LOLPuppy Winner and Weekly Plans

First of all, the winner of the LOLPuppy Contest:

Is Heather Harper. Cracked me and SB up.

I totally haven’t thought of a prize yet. But I will! Speakign of, do I owe prizes to anyone? I have a sneaking suspicion that I do. Everything was so crazy last month. Just drop me an email if I’ve been holding out on you.

And because it was too funny not to, we’ve got a special, Diana’s books themed runner-up. The creator hasn’t read Rampant, so he has no idea how apt this really is:

Patrick, who is probably too busy moving into his new house to even read blogs.

Rio is doing just fine these days. I went away for the weekend and I couldn’t believe it, but she grew while I was away! Unreal! Thankfully, she totally remembers me. We went swimming yesterday:

Every year, on the last day before they close down the community pool, they let the dogs in. It was a blast. Perhaps a bit overwhelming for our 12 week old, though. It took a bit of coaxing to get her into the water:

But she was as popular as ever. Look at all the people staring at the puppy!

The pool was filled with Goldendoodles, a golden retriever-poodle mix. (A ridiculous name that makes no sense, as there is no “D” in “Retriever.” SB thinks they should be called Goldenoodles. I think they should be called Goldenroodles. What do you all think?) Anyway, we were asked at least half a dozen times if she was one of those things. Apparently labradoodles are out, and this is the new hot mix. They had them made with standard poodles and with miniature ones.

I’ve never seen one dry, so I don’t know what they look like, but wet, they all look like afghan hounds. Long white-blonde wavy hair like Rapunzel. Long-haired and curly must be a tough combo. I don’t know why so many people at the pool thought Rio was one because she has short, fluffy, straight red hair. She looks more like she’d be a shepherd or border collie mix — but maybe if you don’t recognize the breed (which, edited to add, is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever) and all you’ve been hearing about is these Goldenythingies, you just guess that.

Updated to add: I love google. Here’s a picture of those golden thingies dry:

Kinda like bearded collies, if you ask me. Anyway, according to one site I read, they are often more “golden retriever” looking at birth, and their curly, poodle-like coat grows in later. Here’s a picture of a goldenythingy puppy on the left and my baby girl on the right:

I don’t see it. I mean, they are both small ginger pups, but aside from that…. must be the novelty.

And Rio is way cuter:

“I’m ready for my close-up, Mommy DeMille!”

Okay, before you all start hating on me for the non-stop puppytopia this blog has become, I’ve got some great book news — for you! Yes, you lovely reader! This week I shall be giving away four fabulous new releases, one each day. I’ve read them all and you’re going to love them! Which ones are they? Well, you’ll have to come back tomorrow and check it out!