Happy Daddy Dawg's Day!

To the best Daddy Dawg in the world.

Love ~ Newman, Roger and Thelma Lou

Socialization 101

A properly socialized canine is well adjusted and makes a good companion. An unsocialized canine is untrustworthy and is frequently unpleasant to be around. We all know the ones − whether they are the yappers, who bark at their shadows, or the snappers, who bite out of fear. 

Since we live so close to Pine Grove Furnace State Park, we thought that last weekend was the perfect time to work on Thelma's socialization skills by exposing her to all things summer. Besides me, the list of "new" things that Thelma Lou was exposed to included: a few other friendly dogs, beach goers all shapes and sizes (many of whom were rotund), wading in the water, and the Coleman K-9 instant shade tent that very easily converts into a timeout pad which Roger learned after disobeying Daddy Dawg's orders to "leave it."

Roger's imaginary friend questions the reason for his "time out"


Thelma "camps out" with Rog on restriction in the shade tent

Roger plots an escape

Mom and I set out on our overnight camping trip with our Dog Scout Troop tomorrow. With the wonderful pack of pups and people signed up to go, a doggone good time should be had by all! Stay tuned for pictures of what I know will be a wonderful event.

Fun Flag Day Facts

Katandy's Triple Threat salutes Flag Day

Celebrated on June 14 each year, Flag Day is a U.S. holiday celebrating the adoption of the American flag. Like Memorial Day, Flag Day is considered a patriotic holiday celebrated with parades and memorial services for those who have died in defense of the United States.

Fun Flag Day Facts

• The adoption of Flag Day was undertaken by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. However, it wasn't until 1949 that Congress enacted legislation supporting his decision.
• Flag Day is celebrated by veteran's organizations around the country. While Flag Day is meant to commemorate the adoption of the American Flag, it isn't actually a national holiday.
• Pennsylvania is the only state in the Union to officially observe Flag Day. Much of the celebration of Flag Day in Pennsylvania is centered around the former home of Betsy Ross, the flag's creator.

The Pack is Back Intact

Daddy Dawg returned from the beach late Thursday afternoon. We all were excited to see him, but no one more than Mom. While it was fun for her to live like a college student during the Twelve Days of Destitution − letting laundry build up and eating Ramen noodles, Chef BOYRDEE, and Kraft Easy Mac, last night's surprise surf and turf dinner is just one of the many reasons why she loves Dad so much.

Surf and Turf dinner marks end of The Twelve Days of Destitution

The Twelve Days of Destitution (Part II)

Well, we're on Day 11 of the Twelve Days of Destitution here in the Knowlton household. My little beach bum brother returned home safely last Saturday via the local Brushtown Area Transit System (BATS) − aka Uncle Mike and Aunt Sherry's Lexus.

We are all anxiously awaiting Daddy Dawg's return tomorrow. As indicated in my prior post, Mom blew her $12 food allowance on us in under 8 hours of Dad's departure, so she raided our piggy bank for change and has been eating Ramen noodles ever since. At 28 cents per cup at Wal-mart, she was able to purchase 42 cups of various flavors − having one for lunch and two for dinner each day. That left 6 cups with which to play "Bowling for Noodles," a fun new game that we created using our new chicken-shaped Nylabone to knock over the most cups.

Bowling for Noodles Equipment

Kids on the bus have started calling us the Ramen Noodle Gang. Rog and I think it's cool to be referred to as a gang even though we'd rather be called Katandy's Triple Threat. Quite frankly, the insults don't bother us, but Thelma Lou is a little embarrassed. She may be all bully on the outside, but she's all girl on the inside. One of the most important lessons that Dad has taught us is how sensitive girls can be − especially during certain times of the month.

Brushtown Bully sports designer East Side Collection apparel 

Win a beautiful Boxer Quilt

Tickets to win this exceptional hand-quilted Boxer quilt are now available for purchase. Get yours today!

This beautifully appliqué, hand-quilted, queen size Boxer quilt is being raffled by Adopt a Boxer Rescue. Brenda Reynolds of Salt Lick, KY, designed, stitched, and generously donated this lovely piece to AABR to raise funds for the many homeless Boxers in AABR's care. The quilting is 8-10 stitches per inch, so you quilters out there can appreciate the time and hard work that went  into creating this gorgeous, one-of-a-kind, work of art. 

The head studies are done in fabrics depicting fawn, brindle, and white Boxers, in both cropped and natural ears. This is truly an exceptional quilt that any Boxer lover would be delighted to have for their own.

Raffle ticket prices are as follows: $3 each − 4 for $10 − 10 for $20

Tickets can be purchased online through PayPal, or by mailing a check or money order payable to:

Adopt a Boxer Rescue
c/o Elaine Hauck
5105 Avoca Avenue
Ellicott City, MD 21043

Please be sure to include your address, phone number, and e-mail address. Your scanned raffle tickets will be e-mailed to you. Tickets can be purchased online through PayPal until midnight, July 3, 2010 (EST). Please do not mail a check or money order any later than Monday, June 28, 2010, to allow sufficient time for it to be received. The drawing will be held on July 4, 2010. Please direct any questions to ehauck@comcast.net.

Thank you for your support! And, thank you Brenda for your generous donation!

Begging for a win

Despite losing their second-straight game to the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night and finding themselves in a 0-2 hole in this Stanley Cup Final, the Flyers fight and determination is still very palpable − as it is in the Knowlton household. 

Newman begs for a win

Confessions of a begging Boxer

Against Mom's advice, I wagered a friendly bet on the series with Cooper Gildin, whose Dad is a native of Chicago. Winner of the series owes the loser a box of Milk-Bones.

Other than the fact that Cooper's a Blackhawks fan, I have nothing against him. After all, we're both Democrats. Living in the predominantly Republican county of Cumberland, Cooper and I realize we have to stick together.

The Twelve Days of Destitution (Part I)

Well, Dad and Roger left for the OBX Saturday morning with the rest of the Knowlton Klan. Dad reports that the weather is great and that they are having a grand time even in our absence. Roger has made a ton of new friends even without wearing his chick magnet t-shirt that Mom made for him. Honestly, I don't know what in Dog's name she was thinking. Roger draws enough attention to Dad without blatantly announcing that he's a chick magnet.

I sure hope that Dad doesn't decide to run off with some beautiful young mermaid and live happily ever after, because I desperately miss him and Roger and am not enjoying living in a one-parent household. After all, who am I supposed to turn to when Mom says, "No, you can't spend the night at Peanut's house. I don't care if she did sweep the ring this weekend taking winners bitch three out of four days at the Hampton, VA shows!"

Before Dad left, he gave Mom $12 to try to survive on for the next twelve days which we have dubbed as "The Twelve Days of Destitution."

On the first day of destitution, my Momma fed to me . . . Chef Boy-R-Dee.

On the second day of destitution, my Momma fed to me . . . Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.

Actually, Thelma and I are eating like royalty as usual. Poor Roger, however, has been relegated to eating scraps that the human hogs don't want or like since Dad forgot to pack his Redbarn dog food. Thank Dog they at least gave him a Keystone Light and a glass of Merlot to chase down that vile garbage. Stay strong Rog! You'll be home soon.

Roger relegated to Little People's Table

Those of you who know the Knowltons, know that Mom controls the cash flow! I confess that we broke the $12 budget allowance within eight hours of Dad leaving by making a trip to the local pet store where we purchased a Road Refresher No Spill Travel Bowl. We later learned that Bo Obama has one, too! How cool are we?

Bo Obama proudly displays his Road Refresher Bowl