9/30/16

Blogville October Birthdays

Today I am sending Happy Birthday Smileys to all the October Birthday Anipals in Blogville!!



Make sure to stop by and wish them all a Happy Birthday Month!
October 6th - Abby at All Things Collie
October 8th - Lady Shasta at Beaglebratz Manor
October 10th - Walter at Bird Brains and Dog Tales
October 17th - Casey at the Legacy Chronicles
October 31st - MaggieMae at The Three Little Pugs


(Want your birthday added to the Blogville Birthdays? Email the date to us a bethblog(at)ebchristians(dot)com and we'll make sure you are added to the calendar!)
I'm quite an optimist, quite happy in life, quite smiley. Sally Hawkins
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/s/sallyhawki495073.html?src=t_smiley
I'm quite an optimist, quite happy in life, quite smiley. Sally Hawkins
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/smiley.html

9/29/16

Fall Foliage Flower Friday


Happy Last Flower Friday in September!! 




 
Today I thought I would switch things up a bit with more of a
Fall Foliage Friday and show you some of the pretty leaves I've seen!



But first, since this is Flower Friday, here are some pretty Mums my Mum brought home...BOL!



Mama decorated the porch with fake flowers and put our Mums on the back porch, silly Mama! 

Anyway, here is some fall foliage:

 
Here is some pictures of some color in the local forest!



  
...and a close up of the splash of orange!

 
Looking up at some changing colors!!



and a few of the colorful leaves we have seen on the ground!




We hope you enjoyed our little peak of fall colors. 




Next Friday is World Smile Day and we will be celebrating with 
Smileys and Sunflowers! 
You'll be able to link up to our 
October 7th Smiley Friday Blog Hop 
with your flowers, and/or just you and your Smiley!!



Hop aboard and show us the flowers blooming in your corner of the world (If you don't see the link here, please click HERE to go to our Hoppity page)!!





9/28/16

Thursday Travel Tails - Texas Part 1

Arty here and welcome to Thursday Travel Tails! 
Today Mama and I are starting our Texas Tail. Because we spent 5 days in Texas, we thought we would break this tail into two parts. Today we will tell you a little bit about our trip to Austin, show you some Texas scenery and one tell you about one the hotels where we stayed!




We traveled mostly back roads between Roswell, NM and Austin, TX and there weren't many Rest Areas along the way. That was fine with me, it meant Mama stopped at mostly McD's!
Most of them had picnic areas where I could use the facilities.




Plus...there "I Get A Cookie for being a Good Boy" angle I played whenever Mama stopped!!



Texas is the second largest state in the USA, and the scenery can vary depending on where you are visiting.




During our trip, we traveled from Northwest Texas into the Hill Country of  Central Texas. We passed by some very cool wind farms while we were in Northwest Texas!!!



When we got to the Hill Country, Mama and I stopped by Lake Travis, where we used to hang out when we lived in Texas. We almost didn't recognize it because it was so very green!!



It seems as if, ever since we moved out of Austin, all it has been doing is raining! Even water birds like this Big Great Blue Heron and Little Green Heron, have taken up residence at the lake!!



Of course, Mama had me practice my rock sitting, and an obligatory Mama and Arty Ussie!!



All this travel wears a puppy out, and I let her know it was time to head to the hotel!


While in Texas we stayed at the LaQuinta Inns and Suites in Cedar Park. It is quite close to where we used to live. Mama says it felt a bit funny staying there because she watched them building it
 when she used to drive by it every day on the way to work when we lived in Texas. 


Mama here: The La Quinta Inns and Suites in Cedar Park is another newer and updated LQ. Customer service was very friendly and had no problem moving me from the upstairs room where they originally had me, to a downstairs room! Conveniently located off of Route 183, the LQ was very clean, safe and had a dog park within 1/2 mile!




The hotel had lots of rocks for rock climbing too, Mama!!



....and pretty flowers



...and wonderful tile to cool my tummy off after Mama and I took long walkies!



