MERRY CHRISTMAS RIPLEY!!

Hey mate! Did you have a great Christmas? Your Elf video is brilliant - I see you have been working on your dancing - Paddy will be so impressed!!

We had a fun Christmas - I gave Paddy a Cookie Monster toy and he gave me a bubble making machine!! It is so much fun - we just love bubbles - we chase them and chase them and then have naps and chase them some more. It's super fun, although sometimes when we bite them they taste a bit gross, but it's totally worth it.


Hope you are having fun holidays - love to Lola, Barkley & the gang!

Love Oscar. Bubble King.
xxoo

A Very Ripley Xmas to you all !

It's Christmas Time!!!

Hey Ripley!! Oh man - congrats on the new baby-bro!! So glad to hear that you are giving him lots of love, but also letting him know his boundaries and what the pecking order is (ie. Ripley, Mum, Dad, Barkley then Lola).

Things are great here - Christmas is in full swing at the ranch!! Mum bought a massive tree - have your parents put a tree up? Dude - they are so much fun - you can drag baubles off the branches and hide them. I also love attempting to drag presents away so that I can chew them, but Mum always stops me before I can get a good grip...that's a long term project though - I think that before Christmas I can definitely get one demolished, maybe two.

Tonight I had my annual Christmas-photo-portrait done. (Not sure what 'annual', 'photo' or 'portrait' mean, but the whole experience was super annoying - Mum kept telling me to keep my head still but there was just so much to look at that it was really tough to concentrate..)


Anyhoo - congrats again on baby Barkley - does he throw the ball yet? In my experience humans aren't really that interesting until they can throw balls and/or sticks...

Big hugs,

Oscar xx

The House Pecking Order

Dear Oscar, Paddy and Friends,

Since Christamas is coming I had to make clear the pecking order of the house. There will be lots of presents, toys and food during the holidays and I had to make it clear to Baby Barkley who gets first dibs on these things - its me!!

He agreed, as everyone does when I make my demands!!

I felt generous today so I let him have the "Baby Gym" Mamam bought this week, it was too small for me so I parted with it easily, gosh Im a sweet Poodle!!

Gros bisous my friends!!

Love from Ripley

xoxox

Baby Bro Barkley is here!!

Hi Oscar, Paddy and Dear Friends!!!

Well its been a long time since I posted, Ive sure been busy being a big bro to my little brother Barkley!! He was born on the 23rd of October and he is a big bundle of cuteness. We have been getting on supa well and I dont even bark when he cries. Ive also been a big help to Mamam, she is still so tired but so happy to have another poodle in the house - but I wonder when he will grow long ears and a tail, unfortunately he isn't as handsome as moi!!!

Gros bisous mes amis et a bientot!!

Big Bro Ripley

xox

See-food Diet

Dear Oscar Paddy and all of our wonderful Blogging Friends!

I am on official duty to help Mamam with her 'See-food Diet', that is that you see the food then you eat it, YAY!!!

Poor Mamam is always hungry these days, my little brother is coming soon and all of this waiting is making us both hungry.

So far this week I have helped her prepare:

15 Lasagne's

12 Cornish pasties

2 kilos of Poodleloaf (for recipe see May 08 post)

All of this ready to de-freeze, heat and eat just for me, Pupup and Lola whilst she is away in hospital. She knows that although Pupup loves me, he just doesn't cut the mustard when it comes to preparing my gourmet dinner every night!!

Now were are just about to dig in to our Sunday lunch, a real Seafood Platter this time, YUM!!

Bon  Appetite!!

xox

Ripley

Office

Hey dude - sorry I didn't get a chance to write today - I have been completely snowed under at the office - my dad has heaps of work to do and I am helping him out.



Hopefully I can write more at the end of the week.

Love Oscar xx
Office-poodle
Apprentice Engineer
poodlesoup@gmail.com

Poodle-craft

Oh my gosh - look at that beautiful tummy!!! Lola is gorgeous! We have cats at our house too and they have big tummys aswell. I wonder if ours ate brown bears too?

