Hot Bitch of The Week!

Droopy the Dog

Droopy is an animated cartoon character, an anthropomorphic dog (a basset hound), created by Tex Avery for theatrical cartoon shorts produced by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer cartoon studio in 1943. Essentially the polar opposite of Avery's other famous MGM character, the loud and wacky Screwy Squirrel, Droopy moved slowly and lethargically, spoke in a jowly monotone, and, though he didn't look like much, was shrewd enough to outwit his enemies.

The character first appeared, nameless, in Avery's 1943 cartoon Dumb-hounded. Though he would not be called "Droopy" onscreen until his fifth cartoon, Señor Droopy (1949), the character was officially first labeled Happy Hound, a name used in the character's appearances in Our Gang Comics. After the demise of the Droopy series in 1958, the character has been revived several times for new productions, often television shows also featuring MGM's other famous cartoon stars, Tom and Jerry.

Muttsoni

Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE the Italian designer Missoni. Imagine how thrilled I was to find this Muttsoni bag for Little Edie! At $12 and $15 these are definitely a bargain.

http://trixieandpeanut.com/toys/137237.html

Guinness Book of Dog Records

You may have thought your dog was pretty clever when it learned to fetch your slippers or brought a ball back in the park. Well, meet ten-year- old Sweet Pea, who has set a new world record by faultlessly balancing a glass of water on the bridge of her nose while climbing up some stairs. The Border Collie/Australian Shephard mix also showed her world-class pedigree by repeating a 2007 record-breaking feat – most skips by a dog in one minute. The audience cheered as Sweet Pea notched up 75 skips in 60 seconds.

The world-beating stunts were featured on a special edition of the Oprah Winfrey show.

Grey Gardens Sunday

Little Edie lays on her beach and ponders cooking for her mother....

Sécurité

This summer, Karen and I visited St. Tropez. We stayed in a wonderful house with friends just steps to the beach. Our days were spent lounging around the pool or at the beach, then an afternoon stroll at the port was followed by decadent dinners in fun restaurants where people danced on the tables and chairs. We had heard that there was a little issue with security in the high summer season and unsuspecting tourists renting homes were the target. To be on the safe side, our host hired a security guard who patrolled the property every night with his pitt bull. Every night we would leave and then come back late and tipsy and the guard would be there with his pit bull who was always wearing a muzzle. The guard would always hold her tight as if to show me that she was not to be trusted. I would talk to her every night and tell her she was pretty. She didn't seem very mean. I got a little tail wag here and there and eventually he let me pet her.

One night we all cooked a great dinner instead of eating out. After dinner, everyone decided to go out dancing but Karen and I were pooped so we decided to stay in and rest up. About ten minutes after everyone left suddenly the lights went out! We both gasped and called each others names. It was pitch black in the house and we couldn't see a thing! "Oh No!" we both thought. "The bandits saw everyone leave and they thought the house was empty. They must be making their move!" We ran out to the backyard in a panic to see where the security guard and his dog were. We quickly saw his flashlight beacon as he was running through the backyard. "It's us!" we shouted just to make sure he didn't release the dog on us or shoot at us or whatever he would do if he really did encounter the bandits! Once they reached us and realized we were ok he went over to the meter and turned all the lights back on. No bandits in sight. Apparently we had too many air conditioners, lights and appliances on and it knocked out the power. The funniest thing was that when the pitt bull found us she was so happy. He took her muzzle off and I played with her and that's when I took this picture. She was so sweet. I don't think she could have hurt a fly but we were sure glad they were there that night!

You Aint Nothing But a Houndstooth Dog

Here's Ginger modeling her latest red denim with houndstooth winter jacket. Notice the matching red collar......Someone please get this girl an agent, already!!

Francis Albert Friday!

One of our favorite Frank nicknames was Mr. Fourth of July. This all started about three years ago when Joe and Darren were spending summer weekends at their beach house. On the Fourth of July we would gather at the house, barbeque and watch the fireworks over the bay. We had a perfect view from the house.

We didn't think anything of it the first year until the moment the fireworks started. Frank immediately climbed into Joe's lap and curled into a little ball all the while shaking and wimpering like a baby. He did NOT like the fireworks. We couldn't believe it had such an effect on him. You know.....this big, butch Doberman! The cat terrorizer of the neighborhood! His sister, Ginger's, BIG brother! The protector and leader of the pack! Ginger was hopping about happy as could be and Frank was having a nervous breakdown.

