Merry Christmas to All!

To all our friends out there in internetland, Nala and I want to wish you a joyful Christmas! We pray for peace on earth and good will to mankind and to animals!

Let's hope that all dogs that are homeless find their forever home and our thanks to be fortunate enough to have Nala come into our lives!

Merry Christmas and enjoy the day.

Feliz Navidade

Buon Natale
С Рождеством
Frohe Weihnacten
Joyeux Noel
Wesolych Swiat
圣诞节快乐

Winter Wednesday

Yup, you guessed it! More of the white stuff in our area yesterday. To Nala the world is just one giant snow cone!

Simply Sunday and let it Snow!

Sorry I haven't been around much lately! My boss has been out for 2 weeks with an injured back and I have been working extra hours in order to full in for her. Yikes, what crazy time of year for me but the extra money helps for the holidays! All I need is the time to go spend it! Nala has been wondering what's up with me coming home late every day. I don't think she cares for it but it seems to be only a temporary condition, and soon enough I will be back to my old schedule.

The weather this weekend certainly has kept us home with at least 6 inches of snow that started early Saturday morning and with more ahead in the forecast for Tuesday we will be giving our shovels a work out! (and our aching backs) At least Nala loves the snow. She can't wait to run around the yard in the white stuff.....she has a blast out there! It's hard to get her to come in!

Right now she is peacefully snoring away on the couch as I do a little bit of on line shopping. I put a bid in for a decanter that is in the shape of a bulldog dressed in a  football uniform. It's really cute and I hope I get it but I have found out that on Ebay the shipping can be more than the item you purchase...and sometimes a lot more! They also don't give you a choice of a cheaper/different shipping method so I am not too pleased with that!

"C'mon in Nala it's almost dinner time!"

Have a good week all and happy shopping!

Sunday and The Trouble with Turkey!

We had an enjoyable Thanksgiving here at our home and a relaxing weekend...sort of . There were a gathering at our house of 20 people and things got quite hectic. Trying to get everything on the table at once and coordinating it with the turkeys ( one 13 lb er and one 8 lb breast) was a bit challenging. Everyone was having so much fun talking and noshing and drinking that it was difficult to corral them to the dinner table! Next year it's going to be a buffet for sure! The whole turkey is cooked up on our gas grill using the rotisserie attachment. I must say it came out the best ever this year with hat's off to our good friend Vinnie who man's the grill! 

Nala enjoyed the festivities and was the bell of the ball sort to speak. It was an opportunity for some family members to finally meet her. She was treated by various guests to pieces of turkey. I guess she looked so cute and hungry folks couldn't resist! But each eager guest didn't realize that she probably already had 15 pieces of turkey before they gave her one!

That night the rumbling began. Nala was sleeping her little bed in my room when I awoke around 4:30 AM to the sounds of Nala's stomach doing the 1812 Overture. I was waiting for any minute to make the mad dash with her to the back yard. She manage to hold out until 7:00 AM when I took her outside to have her holiday diarrhea! Yes a few pieces of turkey is a great treat, 3 pounds with dressing is a digestive disaster for a dog. Oh well...she was fine after that and just hung out with us as we dragged out the Christmas decorations and put them up this weekend. 

Let the holidays begin!


Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving and  Hanukkah  this week!

"Come on already..let's have some of that turkey!"

Turkey done up on the rotisserie. Now that's a turkey done right! 

Sunday and Winter at My Door

Old man winter is knocking at the door today. We actually had some flurries last night that coated the deck with the wintry white stuff!Luckily I found a new coat for Nala that actually fits...well kinda sort of!

A size large is too small around her belly and the X-large is too long! So I got the X-large and will have to shorten it a bit. I think she looks like a bulldog fashonista in it!

Thanksgiving is this week and we are having company for dinner. We also are having some canine guests! Tank and Harley are coming too! I am going to make a batch of pumpkin-peanut butter cookies for the pups! Below is a link to a recipe that use wheat free flours.

