SylvieDog - Cookie Fiend

Pawpawty presents!

2009-09-20T12:54:00.001-05:00

Hiya pals! Many of you know that I like to offer my services as late-night quizmaster during #pawpawty events so @FrugalDougal can get some sleep. The prizes I get to give away are always so fabulous that sometimes I wish I could answer my own quizmaster questions. :) But I'm always happy to lend a paw and help raise $ for anipal charities.

I was so very surprised to receive a special package via Royal Mail this week:

Hey...I recognize that little dog! It's Dougal!

Oh my dogs! TOYS!

We hit the jackpot!

This toy has LONG legs

Oh no! The legs are attacking me!

Mugsy to the rescue

Oooo...this is a cool green ball.

*sigh* Mugsy stole it

All the great presents came with a note from my pal Dougal - he said he wanted to send me something to thank me for quizmastering. What a sweet doggie he is! Thanks for all the pawsome presents, Dougal! You sure are a good pal. :)

-SylvieDog (and Mugsy too!)

No thank you, PooTrap

2009-08-26T00:02:00.002-05:00

I am adding this to my list of products I do not wish to test, review, or own at any time in my life. This question & response from the FAQ is particularly nice:

Can owner use the "PooTrap" always when walking their dog out?

When dog is having diarrhea, or if the owner just don't feel like taking the "PooTrap" off the dog, feel free to keep the "PooTrap" on the dog.

Guh.

-SylvieDog

Calling all detectives

2009-08-18T19:47:00.006-05:00

I have two mysteries on my hands, and I need help from my pals to solve them.

1. Why does Mugsy sleep like this?

2. What (or who) bit my tomato?

Any and all theories are appreciated.

-SylvieDog

Bark for Life

2009-08-09T19:17:00.010-05:00

I had a lovely time joining Mama, Papa, the boy kid & Mugsy for the American Cancer Society's Bark for Life mini relay today! I thought I'd share some pics from our adventure.

There were lots of dogs & people there

We got to meet Jersey - a cancer therapy dog (he visits with kids while they're going through treatment to help them feel better)

Mugsy tried to steal Jersey's water bottle. So embarrassing.

Here we are walking...it was super hot out today.

Mama gave us fresh water after we finished our walk

They had a musical sit contest - we had to sit when the music stopped & the last dog to sit got kicked out. Guess who was kicked out first? That's right, Mugsy. I, on the other hand, came in 3rd place. Here I am with my prizes! Notice that Mugsy is now sitting.

Mugsy was so tired after all the excitement that Papa had to carry him to the car

Thanks again to my anipals who sponsored me & Mugsy. We've raised $85 so far! I know I'm done walking, but you can still chip in to help me reach my goal by visiting my personal fundraising page.

-SylvieDog

Together we can make a difference!

2009-08-05T22:13:00.003-05:00

Mama was diagnosed with cancer last summer when doctors found a tumor in her kidney. She had surgery to remove the tumor and part of her kidney. Her doctor declared her cancer-free, and now she just has to go in for annual scans and tests.

Mugsy & I took very good care of mama while she was recovering from surgery. So I was excited to see that the American Cancer Society has a special event to honor the care giving qualities that dogs like me offer to our families - the “Bark For Life” Mini-Relay. I'll be joining Mama, Papa, the boy kid, and Mugsy on this special Mini-Relay on August 9th to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Every dollar makes a difference!

I hope that my anipals will use their furpower to help me reach my fundraising goal of $150 in honor of Mama and all cancer survivors.

Please visit my personal fundraising page to make a donation.

Thanks pals!

-SylvieDog

It's a celebration!

2009-08-04T19:03:00.017-05:00

On Saturday, August 1st, I turned 12 years old. Now I'm almost a teenager! My family threw a little party in honor of my big day. And some of my twitter anipals sent me some lovely cards, birthday wishes, and presents.

That's my birthday cake there - isn't it pretty? I mean, of course it is. My picture is on it. It was a special treat from my pal @LaineysPawtique (baker of my very favorite cookies). Here's a look at the rest of my birthday celebration.

