Someone recently mentioned the "Dog days" of summer being here as we just finished with a long stretch of misty weather. I wondered what that actually meant so my fingers did the walking most literally across the keys to find:
Dog Days is the name for the most sultry period of summer, from about July 3 to Aug. 11. Named in early times by observers in countries bordering the Mediterranean, the period was reckoned as extending from 20 days before to 20 days after the conjunction of Sirius (the dog star) and the sun.
In the latitude of the Mediterranean region this period coincided with hot days that were plagued with disease and discomfort.
The time of conjunction varies with difference in latitude, and because of the precession of the equinoxes it changes gradually over long periods in all latitudes.
I thought that was an interesting tidbit for y'all.
Thanks to all the great feedback that I got on the last blog entry which was (eek) last month just over a month.
We were pretty busy here on Granville Island and especially by the Kids Only Market especially when school is out.
I could lament the slower reatil day but the truth is that we are pretty bushed by it all and looking forward to the reprieve until the Halloween-Thanksgiving then Christmas rush hits.
We will be celebrating our one year anniversary on October 1st although "Woofles and Meowz" has been here many years and was the first "Pet Boutique" here in Vancouver.
It has been a booming year and thanks to all who have stopped by and dropped a coin or two for some yummy snacks and toys etc for their kitty or pooch.
The all natural pet soaps have been such a fantastic sell that we are hoping to expand the line with a few more items.
more blogs to come!!
WOOF!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Why are kids so fucking misbehaved when in public
I was trying to think up a witty and interesting blog entry today when I was interrupted by the Devil child and his Mom Helen Keller. I call her Hellen Keller because she was obviously both deaf and blind to the fact that her overly pudgy and loud child was ripping $60.00 sweaters off the hangers creating runs and tears and screaming "lets put this on Puddin!!!!!!!!"
I simply and calmly asked if he needed help...........no answer......."Damien" (I figured I'd make up an appropriate name for him myself) then proceeded to knock over a display of cat toys..shrugged and turned to the next rack..BUT!!!!!!!! not before Uncle Darren asked how fast he could pick up the toys he had strewn all over the floor...."is it faster than Mommy can get out her Visa card and pay for the damaged sweater?!?!???" of course the further subtext in my mind was "you little fuck!!"
At that point Mommy pulled her overly glazed french manicure from the earring display and turned to me with an equally glassy look from obviously too much meds and quietly said...."oh he's alright".
I levelled her with 42 years of "Cunty QUEEN" look and said...ummm yehhhhh...no he's not and either ONE of us does something because I can't afford to provide daycare for your kid while you fall asleep at the "parental wheel".
For a half awake zombie she responded pretty quickly with a "oh you obviously don't have children" followed by a condescending half lidded sneer.
"Girrrrrrrlllllllllll"....I started, but was interrupted by a butterscotch brogue behind me.
"Well dear, I have 6 children and 18 grandchildren and have considerable experience and I must tell you that your wee fat bastard could use a spoonful of "kick in the arse" as I've watched him destroy this man's store for the past few minutes and you let him!" Don't tell me you didn't notice because I saw that you did so you are to blame..maybe the kick in the arse should be yours!!"
I turned halfway through the short delivery to see what could only be described as a Zelda Sparks (short woman from Poltergeist) nanny 911 crossed with the lead singer from Aerosmith (Steven tyler) Earth mama with a party attitude stood before me.
I was startled and yet the support buoyed my next delivery.
"Sooooo thanks for coming in...have a lovely stay" as I tried to reblock two of the damaged clothing items. "and you Godzilla in cargo shorts..yer outta her!"
It was at that moment I spotted the catnip in fatty's hoodie.
"I'm being nice now.....and I you give me back what you've stolen from my store I won't call the police...I can tell by your accent that you are visiting Canada so lets keep it simple" I smiled.
Nothing was uttered. She held out her hand to him,he handed her the item and they left.
But..not before my new Scottish grandma gave me a stage whispered "Wait till he steals her car" loud enough for all to hear.
We were ON THE FLOOR howling with laughter! What a shit disturber! I LOVED HER!!
I gave her whatever she was buying for her Lab.
Marlene, come on back any time and the doggy biscuits AND drinks are on me!
So the sign on the outside of the store will read "ALL DOGS ARE ALLOWED...NOT ALL CHILDREN"
I waited for her to respond but the sound I heard next was from a
I simply and calmly asked if he needed help...........no answer......."Damien" (I figured I'd make up an appropriate name for him myself) then proceeded to knock over a display of cat toys..shrugged and turned to the next rack..BUT!!!!!!!! not before Uncle Darren asked how fast he could pick up the toys he had strewn all over the floor...."is it faster than Mommy can get out her Visa card and pay for the damaged sweater?!?!???" of course the further subtext in my mind was "you little fuck!!"