Here is wishing you some warm thoughts and a joyful holiday ahead!

http://acozykitchen.com/grain-free-pumpkin-dog-treats/

Think About it Tuesday

Yesterday in Brick NJ a couple pleaded guilty to animal abuse in the highly publicized Justice for Sammy  the Cocker Spaniel dog abuse trial. This couple should rot in hell for their lack of humanity as far as I am concerned. The maximum sentence of 6 months in jail (if they are given that in the sentencing by the judge) is not long enough!


http://nj1015.com/sammy-the-cocker-spaniels-original-owners-back-in-court-today

"The world would be a far better place if dogs ruled!"

TGIS! or Thank God it's Saturday!

"So what's the plan for this weekend?"

The Hunger Games Wednesday!

No one informed Nala about turning the clocks back one hour, so around 4:00 PM she starts her barking routine to let me know that she is hungry!

I guess she will get use to the new routine provided I don't cave in and wait until 5:00 PM to serve the princess her dinner!

"C'mon, don't I look hungry to you?!"

Finally Friday

Halloween was balmy and a little rainy here in the northeast, but that didn't discourage trick-or-treaters one bit! We had several dozen little ones come to our door and Nala was there to greet most.

I had a couple of back up costume changes that were not agreeable to Nala. I guess she just doesn't like dress up at all! Come to think of it neither did Ozzie. 

"Are you kidding me?!"

"Get this dumb witch hat off me!"

Oh well until next Halloween! TGIF all!

Wordless Wednesday

"Say cheese or eat it? I didn't quite catch that!"

Finally Friday and Bad Jerky

Nala is currently barking at me and making other bulldog noises in an effort to get me to hand her another treat. Treats have been a bone of contention in the news lately with reports of many dogs falling ill and or dying from chicken jerky treats made in China.

I try to look at all the labels when I am at the various pet stores and specifically look for where a product is manufactured! I did however buy in the past Milo's Meatballs which Nala really enjoyed but come to find out they are produced over seas and part of a recall!

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/3-big-brands-may-be-tied-chicken-jerky-illness-dogs-420251

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/tainted-dog-jerky-treats-linked-hundreds-pet-deaths-fda-article-1.1493818\

I am going to stick to brands I know that are made here in the US where standards are higher and hopefully we can get some regulation in the pet food industry to stop selling inferior products that make our pets sick!

I am also thinking of getting a food dehydrator and making my own jerky for Nala. It may be a good investment!

http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/choosing-a-food-dehydrator-zmaz03jjzgoe.aspx#axzz2ijjNqMZW


Well off to work and on the verge of a wonderful fall weekend here in New Jersey!


TGIF!

Is it Friday yet?

Munching Monday

Another work week is ahead of us much to Nala'a chagrin! She prefers the weekends when we are home with her. With all the attention she gets it's difficult to face Monday morning as you might imagine.

To show you what I mean here is a picture of my husbands studio chair that is in his office. She has been whittling away on it and this past Friday she really went to town! Its not like she doesn't have enough chew toys to make any dog jealous!  Frustration perhaps or just bulldog tenacity to chew something up to wood pulp!?

"Did I do that?"

Whatever you do don't sit there! Good week all!

Thursday Almost Friday!

Sorry I haven't posted anything all week. Its been kind of crazy! I just got around to trying on the Halloween costume that I got for Nala back in August and found out it's too small! Either I have to make some adjustment to it or find another one. Since I am not very handy with a needle and thread I will probably need to do plan B!

I took Nala for her bath the other day which turned out to be a problem situation! She was up all night scratching away. I guess the shampoo they used irritated her skin. So back she went the next day and they rinsed her and then used some kind of oatmeal conditioner. She was better but I still catch her scratching every now and then. Oh that bulldog skin!

Okay it's almost a weekend folks hang in there!

"This doesn't work for me!"

Guess What Day It Is?

Yes if you haven't seen the Geico commercial with the camel a gazillion times it is Wednesday otherwise known as hump day!

Unbeknownst to Nala it is also wash day since she is going for her bath this afternoon. Never an enjoyable event for dogs but a necessary evil! She is past her expiration date on doggy dander and really needs her nails filed down.  

The picture below should be right in step with the upcoming Halloween season. I am going title it "Ghost Dog". It has a spooky feel with the demon eyes effect! We all know that Nala is anything but!

