Once Upon a Dog Blog

Found a Hummingbird Cam Located in Orange County

2010-02-12T16:47:00.000-08:00

This is a live stream of a hummingbird nest in Orange County, CA. The nest is located in a rose bush. One baby hummingbird named Sassy and a Mom named Phoebe. The feathers are spectacular, but seeing the Momma bird fall asleep with a little beak under her fluffed out feathers is just, well, breathtaking.

Live streaming video by Ustream

I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

"Don't Forget the Small Stuff This Year"

2010-01-23T14:29:00.000-08:00

M's article ""Don't Forget the Small Stuff This Year" just got published on Smashing Magazine.

This article is a useful checklist for the new year with reminders such as backing up your work on an external drive to cleaning up the "visual clutter" that surrounds you each and every day. M hopes you find the article helpful!

This doggie is off to put away some knick-knacks which are causing considerable "visual clutter." Don't worry though, my Hans Solo and my Edward Scissorhands Munny are staying put.

If you get a chance, check out the article "Don't Forget the Small Stuff This Year" at Smashing Magazine and leave a comment!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Toto, We're Not in Kansas, Right?

2010-01-20T14:03:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we had not one but two tornado warnings in Orange County.

This is not ordinary at all for So Cal. Not only did we have warnings for a tornado, but the tornados touched down in Huntington Beach and Seal Beach! Watching the "purple" eye of the tornado move from Catalina Island and then inland was intense. The weather changed quite fast. One minute we had light sprinkles with sunlight streaming through the clouds. Then just a minute or two later at about 1:20pm PST the skies darkened and the rain increased dramatically.

In our area we could hear thunder off in the distance. The sound rattled the windows in the studio.

I'm a big fan of the film The Wizard of Oz, but I'm not hoping for a repeat performance in Orange County anytime soon.

In comparison to the weather back east and other worldly events, we're all counting our blessings.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Some Helpful Adobe Illustrator Articles

2010-01-15T17:35:00.000-08:00

Are you just starting to learn how to use Adobe Illustrator? The other day I remembered about the first time M was able to drag the handles on each anchor point as M was using the pen tool. Now, this seems so easy now, but way back then, it was amazing! M was so excited. Something so simple made her smile from ear-to-ear.

This brings me to the importance of tutorials. Designers take the time to write and post them online. So, let's make use of these useful lessons that take no longer than a few spare hours. M & M love tutorials! You never know when you'll find a new trick (zig zag makes a great starburst!) to add to your set of skills. Plus, it keeps their art fresh. M & M experiment with new styles. And even if they don't learn something new, those two have fun practicing!

Here are some interesting articles with tips and tons of tutorials for Adobe Illustrator:

Illustrator Tip: Live Trace

125+ Ultimate Round-Up of Illustrator Tutorials

20 Basic Illustrator Tutorials Every Beginner Should See

and a little article M wrote awhile back:

Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

New Year is Almost Here!

2009-12-30T15:23:00.000-08:00

Around the studio, we're prepping for an exciting 2010. The New Year is just ahead and we are anticipating all of our new projects and the creative juices are flowing.

Myself, I've decided to become more useful and less of a random dog this year. What I mean is that this dog is learning a few new tricks and plans on changing the blog just a smidge. Sure the overall look has changed, but the content is about to take a turn for the better too. No worries, I'll still post about my adventures in the neighborhood and let you in on Mocha's resolutions.

For 2010, it's time to be more productive with the blog. Stay tuned for what's in store.

From our home to yours, we wish you a very Happy New Year!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-P

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T16:06:00.000-08:00

From our doggie home to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Woof woof!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Moose the MaltiPoo

2009-12-21T17:10:00.000-08:00

Moose is such a doll! I especially love the "growl" and that nifty "roll." Way to go.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-P

Just in Time for Christmas

2009-12-17T13:20:00.000-08:00

Check out this cool blog called Snootypaws. They have a cute list of Christmas Pet Gifts which are sure to please your furry friends.

On their blog, I found this little cutie-pie:

What a ball full of cuteness! That little hedgehog has about the cutest ears ever.

Merry Christmas to all and too all a belly rub!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-P

Website Revamped!

2009-12-14T12:22:00.000-08:00

Well, you can finally see what M & M have been working on over at our website. It's taken a bit of time, a few sleepless nights, and a lot of coffee, but the website is launched!

I hope you enjoy the new look!

In other news, we've been busy getting ready for the holidays. The rain has made for some muddy paws and cold nights. This year's Geminids have been hard to view due to cloud coverage and freezing weather (ok, freezing in terms of California). I've been all snuggled up in my blankets with a hot cup of coffee to sip.

Here's to a wonderful Christmas ahead!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Sweet November

2009-11-20T08:37:00.000-08:00

It appears November has almost come and gone faster than anticipated.

This dog has been busy with multiple projects and has had all four paws clicking away.

Recently Mocha and I have been busy in the studio as muses for M and M. I've even taken a liking to charcoal again and made a few smudges here and there. Matt stopped by last week and took me for a walk down at Balboa. I got a frozen banana on a stick and I must say--yum! Matt will be here for Thanksgiving and says he has a big surprise for me! I'm so excited.

In the backyard, the cat we call Marmalade hasn't been around much. We're pretty sure she's not too fond of having me sit and watch her from the family room as she rests under MY lemon tree. Mocha says not to worry. I've decided to just stare at her and that has paid off, lol. I think I'm winning so far. But I'm pretty sure she's the one leaving me half eaten lemons at the back door. Woof!

Since the holidays are coming...

Please try and remember the shelter dog and cats. Drop by a county animal shelter and give a few pets to the animals for five minutes. Those five minutes don't take much time. Plus, the time you give to a shelter dog or cat helps them in ways you'll never know. I know, I was in a shelter once and everyone who took the time to scratch under my chin made the moments behind the cold bars a little less scary. Even if you never plan on adopting an animal, the time you take out of your day to spend a few minutes with them will be priceless for the both of you. Please give the gift of five minutes during the busy holidays.

That's all for now.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T13:57:00.000-07:00

Happy Howloween to all!

I'm off to get dressed up as a...wait for it...werewolf! I've got the fur, the fangs, and the fake blood. I'm all set to go. M will be my "Little Red Riding Hood." Muhahahaha. Trick-or-Treat!

Have a safe and sane Howloween!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-P

Apple Mail Password Problem

2009-10-16T14:53:00.000-07:00

Grrrowl!

Have you received the dreaded "Enter Password for account..." in Apple Mail? Well, I have and I've tried just about everything to fix the problem. I browsed the Apple Forums for solutions. I tried clicking the "cancel" button, only to have the same problem. I've entered my mail passwords, only to have them "disappear" or not save. I've deleted keychain passwords. I've repaired and verified the keychain. Nothing worked. I repaired the keychain with Mail active and inactive. Still nothing. I restarted after repairing the keychain. Nothing, and the frustration is building.

I may have had a slight breakthrough though. Today, I went to my mail server and changed my password for two of my POP email accounts. I didn't really change the password, I just entered the same password that I had entered before. It appears the password wasn't the same (the number of ***'s didn't match the number of letters and numbers in my password).

When I opened Mail. the POP mail didn't ask for a password this time on those two accounts! :-)

So, let's hope I can fix two more POP mail accounts the same way.

