How Can a Dog Blog be Memetastic?

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Maybe a better question is "What is a Memetastic Award?" (I have no clue either--something about cultural)


I must have awoken at the Academy Awards today. I signed on, decided to hit Twitter first, and viola'; I received an award! Quickly I ran to tell the boys (the woofing ones) to put on their Black Tie wear. We need a speech. I have to thank all relevant supporters. Oh my; the stress of a red carpet moment. What will I wear? How's this?

© A. Boyko
Will This Outfit Work?

Now that I've gotten myself all gussied up for the acceptance speech, I've read the rules and regulations passed on to me by AJ, of Pup Love--my predecessor in this funky award business.  Thank you to AJ for gracing me with this award. Thanks also to Kristine of Rescued Insanity who bestowed the award on AJ. 


I guess I've earned myself a badge for my sidebar--cute, huh? According to tradition, it seems I'm supposed to share 5 facts about myself, and then pass along the award to five new blogger friends. More pressure. How will I choose just 5 bloggers? I'll think about that tomorrow. Today I'll work on the 5 facts:


#1:  I love water. It's probably the primary reason I've had 2 Retrievers; they like water too and we enjoy swimming together. I've enjoyed a few other water sports throughout my lifetime: diving, sailing, snorkeling, and water skiing. Not your usual 2-ski sort, but rather extreme. My favorite is 2nd tier on a pyramid, and swivel skiing is a fun challenge too. Don't ask. It's too difficult to explain without pictures. Maybe these will help a bit:

© A. Boyko
Nah; I'm Not in this One
 My Kids Are on Top

© A. Boyko
I'm the Tall One!

#2:  I got into writing by way of an odd path. Hubby and I started a children's book distributorship that grew quickly and did well. Along the way I learned a bit about publishing. After we sold it, I started freelance writing. The genesis of my Internet career wasn't until 2008 when I became an empty nester. Oops! Did I just admit my age? I was lying; I'm only 29, er 39...something like that.


#3:   A lanky 5' 10", I grew up sewing many of my own clothes out of necessity. I still enjoy crafts and anything creative. I think the blog is beginning to take the place of painting and sewing, but that's okay. Photography is also growing on me. Tanner and Oliver are very willing and cooperative subjects.


#4: I'm a cancer survivor and I have M.S. There; I said it. Not much more to it. I have a mild case of M.S. that doesn't interfere terribly with my lifestyle--just an occasional flare up that might set me back a few days. I'm very lucky and like to count those blessings every chance I get.


#5:  My favorite book ever is The Hundred Year Lie, by investigative journalist, Randall Fitzgerald. His extremely compelling book shares the history of how we have come to pollute the Earth. I read the book after my cancer diagnosis, and got a great deal of insight into how I ended up in that predicament. Now I've changed course and live a greener, organic-eating, hybrid-driving lifestyle--more sustainable. I may not change the world, but it feels a little like I'm doing something to leave a better one behind for my grandkids--the ones I'd really like to be around to see, if I ever have any.


Tanner and Oliver were clearly quite excited about the whole affair of us winning an award, even though we're not sure how to pronounce it. Tanner's cummerbund fell off before he hit the red carpet, but still I think they look quite dapper in their formal bow ties. Classic black even works for dogs; who'd of thunk? What do you think?

© Carrie Boyko
Tanner and Oliver Walk the Red Carpet

Now I suppose I have to hand off the baton. I'll skip the acceptance speech. I have butterflies in my stomach and have to get off this stage. It was not my intention to purge quite as much as a I did up there, but it's done now, so let's get on with the new winners. 


Tanner and Oliver took my nominations and made their selections. Boys?, "The envelope please"....


**In the 'Miscellaneous Pet Lovers' category, the winner is Catch up with Kate, with whom I hope to catch up with more in the near future.

**Moving to the 'Pet Safety' category, our winner is Dawn Ross of Pet Auto Safety, whose blog has much potential in a very important area of pet ownership.


**In the ever-important 'Pet Fashion' category, Oliver and Tanner have deferred to me (they are boys, after all) to select the winner: Erika Lundquist of Sew Doggy Style has captivated me with her adorable designs.


**In the category of 'Rookie Bloggers', the winner is Lizzi Glavin, of 20 Something Saver, who will be introducing a regular feature on saving money for your dog very soon. This brand spanking new blogger is just out of the gates, so be sure to stop by and give her some moral support. Remember what it was like when you were first starting out? Pay it forward, folks!


**Finally, in the 'I Have No Clue' category (me, not the blogger!) I have to give this award to Alexis, AKA Mom, whose very creative blog, Running Away? I'll Help You Pack, has me mesmerized.


Now come the thank yous that wrap up every award speech. I want to thank my whole family for their loyal and unconditional love and support of my treat-baking, picture-taking, post-writing, dog-walking, dog-parking, and endlessly bow wow lifestyle. May it never end.

Pet Blogger Introductions:"Nice to Meet You"

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© A. Boyko
Xena, Carrie, Tanner and Oliver

Jack and A.J. over at Pup Love invited us to join another blog hop this weekend, designed to introduce ourselves. I see their point. When you enter the world of blogging, and everyone already seems to know one another, you can sometimes feel a bit lost. It's sort of like transferring to a new middle school and trying to figure out where to sit at lunch. Everyone seems to have friends and is already having fun. What a great idea to help us all get acquainted without playing that peer pressure game. Below is a quick shot at my hello. Feel free to leave questions in the comments, and I'll spill. No lack of words here!