Things have been going well here at the ranch. It's starting to get really summery here at we have been for two swims already! We were a bit scared at first but now we dive in on our own. Papa D puts us on a floaty thing (we call it the 'poodle-craft') and drags us around the pool with him. It's super fun.

Oops - better go - I hear food being prepared inside!! Paddy and I stand up on a chair and look through the window and sometimes mum gives us treats! I have to stop Paddy from jumping into the window though cause he sometimes he gets over excited and jumps into the sink.


Byeeeee Ripley!!!

Oscar xx

Where is Brown Bear??

Hey Brown Bear has gone missing!!!!

Do you think Lola ate him?? She is looking very suspicious and um......full.

xox

Ripley

Morning Coffee

Hi Everyone!

Things are getting very strange, Mamam is getting really fat. Her belly is sooooo big now I cant have my morning coffee sitting on her lap, there is just no space at all!! Luckily Pupup comes to the rescue and lets me sit on him. Mamam is also making a strange bed, its all blue and pretty, she says its for my little brother who is in her tummy. Thats weird, how does one play fetch in her tummy? 

xox

Ripley

Barf

Hey mate - oh you look so pretty after your bath!! Mama Tors got inspired after seeing your lovely new do and gave us baths too. I am pretty cool in the bath but Paddy HATES it!! He stands up on his hind legs and refuses to sit down or stand normally.


We were a bit cold but we got our hair blowdried so now were ok. Mama Tors doesn't really like blowdrying our hair but Papa Damo insists. I think he'd put bows in our hair if he could!!

Anyhoo, back to it. I've just spotted a dead toad on the road and me thinkith it needs rolling in...

Oscar-doodle-doo xxxx

Fresh from the Toilettage

Hi Everyone!!

Here I am all clean, coiffured and fresh from the Toilettage!! What a difference a haircut makes. I was soooooo dirty last weekend with my shenanigans of going through the dirty rubbish bag. I must say I'm happier being all white and pretty. I got so many pats on the way home. Mamam cant stop kissing me, I hope she ain't wearing any lipgloss, it makes my curls go all limp!!

Anyways, gotta go sit and admire my reflection in the oven door again.....

Lots of love

Ripley

xoxo

OH MY GOD!!!! DUDE I THOUGHT YOU WERE A DIFFERENT POODLE!!!!

Oh man that is so funny. Did you get the meat in the end? Jeez I hope so..

Apologies for not blogging for so long - my ma has been away and pa isn't a very keen blogger so no one was here to help me type. Paddy and I had a huge day today - Paddy's mum was mowing the lawn and so Paddy and I were trotting along behind her playing with the cut grass. We played in the grass for ages and now we are both so sleepy.


Let us know how you go at the toilettage - man - those nice French ladies have a BIG job ahead of them!!!

Hugs, Oscar xxxx

ps - Ma came home the other day with houses for all my brothers and sisters (the feline ones). They are super cute - when we assembled them mum put fairy lights around the entrances and next week she's going to make little fluffy mailboxes for them...Here's a picture of Bob in his. He is wondering if he will qualify for the First Homebuyers Grant. I told him I didn't think cats could get the First Homebuyers Grant, but mum's going to look into it for us..

Angel with a Dirty Face....and Paws!!

Hi Oscar and Paddy!!!

Look at me.......Mamam and Pupup decided to clean out the chimney. They made it all special and pretty for Lola to use as her cubby house (pics coming soon). So anyways I decided to help by digging through the garbage when they were all asleep. It wasnt my fault there was chimney dust all through the garbage bag!!! It also wasnt my fault that there happened to be some left over meat in the garbage bag too!!

A Poodle's gotta do what a Poodles gotta do.

Mamam is taking me to the Toilettage today, she loves me even though she says I am an Angel with a Dirty Face!!!

xoxo

Ripley

Christmas in July

Hey Oscar and Paddy,

So glad you have discovered TV, I love TV. My favourite shows are Project Runway and The Dog Whisperer.....too much fun!!

Mammam has been away for the week gallivanting in Nice and Monaco so Ive been at home holding fort and looking after Lola and PupPup. Also, its been so good getting some laptop time, Mamman is always hogging the laptop Googling herself!!!!

