Classic Cardigan on Giving Thanks: 5 Less Obvious Reasons Why I'm Thankful for My Dogs

Oh, hi, y'all! You caught me staring at Dug! I could stare at Dug all day, I mean, couldn't you?!

So, about 15 minutes ago, I accidentally discovered Dug .GIFs in a Google search. (OMG!) And, clearly, I couldn't just slam the virtual door in his sweet face, so I went ahead and brought it over here! heehee

It's not bothering you, is it? DUH, of course it isn't! Dug is a happy-pookie-muffin-smooshy-marshmallow-puffy-goober-dog! And, he doesn't bother anyone!

SQUIRREL!

OK, I'm back, and this is "Classic Cardigan on Giving Thanks" week! (Remember, from yesterday?) And that means, it's time for another classic Thanksgiving-inspired post from the archives!

This one's from last year, actually; maybe you'll remember it. ☺

Originally published on November 25, 2013...

5 Less Obvious Reasons Why I'm Thankful For My Dogs

Because it's almost Thanksgiving, I'd like to share five (less obvious) reasons why I'm thankful for Jon Farleigh and Dewi:

1. They never complain about my cooking. Ever. Even when I do this to the burgers:

The middles were still perfectly edible, you know.
The dogs ate them. Because my kids wouldn't.

2. They follow me everywhere, so I'm never lonely. 

Never...

...ever lonely.

3. They help keep the cats from running amok, and creating a state of anarchy. 

Jon Farleigh = Feline Anarchy Prevention Specialist (FAPS)

4. They are a collective 70 pounds of double-coated fur blanket, for when I'm cold. 

And if the heater broke and there were no more fires, I'd have enough of their soft, downy undercoat to make several sweaters.

If I knew how to spin yarn...and knit.
(Can you imagine? I could call them cardigan cardigans!)

5. They just plain make me laugh!

Even when they're laughing at me (or yawning, it's hard to tell most days)! ☺

What makes you thankful for your pet(s)?

^^^^^^^^

See you tomorrow, with the next Thanksgiving classic!

5 Less Obvious Reasons Why I'm Thankful For My Dogs (and How You Can Help #ShakeItForward)

Note: This post contains a must-see, funny talking animal video, but first, because it's almost Thanksgiving, I'd like to share five (less obvious) reasons why I'm thankful for Jon Farleigh and Dewi:

1. They never complain about my cooking. Ever. Even when I do this to the burgers:

The middles were still perfectly edible, you know.
The dogs ate them. Because my kids wouldn't.

2. They follow me everywhere, so I'm never lonely. 

Never...

...ever lonely.

3. They help keep the cats from running amok, and creating a state of anarchy. 

Jon Farleigh = Feline Anarchy Prevention Specialist (FAPS)

4. They are a collective 70 pounds of double-coated fur blanket, for when I'm cold. 

And if the heater broke and there were no more fires, I'd have enough of their soft, downy undercoat to make several sweaters.

If I knew how to spin yarn...and knit.
(Can you imagine? I could call them cardigan cardigans!)

