12 Days of Cheer! Christmas Parade Time!

Every year I put on my best holiday gear and get ready for the Downingtown Christmas Parade in town.

12 Days of Cheer! Christmas Parade with Ammo the Dachshund

This year was no exception!

12 Days of Cheer! Christmas Parade with Ammo the Dachshund

Being that I have a 9-5 job working as official shop greeter at mom’s shop in town, parade time I have to work extra hard to invite parade goers into the shop for free hot cider & cookies!

12 Days of Cheer! Christmas Parade with Ammo the Dachshund

Luckily I’m pretty cute, so my job usually isn’t that hard. *wink*

12 Days of Cheer! Christmas Parade with Ammo the Dachshund

After working hard at the shop all morning I was excited to hear that the parade was about to start. I made sure I got a front row seat for all the action!

12 Days of Cheer! Christmas Parade with Ammo the Dachshund

12 Days of Cheer! Christmas Parade with Ammo the Dachshund

12 Days of Cheer! Christmas Parade with Ammo the Dachshund

The parade was just as fabulous as always, but the most exciting part is always SANTA!

12 Days of Cheer! Christmas Parade with Ammo the Dachshund

And MRS. CLAUS too!

Hey Santa! I hope you got my Christmas List! See you again in a few days! Ammo the Dachshund

The Return of the Speed Bump

ammo the dachshund at work

Ever since I initiated the “Dachshund Speed Bump” at work 2 years ago it has become a permeant fixture in the shop.

ammo the dachshund at work

The location of the “speed bump” changes slightly from day to day, but the main idea is always the same …..

ammo the dachshund at work

…..get as many people as possible to slow down and pet you.

ammo the dachshund at work

I’ll admit, it does sometimes make for an exhausting work day.

ammo the dachshund at work

The hours are long and grueling and you have to be willing to work for dog biscuits alone.

ammo the dachshund at work

But, it helps to keep yourself limber and stretch out every hour or so during the day.

ammo the dachshund at work

So next time you visit my shop please make sure you do not pass over the Dachshund Speed Bump….because I’m watching you! 

 

Holiday Parade

On Saturday was the Downingtown Christmas Parade that comes right down the street in front of my shop. As per our yearly tradition, me and Trooper staked out the best spot in front of the shop to watch the parade go by.

downingtown christmas parade ammo the dachshund

There were marching bands galore and lots of amazing floats this year.

downingtown christmas parade ammo the dachshund

And despite the cold temperatures the streets were packed with people excited to watch the parade go by.

downingtown christmas parade ammo the dachshund

This guy on top of an old fire engine even waved at me! He must read my blog.

downingtown christmas parade ammo the dachshund

The parade was so much fun, but my real duties of the day were inside the shop – where I handed out hot cider and cookies to all the chilly parade goers.

downingtown christmas parade ammo the dachshund

I might have had to sample the goods too, you know, to make sure they were tasty enough for my guests.

So what about you, what kind of things are you doing to get into the Holiday Spirit? There’s only 14 more days until Santa comes to visit! Time to get your Holiday Cheer on! Yipeee!

The Holidays are Coming

Yes, I know, we haven’t even had Turkey Day yet and already there are Christmas wreaths out, holiday music playing and the smell of pine everywhere.

Ammo the Dachshund at work

Even though it does seem a tad bit early for the Holiday Season Fanfare, when you work in a retail shop like I do it’s hard not to be prepared a few weeks early.

Ammo the Dachshund at work

So this year I bit the bullet and broke out my Christmas scarf BEFORE Thanksgiving. Don’t judge, you know you think it’s stinkin’ cute.

Ammo the Dachshund at work

I even went as far as to practice some of my Holiday looks. I think they pretty much speak for themselves…..

ammo the dachshund at work

“Thanks for visiting, now please purchase every single item in my shop as a Christmas gift for your loved ones”

ammo the dachshund at work

“Pretty Please, won’t you purchase that _______.”

ammo the dachshund at work

“I’m even cuter when you purchase something”

ammo the dachshund at work

“Don’t make me get ruthless and force you to do some Holiday Shopping”

ammo the dachshund at work

“P.S. I’m fully prepared to give you the stink eye should you decide to leave empty handed”

ammo the dachshund at work

Shameless I know, but a shop dogs gotta do what a shop dogs gotta do! hehe.

Make sure you check out My Shop this Holiday Season for some super awesome amazing spectacular gift ideas for everyone you know. I promise not to sing Christmas Carols in your ear. 🙂

Home Sweet Home

Home. Work. Farm. That pretty much describes a good majority of my life. So I thought it would be fun to give you all a little “peek behind the curtain” and show you exactly where I spend my days & nights.

