The Paw Princess Diary Archives ⋆ Be the Cat

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 Griffie, visit: The Lulu Book Review

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Weekend Updates

Liana Gardner — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 05:58:16 +0000

The design of my blog has been updated. I have more closely integrated the traveling book site, Where in the World is Misfit McCabe?, and put the link in a tab at the top of the blog (WITW is MMC). I have added a nav tab at the top to Griffie World in preparation for the revamp of that website, and have added a separate tab for the list of Book Reviews which I have done. I am also working on the tab for the Young Writers Series articles, but still need to do a little clean up on those which did not convert well, when originally imported.

My plan was to get a lot of editing done this weekend. Unfortunately, my mind was stuck on revamping my website and I ended up at war with myself over modifications or editing. Then I got the sucker punch from puppy dog eyes.

I decided (on some foolish whim) to integrate The Paw Princess Diary into this blog, but to have a separate tab to display those posts and not mix them in on the front page. Sounds simple enough right? An entire day later, I have finally accomplished what I set out to do. One of the issues was that the creation of the page to pull the information by category worked great, except for the fact that it broke the navigation, so that you couldn’t look at older posts. I finally found something indicating that this was an issue with setting the category. And when I excluded the paw princess category from the front page, it broke the navigation there as well.

My page design was actually pretty slick, because I could put the post footer information into the meta area and that meant I didn’t have to put it in each individual post. Imagine my chagrin, when I decided to sidestep the navigation issue by using a redirect to the category search, and therefore, the footer information in the meta area no longer applied. So, back to the editing function went I and now have updated all of the posts individually. I haven’t deleted the page template, because ultimately I would still like to find out why the use of query posts would break the navigation. I found a plugin to allow me to exclude the category from the front page (without breaking navigation), so I may (later. . .much later) look at that code to see if I can get an idea as to how to unbreak it for the query post on the template.

While I got actually quite a bit accomplished, it wasn’t what I had planned. I guess I’ll just have to get it done during the week.

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LK Griffie
Visit me 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.
To read book reviews by LK Griffie, visit: The Lulu Book Review

The post Weekend Updates appeared first on Be the Cat.

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
_____________________________________________________________________

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Over the Hump

Phoenix — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:27:19 +0000

Not much to say today, except that it was too hot. I’m a black dog, so heat gets to me quickly. It was Wednesday, not St. Patrick’s Day, and I just wanted to find a nice cool spot to curl up and take a nap in. We’re officially on the downhill slide toward the weekend.

I only took the time to post this because Mama took a moment to go get some tea, and I have to start reasserting my control over the laptop, or I’ll lose it forever.

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
_____________________________________________________________________

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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
_____________________________________________________________________

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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
_____________________________________________________________________

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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
_____________________________________________________________________

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Mama’s Book Trailer

Phoenix — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:19:45 +0000

We have been listening over and over to this thing for months as Mama has been working on putting her book trailer together. She finally has it completed and finalized. Here it is for all of you who would like to view it.

I, of course, have to give this a 5 paw rating (because I sat by Mama’s side and gave her the finer points of what should or should not be included while waiting for my turn on the laptop.)

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
_____________________________________________________________________

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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.

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

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Merry Christmas

Phoenix — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:12:17 +0000

With Christmas just around the corner, I wanted to take a moment and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. For those pups that celebrate another holiday, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, or Happy Winter Solstice. The picture below is our Christmas card for this year. That’s Gryphon to the left of Pooh, I am between Pooh and Tigger and Elsa is standing next to Eeyore.

We always get featured in the Christmas card every year. At first I was a little annoyed because Mama would always dress us up, set a scene and make us sit still while she took the picture. One year, Gryphon and I were hooked to the fireplace so she could have us sitting in front of the fire. (Don’t worry, the fire wasn’t lit at the time. . . she added the flames after the photo was taken.) I don’t mind sitting in front of a fire on a cool night, in fact the warmth from the fire is nice.

