2018 is here. We’re all in it – like it or not. I like it.
New year, fresh start, bright future. IN.
I’m not as thrilled to be IN my sweater most days.
And IN my parka some days.
And IN my fleece-lined coat other days.
And IN my paw-boots every single day!
Sometimes I’m IN a pile of snow
or IN a puddle of slush
or IN the path of a powerful wind.
Mom says, “If we’re in it, we’re in it.” and “It’s winter in NJ – that’s how winter works.” and “Sorry, Charlie, you can’t just stay IN bed all day.”
Mom is in it too. One thing she’s IN in 2018 is the StoryStorm Challenge.
She has to get 30 ideas in 31 days. She’s making a list on her phone, like she always does. Every day, she reads an inspirational post about ideas and writing, and that helps her meet the challenge and keeps her on track generating ideas…
…so I can sleep.
As long as she’s focused on story ideas, maybe she will ease off getting ideas about me!
Oh no. Not the pawboots again…
Cupcake Speaks 
Comments on: "In it" (55)
Oh Cupcake…the things you must endure in the name of cuteness. 😊 Try to stay safe and warm.
Thanks, M. If cuteness is a side-effect, I’m OK with that.
Love and licks,
C
that is true… we are in it… and it is like the swing carousel what runs round and round without stopping… no matter if we want to leave or if we are green in da face after 87 rounds…
Those 87 rounds are just the beginning, P. We’ve got 87 thousand more rounds to go. Hang on tight and smile!
Love and licks,
C
We must say you look adorable in your various outfits. You should be on a doggy dogwalk. It certainly looks cold and snowy out there. From the three bestest maremmas in all the land.
Thanks, maremmas. The snow keeps coming and the cold keeps staying. Winter. Ugh. And to make it worse, no street naps allowed.
Love and licks,
C
I think that you and your paws will be pleased when it’s Spring, but at least your paws will still be in good condition because of the boots! Your outfits look great, especially the parka with the hearts on it.
Good luck to your mom with the storystorm!
Thanks, C. As much as I am tortured by the boots, it does feel good to walk around and not have my feet on fire. The same thing could be accomplished if mom would carry me, but I can’t make her understand that.
Love and licks,
C
Oh that’s exciting about your Mom’s StoryStorm – I bet she comes up with some great ideas! As for you, Cupcake, you look absolutely smashing in your pink coats and sweaters and even those (gulp) pawboots. All of that “stuff” keeps you from getting too cold or getting sore paws so it’s best to go along with your Mom on that. We want you safe and warm!
Hugs, Teddy
Thanks, T. So far, Mom’s on track with her idea list. No dog stories are listed, however, so I feel like she should step up her game. My winter gear is keeping me safe and warm since Mom refuses to pick me up. She says she will not carry around a 22 pound meatloaf. I’m not sure what this means…..
Love and licks,
C
I understand not liking to wear pawboots, sweaters, parkas and coats. I wish you had long fur like my sisters and I have so you wouldn’t have to wear anything but yourself. Hang in there Spring is coming… someday. ~nose nudges Belle Pup
Thanks, B. My fur is the opposite of long and luxurious like yours and your sisters’. It’s short and sparse and wiry. AND not warm enough at all! But you’re right. Winter can’t last forever!
Love and licks,
C
Hi Cupcake – You have boots like mine, except that mine are green! I really don’t like them, but they do stop my feet from burning from the salt… and the salt crystals don’t get stuck in my paws… and these boots give me traction that other boots didn’t… and, best of all, I get really yummy treats before my Mom puts them on me! WOOF! Ray.
Wait. What?? You get treats BEFORE your boots are on. Well, NOW you’re talking! Mom won’t give me a treat till all 4 boots are in place, plus sometimes a sweater AND a jacket. Actually, I think there should be a before-and-after rule for treats and boots. It’s the least they can do.
Love and licks,
C
Hi C! I love all your beautiful warm outfits. I haven’t seen snow yet, but maybe before the winter is over. ❤ X
I do hope some snow comes to your house, X. It’s fun. But don’t let it touch your belly. It’s too cold under there. If it gets belly-high, get your mom to pick you up. Even if she says you’re a big, fat meatloaf.
Love and licks,
C
He, he, a big fat meatloaf..he, he.
Creative and true.👏🏻
Thanks, M. Creative is exactly what we need around here.
Love and licks,
C
aaww you are so adorable my beautiful friend – regardless of your attire or not. And I must say those booties make a statement. A statement of I am woman hear me bark – we ❤ them! XOXO – Bacon
Thanks, B. My boots do make a statement. Plus they make a few curses when Mom tries to get me to put them on.
Love and licks,
C
Even being dressed to the nines is no way to live. Being IN in Jersey means being IN coats 🧥 🧥 and boots 👢 👢 and 🎩 🧢 and scarves 🧣 🧣 and gloves 🧤 🧤 and it totally stinks like a skunk! Ugh! But this too shall pass and you’ll look great hanging IN. Til spring and warm ☀️ and pretty 🌺 🌸 💐 no extra clothes. Meantime, mom seems to be involved and might not notice you sleeping in some comfy bed somewhere out of snow’s way. Just don’t ask to go out! 😬
Thanks, G. Great plan. I wouldn’t even be faking it because I don’t actually WANT to go out! Mom begs me and bribes me. After we waste 20 minutes getting bundled up and looking ridiculous, we head out. Then I don’t want to come in! Mom says she can’t win. Personally, I think we BOTH win! Woot!
