Happy All Hallow's Eve

Mommy #1's favorite childhood stories were
from the Miss Spider series

I had the dress already - a Martha Stewart close-out

So Mommy #2 made me this hat with a pompom.
Then she added "legs" to make a spider

Be SAFE and have fun Trick or Treating
By the way
Did I mention I am going to Dory's PAWty?
http://dorysbackyard.blogspot.co.uk/

Ca-Ca-CATURDAY

Or as Sunshine likes to call it

ABOUT TIME!

"P" is for Pee Protest

This is what it looked like out the door this morning

It's Raining

It's Pouring

My Bladder

Stopped Storing

It Reminded Me

I Gotta Pee

So I went to the

Door - ing

And took ONE LOOK OUTSIDE  

It's Raining

It's Pouring

I think I'll wait

SomeMORE-ing

I gotta pee

But I can SEE

It's NOT stopping

And it's POURING

Really Mommy. I can HOLD IT

If It SMELLS Good. . . #chewyinfluencer

This Month Sunshine the Cat had the opportunity to try a new food! She was so excited when she saw the October Chewy.com Newsletter because it had a lot of KITTY goodies and many she has never tried. And she has tried a lot because . . . well . . . she has been around a lot of years. One of the things that keeps her so healthy is the good food she eats. Gone are the Kit N Kaboodle days that she got away with as a youngun. Nope. To keep her joints moving and her energy level up, she needs the good stuff.

So she decided she was going to go GOURMAND on us all and test the Solid Gold Purrfect Pairings Savory Mousse with Chicken & Goat Milk Grain-Free Cat Food Cups, 2.75-oz. It is MADE for her style of eating - kibble with a fresh topper. True to Chewy.com style, the 6 pack of food cups arrived SCANT days after we told Ms Sydney that Sunshine wanted to try it!

It looks very different from most canned cat foods that Sunshine has tried before. It almost looks like PUDDING. A smooth MEAT pudding. It isn't overly fragrant, either. In the past, she has tried some very very FRAGRANT foods. The smell didn't phase her - even if it drove the 'rents outta the house. Some she liked and some she didn't. There is NO PATTERN to her palate.

Even though she will not ever get a whole cup, Mommy gave her half of a cup because she wanted to see what would happen:

1. Would she eat it?
2. Would she eat all of it?
3. How fast would she eat it?
4. Did it make her throw up afterward?
5. If she threw up was it from the whole amount or some of it?

PLUS Sunshine had not eaten all day for some reason (did somekitty sneak out into the garage again??) and Mommy felt she needed a bit more food.

Well, she ATE IT without out any hesitations. She didn't even play her usual game of sniff, look up, sniff again, meow, and finally eat the stuff. NOPE. She ate. And ate. She ate it all gone and came back later to cleanse her palate on the kibble. She did not throw up or even threaten to hack up a fur ball. It was all good.

Here is why I think Solid Gold Puurfect Pairings is a good food for Sunshine:

1; The INGREDIENTS -
Water Sufficient for Processing, Chicken, Tuna, Potato, Pea Protein, Goat Milk, Chicken Fat, Modified Tapioca Starch, Salt, Tricalcium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Choline Chloride, Sodium Bicarbonate, Iron Glycine Complex, Zinc Glycine Complex, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganese Glycine Complex, Niacin Supplement, Copper Glycine Complex, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K3)

That is some seriously healthy and natural food there. And no grains or fillers means nothing to upset her geriatric digestion system.

2. The BENEFITS of a mousse style food -

• Soft airy texture
• Unique flavor pairings
• Provides needed nutrients in a simple to digest form
• Holistic recipe good for all life stages
• No grains and no glutens 

Take it from Sunshine (not really take it - just heed her words) - do yourself a favor TODAY and ask to try Solid Gold Puurfect Pairings. It's on sale right now at www.chewy.com.

Try it - you'll like it

**We want you to know that we received, free of charge, sufficient product to test it and develop and opinion about it. Then we were asked to share our opinion. We are not paid for this opinion AND all of it is our own. No one tells US what to say.

A WORDsmithy Wednesday - And a Blog Hop - and a Symbol of One Thousand Words

I think this is worth MORE than 1000 words.
Doesn't Sunshine look HALF of her 14 years?

