Shopping Around the World

Oinks and snorts sweet friends.

This month my cousin Teddy is hosting Shopping Around the World for me.  (You might want to make a note now that cousin Teddy will also be hosting for me next month as well.)   Thank you so much cousin Teddy – we really appreciate the help here during these hectic times at the Hotel Thompson.

This month the assignment was favorite snacks.  Now mom has been enjoying a favorite snack that she kind of whipped up (literally) that she can’t get enough of at work.  She says that sometimes she needs the extra caffeine.  Rolls my piggy eyes.  I guess since she has given up sodas she has to make it up somehow huh?  I hope you enjoy her snack my friends.  It seems mom proof which means it might be a little easy – I hope.

First you need some ingredients:  Creamer.  Mom loves the Almond Joy creamer – but any kind will do.  This entire bottle was $2.50 and it lasts mom for almost three weeks.  That averages to about $0.12 a cup for creamer.  Two packs of Splenda.  A box of 100 cost $3.00 therefore that is $0.03 per packet.  12 ice cubes – free YAY.  1 cup of cold coffee.  Mom paid $6.00 for a container of coffee that makes something like 32 pots of coffee which calculates to $0.19 a pot.

Total cost for mom’s treat is less than $0.50 – what a steal for a cup of instant energy.

Now how does she make this wonder?  Put all ingredients into a blender.  Make sure blender is plugged in (mom has forgotten that important step in the past – snorts) and push blend button for smoothie.  There you go bend and then pour into a cup.  Add straw and enjoy your moment in the afternoon… or morning… or evening… or in the middle of the night.  Mom makes this snack all of the time now.

 

Spotlight Thursday – Meet Penny Mayhem and Zero Dark Thirty

Spotlight Thursday

Welcome my friends to SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY.  This is the time that I will introduce you to one of my fellow anipals so you can get to know them better.  Some of them, you may already know.  We hope that you enjoy this series!

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Name:  Penny Mayhem and Zero Dark Thirty

Age:  Penny is 3, Zero is 8 months

Location:  Chicago, IL

Web/Blog Page:  http://markingourterritory.com/

What were your first thoughts when you met your new parents?  Penny – “Let’s get ready to rumble!”      Zero – “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship”

What was the defining moment when you knew you were in your forever home?  The older dog is always the welcoming committee at home. When Penny curled up with Eko, and when Zero curled up with Penny they were both officially family.

❤

What has been your biggest “Oh no, now I’ve done it” moment so far in your home?  Penny lives in one constant “Now I’ve done it” moment. A few pillows have spontaneously combusted while in proximity to Zero, but he thankfully doesn’t take after his sister in his appetite for destruction.

Who do you have wrapped around your paws more – mom or dad – and why? Dad’s the disciplinarian, so the pups know to go for mom for easy treats and comfort

What’s the biggest misconception that humans think about you?  People maintain Zero and Penny aren’t lap dogs, but they are quite determined to prove the world wrong.

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Hope you enjoyed meeting my friend – check back next week for another Spotlight edition!

 

Travels in the South

Welcome my friends to another week of Travels in the South.  You know my daddy, he loves his hamburgers.  A couple of weeks ago he and mom found a restaurant that was a little hole in the wall.  It wasn’t much on the outside but they were known for their burgers.  And dad said they were right.  Their burgers were out of this world delicious.  Now, this is not something you should eat everyday for sure, especially when someone – snort mom snort – is suppose to be watching those calories.  But I had to share their meal.

Both burgers had eight ounce angus beef patties.  And that is the only thing they had in common – snorts with piggy laughter.

Dad’s had a hard fried egg, bacon (gulps), melted Jack cheese and pickles on it.  Mom had bacon (gulps), a portobello mushroom, red onions and pickles.  I couldn’t believe the size of mom’s burger.  She couldn’t even wrap her mouth around it – HA!   And of course she had to get daddy to help her finish it.  Dad had onion rings with his burger.  Mom had a salad so at least she *tried* to somewhat healthy.

  

 

Dear Bacon

Dear Bacon,
They say that we can all stand on our heads. I don’t know. I think I may be vertically challenged or maybe my head is not flat enough. I just can’t seem to be able to do it all the way with my back legs straight up. It throws me off balance. Can you do it? Signed Not Happening

Dear Not Happening,
Never dear friend. Sometimes we are just not built to do these weird things that you see the humans partake. I can’t stand on my head. This pot belly of mine knocks me off center every time. And my mom, even though she’s human, she can’t do it either. Don’t try to be like everyone else. Make your own path and be happy – leave the sitting to your bottom.