My haul of presents! Thanks @LaineysPawtique, @Fergusthedog & @CosmoHavanese!

Someone sure knows me well...check out these barkarita cookies. YUM!

And these look like lovely Ultra Cosmopolitans & Niptinis

These cookies have my name all over them. Seriously. My name is on them.

Look at these cute cards from my pals

After we opened presents, it was time to eat cake. The boy kid blew out the candle for me.

I kept an eye on papa while he sliced my cake. Those slices look a little small...

Mmmmm...ice cream cookies to go with my cake!

HEY! My plate is empty! Papa forgot to give me any cake or cookies *wiping crumbs from mouth*

More presents! Mugsy is very, very excited.

I tried my best to get the toy before Mugsy...and failed.

I had a fabulous birthday. Thanks to all my pals for the birthday wishes!

-SylvieDog

Liver, shmiver

2009-07-30T23:51:00.002-05:00

So I went to the vet today for a regular check-up, and they told mama & papa that I have slightly elevated liver enzymes. Papa claims it's because I've been drinking too much. He also claims that this is photographic evidence:

For the record, papa lies. So now I have to take this fancified supplement to balance my enzymes. I'm not exactly sure when I became a new age dog, but I suspect it started back when I joined twitter. And it only intensified when I started writing my own blog.

-SylvieDog

p.s. the vet says it's no big deal, so don't start worrying about me. I say my liver is plenty strong to keep sipping barkaritas for the rest of my days.

Mugsy's ears: a tribute

2009-07-18T13:04:00.013-05:00

No words can fully capture the oddness of Mugsy's ears. I know some of my pals enjoy looking at them, so I've put together a collection of new Mugsy ear pics. See if you can make any sense of them.

-SylvieDog

Caught in the act

2009-07-18T12:31:00.007-05:00

Just sniffing...

Certainly not trying to escape...

Not me, not escaping...

What are you doing out here, Mama?! I'm just relaxing by the gate...

Sigh - who put that board there to block my escape gate?

No more fun for me.

-SylvieDog

Escape!

2009-06-30T21:23:00.004-05:00

Last summer, I snuck some cookies to the fella who built the fence around our yard in exchange for him suggesting to papa that we add a gate back behind the garage. He told papa it was so he could get out and get to the utility easement area if he needed to. But really, it was so I could bust the gate open without mama & papa noticing. See, the gate is hidden from view unless you are actually behind the garage.

After nearly a year of laying low & playing it cool, today I finally found the perfect opportunity to sneak out through the hidden gate (papa had just woken up, so he wasn't really perceptive enough to catch on). Oh what an adventure I had! I sniffed lots of neighbors' yards, I peed in lots of new spots, and then I heard papa calling me. So I decided to cross a busy street. And then I realized I was next to the forbidden railroad tracks! Of course, I had to go across the tracks to explore the other side. There wasn't much to see over there, so I decided to just walk on the tracks for a while. I really don't know why papa was freaking out so much. Something about a train coming. I got bored after a bit, so came back over to our side of the tracks. And then papa grabbed my collar and carried me home. Sigh. At least I got the chance to laugh at him in his slippers.

When I got back inside I realized that Mugsy was the one who tipped papa off to my adventure. While I was out exploring the world, Mugsy was standing in the back yard staring at me through the fence & looking all worried. So papa came outside & looked through the fence to see what he was looking at.

Moral of the story: best to wait until Mugsy is inside before I sneak out the back gate.

-SylvieDog

p.s. I think papa's on to my secret gate...I saw him screwing boards into it in an attempt to permanently close it. No fair!

Where's my spinach?!

2009-06-24T22:56:00.003-05:00

Three weeks ago I helped mama, papa, and the boy kid plant a lovely row of spinach in the garden. Two weeks ago, we thinned it out so we'd have some nice lovely plants. This weekend, I went outside and to my horror discovered that all my lovely spinach was gone! Can you believe it?!?!

