Another Holiday to Celebrate

Labor Day is upon us and I just thought I'd let you know how we celebrated today. We went to visit GrandMuttMa and GrandPupPaw and that crazy Daisy. We had a pretty good time. Daisy was even crazier this time for some reason than she was last time. But, after Mama helped GrandMuttMa to learn how to access her library account online and extend a book and put some others on hold, Daisy came in and we shared a lap for a little while. (Very little while).

Elsa is interested in Daisy, but Daisy scares her when she jumps up in the air (getting about 3 feet of pure air). Let me tell you seeing someting coming out of the sky from that height, especially when it is about 10 times bigger than you, can be a daunting sight, for those whose height is 8 - 10 inches, so I can't say that I really blame Elsa for being afraid. When she gets scared, there is only one person in this world that Elsa wants and that is my Mama, 'cause she knows that Mama will protect her and she is safe then.

I laughed when Daisy jumped up in the chair with Elsa and I, while sitting on Mama's lap and Elsa stood up and leaned against Mama's chest and started boxing Daisy in the nose. Daisy didn't know what to make of that. S ince Elsa kept doing it, Daisy cottoned on to the fact that it was Elsa's way of trying to play, then she got over-excited again and started running around and had to be banished once more.

Gryphon, Elsa and I had an opportunity to run around the backyard, sans Daisy, for awhile after dinner and we had a marvelous time. Elsa got to running so fast, she was like a blonde blur as she chased a tennis ball back and forth. I even ran around a bit and wrestled with Gryphon and Elsa. It was good times.

Now I'm pooped (Elsa and Gryphon are already passed out), so I'll call it a night with a tired (Yawn!!) Paws Up!

Copyright 2008 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon
Visit me at Griffie World

About the Author:
"Just call me Your Highness" ~ Phoenix
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It's My Turn

Finally! I can hardly get a paw in edge-wise these days. Mama has been working diligently on her book trailer and doing other things related to promoting Misfit McCabe, that getting time on the internet has been scarce for me. When am I supposed to look up new treat sites for crying out loud.

Yes ~ it's true, I do surf the net searching for new treat sites. I am very picky about the treats I eat (only the yummiest please) and want to make sure I am up to date on all of the latest offerings.

We will be trying some treats from SpunkyPup sometime soon, so I recommend that you stop by and check it out. Don't be startled when you access the site for the first time and the site guard dog barks a greeting to you.

Speaking of barking, Elsa was soooo loud today, it was annoying. She doesn't like when Mama is in an area where she can't get to her and then she sits there and yips in this ear piercing bark to get attention. I hope Mama breaks her of that soon, my delicate ears just can't take that.

I think that with all of the talk of book reviews that has been going on in our house because my Mama got a great review from The Lulu Book Review yesterday, I will start reviewing websites geared toward dogs. I figure why not? I have excellent qualifications to do so. I am a dog, I have lots of opinions. . .what other criteria could there be?

All for now. Paws Up!

Copyright 2008 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon
Visit me at Griffie World

About the Author:
"Just call me Your Highness" ~ Phoenix
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Still the Petite One

All right, this post is going to expose my vanity. Elsa is now bigger than I am, so I am still the most petite pup in the house. You don't know how much that makes me smile. I like being the littlest, especially since I am no longer the youngest.

Elsa is longer than I am and also has longer legs. She's still smaller than Gryphon though because Gryphon is broader (and maybe a little taller). I enjoy being the smallest because it allows me extra cuddle time, everyone calls me "baby", strangers think that I'm the puppy, and it's easier to get extra treats. So my status has gone from being the middle child, back to the elite smallest pup.

All for now 'cause Mama wants her machine back. Petite Paws Up!

Copyright 2008 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon
Visit me at Griffie World

About the Author:
"Just call me Your Highness" ~ Phoenix
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YouTube Overload

We are running on YouTube overload here today. My Mama is doing research on book trailers so that she can create a book trailer for her juvenile fiction book Misfit McCabe and my Papa seems to be searching YouTube for the videos of what stupid people will do and want to show everyone.

