Petsmart Costume Winners!

On Tuesday night, Oct. 21st, Petsmart stores around the U.S. had doggie costume events and a contest - so we took Franklin and Dolly in their "ear of corn" suits, and we wore matching Halloween shirts (yeah, my idea!). There were some great outfits, and some of the folks there with their dogs remembered us from last year (Rob was Aquaman and Dolly a shark; Tom and Franklin were skeletons). It was all in good fun, and everyone was just happy to be there.
One married couple were there again with their two pomeranian dogs - dressed as Elvis and a Pimp, and the woman was dressed in 1970s garb. She was so funny- (her husband didn't dress up). She said that we "raised the bar" for costumes last year, as she and her dogs came in second last year. Her dogs wore biker outfits. - this year she came in third.
Another woman dressed as Micky Mouse, and brought her two pugs, dressed as Micky and Minnie Mouse! They won second place. Another dog I thought was cute was dressed as Robin Hood (I think)- There was a princess, a dancer, a cow, a devil, a witch, and a wizard.









We also played the "Sit" to music game, and Dolly came in third. We opted Franklin out of the game because he won't sit on command, only if there's food involved! :)
THAT event at Petsmart was well organized and run, and it made my Halloween. Plus, for first place, we won $40 in Petsmart gift cards!

Stomach Flu Hits Home Again

Tom had a stomach flu for about 7 days about a week and a half ago. As of Sunday, I thought it was the five guys fries (I know they contributed), but today it's happening all over again. So, I believe I have Tom's stomach flu...thaaat's great. Pass the dry toast please. Of course, coffee is ALWAYS on the diet.

I Prefer not to get (or send) Political E-mails

A lot of us are guilty of sending politically-charged emails to friends and colleagues, including me (years ago). Recently, I've decided that's a very, very bad thing to do. There's more than enough information available to people to make an informed decision, based on their lifestyle. After all, it's all about whichever candidate you identify with most or whichever beliefs they promote.
Everyone that knows me, knows I'm a democrat, because I believe in equal rights for all people. Period.
I've been disappointed that various entertainers have come out supporting the candidate I'm not behind. That's what got me thinking - I DON'T want to know your political party. I just want to like you for who you are. Politics, like some religions are divisive. The bottom line - we need to love and support everyone. No exceptions.
Below are two articles from today's headlines I thought interesting. Speaking as an educated guy (not speaking as a Dem or Rep), story #1 about Sen. Stevens conviction and still being on the ballot is crazy. Story #2 about John McCain saying "liberals" are an economic threat when conservatives in power created the largest deficit in the history of this country, just doesn't make sense to me. Anyway, I will NOT send political emails. I'll keep thoughts here (and they will be few).
1) WASHINGTON POST: Stevens Found Guilty on 7 Counts
Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska, one of Congress's most powerful Republicans, was convicted yesterday of lying on financial disclosure forms to conceal his receipt of gifts and expensive renovations to his house, just eight days before he faces voters in a tight reelection contest...http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/27/AR2008102700289.html?wpisrc=newsletter
2) BOSTON GLOBE: McCain calls liberals a threat to economy
CLEVELAND - Republican John McCain, casting next week's presidential election along partisan and ideological lines, yesterday portrayed Democrat Barack Obama as an old-fashioned liberal who would govern as a dangerous extension of his party's congressional leadership.
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2008/10/28/mccain_calls_liberals_a_threat_to_economy/

YES! Dunkin' Coffee Beats Starbucks in National Taste Test!

Yes!! My favorite coffee is America's #1 choice!

WINNER IN THE BATTLE OF THE BREWS: DUNKIN' DONUTS BEAT STARBUCKS IN INDEPENDENT NATIONWIDE TASTE TEST
Consumers invited to learn more at new website, www.DunkinBeatStarbucks.com
CANTON, Mass. (October 20, 2008) -- Dunkin' Donuts or Starbucks? Americans have made their coffee choice clear. An independent taste test of coffee drinkers across ten major U.S. markets shows a significant majority of participants preferred Dunkin' Donuts coffee over Starbucks.
A&G Research, Inc., under the counsel of claims test advisor Al Ossip, conducted the taste test in May and June in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, and Starbucks' home turf, Seattle. 476 adults, each of whom had consumed regular, hot brewed coffee within the past week, participated in this double-blind taste test. For the test, A&G Research used fresh packaged coffee purchased in each brand's stores, tested each brand's most popular flavor (Dunkin' Donuts Original Blend versus Starbucks House Blend), brewed the coffee using equipment recommended by each brand and served it black.
RESULTS: A&G says that the study results clearly indicate a preference for Dunkin' Donuts: Among all participants, 54.2% preferred Dunkin' Donuts coffee, compared to 39.3% who chose Starbucks. 6.3% expressed no preference. Of those participants who did have a preference, 58% favored Dunkin' Donuts coffee, versus 42% for Starbucks.

Tummy troubles and movies

Sunday we ate at Five Guys restaurant and had some of their great hamburgers, but have noticed (now twice) that their french fries have made us very sick. We went there with two friends after seeing their new-old home in Gaithersburg. Needless to say, we drove home quickly, and Rob was sick all afternoon/evening. Tom didn't get it this time fortunately... but last week, Tom had either severe food poisoning or a stomach flu, as he was sick for one week! -
Sunday evening we were supposed to meet Tom's mom at the movies to see "Beverly Hills Chihuauhua" - I told Tom to go, and he did. He said the movie was okay. Meanwhile, I stayed home with the dogs (near the facilities) and watched Spiderman 2 on DVD, with interruptions of course. Ugh.