From Webster's Dictionary

ai·lur·o·phile

īˈlo͝orəˌfīl,āˈlo͝or-/

noun

1. a cat lover.

HOP HERE

The Answer My FURiend is Blowing in the Wind. . . and There is LOTS of IT

These are all the ANSWERS I know right now . . .
                                           SNIFF, Sniff, sniff . . .

1. Our next door neighbors have a dog that barks like Molly - high pitched and loud
2. Across the street they are having Tater Tots 
3. The neighbors behind us are making salsa
4. The neighbors right behind us do something ALL DAY with wood of all kinds (I'm guessing. . . snifffffffffff. . . he might be a carpenter)
5. Next door the kids are making Mac n Cheese
6. Somewhere close by. . . a block or two . . . someone is raking leaves. It smells FALLISH

Whew! That is about all I can handle at this time. A little later I will again SMELL THE WIND to find out the happenings in my 'hood.

What's smellin' in yours?

Sumptin' About Punkin That Just Sends ME - #chewyinfluencer

This time of year I am all about PUMPKIN. I love the look of those lovely ORANGE orbs (yes, I admit there are some white, blue, green versions). And the pulp tastes so so so good especially dolloped atop my kibble. Oh yes, I am a true fan. My Mommy #2 is NOT A FAN. I don't get where she is coming from there. I mean - what's not to like? Pumpkin is sweet and intensely flavored and what is even better . . . it is GOOD for pups. Yes, you heard me. Something sweet and delicious that is good for us.

There IS a Heaven.

So when Chewy.com's October newsletter came out, it was a NO-BRAINER for me to choose the Weruva Pumpkin Patch-up. A no-brainer. It looked like a win win for me. Before I tell you about Weruva Pumpkin Patch Up, though, I want to share with you some of the benefits of adding PUMPKIN to your diet. I think I mentioned some of them last week. Here are some more according to GOOGLE

1. Loaded with fiber and beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A
2. High in fiber, low in fat and cholesterol 
3. Contains significant amounts of magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc and vitamins A and C

 It is most definitely a GOOD-FOR-YOU-TREAT. Like most things, moderation is the key to getting the most out of PUMPKIN. Anything from a TEASPOON for small pups to a couple of TABLESPOONS for BIG dogs is plenty to give your pet maximum benefits from eating Pumpkin.

Weruva Pumpkin Patch Up is a meal SUPPLEMENT not a meal in a pouch. It is portioned out for average dogs and cats so you, the FEEDING PARTNER do not have to cook, measure or store fresh or canned pumpkin. One pouch is one serving (or two for smaller pets). The selling point of this product is its CONVENIENCE and controllability. If you are like my Mommys, sometimes that refrigerator pumpkin stays in too long. Maybe she too has discovered a bit of green mold when she pulled it out. It happens (and a lot faster to fresh cooked pumpkin) because PAWrents tend to get the kind with little to no preservatives. And they get busy and kibble is good enough and if only it was easier to store. . . I am making up excuses here BUT all PAWrents do think this - RIGHT?

So, you might ask, with PUMPKIN so abundant this time of year AND available in canned versions ALL YEAR LONG, and MAYBE this time I will use it before the mold sets in . . . 

Why would I need this product?

• Because it is STORABLE without needing refrigeration.
• Because it is one serving so there is none left over
• Because there is NO WASTE 
• Because it is convenient
• BECAUSE IT IS ALL PUMPKIN and water. That is all! No sugar, no fillers, no preservatives

 And Chewy.com has it ON SALE right now and that makes the price very competitive to the cans you buy in the grocery store. Click this link to order yours today LINK

Mommy admits to having some problems opening the ALUMINUM PACKAGE (rinse it out and recycle it). It did not tear open too easily and she squeezed too hard and KABOOM!!! Pumpkin went all over the counter, the floor and her Golden State WARRIORS tshirt.

So as you can see from the photo ABOVE (like two photos above) she recruited MR. SCISSORS to aid in opening the package. She still SQUEEZED too hard and juice spilled out a little. BUT this time she was positioned over MY bowl. This is not a FAULT in the packaging. No. This is a fault in MY Mommy that despite pretty good UPPER ARM STRENGTH she still could not manage to open a pouch of PUMPKIN.

