Another Time

I know you are all familiar with my FAVORITE bed, my Star Trek one. Mommy bought it from PITK (Pugs in the Kitchen) and it is the best. But I am not here to talk about the quality and value this bed represents. Nor about the delicious treats PITK sells. THAT is a post for another time (see sidebar for a link to their store).

Another time. . .  not so long ago at ANOTHER TIME, I wrote a review for Chewy.com about something Sunshine was testing - a Cat Condo by Frisco. I don't know if you DOG PEOPLE are aware of Frisco cat furniture, but it is high quality stuff and this Cat Condo is no exception. It is really nice furniture and THAT SPOILED CAT is very lucky to have one.

It was great, for a TIME. Sunshine spent all of her day in or on the condo and FINALLY, my beds were my own. I could pick and choose, as long as I stayed clear of Molly's new RED BED.

This is Molly muscling me OUT of her red bed

But that was ANOTHER TIME. All bets are off the table now, my FURiends. It seems that wherever Sunshine the Cat wants to sleep, she WILL sleep. And, as a rule, it is somewhere I WANT to sleep.
Which means - MY STAR TREK BED!!!!

I just went outside for a moment to do my bidness and THIS is what I come back into. I am at a loss. Oh, she still uses the Condo (which, I might add, is located NEXT to the heater vent thus HOGGING all of the heat) which is someplace I cannot fit. But when one is least suspecting, she creeps in and PLOPS herself upon any cushion she WANTS.

I don't ask for much . . . just a return of my TREKKIE spot.

Beam me up, Scottie. There must be ANOTHER TIME where she cannot steal my bed.

Making My Own Gifts - And Stuff

I don't know about you, but I have ZERO patience with shopping for Christmas. It is so stressful and rushed. The malls are crowded and people are NOT SHOWING the Christmas spirit at all. I realize one must buy a couple of gifts BUT when I can make something - I TRY.

So I was pondering what that could be for this Christmas; and since I am running out of time, I thought perhaps something edible might be in order. It has to be spectacular and has to be simple. So of course I thought - Rice Krispie Treats. Now I ALWAYS make these in rectangles. Sometimes I make them oval for Easter Eggs. But this time I wanted something to reflect me. SO over this past weekend, I practiced what I thought was a winner.

I wanted something quite CUTE and PETITE and, well, ME!!!!! How hard would it be to sculpt miniature MEs from cereal? They show it ALL the time on those cooking shows and I KNEW I could handle the task.

What I wanted was this

Doesn't exactly look like me but hey! It's a PUG. My tongue is a lot smaller and more of a rosette. . . my ears are perkier. . . and I DO NOT have brown around my BLACK eye patches. Hmmmm. I finally decided I DID NOT want to work with fondant anyhow.

So I went to Pinterest and found this 

I see the "Artist" used Coco Krispies for the dark parts and overall it is successful. But I decided to ADD MORE COLOR and see what happens. After all, a REAL PUG had definite black eye patches and most of the muzzle is black and my ears. . . well they are pretty dark as well. I got out the GEL food coloring and started mixing to get black.

I don't know what happened. . . I followed the recipe and EVERYTHING. But at the end of the day I got this

Hmmmmm.

Excuse me FURiends. I need to grab my purse and head to the MALL. It seems I have a lot more shopping to do for Christmas.

Love Me Some Hockey #SJBarracuda #PucksandPaws

I am pretty sure my long time followers know about my love for HOCKEY - specifically the San Jose Sharks. . . and more specifically JOE THORNTON. I cannot control myself. I get so into the game and when they score - well the cacophony in this house is unbelievable.

Joe (Jumbo) Thornton

So when Mommy asked if I wanted to go to a HOCKEY game, Pucks and Paws, I said SURE!!! What could be better than seeing JOE THORNTON live and in action. Well, wait! Mommy stopped me in mid-celebration. This is a San Jose BARRACUDA AHL game, not San Jose SHARKS NHL game. But sometimes SJ Sharks who are rehabbing will play on the 'Cuda for a while. But not Joe Thornton.

