Hiya! Ella Bean here, and yes, I am dressed like an Angel. Know why? ‘Cause I am!

Ella Bean, Rescue Angel, reporting!

I am hanging out with my new pal Oliver, a Toy Poodle who just joined my aunt Kara’s family. My cousins, Scarlett and Cayenne, also Toy Poodles went with the humans to the Howard County Animal Rescue. Oliver was there, waiting for his forever home. He had been used as a stud for a kennel of some kind, which means he was a daddy to lots of puppies, but he never had any humans to love him.

Oliver, like his namesake in Charles Dicken’s novel, Oliver Twist, has been treated with cruelty and lived a loveless life for the past five years. Like Oliver Twist, our Oliver has remained innocent and kind. He is skittish around people and didn’t know how to use stairs when we got him home. Household noises scare him and he won’t take food from human hands (which I, for one, cannot understand!).

Together with Louis and Oliver’s sisters, Cayenne and Scarlett, we are teaching Oliver how to be a dog. He has learned quickly to sleep on the human’s bed and he is already going up and down stairs.

We are working on potty training, which I know is really hard. It took my Beanie self a really long time and sometimes I still slip. Whoops! We are also teaching Oliver how to accept love and belly rubs. He just doesn’t know about this stuff!

Millions of homeless dogs face euthanasia each year. Though plenty of organizations take in these pooches and do their best to rehabilitate them and find new homes, there simply aren’t enough humans adopting their pets. Adopting a pup really is saving a life. Each of us is an individual with an awesome personality, just waiting to blossom.

Although I know and trust my awesome humans and they have become my family, before them I met some pretty awful humans who hated dogs. From my Beanie perspective, humans are living in a culture of instant gratification. They throw away whomever and whatever doesn’t quite fit in or is an inconvenience. They surrender their canine companions to shelters without much concern as to their future. Like Oliver, I was adopted. You can read my story here.

Louis, my big brother is from a responsible breeder. I know that Louis came to my mommy without any emotional baggage and Oliver and I came with loads…but that doesn’t even guarantee success. Humans surrender their purebred pups as well, even after paying lots of money for them.

Yes, we tend to go potty where you don’t want us too, we vomit and make trouble…but no one will love you like a dog will.

Oliver is already enriching the lives of his family and new friends. I am right by his side, helping him along, telling him that I was also totally scared and didn’t know to trust humans when I first met my family. I was scared of everything and now I am a rambunctious little superstar, with my own column on this awesome website!

Louis, my big brother is also super helpful. Since Oliver and Louis are both guys, Oliver seems to be following his lead, walking with him and doing some playful sniffing and tail wagging.

With all of our love, Louis and I, together with Cayenne, Scarlett and the humans will teach Oliver everything he needs to be spoiled silly, just like us!

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My mom always says she tries to copy my attitude. I am totally relaxed.

Wherever I go, thats where I am, whomever I am with, thats who to lick and cuddle. There is no sense getting stressed about things like car rides, baths or the vet…I pretty much just enjoy being me and whatever comes my way, I think its an opportunity to make new friends and play!

Plus, there’s always something new and fun to do!

New places and people to sniff, new places to mark my territory…and really, when I am at a loss for how to occupy myself, I just lick my nether regions for a while and then take a nap.

You humans could really take a cue from me. I believe smiling and tail wagging is the best policy - at all times.

My sister, Ella Bean doesn’t like change. She prefers a schedule - otherwise she gets all nervous and shaky. I always tell her to just chill…theres always more food, treats and people to love.

She claims this to be untrue and she comes from a doggie jail where there wasn’t good eats or lots of lovin’. I tell her, relax! That’s the past! Live in the moment and don’t waste a second enjoying all the great things that have come your way! If your busy shaking in the corner, you just might miss a really good treat.

Slobbers,

LR

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Now officially a member of the jet set, I am super psyched for my next vacay. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, traveling from Miami to Washington D.C. then to New Jersey and back to D.C. again before flying home to Daddy in Miami.

While away, I got the total pampering package, including my very first professional grooming. I totally loved the attention and the shampoo/massage part was amazing. That lady really worked out my stress knots. Its hard being a Bean, you know. The only bad part was that my ‘do was shorn a little too short, but every gal has to deal with growing in hair at some point…Other then that, I looked amazing and felt totally relaxed! The dining was nothing but gourmet, so Louis and I worked those calories off during some leisurely, scenic jogs.

