Frankie the french bulldog wordpress hosting

We received the retouched selects from our family photo session at Off Leash Studio. Some great shots of 11 year old Suji, 9 year old Lulu and, of course 14.5 year old Bubba taken the week before he passed away.

This is one of my favorites. Note Lulu actually smiling for the pic.

Suji and her classic “What’s up?” look.

Suji and her wheels.

Our dignified older man.

Lulu says “Whatever!”.

She has a way of melting your heart.

Suji demonstrates her earthquake-preparedness stance.

Bubba shaking it up.

He looks like he’s still a puppy!

Ready to go on vacation.

Like an old married couple.

And a rare family pic.

All of the above?

Do tell! Leave your feedback in the comments section. I’ll peruse your thoughts once I land in Japan!

In the meantime, enjoy some dog pics. Bubba, Lulu, and special guest star Petunia!

Thanks to those inquiring about my french bulldog, Lulu. Alas, nothing in the way of any significant improvement yet although I would best describe the change in her condition as a slight upgrade from “yellow mustard” to “Japanese curry”. I’m hopeful for an eventual advancement to “Irish stew” but, for now, we’re treating her with antibiotics, deworming medication (thanks for the tip, Elke!), and tomorrow’s endoscopy.

Hey, did I mentioned I’d be doing one of those Periscope Q&A’s after the North American airings of Dark Matter’s seventh episode? The episode will air at 10 p.m. EST and 7 p.m./10 p.m. PST and I’ll be answering YOUR questions for about 15-20 minutes after the show ends (11 p.m. EST and 8 p.m./11 p.m. PST). So, what do you need to do to join? Great question! I think you just have to download the Periscope app and follow me (@BaronDestructo), then check out the Periscope app at the appointed time and voila! Before you know it, you’ll be madly sending me virtual hearts and watching me fumble through this, my SECOND and THIRD, Periscope Q&A’s.

And what will I be talking about? Oh, whatever you like – but I imagine we’ll mainly be chatting about this episode…

“We’ve seen the episode a little earlier than most, courtesy of Syfy, and have a handful of teasers to share with you. As usual, there are no major spoilers here because we want you to enjoy the episode as much as we did.”

“This episode marks one of Mallozzi’s personal favourites of the season and that’s because it’s “one of the most fun episodes.” He also said “it’s an episode with a lot of warmth and a lot of humour.” Not only that, it’s also the favourite of one of his most important critics. “This is one of my girlfriend’s very favourite,” he shared.”

“At the midway point Dark Matter is still as fierce as it was in the premiere. […] Speaking of surprises, this episode is full of them.”

Hey, look who was in town! None other than Jeff Teravainen, Lieutenant Anders from Dark Matter Episode 108. Oh, wait. That doesn’t air until next week. Anyway, here’s a sneak peek of Jeff…eating gelato. Will he be eating gelato in next week’s episode? And, if so, what flavour. Sorry, that’s a spoiler.

Thanks to all those who asked but, sadly, Lulu isn’t doing any better. Yesterday’s ultrasound offered up nothing in the way of answers, so she’s going in for an endoscopy on Thursday morning to test for something called stand lymphagectasia. If that too comes up empty, then next week it’s a colonoscopy to check for granulomitis colitis (aka “boxer colitis”). Hopefully it won’t come to that as that would mean not feeding her for three days prior to the procedure. THREE DAYS of nothing but broth! At first, when we thought she would have to go in this week, Akemi suggested we adopt the same diet in solidarity – but I dismissed the notion on the grounds that we already had lunch and dinner plans. But next week is wide open! Akemi is already simmering the chicken necks!

If nothing else, this past week and a half of Lulu’s “intestinal issues” has sharpened my instincts to razor focus. My reaction time is unparalleled. At night, the merest cliquey-clack of Lulu’s nails on the hardwood floor will snap me out of the deepest slumber, out of bed and throwing on my pants, racing downstairs to open the backdoor so that she can go outside and relieve herself before it’s too late. I’m like a soldier deep in enemy territory, sleeping yet always fully aware and fully prepared, his ears attuned to the slightest noise, ready for trouble.

I’m thinking of doing another Periscope Q&A, to run 15-20 minutes after each of the North American broadcasts of Dark Matter Episode 107. The episodes air at 10 p.m. EST and 7 p.m./10 p.m. PST and I would jump on at approximately 1 minute after to field your question. Who’s in?

Speaking of Dark Matter Episode 107, here are a few more intriguing sneak peeks for you to check out:

You’re doing something new with your hair. I love it!

There’s a new android in town!

Looks like THREE’s had a bad day.

Something’s up with SIX.