My disappointment was palpable but did not last for long. Mommy reminded me it is still hockey and still professional. It will be fun, she excitedly told me. Think about it. The game was not until November 26, post-Thanksgiving, so I had a fair about of time to mull it over and decide that she was RIGHT. Because when push comes to shove, I am a H-O-C-K-E-Y fan.

The day arrived and wouldn't you know it - it was pouring rain. And we had to wait in this really long line to be checked in. But it was okay. Mommy had the foresight to bring a towel and an umbrella which kept us from getting too too wet. Plus, the "DOG" entrance had a lot of cover and it was just the last part that forced us out into the rain. We waited what seemed like an eternity (it was 20 minutes) to get in but we did. Oh was I excited!!!!!

I am not sure Molly was excited. She was yappy all the way in which means she was anxious. Eventually, once we sat down, she was okay. I think she enjoyed it.

Anxious Molly

I am soooooo happy

Our seats were really good. You can't tell from this photo but we were only about 8-10 rows from the ice. We saw a lot of faces smashed into the paneling. The game moves so fast at ice level. Television does not convey the same sense of speed. It was so exciting!!! Mommy was right - I didn't need Joe Thornton to enjoy HOCKEY. (But he helps)

The giveaway for #PucksandPaws was a Bobblehead of the SJ Sharks defenseman Marc-Eduard Vlasic (Pickles) and his 3 dogs. He is a huge advocate for rescues. He was also there with his pups and that was extra exciting - I really did get to see a #SanJoseSharks player!!! And in the box sat former SJ Shark player now part of the coaching staff was Mike Ricci AND GM Doug Wilson. So much fun.

Rather late in the game we discovered that all the time we were sitting in front of THIS dog

His name is Bruce and he is One and a half years old. Isn't he a charmer? I think his pawrents were kinda new to the pug thing because real PUG PEOPLE immediately connect with other pug people. And they said nothing to us when we (blindly) sat down IN FRONT of them. There were a total of 4 pugs from the estimated 700 dogs in attendance. There were quite a few Frenchies as well. I saw many little dogs but A LOT of big big dogs. And they were vocal sometimes. I wasn't - other than the door bell (??? What were they thinking) at the very beginning of the game. ALL OF THE DOGS THOUGHT IT WAS REAL AND BARKED. It was so funny!

Eventually the 'Cuda came back from a 1-3 deficit to win the game 5-3. I really thought it was the most fun. ALMOST - and I said almost - as fun as Bark in the Park. Maybe as they have more and more of them the vendors will join. We love visiting the vendors and talking with vets at the Bark in the Park.

Molly is less sure about going to another game. This is how she "Watched" the action -

She only opened her eyes for the photo

Thank you San Jose Barracuda for a totally PAWSOME day. Please do a Pucks and Paws again. It was so FUN.

And the 'Cuda play pretty good hockey as well.

Wordful Wednesday

I am thankful for ALL the FURiends I have met over the SEVEN years I have been blogging.
If you don't see your name, never fear. You are forever etched on my HEART.

Happy Thanksgiving Everypuggy

BUUUUUURRRRRPPPPP!!!! My Inner Wolf Speaks Out #chewyinfluencer

Non-wolf

I am a Pug Princess. . . I am a Pug Princess. . . I AM A PUG PRINCESS and princesses do not BELCH! But I did. What is this all about?

Well it all started when I went on a Chewy.com fueled quest to discover my INNER WOLF. Oh, you've all see the advertising for Blue Buffalo Wilderness, haven't you? The one that equates a dog with a wolf and how eating Blue Buffalo Wilderness will bring out your DOG'S inner WOLF? I was obsessed with those ads. I wanted to find MY inner WOLF!

Wolf

Well wouldn't you know it? This shows up on the Influencer Newsletter for November: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Trays Variety Pack with Duck & Chicken Formula Grain-Free Dog Food Trays, 3.5-oz

Look at all that GOODNESS

THAT DID IT!!! It's called a WOLF PACK! I HAD to try it!

There are 12 little bowls of food (BLUE calls them TRAYS but I think that is exaggerating a bit. When I think of a TRAY I think if 12 x 12 inches of food space). But, no. These little 3.5 oz cups are called TRAYS. There are two kinds of food in the WOLF PACK - Chicken and Duck. Right off the top, let me tell you, this stuff is GOOD. I mean do tricks and act like a heathen GOOD. And I got it for DINNER! I got it as a topper! I was eating like a WOLF!!!! Oh Mommy, I said. This is the BEST FOOD ever!