At that point Mommy pulled her overly glazed french manicure from the earring display and turned to me with an equally glassy look from obviously too much meds and quietly said...."oh he's alright".
I levelled her with 42 years of "Cunty QUEEN" look and said...ummm yehhhhh...no he's not and either ONE of us does something because I can't afford to provide daycare for your kid while you fall asleep at the "parental wheel".
For a half awake zombie she responded pretty quickly with a "oh you obviously don't have children" followed by a condescending half lidded sneer.
"Girrrrrrrlllllllllll"....I started, but was interrupted by a butterscotch brogue behind me.
"Well dear, I have 6 children and 18 grandchildren and have considerable experience and I must tell you that your wee fat bastard could use a spoonful of "kick in the arse" as I've watched him destroy this man's store for the past few minutes and you let him!" Don't tell me you didn't notice because I saw that you did so you are to blame..maybe the kick in the arse should be yours!!"
I turned halfway through the short delivery to see what could only be described as a Zelda Sparks (short woman from Poltergeist) nanny 911 crossed with the lead singer from Aerosmith (Steven tyler) Earth mama with a party attitude stood before me.
I was startled and yet the support buoyed my next delivery.
"Sooooo thanks for coming in...have a lovely stay" as I tried to reblock two of the damaged clothing items. "and you Godzilla in cargo shorts..yer outta her!"
It was at that moment I spotted the catnip in fatty's hoodie.
"I'm being nice now.....and I you give me back what you've stolen from my store I won't call the police...I can tell by your accent that you are visiting Canada so lets keep it simple" I smiled.
Nothing was uttered. She held out her hand to him,he handed her the item and they left.
But..not before my new Scottish grandma gave me a stage whispered "Wait till he steals her car" loud enough for all to hear.
We were ON THE FLOOR howling with laughter! What a shit disturber! I LOVED HER!!
I gave her whatever she was buying for her Lab.
Marlene, come on back any time and the doggy biscuits AND drinks are on me!
So the sign on the outside of the store will read "ALL DOGS ARE ALLOWED...NOT ALL CHILDREN"
I waited for her to respond but the sound I heard next was from a
Saturday, June 28, 2008
The "Ultimate" and simple dog biscuit recipe!
We here at Woofles and Meowz are famous for our dog biscuits and I often get asked for the recipe or if I have a recipe book strictly for the treats.
We make over thirty different kinds of treats.....everything from Peanutbutter/Parsley dentabones with finely ground lava rock for fantastic teeth maintenance to our signature "Woofles waffles" with granola,parsley,cranberries, yogurt and carob topping.
One of our most popular yet simple to make biscuits is our Peanutbutter and Banana biscuits.
Here is the recipe for that one:
**we use organic ingredients but you can use what you have**
COMBINE IN A MIXER---
2 cups organic whole wheat flour
2 cups organic spelt flour
2 cups organic white flour
1.5 teaspoons baking powder
2 med to large bananas
2.5 cups peanutbutter
1/3 cup flax seed
MIX UP WET INGREDIENTS OF:
3 eggs
1/3 cup oil
approximately 2 cups *or so* of water
MIX WET INGREDIENTS INTO THE DRY IN THE MIXER USING A DOUGH HOOK ADDING SMALL AMOUNTS OF WATER AS YOU GO TO MAKE A NICE PLIABLE MIXTURE.
WHEN COMBINED, ROLL OUT MIXTURE AND USE YOUR FAVOURITE COOKIE CUTTER TO MAKE SHAPES.
PLACE ON COOKIE SHEET AND BAKE IN OVEN AT 275DEGREES FOR 75 MINUTES. THIS LOWER TEMPERATURE WILL COOK THE BISCUITS AND REMOVE ALL WATER FROM THEM SO THEY CRISP UP AND LAST LONGER.
KEEP IN A COOL DRY PLACE...THEY SHOULD LAST 2-3 WEEKS DEPENDING ON STORAGE CONDITIONS(THE FRIDGE IS NOT THE BEST PLACE).
There you go..simple and healthy treats for your dog...and if you are feeling too lazy you can always visit us!!
cheers!!!
We make over thirty different kinds of treats.....everything from Peanutbutter/Parsley dentabones with finely ground lava rock for fantastic teeth maintenance to our signature "Woofles waffles" with granola,parsley,cranberries, yogurt and carob topping.
