Pet Photo Contest Deadline

National Dog Week | Day 7

Sadly, our National Dog Week is coming to an end today, Saturday, September 25th, at midnight. That's also the deadline for your pet photo contest entries. You have 'till midnight to Show Us Your Tongue. The entries are still coming in! For some strange reason, everything around me appears to be PINK. The good news is, now I know all of your names, I can even spell them backwards, if you like. 

I can't tell you how exciting this mini-contest has been. I have visited a multitude of tongue posts and laughed my tail off. This was an unexpected party in the animal blog-dom and for that we have ourselves to thank. We're one enthusiastic chunk of the blog world.

Most of the entries are already posted. You can check them out by clicking on the tab titled "Show Us Your Tongue" at the top of my blog.

Because of the multitude of entries, I did NOT want to be the sole judge. I can't even come up with a criterion to base my judgment on. Therefore, I am going to post a VOTING POLL on my sidebar. Again, because of the sheer volume of entries, I would like to allow more than one vote. I'm going to rely on your honor and set the rules here:

VOTING BEGINS: this Sunday, September 26th at 10 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (West Coast)
VOTING ENDS: next Sunday, October 3rd at 10 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time

The results and the winners will be announced on Dear Twinkie, on October 5th
May the best tongues win...

LIMIT YOURSELVES TO FIVE VOTES!!! Pup Scout's Honor!

Here are some photos from the cat section of my personal Tongue Library:

 Demo Kitten Tongue

 Clean Kitten Tongue

The Mother Tongue

The curly cat tongue

I only posted kitten pictures today because they are  a minority and I always root for the undercat. 

Have a fabulous Saturday! And don't forget to join us on our Saturday Blog Hop!

Twinkie

Pet Photo Contest Preview

National Dog Week | Day 6

Pardon Our Tongues
Pet photo contest in progress

While I'm working on our pet photo contest, you better be making the most out of this week. I hope the shelters are about empty by now (I wish). 

I would like to thank my close furiends for their furry "encouraging" comments, nooot! I hear things like:

... I have devoted my Saturday Post to YOU and your tongue contest. Hope you don't mind... a little more ADVERTISING.
HEHEHE 

...Snikhkering (at me)

...I have been following all the entries for your contest. Hehehe. There are some really wicked awesome photos, but not many of the doggies identified which is their official entry. Ha! ... Welcome to the world of blog contests.

I would like all of you to know  that this teacup chihuahua has no limits! Bring it on! I am on top of the situation and my numerous assistants are too. Thank you all for your lovely entries. Would you like a sneak peek??? Click on the page tab labeled: Show Us Your Tongue. While you're there, please make sure I didn't leave out any furiend. I even included a couple from the rainbow bridge, but I'm not saying which, because I  don't want to influence the voting. I have a few more entries to go, but if you emailed or posted (and sent me your link) as of Thursday evening, you should be able to see your faces, if not, please email me at twinkietinydog (@) aol.com.

One of the contestant's parents sent me a lovely email I'd like to share with you. The names and locations are not included because I didn't have the author's permision:

***Representing The Center for Animal Health and Welfare (a no kill shelter in ***), here’s formerly homeless [dog's name].  Even though [dog's name] ended up at the shelter through no fault of her own (her family was moving and could not take her…BOO!), she retained her sense of humor.  [dog's name] hopped into the driver’s seat and proceeding to toss me a raspberry when I told her she was not driving us back from an off-site meet and greet.

[Dog's name] was a volunteer favorite due to her sweet nature and once we got her out strutting her stuff at a number of off-site events, she ended up with multiple families wanting to take her home…..she’s no longer homeless!

[Dog's name] would love her “still waiting” furiends to benefit from her tongue!***

I was so touched to see this email! As you already know, I am a rescue dog myself and one of my main missions through my blog is to increase awareness.

Have a lovely rest of the National Dog Week!

Twinkie

Pet Photo Contest Going Stronger

National Dog Week | Day 5

I was thinking that this year we should extend National Dog Week and have it last a month, but my petition did not have sufficient grounds. No worries, I'll start working on it for next year. 