Love and licks,
C
Win win. Woot woot. 👍🏼
Good mornin’Cupcake – we shure do like your coatz’n sweaterz’n bootz. Mom got Lady Shasta a coat butt she keepz fergitten’to put it on me it gitz really cold here too butt not a whole lotta snow yet. Are thoze sunglassez – them r cool or did your mom just sit sumthin’on your noze? Your mom iz alwayz bizy duin’sumthin’butt yep, she needz to add a doggy idea to her list.
Lady Shasta’n Miss Maizie
Thanks, Lady S and Miss M. The glasses are fake and just for show. The rest of the winter gear is the real deal. If you’re not shivering like a tiny baby kitten out there, maybe you don’t really need a coat. I am usually trembling like a tiny baby kitten even WITH the coat. So, yeah. There’s that…
Love and licks,
C
You look very cute in your winter attire. You’re a good doggie for agreeing to wear all that! Ghostwriter put a bandana around my neck yesterday. I just fussed and barked loudly until she took it off. I don’t think I’d tolerate those booties for one minute! Stay warm Cupcake!
You are such a ….. man, C. Long ago, I did somersaults and tried to eat my coat every time Mom put it on me. But she hung in there and wore me down. Plus I shiver a lot, so she had me dead to rights there.
Love and licks,
C
Good thing you have paw boots and coats! We’ve been reading about your weather out there and it COLD! Boomer
Oh yeah, B. C-C-C-Cold! Now it will begin to warm up a little, but I already see a sweater on the counter for next time we head out. So I’m not finished with the gear, yet.
Love and licks,
C
Stay warm…it’s the name of the game in winter. Boomer
This NJ winter thing is so, so tough, Cupcake! The TwoOrangePups are hating all of the snow & salt & cold wind, too, especially Sadie, who hails from a much, much warmer region. And our parents haven’t sourced coats or boots yet! Except for themselves, of course. Paws crossed that spring comes soon!
My paws are crossed for the same results, PT. I am also from a warmer original home. I lived in Georgia for the first 3 years of my life, before being rescued. Back then, Mom is pretty sure I was taking nonstop street naps in the sunshine 24/7/365.
Love and licks,
C
Love the winter fashion show! Cupcake, you are inspiring.
Thanks, P. I didn’t think of this as a fashion show, but if it is, then I’m pretty sure that makes me a supermodel! Yay!
Love and licks,
C
You look so adorable in your winter clothes, C. Your mom is a genius….she will make the challenge, no problem.
Shoko and Kali
Thanks, S and K. If Mom steps up her list game and adds in a dog story or 26, she’ll make it for sure!
Love and licks,
C
I love your windblown look, Cupcake! Very arctic! And you look like a model 🙂 Hurray for being INdoors when it’s 10 below zero out, IN bed getting a good nap whenever possible, and IN mom’s stories because really, you are such a star, she should write books about you! 🙂 Happy New Year to you and your mom! 🙂
Thanks, S. Happy New Year back at you – and to your family, human and furry! I agree with you about my arctic look. It’s definitely a move-over-Beyoncé-pose. One of my best!
Love and licks,
C
Sometimes you might be IN it but not ON it: https://www.facebook.com/JungleVT/videos/2143571429118021/
OMGoodness, C. Poor little Rocco! I did walk funny before I got used to my boots, but NOT as funny as Rocco. That boy has skills. Woot!
Love and licks,
C
You look IN with those boots, Cupcake…and they keep your paws warm, that’s very impawtant with this weather 🙂 Story Storms are good, especially when that means that you can stay in your warm bed…maybe there is a 12 month edition…MOL 😀 Hol Pawkisses for a warm day 🙂 ❤
Great idea, Little B. I will have to look into the never-ending StoryStorm. That will help me catch up on my sleep.
Love and licks,
C
Cupcake, you live in NJ? By ME? You are a neighbor? You have been as frozen as I have? I did not know this. But you make quite a fashion statement. Nice winter wardrobe and pawdrobe you have.
Thanks, B. Yes, we are in NJ. Freezing some days and warm and breezy others this winter. Mom and I walk around our apartment complex either way….
Love and licks,
C
What an ordeal going out for a walk. Pink Booties and one of your many lovely doggie jackets, seems like the perfect reason to strut your stuff. Now, if only it wouldn’t include that crazy wind! I’m a winter wimp !
The boots are a necessary accessory these days – though I could get behind staying in bed many a winter day. Perhaps you should encourage more napping.
It looks like you have quite the winter wardrobe. 🙂
hello cupcake its dennis the vizsla dog hay wow yoo shoor do seem to be in a lot of things!!! sinse this is the yeer of the dog it seems like we shud be the wuns kalling the shots abowt hoo is in wot and sutch duznt it??? ok bye
Good luck!!
Monty, Harlow, and Ramble
You look so cute in all your winter gear…I give you kudos for wearing your boots, Chancy would never do that, he won’t even wear coats and sweaters. You look very comfy and cozy in your bed. Hugs and nose kisses
You might be INcensed that you are wearing coats and boots, but you sure do look adorable IN them. 🙂 Happy New Year, Cupcake and to your mom as well!
Oh Cupcake! You are a true fashionista. I love your stylish outerwear.
Nice…
Had to come back to tell you how we love to see you blowing in the wind, Cupcake. You are so adorable 🙂 Warm Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend 🙂 ❤