It is amazing to me the things that people want to video tape and then broadcast to the world. With what my Papa has seen today, we should film Elsa eating poop and post it on YouTube, it'd be an instant hit. The number of people who have stun devices who use them on themselves and make a video of it is beyond me. Ok, we've all done stupid things from time to time, but really, do we want to share those things with the world? I, for one, do not.

The book trailers have been interesting. Some use actual video, with people playing parts, and others are a succession of photographs and other graphics mixed with music. Some have narration and others do not. I can't wait to see what my Mama comes up with for her book, Misfit McCabe. I'm sure that it will be very creative. She has been searching for some pictures as well as some sounds and music, but has hit upon what she wants as yet. I'll be right there guiding her, so I'll be the first critic to review the trailer once she is done.

One of these days, I might even design my own. All for now. Paws Up!



Copyright 2008 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon
Visit me at Griffie World

About the Author:
"Just call me Your Highness" ~ Phoenix
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Ode to Pineapple

Ok, as you know, I was skeptical about how this whole pineapple thing would be. I actually enjoyed it, against my better judgement. When Mama offered it to me, I sniffed it and it didn't smell half bad, so I stuck my tongue out and licked it. Sweet! It was sweet and a little tangy and so juicy it was practically dripping. That first taste was all it took, I grabbed the chunk and scarfed it down. Then Elsa came over and had to see what I was getting and she didn't hesitate even a moment to sniff it first, but just gobbled it down. Gryphon, on the other hand, sniffed it, gave it a little lick and then said "pass". So she hasn't even tried it yet. Mama tried to give it to her again, but she just put it on the ground and Elsa came by and snagged it.

Anyway, for anyone who has not tried it, pineapple is wonderful. So ask your owners for some today.

Also, my Mama got me a new shirt today - not quite as cute as my pink shirt with the bedazzled crown and the word princess, but cute nonetheless. It is a black shirt with pink edging (collar, hem and arms) and has in hot pink on the back, "It's all about ME. Deal with it!" This so sums up my attitude toward life, that Mama just had to get it for me. It fits me like a glove and I have been wearing it since Mama brought it home. I love it.

Remember now. . . get your pineapple. Paws Up!

Copyright 2008 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon
Visit me at Griffie World

About the Author:
"Just call me Your Highness" ~ Phoenix
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Pineapple & Poop

Today's topic is a little disgusting. It is about coprophagia (thanks to Gryphon for helping me look that one up) which means to eat feces. This is apparently a common thing among puppies, although I simply can't believe that I even thought about doing something so disgusting. Well, it is a topic in our household, because Elsa occasionally partakes. Now mind you, she usually doesn't eat her own, but mine and Gryphon's.





Apparently, my Mama has read that if you feed a dog pineapple then it makes the poop taste terrible (like it doesn't already taste terrible) and that will deter pups from eating the feces. Well, since Elsa prefers eating Gryphon's and mine, guess who is going to end up having to eat pineapple?? I have lodged my protest already. I tried talking to my Papa about it first. I asked him if a dog who would eat poop won't eat poop with pineapple, then doesn't pineapple have to taste hideous to start with. He is under the impression that pineapple is tasty, so I really didn't get very far with him.

So, next I tried Mama and told her I have a very delicate digestive system and really think that this who pineapple thing won't be good for me. She told me that we will try it and if it doesn't work, then we'll have to try some pills, but she wanted to try the "natural" way first. Whoever said that pineapple was natural for dogs?? I ask you.



So having struck out on both fronts, I believe that pineapple is in my future. I'll try it, and if it's not too bad, I'll eat it to help Elsa stop eating poop. Paws Up!

PS If I don't like the pineapple, then I'm putting my Paw Down!

Copyright 2008 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon
Visit me at Griffie World

About the Author:
"Just call me Your Highness" ~ Phoenix
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Technical Trials and Tribulations

Well, today we spent a lot of time over at GrandMuttMa and GrandPupPa's house. They just had a DSL line installed and my Mama was installing the modem and software so that they could get up to speed online.

