Merry Christmas!

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

Woof woof!

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

Just in Time for Christmas

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!

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 :-)

Did the Grinch Steal Christmas?

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!

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 :-)

"Santa's Dog", Merry Christmas Eve and Mars!

A Christmas Song

THE LYRICs:

On Christmas Eve the sleigh bells ring
Jingling through the fog
And the second reindeer on the right
Looks like Santa's dog

Now his dog was most adventurous
And dearly loved to roam,
But on one night each wintertime
They made him stay at home.

A wise owl in a Christmas tree
Thought it rather odd
That the second reindeer on the right
Looked like Santa's dog

Now, everyone who has a dog
Believes that they can't fly.
But Santa's dog is dogged
So perhaps he had a try.

An astronaut way up in space
Noted in his log
That the second reindeer on the right
Looked like Santa's dog

The poor thing has no antlers
He may be getting old
But Santa's dog has husky blood
To protect him from the cold

A lone policeman on patrol
On his weary homeward plod
Thought the second reindeer on the right
Was possibly Santa's dog.

Soon everyone was tucked up tight
Sleeping like a log
But the very first one to close his eyes
Was definitely Santa's dog.

© 2006 M Metcalfe

-----

I thought this was cute! Also, tonight you'll be able to see Mars next to the moon. Check it out, because it won't occur again until 2016!

Merry Christmas Eve all!

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

Dogs Woof, Are You Listening?

Aren't those dogs just the cutest? I bet you didn't know we were talking to you when we woof and bark, did ya? :-)

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good woof!

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

Snowflakes in Southern California?

Yep, it's true. We can have snowflakes here in good ole sunny Southern California. Of course, they are virtual snowflakes.

Here's a great site to make your own snowflakes. You can even save them (Can't really do that with the real ones now can ya?).

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

What Happened to Christmas!

Is Christmas disappearing before our very eyes?


This year the trees are all "holiday" trees, rather than Christmas Trees. And I suppose "holiday" ornaments are what we use as decorations? I think not.

The lights we decorate our homes with are now "holiday" lights. Well, no, at my home they are Christmas lights and it says so on the plastic box we store them in. Heck, the lights are even in the original box reading Christmas Lights for Exterior Display. Go figure.

This year the boxed cards mostly read: "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays." I'm assuming "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Hanukkah" have just been left out by...mistake? Maybe the printing presses were offended.

This year it's definitely not called Christmas break at school. No, it's "Winter Recess" or a lovely spin-off referred to as "Winter Holiday."

This year the kids can't sing "Merry Christmas", "Jingle Bells", or any mention of good old Saint Nick. Yikes!

This year Santa Claus has been banned from uttering "Ho, Ho, Ho" for fear of offending American women. Gee, way to stifle the Freedom of Speech for Santa, err, I mean the jolly old elf? Wait, no Santa, right? Ok, no gifts then, right?

Is everyone forgetting why we celebrate Christmas in the first place? The last time I checked the twenty fifth of December is about the birth of Jesus. Oh my gosh, I said the ultimate holiday profanity word. Jesus. Oh my gosh! I said Jesus again.

And you know what? I'm not going to stop. I'm going to sign my CHRISTMAS cards with a big fat black letters spelling out MERRY CHRISTMAS. I'm going to decorate my CHRISTMAS TREE with CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS and then I'm going to sing "OH HOLY NIGHT" while waiting for SANTA CLAUS to come down my chimney. I'll know he's arrived because he'll be saying "HO, HO, HO" and M and M won't be a bit offended by his exclamation.

If you think I'm a little upset by the ridiculous movement to take all religion out of Christmas, well, you're right. I'm all for everyone to have their own beliefs. More power to you! But when you try to take away all that makes Christmas special , I'm likely to get all North Pole on ya. Yeah, that's right, ya "better watch out whose naughty and nice."

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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

P.S. If for any reason this has offended anyone, I have to ask, why were you reading a post about Christmas in the first place silly? :-P

Christmas on a Budget: 5 Steps to a $$$ Stress Free Holiday

I know that this time of year can be stressful. Some are watching their wallets, some are watching their weight and some are just stressed over everything they have to do in such a short amount of time. There's the baking, the shopping, the gift wrapping and then finding that perfect outfit for New Year's Eve. The office holiday parties, the family get togethers and the frequent trips to stand in line at the mall are enough to drive anyone bonkers during December.

So, how can you keep the Christmas cheer and not break the bank? Well, here are some handy tips to keep in mind:

Step 1: Make the Gifts Yourself

If you are crafty, you can make a ton of gifts yourself. Not only will the gift be handmade by you, but the gift will be unique and not one of those mass produced gifts. Plus, most of the time, you'll either have the supplies to make the gift on hand or be able to purchase the supplies on even the tightest of budgets.

