Peckerwood Manor

Lucille Ball, born on a warm summer day in 1911 in Jamestown, New York, blossomed into an icon whose light continues to shine brightly on American television. Known affectionately as Lucy, she brought laughter and joy into the homes of millions with her groundbreaking role in the beloved sitcom *I Love Lucy*. Her journey from a small-town girl with big dreams to a Hollywood legend is a testament to her resilience and boundless talent. Lucille's early years were marked by adversity, with the loss of her father at the tender age of four. Yet, she was raised by her hardworking mother and loving grandparents, surrounded by warmth despite hardships. At 15, she left her high school in Jamestown, her heart set on the stage. Moving to New York City to study drama was a bold step, the beginning of her remarkable journey. Initially deemed too shy for the stage, Lucille's indomitable spirit couldn't be dimmed. She transitioned into modeling, adopting the pseudonym Diane Belmont, and e

 

Throughout history, many royals have found solace and companionship in the company of their furry friends. For instance, Henry III of France cherished his bichons and spaniels so much that he carried them in a little basket around his neck. Similarly, Queen Victoria created a pet cemetery with epitaphs to honor her beloved pets. German-born Elizabeth Charlotte, Duchess of Orleans, once wrote from the Palace of Versailles, "Dogs are the best people I have come across in France," highlighting the unique bond humans can share with their four-legged companions. Louis XlV loved dogs and had a beloved toy poodle who lived better than most people. I am a direct descendant of the little boy in the dress and leading streets, which means Versailles should be mine bitches! Alexander the Great is known for being an almost unstoppable conquerer. Legend has it that his beloved dog Peritas was a gift from a Greek King. Legend also states that Peritas had taken down a lion and an elephant. P

The Hero Dog Awards is an annual nationwide competition organized by the American Humane Organization that recognizes heroic dogs in various categories, including law enforcement/arson, service, therapy, military, search and rescue, guide/hearing, and emerging heroes. The awards honor dogs that have performed brave and courageous deeds, such as comforting wounded soldiers, detecting explosives, and assisting in search and rescue missions.

My kids are on their school break, so I didn't have much time, but these videos are hilarious.  Enjoy posting your babies and funny memes and thoughts. Next weekend I will have more time. 

  Natalie and Morningstar Natalie and Fifi Natalie Wood was a dog lover but also adored other animals. I am reading about her life and her tragic death at only 43 years old right now. 

 Now that I have a support dog that is half collie, I am watching and scooping up Collie breed information. I wasn't around when this show was on, but I would have loved it. Do you have a favorite movie or show about dogs?

  Playlist here . The little Aussie doing agility makes me think of Scout and the Puppygirls. It is worth watching the clips if you love dog shows because they are endless entertainment for dog lovers. My in-laws are glued, and my kids and I love watching. Enjoy!

  From the Guardian:  It wasn’t love at first sight with me and Simón. In fact, I didn’t want him. I had been promised a labrador, but when we met in 2004 he turned out to be a street dog – one of the estimated 66,000 strays that prowl the streets of Bogotá, a deep-black furred creature with a white chest who may have been the grandson of a labrador. He was aggressive and I was scared of him, yet we took him home. After all, we had driven for eight hours from my home city, Bucaramanga, to collect him after my uncle, while looking for his missing cat, had found this “labrador” in an alley. My uncle said the dog was about six months old, judging by how short he was. On the way back, he vomited in the car the whole way. To be fair, Bucaramanga is at the top of a plateau; to get there, you drive along Pescadero, a steep, winding road that snakes its way up the Chicamocha canyon. It’s enough to make anyone queasy. After a few days, Simón became less aggressive and we started to connect; he

In the canine universe, Dalmatians are the equivalent of a classic black-and-white film—timeless, charming, and full of personality and character. With their distinctive white coats accessorized with distinctive black spots, these pups are born to stand out like superstars, full of charisma, the kind of dogs that don't just have an interesting nature; they have a presence . The origins of the Dalmatian are shrouded in mystery. They're named after Dalmatia, a region that was once part of Austria, but their true origins are elusive and hard to pinpoint. These striking dogs have had more careers than Barbie: coach dog, war sentinel, circus performer, and the favorite firehouse mascot. In the past, they ran alongside horse-drawn fire engines, acting as the original siren and equine therapists all in one because they kept the horses calm and focused.  Dalmations are the Olympic marathon runners of the dog world, with enough stamina to multi-task and run their owners into the ground

As the world gears up for the annual clash of faux titans known as the Super Bowl, a different sort of showdown, captures the hearts of millions, offering a cuddly counter-program to the gridiron giants. Welcome to the Puppy Bowl, the furriest, most adorable event of the year, where the only penalties are for excessive cuteness, and the only thing inflated is the audience's heart rate from watching sweet little pups frolicking happily. Imagine, if you will,  a field of dreams where the athletes are just lovable puppies having a great time. These four-legged contenders are the epitome of everything good in this world, all willing toddlers in dog years with boundless energy and an attention span as short as their little legs. They're the kind of players who think nothing of taking an impromptu nap on the 50-yard line or mistaking a teammate's tail for a chew toy. Team Ruff and Team Fluff vie for the coveted "Lombarky" Trophy in this epic canine battle. It's not

Well, it turns out that the canine world has its own version of the fountain of youth, and it's all about the nose! Recent research has shown that small, long-nosed pooches, known as the dolichocephalic doggy elite, tend to outlive their snub-nosed counterparts. That's right, the Whippets, Miniature Dachshunds (I think Dachshunds and I think pushy broad. I do), and Shetland Sheepdogs of the world are strutting their stuff well into their frisky teens, with median lifespans of about 13.3 years. The Lancashire Heeler, in particular, is practically a canine Methuselah with an ancient median age of 15.4 years. If you're wondering about the purebred versus crossbreed debate, the purebreds are wagging their tails a little longer, with a median life expectancy of 12.7 years, compared to 12.0 years for the mixed breeds. As for the battle of the sexes, female dogs are winning by a whisker, with a median life expectancy of 12.7 years, compared to 12.4 years for males. If you're i

For me, I find infinite comfort in the company of my dogs. They are always happy to see and love me no matter what I do or look like; it is pure and unconditional. I could never give them a fraction of the joy they give me. As a designer and artist, I spend my nights often alone except for the company of our pets, who keep the silence comfortable and less lonely. We have very important conversations and cuddles. So many artists I know have pets that they love almost more than people and, in some cases, a lot more than people.  Frida Kahlo and her Xoloitzcuintli(Mexican hairless dog) Lucian Freud and his beloved Whippet David Hockney and his cherished dog                                         Norman Rockwell and his pup companions Francis Knoll and her big furry friend Pablo Picasso and his Dalmatian Diego Rivera and his sweet pup