5. But I think the thing I'm most thankful for is...how they just flipping make me laugh!

Especially when they're laughing at me! ☺

What makes you thankful for your pet(s)?

~~~~~~~

And now...it's FUNNY VIDEO TIME!

And helping to feed shelter pets time!

Can I just interrupt your train of thought for a second to say...
that is the cutest dog treat container I've ever seen.
And it's a turkey, for Thanksgiving! OK, thanks for listening.

So, last month, Iams Shakeables (a soft, chewy dog treat in a fun, shakeable can) partnered with producer Andrew Grantham to make an adorable Talking Animals video for channel fans, as well as help needy shelter pets. For every view of the "Punk'd Puppy" video, or social media share of the #ShakeItForward hashtag, Iams pledged to donate up to 250,000 bowls of pet food to designated shelters around the country. That goal was met and exceeded.

But...

Earlier today, Iams announced that due to such overwhelming public response, with Thanksgiving just a few days away, and in the spirit of giving, they are going to #ShakeItFoward with Shakeables again, doubling their pet food donation to 500,000 bowls! That's half a million meals for homeless shelter pets! And all we have to do to get in on it is watch a funny video! 

Look! There's a talking German Shepherd in it and he's hilarious! Did you ever see "bacon dog"? It's by the same producer! 

WATCH "PUNK'D PUPPY" HERE!

Guess what? Iams Shakeables is going to donate a bowl of food to a shelter pet...BECAUSE OF YOU!

THANK YOU!

#ShakeItForward and share the hashtag!

Necessary small lettering for ill will prevention:

I've written this post on behalf of the BlogPaws Pet Blogger Network for Iams Shakeables. I'm being compensated for spreading the word about the Iams #ShakeItForward double down donation, but we at The Chronicles of Cardigan only share things we feel are relevant to our readers. 

You know we do. :)

Hey, you know how in certain comic book movies, there are extra scenes at the end of the credits?

Thanks for staying until the end of the credits. ☺

By the way, Middle Child is shaking a can of Iams Gobble 'Em Up turkey shakeables. I bought them at the grocery store. Just to see whether the boys would pay attention. They did. :)  

Getting to Know My Dog's Brush (In Which the Dog's Brush Can Speak and I Interview It)

Because it's the 316th +/- day of the year (out of 365.25) that my dogs shed nearly all their fur, I've decided to commemorate the occasion with a rare interview of their brush, without whom more than just two vacuums might have died.

Note: The brush is actually a set of conjoined (at the back) twins (Felix and Gruel). I have interviewed them both.

Felix

Me: So Felix, tell me about your typical day on the job.

Felix: So, I lie around in a dark cabinet. Then someone gets me out. And I get rubbed all over some dog's delicate areas that don't shed much. Then someone feels me up, and puts me back in the cabinet.

M: Huh, that sounds pretty simple, really. Don't you get bored?

F: No. I'm a brush.

M. True. So, what's your favorite ice cream flavor?

F. Blue Bunny Birthday Party. 'Cuz every day is a party, man!

M. Well, look at that; our time is up! Thanks for taking the time to talk with me today, Felix!

F. You betcha!

Next up: Gruel

Gruel

Me: So, Gruel, I'm dying to know: what made you decide to be a brush for a living? 

Gruel: I was born angry, lady (grrrrr). I'LL FIGHT YA WITH TWO HANDS BEHIND MY BACK!  (grrrrr) LET ME AT 'EM!

M: Oh, I see. You have anger issues. Naturally. Well, how about your typical day? How do you mentally and physically prepare for the job?

G: You know that scene in Bambi? When his mama....? Yeah, BANG!!! WHAT THE FLOCK?! SOME ASSHAT JUST POPPED A CAP IN BAMBI'S MAMA! rrrrraaAAAHH! LET ME AT 'EM! I'LL RIP HIS HAIR OUT WITH MY TEETH!

Oh, yeah. And I eat Wheaties for breakfast.

M: Alrighty then. Just one more question - for the fans: what's you favorite ice cream flavor?

G: Ben & Jerry's Schweddy Balls. Ever heard of it? 

M: Yeah, I have actually, but didn't it get discontinued? 

G: Do what?! rrrrAAAAHHHHH! NOT MY SCHWEDDY BALLS! I'LL KILL THEM WITH MY TEETH!! RAHHHHHH!

M: And, that's all the time we have for today, folks! Tune in next time when I interview these other fine dog grooming utensils:

The Shear Sisters

and...

Mr. C (for Cookie, as in Cookie Cutter)

and...

Darla, the lovesick Dremel

And remember...

♦♦♦♦♦

Cats Are Cool - An Impromptu Ditty with Vacuum Accompaniment

So I made this little song (ditty) up while vacuuming globs of dog hair from every square inch of my home's first floor (plus furnishings).

I'm sharing it because unless I do (release it from the fun house that is my brain), it will end up being 97 verses long, and I'll need to count backwards and breathe into a paper bag.

It's called:

Cats Are Cool 

(Hint: You can start in any key you like. I personally can't carry a tune.)

Cats are cool. Cats are cool.

They are so cool they should teach it in school.

Cats are cool. Cats are cool.

And if you hate 'em, you might be a tool...

...in the shed...

...that needs to be cat-ibrated! (the tool not the shed, get it?) [gestures an air-high-five]

Cat are cool. Cats are cool.

They eat their own fur and they hardly ever drool.

hum hum hum. la la la.

Nuh nuh-nuh nuh-nuh and they won't jump in your pool.

The end.

Be sure to tune in next time when I clean all four of the litter boxes, singing my newest ditty titled DOGS ARE GREAT!

