My big sister, Ursela, seems to be looking up to me these days (even though she’s taller). Probably because of all of the attention that I get from looking precious when I sit in my trademark pose, Ursela now “sits stupid” regularly. The only trouble is that I do think that it negatively effects the amount of attention that I get. There’s only so much to go around you know.

It’s official, I’m a traveling dog.  Mom & dad took the prettiest family members which is me, Briten, and Ursela, on a road trip to mean extended human family and to see the sights.

There was lots and lots of driving, but also lots and lots of people to tell me how pretty I am.  Pretty much, I’m the cutest since I’m the youngest and prettiest.

We drove through Oklahoma, Missouri, and Illinois to get to Wisconsin.  I have now been in 5 states!  That’s 5% of the country for those who have calculators and fingers.  It was also Briten’s first trip out of Texas so she has been in 5 states now, too.

Where Whisper's Been Map

Ursela has traveled lots, but not with wuch a cute travel companion!  Ursela has been in 11 states, which is 22% of the country for the calculator and finger types.

Where Ursela's Been Map

Brother dog, Waylan, didn’t get to come because of his obvious lack of cutness.  We also left all three kitties to guard the house.  And also because kitties are way less cute than dogs.

Road tripping means lots of long drives in the car so I will take a break for now.  But I’m sure that I’m cute enough to eventually beat Ursela’s record of 11 states!

Today an awesome video of me (and my brother Waylan) was submitted to America’s Funniest Videos.  It’s hilarious and I hope to share it soon, but we can’t post it yet due to the AFV rules.  Oh, and I’m a competitive girl so I may be lobbying for my video soon on ABC’s website.  Watch the blog or my Mom’s Twitter page at http://twitter.com/AriaInAustin.

So instead, I have totally CUTE video featuring yours truly to share.  You can even see it in HD on YouTube because my parents are high-tech!

Well, as it turns out, I’m not allowed to vote being that I’m not a citizen of the United States… yet.  But the presidential dogs have been selected.

The American Kennel Club, who DOES recognize me as a registered member, recently held a poll about presidential dogs.  Finally, some quality candidates!

History of Presidential Dogs

Miss Beazley, First Lady Laura Bush's Scottish Terrier

G. W. Bush's English Springer Spaniel, daughter of Bush Sr.'s dog, Millie

Barney, a Bush Scottish Terrier

Clinton family dog, Buddy

Bush dog (& Author! how amazing!) Millie

The Reagan's Bouvier des Flandres, Lucky

Rex, the Reagans' King Charles Spaniel

Get your issue of this month’s Austin Monthly to see me and some of Austin’s other famous and fabulous dogs in our effort to raist money for Austin Pets Alive!.  Voting began October 1st and runs through October 31st.  Also, don’t forget, October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.  If your house is a full as mine, making a donation to an organization like Austin Pets Alive! is a great way to support shelter dogs in another way.

$1 = 1 Vote
Please support me and Austin Pets Alive! with your donation!
Don’t forget to chose “Vote for Whisper” in the pull down menu!

Aren’t I pretty?  My first REAL photo shot with REAL photographer, Korey Howell!

And now for a note from my Mom:

I hope you’ll join me in supporting my new pet cause, by voting for my adorable dog, Whisper, in Austin’s Favorite Dog Contest, Oct. 1 – 31st, benefiting Austin Pets Alive!  APA! is a non-profit organization whose mission is to eliminate the killing of companion animals here in Austin.  While we all know Austin is a very pet-friendly community, we still don’t have the resources in place yet to prevent over 13,000+ dogs a year from being euthanized needlessly just because they are homeless.  Austin Pets Alive! has spearheaded a renewed effort to save more dogs from local area shelters, and in just a few short months, has shown a significant decrease in the number of dogs being killed each month.  However, in order to continue providing education, fostering, adoption and medical intervention, Austin Pets Alive! needs our help.  Local photographer and animal advocate, Korey Howell, and Austin Monthly magazine joined forces with APA! to instigate an online fundraising campaign to raise money and awareness for this great cause.

