Do you recognize this little boy?

Excuse the public service announcement of sorts... but do you recognize this little boy?

This is a computer generated photo of an unidentified little boy, estimated to be 5 or 6 years old, who's body was found Saturday morning in South Berwick, Maine just over the New Hampshire border.  He was 3 feet 8 inches tall, weighed 45 pounds and had dirty blond hair and blue eyes.  You can read more here.  It is a heartbreaking story to begin with, but to have no idea who he was or where he came from is even more tragic.  Please... help if you can.

updated 5/18/11 - The boy is Camden Pierce Hughes from Texas.  Rest in Peace little one....

Pinky the Glob Monster

***blogger had some hiccups that made yesterday's post go to never-never land, so please excuse this repost of yesterday's Dogs on Thursday if you already saw it***

Happy Dogs on Thursday / Thankful Thursday / one-more-alarm-clock-to-the-weekend day!

The Lapdogs recently got to Beta test a new toy for HuggleHounds.  It was a fun two week experience and I hope we get picked for another test panel again soon.  Due to our testing contract, I can not reveal the toy or details, so instead I will share pictures of them playing with their payment (which they enjoyed far more than the test subject)...

 

Tut and Lola thought their "payment," a HuggleHounds pink Glob Monster, was the coolest thing ever!  Maybe it's because it looks so much like the HuggleHounds bottle monkey Lola got for her birthday last year - a toy that all of the Lapdogs love.

 

Sophie just loves the crazy looking "Mr. Pinky."

 

Tut and Lola having a grand 'ole time with it...

 

It's mine, no it's mine... nothing a good 'ole smack on the head won't solve!

I'm not sure how I didn't end up snapping any photos of Zeus with Mr. Pinky, so you'll have to settle for my handsome outdoors man.  He was on birdie watch here...

Enjoy the rest of your little Friday... and don't forget to enter to win one of two copies of A Famous Dog's Life if you haven't already!

Let's Go Racing!

Well, it looks like Blogger is finally back up, but our posts from yesterday are still missing.  Is this some cruel Friday the 13th joke?  Because, Mr. Blogger, we do not find it the least bit funny.  I hope the posts make their way back from never-never land soon!  And yes, I mean posts as in plural because not only did we do our doggy Thursday post, but I posted on Matt's site as well. 

Speaking of my racer, we're back at NHMS tomorrow and we finally get to debut the black & gold paint scheme (how appropriate, on the same day that my B's start round 3!).  I'm really excited because this means the car will be pretty we get to start showing off our sponsors (and yes, we have room for more if anyone out there is interested in a unique marketing / advertising opportunity with a Legend team).  RIP Blue Bomber (does anyone else find it ironic that Matt began his karting career in a blue bomber also?)...

Race day for the #8 at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway was short lived on April 30 when the rear axle housing broke during the third round of practice... and yours truly had to break out those crew gloves and get her hands dirty!  I told Matt I needed a raise and he said I could have a 100%.  What's 100% of 0?

 

We had a lot of help trying to get it welded so Matt could race, but it was broken too badly.  I love the NELCAR class and am so proud that Matt is a part of it this year.  These guys are amazing and always ready to help each other in the pits.  A far cry from the constant arguments and fist fights you see too often at the local tracks. 

The car was repaired during the week and ready to race at Seekonk Speedway last Saturday night!  We had some family come out to cheer Matt on, including my sister, niece and nephew.

 

Waiting to get out on the track...

 

Amber giving Uncle Matt some pointers before his feature race (Austin was too tired to think about getting in the car when we took these).  Think we've got another racer in the making?

 

These two on-track shots are courtesy of RPM Photography...

As I said, I'm proud we're a part of this great class and am having so much fun already this summer!  Instead of being at the same race track every weekend and having a track family, we are part of a class that travels to various tracks (some may say a traveling circus of sorts).  We're getting to know the other drivers and their families and the comradery amongst all is a wonderful thing.  For those of you keeping track, with 3 races down for the 2011 season, I have not had time to knit one single stitch at the track yet... but I'm hopeful!  Or at least the crew chief/public relations rep wants that raise...

Stop and Smell the Roses

It's another rainy Wordless Wednesday here... so how about another burst of color (too bad we don't have scratch 'n sniff internet)?

REVIEW: Easy Walk Harness

Easy Walk Harness
Where to Find: Premier

 



Teutul is wearing the harness and his regular collar

We recently got a chance to review the Easy Walk Harness from Premier.   All of the Lapdogs wear martingale collars on a daily basis, but when going for walks or to public events, I prefer the added control and safety of a harness.



The Lapdogs have not had any formal obedience training and we're pretty laxed about things, so they all tend to be easily distracted and can sometimes be pullers. The Easy Walk Harness seemed like a great solution for Teutul, as it is designed to gently discourage dogs from pulling while walking on a leash. Instead of having the leash attachment on the back, the Easy Walk Harness features a front-chest attachment which stops pulling by tightening slightly across the dog's chest and shoulder blades. This gentle pressure steers the dog to the side, thus redirecting his attention back towards you.