The next year we went back, not really thinking much of it and we noticed that he was visibly shaken at the beginning of the evening. Somehow his sixth sense kicked in and he knew what was coming. He could probably smell those firework fumes way out yonder. He started to cling to Joe and became increasingly nervous when everyone gathered out on the deck to watch the show begin. Joe and I stayed inside holding him and talking to him and trying to calm him down while he went right back into panic mode the minute the show started. We couldn't help laughing at him. It was so funny and sad all at the same time.

This year was Frank's last Fourth of July at the beach. We were a little better prepared since we knew that he would anticipate that this was the weekend he dreaded. He was shaking in the car on the drive down. He knew. This time, a while before the show started Joe took both dogs into the bathroom and laid on the floor with them watching TV. I tried to watch the show but I was so worried wondering what Frank was doing. He was so happy when it was over.

So that's how he earned the nickname Mr. Fourth of July. Whenever he would act like a tough guy on the walk or around other dogs, Joe and I would always say "Yeah, Mr. Fourth of July. If only they could see you then."

Boomerang Cats

What exactly is a “Boomerang Cat?” Well, a Boomerang itself – as we know it – is a kind of throwing stick that, when thrown correctly, travels in a curved path and returns to its point of origin.

Of course, hopefully, no one throws their cat in the air like a true boomerang, but the effect is basically the same. You put kitty down, she returns right back to the point of origin – YOU! So, you gently put kitty down again, she’s right back on you. Cat put down, cat immediately back. Cat down; cat back. And so it continues . . . Boomerang-style.

Whether you are trying to work on your computer, write a letter using a pen and paper, or doing any intricate type of work, a furry feline rolling and stomping all over your project and purring in front of your face is somewhat of a distraction, to say the least. Unlike the typical Boomerang, however, this is a behavior problem. Like most behavior problems, it hopefully has the ability to conform or, if that’s not at all a possibility, to arrive at a compromise for both you and your cat.

Mimi Adelman’s Mei Mei likes to Boomerang on and off her while she is at her desk working at her job as an author. “She is constantly up on the desk, under my arm, etc. I should have taught her early on that she's not allowed on the desk, but I didn't,” conveys Adelman, author of the book, Every Cat's Survival Guide to Living with a Neurotic Owner.

“So now I do three things: I have lots of little cat toys on the desk that she is allowed to push off the desk and onto the floor,” Adelman says. “I use my voice to keep her from walking in front of my computer screen (ugly voice when she takes the first step in front, instantly replaced by happy voice as soon as she steps back), and I have a special spot right next to me where she is allowed to settle down on the desk. When she goes to that spot and settles, she gets lots of attention and my happy voice for a few minutes, and then I go to work and pet her occasionally.”

Besides being an esteemed author, Adelman is also a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant. “We humans all have different personalities, and so do cats,” she notes. “As for the Boomerang effect, when we constantly pick them up and put them down – most likely speaking to them at the same time – that’s attention, which is what they crave.

“We might consider it negative attention, but they just consider it attention. So they are engaging in an attention-seeking behavior, if they get the attention, why wouldn't they do it again? Plus, the jump up, get put down, jump up again, get put down, jump up thing becomes a game after awhile. Lots of action and drama equals lots of fun.”

Finally, is there any chance you can change (or at least slow down) the Boomerang Cat’s clingy and needy ways? Adelman provides some hope for the exhausted Boomerang Cat owner, “As with all attention-seeking behaviors, the best ‘cure’ is more regularly scheduled one-on-one interactive play time. This satisfies the cat's craving for attention and action, and tires the cat out so she will catnap instead of jumping all over you.”

So while the “Boomerang” will eventually come back to that point of origin, it may get distracted along the way and give you some much-needed alone time. Besides, you won’t have to worry because, without a doubt, you know the Boomerang always comes back to you in the end . . .

(I couldn't help using this picture of Mr. Chow and Peanut, Brian's cats, which so accurately seem to depict this story)

Is This Really Possible???

Knut is turning into a 'psychopath'

Knut, the polar bear, is a "psychopath" experts warn. The world's most famous polar bear has become addicted to human company and will never mate, it is claimed. The 13-month-old polar bear is Berlin Zoo's most famous resident. But zoologist Peter Arras described Knut as a "psychopath" to The Independent Newspaper.

German activist Frank Albrecht said that animals born in captivity end up being divorced from nature and turn into hyperactive, disturbed freaks, because they become too dependent on man. He said: "Knut is a problem bear who has become addicted to human beings."

Knut caused a worldwide sensation when he was born last March. But since then he has been at the centre of a major debate about the rights of caged animals.

The Dog Ate My _________

Most likely, you don't have tickets to the Super Bowl. That sucks. It would suck even more if you did have tickets ... and then your dog ate them!! That happened to an Arizona man whose Lab chewed up his tickets.

