Happy Halloween!

The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?
(excerpt from “The Premature Burial,” a short story published in 1844)

~~ Edgar Allan Poe, American Author, Poet, Editor, and Literary Critic, 1809-1849

Now it is the time of night
That the graves, all gaping wide,
Every one lets forth his sprite
In the church-way paths to glide.
(from “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” 1590-1596)

~~ William Shakespeare, British Poet and Playwright, 1564 – 1616

Thank you so much my super, amazing, sweet friends, for all your wonderful comments and concern during my much prolonged absence. I have truly missed you all very much, and am very sorry I have not responded to those of you who left me such kind comments (blame K). I am happy to be back (yay!) and am very excited to visit all of you! Now, brace yourself for my scary Halloween post. Boo!

CEMETERY 1:

This is a rather lovely cemetery. Very peaceful. And quiet.

Who's there?

Who's making that noise?!

Oh, hi K. What? No, I am not hiding.

~~ MOMENT OF BEAUTY ~~

John Henry Fuseli, The Nightmare, circa 1781 (Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, Michigan)

Edvard Munch, The Scream, circa 1893 (National Gallery, Oslo, Norway)

Back to me...

While yet a boy I sought for ghosts, and sped
Through many a listening chamber, cave and ruin,
And starlight wood, with fearful steps pursuing
Hopes of high talk with the departed dead.
(from “Hymn to Intellectual Beauty,” 1817)

~~ Percy Bysshe Shelley, English Romantic and Lyric Poet, 1792-1822

On Earth as vampire sent,
Thy corpse shall from its tomb be rent:
Then ghastly haunt thy native place,
and suck the blood of all thy race.
(from “The Giaour,” 1813)

~~ George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron (aka Lord Byron), English Poet, 1788 – 1824

CEMETERY 2:

I don't have a good feeling about this cemetery either, Silvius.

I really don't want to go in there.

*sigh

How's this?

Tell Silvius to stop crying. He is freaking me out!

Hey! Why does Silivus get to hide, I mean sit, in the car?

This is spooky.

Can we go now?

Extra treats for a few more photos? O.K.!

What was that?!

And what's that?!

I'm outta here!

Hope you all have a spooky, scary, and fun Halloween!

Cemetery 2 was very freaky. Silvius kept crying and wanted to get into the car, and once inside, he would not come back out. I was brave, and did my photo shoot, but leaving could not come soon enough! It is not that I am a scaredy-cat, quite the opposite! I am a very brave and courageous dog! However, when confronted with ghosties and ghoulies, I think it best to scram! I'm just sayin'...

When You're Smilin' The Whole World Smiles With You

A smile cures the wounding of a frown.

~~ William Shakespeare, British Poet and Playwright, 1564 – 1616

Today is my sweet friend Sugar's 10th birthday, or, as us doggies woof, "barkday." Happy 10th Barkday Sugar, and may your birthday/barkday be filled with lots of fun, treats, and smiles!

Sugar is 10-years-old on the 10th; 10 on 10! How cool is that?!

Sugar always has a beautiful Golden smile on her face which brightens our day, and our hearts, every time we see it. In honor of her 10th barkday we are joining Sugar in her 10th barkday celebration by smiling right along with her.

Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.

~~ Mark Twain, American Humorist, Writer, and Lecturer, 1835-1910

~~ MOMENT OF BEAUTY ~~

Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa (a.k.a. La Gioconda), circa 1503-1506 (Musée du Louvre, Paris, France)

Leonardo da Vinci, St. John the Baptist, circa 1508 - 1516 (Musée du Louvre, Paris, France)

Back to me...

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.

~~Dr. Seuss (aka Theodor Seuss Geisel), American Writer and Cartoonist, 1904-1991

Smiles are beautiful! And seeing beauty brings happiness. So, if we could fill up our World with smiles then we would have a beautiful and happy World! As Frank Sinatra sang, "When you're smilin'....keep on smilin'...The whole world smiles with you.". So turn that frown upsidedown and smile! Unless, of course, that frown is being used to evoke pity and guilt to garner food and/or treats from your humans, then you may frown until said food/treats are successfully acquired. I'm just sayin'...

