Tuesday, December 24, 2013

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFOR DOG-MAS! by Travelin' Jack

                                                TWAS THE NIGHT BEFOR DOG-MAS!
                                                                          by
                                                                   Travelin’ Jack
                                                        (New Mexico's "Poet  Pet Laureate")

Twas the Night Before Dog-Mas

And All Through the Dog House

Not a Critter was A-Stirring,

Not even a Squeaky Toy Mouse.



The Puppies and Kittens Were All Snug in Their Beds

With Visions of Chew Bones and Catnip in Their Heads.

Their stockings Were Hung by the Chimney with Care

In the Hope that SAINT PAWS Soon Would be There.



Mama Cat in her Holiday Collar

And Me-Travelin’ Jack in My St. Nick Cap

Had Just Settled Down

For a Cozy Winter’s Cat Nap.



When OUT on the Lawn there Arose a Great Clatter,

I Sprang from My Dog Bed to See What Was the Matter!

And WHAT to my Wondering Pup Eyes Just Appears

But a Miniature Dog Sleigh and Eight Tiny Dog Dears!



With a 4-Footed Driver who was Set On a Cause

I knew in a Dog Blink, it must be SAINT PAWS!

More Rapid than Greyhounds, on Target They Came

He Barked out in Dog-Talk and Called Them by Name.



“Now Fido, Now Fluffy, Now Fifi and Fred

On Roxie, On Rascal, On Rover and Red!

To the Top O’ the Dog House, To the Top O’ the Wall

Now Dash Away, Dash Away, Dash Away All!”



Then to the Top of the Roof those Dog Dears They Flew

With a Sleigh Full of Dog Toys And SAINT PAWS Too!

As I Drew in My Pup Nose and was Hopping Around

Down the Chimney Came SAINT PAWS with a Bounce & A Bound.





He was Dressed in His Dog Fur from Front Paw to Back Foot

And That Dog Fur was Tarnished with Ashes and Soot.

A Back Pack of Pet Treats was Strapped on His Back

And He Looked Like a Pup Peddler Just Opening His Pack.



His eyes How They Sparkled, His Whiskers How Merry!

His Face Fur All Fluffy, His Nose Like a BlackBerry.

His Dog Smile was Drawn Up like a Howl-iday Bow

And the Beard on His Chin was White Like the Snow.



SAINT PAWS was Chubby & Plump, A Right Jolly ol’ Pup

And I Said When He Spied Me “Hey Ol’ Paws-What’s Up?”

With a Wink of His Eye and a Cock of His Head

He Soon Let Travelin’ Jack Know I Had Nothing to Dread.



He Barked not a Word, but Went Straight to His Work

He Filled All the Pups’ & Kitties’ Stockings Then Turned with a Jerk

Laying a Paw Aside of His Puppy Dog Nose

And Giving a “YIP” Up the Chimney He Rose.



He Jumped in His Sleigh to His Dog Dears Shouted out a Loud BARK

And Away They All Flew, Enroute to a Nearby Dog Park.

But I Heard Him Dog-sclaim as He Drove Out of Sight………



MERRY DOG-MAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A DOGGONE GOOD NIGHT!"

TRAVELIN’ JACK dedicates this Pup-Poem to ALL the Puppies and Kitties Waiting for A Forever Family. Don’t YOU need a new family member this Holiday Season? If You Can’t Adopt, then Support Your Local Animal Charity. THANK YOU…. & HAPPY HOWL-IDAYS! DECEMBER 2O13
                   
                                               
Merry Christmas to ALL! Happy New Year!

signing off for the holidays as I have a lot of special deliveries to make to good puppies and kitties everywhere!  You can check out my Facebook page to keep up with the action till January. 
Travelin' Jack Public Figure
or
Travelin' Jack, Roving Bulldog Reporter


DOGGY HUGS AND SLURPY KISSES!

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

A great Holiday Gift Idea from Jack......NM's Pet Travel Expert

You know this dog is a travel bug BIG time....and when it comes to travel....I am THE dog-in-the-KNOW!  And one of my all-time favorite places to go hang out and luxuriate (YAH-I know how to do that pretty doggone good!) is the Hilton Buffalo Thunder Resort in Santa Fe.

 It's a Top-Paw Destination....all on its own. Why you don't have to go anywhere else after you check into the hotel.....I should know!  Been There....Done That! BUT....I had this dog-fabulous idea JUST FOR YOU!  Come on join me on my little tour of this place and then I'll spill the bark about my GRAND idea!

 First stop for this Dog-Tour Guide!  The friendly staff....why if you know how to play the game right if you are a smart cookie dog.......


