Spooky Pooch Parade: Botanic Gardens

Woof! Happy Halloween!

Finally, the rain stopped and hooray for sunshine.

I participated in the Spooky Pooch Parade 

at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.

It was lots of FUN FUN FUN.

Check out out some of the dogs I met.

Before the parade, I was able to watch some of the ducks.

All the pooches were so lucky to be able to see grounds of the Botanic Garden.

It was a great place to take a long walk and enjoy the serenity of the place.

I had to take some breaks (photo opp).

Spooky Halloween Sky

I was so exhausted with all the Halloween FUN!

Lots of Golden Woofs,

Halloween Greeting

Woof! Mail is Here!

I received a Halloween Greeting from an old friend, 

Jack and Luna

Jack is 8. He is my friend from dog obedience and agility class. 

Luna is 2. They are flat-coated retrievers.

For the past six years, their family has been very creative

on their Halloween costumes. It always brings a smile

and laughter on your face. 

Lots of Golden Woofs!

Wordless Wednesday

Lots of Golden Woofs,

Coping With Your Dog On Halloween

 

It's been raining for the past four days and more rain is expected.

  The sun peaked out mid-afternoon and had to take advantage of it.

I went for a long walk. The first stop was the dog beach.

There were dogs swimming but could not join them due to my allergies.

I just watched from the distance.

 

Then, I went for a neighborhood walk and checked out all the Halloween decorations. It is noticeable that lots of home owners took time to creatively decorate their homes.Honestly, most of the Halloween spooky decorations were frightening to me. Check out the photos below. Imagine being greeted by these spooky decorative creatures.

Lots of homes were decorated with hanging bats/witches, 

ghostly pumpkins, and cob webs.

 Halloween is usually a fun time particularly for kids and some adults. 

However it can be frightful to others particularly to your loving pet dog.

Here are some helpful Tips on Coping with your Dog on Halloween

• Acclimate your dog to events/situations that can occur during Halloween: doorbell ringing, spooky decorations, trick or treaters with odd looking costumes.
• During peak hours of trick or treaters, prepare a safe secure place for your dog to hang out. Provide a special toy and treats. Do not think your dog is missing out with all the Halloween fun. 
• Always keep an eye of your dog. Monitor your dog's behavior and temperament at all times.
• Be aware that candy/chocolate/other treats can be hazardous to your dogs health. Chocolate is extremely toxic to your dog. 
• Keeping appropriate and healthy dog treats around for your dog is a good idea. Just remember not to overfeed your dog. Sliced of fruits or vegetable such as banana, apples, and carrots are great tasty alternative snacks that both you and your dog can enjoy together.

Being prepared ahead of time is always a great plan. 

It surely reduces potentially stressful situations for both you and your dog. 

Halloween can be a traumatic time for your dog. 

Be aware of your dog's safety and be sensitive to your dog's stress level. 

With these tips, everyone can enjoy all the festivities on Halloween.

On my way home, the sky transformed to be spooky.

Boo oooo ooo!!!

Lots of Golden Woofs!

VOTE For My Photo

It's that time of the year, Halloween. 

Since I was one year old, I've been dressed-up as Superman. Luckily I've kept my physique that I still fit in my Superman Halloween costume.


This year I decided to be creative and participate the 2nd Annual Addies K9 Costume Contest. Voting starts on Sunday, October 25th till Saturday, October 31st. Hope you VOTE for my Photo on the Best Digital Editing category.

To VOTE please check these sites.

Here's the link on Addie's Site: http://raisingaddie.blogspot.com/

Here's the Contest Site: http://addiesk9costumecontest.blogspot.com/

Lots of Golden Woofs, 

Wordless Wednesday

Blog Design Makeover

It's been a while since I've been thinking to enhance my blog design. I am always at awe at the changes (background/layout) made by my friends/followers on their blogs. So, finally I’ve convinced my mom to learn some of the “tricks on blog makeover.”  It took my mom a while and lots of research was involved. I am very fortunate for her talents which made this makeover possible. Mom still needs to do some minor “tweaking” but overall I am very pleased for my blog’s new design and layout. 

What do you think? We love to hear your feedbacks and comments.

I would like to share these “Blog Makeover Tips” that my mom learned. Hope these will provide you guidance if you plan to do your own blog makeover.

A. Have a clear objective.

B. Inspired by Warren Buffet’s motto: KISS - “Keep it Sugarly Simple” 

1) Design and layout simplicity should be your key goal. It should not be visually chaotic and cluttered.  

2) Your choice of color(s) also plays an important role. It should be that are complimentary and visually pleasant to the eyes.  

3) Images load time. A slow load time of your blog may turn away visitors. 

4) Choice of font(s)-style. Readability is significant to the outcome of your blog’s look.

5) Be aware of browsers compatibility. This can be tricky. We use a MAC and Safari as our browser. Other browsers are Internet Explore and Firefox. You need to make sure your blog is validated for these browsers.

C. It’s YOUR Blog - Have FUN and ENJOY! 

Hope these tips are helpful. 

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to let us know. 

We are glad to help and make your blog makeover possible. 