I have some theories about who might have eaten my spinach, but I need help. I've put together my top 5 suspects:

1. @ZackRabbit

2. @PerrytheBirman

3. @JedBramwell

4. @LouPeb

5. @MugsyDog

If you have reason to believe that one of these anipals is guilty, please vote & let me know:

http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/1734467/

-SylvieDog

p.s. a bitey on whoever ate my spinach.

It's barkarita time!

2009-06-15T21:46:00.013-05:00

My twitter pals know that I enjoy mixing cocktails during our monthly #pawpawty events. All to raise money for charity, of course...it's not that I serve barkaritas and niptinis all the time. Well, I guess I do serve some drinks in between pawpawty events sometimes. But not every day. Anywho...when my twitter pal @EarthDoggy tweeted about a new product they got in their store, and even offered a 10% discount to twitter anipals, mama simply couldn't resist buying it for me. And today, it arrived. It's finally barkarita time!

Mugsy & I inspected the barkarita glass

Mama distracted Mugsy with the lime squeaky toy

Mama filled the glass with barkaritas

Mugsy & I were suspicious...

But then we drank it up

I don't quite remember what happened the rest of the evening

p.s. you can get your own Barkarita bowl from Earth Doggy's store!

Twitter anipal party prizes!

2009-06-08T21:52:00.010-05:00

A few weeks back I went on a fabulous #weekendroadtrip with all my twitter anipals. My friends @flicka47 and @GD_Kenworth hosted the trip. We had fun tours of cities all across the world (I even provided an insider's glimpse of Chicago), we danced to great tunes from anipal DJs, I served up my famous barkaritas & niptinis, and we raised money for America's VetDogs. And along the way, we had some games and trivia contests to win prizes. I even managed to score a prize from @SamsonCatt who lives all the way over in Australia. And today...my prize arrived!

Look how cute these Australian toys are!!!

Samson even included a sweet note. He said he knew Mugsy would try to steal my toy, so he sent one for him too. Wasn't that nice of Samson?

Hey! Get away from my toys, Mugsy!

HEY! I said get away from my toys!

Fine, you can have the yellow toy.

I'll just take the pink toy, thank you very much.

What the...

*Sigh*

Thanks for the prize, Samson! We love our new toys.

-SylvieDog

p.s. I'm looking forward to another #pawpawty with all my twitter anipals this coming weekend, June 13-14. Check out @FrugalDougal's blog for more details: http://frugaldougaldog.blogspot.com/

Adventures with Bullybells

2009-06-04T21:16:00.003-05:00

Papa's fancy phone records videos now. Be prepared for endless videos about my adventures in cookie eating. And bully stick eating. And napping. Here's the first series: "Adventures with Bullybells." Enjoy!

Papa said it's bully stick time!

Eating a bully stick is very serious business

Mugsy is working on his bully stick technique

Thanks @BabyPatches for telling us about these delicious bully stick bullybells!!

-SylvieDog (and Mugsy too!)

p.s. we spent 1 1/2 hours chewing our bullybells and barely made a dent. Then mama gave us some cookies. And then I couldn't find my bullybell. I'm launching a full-scale investigation into the disappearance of my bullybell.

Thank you from Orphans of the Storm & Sylvie!

2009-06-02T17:58:00.004-05:00

I wanted to share this lovely letter I received from Orphans of the Storm. Many thanks to all my friends who made donations, as well as to those who helped spread the word about my fundraising efforts for this great shelter (I may be biased - they took fabulous care of me before papa took me in).

It's not too late to help this wonderful organization! Donations are still being accepted through my FirstGiving page.

-SylvieDog

June 1, 2009

Dear Sylvie Dog and Friends,

Orphans of the Storm has received the $1,003.44 you helped raised for the animals at Orphans.

This donation is very thoughtful and on behalf of the animals here and the staff and volunteers, I thank you.

Orphans of the Storm has a long history of adopting lost, neglected and unwanted dogs and cats. Started in 1928 by silent film star and animal lover Irene Castle, the shelter has been the last refuge for countless animals waiting to be adopted into loving homes.

