Along Comes Christmas

Christmas finally came! I was pretty amped up all Christmas Eve, as you can imagine. It is EXHAUSTING trying to get people to notice you! I slept pretty soundly and was a-raring to go when the alarm (my pee bell) went off in the EARLY morning. Mommy #2 dutifully got up to let me out to do my BIDNESS and while I was outside, she prepared me a yummy breakfast of kibble and yogurt. She also put some Kat Kibble into Sunshine's bowl. We didn't hear a peep out of that LAZY Molly.

The house was nice and quiet as no one was up except the 3 of us. The Christmas Tree was all lit up and there were packages GALORE under, over, around and in front of it. I sniffed around a little to find mine. I was assured there were some although I did not detect any.

Then Mommy grabbed a blanket, sprawled on the couch and we snuggled while she read. It was a good hour before Molly was escorted downstairs for her morning pee and kibble. Then it was just Lil' One, Molly, Mommy #2 and me for ANOTHER hour until the rest of the household woke up.

The presents - oh the PRESENTS!!! I got some PUGZ (okay, they are shoes but they are so soft and comfortable I didn't mind wearing them)!!!! I got some fruit treats (thanks Auntie B) and a hedgehog chewie (they sell them at the humane society and they are veggie goodness) and . . . the list goes on and on. Toys GALORE!!!!

Molly got a new bed so she can STOP hogging all of mine. Just to show her who is boss, I have been laying in the bed at every possible moment. She looks at me, prances about, nibbles my ear - but I DO NOT give in to her tricks.

So that about sums up TWO THOUSAND TWELVE. The next time you hear from me it will be ALMOST 2013.

Prima DOG Alert!!!!

The present that keeps on giving - GAG!

That Molly. It does not HELP that she is cute, cuddly and portable. She also likes to play and hop around. But I think we all know she simply IS NOT cuter than me - just younger and newer.

Am I pouting a little???? You know it!

Here is was, Christmas Eve and all the 'rents were home, all the other FAMILY was over, and all the friends were likewise over. I was clean and excitedly awaiting all the adoration, cuddles and treats that I KNEW were coming my way.

After an hour or so NO ONE gave me more than a cursory pat on the head. I could not figure out what was going on. . . . that was when I happened to glance over to Uncle W and saw MOLLY on his lap being all cuddly and receiving treats from him.

I was crushed. Where was my glory? Where was my love?

Where is my MOMMY?

Mommy did eventually come to sooth me over and remind everyone what a wonderful PUG I am.

But I ask you now - how can anyone compete with this?

Post Christmas Reminiscences

It was a whirlwind of activity, I tell you that. From Friday night to this morning it was all go-go-go. I have barely had time to focus on ME much less on all the GUESTS I have had to entertain.

I am not sure where I left off in the tales of my Christmas. So let's SEGUE to the NIGHT before Christmas.
There were LOTS of creatures stirring in our house (no MOUSES, though, unless you count the MICKEY MOUSE dishes the humans ate on. . .). We had aunties, uncles, cousins, nieces/nephews and friends over to celebrate. Mommy #2 and my Aunts BandT were so busy cooking and cleaning and more cooking and more cleaning. A lot of times they shoooed us away to our pen because we were HELPING too much.

As the sky got darker, the guests arrived. We were released from JAIL OUR PEN and allowed to mingle with everybody until DINNER was ready to go to the table. Then into JAIL OUR PEN we went again! It was not too long, though, and we got lots and lots of treats to make up for being sequestered away like that.

Then there was more talking and laughing among the adults and some squealing and shouting from the kids playing the Wii. I helped there cuz I KNOW it is my sworn duty to warn my humans of approaching cars, balls, trapezes -VIRTUAL or real, does not matter!

As the evening wound down, the Christmas music was put on - a fire was lit in the fireplace - and Mommy's lap was again available. Before we knew it, it was time to close our eyes and wait for

SANDY PAWS

I think I see SANDY PAWS on the horizon!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and SO ON

I am not sure how much blogging I will get in before Christmas arrives. Ms Thumbs already informed me that she is OTHERWISE occupado with cleaning, cooking, last minute shopping.

Keeping watch over Lil' One is one of my duties
as Santa's Helper

Since I am Santa's Helper (remember a couple of posts back?), I told her I understood completely and will be on my bestest behavior. I MIGHT even help keep Molly in line although it is pretty hard to do with all that PUPPY energy.








So for now, I want to wish all my FURiends in BLOGVILLE (and those who just happen to find me but not follow me) The HAPPIEST of HAPPYS for no matter what you celebrate at this time of year. What matter most is sharing the LOVE with family, friends and, yes, even strangers.

