Tuesday 27 March 2012

'Princess Penny' Ponders Pluto.

Greetings, tis I, 'Princess Penny' the Jack Russell dog and modest internet star.  And speaking of 'star', my human is always looking into outer space.   My human, yes Gary, who I so kindly allow to live with me, has a passion for astronomy and excelled in science class when it came to outer space and the planets in particular.
Gary told me about the time in Vancouver when he was a ten year old in grade five.  In the science class, each child was assigned a planet to do a story on.   Gary, being so knowledgeable about the planets, stood up in front of the class and gave each person, according to the planet's orbit around the sun, a planet to write about.  And so he started with the first person and worked his way down each row of students. "Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Urrr......*Giggle* .... Uranus, Neptune, Pluto."  Three times he repeated and three predictable giggles later, he was finished.
Gary has told me that those know-it-all astronomers have demoted poor Pluto from a planet to an icy rock floating forlornly around the sun.  They actually classified Pluto as a "Dwarf planet".   Of course, the good creatures of Pluto can look out into the night sky, which I assume, is all the time and look past Neptune to have a good laugh at Uranus.  Gary has never been the same since those know-it-all astronomers discovered rings around Uranus.....


Gary has told me about a movie called "Star Wars".  One of the main characters was named, "Princess Leia". He showed me this picture and I immediately noted her hairstyle.

My ears can fold back by themselves.  I can even run around and they can stay that way.  A bit of a mystery, along with human's wondering why their laces untie themselves, why one sock goes missing and what happens to those twenty pens that suddenly vanish when you need to jot down something really important during that phone call.  
Yes I, 'Princess Penny', have come to the conclusion of my eagerly anticipated 'pawsting'.  May the 'Paws' be with you.......

48 comments:

  1. It WAS rather uncharitable to "demote" poor Pluto, wasn't it? I mean, what did it ever do to deserve such treatment? And I suspect every English-speaking person on Earth has to stifle a giggle when talking about the unfortunately named planet Uranus.

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    1. Hi Susan,
      Yes it was. The good news is that my 1923 Dominion Educator Encyclopedia, with its mention of only eight planets, is not back up to date.
      Of course, some English folks don't pronounce Uranus quite that way. More like, 'Urranniss' or something close to that.

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  2. I think Penny should write a haiku about Star Wars and win fabulous prizes. http://www.troublewithroy.com/2012/03/new-biweekly-blogfest-challenge.html

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    1. Hello Grumpy.
      After allowing my human to comment to the lovely Susan on the comment above your comment, I reckon, you being a 'bulldog', should have a response from me, yes me, Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet star. Alas, I shall not be entering something to do with a haiku, whatever that is. Besides, once I figured it out, I would win even more fabulous prizes that I've already won in the past. Thus I shall give others a chance.
      Thanks Grumpy. You is da dawg!

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  3. Dear Penny (and Gary, the hairy human),
    I very much enjoyed this little pawsting about the solar system. Pluto (that little blue thing in the sky) used to be my favourite planet, until, of course, as you say, it was demoted to nothing more than a "dwarf planet". How dare they, I say! And, of course, when they discovered rings around Uranus, one had to stifle a laugh.
    Also, I often wonder which planet, your human, Gary, is from. Any ideas, Penny?
    Very Best Wishes,
    David.

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    1. Dear David,
      Why thank you very much, my esteemed, all round nice human type dude. I was shocked to find out about the demoting of poor Pluto. At first, I thought they meant Pluto the dog. At least I was relieved it wasn't that lovable Disney character.
      Gary is from Zardon in the outer quadrant of the Ford Galaxy.
      Pawsitive wishes to you from Penny, Arf! Arf!

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  4. Penny you don't have to fold back your ears to look like a princess! I too have heard tell of the film, Star Paws. I think they should name all planets after dogs - Penny instead of Venus, Indy instead of Jupiter and Pluto should be reinstated immediately, love Indy x

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    1. Hi Indy
      Indeed, I'm a princess regardless of my ears curling back like that :) Great idea about changing the planet's names to the names of dogs. And of course, Pluto was the one planet named after Pluto the dog. Reinstate Pluto!
      Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, Penny xx

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  5. Hi Penny .. I wonder what those kids would have suggested were the rings were made of - I can imagine plenty of sniggering kids .. and many a fun story for later life.