Enjoy your hump day all!

Finally Friday

What a week of wonderful weather! What a lively alliteration! Its been summer like all week with warm sunny days in the low 80's that you hope would never end. But like all things this too will pass!

I ordered from Ebay a LED joggers light to put on Nala's collar. My friend Pat had one on Katie's collar the other night and I thought it was a great safety device  for evening walks. It flashes at different speeds and is very visible at a distance. It was only $6.00 and takes AA batteries. I will let you know how it works out for us.

Nala is ready for the weekend but she has taken a moment to stop and smell the flowers!


TGIF all!

Shut Down Tuesday

Is it the government shut down that has Nala bummed or is it the fact I ran out of her new favorite treat, Natural Balance Jerky Bars Chicken and Sweet Potato formula?!

Maybe a little of both! Better make a run to Petco! As for the government they will have to figure it out for themselves!

Finally Friday!

Nala spent about 15 minutes this morning inspecting a bird feather in the back yard. Each time she got up real close to it, she would breath on it causing the feather to move and she would jump and step away from it like it was a snake or something! Amusing to watch!

TGIF!

Back yard beauty!

Wordless Wednesday

Ahhhh...how does it look down there?

Monday's Moments

No matter what dog park we go to we encounter another bulldog! Perhaps that goes to prove their popularity or we are just more in tune for seeking out our lovable breed! On Saturday we met a female bullie named Molly. She was mostly white with some tan markings. Very cute!

We now take Nala into the small dog enclosure, 25 pounds and under. Not that she can't handle her own with the big dogs, its just that I have witnessed some bigger breeds where their owners do not have sufficient control over them. Nala is somewhat submissive and they give her the once over. I then have to come over and pull Nala away before she is totally violated by their prying snouts! So we just stay with the terriers and the pugs and we are just fine with that! 

Dogs of a feather flock together! Nala meets another bullie friend!

Finally Friday

All the toys we have for Nala and she goes after common household items to play with! Last night it was the 99 cent plastic watering can from Ikea. We let her have her way with it for a little while until she bit off the spout and chewed it up!

Have a great weekend everyone!

"Take that you bad ole watering can!"

Thoughts for Thursday

One more hot summer day then comes the rain and a cool down. Maybe we can go back to the this dog park on the weekend. Nala seemed to enjoy herself there!

Thoughts for Thursday

Well summer is unofficially over and the kids are back to school! The weather has even turned a corner with the smell of fall in the morning air! Nala appreciates the weather too, leaving the summer heat and humidity behind is a good thing if you are a bulldog!

We changed Nala's food from Fromms to Blue Freedom this past week. For two reasons; the kibbles were so small they were difficult for her to really chew them well, it was more like swallowing them down. Also at $70.00 for a 24lb bag is a bit pricey. Blue is a grain free dog food with its first ingredient being meat and at $55.00 for the same size bag it leaves a little more room for bullie sticks! We will give it a try and see how she does on it. So far she likes the bigger size kibble so we will see!

Waiting for the weekend as usual! Have a good day all!

Suddenly Sunday and Another Skateboarding Bullie

The latest commercial for the Mini Cooper features a skateboarding bulldog, perhaps Tillman?

Anyway it has become one of Nala's favorite things on the tube! Check it out!

Finally Friday and Nala's TGIF

"Looking forward to a fun full weekend, but all I can see at the moment is a dust bunny!"

Another Manic Monday

Another weekend has raced by and we are almost at the end of summer! Though the last couple of weeks have been on the cooler side and Nala can't complain.

I found a musical site for pets called Through a Dogs Ear that has music especially orchestrated for dogs and cats that is psychoacoustically designed to sooth their nervous system. Interesting and perhaps worth a shot if your pup or kitty is a bit uptight especially when you leave the house or during a thunderstorm?!

In the mean while another week of work and Nala is none too happy as I am getting ready to leave for the day. Don't worry Nala Grand paw will be home and there is always hope you will get a bit of his lunch later!

Have a good week all!

"Hey where are you going?"

Thursday and Food Recalls!

