Dobry den from Praha/Viszontlatasra from Budapest

Forgot to mention that Maestro got upgraded to First Class en route to his European Maestro mission (in your face Ava).

Zdravo from Croatia

Greetings from Croatia. For the first time in Maestrochronatic history, sadly there is no photo to post. However, Maestro reports that he has been traipsing the globe from Zagreb to Split to Dubrovniik... and back. Currently making the reverse route, he will head to Budapest on a long, long train ride tomorrow. Surely a photo would do this more justice, but that will come in due time.

Where in the World...

Maestro P. Gunderson is about to go en vacances... destination unknown. Bags are all packed, including one empty to keep him occupied on the long flight. Just when you thought things were getting a little too quiet here at Maestronomy, the international Maestro Missions begin. He will be keeping a low profile while abroad, but will no doubt be checking in from time to time. Stay tuned, loyal interweb geeks. Can you guess where Maestro will show up next?

"Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego" by Rockapella

Funemployment Friday!

Its been a long time coming, but we are finally here!

LET THE FUNEMPLOYMENT BEGIN!!!!

RIP RFC Career.

"Freedom" by George Michael

Flashback Fridays

"The Final Countdown" by Europe

Thursday Guest Spotlight

What? You were unaware that I had 2 pets?

I know, the lack of exposure that Cornelius Xavier gets on this blog is downright shameful.

Though he was mentioned briefly back in February, little more is known to the internet public about the unexplored life of C.X.

Where can I start? How about the fact that he is still alive almost 6 months after purchase? That's no small victory in my book. Yeah, maybe its morbid, but I held onto that receipt with a shred of doubt.

Naturally I want to protect the investment I made back in January, so Cornelius Xavier enjoys nothing but the finest in shrimp pellets and freeze dried blood worms. They keep him going on the long office weekends when the lights are all out and nobody is smudging the sides of his bowl with greasy fingers and foreheads.

With so much care expressed, you'd think I'd change his water a bit more often. But I'm convinced he likes it murky with an improper PH balance.

I think part of me knew that C.X. would outlast my time here in the office, so now all that's left for speculation is whether he will outlast the company itself.

Live long, my friend. You are cherished.

Wednesday Wisdom

"If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living"

-Seneca

Maestroni

The finest in European beers. 34 days til indulgence.

Maestro's PSA of the Day

If you've ever thought about rescuing a dog or a puppy, maybe now is the time! A friend shared a list with me that is too extensive to fit in this space. Breeds include Maltese, Pekingese, Jack Russel, Pug, Chihuahua, Silkies, Dachsund, Poodles, Boston Terriers, Min Pin, and Pomeranians.

On this list alone there are 20 Pekingese needing help to be freed from a puppy mill. Check out this website, http://www.pncmidwest.org/, or email me if you want to know more about the other breeds.

Check out these puppy mill FAQs as well.

Maestro is now stepping down from his soapbox. Thanks for considering!

Monday Maestro Musings

“Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles.”

Alex Karras quote

Flashback Fridays

"She's Got the Look" by Roxette

Thursday Guest Spotlight

Its Milli vs. Vanilli in today's guest spotlight.

Yes, here at Maestronomy, we've taken the liberty of naming the Splinter family lamp/living room foe of their beloved Fox Terrier.

Ms. Milli, lifelong resident of Madison Lake, MN, lives a pretty plush lifestyle. Besides having general run of the house, her doting family keeps its cool and air conditioned just for her, and lavishes treats upon her from a Who Let the Dogs Out singing cookie jar.

Milli is totally lovable, but don't let her around other dogs or kids or someone might end up missing an appendage. Just blame it on the rain. The Veda-monster has been known to ruffle her fur, but a peace agreement is in the works.

Dog Days of Summer

Maestropotamus

Spotted along the Bush Lake shoreline-

Maestropotamus: the Myth, the Legend.

Beware unassuming Bloomington beach dwellers....

Monday Maestro Musings

Flashback Fridays

"Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood

Thursday Guest Spotlight

Thanks to Double T's for today's wildlife submission!

Here sits Bowser. He is an adopted cockapoo (cocker spaniel/poodle mix). He shares a birthday with Barack Obama (or so I decided). He loves to pose for pictures, bite at your heels, pee on strangers (when he gets excited), and give endless amounts of kisses (it's kind of an obsession, and it's gross).

