2012 Calendars

The sky is not the limit

Many of you have asked if there will be a 2012 Katandy's Triple Threat calendar. Well, the news just surfaced and we are please to tell you that this year's calendar promises to be "out of this world!" After all, how could we possibly stop a tradition that began with my boxer predecessor Beulah Ruth?

October 2012 -- Happy Hula-Ween

Like last year, the wall calendars will be printed on premium glossy 8.5x11 paper and saddle-stitched. Cost will be $15 per calendar ($17 if being shipped to you via USPS). Any proceeds made above cost will be donated to the Morris Animal Foundation Canine Cancer Campaign and the American Cancer Society, in hopes of finding a cure for a terrible disease that has unfortunately has impacted our lives so much over the past year.

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.

If you would like to order a calendar(s), please e-mail Mom at newmanontheblock@gmail.com no later than November 28 so that we can get them to you in time for Christmas and provide the following information:

• ____ Number of calendars
• ____ Shipping Address(es)
• ____ I will make arrangements to pick up my calendar.

If ordering a quantity of 5 or more, payment is requested at the time order is placed. Checks should be made out to me and mailed to: Pamela Knowlton, 1167 Centerville Road, Newville, PA 17241.

For those of you who have never had the privilege of seeing a Katandy's Triple Threat calendar, I have included a copy of last year's for your viewing pleasure.

2011 Calendar


You can also view a copy of photos from the Best of Beulah Ruth Calendar.

Neither rain nor hail nor sleet ...

"Neither rain nor hail nor sleet nor snow nor heat of day nor dark of night shall keep this carrier from the swift completion of his appointed rounds.”

Postal employee Newman after completing his mail route

Here’s a little known fact from yet another famous postal worker, Cliff, from the 80’s sitcom Cheers. Often incorrectly cited as the motto of the U.S. Postal Service, this quote actually is an inscription on the James Farley Post Office in New York City, derived from a quote from The Histories of Herodotus, referring to the courier service of the ancient Persian Empire. So there you have it. Right from a U.S. mail carrier’s mouth.

While we’re on the subject of the U.S. Postal Service, Mom and Pappy John stopped at the smallest working Post Office in the United States during their EcoTour while in Fort Myers, Florida. It was closed because it was a Presidents Day, but their tour guide assured them that a U.S. Postal employee reports to duty there every day. Unless they can freely lift their leg on some vegetation like Saw Palm, I don’t know where they relieve themselves. But that’s their problem.

Pappy John at the Ochopee Post Office in Florida

Finally, for those of you who are not Seinfeld fans, I would like to introduce you the classic, short, pudgy mailman for whom I was named.

Leader of the Pack

The Triple Threat takes a break from the trail

Thelma, Roger and I took advantage of the nice weather this past weekend and hit the trails at Kings Gap State Park and Environmental Education Center. As good Dog Scouts, we carried the requisite items in our backpacks to be prepared for the unexpected.

Mnemonic Chart Provided by Dog Scouts of America

For those inexperienced hikers who want to know what we carry in our First Aid Kit, I will enlighten you. Unlike Calgon, it’s not an Ancient Chinese secret. While I do have an uncle who is American-Chinese, he’s pretty boring and doesn’t really have any secrets to divulge.

First Aid medications to keep handy while hiking, traveling, and every day use*: 

• Benadryl (for bee stings and other allergic bites)
• PeptoBismal (upset stomach)
• Immodium AD (diarrhea)
• Melatonin (anxiety)
• Aspirin (mild pain relief)

Never give Tylenol or any product containing acetaminophen which is toxic to dogs.

_________
* Suggested by our primary care physician, Dr. Noelle Weeks of Shippensburg Animal Hospital.

Dog Nab It

Dog nab it! Last week was National Dog Week, and I missed blogging about it. What kind of Dog Scout am I? I just recently received a notice from Dog Scouts of America saying that I needed to pay my annual dues (which I had already done) and now this! I thought sure that it was this week – the last week in September. I made certain that I didn’t miss Grandparents Day or the 10th Anniversary of 9-11, but then this happens. As it turns out, it’s the last full week in September which has been duly noted for next year. I guess it’s like those other crazy holidays like Election Day which falls on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November. 

In any event for those of you who don't know, National Dog Week was founded to encourage responsible pet ownership and promote good relations between people and their dogs – something that we, as Dog Scouts, promote every day of the year.

We have just been so busy with other stuff that blogging has been placed on the back burner. Thanks to Google Analytics, I know that the traffic to my site has been way up since our recent trip to the OBX. I apologize to you newcomers who visit day after day looking for new material only to find none. After all, my name is Newman, meaning “Man of all things New!” Actually, I don’t know if that’s what it means, but it sounds good.

While we’re on the subject of new, Roger finally got to go to a Dog Scout event with Mom. Quite frankly, I got sick and tired of hearing him moan about how he was the black sheep in the family, so I told Mom to take him with her just to get him to shut up his yapper. Seriously, on a cold, rainy day like last Saturday, I had no desire to spend it at Bark in the Park. I was all too happy to spend it with Dad and Thelma Lou on the couch.

Being the little charismatic Frenchman, Rog made the best of situation and managed to land a job at Metro Bank’s mascot. No stripes off my brindle back. Even Thelma Lou was “ok” with it so long as he keeps his endorsements with Metro Bank and don't infringe upon her duties as Buckley Beaver at ACNB Bank.

Roger as the Metro Man Mascot

Roger says, "You can call me 'The Man.' You can call me 'The Little Man.' You can even call me "The Metro Man.' But you can not call me 'The Metrosexual Man!' I was born naturally handsome and don't have to spend countless hours working on my appearance!" 

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?

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.