Along the way, I was asked so many times, what kind of dog I am. Well, dammit, I am a Bean Dog. I may not have a pedigree, but I can pee on a tree as well as any other bitch out there!

Not knowing who my biological parents are is usually of little concern to me - however everyone demands to know! After some time, the questions did begin to wear on me. Who am I? Where am I from? Who were my parents and where are they now?

When my female human found me, I was in a dog jail with cages stacked to the ceiling and echoing hallways full of loud noises and the barks of strange dogs…I was really quite ill, so I don’t remember much before then.

After much discussion with Louis, who does know his biological parents (They are from a special farm dedicated to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Louis knows this is a sensitive topic for me, so he is careful never to rub his lineage in my nose), I came to realize that all that truly matters is the family I have now! This may sound totally cheesy, which I know isn’t very Bean-like, but I adore all of my humans and my big brother Louis. My Uncle Sammi, the Maltese is a little grumpy, but he let me sleep on him and play with his toys!

I realized who I am isn’t defined by where I came from, its about who I am today - and what I’ll eat tomorrow! Life isn’t always easy, sometimes pups are put in jail for no reason, but by being the best Bean I can be, I know that tummy rubs and ear scratches are in my future.

One final thought. My uber-fabulous friend, Gidget Gormley, whom I interviewed after her breakout role in Sex and the City, has stayed in touch with me and her movie-star fabulousness is only made more fab by the fact that my dear pal Gidget gives back. Gidget is super involved with Tails of Hope Foundation and her own charity, Friends of Snuffy, helping to lend a paw to the pups out there in need. Gidget was also kind enough to feature me in today’s post on her own blog.

With friends, humans and canine family like the ones I’ve got, I know its time to stop pondering the unanswerable questions of my past, the only thing that matters is that whoever my parents were, they gave me great looks! Oh and even more important then that is whatever Louis and I are eating for dinner.

Did I hear someone say duck???

Kisses,

Ella Bean

P.S. Please look at Gidget’s charities and if there is anything you can do to help, please try. There are so many pooches out there that don’t get to eat duck for dinner and really, we all do deserve it.

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Hiya! The gorgeous Ella Bean here, coming at you, raring to write and back from my extensive travels.

Interestingly, my super handsome and beastly gentleman caller, Stanislaw and his brother Big Pupi were recently writing about the health benefits of a raw diet or BARF (that’s bones and raw food or biologically appropriate raw food, for those of you who are out of the loop on canine dietary concerns).

My big brother Lou and I have benefitted immensely from this dietary path and now, my uncle is eating raw meat too!

Sammi (full name: Samuel Nevada), a Maltese, joined my mom’s family when she was just a lil’ pup herself! Now, Sammi is 14 1/2 years old. Unfortunately, he has lost many teeth, his eyesight and much of his hearing. He suffers from hotspots and some internal yeastiness that causes a great deal of paw chewing.

In spite of his maladies, Uncle Sam is a pretty fun guy. He is rather sleepy and a bit grumpy, but I suppose I’d be grumpy too if I was as old as he is. He’s like, over 100 in dog years! Anyway, I climbed all over him and kissed his nose. He seemed to enjoy sniffing Louis and I and it was so fun to meet another canine family member. We all enjoyed cuddling and playing together.

Before we arrived, my grandparents told us Uncle Sammi was lethargic, mute and hadn’t been eating. Well, I tasted Uncle Sam’s food offerings and they were so gross that they weren’t fit for a filthy cat! (IAMS!!! YUCK!! We explained to Grandpa and Grandma that corn and meat byproducts aren’t really food!)

When Uncle Sammi smelled Louis and my beastly dinner of raw bones and meat, he let out a few unexpected woofs! Clearly, someone was interested.

With my grandparent’s permission, we let Sammi taste our delicacy of raw pheasant, which ol’ Uncle Sam ate like a vivacious young man of only 10 again! The grandparents were on board.

I, Ella Bean, showed them how to use enzyme supplements to help Uncle Sammi absorb much needed nutrients, how to use probiotics, how to use canned pumpkin to fix a sore tummy and most important, the hygiene required to safely feed raw.

What you may not know about me is that in addition to my beauty and intelligence, I am an experienced raw eater and am happy to assist my fellow canines in procuring the best possible meaty goodness out of their humans.

