Blog Archives
Nice Day for a Ride
Not everything is right in the world – particularly if you happen to live near the tornado path in Oklahoma.
But today in Kansas City, the sun is out, the breeze is sweet, and (in spite of some troubles of our own) we have plenty to be thankful for.
This little scene of two smiling dogs in a car will be repeated this morning, as I chauffeur Luke and Scooby to Kennel Creek Pet Resort.
I’m so glad they will be taken care of on a day when my plate at work is sure to be overflowing.
What are you grateful for today?
A Tale of Two Cincos
The best part about having a very tiny dog is how easy it is to take him everywhere.
Scooby the elderpin and I met for the first time at a party, and he has continued to be a social fellow through our six+ years together, zipping underfoot at events I hosted and making the rounds from the crook of my arm during gatherings outside of our home.
Cinco de Mayo, 2009:
Cinco de Mayo, 2009
The occasion: a vegetarian potluck, at my then-friend Zach’s house.
Zach had not yet encountered a certain golden retriever wandering the streets of Kansas City but welcomed my miniature pinscher into his dogless home for the party.
As soon as we arrived, a tiny sombrero was produced, furnished by a neighbor especially for Scooby.
In addition to the dog, I also brought a bowl full of guacamole made from overripe avocados. It wasn’t very good, but the guests pretended not to notice. Meanwhile, I pretended not to hang on my handsome host’s every word.
And Scooby didn’t have a single accident on the floor.
Cinco de Mayo, 2013:
Cinco de Mayo 2013
The occasion: Kansas City’s Cinco de Mayo Chihuahua Parade.
This year, I found myself in good company as a person with a novelty-sized canine.
Although this local attempt to break a world record for number of dogs in costume was open to all breeds, its advertisement as a Chihuahua-centric gathering attracted a preponderance of people with very small dogs of presumably Mexican heritage.
His sombrero long since gone, Scooby (who is often mistaken for a Chihuahua) sported his official KC Pittie Pack hoodie – and for most of the day, a blanket.
It was so unseasonably chilly, that Scooby’s new friend Piper, a teacup Chihuahua of just 2.5 pounds, never even fully emerged from Kennel Creek trainer Diana’s lunchbag pet carrier.
Is that a pup or a peanut?
Despite the cold weather and a turnout not nearly high enough to break the current record of over 1,300 costumed dogs, Scooby and I had a lovely day with friends old and new. For me, it was especially nice to just have fun after our recent slew of sad life happenings.
Instead of thinking about all that, today we walked in the parade. We visited the Good Dog 2 Go food truck for dogs. We helped hand out Kennel Creek leashes.
And we sold the first of a new official Wayward Dogs product that happens to be perfect for people who love dogs and parties!
If you haven’t already seen the teaser photo of this product on the Wayward Dogs Facebook page, you can guess what it might be from this old blog post.
More details to come very soon!
Did you celebrate Cinco de Mayo with your dog?
Big thanks to everyone for your support over the past couple of weeks. It is good to receive kind and empathetic words when the days get dark.
Who is Our Secret Admirer?
Somebody out there sure loves me.
Yesterday, I received an email from Yellow Brick Home, informing me that I have been “anonymously gifted a custom mini, modern portrait” of Scooby the elderpin.
I’m so excited I could almost cry!
If you’ve never seen the awesome pet portraits that Yellow Brick Home offers through its tiny division called The Pet Shop, go check ‘em out now. You might even recognize some familiar fuzzy faces from the blogosphere in the pet gallery!
Meanwhile, I’m now furiously sifting through pictures of the elderpin that I can send to Yellow Brick Home for inspiration as they turn him into a piece of fine art!
To whoever is responsible for this beautiful opportunity:
Thanks with all my heart - and Scooby’s, too!
Are you our secret admirer? Do you have a portrait of your pet?
DIY Duds for Your Dog
Even you can make your own dog clothes.
He has seen the DIY light.
Because I’m a sucker for upcycling and DIY, the rag bin at the recent Dogs on the Lawn event at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art caught my eye.
I had read in the event schedule that one of the activities involved making shirts for your dog, but I didn’t know exactly what that meant.
I was thinking blank doggy tees and magic markers.
But the art students leading this activity were far more crafty than that!
They clearly had figured out what we have all known for a long time:
Dog apparel is expensive in the same way as women’s swimwear and lingerie. You pay a premium price for very little fabric because it’s cute.
$11 on clearance at Fab.com.
For the art students, a way around investing in a bunch of pre-made doggy shirts was to upcycle old fabric. Their rag bin consisted of various shapes, sizes and colors of well-worn and soft T-shirts.
Next to the bin were several patterns for cutting the cloth into no-sew, homemade doggy duds.
Because I didn’t have any of the wayward dogs with me and the event was winding down, I grabbed a yellow shirt sleeve that seemed big enough for an elderpin to squeeze into.
Then, I proceeded to the screen printing area.
Guests could choose one of several patterns and colors. There was a pretty cute outline of a dog with a heart design, but I chose something more representative of this particular day.
I picked a shuttlecock, a locally-understood symbol of the Nelson, which has a giant shuttlecock sculpture on the lawn.
A student helped me screen printed the piece of fabric for me and pinned it to a clothesline with everyone else’s so the ink could dry.
I was pleased with the result. But back at home, I realized quickly that even a stretched out T-shirt sleeve is a bit too snug for an elderpin.
Nevertheless, the project did not go to waste. It makes a very nice neck band for one Charlie “Chetty” Machete.
And the color suits him well, since he is undoubtedly a yellow dog.