What should have been an easy half hour installation, turned out to be all afternoon and evening. The phone company messed everything up,which my Mama was prepared for as she figured it wouldn't go smoothly because the phone company lost the order, sent a technician out for the wrong installation, etc. We at least got to sit on her lap as she was waiting someone in technical support to answer her call, which took over 40 minutes, so I almost took a nap.

Daisy has calmed down a little bit. She still thinks Elsa is a toy and pounces on her every move she makes though. She also gets over excited at the sight of a leash, even if it's ours. We spent the time with our Papa, either out in the back yard, or sitting in his lap. All in all a pretty good, although somewhat stressful time.

Everyone kept worrying about whether my Mama would be able to get the issues wth the account resolved, but I had no worries. My Mama is good at what she does and I knew she would prevail.

So at the time of this writing, my cousin Daisy is now internet capable, but she's still to young to be posting online yet. Plus, I think that she needs a little more self-control before they let her near a keyboard.

All for now, 'cause I'm all tuckered from running around. Paws Up!

Copyright 2008 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon
Visit me at Griffie World

About the Author:
"Just call me Your Highness" ~ Phoenix
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The Great Sucking Monster

All you dogs out there - this is directed to you. How many of you hate that great sucking monster that roars through the house on a periodic basis. I know the Gryphon, Elsa and I do. There we are sitting comfortably on a lap or pillow and this thing comes out of the closet and wreaks havoc in our world.

First of all, the NOISE!!! It is incredibly loud to our sensitive ears. You'd think the two-legged geniuses who thought that contraption up would have learned how to deaden the sound. I know they have gotten quiter in recent years, but really it is a thing of degrees. When you have hearing that is as sensitive as ours, above the buzzing of a gnat, things are getting in the realm of noisy and the level above the sound of food being poured into our dish is obnoxious.

Then there is the fact that it whirs back and forth across the floor so that if you happen to be taking a stroll through the house you have to jump out of the way. It also tends to suck up those chews that you have so carefully hidden so that they can be saved for a later time. (Of course with our Elsa, there isn't a hope of their staying hidden now - she's a chew burglar.)

I follow behind Mama and when I get the chance, I nip around her legs and bite the corner of it and then hide back behind Mama so it doesn't know it was me. So far, that tactic has not produced very good results, but I'm hopefully that I can seriously wound it one day. So, if anyone has found a way to kill this monster, please drop me a line. Until then, Paws Up!

Copyright 2008 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon
Visit me at Griffie World

About the Author:
"Just call me Your Highness" ~ Phoenix
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To fnd articles for children on how to write fiction go to :
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Pillow Talk

Today's topic is pillows. Now you might think that a pillow is designed to rest your head on. Wrong! Pillows are for dogs to lie on. Now I don't know about big dogs, but I can tell you from the perspective of the petite pup, that the quality of the pillow matters. I myself like a nice, soft pillow that I can nestle my body down into, with a soft covering (yes - I prefer a pillow case).

Gryphon likes her pillows nice and thick, so that she has to climb up to get on top. She puts her head (and most of her body) right next to our Papa's head to sleep at night ~ I think she gets more of the pillow than he does.

Elsa doesn't understand about pillows yet and the comfort they can bring, she's just too young. She thinks they are something to attack and try and bite a hole in. You should have seen the mess she made with the Squish pillow when my Papa wasn't looking. It looked like it snowed in the bedroom.

My point about pillows is this: Some of you out there think it is perfectly acceptable to go to a pet store and get a "pillow" for your dog. You know the kind I'm talking about. . .the ones with zippers, wood chips for filling, and a burlap cover. Puhhleeeeze!!! I'd rather stay on the floor. At least on the floor I can find a nice soft bit of carpet or a rug that I can scrunch up. I have sensitive skin and simply can not tolerate that rough stuff on my belly. So, check wth your pups and see whether or not they would prefer something softer, with a nice satin, flannel, or jersey slip cover. I think you'll find that all of them would prefer that to the stuff that comes home from the pet store. Why do you think we destroy those so quickly?



