2009 in a nutshell

What a year! Roger and I have been such busy beavers that it’s going to be difficult to summarize our accomplishments to a one-page, brag sheet, but I’m gonna give it the ol’ college try. Since this is a recap of 2009, some of it may seem like a repeat. Too bad! Suck it up!

At the end of February, I learned about Sassy Mae, a petite brindle boxer who had been viciously mauled by another dog. Touched by the story of her will to survive, I convinced Roger that we could sell homemade dog treats to raise money to help with Sassy’s medical bills. So, armed with only an apron and rolling pin, Roger and I set out to wage war against her vast vet bills. With the help of M&D, we baked 3,224 biscuits and raised $1,000 which we later donated to Adopt A Boxer Rescue.

In an effort to publicize Sassy Mae's tragic, yet heartwarming story, I decided that we needed a platform for the check presentation. So being an affiliate of the Potomac Boxer Club, I decided to present the check at the PBC’s Specialty Show in April, capitalizing on the group of spectators who I knew would show up to see me in the ring.

Being alumni of the K-9 College of Etiquette, Roger and I understand the importance of making a good first impression. Keeping in line with the formal wear expected in the show ring, Roger and I – escorted by our handsome handler Daddy “The Library Dawg” Knowlton – wore traditional blue blazers, oxford dress shirts, and matching ties when we presented the $1,000 check to Sassy Mae who was healthy and happy to participate in the festivities.

Fast forward to June, when I threw in the towel on my show career – in the confirmation ring – that is. With our ever-expanding wardrobe, Mom obviously still has high hopes of one of us making it in show biz. Who knows? Roger and I were both featured in the July/August 2009 edition of The Boxer Ring for our philanthropic work for Sassy Mae. Additionally, we were both featured in a recent edition of The French Bullytin (Vol. 26, No. 4), wearing fatigues to show our support for U.S. troops.

Finally, Roger recently appeared on abc 27 news for his volunteer bell-ringing work for the Salvation Army at our local Wal-mart on a bitter cold, Saturday afternoon while earning four credit-hours towards his community service Dog Scout badge. Led by Scout Leader Ann Withun and her Australian Cattle Dog Rowdy, Dog Scout Troop 161 raised more than $500, setting a new troop record.



In October, after crafting a seafaring vessel we call the USS PBC, Roger and I set sail across the Potomac River to the 2009 Mid-Atlantic American Boxer Club Regional show being held in Frederick, Maryland. Immediately preceding Best of Breed judging with first mate Rog at the helm, we took the ring by storm raising nearly $100 for our maiden voyage on the high seas of the Francis Scott Key Holiday Inn.



After the show, we hung out with Grammy Lee and met her latest litter of English Bulldog puppies. In November, Mom and I decided to do some early Christmas shopping at All for the Pet. Wouldn’t you know it? Grammy Lee was still looking for the perfect home for Peachy – the little rolly, polly bulldog puppy with which Mom had become so enamored at the regional show.

After a brief discussion with Dad on the phone, Mom asked me if I wanted a sister and I responded, “That sounds Just Peachy!” So on November 21, Just Peachy became my little sister Thelma Lou. Although it took Roger a few days to adjust to having another bully in the house, he is now very grateful for his little sister since Mom no longer dresses him in drag.

Wishing you health and happiness in 2010!

Party Animals

The Knowlton party animals get ready to ring in the new year

Wishing you a Slap Happy Doggy New Year!

Bell-ringing has gone to the dogs

Every holiday season, Salvation Army bell ringers set up red kettles on street corners and in malls across the country to raise money for causes that include disaster relief, soup kitchens, drug and alcohol counseling and homeless shelters. In addition to using bell-ringing to attract the attention of passersby, some volunteers sing Christmas carols or play musical instruments to help the cause.

What’s better than a song and a dance to get someone’s attention? Having man’s best friend do the job! Every year, Dog Scouts all over the country participate in bell ringing. That’s exactly what Dog Scout Troop 161 did again this holiday season – for the third consecutive year.

Dog Scout Rowdy demonstrates his bell-ringing skills
(Notice all his badges!)

Mom and Roger helped sweeten the pot while Roger worked on logging hours toward his Dog Scout community service badge. One might ask why Mom took Roger instead of me. Well, as you can see from the following photo, Rog slipped back into a state of depression after remembering that he is no longer the only cute, short, stubby unit in the Knowlton house.

Roger wallows in his sorrow hugging his heating pad to warm his heart

In both 2007 and 2008, Dog Scout Troop 161 raised more than $300 for the Salvation Army. Even with the floundering economy, Troop 161 set a goal to raise even more funds while promoting responsible dog ownership. And, that's exactly what they did. Having set a new Troop record, they brought in more than $500!

Gabe takes a break from ringing
to audition for a part as a Keebler Elf

Centered in Carlisle, PA, Troop 161 is a local troop of Dog Scouts of America, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Dog Scouts of America is to promote responsible dog ownership and enhance the human/canine bond through positive training and relationship building activities. Believe you me, I have to keep a close eye on M&D about adhering to the responsible pet ownership pledge.

Roger's cousins stop by to show their support

Happy Howl-i-days

Wishing you a Happy Howl-i-day Season −
Thelma Lou, Newman and Roger

Winter Wonderland

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Mom, my editor in chief, has been busier than a one-armed paper hanger − especially after the snow fairies dumped more than a foot of snow on us this past weekend. Although we were prepared like good Dog Scouts should be, luckily we didn't lose power like some of my less fortunate friends.

I would like to take this opportunity to share some pictures sent to me from a few of my faithful fans. And, I hope you stay with me until the end where M&D provide some raw film footage of what it's like to live in the hills of Hooterville, Pennsylvania.

Veteran snow pup Cassye Downey advises her young rookie
granddaughter Peanut to assess the situation before venturing out

Veteran Cassye says, "That will be enough lip out of you, CJ!
Take this right hook and then think about it."

Dewi and Tori wonder where all the white stuff came from?

Are those icicles forming on my sister Juniper's lips?

Holy cow! Is that Santa Paws himself?

Brrrr! Punchy tries to stay warm after Blizzard 2009 knocks out heating source to her house

Roger contemplates his dinner options −

Dry tasteless crunchies or young tender flesh?

No! Not an innocent baby walrus pup!

Clarice Thelma attempts to avoid capture from Dr. Hannibal Snowball

And now, the Three Stooges present 

Hopping in a Winter Wonderland!

Just call me angel

I'm having trouble deciding whether Thelma Lou looks more like her mom, Angel, or her sister, Angel. Please help me decide by casting your vote today. 

Katandy's Lil Angel − Thelma Lou

My Choice Absolute Envy − Angel

Thelma's Mom

Savannah's Big Red − Angel

Thelma's Sister

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Does Thelma look more like her mom or her sister?

Bully City Here We Come

Although not much consolation, it's slightly comforting to know that Roger and I aren't the only pups in the world forced to wear silly costumes. Poor Thelma Lou doesn't have a clue as to the torture and humiliation that awaits her.