Sammi has now been eating raw for about two weeks now. In that time, Sammi has resumed vocal communication with both Louis and I, as well as his mom and dad and his coat is already a bit brighter and softer! Most impressive, Sammi has regained energy and vitality, and can now be found roaming around his big house outside of Washington D.C., rather then laying in bed all day.

Since Sammi is in the process of detoxing, he is emitting a little bit of yeasty odor, which is normal but he is digesting with ease and has already achieved the small, hard, odorless poop associated with raw feeding!

I am looking forward to watching Sammi progress on his diet and we expect to see his hotspots heal and a continued increase in his overall health and vitality.

Look forward to Uncle Sammi’s next raw diet update! Remember - you are what you eat! By avoiding fillers, by-products and chemical preservatives, both canine and human can be one step closer to achieving optimum health!

Kisses,

Ella Bean

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Hiya Everyone! First of all, I want to apologize to our Cup of Dog fans for the lack of postings - Louis, myself and the rest of the Cup of Dog team have been traveling up and down the East Coast checking stuff out and getting our feast on. Our super busy days have precluded us from much writing.

It’s been crazy! We have so much to tell you!

In the meantime, I’d like to send a HUGE thank you to my handsome, super-beastly Stanislaw, for giving Cup of Dog an award to celebrate our awesomeness. OK, so now I have some more work to do before I can return to my vacay…

1. Post the award on the blog

2. Link to the generous folks that gave it to me

3. Nominate 7 of my favorite blogs and link to them

4. Leave a comment to let those pups know they’ve received an award

I, Ella Bean hereby nominate my favorites,  The FleasGang, the always fabulous Gidget Gormley, the coolest dogs at Dogliness, Daisy and her brother Sammy, Riley and last, but certainly not least, Terrierman!

Kisses,

Ella Bean

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Hi! Its me, Ella Bean…your favorite canine fashion-plate/ writer/ model and more.

I just wanted to drop everyone a line before the weekend and say that I am really excited about the new look of Cup of Dog!

I expect that my fame will be catapulted by the new look and great features and as such, I can expand my wardrobe and range of meals. (Hint, hint. Pheasant, duck, beef, tripe….HELLO! Mix it up! A girl gets bored! How about some Buffalo? Maybe a delectable rabbit?)

I want to welcome anyone who may have suggestions for features they might like to see or if you run into any snags, let me know and I’ll get the humans right on it. They aren’t perfect, like me, so we might have to correct them.

How about we say, “NO!”, point our fingers at them and give them a taste of their own medicine? Not that I do anything bad, of course….

Kisses,

Ella Bean

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So, when I woke this morning I wasn’t thinking today would be anything special. Breakfast was some lame yogurt and fruit which is OK, but its definitely not as good as meaty goodness. Then - out of nowhere my hoomans loaded Ella Bean and I into the thing with wheels and loud music and we hit the road.

The lull of the hip-hop and the hum of the road put Ella and I both to sleep and when we woke up, we were DOWNTOWN!! I used to work at a super awesome store called Dog Bar and thats exactly where we were. I knew it the second the door opened. There was so much meaty goodness in one store…I can’t remember why I stopped working there…Oh, right, to pursue my dream of being a writer. I pulled my Mom and Ella all the way to the store, only stopping briefly to sniff a fellow Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s bum.

Once inside my old place of business, the smells were overwhelmingly awesome. Meaty tendons for chewing, bones of all shapes and sizes, cookies and a whole freezer full of RAW MEAT!!! I started howling my dining requests to my Dad who was poking through the freezer and I was a little bummed that he only took one bag instead of the 9 I requested, but hey, it was all good when the friendly sales girl let me give her kisses, a good ear scratch and then gave me and Ella Bean cookies and treats. Ella Bean and I got to take home some chewy meaty sticks and some cookies and Ella Bean got something called Harness.

My hoomans were really worried ’cause Ella Bean has started pulling on her leash and making little coughing noises (sissy!!). So, I guess Harness is supposed to fix that. It looks like she is wearing a super-complicated  outfit of ropes and her leash attaches to her back now instead of her neck. I am never going to pull again because I don’t want to have to wear Harness!

