Wente Vineyards Yields More Than WINE

What shall I choose from the WINE list?

 Dog Days of Summer at Wente Vineyards was more than just a canine gathering. It was also a showcase for some local businesses. Mommy and I loves loves loves this kind of event, because we usually get a lot of good information (there was a Vet there) and some fun products.

We visited this one table where a woman PAINTED portraits of pets. The next table was for Dog Behavior training - as if! I happen to be an abnormally well BEHAVED PUG. Enough said. There was a dog whisperer type who I TOTALLY dissed because he worried me; and there were 2 dog boutiques that had some really great goodies like leashes, tee shirts, and catchables.

The most unique item was something called Pup-A-Top. The name alone had Mommy guessing what it might be all about. It looked like a dog tag - so what made it so unique?

So we approached Trent, one of the developers and the President of Pup-a-Top, and asked the

THE THREE BIG QUESTIONS:

1. What is a Pup-a-Top?

           Well, it turns out Mommy was MOSTLY right. It is a DOG TAG. But it is more! It is a fun and   functional dog tag. The Pup-a-Top, in addition to being customized, is also a full -fledged BOTTLE OPENER! Mommy gave this a "HMMMMMMM" because she firmly believes you can't have too much ID on your pooch or PUG, and you never know when you might need a bottle opener!

1. How did the idea come about?

           Something about a pool, a dog, and a beer. Okay, okay. cute story - cute dog (not nearly as CUTE as MOI). Ultimately it was a A-HA moment which led to some serious design considerations and business outlines.

1. How do I get one?

          You can buy the Pup-a-Top through their website www.pupatop.com as well as some local (SF Bay Area) pet stores and boutiques. You can choose from TWO sizes - Standard (dogs over 30 lbs)  or Chihuahua sizes - AND 13 colors!!!! All Pup-a-Tops can be customized with up to 3 lines of engraving.

BUT HERE'S THE BEST PART

You can WIN one by entering our NEW CONTEST!!!!! I will have all the details for you TOMORROW June 7, 2013. So please, please, PLEASE come back tomorrow and see how you can WIN A PUP-a-TOP of your very own!!!!

HAPPY THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Entering and winning contests are fun.

Pass Me Some Wine, Please

Saturday was a HOT day in NorCal. Really too much for a pug. Nonetheless, Mommy #2 was up early and busy, busy, busy making preparations for the trip to Wente Vineyards in Livermore. I played it COOL but deep down I was jumping for joy becuase I was going to see my BESTIES -
Tiffy, Donald and Daisy (I had not met them yet), Noodle and Mochi, Zoey and Phoebe AND MAYBE Hanna and Baloo (they ended up not coming due to the heat BUT their awesome Mama did)!

At the appointed hour, Mommy #1, Mommy #2, and Auntie T climbed into Pugsley, Mommy #2's car, and motored over the hill to Wente Vineyards. It was a nice but HOT drive. Even with A/C I was panting a little. When we got to the winery, we didn't see any of our FURiends. So we parked ourselved in a semi-shady spot and Mommy #1 went to scout for the PS group. She found them totally in THE SHADE in the coolest spot! Not only that, it was in full view of the band and the tables of goodies. AND BEST OF ALL  everybody was already there! I immediately went up say HI to Donald, Daisy and their AWESOME 'rents Christy and Tim! I love those folk. Then I made the rounds to Tiffy's amazing 'rents Michell and Gerry; Noodle and Mochi's uber-cool 'rents Jennifer and Kevin; and Zoey and Phoebe's wonderful 'rent Susie. I noticed a strange pug also in the area with PEEPS I had never met. As the day went on, we kinda included them in our circle because they were so FRIENDLY and fun. The PUG's name was Doofy and he was BIG. I am talking Spencer B. kinda big. He was a cool dude. His 'rents were Cindy and Jim. They LOVE LOVE LOVE Pugs. Of course - who doesn't?

This is how I CHILL

We just chilled in the shade, tasting great NorCal wines, eating healthy refreshing food, and talking up a storm. Occasionally someone (okay, my Mommy #2) would wander to the tables to see what goodies folks were selling, sharing, or giving away. She came away with some really neat loot (one of which she will discuss later this week along with an associated CONTEST).

After a few hours, we headed over to Tiffy's house to watch some hockey and play. There was grass to run on, water to sip, and WATERMELON to enjoy! Thanks Tiffy and 'rents for being the most INCREDIBLE hosts ever.

I made a slide show so you can all share in my little VINEYARD adventure. I didn't use ALL of my pictures - I mostly wanted to present a pu'u pu'u (heehee, I love that word) platter of my FUN day.

I am telling you - it was one FANTASTIC PAWty from start to finish!!!

HAPPY THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Make the time to visit with friends. The rewards are tremendous.

I'm Ready to PAWWWWWWWWWWWTEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Puttin' on my PAWty hat. Whatcha think?

It has been a long long LONG time since I went to a PAWty! It was all the way back in, let's see. . . APRIL when I attended Zoey's birthday celebration. So I am, like, going through withdrawals - and stuff.

Heehee. . .  I just watched "Sixteen Candles" and I am afraid the way they speak in the movie is flavoring my speech.

Anyhoo. . .

This weekend I am attending a celebration of sorts. It is the annual Wente Vineyards' Dog Day Afternoon at the vineyard in Livermore and there will be a whole group of my FURiends attending. I expect to see Tiffy and her awesome 'rents, Zoey and Phoebe and their equally awesome Mama, Donald and Daisy and their incredible 'rents, Noodle and Mochi and their great 'rents, and Hanna and Baloo and their cool mama. It is going to be the best time!

Doesn't that sound like fun? It is going to be UBER hot so I am packing my cool PUG stuff like my gallon of water, some portable shade (an umbrella) and my cooling Frog Tog. Hopefully there will be lots of shade as well. I am just SO excited about seeing my pals. And meeting new ones. I have met their 'rents, but Donald and Daisy are new to the crew.

The following weekend is some sort of gathering as well! I am so excited I cannot wait. It is a human gathering, though, which means I have to share the spotlight with Molly.

Hope your weekend is filled with good times as well.

HAPPY THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Good Times are meant to be shared with the ones you love.