Welcome to this week’s edition of Follow-Up Friday, the post where I highlight awesome comments, answer reader’s questions and generally just wrap up my week.

You Make Me Smile – May 10, 2015

Lauren Miller (ZoePhee) said, “Zoe will bring me the water bowl when it’s empty. ”

I love that. Did you train her for that, or did she just do it herself?

Jan said, “My dogs give the water bowl and their food bowls a swift karate chop making them land with a clang that is not to be ignored.”

LOL I imagine that gets your attention. Sampson used to paw it, there was never a question of what he wanted.

Jan K said, “Our golden retriever, Moses, used to pace in and out of the bathroom which is next to their water dish, when it needed to be filled.”

They sure find a way to communicate, don’t they?

This Means Socks

Callie, Shadow and Ducky’s Mom asked, “Tell me, Sampson, what DOES your Mama wear? ”

Would you believe she wears socks with sandals?

Linda Moore said, “EVERYONE loves Harry Potter! Remember Hermione knitting hats for the house elves at Hogwarts?!”

OMG yes. That was when she founded S.P.E.W. and remember the only one who would clean the common room was Dobby? And he wore ALL the hats!

Sand Spring Chesapeakes said, “And yes yes I have not ready any harry potter books or seen the movies.”

But why?

Monika said, “Those cute stripeys make him look like he’s in prison garb which, from a dog’s perspective, he probably feels like he is. On the bright side, at least it’s not the cone of shame.”

I think if he had to choose, he’d take the socks. He HATES the cone of shame.

Steven asked, “Callum, my eldest son is OBSESSED with Harry Potter and has just finished the last book. Now he doesn’t know what to do with himself because every other book is so BORING in comparison. What should he read next Jodi?”

Has he read the Percy Jackson stories? How about the Narnia series? Is he too young for The Hobbit? Those are some of my favorites.

Jan, I can’t tell you what Jan said, because she may have a bit of a spoiler in her comment, just in case you silly fools who haven’t read it decide you want to. But I do agree with you. Actually I almost never read the last book because of who she killed in book 6, but I’m glad I did. I think she wrapped it up beautifully.

Maggie said, “I will tell you over a beer why I haven’t read Harry Potter, but I don’t want you to un-friend me. I have seen the movies. Does that count? ”

I will not unfriend you, but you sure have some explaining to do. 😉 And it counts only if you don’t tell me you love the movies. Because in my opinion, if you read the books you cannot possibly love ALL the movies. Any of you HP fans agree with me on that?

DZ Dogs said, “And yes we love Harry Potter, I read all the books! But recently we’ve become huge Dr. Who fans!”

Is it a book, a show or a series? I might have to check that out.

When the Words Won’t Come

Emma said, “So far something always pops up, either Mom gets an idea from watching us or walking with us, or something comes in the email which gives us an idea.”

I typically get my ideas when walking too, my problem is I need to figure out a way to jot them down so I don’t forget them.

Jenna, Mark “HuskyCrazed” Drady said, “I also have this sticky note app on my desktop which I have a ton of notes written down for ideas for future blog posts. ”

That’s a great idea! I need one of those for my phone, so I can jot down ideas when I’m walking.

Jen said, “I’m glad I’m not the only one who has a bunch of posts in draft! They are definitely helpful when I go through a dry spell!”

They sure are! More than once I’ve pulled up a draft and worked with it.

Mary said, “One thing I learned that applies to every part of life…….If you have to force it, it’s probably shit.”

Believe it or not, sometimes the posts I feel are the worse or the ones I feel like I put the least effort into, are the ones that generate the most interactions.

Blueberry’s Human said, “When the words won’t come? Well, I think you already know – I just completely shut down my blog. Problem solved. Hehehehe.”

Is that an option for me? 😉

Rebecca said, “I’m one of those 60% newbie attendees for the BlogPaws Conference but I’m only going to be able to attend on Friday.”

I sent you an e-mail Rebecca. Let’s make sure we make some time to chat on Friday. Maybe we can meet somewhere and grab ten minutes between sessions.

Jan said, “That is great that everyone wants to be in your session and you did it without bringing a dog. I think. You aren’t bringing a dog, are you? Wish I could be there…It’s hard to believe that you are stuck for a writing topic with your funny and creative inspirations around you.”

