Happy New Year!

All the best for 2008!!

Back in the Swing of Things!

Spent my morning at Greenwood park with Denali and Starr and man was it good to get back out there again! We didn't stay long, cause it was really icy for our pawrents. THEN, my human mom got sneaky and took me to Petcetera where I had to get my nails trimmed! (But, she did buy me a cool new squeaky toy for my trouble!).

Then I got another pawesome treat!! My buddies Gibbon and Mia sent me a treat in the mail! Well, their human mom was sending something to mine for work, and she added a really amazing treat stick in the package!! YUM, YUM, YUM!!!

Have a great weekend pups! (Still waiting for pics from my human aunt...)

Goals for 2008

So, what are your goals for 2008?? More belly rubs? Get in shape? Learn some new tricks?

My human mom got a bit lazy this year and wants to get back in tip top condition, so with my help we're going to start jogging again (weather permitting during the rest of winter). But living in an apartment building, we'll be hitting the stairs for some great endurance and muscle building training!

My goals will be to continue my foundation training in agility, learn all I can and hopefully attend some fun matches this summer!

I also plan to take up tracking in the spring too! I'm very excited about this sport and since we dogs are "naturals", I know I can be good at it! I've done some basic tracking in the house (like hide and seek of toys and treats) and love to sniff out squirrels and other dogs outside! I'll keep you all posted this spring as classes begin.

Here's some vid of tracking in progress




Let me know what your goals are for the upcoming year!

Home Sweet Home! (Montreal Wrap-Up)

Well, I'm back pups! Safe and sound. What a wonderful trip! (photos will be coming...my human aunt will be emailing them to us!)

I was spoiled and loved by everyone! I did get the coat I wanted for Christmas!! It's sooo warm! It's all black, and makes me look quite distinguished!

PLUS, I got a nice new red collar from my dog walker Trish! It has cute little gold stars on it! (ahem, cause I'm a star?!) Hehe.

My human Gramma's house was great! Lot's of scraps to clean off the floor from everyone, a cool backyard to mark as my own! (although, swimming in snow was not the best situation..). It was a lot better there than at my human aunts house dealing with the cat!

I got to sleep with my humans at night! (they brought my crate..but never took it out of the car!) Pure bliss!

I even met a french dog! Out on a walk. A Golden Retriever...we did not speak..just sniffed politely, then her owner called her away.

All in all my human dad's family loved me to bits! (but of course!). I will miss that little house. But it's so good to be home!

Message from Montreal!

Hey pups! Blogging from Montreal! My human auntie has internet connection...so I thought I would sneak on.

Well, first...it's very cold here. Second, there's a CAT here!!! Kitty is her name, she's all white, and thinks she's the boss...we keep our distance from each other. Sheesh.

One good thing, cat food is kinda tasty! :o)

Just like human mom, I have to get used to french...it's very funny to hear my human dad speak it!!!

Ok pups....will blog more when I get home! (oh yeah...bad news...human mom's camera died...so I'm relying on the other humans to pick up the slack so I can post some pics of my french adventure!!

Happy Holidays! I'll be back soon!!

Hey pups! I'm off on my holiday adventure! I'll be staying one day at my fur-cousin Daisy's, while my humans are at a wedding, then we are off to Montreal!! (Where I hope to meet some French barking dogs!).

I'll be back blogging on the 27th!!

I hope you all have a very safe and happy holiday!!!

RIP Stormy Weather

Hey everyone...bit of a sombre post today. My human mom got a message from her mom that her cat Stormy went to the Rainbow Bridge yesterday.

He was a rescue cat that showed up at her mom's school portable, where she taught grade 3. Found during blizzardy January weather, he had his paw caught in his collar and my human's mom rescued him. The kids in her class were very excited to have a cat, and when they told their parents, the next day donations rolled in...kids brought toys, food, litter and the cat, they named Stormy Weather, he lived in the portable.

Spring break came, and Stormy, now used to the good life, could not be left for a week on his own. My human's mom brought him home, where he lived out his life.