Talk to you AFTER Christmas.

Top Dog in the CARD Department

These are all for ME and MOLLY

I don't mean to brag, but I am WAY ahead in the Christmas Card Regatta at our house. Look at all those cards from MY FURIENDS. . . I see Winston Wilbur and his new brother Sam Cooper, I see my buddy FURever Bellatrix, and look in the corner, there is Scarlett! So many - I loves loves loves them all.

See my SAD tail. . . no CURL!!!!!

I'd show you the PITIFULLY SMALL pile of Christmas Cards the rest of the family has received . . . but I think it would make you CRY.

Fun with Gingerbread

This is a panorama shot of the same house

Many asked if I stood under the tables during Gingerbread House construction and decoration. The answer is YES, I did. I scored a couple of pieces of candy - mostly Smarties. It wasn't my BEST score ever but was fun nonetheless. I also managed to NOT let Molly or Pablo have any. That was the best part - I had bragging rights for the rest of the day.

 Here is a video panorama of the house Mommy #2 did. Pretty cool, huh?

Now we are preparing for THE BIG EVENT of the YEAR - Christmas Eve at our house. We invite all the family and some friends to come over for a big FEAST. The house smells SOOOOOO good and is also filled with so much laughter! I love it so much. In the meantime, Molly and I find ourselves penned up a lot while the humans are cooking and cleaning and cooking some more. It is a hectic time of year.

What do you do for the Holidays? Any special traditions?

Relaxing with the Lil' One. Yes, I HAD to wear my
CONE OF SHAME because I was
scratching my ear until it was RED!!!

Construction Zone! Watch for Falling CANDY!

Just a few of the houses that were decorated

Our house became a CONSTRUCTION zone over the weekend! It was so much fun I can HARDLY describe it. It all began a few weeks back when Mommy #2 started making GINGERBREAD like a crazy woman. The house smelled divine - I tell you! The aroma plus all of the festive decorations that my Aunties put up everywhere left no doubt that SOMETHING fun was afoot!

Then on Saturday afternoon PEOPLE started arriving - AND ANOTHER DOG named Pablo also came over. He is a HAVANESE so he is all white and furry. Like Molly, he has a couple of tan spots on his back to break up the tedium of being all white. We played a little, peed a little, and mostly begged A LOT for some of the yummy food that was EVERYWHERE!

All in all there were 16 people in addition to our family of 6 humans. It got loud at times; but it was loud with LAUGHTER and funny STORIES. By the time they all left, the 25 houses my Mommy #2 had baked were mostly gone.

Then came the clean-up. I tried to help. . . I really did. . . but the best I could offer - other than to EAT all of the fallen candy - was to keep Molly occupied and out from under foot.

Sometime in the afternoon everyone in the house was looking for us and calling our names. We never heard them . . .

Auntie B's Boot Camp REDUX

As you all know, I spent Thanksgiving with Auntie B at her BIGGEST LOSER RANCH!!!!! She always makes me do lots of exercise when I am at her house. It is okay because I love Auntie B so much and she is really very very good to me.

Everyday we had the same routine - an EXERCISE ROUTINE. It helped me to keep my newly trim waist while not having to DEPRIVE me of noms. I think, since we are approaching the most FOOD-FILLED Holiday, that I will go through the routine with you so you too can benefit from my AUNTIE B'S BOOT CAMP experience.

Here goes

•  Hide the Lamb Chop

           For this exercise, a toy is placed ON THE BACK - preferably in a spot not easily reached (which for a PUG is the WHOLE backside). The vic. . . uh. . . client is supposed to run around, twist at the waist, and hop until the toy is dislodged. Repeat 5 times.

•  Yoga Ball

             Take DOGYA one step beyond with the help of the DOGYA ball. No playing fetch here. The             object is to balance and strengthen one's core. Is that something like an apple core - Auntie B?

• Walk the Town

           As the name implies, every chance you get GET OUTTA THE HOUSE! We walked a lot over the 5 days and it was so fun. The air was crisp and the falling leaves made a satisfying crunch under my feet. It was a fun way to exercise and see the town.

• Concentration Burn

          You may not be aware of it, but using that muscle called a brain actually burns calories. At least once a day, Auntie B would place something DELECTABLE in front of me and NOT let me eat it. I had to sit there for hours WILLING the food to come to my mouth. I never mastered THAT feat, but I sure broke a sweat trying.

Good luck with these power exercises. If you stick with them, you will be able to enjoy a holiday morsal or two WITHOUT worrying about your waistline. All thanks to Auntie B's Boot Camp.

Wednesday Flashback

I was just learning to stand.

