Griffie World Happenings » 1-Misfit McCabe

Elsa Stealing My Thunder

Phoenix — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 03:21:55 +0000

Ahem!! I have always been the clothes wearer in the family. And I have to say that I enjoy mine with pink and a little bling. Oh, who am I kidding, I like bling and lots of it. Lately I’ve made sure that Mama has me dressed most of the time because I catch a chill a little easier than I used to. And since I’m sporting my summer-do I have less hair than usual.

Anyway, yesterday Mama came home with some new clothes for me because she had to take off the last dress I had. I’m a little sad about that. It’s a cute little pink summer dress with white trim with pink polka dots, and spaghetti straps with bows on them. Well, those spaghetti straps ended up being the problem. They kept slipping off my shoulders and down on to my front legs. Mama would pull them back up when she noticed, but Papa — he doesn’t notice as well, and I had worn a sore on my leg from the chafing of the strap. Mama noticed I was limping and took care of it right away.

It was just my luck that as soon as she took the dress off, the heat wave we were having descended into a cool spell. So I shivered in the mornings when we went outside. Plus Mama keeps the house cool because she’s always hot. She brought me home two new outfits yesterday. One (that I’m wearing right now) is a cute pink, lightweight with silver sequins on both sides that says Princesses are Always in Style. But the funny thing was that Elsa, after having sniffed both of the dresses, kept stealing the one that I’m not wearing and pulling it on top of her. She really seemed to like it a lot. I think she was jealous because I’m the one who always gets the clothes and she never does.

So today, Mama did the unthinkable and went out and bought a dress just like the one I haven’t even had a chance to wear yet in Elsa’s size. And Elsa has been prancing around ever since. Like she’s the one who has always worn clothes. Mama has been raving over her and telling her how stinkin’ cute she is… where is the fuss about how cute I look in MY shirt??? I think it’s the tutu that Elsa loves the most. I mean, what’s not to love… it is hot pink. And she does look cute in it, but really, does she have to be such a ham?

All for now. Until next time. Paws Up!

About the Author:
“Just call me Your Highness” ~ Phoenix

The New Summer Game

Phoenix — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:26:58 +0000

All of a sudden, summer is definitely here. Let me tell you that wearing black fur in the summertime is not fun. Fortunately for me, my fur isn’t thick like Gryphon’s or I’d be panting all the time. Elsa has thicker fur than I do too, so she gets hot pretty easily as well. Fortunately we live with Mama who gets hot before anyone else I know, so she’s always devising new ways of keeping cool.

This weekend, when the summer furnace got turned on in earnest, Gryphon and Elsa were getting pretty uncomfortable, and we needed some fresh water. Mama filled our water bowl and then brought in a chunk of ice. I like ice cubes to lick. Mama usually gives me one that’s a nice size and I keep licking it until it’s gone. Elsa had never been given ice before, but of course, she was right in there because she thought it might be food. The term food hound was made for Elsa, I swear. Gryphon wasn’t interested in ice because she drank half the bowl of water before Mama brought it in.

Once she got her tongue on the ice, Elsa decided she really liked it, and kept licking away. Well, Mama didn’t want to stand there with a chunk of ice melting in her hand, so she broke Elsa off a piece and put the rest into the water bowl. Elsa’s ears sure pricked up with that. She hopped over to the bowl and licked the ice chunk. She didn’t want the small piece Mama had given her, she wanted the big chunk. Then she tried to bite off a piece for herself. It was funny to watch her trying to curl her lips back to bite the ice without getting her nose in the water. Then, since that wasn’t working, she plunged her whole face in the bowl. When she came up, she had an ice cube between her teeth. Victory. I thought Mama might fall on the floor she was laughing so hard. Not only that, but then Elsa spied another piece she wanted and did it again. So the game of bobbing for ice cubes was born.

I will say one thing for that pup, she’s pretty smart for being so young. She even knew to blow out through her nose while it was underwater so the water didn’t get up her nose. Papa was out with Grandpuppaw when Elsa was bobbing for ice cubes, so Mama told him what he missed. He couldn’t wait until he could try it, so he grabbed a chunk of ice and put it in the water. Elsa was after it in ticks of a puppy dog’s tail. She gets absolutely soaked in the process and then shakes herself which sprays the rest of us with ice cold water…which during this heat is not a bad thing.

All for now. Until next time. Paws Up!

About the Author:
“Just call me Your Highness” ~ Phoenix

When Is It My Turn?

Phoenix — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:05:11 +0000

I usually don’t complain about much (except for when Mama gets an idea to put a hat on my head), I go amiably along with what my family is doing. I even wrestle with Elsa from time to time to keep her happy. I sit on Papa’s lap when he’s watching TV, and keep his chair warm when he goes to get something to eat, or play with his airsoft gun. I sit beside Mama when she’s working on her books, so I can offer some suggestions to help keep the story flowing. But, now, I’ve had enough.

