Madigan Gets a Makeover

Dear Readers:

It’s been awhile since I’ve addressed you directly. What can I say? I’ve been on va-cay, having some serious me-time. But events have transpired and I feel I should break my blog silence.

You know how you think something is a good idea and then it really isn’t? But it’s too late because you’ve already said, “Oh, hey, yeah, it’s totally cool if you give me a hair cut”? I’ll admit it. I was getting furry. But who doesn’t like to let it all hang out in the summertime?

But my mom was all like, “Oh, Madigan, it’s so hot, let me give you a haircut, it’ll be super easy, do you want a treat?” And I was all like, “Sure, yeah, whatever,” totally not even KNOWING what I was agreeing to. Have you ever seen a picture that made you think, “OMG, someone please invent time travel”??? Here I am in the bathroom, awaiting my fate. So naïve, so innocent. So blissfully ignorant.

And then…stuff got real.

Why don’t they just legally change my name to Patches or Bald Spot or The Dog Who Foolishly Believed Her Owners and Let Them Give Her a “Trim” and get it over with? I told Mom if she was that interested in saving money on haircuts, I would be more than happy to cut her bangs for her. Revenge is so sweet.

Want to read more of my thoughts? You can. Here and here and here and here. And here.

You know you love me.

XOXO

Madigan

PS: I’m on a GG marathon right now, peeps. Sue me.

Mad for Madigan: On Cats

If you met my pomeranian, you'd understand why she needs her own weekly post. Every week or two, Madigan discusses a topic weighing on her brain. And if you don't think dogs have stuff on their minds, well...you don't own a dog.

Dear Readers:
Today I’m talking about acceptance. And, in an effort to be more accepting of difference, I’ve invited my two cat friends (what? I have cat friends!), Pippin and Leo, to guest blog with me today. Check it out…

 Pippin

Leo

Madigan: So dudes, uh, thanks for being here today.

Pippin: Good to be here.

Leo: What kind of cat are you?

Madigan: I think I speak for all my readers when I ask, what the heck is up with cat-lovers? I mean, c’mon…what makes cats so great? You guys don’t really believe all your own press, do you?

Pippin: Cats are chill, not clingy or annoying. Unlike SOME pets I know.

Madigan: Chill? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?

Pippin: Cats do their own thing. We’re independent. We don’t need you. You need us. And as we all know, whoever needs less in a relationship has all the power. Yeah.

Leo: This is boring. Where are the treats?

Pippin: Also, cats are sophisticated. We clean ourselves. We toilet indoors -in designated areas, thank you- and we appreciate the silence. We’re athletic, agile, graceful. We can fit in small spaces and reach great heights while lesser animals are earth-bound. Deal with it.

Leo: I’m cute. Pet me!

Pippin: Yes, thank you, Leo, for that riveting contribution. Next question, please.

Madigan: It seems like more and more pets are getting hip to the world wide web. We have Dogbook, Catbook, Dogster…even the vets are going virtual now! How do you two feel about this phenomenon?

Leo: I like to tweet.

Pippin: I used to tweet but I've forgotten my password. Twitter is so 2010.

Madigan: Well, it's certainly a great way to keep up with your fans.

Leo: I like to tweet.

Madigan: I think I’m just about out of blog space for the day. I’d like to remind readers that they can follow all three of us pets on twitter. To follow Pippin, go HERE. To follow Leo, click HERE. To follow me, Madigan, visit HERE.

In case anyone’s curious, Pippin and Leo are the pets of Sarah over at Saracastically. I myself am not open-minded enough yet to live with a cat and fortunately for me, Mom is allergic. Haha.
What about you? Like cats? Hate them? Are YOU a cat? If so, what are you doing on the computer? Share your thoughts below…

Love and kibble,
Madigan

PS: If you've missed any of my other Mad for Madigan posts, check them out HERE.

Mad for Madigan: Perspective

If you met my dog, you'd understand why she needs her own regular feature. If you’ve missed Maddy’s thoughts on communication, quality time, or making mistakes, be sure to check them out.

Dear readers:

Today I, Madigan, am pondering perspectives. The way we view the world around us is pretty important. Sometimes the distance between terrible and awesome is just a walk around the block to a nicer point of view. For instance…

“Madigan, stop barking!! You’re going to wake up the neighbors!” COULD become…

“Oh, Madigan, you are so great at expressing yourself. I am so glad I have you here to share your opinions and feelings with me.”

See? Perspective.

I’m just saying…rainy days are just days we don’t have to take baths.

I guess I’m a bowl-half-full kind of girl.

Stay excellent.