This is a tray????

Well, Noodles, she said. It really has some of the finest natural ingredients -

Chicken: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Potatoes, Flaxseed, Carrageenan, Guar Gum, Natural Flavor, Salt, Cassia Gum, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Cobalt Amino Acid Chelate, Niacin Supplement (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9).

Duck: Duck, Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Potatoes, Flaxseed, Carrageenan, Guar Gum, Natural Flavor, Salt, Cassia Gum, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Cobalt Amino Acid Chelate, Niacin Supplement (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9).

I know, I agreed! And it is so full of protein and devoid of grains that I feel so energetic and . . . what's the word. . . BUUUURRRRPPPPP!

Yes, you read that right. I belched. Loudly. For LONNNGGG seconds. And it was smelly. Maybe I ate too fast, I proffered? But it kept happening. Every day - several times a day. My INNER WOLF was TALKING a little too LOUD. As much as I like the food, it does not really like me; and so the rest of the WOLF PACK is going to our neighborhood Humane Society to feed those unlucky enough to not have forever homes yet.

But I so liked the food. Maybe if you are NOT A PUG or are a PUG with an ironclad constitution, then this is the food for you. Just not for Noodles the Pug. I am a Pug Princess, after all.

Or am I????

Inner Wolf Noodles

** I received free of charge ONE WOLF PACK for the purpose of trying the product and developing an opinion about it. I am not paid for my opinion nor does anyone put Noodles in a corner. . . UH, I mean does anyone tell me what to write. All opinions in this blog belong to me, the Pug Princess.

That CWAZY Wabbit!!! #chewyinfluencer

For the record, I did NOT approve that title

Sunshine the Cat here with ANOTHER scintillating review for Chewy.com. Yes, I admit it. I am a CHEWY.COM aficionado extraordinaire. No one truly appreciates the service, variety, and all-round wonderfulness that is Chewy. But that is a tale for another time. Today I am here to discuss

That CWAZY WABBIT

See the label picture of the food? That is an accurate representation of what it looks like. And I have to say, I like the smaller bits and gravy a WHOLE lot.

I don’t know WHAT I can say other than SCRUMPTIOUS. I never ever expected to like RABBIT. I prefer chicken to all else and so do my humans (it is less smelly than fish and they are vegheads). Fish is a rare treat around here and I am rather particular about my fish. Again, a tale for another time.

Nonetheless, I caved into my HUMAN servant’s wishes and agreed to try the Instinct by Nature’s Variety Grain-free MINCED Rabbit Recipe.

Let me give you some insight into what this food is all about.

Ingredients

Pork Broth, Rabbit, Pork Liver, Pork, Egg Whites, Ground Dried Peas, Spinach, Carrots, Ground Flaxseed, Montmorillonite Clay, Guar Gum, Natural Flavor, Sodium Phosphate, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Dried Kelp, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Minerals (Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Taurine, Xanthan Gum, Artichokes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Tomato, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Parsley

I just like this photo of me

What I am seeing there is a whole lot of really healthy and natural meats, fruits and vegetables (don’t care about those), vitamins and minerals. What I am not seeing is any filler, grain, potato or soy. I don’t need them. I need high protein. And this formula promotes strong muscles, very important for my senior years. Overall, it is just a great product for a senior Cat Woman like myself.

Nature’s Variety has other flavors in the minced formula: Chicken, Tuna, Salmon. If they are half as good as the Rabbit, then I am sure they are fine EATS. So, I am casting my ballot for the minced recipes. I don’t think a well-rounded cat like myself can go wrong with this food.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone - Let's be KIND to one another

**I received free of charge from Chewy.com enough Nature's Variety Instinct Grain Free Minced Rabbit Recipe to develop an clear opinion of the product. No money was offered or paid for my illustrious opinion. 

