Monday, February 17, 2014

JACK of HEARTS.....On the Job!

OK.....when I planned an action packed Valentine's Week...that is exactly what it was!  I guess I really AM Jack of Hearts because I was handin' out hearts of all kinds for over a week now. 
 First Stop....2 KASA Style with my TV bud.....Chad Brummett!  Here we are at the end of our Valentine's Tips for Dogs show.  Doggone good info as always from this all-knowing, all-barking dog! 
 But we just got started there......after TV...it was on over to the 770 KKOB Radio Station...where I went on the air with Terrie Q.......Host of the Weekend Show.  You DO know what the Q stands for don't you?  Not sure?  Well...I--Travelin' Jack--know this secret info!  It means QUEEN of the Air Waves!  Least that's what this dog thinks!  And I am pretty doggone sure I am right on the bones!  Anyway, we talked about our Jack of Heart Open House at Lucky Paws to help out the pets at the shelter.....

so...soon as we were done with our Live Radio show....off we hurried right over to Coronado Mall to the Lucky Paws Adoption Center.  There we got ready for the BIG party....er I mean PAWtee! 
 Here are some of the great gals who work there...and do a doggone grand job of getting these pups and kittens adopted to forever homes.  Melanie..the dog pictured...now (LUCKY PAWS) has a new forever family.  Yah! Melanie....you take good care of that new family ya hear? I know you will! 
 But the party started.  We had all sorts of fun happenings.....folks could donate some $s and get a Valentine treat bag to donate to the shelter pets.  The kids LUVed doing that...and of course loving on me too!  I handed out my brand new Jack of Hearts Trading cards....and of course doled out plenty of Jack-Smack Kisses too!
 Then....SURPRISE of all surprises!   (Being the bulldog reporter that I am) I had nosed out some exciting news.....the City Shelter has a BRAND NEW mascot....and he showed up at the Open House for his big Dog-Debut!  But what I DIDN'T know was that he would look like me!  Yup...brown fur....white chest, short flippy ears...same nose shape....why I am just SO proud that he looks like ME!  Who wudda thought!
 I was so excited about making new friends with my bulldog mascot buddy that I had to climb right on his lap! Yup-Pup...we are grand friends now.  Can't wait to see him again!  Soon I hope.  And here's some more HOT OFF THE PAW-PRESS news!  He doesn't have a name yet....and the City is going to hold a contest to name him!  So stay tuned!  Maybe you can help name him! 

Now here's what I'm recommending.....he looks like me....and my name is JACK....so what if we named him JACKPOT!  He could represent all those shelter pets who hit the JACKPOT when they got their new forever family! 

YUP...that's MY dog-personal choice!

It was  a wonderful event.  We had lots of visitors...a bunch of pets were adopted that day...we gathered over 100 Valentine treat bags for the shelter pets and we raised lots of $$$s for SAVE LUCKY PAWS...who takes care of the pets there!  A DOGGONE good day if I do BARK so myself.

Now on to the next Valentine treat!  Il Vicino Pizzeria Westside location.     
 I met up there with Miss Samantha from Meals on Wheels...and Mr. Richard from the Pizzeria!  He was SO nice to make a donation to Meals on Wheels from our howl-i-day party there!  And we passed off the bucks to the pet program at Meals on Wheels....and of course had some very tasty pizza afterwards.  Now that is a DOUBLE DOG good deal, if ya ask me!
 Time to take a TV break for my favorite show....the Westminster Dog Show.  I of dog-course am rooting for the BULLDOG....but dog-dag-nab-it!  Wasn't to be.   They picked some little terrier guy...cute enough I guess but NOT a bulldog.  What were those judges thinkin'?  I'm gonna have to have a serious talk with them before next year's show.   
 But now it's Valentine's Day pup-proper!  And that means one thing only for this Jack of Hearts...time to deliver some special valentines to my friends.  I'll start with this cute little gal...ain't she a cutie!  I could just kiss her!