So today I thought I'd get my list to Santa off nice and early...here is what I am asking for so far:

A years supply of Porky Chews

An incinerator to burn all of the crazy outfits Mamman insists on me wearing

Poodle headphones to block out Lola's morning meows (shes always waking me up too early!!)

A king size bed

An automatic ball throwing machine

Its not much to ask of Santa is it, Ive been so well behaved all year.

Anyways, its lunchtime now as I can smell some Poodleloaf being heated for me...YUM!!!

Love from Ripley

xoxo

TV

Dude. Apologies it has been so long since I have blogged - I have been flat out - I have made a discovery - TV.


It's brilliant - there are people on there chatting to me all day and sometimes I go away and then I come back and they are still there chatting. Mama Tors watches some great stuff but Papa Damo watches stoopid things where grown men play catch on a big green field - it's kinda dumb, but luckily Mama Tors watches good stuff like Big Brother Friday Night Games.

Anyway, I'd better get back to it - hey thanks for the great hair tips by the way - Mama Tors shed a little tear when you said that curls are better if you let them dry naturally, as opposed to blowdrying, cause she loves it when my hair is all fluffy after a blowdry, but she has agreed to give the natural dry a go.

Hows tricks in France? xxxx

Curls get the Girls!

Dear Oscar and Paddy,

As your elder cousin, I thought that it is my responsibility to give you some gentlemanly tips on grooming. You see, my motto is "Curls get the Girls" the more cute you look the more chance of belly rubs, treats and all round Poodle pampering! So, to keep your Poodle hair in top shape Ive made a list of points to remember:

• Use a bodywash milk instead of shampoo, its great for your skin and soft on our delicate curls.
  
• Should someone want to kiss you, offer them your paw as lipstick on the head will make your curls oily and flat.
  
• Natural dry is better than a blow dry (except for those cold winter days of course)
  
• Try not to run in the wind too much, this gets our curls outta shape!!
  
• If its hot and humid and your curls go flat, sit in the bathroom and demand a refreshing milk bath and blow dry.
  
• Lastly, when Mama Tors gives you a haircut, make sure she does it in front of a mirror! You gotta keep an eye on these things as we dont want any lopsided ears let alone any curl out of place!

Well boys that's my lesson for now, just remember "you were born beautiful, everyone else has to work for it!!"

Love from Ripley

xoxo

Puppy playday!

Hey Rips! Ohh you looked so cute when you were a baby!! I can't believe how small you we're!!! I can't remember being that small!

Hamish came over again yesterday and we had another play date! It was tons of fun - we all went paddling on the surf-ski and Paddy and I went for a swim!

Here are some pics!

Look at moiye Look at moiye!!

Hey Oscar!!

Good to see your helpin out around the house. Mama Tors must really appreciate your shredding skills! 

Its getting nice and warm here, Mamam is really happy Summer has finally arrived. Things have been busy, but she says it will be holiday and relaxation time soon. She says Im getting a little brother who will be called Barkley. Unfortunatley he wont have a cute cotton tail like I do, but Mamam says she will love him almost as much as she loves me. She says I am her heart on 4 legs!!

I was such a cute baby, check me out, I totally could sit in the palm of PupPup's hand.

You have a great weekend dude, keep up the housework, its a never ending job isn't it!!

Love Big Brother Ripley xox

Busy, busy, busy..

Hi Ripper,

Just thought I'd blog and tell you about this important project I've been working on. You see there are stacks of paper everywhere on peoples desks around here, and I figure that to save the family money on a paper-shredder, I could go around and collect the said bits of paper and take care of them for everyone.


..it's been a heck of a job, and I thought I wouldn't get through it all but luckily Paddy saw the value in what I was doing and decided to help...


Maybe you could help out your mum and dad by shredding their precious documents for them? Just a thought. It seems to make them really animated (which I am taking to be happy) and it feels good to give back...

