Make Believe

Ajax visits Penn State Law

After seeing her big-headed cousin, Ajax, cruising around in his Mini Cooper, Thelma Lou decided that she needed a convertible coupe of her very own. Being a world-renowned fashionista, Thelma Lou spends her allowance on expanding her wardrobe, so she doesn't have the funds to spend on sports cars.

Furthermore, unlike Ajax I don't think that her feet would reach the pedals. So what's a poor girl to do? Fashion a pretend one out of a lawn chair and its cushion.

Thelma Lou in her "convertible coupe"

Post-beachtum Depression

Well, we have been home from the beach for almost a week. It seems that the Bullies are definitely suffering from Post-Beachtum Depression. All the clinical signs are there. Droopy faces. Lying around on the couch. Not wanting to get out of bed. And on and on ...

Paws-a-tively Miserable

Roger clearly misses the attention of having crowds of people paw all over him. I guess I can't really fault him. He's French after all. But the pawing that he misses most is his daily morning massages by his private masseur Monsieur Jeffrey.

Roger on the Masseuse/Dining Room Table

Thelma Lou was such a little water bug that she clearly misses that activity. After coming off the beach on the last day and having a bevy of young studs ask if they could have their picture taken with her, a little bit of stardom has gone to her head, too.

Couch Intervention Needed for Thelma Lou

I told both of them to "Lighten up, Francis. We're going back at the end of the summer for two weeks! This was just a teaser week to kick off summer — even though we really do know it's still spring.

So what does Thelma Lou do to relieve her post-beachtum depression? Like a lot of woman, she shops, of course. She said, "If we are really going back to the OBX in September, then I cannot be seen in the same bathing suits that I wore in May! I must get a special one to wear on 9-11!" Like anydog really cares. Although I am her brother, I can confidently say that the onlookers are admiring her figure and not the suit! BOL! (Bark Out Loud!)

Stars and Stripes Fur-ever

In any event, I'm just as happy as a clam to be back in good ol' Pennsyltucky. I just go with the flow — whether that means doing outdoor activities like hiking in the woods or swimming in the ocean. I'm pretty much just an all-around happy camper.

Going with the Flow

The Birth of a Beach Bully

Being a connoisseur of fine art that I am, I decided to peruse a few art galleries while vacationing in the Outer Banks. I was immediately drawn to a breathtaking piece portraying Sandro Botticelli's painting The Birth of Venus, depicting the goddess Venus emerging from the sea as a full grown woman. 

The Birth of Venus

Knowing that the original painting is held in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, I discerned that this portrait had to be a reproduction of the famed Italian's masterpiece. However, overcome by its astounding beauty, I couldn't shake the desire to have the piece for my own collection. Not wanting to have the "wool pulled over my eyes," I called a reliable art authenticator in the area who confirmed that the painting was an original and well worth the price tag that was being asked. So without batting another Boxer eye, I put a call into my broker who transferred the money to Seaside Art Gallery and I am now the proud owner of The Birth of a Beach Bully. 

The Birth of a Beach Bully

Life is a Beach

Still having a wonderful time in the Outer Banks. The weather has been perfect and the water has warmed up considerably making swimming a lot of fun. Thelma Lou is a little water bug. Mom thinks that one of the first Dog Scout badges that Thelma is going to work on earning upon our return to Pennsylvania is going to be the Puppy Paddler one. Dog only knows that Roger and I will probably never earn that one.

Sunbathing Beach Bully

Bully-Boxer Daisy Chain 

Practicing our Stay

And our Come!

Notice the wascally beach weasel who joined the pack. Although indigenous to the Corolla area, the beach weasel is rarely if ever seen during daylight hours. Other wildlife we've seen this week include deer, wild horses, fox, and dolphins.

Just chillin'



Pretty in Pink

Beach Bums

We are having a wonderful time in the Outer Banks with friends and family. The weather has been great. The water is freezing, but it's still fun to romp in the surf. If I still had my family jewels, they'd be as shriveled as prunes. Poor Thelma Lou was shivering like a dog shitting razor blades after an extended romp retrieving the infamous Tuff Coat II glove stuffed with a tennis ball -- by far the most favorite toy on the beach. We're thinking about patenting it.

It's cool having both Dad and Uncle Mike in the pack.When visiting Grammy Lee, Mom has mistaken other brindle boxers for me. This week she's having trouble telling the difference between Dad and Uncle Mike.