My human mom is very sad today. I'm trying to keep her spirits up, he lived a great life and was loved by all.

RIP Stormy Weather!

In the Doghouse

So....I haven't posted in a few days, cause, like my pal Mojo, I've been in the doghouse. Monday night, my human mom came home from work, as always, and dropped everything, including her coat on the floor to rush to the bathroom.

When she came out, she let me out of my crate to get me ready to go outside. She then went over to pick up the mail from the floor and grab my leash and coat, when she looked over to me...

I was sniffing her coat on the floor...and did the unthinkable. I peed on her winter coat.

Ooops.

Needless to say, she wasn't happy, and I ended up "in the doghouse". BUT, with lots of sad eyes and attempts at snuggling I seem to have smoothed things over with my human mom. The coat was washed, and dried, and she now hangs it up promptly, lest I get that sensation again.

Holiday Travel

Well, I'm off in 6 days for a Christmas vacation in "La Belle Provence", Montréal, Québec.

My human dad's family lives there. They are French. This is going to be my second road trip adventure!! (the first was when I was a wee pup, we went "up north" to a cottage).

The drive is 5 hours and my grand-mère lives in a house with a backyard!! I'm very excited about that! I wonder if there are any neighbourhood pooches I'll meet while I'm there? Will I be able to converse with them? Do they bark in french?

As some of you may also be travelling this holiday season, here are some road travel tips from the ASPCA's website:

• Keep your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier. There are a variety of wire mesh, hard plastic and soft-sided carriers available. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down and turn around in. And P.S., it’s smart to get your pet used to the carrier in the comfort of your home before your trip.
• Your pet’s travel-feeding schedule should start with a light meal three to four hours prior to departure. Don’t feed your furry friend in a moving vehicle—even if it is a long drive.
• Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle. In cold weather, a car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
• What in your pet’s traveling kit? In addition to travel papers, food, bowl, leash, a waste scoop, plastic bags, grooming supplies, medication and a pet first-aid kit, pack a favorite toy or pillow to give your pet a sense of familiarity.
• Make sure your pet wears a collar with an ID tag imprinted with your home address, as well as a temporary travel tag with your cell phone, destination phone number, and any other relevant contact information.
  
• Traveling across state lines? Bring along your pet’s rabies vaccination record, as some states requires this proof at certain interstate crossings. While this generally isn’t a problem, it’s always smart to be on the safe side.
• When it comes to H2O, we say BYO. Opt for bottled water or tap water stored in plastic jugs. Drinking water from an area he’s not used to could result in tummy upset for your pet.

Drive safe out there!

Officially Addicted to Agility!

Well, I'm sooo very sad today. Tomorrow is my last class of foundation agility...and due to the impending snow storm...classes have been canceled.

We'll resume again in January! I can't wait! I'm officially addicted to agility!!!

I love the jumps, the tunnel and am very confident with my basic interaction with the teeter and weave poles!

Can't wait to do more in 2008!!!

I'll leave you with some great agility video that inspires me!

I have a secret....

Guess what!!! Remember what I asked for for Christmas....I think my wish came true....I saw a big bag from a nice dog store hidden in my human's bedroom....Heee!!!!

What Dogs Teach Us

My human mom is reading a great book (Woman’s Best Friend, stories about women and the dogs in their lives), and she wanted to share something from it to all of you. This excerpt is part of the introduction, by Pam Houston.

Her Irish Wolfhound Dante battled and subsequently died of bone cancer…this is what she wrote about the lessons he taught her:

“Dante taught me that if your paws are too big to fit in your ears, you have to get someone else to do the scratching….He taught me that if you really love somebody, cleaning their bodily excretions off the carpet is no problem, and in the end, the money doesn’t really matter a bit. He taught me that loving, in the face of inevitable loss, is the single most important challenge of our lives; that without loss, life isn’t worth a hill of beans, and without love, life is nothing more than a series of losses. He taught me that everything is forgivable, that every moment contains eternity, and that loving unconditionally doesn’t mean you are a self-annihilating fool.

