Dog Park Episode III

Right around Henry's first birthday we went to the 3-acre Happy Tails Dog Park in Bradenton, FL. It was fun for several reasons. It was heavily wooded with Spanish moss hanging from the trees, there was a spooky looking corner with a separate kennel with a sign that read "Time Out," and the park dropped bails of straw for the dogs to rummage through.

But the best part was these two squirrels that lived in a tree in the middle of the park. These two evil squirrels would climb to the ground make a few chirps to get some hapless dog's attention then run up the tree out of reach. Once they were safe they would climb as low as they could and still be safely out of reach then chirp a little more egging on these poor dogs. There were at least half a dozen dogs surrounding the tree but once they got bored and wandered off the squirrels would come down the ground and start the cycle over again. It was hilarious!

It was clearly a dog friendly community and for us that means a family friendly community. We spent an hour or two on a family outing, enjoying the park, a little walk and some fresh air. It was such an enjoyable outing that as we journeyed back to the in-laws we talked seriously of setting some where in Florida for the beauty but also to be close to Heidi's parents...then they moved to Utah. As we left the park we stumbled across a free pet-magazine that had the following excerpt. You might of seen it before but its funny:

ENTRIES IN A CAT'S JOURNAL:

DAY 752 - My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another house plant. 

DAY 761 - Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair...must try this on their bed.

DAY 765 - Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was...Hmmm. Not working according to plan. 

DAY 768 - I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time, however, it included a burning foamy chemical called "shampoo." What sick minds could invent such a liquid? My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth. 

DAY 771 - There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise. More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage. 

DAY 774 - I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The bird, on the other hand, has got to be an informant, and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room his safety is assured. But I can wait; it is only a matter of time......

22 Fictional Characters Whose Names You Don't Know

 

I like trivia. I'm actually pretty proud of the amount of useless knowledge I know. Serious, tons of useless crap. Until I stumbled across this recent list and I'll be honest, I really let myself down. Perhaps you can do better. Check it out, who knows when this bit of info might come in handy. Oh yeah, some of them are a tad stereotypical.

1. Did you know the Comic Book Guy on The Simpsons has a name? It's Jeff Albertson. But that wasn't the decision of creator Matt Groening. "I was out of the room when [the writers] named him," he told MTV in 2007. "In my mind, 'Louis Lane' was his name, and he was obsessed and tormented by Lois Lane."

2. Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. (Ken's last name is Carson.)

3. Cap'n Crunch's full name is Captain Horatio Magellan Crunch

4. Snuffleupagus has a first name — Aloysius.

5. In the Peanuts comic strip, Peppermint Patty's real name is Patricia Reichardt. 

6. The Wizard of Oz rolls off the tongue a lot easier than his full name, Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkel Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs. From Frank Baum's Dorothy And the Wizard in Oz:
"It was a dreadfully long name to weigh down a poor innocent child, and one of the hardest lessons I ever learned was to remember my own name. When I grew up I just called myself O.Z., because the other initials were P-I-N-H-E-A-D; and that spelled 'pinhead,' which was a reflection on my intelligence."

7. Mr. Clean has a seldom-used first name — "Veritably." The name came from a "Give Mr. Clean a First Name" promotion in 1962.

8. In a deleted scene in the 2006 Curious George movie, The Man With the Yellow Hat's name was revealed as Ted Shackleford. (Since the scene was deleted, perhaps this doesn't count.)

9. The real name of Monopoly mascot Rich Uncle Pennybags is Milburn Pennybags.

10. The policeman in Monopoly has a name, too. You can thank Officer Edgar Mallory the next time he sends you to jail.

11. On Night Court, Nostradamus Shannon was better known as Bull.

12. On Entourage, Turtle's real name is Salvatore Assante.

13. Sesame Street's resident game-show host Guy Smiley was using a pseudonym all these years. He was born Bernie Liederkrantz.

14. The Michelin Man's name is Bibendum.

15. On Gilligan's Island, Jonas Grumby was simply called The Skipper.

16. Staying on Gilligan's Island, The Professor was Roy Hinkley.

17. The unkempt Shaggy of Scooby-Doo fame has a rather proper real name — Norville Rogers.

18. The Pillsbury Doughboy's name is Poppin' Fresh. He has a wife, Poppie Fresh, and two kids, Popper and Bun Bun.

19. The patient in the classic game Operation is Cavity Sam.

20. The true identity of The Lone Ranger was John Reid.

21 & 22. OK, these last two aren't fictional, but just in case it comes up, Bono was born Paul David Hewson, and The Edge's name is David Howell Evans.