Watching Life Unfold From My Favorite Spot

We all have a favorite spot at home - don't we? I am no exception. I try to ALWAYS be in my favorite spot but sometimes it is not possible/ WHY? Because my favorite spot in the whole wide world is my MOMMY'S lap. I am talking Mommy #2 because she is older and her lap is cushier. Sorry Mommy #1. And Mommy #2 is home more now that Mommy #1 is away at university.

What is it about a LAP that is so inviting? The warmth? Yes, most likely. The perspective? Probably. I think most of all it is a safe place - a place I can feel cared for and loved.

I watch TV from Mommy's lap. I observe what is happening outside the window from Mommy's lap. I listen to conversations from the Aunts on Mommy's lap.

I watch LIFE unfold from Mommy's lap.

It is my favorite place in the world.

Molly's New Bed

I used to possess ALL of the beds in the household. That is no longer true. Some of my beds have been tossed because they were raggedy and unfixable. Some were uncomfortable. And some were ruined by a thoughtless cat (guess WHO that is). I have had many beds. And I share them. With anyone - human, dog, cat, whatever. As long as I have ONE of them to myself, I am happy.

Well Molly is not like that. She decides she wants a bed, she TAKES it, even if I am still in it. I am used to it, I guess, even if I don't really like it. Sometimes it helps keep me warm when the temperatures drop. Sunshine is NOT so generous. She wants her SPACE - period! I think she has shared a spot with us once or twice but that was when we had a really big bed.

Anyhooooooo . . . My beds now number TWO. And I am fine with that IF I get to recline on ONE of the two. Hahahaha. I thought I had solved the problem when I insisted Sunshine get a new CAT CONDO to hang out in. And she does hang out in it most of the time. When she is not there, she is taking ONE OF MY BEDS. She has two more BEDS of her own. The cocoon she lets Molly hang out in and occasionally she will take it over. She has another bed in Aunt T's room.

Molly has TWO beds as well - one is by the Cat Condo and heater vent. I love that spot so when I find myself without one of MY beds, I make my way there. Often, Sunshine is there. Sometimes, Molly pushes me outta there. Her other bed used to be in her crate (oh yeah. She has a bed in there as well) but seldom does anyone use that bed. It is flat.

The other day Molly's Mommie and my Mommy #2 went shopping AND they came back with a NEW BED for Molly. I was pretty sure it was for me (history) but I kept getting shooshed away from it. Molly loves that bed and spent all of Monday in the bed. Her new bed is RED.

Red Bed.

This was yesterday when Mommy was working in the office. NOTE who is in the RED BED. Not Molly, that's who. When EVERYPUGGY'S back was turned, I snuck in and settled down. No one noticed for the longest time. Molly TRIED to bully me out of the bed but I pretended to be in a DEEP sleep.

No matter. . . she staged a coup over my BLUE BED. She knows how much I love my BLUE BED.I was really awake and I saw the WHOLE THING.

This morning I trotted over to the RED BED and make myself comfortable. Mommy was preparing to work and the bed is right next to the office. Well, next thing I knew, Molly was sidling her way INTO THE SAME BED. She didn't even ask. She didn't look me in the EYE. She just MADE HERSELF at home.

If I wasn't so cold I would kick her out.

I know you are all thinking "Where is Noodles' Star Trek bed?" Mommy just muttered something about STINK and LAUNDRY. 

This Weekend Mommy Disappeared

Mommy #2 DISAPPEARED for 3 whole days this past weekend. I should have known the signs. . . her BARREL of building stuff appeared, she went shopping for extra snacks, and long discussions with Auntie D. Happens every year and it ALWAYS catches me off guard. In our house, this is called Showcase Time. It is the time of year when Auntie D's ballet studio puts on its annual showcase. Mommy and Aunts B & T danced in it at one time. . . Cousin K and Cousin E danced in it at one time . . . and my Mommy #1 danced in it until she started university. So this show is very very important to our family.

Mommy spends one weekend helping sort and distribute costumes. The sorting takes a long time. Aunt B helps too. This year, because of her back, Mommy couldn't do quite as much so Auntie D and Aunt B had to do a little more. But that is how FAMILY (even extended family) works.

Then the real fun begins. . . SHOWCASE WEEKEND. It is held here.