Love Oscar xx

Papa D's pie

Hey Pushkin & Ripley! So great to meet you Pushkin! Sounds like you have lots of fun there in Brisbane. Even though Ripley is a boy, he is really into make-up and jewellery too, so you'll be able to chat to him lots about the latest trends and best blush brushes to use.

Things are good over here - actually mum is painting a lot at the moment and so she hasn't been taking me out for many walks...


....but I go for lots of walks with Mama Trish and Paddy so thats good. Sometimes they leave very early in the morning and the slack-ass's I live with often aren't up in time so I have to yell to wake them up. Papa Damo is good - he cooked a super looking pie today but wouldn't give me any which made me sad, but then I looked over at Mama Tors and knew that even though I couldn't have any pie, everything would be alright cause she is more fun that ten pies.

Oops - gotta fly - Papa D is out and his ugg boots are sitting by the door and need to be chewed.

Hugs, Oscar xxxx

Pushkin's First Guest Blog

Hello Poodles, I am Pushkin and this is my first time blogging. This is a photo of me with my mum's wooden beads. I like to take them off the dresser and drag them onto the bed where I sit and eat them. I have also recently discovered mum's make-up brush. Oscar may have heard how previously my favourite past-time was to traipse around the neighbourhood steeling house-painting brushes. I would then bring them home and secret them under the bed. Sadly, people started hiding them away from me so I haven't bought any home for months. That's why it is exciting to learn that my mum has a quite small blush brush that fits nicely in my mouth. It also belongs on the dresser in a bag, so if she leaves the zip undone I can easily get in and take it. Once I get it the fun and games begin. I like to run around the house with it while mum chases me then I like to hide it where she can't find it. The best places so far have been behind the books on the bookshelf and in the odds and ends basket, it took her ages to find it. This new game is too much fun! I think mum is a little worried that I have pica (a psychiatric condition where people eat strange things). Really, it is because I am growing up and have started taking an interest in make-up and jewellery. Kitten hugs and squishes xxxx Pushkin

More fun with Hamish

Hey Ripper!

Yesterday we had another play date with Hamish. I was tops fun but jeez I was sleepy when I got home. That little guy has a lot of energy..



And dude - kudos to you for getting to the bottom of the molecule mystery - I can't believe your Ma put it in the washing machine. That really sucks cause you are the legal guardian of that toy and she really should be more careful cause you're the one who would get in trouble if something happened to it..Maybe it's time to sit her down and have a chat with her about responsibility..

Anyhoo, I am off - I am so sleepy cause for the last 3 days I have had events to attend and people to schmooze and it has really worn me out.

Love Oscar-doo xxxx

The Molecule Mystery

Oh man that Hamish looks like a fun bloke to have around! Anyone who is a friend of Papa Damo is a friend of mine. Papa Damo always took the time to play fetch with me when he visited, please give him a high five for me will ya!!

Not much has been happening this week, Mamam was a little sick from being busy painting, she didnt have much time to make me a new Mardi Gras costume, but promises a new outfit for my Summer wardrobe soon. 

Kisses for PupPup and Laurent

We had a fun Saturday watching the Mardi Gras parade,  though Mamam said it wasnt as spectacular as the Sydney parade....she said she will have to start a charity organisation to make some decent outfits for next years parade. Just "not enough sparkles and feathers" to do it justice she says.

Molecule mystery solved by me!

This morning there were some major dramas......I couldn't find Molecule!!! Well let me explain: Molecule is my favourite throw toy, it actually is in the shape of a molecule hence its name. Well it was no where to be seen, I looked everywhere for it. I was very distressed as I am a responsible toy owner and like to know where all my toys are in the case someone drops around to play. Well I found it!! That crazy Mamam of mine had accidentally put it in with the washing. Now I have to sit here and wait for it to come out, shouldnt be too long now. Just waiting for it to rinse and spin dry. Ah ya ya!!

Love from Ripley

xoxo

Our new friend!

Hey Ripper,

Papa Damo's friend Papa Robbo came over today with his new puppy Hamish!!!