 But I really have to visit all my bestest friends in Albuquerque...so Jill and I hit the roads and made visits here..there...everywhwere about town..delivering Valentine sweets.  here I am presenting a cake I made with my own paws (if you believe that I have a dog-bridge over the desert to sell you!)  BTW..that's one of my hilarious bulldog jokes!  BOL!
  Miss Joyce...you ARE gonna share with me, aren't you?  I won't eat it all...I dog-promise!  

And that is how I spent my Valentine's week....BUT....I got to end it with a very special event on Sunday night.  I was dog-vited to be a celebrity dog guest at a Book Signing event!  Bookworks Book Store hosted an international author of a series of books...

and since I am an award winning dog-author....
and since I am international (sort of...I'm an Olde ENGLISH Bulldogge!)
and since the book series is about DOGS
and since I am just so doggone adoraBULL.....

I was invited to come to the event at the Balloon Museum!  BTW....my very favorite museum of ALL....becuase of a dog-zillion reasons!       

So off we went to the event.

 We met the author.....here I am with her and some of her many admirers who came to meet her and get her new books. 


 She came ALL THE WAY from SCOTLAND...yep, she is Scottish!  WoW!  I do know how to hang with the BIG DOGS don't I?  So since she is Scottish..they had a real live Scottish Bag Piper!  They say it's music....if ya ask this dawg....not sure about that!  Sounded sort of loud and crazy to me!  Just barking my personal dog-pinion though!  Everyone else seemed to love it!   
 Then she spoke....that would be the author  ERIN HUNTER.......but here is another brilliant factoid that this dog reporter discovered!  That is her PEN NAME....she has a real name.....and I know what it is!  But her books all have the name Erin Hunter.  Just sayin.......I bet YOU didn't know that now, did you?  Yup-Pup...it is my job to inform!  So there you have it!
 I....and the big crowd were just dazzled by her presentation.....we all listened closely....but I did take a moment to snap a SELFIE during the big event.

                                                                     
                                                                             SELFIE!


 
So after the presentation was over...I just HAD to get one of her books...after all they are about DOGS!  No brainer.  So I asked her....."Would you pup-pretty please autograph it for me?" 
 And she nicely said...in her very Scottish accent.  "OF COURSE TRAVELIN" JACK!"
 And she did JUST that!  WoW....am I a lucky dog or what!?!  Can't wait to get home and read it now!  Thanks Miss Gillian....'er I mean Miss Erin Hunter!  
And now.....I'm just doggone worn out!  Ya gotta admit....that was one busy Valentine's Week, eh?  Think I'll just take a bit of a nap now......here's hopin' YOUR Valentine's Day was XOXOXO!!!!!

DOGGY HUGS AND SLURPY KISSES!

Friday, February 7, 2014

Jack of Hearts.....and some PAWsome Valentine Ideas for your Pet!



OK it's True Nuff: 

I'm JACK OF HEARTS!

For this week anyway.....after all...it's ALMOST Valentine's Day! 
and this dog does not miss a trick....as you know!

So, I dog-cided to take off my travelin' hat for the moment...and put the cards on the table...(well at least one anyway!  That would be JACK OF HEARTS......admit it...ain't I just the cleverest dog you ever knew?)

So today I'm puttin' on the JACK TIPS hat instead! To make sure YOU don't miss giving your furry friend the best pet Valentine ever!  

Here are a few of my pawsonal recommendations!

1.  Doggy Date

HA!  JOKE!  I mean a REAL Doggy Date

Here I am with Miss Liberty the cutest little Boston Terrier I ever did meet!  And speaking of meet......we met up at the Dog Bakery
Three Dog Bakery  (my pawsonal favorite!)

For TWO very important reasons
a)  Their goodies are just too doglicious for words!
b) they are healthy treats.   (NO...and I mean NO chocolate for pups!)

So once we met up for our Doggy Date....I said to Liberty.....
"What special Valentine Treat would you like today Liberty?"

After we took a look at ALL the dog-licious selections.....
we settled on A Grass Sundae with a Valentine Cookie Topper...and two PupCakes on the Side!

DOUBLE DOG YUMM!

And after we finished our sweet Valentine Treat.....we decided we needed to work off those calories....so (second Valentine Idea)

2) PLAYTIME AT THE DOG PARK!