Santa Clara Convention Center

Unfortunately and fortunately it is located near here, the new home of the San Francisco 49ers, Levi Stadium.

And they had a game. Bummer. It made getting to the shows difficult. But people made it happen.

View from Convention Center parking toward Levi Stadium

Friday ALL DAY was move into the theater and set build day. It is a lot of work. But at the end, the sets really make the show and Mommy says it is a labor of love. 

This is what the sets looked like this year. From
the audience seating the "buildings" look
3D

The next two days were even longer and Mommy left early in the morning and returned late at night BOTH DAYS!!! She was pretty tired too. I missed her a LOT, even though she did come home to SLEEP.

 

The audience view

There is NOTHING like being onstage. The whole atmosphere buzzes with excitement and expectation. With THREE shows, anything can happen. I can tell you - a LOT of MAGIC happens.

Behind the scenes - Mommy's point of view

Dancers awaiting their turn to dance

Mommy says she gets a lot of satisfaction from SHOWCASE. The culmination of all of the hard work is so worth it. And the dancers take away even more - confidence and pride in performing; satisfaction in doing their best; and a sense of camaraderie and family with people NOT in their families. It is really really special.

The Showcase went very very well and pretty much everyone is pleased with all they accomplished. Mommy is already planning on what she will do differently next year.

If it ain't broke, Mommy, DON'T fix it!

This is my FAVORITE part of being in the THEATER . . . gazing out at the audience and DREAMING . . .

Whoa! Wednesday Already?!? And . . . Did You Say NOVEMBER?

ARRRRGH!

It's November!

I'm NOT ready for the Holidays

Wake Me Up When It's Christmas

Freak ME OUT!!!

Normally, I am pretty cool with all of the things the HUMANS put me through. That is my motto

Just Go With The Flow

But I gotta tell ya, sometimes it is so difficult. I mean. . . doesn't this HEAD kind of freak you out? It was NOT my favorite mask this past Halloween.

Human: Woof Woof!

Me: What are YOU doing?

Human: I'ma PUG.

Me: No, I really do NOT think you are a FELLOW pug

Human: But I look just LIKE you!

Me: Um. . . No you don't. You are freakishly large.

Human: But I mean facewise. I look just LIKE you.

Me: Not really. I am wayyyyyyyyyyyy cuter.

Me: Get me outta here before I go full on POODLE on you (I apologize to all my poodle and 'oodle furiends. But you gotta admit, you got freaking out down pat).

Wish She'd MISSED the Target

Usually I like Target, the store. But NOT after Halloween. It is a DANGER ZONE of epic proportions - not just because of the sale decor. . .or the candy that's discounted. . .

No. . . more for this reason -

 HALLOWEEN costume discounts. Mommy CANNOT help herself when things go down to 70% off. She cannot. Luckily the more laborious costumes were only available in LARGE. But she managed to fine these costume HARNESSES. She spent $3 each.





Admittedly I AM an ANGEL most of the time.

But Molly was NOT happy about the big purple spider on her back. You can tell by her posture.

The spider eventually made its way onto Sunshine the Cat's shoulders but she THREATENED me with bodily harm if I dared to take a photo of her in it. So you will have to use your imagination.

This is Molly BEGGING for the spider to come off her back. She thought she would get a treat for wearing it and when one was not forthcoming, she got very snippy. You can tell she is saying something close to an HBO word here.

I am a lot cooler than she is. I do not mind wearing wings at all. And these ANGEL wings were very comfortable and kind of cute.

I wore them for a long time before Mommy figured I had been tortured enough.

TARGET - please for the love of DOG, stop putting your awesome costumes down to 70%. Think of us victims. 

That is all.

A Remembrance of Times Past - Summer

I remember when days were Long
Warm days, morning Fog
Up with the sun, early morn
Sunlight lasting for hours

Youthful vigor and voiced fun
Up at dawn and down with the Sun
Ample adventure through the day
Ripe fruit brightening the vines

I remember fondly as I look back
Of smells and sounds I now lack
For quiet ushers in the Fall
A whispered breeze through falling leaves

Now's the Sun's chance to rest
The few hours shining, just to test
My resolve to get out of bed
And face the chilling gray sky