Your dog is faithful, loyal and lives only to love you, so do them a favor and give them a nice soft pillow to rest on. All for now. Paws Up!

Copyright 2008 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon
Visit me at Griffie World

About the Author:
"Just call me Your Highness" ~ Phoenix
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The Food Game

All you two-legged creatures out there, listen up! When it comes to food, dogs like to eat and they may or may not like to share. Now, Gryphon and I have always shared our food. We either eat from the same bowl, although sometimes at different times, or take turns getting treats from our Papa (and extra scraps of food that we're not supposed to tell Mama about.) Some dogs want separate dishes and nip at you just for sniffing it. They need to learn some better manners about how to treat guests in their house.

Now we do have a little bit of an issue in our house with Elsa around. Elsa, being a puppy, is supposed to have puppy food. Since Gryphon and I are more mature, we have food that is special to meet our needs. Well, I don't know how many of you have tried food for the mature pup, but frankly, puppy food has it beat hands down for taste. Of course, Gryphon and I are not really supposed to eat that much of the puppy food, and Elsa is not supposed to eat ours, but here's the way it works. Elsa eats our food, because she sees us doing it and she is such a copy-dog, she figures that anything we get, she should have too. Gryphon and I KNOW that her food tastes better, so while she sneaks over to our bowl to get crunchies, we're sneaking over to hers.

Mama has just about given up. She puts both food into one bowl now and figures that at least for a portion of what we eat, we'll be getting the right stuff. Our tactic is to eat the puppy food and leave the rest until they refill the bowl. That way we get more good tasting stuff and less of the bland, good-for-you stuff.

By the way, Elsa should really be named Piglet, because she eats any and everything. She gets really excited whenever Mama and Papa are having their food, even though knows that it's not for her. She's getting better about not jumping up, but she still likes to climb up on Papa to ask him for food whenever she can. This kid picks up sticks and rocks where we're outside and tries to eat them ~ even if she just finished eating inside. Mama is working with her on not doing that, but Papa is just not as consistent. I will say this about our Mama, she does have an eagle eye, and watches us constantly. If we're out of sight, even for a moment, she wants to know where we are.

Anyway, my message to you all is this. . . get to know your pups and whether they want to share or not, and then provide accordingly. That's all for this post. Paws Up!

Copyright 2008 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon
Visit me at Griffie World

About the Author:
"Just call me Your Highness" ~ Phoenix
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My New Puppy

Gryphon points out that the title of this post is incorrect ~ it is Our new puppy and not just mine. Actually, no one asked me if I wanted a new puppy and if they had, I would have answered very quickly, "NO!" Gryphon and I had things very well and didn't really need a new puppy. After all, all I had to do was look at my Papa and he was starting to know what it was that I wanted. It's taken quite a few years, but I finally have him trained the way I want him, and they want to ruin that by bringing in another dog?

It was my Mama that made the decision and she kept trying to talk to me about it, but I put my paws in my ears and said, "La-la-la-la-la-la", so I couldn't hear. Gryphon listened and told me about it later, but she just kind of shrugged and accepted that we were getting a new puppy.

Now, just so you dont' think I am anti-puppy, you need to know that Gryphon and I have had some bad experiences with puppies. We can go back years to my Mama's grandparents and their dog Coco, who when she was a puppy broke her leg, so that when Gryphon and I met her, she was very excited running all over the place, jumping up and down and whacking us with that stupid bright pink cast on her leg. She was at least a small dog and did settle down in later years. Then Coco ran off one day, so Grandpa replaced her with Nickel, a min-pin who would not leave us alone. I had to tackle his legs one day because he was running poor Gryphon ragged, and if anyone is going to do that, it is going to be me.