Which twin is hotter?

We are all dog-tired as exhibited by the following photos.

 Roger catches up on his beauty sleep

Not that Roger thinks he needs it, but he decided to catch up on an hour of beauty sleep while the rest of the pack is grilling Porterhouse steaks.

Thelma Lou chills on the cool tile floor while the steaks are being grilled

Don't worry ocean, I'll be back to tackle you again tomorrow

This week is "Dog Bite Prevention Week"

In case you are not aware, May 15-21, 2011 is designated as Dog Bite Prevention Week. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, with 800,000 of them requiring medical attention. As a Dog Scout, I constantly promote the proper greeting of myself to my human counterparts, especially children.

Children are most at risk because they often approach dogs without hesitation or engage in rough play or fur-grabbing, resulting in injury. Thelma Lou, who wouldn't bite a flea (and better not have any on her dog because we use Advantix II), has been Troop 161's poster pup for several children's events — demonstrating to children how to properly approach a dog.

Neighborhood watchdog prepared to take a bite out of crime

Actually, it is important to recognize that any dog can bite — even Thelma Lou with her pronounced under bite can still take a bite out of crime or anyone else for that matter, especially if she is injured or feels threatened.

According to veterinary behaviorist Dr. Sophia Yin, DVM, MS, "The truth is that the majority of bites are actually due to fear, and they occur because humans fail to recognize the signs of fear in dogs." Proper training and socialization of dogs as well as training humans how to recognize dog body language and approach dogs in a non-threatening manner is crucial to avoid dog bites.

Dr. Yin has compiled the following public service announcement video on "Recognizing Fearful Behavior in Dogs." We give the video "four paws up!" or "twelve paws up" collectively.

Also available on Dr. Yin's website, she offers tips to recognize fearful dog behaviors and how to approach dogs, which includes a free downloadable poster. Thank you Dr. Yin for this valuable information.

Now I know my ABC's

After having attended the Royal Wedding last month as a guest of the Queen, one would think that I would have had enough pomp and circumstance in my life for quite some time. Au contraire. I jumped right back in the saddle and headed to Kentucky — not for the Derby but for the 2011 American Boxer Club National Specialty Show — commonly referred to as ABC where all the elite boxers compete, including Katandy's Fast Forward "Frankie," who took Best of Opposite Sex handled by Dan Buchwald.

M.B.I.S.S. GCh. Katandy's Fast Forward "Frankie"

There's no requirement that you have to be a Boxer to attend the National ABC show, but Roger and Thelma Lou stayed at home to keep Dad in line. You know the old saying, "When the cat's away, the mice will play." Honestly, I had my doubts about Roger keeping anyone, including himself, in line. Obviously, as the only female in the house Thelma Lou called all the shots because Dad pressure washed and stained the entire deck, hand scrubbed and waxed the floors, and planted all of Mom's favorite flowers while we were gone. He certainly was one busy little beaver, and we all benefit from the fruits of his labor.

Although I missed playing with Roger and Thelma Lou, I must admit that it was really cool to have Mom all to myself on Mother's Day. First, I surprised her with breakfast in bed — a bowl of Kellogg's Cinnamon Pecan Special K. What do you expect? We're shacked up in a hotel room and I had to work with what I had. Then I presented her with a beautiful bouquet of red roses.

Mother's Day bouquet for the best Mom in the world!

We topped off the day with a rigorous 3-mile hike in the beautiful Eden Park of Cincinnati, which overlooks the Ohio River, bringing my current total to 7.5 miles of the 12 miles that I committed to hike for our Hike-a-Thon to raise money for Dog Scouts of America while promoting responsible dog ownership.

Enjoying the view of the Ohio River

Our community hike took place last Saturday, May 14 at Fieldwood Dog Training Center in Carlisle. With the exception of a few pit stops, Roger led the pack for almost the entire 3-mile course. If you would like to support Team Katandy's Triple Threat but haven't yet done so, fear not. There's still plenty of time — you have until the end of May. You can either visit our FirstGiving webpage or remit your cash or check donation directly to Mom. 

 Thelma Lou displays her new Outward Hound Pack

Roger the Rock declares himself "Leader of the Pack"

Note: Backpacks are not required. Roger and Thelma just got theirs and think that they look exceptionally cool wearing them. You know how kids are with new duds.