Orphans of the Storm has the largest selection of dogs and cats available for adoption anywhere in Illinois. This emphasis has the benefit of allowing prospective adopters to have a large selection when they visit our facility. This approach is very costly, however, as Orphans has annual expenses of $1.4 million which is primarily funded by private donations. Orphans of the Storm receives no grants from any government agencies.

We appreciate your support of our humane work. If you would like to be part of our mailing list please contact us at barbaragorphans@yahoo.com.

Sincerely,

Barbara Gucwa

Blankies: a research study

2009-05-31T13:19:00.012-05:00

My anipals know that I LOVE cookies. But less well-known is my love of blankies. Three years ago I decided to begin a longitudinal study of blankies.

Blankie 1.1: can blankies be worn as hats? Answer: yes.

Blankie 2.1: can blankies bring extra cuddles from mama? Answer: yes

Blankie 3.1: can blankies cover two dogs at once? Answer: yes

Blankie 4.1: are blankies better in pairs? Answer: yes

Blankie 5.1a: can blankies keep my nose warm? Answer: more data needed

Blankie 5.1b: can blankies keep my nose warm? Answer: yes

Blankie 6.1: can blankies be rearranged to make a pillow? Answer: yes

After many hours of careful research, I have determined that blankies are comfortable.

-SylvieDog

BULLY STICKS!

2009-05-13T21:58:00.011-05:00

All my doggie pals on twitter are always talking about how great bully sticks are. Some even recorded videos of themselves eating them. After watching my pals's video, I put the full-court press on mama to order me a bully stick from my pal @BabyPatches mama, @Just4Pets who runs an awesome store. All my begging and demanding finally worked! And now I finally understand what all the hub-bub was about. Oh my dog...bully sticks are the greatest treat ever. EVER! Here is my photo essay devoted to one of my new favorite things.

Mama opened the envelope & Mugsy and I immediately started sniffing the air and getting excited. Mama made us sit patiently.

Then she gave us our treats

We got right to work chewing on them. I finished mine in 6 minutes. It took Mugsy 15 minutes.

I can't believe it took me 11 years to try a bully stick. This is the best chewy treat ever. Thanks so much, @BabyPatches & @Just4Pets!

-SylvieDog

p.s. I think Mugsy's bully stick must have been bigger than mine...look at him over there eating & eating & eating.

A chance to help animals & win a FURminator, toy, and treats!

2009-05-09T23:36:00.015-05:00

30,000+ people were evacuated due to wildfires in Santa Barbara County last week (including our twitter pal @PeanieWeenie's family - that's Peanie with the firefighters who saved his house). 84 families lost their homes in the fire, including many of Peanie's neighbors.

1000+ animals were displaced by the wildfires and taken in by local animal shelters. And many are still at the shelters as families sort through the damage caused by these fires. These shelters desperately need our help to care for these animals. You can help by making a donation via my fundraising page through FirstGiving.com for the Santa Barbara Humane Society.

Please give what you can - every single dollar makes a difference. And if enough of us get together and share $1, we will quickly surpass our goal of raising $2000 to help our fellow anipals.

On June 15th, I will randomly select a donor to receive a fabulous prize pack valued at more than $100. Prizes include:

*A FURminator de-shedding tool (winner can choose the size). Check out their cool products at http://www.FURminator.com/.

*A $25 gift certificate to @LaineysPawtique's etsy store . @LaineysPawtique's mama makes delicious doggie treats, beautiful doggie & kitty beds, and stunning jewely for animals & people.

*A gift from @Health4UandPets. If you are selected and you are a kitty you will receive 1 bag of Life's Abundance Gourmet Cat Treats For Healthy Skin & Coat If you are a doggie you will receive 1 14oz container of Gourmet Dental Treats for Dogs. Check out their site at http://www.azjungle.com/.

*An irresistible 26-inch interactive Sharkiana toy from @PawPetsDogToys. Check out their store!

Thanks for the generous prize donations!

To qualify for the drawing, just donate $1 or more and include your twitter name with your donation. If you do not have a Twitter account please leave me a comment that you donated and your name and you'll be entered to win too!