Broken Promise

Dear. . . whoever is listening. . .

I am SO UPSET!!!! This is such a betrayal I cannot even fathom it! And it is NOT ME who is perpetrating this crime. Oh no. . . it is my MOMMY #2 who is to blame. I figured if I RAT her out, she will come clean and amend her NOW EVIL ways. Time will tell.

What, you may ask, are you TALKIN' about Noodles? Well, simply put, my MOMMY #2 signed a COVENANT when we started this blog - a covenant that stated she will write a POST a DAY for my blog. And SHE HAS to do it - I am thumbs-challenged.

And WHAT has happened????? Under the guise of "BUSY" and "SICK" and "VACATION," she has slacked off to MAYBE 3 a week. . . sometimes even 1 post a week. That is totally and outrageously WRONG.

I am NOT going to let this go on. It is up to ME - Noodles the conscientious PUG to make this right. I promise that by the end of 2012 my blog will again be MAINTAINED at ONE POST a DAY.

It better - or I might go back on MY COVENANT to not pee in the house.

Chew on THAT for a while MOMMY #2

Santa's Little Helpers

So. . . when I signed up to be one of Santa's Helpers, I did NOT expect to wear special clothes and do a lot of SECRET things. I was told (by Molly, harrrrummph!) that it would involve a little time and A LOT of treats. Well, as you can see from the above photo, it also involved SHOES.

SHOES, you ask? Why shoes to help Santa. Well even though we live in SUNNY NORTHERN CALIFORNIA where it sometimes rains a lot but mostly is just sunny, it seems that Santa's Helpers have to, on occasion, tromp through the SNOW! I DO NOT know what snow is but I hear it is pretty cold and can mess up one's delicate PAWS.

This was news to me and next thing I knew, I WAS TRYING ON SHOES. Not just any shoe, either. . . but RED waterproof shoes.

What is this world coming to??????

Look at this picture. . . Do I look HAPPY!

I am still awaiting my orders but I overheard the BOSS (S.C.) saying something about a SLEIGH RIDE.

Molly seems oblivious to all of the activity. But then again, she has that PUPPY energy which left me long ago. 

Oh, and BTW. . . I have not seen a treat yet.

I Looked Over My Shoulder. . .

I looked o'er my Shoulder

And WHAT did I see

I saw CHRISTMAS staring back at me

I really need to find my LIST because

I need to give it to SANDY CLAWS

Then I've got SOME shopping to do

A coupla nice GIFTS for Mommys 1and 2

Then I NEED to enlist some thumbs

To do the wrappin' and pick up CRUMBS

I mean from ALL THE COOKIES I will gift

Not that I ATE them all, AS IF

Time's a-wastin' so CHAT wi'ya soon

So much to do - it makes me SWOON

Gotta GET Those Cards Out

OMD OMD!!!
The days are closing in on me sooooooo FAST and I have YET to complete my Christmas Cards!

What's a PUG to do?????

Love Noodles

Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time there was a PRINCESS PUG named Noodles. She was a happy pug who generally got everything she ever wanted. Her MOST prized possession, though was her beloved Sock Monkey Bed. She never slept anywhere other than SM.

One day a new Princess arrived. Her name was Molly and she was DECIDEDLY NOT a Pug. But she was cute and fluffy and everyone laughed at her beguiling way of high-stepping when she walked. She took ONE look at Noodles' Sock Monkey Bed and it was LOVE at first sight.

Luckily for Noodles she had found a NEW bed to love.

Excuse Me Auntie B. . . But

Can I borrow your THUMBS for a bit?

This was my post for Wordless Wednesday. I couldn't post it because I AGAIN ran out of photo space. That really got my hackles raised, I tell you.

It is all better now.

A Dance and A Trip - ALL Without ME

This is the PATHETIC look I put on when Mommy #2
left me at Auntie B's

So my absence began about 9 days ago when the weekend for Mommy #1's ballet performance finally came around. She actually only performed on Sunday of that weekend; but before that there were sets to build, costumes to alter, dances to rehearse and lighting to set. It was a lot of work. Both of my mommys left early in the morning and did not return until LATE. I had almost NO SNUGGLES from them. Molly and my other cousins kept me company and made sure I had food and water.

The show was a success and Mommy #1 danced well, from what I was told. All I know is that MONDAY I had both of my Mommys home! We snuggled on the couches all day and into the night.

The next day Mommy #2 stayed home from work ONLY ALL SHE DID WAS WORK!!!! She cleaned the WHOLE HOUSE SPOTLESS!!! Then she did a lot of laundry, took out suitcases, packed up my bed!!! Something was afoot and I KNEW IT.