After he died, he taught me how to live without him, but also that I didn’t have to. He taught me that because we loved each other so completely, a part of him would always be with me.”

So always hug your pups and your loved ones and always tell them you love them. Even when it feels like they may challenge your love!

New Blogging Buddies!

My girlfriend Denali and her sisters are now blogging!! Please take the time to visit their blog and say hello!

http://chissysgirls.blogspot.com/

What's My Elf Name?

Your Elf Name Is...

Spicy Blinking Bum

BOL! What's Your Elf Name?

Holiday Gift Ideas! (part I)

Two weeks until Christmas...is all your shopping done??? Here are some great gift ideas for pups big and small!
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Big dog? Can't find a coat that fits? iDawg Clothing is for you! Cool bombers and hoodies have been created for bigger dogs, so now everypup can look cool on the streets!
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Do you have a human that loves to read up on all the latest dog news, fashion and sports?? How about a magazine subscription? Publications like Modern Dog and The Bark can make a pawfect year round gift! Great stories, pawesome photos, and the latest tips and trends for Fifi and Fido.
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Sport nut in your life? Agility, Flyball, Rally-O and more! Shop for the best in books, DVDs and magazines at Dog Sport Magazine! They have an extensive library of products to help your canine athlete improve his/her game.
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Foodie? Well, how about a service that delivers home-baked healthy treats to your front door??? Net Treatz does just that! Yum-Yum, sign me up!
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I'll be on the lookout for some more gift ideas, so keep checking back!! Happy Shopping!

Dog Rules for Christmas

This was sent to me in an email:

1. Be especially patient with your humans during this time. They may appear to be more stressed-out than usual and they will appreciate long comforting dog leans.

2. They may come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not assume that all the gifts are yours.

3. Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.

4. They may bring a large tree into the house and set it up in a prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know:

a. Don't pee on the tree

b. Don't drink water in the container that holds the tree

c. Mind your tail when you are near the tree

d. If there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or that have your name on them, don't rip them open

e. Don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree

5. Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part:
a. Not all strangers appreciate kisses and leans

b. Don't eat off the buffet table

c. Beg for goodies subtly

d. Be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your sofa

e. Don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach

6. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important:

a. Observe all the rules in #4 for trees that may be in other people's houses. (4a is particularly important)

b. Respect the territory of other animals that may live in the house

c. Tolerate children

d. Turn on your charm big time

7. A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night.
DON'T BITE HIM!!

Vick Sentanced to 23 Months in Jail

You can read the story from CNN.

All I can say is whatever you think about what he did, or how he should be punished, I really just hope some REAL legislation and action can be created to try to end the violence and cruelty (dog fighting, puppy mills, laboratory testing, etc.) to animals.

There are many comments at the end of this story on CNN...for and against what has happened...one caught my eye that I am going to post here:

"It's about responsibility as a member of the human race, not about black or white or rich or poor. The promotion of violence with the intent to cause another life to suffer for the sake of entertainment or enjoyment is not being responsible and is one of the many causes for the desensitization toward violence that our young people are being subjected to. Now more than ever, all humans need to wake up and realize that somewhere there is another that will look to us for guidance and direction. Do we want to foster more violence? Or do we want peace? What we put out is what we get back."

Especially during this holiday season, it's always good to remember: Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you, and it's truly better to give than to receive.

Sleeping In

Most humans like to do this on the weekend. It can be confusing to us pups who are used to a routine of getting up early when our humans go to work during the week. My human in particular was not very happy with me today.

See, during the week, I don't like to get up early...she has to wake me at 7:00am to walk and feed me before she leaves.

But for some reason on the weekends....I'm walking them up at 6:00am!! But today...today was the last straw for her. She didn't come to get me when I called. She made me wait until 7:45am!!! Talk about cruelty!! She can sleep later!! It's not my problem her and human dad were up late on Saturday night!!

What about you pups? What are your sleeping routines like??

Pop Dog is on MySpace!