No I am not bringing a dog. Yes I have good inspiration, I need to find a way to record my ideas.

Jen Gabbard said, “I love learning from other bloggers and I feel like it’s helping me develop my own sense of writing style – or at least giving me the courage to try new things.”

That is the thing I love best about blogging, most bloggers are very willing to help each other out. And trying new things is good, sometimes things work and sometimes they don’t, but there is no harm in trying.

You Better Run Squirrel

Retro Rover said, “Eek we once had a mouse come in look around at all the dogs and cats and literally die of what I assume was shock”

You’re kidding? I’ve never heard such a thing!

Beth said, “We have lots of squirrels in our yard. They taunt Barley and Soth by running up to the French doors and doing a little dance on the patio knowing they’re safe. Barley caught one a few years ago and I thought about leaving its head a stake like Vlad the Impaler to serve as a warning to all other squirrels who dared to enter the yard.”

LOL that is how I feel about the chipmunks in our yard, I swear they know exactly when Delilah is watching. Do you really think a head on a stake would deter them?

Monika said, “Squirrels are destructive whether inside or outside of a home. The ones in my yard chew the tender twigs and bark of my trees. Attempts at relocating have been unsuccessful. Ours must be urban gang squirrels (are there such things as Crips squirrels?). I’m positive when I turn my back, they flip me off with those tiny fingers. Bastards”

Holy hell, I laughed out loud reading that. They are little bastards aren’t they?

Elaine said, “We just had the same problem with a critter in the attic! There’s nothing more distracting than trying to write a blog article while you listen to something partying in the attic above your head, yikes! Luckily, ours has been relocated now too. I read you have to take them at least 5 miles away from your home or they’ll likely find their way back.”

I’ve heard the same thing. Hubby took him to another town, drove him around for 1/2 an hour and let him go. I hope he didn’t find his way back.

Jan said, “You’re lucky. Some friends had a squirrel invade their home while they were on vacation and it did over $7000 worth of damage. They think he must have thrown an orgy for all his little woodland buddies.”

That is horrible. I’ve heard they can be destructive, but I wasn’t aware about the orgies. Thank God I got mine out when we did. 🙂

Jan K said, “The only squirrel we’ve had in our house was a flying squirrel that I think our cat brought in back when we had outdoor cats and a cat door.”

O.M.G. I can’t even imagine. We were lucky it was in the attic and not the house, how the hell do you manage that with dogs and cats? 

That’s it for me folks, thanks for hanging in there with me and for your incredible support. Have a wonderful weekend.

Welcome to this week’s edition of Follow-Up Friday, the post where I highlight awesome comments, answer reader’s questions and generally just wrap up my week.

You Make Me – May 3, 2015

Emma said, “Sometimes I get my wabbit out of my bed to show people if I’m really excited, but usually I don’t carry around anything.”

Sometimes when we first get home she brings the toy to us, and it is then that she is walking around with it. She does not do it all the time.

Hailey and Zaphod said, “Hailey uses stuffies to help calm herself when we first come home or at bed time, but I have never seen that.

Hailey is smart! I don’t know if Delilah is doing this to calm herself or to get attention. Because of course she does get attention as it’s so cute!

DogDaz said, “Sofie won’t go anywhere without sucking on a lovey. That is so cute. Wish we had chipmunks.”

Awe, Sofie is cute. As for the chipmunks? You can have them! I actually thought one was in my house the other day.

Jen said, “I can never take Laika seriously when she walks around with a toy hanging out like that – that being said it is one of my absolute favorite things to see; especially when she’s grumbling at a squirrel.”

LOL I can understand why, it really is endearing.

Go, Go, Go

Genevieve said, “I have occasionally forgotten, but since day1, Cupcake’s leash has a little zipper bag clipped to the handle. It has 2 extra poop bags, my $500 extra keyless entry car key, (for days we pick up the car from the garage on the way back), an antibacterial wipe, and a few extra treats.”

Do not, I repeat DO NOT lose that bag, not with a key that costs $500! And brilliant idea with the wipe. Brilliant.

Earl Lover said, “My dog’s have little poo bag holders on their leads, making it so simple to pick whilst on a walk. The only way I could ever be left on a walk without a bag, is if I forgot to refill an empty holder!!!”