    Your master is pretty smart - all that geeky stuff .. no wonder your ears go back occasionally in disbelief at the things he comes out with .. no wonder you're such a smart dog-cookie ..

    Enjoy your walks in this wonderful weather .. cheers Hilary

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    1. Hi Hilary,
      Of course, Gary and those kids were at a time before they discovered rings around Uranus. My human is very old :)
      He is, very much, a geeky chappy. Yet, despite being a geek, he was a high school track and field athlete. Who would of thought that :) Of course, his talents are nothing compared to my self-curling ears...
      I am so loving this wonderful weather. Hope you have some fun out there in the sunshine.
      Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, Penny xx

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  6. Hello Gary:
    With Venus and Jupiter dancing round the Moon in the night sky at the moment, this post,as we come to expect from you, Penny, is absolutely up to the minute! Never mind about Uranus and Pluto whilst Venus and Jupiter can be romancing the galaxy away!!!

    And, dear Penny, what sweet ears you have. You shall be Princess Leia to us from now on and you shall go to the ball!!!

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    1. Hello Jane and Lance,
      It's Penny typing this comment. Do not let the photo icon of my human fool you :) Ah yes, Gary, his son and I have noticed that spectacular display of Venus and Jupiter dancing around the Moon in the western horizon. Still, despite it all, I do think beyond that and spare some moments of quiet reflection for our friends on Pluto.
      We look forward to seeing your esteemed selves at the ball. I may even let you come and visit me at the guest of honour table. Arf! Arf!
      Pawstivie wishes and doggy kisses, Penny xx

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  7. Uranus! Titter!!! LOL!!!

    Oh Princess Penny!! You have a TALENT there with your ears!! Bet not even the mighty Princess Leia (who is beautiful and bold!!) can do that with her plaits!!! Yay!!

    Take care
    x

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    1. Greetings Old Kitty,
      I read your pawsting that mentions your favourite planet, Uranus! Arf! Arf! :)
      And yes, my ears are self-curling. Wonder if under those plaits, Princess Leia can curl her ears.
      Yay to you and that lovable star of your blog, Charlie!
      Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, Penny xx

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  8. Penny, you do resemble Princess Leia! I don't care what they say. Pluto is a planet. I haven't been there, but neither have they. And until they can prove it, they better shut it. I'll sue on behalf of Pluto for defamation! :)
    Laura
    x

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    1. Hi Laura,
      Or, Princess Leia resembles me :) Quite right! Pluto is a planet and the good creatures of Pluto are up in arms, or tentacles, over this injustice. We shall send you to Pluto to get a lawsuit going on their behalf.
      Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, Penny xx

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  9. Oh Penny, we humans do worry about silly stuff like; what is that stuff in the bottom of the cutlery drawer and where did the lint in our navels come from so it's no surprise that Gary is feeling bad about the deplanetizing of Pluto. It was nice of him to point out that Princess Leia must have ugly ears to wear her hair like that and that you Dear Penny have beautiful and talented ears. May the Paws be with you as well Penny. Beam me up Scotty.

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    1. Hi Delores,
      And Gary also wonders what happens to combs. Then again, not like he needs a comb these days. Arf! Arf!
      Thank you and I do have beautiful and talented ears. Princess Leia is well jealous.
      May the Paws be with you and beam us up, Scotty Dog :)
      Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, Penny xx

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  10. i keep meaning to get a telescope... now i've moved house and have a little cabin at the end of the garden i think i just might :)
    a starlit sky away from the light pollution of civilization is a wonderful and humbling thing - you realise just how tiny we all are in size and in our temporal footprint.
    pluto was never a planet in my eyes - and i loudly proclaimed as much to anyone who'd listen. oh joyous day (calloo callay) when it was officially demoted.