Hamish was tons of fun and will hopefully come out for playdates lots from now on. We went for swims, had lunch and Hamish helped me with a project I am working on in the yard:



Then we went for a big run and now I am super sleepy. Hamish is a bag of laughs, but sometimes I think he finds Paddy and I a bit much cause we're a bit bigger than him and he's never really seen other puppies before,


but throughout the course of the day he really came out of his shell and by the time he went home he was well and truely one of the boys!

How was your weekend? How was the Mardi Gras?

Oscar-doo xx

New shoes!!

Hey Ripper,

Wow dude - I cannot wait to see your Mardi Gras costume!!! Sounds like you had a ball while your ma and pa were away. We had a very exciting week - mum got some new slippers and so we have been stealing them and chewing on them all week - it's super fun but Mama Tors hates it. Papa Damo took us for a big walk the other day but we got a bit sleepy towards the end and so he had to carry us. Yesterday, Mama Tors gave me a haircut and we think it looks great but Papa.D thinks it looks a bit silly - I asked mum to leave my head super fluffy cause I think that poodles with giant puppy-heads look super cute.

Anyway, I'd better fly - Mama Tors is measuring me because she thinks I need a raincoat for when we go walking in bad weather.

Paddy sends his love,

Hugs, Oscar

Mon petite vacance

Me and the lovely Christine

Dear Oscar and Paddy,

Well Im back, while Mamam and PupPup were away (lucky things went to see KYLIE in concert without me!!) I had a lovely weekend stay with Christine and Laurent. They were sooo much fun, I didnt even cry for Mamam once!! They just moved here to France from Australia and weren't able to bring their giant Schnauzer Remy with them, but from what I hear Remy is loving his new home back in Australia, he even has a lovely blonde Golden retriever girlfriend now. Anyways I was happy to be their surrogate Remy for a while. Christine is an artist as well so I made sure I sprinkled some of my musings in her studio too.

This weekend in France is the Mardi Gras Parade, Mamam and I are about to sit down and start designing my costume, Im not sure whether sequins or diamonds are the go......hmmm what about feathers......too much?

Love from Ripley

xoxo

Feeling better...

Hey Ripper!

Well we are both feeling much better now. And dude - thanks for the awesome poodle cupcakes - they were totally off the hook.

We have had a pretty quiet week since I last blogged - I have been spending a lot of time painting with mum - I am a big help - I mainly sit under her easel and direct operations and am generally encouraging. Sometimes when I think Mama Tors needs a break I go do a poo in the corner cause it gets her up and moving. It's not much, but do what I can.


Anyhoo, Paddington says hi - oh hey - Mama Tors had lunch with her friend Jess today and Jess's cat Pushkin is keen to be a guest blogger on Poodle Soup. Pushkins super fun and a great writer so you might be hearing from her soon...

You have a great weekend!

Love Oscar-doodle-doo xx

Hang in there....

Hey little buddy,
Im totally feeling your post operation sads, I had the same done to me, even though I cant remember it, Mamam said it was for the best. Maman said if we get enough painting done today we can then go shopping and look for your very own Stunt Oscar!!! YAY!!! This also means I get to go outside, haven't been out in days as its been so rainy, I'll be sure to read all the local doggy news on every corner and fire hydrant, plus sprinkle some around of my own. Sending over some Poodle Cupcakes right now!!
Lots of love and cuddles
Ripley
xoxox

What a day...

Hi Ripley! So great to hear news of your new cousin and the marvelous Stunt Ripley!! I think I need a stunt double cause Mama Tors sent me over to the vet yesterday for wha she described as a 'routine operation-wation' and now I feel a bit sick and very sleepy. I'm not sure what happened but she said something about all puppies having to have it done but quite frankly dude, just between you and I, I am not happy about it. Luckily Paddington came with me so I wasn't scared or nuthin.



I'll blog more a bit later when I have a bit more energy. For now, Mama Tors is brushing my hair and wrapping me up in blankets and Papa Damo is giving me lots of hugs.

Talk later, Oscar xxxx

Stunt Ripley!