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Dear Bacon,
There’s always that one idiot that has to pop in your picture. Can you relate? I was minding my own business in this shot. I just wanted it to look halfway decent to post on my Pet Harmony dating profile. Signed Available

Dear Available,
Yep. I know exactly what you are talking about. Hemi, the purr thing here at the Hotel Thompson, thinks he should be in every camera shot. He is always photo bombing my pictures. Just keep smiling. Pay back can really be tortuous for our sidekicks. Right? Maybe sign up your friend as well on Pet Harmony and post his picture – of course with your picture cropped out. Snort giggles.

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Dear Bacon,
It’s a wonderful thing to have such great friends. Out in the pasture, sometimes I just get tuckered out. That’s my good buddy will help me out and let me take a nap. Isn’t that nice of him? Signed Sleepy on the Road

Dear Sleepy on the Road,
That is an excellent friend. I can’t say that I’ve ever seen that kind of friendship before. You are most definitely one lucky little guy!

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Dear Bacon,
I think I need some anti wrinkle cream. Every time I wake up, I have more wrinkles! Soon, you’ll just see one giant sloppy dog. What can a pooch do? Please help. Signed Wrinkles

Dear Wrinkles,
As Lady Gaga once said, “Just put your paws up, Cause you were born this way, baby”. Embrace the way you are and don’t try to fight it my friend. Be happy in your own wrinkles.

 

Journey with Friends – Week 34

Welcome my friends to our weekly issue of Journey with Friends.  This is a time that we come together for support, for encouragement, for fellowship – all with one single goal in mind – to live better.  Welcome to our journey to share our goals and our accomplishments and our disappointments and frustrations.

Together we can do this!

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Sunday, August 20, 2017 – Went for a walk today.  I know I normally don’t but since I didn’t move much yesterday, I thought I would get out and breathe for a bit.  It really did me good.  Breathe.  Such an easy word to say but sometimes it’s hard to follow through on it.  Miles Moved: 1.22

Monday, August 21, 2017 –  Got out before the eclipse and did an awesome walk.  Then I watched the eclipse from the safety of being behind windows.  I could still see the light getting darker outside for a while.  It was so cool!  So of my friends got great pictures of the eclipse as well.  So neat!  Of course the rooster next door (that doesn’t live next door – rolls eyes) started going off as soon as it started getting darker.  That was a hoot for sure. Miles Moved: 2.15

Tuesday, August 22, 2017 –  Squeals!!  I finally got *the* phone call last night.  I am beyond excited!  For those that are still in the dark (haha), check out my other blog on that journey.  You can see it at https://brjourney2017.wordpress.com/  It is finally going to happen.  Surgery date is scheduled November 8, 2017 at 8:30AM.  Gotta start picking up some more miles now – YAY!!  Miles Moved: 2.92

Wednesday, August 23, 2017 –  Hi my name is June and I’m an addict.  I like food.  No that’s wrong.  I love food.  LOL.  What do they say?  Admission is the first step.  I have to get my plan started and stick to it.  The only thing standing in my way of surgery is me.  I want to be where *I* want to be by surgery date.  The only way is to eat clean. I got this… I think.  Miles Moved: 3.09

Thursday, August 24, 2017 –  Every step I take… Every breathe I make… LOL.  I’m trying not to focus on the surgery.  I’m trying to focus on my health, eating clean and taking care of me.  I’ve got this, right?   Miles Moved: 2.69

Friday, August 25, 2017 –   I can see the light of the weekend.  Hallelujah!  This weekend calls for rest and relaxation.  Maybe catching up some last minute things for our mysterious surprise in September.  I’m just saying that’s not going to happen without some more footwork.  Do I have your attention on that surprise yet?  Have I mentioned it’s big?  Do I need to start giving out some more hints on it?  You tell me?  Giggles  Miles Moved: 1.06

Saturday, August 26, 2017 – Okay planning for said surprise on paper is one thing.  Following through on footwork is something completely different.  What have I gotten myself into?   Miles Moved:  0.95

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Thoughts for the week:  Day by day.  Week by week.  Month by month.  I just have to remember to breathe and take each day one day at a time.

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This week walked: 14.08

TOTAL 2017 Miles:  416.14

 ❤ small goals turn into big accomplishments ❤

 

Birth Control for Grandma

 

National Dog Day

 Journalist Rocky the Squirrel here –

Keeping my paws on the nuts of the world!