They had a big comfy bed to lie in...and a big TV!  Mama and I watched Shark Week every night when we got home from visiting family!



You would not believe all the birdies and squirrels skittering around during our walks around the hotel!!



Where are we going Mama???

STARBUCK'S??? What is that you've got there....is that BACON on that Sammy???



I like bacon....

Will Arty get some bacon??
Which family doggies will I get to meet??

Stay tuned next week for Thursday Travel Tails in Texas
Part Deux!!!

9/26/16

Fall Debate Tuesday - Week Two


 
The election is right around the corner, we hope you are getting to know both Christmas and I a little bit better! This week we have a question from Mayor Emeritus Madi and then five questions that I, Arty came up with!

Make sure you stop by and visit Christmas HERE, if you haven't, and get to know he and his Mama a bit better too!





Our First question from Mayor Emeritus Madi...


If elected as mayor, will either of you make any big changes in the mayoral cabinet or just see how it fits with your agendas?

Arty: Great question Madi! If elected, I (and Mabel) will be giving the previous cabinet the chance to hold on to their position. If they no longer would like to hold their position, we will open up the position to volunteers. We will also be revisiting the present cabinet and adding any appointments or committees as needed!

Christmas: I think our current mayorz have done a pawsome job with the cabinet, and I don't feel like any serious changes should be made. If current cabinet members would like to keep their jobs, then they're free to do so. But if they'd like to open up the position to others, than they'll be free to do so. I don't think a new mayor should automatically mean new members of the cabinet, and I think it's impawtent for cabinet members to have a choice when it comes to what they should do.



The "Unicorn Incident"
With Halloween coming up, what is your stand on anipals dressing up?
Arty: I think all animals should be able to make their own decisions about dressing up! This is a personal preference that shouldn't be regulated one way or the other. That being said, I don't mind dressing up. In most cases, Mama picks reasonable costumes (with the exception of the "Unicorn Incident"). Dory also likes to dress up. Now Jakey and Bilbo are the opposite and would much rather limit their dress up to simple ties or bandanas.

Christmas: It depends! I think doggies should speak up if they don’t like the ridiculous costumes their humans put on them, but of course some doggies enjoy them, so that’s totally fine. Of course the same logic applies to cats, but there are few brave souls who have attempted to dress up their cats, BOL. I actually go trick-or-treating with my mom on Halloween (I love being out and about with lots of people) and I love to wear my hot dog costume! My mom took me home in October last year, so I was just in time! My hot dog outfit actually feels like a jacket, so my mom has me wear it on cold days. In short, just make sure your peeps know what you think about the silly things they make you wear!



Let's Go Mama!!

Do you think we should regulate our peeps into taking us out for daily walkies?

Arty: Most definitely!! If our peeps are able to get around, they should be taking us on daily walkies! May I recommend you buy your peep a Fitbit or Apple watch?  We  here at Dory's Backyard have all been going on at least one walkie per day since our peeps got theirs!

Christmas: Yes! Unless a dog has health problems or is too old to the point where they get no enjoyment out of walks, I think taking your humans ob daily walks is a great thing. My mom tries to take me for at least one walk a day that’s about a mile or so long (walking is her favorite thing to do, especially ‘cause she can do it with me) and I think walkies give time to think and exercise and bond with your peeps. Oh, and the peeps will make it sound like they walk you, but don’t be fooled...you’re the one walking your peeps!



De-Itching
Revisiting baths....For the record where exactly do you stand when it comes to baths?
Arty: This is a rough one. Like dressing up, I think all dogs should be able to make their own decisions on whether or not they need a bath!! I personally don't mind baths because I have to get one once a week for my allergies. The rest of  our pack would love it if baths were banished in Blogville furrever!

