Category: Smiles

Monday Musings ~ August 12, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 67 Comments

Good Monday Morning. In the words of John Oliver, welcome, welcome, welcome! We hope you had a good weekend and cheered for your team, be it during the Olympics (which thankfully have concluded) or your football team which started pre-season games. While I’ll admit to watching plenty of the Olympics, I missed 99% of the closing ceremonies. I did however regrettably saw Tom Cruise’s appearance surrounding the next Olympiad to be held in Los Angeles. Tom is looking a tad long in the tooth but I’m sure his Mission Impossible fans didn’t mind. I, however was a bit shocked at the spectacle. Call me cynical but I’m sure NBC will start promoting the games soon. The level of commercial advertising during the games was mind-numbing.

Before we share today’s smile, I want to take a moment to send positive thoughts to all those affected by the ungodly amount of rain that tropical storm Debby dumped all up and down the East Coast. We thank our friend, Ann at Zoolatry, who distilled all of our sincere thoughts for those impacted by sharing this badge to let folks know we’re keeping them in our thoughts and reminding them that we’re a community and continue to think of them. Kindness matters. Thanks Ann, for sharing your latest badge.

Blogville badge

And now let’s turn to today’s smile. We hope your teamwork makes ‘pawsitive’ strides this week.

Monday smileLive, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ July 29, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 55 Comments

Happy last Monday of Hades, er I mean July. Maybe it’s a good idea the Olympics have started-we can stay inside to watch the festivities and competition. We missed the controversial opening ceremonies. Guess I was in training like Snoopy. Although this is an event where I would definitely excel and would no doubt win gold.

Monday smile

To all you triathletes, we wish you a pawsome week and hope you enjoy watching the summer games in Paris. Happy Monday.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ July 22, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 68 Comments

Good Monday morning. Before we get to today’s musing, Wilson wanted me to thank everyone who left such wonderful birthday wishes for him. The House Pony had a fabulous celebration and the party was a raging success. We received a surprise during in the middle of it. Can you guess what it is from today’s smile?

Monday smile

No, okay then…here’s the skinny. This past weekend while Elsa and I were celebrating Wilson’s birthday, my daughter texted me a photo. To say I was shocked is a bit of an understatement. I had no idea. And while they’re small now, they will grow into that giant breed known as Irish Wolfhounds, the tallest of all breeds. Right now they’re tiny little beans (ranging from 1.96 to 2.84 pounds-55.6-80.7 kg), but will grow up into gentle giants. Let me introduce 9 (yes, you read that right…n-i-n-e  puppies and no that’s not a typo) squeaking, little Irish Wolfhound puppies. I know, it’s hard to fathom these little guys start out so small yet grow up to become so huge. Everyone is doing well including the parents who live with my daughter and her family. Life is going to get pretty interesting until the pups are weaned and move on to their new forever homes. And to think I call Wilson a house pony. Irish Wolfhounds definitely gallop.

Irish wolfhound puppies
Now that’s a dog pile!

Here’s wishing you a ‘wagnificent’ Monday.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 54 Comments

Monday Smiles

After days of boom-booms, happy (with a dash of quiet) sounds really good to me. Make it a great week!

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ July 1, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 73 Comments

July 4th

Today is July 1st and thus begins the worst week of the year–fireworks going off in celebration of July 4th. Did you know more pets are lost during this week than any other week? A few years ago someone asked me why I was anti-patriotic because I challenged their setting off illegal fireworks in the alley behind my house. Being a naturalized citizen (meaning it was a conscious decision to become an American), I take my patriotism very seriously. Blowing up fireworks has absolutely nothing to do with patriotism and I wish people understood that. I know that two hundred and forty-seven years ago, a bunch of rebel-rousers in the New World declared their independence from their British rulers and they continue to remain as scrappy ever since. These days, much of that ‘scrappiness’ is not necessarily attractive or positive and each political camp deludes itself into thinking its side and vision for the country is a ‘more perfect union’ than was originally sought. Nonetheless, the Ranch hands continue to pray that we can somehow achieve it for all, not just for power’s sake.

Of course, there has been progress made by removing loud noises in fireworks, and there seems to be a trend where some cities have begun to favor laser shows over fireworks. With the recent heat dome covering much of the U.S. I applaud  municipalities who are switching to laser shows, drone and LED light displays to avoid the potential for igniting fires in tinder dry conditions and the terrorization of vulnerable groups. Eventually I hope fireworks will become a mere memory and folks actually understand what this holiday is all about.