-The Madster

Mad for Madigan: The Check-Up

Dear Readers,

You know that saying, an apple a day keeps the doctor away? Well, somebody get me a freaking apple because I don’t ever want to see another doctor again as long as I live!

No one likes going to the vet, am I right, pets? It’s basically the most uncomfortable things all rolled into one. There’s that cold table (whose genius idea was THAT?) and that room that smells like other animals and strangers peeking in your ears and eyes and mouth (total invasion of privacy).

But yesterday I had to go for my yearly check-up. And no matter how many times I said, Guys, I’m totally fine. There is no need to put that thermometer there… no one listened. Oh, yeah, and I got a look at the bill when it fell out of Mom’s purse. Here’s a list of things that were apparently “necessary” for my general health:

- 3 Year Rabies Vaccination (as if).

- Distemper/Parvo/AV2/Para Vaccines (exactly what kind of dog do you think I am?)

- Bordatella Intranasal 6 Mo (yes, please tell me that in six months, you’re going to shove something else up my nose)

- Heartworm test (which totally included having BLOOD removed from my BODY! Is anyone else okay with that because I really am NOT.)

- Pretreat Injection (this was apparently because I had a “reaction” to one of the other bajillion needles they stuck me with…gee, there’s a surprise)

- Fecal for Intestinal Parasites (um, this one is exactly as fun as it sounds)

Mom, I think you’ve been taken to the cleaners but that’s just one pomeranian's humble opinion.

I am happy to report to my many fans and friends that I have been given a clean bill of health (except that I apparently need to lay off the dog biscuits and take some extra walks…What? I like to eat…can I get an ‘amen’?)

Oh, funny story. Apparently, Daddy was informed this morning by HIS vet that he has “shingles.” Whatever that means. I’m pretty sure someone’s screwing the pooch on this one, though, because DAD gets little white treats from a bottle for 10 whole days and what do I get? A new Rabies tag. Whoop-de-doo.


At least the vet techs are as fashion conscious as I am. Note the hot pink bandage where I had blood drawn. And look, it’s the dude with shingles!

Keepin’ it real,
The Madster

Mad for Madigan: Summer Beauty Edition

Dear Readers,

If you haven’t been keeping up with Mad for Madigan, CLICK HERE to read past features!

Today I’m talking summer beauty. Obviously, I am pretty much an expert on being beautiful. And since Mom is pretty clueless, I thought I’d share 3 indispensable beauty tips to bring out your inner babe:

1) Drink plenty of water and leave the makeup at home. Mom thinks I just lick her face because I like the taste of her foundation. Puhleeease, girlfriend, you need to wash that gunk off and let the summer air do the rest!

2. Get outside with your pets and enjoy the sunshine. Nothing to put color in your cheeks and a spring in your step like a walk with your furry pal. Trust me. I’m GORGEOUS.

3. Accessorize with kindness, not trends (think: smiles, not purse dogs). It’s hot outside and people are in a hurry. Take that extra minute to hold a door open, thank a grumpy salesperson, pick up that stray piece of trash, offer to help your neighbors with a chore, and give your people and puppies kisses. There is nothing more beautiful.

Stay excellent.

Madigan

PS: If you own an Etsy shop that offers pet accessories, I would be happy to review and advertise any product you would like to send me or to host a pet-friendly giveaway!

PS2: Have a topic you’d like Madigan to cover? Submit your suggestions to loveisadventure@gmail.com.

Flower clip: Goody

Collar: Bow-Wow Couture on Etsy

Gorgeous fur coat: Mine, all mine.

Mad for Madigan: How to Make Mistakes

 

Dear Readers,

Today I am blogging about forgiveness. As in, i-have-not-done-a-post-a-week-like-I-promised-forgive-me-please.

Forgiveness is big in this house, specially since the ‘rents have to ask for it so often. I swear, if I hear, “Oh, Madigan, I’m so sorry I didn’t share my bean burrito with you” or “Maddy, please forgive me for not telling you how incredibly beautiful you look today” ONE MORE TIME… I kid. I’m actually extremely underappreciated. But that’s another post.

It may surprise you to know that even I, Madigan, sometimes need forgiveness. Confession time: Sometimes…I pee in the house. I know I’m not supposed to. I know that if I let Dad know, he’ll take me outside. But sometimes, darn it, those stairs just look a little steep and those rain clouds look a little gray. And hey, carpet, grass, grass, carpet. It all feels the same to me. Terrible, I know. But I have learned to forgive myself. Accidents happen…or so I keep telling Mom.

And while I have pretty much mastered this, I’ve noticed people have a much more difficult time forgiving themselves. But here’s the deal-i-o, human companions, and I realize that for most of you, this is revolutionary: You. Are. Not. Perfect. You will never BE perfect. Start thinking about mistakes like Things You’ve Eaten From the Garbage; some of them tasted pretty gnarly but hey…now you know you don’t like soggy cornbread and leftover guacamole. Scarf up those mistakes. Swallow them without chewing! Gack ‘em up on the carpet if you feel like it!