She plopped it into my bowl and I ate it up. END OF STORY, It was just enough and made my kibble THAT much MORE tasty. Yes, I begged for more - but I didn't need it.

Another reason Mommy suggested I choose WERUVA PUMPKIN PATCH UP is something we small dogs and . . . especially pugs . . . there, I said it . . . Are you HAPPY, Molly? . . . Is that little ANAL problem we have. You know - Stink Butt, Juicing, Anal Gland Discharge? 

In my house we call it "Noodles! Not Again! I just washed (these pants, that blanket, the pillow. . . insert what applies)!"

PUMPKIN addresses this ISSUE (yes, pun intended)! It sorta. .  uh. . . moves things along and naturally helps express those anal glands. Expressed glands mean no Stink Butt. Or at least less of it and less frequently. This is a MUST in a pug house. I'm not gonna say the problem is GONE, Gone, gone completely. But since we got the shipment of Weruva Pumpkin Patch Up from Chewy.com I have not slimed anything or anyone. And that is a HUGE relief for all of us.

So get the PUMPKIN rolling and add it to your diet. And go to Chewy.com and get it on SALE!!!! I know you will like it as much as I do. Unless you inexplicably HATE pumpkin like my Mommy. In that case - well, the PACKAGING is cute.

**We were not paid for this review nor were we paid to say positive things about the product. No money was exchanged at all, okay? We did receive enough product to review over a couple of days or weeks and form an opinion about it. All opinions and findings are OUR OWN and ours alone.

Sometimes You Gotta Let a Nap Just Flow . . .

I Wanna Talk About . . .

PUMPKINS. Yes, you heard me. . . pumpkins. They are everywhere nowadays and frankly I am thrilled. Who doesn't like a little dollop of PUMPKIN puree on their kibble? And it is so very good for you, too.

According to PETMD.com, pumpkin helps pets in THREE main ways:

1.  URINARY health - the oils found in pumpkin seeds and flesh help with urinary incontinence. These oils have been known to help with kidney stones, incontinence, and prostatic hyperplasia in older male dogs.
2.  DIGESTIVE health - the fiber found in pumpkin flesh is abundant and actually aids in digestion. And whether your pup has the dreaded diarrhea or uncomfortable constipation, a little pumpkin helps alleviate the distress and return the digestive system to normal. In pugs and other small dogs, a little pumpkin is also known to stop the dreaded "Stink Butt" or anal gland discharge.
3.  WEIGHT maintenance - a dollop of pumpkin makes a pup feel fuller on less food (unless that pup is a pug in which case, good luck).

As you can tell, Pumpkin is one of my favorite things

A WORDsmithy Wednesday That's Hoppin'

I have decided to change it up a bit today. Instead of having a WORDLESS WEDNESDAY, especially since I have so much trouble complying, that I'd like to do a Wordsmithy day.

What's a WORDSMITHY day? Well, for starters

word·smith

ˈwərdˌsmiTH/

noun

1. a skilled user of words.

I love the sound of that, don't you? And I really love words. So today I am going to discuss the word EMPATHY because we do NOT have enough of it in the world today. Empathy is one of those things we need to ALL GET ALONG. When you EMPATHIZE with someone, you understand what they feel. You might even FEEL what they feel. And in the end, you are more compassionate about others and how they feel.

I was trawling around Facebook today and someone I loves loves loves posted this fantastic video about, of all things, the WORD I had chosen for today's blog - EMPATHY. Take a look. I think it is brilliant.

Okay, MAYBE I like this video because it has Mark Ruffalo, The Incredible Hulk/ Dr. Bannon. But maybe. . .

It just sang to me. I really try to be empathetic and understand everypuggy. If we all tried this now and then the world would certainly be a better place for all. And imagine - no more wars based on cultural or religious differences. It wouldn't help the economic wars, unfortunately. . .

But. . . every little bit helps.

EMPATHY

Hop Here

Just Some Thoughts

Sorry to go AWOL yesterday. It was one of those meeting days for Mommy #2 and her boss and you know what that means - no A Bowl of Noodles. I pugsonally think she needs to plan better.

It wasn't like I had nothing to say. I had a LOT to say - I simply cannot remember any of it. So let's move on to something new.