July 4th

We hope you’ll support organizations who are working hard to help pets and those individuals suffering from PTSD especially this time of year.

Elsa, the House Pony and I wish our U.S. based readers a safe and happy Fourth of July week. To everyone, we hope you have a great Monday. With temps still in the ‘sizzle’ category, we hope you are able to stay cool without taking flight or hiding under the bed.

It’s true, I am passionate about not using fireworks to celebrate the 4th, but it’s still important to begin the week with a smile. Stay cool and make it a great day! Oh, and don’t forget to bring the poop bags with you like I did this morning {head smack}.

Monday smile

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ June 24, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 77 Comments

Today is June 24, 2024. There are 190 days left in the year. Let that sink in. Training Wilson to not go insane whenever he sees a squirrel remains an ongoing project although he is getting a little better but when I saw today’s smile, I had to chuckle. One benefit of walking this dog is I never have to worry about doing any upper body weight training.

Monday smiles

We hope nothing holds you back this week. Make it a great Monday.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ June 17, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 55 Comments

Greetings! We hope all the Dad’s had a great Father’s Day yesterday but now it’s time to begin the new week.

Monday smile

Whatever happens this week, we definitely hope there are enough tennis balls for everyone this week. For the optimists out there, only 96 days until the official arrival of autumn. Stay cool, it’s gonna be another hot one. Happy Monday.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ June 10, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 63 Comments

And snap…just like that, the weekend came and went. It was a busy one around the Ranch. On Saturday while Wilson was being groomed, I was able to visit with Baby Halia and her parents. She’s now two months old and growing like a little tadpole with a round belly and arms and legs moving non-stop. She’s quite alert and doesn’t seem to miss much. While visiting, there was an episode of Top Chef on which makes today’s smile seemed ironically apropos. Wouldn’t you just love to see a canine version of a TV cooking show?

Monday smile

Today is also a very special day, it’s Angel Norman’s 13th birthday. Happy heavenly birthday, Big Guy. Still love and miss you everyday and imagine the kibble and toppers are divinely tasty.

Angel Norman

Live, love bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ June 3, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 50 Comments

Happy first Monday of June. The temperatures are rising and it clearly looks like Summer is ramping up. Temps will be in the 90’s in the Mile High and that means it’s even more important to think of the four-legged sect. Before we get to today’s smile, here’s a public service announcement every pet parent and/or animal lover should remember.

Summer temp

Fresh water will do more than just make your petunias happy; it is essential for you and your pet’s good health. So be sure to stay hydrated. And now for this week’s smile.

Monday smile

Happy Monday, peeps.

Live, love, bark 🐾

Monday Musings ~ Memorial Day 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 56 Comments

WilsonToday is Memorial Day, a national holiday in the U.S. where we officially remember and mourn all  those who perished while serving in the country’s armed forces. Let’s take a look at the historical background to see how this holiday began.

Originally it was known as “Decoration Day” following the Civil War when both Union and Confederate soldiers honored their dead by decorating their graves with flowers. Today it has morphed into its current form honoring all Americans who served and paid the ultimate price for their service.

So why do we see people wearing red poppies on Memorial Day? Red poppies are associated with remembrance and officially became the national emblem of remembrance in 1920. Those little flowers originated from the battlefields of World War I because they sprouted in the unlikeliest of places. One reason-poppies are actually considered a weed and its seeds germinated when the soil was disturbed between the trench lines and the Western Front.

Poppies

Poppies grew in the most inhospitable landscapes of war-torn battlefields in 1915 and from this wreckage of war, they seem to spring up like tiny beacons of hope.

Memorial Day

As you can see, there is a difference yet there is still confusion between the various patriotic holidays celebrated in the U.S. Far too many people think Memorial Day honors every service members who served. The truth is Memorial Day honors those who gave their lives in service of their country. Unofficially it’s also known as the start of summer and too often used as a marketing campaign for such things like mattress sales.

We hope this post provides you with sufficient info regarding the origins of Memorial Day. Although our family has been blessed to not have lost anyone who served, we know families who were not as lucky and our hearts go out to them with deep appreciation for the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. We honor their memory and send gentle thoughts of comfort today.

And even though it’s a serious day of remembrance, it’s still Monday which means we need to share a smile. Two weeks ago, the 148th American Kennel Club Dog Show was held and Wilson thought there may been some celebration during and after the competition. Congratulations to “Sage,” the miniature poodle who was won Best in Show. For more on her impressive win, see this story.

Monday smile

Happy Monday.

Live, love, bark!  🐾