Pretty Pictorial: Awesomely Creepy Classic Vintage Hollywood 4th of July Cheesecake

See more famous actresses being forced to pose with weird holiday props here.

************ Happy 4th of July! ************

 

*Photos via Tumblr*

Monday Music: Happy 4th of July

The Dimes base their music around American historical happenings and people (like Paul Revere.) Yes, I know, how geeky-cool is THAT!? Read more about their songs, and the overall general coolness of The Dimes here.

Red, White, Blue (and Other Colors, Too)

Enjoy taking indulgently semipointless (yet ohsofun) online quizzes? Me, too! Try the personality color quiz over at testcolor.com (I actually found the results quite accurate.)

Things That Sorta Remind Me of The 4th

Black Cat, By Dallas Clayton

As they stood holding hands
watching fireworks explode out over the waves
each silently considered the show
as a metaphor for all that life had become.

He: Loud and colorful
and bustling with strange patterns
and beautiful innovation.

She: An unavoidable spectacle charging top speed out of darkness
begging your total attention
and gone just as quickly as you think you’ve got it figured out.

Matchyish Music: Abigail Don't Be Long mp3, by The Dimes (Via indie rock cafe.)

Sing Songy Saturday: Young Folks

Call me corny.

But this cover song reminds me of one of those old Hayley Mills movies (in the very best of ways.)

Someone get me a lemonade and sloppy hunk of watermelon...

Young Folks mp3, Dawn Landes , covering Peter Bjorn and John (via Cover Lay Down.)

Firecracker Freebies

Print out these darling little tags (from Living Locurto) to quickly snazzy-up giftlet baggies of snacks & things. Just hole-punch, tie on with ribbon, and tada!... What a cute, simple way to add a festive, 4thy touch (thanks, Amy!)

Easy Fireworks-Festive Ideas

Steal these supersimple, sixty-second ideas (like the berry drink garnishes from Country Living, shown above)...

...or a berries-&-cream-decorated flag cake (from Yum Sugar.)

... or from Martha Stewart, free printable sparkler-cover place card favors ...and free printable ice cream sugar cone covers.

Matchy Music: I'm on Fire mp3, the (Bruce Springsteen) cover by The Snow.

4th of July Playlist Picks

There's actually lots (and lots!) of USAy, 4th-themed songs out there, but these are my very personal favorites. Some are pretty, some rocksy-cool, some are cheezy, some are even, um, odd... it's a good mix, if I do say so myself (and I do say so myself!):

4th of July Tips for Pup Patriots

Dogs have very well-developed senses that we, as humans, don't utilize as much. On a daily basis, they smell and hear things we don't even notice. So it's easy to understand why the 4th of July can be an overwhelming holiday for a dog. For pups celebrating the holiday for the first time, it can be especially scary! Fireworks are a brand new, suspicious, extremely loud & stinky experience. Here are some things to try that might help make your dog's celebration a less stressful event:

*This is not the day to introduce your dog to the beach or boat for the first time. Keep your dog at home, in a familiar, quiet, comfy area. If your dog is happily crate trained, have his or her crate open and nearby for voluntary retreats. Remember that (for safety reasons) puppies should never have free reign of the home under any circumstances, but especially during stressful events. Use those baby gates, enjoy each other's company, and keep things cozy.

*Close drapes and blinds to help limit visual stimulus.

*Ideally, staying at home with your puppy during their first 4th is the best scenario, because you can set the tone for their introduction to the fireworks experience. Your vibe should be "I hear & smell it, too... no big deal..." In some neighborhoods, excited kids will break out mini-fireworks-previews prior to the 4th. These faraway sounds can actually be a helpful introduction. When your dog first hears the fireworks, he or she will look to you (the pack leader) for a reaction. If he or she observes fear, concern, or annoyance coming from you, your dog will naturally assume there is something to fear, be concerned about, or annoyed with. The best way to react is to stay calm, casually acknowledge that you heard the sound, too ("yep, fireworks...") and go about your business. Move on, end of focus...

*Resist the urge to "mommycomfort" (...by picking your puppy up for cuddles, kisses & endless cooing "it's OK"s, you'll only draw focus to the fireworks.) Behaving like a calm, confident leader is the best way to give your dog any needed reassurance: just keep that "Thanks, I hear it, too... no biggie" vibe. Then move on...

*If you will be entertaining, make sure your dog still has her own calm, quiet area to either stay in, or to retreat to (such as her crate, pen, or bed, located in a room where she will not be bothered.) Even very social dogs can become overstimulated and tired, and will likely need some time to snooze or relax with a chew toy. Depending on your dog's temperament, this might also be a good time for friendly pups to practice learning that guests=good things: dogs should work for treats (give guests treats, and ask them to put your dog in a sit-stay, etc. before treating.) If your dog will be mingling, it's important to keep your dog with you throughout your event (this will help to avoid any potential escapes while guests are entering and exiting your home. If you feel this is not possible, you may want to put off entertaining until next year, when your dog will be better socialized and trained.) With respect to guests, remember that some children can be scarier than fireworks! If you'll have kids around, talk with them about how to behave around a dog they've never met before. Try to make it fun by helping to put the child in the dog's position: "How would you feel if strangers you never met before in your life (!) suddenly came up to you and started touching your face or patting you on the head?..." When you introduce your dog, praise positive kid behavior ("Good job letting Fido sniff your hand...I like how you're using gentle fingers..." etc. ) Never leave your dog unsupervised with visiting children (I recommend this for your dog's own safety, not just for the safety of the child...)