Mama got a Kindle 2 and she hasn’t let me even put a paw on it yet. The K2 is so cute – sleek and petite, just like me. It looks really easy to operate, but I haven’t been given a chance yet. Think how much easier it would be for me to turn the pages. I could even use my nose if necessary. She’s had it for weeks now, and has been reading story after story on the K2, but I get bupkiss. Last night, I crawled into her arms while she was reading, just so I could get a closer look at the screen. It was wonderful. Nice easy to read font, easy to turn pages, and especially nice for me, you can set the cursor next to a word you don’t know and have the definition pop up at the bottom. I was enthralled. Now, I’m really itching to get my paws on it. So the big question is, Mama, when is it my turn?

All for now. Until next time. Paws Up!

PS – If she lets Elsa touch it before me, I’m going to sit on Elsa’s head.

About the Author:
“Just call me Your Highness” ~ Phoenix
_____________________________________________________________________

Here’s information about my Mama’s stuff:

Change in the Weather

Phoenix — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:47:13 +0000

Yesterday I thought it was time that we got our summer hair cuts. The sun was shining and the heat continued to rise to the point that it got hot. Every year, at least once during the warmer months, Mama and Papa take us to the groomers and get our hair clipped short. This is something that is definitely necessary for Gryphon because her hair is thick and wiry and she gets hot easily. Now, I’m a little different because my hair is ultra fine and silky, just as a princesses hair should be, and I stay cooler than Gryphon. Even so, I still enjoy my summer cut because it helps me to look like a young and vibrant pup (people always mistake me for being a puppy).

Well, today I’m glad that I still have every hair on my body because it is a much cooler day. I don’t know why the weather has to change so drastically in the space of one day, but really, it was warm enough to make me hot yesterday, so Gryphon and Elsa were over-hot. At least we didn’t have snow, like some areas of the country. I definitely could not be a cold weather pup. Just the thought of having to put my dainty toes into ice cold snow…brrrr!! (I just shook my whole body). I think I would absolutely have to insist upon boots for going outside, as well as a heater lamp in the area where I do my business. To all you dogs out there with owners who don’t understand what it’s like, perhaps you could convince them to put their heiny down on the cold, snow-covered ground and hover for a few moments, and then they might treat you a little nicer and get a heater or create nice indoor yard for you.

We will have to get our summer cuts soon though. After all, this is California and the weather just doesn’t get really cold here anyway (for which I am eternally thankful). It’ll be fun to listen to Elsa scream, because this will be her first cut. My prediction is that once we are through, she’ll be glued to Mama’s side and won’t leave her alone. Mama will get upset because she says she can’t type with a puppy laying on her hands. He he he – I’ll be laughing behind my paw.

All for now. Until next time. Paws Up!

Copyright 2009 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon and a distracting paw from Elsa

About the Author:
“Just call me Your Highness” ~ Phoenix
_____________________________________________________________________

Here’s information about my Mama’s stuff:
Visit us at Griffie World
To buy Misfit McCabe, visit my store at Lulu.com or purchase at Amazon.com
To track Misfit McCabe across the country, visit:
Where in the World is Misfit McCabe?
Own a Kindle? Download Misfit McCabe in an instant.
For other ebook formats, visit Smashwords.com
To read book reviews by LK Gardner-Griffie, visit: The Lulu Book Review

Loving My Walks

Phoenix — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 05:21:49 +0000

Hurrah for Mama! She has finally convinced Papa to take Gryphon, Elsa, and I on a daily walk since he has more time in the mornings. We are definitely loving it. Elsa is so excited, she hops around like a deranged bunny rabbit while she is waiting for Papa to get his act together and put her harness on. Then she likes to race ahead and Gryphon tries to keep up with her. Gryph got a little tired on our walk today because she pushed herself too much. Papa ended up carrying her the rest of the way home (she only couldn’t go the last half block). Mama suggested that Papa wear the pouch and when Gryphon gets tired, he can just pop her in the pouch and continue on.

What’s a pouch? Well, it’s something that I initially didn’t like. It works kind of like a back pack, only the bag is on the front and has a mesh like top. Mama or Papa just put us in the pouch (the bag part), cinch it up, so we’re nice and snug and won’t fall out. You can even be hooked to the inside of the bag as there is a clip. I figured out the pouch was actually a good thing when Mama was working so much on Misfit McCabe and I wanted her to hold me. We compromised and I sat in the pouch and she could keep working and everyone was happy (Gryphon got to sleep on her feet and Elsa wasn’t born yet.) So, pouches are good things. Ask for a pouch – you can go more places that way too.

All for now. Until next time. Paws Up!