I have those too, but it’s a hassle (for me) trying to juggle leashes and dogs all the while trying to rip off and open a bag. Opening the bag before our walk, makes it so much easier. Unless I forget the bag. LOL

Mary said, “Yes, just the other night I forgot a poop bag. I did find a ziplock on the ground, and that worked good. So I picked up someone’s litter, and was able to get the poop picked up all at the same time.”

Hey you gotta use what you got, right?

Jenna, Mark, Husky-Crazed Drady said, “We left the groomers one time and I didn’t think to bring poop bags……took two steps out the front door, and Mika pooped right on their front step! I think she was making a statement!

LOL I guess she told you what she thought!

Beth said, “Last night, I used the last bag in our holder on the leash and forgot to refill it when we got home. This morning, I realized after we were already far down the road that I only had the one that I keep in the back of our treat pouch for emergencies. Some mornings are two bag mornings, so I was panicked that one wasn’t going to be enough, but we survived!”

I’ve done that also. I am spoiled (I guess) by the raw food poop. I can generally fit four poops in one bag. I use Earth Rated and they are 9 x 11, I think I might be able to fit another poop in there if I had to.

Lauranne said, “Pulling it out, yanking it off… this is why I need to come and play here more often! ”

Yes you do, I’ve missed you.

Elaine said, “I once saw a man walking his dog in front of our house when his lab decided it was time to poop in our yard. The man looked away, then hurried off without picking it up. I didn’t bother me too much since Haley occasionally poops in the front yard anyway. Twenty minutes later, the man returns alone with a bag to cleanup after his dog. How nice!”

Wow that was nice. You’d never see any of the douche bags where I live do that.

We Live in a Flat said, “Hmmm, I’ve seen someone trying to pick up poo with a leaf before. Not the best solution.”

Was it me? Cause I totally just did this yesterday. Word to all you daredevils out there, don’t try this unless you are home, because you will need to wash your hands.

WTF Wednesday – An Eye for An Eye

Emma said, “What can I say except to repeat what Mom says to us often…the world would be such a wonderful place if many of the humans were not in it. Sounds mean, but it does kind of hold true!”

The gene pool needs a good bit of chlorine.

Elaine said, “Ugh, and then there was the story about the momma dog that fell out of an airplane when the door accidentally opened up after takeoff. Fortunately, her puppies were all safe and were found roaming around the plane.”

OMG can you even imagine? This is why my dogs will never fly unless they are on a seat right next to me. Or in a private plane. 😉

Jan said, “I just read a sign that said the world is made up of protons, neutrons, electrons, and morons. That about sums it up.”

Yes ma’am it does.

Jen Gabbard asked, “In both of these stories WTF sums it up perfectly – how the hell do you lose a crate anyways?”

I have no idea. Were they transporting in a pick up truck?

One Fell Swoop

Beth said, “Oh dear! RIP Treat Pouch! If your newer one ever meets a similar fate, I’ve had one from the Etsy shop Cody’s Creations and it’s great.”

Oh that is a cute treat bag! Thank you, I will keep it in mind.

Repoleon said, “I have several jackets with holes in the pockets because I carry treats in my pockets and then hang the jacket on the back of a chair and the pups work on getting every last crumb.”

I’m afraid to even comment on this. I’ve actually left a treat in my pocket and she never found it. BUT I think it’s because I hang my jacket in the entry way and she doesn’t spend a lot of time there. I’ve heard of many people with holes in their pockets. 😉

Jan K said, “We had that same treat bag and I didn’t like it either. I think I threw ours away though. I can’t tell you how many times I walk by things I need to do and just don’t do them, even when it’s something simple like just throwing something away.”

Why is that? Odds are I’m going to be walking close to a trash can, why can’t I just pick it up and follow through?

Hawk aka Brown Dog said, ”  Now she uses one of those “fanny packs”, but carries it on her front. A “tummy pack”? She can put her driver’s license, smart phone and my treats in it along with a supply of Poop Bags.”

I do use one of those in the summer. I have too many things I schlep with me and generally not enough pockets. 🙂

Lauren Miller said, “I’ve had a couple of those bags and I’ve hated them all. They just don’t stay on! Our favorite bait bag is the Rapid Rewards one from Doggone Good. I’ve never had an issue with it and we have two.”

It looks great, I would just like to see it in person. The one I have now isn’t too bad, it’s much easier than the old one.

Well that’s it for me folks. Have a great weekend!