Pet Photo Contest

SHOW US YOUR TONGUE

The entries keep coming in. So many beautiful, quirky, twisty, pink, purple, long, short, round . . . tongues in animal blog-land! I'm stunned. Needless to say, my quirky mom is thrilled! She's not complained once for having to stay up with me to go over the entries. We're both grateful for the enthusiasm and support of my good ol' blog furiends and the new ones I meet along the way. I am also extra excited because I'm getting a preview of the next G.A.B.E (Global Animal Blogging Event). It's going to rock the animal blog-dom big time!

I will stop accepting entries for the Pet Photo Contest at midnight, this coming Saturday. I am frantically going over photos and blog posts and emails therefore, I will let you know in the next couple of days when they'll all be up for your viewing and voting pleasure. I'm aiming for this Sunday. Please stay tuned. Like I've said before, I thought this was going to be a mini contest. BOL the joke's on me!

Today, I would like to use some photos to encourage your efforts:

Synchronized SHOW US YOUR TONGUE

by our furiends, the three legged dog duo

If this ain't a tongue shot!

(photo courtesy of my senior dalmatian sister, Linguini)

I can feel the passion.

Markus the horse

He can do this for hours!

He's also a superb athlete. Lucky for you, he will not partake in our pet photo contest.

Last, but, by no means, least . . . I present you

Me!

Twinkie, the tiny teacup chihuahua

The last shot has educational purposes. It's for those parents who were unable to get a tongue shot. I suggested peanut butter, and whipped cream, but there's always an alternative. Use your imagination humans!

Off to enjoy the lovely photo entries and start putting them in order. Have a fabulous rest of our National Dog Week!

Twinkie

Pet Photo Contest Going Strong

National Dog Week - Day 4

This has been the most significant National Dog Week of my life. I am constantly aware of where I came from therefore I feel grateful every minute of the day. I love my forever home, my family, my furiends, my life. Add to all this the pet photo contest "Show Us Your Tongue" and I am one ecstatic teacup chihuahua! 

I want to thank everybody for their contageous excitement. It keeps me wagging my tail as I go over the multitude of entries that keep pouring in. It also keeps me up at night, but that's okay, because I love it!

 

I only have two concerns:

One canine furiend sent me a worrysome note. She said she wouldn't pose her tongue for her human. Whaaa-t? Ever heard of peanut butter? Nope, no mercy, you have to SHOW US YOUR TONGUE. 

My other concern is the bad rep we may be getting as vital members of the animal blog-dom. Ever wondered what impression a new visitor would get visiting animal blogs in the last couple of days? They're going to think we're rude. BOL

Speaking of rude . . .

Boomer, the teacup chihuahua

The Love Goat

Show Us Your Tongue!

Twinkie, the incredibly enraptured rescue chi

Dear Twinkie | A Dog Advice Column

Dear Twinkie is a weekly advice column posted every Tuesday. Do you have questions that you need answered or news that you want to spread? Then leave me, Twinkie Van Twinkerson, a note on Tuesday's comments and I'll address it. This blog and column are strictly rated G and only meant for your enjoyment.

HAPPY NATIONAL DOG WEEK!

K-9 Katastrophe asked ...
Dear Twinkie,

In a reply you said:

As for Tula... I have already fired my secretary over this gross typo. She was only hired because she claimed she could decipher Elgin-Puguese. I had specifically dictated the name "Petunia" but she was hard of hearing (a dalmatian, a breed known for it's lack of hearing).


I am a dalmatian and I can hear perfectly.... so good is my hearing that my human sister has taken to training me tricks and the like. I was wondering, do you think I could use that stereo type to get out of training sessions? Like maybe if I started walking the other way when she calls me or if I roll over when she tells me to fetch?

Yours truely
Bucky!

TVT:  Now you're talking! Absolutely! According to the Dalmatian Club of America, deafness is not uncommon in dalmatians. It has been estimated that 10-12% of the breed is deaf. I think you're one smart dalmatian and that we can all learn from you. Now you can even enjoy your hyperactivity by jumping on all the guests, and then, due to your "condition", you can ask your humans to keep you away from the scary horses too. Brilliant thinking, my furiend.

This is what deaf, er, smart dalmatians get. Dog treats!

I would like to mention that K-9 posted the first Show Us Your Tongue entry. You can check it out here. I know, it's going to be a tough contest!