This is home – my quiet little street in the ‘burbs where I have my own doggie door, keep all my favorite toys, and get to take naps on the couch.

studio 3

This is work, right smack dab in the center of town.

studio 3

It’s where I spend my Tuesday through Saturday greeting customers.

studio 3

I take my work very seriously and although sometimes you’ll catch me napping on the job, it’s usually just a ruse to get you to rub my belly. (I’m sneaky like that)

ammo the dachshund at work

iron horse farm

This is the farm – my home away from home. It’s where I help train the trick ponies, do my chores, and play tag with Trooper and the kitties.

iron horse farm

And if I’m truly showing you where I REALLY spend most of my time, there is one last photo I must divulge.

iron horse farm

These are my groundhog holes. And I’m only showing you this because I KNOW you can keep a secret.

After all, there’s only one Super Dachshund fit to guard these holes, and it’s me!

 

Street View

You might remember that a few months ago when Hurricane Irene hit my home town, that the awnings at my shop took a bit of a beating. Mom and I decided that they needed to be replaced so we hemmed and hawed for weeks over what color they should be (the original color was discontinued – so we had to replace all of them) and what the lettering should say.

My vote of course was bright yellow with “HOME TO AMMO THE DACHSHUND” on the awnings. Unfortunately I was out voted because mom said she gets two votes since she’s the boss. Phooey!

So yesterday I stopped by the shop to check out the awning progress as they began to be replaced.

ammo the dachshund shop awnings

I was a little jealous my name wasn’t on them, but I have to say they did look classy.

ammo the dachshund shop awnings

And today when I got to see the full finished effect – I really did like them.

Mom said we still have some changes to make, like removing the lettering on the windows and maybe adding a neon sign on the corner – but she promised me that as a compromise maybe she’d put a picture of me in the window on the shop door, yea!

You can check out how our shop looked over the past 30 years+ by visiting www.studio3framing.com

Visitor

Sometimes Trooper comes to visit me at the shop. When we were both younger Trooper and I both used to come to the shop together everyday, but then Trooper got a new job. Now Trooper visits the nursing home and rounds up the ponies on the farm almost daily – making his visits to the shop a little less frequent.

trooper at the shop

So when he does come to visit, I’m even more enthusiastic to see him.

Trooper and Ammo at the Shop

“OMG It’s you! I can’t believe you came to visit!”

Trooper and Ammo at the Shop

“I’m so excited I could kiss you!”

Trooper and Ammo at the Shop

“Now that we’ve got that awkwardness out of the way, want to play tug-o-war?”

Growing Up

Today is my best friend’s Birthday. Can you believe it, Trooper is turning 4!! They grow up so fast. I didn’t know Trooper when he was just a baby (we met when Trooper was 1), but mom says that he grew up at her shop just like I did!

Yeah, he was pretty cute back then huh?

But then Trooper grew up (don’t worry Troop, I still think you’re cute), and I came along….

And now we get to spend all of our Birthday’s Together. Sappy but true.

Happy Birthday Pal! Looking forward to spending many more together.

Napping at Work

Luckily for me my boss allows me to take naps while on the job. One of the many perks. (I also get belly rubs and snacks for free- it’s in my contract).

However, napping on the job can sometimes be an art. Sometimes getting comfy requires a little creativity. So today I’m going to share with you my helpful guide for getting your snooze on at work. (Use with caution – or at least when your boss isn’t looking)

This one I call the “watchful eye”, useful when wanting to nap, but still keep an eye out. You know, in case something important might happen.

 

This is the “Sneaky Snake”. Very handy around corners and tight spaces – not recommended for “non-hot-dog-shaped bodies”.

 

The “leg cross” is a favorite of mine.  Gives you an extra boost of luck. One can never be too lucky.

 

The “dog-bed crash” is always a good one. Always make sure to do a little “fluffing” first.

 

“Blankie Necktie” is great for when it’s a bit chilly out. Just don’t wrap up too tightly, you won’t be able to get out in case of fire.

 

The “crescent roll” is prefect for a busy day at the office. You’re free of cumbersome blankets, but still able to keep your legs nice and toasty.

 

Shoot. How did this photo end up in here? Pay no attention to this. Seriously. It was just an itch on my leg. I swear!

 

“The Cave” is the best. Dark enough for hibernation but not too dark that you miss a meal.

 

“Sunbathing” – definitely a must if you are looking a little pasty. Also perfect on a cold day, just don’t “bake” for too long. No one likes an overcooked hot dog.

 

And last but not least we have the “Hot Dog in a Blanket”. Why re-invent the wheel, classics never die.

 

If anyone catches me napping at work please know this. No. 1 If you have cookies and don’t wake me up for some I WILL hold a grudge. No. 2 Please don’t come to my place of work without cookies, I WILL hold a grudge. That is all.

xoxo

Ammo

 

 

Dark Days

That’s right, it was a full fledged black-out at the shop yesterday morning!

I admit, I pouted a little. I mean with no power – that means I can’t get my heat lamp turned on! How am I supposed to pretend I’m at the beach without it?

Luckily the outage didn’t last too long. So thankfully I didn’t have to look like this for too terribly long…..