Trying to book a trip to Tokyo for late September – and considering whether to go to L.A. for some agent-shopping next month. Might be a good idea to have someone on board. You never know…

Well, it’s been about two weeks since the move to Toronto and I’m pleased to report we have more or less settled in. We’ve met quite a few very nice people in that short time – also, a number of weirdoes. But I suppose that’s to be expected. Toronto is a bigger city. Also, unlike Vancouver, Akemi and I can’t simply live as recluses. Necessity forces us to go out, encounter others and, in some instances, interact with them. The fact that I’ll strike up a conversation with just about anybody helps (or hurts depending on the relative sanity of my impromptu conversation partner).

Jelly and Lulu, best of buds.

The dogs have also settled into a nice little routine that includes four daily visits to the local dog park where Jelly leaves her stroller to get in her short walks, Bubba does his best to avoid contact with other dogs, and Lulu stubbornly refuses to return home until she has visited the dog run where she too ignores the other pooches in favor of begging their owners for attention.

Dressed for the weather – Jelly in her Anna Suit ensemble

I do miss Darlene and the gang at The Book Warehouse in Toronto. I’ve checked out a couple of the local book stores and have left underwhelmed. The sole exception is Bakka-Phoenix Books (84 Harbord Street), a terrific shop specializing in genre fiction. I spent a good half hour chatting with the staff while Akemi sat patiently by, endlessly perusing an illustrated Miyazaki book.

Even though I vowed to stick to digital versions while here in Toronto, I couldn’t help myself and picked up a selection made up of staff member Leah’s recommendations and some titles that caught my eye:

Familiar with any of the above books?

Presently reading Norman Lear’s Even This I Get to Experience . Just finished – and loved – the first volume of Brian K. Vaughn’s Saga . recommended to me by Prodigy Pictures Development Wunderkind Nat Cooper. I swung by The Silver Snail and picked up volumes 2 and 3 yesterday. And also brought home a bunch of other comic books and graphic novels Natalie sent me home with on Friday, among them Buzzkill by Donny Cates that I thought was pretty darn terrific as well. Speaking of comic book, it looks like it’ll be trade paperbacks only moving forward as Marvel has apparently wrapped up (canceled?) the only two single issue series I was collecting: The Thunderbolts and the awesome Superior Foes of Spiderman. 😦

The eating, meanwhile, has been good. WAY to good. Some of the highlights –

The crispy prawn rice rolls at Luckee in the Soho Met. I don’t even like rice rolls but thought these were great. I’m not a huge fan of some of the entrees, but their dim sum menu items are uniformly great.

The sautéed sweetbreads at Le Neuf Cafe (9 Clarence Square) which, by the way, makes the best desserts in town – everything from salted caramel eclairs to their tiny chouquettes that Akemi has become addicted to and now picks up on almost a daily basis.

Wahlburgers (A Mark Wahlberg burger joint, 46 Blue Jays Way) opened her recently and I checked out their promising-sounding Thanksgiving Burger. The patty was flavorful but the stuffing and roasted butternut squash were decidedly not. The side of sweet potato tots (Actually made from yams. For some reason, people in Toronto don’t know the difference between a yam and a sweet potato) was disquietingly sweet. Everyone else in line ordered the signature Our Burger. Maybe I’ll order that next time. Or just go Burger’s Priest which I’ve been meaning to do.

After stocking up at the St. Lawrence Market this morning, we returned home where I made myself a bacon sandwich using two types of bacon (back bacon and peameal), Bourgogne cheese, and micro greens.

Tonight, we head out to a special event dinner at a local Italian eatery that is hosting a special guest chef from Vancouver: none other than our buddy Chef Robert Belcham (Fuel, Refuel, Fat Dragon, Camapagnolo, Campagnolo Roma). I will, of course, report back.

Related articles

So after a faltering start this summer I’m feeling like I have a little momentum going. Since I suffer from MADD (Miniature Attention Deficit Disorder) I’ve been assembling and priming models...

I was in a reflective mood when I recorded this week’s show. So here is an outline of my reflections. First reflection. a Happy Birthday to Cara Carriveau. a friend and someone you should thank...

I am learning this stuff myself. I am not a geek. I’m not doing this for profit and the services I’ll be tell you about are ones I have used or heard good things about by good people. I am...

An ex-Classmate/friend of mine, Ray Vandagriff, showed this to me. It is called Social Fixer. Check it out. “With each update, Facebook has gotten incrementally more cluttered, perplexing, and...

I have used a few web 2 platforms until now, like blogger, wordpress.com. weebly and some more blogging websites, so i could say i am an "experienced" blogger (meaning that i know how to use...