We headed right over to our favorite doggy park
(BTW did you know that Albuquerque has THIRTEEN.....yep 13 Dog Parks?)
TRUE!
No excuse to not take your pup to the park....there's one close by your house for sure....and it's fun for your pet too!

  
But it's time for a Station  Break....and that would of course be a TV station......KASA Fox TV where I just LOVE to appear on set with Host Chad Brummett!  Here's our latest TV segment..with of course more ideas about a good pet Valentine.  Check it out!



which brings us BACK to our LIST!

3) YOUR PET CAN BE A BOOK STAR!
How about a very pawsonal valentine memento of getting YOUR pet in a book!
The 2nd edition (because the 1st was so doggone successful) of PET FRIENDS....called pupropriately
PET FRIENDS TWO
is looking for great pet photos!  Now till July!  So snap that special photo of your pet...and send it in to this link......www.TerrieQPets.com
and enter away.  
In addition to very possibly memorializing YOUR pet in the book....guess what!?!  You are helping shelter pets too!  Because proceeds from the book support New Mexico Animal Welfare!  Now isn't THAT just the best Valentine treat ever? 
And you DON'T have to live in New Mexico....pets anywhere are welcome!
And you DON'T have to be a DOG....other pets are welcome (but no husbands please!)
And you DON'T have to be famous.....like Terrie Q and me....All pets are famous far's I'm concerned!

So there you go...another dog-fabulous Valentine Idea.
But now onto Idea number four......

4) TREAT A SHELTER PET TO A VALENTINE GIFT!

It's a PAWTEE!  And You are invited!  Here are the details:

WHAT:  JACK OF HEARTS Open House
WHEN:  Saturday, February 8th, 2014.  12noon to 4PM
WHERE:  LUCKY PAWS Coronado Mall, Albuquerque

I'll be there in all my Valentine finery.....and here's where YOU come in
A) Come on By!  It's an Open House so any time is good from 12-4PM.
B) Make a $ donation--ANY AMOUNT  for the shelter pets
C) With a donation you can pick out a Puppy or a Kitty Valentine Treat...and give it to them (so they have a good valentine day too!)
D) Come  Meet the new Albuquerque Animal WelfareMascot! He's making his Debut here!
E)  Name the Mascot!  We're having a contest to name him...and you can Enter!
F) Of course...I'll be there too for a photo with YOU!  Free!
G) and for every child that comes by...I have a Special GIFT for you!  FREE too!
and finally 
H) Check out the pets while you are there.....maybe just maybe you will find YOUR pawfect Valentine waiting there for you......like Miss Melanie pictured here below!
She's waiting there for her FURRever Family to come adopt her.....She (and all the other Pets there)
will be sporting a brand new Valentine Bandanna....donated by Groomingdales Pet Salon.
THANK YOU Groomingdales for Always helping the shelter pets out!  BTW...they are wonderful partners to the shelter pets...they groom LOTS of them so they look their very best....so they can get adopted!  And it works too!  Now that is what I call Doggone Dandy Community Give Back!
  
So that's the plan.  The dogficial
JACK OF HEARTS Party at
Lucky Paws Adoption Center.....see you there! 
And if that isn't enough of a list.....my final idea for this pet-friendly Valentine
5) A PLUSH NEW VALENTINE FURRY
Maybe just maybe you should head out to your favorite doggy boutique
and buy Your 4-Footed Valentine a plush toy this Valentine's Day!  I'll bet you'll get a kiss or two in return.

So with all those great ideas.....Travelin' Jack....er I mean

JACK OF HEARTS
is signing off now.....gotta get ready for the BIG pawtee tomorrow!

BUT
for now...here's SPECIAL Valentine

DOGGY HUGS AND SLURPY KISSES!














Monday, February 3, 2014

Puppy Bowls....Stories in the Sky.....Doggy Date.....and JACK OF HEARTS?

It's been one busy week....let me tell you!

                                             
First Stop!  ALBUQUERQUE BALLOON MUSEUM.....for Stories in the Sky.  And guess who is the Special Guest Star?  Did you guess Travelin' Jack? Then you would be RIGHT! 
Lots and lots and lots of little Kids came.....MY FAVORITES!  I just LUV kids.....big, little, boys, girls, shy, tuff, busy, sweet...they are ALL #1 in my dog book!  The more the better I always bark!