Sometime in the late afternoon Mommy #2 and I took a drive to my Auntie B's house. I love Auntie B and she loves me. I often stay with her when Mommys are going out of town and cannot take me with them. I RAN into Auntie B's house and sniffed all around the house, like I normally do. There was a strange dog smell and I was a little disturbed to think Auntie B might like ANOTHER DOG! But she assured me it was not her that watched that particular dog. She is MY AUNTIE B - period!

Mommy gave me a huge hug and a kiss goodbye. Then she was gone. I was happy to be at Auntie B's but already missing MY Mommys.

Mea Culpa - Of Having Too Much HOLIDAY

I am SOOOOOO tired from all the fun I had at Auntie B's house. I know I have not posted in like FOREVER but I do not have the stamina to lift a paw.

Tomorrow will be another story as I fill you in on the showcase weekend followed by Thanksgiving.

BTW, I am THANKFUL for all of YOU!!! You rock my world.

In Defense

So I was lollygagging about the Internet, avoiding what I should REALLY be doing, when what do I see? Someone BLASTING Miss Amanda and the 1000Pugs project.

Well, this got my HACKLES up immediately because NO ONE has the right to COME DOWN on MY Amanda, Puglet, and Dutch. No One.

 Look at the FACTS - JACK (or whatever your name may ACTUALLY BE since I believe you signed your TIRADE "Anonymous")

• This project is HUGE and no amount of planning could account for the way it SKYROCKETED in popularity and participation
• Amanda is ONE PERSON even though she writes for Puglet, Dutch, Frank and some other assorted "guest" bloggers
• Even with help, it is easy to get lost in the sheer volume of papers and promises
• Amanda wants to do it right - and that means every PUG will look GREAT in the photos; AND keep in mind, the HUNDREDS of shots she takes of each one need to be looked at, categorized, color corrected, and logged

I cannot even begin to imagine how hard it would be to honor obligations for 10 PUGS much less 1000.

SO PLEASE UNDERSTAND that

1. She is not trying to SCAM anyone
2. She is not reneging on the INTENT of her project (and getting rich is NOT the intent)
3. She will eventually deliver all that she promised
4. THE BOOK WILL BE AMAZING

I LOVE YOU MISS AMANDA (and your awesome treats. . .)

Lick Me Twice

Licky Lou Two

Licky Lou

Join me for the BLOGPAWS Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop 



Sweet When Asleep

Molly is one cute kid and I am having trouble adjusting to NOT being the cutest dog in the house. I tell myself she is just a baby; but sometimes I just get so mad.

Not when she is asleep. Then she is an ANGEL and even I have to smile at her.

I have to admit, it is nice to have someone with whom to share.

Me 'n' Molly

Me and Molly are getting along pretty well. We play A LOT which is something I never really did much of before. But we run all over the house and play bitey face.
The other day I admit I got a little rough with Molly. I was irritated because she seemed to be getting a lot more attention from EVERYBODY (except MY Mommy #2) and I didn't like it. Maybe I got up on the wrong side of the kennel. I don't know. We were playing and the next thing I know Molly yelps. Mommy pulled me aside for a time out.
Noodles, she said. You got a little rough there. I don't think you hurt Molly and I don't think she wanted to hurt you. But when you play that rough, someone will always get hurt.
I know, I said. I didn't mean to. . . but Molly WAS picking on me some.
I know, Mommy said. But keep in mind she is a lot smaller than you. Look at her neck! It is as small as your FOREARM! Just keep it in mind when you play.
Okay, I said.
Them Molly and I high-fived and made nice. We sat very calmly for treats, too.
It is a learning thing for both of us.

Mad For MadLibs Contest Winners and Entries

Again, thanks to all who played my Gotcha Day MadLibs game. It was a lot of fun to see what everyone came up with. I have links to everyone's blogs. Stop by and say hi to these creative PUPS!

FIRST PRIZE: CORBIN 

CLICK to Bigify

1. Sneakers
2. Perrywinkle
3. Purple
4. Underwear
5. Fantastic
6. Donkey
7. Banana
8. The Corbin
9. Flying
10. Smelly
11. Broccoli
12. Quick
13. Carrot
14. Garbage
15. Fart!
16. Happy

SECOND PRIZE: THE IDAHO PUGS

Click to Bigify

1. Couch
2. Green
3. Purple
4. Tree
5. Spunky
6. Hat
7. Zucchini
8. Brad Pitt
9. Laughing
10. Pretty
11. Spinach
12. Yucky
13. Brussels Sprouts
14. Bicycle
15. BOL
16. Smart

The Rest of the Entries (all 11 of them)

Casey 

Leash

Fawn

Brindle

Squeakie

Brilliant

Kitty

Green beans

Mayor Frankie

RUN!

