Welcome, readers! It’s Midge again. It’s a New Year, and—for you humans at least—that means resolutions.
A new you!
Dogs like me don’t understand this concept since the only self-improvement we dogs engage in is whatever guarantees we won’t get in trouble—or won’t get caught, which is easier and better, in my opinion.
So, what did you choose this year?
Losing weight?
Spending less time on your phone?
Cutting out caffeine?
Maybe you haven’t picked one yet because you’re flawless like me.
Or maybe because you’re a mess and you don’t know where to begin.
Hence, I propose some fresh ideas originating from a canine viewpoint.
We watch you pretty closely; you know. Especially while you’re eating…
1. Take your dog for more walks. (Trust me, we appreciate this.)
2. Give your dogs more treats. (We REALLY appreciate this.)
3. Prioritize playing with us over your phone. (It’s good for you too!)
4. Be nicer to yourself (look, it bugs us when you’re down on yourself). Dog language is almost 100% body language and energy, so we sense when you feel bad, and it affects us, too.
.5. Don’t push too hard. The dishes can wait if you’re tired. Cuddle with a doggo instead!
If you don’t take time to rest and relax, how will you have the energy to take care of us?!
This is all just off the top of my fuzzy head.
Dogs know what’s important. And the most important thing to take away from my suggestions is that you’re important—to us, to your friends, family, to that houseplant you probably forgot to water.
Hey! There’s another resolution for you!
So, as we enter the New Year, remember that the person behind the resolutions is more important than the resolutions themselves.
So, don’t go so crazy trying to be the new you that you exhaust and frustrate the current you.
Okay?
Now, I better scram because I hear Melissa in the kitchen and I have to go make sure she doesn’t find what I did in there…
Happy New Year!
Tag: dogs
FurryTails January Events
RuffRiderz Annual Christmas Ride
The RuffRiderz had their final ride of 2025 with their annual Christmas ride!
It was a trip to Hawaii for everyone. Every team hit the road to different parts of the island!
In my case, my team, TylersTitans, headed first to the Aloha Topiary in Kauai! Then, we went to Maui and rode the zipline!
After that, we went to Pearl Harbor and paid our respects to everyone lost there.
Finally, we ended our ride soaking up some rays on Waikiki Beach!
Everyone enjoyed the incredible journey, perfectly concluding 2025’s events for the RuffRiderz. They plan to return in March to start the 2026 ride!
OTLFP December 2025 Wrap-Up
Dec 6:
It was quite an honor to broadcast #OTLFP Live from the stage at the Mistletoe Magic Holiday Party 2025. We learned that Millie & Pixie both have small, low-key Christmas celebrations. Pals talked about how they celebrate, and there was a lively discussion about favorite Christmas movies.
Dec 13:
Elvis @Uskdwellwer had a great time in his first-ever appearance on the #OTLFP stage. We discovered his embarrassed daddy had to sit in the naughty seat in the front row of the doggy training classes! Elvis is busy planning his Cloud Warming Party for January 17th, and it sounds pretty exciting!
Dec 27
#OTLFP closed out the year with a holiday party at #Furrytails. Lots of pals joined us for delicious food, festive beverages, and fun & friendship. We shared about our holiday gatherings and celebrations. We shared helpful tips for keeping pets safe and comfortable in cold weather.
Island Time
Mele Kalikimaka from the beautiful island of Pawgaritaville. Our location is on the many islands composing French Polynesia. Life here is paradise. Warm weather, a gorgeous beach and a great little bar that is home to our bi-monthly pawties. We have a friendly vibe and a chill atmosphere, perfect for getting together with friends. On Pawgaritaville, you will never be a stranger for more than one day.
On December 20th, we held our annual Christmas pawty on our beautiful beach. As always, the pawty began with our traditional toasts. The initial toast honored Over the Rainbow companions, following which, absent companions received a toast. We also had a special toast to the animals still waiting for their forever homes.
Our Quiz Mistress, Sassy, @3phibotticelli, began with one of her trademark holiday quizzes. All the participants had a great time. What followed was a wonderful evening of holiday music provided by our talented DJs and island-influenced food and drink served up by our barktenders and created by @Kittehboi. Friends came and soaked up the atmosphere of our Christmas in paradise. When the last note left the p.a. system, the last of our guests either made their way home or slept in one of our villas on the beach.
If you desire to experience Pawgaritaville, the next pawty occurs on February 21st. We hope to see you there.
Quote: Christopher Hitchens on Cats
Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are God. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food and water and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are God.
— Christopher Hitchens
Anipals Read
Hi pals! Pumpkin here. I have something fun to share with you. Did you know we have a book club? It’s called Anipals Read (#readpawty).
Around 2011 or 201212, @MaggieTKat started #Readpawty. We’d all read the same book and meet once a month to talk about it. Of course, sometimes we strayed from book talk and caught up with each other, but mostly we really talked about the book. We’d meet on Twitter and use the hashtag #readpawty to keep the conversation together.