Dear Oscar & Paddy,

I thought I might introduce you to my favourite toy....STUNT RIPLEY!!! In fact it was Mama Tors who gave him this name, you see I used to leave Stunt Ripley in funny places around the house and freak out Mama Tors when she stayed with us, she thought he was me sometimes. I especially liked leaving him on the stairwell cause it was funny seeing people trip over thinking it was me lying limp there, he he he he.
These days me and Stunt Ripley just take it easy, Mamam isn't fooled by our shenanigans anymore. Its still raining outside so am snuggling up. Mamam promised to make me some Poodle Cookies tonight, will post up the recipe soon.

Love Ripley..and Stunt Ripley
xoxo

News Flash!!

Dudes, check it out!! I have a brand new baby cousin. His name is Sootie and lives with my Aunty Alisa and Uncle Alex in Brisbane. Oh Im so excited he looks so cool. Aunty says he is 4 months old and is very affectionate and cuddly, a good move on his part I reckon. He already has everyone wrapped around his little paws!! Bless.

Bad Hair Day

Dear Oscar,

Oh man your so lucky to have a pool, looking outside today its not only pouring rain but its high humidity which means my curls go limp. Its a bad hair day so Lola and I are not getting out of bed!!! Mamam totally understands our lifestyle demands, so she has bought us breakfast in bed and our lunch is due at midday.
Mamam also tells me you are having "little accidents" around the house, look dude, hang in there. Im 7 years old and still make them myself. What you gotta do is go somewhere that you can make a stealth poop. No one will notice until they step in it, thats when you just roll on your back and make your sad sorry poodle eyes, works every time!!!
Ok, better go, Mamam is rolling the TV in for me and Lola to watch our morning soaps, you gotta watch Bold & the Beautiful in French, awesome!!!

I fell in the pool

Dude. Check it out. I just fell in the pool twice. I am super smart.

Hello Ripley!

Dear Ripley!

It is so great to finally be able to chat with you! I am writing this (I'm Oscar) as Paddy is not yet computer saavy. We came to the Reichelt-ranch 1 week ago and we have been having the time of our lives - we go for lots of walks and since we arrived we have had 3 baths and 2 blowdries - we don't look quite as good as you (because you have professional hairdressing services) but we do like being nice and fluffy. Although our mum got in trouble from the vet the other day as he said that she wasn't allowed to bath and blowdry us more than once a week. I can't remember the reason, but she was very disappointed.

We are getting better a recognizing our names, but we still like to do pizzles and wizzles inside occasionally. The biggest learning curve for us is figuring out what we can chew and what we can't chew. I tried to chew on a roll of Mama Tors' canvas last night and apparently that was wrong. Actually our favourite thing to chew at the moment is a Care Bear that Mama Tors said that you gave her when she was in Montpellier. We have gotten the nose off and are now working on the Care Bear symbol on it's bum.


Anyway, it's so good to chat to you, thanks for the meatloaf recipe - we're still eating nobblies at the moment but we will keep it on file for when we can start to eat grown up food.

Mama Tors asked me to send her love to Mama V for her - she speaks very highly of the Mama V and French Connection and says that one day she is going to take us over there to meet our cousins!

Love Oscar & Paddington.

Poodleloaf

Dear Oscar and Paddy,

Well as I said, Maman was busy cooking me some of her famous Poodle Loaf. Mmmmm its just come out of the oven and am having it right now for my Sunday dinner!!

Here is the recipe....

1 kilo of lean mince (you can also use chicken if you prefer)

2 cups of fresh veggies (I like broccoli and carrot mix)

1 bunch of chopped parsley

1 cup mix of grains, uncooked brown rice or oatmeal

3 free range eggs

2 cloves crushed garlic

olive oil

Preheat oven to 180. Mix all of these ingredients together. Lightly grease a bread baking tin with a little olive oil. Place mix into tin and firmly press down into tin so its tightly packed. Bake for 1 hour.

Let cool then remove from tin. Then slice into pieces and serve with a garnish of parsley and a cup of Poodle Soup on the side (this recipe will follow soon). With the rest of the Poodle Loaf, slice into pieces and cover in glad wrap to freeze and serve as needed.

Voila!! Nuff said.