The Easy Walk Harness is a three piece harness designed for ease of use.  If you've ever had one of those "where does this go" moments when trying to get your dog in a harness, you can rest assured with this system.  The top is marked with an Easy Walk label and goes over the top.  The belly strap that goes underneath the dog is made of a contrasting color, making it easily identifiable even in a hurried situation.  The chest strap has a martingale loop and d-ring on it for attaching the leash.  Made of soft, but strong nylon and having four adjustable points, the Easy Walk Harness allows for the best fit and maximum comfort.  There are quick snap buckles on both the shoulder and belly straps which make it easier to get the harness on and off. 

If you are skeptical about harness systems or aren't sure how to measure your dog properly, Premier has two demonstration videos available to watch on their website to help you through sizing, proper fitting and handling.  These videos are informative and provide clarification to common questions.

The Easy Walk Harness is available in six color combinations: Red/Cranberry, Royal Blue/Navy, Green/Black, Fawn/Brown, Deep Purple/Black and Black/Silver. We received the Fawn/Brown for review, along with a matching Fawn leash.

You can find the Easy Walk Harness at a Premier retailer near you.  Visit their store locator or find an online retailer here.  Stay tuned for a review of another unique Premier product, the Kool Dogz Ice Treat Maker.  We'll be reviewing it just as soon as the heat hits - Teutul can't wait!

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: A Famous Dog's Life

A Famous Dog's Life
The Story of Gidget, America's Most Beloved Chihuahua
by Sue Chipperton and Rennie Dyball
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: NAL Trade (May 3, 2011)

¡Yo quiero Taco Bell! A Famous Dog's Life: The Story of Gidget, America's Most Beloved Chihuahua is the heartwarming true story of the camera-ready Chihuahua who became America's pint-sized superstar.

Her name was Gidget, but to the world, she was known as "the Taco Bell dog."  A Famous Dog's Life chronicles the extraordinary story of this irresistible pup's life, as well as that of her devoted trainer, Sue Chipperton. However, it is not only the story of an adorable television star, but also that of Sue's successful training techniques.  Her delightful tales include working with both human and animal stars, including Mooni, Gidget's Chihuahua roommate and the eventual star of Legally Blonde. Sue provides a humorous and rare insight into one of the freshest and most fun Hollywood success stories ever told.

Legally Blonde's Reese Witherspoon adds an extra touch of Hollywood glam to A Famous Dog's Life with the heartwarming foreword to this uplifting story about the lifelong bond between human and animal.  Part celebrity biography, part Hollywood tell-all and part behind the scenes guide, A Famous Dog's Life is a perfect summer read.  Grab yourself a copy now, and while you're at it, pick up an extra for the favorite dog lover!
 
The following is an excerpt from A Famous Dog's Life... 

Even though Gidget had done well in her work for the Limited and Hardee’s, this was her biggest job to date; plus, there were multiple behaviors required. Even when all bodes well, you never really know how an animal is going to work under that kind of pressure. She’d be on set longer, the crowd would be bigger, and she would have to perform. Dogs may not know the meaning of the word pressure, but they can certainly feel it.

When Gidget was originally cast, the plan was for her to play the shaky little “girlfriend” dog of the main dog they’d be shooting. But a few days before the dogs were due on set, the director decided to switch things up, as directors sometimes do. So Dinky, the male dog, would actually play the girlfriend role, while Gidget would play the male dog, the lead role. We didn’t know it then, but that last-moment swap was huge. The girlfriend part in the ads spanned only a few commercials, and without the switch, Gidget would never have become the Taco Bell dog, never walked the red carpet, appeared in movies, met celebrities, or been the subject of a book.

The evening after the shoot, Jeanine called me with a glowing review.

“She was so good. She did everything I asked and was happy as could be!”

I was thrilled that Gidget’s first big job was a positive experience, and helped her settle in at home. After a quick round of greetings with the other dogs, she made a beeline for her bed. She’d put in a full day at work after all!”

Excerpted from A Famous Dog's Life by Sue Chipperton and Rennie Dyball, with pesmission from NAL, a division of Penguin Group, USA.

About the Authors:
Sue Chipperton started her career in Florida working with dolphins, and has been a studio animal trainer for nearly two decades.  Visit her website. 

Rennie Dyball is a People magazine writer and co-author of Christian Siriano's Fierce Style.

GIVEAWAY! How would you like to win your very own copy of A Famous Dog's Life? The publisher is allowing us to give away two copies! To enter:

1) Follow Lapdog Creations publicly (see "Followers" on the right hand side bar).
2) Share a memory of "the Taco Bell dog" in your comment.

You must complete both steps to enter and you must be a US resident to win. 
You can get extra entries by sending your friends here to enter (be sure to have them mention your name).... blog, Tweet, Facebook and text away! 
Winners will be selected by random number generator.
Deadline for entries is Monday, May 16 at midnight.

Happy Mother's Day!

from the lapdog household to yours...

wishing all the moms (of those with 2 legs or 4)...

Happy Mother's Day!

Lots of doggy kisses & tail wags are being sent out from the Lapdogs to Grammy (my amazing Mom), Grandma Sue (Mom-Sue, Matt's stepmom and the best second Mom I could ever ask for) and Chris (Matt's Mom)...





My Mom with Great Granddaughter Gabby, 12/10



Mom & I, circa 1983



Mom-Sue with Diego, 10/10

    

Mom-Sue & I at Knit & Crochet Show 2007