And speaking of bark.....well...not exactly bark.  But Jill read my book

Travelin' Jack's Story.....From Shelter to Star.
                                 
ALL the kids loved it...as you can see.  And I just love to sit around and watch the kids while they learn all about me! After all...it is my Dog-Ography.  And it has a doggone happy ending too!  BTW....It's available at local book stores, the Balloon Museum Gift Shop...and on line on my website store too www.travlinjack.com   

 And after my story was over....why I was dog-honored.  Miss Laurie....the Hostess of Stories in the Sky...who invited me.....told another story....and guess what!  It starred ME....and a Ball!  WoW!  I was dogmerized to be the star of another story!  Thanks Miss Laurie!  I'll come BARK...er I mean BACK any ol' time you need a celebrity dog!  I love our Balloon Museum here in Albuquerque.  It's the BEST!

And then the BIG Game rolled around on Sunday.  Now to some of you pigskin fans out there....you might be thinkin' Super Bowl!  And you would be WRONG!  Us dogs in the know...really know what the BIG GAME is...and that would of course be Puppy Bowl X!  I put my GAME ON T-shirt....and settled down in front of the ol' telly...
Just in case you missed it (DOG FORBID!)....and you are wondering who won....
why every single puppy won!  They were all Adorable Adoptable Pups...and they all got new Forever Families.
And THAT  my friends is why it is called the BIG GAME!  
All bets settled once and for all!  

But then......it dawned on me...with all these dog-tastic things happening in my life.....there is a HOWLIDAY quickly approaching....Valentine's Day!
And what does that have to do with dogs, you ask?
Well...it got me thinkin'......DOGGY DATE!  
Yep...what better way to get into Valentine's Day than with a hot pup date!   

 So I called up my little Boston Terrier sweetie....better known as LIBERTY...and I barks to her.....

Meet me at Three Dog Bakery....and I'll treat you to a Valentine Doggy Date! 
And quicker than she could put on her fancy dress she was there!  WoW! Miss Liberty....you are lookin' pretty barkin' good! All dolled up in your Valentine Doggy Dress.   What tasty treat does your little heart desire today?
 And she barked to me that she wanted a GRASS SUNDAE...with a couple of pupcakes on the side.....ORDER'S UP!  Talk about a double dog yummy treat!
 Hey.....Liberty.....are you gonna eat it all?  Or maybe share with me......your buddy Travelin' Jack?
 OK...that's more like it!  There's enough here for both of us!  WoW.  Luv it....my favorite GRASS Ice Cream!
 But after we were done with that sweet treat...it was time to work off those calories...so next stop on our Pup Date......the Dog Park!  We headed to North Domingo Baca Dog Park.....one of Albuqeurque's 13 (YES you read right THIRTEEN....dedicated Dog Parks!).  One of the reasons Albuquerque was named the #1 Pet Friendly Town in the U.S. to visit! By Priceline.com no less!  No Dog wonder why, eh? 

But I dogress....back to the Story.  Here we are checking out the rules to the park.  Because you do know that you must put on your best Pup-etiquette when you go to the park.  It's easy...they just tell you what you can and can't do....so's you don't get in dog-trouble you know!  Not me....not Gentleman Jack! I ALWAYS follow the rules....where-ever I go...and I recommend you do the same. 

 So we romped around a bit...til we were dog-tired...and then we took a bit of a rest on the park bench...when I thought to myself  "Jack...what's the best way to end a Doggy Date?"
 Well...if you want to hear the rest of this dog-love-tail.......(get my bulldog joke there?  Tail.....not TALE....HA! I am just so clever I can't believe it!).........


Tune in this Wednesday on TV to 2KASA Style.  Chad the Host and I will be playing some cards.
                     
I'll take a JACK OF HEARTS...thank you very much! (PupScript...if you are not in the ABQ viewing area...don't dogspair...I'll post a link to the show on Thursday!).

For now...and in anticipation of Valentine's Day....

DOGGY HUGS AND SLURPY KISSES!