Remember, every $1 you donate will help care for animals whose families are dealing with the aftermath of these terrible fires. Thank you so much for your generosity!

-SylvieDog (and @MugsyDog too!)

p.s. Mugsy wants a Sharkiana!

Scent Hounds

2009-05-05T19:31:00.006-05:00

What's Mugsy sniffing over there?

I need a closer sniff...

Mugsy says..."I'm stuck!"

Mugsy escapes. I'm still sniffing.

#SecretPaws gift exchange

2009-05-03T20:32:00.016-05:00

My pal @RadarDog organized a #secretpaws gift exchange for twittering anipals via elfster.com. It sounded like great fun to me, so I signed up right away! And yesterday, I received this fancy package via Royal Mail. Royal!

I tore it open and found a sweet card from my buddy @Timmy_Dog (it even had a nose kiss from him!).

After I read the card, I started shuffling through the packing peanuts to pull out all my fabulous gifts. Check them out! @Timmy_Dog even sent something for my brother Mugsy (so sweet).

I was very excited to see all the toys. And I was intrigued to see something all my twitter doggie pals are always talking about...greenies! I had never tried one, and it was ever so delicious. Mugsy loved it too (and got all drooly).

After we ate our greenies, Mugsy started eyeing my toys.

And then all of a sudden, he grabbed one!

Then we inspected all the toys and played with them.

Thanks so much for the awesome gifts, @Timmy_Dog! And thanks again to @RadarDog for organizing the #secretpaws gift exchange. Twitter anipals are the greatest!

-SylvieDog

p.s. Mugsy says the minty bone is his favorite

Prizes from Isabella Cane!!!

2009-04-27T22:34:00.005-05:00

Mama came home from work today to find a package on the doorstep. It was my 1st runner up prize for a dog photo contest that @IsabellaCane hosted! She sent two collars for Mugsy & I to wear, and they are beautiful. Check us out in our new finery.

If you haven't visited her site (http://www.isabellacane.com/), you totally have to - she makes the most gorgeous doggie products I've ever seen.

Thanks so much Isabella, we love our new collars!!

-SylvieDog

p.s. sometimes Mugsy makes me giggle

Day 2 of Toby's visit

2009-04-26T19:53:00.022-05:00

Day 2 with our pal Toby was tons of fun! We played telephone - I told Mugsy a special message & he told Toby...

Then Mugsy & Toby told mama the message - "we need cookies!"

Mugsy & Toby played with squeaky toys

And just when Toby started to miss his mama, she came to get him!

Thanks for coming to visit, Toby!

-SylvieDog

p.s. come back soon!

Toby's visit

2009-04-25T21:13:00.011-05:00

It's been a very exciting weekend here - our pal Toby is spending a couple days with us!

Some of you may remember that I first met my mama when I was visiting Toby's house one weekend. If you don't remember, go back & read my story. Toby & I have been good pals for more than 8 years now. Sometimes he stays at my house, sometimes I stay at his house. But no matter where we are, I'm always the boss of him (*snickers*). I thought I'd share some highlights from our weekend so far.

Toby arrived, and we all sniffed each other

Toby showed us his cool tongue trick

We begged for cookies

Toby & Mugsy lounged

Toby displayed his "Mr. Flatagains" pose

I did my Toby impression

And then I fell asleep sitting up

It's been loads of fun so far!

-SylvieDog

Cookie taste testing

2009-04-24T17:04:00.005-05:00

Mama thought she'd set up some taste tests to see which cookies I prefer best. Today's bracket - brownies from @LaineysPawtique vs. good old-fashioned Milkbones:

Today's winner: brownies from Lainey's Pawtique!

-SylvieDog

p.s. I ate the milkbone too.

Alert! Raccoon! Alert!

2009-04-22T22:15:00.012-05:00

I spent last weekend on #pussycatisland with my twitter pals. While there, I won a prize for knowing how old my pal @PetietheCat was when he found his forever home. It was so exciting! I've been waiting with anticipation for it's arrival. And today, it arrived!

