I told you about how we met this gorgeous gentleman, Parker Pup:

Really Wordy Wednesday: Black Tie with Betty White

I apologize in advance for how wordy this will be, but I wanted to share my pics from the Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) Gala of Hope and tell you all about it. 

I also apologize in advance for how crappy our pics are. (!) My sis and I are new to having iPhones. (Do all iPhones take crappy pics indoors if the lighting isn't great, or is it just us? It's just us, isn't it...) If I'd known, I would've brought my "real" camera! Darn it.

Anyway... here goes the full report! 

My "date" and I checked into our lovely hotel room and got dolled up.

Monday Mischief: Even More in Awe of Betty White Now

Okay - I'm going to start right out by saying the mischief is all on me today. I am too beat to give you a full report on the Morris Animal Foundation Gala of Hope today! But... I'll give you some teasers and answer the Big Question.

Terrible photo - but that lady in red is Betty!

Follow Up Friday: More Questions than Answers

I'm joining the Follow Up Friday hop a little late...

Mirth Watch Thursday: I'm So Hoppy

In homage to Rita, our Mexican jumping bean, and this photo that I posted of her on Monday...

... I thought I'd post a hoppy video. And this one just happened to cross my path yesterday. This is a lot like how Rita looks when she's amped up about something. Luckily she doesn't get amped up too often!

Wordless Wednesday: A Pup in the Grass

I've posted before about how Rita loves to flop down in cool grass on a walk.

Well, a neighbor planted some crazy tall grass, and Rita was only too happy to disappear into it this weekend on our walk when it was still kinda hot here.

Rita??

Blog the Change: A Cool Shelter Policy

It's time again for Blog the Change for Animals!

I think I've mentioned before that we got Rita from Baja Animal Sanctuary.

Monday Mischief: The Girl's Got Vertical

Recently I posted about Rita being a Sheagle - she's half beagle, half shepherd (at least, as far as we know). But maybe she's got some springer spaniel in her too. Or sproinger spaniel.

She doesn't look like she'd have a lot of vertical (after all, she only measures about 20 inches tall)...

"Measuring tapes are scary, Momma!"

... but man, the girl can jump.

Follow-Up Friday: We Get To Go!!!

If you read yesterday's post, you know I was soooooo bummed about not getting to go to the Morris Animal Foundation Gala of Hope... but we ARE going!! I just found out a few minutes ago that it's 100% for sure happening!!

It's all thanks to entering my beautiful angel in a photo contest!

Feeling Blue on Mirth Watch Thursday

You guys! You are not going to believe my tale of woe...

You know I love Morris Animal Foundation and Betty White right? (If not, I mentioned it here, plus mentioned my donation pledge to MAF in my book trailer that I posted yesterday.) So, imagine how excited I was when I got a phone message inviting me and the hubs to the MAF's "Gala of Hope," featuring Betty White - we're talking free tickets!

Since we donate to MAF, we get their mailers so had seen that the event was happening on Oct. 19. I had said to the hubs how much I wished we could go, but (a) it's in L.A., about 2 hours from our house (that's with NO traffic), (b) the tickets for the 2 of us would have been $600, (c) it's not the hubs' favorite thing in the world to get dressed up and go somewhere fancy. So the mailer went in the recycle bin.

But they called yesterday and said they wanted us to come for free!! We were chosen because of Abby's entry in the Orvis cover dog photo contest. If you've been following the blog for a long time, you'll remember that I entered this photo of her in the contest way back in Feb. of 2011.

Wordless Wednesday: Sending Out Golden Thanks!

If we're friends on Facebook, you may have seen this already (and if we're not friends on Facebook... why not? Look me up on there!). Anyway, for those of you who haven't seen it - the lovely Sugar the Golden Retriever, with a little help from her mom, made me a video trailer for my new novel, Rescue Me, Maybe!

I was so thrilled that they offered! I sent them the words and the pictures, and they turned it into this:

Monday Mischief: The Ball Is Always Greener...

Rita's not all that big on playing ball. But of course she wants the ball if it's in someone else's yard. 

Rita spies a lovely big, green ball in a neighbor's yard

K9 Kamp is Back!