The mishap occurred Wednesday when Chris Gallagher requested that a courier leave the anticipated package under the doormat of his Avondale home. The courier instead slipped the envelope under the front door. [The dog] Buddy accepted delivery. But the tickets go down as Buddy's most expensive chew toy, the remains emblazoned with the Vince Lombardi Trophy scattered across the living room floor. When Gallagher walked in that night, Buddy zipped out the doggy door. The dog would remain in the back yard for two nights afterward. "He's a troublemaker," Gallagher said. "But he looks at you with those big eyes and you can't be mad for long."

The good news is that the $900 tickets can be replaced and Gallagher will be able to go to the game. Better news is that all is forgotten with Buddy and the mess he made. The lesson to be learned? If you are a mail carrier ... follow directions or your company may have to replace something very valuable.

The Cats Pajamas??

You may remember a few posts back that after being inspired by Ginger, I was on the hunt for a cute pair of pajamas for Little Edie. I ended up choosing this adorable one from Target. It is purple with little sheep all over. Edie LOVES her pajamas. Sometimes the back legs come out as in this picture but we just tuck them back in. Now we both curl up in our pj's to watch tv together and she sleeps snug as bug in her carrier. Here she is looking mischievous laying on her bed in my office.

Morning Humor.....

Karen just sent me this great montage of funny dog clips. Enjoy!

It's the Evolutionary Story for the Day!

The Basset Hound

The Basset Hound is sweet, gentle, devoted, peaceful and naturally well-behaved. They fit into family life well. Their temperament should always be friendly with never an indication of sharpness or viciousness. They are mild but not timid; very affectionate with its master and friendly with children. It is incapable of biting, but it may be a bit stubborn. They like to do tricks for food. It has a deep musical bark. Housebreaking is difficult, but they do well with gentle patient training and positive reinforcement. With proper training, they are obedient, but when they pick up an interesting smell, it's sometimes hard to get their attention.

The head is large, with a rounded skull and pronounced occiput. The plane of the muzzle is parallel to the top of the skull. The skin is loose-fitted and falls in folds on the head. The velvety ears are very long and should meet beyond the top of the nose. They should fold and not appear flat. The large teeth should meet in a scissors or level bite. The lips hang down with loose flews. The sad brown eyes should show prominent haw. The expression should be kindly without any harshness. The Basset has a very pronounced dewlap. His chest is very deep and extends in the front of the forelegs. The paws are big and the hindquarters are round. Dewclaws may be removed. The dog's movement should be deliberate, but not clumsy. The coat is short, hard and shiny. There are no rules concerning color, but it is usually white with chestnut or sand-colored markings.

Height: Dogs 12-15 inches (30-38cm) Bitches 11-14 inches (28-36cm)Weight: Dogs 50-65 pounds (23-29kg) Bitches 45-60 pounds (20-27kg)

Maneki Neko

Lucky cats are traditional Asian items which represent good fortune and protection. Those who have lucky cats in their homes or working spaces will have their protection as well as the wealth benefits they attract. You can place lucky cats at any environment where you wish wealth to come.

Most of the times, there are two lucky cats represented together, one of them with its left paw up and the other with the right one up. The lucky cat raising its left paw is the one which specifically attracts wealth, while the lucky cat which raises the right pay is in charge of giving protection to those who keep it as well as to the income attracted by its partner.

The lucky cat which has its left paw up is depictured smiling. This smile is meant to invite good fortune and wealth to come to him and therefore to the place where he is. On the other hand, the lucky cat which raises the right paw shows a warning expression. This warning is what protects your income from any evil.

There are some indications you should take into account and follow regarding the place where your lucky cats will be. Ideally, they should be placed in the wealth area, at the southeast of the house or working space where they will be. If that is not possible, they should be placed in the northeast area.

If you wish to follow feng shui guidelines when placing your lucky cats, you should not only take into account the house area where you place them, but also the elements they contain. Therefore, if you will place your lucky cats in a metal area you should choose them made of metal, or if they will be in a fire area they should contain fire colors.

Lucky cats symbolize protection in all senses. They can see in the dark and protect you from what you might not be aware of. They would defend not only your income but also your house and all those who live in it. If you have them in your office, they will help you succeeding in your career as well as improving and protecting your income.

Central Bark

Just received an update on Gellar, Dickse's adorable French bulldog and friend to dearly departed Ponce and Zola. Dickse reports that she just moved into an apartment on Central Park West and now she and Geller visit Central Park several times a day. She said Gellar loves it! Can you imagine having Central Park as your backyard??