Have you ever made your own dog clothes or done screen printing at home?
If you want to upcycle the scraps in your rag bin, check out this eHow article about making old dog clothes from things you have around the house.
To try your hand at DIY screen printing, try out this Instructable.
It’s Not a Diaper – It’s a Sergeant’s Uniform
What is Scooby wearing?
Don’t tell him it’s an adult dog diaper. Tell him it’s a uniform.
He needs to wear it when he has important things to do around the house – like exercise his authority as commander of comfy places – without leaking all over them.
Scooby’s overall style diaper uniform was custom-made by Créations Entre Chats Et Chiens (aka diapersfordog.com), a small company based in Quebec, Canada. They contacted me a while back with an offer to outfit my little officer in exchange for a product review.
I was ecstatic!
Scooby’s incontinence has been an issue for basically the entire 6.5 years that we’ve been together. Of course, things are getting worse as he gets older and anytime he’s having health issues.
Solving the piddles isn’t an easy task.
Scooby wriggles out of belly bands and Pooch Pants. And potty pads aren’t an option at our house, lest they give the big dogs the idea that it’s OK to do their thing inside, too.
Also, Scooby tends to have spontaneous accidents, in which case he just “goes” wherever he is standing or snuggled.
Créations Entre Chats Et Chiens offers several styles and patterns of pet incontinence solutions, including male, female and unisex diapers. Each product is custom made by hand for your pet.
Because male diapers have not worked for Scooby in the past, I chose the washable overall dog diaper in a manly camouflage pattern.
Many patterns are available, including zebra stripes.
Come back tomorrow to see how this product has worked out for us!
Have you ever put diapers a special uniform on your dog? How did that work out for you?
My Dogs Ate My Paycheck
The obedience champions I grew up with never ate my homework.
Neither have the dogs of my adulthood – even during the year I took Spanish classes at a local community college and really did have homework.
However, my dogs do take a bite out of my bank account all the time.
Usually, they tear off their fair share for food, treats and maintenance medicine. Sometimes, unexpected health needs require a bigger bite of the budget.
Other times – like this past weekend – the dogs don’t really make me spend the money at all. But I still blame them.
The consumer pet industry loves him as much as I do.
I blame their muddy little feet from which I have to protect my car and home.
The brand name Pet Rebellion seems so apt.
The last car hammock I bought only lasted a month. This one seems tougher, and it has pockets for leashes and water bottles and bones.
And I blame their very dogness for being so awesome I can’t help but celebrate it through the purchase of items created in their likeness.
Well, we do need kitchen deco (and a dog to serve the coffee).
How could I not buy this?
Grand total for non-essential yet nice-to-have dog-related items purchased over the weekend: Approximately $80.
Ouch. It hurts!
But I can’t help it. It’s their fault!
“It’s good to have a red chair cover on Oscar night.”
What kind of purchases do you make because of your dog love?
Executive Orders
After celebrating my 31st birthday all weekend, it seems my break from the daily grind has been extended.
Secretary of Defense Charlie Machete and Vice President of Waywardness Luke Jones delivered the message for their boss.
The Wayward Dogs hope you have a relaxing President’s Day!
Who Do You Love?
Here’s a guy who is confident in his appeal this Valentine’s Day.
Oh? You noticed the hairs on my shirt? Those are from that husky dog.
The truth is: Scooby the elderpin is right to be cocky.
He’s never going to be without a valentine (aka the woman he pukes on in the middle of the night) as long as he lives.
Rescue dog Scooby is among the uber-lucky 1 in 5 U.S. dogs who will be receiving a valentine gift from their doting human caretakers this year. Luke and foster boy Charlie Machete fall into that category, too.
However, in the final hours leading up to Valentine’s Day, they did not seem so self-assured.
Will I ever get to see Minnie again?
Why are girls scared of me?
If they really could talk, I would have told the big boys not to fret – lots of pups and people out there think they are just great. (Right??)
And then I would have showed them the neat valentines I made with their handsome little faces.
Instead, I’ll show them to you:
Which valentine do you like best? Would your dog like to be one of these boys’ valentines?
If you are still in need of a valentine gift for your pet, check out my Valentine’s Day gift guide for dog lovers!
Scooby Has a Question
Seven days from now is Valentine’s Day…
How would you respond?
Find something good for your valentine in my gift guide for dog lovers.
And don’t miss your chance to win some Rupert’s spray that will make your pooch more smoochable!
This Changes Everything
I have a real camera!
Instagram photo of a camera.
As much as I love Instagram and my HTC Evo, a smart phone is not ideal for photographing everything.
And I think, you, my readers, deserve some better quality photos anytime I can manage to provide them. Here’s hoping the Fujifilm Finepix helps me do that.
I’m still a little bit afraid of Mr. Fuji, but I’ve started snapping pics and attempting to edit them with free Photoshop-like online software.
Check out a few highlights from the past few days.
Dogs
This is his “I’m getting my picture taken” face.
“Do my ears make me look like a bat?”
Fake Mustaches
Members of the Kansas City Fake Mustache Club.
Wanna know the best part of my new toy?
Thanks to the peer recognition program at my work, I didn’t have to pay a penny for it.
I earned Mr. Fuji by hoarding the points I receive every time one of my colleagues tells me “good job” via a special online nomination system. (Gotta love that corporate perk.)
What kind of camera do you have? Do you have any tips to help me get better with mine?
You can learn more about the fake mustache party by visiting yourbrandpartner.com later today.
Reminder: Valentine’s Day is just 10 days away. Find fun gifts ideas in my Valentine’s Day gift guide for dog lovers.