Mama came home from work and found a box on our porch. She opened it and found a raccoon inside. Can you believe it?! A raccoon! For me! Being a treeing walker coonhound, I immediately tried to tree it. But it didn't listen to me.

Then Mugsy came over and stole it from me. The nerve!

I protested to mama

Mama tried to help, but Mugsy wouldn't let go.

You win this time, little dog.

Thanks for the prize, Petie! You're such a good pal.

-SylvieDog

p.s. Petie ordered this awesome prize from our pal @babypatches mama's store - @just4pets. They have lots of cool anipal stuff!

Spring break on #PussyCatIsland!

2009-04-19T20:37:00.020-05:00

The boy kid was off for spring break this past week, so mama took the week off from work & papa took a couple days off too. And boy did we have a busy week! I started my own blog, I ate lots of cookies, I took lots of naps, I tweeted with my anipals, I relaxed with the boy kid, I went outside & inside & outside & inside & outside & inside, then I ate more cookies, then I took more naps. It was a fabulous week!

But the most exciting part of my week was attending a wild party with all my twitter anipals on #pussycatisland. It was 24 hours of non-stop action planned by my pals @babypatches, @rumblepurr, and @petiethecat. Twitter animals donned their best island gear (check out the swimsuits mama found for us!) to gather for games with awesome prizes, dancing to cool tunes from DJs, and drinks from a famous bartender (psst...it was me!).

In exchange for the barkaritas, catsmopolitanas, barktinis, meowmosas, and pina cataladas I served up, my twitter pals dropped tips in a jar to support Orphans of the Storm. Orphans of the Storm is one of the largest & oldest shelters in the country, and it holds a special place in my heart. Orphans took wonderful care of me before I found my forever home with papa & mama.

All told, 70 partying twitterers donated a combined $1050 to help the kitties & doggies at Orphans of the Storm. Donations came in from animal lovers as well as critters of all types - dogs, cats, bunnies, gerbils, and even a capybara!

Many, many thanks to all my generous twitter pals for helping me exceed my goal of raising $1000 to help Orphans of the Storm. You all are the greatest! If you haven't donated yet, it's not too late! Just visit my fundraising page: http://firstgiving.com/sylviedog.

-SylvieDog

p.s. can't wait for the next twitter party! But I need a little time to recover from this one first.

We're celebrating Mugsy's birthday!

2009-04-17T20:55:00.014-05:00

Today we had a pawty to celebrate Mugsy's 3rd birthday. We got a special delivery from Lainey's Pawtique:

Mama opened the box and found this inside:

Can you believe it?! A doggie birthday cake! Mama lit candles & we sang to Mugsy

Then Mugsy blew out the candles (papa had to help)

It was Mugsy's pawty, so he got the first bite

Then Mugsy licked frosting off his lips while I ate my piece of cake

It was such a delicious cake! Mugsy & I think there might be more hiding somewhere... Mama tried a bite of cake & said it was yummy, but she couldn't convince my boy kid to try dog cake (*snickering*)

Happy birthday, Mugsy! And yummy thanks to my twitter pal @LaineysPawtique for making such a delicious cake.

-SylvieDog

#Pussycatisland twitter pawty!

2009-04-16T15:30:00.017-05:00

Twitter anipals are gathering for another fun pawty this weekend! My pal RumblePurr made the following announcement via @BabyPatches:

The origin of #pussycatisland : my beloved brother @inigoflufflebum was trying to ship me off the other day ’cause I was chasing his tail. @BabyPatches was having the same problems with her brofur and sisfur… so we decided to take action and go to the amazing pussycat-island!

Details are: our lovely ship departs from it’s Twitter dock on Sunday at 10am New Zealand time (so that will be Saturday for most of you 3pm PST, 5pm CST, 6pm EST) We’ll hang out on the island and frolic in the sun till 8am (1pm PST, 3pm CST, 4pm EST) the next day so that everyone will have a chance to pawty! The amazing Hunkerbell (@Wildboutbirds) is also going to be running a ship as are the fantastic pups @scruffypebbles

What’s on the island: There will be lots of nip-based drinks, sun puddles, tuna fishies (but no eating @copious_tuna - he off limits) dancing and fun! For the doggies, there is a special Doggie Sandbar that will have steaks, rubber balls, Frisbees and dancing fun! For the bears, we have honey and for the bunnies we have carrots! We also has cheerios and brocolli for little gerbils. Everyone is welcome!