You might get a real Cookie TREAT from the friendly folks at Buffalo Thunder Resort.  (HINT:  play it up....works every time for me!) Why I even got a nice Ear Rumple this time around!  THANKS...now that's what I call a doggone pet-friendly welcome!  And they know how to treat their people guests right too...but I am not sure about the ear rumples for the humans! That might just be a Pet-Perk!  Just barkin...... 
But on with the tour.  This here is another reason I love Buffalo Thunder Resort.....nice BIG roomy rooms all dressed up in custom made Native American decor
 and snazzy lounge-about furniture fit for a king...YUP-PUP..that would be ME, Travelin' Jack....and of course anybody else who comes to relax at Buffalo Thunder Resort!  And while we're talkin' about rooms...   here's another BIG PLUS in the plus column for this road-worthy dog-traveler.  Buffalo Thunder Resort has reserved a whole level of rooms for pet-travelers...and what's so special about this floor?  Each room opens up directly to the pet-friendly courtyard....you can go right outside from your room!  Now THAT is what I call doggone handy when ya gotta go....if ya get my drift.  And speaking of 'gotta go'...
I just noticed that there is a Dog Convenience Station...right here in the courtyard!  Anybody lookin'....maybe I'll just get in a quick one...and then before anybody sees...I'll stash the evidence in the convenience station.  Yah..that's the plan. 


And if a Pet Potty station wasn't eough....look what else Buffalo Thunder put in on our special pet-friendly courtyard-a Fire Hydrant!  Now THAT is just the cat's meow...or in this case the Dog's Bark!  Wowee-gazowee...THANKs Buffalo Thunder...you really ARE pet-friendly!   

BUT on with the tour!  Back inside...I'm thinkin' it's mighty high time to do a bit o' shopping!  And let me bark at you...there's plenty of good stuff right here inside the resort!
Women's clothing boutiques....

 
Native American art.....too cool. I like that one but it does look breakable...Hmmmm maybe I better wait on that one.

A souvenir gift shop....maybe I should start doing some Christmas shopping.....
hey wait a minute!  What are YOU doing here Mr. Buffalo?  Oh..yah..that's right this IS Buffalo Thunder Resort....so sorry! My mistake.
 WoW...all this shopping is making me mighty hungry.  And just you guess what this dog discovered at Buffalo Thunder Resort!  A pet-friendly restaurant...the MICA Restaurant.  You see, they have tables inside the restaurant...and then they have tables that are just outside the restaurant in the Main Corridor....so GUESS who's eating here! Pups can join their people at the corridor tables...and be treated just like the folks dining inside the restaurant.  Same great food and service.....but WITH your 4-footed best friend too!
Yup-I'm ready.....bein the fine food connoisseur that I am--Travelin' Jack. What do you recommend fine sir?

A seared Salmon plate with autumn veggies....Double Dog YUM!
  and let's do this delightful luncheon in total style, eh?  How about some Baked Alaska to finish it off in fine taste fashion!  DEE-dog-LICIOUS!  Thanks for being Pet-Friendly Mica Restaurant....oh, and they also have 4 other restaurants scattered around the resort plus ROOM SERVICE....that's what I like too! Nope you won't starve at Buffalo Thunder Resort.
I'm so full...I might have to take a dog-break from this little tour..and do a bit of people watching in their gi-normous interior lobby...why this place is so big...you could get ALL your exercise by just walking through the beautiful inside of this fancy-dancy resort.
  

 
For dog-instance....take a look at THESE sculptures....why I hear through the barkvine that the Governor of Pojoaque Pueblo is a mighty fine artist...and he MADE some of these beautiful and grand art pieces scattered throughout the resort! WoW...now that is pretty doggone impressive!  Gotta stop and admire this a bit.
And of course...you're never far from the game at Buffalo Thunder Resort & CASINO and I also hear through the bark-vine that there is some fun to be had at the tables here....hmmmm....should I play a game of Black JACK?  
(NOTE:  dogs are not allowed in the Casino...so I just made my own Black Jack table here...just so's you know and don't get your Fido in trouble at the Casino)

Another thing not allowed for DOGS...but definitely available for PEOPLE is their wonderful Wo P'in Spa.  Somehow I can still figure out how to get 'the treatment' but mostly this swanky place is for the Ma'ams that visit the resort.   Just barkin......

 And no tour would be complete without a visit to the pool area.  Aaaahhhh...the life of a Tour Guide!  RUFF!  But ya know....some dog's gotta do it!... and that would be MOI-Travelin' Jack!

There is also a nice poolside bar outside where pups ARE permitted....

WHO-EEE that dogarita they made special for me sure is a lip-smakkin'-dog-dandy delite! 

And there are SO many other things to do at Buffalo Thunder Resort....like the golf course, the Inside Pool Area, the Club, a grand ballroom for parties and conventions too!..and there are grrrreat nearby museums to explore.....but this has already been a full day just touring you around...and this pup is pooped!