I'm keeping my paws crossed.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Southern California Heat Wave

2009-09-22T08:50:00.001-07:00

Today begins what will hopefully be a short heat wave here in So.Cal.. So, how can you and your pets beat the heat?

Keep hydrated by drinking water

Make sure your pets are drinking fresh clean water

Try popsicles to stay cool

Try making small ice chips for dogs to chew on

Mist your bird if you see signs of overheating

Wear sunscreen

Stay in the shade

Wear light loose clothing

If your dog gets hot, put paws in cool water for a refresher

Above all, stay cool and please don't leave any animal in a vehicle during hot weather.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

A Moment of Silence on 9/11

2009-09-11T10:23:00.001-07:00

God Bless America.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Peek-a-Boo!

2009-09-04T10:41:00.000-07:00

Now that is what I call a cool fence! I love knotholes because I can stick my nose in the knothole and sniff the other side of the fence. But this window would sure be fun to have! Hey, I'd love a couple of these around the whole perimeter. That would be a lot of fun!

Read more about the Pet Peek here.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

World's Oldest Dog Dies: R.I.P. Chanel

2009-09-02T08:20:00.000-07:00

The oldest dog in the world has died. Chanel lived 21 years! Now that is impressive. Not only did Chanel love butter (Really? Just butter? Or butter on baked potatoes or butter on crunchy english muffins? Yum.) but also had another unhealthy habit--chocolate. Go figure, 21 years with butter and chocolate! I bet lots of love and belly rubs made for a happy long doggie life.

Read more about Chanel here.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Hot Weather + Dog = Hot Dog!

2009-08-29T09:10:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's been hot here in Southern California. I've been sleeping on cold marble tile, sipping ice cold water, and eating ice chips to stay cool. Needless to say, I am covered in fur and do not appreciate the hot 100ºF weather right now.

My paws! Mocha and I don't like the sidewalks when it's so hot. Have you felt how burning hot cement gets? Well, try four paws on the sidewalk griddle. It hurts, I tell ya.

My favorite napping place, beneath the lemon tree, is too hot right now. Even the visiting bunnies and cream cat we've nicknamed Marmalade, won't rest there right now.

Popsicles wear my tongue out! I lick and lick the lemonade frozen yumminess on a stick, and I'm dog tired afterwards.

So, for now, Mocha and I are sticking to the grass for our walks, drinking lots of cold water, and taking an afternoon swim with Matt.

Stay cool and drink lots of water!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Oops, Where'd the Time Go?

2009-08-14T19:08:00.000-07:00

I haven't updated in the longest time ever! I'm a bad doggie.

This summer we've got a ton of projects online and offline which are keeping me, well, dog tired. Rest assured, I won't go this long between posts anymore (paws crossed).

M & M have been keeping me cool with the hot weather that's hit Southern California. I've come to love cool tile floors and ice chips. In fact, M makes me homemade dog lollipops (frozen dog treats encased in ice, yum!). Mocha has invited me over each day for an afternoon swim so I can work on my dog paddle too.

Recently, we've been up late trying to catch a glimpse of the Perseids Meteor Shower. The first night, August 11th-12th, was absolutely spectacular. Since then we've had cloud coverage and missed the light show above in the heavens. But, we keep trying with cups of coffee in hand between 2:00am and 4:00am.

Needless to say, I'm about to take a dog nap since Matt is coming over to see the Perseids tonight. Here's to no cloud coverage (cross those paws).

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Rusty, the Talking Dog

2009-07-20T13:09:00.000-07:00

Is this not the cutest conversation between a dog and his Dad?

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-04T23:17:00.000-07:00

We went to the beach and watched fireworks. M & M, Mocha, Matt, Griff, Hunter, and the twins. There was laughter and a sky which took our breath away.

The sky had so many neat colors. Red bursts and orange bursts of light which illuminated the sky and reflected off the waves as they rolled by. Some of the fireworks appeared to be shooting stars which fell from the sky, only to then wash ashore onto the sand.

A beautiful day to celebrate our country's birthday!

God Bless America!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Ouch Day on Saturday

2009-06-15T13:10:00.000-07:00

My best buddy, Mocha, stepped on a thorn this past Saturday. We were walking around the neighborhood and Mrs. Julia happened to be pruning her beautiful Queen Anne roses. The roses, which form a winding walkway to her maple doors, were about six feet tall prior to the pruning. Of course, since it's June, Mocha and I weren't expecting rose branches to be scattered across our path as we raced by as we were playing "Indy 500" as usual. But Mrs. Julia hadn't gotten around to the roses in March since her nephew had been in town and staying with her (he's a swell boy who loved teaching Mocha and I how to play frisbee). Needless to say, Mocha hit the skids just as his back paw landed on a doozy of a branch. The thorn had gone in...deep. The howl I heard made me drop to the ground with my belly hugging the sidewalk in fear.

Mrs. Julia got a hold of Mocha and with these ghastly tweezers (yikes!) pulled a one inch thorn from Mocha's paw. I felt so bad for Mocha. His whimpers made me shiver. Mrs. Julia walked him home and told me to scoot on home myself.

Mocha's Dad called M to let me know he's all bandaged and had a warm meal in his tummy. Sunday turned out to be us watching horror flicks (The Invasion and Diary of the Dead) while Mocha got "couch" treatment which included gourmet meals, sips of coffee, and belly rubs. His recovery is going great.

I'm going to make a homemade "Get Well Soon" card. After all, glitter and glue have a way of cheering up a dog.

I even heard Mrs. Julia sent over a plate of homemade peanut butter doggie biscuits (in the shape of flowers, lol).

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Sleepy Bear?

2009-05-30T13:38:00.000-07:00

This little puppy is plum-tuckered:

I love the look on his/her face when the puppy wakes up for a moment. So cute!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Pool + Bulldog = HAPPY!

2009-05-13T09:17:00.000-07:00

Since the weather is hot outside, how about a little doggie pool fun?

Now this is my kinda furry friend! I love water this much too.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog

P.S. I had posted the "snoring duck" video by accident. The video is now the correct one of Gus the Bulldog. :-)

Squeeky Sleeping

2009-05-12T13:12:00.001-07:00

There's just something so cute about a bird sleeping.

I like how Squeeky holds onto his/her feather while sleeping. So precious.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Ever Heard a Duck Snore?

2009-05-07T09:13:00.000-07:00

Warning: This video is out of focus, but turn up the volume and listen. The sound and bobbing of the head are too cute!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Hoagy the Hero

2009-05-06T20:19:00.000-07:00

Have you heard about Hoagy? He's a Shepherd mix dog who saved his owner and is now recovering from a mountain lion attack. On the news his eyes looked like he was aching and he had on an e-collar because of his stitches. What a hero!

Here's the actual footage of Hoagy coming home from the vet:

You can read more about this super dog hero here.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Wedding Bells?

2009-04-23T08:03:00.001-07:00

Nothing makes my heart skip a beat than a beautiful wedding.
When I think of weddings I can't help but picture Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella with birds helping to tie the ribbons on a gorgeous dress.

What could be better than a pair of birds "tying the knot" as a wedding cake topper?