Fundraising on the island: @SylvieDog (that's me!) is running a fundraiser for one of the largest animal shelters in the country. Please donate to help her reach her goal, thank you! You can donate here: http://www.firstgiving.com/sylviedog

What to wear: Island wear! @BabyPatches has a lovely look at the moment (as she always does… hubba hubba!)

What we need: Bartenders and DJ’s! If you’re interested in doing a shift, DM @rumblepurr and any other help is totally welcome! This will be a fun day for all! And we could always use more prizes! So let me know if you can donate.

Many thanks to: @Petiethecat and @just4pets (who happens to be Baby Patches momma) who has offered to donate some prizes, @Brewskiebutt and @BabyPatches for getting the word out via bloggy goodness, @PerrytheBirman for just being a cool cat in his island hat! And thank you to @SylvieDog who has volunteered to serve drinks at the pawty!

p.s. I'm studying up so I can make some fancy tropical drinks!

Mugsy's Ears: A case study in possession

2009-04-13T12:26:00.014-05:00

The day my people brought Mugsy home, I thought he was a perfectly nice dog. He wasn't the smartest boy, but he was good at snuggling.

Then I started to notice something odd. With his ears. They seemed to move on their own.

I didn't think much of it at first. You know, maybe he was just too young to control his ears. But then they started looking stranger.

And stranger...

And then today I saw this.

The only possible explanation is that Mugsy's ears are possessed. Anyone out there know how to perform an exorcism?

My story

2009-04-11T18:47:00.008-05:00

My name is Sylvie and I'm an 11-year old Treeing Walker Coonhound who lives in Morton Grove (just outside of Chicago).

Papa adopted me from Orphans of the Storm in Riverwoods when I was about 2 years old. He picked me because I was the only dog in the shelter who wasn't barking. When he passed by my pen, I put my paw up on the fence to say hello. He knew right away that I was the dog for him. I've been with Papa now for 9 years, and we've been through a lot together. I always took care of him when he was feeling sad, and he always gives me tummy rubs when I demand them.

Seven years ago, Papa went out of town and left me at my pal Toby's house. Toby's mama had a friend from work over for dinner while I was there, and she was pretty great. I cuddled up next to her on the couch, and then laid my head in her lap and fell asleep (she claims I started snoring, but I doubt that).

Turns out that friend worked with Papa and was friends with him. Six years ago, she came over to Papa's house to hang out as buddies. I recognized her right away and was so excited! I knew this was my chance to get a Mama. I sat between them on the couch and demanded they both rub my tummy. Their hands touched, and they realized they could be more than pals. They got married a year later and then I had a full family.

I met Mama's son when he was 4 years old. He wasn't sure what to think about me in the beginning, so I just sat quietly next to him. After awhile he started to pat me on the head every so often. I always smiled and wagged my tail, and he'd giggle. Now my boy is 9 years old and he loves me so much that he gives me cookies and lets me sleep on his bed.

Life was pretty fabulous until January 5, 2007. For some reason, Mama & Papa decided I needed a friend to play with. And that's the day they brought Mugsy home. I was excited at first, because he was a hound dog like me. But then I realized that he didn't know anything about being a good dog. He did his business all over the floor, and he whined and barked a lot. So embarrassing. It took a lot of hard work, but I've finally taught him how to be a good boy. Don't tell anybody, but now he's my best friend. He even taught me how to twitter (although now I'm much better at it than he is).

Some of my likes include cookies, blankies, tummy rubs, cuddling, and naps. I hate baths and when I hear loud noises like thunder or fireworks I get all shaky and hide in the bathroom. Also, I don't know if I mentioned, but I like cookies.

-SylvieDog

p.s. COOKIES!