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    1. Hi ResCogitans,
      Getting a telescope seems an awesome plan. And yes, away from the light pollution, you realise there are so many more twinkling lights in the sky.
      The peaceful Plutonians, no matter what, will always feel like a part of our Solar System family and a valuable planetary member.
      In pawsitivity, your way, Penny :)

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  11. Penny, I realize that you have been traumatized by your human pinning your ears back like that, but you don't look so silly to me! I think that the Princess Leia look your sporting looks quite debonair.

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    1. Hi Jackie,
      I can assure, my human friend, that my ears fold back by themselves and that my human had no part in it.
      And thanks, Princess Leia and myself are going on tour of the Universe and delight beings from many worlds, of our talents.
      Pawsitive wishes, my human friend, Penny :)

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  12. Who knew the Viking braids would scar Leia for life? Penny, you look adorable.

    Jupiter and Venus have been wonderful, but don't forget Mars in the eastern horizon!

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    1. Hi Susan
      Princess Leia is still coming to terms with the fact my self-curling ears are admired by so many.
      And yes, your astronomy insight is very much appreciated by me and my human. And with that, I shall now head for the asteroid belt.
      Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, Penny xx

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  13. The buns hairstyle looks better on Penny. And have you ever seen Hardware Wars where they were real cinnamon buns?
    I still can't say the word Uranus without smiling. Is that wrong?
    Thanks for your kind words on my site, Gary. Really appreciate it. And I am sorry I don't visit more often. Too many friends, so little time. Some days that just sucks.

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    1. Hi Alex,
      Thank you for noting that my version of the buns hairstyle looks better on this shy and humble Jack Russell dog. Not seen "Hardware Wars" but the thought of real cinnamon buns is hilarious. Makes me want to um 'roll' with laughter :)
      Nothing wrong with having a smile over saying the word "Uranus":)
      My human was delighted to visit your excellent site and leave you with such a well meant comment. No need to apologise about the number of times you can visit this site. In fact, we know how it can be very time consuming visiting so many sites and so many friends. We feel badly we cannot be as proactive as we would like. After endeavouring to comment to each person who so kindly comments here, Gary and I try to comment on as many sites as we possibly can. This, as you will know, can take several hours. All of this has meant we do not post as much as we would like. Anyway, it's all about balance and darned if we can work out a happy medium.
      Thank you Alex and happy writing to you.
      Pawsitive wishes, Penny :)

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  14. It kind of made me sad when they demoted Pluto...it's so confusing for kids who learned it was a planet...


    Urrrrr what? (giggle)

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    1. Hi Sharon,
      We of course, share your sadness. I know Gary found it confusing that the nine planets he had memorised, were suddenly down to eight.
      Urrrr....right you are *giggle* :)
      Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, Penny xx

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  15. Wasn't that the worst outrage, demoting Pluto? Something akin to changing the rules about commas in a series, or deciding that we no longer need two spaces after periods at the end of a sentence (this fouls me up constantly in writing posts). No, no, I grant you, losing Pluto as a planet was the absolute worst. You just keep those ears back, Penny. Stay on permanent alert!

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    1. Hi Susan,
      It was a enormous outrage demoting Pluto. Good grief, when it comes to sentences, we still leave two spaces at the end of a period, or 'full stop' as they refer to it in Britain. Long live 'Grammar Anarchy' :) Comma, comma, comma....
      I shall keep my ears pinned back and await the announcement that our beloved Pluto has been reinstated.
      Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, Penny xx

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  16. Step aside Ginger. I, your lord and master will answer Penny this time.
    Actually there are bigger lumps of ice than Pluto orbiting around the Sun so the demotion was justified. She this old post from “my former blog”.
    Footnote from Bazza's cat Ginger:
    Yaaawwwnnn. Hey Bazza you are nobody's lord and master - not even Mrs Bazza's!