For those of you that feed your pets Eukanuba and Iams, Proctor and Gamble has announced a recall today. Please check the FDA link below. Salmonella contamination is serious so make sure your pup isn't eating one of the foods on the list. (Cat food too!)

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm365154.htm

"Yup, make sure the food you give your pet is safe and delicious!"

Rainy Days and Mondays....

So the excitement over this new toy lasted all of 5 minutes! !It is currently in its place in the toy bin with all the other forgotten toys. A card board paper tube from a roll of paper towels has a longer play time! 

Finally Friday and Patrick's Law

Summer is slipping by us fast! Today is a rainy one here in Jersey and this is my last Friday off for the summer! Poor Nala, she is going to miss our Fridays together but she always has G-paw! 

Exciting news here in the state of New Jersey. A new law was passed called "Patrick's Law" after a pit bull named Patrick that was horribly abused and left for dead. The woman who did this was prosecuted and because of this horrible incident anyone who does not provide the basic care for an animal will be charged with a 3 rd degree crime and those who do abuse an animal will be charged with a 4th degree crime. Previously this was just a disorderly person's offense! Yes unbelievable but now hopefully people will think twice perhaps! A great move forward for animal rights...thank you Governor Christie for signing that into law! Meanwhile Patrick the pit bull has made a full recovery and is enjoying the good life! 

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/08/christie_signs_patricks_law_to_increase_animal_cruelty_penalties.html

Nala and I will make the most of this rainy Friday. I know at one point I will have to make a bullie stick run, we are all out!

Here is to wishing all dogs and cats have good loving homes everywhere!

Enjoy your weekend folks!

 Whoppee! TGIF!

What do you mean this is your last Friday off?!

Finally Friday and Mine Mine Mine!

Well gang we made it through another week and its already August! Hope this month doesn't go by too fast like the rest of the summer so far!

I found this on Facebook and I just had to post this here. It expresses typical bulldog behavior of "all mine"!

"Give that to me....it's mine dog nabbit!"

Enjoy your weekend all!

In Memory of Ozzie

Today would of been Ozzie's 6th birthday. Our loving bullie boy has been gone just about 6 months now and we still miss him dearly.I can visualize him on the front porch watching the neighbors walking by with their dogs, content to survey his little kingdom or chomping happily on a bullie stick in the living room.

Yes we will never forget the bulldog who started it all, taken too soon from us but gave us so much love in that short time.

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.  ~Roger Caras

Tuesday and Under Bite Blues

For some reason Nala was giving the underbite a full reveal this morning. Displaying her bottom teeth, she was just as cute as ever!

Nala the fierce bulldog! (Not really!)

Whiney Friday!

Nala has been whining all morning to go outside. Gratefully, the heat wave finally broke and Nala can go out and play! Whoopee!

Given the opportunity this weekend I may try this new dog food recipe with ground turkey. Sounds easy to make and delicious..I mean for Nala that is!

Have a great weekend all.

Turkey Stew

Wordless Wednesday

"Finally I get to go outside!"

Monday Morning and Skate Boarding Bullies

Perspiration Tuesday

So we are having a heat wave, a tropical heat wave.....really...I'm not just using the Irving Berlin lyrics for the heck of it. All this week and into the weekend temps are going to be hovering in the 90's with the real feel close to 100 degrees! When I got into my car this afternoon it said 104 but it was sitting in the sun. The thermometer recalibrated as I drove off and then it was only a balmy 96!

If you are reading this and live in Texas or Arizona you are probably laughing and saying to yourself that's nothing but here in New Jersey it is considered big bad heat! Hopefully we won't hear of any moron who left their child or dog in the car this week!

Nala will not be going out for her evening walk because it's still is way to hot by that time unfortunately. It is a bulldog alert day meaning it is way to hot for walking. (Ozzie would of liked that!)  I think she feels like she is being punished when we all know it's for her own good.

I made a batch of yogurt berry cubes to cheer her up and cool her down. A delicious frosty treat that is good for her too!

They are easy to make, just take some frozen mixed berries throw them in the blender and then add to the mix some plain Greek yogurt. Pour into an ice cube tray, freeze and voila!

Stay cool all!

"I am not looking at you until you take me out for a walk!"