2013 New Year Goals

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Ammo

In keeping up with my yearly tradition I’ve decided to take a look back over the goals I made for myself last year to see how I did! I’ve also come up with a new list of goals for 2013 that will hopefully keep me on my toes!

My 2012 Goals:

1. Learn a new trick with my favorite pony, Minnow.

Ok, so I can’t recall a SPECIFIC trick I learned with Minnow this past year, but I did star in our brand-new Painting Pony DVD with him. And I had a super fun super hero shoot with Minnow this summer.

2. Compete in my first agility trial or take an agility class with a new club.

While I’m not quite ready for my first agility trial just yet, I have been taking agility classes since the spring. I’m hoping I might be ready for a trial sometime next year.

3. Make more home movies, featuring me!

I’m happy to report that I’ve created lots of new video footage this year (over 50 videos on my youtube channel!), and I even landed on two national television spots at the end of this year (which I’ll be sharing all the details on the blog soon). And if you want to catch my biggest performance of the year you can check out my new DVD HERE!

4. Get more creative with my costumes.

I’m happy to say I’ve dressed up more this year than any other year! You might recall my pilot’s outfit when I went flying, my super cool Halloween costume as Wile E. Coyote, and even my dapper Holiday outfit for this year.

5. Master some new tricks and share them on the blog.

I started a new feature on the blog this year called Let’s Get Tricky! I also added a few new tricks to my repertoire and I’m hoping to continue the trend in 2013.

6. Take pictures every month for my 2013 Calendar!

So I may not have specifically set out to take photos for my calendar every month, I did rack up quite a lot of space on Mom’s hard-drive with my thousands of photos from this year.

7. Make more DIY projects.

I definitely got my DIY on this year! I came up with over 10 great DIY projects this year, including my Birthday Bandana, a Dipped Yellow Chair, and even a Pet First Aid Kit.

8. Paint more.

Painting may have taken a bit of a backseat this year, but that didn’t stop me from getting created. I opened up my very own Etsy Shop, Flying Hero, to sell my greeting cards, calendars and more – many of which have helped raise money for animal rescues!

9. Dig more holes in the backyard.

You know I got this one covered!

10. Smile everyday!

How can you not smile when you’re having this much fun!

So moving on to the upcoming year, I can’t wait to start 2013 off with a bang!

2013 Goals:

Create some more greeting card designs for my Flying Hero Etsy Shop
Master the weave poles for my agility classes
Compete in an agility trial
Learn a performance that I can perform on my own at events
Make every day count!

So what about you? What are your goals for 2013?

Don’t forget to start 2013 off right, check out my Calendar available for purchase HERE! Hurry, because I only have a few copies left!

2012 Petties Award Show

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Ammo

You might remember that this year I had the honor of being chosen as a finalist in the 2012 Petties Awards for the best designed blog.

2012 Petties Awards // Ammo the Dachshund

I was surprised and excited to be chosen as one of the top four finalist, and was on the edge of my seat to watch the award show which was broadcast on the Dogtime Blog on Friday.

Sadly I did not win, but in the Petties everyone is a winner, because the winners in each category get to choose an animal rescue or charity to donate their $1,000 prize to. Isn’t that fantastic!

So I send my congratulations out to all of the winners this year, and hopefully next year I’ll get a chance to be in the running for a Petties Award again!

The 13 Project!

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Ammo

Last week Serena from Pretty Fluffy invited me to join The 13 Project, a wonderful initiative to get involved and help animals!

Ammo the Dachshund // The 13 Project

THE 13 PROJECT

The 13 Project is a Pretty Fluffy initiative that involves 13 acts of kindness towards animals before 2013. We have exactly 13 weeks left of this year, so what better way of embarking on a list of 13 achievable and worthy goals before the year is out.

To join, all you have to do is come up with a list of up to 13 ways you can help animals before the end of 2013. You don’t need to be a millionaire, you don’t need to have a website, or be a member of a rescue organization … All you need is the desire to make a difference. You can even make your list just one goal – or 3 or 5 things. Any little bit helps!

Ammo the Dachshund // The 13 Project Pretty Fluffy

My goals for the 13 Project….

1. Make a charitable contribution to some of my favorite rescue groups, as I have done for the past several years, through the help of sales of my paintings and artwork that my friends the Painting Ponies have made.

2. Get my photo taken with Santa at a place that donates the profits to rescue groups like I have done for the past 3 years.

3. Promote some local rescue group events to all of my followers through Facebook.

4. Purchase some toys from Planet Dog, where 2% of my sale goes to the Planet Dog Foundation, an organization that helps fund the training and placement of service dogs.

5. Share some of the available adoptable dogs (like I have done in the past) at the local shelters with my followers.

6. Donate some of my old towels and clothes to a local animal shelter.

7. Create Holiday Greeting Cards for my Etsy Shop and donate a percentage of the sales to animal shelters.

8. Promote responsible pet ownership and encourage my readers to spay/neuter their pets.

9. Donate some of my outgrown sweaters and jackets that I no longer use to a rescue group that can use them for shelter dogs.

10. Create a new page on the blog that highlights ways you can involved and help rescue animals, shelters, and good causes.