Hey K9 Kampers - get yer booties on cuz Kamp is back and it's time to rise and shine! And walk! And hike! And do whatever else it is you like to do to get up off your butt with your mutt!

Mirth Watch Thursday: That Infamous Cupcake Dog

On yesterday's post, the first comment made me laugh. It was in regard to this picture:

Andrea of This Pug Life said, "She reminds me of that infamous cupcake dog in the first pic. :)"

Wordless Wednesday: What's With the Waiting?

Rita has been enjoying some samples we received from I and Love and You of their dehydrated raw food.

She loves it! But in the immortal words of Tom Petty, "the waaaaaiting is the hardest part!"

Monday Mischief: Art Imitates Life or Vice Versa?

Rita had to go to the vet on Friday for her annual checkup. (And she was super healthy! Well... still waiting for her blood work results, but eyes, ears, heart, teeth, weight were all deemed "just great" by the vet.) Anyway, our vet's office has a sign posted with the Top 10 items ingested by pets.

Thanks to my sis for the photo.

Q&A With Peggy Frezon for FitDog Friday!

Today, we welcome Peggy Frezon, of Peggy's Pet Place, and author of Dieting with My Dog, and Heart to Heart, Hand in Paw. I read both books and they're pawesome! Peggy's a fantastic writer, and I can't wait to get my paws on her new book: The Dieting with my Dog Guide to Weight Loss & Maintenance.

Pooch Smooches is excited to be part of Peggy's blog tour, spreading the word about the book and about doggy (and human) fitness! Today we've asked Peggy to join us here for a little Q&A about the book.

 

Mirth Watch Thursday: Clumsy Can Be Cute

Yesterday, Rita had a golden opportunity to shame the Momma. So many things that the Momma does that she's embarrassed about... So little blog space...

If Rita had a video camera handy, she could record how clumsy I am and shame me with that. It would totally be payback for the "Pancake Catching Fail" video. She could do a whole compilation video of me running into walls and tables and bruising myself on drawers and various other objects that LEAP out into my path over the course of my day.

Lucky for me, she doesn't have a video camera.

But.. I found this dude on YouTube who has a really cool super slow-mo camera. And he has clumsy dogs. (Clumsy dogs are dogs after my own heart!) And, bonus, they are super cute dogs too!

Enjoy:

Rita and I can totally relate to these pups not being able to catch! How about you? Are you clumsy too, or is it just me and Rita? ...And these cuties in the video. How about your pups?

That's it - just a quick Mirth Watch post today! It's been busy, busy around here with the launch of Rescue Me, Maybe.

Now, go forth and be mirthful! 

Human Shaming: Rita's Revenge

Rita here! I want to start by thanking Kol’s Notes or My Brown Newfies for giving me a chance to turn the tables on my Momma. She embarrasses me all the time online, so it's good to get a chance for payback. You know what they say about Payback - she's a bitch, just like me! (Payback is a weird name for a girl dog...)

Follow-Up Friday: Dog Breeds & Dog Books

It's Follow-Up Friday - time to catch up on the news and answer those burning questions.

It's been a busy week, with Rescue Me, Maybe officially launching this past Monday. Boy, you think writing a book is the hard part... but the work has really only just begun once it's published! Anyway, let's get to the followin' up.

Mirth Watch Thursday: You Need A Unique Breed!

Today on Mirth Watch Thursday I'm blogging about unique breeds. Rita is a marvelous mystery mutt... or is she a unique breed? That's right... I give you, the sheagle! 

Wordless Wednesday: Pups and a Pledge

Pups:
First I want to show you some special pups today:
{Wait... we interrupt this post to first apologize if you subscribe via email and get this twice. Somehow this posted with a back-dated timestamp. (?) Had to hunt all over to find it and repost it as today. Sorry for the dupe. Now... here are some pups:} 

My mom's angel beagle, Sugar

Monday Mischief: "Rescue Me, Maybe" is Here!

It's here! After a long haul, the launch date for my second novel is finally here!

To celebrate, many of you know I hosted a giveaway on the blog last Monday. The winner of the signed copy of Rescue Me, Maybe and the matching doggy-themed bookmark is.... drum roll please....

