IT'S THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER...

Yes, I know. It's hot. Turns out I'm not a newborn, and I am familiar with the concept of heat. Call me crazy, but it seems to return right around this time every year. Hmmmmmm....coincidence? You know what else returns this time of year? My delusion that now is the moment I get back in shape. Watch me go, world! Nothing says commitment to health more than a chubby middle-aged man with 2 Fitbits. Time to make my old coach--Fighting Mike McCoy, the greatest football coach with the greatest mustache in all of Class 1-2-3A Kansas State Football--finally proud of me. Who's up for 2 a days???

This may be straight from our yearbook...

I would also be remiss if I didn't call out my good buddy Donnie D! Last year at this time, as many of you know, I was doing promotions for a burger chain to remain nameless. Donnie hit me up and said, "Enough of the burgers! Let's do a hot dog special!" Thus, Donnie D's Dog Days of Summer promo was born. I really wish I could show you the artwork because it was some of my favorite-- 2 3D dogs strolling like 1950s greasers down a Modesto-looking street sipping sodas and loving life. The whole thing was not only cute, but spawned a friendship that lasts to this day!

That is the one thing I miss about that gig -- the insane number of truly wonderful people I met, many of whom are now good friends, and being able to try to call them out in meaningful and fun ways like that. It is a tradition I try to continue here!

AS ALWAYS, REPLY TO THIS EMAIL WITH YOUR THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS AND STUFF YOU WANT TO SEE! I FEEDBACK IS ALWAYS APPRECIATED!

SOME OF MY FAVORITE DOGS

We all have our favorite K9 buddies. I am no different. I have a long list of amazing pups from my life--Spud, Heidi, Elvis, Sues, Violet Pilot, Det. Rolly K Jones, Puddles, Cricket, Rosie (Rozeezeez), Manny, Reeses Pieces (Mr P), Zula & Blue...even Queso the Murderer. Here are some of my other favorite furry babies throughout time...

Sgt. Stubby

The most distinguished dog in the service, Stubby was famous for warning the troops about gas attacks in WWI. He later became the mascot for the Georgetown Hoyas and even met the President. His reward? Being stuffed like a bird, and being put on display at a DC museum where gawkers pay to observe his carcass. At least his head isn't mounted on a wall in an Ozarks diner like Private Bambi.

BENJI

They don't make movies like Benji anymore. Probably because his owner was kind of a weird dude. Although he was clearly stylish, Joe Camp was the ultimate Stage Dog Dad, plying his puppy with treats to make him do flips and tricks so they could get the movie made... wait, that's what I do too! Nevermind.

UNDERDOG

My first and still favorite cartoon, my brother Matt and I woke up every morning during summer break to run to the basement and watch Underdog try to score with Polly Purebread. I think that was also the name of Matt's first girlfriend. If only he was better at rhyming, perhaps they would still be together.

TOTO

I am aware that Toto is the expected entry on the list, but I walk by Toto's memorial at Hollywood Forever most days, and it makes me think of home...and tornadoes and witches and farmers and scarecrows. But mostly home. There is no place like it.

DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER

The man who reminds us that there is a Florida. Who could have ever foreseen a rocky path for this upstanding citizen? After failing out of the Brian Bosworth School for Looks and Charm, he settled down with a nice Catholic girl and began his life as a corporate accountant. Or he became a complete and utter dirtbag. I can't remember which.

MY SPOTIFY PLAYLIST OF THE WEEK...

CO2ISFUNNY | Songs For and About Man's Furriest Friends...

The only thing better than a dog is a dog who can solve crimes. I had one for 12 years-- Detective Rolly K. Jones, Esq. was on the case. He had stunning blue eyes and a loyal, loving heart. For his entire life, he went with me everywhere--literally. I owned my own business, so he came to work with me every day and was always by my side. I don't know if he ever actually solved any mysteries other than which squirrels were pains in the butt...the answer turned out to be all of them. But he is loved and missed to this day.

Here are some delightful songs about man's best friends...

Martha My Dear | The Beatles

Man of the Hour | Norah Jones

Old King | Neil Young

Old Blue | The Byrds

Dog's Life | The Eels

(How Much Is That) Doggie in the Window | Patti Page

Black Eyed Dog | Nick Drake

I Love My Dog | Yusuf/Cat Stevens

Quiche Lorraine | B-52s

Putting the Dog to Sleep | The Antlers

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

THE SHOW I AM WATCHING

I really enjoyed this movie. An aspiring race car driver and his best friend Enzo the dog navigate the twists and turns of life together. It's lovely and simple and beautiful. At times hilarious. At times painful. All the time, though, I thought it was wonderful.

Kevin Costner narrates the entire movie as Enzo, and it is such a unique perspective that you can't help but fall in love with him. I don't always care for dog movies as the finales can be a bit tough. But this movie ends on such a sweet note that it makes it all worth it.

Great weekend watch.

SUSAN WARE CLIP OF THE WEEK

Life was just bigger in the 1920s. Everything was new and fresh. Here I am accompanying Susan on her first date with legendary lothario Fatty Arbuckle. Now that he finally has that pesky rape and murder trial behind him, we hit the course. Since we don't actually play golf, we did the next best thing-- putt putt. The course is the largest in the world. When you putt the ball through the whale's mouth, it is an actual live blue whale. Only in Hollywood! Anyways, check out Susan by clicking HERE.

I hope you enjoy these as well! Feel free to subscribe if you want. I will also include them here, but the posts that come from her site are hilarious and go out on Mondays and Thursdays!

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