Check out this vector inspired art by M:

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Happy as a Hedgehog

2009-04-21T07:54:00.000-07:00

I can't say for sure, but I'm pretty sure hedgehogs are happy. After all, they have cute little faces and roll up into little balls that, though spine-filled, are surely meant to be cuddled.

M loves hedgehogs too and recently made another hedgehog brooch:

Now, I'm pretty sure this little fuzzy eared fella is a happy friend indeed. Check him out in the Etsy store!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The Birds are Chirping

2009-04-19T14:47:00.000-07:00

I love waking up to the sound of bird chirping outside. This Sunday morning was no exception. I found myself stretching my paws and waking up to the sound of a pair of doves cooing and red bellied finches twittering away outside the back bay window. What a glorious way to welcome the day ahead.

Today M is working on more brooches and some vector art.
Here's a sample of one of her bird brooches inspired by the backyard "choir" we all enjoy:

If I had room on my doggie collar I'd certainly be wearing a little bird brooch.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Spring Projects

2009-04-08T17:57:00.000-07:00

We have a lot of spring projects going on around the studio. It's been hectic and a lot of fun. One day M is working on robot icons, the next day she's picking out vintage fabrics for new brooches for our Etsy shop. The sporatic nature of inspiration comes at all hours of the day around here.

Some of the places M finds inspiration:

FFFFound
Drawn

and of course, watching me snore on the studio floor. :-)

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Saturday and Snoozers

2009-03-28T15:26:00.000-07:00

Mocha came over for a play date and now we're taking an afternoon snooze in the studio.

The day began with a brisk walk around the 'hood where we saw some new tulips growing in the McCarthy garden. These tulips had just poked their heads out a week or so ago and now full yellow and orange buds are opening up like teacups for the sky. We pondered about whether they'd be as tasty as the ones from The Chocolate Factory, but alas, we knew better than to try. After all, Widow McCarthy always saves us a peanut butter cookie or two for our evening stroll.

After our walk we decided to forage through the backyard and dig for the snipes. We can't seem to find them, but our muddy paws, noses, and tails are proof of how hard we tried to find those critters. Needless to say, you can guess what came next. We got warm water rinsed and fluffy warm towels from the dryer to snuggle into as we dried off.

At noon, M surprised us with BBQ chicken doggie treats. Mmm mm. Fresh off the grill. Now our tummies are warm and full and baby pink with yummy goodies inside.

All this typing makes me sleepier. Type for a little nap and then we're going to play tug-o-war with a ropey.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

13 Things I Love About Friday the 13th

2009-03-13T12:13:00.000-07:00

The superstition surrounding a "Friday the 13th" has always been interesting to me. Since some of my best friends happen to be black cats (shout out to Charcoal, Jason, and Midnight), I thought I'd list the things I absolutely love about the day.

1. Depending on how you look at the day, a Friday the 13th can be either good or bad luck. This makes for some fun pranks! :-)
2. Watch the news. Suddenly, just like on a full moon, weird things happen.
3. Horror movies, such as, I don't know, the "Friday the 13th" horror movie anthology, will most likely have at least one episode on television (chanting can be heard "ki ki ki, ma ma ma")
4. Someone will wish you a "Happy Friday the 13th" and in doing so cause your alert level to rise.
5. The number 13 will suddenly appear to be everywhere. You start adding dates and license numbers, and Jim Carey's character in that movie doesn't seem to nuts anymore.
6. Since "bad luck" is hanging overhead, the "Final Destination" movie scenarios begin replaying in your head and you realize everywhere there is a "sign" that you might be missing.
7. Even "American Idol" avoids the number 13.
8. Regarding elevators, have you ever been on a 13th floor?
9. Some people don't fly on this day. Can you blame them?
10. The room 13, how many have you seen, really?
11. The fear of this day is called paraskavedekatriaphobia. Now that's a tricky word to say.
12. A bakers dozen is just another way of saying 13. :-)
12.5. Some people, airlines, hospitals, and homes avoid the number 13 at all costs.

and the final reason I love Friday the 13th...

13. The next Friday the 13th is only a few months away!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Things Got Hectic!

2009-03-04T17:26:00.000-08:00

Yes, I'm still here. Woof!

I can't believe I let a month go by without making my paws type a post on here. Shame on me. This is the longest I've gone without blogging in a...well, a long time.

I have been busy curled up on a doggie bed and playing with lots of ropes, stuffed animal pigs, and a treat puzzle ball while M and M have been creating icons, painting huge canvas paintings. and learning how to Twit on Twitter. :-)

Needless to say, when I get to the beach for my weekly shore walks with M and Matt, I'm loving every minute of it even if it's pouring rain at Newport Beach. I also found a new Mockingbird friend in the neighborhood who sings for my evening walks. Lovely symphony. Mocha and I are quite fond of the little fella.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Groundhog's Day

2009-02-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

Happy Groundhog's Day!

The little guy, aptly named Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow. That means we're in store for six more weeks of winter weather.
This event began on Fenruary 2, 1887. If Phil hadn't seen his shadow, that would mean that winter has come to an end.

Don't pack up those winter warmies yet!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Doggie Look # 43: Pwease

2009-01-24T23:46:00.000-08:00

You know you're going to have to give in to this little guy when he gives you this look. You know it's inevitable, right? The little piece of cod left on the plate, well, sorry to say, but that morsel is his. The last sip of mocha coffee, again, don't fight the urge to give in. The "look" always wins.

And you thought those night classes in "How to Perfect "The Look" in 10 Easy Stares" was a waste of hard earned money.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Have You Got What it Takes to Be a Ninja Warrior?

2009-01-12T15:12:00.000-08:00

Oh, my, I can't believe I haven't posted in a long while (over a week). Yikes!

To catch you up: M & M have been working on numerous art projects. They've been knitting, painting, tending to wounded hands from a fall (ouch), and working on paper sculptures (tweet tweet). How's that for starting the year out with a bang?

Me, well I've been watching too much television. I admit it, I'm addicted to "Sasuke: Ninja Warrior" on the G4 Channel. If you haven't seen this show, you're missing out. I don't know if I like the funny subtitles (which are often back handed insults that are too funny to take seriously) or the "warrior" athletes. I am in awe at their abilities. I've watched enough episodes to have my favorite, the ever popular Makoto Nagamo. He has such good sportsmanship and is always there supporting the other participants. I always find "Octopus Man" a fun guy to watch and the Olympic trampoline brothers are sooo good too. Boy, I didn't realize how much I've gotten captivated by this show until I realize I don't have many more episodes to watch until they'll be reruns for this little doggie.

Check it out below!

Bark at you later,
Pj the dog blogging dog :-)

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Happy New Year's Eve

2008-12-31T09:34:00.000-08:00

It has come the time to say farewell to 2008. Can you believe it's almost 2009?
We're heading to the shore for some fireworks this evening and hope you're finding a special way to celebrate also.
There's nothing like shivering under a sky of explosions to bring in the New Year.

We wish you and yours a Happy New Year's Eve!

May the new year bring happiness, health, and prosperity for all.

Bark at you next year,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Did the Grinch Steal Christmas?

2008-12-26T11:41:00.000-08:00

I couldn't resist, this little girl reminded me of the dog from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" and though the Grinch didn't steal Christmas, this little girl stole my heart. Looks like she was in the "Lost and Found" and maybe she got found again because I can't locate the link to her page anymore.