Since she has had a digital camera though, things have changed for the better. Now, she just takes several pictures of us separately in different poses and then does her computer magic to add us to the scene that she and Papa have selected. That’s much nicer.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season. (Beg for lots of presents) Paws Up!

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

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A Moment of Thanks

Phoenix — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:08:37 +0000

With Thanksgiving coming closer it’s a good time to look at your life and all of the good things that we have been blessed with. I, for one, feel that I have been a very fortunate pup. I have a Papa and Mama who love me and treat me like the princess that I am. I have Gryphon who has always been there for me, taking care of things so that I don’t have to worry about anything. I have good food, a soft bed, a roof over my head. Not all dogs can say the same. I don’t think I’d have ever made it as an outside dog. I know that people say you can get used to anything, but having to get my paws muddy every time it rained?? Eeewww! But, I digress. I’m even thankful for that little whippersnapper, Elsa, who has come into our lives. Sometimes she can be a pain, like all younger siblings have the ability to be, but she definitely has joy in her soul and is so silly that I get hours of amusement just laughing at her. She is sweet though and doesn’t mean to be a bully. She just grew faster than any of us expected and she doen’t realize that she is now significantly bigger than I am and when she falls over on me it hurts.

For all of you with people who treat you well, give Thanks during this season that you have a good life. For you rescue dogs, give thanks that your people took the time to pick you out of the crowd, and that you have life.

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

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Elsa – the St. Bernard

Phoenix — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:04:57 +0000

Ok, I thought I was done with Elsa stories, but she obviously likes my writing little stories about her. Last weekend Gryphon and I noticed that Elsa was drooling a little bit. Mama noticed too, but she thought it was that Elsa was sleeping so hard she drooled a little bit on the pillow she was laying on. Well, that was only the beginning. The drooling got worse, but Papa didn’t notice it because he was busy working. Mama noticed some wet spots when she came home, but Papa thought he must have spilled some water – even though he didn’t have the water anywhere near the wet spots!

That night as we went to bed, Elsa curled up next to Mama and Gryphon and I wanted to stay dry, so we snuggled against Papa. About 11:00 Mama realized that the bed was wet and she uncovered Elsa to take a look. Elsa was lying in a pool of drool (yuck). Her ruff was soaked, her tail was soaked, in fact the tail was so wet, it could be rung out. Mama didn’t like seeing the drool pouring out of the corners of Elsa’s mouth.

She woke Papa up, which took a few minutes because he tries to pretend that he can’t hear anything so he doesn’t have to get up. Then grabbed the laptop to look up what could possibly be wrong with Elsa. It turns out, according to the internet, the most common cause of excessive drooling in dogs, other than being a St. Bernard, is that something, like a stick, is caught in the mouth. With Elsa that could be a distinct possibility, because she does like to pick up sticks and carry them around outside. I choose not to pick up anything nasty like that off the ground.

Mama checked her mouth out, but didn’t find anything, so it was time for the usual call to the vet to see what he had to say. Unfortunately, our vet had his phone on the message machine (something that occurs only a few times a year), so all patients were being referred to the Emergency Animal Hospital, and so Elsa’s first midnight vet run began.

While Mitzi was alive, midnight runs to the vet were not uncommon as she had heart problems in her later years, and Mama said she thought they were done with those for awhile. But, the kid was sick, so something had to be done. The vet couldn’t find anything in her mouth either and recommended a course of antibiotics, nausea medicine and allergy medicine, in addition to an IV to replace the fluids. Plus, he wanted to keep her overnight for observation, give her some X-rays and do some blood work.

Fortunately, Papa decided that Elsa was better off coming home to us, because Gryphon and I would have missed her. The next morning it was off to the vet again to see our regular vet. Elsa was diagnosed with an infection of the salivary glands which was causing the excessive drooling. He put her on a course of antibiotics, and she is now much, much better.

What a confused pup she is . . .first trying to be a Shar Pei, and now a St. Bernard. ‘Til next time, Paws Up!

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

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