All the kids have gone back to school. The pawty is over. Now all that is left is the warm feeling of us all together, even if just for a moment. I really enjoyed my birthday. Mom made some pumpkin treats that were extra special nice. I got a new bandana and some toys. But I don’t want the world to go back to normal yet. I like basking in the afterglow of all the fun.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
Today is my birthday! Happy birthday to me! We’re gonna have a pawty pawty, We gonna have a pawty. Come over and play in the virtual dog park. Hope your day is as fun as mine. – Sofie Bear, the big 2 year old girl.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
“Mommy, I know you have the bone under that blanket and you must give it to me. Just because you think that Sofie has chewed on it enough, that does not mean you should keep it from me. I can smell that you have it under there. I am bigger and should be able to chew on it longer. Mommy, are you listening to me?”
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Sofie: “Mom, did you send the invitation?”
Mom: “Yes, Sofie Bear, they are on your Facebook site as an event”
Sofie: “Did you bake the special cookies I requested?”
Mom: “Yes, Sofie, they are cooling with the other pumpkin treats.”
Sofie: “Presents! Are presents hiding somewhere?”
Mom: “Patience, little one.”
Sofie: “Are my friends going to come to visit?”
Mom: “Yes, Sofie, Mojo and Amy will be here.”
Sofie: “I am so excited that I am going to be 2 years old on Sunday! Can we go for a walk just you & me.”
Mom: “Sounds like a plan, Baby”
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Today, in the United States, we are celebrating the secular holiday we call Thanksgiving.
It is a fun holiday for me full of food and smells and family. I am busy right now making vegan pumpkin pie and marinating the tofurky. But Thanksgiving is also one of those holidays where I look at the people and things in my life, and take stock of that for which I am most thankful.
I am thankful for a year of blogging which has allowed me to meet YOU. You, the wonderful people out there in cyberspace. I have met your families and your pets; you’ve shown me your pictures, read me your poems, and most of all, you allowed me to experience your life through your blogs. Thank you from the bottom of our DogDaz heart.
I don’t know about at your house, but my animals always get a little to much people food today, as do the people. So, as you are getting ready to sit down to the dinner table, here are some tips from ASPCA experts for a fulfilling Thanksgiving that your pets can enjoy, too.
Talkin’ Turkey
If you decide to feed your pet a little nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked. Don’t offer her raw or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella bacteria.
Sage Advice
Sage can make your Thanksgiving stuffing taste delish, but it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of certain essential oils.
No Bread Dough
Don’t spoil your pet’s holiday by giving him raw bread dough. According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is ingested, an animal’s body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery.
Don’t Let Them Eat Cake
If you’re baking up Thanksgiving cakes, be sure your pets keep their noses out of the batter, especially if it includes raw eggs—they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning.
Too Much of a Good Thing
A few small boneless pieces of cooked turkey, a taste of mashed potato or even a lick of pumpkin pie shouldn’t pose a problem. However, don’t allow your pets to overindulge, as they could wind up with a case of stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse—an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. In fact, it’s best keep pets on their regular diets during the holidays.
A Feast Fit for a Kong
While the humans are chowing down, give your cat and dog their own little feast. Offer them Nylabones or made-for-pet chew bones. Or stuff their usual dinner—perhaps with a few added tidbits of turkey, vegetables (try sweet potato or green beans) and dribbles of gravy—inside a Kong toy. They’ll be happily occupied for awhile, working hard to extract their dinner from the toy.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
The last Nasturtium of the season is reaching for the sun. She made it through Super Storm Sandy somehow, and is soaking up the last final sun rays of fall. 
Louise does that too. She finds the one sunny spot, wherever it may be in the yard and lies down to soak it in. She has always been a sun worshipper. She just cracks me up because she will go to great lengths for one little sun spot. Sofie on the other hand, is a shade dweller, like me. She gets tired of Louise’s sunbathing after awhile and tends to be a spoiler: “Time to play, Lulu. Time to play!” 
I love the smells of fall. People are starting to use their fire places to take away the night chill and the air is filled with the earthy yet sweet aroma of burning wood. There is something just so comforting to me about that smell. The first time that I remember smelling burning wood was a summer camp bonfire when I was 5; I was mesmerized by the incredible smell. I also love the smell of the crisp air in the morning, so clean and fresh, and then there is the smell of the the seasonal cooking. Oh my…. all this from a Nasturtium. I wish the internet had ‘smellavision,’ I would bottle some of these delicious scents and post them here for you to enjoy. Well hopefully today you can at least enjoy a ray of sun like Louise.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
(Note to Mommy trainer: Stop talking so much because you confuse them. Only treat when they really do what you asked.)
We were having the best run when a boy on an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) came loudly and speedily into the school yard and scared us. Thereby stopping our freedom and also causing Louise to go back into the fearful place. What is an ATV doing in the neighborhood anyway? Are they even allowed in such a populated area? After we regained our composure (Louise on leash), the noisy monster left, we walked home happy and tired. I do hope you like the little Non-Training Video, especially listen to the smacking sound when Sofie takes the cookie.
(Another Note to Mommy trainer: Tired dogs are happy dogs (or something like that). They had fun and that is important.)
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
The dogs have discovered something interesting under the leaves but I just don’t see it or smell it. They, however, are absolutely, positively, sure that it is the most interesting thing in the yard today and they are just not coming in the house until they have sniffed it, dug it, fought over it (and possibly relieved themselves on it). Maybe it is an invisible stick that only they can see that fell during the Super Storm? Or maybe a fox or other critter made it’s way into the yard and left them a secret scent? Whatever it is, it has them riveted to that spot. “Mine!,” Sofie says, as she tries to position herself so that Louise can’t get to it. “Oh, no you don’t!,” states Louise, by proceeding to grab Sofie by the collar and pull her across the yard (sorry I am not that fast on the camera). I never did find out what was so interesting in that spot to cause such a commotion, but oh well…. they are off hunting other treasure now under the pine trees.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
DogDaz Zoo 