Remember, even if you can't adopt a dog, you can always give them a little attention down at the shelter.

Happy Holidays to all and to all a good home.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Home!

2008-12-25T05:33:00.000-08:00

First, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas from our doggie home to yours.

Below you'll find Snow, a beautiful dog who is available for adoption at the OC Shelter. I saw that name and knew Snow was the perfect dog for Christmas Day.

Snow is a handsome fella who has "Paul Newman" eyes (can't believe Newman passed away this year) and surely a big doggie heart to go with them!

Remember, even if you can't adopt a dog, you can always give them a little attention down at the shelter.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good home!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The 12th Dog of Christmas: Mia

2008-12-24T11:29:00.000-08:00

Mia is patiently awaiting a little kindness at her temporary home at the OC Animal Shelter. Don't you think she deserves a home for the holidays? I sure do.

Remember, even if you can't adopt a dog, you can always give them a little attention down at the shelter.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good home!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The 11th Dog of Christmas: Willis

2008-12-23T09:00:00.001-08:00

Willis has a great doggie smile, don't ya think? I bet he's hoping someone will walk by him and just fall head-over-heels for him.

Remember, even if you can't adopt a dog, you can always give them a little attention down at the shelter.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good home!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The 10th Dog of Christmas: Misty

2008-12-22T23:59:00.000-08:00

Misty is a darling little poodle mix who needs a little help with her hairdo. I bet this little girl would love a little TLC this Christmas.

Remember, even if you can't adopt a dog, you can always give them a little attention down at the shelter.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good home!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The 9th Dog of Christmas: Reese

2008-12-21T12:42:00.000-08:00

Reese looks like such a gentleman with his paw lifted, don't you think? Sometimes it's hard to find a home for a larger dog, but come on, look at that gentle boy, he deserves a home for the holidays.

Remember, even if you can't adopt a dog, you can always give them a little attention down at the shelter.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good home!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The 8th Dog of Christmas: Ringo

2008-12-20T07:47:00.000-08:00

Today's lad is Ringo baby! Isn't he a doll. Look at that smile and those eyes, don't even get me started! I bet he'd be a great doggie dude for someone. Plus, those movie star looks are just delish, don't ya think?

Remember, even if you can't adopt a dog, you can always give them a little attention down at the shelter.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good home!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The Seventh Dog of Christmas: Diamond

2008-12-19T06:43:00.000-08:00

Diamond is today's Christmas dog and what a beauty! She's got that pose down pat, her tongue just so, and a smile that has surely been perfected just for those holiday mug shots.

Remember, even if you can't adopt a dog, you can always give them a little attention down at the shelter.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good home!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The Sixth Dog of Christmas: Angelina

2008-12-18T07:25:00.000-08:00

Our sixth dog is Angelina and she looks like she could use a big doggie hug, eh?

When I see a dog looking up at me with those big doggie eyes, I can't help but want to hold them and hope they forget all the troubles they've had in life thus far. After all, those eyes speak volumes.

Remember, even if you can't adopt a dog, you can always give them a little attention down at the shelter.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good home!

The Fifth Dog of Christmas: Rocky

2008-12-17T06:58:00.000-08:00

This little fella is Rocky and he needs a little Christmas cheer, don't ya think?

He's a Border Terrier mix and if you've never met a border terrier, you're in for a real treat. Their rugged, fun, and little dogs that only weigh around 15 pounds, how's that for a stocking stuffer?

Remember, even if you can't adopt a dog, you can always give them a little attention down at the shelter.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good home!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The Fourth Dog of Christmas: Nanook

2008-12-16T06:06:00.000-08:00

Todays darling cutie I've dubbed Nanook, after a favorite horror flick doggie from the movie "The Lost Boys." From the photo, those glowing eyes and big doggie smile just can't be left without a name. If you've seen the movie, you'll understand why the glowing eyes made me think of the name.

You can visit Nanook online here, along with more dogs, cats, and other animals at the "Orange County Animal Shelter." I have a link in the sidebar on the left.

This little guy could sure use some belly rubs and a few head pats to brighten his holidays around the shelter. After all, he's just waiting for the right person to adopt. :-)

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The Third Dog of Christmas: Julie

2008-12-15T09:08:00.000-08:00

Dog 3: Julie

Julie has such a warm smile on her doggie face! Now, how about taking a five minute break from shopping at South Coast Plaza, Main Place Mall, or The Grove, and heading over to the shelter to say "Hi" to Julie. Not able to adopt a dog? No problem, because just giving a little attention for five minutes can make the world of difference to a shelter dog.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The Second Dog of Christmas: Zorro

2008-12-14T08:01:00.000-08:00

Dog 2: Nobody should be without a name, so I'm dubbing this little fella Zorro, since he kinda looks like he's wearing a mask.
Zorro would love a little visit from you. It only takes a minute to brighten a shelter dogs day, you don't have to adopt, just say Hello and pay a little attention.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The First Dog of Christmas: JR

2008-12-13T15:54:00.000-08:00

I've decided the shelter dogs at the Orange County Shelter deserve a little attention.

Today is the first day of the 12 dog days of Christmas!

Dog 1: JR. He's a darling Labrador Retriever Mix who'd love it if you'd just come by and say hello. After all, what could be more fun than a wagging tail and big brown doggie eyes?

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Pearl Harbor

2008-12-07T06:43:00.000-08:00

MEMORIAL TO THE U.S.S. ARIZONA

Beneath the waves, upon the sands,
down fathoms in the deep,
sunken men, in silent ships,
find refuge fast asleep,
exempted from
the challenge of,
victory or defeat ...
where flesh and steel rest as one,
beyond the reaches of conceit.

Beneath a mirror of twinkling light,
upon a brilliant sea,
gallant men in stalwart ships,
on a voyage not to be,
wait at their posts, in eternal patience,
without anxiety;
In a world of liquid echos and muted hostility,
where a delicate lace of ocean life
adorns the mighty guns
and consumes their awesome appearance
in the filtered light of the sun.

Glen Clay Booher
Copyright 1986

To read more Pearl Harbor poems, please visit this site.

Dog Lesson #43

2008-12-03T12:31:00.001-08:00

If ever faced with the dilemma of choosing between two things...
it's always best to twirl around a few times first and then make your decision.

Lots of doggie hugs for everyone!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

P.S. I just realized that today used to be "Bionic Wednesday," but now that the tv show has been cancelled, I'm going to have to think up another name for today. Whaddaya think about Wednesday Woofer Ball? :-)

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

2008-11-27T09:11:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

I hope you and yours are having a wonderful Thanksgiving day. May you eat delicious treats, have wonderful company, and make fond memories.

From our doggie home to yours a very happy Thanksgiving.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The Day Before Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T17:36:00.000-08:00

It's the Day Before Thanksgiving
and what do I smell?
The sweet tangy aroma of cranberries do tell.

It's the Day Before Thanksgiving
and what do I get to try?
a little nibble of homemade apple pie.

It's the Day Before Thanksgiving
and what tidbits do I see?
giblets and stuffing in my doggie bowl...yippee!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Wednesday, Whoop-de-do

2008-11-12T09:11:00.000-08:00

I've always liked Wednesday. The day marks the middle of the week and plus, it's a fun word, Wednesday, don't you think? Did anyone else learn to spell the word phonetically, as in, Wed Nes Day. Well, maybe that's just me.