Follow-Up Friday: Calendars, Captions and Questions

I'm busy busy busy getting down to the wire on the upcoming Monday launch of Rescue Me, Maybe, so I'm going to try to keep this Follow Up Friday post short(ish).

Yes, it's Follow Up Friday - time to answer those burning questions and follow up on the news.

Mirth Watch Thursday: Rita's "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" Report

You guys! It's me, Rita. Momma and Daddy went to Maui (again) and I was stuck at The Gulag* (again)!!!

This time, they even put me behind bars while I was there:

Wordless Wednesday: Caption These Pups

The hubs and I just got back from 8 days in Maui. {insert day-dreamy sigh here}

While we were gone, Rita stayed at my sis's house - aka The Gulag; the place where they have {cue the dramatic music}... dun dun DAAAAA.... rules.  

But, now they also have a puppy to play with! Reggie and Rita had a great time playing together. Here is one of their play-time shots:

How I spent my summer vacation: Tried to eat a Corgi

Monday Mischief: Book Mischief and a Giveaway!

Remember when I showed you how jealous Rita was about not being on the cover of my new novel, Rescue Me, Maybe:

Look up "hangdog" in the dictionary and you'll find this face

FitDog Friday: Rita's Favorite Way to Stay Fit

As I've said on the blog many times, our main way to keep Rita fit is just a LOT of walking. But one of her favorite ways to stay fit is to have a play date.

This is Rita's best friend, Dakota:

Wordless Wednesday: Need a Smile?

Here's one!

Keeping Up With K9 Kamp: A New, Old Hike

Since it's the last Friday of August (where did the summer go?) it's time for the Keeping Up With K9 Kamp monthly wrap up.



Koach Jessica at You Did What With Your Wiener said this month's Kamp challenge was to "try one new activity with your dog." Suggestions included: hiking, nosework (like hide & seek), agility, running, geocaching, kayaking, swimming, or walking a brand new route.

Mirth Watch Thursday: Who Would You Save? Who Would Save You?

There was an article in the Wall Street Journal recently about our "unique" relationships with our pups. Yes, it's unique all right. Would any other species put elf hats on another species?

"Momma, I understand our relationship is unique and beautiful. But... really?"

Wordless Wednesday: Does Your Dog Have a Spot?

I don't mean a spot of color, or a favorite spot to lounge in. I mean a spot that when you itch it, you can count on their leg to start involuntarily scracthing along in time with your hand. That kinda spot.

Monday Mischief: Alarming Mischief

The other night, Rita started barking at about 2 am and woke us up. Since she quickly calmed down, I figured she'd seen a critter in the yard and we ignored it.

The next morning I found the problem: the smoke alarm in my office somehow fell out of it's little frame-thingy (sorry to get all technical on you there!) and hit the hardwood floor. How that didn't wake us up, I don't know, but it sure woke up Rita!

There was no battery in it, but I didn't really think anything of it since we'd had an issue last winter with the darn smoke alarms going off in my office/the hallway every time I took a really hot bath - which was, oh, about every night. So I knew we had dismantled a couple of them.

Later that day, I saw Rita freaking out about something by her toy basket. I thought, "Oh great, another unwelcome guest!" Turned out it was the missing alarm battery.

Following Up Friday with Questions, Funny Comments & Rita Reading

It's Friday, so time for the Follow-Up Friday hop, hosted by Jodi of Heart Like a Dog and her co-host JoAnn from Sand Spring Chesapeakes. Time to answer those burning questions and follow up on the news.

Mirth Watch Thursday: Does Your Dog Sing?

I enjoy a singing dog. Sadly, Rita doesn't sing.

Although it almost looks like she's belting out a tune here, using her Himalayan chew as a mic. She's doing her Cindi Pawper impersonation, and yes, this little girl does just wanna have fun:

Less Wordy Wednesday: Marketing Genius

Rita's a weird mix of chow-hound/picky girl, so I'm always on the lookout for new things for her. So, when I was cruising the dog section of our local Sprouts (a chain of natural/organic grocery stores - do you have Sprouts?) I immediately noticed a brand I'd never seen before called: "I and love and you."

Monday Mischief: More Puzzling Mischief

Remember when I posted that Rita was puzzled by her puzzle toy (except she'd pull the pieces out with ease when there were NO treats in it)? Well, I tried a technique that SlimDoggy suggested and put the pieces in upside down so she could grab them easier.