Frankie Furter asked ...
FURST... When I clicked on Comment.. I got the dreaded snappy finger thingy that says I HAD TO ACCEPT a Pop UP in order to comment. That USED to happen on Norwood's blog.. you might want to check with him to see how he got that stopped!!!
>>> Now for the gooood stuffs.. Twinkie you make TUESDAY TERRIFIC!!!
I thought My mom was gonna pee in MY Cliner Chair when she saw Puddles' furst question and then she got all choked up with your answer to the second. Sorta like a Roller Coaster ride...
You are sooooooo darned cleaver with your answers.
Now for my question for next week.
Mayzie and Brudder Ranger found Bear Poop while on their vacation. I said I thought we were TWINS now beclaws I once found Bear Poops in my sister Lori's yard. SOOOOO THEN.. Mayzie came back and said we were BEAR POOP SOULMATES. <<>> WELL, it didn't take butt about 87 seconds for ... My Wives to comment.. they got all GREEN with JELLYNESS because of this Soulmates thingy. Could you please explain the difference between being in LOVE (and HAPPILY MARRIED) AND being Bear Poop Soulmates. Whew!! Maybe a WHOLE week will be toooooo long to wait for this answer. I'm just sayin'.

TVT: Dearest Frankie Flirter (or should I not call you that now that you're married?), I did not set the pop up comment window accidentally. I thought it would be easier on my furiends. As soon as I read your comment, I realized that the settings on some computers would make it confusing, so I took it down, just like I removed word verification and all the c-rap that make our lives difficult. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

To answer your furry important question: I can't think of a more caring husband like yourself, Frankie, therefore I'm perplexed by your wives' reaction. Are you sure it was jellyness and not the green beer that we had on St. Pat's that turned your wives green? I simply cannot believe my pointed ears! I would be so lucky to find bear poo in my yard! Well, I'm afraid that since Penny and Ruby don't get it, you might have to change your 'tude a bit. Do they even realize you're a tornado survivor? No more showering both of them with gifts on a birthday. No more Mr. Nice Guy. You need to start acting tough now. Have you heard of male machismo? It won't come natural to you, but you have to at least give it a shot.

 I recommend you practice a bit in front or a mirror or with Stripe first.

houndstooth asked ...
BOL! I'm rolling on the floor with laughter thinking about getting a pillow with Dad's face on it! Morgan would sit on it and Dad would get all pouty about it!

Anyroo, on to this week's question. Every night when we go on a walk, the same thing happens. Blueberry begs to go on the walk with us and Mom or Dad feels bad, so they let her come along with us. Then, on the way home, Blueberry pulls her "jackass routine" where she walks as far behind Mom or Dad as she can with her leash. This results in all of us being cranky by the time we get back home. How can we convince Blueberry to walk with the rest of us and stop being a pain in the patoot?

Bunny

TVT: I think you should hand the leash off to Morgan. She'll know what to do with it. And in case she doesn't, tell her to use her "happy" exciteful voice and carry Blueberry's favorite treats. Don't let Morgan hand the treats to Blueberry. Have Blueberry work for them. I hike with Blueberry's twin rhodesian sister. She likes to trail in the back. So what? Another thing to try is to have another pack member walk behind Blueberry, in other words, practice with various formations and do a bit of "attention training" with the girl. Of course, you can also practice every time Blueberry pulls to stop and stand still like a tree, just be careful you don't get any pee mail that way.

Maybe we should all stop and smell the roses and take in the sunshine.

Lola asked...
Hi Twinkie. You have given pawsome advice as usual. My question this week is not so impawtent, but I thought I'd get ahead of a situation. You know we went and got me a pink collar so as to let the world know that I not only enjoy being a girl, I really am one. Now several experienced females tell me that even wearing a dress won't always indicate "female" to some humans. Well, times change, I guess, but still...
I just want to know, since it seems to bother Alpha Mom when folks think I'm a boy should I react. I mean, I'm not a biter, but I could growl, maybe. Or pass gas...or should I just encourage Alpha Mom to rise above it all?

lotsa licks, Lola

TVT: Dearest Lola,  you don't need an advice columnist. You need a stylist! Disregarding your post comment about clothing and doxies (OMD I can't believe what I read) I shall refer you to a great styling lady whose name immediately popped at the top of my apple head. Ms Lorenza! If she can't help you, nobody can. 

Now, about Alpha Mom's feelings, I'd recommend . . . nothing! It's our week! It's our humans who need to cater to our feelings and our every whim. 

