Not Flippin' Invited! [NFI]

On a serious note, we wish to send our thoughts and prayers to all the people and animals hurt by the devastating monster storms that have been pounding the Southern and South Eastern States of America. It is distressing seeing and reading about the damage and deaths occurring. All are in our hearts and prayers.

Hoping the storms end and the people and animals can heal. {Yes, that is the moon popping up above the trees.}

No, I am not pouting. I was NFI so I just need to be alone for a bit.

There will be a glaring omission in the guests invited to the Royal Wedding of Prince William of Wales, K.G. and Miss Catherine Middleton today, 29 April 2011. Me. In what is going to be known as the snub of the Century, I was Not Flippin’ Invited [NFI] to the Royal Wedding. I am just woofless from mortification. How could they not invite me? As an Alaskan Malamute, the most powerful working dog in the World, and a venerated member of the ancient Mahlemuit Tribe, I am more dignified than any of the Foreign Dignitaries they did invite. Also, considering I am, in my estimate, approximately 7,625,987,415,847,698,224,658,587th in line to the throne, I feel an invitation was definitely warranted. But, I was not NFI!

One of the culprits of my being NFI? {Gemma Correll's Corgi Royal Wedding Tea Towel}

I have a sneaking suspicion that the Queen’s Corgis may have conspired with Princess Anne’s Bull Terriers to make sure my invitation never arrived. Why? Not sure. And since I believe one is innocent until proven guilty I will refrain from making judgments and accusations. But you must admit, it is very questionable as to why I am not in London right now for the Royal Wedding yet the Queen's Corgis are running around like they own the Palace! Regardless as to the reason for my snub I wish Wills and Kate {I just know we would have been on a first-name basis!} a glorious lifetime together filled with happiness, laughter, and love!

~~ MOMENT OF BEAUTY ~~

Sir Peter Paul Rubens, The Wedding By Proxy Of Marie de’ Medici to King Henry IV, circa 1622-1625

The Charles V Tapestry depicting the Marriage of Charles V (1500-1558) to Isabella of Portugal (1503-1539), circa 1630-1640

Back to me...

Before realizing I was NFI to the Royal Wedding my human K was helping me put together my outfit. I was going to wear Scottish attire since I think I may be part Scottish. I, like the Scottish Highlanders, am known for my fearlessness and bravery, so it makes sense that I would have some Scottish blood running through my veins.

K's peeps will be waving these Jayhawk flags!

I may have been snubbed but K’s peeps {her sister and friend} are attending. Not the wedding, actually, but as two of millions who will line the streets to cheer on the Royal Couple. Per request, K put together two flags for her peeps to wave so that they will stand out from the crowd and be noticed. So, if you see either of these two Jayhawk flags, those are K’s peeps!

See what you are missing?

I wondered why *I* was not on the flags that K made for her peeps. I would be a much better flag than a Jayhawk. I had a long howl, with a few grrrrrs I am ashamed to admit, with K about it but she could not give me a satisfactory answer.

Paws crossed that I am invited to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee 2012.

Not being flippin' invited to the Royal Wedding has been a very humbling, and sad, experience. However, next year is Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee and I am hoping that an invitation arrives for me to attend. But I am not taking any chances. Corgis and Bull Terriers are now my new best friends. I’m just sayin’…

Hippity hoppin, Happy Easter Day!

"Here comes Peter Cottontail Hoppin' down the bunny trail Hippity hoppin', Easter's on its way

Bringin' ev'ry girl and boy Baskets full of Easter joy Things to make your Easter bright and gay..."

--- "Peter Cottontail" as sung by Gene Autry

Be vewy vewy quiet, I'm hunting wabbit. But unlike Elmer Fudd, I plan on actually getting myself a wascally wabbit!

No bunnies under here.

What's that?

Oh, hi Mr. Snake with a hurt tail. I already have dibs on the bunnies, so vamoose!

Jackpot! I smell bunny!

I can't wait for my bunny snack! Hey, K, pop the hood, post-haste!

~~ MOMENT OF BEAUTY ~~

Andrea Della Robbia, The Resurrection of Christ, circa unknown (my guess is around 1517-1518)

Fabergé Workmaster Michael Perchin, Resurrection Egg, (one theory claims it is the missing surprise from the Renaissance Egg), circa 1885-1889

Fabergé Workmaster Michael Perchin, Renaissance Egg: A Fabergé Imperial Easter Egg, (one theory claims that the Resurrection Egg is the missing surprise), circa 1894

Fabergé Resurrection Egg fitting perfectly inside the Fabergé Renaissance Imperial Easter Egg

Back to me...