Shiny

Carrot

Sparkly

Leek

                                                                        Turtle

Oh My Dog!

Squeaky

 Goose

Bone

Tangerine

Magenta

Airplane

Miniscule

Rock

Carrot

Freckles

Hopped

Long

Grean bean

Bright

Mushroom

Wagon

OMD!!!

Slippery

 Scarlet

Pug

Purple

Red

Stiffie

Adorable

Octopus

Cucumber

Buddha

Twirl

Curly

Potato

Awesome

Alfalfa Sprout

Bicycle

Zoiks!

Furry

Sid

Shoe

Chocolate Brown

Lemon Yellow

Pizza

Handsome

Nose

Asparagus

Miss Timothy Buttons

Spin

Cranky

Brussels Sprouts

Putrid

Artichoke

Frog

By Jove!

Wobbly

Slimmer Pugs 

Helicopter

Green

Yellow

Hat

Scrumdiddlyumptious

Television

Broccoli

Michelle Obama

Scraped

Stinky

Radish

Lickable

Carrot

Truck

Eureka!

Splendiferous

Baily, Mesa, Big Carl, Tori

Tree

Pink

Orange

Pencil

Sultry

Key

Jicama

Barbra Streisand

Running

Salty

String Bean

Slimy

Parsnip

Racecar

Holy Moly!

Shiny

                                                                           Frankie Furter

Pan

Blue

Red

Collar

Wonderful

Pencil

Snow Peas

Noodles

Ran

Fst

Squash

Tall

Tomato

Tree

HEY!

Thrilled

Marlene

Pug

Fawn

Black

Treatable

Nutso

Food

Broccoli

Marlene

Spin

Cute

Onion

Plump

Lettuce

Ear

Well, bless your heart!

Old

I don't have Photos of these two:

Flea                                                                                                      Apel (a Google+ follower)
Garage                                                                                                                                         Ring
Chartreuse                                                                                                                                    Red-Orange
Beige                                                                                                                                          Blue-Green
Duck                                                                                                                                           Underwear
Scintillating                                                                                                                                 Funny
Pillow                                                                                                                                         Bra
Chard                                                                                                                                          Radish
Margaret Thatcher                                                                                                                         Ronald McDonald
Garnish                                                                                                                                       Jumping
Plush                                                                                                                                          Happy
Asparagus                                                                                                                                    Carrot
Heinous                                                                                                                                       Prickly
Brussels Sprouts                                                                                                                           Pea
Bezel                                                                                                                                          Weights
Crap on a Stick!                                                                                                                            Hold Buckets!
Spurious                                                                                                                                      Smooth

Wordless Wednesday - Forgetaboutit Being Wordless!!!

CORBIN! You Won!!!!!

All of the entries were so good that I was forced to let Mr. Randomizer do the work again.

You can BIGIFY this by clicking on it. But it says Numero Uno is CORBIN and Numero Dos is THE IDAHO PUGS!

Make sure to email me your mailing address so I can ship your prize out to you ASAP.

My email is:
noodlesthepugATaolDOTcom



There were so many (13) great entries that I want to highlight them all. Come back by tomorrow and check them out.


Wow! What a great way to celebrate my THIRD Gotcha Day.


Remember: 
November is ADOPTION Month. This is predominantly HUMAN Adoptions - BUT I feel comfortable enough to extend this to PET ADOPTION as well.

Let's get out there and CREATE MORE Gotcha Days.

Doody Duty Thinking

I was outside on Doody Duty (watching my new sister Molly while she did her bidness) yesterday and it got me to thinking. Not about Doody. . .  but about what kind of DOODY we would all be in if we lost the privelege of voting. Yeah, gonna tread the testy waters of politics here.

If we had no say so in what that big HUGE thing called GOVERNMENT did, we would have no freedom to DOODY where we want to . . . get treats when we want them. . . or even LIVE with who we want to.

And that would be no good at all. I am a pampered PRINCESS PUG and I am used to not only EXPRESSING my free will ALL over the place; but also used to having my laundry list of demands met on a continuing basis. MY FREEDOM depends on everyone in the USA's freedom and I do not want to lose it.

So take some time out of your day and VOTE. It doesn't matter who you vote for because at least you are doing the one thing that is important - FREEly choosing who you believe will do the best for this country.

The SOAPBOX is now stored for another 4 years.

OH!!! And tomorrow I PROMISE that Mommy will be back on track and announce the MADLIBS winner (or is it winners????)