Copyright 2009 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon and a distracting paw from Elsa

About the Author:
“Just call me Your Highness” ~ Phoenix
_____________________________________________________________________

Here’s information about my Mama’s stuff:
Visit us at Griffie World
To buy Misfit McCabe, visit my store at Lulu.com or purchase at Amazon.com
To track Misfit McCabe across the country, visit:
Where in the World is Misfit McCabe?
Own a Kindle? Download Misfit McCabe in an instant.
For other ebook formats, visit Smashwords.com
To read book reviews by LK Gardner-Griffie, visit: The Lulu Book Review

Paw Princess on the Move

Phoenix — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:19:35 +0000

I feel like fireworks are going off. I finally convinced Mama to integrate The Paw Princess Diary into Griffie World Happenings. Do you know how I did it? I kept asking her to post a blog entry and since with my blog on Blogger she has to log out of Gmail so I can log on to post an item, she didn’t want to do it. I was biding my time and making suggestions about the website and how she really should start integrating all of the aspects of it, so that it is seemless to anyone trying to find out information about her stuff.

Things have been moving slowly because she has been so busy with writing the sequel to Misfit McCabe. She is calling it Nowhere Feels Like Home, and I think it’s a lovely title. She finished up the creative process and is now procrastinating about completing the editing on it. I saw my moment to strike. What really helped me out was that for work she had to upgrade her laptop and wouldn’t have Microsoft Front Page anymore, so she has decided to upgrade her website (and she thinks it’s all her own idea – he he he).

She knows that she can’t do the complete revamp of the entire website until after she finishes editing, but the idea of resturcturing has been driving her crazy, and I again brought up integrating my blog, so that when she is away for a few minutes fixing dinner, or taking a little break, I can pop on and post something without having to log her out of anything.

I am happy to say that we have completed the cut over of all of my posts from Blogger to Griffie World Happenings, and although Mama won’t let me post to the main blog page, she’s set me up with my own page that will have a tab at the top. I’m tired with all of the encouraging I’ve had to do. Plus, I had to keep Elsa from laying her head on the laptop, so have had to keep that little whip entertained so Mama could get everything set up right.

Oh, for those of you who are concerned that Mama is shirking the editing, you have nothing to worry about. Mama fights against doing the editing and then will sit down and have it done before you know it. In fact, by letting her get at least a couple of integration items out of the way, she’s feeling happier about the blog, and the traveling book site (check out the WITW is MMC tab at the top of the page)

All for now. Until next time. Paws Up!

Copyright 2009 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon and a distracting paw from Elsa

About the Author:
“Just call me Your Highness” ~ Phoenix
_____________________________________________________________________

Here’s information about my Mama’s stuff:
Visit us at Griffie World
To buy Misfit McCabe, visit my store at Lulu.com or purchase at Amazon.com
To track Misfit McCabe across the country, visit:
Where in the World is Misfit McCabe?
Own a Kindle? Download Misfit McCabe in an instant.
For other ebook formats, visit Smashwords.com
To read book reviews by LK Gardner-Griffie, visit: The Lulu Book Review

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Phoenix — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:36:42 +0000

I had to sneak in and quickly boot up the computer while Mama was making dinner so I could wish you all a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. (Mama has been completely hogging the laptop and working on her sequel, which actually has a name now of Nowhere Feels Like Home. She’s really cramping my online style.

This is from all of us. . .Gryphon, Phoenix and Elsa.

Until next time. Paws Up!

Copyright 2009 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon and a distracting paw from Elsa

About the Author:
“Just call me Your Highness” ~ Phoenix
_____________________________________________________________________

Here’s information about my Mama’s stuff:
Visit us at Griffie World
To buy Misfit McCabe, visit my store at Lulu.com or purchase at Amazon.com
To track Misfit McCabe across the country, visit:
Where in the World is Misfit McCabe?
Own a Kindle? Download Misfit McCabe in an instant.
For other ebook formats, visit Smashwords.com
To read book reviews by LK Gardner-Griffie, visit: The Lulu Book Review

Stop Barking Already

Phoenix — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:25:10 +0000

For all you dog parents out there, listen up! Dogs bark. . .and we get mighty tired of trying to tell you something only to hear, “Will you stop barking already?” Barking is a dog’s form of communication. It allows us to alert you to when we feel that danger might be present, or when we need something to help our lives be a little more comfortable. Think about it – have you ever had your dog give you the “I’m hungry” bark, or how about the popular “I need to go out” bark. Sometimes it’s more of a growl or a groan, but let’s not digress into tone quality or semantics.

We don’t just bark to hear ourselves bark (unlike some people I know), so the quickest way to stop our barking is to figure out what we’re trying to tell you. You expect us to learn what your commands are in people language, so why shouldn’t we expect you to learn a little dog? Communication is a two way street people!

