Katandy's Triple Threat Calendars 2016

Back by popular demand. Katandy's Triple Threat Calendars for 2016! Possibly the last edition ever. Here is just one of the photos that will be featured.

Mardi Paw

The calendars make wonderful presents for dog lovers who have everything and people who find it amusing to see pets dressed in silly costumes, so make sure to order enough for friends and family.

As in the past, the wall calendars will be printed on premium 8.5 x 11 paper. Cost is $15 per calendar ($17 if being shipped to you via USPS). Please submit your order no later than November 15 so that we can get them to you in time for Christmas.

Any proceeds made above cost will be donated to help offset the purchase of a handicap accessible van for a vibrant, young teenager named Dale Dyke, who has Osteogenesis Imperfecta III, commonly known as brittle bones. Because of the Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Dale cannot walk. In fact, every day brings the danger of broken bones, but she doesn't let her disability hold her back.

Dale and Rowan, her faithful K-9 Companion

"Keeping Dale safe and able to do the things she loves are two of my top priorities," says Dale's father Donnie. "To do so requires a van capable of safely and reliably transporting her and her 300+ pound power chair. Her chair is, in a sense, her legs. Without it she wouldn't be able to go to school with the independence she does now or participate in outdoor events, where she can 'run' and play with her friends."

Expanding my horizons

I expanded my volunteer therapy dog work zone yesterday by adding ‪‎Green Ridge Village‬ to my list of nursing facilities visited. After visiting my three ‎Celtic Health Care‬ patients I cruised the halls and spent time with approximately 20 more residents. Before leaving the facility, I took a quick spin around the rest of the property in case a part-time job opens up in the buildings and grounds department.

Newman takes in the scenery at Green Ridge

While perhaps not as eye-catching as the Leprechaun costume that Roger wore last weekend during his therapy dog visit to Sarah Todd, I opted to wear my Dog Scouts of America uniform which is proudly donning my recently earned Therapy Dog I merit badge. Roger also earned his and Thelma is almost there. 

Roger is green with envy that he didn't get to go this weekend

Roger makes himself at home while visiting a patient

Ruff Day

I had another "ruff" day of having kids read to him at a local YWCA after school program. There are a lot of good reads out there like "Six Monkeys Jumping on a Bed" and "Bear Stays Up for Christmas" — both of which were read to me today. My all time favorite book still remains "Hop on Pop" by Dr. Suess.

Newman listening intently to the story

Got Beads?

Time to howl! It's Mardi Growl! French for Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras refers to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after King's Day and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday. Fat Tuesday reflects the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season.

The Mardi Growl Court

While in New Orleans the day symbolizes Mardi Gras, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, it's Fastnacht Day. The word Fasnacht is synonymous with the day to eat fatty, deep-fried donuts for good luck. Traditionally, fastnachts were made by Pennsylvania Dutch housewives to use up the remaining supplies of lard, sugar, fat and butter in the house before Lent during which time they were not to be eaten. 

With eating being one of Thelma Lou's all time favorite sports, Fat Tuesday rates high on her scale of holidays to celebrate. Let the calorie consumption begin.

Did someone say Fastnacht?

Love is Blind!

Did you know that approximately 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine's Day the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas?

Six more weeks of winter

Rascally rodent Roger and the great weather prognosticator Punxsutawney Phil emerged from their dens early this morning and saw their shadows, predicting six more weeks of winter.

Rascally Rodent Roger

According to folklore, if a groundhog emerges from its burrow and sees its shadow, then six more weeks of winter weather is on the way. If it comes out and sees no shadow, spring is expected to come early.

Punxsy Phil

Punxsutawney, a small Pennsylvania town home to one of the most famous weather-predicting groundhogs, Punxsutawney Phil, has been carrying on the tradition of Groundhog Day since the 1800s, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. Unlike Punxsutawney Phil, Brushtown's resident rodent Roger has only recently taken up the science of meteorology.

Gobbler's Knob - Home of Punxsy Phil

Busy Beaver

As you might recall from my end-of-the-year brag sheet, Thelma Lou was hoping to "sit" for her TDI therapy dog test so that she can participate in an after school Kids Read to Dogs Program as well as become an official K-9 volunteer for Celtic Healthcare. We are happy to announce that Katandy's Li'l Angel Thelma Lou is now a certified therapy dog and could be making her first visit as early as tomorrow. 

Busy Beaver 

I must say that I have mixed emotions about Thelma Lou's success. While I am very proud of my little sister's achievements, she has been getting to spend a little more alone time with Mom than I'd like. I know that Mom enrolled her in scent work classes at Good Dog Rising to help Little Lou boost her self-confidence. Two years ago she wouldn't have dared to step outside our backyard without Rog or me let alone venture into a nursing care facility. Clearly M&D's decision to enroll her in the public school system coupled with her exposure to the outside world has worked wonders. She's now confidently shopping at Lowes for power tools with Dad and racking up substantive accomplishments to add to her resume which previously only included beauty pageant titles. But make no bones about it, I am, and always will be top dog in the Knowlton household. 

Pink is the new blonde

So we received a surprise with the impending Snowpocalypse that never arrived in Brushtown — Mom got a bonus snow day from work. We didn't really do much except watch some Boob Tube and hang out on the couch.

Bored Bullies

Unfortunately, late this afternoon Thelma Lou's nose work class at Good Dog Rising was also cancelled. Needless to say, her nose was more than a little out of joint. Thelma Lou wasn't the only one disappointed. Roger started whining like a little Mexican Chihuahua because he'd miss our daily cruise in town with Dad while Mom and Thelma went to class.

Senor Roger

After about an hour of Roger whining and Thelma pouting, Mom caved in to Thelma's pleas for "Mom and me" time so off to the beauty salon they went. Dad was not real happy with either of them when they returned and Thelma was sporting a bright pink bob like fashion designer Nicole Richie did earlier this week.

Pinky Tuscadero

Nicole Richie at the Fashion Los Angeles Awards

"Let freedom ring!" - MLK

"No person has the right to rain on your dreams!" — Martin Luther King Jr.

Wonderful News!

Since the holidays are over, one would think that my job of receiving deliveries from UPS and FedEx would have died down, but Mom continues to boost the economy. Grant it. Some of the stuff, like our monthly delivery of crunchies from Chewy.com, is essential. Others, like the Wonder Woman costume that arrived in mail yesterday, we could live without.

Super Lou

Well I have more wonderful news than Thelma Lou in her super hero garb! My natural mother Ch. Katandy's Night Magic "Laurel" turned 12 years old yesterday. Happy Birthday, you silver fox! You're just as beautiful as I remember ya.

Ch. Katandy's Night Magic "Laurel"

I'm sure that Grammy Lee spoiled Laurel with lots of presents from All for the Pet, but here's some icing for the cake. BOL! My AKC Community Canine patch arrived in the mail today! My human Mom was too busy to sew it on my Dog Scout uniform tonight, so what does she do? Makes me do a stay with the patch setting on my snoot between my eyes. As you can see from the photo, I was not real enthused about it. However, I clearly inherited my mom Laurel's good disposition and put up with the nonsense that humors my people parents so much.

 Newman showing off his CGCA patch