Monday, September 19, 2011

Talk Like a Pirate Day

Buccaneer Beulah

Ahoy mateys, did you know that today is Talk Like a Pirate Day? I threw together this list of classic pirate pickup lines for our fellow buccaneers trying to get some booty. 
  • Have ya ever met a man with a real yardarm?
  • You’re drinking a Salty Dog. How’d you like to try the real thing?
  • Avast, me proud beauty! Wanna know why my Roger is so Jolly?
  • How'd you like to scrape the barnacles off of me rudder?
  • Let's get together and haul some keel.
  • That’s some treasure chest you’ve got there!
  • Pardon me, but would ya mind if I fired me cannon through your porthole?
  • Wanna shiver me timbers?

Friday, September 16, 2011

IMPROV Sport Exposed

As many of you know, Mom and I made our debut in the first sanctioned IMPROV trial hosted by Dog Scout Troop 161 last month at Dandy Dog Training, during which time I qualified for the first leg of my IMPROV Novice Title (so in your face, Dad!).

I am pleased to let you know that Dog Scout Troop 161 will be hosting another IMPROV trial on Saturday, October 22 at Fieldwood Dog Training Center beginning at 5 p.m. Entries will be $25 per run. Dogs must have DSA Competition Registration Numbers (CRNs) prior to event registration. Closing date for entries is October 15, 2011. Facility is indoors. For additional information, see the IMPROV Trial Premium or contact Troop 161 Scoutmaster Ann Withun.

Unbeknownst to him, Newman is waiting to enter the ring

If you're wondering what the sport of IMPROV is, see my post of July 24 — DSA Sanctioned IMPROV Trial in which I try to layout the basics. I must admit that IMPROV really is hard to explain to anyone who has not witnessed the sport. While I do not have as vast a vocabulary as some, the adjectives that first come to mind to describe IMPROV are: fun, hilarious, fun, entertaining, fun, challenging, fun, exhausting, but most importantly FUN! Did I mention that it was a ton of fun?

Newman exhibits some pre-ring jitters

You know the old saying, a picture is worth a thousand words. Well in the case of something as different as IMPROV, a video has to be worth a gazillion words — which is what it would take me to explain the two-day event. Seeing how my editor only gives me about 1,000 words to get my story across to my fans, I thought that video was definitely the way to go.

During this first video, the dogs demonstrate their knowledge of the commands touch and send.


In this video, Kozi demonstrates her ability to sniff out human remains, a task that she has been called upon   to carry out for law enforcement officers in Michigan.


And now the Novice Class demonstrates their IMPROV skills.


And here are a few still shots taken throughout the day for you to enjoy.

The Toy Story

What is a vacation without a new toy or two to enjoy? The Pooch Ball that Roger is playing with lasted almost two weeks before I breached the integrity of the rubber casing. After the security breach, Mom retired it from our toy system so that we don't swallow any of the pieces which could cause gastrointestinal upset or worse -- intestinal blockage. Been there. Done that. No fun for me or for M&D worrying whether or not I was going to have to have emergency surgery. 


Some dogs, like Roger and I, are natural born killers and destroy toys at an amazing rate. It is important for owners to supervise playtime with toys, especially those that can be torn to bits in no time, and to remove them as soon as they show any wear or tear. If your dog is a heavy chewer, you should restrict the toys that you provide for her to play with. Kong makes an excellent range of tough toys for heavy chewers. We also enjoy playing with durable plush toys made by Tuffy. Our favorite toy from the Tuffy line was Tuffzilla. If you haven't even witnessed our take down of Tuffzilla, we invite you to visit Tuffzilla vs. Snub-nosed beasts.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Beach Bums movie trailer released

Watch the trailer for Beach Bums a production of Katandy's Triple Threat featuring Newman, Roger and Thelma Lou with special guest appearances by Tooty and Jasper. Enjoy the preview.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Life is still a Beach

We're on week two of our vacation in the Outer Banks and the weather just keeps getting better. Yesterday, the sea was no longer angry and the red flags were taken down. It was the first day that we saw dolphins and we were allowed to swim -- that is those of us who know how to swim. Roger and I are definitely not in that category.