And Now Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Blogging

Nothing but heaven itself is better than a friend who is really a friend.

~~ Titus Maccius Plautus, Roman Playwright, 254 – 184 BC

My human, K, spent the oppressively hot month of July slowly knocking items off of her task list. Hence, I was unable to blog because I was moved down to the bottom of her priority list. Shocking, I know. However, I soon discovered that as each item was marked off her list I was slowly but surely making my way back to the Number One spot. Well...voilà! I finally made it! I am now back on top of K's priority list, so I welcome myself back to my regularly scheduled blogging!

I have a lot of catching up to do, I know. And I look forward to making the rounds of the blog-o-sphere to see what all my pals, buddies, and friends have been up to, and hopefully I did not miss too much.

I have mentioned before how fortunate I feel to have such great friends. One such friend, whom I have mentioned before, is Kika, from Portugal. The other week I received an e-mail from Kika and was very surprised to find three photos that Kika had creatively decorated for me:

Aren't those awesome?! Very cool! Kika is such a talented kitty-cat! I feel very special that Kika took the time to design the photos just for me. It is a wonderful act of kindness from a sweet friend. Thank you Kika! You are a very special kitty-cat to think of me and treat me to such fun things.

~~ MOMENT OF BEAUTY ~~

Theodore van Thulden, Athena and Pegasus, circa 1644 (John Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, California)

Pompeo Batoni, Continence of Scipio, circa 1771-1772 (Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia)

Back to me...

As you may recall, my very cool and super-fun friends, the FiveSibes, held a fantastic Patriotic Pets contest for the 4th of July holiday. I entered and was honored to have won the “Vintage Patriotism” award. Thank you FiveSibes! As a winner, I received a beautiful award certificate, a very nice “Honorable Mention” ribbon, and a very fun squeaky bone toy. The FiveSibes sure know how to make a pup feel special! Thank you again, FiveSibes, not only for your awesome contest, but for the wonderful award and gift. All the contestants rocked and I am humbled to be included among the amazingly creative winners.

To quote Charlie Sheen, "Duh, Winning!"

Didn't the FiveSibes do an excellent job on the award certificate? I love that my name is on it.

I must woof, it feels good to be a winner. Especially when winning means you get a fun new toy.

I realize I am looking a bit rough in the photos, but it has been a sweltering July, with at least four weeks of temperatures reaching 100+ F almost every day, and high humidity accompanying many of those days. Needless to woof, my fur has been out of control for quite some time now. But, I am actually starting to like the look. I think I look handsomely rugged. Or ruggedly handsome. And hot. Because I am hot. I’m just sayin’…

It's A Cruel, Cruel Summer...Redux

A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.

~~ St. Francis of Assisi

Wake me when Summer's over.

That is not drool. Really. I am manifesting snow, but it keeps melting.

~~ MOMENT OF BEAUTY ~~

Francois Boucher, The Rising of the sun, circa 1753

Bonifacio Veronese, An Architectural Capriccio with Elegant Figures and Animals Promenading in an Ornamental Garden, circa early 16th Century

Back to me...

*snooze

Is Summer over?! Please let me see snow!

*sigh...No snow. And Summer is still here, stronger than ever. Nap time again. I hope I don't get muscle atrophy.

I am aware of fried green tomatoes, but is there such a thing as fried black and white malamute? If not, there might be if this heat doesn't end soon. I'm just sayin'...

Happy 4th of July

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

~~ The Declaration of Independence, Ratified on July 4, 1776

Let Freedom Ring! Happy 4th of July! On this day 235 years ago the Second Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence, thus giving the colonies their independence from Great Britain and King George III. As you can see, I am celebrating by wearing my "Spirit of 76" hat and scarf set. It is an original purchased in 1976 during the year-long 1976 Bicentennial Celebration of America's 200 years of Independence. Pretty snazzy, huh?