Then, after all that excitement, we walked up and down Miami Beach’s Lincoln Road where there were tons of other dogs and hoomans who all gave us tons of attention. By the time we arrived back to the thing with wheels and loud music, we were exhausted. I passed out in Mom’s arms and drooled all over her, like serious drooling action. Ha ha! Mom discovered that I had stepped in some gooey stuff that had attached to my front paw, but it was all good. I was going to save that snack for later!

When we got home, Dad cut the goop out of my paw fur (any fur removal should seriously be authorized by me. I work hard to grow that and hoomans just cut thoughtlessly cut it!) Then, Ella and I got to work on our sticks. I tried to steal hers but she dragged it under the big bed where I can’t reach. Bitch.

Anyway, gotta get back to chewing, these sticks won’t take care of themselves!

One more thing: A Very Meaty Birthday to Shalom, who makes it possible for me and Ella Bean to get our blog on. Shalom, you can have one of my meat sticks to celebrate.

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Think your dog is so divine he deserves a temple? So does designer Marco Morosini. His line of six canine abodes are more dog art then dog house.

Morosini’s Italian company is called Dog is a God. According to the company’s concept, the name refers to man’s best friend’s elevation to the highest realm, I thought it was because ‘dog’ spelled backwards is ‘God’ and ‘God’ spelled backwards is - well, you get the point.

Two of his designs, the temple shown to your left and his ‘Good Life’ design turn your dogs into hairy little icons. Ella Bean approves of the sentiment.

Louis, my more laid back dog (though no less discerning in his taste) prefers the Transparent Dog’s House, so he can always see his mommy and the comical Nomad Dog’s House, which is shaped like a trailer home and appeals to Louis’ sense of humor.

Designer Marco Morosini’s line of incredible dog homes are not your typical backyard shady dog haven. Each creation is meticulously crafted, numbered and hand signed by Morosini.

For Morosini and the lucky pups who dwell in these miniature masterpieces, I suppose being in the dog house is a good thing!

Visit www.dogisagod.it for more information and to see the rest of the awesome dog houses.

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While taking some time out of my busy schedule to answer some fan mail, I realized that my legions of followers might benefit from my advice, seeing as how they look up to me and all.

So, I have decided to publish select letters along with my answers so you can all benefit from my Bean-tastic wisdom.

Dear Ella Bean,

I have a problem that I hope you can help with. I really like to eat and have put on some extra weight lately. At my most recent vet visit, the doctor even said I could stand to lose three or four pounds! How can I get my physique back without sacrificing my eating pleasures?

Poppy the Portly Pekingese

Dear Portly,

I really like to eat as well, but I don’t have a weight problem because I am famous. I am super sorry about how fat you have gotten, ’cause I weigh less in total then you need to lose! I suggest you get your butt to the dog park and start working off the weight. Oh, and stay away from carbs too. I eat completely grain free and I think thats the key to staying skinny. Also, make sure you really work at it ’cause a bitch has gotta keep the weight down to stay healthy.

Kisses,

Ella Bean

Dear Ella Bean,

I am in love with a Terrier that lives across the street from me. Every time I see him, my heart just wants to sing! Problem is, I don’t think he notices me. I really want to sniff his butt, but I can’t get his attention. What should I do?

Lonely Lhapso in Louisiana

Dear Lonely,

Thanks for your letter! I suggest you roll around in some smelly feastables before you see him next, really get the smell of the food in your fur. No man can resist a bitch smelling like fresh meat! Also, don’t be afraid to make the first move and bark at him! Also, don’t get shy when he wants to sniff your underside. Boys dig confidence!

Kisses,

Ella Bean

One final thought, I just want to say how much I appreciate my fans! Keep your letters coming!

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Special thanks to our pals Stanislaw (Ella Bean’s gentleman caller) and Big Pupi for alerting us to this breaking news.

Canine Influenza has been confirmed in Illinois. The dog flu is extremly contagious and presents symptoms similar to kennel cough such as coughing, lethargy, watery eyes and runny nose. Canine flu can progress to bacterial pneumonia, which has the potential to be fatal to puppies, sick and older dogs. The initial discovery of the infection was four years ago, when it was found in Florida in race greyhounds.

If you can, avoid doggie daycare, dog parks, other dogs boarding and grooming facilities as the highly contagious flu is usually spread by being in close proximity to infected individuals.

Illinois is the 27th state to have confirmed the presence of the dog flu. Please pay extra attention to your dog and if anything out of the ordinary occurs, take your friend to the vet. Early treatment and care is vital for a positive outcome.

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