Well, it’s been many years, and #readpawty has evolved. We now meet on the second Tuesday of every other month (February, April, June, August, October, and December). We still meet on Xtwit, but since Xtwit’s gotten harder to use, we meet in a DM group. Sometimes, we don’t pick a book for all of us to read and discuss, but talk about what we’ve individually read since we last met.
We also use it as a set time to meet up. We’re all very busy anipals, and are online at different times, so we rarely get to connect. This way, we know we’re going to see each other at least once every other month.
We also have a group on Goodreads called Anipals Read. I keep a bookshelf there that lists everything we’ve read as a group since 2013. There are also suggestions there of books to read.
If you’d like to join #readpawty, even if it’s just to hang out with us, email me your Xtwit name. I use email to send out announcements, and I’ll need your Xtwit name to add you to the DM group. Hope you join us!
You can find me on Xtwit as @pumpkinpuddy. I’m also on FB (Cheryl Katz), Bluesky (pumpkinpuddy.bsky.social), and Discord (pumpkinpuddy), but I’m mostly on FB. The easiest ways to reach me and be sure I see it are email or FB Messenger.
Nipclub, December 18, 2025 Sekurity Update
Thursday, Dec. 18th, Nipclub. It was a Brunchmas Pawty theme, which was the purrfect pawty for all the weary souls trying to get everything done before Christmas! The pawty had a somber beginning as Pearl (@Tinypearl) beloved fluffy orange cat, Butterscotch, had gone over the rainbow bridge. They dedicated the party to her memory. Panfur Louis (@psiangelic) is filling in at the bar for Pearl so she can be with her family.
Upon parking the spaceship, I caught an intruder close to the parking zone entrance. DJ K-Boi @Kittydaboi has the night off, so Gator (@RealFakeGator) said we might have an open mic. Moo (@moothemousecat) was feeling a bit harried, and P and Jeego (@SeattleP) were watching the Seahawks play the Rams in the Sports Lounge, hoping the Seahawks would win, of course. Apparently, the Seahawks aren’t playing well. (They ended up winning!)
Moo and I are having a cocktail together while I watch through the window, ever diligent in my search for security risks. I spotted an interloper right outside. It’s been a silent evening so far, with not much to report. Raven (@Indulgedfurries) showed up with a gorgeous photo of Cosmo the pup and Butterscotch together. Cosmo went OTRB recently as well. It’s tough to lose two anipals so close together. We’re sending Pearl good energy. We’re just hanging out, not talking much, while I watch the Sekurity system video feed on my phone, just in case a spammer shows up. My taser is ready just in case the need arises, but I’m feeling subdued tonight.
Caught another sekurity risk right after the toast to Butterscotch and Pearl. Got him with my taser, and he folded like a cheap Temu lawn chair. I put him in our jail cell and went back inside the bar. There were luscious chocolate mousse cakes and vibrant red poinsettia cocktails waiting, while a few friends came in and out.
Finishing the evening, Louis presented a spectacular Brunchmas buffet; I sought a to-go container as I departed. Leftover noms for tomorrow! Sekurity risks captured tonight: Three.
Until next week.
Slinky (@Slinky_the_Cat)
Animal Holidays and Observations December 21 – 27
The only December Animal Monthly Observation is:
National Cat Lovers Month
Daily holidays during the fourth week include:
• Dec 27: Visit The Zoo Day
TJ and Bart: Christmas Tree!
Bart: Good evening, Anipal Times readers! Here we are, TJ and Bart!
I’m Bart. Why is your name always first, TJ?
TJ: Dis is TJ. Bart, what difference does dat make? I think it’s because I’se a better-looking doggo.
Bart: WHAT????
TJ: Never mind, Bart. Let’s get to our subject tonight. Christmas trees.
Bart: Dis is a very important subject. Chwistmas Twees are stwange to us doggos
TJ: Yes, stwange. I mean, when we go outside to be walked, our hoomans know what we do with twees.
Bart: And our hoomans like it when we do dis. But not with dese Chwistmas trees.
TJ: Dat is stwange. And why are dese twees brought inside da house?
Bart: And da humans put all this stuff on it. Dey put decowations and lights on da twee, which is stwange. They never put dis stuff on twees outside.
TJ: And they put this…little barn with these plastic figures on it. Dey say dis is da baby Jesus.
Bart: It’s da weason for da season. Twees look nice. But when we go around dese Chwistmas twees, hooomans get nervous. Why?
TJ: Don’t dey know that we going dere to make a wish to Santa? For us to get more tweats for Chwistmas?
Bart: I mean, we had ‘accidents’ dere once or twice, but no one is perfect!
TJ: Dat wight! Okay, let’s close.
Doggos, just be careful when your hoomans bring in da Chwistmas twees. But, it’s still okay to have fun.
MEWWWY Christmas from TJ and Bart!
The Anipal Times 