Lolo in pink

Kitty+Coco asked...
Twink, we have never asked you a question before because frankly, it is intimidating. However, this issue is so pressing that we must ask. WHY OH WHY is it that I have to go get my glands "squeezed" while my Boston Terror sister never has the issue? Seriously, life is not fair sometimes. I have to have it done like every other week and Kitty has only done it once ever! The lady even brings me out and says "wow, she had A LOT". I say it is mom's fault for spoiling me rotten. Literally.

TVT: Life's not fair sometimes, Coco. I mean, your sister was named after a cat, after all. I suggest you follow your own advice and run away, thus avoiding another visit to the dentist too. Oh, and "having a lot" is a good thing, it makes you more special.

The runaways

The Thundering Herd asked...
How can our hu-dad let us get this far behind? Our Google Reader thingy says we have 1000+ unread blog posts. That's right, we have so many unread posts that Google can't count that high.

TVT: It's simple you goofuses, just hit the delete button! Your true furiends will always understand. Besides, I believe I speak for all when I say, the Thundering Herd has always been the most supportive and encouraging pack, so what if you are not fast readers?

The real reason behind why the herd is behind on their reading.

Frankie the Chiwenie said...
What's going on with the SHOW US YOUR TONGUE contest? May I enter, please? I want to post too!

TVT: Nope, none of the packs from our pack. At first, I made that rule so that the competition would be fair, but now I insist on it, simply because there are so many entries already. I'm going to have a challenging time figuring out how to post them all. And since you can't enter, if you want to get an idea, let me point you to the second pet photo contest entry from our furiends the Airedales.

Tongues for National Dog Week

Cool, huh? Now, for the rest of you, please remember that you can post any way you like, but if you use more than one photo per pet on your post, you have to let me know your ONE choice for the contest. Feel free to include all your furry or hairless furiends in our contest. You can email me at twinkietinydog (@) aol.com with your link, your choice, and your pets' names. 

*SPECIAL EVENTS*

Mark your calendars for a really important event. October 2 we're going to paint the blog world yellow by supporting the fight against cancer. October 2nd is LIVESTRONG DAY! Please click HERE to read all about this special day. Spread the word!

I would also like to mention a special benefit to celebrate National Dog Week with a fundraising event. For details click HERE.


I hope you're all enjoying National Dog Week to the fullest!
Now, go take on the day!

Twinkie Van Twinkerson

National Dog Week Day 2 & Contest

I hope you got the most out of yesterday. Still six days to go before the end of National Dog Week. Make every day count. Make your parents be at your beck and call. Also, put to good use all the dog training tips I've been sharing with you: don't forget the adorable look on your faces and all should go as planned.

A couple of furiends asked for pet photo contest clarifications:

1. How many entries? One tongue per pet, that's it. I would really appreciate if you sent me names and your blog's url if you have one. It'll help out my secretary, not the one I fired last week, the new one.
2. How many winners of the five free giveaway? Five.
3. How will we decide on the five winners? I will post all entries on my blog after the "Show Us Your Tongue" contest is closed (at the end of National Dog Week, on Saturday September 24th). It'll be a collective effort made out of an enormous panel of impartial and professional pet judges.
4. Will I participate? I wish.
5. Will the chiweenie or the spotted siblings of mine? Nope! I'm partial to them and I may be tempted to favor them.
6. Will giant breeds be allowed? I didn't want to at first, but mom made me. Yes.
7. Are there any animals that will be excluded? Just the obvious cheaters, lizards, frogs and all reptiles with agile tongues.
8. A request: due to heavy spam traffic, if you remember to, have something easy for me to discern in your email title, like: pet photo contest, my tongue, your tongue, Tongues-R-Us, Twinkie you look marvelous today... anything you like.

Meanwhile, I want to share with you that I'm really excited about this contest. It was going to be a quickie, but based on the responses so far, it will get the attention it deserves. We already even have a baby calf competing!

A bit of trivia that suits our contest:

Featured in the new Guinness World Records 2011 book is Puggy, the dog with the longest tongue in the world. Puggy is a designer dog, a Pekingese. But do not fret, we're not doing a longest tongue contest we're just doing a Show Us Your Tongue Contest. Small tongues are eligible to win.

Puggy's showing us her tongue, yikes!

