Spotlight Thursday – Meet Dante Alighieri

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:  Dante Alighieri

Age:  9 years young.  My birthday is July 16, 2007

Location:  Coral Gables, Florida

Web/Blog Page:  The Dante Diaries

What were your first thoughts when you met your new parents?  The first time I met HER was pretty scary…SHE made it crystal clear that SHE was only providing a place for me to stay overnight until HER friends could find a home for me. SHE had lost HER darling Desdemona and HER heart was still broken…SHE wasn’t ready to accept another four-legged into HER heart. That heart of HERS was like a rock…scary!

What was the defining moment when you knew you were in your forever home?  Late that first night when I jumped up onto the sofa next to HER (no dogs allowed except Desdemona) and sat on Desdemona’s pillow, crossed my legs and gave HER my best “Please Love Me” face. I knew it worked when a tear ran down HER cheek and SHE said, “Tomas (that was my puppy name back then), if you’re going to live here with me, we have to change your name…you look like a Dante Aligheri to me”. And from that moment on I was Dante…and I was home!

What has been your biggest “Oh no, now I’ve done it” moment so far in your home?   When I snuck into HER home office, jumped on the chair next to HER desk and then over to HER desk to finally climbed up the book shelves to where SHE keeps HER special stuffed animals. When SHE got home, I had them all those special animals piled up in front of the door. To say SHE was upset with me is an understatement…I learned that night the meaning of DoubleGate (my own personal Solitary Confinement area when I misbehave).

 Who do you have wrapped around your paws more – mom or dad – and why?  Most humans would say that I have HER wrapped around my paws…but the truth is, I have my Grandma wrapped even tighter than HER! My Grandma cannot resist my “I Love You” Face. Me and my Grandma have a special connection and we do everything together…as Grandma says: What happens at Grandma’s, stays at Grandma’s!

What’s the biggest misconception that humans think about you?  That I am a Fashionisto. I have a very extensive wardrobe and have honed my strutting abilities to not only catch the eyes of the Chiquitas but also the two-leggeds out there. But, NO, I am NOT a Fashionisto…it’s HER, all HER. SHE just loves it when I am dressed to the nines…so I “allow” HER to buy me all the cool clothes SHE wants…and then listen to HER tell me how cute I look! It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it! Bark Bark Bark!

 

 

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

 

Anipal Appreciation Day

Welcome my friends to blogville’s first annual Anipal Appreciation Day.  Me and my Cousin Sammy have collaborated together to initiate this day every year on February 15th.  What better time to get together and share the love than the month of February.

Rules for Anipal Appreciation Day:

1. Post your Anipal Appreciation Day blog on FEBRUARY 15, 2016.
2. Title your blog Anipal Appreciation Day.
3. Put the badge below on your blog post for the day.
4. Give shout outs not only in the posting of your blog but throughout the day with the comments you may get.  There is no set number of shout out’s you are required to do – let your heart lead you.  We are *not* leaving anyone out.  If you don’t make the post on a blog, be sure to check messages and comments throughout the day that people and anipals might leave.
5. If you can, link back your shout outs in your blogs for them to find.
6. HAVE FUN!  This is the most important rule – have FUN and share the LOVE!

Cousin Sammy – I’ve known him for years now.  He is a great guy – a bestest friend and always willing to lend a helping paw.  He goes out of his way to make you feel loved and welcomed even though at times I know he doesn’t feel well.  And you know what?  He gets that from his humans.  And technically, he and I *may* be related somewhere down the road with his parents and my parents being second, third or fourth cousins or something.

Brother Easy – Dude!  He is funny, he is kind, he is a hoot and he has the hardest job keeping his staff in line with their own antics.  And you know what?  Any time you need something, he is always there for you with a helping paw.

Felix – Now we all know the regular guys from Fozzie’s world – Dinnermintz, Doc, Forrest, Marbles, Cleo, Jacque, Pickles and Oscar (Did I miss anyone?)  Do you know Felix?  I mean all of this clan hold a special place in our hearts here at the Hotel Thompson but Felix especially.  Why? Because Felix gave up some wool and Fozzie gave it to another person that is special in our hearts – Auntie Sharon.  Auntie Sharon then spun that beautiful wool and made Fozzie, herself and my mom a scarf to keep their necks warm in the cooler weather.  In fact, my mom calls her scarf Felix.  Cool huh?  You gotta love this bunch from down under ❤

Shoko and Kali – WOWZER!  These are the coolest cats I’ve met in Canada.  You know what is even more cool – if that’s possible?  My mom/dad have met their mom/dad in real life.  Yep nods head.  They have and they had a BLAST together. Talk about laughing until your tummy hurts.  They are all a cool bunch!

Reilly and Denny – They are an awesome duo that live in a wonderful place full of beaches, sand and the sun.  They are beyond creative in finding their adventures from trails, their backyard (minus the snakes please) to roaming the beaches looking for trinkets to keep.  I would love to hang out with these and have fun running and exploring.

Cupcake – I’ll let everyone in on a secret with something about Cupcake.  The little pooch here – Houdini – has a *thang* for Cupcake.  He loves her.  He pulls her blog up and watches her picture for hours dreaming about running, playing and watching the movie Lady and the Tramp together.  Shakes piggy head.  He has it bad.

Dante – You talk about big things coming in little sizes – this is that.  Dante is what maybe 6 pounds (kind of like Houdini) and has the biggest heart.  He is always inspiring us to be nicer – to do more – to smile and give love.  And in this day and time, we need all of the love we can share.  Right?

Little Binky – Smiling and shaking my head.  I love Little Binky and his granny.  I watch him in his backyard looking around and playing around his new house.

Sam – Did you know that Sam is part of a therapy team with his mom?  He brings smiles to patients in a hospital and hospice care.  I’m telling you my friends, Sam brings a smile to my face just reading his blog and his adventures.  He’s a friend that is always giving and giving.

Of course, the list can go on and on and on for days.  These are just ‘some’ of the people that have touched our lives here at the Hotel Thompson.  It is in no way – ALL.  In fact, throughout the day, I’m sure I will be adding more and more here and there and in the comments.  We love you ALL here in blogville.  And believe it or not, YOU have touched our lives here.  You bring smiles to our faces, you touch us when we are down, you make us laugh/snort.  We talk about you to our friends – which is hilarious to here.  Yes, YOU are a HUGE part of our lives.  Each and everyone – from being listed to those that maybe we don’t even talk to but every couple of days.  YOU inspire us.  YOU hold a special place in our heart.  We grieve with you.  We laugh with you.  We joke with you.  YOU ARE FAMILY MY FRIENDS.