Lots of Golden Thanks

Bloggieversary Gift and Meal

I know everyone must be anticipating to find out what I ate on my Blog Anniversary. Let me just say - I was awarded with not a treat but a meal. It was an unexpected Pawlicious meal.

Before I share my yummy meal, I would like to thank everyone - all my friends and followers especially from blogger, facebook, twitter and dogster. Your continued kind wishes and support makes me very happy and motivates me to share life as Sugar the Golden Retriever.Gratitude to everyone. Lots of Golden Thanks.

So here it is .. Oh wait! I have to share how this meal come about. My mom has ben very conscious on the kind of foods I eat due to my allergies and since I’m getting older. In general, she just wants me to be a happy and healthy dog. Since, mom loves to cook treats for me, my friends Frankie and Olive's mom gave me this book. “The Good Food Cookbook for Dogs” (If you are interested in viewing and purchasing the book - Click the Amazon link below).

Lots of Golden Thanks to Frankie, Olive and their mom, Lisa. LOVE the book and for sure my mom will be making lots more meals and treats.

Chicken n Rice Stew is what I had. Mom did a modification on the recipe (which she recommends especially if you are not comfortable on the ingredients stated on the recipe). It was a very appropriate meal for fall weather. The combination of chicken and rice was surely soothing ingredients for my tummy.

Please note that this recipe meal is meant to mix with your dry food meal. Just like any recipe, make the necessary modification of ingredients and cooking process. My mom’s recipe modification are stated on red text. Here’s the recipe. Enjoy!

Chicken n Rice Stew

Ingredients

One 2 1/2 lb package chicken legs

2 quarts water

1 cup rice

One 28 ounce can diced tomatoes in juice (2 large fresh tomatoes)

One 28 cam chicken broth

4 potatoes, peeled and chopped (2 large sweet potatoes)

4 carrots, peeled and sliced

1 cup macaroni (optional)

One 24 ounce package frozen peas (optional)

Directions

1.Place chicken legs in baking dish and place in a preheated 375F. Roast for 30 minutes, then turn chicken legs and roast an additional 15 to 20 minutes. When slightly cooled, remove meat from bones and set aside. Meanwhile, add enough water to cover drippings in the baking dish; return to enough water to cover drippings in the baking dish; return to oven 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Using a spoon, loosen any brown bits on the bottom or sides of pan. reserve this liquid. (Bones may be discarded)

2. Bring 2 cups of water to boil over high heat in a 3 quart saucepan. Add rice, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until all water has been absorbed. Set aside.

3. Meanwhile, place tomatoes with juice, remaining 6 cups of water, and chicken broth in an 8 quart stockpot. Bring to boil over high heat.

4. Add potatoes and carrots. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.

5. Add macaroni and cook, stirring frequently, for additional 10 minutes.

6. Remove from heat and stir in peas, cooked rice, cooked chicken, and any reserved liquid. Makes 8 quarts.

1st Year Blog Anniversary

Today is my 1st year Blog Anniversary.

First and foremost, I would like to thank all my friends and followers. You have made my 1st year of dog blogging such an eventful and joyful one. I am truly honored and grateful you are my friends and followers.

I want to acknowledge my 1st blog friend, Thor. It was such a delightful moment to receive your greeting and invitation of friendship. Lots of Golden Thanks.

It is also appropriate to mention my 1st Love Your Blog Award from FancyRats. It was such a surprise since my blog was just 1 1/2 month old and it was given by a rat blogger. It was a pleasure to be given such an award. Lots of Golden Thanks.

After four months of dog blogging, it was a delightful moment when I had my 1st Blog Featured at Golden Retriever Puppies Blog by my friend DogFan. I am notably honored to have this privilege. Lots of Golden Thanks.

To celebrate my 1st year blog anniversary, my mom plans to make me a very special meal. Yummy!!! I’m truly very happy to have a blog and share my life as a Golden Retriever. There’s not enough words to say how much I enjoy and appreciate everyone’s friendship. It has brought me and my family such great joy.

Here’s a message from my mom:

Hello Everyone

What a year it has been of dog blogging with Sugar. Starting this blog a year ago, we did not expect much. We are very proud of what we have accomplished and honored to be part of the Dog Bloggers Community.

Owning a pet dog is a big responsibility and commitment. It is a life changing moment having Sugar being part of my life. I am very fortunate to have Sugar, who is a sweet and loving dog. Sugar and I formed such a special bond which is indescribable. Somehow, we established an unusual understanding and expectation from one another. It is so true how pets like Sugar can provide you such unconditional love and affection.

Creating this blog with Sugar is truly a great avenue to share her life as a Golden Retriever. It is also delightful to get to know other pet owners and their deep love for their pet(s). I thank everyone for being a part of Sugar The Golden Retriever’s blog success. To all, many thanks and I would to share this quote:

“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.

You are his life, his love, his leader.

He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.

You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.”

- Unknown Author-

Love the Smell of FALL

It sure feels like FALL. The weather is getting cooler. The leaves from trees and bushes are starting to change color and fall down. All my outdoor friends - chipmunks, squirrels and bunnies are storing food for the winter season. I’ve been chasing chipmunk Fred and picking up some of his food ... oops! I’ve been enjoying also taking long walks with the cool breeze in my face and the smell of Fall.