Halloween Outfits for the Dogs! - "Barctoberfest"

Tom and I took the dogs to "Barctoberfest" in Baltimore's Patterson Park this afternoon, and it was okay... but it took about half an hour to park (and lots of time to walk to it) so we were the last to sign up for the events. I miss the event being at the Can Company in the Canton area of the city.
Anyway, the long-awaited costume contest wasn't successful. Franklin's corn suit was a hit with people wanting to take pictures of him- but not a winner. Dolly was a Green Lantern from the Dog Star to match me in my Green Lantern outfit... (dog and owner look-alike) but she kept pulling off her "gloves" and her mask kept falling off, so we were a mess. Anyway, I made a backup outfit for her, on the recommendation of Mom Feldhaus in Maine last weekend. Mother's know best- so I made Dolly an "ear of corn" outfit, too, and put her in it after the costume event. That's when 4 young women asked to have their photos with Franklin and Dolly, both in the Corn Dog suits. So, it's a Corny halloween for the dogs.

Today is Rob's 46th Birthday! - A Day Off!

I took today off to celebrate turning 46! Wow...46 - I used to think that was old, now I don't! :) It's all relative. Anyway, despite the fact that more gray hairs (LOOK FOR THEM!) are sneaking in this year, I still have a young spirit I think! I love life, dogs, coffee and people!
Nothing happier about a birthday than waking up next to the guy you love and your "kids" (Dolly and Franklin). After making breakfast for Tom and the dogs at 4am (typical), Tom had to go to work, and the dogs and I went back to bed until 6am! I did my morning sit-ups, and walked the dogs a mile, an jumped on the computer briefly (now). I had phone call singing from Tom and then his mom, and the day just wouldn't have been complete without our friend Jeff in VA calling and playing Loretta Lynn's "Happy Birthday" song (as he's done every year on this day for the last 6 years- I love it!).
BTW- Country Singer Alan Jackson is born on this day, and turns 50 today, so I'll be listening to his CDs all day (I think I have all of 'em). Birthday wishes also to my friend Sandra in Alabama, and John in Frederick, Md. (also both born today).
I'm going grocery shopping, and then picking up the dogs for a trip to Petsmart for food and treats, then taking them on a run, and giving them a bath!
Tonight I'll have dinner with Tom and his parents - great way to end a birthday.
On a final note regarding turning old - it's a state of mind. For example, Tom and I were in a pet store with the dogs, and I had Dolly (the gray weimaraner) with me. Dolly was only 2 years old... and a young boy walked up to me and said "Your dog is gray - She's old!"

Need your Vote on a Dog Photo Contest ASAP!

I submitted Franklin and Dolly's birthday party photo to a website, and they take votes every week to determine a winner. You'll have to vote for about 12 dogs (they're in the middle of it) to get through it. You award stars (out of 10) for cuteness. They're counting on you! Thanks!! VOTE HERE: http://www.photowow.com/contest/vote.aspx

Join Us Saturday Oct. 18th at BARCSotberfest!

We're Going in Costume to the 4th Annual BARCStoberfest Fundraiser!
Come and join us, dog or no dog! Tom, Dolly, Franklin and I will be there.
It's Saturday, October 18, 2008 11am - 4pm
BARCStoberfest is coming! The 4th annual BARCStoberfest fundraiser will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2008 in Patterson Park (rain date is 10/19/08). This festival is a fun-filled, day-long event for the whole family – and the family pet!
BARCStoberfest will feature great activities, pet contests, entertainment, demonstrations and new this year – the Strut Your Mutt Walk. It's a true community event that brings awareness to the causes of animal homelessness, educates the public about animal welfare, and raises money to support BARCS. For more information: http://baltimoreanimalshelter.org/

U.S.Soldier Finally to Get her Adopted Iraqi Dog!

A nice good news story for you...
The pup got a reprieve from the U.S. military and could be headed for Minnesota by the weekend.
By MARY JANE SMETANKA, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Last update: October 15, 2008 - 11:27 PM
Sgt. Gwen Beberg, who adopted Ratchet as a tiny 4-week-old pup after fellow soldiers in Baghdad rescued him from a pile of burning trash...now she'll finally get her companion. Powerful friends in Washington, D.C., and a worldwide outcry by dog lovers have prompted the U.S. military to agree to release Ratchet, the Iraqi puppy an Army sergeant from Spring Lake Park is trying to get to her Minnesota home.
But the black-and-white mutt isn't home free, yet. On Wednesday, because of what a rescue group says was a slow release by the military, the pup missed the flight that would have gotten him out of Baghdad.
Operation Baghdad Pups will make a special trip back to Iraq on Sunday to try to retrieve him.
The Full story: http://www.startribune.com/local/west/31082159.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aU7EaDiaMDCiUT

Halloween During this Recession

This cartoon pretty much says it all for this Halloween:

Tailgaters...Today's Wins the Dumbhead Award!

This morning I drove Dolly and Franklin to Doggy Day Care as usual, and on the road I traveled, Route 178 in Crownsville, the driver behind me decided to tailgate me. So when I put my signal on to take a left into Doggy Daycare I moved close to the double yellow line, and stopped to wait for oncoming traffic to pass.
This guy was so close to me that when he stopped there was no way for him to move right and go past me! In fact, he wound up BACKING UP on the main road, turning his wheel and THEN going around me. Served him right. Of course, it would've served him even more if someone hit the clown. Why people tailgate on the road is beyond me.