(it looks a bit like M's ex's tongue)

I would like to share a yöghund video with you to get your appetites going, in other words, to motivate you to start warming up those tongues! Do I need to remind you of the free giveaways? Okay, free yöghund boxes filled with delicious and nutritious (mom made me mention the second) frozen dog treats!

So what are you waiting for? Stop drooling and

SHOW US YOUR TONGUE!

Twinkie

National Dog Week Day 1 & Contest

Happy National Dog Week everybody! I was shocked to find out that National Dog Week has been around for three quarters of a century. We can all thank William Lewis Judy for it. Mr Judy was a serious dog fancier. He helped create the Dog Writers' Association of America as well as National Dog Week in 1928. Thank you very much.

Some would argue that "any day is national dog week". I agree, BUT for those of us fortunate to have loving forever homes, this week means extra everything. Extra hugs, walks, hikes, and of course edibles.

I wanted to do something special to mark this year's National Dog Week and thanks to Yoghund, I am doing a free giveaway contest. Yoghund has mailed me 5 free box coupons to give away.

I posted about the upcoming contest yesterday hoping to get some good suggestions, but since so far my main input was that one of our furiends cannot participate in any contest involving physical activities and exertion, I decided to do a rather sedentary contest. 

National Dog Week Pet Photo Contest

by Twinkie:

SHOW US YOUR TONGUE

I live with a quirky mom who is into dog bums and dog tongues. Since the first one may be offensive to the sane dog owners, we decided to go with her second fixation, the dog tongue.

Send or post your TONGUE photo anytime between now and the end of National Dog Week. My email is twinkietinydog (@) aol.com and I am looking forward to your submissions. If you choose to post, please email me the link. I don't want to miss anybody. For those of you that lack imagination, think peanut butter, yogurt on a stick, something yummy. Go on, tell your parents and make sure you tell them what "ingredient" to use to get your tongues to look better. Furiends, you should have known my contest would be a fun one for the participants.

I shall leave you with some sample submissions, courtesy of my brindle chiweenie and spotted dalmatian sissies:

Synchronized ear and TONGUE action

I mock you TONGUE

Silly TONGUE

Desert TONGUE

Bite your TONGUE

Double your TONGUE

OMT

(oh my TONGUE)

What's THIS doing in my pet photo contest?

Which reminds me... all animal species welcome BUT frogs and lizards. That would be cheating!

May the best TONGUE win!

Twinkie

*** An update and a much needed clarification: One tongue per beast please.

National Dog Week Contest

Tomorrow, Sunday, September 19th, marks the beginning of National Dog Week and I want to celebrate with a contest. As I am still working on the details, I welcome all suggestions. I repeat, any dog, cat, pet contest ideas will be appreciated.

It wouldn't be a contest without free giveaways and since lately I've made many of you drool over my new favorite frozen dog treat, yöghund, for the purposes of celebrating National Dog Week, I thought it would be most appropriate to give out coupons for a FREE yöghund box!

Yöghund sent me FIVE such coupons.

Do I want to keep them all? Sure! I love my yöghund, plus it's good for me, but I love my friends more and I also have a weakness for contests therefore, I'm going to give out all five coupons.

Don't worry chiweenie. M will get us some.

Let's do it! I shall brainstorm all day and night, and, by tomorrow, I'll announce the contest which will end on the last day of National Dog Week, Saturday, September 25th.

What an exciting week we're about to have starting . . . now! Today, we'll warm up for our National Week with a bang and a BLOG HOP !!!

Dear Twinkie | A Dog Advice Column

Dear Twinkie is a weekly advice column posted every Tuesday. Do you have questions that you need answered or news that you want to spread? Then leave me, Twinkie Van Twinkerson, a note on Tuesday's comments and I'll address it. This blog and column are strictly rated G and only meant for your enjoyment.

 ‪Madi and Mom‬ asked...
Hi Twinkie... oh yeah baby there was a lot lot hissing going on at my house. I told Puddles she would have been proud of me because I had several Puddles Moments....oh my cats. Mom was so not happy....with me because I hissed at her too. So I believe I once again need your advice.



Dear Twink,


I, Madi, would submit the following question for next week's column.


How does a Diva Island Princess Cat
 redeem herself in the eyes of her Mom after she has been less than
 nice to house guests and even to her Mom? You live with lots of kitties so I think you are the one to ask. 
Respectfully submitted,
Madi (hanging her head in shame)...