One of our most popular yet simple to make biscuits is our Peanutbutter and Banana biscuits.
Here is the recipe for that one:
**we use organic ingredients but you can use what you have**
COMBINE IN A MIXER---
2 cups organic whole wheat flour
2 cups organic spelt flour
2 cups organic white flour
1.5 teaspoons baking powder
2 med to large bananas
2.5 cups peanutbutter
1/3 cup flax seed
MIX UP WET INGREDIENTS OF:
3 eggs
1/3 cup oil
approximately 2 cups *or so* of water
MIX WET INGREDIENTS INTO THE DRY IN THE MIXER USING A DOUGH HOOK ADDING SMALL AMOUNTS OF WATER AS YOU GO TO MAKE A NICE PLIABLE MIXTURE.
WHEN COMBINED, ROLL OUT MIXTURE AND USE YOUR FAVOURITE COOKIE CUTTER TO MAKE SHAPES.
PLACE ON COOKIE SHEET AND BAKE IN OVEN AT 275DEGREES FOR 75 MINUTES. THIS LOWER TEMPERATURE WILL COOK THE BISCUITS AND REMOVE ALL WATER FROM THEM SO THEY CRISP UP AND LAST LONGER.
KEEP IN A COOL DRY PLACE...THEY SHOULD LAST 2-3 WEEKS DEPENDING ON STORAGE CONDITIONS(THE FRIDGE IS NOT THE BEST PLACE).
There you go..simple and healthy treats for your dog...and if you are feeling too lazy you can always visit us!!
cheers!!!
Honeysuckle, the new catnip!
As a cat toy and treat store we sell ALOT of yummy things for your feline friends and the new hit has been for a while...HONEYSUCKLE!!!
Most cats will respond to catnip though not all will do so in the same way and honeysuckle has one common trait that makes for an interesting response: coveting the toy.
Many people have told of how honeysuckle prompts a protective response with drooling and carrying of certain toys around the house like Linus's blanket from the Charlie Brown cartoons.
My friend's cat "Purzz" does just that...a small pillow filled with the wood chips of the honeysuckle plant gets carried around and slept on everywhere...not so much drooling (yay)
Wikepedia defines it as:
Honeysuckle
Cultivation and uses
Wood cuttings from the species Lonicera tartarica, native to Eurasia, are sold as cat toys. The wood contains nepetalactone, which is the active ingredient found in catnip. Many breeds of cats react to the scent of the wood and will paw, lick or rub against it.
Honeysuckles grow best in partial sun to partial shade.
Lonicera japonica and Lonicera maackii (Amur Honeysuckle or Bush Honeysuckle) are considered invasive weeds in the United States and in New Zealand. Honeysuckle can be controlled by cutting, flaming, or burning the plant to root level and repeating on two-week increments until nutrient reserves in the roots are depleted. Honeysuckle can also be controlled through annual applications of glyphosate, or thorough grubbing if high labor and soil destruction are not of concern.
Honeysuckle is also edible; removing the blossom, one may suck at the sweet nectar in the center.
Cordage made from honeysuckle was used in the construction of Seahenge.
Honeysuckle flowers can be used to flavor wine, syrup, sorbet, and other sweet dishes.
Another name for honeysuckle is woodbine; and eglantine is used in Milton's L'Allegro.
...........there ya go...we learned something new...well at least some of us did. Give it a try and see how it goes..and let us know your experiences!
Most cats will respond to catnip though not all will do so in the same way and honeysuckle has one common trait that makes for an interesting response: coveting the toy.
Many people have told of how honeysuckle prompts a protective response with drooling and carrying of certain toys around the house like Linus's blanket from the Charlie Brown cartoons.
My friend's cat "Purzz" does just that...a small pillow filled with the wood chips of the honeysuckle plant gets carried around and slept on everywhere...not so much drooling (yay)
Wikepedia defines it as:
Honeysuckle
Cultivation and uses
Wood cuttings from the species Lonicera tartarica, native to Eurasia, are sold as cat toys. The wood contains nepetalactone, which is the active ingredient found in catnip. Many breeds of cats react to the scent of the wood and will paw, lick or rub against it.
Honeysuckles grow best in partial sun to partial shade.
Lonicera japonica and Lonicera maackii (Amur Honeysuckle or Bush Honeysuckle) are considered invasive weeds in the United States and in New Zealand. Honeysuckle can be controlled by cutting, flaming, or burning the plant to root level and repeating on two-week increments until nutrient reserves in the roots are depleted. Honeysuckle can also be controlled through annual applications of glyphosate, or thorough grubbing if high labor and soil destruction are not of concern.