Names: Tanner, the Golden Retriever, and Oliver, a Papillon. Xena left us for the Rainbow Bridge in October. You can read about her at her eulogy, and I've linked to one post for Tanner and Oliver that will help you get acquainted.

Humans: Carrie

Blog: Carrie writes All Things Dog Blog. Tanner and Oliver offer commentary and general silliness at 5 Minutes for Fido.

Age: Tanner is 4 1/2 and Oliver is nearly 3 1/2.

Location: Near Orlando (in hot, sunny, humid Florida)

Breeds: Tanner is a Golden Retriever that was a non-standard pup. His breeder practically gave him to us for a food/medical donation. He's far too tall, has an unusually short coat for a Golden, and a knobby occipital lobe, but I love him all the same. I still find it hard to believe anyone could not have loved this goofy, affectionate, loyal dog. 

Oliver is a Papillon with an interesting adoption story. You can read it at the link above in the Name category. You'll probably enjoy the antics of my daughter--his savior.

Best trick: Oliver performs "Go Nite Nite", which translates to "crate" at the speed of light. He also has an adorable pirouette at dinnertime, just to show his excitement. It's an endearing behavior that everyone seems to enjoy witnessing.  

The answer to Tanner's best trick is a toss up. He's an excellent Houdini, managing to unlatch crates, unlock gates, open our front door and even unlatch a child-guard-protected baby gate that humans cannot figure out. He's probably pretty proud of his Houdini skills, but he also takes mealtime very seriously and will sit and wait permission to eat, in a puddle of drool if necessary, until I give him the go ahead. Then there's Fetch. He's an ace at Fetch, Drop It, Leave It, and swimming is his favorite activity. We have spell that word around him. He's one busy guy.

Favorite toy: No good answers here. Tanner loves ALL toys, even Oliver's little 'baby' toys. He enjoys everything he has permission to play with--thankfully not hubby's hats or shoes. 

Oliver is another story, but lately he likes the toys that you insert an empty plastic water bottle inside. He loves their crinkly sound, and these toys are light weight enough for him to pick up and drag around. At 9 lbs., he can't play with Tanners 'big boy' toys. 

Best Friend: Oliver is true to his companion dog heritage. He's bonded to me and hubby and spends most of his time keeping us company, pretty much no matter what we're doing. When he's not with us, he's usually chewing on Tanner's ears, an activity that Tanner seems to think is more of an ear massage--he loves it! 

Tanner, on the other hand, is the epitome of an extrovert. He knows how to work a party and demonstrates those skills at the dog park quite enthusiastically each week, stopping to sniff and visit with everyone. Some even get personal kisses. Best friends? I can't even guess.

Worst Enemy: Tough question. I suppose Oliver is not fond of a thunder storm. He tends to lie down close by and not leave my side. No behavioral issues--he just wants to be near me when the rumbles get going.

Tanner's only enemy is a barrier. He doesn't like to be held back from a social opportunity. If he's off leash--such as at the dog park or in my yard--he'll behave admirably and friendly. He'll heel and walk with me like a perfect angel. Put him on a leash for a walk and sometimes he'll decide he absolutely must visit that friend that is two blocks down. At 70 lbs., I have to put on my imaginary Pack Leader hat and really play boss when I walk him. Thank goodness for good training as a puppy, or he'd be dragging me around like those poor owners on the Dog Whisperer.

Proudest Moment: Tanner is the most proud each time he bolts through the gate at the dog park, making his victory lap, as if to say "I'm here. Let the party begin!"

Oliver now has 2 proudest moments and I can't possibly leave either out. Earning his CGC (Canine Good Citizen) was a big deal for him. Sit and Down always seemed to mean the same thing, so we found ourselves struggling with the simplest of concepts to overcome.

Recently Oliver was accepted into Dogs for the PAWS, and his portrait was painted as a part of this project to build awareness for rescue dogs. We're totally smitten with Miss Anna Marie's fab art. He's so proud; he's bursting. (Me too!) Now he's officially part of the Paws Pack 80; what's not to be proud of about that!

All Things Dog Blog's Niche: Here's one more tweak. If I'm introducing my blog, I might as well offer up some kibble on what we're all about. All Things Dog Blog is primarily a resource that provides solutions for living with dogs. Thus our tagline: Strategies for Happy Dogs and Happy Families. In addition to my problem-solving articles, I offer an Ask the Vet column, penned by holistic veterinarian, Dr. Pat Bradley, and an Ask the Dog Trainer column, where your questions are fielded by a team of training professionals.

Of course, we have to lighten things up a bit occasionally by tossing in a humorous video, a comic relief article, and inviting our readers to submit their stories for RESCUING ROVER  (archives here) and Pup Profiles.

We also offer a Rainbow Bridge Memorial to our readers who wish to have a serene place to remember their fallen pups. With beautiful music playing along with a nice video, you can visit the pups that have joined your loved one, adding their photos, poems, comments and such to our place to remember them by. My Xena is there now also.

Got questions? We've got answers. You can reach us at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com. Find us on Facebook and Twitter too. Hope to hear from you soon. Happy tails!