K couldn't pop the hood since it was not her old truck. I know bunny was hiding in the engine. Bunny: 1, Suka: 0.

What's that?

Oh, hi Mr. Raccoon. See any bunnies from up there?

I'm looking, Mr. Raccoon, but I don't smell or see anything.

Still nothing. Your left or my left?

Nope, nothing.

Ha! Very clever, Mr. Raccoon! You knew my weakness and used it to your advantage. While having me looking all over for a bunny that you claimed you could see from the tree, you slipped away and disappeared. Touché, Mr. Raccoon.

So, where are all the Easter bunnies? I think that perhaps my human, K, has gathered them up and will surprise me with a huge dog bowl of bunnies on Easter morning! *drool.... A dog can dream. And it is Easter, a time when one sees the impossible become the possible. Dead things all around us spring back to life, blossoming outward, reaching to achieve their highest potential. We, too, even at our lowest, can spring back to life and accomplish great and beautiful things. Another chance at life, to flourish! Wishing everyone a wonderful and joyful Happy Easter! I’ll just be enjoying the holiday munching on my huge dog bowl of yummy bunnies (please! please! please! paws crossed!). I'm just sayin...

I Am A Contest!

I am a contest! Yes, you read that right. I am not in a contest, I am the contest. It is very exciting as I have never been a contest before, and neither has Porgy. The photo above is a huge clue. Curious? Then please head on over to my sweet pug friend Janie's blog, Peace Love Pugs & Pals, to read all about the awesome contest. Next, put your thinking caps on and let your creativity flow! After you have thought of a clever and funny caption, head on over to Janie's mom's blog, Linden Line Designs, to officially enter. If your caption is picked you will win a beautiful hand-made Linden Line Designs dog or cat collar. How cool is that? Good luck to all my friends! You have until 30 April at 6:00 p.m. Porgy and I are very excited that our photo was chosen, so thank you Janie Pug and Janie's mom Joan!

~~ MOMENT OF BEAUTY ~~

The Lady And The Unicorn, tapestry of wool and silk, circa 1484-1500

Taddeo Crivelli, Bible of Borso d'Este, illumination on parchment, circa 1455-1461

Back to me...

*yawn. My imagination has been running wild all day with caption possibilities. I wore myself out, but they just keep coming.

BOL! Now that was a funny one! I crack myself up sometimes.

*soft woo Too bad I can't enter my own contest. Or can I?

*wink

I know I can't enter my own contest. That wouldn't be fair. But...I would look smashing in a hand-made designer collar. I'm just sayin'...

Bobcat and Muddy Paws

Look what Silvius chased up a tree. A bobcat! We were so excited to finally meet a bobcat. He was pretty awesome looking and I was so hoping he would come down and play with us. But, alas, that was not to be. Bobcat seemed a bit frightened, and I don't know why because Silvius and I love cats. Silvius will take his à la carte, but I prefer mine with a side of bunny. Anyway, after enjoying his presence for a while we left, and have yet to see Bobcat again.

~~ MOMENT OF BEAUTY ~~

Annibale Carracci, Homage to Diana, fresco, circa 1602

North Rose Window at Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres in France, stained glass, circa 1220-1235

Back to me...

I don't think they look so bad.

The mud adds character to my paws. They look goth.

So Porgy, how did I do cleaning my paws?

Porgy says my paws look all clean to him! So, where is my treat?

“A little Consideration, a little Thought for Others, makes all the difference.”
~~ Winnie the Pooh

Winnie is a very wise Pooh-Bear. He has a knack for making simple yet profound observations on life. So carry Winnie the Pooh's words of wisdom in your heart as you go about your day, and exhibit kindness in all you do. As my beautiful friend, Sugar, did. I won a give-away on Sugar's blog, a very pretty "Recycled Love" dog tag, and Sugar added a very delicious pack of Sugar-made dog treats, from Sugar's very own store. A yummy surprise! It was very thoughtful of Sugar to add the extra bonus and it made my tummy's day! Thanks, Sugar! In this spirit of kindness, I did not chase after a bunny the other day that ran out from under a tree during my afternoon walk. True, I did not even see the bunny, but my human, K, did, so that is kindness by default, or two degrees of kindness. I'm just sayin'...