* If you'll be going out and leaving your dog alone, consider hiring a puppy sitter. Prep the sitter by explaining how you'd like them to react to the fireworks. Leave your puppy with a cozy sweatshirt or pillowcase that smells like you, and give your sitter treats to practice commands (and redirect any unwanted behavior.) Be sure your sitter clearly understands your puppy rules (regarding things such as scraps, feeding from the table, etc.) and the reasons behind them ("she has serious allergies," "doctor's orders," "it took us a whole year to train her not to..." etc.)

*As always, make sure your dog's area has been puppy-proofed (remove potentially dangerous cords, plants, etc., and be sure to pick up your people-clutter such as random shoes, socks, wrappers, pens and things.) When stressed or frightened, some dogs can suddenly become destructive, so you'll want to be especially sure your dog's area is safe and orderly.

*Give your dog a busy brain toy, and/or a favorite chew toy to focus on.

*Turn on the TV or radio at normal volume. These "normal" background sounds can be comforting. If you leave the TV on, check your program guide so you can be sure to tune into happy, non-scary programing (this means no reruns of COPS, or special holiday presentations of Saving Private Ryan...) As far as music goes, calm classical music is often a great option (and around this time of year there are usually lots of premade, quiet wedding music mixes available.)

*If you already know that your dog gets freaked out by loud noises like thunder, talk with your vet ahead of time for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety fireworks may likely cause. In severe cases, your vet may prescribe your dog an anti-anxiety drug, or recommend an over-the-counter, herbal-based, pet store-available alternative (supplements like Quiet Moments, Comfort Calm Doggie Bites, etc.) Another option is a product called Comfort Zone. It's a device you plug into an outlet, and it releases calming pheromones (they make a formula for cats, as well.)

*Do not leave your dog outside alone. Shelters overflow with dogs after the holiday weekend, due to lost "yard dogs" who get scared, escape, and run off in fear. Frightened chained dogs can become entangled in their chains. This can lead to really serious injury and even death.

*Make sure your pets are wearing id tags so if they do bolt, they can be returned easily. I always recommend that pets have id tags and get microchiped (in case the collar slips off while lost.)

~Hope you have a happy, stress-free 4th~

Hot Times, Comfy Puppies

Summer is a wonderful season, but the heat can sometimes make things hard for those with fur. While I'm very pro-sunshine, there are some definite dog dangers associated with an overexposure to the sun, most especially heat stroke. The dogs at greatest risk for heat stroke include:

Overweight dogs

Dogs on medication

Puppies up to 6 months of age

Large breeds over 7 years old

Small breeds over 14 years old

Dogs with dark-colored fur

Breeds with thick coats

Breeds with short muzzles

Dogs with short, wide heads (breeds like Pugs & Bulldogs)

Dogs with lung, heart/circulatory problems

Dogs mostly rely on panting to cool them down, but there are some things we can do to help them out. Here are some easy tips for helping to ensure canine comfort & health when the temperature goes up:

*Make sure plenty of water is available at all times throughout the day.

*When you go on walks, be SURE to bring a bottle of water and travel bowl.

*While roaming about town, remember that ground surfaces, especially blacktop and asphalt can get VERY hot, and even burn paws. Be mindful and considerate about the route you lead your dog on.

*If your pup is let outside to play, be sure there is ample shade for cooling off in. Dog bodies cool off from bottom to top, so a damp towel for resting on is often a great idea, too.

*Ice cubes can be a fun treat (just talk to your vet for approval first.)

*Try freezing tasty concoctions in treat-stuffable toys (such as Kongs, etc.)

*Get out the hose and splash around together.

*Turn on the sprinklers.

*Purchase a small kiddie pool, and fill it with shallow water. Toss in toys that float.

*When inside, keep your dog in an air conditioned, or cooler part of the home.

*Have freezable teething comfort toys on hand (Petstages makes great, colorful, soft ones.)

*As always, NEVER leave your dog in a parked car (and if you see someone else doing so, please discreetly call 911 or notify your local SPCA for help.)

*Keep in mind that dogs can get sunburned, too (especially light-skinned breeds like Pit Bulls & Dalmatians; it might sound silly, but breeds without nose pigment like Collies and Shetlands are actually prone to noseburns!) Talk to your vet about whether or not your dog might need sunblock. Dogs typically need the most protection along the outside tips of ears, bridge of the nose, inside legs, & tummy. Many Vets recommend Epi-Pet, an FDA-approved sunscreen designed specifically for dogs and horses.

Stay cool! (...and, while we're referencing cheesy 80s yearbook sayings: "have a nice summer," "K.I.T," and "S.U.N.Y," too...)