Oh, M made homemade split pea soup. Gotta high-tail it to the kitchen for some yummy hot soup.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Veteran's Day

2008-11-11T11:40:00.000-08:00

Thank-you to all those brave men and women who gave their lives for our country and to those currently serving our Country here and abroad.

God Bless the Veterans! We will never forget.

Bark at you later,
Pj the dog blogging dog :-)

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T09:35:00.000-07:00

Trick or Treat to one and all!
Here's to a Happy and Safe Halloween.

May everyone's pillowcases be filled with crimson red wax lips, snicker bars, boxes of nerds, packets of pop rocks, wax root beer bottles, and caramel chews.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Saturday Morning

2008-10-25T07:18:00.000-07:00

Oh how I love a Saturday Morning. What will Papa Smurf be up to? Will He-Man finally win against Skeletor? What is the function of "conjunction junction" and where's the nifty decoder ring in that puffed rice cereal box?

Hmm..maybe I'll just grab a little more shut eye...
after all, I can catch 'em all later in reruns.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The Top 10 Signs You May Need to Sleep

2008-10-24T21:02:00.000-07:00

10. You can't remember what day of the week it is today.
9. When someone tells you today is Friday, you ask, "It's still October, right?"
8. You forgot how to spell the word "vibe."
7. Looking out the window, you wonder where the sun went.
6. Your dog makes strange snuffing noses rather than barking because your dog is exhausted too.
5. Coffee has lost all taste.
4. You forgot to eat lunch and dinner.
3. The hum of your desktop fan makes your eyelids feel heavy.
2. You can't remember what you've been doing on the computer for the last 5 hours.

and the number one sign that you may need some zzz's...

1. Your forehead is now embossed with the letters Q W E R T Y.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

A Little Note For Someone Special

2008-10-18T19:40:00.000-07:00

Hope they're biting!

Hugs,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

If You've Ever Wondered...

2008-10-06T10:22:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's true. Cats speak.

Bark at you later,
Pj the dog blogging dog :-)

Ever See a Ninja Cat?

2008-10-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

Ok, I spit out some coffee at the end, too funny!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Now, This is Bath Time!

2008-09-29T07:04:00.000-07:00

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The Evolution of Dance, Part Deux

2008-09-28T08:05:00.000-07:00

A singing hippo and a dancing dog. Now that's a smile for today.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The Evolution of Dance, Part I

2008-09-27T16:44:00.000-07:00

Just made me smile ear to ear.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Good Monday Morning!

2008-09-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

Today feels like a great start to a wonderful week.

Instead of dreading Monday, I like to think of a fresh fun idea. Maybe M will blow bubbles for me to play with out in the garden. Or maybe I'll see a pretty sunset this week. Or maybe I'll see a giant prehistoric moth that's as big as the palm of a human hand!

You never know what Monday will bring.

For this Monday, I'm hoping for a lot of smiles and happy surprises for you and yours.

Hey, have you read about the story of Saturdays and marbles in a jar? If not, be sure and "Google" the story when you've got a moment. It may be an urban myth, but I like to think it's kinda a nifty idea.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Mmm mm good...

2008-09-21T18:26:00.000-07:00

Homemade soup.

I just love a good homemade soup. This weekend M and M fixed a vegetable chili. Yum! Not only do I go bonkers over the smell that simmers in the air (my sniffer can pick up...the sweet smell of peppers, a hint of subtle cumin, the nutty flavor of roasted peanuts, and the savory deliciousness of vine ripe cherry tomatoes), but I also get to enjoy the chili poured over my homemade doggie food. My tail is a waggin'. I tell ya, if it's stirred on the stove, it makes my tummy all warm.

So, don't bother with the canned stuff. Once you go homemade, you'll never go canned or jarred or cardboard container again.

Soup. It's a good thing. Woof.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

9/11

2008-09-11T08:46:00.000-07:00

A moment of silence for the victims of 9/11.

A list of the victims from the September 11, 2001 attacks can be found here.

I'm personally taking the time to read through the list over the next few days. I think it's important to never forget the victims. As I read through the names the tears are right there. I am back to that morning. I am at a loss for words. The only thing I can think of is...

God Bless America.

Thursday Throw-Up Day

2008-09-04T11:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, I know, that's gross. But I seem to recall that is what I, along with other pups in my class, called Thursday in second grade.

Though it might have been the square pizza that actually made this pup up-chuck into one of those vinyl gray trash containers. Then again, the splattered lining of the gray trash can might have been the trigger. I think the yellow drippy food items clinging to chunks, of what must have been remnants of tater tots, did not make the pizza sit any better in my tummy.

Come to think of it, the strawberry powder mix in a fat thick straw mixed with the cardboard pizza might have been the real whopper. I'm not sure about the why, but the results made that specific day of the week have one clear association. Vomit. Not even the NBC lineup of Friends and ER could surpass this infamous day in second grade.

Back to your regularly scheduled Thursday.

Just a tip: stay away from the pizza and avoid anything to do with strawberries.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The 3rd of September

2008-09-03T19:51:00.000-07:00

I'm hot and eating ice is sooooo yummy.
I think ice is the bestest thing in the whole wide world.

Ok, maybe not the best, but second only to coffee or a good belly rub.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

What I Learned in August

2008-08-31T14:10:00.000-07:00

This month I learned some little lessons:

Ants are voracious

Humidity and fur do not mix well

Taco lasagna is delicious

Parakeets love celery

Sand in between my paws feels like glass

Rootbeer is absolutely delicious

Hot sidewalk=Sizzling paws

Barking inside a high vaulted room really hurts my ears

Doves cooing make me sleepy

I love ice

I dislike ants with a vengeance...

That concludes this months little life lessons.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Happy Birthday!

2008-08-22T16:10:00.001-07:00

A BIG Happy Birthday to someone special!

May all your wishes come true...

Hugs,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Strange Dreams

2008-08-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I have strange doggie dreams.

Awhile back I had a whopper! I dreamed of a little birdie who had a broken wing (probably due to the crow incident in the backyard). Now this little blue bird happened to be quite clever about his predicament. With each passing day, he'd collect little bones here and there and create a makeshift wing. It wasn't too long after that the wing began working.

I awoke right when he took flight off of a high branch on the fig tree. The makeshift bone wing drooped a little more than the other wing, but the flap of wings was beautiful.

And so, M painted the image above.

Perhaps the story of the bionic bird Beauty I blogged about really embedded itself into my mind. Who knows.
Strange how my mind makes stories while I'm sleeping.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Saturday is Like Sunday

2008-08-09T18:54:00.000-07:00

Today feels like Sunday. Don't you think so?

As I was out making a stroll around the block, I caught the whiff of a BBQ. Smokey billows of yumminess drifted through the air and I realized someone somewhere had to be roasting a butternut squash. I know, weird huh?

Then I thought, oh boy, it must be Sunday. I love Sunday because sometimes just as the sherbert sun is about to dip from the cyan sky, M will grab me and we'll head to Balboa to catch a sunset right on the shores edge. There's nothing like digging my paws into the sand and watching the magic that occurs when the day becomes night. Plus, I love a good splash in the salty water.