Can you sew, knit, crochet, embroider, glue paper, draw, scrapbook, or use a lathe? Ok, maybe you don't have a lathe. But there are some really wonderful gifts a woodworker can make (dovetail boxes, pens, ornaments, a nativity creche, jewelry box, etc.).

Ok, so what can the crafter in you make? Here are some nifty ideas to spark the crafty gene into gear:

• knit or crochet a scarf for that cold bodied friend of yours


• make a set of coasters for those party animal friends


• create a handmade bookmark for the bookworm


• crochet a set of hangers for the shop-a-holic


• sew finger puppets for the little ones


• make some marble magnets out of old maps for the folks who love to travel


• melt a vinyl record to make a popcorn bowl for the movie buff


• sew a reusable grocery bag for the your vegan friend


• copy heirloom recipes onto handmade recipe cards for the nostalgic cook


• make handmade sheets of paper from recycled paper for your pen pal


• melt old broken crayons into dixie cups to make chubbie crayons for budding little artists

Here are some crafty places to get you started:

Craftster.org
Not Martha
DIY Network
HGTV


Step 2: Bake Your Gifts

If you can bake, the ideas are endless and delicious:

• Write your most prized recipes on handmade cards with a small antecdote


• The old stand by: bake cookies and include your recipe on a card


• Make a mix in a jar (pancakes, biscuits, special spice mixes, etc.)


• Homemade candy in a jar or gift box

Here are some yummy places to get you started:

Baking Gifts at About.com
Marth Stewart Edible Gifts
Christmas Baked Goods

Step 3: Write Your Gifts

Maybe you are talented with words, or have trouble saying what you mean. Well, you can make your gift be the gift of words.

Here are some ideas to get the pen rolling:

• Write a love letter and say all those sweet nothings you've kept bottled inside


• Compose a poem (and let it rhyme if you want!)


• Make handmade cards for someone who is housebound and loves to send cards (add stamps to the envelopes, if it's in the budget)

Step 4: Go Techno

Have you got the knack for music, playlists, or photography? If you've got a computer and a printer (a scanner, audio converter, and analog to dvd converter are also helpful), you can make some great homemade techno gifts.

Here are some computer savy ideas to get those gifts digitized:

• Burn a CD of family photos with funny captions


• Burn a CD of travel photos accompanied by your own audio narration


• Make a DVD of baby photos and/or movies for the grandparents


• Create a holiday music CD for the son or daughter in Iraq


• Scan old photos or slides and make vintage prints for your family to re-enjoy

Step 5: Recycle an Old Gift

Now, you'll have to be careful. Don't give Aunt Sally the same green vase she gave you last year. Instead, think of new uses for old objects. And remember, regifting or rethinking an object is really a way to be environmentally friendly!

Here are some recycled ideas for the eco-friendly gift giver:

• Re-cover a journal using a: 5.25" floppy disk, cereal box, calendar picture, vintage poster, etc..


• Inside out a stuffed animal for a funky art doll


• Use scrabble tiles to create earrings, magnets, pendants or cufflinks


• Make a votive candle holder from an empty can (be sure and clean the can and make sure there are no sharp edges)


• Make a Christmas ornament from one of those "junk mail" CD's

You can enjoy Christmas! Just take a deep breath and don't let the little things get in the way. If you haven't got two cents to rub together, you can have a bountiful holiday by giving the gift of yourself.

Secret Bonus Tip: Give Time

If you are stone cold broke, you can always give your time. Make handmade coupons that are redeemable for a night of babysitting for your sister and brother-in-law who need a date night, an afternoon of gardening for your elderly friend who is recovering from hip surgery, or maybe a coupon to spend time with your Grandpa who loves to play checkers and smoke cigars.

It's not about the money. You are taking the time to think of someone during Christmas. You are making the time to create something that they can't find on the shelf at their local mall.

And lastly, you had a stress free holiday because you took the $ out of Christmas.

~Merry Christmas~

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

The Christmas Bandwagon

Well, it had to happen sooner or later. I gave in. I couldn't stand not having anything up for Christmas. I mean, gosh, Thanksgiving was last week. Normally, I'm hanging snowflakes on the 28th. But this year, what with Turkey Day on the 22nd, I got thrown off.

So, I went a little wonky and redid the banner for our Etsy shop. Then, I just had to add a bow. And what do you know, a little "Merry Christmas" gave it the cheery greeting.

Let me know if you like the new look.

And, just because it's still November...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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

P.S. I almost forgot to mention that I also made peppermint tea. Yum! Puts me in the Christmas spirit.