Peckerwood Manor

Behold the face of an cunning escape artist and a sly cuddle-whore. Confused? Let me explain. The dog pictured above is named Scout, a deceptively cute name for a wily canine who six years ago was living in a shelter in Michigan - and turning down any human who expressed interest. This wasn't a big surprise, because Scout's previous owner cruelly abused him; his jaw actually had pellet wounds, likely from a BB gun being fired at him, and he exhibited a jittery fear of anyone who came near him. But living out the rest of his days at a shelter?  This was a no-go for Scout, who had a taste for adventure and people with plenty of time on their hands to pamper him as he felt he deserved. So he broke free. Go, Scout, go! Actually, he broke free several times over the course of a year, bravely climbing over a 6-foot fence and taking off across a busy highway. For where, you ask?  For the nearby Meadow Brook Senior Facility, where he was first spotted acting all casual-like, plopped o

Better known as Bette Davis, Ruth Elizabeth Davis was born on April 5th, 1908, in Lowell, Massachusetts. Her parents separated when she was 15, and her mother took her and her younger sister to New York City to be a portrait photographer. Surprisingly, Bette faced a lot of rejection at first after making her way to Hollywood. One studio considered terminating her contract because they didn't find her particularly interesting or memorable. A cinematographer disagreed, saying he thought she had lovely eyes, and they decided to keep her. It was a slow start. Later, she recounted how modest and virginal she had been, a true Yankee girl not ready for the racy world of cinema. After six films that failed to attract attention, she was let go and was heading back to New York when actor George Arliss chose her as the lead in The Man Who Played God, 1932. It was her big break; she was signed for a five-year contract with Warner Bros. and remained there for 18 years. Her career might have sta

This was too sweet not to share. Happy Sunday! I look forward to pictures, memes, videos, or anything pup related that you want to share,

I will be back with articles next week, but please post those babies, and next week I will be back with my usual profile of a pup lover. I adore looking at your lovely little love bugs that are either still with us or have passed on over the bridge.  In the meantime here is Miss Joan Crawford with an armful of precious puppies. 

Eldred Gregory Peck was born on April 5th, 1916, in La Jolla, California, and died in Los Angeles on June 12th, 2003. He was one of his generation's most dignified, prolific, and acclaimed actors. Undoubtedly, he was a movie star, but more importantly, he was an actor who approached his work as he did his life with integrity and a deep sense of morality. His protagonists often mirrored his sentiments during a time when there was injustice, inequality, and civil unrest. Gregory would spend his life fighting for those exact causes, often risking his career to stand for what was right.  Gregory's childhood was somewhat erratic due to his parent's divorce and the subsequent death of his grandmother, who had been his guardian. He was a college athlete, running track at San Diego Teacher's College. It was here that he discovered theatre and public speaking. After a year, he transferred to the University of California Berkeley as an English/pre-med major but never finished, ha

Post a Pup Sundays is here, so post anything pup related or a photo of your beloved fur baby. This week we focus on Rita Hayworth's life and her love for dogs.  Margarita Carmen Cansino was born in New York City on October 17th, 1918, and died in New York City on May 14th, 1987. To the world, she is better known as screen siren Rita Hayworth one of the biggest stars of Hollywood Classic Films. She was famous for her undeniable beauty, dancing ability, intense charisma, glamour, her husbands and lovers, and, later, bringing awareness to a forgotten disease called Alzheimer's.  Her father, Eduardo Cansino, a professional dancer, hailed from a town near Seville, Spain, and was of Romani descent. Her American mother, Volga Hayworth, had been in the Ziegfeld Follies, so becoming an entertainer and dancer was in her blood. Sadly, Rita did not have a happy childhood, and much of the tragedy that haunted her entire life stemmed from the trauma she experienced at the hands of her father

Freda Josephine MacDonald was born in St Louis, Missouri, on June 3rd, 1906, and died on April 12th, 1975. She was a larger-than-life, vibrant woman who was extraordinarily courageous, bold, erotic, alluring, and much more than an entertainer. Her lovers were both men and women who were legendary in their own right. Some include Colette, (possibly) Frida Kahlo, Le Corbusier, and Georges Simenon. Her exotic beauty was admired by the likes of Hemingway, Matisse, Picasso, Jean Cocteau, and many other artists and writers of that time; she still inspires them today. Miss Baker (her last name came from her second husband, who she ditched but kept the name) made an enormous splash when she left America for the friendlier shores of France following another African American performer named (fascinating woman) Bricktop. The same Josephine who, as a child, was eating out of garbage cans catapulted herself into the stratosphere, becoming the first African American woman to star in a major motion p

Did you know it's the 155th anniversary of Golden Retriever breed? I didn't. The Golden Retriever Club of Scotland threw a family reunion for the breed to celebrate its 155th anniversary. The doggie party took place where the first litter of the puppies was born: Guisachan House in Glen Affric, Scotland. Owners and their pooches came from over 12 countries to lift their leg to mark the occasion. No word if the dogs dug up family grudges, had pissing matches to settle old scores, or if arguments took place over chew toys. The first litter of the adorable breed was born on the grounds in 1868. Golden Retrievers were created by crossing a Yellow Retriever and Tweed Water Retriever (both now extinct), adding some Irish Setter, and a dash of Bloodhound for giggles and grins. Voila! Golden Retrievers. The breed was recognized by the Britain Kennel Club in 1913 and the American Kennel Club in 1925. BTW, did you know a Golden Retriever has never won Best in Show at the Westminster Kenn

One of the things that would be interesting to add to Post A Pup Sundays are photos of famous people and their pups, classic and contemporary. There is no shortage of celebrities who adore their canine companions.  Ava Lavinia Gardner was born in North Carolina on December 24, 1922, and died in Westminster, London, on January 25, 1990. She was one of the Classic Hollywood era's greatest beauties and a legend during her lifetime, not just for her loveliness but for her boldness and self-possession that captivated audiences and any man fortunate enough to get her highly sought after attention. She is known for her critically acclaimed acting and love affairs, most notably her volatile marriage with Frank Sinatra. One fact about her that made her different from many other stars during that time was her support for the African American community and Civil Rights. As a child, she played with black kids and would sit with black people in segregated spaces that white people generally avoi

So many Peckerwood residents have adorable pups, photos and videos of pups, stories about pups, or just a pup they would love us to see. Our Manor is an equal-opportunity establishment, and we welcome anything canine you would love to share.