Furry... Saturday? Oops!

Yeah, yeah, I know today's Saturday. But I forgot to stick this up on Friday, so we'll just have to pretend. And yes, I know I've kept you guys waiting for like, forever. But, I promise, Alex's doberman is well worth it! Boo-Boo, Boo for short, is a true sweetheart!

Age: 4 years

Gender: Female

Height: 24 inches

Weight: 85 lbs

Origins: Boo-Boo is the Wilson's family dog. They got her from the local rescue shelter as a puppy. While she was (and when nervous is) a tenacious chewer of all things chewable, the family stuck with her. No, they never messed with her ears or bobbed her tail. Isn't she so very cute this way?

Favorite Game(s): Boo loves to wrestle with Alex and play tug-o-war with whatever is handy. She loves it when she gets to play with Sam's Tolkien, and the two will roughhouse and run until they collapse. She also likes to trip people up at the door and pull other mischievous pranks. Her absolute favorite toy is one she's had since puppyhood- a ratty old teddy bear that Alex calls "the mutant." The mutant is, however, a cuddle-only toy and is not up for the ravages of tug-o-war.

More info: Boo-Boo may be a fierce looking doberman, but she has a huge and somewhat cowardly heart! Thunderstorms, fireworks, and even a loud rainstorm will send her to her "den"- a mess of blankets, old toys, and stolen shoes tucked into a back corner of the family TV room.

I hope you enjoyed finally learning about Alex's dog. But I have some completely, totally, amazing news that can't wait any longer:

Just One of the Guys is coming out May 1st!

You can find my first short story at quakeme.com. Sam and the guys are at band camp, a place of work, trouble, sun, and fun. But which will Sam find herself in? Marching, guys, bugs, music, guys... It's enough to make a girl's head spin! Read the story to find out just what it means to be one of the guys!

Furry Friday

Prepare to meet Matt's scaly friend: Smaug!

A real bearded dragon!

(Photos from Scott Kinmartin's flickr site)

Age: 2.5 years

Gender: Male

Length: 22 inches (most of it tail)

Weight: ? Smaug hates the bathroom scale- he hisses uncontrollably whenever it's in sight.

Origins: Smaug is the result of much begging and pleading on Matt's part. Just after his 14th birthday, Matt began his campaign for a pet of his own- one that could be kept in a controlled environment. And voila! A few months later, Matt successfully converted his mother to buying Smaug!

Favorite Game(s): Smaug and Matt are often found on the floor with Matt pretending to be another lizard. This allows Smaug to "fight" Matt as he would another member of his species- no one harmed, its the same in the wild. Smaug also enjoys riding on Tolkien's back whenever the german shepherd comes to visit.

More info: You may have noticed that Smaug is the name of the dragon in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. Sam's dog is also named Tolkien. Coincidience? Sort of, but not really. First of all, Tolkien's works are favorites of Sam and Matt. In eighth grade, they both re-read his books as part of a school project. They got pets within a few months- and the names just kinda happened.

Come next week to meet Alex's furry friend!

Furry Friday

Thanks for visiting this most recent Furry Friday! This week features Alan's Maine coon cat, Artemis!

Age: 14 weeks

Gender: Female

Length: 8 inches, not including the tail- Artemis will keep growing until she is close to 5 years old!

Height: 6 inches at the shoulder

Weight: 2 lbs.

Origins: For Christmas, Alan was told that he could choose a kitten from one of the litters at the local animal shelter. As he walked by Artemis's enclosure, she reached out, snagged his jeans, and refused to let go. He has been hers ever since. Her name is a by-product of Alan being required to read Edith Hamilton's Mythology for his English class. Her coloring and attitude put him in mind of the Greek goddess of the moon and the hunt.

Favorite Game(s): Artemis loves to wrestle and teeth on Alan. She is also fond of chasing the fish-shaped laser pointer he bought for her. Recently, Artemis has discovered her power of intimidation- and enjoys employing it against Tolkien whenever he comes for a visit. She is very proud of her canine mind-control powers.

More info: Artemis is an indoor-only cat, but whenever Alan is home they are attached at the hip. It often seems that Artemis is just a very small puppy the way she trails after her person. While she is suspicious of strangers, she will warm to them if they are patient and friendly to Alan.

I hope you enjoyed meeting Alan's fluffy companion. Next week, prepare to meet Matt's animal counter-part!

Furry Friday!

Welcome back to Furry Friday. Today we will travel to Colby Ryan's bedroom to meet his not-so-furry companion Firecracker

Age: 1 year

Gender: Male

Length: 2 1/2 inches

Weight: ??? how do you weigh a fish?

Origins: Firecracker the fish is of humble origins... Colby picked him out at the local pet store after heavy negotiations with his mother. (Seems Mrs. Ryans isn't too fond of pet mess.) Luckily, Colby convinced his mother that fish just don't make a mess.

Favorite Game(s): None. He's a fish.

Habits: Firecracker has a habit of flaring out his tail in warning whenever Colby's door opens, someone taps the glass, or Tolkien gets too nosy. As Colby is fond of saying, he makes an excellent silent alarm system.

Thank you for tuning in to our second Furry Friday. Next week, meet Alan's beastly buddy. And don't forget the next Who's Who Wednesday, featuring Alan himself!

Furry Friday!

It's time to introduce another weekly feature: Furry Friday! Once a week you will have the chance to meet the pets owned by the characters from Just One of the Guys. Today's feature: Tolkien, Sam's German Shepherd.

Age: 2 years old

Gender: Male

Height: 25 in. at the shoulders

Weight: 85 lbs

Origins: Sam received Tolkien as a puppy from her father on her 13th birthday. Tolkien came from Germany with nineteen other dogs to be trained as a police canine unit. However, when it became apparent early on that Tolkien suffered from mild asthma, he was retired from the program. Mr. Lansey was given Tolkien by a friend on the local police force.

Favorite Game(s): Tolkien never grows tired of tug-of-war with a rope, stick, rawhide, shirt, etc. He also enjoys playing fetch with his vast collection of tennis balls in various states of destruction. Tolkien has been known to compose entire symphonies by attacking his assortment of squeaky toys.

Habits: Tolkien and Sam have been inseparable since they were "introduced" two years ago. Tolkien goes everywhere with Sam-aside from school, shopping centers, and band functions- an invitation to Sam is an invitation to Tolkien as well. He has a particular fondness for finding the largest stick in the vicinity and dragging it with him to Sam's destination.

Next week we'll visit the creature Colby keeps stashed in his room!