That's not a joke. Just wait.

P.S. Feel free to add your own cats-are-cool verse in comments.

P.P.S. (added 4/14/13) If you liked this (or want to adopt a new kitty of your own), there are WAY more reasons why cats are cool at Petfinder, whose "I Am a Cat Parent" awareness campaign is in full swing! Go there!

Classic 'Crafty' Cardigan: Felting for Dumb@sses - Balls

To clarify:

Dummy - A beginner, novice; someone who struggles with directions laden with technical jargon

Dumb@ss - (see below image)

Figuratively, people. This furry @ss could be a genius.

Now, solve this riddle:

What does one call a person who (when it comes to felting) is both a dumb@ss AND a smart@ss?

OK, time's up. The answer is (see below image):

Behind those glasses, I'm winking hard. ;)

So. Now that we're clear on who this blog post is really about, let me give a shout out to the person who is responsible for my re-posting it for your enjoyment: the talented and lauded author of the hilarious novel What the Dog Ate, Jackie Bouchard!

"How is that?" you might ask.

Well, I'll tell you; just look at her comment on last week's Etsy giveaway post:

She (and her sis) make these ADORABLE wool felted dogs! (And one is a Cardi!)

And so, naturally, I wanted to re-publish this dusty old felting post of my own, because a) refer to both of the above images, and b) I'm too lazy to write something original.

Editor's Tip: When one is short on sheep's wool for felting, one can feel free to substitute DOG HAIR. Double-coated varieties (as in Corgi) work nicely.

And now, originally published on February 11, 2011:

Dog Hair Explosion Part II: Why the World Needs Crafty People

Okay, so this is what I eventually brushed out of Dewi the other day when his undercoat spontaneously disengaged from his skin and landed on my kitchen floor:

Probably enough to fill a regular-sized plastic Target bag

If I'd had the right tool(s), I'd probably have gotten a lot more. Well anyway, I'm certain that just about NONE of my wonderful readers are impressed with the size of Dewi's pile of hair, since I understand from Red Dog Mom - over at Life with The Horde - that entire trash bags can get filled up multiple times before the "blow" is all over (of course - at the time of this writing - she does have five Cardigans). But that's okay; I just wanted to use this post to show you all what I made with the pile of hair.  :)

A couple weeks ago, Boo's Mom over at Darby's and Pumpkin's Daily posted "Don't ask me why", which if you didn't see it, is just - in my simple opinion - one of the coolest "crafty" (felting) dog posts I have ever seen. Who knew that shedded Cardigan Corgi hair could be turned into something so adorably photogenic? (Boo's Mom: I would totally frame the second photo and put it on my wall!) And to think that I had all the resources to do it myself AND I could get all my kids to make some, too; and if it worked, I'd never have to buy another cat toy again! Suddenly, I couldn't wait to grab the slicker brush. "Jon FARLeighhh!  DEWIiiiiii!  Time for your brUSHingssss!" (Remember, this was a couple weeks ago, so Dewi hadn't started molting yet.)

A brushfull each of Jon's and Dewi's hair later...TA-DA! Felted balls!

Yes, I know the photo stinks; this was the best I could get
after about 100 shots with my crappy camera. :(

But, aren't they cuUUUute! Of course, the beige one on the left is Jon Farleigh's. :) My kids were fascinated, too (they take after me). Now, wouldn't it be fun (thought I) to make a great BIG ball (think baseball) for the cat to bat (pun intended) around?

Remember the pile of fur I brushed out of Dewi (hint: up at the top of this post)? Okay, here's what I "felted" with it:

Hint: It's the big NASTY thing on the right.

Note to self: Left-brained career choices are the best choices.

Addendum note to self (added 12/18/12): Any-brained career choice is better than NO career choice. [self-hug]

*****

Boo's Mom, Jackie Bouchard (and all you other crafty folk out there - see comments here for several good examples), I am your humble admirer!


P.S. Those two small balls are displayed prominently (on a shelf) in my kitchen. :-)

Your Dog Might Be a Profuse Shedder if...

...your cats need to be taped off with a lint roller, lest they yak up dog hair hairballs.*

NOT a dog hair hairball, but it COULD be.
It's actually just a dry pile of Dewi's undercoat...
He sheds this much twice daily.
OK, not really. Thrice daily.
And that's NOT including his top coat.**

Speaking of hairy balls, yesterday, Jon Farleigh and Dewi were playing outside with a tennis ball (that was hairy, because they drooled on it and then shed all over it, which caused the hair to stick [get your minds out of the gutter]) and this*** went down...

Hi. I'm just making sure Dewi a hawk doesn't fly off with my ball.

Hey, Dewi, wanna play now?

Uh huh, I would love to play, brother...ever so badly!

OK...on three...

[thinking] Must get ready...

"...one, two...SIKE!!!!"

[insert maniacal laughter]

MOOOOOOOOOMMMM!

I heart my ball. And my mom person. 

Kids. ;-)

* I'm joking about taping off the cats. I rarely even tape off myself. Besides, they pass hair through their other ends, the "outcome" of which I don't inspect for dog DNA.  Ew.

** When he's blowing coat, which is most of the time. Oh, and JF sheds just as much. 

*** It really happened! I might have embellished slightly, however.

Have a smiley day!

P.S. Please do not spell "psych" incorrectly, like I did...up there, somewhere. ;-)