Hodgepodge

A splendid award – November 2010. A heartbreaking death – December 2010. A surprise box of delicious treats - December 2010 and February 2011. A fabulous award – March 2011. Four events that I have been terribly remiss in acknowledging, and I humbly ask for forgiveness. I have no excuse for my thoughtlessness, and meant no disrespect to my friends. So, without further ado, I shall begin:

My darling, sassy, spunky, extremely funny, and breathtakingly beautiful friends, Cocorue and Tiffane, considerately honored me with the marvelous Versatile Blogger Award. Thank you my sweet friends!

One of my newest and dearest fluffy friends, Jon Terry, an amazingly adorable, sweet, smart, and loving fluff ball that you just want to pick up and cuddle, kindly awarded me the magnificent Stylish Blogger Award. Thank you my delightful, charming friend!

Both awards stipulate that I must share seven things about myself. Being a somewhat modest Alpha Male I like to keep myself wrapped in a mysterious aura. However, I will do my best to share seven interesting things about me:

♥ Seven Things About Me ♥:

► I pick and choose which “No” I will understand.

► I once broke free of my leash and was gone for over three weeks. I returned right before Christmas, very gaunt and quiet. Where I was, and what happened to me, remains my secret.

► I destroyed a comforter by playing on the bed of a family member we were visiting.

► When I was first adopted by my human, K, I destroyed two fancy couch pillows. It was my “Welcome Home” gift to her.

► I have mastered the art of tuning out human sounds to the point where I am oblivious that a human, specifically K, is talking to me.

► I do a happy dance that involves shaking my head and prancing when I am about to receive a treat that I really really really love.

► I love my Pack very much. Even more than I love snow.

I am deeply touched by both of these wonderful awards and will honor them to the best of my ability by becoming even more versatile and stylish than I already am. Thank you again, Cocorue and Tiffane, and Jon Terry! It means a lot to me to be recognized by the three of you.

Do I look versatile and stylish?

~~ MOMENT OF BEAUTY ~~

Edmund Blair Leighton, The Accolade, circa 1901

Antonio de Correggio, Ganymede, circa 1531-1532

Back to me...

Toby and I at Toby's Sixth Birthday Party, circa September 2008.

It is with very deep sorrow that I paw a tribute to my dear, esteemed friend Toby, who passed away in December 2010. Toby was one of my first blogging buddies, and despite my somewhat shy nature took me under his wing and introduced me to his wild and exciting lifestyle of fun, partying, and travel. Toby had an amazing personality and a great sense of humor. Toby was found wondering the road one night with a broken leg. The little pup was picked up by a wonderful female human and rushed to the doggie doctor. While in the car of his new mom Toby was frightened and crying so his new mom turned on the radio to try to calm him. A Toby Keith song was playing and hence, the name “Toby.” When I read that story I pawed to Toby that it was a good thing his new mom was not listening to Meatloaf. Thereafter, I would refer to Toby as “Meatloaf.” Toby, having the great nature he did, never minded his new nickname by me and in fact, at times would even refer to himself as “Meatloaf.” Toby and his three siblings, Scuba, Keiko, and Norman, were The Desert Pups. Sadly, sweet and intelligent Scuba passed away in April 2010. With the loss of Toby in December, the year 2010 was indeed a very heartrending year for the Desert Pups. Keiko and Norman, and the mom, we think of you often and hope that you have healed and have been able to continue on your desert journey of fun, adventure, and travel. The blog-o-sphere has not been the same without you, and your presence has been greatly missed. Peace.

My dear, kind, generous, sweet, and very loving friends The White Dog Army, who consist of Siku Marie, Mighty Quinn, Nuka Angel, and Puff the Magical, graciously sent me (and my Pack) not one but two boxes of treats and gifts! They are the first pups ever to send me gifts and it was truly a very touching, and yummy, surprise. It meant a lot to me and my Pack, and the treats were delicious! Such huge hearts! Such thoughtful deeds! I and my Pack feel blessed to have the White Dog Army as our friends!

A couple of the thoughtful, and yummy, gifts from The White Dog Army.

Finally, I and my Pack send prayers and love to all the humans and animals in Japan as they heal from the devastating events that have occurred over the past few days. Also, continued prayers and love to all of the humans and animals in the Gulf Coast who are suffering toxic effects from the poisoning of the Gulf of Mexico that began almost a year ago.

Woofs that was a long post! I don't even think my howls are as long as this post was, and I can howl for quite a while, too. The coyotes have nothing on me. I’m just sayin’…