So, I'm gonna call it a day...and snuggle down here in this o-so-comfy bed! 
BUT
BEFORE I do....I haven't forgotten about that great TIP I was gonna give to you.....and here it is NOW.

Are you lookin' for that Xtra Special Gift to give that Someone Xtra Special?  How 'bout a GIFT CERTIFICATE to Buffalo Thunder Resort!  
Yup-Pup...I've done it now.  That may be just the doggone BEST IDEA I've had all year long...and bein' the good pup I am...I'm sharin' my dog-brilliance with you!  So go ahead....pick up that phone and call Buffalo Thunder Resort and purchase a gift certificate in any amount.  Or go online and plan your next get-away

I dog-guarantee...you will be one specially LUVed gift giver this holiday season!

Oh...and if you haven't seen quite enough yet....here's a sneak preview of my TV segment I did recently on the one- the only- the magnificent 
BUFFALO THUNDER RESORT!   
   GO AHEAD...CLICK AWAY....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlGZLesCrwA

Here's to YOUR next great escape! And remember my motto..."IF IT'S PET FRIENDLY IT'S PEOPLE FRIENDLY" and that is sure enuf true of BUFFALO THUNDER RESORT!

DOGGY HUGS AND SLURPY KISSES!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Thanksgiving's over....on to the HOWL-I-DAYs!


PILGRIM JACK here.....recovering from my dog-fabulous Thanksgiving feast and weekend. I do hope yours was great as well.  But you know, once the turkey is gone...it's time to get ready for the holidays...and there's no better way than to pawticipate in a Holiday Bazaar.  
So on Saturday morning dark and early...we headed out from Chama over to Red River.  They have a woderful Holiday Bazaar in their historic Community House...and I was dog-honored to be a special guest.

SEE...they even included li'l ol' me in their Flyer!  Pretty doggone cool if ya ask me!   
So I got ready....and comfy in my chair...and then I got to meet up with my little neighbor, Miss Isabel...ain't she a cutie!  I really liked her.  She helped me out all day long...almost like I had my "PAWsonal Assistant" Thanks Isabel....hope to see you again soon!  She lives in Questa at the Questa Lodge....AND they are pet-friendly...so you can bet your dog-patooties...I'll be going there soon!
But I dogress....BACK to work!  And I DO so like this kinda work.  Gotta snuggle up close with all the pretty gals.  Ya know...it's a RUFF job...but some dawg's gotta do it, eh?  And I would be just that DAWG thank you very much!  Come back soon to New Mexico, okay gals? And happy holidays in the meantime! 
Wow! Talk about dog-xausting!  Think I'll catch a couple ZZZZZZZZZZZZs while nobody's lookin'!  Put that camera down, wouldja?  A dog's gotta get his beauty sleep ya know!  And after all I did get up at 5:30 AM...and that is JUST too doggone early if ya wanna know what I think!  
But Red River is dog-definitely worth the trip.  I always love visitin' here...and it's specially nice at the holidays!  You better check it out!

So the Bazaar was a doggone success...we had LOADS of fun and met lots of nice people...but it's time to head back to Albuquerque for....

the start of my 2013 HOWL-I-DAY "GIVE BACK" Tour!  Now tell me...how many dogs do you know that put on a charity tour for 3 weeks for 3 charities?! Not too doggone many...I'm a guessin'....but I did and we are ready to roll.................................  
Tour Stop #1
LUCKY PAWS Adoption Center at Coronado Mall on Sunday, December 1st.  What a great way to start the tour...AND the month-long celebration!  And who did I meet up with right as I got there? None other than my OLD BUD....Sparky the Fire Dog!  He represents the Albuquerque Fire Dept...and does a HOT-DIGGITY-DOG job too! 
(did you get that?  one of my famous Bulldog jokes!  Pretty good, eh?) 


But it's time to get to work...Put on my Santa Paws suit....Don't you think I make a DANDEE Santa Paws? Yep..I agree with you!  Handsome is as handsome is...that's what I ALWAYS say!

and then I met up with all my Santa Elf Helpers
...aren't they a doggone grand team? 
That's Miss Michelle on the left.  She is the Manager at Lucky Paws....and Miss Martha is on the right....she is the Director of SAVE Lucky Paws....both these women do GRRRReat work for the 4-footed kids in need.  LUV ya both!  And your team too!  Good job guys!



and just as I was gettin' settled in for a long winter's nap....SCRATCH THAT..that's another Christmas story....

Along comes one of my all time FAV buds...Miss Carol.  She is one of the many....a dog-zillion maybe...fabulous VOLUNTEERS that helps out everywhere makin' sure that the puppies and kitties..and rabbits and such ALL get good FURever homes and families.
Cuz that is after all VERY DOGGONE IMPORTANT!  And speaking of pups and kitties...we better get to work!    