He's been known to look like a little gorilla and was almost given the name Animal (because he looked like a muppet at the Humane Society). (His original name was Toy...but that's just mean.)

Wednesday Wisdom

Baby Swings:

Not just for human babies

Motivational Tuesday

Continuing Monday's theme, here we see an early 1940's example of classic Maestronicongraphy.

Monday Maestro Musings/Motivators

YES WE CAN!

Flashback Fridays

"Don't Forget My Number" by Milli Vanilli

PS - This song is way more terrible than I recall from 1989, and the remix factor isn't helping.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Thursday Guest Spotlight

The many faces of Ava-Tar...

The youngest member of the GKC and proud owner (that's not a typo) of the Notorious O.K.G. has come a long way since her puppy days.

A recent graduate of Boot Camp, Ava learned the street smarts to survive the tough neighborhoods of West Bloomington and the constant threat of other GKC house inhabitants.

Finally bigger, but still not smarter than Maestro, these two will be BFFs whether they like it or not. Everyone remembers that weird kid you had to play with because your moms were friends, right? Pity.

Its OK Ava, we heart you and your crazy owner.

Wednesday Wisdom

Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Are we there yet??

Monday Maestro Musings

STOP LOOKING AT ME SWAN!!

:)

Flashback Fridays

Today we celebrate Maestronomy's 100th post with this fitting tribute.

Thursday Guest Spotlight

Wow. Absolutely no one wanted to be in this picture, and not even Maestro could put his best face forward. So it goes sometimes when 8+ dogs show up in one house. But without further ado, may I present to you the third and final (for now) member of the GKC AZ arrivals!

Meet Kaya. She's a laid back puppy momma whose interests include long walks in the backyard, sharing the couch with this 140 pounder, and policing a 5 year old. Its a thankless job most of the time, but Kaya keeps on truckin'.

Wednesday Wisdom

Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.
Benjamin Franklin

Motivational Tuesday

Monday Maestro Musings

Is a hippopotamus a hippopotamus or just a really cool opotamus?

-Mitch Hedberg

Flashback Fridays

"Don't Dream Its Over" by Crowded House

Thursday Guest Spotlight

Awww... look at this sweet little guy.

Meet Chance, the latest addition to the GKC, by way of the AZ Humane Society.

Part 2 of 3 in our AZ arrivals spotlight.

Finally, Maestro can pick on someone his own size.

Anyone care to place a bet on the winner?

Wednesday Wisdom

"Instead of a Seeing Eye dog, what about a gun? It's cheaper than a dog, plus if you walk around shooting all the time people are going to get out of the way. Cars, too!" -Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey

Yankee Doodle?

Stick a feather on his nose and call him Maesteroni.

Monday Maestro Musings

“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”

-Margaret Atwood

Flashback Fridays

"Have A Drink On Me" by AC/DC

Thursday Guest Spotlight

Uff-da.

Talk about too hot for blogging, this guy can barely get up off the floor.

Weighing in at at least 140 pounds, we welcome Midas Fatty "McGee" to Minnesota! A bit of respite from the AZ heat, or not so much?

Part One in our Trilogy welcoming the extended Gunderson Kennel Club to MN. That's right folks, the GKC is now up to 8 members.

Maestro couldn't be more proud to belong to this prestigious organization.

Stay tuned for future member spotlights.

Wednesday Wisdom

Dog is my Co-Pilot.

Lost Tuesdays

And so it ends.

Maestro. P. Gunderson is Out of the Office

Flashback Fridays

"Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer

Thursday Guest Spotlight

Ladies and gentlemen of the interwebs, may I introduce to you Ms. Murphy Todd.

Public Data:

Murphy is a lovable pup who enjoys being outside and retrieving tennis
balls. She is an expert snuggler and her favorite foods are green
peppers, carrots, and steak.

Latest Gossip:

Murph was twice spotted out past her curfew and sneaking around in the Gunderson backyard. Maestro was MIA during this time. A thorough backyard search turned up a rose bouquet and an empty box of gourmet milkbones.

Wednesday Wisdom

“Better the man that conquer a thousand thousand men is the one who conquer one, himself.”

- Buddha quotes (Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)

Lost Tuesdays

Maestro sez, "I haz gone to the dark side".