TVT: First of all, chin up Madster!!! A diva never hangs her head for any reason. Chin up (you will also get more chin rubs that way, and I know you cats love those). Stand tall and relax your tail. Now, what is ailing you? Don't you think that this mess was created because of your mom? I sure do! A diva should not have to share, ever. Now, having said that, I know you're a kind soul and that your hissing outside Harley's door is a way of establishing your boundaries. 

I recommend you run to a nearby store and buy yourself some Feliway to get the cornish scent out of the air. I use it all the time with my cats, but in your case, it would also be appreciated as a good-will gesture. After you install it, call your mom and rub yourself, exactly the way she likes, on her feet. Reach up and (no nails) stretch while staring right in her eyes. Then start to purr loudly so she can hear you. Consider yourself redeemed! Chances are you're also getting your favorite cat treats if you follow my advice. Good luck, dear feline furiend. 

I'm not so sure I should have mentioned the treats or the "chin up" comment. Look at that double chin!

‪3 doxies‬ asked...
Hellos my furiend...you is so full of da smarticles AGAIN!!!


Well I has a question fur ya today...can I ask two?


#1 Could you possibly tells me how I gots to be so purty?

#2 I apologize if dis is too heavy of a question and feel free to exept it if need be...Why does it hurt so freakin much when a bloggy furiend goes to da bridge? I haves never even met them but da pain is still theres.



Puddles

TVT: #1 Sorry to burst your spit bubble, Puddelicious, but your purtiness definitely has a lot to do with your mumsie's skills as a professional photographer. That doesn't mean you're not naturally purty, it just means that your inner beauty is enhanced by your momma's camera. 

#2 Nobody should ever apologize for an honest and heartfelt question. I recently wrote an article on the rainbow bridge that may give you some insight, if you can stomach the extra reading. In brief, I believe that the reason we all get really upset over the loss of a furry friend is due to our short time on this earth. Even the healthiest of us don't live as long as our humans, something that causes enormous grief on both sides. Also, all of us are prone to certain fatal ailments and diseases. Add to that our vulnerability when we run in front of oncoming traffic just because we spotted a cat or a squirrel... add to that inhuman mistreating and neglect... We are all most vulnerable. We have a high mortality rate to deal with. So, you, like the rest of us, are suffering both because of your sensitive soul and because you're a thinker. 

The way, I have chosen to deal with the pain is by telling myself that, first and foremost, once we get to the rainbow bridge all pain and suffering are in the past. Secondly, those of us who arrive at the bridge can look forward to a new beginning with the furiend's we have missed, and you know we'll all have one big party when we get together. One last thought that might help you out: since we've already established that our life is relatively short, try to celebrate it every single day.

 You are still beautifuls! You're puddelicious!

‪Amy and The House of Cats‬ asked...
Hi Twinkie! 

We love to read your column every week - we learn a lot about doggies from it! Gus has a question for you if that is ok (We know he is a cat, but it is kind of dog related). Here he is!

Hi Twinkie!

I was wondering if you knew a good way to get a big mandog to like a little kitten boy like me? See, I have a big time crush on a certain young ladycat who has a giant, Viking loving Newfie older brother and he is very protective of his little sister - which I totally understand because I am protective of my little sister (even though she is only a couple hours younger). But what is the best way to show him that when we are older I would be a good boyfriendcat for her and be very respectful of her and everything? I know we are both too young now but she is so pretty and I really like her, and I know she likes me too. Oh, I left out their names because she said he is super overprotective, and I don't want to get her in trouble. Do you have any advice to help me show him I am a good guy?

Thanks so much!



Gus

TVT: I normally would have trash-talked you a bit, Gus, but recently I learned about no-cat-day and since then, I've turned a new leaf. It's one thing making fun of cats and another to mean it. I'm honored to reply to your question, witholding names out of respect.

After a thorough internet research and several calls into dog and cat behaviorists, I am here to bring you some excellent news! The Newfie older brother in question was busted in a comment that I will quote right here: "[my younger cat sister] said to say Hi to Gus." I bet you missed the value of that statement, Gus. The bro just about gave you his blessings. You don't have to fret any longer, besides, let me give you another hint: he cuddles up with his momma when he watches not-really-scary movies, like Wolfman. Based on all this information, you can lie back and do what cats do best. Don't worry about your image. Your love-cat is yours. May the two of you stay out of cat-astrophes together.