Christmas: I actually seem to like baths, and my mom bathes me every 25 days, unless I roll in something that smells really good to impress the ladies, like old dog poop or mud. Now, if you’re the type that doesn’t like baths but you’re peeps still bathe you, that means you haven’t trained your humans well enough. It’s impawtent to be calm and assertive and let your peeps know you’re the leader and they are the followers. Do followers force their leaders to take baths just because they rolled in something with a great scent? I don’t think so!

 
Mine!!
Stuff or Destuff?? What way to you like to play with your toys?
 Arty: If given my druthers, I would keep my toys stuffed and squeaky them all day long!! Unfortunately, Jakey is furrever stealing my toys and performing squeak-ectomies and creating snowstorms. Thank goodness  Mama picks up extra stuffies whenever she sees them on sale! I also like chewing on toys that have already been de-stuffed.

Christmas: My momma says it’s likely because I’m a hound dog and I’m bred for the hunt, but I love to destuff! Squeaky toys are no match for my Dachshund awesomeness. I actually do have one durable squeaky plush bone that I picked out the day my mom took me home. I know that when my mom says “squeaker” it’s time to play with it! The squeaker has survived...or at least for now!



Nap anyone???
Sleeping in the big bed...Pro or Con???
 Arty: That depends, if it is just Mama in the bed and there is plenty of room, I am a big fan of sleeping on the big bed with Dory and Jakey...BUT usually this only happens for weekend naps...Weeknights, the bed gets pretty crowded with Daddy and I would much rather sleep in my room where I can stretch out!

Christmas: My mom shares a room with her 5 year old sister, so she sleeps on the top bunk of a bunk bed, so obviously I don’t sleep with my peep. I also can’t be trusted out of my crate at night. I don’t have a chewing problem, I have a lifting my leg problem! Well, it’s not a problem, it’s just my way of saying this place is my territory! However, I do snuggle on the couch with my mom during the day and I think if you’re the kind of dog who has an accessible big bed and doesn’t pee everywhere, yes, make that big bed your bed! BOL!




Next week, make sure to tune in for a special Debate between our two Blogville Veep Candy Dates!! It will be broadcasted here AND
at:
Christmas's - Paw Province
Oreo's - Oreo's Cookie Jar
and 
Mabel's - Idaho Pug Ranch

9/25/16

Halo Healthsome Peanut 'n Pumpkin Treats #ChewyInfluencer


 Being a #chewyinfluencer is so much fun, but it is also a big responsibility!
Each month Sidney at Chewy.com sends us a product to review and they ask us to give our readers our honest to goodness opinion!! We aren't paid for these reviews either, we just get the product to try!
We always get them zippy fast!!



 This month Jakey and I (Dory) are hosting the review, this month.
Arty may join us later...but he was taking a nap when we started.



This month we are reviewing 
 Halo Healthsome Vegetarian Biscuits with Peanut 'n Pumpkin Grain-Free Dog Treats





Mama forgot to take a picture of the actual treat, but we want to let those of you who like us, don't do hard and crunchy treats,  these treats have a great combonation of crunchy/flaky. They are easily broken and/or chewed through.  
Look at the other reasons why both us pups and Mama like them:

  • Halo Healthsome treats are Made in the Good Ole US of A! 
  • They are baked (with canola oil) making them lower in fat
  • These treats  have parsley AND are just the right amount ofcrunchy, making them great for our teefies (and breath)
  • Halo treats are great for my(Dory) sensitive senior tummy!


I know...right now you are asking yourself,  so they are good for us..blah, blah...
"What do they taste like?"
After a slight altercation some discussion and coin flip it was decided that Jakey would taste them first.


 OMD, look at how he is savoring this Halo Healthsome Treat!



 I was drooling at this point...and let me tell you it was sooooo
worth the wait!!


 ...and look who woke up just in time for taste testing....
 Fair is fair though and we let Arty give them a try...



 ...and he totally loved the Pumpkin-y and Peanut-y 
flavor!!




We give these treats 12 Paws up for their total deliciousness!!!
  

We are joining the Chewy.com Blogger Network Blog Hop!! Thanks Sugar and Oz for hosting!