 Now here's the deal.  See this here big box?  It's filled with TOYS!  When someone comes in and makes a $$$ donation..they get to pick out a toy...put it in the giant Santa stocking...and then on Christmas morning..the good folks at Lucky Paws will give the shelter pets a Christmas toy!  Now isn't that just the doggone grandest Idea you ever heard?  I'm thinkin' so......so let's get some donations OKAY?
WHOA THERE!  What's that I see?
 YIPPEE...it's our 1st Donation of the Day! And am I happy or what?  YUP-PUP...you can bet your bones I am!  (NOTE here that I am NOT betting MY bones....no siree doggie.. I would never be that silly!)  Thanks Maam!  You are the best!  Now pick out a toy for a lucky puppy or kitty!
 And here's our 2nd donation....and can you believe this?  Am I seeing right? Is this the LITTLEST Santa's Helper you've ever seen? I do believe so...and ain't he just a holiday gift!  What a cutie! LUV YOU little Miko!  Thanks for coming by LUCKY PAWS and donating on your very 1st holiday!  Come back next year so we can see how big you get!


And speaking of BIG...we even had BIG guys coming by and helping out the shelter pets!  Let me tell you how this works!  Put a Dollar in the Box...and then pick a toy for a pet...got it?
 and to that He said "Got it Santa Paws!  Here's my donation!"


 
And we even got some CELEBs to come by!  My favorite radio gal Terrie Q of 770KKOB Radio..dropped by to help out...being the doggone grande dame that she is...and just in case you are wonderin' what the Q stands for...here's my dogpinion.  It means Queen of the Air Waves!  Pretty smart, ain't I?  Why we were so excited that this nice couple...who heard Terrie Q on the radio talkin' about the HOWLIDAY GIVE BACK tour that they came out!.....they Visited with Us...AND they bought our book PET FRIENDS...which of course the moneys go to help the shelter pets out!  So we are doggone happy about their visit too!  Thanks for buying our book!  You just helped BIG time!  

 And JUST as the afternoon was about to end...who arrives but the DOLL of my DREAMS!  Look at this little princess would you?  I think I am in LUV!  She's all dressed up in her finest Holiday Dress...her pigtails are just too cute....AND she even made a donation for the shelter pets!  YUP-PUP...I am dog-definitely in LUV!

When all was said and done, the good folks of Albuquerque did in-dog-deed GIVE BACK.  Their donations purchased 165 toys for shelter pets...raised lots of $$$s for the good folks at Save Lucky Paws to continue their good work...but bestest of all.....I had a grand day being SANTA PAWS!

Now THAT was one doggone grand day...and a dog-heck-of-a-GRRRRReat start to our HOWL-I-Day Give Back tour!  Thanks Albuquerque! You are the DOGGONE BEST!

But now we have to get ready for the next tour stops....and we move on to the next round of  




TRAVELIN' JACK'S HOWL-I-DAY GIVE BACK Tour!  Let's get ready for our next charity!  TOYS FOR TOTS!  And have I got the plan of the year here!......I think I might just "join up" for a very dog-ficial role....like the OFFICIAL MASCOT for the U.S. Marines Delta Company, Albuquerque!  WoW! 
That sounds pretty important!  But I CAN do it...and I am gonna do it!  1st step...get the official uniform!  
 And thanks to my very bestest of bestest of bestest dog-buds....GUNNY MONSTER in Utah...who BTW is the official mascot of the Utah Marines.....he fixed me up just dog-dandy with my very own OFFICIAL MARINE UNIFORM....custom made with all the stripes and buttons befitting a Marine Bulldog!  And here I am in my first fitting!

LOOKIN' GOOD...even if I do say so myself!  What do you think?

 But we gotta get the word out about the TOYS FOR TOTS campaign...and there's no better way to do that than 1) go on TV to bark about it and 2) together with my very own Marine men.....here I am in the Green room waitin' to go on the set....and I am doggone honored to be here with my two favorite Marine heroes.....Major Brian Cillessen on the left....and Staff Sgt. Adrian Hernandez on the right.  They TRULY are heroes..to me and to all us lucky Americans! Thanks gentlemen...for ALL that you do to serve our country...and to serve us.  Now am I one Lucky Dog...or what!  Yup-Pup....and now it is time to go HUP-ONE-HUP-TWO....time to go on the airwith my TV bud...Chad Brummett, Host of 2KASA Style.  Here we go guys!  And just in case you missed us on Live TV....here's the link.....just click on it for the real live action.....


Pretty doggone cool, eh.

 And so with all this Hot Off the Paw Press News that I have shared....here's a little appeal for you.  Won't you PUP-PLEASE come on out to our events this weekend...and help support TOYS FOR TOTS?  This is YOUR 'pawsonal' invitation!  See you Week Two of my tour!

DOGGY HUGS AND SLURPY KISSES!