Then we had a string a much bigger dogs, starting with our cousin Harley, who is a black lab. By the time we met Harley, she was huge, but still a puppy and thought that I was a squeak toy. I mean really! Do I look like a squeak toy? Harley also wouldn't leave Gryphon alone. It was like she wanted Gryphon to be her mother or something, and Gryphon just wanted to be able to walk on the ground without having a head that was bigger than she is lifting her up from the back end. Then they added Max, a one year old (at the time) German Shepherd, so we really couldn't explore their home and check it for marauder's. Then, the final cap to it all was that our Papa's parents (GrandMuttMa & GrandPupPa) got a new pup (Daisy) and she is bigger and overly volatile and excitable.

So, that is why, when saying the word puppy, I didn't want to hear anything about it. Papa and Mama even took us out to meet the new pup before we brought her home. I stood there and ignored her, even though she kept trying to follow me around. I thought that if they saw that I wasn't interested they'd give up on the idea. Oh well, it was a good try. We picked Elsa up a couple weeks later, and the first day she was a very calm little thing.

I didn't let that lull me into a false sense of security though. I kept ignoring her the best I possibly could, and so did Gryphon. Mama kept telling Papa to give it some time, that we would warm up to this little bundle of fur. Elsa quickly became much more playful and Gryphon ran away from her, because she thought that she might hurt the little thing if she played with her. (And Gryphon loves to play) After a couple days of that, Gryphon finally did play with her and they have been wrestling ever since.

I maintained my dignity and still ignored the little whippersnapper, because she kept taking my place and was horning in on my belly rub time. But, I finally decided that since she was here to stay that I should get acquainted and tell her where her place was. . . at the bottom of the pecking order.

Elsa is actually a smart little pup, and is sweet, just a little excitable and rambunctious. She is learning to behave, but still sometimes gets into trouble. I even wrestle with her sometimes, just to make her smile. She is getting to be very lovable. The picture posted is from the day we brought her home. (Mama has been slow to take updated photos ~ she says Elsa doesn't sit still long enough and she shows up in the pics as a blur.)

Anyway, she may have something to say every now and then. Until my next post. Paws Up!

Copyright 2008 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon
Visit me at Griffie World

About the Author:
"Just call me Your Highness" ~ Phoenix
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Long Hiatus

Well friends, it's been a long time. I'm sorry for the long delay, but it's been difficult getting some quality computer time. Why the long delay? Well, my Papa retired from the Coast Guard and was occasionally freelancing, but otherwise out of work, and I had the job of sitting on his lap and comforting him during the job search. Then, once he was once again gainfully employed, my Mama has been going through some health issues and had some surgeries, so I had to sit next to her in the bed to make sure she was healing properly. A good dog's comfort work is never done.

Plus, while she was home from work, she had the laptop available, but used it for work purposes, so how boring is that? And the really terrible thing is that I couldn't get a paw on it. (Right now, I'm sneaking on while my Mama is taking a bath - hee-hee)

We've had a few exciting things happening in the interim ~ Gryphon and I have a new puppy. Elsa came to us in late May and we have been working hard to get her properly trained. It really helps having a puppy around for getting extra treats. At first that was all she was good for. I really didn't think much of the idea of getting a puppy. I mean, really, Gryphon and I have things pretty good and I didn't want to have another pup butting in.

It has made things a little more cumbersome, like, Papa only has two legs, and now there are three dogs, so someone is without a leg to lie upon while he watches TV. I like to curl up next to my Mama when we are going to sleep, but Elsa keeps trying to take my spot. But things are getting better now that Elsa realizes that I am the princess of the household and a force to be reckoned with.

Another big event is that my Mama published her first novel (another reason why I have had so little computer time ~ she's been hogging it). You can check out the detail at her website Griffie World. I am very proud of her, she has done a good job. Yes, I have read it, and helped to edit it by pointing out some mistakes. The book is titled Misfit McCabe, and is in the Young Adult category. It has some pretty exciting moments in it, you should check it out.

All for now, 'cause Mama is coming.

Paws Up!!

Copyright 2008 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon
Visit me at Griffie World

About the Author:
"Just call me Your Highness" ~ Phoenix
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
To fnd articles for children on how to write fiction go to :
Griffie World Bookshelf