Paws crossed for America, and the World, to live in Truth, Honesty, Integrity, Kindness, Courage, Compassion, Joy, Happiness, Goodness, Peace, and Love.

O.K., it is about 90 degrees out, I am a little hot here.

~~ MOMENT OF BEAUTY ~~

John Trumbull, Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, circa 1819

John Binns, Declaration of Independence, circa 1818

Back to me...

I flew in to join in the festivities!

But where's my "Spirit of 76" gear?

Porgy, quick, look over there!

No, wrong way, look over here! Hurry!

"Suka, I don't see anything." BOL! I love teasing Porgy!

To get into the spirit of July 4th my human, K, was humming "Yankee Doodle Boy" (a great watch, especially for vintage lovers!). Not to be outdone patriotically, I decided to howl "Yankee Doodle." K approved of my pick and explained how the British brought the tune to America during the French and Indian Wars. It was used sarcastically, to mock the appearance of the colonial "Yankees." However, in true American fighting spirit, when the Revolution began the Americans adopted the song as a rallying tune and made it their own. When the British surrendered at Yorktown on October 19, 1781, the American army band played "Yankee Doodle" to celebrate the American victory. So, in true Suka fighting spirit, I will make the song my own!

"Yankee Suka took a walk,
and there he saw a bunny;
he almost had him in his mouth,
but it farted and that was funny."

Well, it rhymes. I'm just sayin'...

Stylin' Suka

I will reveal to you a love potion, without medicine, without herbs, without any witch’s magic; if you want to be loved, then love.

~~ Hecato (a.k.a. Hecaton) of Rhodes, Greek Stoic Philosopher, 100 BC

Chillin' in style.

I've been stylin' in my new international dog collar. Like it? My beautiful and lovely kitty cat friend Kika, from Portugal, sent me my winnings from her belly contest, and the very cool dog collar I am wearing was one of the gifts. Isn't it awesome? My human, K, loves how it is so sturdy and strong, and I love the fun design and the great colors. It is also very comfortable. Thank you Kika!

Now with my new collar I will be stepping out in style!

Also included were these two very cute magnets. K already has them on the refrigerator. She really likes them.

I hope these are holding up photos of me on the 'fridge!

My wonderful gifts from Kika!

Kika, you have great taste! Thank you again for such wonderful winning gifts! You rock!

Don’t I look dapper in my international dog collar?

Another angle, for your viewing pleasure.

~~ MOMENT OF BEAUTY ~~

Gerrit Dou, A Sleeping Dog Beside A Terracotta Jug, A Basket, And A Pile Of Kindling Wood, circa 1650

Cave Canem [Beware of Dog], mosaic on the floor of the entrance hall to the House of the Tragic Poet in Pompeii, Italy, circa 50 A.D. (?)

Back to me...

Some, if not all, of you may have noticed my absence for over a week from the blog-o-sphere. {At least I hope I was missed!} K said we had to step away from the internet for a while because some other issues were taking precedence. Can you imagine? What could possibly be more important than my blogging?! Well, the good news is I am back! At least for now. I am not sure for how long since K has indicated we may need to step away at least one more time, if not a few more times. So while I am here, let me say that we, both K and I, missed all of you terribly. We really value all of our blog friendships and we hate when we are away and missing all the events going on in your lives. So even though I am not physically blogging, I always have you in my thoughts!

Perhaps if I look desperate enough K will let me blog.

I'm bored.

Any more gifts coming in the mail?

♪♪♪ “Don’t you forget about me…”♪♪♪ K said my blogging friends won't forget me during my absence. I am sure she is correct. I have the best blogging friends any dog could woof for! Plus, I am simply unforgettable! Or is that simply irresistible? I’m just sayin’…