Alas, I arrived home to discover junk mail. Shucks! Junk mail means it's Saturday. Of course, I love to "recycle" the junk mail for M and M, but still, that doesn't beat the sky turning colors of caterpillar orange, lobster reds, and fluffy puffs of cotton candy pink.

So, today turned out to be Saturday and tomorrow will be the day I thought today was and could have been.

Umm, only five more hours. :-)

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Snuggable Pugs

2008-07-22T18:13:00.001-07:00

The other day I saw another Pug! Now, I've seen quite a few and I even play Canasta with a few Pug pals
(whattup Caleb and Coal!), but this little guy was a fawn doll baby. The cute little folds. black button nose, and snuffing noise they make is just endearing.

Also, awhile back, one of M's clients attached a cute pic of two Pugs. Needless to say, between my endless jibber jabber about the cute little Pug and the client's image, the resulting artwork above came to be.

Snug-a-Pug!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Oops, That Wasn't Mango Juice!

2008-07-11T18:27:00.000-07:00

Friday turned out to be hot here in Southern California. Not a dry hot, but rather a sticky hot. I'm covered in fur and sticky hot is not exactly my favorite type of weather. I mean, come on, it's like wearing a fur coat all year. Holy mackerol, I'm wearing a fur coat! Grrr.

Back to the topic at paw.

So, being a little thirsty, I decided to grab a bowl of some juice. After one lick, I found out I hadn't poured fresh mango juice into my silver dog bowl. Oh no, no whatever I'd poured did not taste sweet. There was no delicious floral after taste. My lips quivered and I let out an involuntary yelp to M when the sour concoction hit the back of my tongue. She came over and saw I'd poured myself a nice bowl of chilled lemon juice. Yikes!

Needless to say, I've learned my lesson. Always check before gulping down a liquid. And never ever assume you know a juice by color.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Happy 4th of July!

2008-07-04T15:45:00.000-07:00

God Bless America!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Tutorial: How to Use and/or Install Mac Icons !

2008-06-27T16:24:00.000-07:00

Now that you've downloaded an icon set, are you feeling a little lost? It's a question I've been asked a lot lately, so don't feel alone. Below I've taken you through the process of installing or using your first custom icon. I know I learn best through photos, so I've included screenshots for each step along the way.

Step 1: First, click on the zip file (like the one below). A file containing the icons will open on your desktop. I always think of this like a little surprise gift!

Step 2: Below I've chosen an "untitled folder" as the icon I want to replace. I'll be replacing the "untitled folder" icon with our very own "Fuji Finder" icon included in the Kaijubees Icon set at www.peachpops.com. (Note: If you'd like to replace the "finder icon" with the "Fuji Finder" icon, you'll need a program like Panic's CandyBar.)

Step 3: Place your cursor over the icon you'd like to use and click once. This will highlight the icon on your desktop as seen below. Then you'll want to go to the Finder Menu and under FILE scroll down to the "Get Info" (or Apple and the letter I) and click again.

Step 4: Below you'll see the Finder Information window that appears when you "Get Info." Now you'll want to click on the icon that appears in the Finder Information window. A small blue outline will appear around the icon in the Finder Information window.

Step 5: Still keeping the Finder Information window open, go to the Finder Menu>EDIT>COPY (or Apple and the letter C).

Important : Do not close the "Finder Information" window yet.

Step 6: Still keeping the Finder Information window (will be dimmed like below) on the desktop, repeat Step 3 and Step 4 for the icon you want to replace.

Important : Do not close the "Finder Information" windows yet.

Step 7: Now, with the blue highlight around the icon in the "Finder Information" window, go to the Finder Menu>EDIT>PASTE (or Apple and the letter P).

Ta da! Just like magic, you're "untitled folder" icon has been replaced with the "Fuji Finder" icon!

The final result looks like this:

Pat yourself on the back! Wasn't that easy? Essentially it's a copy and paste.

I hope you enjoy this tutorial and drop me a line if you find it useful!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Could it be Tuesday Already?

2008-06-24T07:29:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!

Are you having a great Tuesday already?
Well, if you are, great. If not, read on for a little smile to start your day.

A week or so ago I heard a familiar sound in the backyard. Kaw kaw. The cries of a crow were distinct even over the hum of the air conditioner.

I trotted over to the window and peeked out. Far off in the gated vegetable garden, a big black crow huddled in the corner. I could see it's red throat each time the little fella gave out a kaw. Now, baby crows are quite big and really the only way I can tell the difference is in their behavior. A baby crow will likely keep flapping it's tar black wings and crying at another crow until that crow (most likely Momma or Daddy Crow) takes it's beak and empties the goodies into the beak of the baby crow.

Another hint is the sight of a red throat aimed up at the sky. The babies are super hungry all the time. It almost sounds like they're saying "Maw maw maw" over and over.

The little fella in our garden had found a cozy spot near the climbing Cecil Bruner and an overhanging crimson bougainvillaea.
What caught my eye had to have been the wing that the baby crow wasn't lifting off of the bricks. In fact, the crow hadn't been off the bricks for the few minutes I'd been watching.

I got distracted by a cup of coffee, but returned to the window around 7pm and saw the crow still there. Other crows sat above on the fence looking down at the poor little guy. I watched as the crow jumped and tried to make it to the fence, but his little wing flopped useless by his side.

Oh no, a broken wing. Not a good thing for a bird.

M got sight of what had caught my attention. After googling about what could be done, the sun had set and we had a crying crow in the yard after dark.

Since we have a bird already, we didn't have any cage to keep the bird in. Plus, if we touched the crow, the parents might not return to feed their baby.

It was decided we would keep watch on the crow, now dubbed "Broken Wing." Doing so would mean a sleepless night, but it was worth the loss of a few zzz's.

Our only wish was for the crow to make it through the night and for no predators...

To be continued...

Little Bunny Foo Foo

2008-06-23T16:26:00.000-07:00

This little bunny is eating lemons in the backyard. Being a considerate doggie, I'm not going to rush out and bark at the top of my lungs. Nor will I leap through the air in a giant, but gentle, pounce.

I wuv bunnies. They are so cute and make me talk gibberish when I see a little bunny foo foo.

Bark at you later,
Pj the dog blogging dog :-)

We'll Miss You Stan Winston

2008-06-17T09:43:00.001-07:00

A master of monsters, Stan Winston will live forever in the characters he created through the art of special f/x and makeup.

Thank-you for all the scares!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

We'll Miss You Stan Winston

2008-06-17T09:43:00.000-07:00

R.I.P.

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-15T16:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday the 13th !

2008-06-13T18:11:00.000-07:00

What is it about Friday the 13th? I used to love the day as a pup. The marathon of Friday the 13th movies with Jason and his mother terrorizing people in water, on land, and even space. Shucks, a good axe, a bucket of blood, and a few screams mean I'm one happy dog.

These days I can't help but remain a bit cautious on a day like today. For instance, M went in to grab some water and salmon for a BBQ this weekend and the other M and I waited in the car. Well, just our luck, a huge gas truck pulls up next to us. Then, the hoses are brought out. Then the squeal of gas sounds start up. Finally, as my eyes are glued to the hoses and the high-pitched sound as gas leaks from ancient corroded hoses, I spy the nozzle. The nozzle had a nice sized hose attached. But the interesting part was the cloud of white gaseous substance leaking around the loose connection.