11. Purchase some Rescue Chocolate as Christmas gifts that donates 100% of their profits to animal rescues.

12. Try to promote more products on my Friday Fetch feature that donate a percentage of their sales to animal charities.

13. Encourage others to get involved with the 13 Project!

I hope you’ll join me in The 13 Project! I’d love to hear your ideas of animal kindness too, post links to your list of 13 goals in the comment section below so that we can all share and get inspiration on how to help more animals!

2012 Petties Finalist – Best Blog Design

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Ammo

Hey Friends! I’m dropping by the blog this Saturday to let you all know that I’ve been chosen as a 2012 Petties Finalist for the Best Blog Design. How cool!

I’m honored to have been chosen by Dogtime as a finalist, but the very best part is that the winners in each category get $1,000 to donate to their favorite pet charity.

As you know I donate funds to my favorite pet charities each year through the sale of my artwork and the paintings made by my Painting Pony Friends. It would be oh so wonderful to donate more funds to a pet rescue in need, but I need your help!

ammo the dachshund watercolor artist

I’m up against some great blogs for the category of Best Blog Design, but you guys can help me win by visiting Dogtime and voting for me!

And I’d love to hear what pet rescues you think would be a great place for me to donate the $1,000 to should I win! Thanks friends!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Memorial Day

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Ammo

I’m waving my flag this Memorial Day as we remember those fallen soldiers who have fought for our country. I haven’t forgotten to salute my four-legged counterparts either, many of which have given their lives in service to protect us.

Thank you for keeping us safe.

xoxo,

Holiday Gift Guides for your Dog

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Ammo

Man’s Best Friend is always top of the list for gift giving when Christmas rolls around (of course right). But how can you ever repay your furry little sidekick who loves you more than anything? Don’t worry, I’ve come up with some super gift guides this Holiday Season to help you find the perfect gift for that special little pooch in your life.

female dog christmas gift guide

Gals

1. Rose Dog Duvet Cover from Molly Mutt

2. Dog Toy Horse from Wags and Wiggles

3. Pink & Navy Dog Scarf from Eleanor and Milo

4. Custom Pink Harness from Kalyxcraftopia

5. Pink Led Collar from Glowdoggie

male dog christmas gift guide

Guys

1. Braided Dog Leash from Tory Burch [via]

2. Doxie Dog Toy from Wags and Wiggles

3. Custom Sports Team Harness from Kalyxcraftopia

4. Bowtie Collar from Silly Buddy

5. Blue Led Collar from Glowdoggie

If you’re looking for some even more great gift ideas this Holiday, be sure to check out my Etsy Shop for one-of-a-kind paintings, Christmas cards, calendars and so much more!

Ammo’s Christmas Wish List

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Ammo

Dear, Santa

Even though I ate that piece of pizza off the coffee table, picked on Trooper, unraveled all the toilet paper, and ate a hole in mom’s pillowcase – I really really think I deserve all the things on my Christmas list this year. I promise to try harder next year.

xoxo,

Ammo

ammo the dachshund's christmas wish list

1. Custom Pet Portrait from the Yellow Brick House [via]

2. Rocket Ship Bedding Set from Garnet Hill

3. All Natural, Organic Dog Cookies from Bocce’s Bakery [via]

4. Bauer Earthenware Dog Bowl from Garnet Hill

5. Custom Made Cashmere Dog Sweater from By Chance Designs on Etsy

Hurricane Irene

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Ammo

On Saturday evening Hurricane Irene made it’s way towards my home in Pennsylvania. I’ve never been in a hurricane before (after all I’m only 2!), so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I knew enough to be a little scared, especially since mom and dad brought in all of our outdoor patio stuff, and mom weatherproofed the shop on Saturday morning.

Several hours into the storm we lost power, only moments after we heard of a Tornado warning for our area on the news. So into the basement we went to hunker down for about 20 minutes before the threat passed.

I of course used this time to practice my scary bark threats – you know – to tell Irene to get outta here!

ammo the dachshund hurricane irene

The next morning I woke to a still very windy and rainy mess outside – which meant I had to spend most of the day inside. If you can’t tell I was a little depressed. Mom and Dad tried to keep me occupied by playing scrabble with me (especially since there still was no power), but I really just wanted to go exploring.

ammo the dachshund hurricane irene

In the late afternoon the storm finally cleared, and we headed out for a drive to take care of the ponies (who weathered the storm just fine).

ammo the dachshund hurricane irene

I couldn’t believe how much the water had risen along the Brandywine, which runs just below the farm.

ammo the dachshund hurricane irene

On the way back we stopped by the shop to make sure that it fared the storm ok.

ammo the dachshund hurricane irene

Luckily there was no water damage even though many of the streets in town were flooded. But there was some wind damage to the awning out front. Mom says she hopes it’s not too expensive to fix, I told her I’d try to sell a painting to help pay for it!

ammo the dachshund hurricane irene

Power was out at both the shop and at home, so lucky for me I got to spend the evening playing board games with my family. The “Chester County” game continued on into the wee hours of the night.

ammo the dachshund hurricane irene

Power at the house was out until mid-day Monday – which makes me very glad that I’m a dog, and I don’t require indoor plumbing!

P.S. I hope that all my friends weathered the storm ok and no one suffered any major damage. I’ll be searching for my groundhogs tomorrow to make sure they made it through the storm ok.