My human now has a MySpace presence for Pop Dog Portraits! If you are on MySpace, please feel free to drop by and add her to your friend list, leave a comment and look around! She'll keep you updated on her latest paintings and other things Pop Dog related!

The POLL is back!!

Check out my new poll in the sidebar of my blog! What kind of sports do you pups "pawticipate" in??

I'd love to find out!

YOUR HELP NEEDED!! FOR US FLOOD VICTIM!

This was barked to me in one of my Manchester web groups. As many of you know, devastating floods have ravaged parts of Washington State, in the US. One victim in particular, Nancy Punches, a beloved dog breeder and trainer has been hit particularly hard by this tragedy.

Here's her story. You can also check it out from local station KOMO TV.
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Dear friends,

We need some help.

A good friend of ours, Nancy Punches, has suffered a terrible disaster. Her home was not too far from the Chehalis River, in coastal Washington. On Tuesday morning when the river crested at 75 feet, she lost nearly everything. Nancy is in her early seventies, a fiercely independent and remarkable woman-- generous, kind and an extraordinary part of the purebred dog world.

She has raised, trained and exhibited dogs from the early 1960s, first Doberman Pinschers, then Pulik, Smooth Fox Terriers, American Foxhounds and most recently she had acquired a much loved Black Russian Terrier, Dali. She is also an AKC judge, but is so busy with her work in the lab of the Morton Hospital and with her own dogs that she doesn't accept many assignments. She is however, always ready to help out, she chairs shows and ring stewards, helps build majors and offers advice and comfort and guidance to all.

Nancy spent many hours of the night and into the morning, alternately treading water and clinging to a china hutch as water in her home rose to within ten inches of the ceiling. When the China hutch gave way and fell into the water, Nancy kept her head above water by clinging to a plank. Just before the flood, knowing that bad weather was coming, she brought her most beloved dogs into the house for safekeeping. Dali, the black Russian terrier. The Foxhounds-- Cruise, Whistler, Jack, Priss, Minnie, Precious, Dixie. All champions. All beloved. One by one they each drowned in front of her.

She did manage to save a litter of five week old puppies. She had placed them in a styrofoam cooler and floated them alongside her all through the night. Like Nancy, they survived and were rescued by helicopter late on Tuesday morning. Nancy thinks that one of the Foxhounds in the kennel also rode out the storm, but all the others, more than thirty dogs in all, perished.

Nancy is in Providence Hospital in Chehalis, WA with frostbite to her feet. Her home has been demolished, and everything she has, save four little puppies and maybe one lone foxhound, everything else is gone. She did not have flood insurance, so the loss of her home, her van, her motorhome, her kennel--- none of that is covered. Some philanthropic organizations have been contacted and we are doing our best to find help for Nancy. She will need every dime.

Please, would you consider making a donation to help ease the anguish that has befallen this wonderful woman? It doesn't have to be much-- even a few dollars makes a difference. If you like to use paypal, here's the link:

http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/ema/index-outside

A special account has been set up with the recipient nancypunchesfund@earthlink.net

If you would prefer to send a check, it can be made payable to Nancy Punches and sent to:
P.O. Box 2022, Livingston, MT 59047.

We will send an acknowledgment of your donation with our great thanks.

If you've ever loved a dog, if your life was ever changed by a remarkable woman, please consider helping Nancy now.

Larkin Vonalt
Redchief Kennels
406 222 2736

Pooch Pals website is LIVE!

Exciting news! My human mom designed a logo and website for my dog walker...and it’s now LIVE!

Pooch Pals

There are a few broken links to images…they didn’t like the name..so they have to re-upload those images/pages…but all in all, I think it turned out pretty good for my human's limited web knowledge!

Stay tuned...she's starting a blog soon about our adventures!!!

GQ Baby!

WOW! Look what an anonymous pup pal from Dogster sent me! I'm on the cover of GQ baby!!

DWB Holiday Cards!!!

I'm such a lucky pup!!! I've been getting great holiday cards from my Dogs with Blogs pals!!