Honeysuckle is also edible; removing the blossom, one may suck at the sweet nectar in the center.
Cordage made from honeysuckle was used in the construction of Seahenge.
Honeysuckle flowers can be used to flavor wine, syrup, sorbet, and other sweet dishes.
Another name for honeysuckle is woodbine; and eglantine is used in Milton's L'Allegro.
...........there ya go...we learned something new...well at least some of us did. Give it a try and see how it goes..and let us know your experiences!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Canada Day at Woofles and Meowz
Apparently Canada day is way bigger than most people know...at least it is here on Granville Island!
There will be a False Creek ferries ballet for free...Glass blowing demonstrations,free tattoos of the temporary kind from a few places including Woofles and Meowz, KVOS TV will be here as well,face painting,paper making demos and for what will probably go pretty fast a chance to dip into the chocolate fountain at Rogers chocolates...and way more. Who knew?!?!?
Have a great one and come'on by for a visit! All dogs and cats are welcome too!!!
There will be a False Creek ferries ballet for free...Glass blowing demonstrations,free tattoos of the temporary kind from a few places including Woofles and Meowz, KVOS TV will be here as well,face painting,paper making demos and for what will probably go pretty fast a chance to dip into the chocolate fountain at Rogers chocolates...and way more. Who knew?!?!?
Have a great one and come'on by for a visit! All dogs and cats are welcome too!!!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Woofles and Meowz: Love in any language
A few days ago I had the most interesting and rewarding sales experience. A lovely lady, her husband and what seemed like their adult daughter came into the store looking for some interesting or unusual dog equipment.
Now they spoke not one word of English and I not one word of the language they utilyze every day. They were from China and here on a vacation.
The conversation lasted about 12 minutes and in that time I learned through expressive body language,facial expressions and hand gestures that they were indeed visiting...they had a small to medium fluffy dog in need of a harness because he would walk well on the lead already but they needed to pick him up quickly in an emergency as traffic where they live is increasingly busy. It was a girl dog so they liked pink and she was a real chewer and often destroyed items close to her out of boredom. They were also looking for something that was unique and Canadian.
Bingo! Within the 12 minutes they were set up with exactly what they needed themselves and for their gift needs.
I wonder why it is that the communication was so easy in this case when sometimes getting a point across in so many other situations can be so arduous...the only thing I can think of is that a pet was the common denominator and that precipitated a friendly exchange. We all love our pets...right?
Now they spoke not one word of English and I not one word of the language they utilyze every day. They were from China and here on a vacation.
The conversation lasted about 12 minutes and in that time I learned through expressive body language,facial expressions and hand gestures that they were indeed visiting...they had a small to medium fluffy dog in need of a harness because he would walk well on the lead already but they needed to pick him up quickly in an emergency as traffic where they live is increasingly busy. It was a girl dog so they liked pink and she was a real chewer and often destroyed items close to her out of boredom. They were also looking for something that was unique and Canadian.
Bingo! Within the 12 minutes they were set up with exactly what they needed themselves and for their gift needs.
I wonder why it is that the communication was so easy in this case when sometimes getting a point across in so many other situations can be so arduous...the only thing I can think of is that a pet was the common denominator and that precipitated a friendly exchange. We all love our pets...right?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Vancouver dogs and cats.
Here at Woofles and Meowz on Granville Island we get the opportunity to meet literally thousands of people who have pets of the dog/cat variety. Its always funny and cute when someone whips out their phone where the wallpaper is of their pet. People are often ready to tell a quick anecdote of their pet followed by a quick peek at their digital camera that has more than a few pics of Fido at home where they are hanging out.
People from other parts of the world are quick to remark that "there are alot of dog friendly people here in your city" or simply "there are alot of dogs here in Vancouver aren't there".
We are quite lucky here to have the dog parks and available facilities that make for a pretty sweet deal with regards to having a dog here and I often respond with :yeah its great and did you nitice that there is NO dog poop everywhere?!" Vancouverites really do a great job of picking up da poo!
Now if we could just get rid of all the damn PANHANDLERS!!!!!
People from other parts of the world are quick to remark that "there are alot of dog friendly people here in your city" or simply "there are alot of dogs here in Vancouver aren't there".
We are quite lucky here to have the dog parks and available facilities that make for a pretty sweet deal with regards to having a dog here and I often respond with :yeah its great and did you nitice that there is NO dog poop everywhere?!" Vancouverites really do a great job of picking up da poo!
Now if we could just get rid of all the damn PANHANDLERS!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