You can help by voting for my dog, Whisper!  Just visit the APA! web site or click on the following link: http://www.austinpetsalive.org/dog_photo_contest08/whisper.php.  Be sure you select Whisper’s name in the Program drop-down menu when you complete the online voting form.  Then be sure to check out the other dogs participating in the contest as well.  You will see that there are so many dogs deserving of the title of Austin’s Favorite Dog, and we expect there to be fierce competition, so I need you to forward this email to all of your contacts and encourage them to vote for my precious pup!  Every dollar donated counts as one vote, and you are welcome to vote as often as you’d like and for as many dogs as you’d like.  For example, you could donate $10 equating to 10 votes for Whisper, and then turn around and vote again for another contestant.  Just follow the directions on the APA! web site and if you have any questions, contact Sarah Miller at: snc_hart@yahoo.com.

The dog that raises the most money will be crowned Austin’s Favorite Dog, will be featured on the APA! web site in November and in media materials, and will win a great prize package provided by local dog-loving business sponsors.
For more information about Austin Pets Alive!, check out their website: http://www.austinpetsalive.org/

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Aria Schoenfelt

L to R: Aunt Ursela, Aunt Poco, Me, Momma Briten, Grandmamma Toad, & Aunt Lily at PSC'08.

I told you before that we had Pomeranian Summer Camp 2008 at my house twice this year.  It was tons of fun, especially for the first one when I got to spend my first extended quality time with my extended family.  They are all in the photo except for my kitties.  The Puparrazzi had been on my trail since I was a baby and they were in full force for PSC’08.  They convinced us to take a staged group photo, and it was tons of fun!

First we all got to get on the sofa at the same time!

Briten, my mom, has modeled before.
Aunt Poco did her hair, make-up and teeth.
Until she “Diva-d Out” as they say.

We posed, and posed.  It’s my new favorite thing.
But it’s harder than it looks, and quite exhausting!

At last they had the shot they needed of all six of us.  My family is so beautiful!  And it was so much fun that I decided to become a model when I grow up!  I mean, just look at my baby photos.  I’m, like, totally a natural.

My extended family was over for the weekend for the second session of Pomeranian Summer Camp ‘08.  It reminded me of an interesting day I had during the first session.  My aunt Poco who wants to be an Obedience Champion is really fun and naughty too.  She asked the kitties to knock some people things down off the tables for us.  They knocked down a small tea candle that smelled pretty and she gave it to me because I’m her favorite and only niece.  Dogs have lots of favorite things.  Of course I took a taste (the people consume tea) and it tasted pretty too.  So, being the smart and pretty girl that I am, I ated it.  It was yummy and made out of soy so it was good for me too.

No one could get over how pretty my breath smelled and it lasted for hours!  I will never forget the day my breath smelled like perfume.

The kitties have not found any more tea candles for me, but they are on the lookout because I promised a face wash to an kitty that brings me one.

So the English Premier League began last Saturday and Daddy plopped himself on the sofa all day and hardly moved for the highlight, the Liverpool FC game.  That’s one of my favorite things because I like to watch TV with him.  He had been going on and on about it for weeks.  The game was pretty fun, but I felt left out watching it in the nude.  I talked to Mom about it and in no time, I had my very own Liverpool jersey.  I surprised Daddy with it when he got home.

Today was game two, so I dressed like daddy to watch the game with him.  It wasnt on TV so we watched it using the interweb.  The interweb is one of my favorite things.

It’s fabulous to be a Liverpool fan and to spend some quality time with Daddy.  Plus, I look fabulous in red and I want to be a model when I grow up so that is important.

I’ve been living my life happily with my family… 3 cats & 2 other Pomeranians at home and my Pomeranian friends at grandma’s house.  Yesturday began like any other day when Mom left for work.  But when she came home, she had my friends with her to visit for the week and a strange dog they call “Dog”.  “Dog” is nearly bald with huge paws, a huge body, and a huge head.  Her ears don’t even stand up straight.  It seems that “Dog” was dying along side the road and my people felt the need to help her.  I’m told that “Dog” is some sort of dog like me, but I’m really not so sure about this intruder.

So I have lots of pretty friends with beautiful long, fuzzy hair.  I disagree with my people about “Dog” and hope she finds a home soon.  Can you believe they had the nerve to fuss at ME?  They say she’s a cripple or something so I should be nice.  Yesterday, the world threw me a huge disappointment.  I thought being a dog meant being cute, but apparently there are acceptations.