"Well, heck, this is easy."

Mirth Watch Thursday: Lion Cubs, Meatball(s) and a Social-Networking Bear

So, while I was looking at old pics for yesterday's post, I came across a lot of old favorites... including some of these from when the hubs and I got to meet some lion cubs!

Bakari, Jillian, and Suri

We got to feed them...

They were hungry little kitties!

Less-Wordy Wednesday: Origins of the Pooch Smooches Name

So... Did you notice the new banner, tagline, and (slightly different) layout?? Whaddya think?

When I finished making the new banner, I realized I should probably update my About Us page, since I didn't mention Bailey on it before. (What a terrible dog-mom I am!)

While I was adding Bailey to the About Us page, I got the idea to post a This Day in History photo today.

Bailey & her fave person, Daddy. Aug. 14, 2009

(Okay, I know I'm posting this on Aug. 13, but Wednesday - as in Wordless Wednesday - is Aug 14, so I'm sharing an Aug 14 shot. Sheeeesh. Technicalities.)

Monday Mischief: An Unwelcome Guest

Remember when Rita stole my sister's cat's toy and looked like this?

"Whaaa?"

A Special Smile-y Dog Post

Rita and I don't usually blog on the weekends, but when we saw that the fabulous Sugar was having a special hop for her 12th birthday, well, we had to join in! Especially since it's a smiling dogs hop.

Follow-Up Friday: Pixie and Pics Edition

It's another Follow-Up Friday - a chance to answer those questions and follow up on the news!

Fixin' Pixie's Mischief
On Monday's post, I showed you the mischief my friend's pup, Pixie, had gotten up to, tearing mini angel Rio limb from limb.

Mischief Maker, Pixie

Mirth Watch Thursday: What Car Should I Get for Me & My Pup?

I really need to get a new car one of these days. I hate the thought of actually going shopping for it though. And I hate the thought of researching what's the best car for me and Rita (and often the hubs too) to toodle around in. So... I thought I'd ask y'all. Any suggestions for a good dog-friendly car?

Less-Wordy Wednesday: Oh PicMonkey, You Marvelous Time-Suck, You!

Today we have an ode to PicMonkey, inspired by Taryn and her recent post on Tail of Two Cardis. I have to start out by saying a lot of the things I've done below can be done using the free version of PicMonkey, but I subscribed (because it's pretty cheap - I paid for 1 year so it works out to like $2.75/month - and because I love it so).

There are some fun things you can do with PicMonkey, like add captions, thought bubbles and/or frames to pics:

Monday Mischief: Out-of-State Mischief

If you've been around the blog a while, you might remember back in November when this little minx:

Sweet little Pixie, our wee friend in Washington

Follow-Up Friday: Better Late Than Never

I've been really busy this week with the new book and I'm falling behind on my blogging! Also fighting a migraine yesterday and today, but wanted to try to at least get a quick (if late) Follow Up Friday post up!

So, here's Follow-Up Friday - a chance to answer those questions and follow up on the news!

A Slightly-less Puzzled Puppy
On Monday, I mentioned the mischief Rita was making, solving her food puzzle when no treats were in it, but acting completely flummoxed by it when it's full of treats.

SlimDoggy said "I turned [the pieces] upside down so they were easier to grab onto and [Maggie] did it with ease. Try it and see if it works for Rita..."

Not-So-Wordless Wednesday: What's It About?

When you tell people you're writing a book, they usually ask, "What's it about?" Sometimes when you are in the midst of it, it's hard to answer. "Well, it's about this woman, and there's this dog, and... stuff happens."

As I said last week when I shared the cover for Rescue Me, Maybe (coming in September!), my short answer to "What's it about?" is to say, "It's a love story... for dog lovers." But you need a longer blurb than that (for Amazon, for the back cover, for sharing with bloggers, etc.) so you have to distill your 100,000 words down to a few sentences. I know I'm supposed to be wordless today, but I wanted to share those few sentences with you, plus a few photos of Abby (since the book has a fictionalized version of her in it). It just wouldn't be a Pooch Smooches post without pup pics!

Our gorgeous angel: