Lodging "Fit For A Dog"

So many times we are not able to travel with our families, but the wonderful places we get to stay are a vacation all their own. The special people that take such great care of us are a real blessing--sharing their love with us each day as they come and check on us, feed us and play with us. I want to say "Thank You." It means so much to me and my family. My family is able to enjoy their trip knowing that I am in good hands. Have a wonderful Christmas!!

Love,

Scout

My Special Gift For You

Are you looking for a special gift you can make for your Mom & Dad or Grandmother & Grandfather for Christmas? Why don't you try making them something? Here are the Paper Mache Bowl instructions from my book, Scout...The Dog Who Learned Mona Lisa's Secret.

1 cup flour

1 1/2 cups water

1 tablespoon salt

Newspaper, torn into 4-inch by 1-inch strips (approximately)

Petroleum jelly

Tempera powder paint

Clear sealing spray for crafts

1. Select a small bowl (with no rim) and turn it upside down on a cookie sheet.

2. Spread a thick layer of petroleum jelly over outside and top edge of bowl.

3. Put flour and water in a mixing bowl; beat with wire whisk until smooth. Mixture should be like thick glue (a little runny-not too thick).

4. Dip 1 newspaper strip at a time into the paste; pull strip between 2 fingers to remove extra paste.

5. Place wet newspaper strips on outside of bowl in an up-and-down pattern, covering all of bowl.

6. Dip more newspaper strips into paste and add a second layer of strips to the bowl, first going up and down, then going across.

7. Dip additional strips into paste and add 4 more layers of newspaper strips on the bowl, first going up and down, then going across.

8. Let dry for 24 hours; take paper mache bowl off regular bowl, using a knife to loosen around edges. Uneven edges may be trimmed with sharp scissors.

9. Paint inside and outside of paper mache bowl with tempera paint; let dry (it may take more than one coat). Spray sealer on bowl to make it last longer.

10. Fill bowl with small wrapped candies, nuts in their shells, potpourri, etc.

I am certain that those you share this bowl with will just love it.

Merry Christmas,

Scout

Perfect Pet Picking

With the Christmas Holidays right around the corner, a lot of families will be looking to add a new pet to their family. There are a few things to consider when choosing a pet for your family.

~How much time do you have to spend with a pet?

~What is the activity level of the breed?

~Do you have someone to care for your pet if you have to be away from home?

~Will the breed work well with your family (children or no children)?

~What type of animal will work best with your home (climate, indoor or outdoor, long hair or short hair)?

If you do your planning and research before you make your choice, I know you and your new pet will be extremely happy!

Cold Weather Pet Tips!!

The weather in South Texas is always unpredictable. We are now in the cool mornings, warm days and cold nights. It is important to remember to care for your pet during these changing temperatures. On those really cold nights, you might think about setting up a kennel in the house. This will ensure the warmest and safest place for your pet. You can also set up an ares for him in the garage with a nice warm bed and blankets. Use caution when using heaters around your pets. They can be easily excited and might knock it over. One of the cutest ways to keep your pet warm is with fun clothes and jackets. Be sure and get the best fit for your pet and be sure to take it off when it warms up. Most importantly have fun with your pet this winter.

Until next time.......Scout!!!

Fall Is Here!!

Fall is here!! The weather is starting to change and getting dark earlier. This is such a great time of year. It is also a time for allergies. It is important to remember that your pet can suffer from allergies, too. A quick visit with your vet can help ease these allergy symptoms. I know your pet is lucky to have a great friend like you. Until next time......Scout.

Beautiful Art

Now that a few weeks have passed since the first day of school, I cannot help but wonder what kind of beautiful art you have created. I know in "Scout The Dog Who Learned Mona Lisa's Secrect" there are so many wonderful pieces of art to see.

If you have a passion for art, bring your "Scout" book to school with you and share it with your friends and teachers. You might keep a sketch book with you at all times. You never know when the perfect picture is there for you to create. I know that I loved going to art class. Art class might also be an option for you. Keep dreaming and keep drawing.

Until next time!!

Love, Scout!!

You & Your Best Friend

I am already getting excited about our next Scout's Pals Newsletter. I want to remind each of you to send in your dog's photo and story that says why your pet is your best pal. Last quarter's winner Makaela, did an awesome job on her letter. Telling us why her lab is the best.
The winner that is selected will have their entry published in the newsletter and get a t-shirt with my picture on it. Go through your pictures and send in your favorite stories to me. I cannot wait to read your story!!
Talk to you soon......Scout

Back To School

It is getting close to that time- -Going Back To School! Mom is buying school supplies, clothes and shoes. The shoes are off limits to me and my drool. Susanna and Charley are heading off to school in just a few short weeks. They love going to school. When they are gone, I just cannot wait to hear that bus coming down the road. I get so excited to see my best friends when they jump off that bus and run to hug and play with me. Susanna tells me all about her day- -perhaps she learned to solve a new math problem or read a really great book. If I am lucky, she will even read some of it to me at night before we go to sleep.

I just want to wish you all a GREAT and HAPPY school year. I am looking forward to hearing about all your great adventures.

Talk to you soon......Scout!!!!

Scout's Pals & Neighborhood Friends

There are many benefits to becoming a member of Scout's Pals. A Pal has exclusive access to games and newsletters. A new game has been posted and an awesome newsletter is on its way to all Scout's Pals members. If you are not a pal, it is so easy to join. Simply go to http://www.scoutthelovablelab.com/ and click on Scout's Pals Club. You will need a parent's help to register. I am really excited to get to know you through Scout's Pals!!