Thanks to Maggie & Mitch, Dory, Katie, Zorra & Sam, Sitka & Tia, Willie & Waylon and Comet Blue & Lucy!!

I'll be sending mine out this weekend!

Winter Fur

If you are a four-legged friend, then sometimes you may be the bane of your humans existence. Not because you chewed a favourite shoe, or barked at the mailman. No, it's because you shed. Even now, that winter is here and I'm growing my winter coat (my human mom likes to call me her little hairy chested man-pup!) I still shed. They were quite misguided in buying a white couch, and a black dog.

So what's a pup to do? Hope the humans get a kick-ass vacuum that can handle the tough job of pet fur (ahem...and dander and dust in general).

Mine have had three different kinds, and although the canister they have now is ok...what they covet...and are saving for is the Dyson. It even gives my human dad the urge to vacuum!

Sidenote for human moms: A recent survey said 75% of men would vacuum if they had a Dyson. So if you're human mom wants more help around the house, tell her to check the Dyson line.

They have developed a system where the Dyson parts create 45% more suction and remove more dust than other vacuum brands. WOW!

For pet owners, like our humans, they even have search categories that help choose the vacuum for you! The website is very helpful and easy to navigate. So whether you like the cannister or upright, if fur is an issue, Dyson has a solution for you.

DC 20 Stowaway

DC 14 Telescope Reach

Deep in it!

Snow that is! We had an overnight blast of snow again! This time is came up of my armpits!!! At first I didn't want to walk - er, jump in it...but tonight I was running around like crazy loving it! Not sure if it's gonna last...it's now begun to rain! Crazy weather!

Power of the Paw! Your help is needed in Animal Cruelty case!!

Thanks to Jake and Just Harry for barking this story to me!
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Marc-Andre Laporte, 59, was found guilty of two counts of animal cruelty at the St. Jerome courthouse in Montreal this week, following the seizure of 97 fox terriers in November 2005 from his Blainville puppy mill. Judge Jean Sirois rejected Laporte's argument that he loved his dogs too much. When police raided the property, they found dogs matted in feces feeding on dogs' carcasses and stronger dogs preying on weaker ones.

Click here -- if you have a strong stomach -- to see the photos:
http://www.spcamontreal.com/english/pages/whats_new/news.html

Almost 40 animals had to be destroyed. Laporte's home was later condemned and demolished in March 2006. The surviving dogs were cared for by the SPCA and later, with the help of devoted fox terrier lovers, found wonderful foster homes where they have been living for the past 2 years. Despite his horrendous treatment of these innocent creatures, Laporte, who wil be sentenced on February 22, 2008, is facing only six months of jail time and up to $4,000 in fines. At the same hearing, the judge is to decide if Laporte is to get any of his fox terriers back!

WE CANNOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. The surviving mill fox terriers took months to recover physically, medically and emotionally from their ordeal. To even consider removing ONE wire from the safety and care of their loving foster families back to Laporte is OUTRAGEOUS!

Today we are launching a two-fold campaign to prevent Laporte from getting his dog/s back. We know we can count on you to take action and spread the word:

1: Please go to http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/no-dogs-for-laporte to sign the online petition that has been set up. Once all the signatures are entered, it will be printed out and given to Elizabeth Pierce who has been instrumental in saving and caring for the Blainville wires, for distribution to the media (unfortunately it is illegal in Canada to hand petitions to the court).

2: Please take a few minutes to write a letter to Judge Jean Sirois imploring him to prevent Laporte from ever taking possession of his former fox terriers or of owning any dog again. If you can, include a photo of yourself and your foxie/dog. All the letters received will be put in a file and also handed to the media.

Letters should be mailed to:

Elizabeth Pierce
119 16th Street,
Roxboro, Québec
Canada H8Y 1P1.

The sentencing hearing is February 22, 2008 – so write those letters soon. Please cross-post this information on your blogs, to your fellow dog owners etc. Thank you for your support in this important matter.

Remember, this could have happened to any of us or our friends. It's not just about wire fox terriers. It's about treating all animals with the love and respect they deserve.