So, the next time you get ready to tell us to stop barking, think about how you would like to be told to stop talking.

Until next time. Paws Up!

Copyright 2009 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon and a distracting paw from Elsa

About the Author:
“Just call me Your Highness” ~ Phoenix
_____________________________________________________________________

Here’s information about my Mama’s stuff:
Visit us at Griffie World
To buy Misfit McCabe, visit my store at Lulu.com or purchase at Amazon.com
To track Misfit McCabe across the country, visit:
Where in the World is Misfit McCabe?
Own a Kindle? Download Misfit McCabe in an instant.
For other ebook formats, visit Smashwords.com
To read book reviews by LK Gardner-Griffie, visit: The Lulu Book Review

During a Break in Writing

Phoenix — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:22:07 +0000

I only have a few moments to post something because Mama is going to be back shortly and want to use the laptop again. She’s in the middle of writing the sequel to Misfit McCabe and when she’s in this mode I usually have to keep my paws off the laptop. Well, I just wanted to make a comment to all you dogs out there who have owners that are writers. I know that it can be a little troublesome when they get into that writing zone, because the ability to keep track of time ceases to exist for them. Plus, they just keep writing and forget to give us kibble or water until they come out of the writing zone. Just remember that your job is to love your owner unconditionally and if it means sitting right by their side while they are working through some sticky plot point, then so be it.

Gryphon, Elsa and I all got paw print fleece blankets for Christmas (Thank you Grammy) and so I make it my job to curl up on one of the blankets – we all share with each other, even though our names are on the blankets – and stay by Mama’s side until she takes the headphones out of her ears and quits typing. Elsa is still learning about how to behave with a writer in the house. She keeps trying to crawl up in Mama’s lap and in the process steps on the mouse or on the keyboard and Mama is scrambling to save her work.

So, all you young pups out there. . .until you know how to use a keyboard. Paws Off!

Until next time. Paws Up!

Copyright 2009 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon and a distracting paw from Elsa

About the Author:
“Just call me Your Highness” ~ Phoenix
_____________________________________________________________________

Here’s information about my Mama’s stuff:
Visit us at Griffie World
To buy Misfit McCabe, visit my store at Lulu.com or purchase at Amazon.com
To track Misfit McCabe across the country, visit:
Where in the World is Misfit McCabe?
Own a Kindle? Download Misfit McCabe in an instant.
For other ebook formats, visit Smashwords.com
To read book reviews by LK Gardner-Griffie, visit: The Lulu Book Review

It’s Been Too Long

Phoenix — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:15:45 +0000

I can’t believe I finally got my paws on the laptop again. I’d better not waste any time, but get right into it.

I hope everyone had a nice holiday. We had a good one, although, I do have to say, that I didn’t get the one thing I really wanted.

In fact, I for it with all of my heart and soul and even made puppy dog eyes.

(Something I never resort to.) And all to no avail.

What was I asking for? My own laptop with pawprint detection software. I kept telling Mama that if I had my own, I wouldn’t have to sneak in and borrow hers quite so often. But, my magnificent pleading fell on deaf ears. Mama just said that the economy was too bad and that dachshunds didn’t need laptops anyway. I was hoping that Santa would fill the void, but no such luck.

Anyway, on to more important things. Have you heard about that little girl up in Oregon who is helping to feed hungry dogs? (Ok she’s feeding hungry cats too, but we don’t have to talk about that.) When I heard about that, I started planning my ambush to steal Mama’s laptop away so I could let everyone know. The site kind of works like the free rice site that gives you questions and for every correct answer will donate 10 grains of rice to someone who is hungry. That may not sound like a lot, but it adds up, especially once you start filling up bowls.

Anyway, Free Kibble (http://www.freekibble.com) has a daily trivia question, and will donate 10 pieces of kibble to the Humane Society of Central Oregon, whether you get the question right or not. The whole thing is you only can play once per day, so you need to play every day, and maybe learn something in the process. (Oh yeah – they have the same thing for cats). Kudos to Mimi for thinking up such a special thing. You may have noticed that I added a couple of banners for free kibble to the left on my blog, so go ahead and click and play.

Let’s give Mimi and her love and care of hungry dogs a 5 Paw Salute!

Until next time. Paws Up!

Copyright 2009 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon and a distracting paw from Elsa

About the Author:
“Just call me Your Highness” ~ Phoenix
_____________________________________________________________________

Here’s information about my Mama’s stuff:
Visit us at Griffie World
To buy Misfit McCabe, visit my store at Lulu.com or purchase at Amazon.com
To track Misfit McCabe across the country, visit:
Where in the World is Misfit McCabe?
Own a Kindle? Download Misfit McCabe in an instant.
For other ebook formats, visit Smashwords.com
To read book reviews by LK Gardner-Griffie, visit: The Lulu Book Review