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Today, August 26th, is a great day for all of the pooches in the world.  Today is National Dog Day.  Today we shall recognize and honor all dogs, to appreciate the importance of having them in our lives.  Whether you have them as a personal pet, a working dog or you work in a place homing dogs, take this day and let them know how much they are valued.  Even if you don’t have a dog of your own, perhaps today is the day to fix that and adopt a dog for your household.

Remember, dogs as well as other pets ask for nothing but love in return of you taking care of them.  They are always there when you are having a good or a bad day.  They lean their shoulder when you have a good cry and make you laugh with all of their antics.  They keep you company and protect their home.  Be sure today and every day – give them some extra hugs and cuddles and perhaps a favorite treat or two.

 

Paw Time with Houdini

Welcome my friends to another week of Paw Time with Houdini.  Let’s talk a little about life.

Sometimes you have to stop in life.  Just stop and breathe for a bit.  Relax a little.  Enjoy your being… your environment.  Know that you are safe.  Know that you are loved.  Know that you are cared for.  Let yourself go and know nothing will happen to you.  You are safe.  You are held and loved.  Your humans would never let anyone or anything harm you in any way.  Sometimes that is the best sleep.  Laying on your mom’s chest.  Hearing her heartbeat matching it to your own.  Thump.thump.thump… slowly and solid hearing her breathe and feeling it on you.  Sighs…a happy life.

 

 

Spotlight Thursday – Meet Simson

Spotlight Thursday

Welcome my friends to SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY.  This is the time that I will introduce you to one of my fellow anipals so you can get to know them better.  Some of them, you may already know.  We hope that you enjoy this series!

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Name:  Simson – but my humans call me Simmie.

Age:  3.5 years old so I have a lot of energy!

Location:  Just outside Stockholm in Sweden

Web/Blog Page:  https://ladyfi.wordpress.com/

What were your first thoughts when you met your new parents? I was only 17 months old when I came to live with my new parents, my two new human small people and another dog (my aunt) called Ruby – so I was a bit nervous at first and shy.

What was the defining moment when you knew you were in your forever home?  Well, I had never been allowed upstairs before so my mum and Ruby taught me how to go upstairs so that I could sleep on the humans’ bed. I knew then that I had found a slice of heaven!

What has been your biggest “Oh no, now I’ve done it” moment so far in your home?  I’m quite a good boy, but had a few toilet accidents inside the house when I was younger. Also, I’ve eaten sandwiches off plates and my mum was very angry with me, so I don’t do it anymore. My humans always let me lie on them and they stroke me so I know how much they love me anyway.

Who do you have wrapped around your paws more – mom or dad – and why? Well, Mum works at home a lot so I spend a lot more time with her and she takes me and Ruby for lovely, long walks where I can run off the leash, so I think she is closest to me. If I look sad and bat my eyelids, then she will forgive me… 😉

 

What’s the biggest misconception that humans think about you?  Humans think I’m very goofy – but that’s just the outside. I’m actually a very gentle and clever dog.

♥

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Hope you enjoyed meeting my friend – check back next week for another Spotlight edition!

 

Travels in the South

 Welcome my friends to another edition of Travels in the South.  This week in honor of the eclipse, we want to bring you something special.  Something that is so out of this world that mom had to make pre-arrangements last week so she could partake in this glory.  Pre-arrangements as in she walked extra – snorts with piggy laughter.  And I don’t blame her because this was well worth the extra calories.

We’ve all heard of Krispy Kreme.  It’s a doughnut chain  that makes awesome doughnuts of every kind imaginable.  And when the HOT doughnut sign is on, it means they have hot glazed doughnuts coming off of the conveyor.  Hot glazed doughnuts that will melt in your mouth from being so fabulous.  Okay give me a second – I need a moment.

Okay I’m good.  With the eclipse coming this week, just for last weekend their regular glaze went chocolate.  Can you imagine hot doughnuts going through a waterfall of fabulously hot chocolate?  Trust me.  It sounds much better than what it looks.  But you can see from the pictures what I’m talking about.
   

Now do you see the hot chocolate glazed doughnuts in the box?  Yes trust me on this.  Mom/dad said they tasted so much better than what they look in the box – ha!  Their thoughts about the first time chocolate eclipse doughnuts?  They come off the conveyor hot.  They are great but messy.  I mean messy.  Mom told daddy that she thought she was going to have to hose him down before he got into the Jeep.  That kind of messy.  But good.  And mom said she preferred them once they went cold.  They weren’t as messy then – which she loved.  Either way, it was a once in a lifetime treat all the way around.  And yeah, mom/dad didn’t forget about me.  They brought me one of my favorites – an apple fritter.  Now *that’s* what I’m talking about!