The Heavenly Contraption Located In Our Kitchen!

This Strange White Square In The Kitchen

It Produces The Most Delicious Treats!

In my home, we have this big white square "box" that sits in one corner of the kitchen. Actually, we have a big white rectangle "box" as well, but for now, I will talk about the square one.

The humans stand at the square box and they turn dials and fire juts out of the top of this thing. Then, they stand there and when they are finished they come up with the most amazing treats!

Most of the time, the treats are not for the furry children of the family. The Mom or the Dad will stand at this box for awhile and when they are finished they will bring what they have created to the humans dinner table. For the longest time, I had hoped they would give some of that great stuff to me. So, since they haven't, I have had to take matters into my own hands... ummmm errrr... PAWS.

One day, the Dad was at the white box for a VERY long time. He would stand there, do something, and then leave for a bit and return and repeat his same behavior. Can I tell you... whatever he was creating on the top of that white box smelled DELICIOUS!!! I knew I wanted some and I spent the entire time at his feet. I tried looking at him with my sad and soulful eyes and yet, he didn't fall for it.

I knew at this point I had to step up my game! So, I began to observe his comings and goings. He would leave the white box for awhile and return and each time he did, the pile of delicious-looking goodies on the counter began to grow. They smelled absolutely amazing! By now, that pile had grown substantially and I knew I had to time his comings-and-goings if I wanted to make my move.

He was gone, playing a game at the computer, and the white box was still on so I knew he would eventually return. I HAD to time this perfectly or I would be caught. The kitchen was empty and I was alone with the white box and the pile of goodies on the counter. I s-l-o-w-l-y and quietly lifted myself to the counter, being careful not to make a noise so as to alert the humans. SUCCESS! I was here at the counter and the pile of goodies was inches away. There had to be at least 40-50 of this little brown balls! I began to eat slowly so I would not make a noise but as I ate I realized how truly wonderful these things tasted so I ate faster, oblivious of the noise I was making while I moved the plate they stood on.

I had polished off about half of the "meatballs" before the Mom entered the room and yelled my name - BUSTED - darn it! I ate faster as she approached but once she got near I got down from the counter and just looked at her innocently. Maybe she would think I was just stirring the meatballs like the Dad had been doing? Nah... she knew what was going on. I had made a significant dent in that huge pile of meatballs so she knew they were missing!

I ran to my kennel so I wouldn't have to hear the yelling once the Dad came into the kitchen! I listened intently as they discussed what had happened. At this point, I was re-thinking whether it was worth it or not. Yep... it was worth it! Those meatballs were absolutely scrumptious! I could hear the humans in the other room and they were discussing what I had done. To my surprise they did not look for me or yell anymore. I could hear them kinda laughing. Hmmm... maybe I did a good thing?!?

I exited my kennel and entered the kitchen so that they could praise me for the good thing I did. When they saw me, they asked me what I did. Well humans.... DUH... you know what I did, don't you?!? I just looked at them and I could see they weren't happy but they didn't seem TOO angry with me. I turned on my charm by sitting on the floor and giving them my puppy-dog eyes. They told me what I had done was bad and that I should never do that again. Then they went about their business in the kitchen and continued what they were doing.

I will admit I kinda felt a little bad because I think all of those meatballs were going to be for a special occasion. But... what could be more special than those of us who wear the fur in the family?!?

Winter Wonderland!

January already?!?

Time really does fly!

Well, here we are, already in 2010. I can't believe how quickly time has flown by! I haven't updated my blog nearly as much as I thought I would. Time has seemed to slip away from me but one of my resolutions for this new year is to try to update monthly! Ummm... I did say TRY!

We are having a winter filled with snow and lots of outdoor fun! I just love running around and getting my face full of snow. Speedy likes to play in the snow also but he has a disgusting habit that I don't dare speak about. Suffice it to say it involves "poopsicles".

'Nuf said!

Looking for some spring fun to brighten up this snowy January? Check out THESE fine artistic designs to bright up your environment!

What is Halloween, anyway?!?

The Unusual Celebration Called Halloween!

Apparently in some human cultures October is the month in which people celebrate this strange thing called Halloween. I don't quite grasp the concept but I will attempt to explain the tradition.

The roots of this strange holiday trace back thousands of years. The ancient civilization known as the Celts celebrated their new year on November 1. This is the end of summer harvest time and the beginning of winter. This time of year was often associated with human death as many people succumbed to the elements during the blustery winter months.

The ancient Celts believed that on the night before the new year (celebrated on November 1st), the boundaries between the dead and the living were blurred. On October 31, they celebrated "Samhain", an evening they believed the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. During this celebration they wore costumes, had parades and made huge sacred bonfires in which animal sacrifices were made in an attempt to keep the evil at bay. (I am soooooo glad I didn't live back then because I would not want to be sacrificed in one of those ceremonies!).

In more modern times and with the influence of Christianity into the Celtic lands, the November 1st celebration became a bit more civil and was renamed as "All Saint's Day" or "All Hallows Day". At this time, October 31st became known as "All Hallow's Eve". Additionally, November 2nd became a celebration known as "All Soul's Day" which is in honor of the souls who have parted our world. Together, these 3 days of celebration became known as Hallowmas.

Eventually, October 31st came to be known as "Halloween" (derived from "Hallow's Eve"). Today, it is believed that the American tradition of "trick-or-treating" on Halloween dates back to the early All Souls' Day parades in England. Poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them bakery called "soul cakes" in return for their promise to pray for the family's dead relatives. Distribution of these "soul cakes" were encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for earthbound spirits of the dead.

On October 31st (Halloween) it was believed that ghosts come back to the earthly world. People feared an encounter with these ghosts so to avoid being recognized they would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits. To keep these earthbound ghosts away from their homes people would place bowls of food outside their doors to appease the ghosts and prevent them from attempting to enter. From this ancient tradition, trick-or-treating was born.

American children dress in costume and sometimes travel in packs (not unlike my own ancestors!) going from house to house and asking for "treats" (again, not unlike what I do today!). The homeowner reciprocates with candy, gum or money in an effort to avoid being "tricked" by these costumed kiddies. I will also state here that I, for one, have NEVER tricked anyone who would offer a treat to me - just keep that in mind for future reference!

As the season nears it's end please use precaution and sensibility but above all, ALWAYS give those doggie treats out by the hand fulls!

Pet Lovers Halloween Designs

Celebrate Halloween In Style!

All your Halloween needs under one virtual roof!

My 3 Year Anniversary!

My 3 year anniversary!

Well, I made it to my 3 year anniversary in my not-so-new home! I can't believe I've been here that long already. It seems like just yesterday that I arrived here.

Because I was adopted, no one knows exactly when my REAL birthday is so my family is kind enough to celebrate my birthday on the day they brought me home (or should I say, the day I ALLOWED them to adopt me!). So, technically, not only is this my 3 year ANNIVERSARY - it is also my 4th birthday!!!

By the way, if you have recently adopted a new best friend here is a great way to get the word out to your family and friends:

Winter Is On It's Way

For as much as I enjoy the summer fun and swimming in the pool I also enjoy playing in the snow. I like when the yard is covered in snow because I can see the small animals easier. They are beginning to get the hint that they should not enter my territory but there was this one little guy who made that mistake once . . .

Holiday Time!

Christmas and a New Year!

To start things off on a sad note, this was the family's first Christmas without Dino and it was difficult for them. To cheer them up I acted like a big goof on Christmas morning - especially when they gave me a gift to unwrap!

I had a wonderful time with my new family. I am so glad they adopted me!