I also want to mention that Wharton County S.P.O.T. will be having two great fundraisers--chicken fried steak drive-through dinner--on Tuesday, July 26 in Wharton and Wednesday, July 27 in El Campo, If you would like to purchase a ticket, please contact a S.P.O.T. member or call 979-253-3446. These are some really great people who do a really great thing for animals in our neighborhood.

Stay cool and enjoy the rest of your summer!!

Scout

It Is Always Important To Say "Thank You"

I want to send a special "Thank You" to my wonderful vet's office. I am treated so wonderfully when I am there. My Mom will bring me in with concern on her face. The people at the office know just what to say to make my Mom feel more at ease and get me well so quickly.
Oftentimes a pet might not have a voice if it were not for their vet. We should make a point to say "Thank You" to all those that take such good care of us every chance we get!!

SCOUT.....

Stop By & Say Hi

I want to invite everyone to come out and join us at the local library near you. Scout The Dog Who Learned Mona Lisa’s Secret is not just a great book to read; the book has wonderful craft projects to help keep you busy this summer. Each time we visit the library, we will be demonstrating some of these great craft recipes. I hope one of the locations below will be near you.

June 21st, Friench Simpson Memorial Library in Halletsville at 10:00 am
June 29th, Fayette Public Library at 10:00 am
July 9th, Bulverde Library at 12:30 pm
July 12th, East Bernard Library at 2:00 pm
July 12th, Wharton Library at 4:00 pm
July 21st, Shiner at "Licorice & Lemon Drops" at 10:30 am
September 9th, "Texas Wrangler Book Fair" in Giddings from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

If you have any question about the above locations, please let me know. I will be happy to get the information your way.

Well from Me to You--Have a "Woofaful" Day!! SCOUT……

Bumper & Great Neighbors

As you all know, I LOVE living in a small town. This is just another example of why it's so great. A friend of mine (Bumper--a dog) got turned around during a rain storm and ended up at the wrong house. Having super neighbors as we do in Prattsville, they helped to get Bumper back home safe and sound. It was not an easy task because he did not have on a collar or tags. They drove around the neighborhood and asked the other neighbors if he belonged to them. No one knew where he belonged. They took Bumper back to their home and decided they would try again the next day. About 30 minutes later the phone rang. It was one of the neighbors who had spoken with Bumper's parents and had let them know where he was.

This made me think how important a tag with name and phone number is to have on your pet. If Bumper would have had his tag on, the family would have only had to make a quick phone call, and Bumper would have been home safe and sound. Tell your friends the importance of an ID tag. These can be purchased at your vet's office, pet stores, or even online.

Well, until next time, have a WOOFaful day---Scout!!!

Gracie's More Yummier Cookies

There are so many great things to do in Prattsville in the spring!! One of our favorite things to do is go to the Farmer's Market. You get to visit with such wonderful people and enjoy fresh vegetables and great baked goods. Our close friend, Gracie, always has her special "More Yummier Cookies". They are great, and she was nice enough to share her recipe with you and me.

More Yummier Cookies
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Light Corn Syrup
1 Cup Peanut Butter
6 Cups Corn Flakes
1 Cup of Coconut (optional)

Bring sugar and syrup to a boil. Add peanut butter and stir well. Add corn flakes and coconut; stir well. Drop by teaspoon on wax paper.

I hope you enjoy these great cookies and these pretty spring days!!

County Fair Sparks Creativity!!!

This week is County Fair Week in Prattsville. There is so much to see and do. I love the pet talent show because I get to go with Susanna and Charley to see everything on this day. My talent this year was my famous "Tail Wagging". I was great! Susanna and Charley were so proud of me.
Along the way we visited the Creative Arts exhibit-everything was beautiful! The children did a great job. Susanna is in 4-H, so she always enters her craft projects in the County Fair. The judge must have really liked her projects-she won lots of blue ribbons! While we were there, we had to see if any of our friends from our art class put in their great works of art.
Seeing all these wonderful creations inspired me to want to make my own art. In the back of my new book, Scout, The dog Who Learned Mona Lisa's Secret, there are super recipes for art projects. You should try "Squiggly Wiggly Paint"; the following ingredients are all you will need:
1/3 cup dry biscuit mix or 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons tempera paint powder (your favorite color)
Glitter-if you like
Get all your supplies together. 1. Mix together biscuit mix or flour, salt and tempera powder in a small bowl. 2. Add water and stir until blended. 3. Pour paint into a plastic squeeze bottle (may use recycled honey or mustard bottle). 4. Repeat the above steps with each different color you want to make. 5. Squeeze design onto paper, cardboard or paper mache sculptures. 6. Sprinkle glitter over paint immediately. 7. Let art dry. 8. Paint may be stored in covered container at room temperature for several days; stir before using.
I hope you enjoy your paint as much as I did. Le me know about your great projects. Talk to you soon-Love Scout!

Craft Time

Have you had a chance yet to look at the recipes in the back of my new book, Scout, The Dog Who Learned Mona Lisa's Secret? I practiced each recipe before printing it to make sure it works. I really liked making the play dough and the dyed macaroni. Susanna made a necklace with the macaroni for a birthday gift for Gracie. The sidewalk chalk is a little bit more challenging, but I like how big it is when it gets completely dry. I'll be telling you more about the crafts later. Have a good weekend!