While not everyone is a dog person, the beaches of Corolla are very dog-friendly. Many people have told us how much they enjoy watching us romp on the beach, including Alex Moir of A.M. Bespoke Travel, who very kindly shared some action photos that he took of us this past week.

Thank you, Alex, for your sharing your photos with us.

Toots examines Newman's undercarriage

 Roger baits his brother

Roger continues to talk smack to his brother

Roger continues the juvenile, sibling banter

Tooty taunts the tempestuous two 

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Happy Grandparents Day!

In light of the 10th Anniversary of 9-11, I decided to hold off on posting this message until a little later in the day. While not an official Penn State holiday for Mom, today is Grandparents Day! I just thought that I should alert my followers who may not have known about this ever-so-important holiday.

And here's a little bit of history for you. The impetus for National Grandparents Day originated with Marian McQuade, a housewife in Fayette County, West Virginia. Her primary motivation was to champion the cause of lonely elderly in nursing homes, something that The Triple Threat does with great pleasure on a regular basis. Ms. McQuade also hoped to persuade grandchildren to tap into the wisdom and heritage that their grandparents could provide. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed that National Grandparents Day would be celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day.

Love your neighbor as yourself 

The Triple Threat really does not have a particular photo that portrays how much we love our grandparents. However, having just received an e-mail message from a friend quoting Perry Smith's poem "To a Keeper" we thought that a modified version was particularly appropriate to post considering that the 10th Anniversary of 9-11 and Grandparents Day fell on the same day.

Triple Threat "Remembers" 9-11

Katandy's Triple Threat "remembers" 9-11

Although none of us were yet to be born when the tragic attack on our country occurred on September 11, 2001, M & D have told us stories about how horrible it was. Ironically, they happened to be vacationing in the Outer Barks like we are today with our late sister Beulah and remember the day vividly.
Daddy Dog says this of that horrendous day, "What I remember most, besides the actual attacks, was how beautiful the weather was. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and although not in the mood to go to the beach, I gave in to Beulah's plea to go for a walk and get away from the dreadful scenes on the TV.

"What we encountered was not a single soul sitting on the beach relaxing. It wasn't a day for relaxing. It was a day of sadness and mourning. A day that will never be forgotten."
Please join us in remembering all the lives lost on this tragic day ten years ago.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Happy Birthday to me!

Party Pups celebrate Newman's 4th Birthday

Today four years ago Katandy's Calypso Moon Newman was born. After spending a relaxing day on the beach, we partied pretty hard around the pool eating bone-shaped pumpkin cake. Yummy!!! Happy Birthday to my siblings, Juniper, Marla, Pepsi and Punchy. Wish you all could have been here in the OBX to celebrate with me.
Time to eat!!!

Party Pooped Pooch -- Time to Sleep

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Beach Bums


With the monsoon-like weather back home in Pennsyltucky, I am sure that many of you are wondering how the weather is here in the OBX. I am happy to report that the weather here has been absolutely perfect. Last Friday night when we went to bed, we said, "Good night Irene, and Hello Newman!"


Irene did, however, leave some remnants behind that made for some lovely photo ops. Dad was drooling at the chops of possibly bringing home some of the incredible driftwood that was brought up on shore. And then his dream was crushed by a big piece of machinery that came in and scooped up the large debris to remove it. Oh well.

Fort Bully

We have had the pleasure of running into some friends who we met last year. Ironically, they have a Frenchie granddaughter named Tooty. Grandma Julie explained that Tooty has a wry jaw which just makes her extra special. M&D immediately thought that they might have found a female prospect for Roger who would be willing to look past some of his quirky behaviors. We had the pleasure of meeting and romping with Tooty yesterday afternoon. At half the size and weight of Roger with the same size bat ears, she is as cute as a button. I think that maybe when it comes to the ears on Frenchies, it's a one-size fits all deal.

Tooty


Sit back and enjoy the show.