FALL has arrived here. It rained and stormed for THREE days here. Of course, being South Bay, we got less than an inch of rain. I don't see how since it rained a lot at times. The plants in the yard look happy again and the air smells so sweet. It is taking longer than usual for our walk because I keep stopping to ABSORB all of the new smells. It is intoxicating.

I have been working on my HALLOWEEN costume and I just can't decide to go all PRINCESSY or a slightly more FUNNY kind of costume. Last year I work my CHEWBACCA jacket and everyone thought I was a BOY. That happens to me a lot.

In the past, I have done these extremes

I'm Nala from the Lion King

Tiffy and me ROCKING it

What should I do for this year????

Uh - NO!!!

It's Academic, FURiends . . .

Yesterday I went to University to spend the day with Mommy #1. She lives on campus now and I almost never get to see her. She isn't far - under 10 miles - but for little ol' me it might as well be an ocean away. And I miss her a lot. She is always good for a cuddle.

Mommy #2 and I left really early and hit the commute time roads. That was a challenge. I cannot believe how many cars there are on the road at that time in the morning. It is a parking lot!!!

It took something like a million minutes but I was a good girl and sat in my car seat. I didn't even fuss because I knew Mommy #2 needed to concentrate on not hitting the car in front of her.

We had some good tunes on the radio so it was actually a very comfortable trip to campus.








We finally made it and I was so happy to see Mommy #1. She had class so we immediately headed over for Bus 1. That is a class where she is learning all of the basic concepts of business. Later on she will start learning the more specific way these concepts are used. It was a very interesting class and the professor . . . that is what teachers in college are called . . . let me sit at the very front of the class.

The rest of the day was free, sort of. College Student Mommy had to work for a few hours so her DORM mates watched me. It was fun getting to know these new people.

I have arrived MY PEOPLE

SO, About this homework thing. . .

Explain again what the ALT key does

These DORM beds are so HIGH and kinda comfy

Those college kids sure pack a lot into their little rooms. I had a lot of fun sniffing out everything and looking for ORBS of food that may have fallen (I found none).  And some of the college kids even took time out to PLAY with me.

Dogs are not REALLY allowed in the rooms, though, so my time indoors was minimal. Instead we went to the STUDENT UNION where peeps meet up and chat about esoteric things. . . that is a college word I learned during my day as a college student.

The student union is also where the CAFETERIA is located and so we also made sure to grab some lunch.

The University (Santa Clara University - Go Broncos!!) is such a lovely campus that we took the scenic route to classes. This is the fountain at  the main entrance to campus. In the background is Mission Santa Clara, one of the missions founded by Fr. Junipero Serra. The church is at the center of everything on campus - and even if you are not Catholic (as we are not) you grow to appreciate the Jesuit community.

It wouldn't be UNIVERSITY if there weren't some COLLEGE shenanigans. I found myself caught up in a trip to SAFEWAY. . . a grocery store. . . I still can't say how we got away with this. After all, I am pretty sure PUGS fall under the "No Dogs Allowed" rule.

Then it was time to head home. I would have loved to spend the night but SCU has a very strict NO PETS policy and you know me . . . I am all about following the rules. But I have to say I DO feel a little bit smarter having attended college. And I am so so happy to have spent time with my COLLEGE STUDENT MOMMY. It was a long day and I . . .

Think I am Ready to . . .

College Life

I am going to college today. That right! I am on my way AS I WRITE to the university where my Mommy #1 attends and lives. I get to spend the WHOLE day meeting her friends, attending classes, eating DORM food and being CUTE, over all.

Since this has yet to happen, I don't have a lot of stuff to say about the experience. But what I can tell you is I had to endure NOSE cleaning. . . EAR cleaning. . . FOLD cleaning. . . FUR de-stinking. . . You get the picture. It's all for a good cause, though.

Tune in tomorrow for photos and stories of my day on CAMPUS.

Wordless Wednesday - The Nap

Hop Here

Gray Skies and a Blue Mood

Ho Hum. 

I'm in a mood

The skies are gray

It might rain too

I can't explain

The way I feel

A side of darkness

with a bit of teal

It should pass

Time will tell

Until it does

It's here I'll dwell

Feeling Fallish

Falling HERE

Falling THERE

Falling EVERYWHERE