I’ll forgive you if you comment.

Stay spectacular,

Mad

 

Seriously, who WOULDN’T forgive this face?

Mad for Madigan: The Grass is Always Sweeter

Grass = Love VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Greetings, pets and people. Today I’m talking about one of my favorite things: grass.
I went on a walk today and sniffed eight different kinds of grass. It took a considerable amount of time which annoyed my mom to no end. Mom thinks all grass is the same but this is erroneous (if you’re a yorkie-poo and you’re reading this, look it up).
Grass is not all the same. There’s the grass by the apartment where I saw that bunny that one time (big shout-out to the bunny: you know who you are, sir, and next time, you and I are gonna have words). There’s the field grass by the mailboxes. There’s grass by the pool that is super interesting. Grass by the railroad tracks that’s extra soft. There’s picnic blanket grass and rest-stop grass and grass after it’s mowed. Grass has a smell and a taste and a story.
But grass is only grass if you don’t take the time to sniff it, rub your head against it, roll around in it. Grass, my friends, has nuance and aroma and life in it. It smells like sunshine and chlorophyll and pure joy. I bet you didn’t know pure joy had its own smell. It does.
Off to nap in the sun,
Madigan, PhD in Awesome, Emphasis in Grass-tonometry

Dad and Mom enjoying a patch of happiness at the Asian Festival in Franklin Park.

Mad for Madigan: The Fuzzier Side of Easter

Dear Readers,
Today I’m hosting an Easter post because Mommy is too lazy. I had a very confusing Easter, in case anyone is wondering. The ‘rents woke up at o’dark thirty to discuss the possibility of attending something called “a sunrise service.” I would just like to point out that it was raining bears and elephants outside (if you think cats and dogs don’t get along, you haven't seen bears and elephants together) and no one was going to be able to see the sun do any actual rising. Whatevs. No one asked for the dog’s opinion. Although, hilariously, Dad actually did use me as an excuse to go to the regular service. “Don’t want to leave Madigan alone too long,” he said and rolled over and went back to sleep. Thanks, Daddy-o. I’m feelin’ the love. Anyhoo, here’s the Easter wrap-up.
Mom and Dad dyed eggs. I was not involved. Translate: Scroll down to see more pictures of moi.



After the church service today and some kind of event having to do with eating (once again, I was not invited), they finally took me for a jaunt.

Also, I looked awesome thanks to my pimp Easter scarf from Aunt Zoey!
Daddy climbed on the jungle gym and was, in general, suuuuuuper lame.


Mommy wants me to post a picture of her in her Easter dress. Boooooooorrrrriiiiiiiing…


Oh, good. Me again.

So there you have it, folks. Easter was grand. Mommy walked around humming hymns all day and I got to go outside to sniff Dandelions. Life = Swell.

‘Til next time,
Mad

Mad for Madigan

Dear Readers,
Today I’m talking about a little thing I like to call “quality time.” And lest Mommy think this post another great opportunity to offer her opinion in some kind of adorable metaphor, I am going to warn you. She does that. And I call shenanigans.

So here’s the long and the short of it. If you love someone, you’ll make time for them. For instance, I may feel like snoozing all morning but if Daddy really needs someone to take him out for a walk, well…I’m going to make that happen. Because I love my daddy.

Qual-i-ty time /ˈkwälətē tīm/  Noun. 1. Deliberately enacting a quantifiable unit of togetherness whereby two or more parties feel that they are cared for by one another through the act of sharing a common bond or experience. 2. Belly rubs.

Humans are weird. No question. They poop in the house but get mad if you do. They have no fur to speak of (total ick, by the way). They have really missed out on the art of the polite salutation (hello? my buttocks are RIGHT HERE.) And they have the completely misguided notion that you submit to having your ears scratched or your ball thrown because you need attention. Puh-lease. Any animal worth her salt will tell you…humans need us. They need the stability of expectations and responsibilities. They need to be licked on the nose in the morning. They need us to get into the garbage and chew up their favorite belongings and bark at strangers. It shows them that we care.

So take my advice, pets. Get out there and spend some quality time with your humans. They won’t thank you for it. They’ll sigh when you demand to go out in to the snow to pee. They’ll groan when you gak up half your breakfast in the hallway. But inside they’ll be singing like Cinderella to her mice (who she totally needed to get her to the ball, in case anyone forgot).

‘Til next time, peeps.
- The Madster

See what I mean? He’d be so lost without me…