Gus and the unnamed centerpiece of his affections.

‪houndstooth‬ asked...
Good idea about sending Blueberry in to do the asking! She's the one Mom and Dad both can't say no to!



My question this week is about Lilac. As you might know, on September 20, she will be fifteen years old. We are all very excited for her, but, she's sort of the old lady who has everything. I am wondering what would be a good present for her. Also, how can we make her birthday really special? (Besides handcuffing Alien to her fan again!)



Bunny

TVT: It's called fifteen years young, dear Bunny. Beyond what I already suggested to you in person, one-on-one time with mom and dad, I have a couple more ideas: Dress Morgan into a cat costume, buy Lilac incontinence pads, a walk for the rest of you so she can get a bit of peace and quiet for a few minutes, and last of all...

You can order her a customized photo-pillow using a picture of your dad's face.

(I'm sure he'll appreciate that present just as much as Lilac)

‪Those Elgin Pugs‬ asked...
Dear's Twinkie Van Twinkersons!!



We's didn't knows yous did not has an investigation teams to do yous leg works!! Altoes... how did yous knows our bothers was dating Sequoia?? And who is Tula?? Yous wanna knows what's up wits his ear action??
Who's asking 'da questions here??



You may address that as my next question next weeks...
And who works for yous...



Thanks..
'da Josie..who -else

TVT: I'm sorry my furiends, but I simply cannot disclose my top secret sources. You may thank them anonymously for their good work trying to figure out all the craziness in the animal blogdom, and I'll pass it on. As for the ear action, I consulted with the best professionals in the world and nobody could come up with an answer. You may need to tape down the ear or use a hair clip. As for Tula... I have already fired my secretary over this gross typo. She was only hired because she claimed she could decipher Elgin-Puguese. I had specifically dictated the name "Petunia" but she was hard of hearing (a dalmatian, a breed known for it's lack of hearing). 

Who's asking 'da questions here? Apparently you are. Just this time alone, I counted four questions and eight question marks!

 Special announcement: "Da Jossie's dating agains."

I wonder who'd want to date a pug that asks so many questions.

‪Fiona, as typed by Dr. Liz‬ asked...
thank you for the excellent advice. Hopefully now Mom will understand WHY I must smack Abby down, even if it results in her getting all muddy. I MUST remain Top Dog, no matter what it takes! (Yes, I am taking secret lessons from Queen Natasha - she just doesn't know it yet!) 

Now, my question for the week is: WHY must Mom and dad persist with this "home improvement" stuff? We are going to have to move into the House With Wheels while our House Without Wheels gets a new roof. I have to share a smaller space with the Hippobottomus! Why are Mom and Dad torturing me like this? (And why couldn't I have just remained an only child?) Thank you, All-Knowing, All-Seeing Karnak, uh, TVT!



*kissey face*


-Fiona and Abby the Hippobottomus

TVT: Instead of complaining, I'd count my blessings if I were you, dear goldendoodle. Your nutty pawrents could have easily opted for a race car. I bet the House on Wheels was a compromise for you and your Hippobottomus sister. As to why you didn't remain an only child, I bet you'll get the same answer we all do: your parents wanted you to have a little sister to play with. Yeah, sure, nice explanation! (Believe me, I feel your pain every day)

Admit it, your lifestyle would have been more cramped up in this.

While Fiona loves to yank her sister's collar, she's also a pawesome sister. Therefore, she asked me to mention that lil' Abby, aka Hippobottomus, is featured at fetchingtags.net wearing her blingy new tag, custom-made just for her. I mention the company A. Because I know we have some tag-freaks amongst us (show yourselves) B. Because according to Fiona the tags are not only well-made, lightweight, and visible, but the company donates a portion of each sale to dog rescue efforts, and C. Because Fiona has entered her sister in a contest. You can vote for Abby by clicking HERE. As of yesterday, our furiend is among the top three. Let's make sure she's number ONE.
Frankie the Brindle Chiweenie intruded again ...
When is National Dog Week?

TVT: Check the calendar! Fine, for the readers: National Dog Week this year (2010) is on September 19-25. Make a note of those dates because my personal belief is that during National Dog Week we all get extra dog treats, walks, hikes, trips to the dog spa, you name it. Three cheers for the upcoming National Dog Week!!!

Now, go do the right thing!

Twinkie Van Twinkerson