Ok, and that's where the 13th comes in to play. So, I'm thinking that since my luck tends to be fussy, I kept thinking good thoughts. "No, this gas leak is nothing. No worries. Be happy."

Then the Final Destination movies begin playing in my doggie mind. Look for the signs. Any slips of paper with the word "gas" being tossed about by a sudden change of wind? Nope. Any reflections of a passing bus? Nope, phew.

Paranoid beyond help, I let out a bark. The guy holding one of the hoses just looks my way curiously.

Is he smoking? I thought for sure I could smell cherry tobacco somewhere. Lit cigar, flammable gas, no escape. The thoughts are racing and I'm in a car with a full gas tank too.

M patted me on the head, and if reading my mind said, "Don't worry kiddo."

With that reassurance, I dropped my head to the window sill. I let out a deep sigh.

But I couldn't help keeping one eye on the car window near us, just in case that bus reflection should appear.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Summer Madness

2008-06-09T17:24:00.000-07:00

Well, it seems the madness of summer has set in. M is busy on a multitude of projects. I swear I can see steam pumping out of her brain as she works in the studio.

Meanwhile, lazy dog that I am, I've been lollygagging around the yard. I found a lemon had dropped from one of the lemon trees and so the other M came out and harvested a whole basket of fresh lemons. Yum.

You know what that means?

(I'm doing the happy dog dance and twirling around)

Lemonade baby! But not the kind from the movie Cabin Fever, ok?

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Update: Beauty the Eagle

2008-06-06T14:05:00.000-07:00

Awhile back I blogged about a gorgeous eagle named Beauty.

Great news! Beauty received her artificial beak thanks to the kindness of volunteers, Nate Calvin, and Jane Fink Cantwell. You can read more about this incredible bird and the humans who have helped her for the last three years here .

Now that's inspiring. A bionic bird made by humans with hearts of gold.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Hubba the Hedgehog

2008-06-04T12:12:00.000-07:00

Hubba the Hedgehog
likes a hug now and again
but it seems some are afraid
of being stuck by such prickly skin

Come a little closer
he'll surely welcome you near
with a grin across his face
see, there's nothing to fear

So, the next hedgehog you see
offer a hug right away
the hedgie probably hasn't had one
for a year and a day.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Crazy Like a Cat

2008-06-02T17:48:00.000-07:00

Sometimes M is working on so many projects (right now it's three brooches, four paintings, two shelfurrs, a couple of linocuts, commissions, graphics, and another icon set) that M looks a bit, well, wonky at the end of the day.

When I say M looks like a crazy cat, I mean M lost track of time and forgot about the coffee she'd heated up three times before 1pm. The focus is there and I'm loving every minute of watching M in what I call the "crazy cat" zone.

That feeling of being so wonky always reminds me of this cat. One day M had hurried off to a chemistry class and in the middle of the street was a cat. Not just any cat, the very same cat that had been sitting in the driveway the day before. The cat sat in the middle of the street and would not budge. Now, this certain rag muffin cat had a habit of being a bit feisty toward us dogs and a little woo-hoo in the head (you can't see this but I'm twirling my paw next to me head). I had a ring side seat at the livingroom window. This cat just would not move at all for like a good three minutes. Mind you, I'm a stubborn dog, but even I wouldn't stare down a car in the street.

So, as M passed by, the cat, now sitting in the driveway, gave a good hiss my way. The cat then proceeded to walk over and sit in the bed of violets outside the window where I was resting on the window seat. Darned if the psycho cat didn't sit and stare at me with a tongue hanging out to the side.

I finally couldn't stand it and hopped off the window seat and went into another room. It kinda reminded me of opening the window and having some white masked figure with his face mushed against the glass. Freaked me out. I don't like feeling like I'm in a horror flick.

So now whenever M is in the zone, I'm always reminded of that particular cat.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Kaijubees Are Here!

2008-05-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

Introducing Kaijubees!

I hope you enjoy these icons.

Bark at you later,

PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

P.S. How do you use these icons?

First of all, Thank-you for downloading my Kaijubee Icons!

Over at InterfaceLIFT, they offer a great FAQ on how to install and use the icons:
http://interfacelift.com/icons-mac/faq.php#1

Or, my directions:
First, create a folder or highlight an existing folder (by mousing over until the image turns grey).
Then at the top of the screen FILE > GET INFO.
Keep this window open while you also highlight (by mousing over) one of the icons you have downloaded.
Repeat, FILE > GET INFO.
While still on the icon GET INFO window, click on the image of the icon until a blue outline appears, then click on EDIT > COPY.
Go back to the window with the folder and make sure there is a blue outline around the image of the folder, then click on EDIT > PASTE. The icon you have downloaded should now appear where the folder icon had been.

If you are trying to replace your Finder and/or Dashboard icons, you'll need to use something like Candybar (http://www.panic.com/candybar/) which can replace system icons.

Memorial Day

2008-05-26T08:44:00.000-07:00

Thank-you to all those who gave their lives to protect America. We salute you this Memorial Day.

"United we stand, divided we fall."

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Follow-Up: Indy 500!

2008-05-25T19:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, did you enjoy this race as much as I did?

(Spoilers below)

First, there's the fact that a car driven by Michael Andretti was the official Indiana Jones Car. How cool is that? If only he could have made a pass in the last nine laps, darn.

Then there was the whole TK (Tony Kanaan) going into the outer wall and taking Sarah Fisher with him by accident. That came as a shocker. His parting words were touching and I hope he wins at Indy one of these years.

Also, there was a bright yellow car driven by Carpenter. He was in 16th place and managed to fight his way into 5th before the checkered flag. Awesome.

But by far the best had to be Danica Patrick and Ryan Briscoe. Just as Patrick passes in pit lane, Briscoe came out of the pit and clipped her good. Her axle shot, she spun around and was out for the race. Well, you'd think the story would stop there. As the screen went split screen for the commercials (GoDaddy.com rocks), on the live Indy feed side we see Patrick get out of her car and step, or rather stomp over a hose that got in her way. She then began walking with such strength and determination I was reminded of the old west and the hour hand hitting 12 noon would surely click any minute.

Danica Patrick, with her helmet still on, walks straight toward the Briscoe Pit Area. You could feel the steam rising from her as her steps gained momentum on the black asphalt. Just as she's peeling her gloves off (and you know what's coming next), the PR woman hurries to hop over the wall and make a bee line for the Briscoe area. A security guy starts trailing Patrick and then is finally side-by-side as Patrick continues in what has to be a tunnel-vision path. Finally, the security guy and an official Indy crew member block her path.

The next time we see her is in the Andretti pit crew area with her head in her arms.

Finally, asked about the incident later, Danica (wearing sunglasses and not smiling in the least bit) says “It’s probably best I didn’t get down there, anyway.”

What does Brisco say? Well, he blames Patrick. I think anyone watching might agree that Patrick had every right to be fuming.

And that my racing friends is how a rivalry is born. That's the Brickyard for ya. Refreshing to see a strong woman holding her own in the racing world, isn't it?

Congratulations to Scott Dixon for winning The 92nd Indy 500!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Vroom Vroom: Indy 500

2008-05-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

Are you geared up for the annual Indy 500 Race? I can't wait to hear the roar of the engines as they make those laps around the brickyard. I love hearing the "Back Home in Indiana" song and I try not to miss that "Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!"
Oh, and I love the milk drinking...don't you?

Here's to a great race this year! Seems those '500 go faster and faster each year.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

P.S. Happy Birthday H!

Announcement: PeachPoP Prints Available on Our Website!

2008-05-24T14:26:00.001-07:00

Warning, a shameless plug follows. :-)

I'm proud to announce that you can now purchase prints on our website www.peachpops.com! We've just revamped the site with an all new portfolio and whimscial art prints which include free shipping in the United States! :-)

These prints are all reproduced from original PeachPoP paintings and are completely different from the prints you'll find on our online Etsy store.

We hope you enjoy our print collection and be sure to keep an eye out for more new and exciting things at PeachPoPs!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

All Things Dog, Even Licorice?

2008-05-22T07:01:00.000-07:00

I admit, I love to indulge in a bit of licorice now and then. Last year, at my local Trader Joe's, a clear box of licorice caught my eye. I couldn't believe that someone somewhere had made what could only be the cutest licorice shape ever-little black Scottish Terrier Dog shaped licorice pieces.

Now I may be a dog, but I don't consider it cannibalism to eat these little guys. After all, I eat animal crackers too. Plus, mmm, dog shaped licorice must taste awful good. And guess what? This licorice is delicious. Soft enough and chewy with a strong taste that evokes memories of rootbeer and anise stars.

Yum.

I'd say the only better way to eat licorice would be if I could ever get my hands on a gun-shaped licorice piece that I once saw in an old rerun of Little House on the Prairie. Laura and her pal decide they're going to rob the Walnut Grove Bank and they use, you guessed it, licorice guns. The only problem? Well, temptation wins out because who could resist that much licorice? :-)

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog

Dogs in Advertising

2008-05-21T09:01:00.002-07:00

The other day as I loafed around on a hot Sunday, I discovered just how many dogs I kept seeing on television. I barked up a storm I tell ya! The overall theme for this season seems to be dogs who like to sleep in their human's beds. First one bloodhound made his human breakfast in bed. Of course this was so the bloodhound could then get the human up and out of the house and then he could rest comfortably in the warm cozy bed himself.

The next one had a small dog already asleep in the human's bed and when "Mommy" comes home, the dog rushes back to his doggie bed at the foot of the bed on the floor.

This got me to thinking about how much dogs are utilized in advertising. Dogs project a sense of family, home, loyalty, and comical relief in the advertising world. Some dogs are goofy and provide a whimsical nature to the ad, while others are just so darn cute that you can't help but watch. Dogs connect people to other people too. If you love dogs, you're probably more likely to watch a commercial with a dog in it then one without. Come to think of it, I catch myself watching the ads with any animal.

So, the next time you're catching an episode of Lost or flipping through Vogue, check out the ads. I bet you'll find a dog or two.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Good Morning Southern California!

2008-05-20T08:24:00.000-07:00

Have you been drinking a lot of water lately?

I know I've increased my water intake with the onset of this wonky heat wave. The temperature has been hovering around 90ºF to 95ºF and dropping to a whopping low of 70ºF at night! Now, I'm a furry dog with wavy long hair and I like the temperature to be around 65ºF. Yes, that's my ideal and happy temperature. I'm not too hot and I'm not too cold (and no I'm not Goldilocks, lol).

But this heat is causing the lemons to drop from the tree and the flowers to wilt. Poor little violets. I went to take a trot over to Mocha's house and the sidewalk made my paws feel like they were dancing on a waffle iron. Yikes!

So, stay cool folks and fur-folks.

Drink lots of water and use your sunscreen. It's gonna be a scorcher this summer.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Update: Tinkering Around PeachPoPs.com

2008-05-19T15:17:00.000-07:00

So I was tinkering around with the code on our website www.peachpops.com and decided to do some spring cleaning of tags etc..
This is an on-going project, as I always seem to find something I need to remove (such as <'s or td's, or the ever popular "span"). Somehow there always seems to be a lingering tag, like a pink dust bunny hovering in the corner as the vacuum cleaner makes a third pass across the pine floor.

As I was cleaning up the code, I decided to go ahead and redo the portfolio. After all, there's been a lot more art since the website launched. If you'd like, feel free to check out the new and improved portfolio .

I hope you like the new portfolio. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Saturday Means Sleeping In, Right?

2008-05-10T15:11:00.000-07:00

My paws twitched as I frolicked in a meadow of skunk cabbage. Suddenly a buzzing sound could be heard far off beyond the line of pine trees. My paws left the dew grass, which tickled like little fairy fingers at my furry legs, and I felt the warmth of my cotton comforter under my belly.

One brown eye opened to a darkened bedroom. I lifted an ear to catch the direction of the annoying buzz which felt like needles piercing into my skull. The buzzing had a high pitched screech that pulsated until I almost let out a bark in frustration. What creature could possibly be making such an earth rattling sound before the sun has risen?

Oh yes, but of course, it is my arch enemy. I trotted over to my enemy, who sat perched on the night stand with a glowing grin of devil-red digital numbers. Sitting down, I kept watch over the vile creature until a hand reached out and made the thing finally fall back to sleep. At this point, my teeth bared at the rectangular thing and I growled under my breath.

::Buzzz::

The thing dared to make a sound once again! Before the hand could reach the demonic creature again, I opened my mouth and took hold of the boxy devil. I took off running, but I didn't anticipate the long tail which flapped behind like a limp hose. Somehow the tail had enough time to take hold of the wall once my teeth had grabbed hold.

Rounding the bed with a quick snap, the tail broke free and the creature fell to the wood floor in the hall where I skidded to a halt. The devil-red numbers no longer flickered and the creature gave no lasting gasp.

I dropped to the ground, head on paws, and blinked back tears. What had I done? Surely, this creature was just playing dead.
I reached out a paw and nudged the boxy thing. No movement. The tail didn't wiggle. The buzzing sound did not resume.

I waited until the sun cast rays across the floor planks and a hand reached down to pat my head.

"What's this? she said.

I looked up at her, unable to answer with anything but my downcast eyes. With that, she picked up the creature and walked it back to it's resting place on the night stand. I trotted behind and sat while she placed the creature upright and stuck the tail in the wall. My eyes widened at the sight of flickering boxy red numbers. Alive! I hadn't killed the poor thing.

Fast forward to this morning. I awoke to a horrible sound. I stretched my back legs, snarled at the dark skies outside and walked over to the creature. Blinking innocently, the creature buzzed once more before I reach out and patted the thing on it's plastic head like I had seen done before. Now comforted, the creature quieted and went back to sleep.

However, If the creature doesn't learn about Saturday soon, I'm betting a couple more trips to the hall will do the trick. And if all else fails, there's always the backyard vegetable garden. A little blue tail-free buzzer took a one-way trip there awhile back. And the corn* has never tasted so delicious.

::Buzz:: at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

(*For those Stephen King fans out there, the "corn" is a familiar reference. And yes, butter and a little salt, yum.)