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    1. Ah, is that really you, the human sometimes known as 'bazza' with a small 'b' ?
      Of course, there are bigger lumps of ice in an American refrigerator.
      Jolly good of you Ginger to allow your mere human to leave that comment!
      If you are really good, I shall maybe, perhaps check out that link....
      Pawsitive wishes and a chunk of ice, your way, Penny

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  17. May the paws be with you, too, lovely Princess Penny.

    And can you please tell Gary that you've both been tagged over at my blog (no pressure to accept).

    XX

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    1. Hi Suzanne,
      May the Paws be with you, my lovely human friend :)
      And we both thank you for the tag and as you will know, we will have to politely decline your very kind tag :)
      Take good care, Suzanne and happy writing.
      Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, Penny xx

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  18. hi Princess Penny, it's coincidence that you mention Star Wars on the same day that I choose to pop in. I've recently been telling myself that I really should get around to watching it.

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  19. Hi River,
    Wow, that's really neat you would beam in during the time I made reference to Star Paws, I mean Star Wars :)
    Happy watching and now I shall make a call on my 'YodaPhone'...
    Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, Penny xx

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  20. Penny, I'm so glad you posted Gary's photo of Princess Leia because it's come to my attention that although you both have similar hairdos, you are by far, far more beautiful than she. In fact, your eyes sparkled brighter than Uranus ever did. If Princess Leia had been looking for the lost world and you'd been looking up at the sky at the precise time, you two would have definitely hooked up!

    I'm glad you didn't. Your human adores you, and his life would have been far less without you. For sure. Absolutely.

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    1. Hi Joylene,
      Thank you and of course, me being a kind and caring dog, didn't have the heart to inform Princess Leia than I am more beautiful than she could ever be. Although, we are considering having her co-star with me in an upcoming episode of 'Star Paws' :)
      Seriously, Gary and his son, Tristan, adore me and I adore them. We are lucky to have each other.
      Take care, eh. Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, your way, Penny xx

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  21. Dear Penny,
    You've caused me to stop, contemplate my world, and possibly change my hairstyle. There's a trick I do with my ears as well, shhh. Stay lovely, princess.
    Dixie

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    1. Dear Dixie,
      Perhaps you could put your hair in a 'bun' and then 'roll' around laughing :) We shall not make note of the fact you can do a trick with your ears. I shall stay lovely and you my lovely human friend, are an inspiration to Princess Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet star!
      Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, your way, Penny xx

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  22. Dear Penny,
    I think it's wonderful that you can flip your ears to the back. Sometimes I wish I could flip my ears to the front so that it blocks noise coming from people and the traffic, but I can't. I'm sorry for being MIA. Let your human know that I'm alright, just having a vacation on Uranus. The internet here's lousy. But I'm surviving. I have always enjoyed your 'pawsting' penny love. You make me laugh oh so easily. I bet you make your human laugh daily! Gary is one lucky human. Tell him that, will you. :) - Written From Uranusberry.

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    1. Hi Shanaz,
      Wow, that would be something if you could flip your ears to the front to block the noise from people and traffic. I guess you could sniff your ears at the same time, if you so wished :)
      Gary and my pawesome self are delighted to see our dear friend who usually is in Malaysia. We have heard that you can have lousy internet reception on Uranus. That's why we use a um fast 'bumband' connection.
      I so love to make you laugh and my human Gary laughs at the zany things I get up too. He is and I am, very lucky. Thanks Shanaz and I hope you are getting decent weather at "Uranusberry" :)
      Paswsitive wishes and doggy kisses, Penny xx

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  23. ROFL! Princess Penny you look the image of Princess Leia with your ears folded back. Mind you Ms. Princess Leia doesn't look too pleased with her stupid hairstyle. LOL!

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    1. Hi Madeleine,
      Princess Leia is even less pleased now that she realises that I'm getting all the celebrity attention and her silly hairstyle is getting attention for all the wrong reasons :)
      Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, Penny xx

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  24. Wow, I'm jealous of those ears! wish my ears could do that. I'd rather have ears like that than a hairstyle like that :)

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  25. Hi Jenny,
    Looking at your photo icon, I think you have fabulous ears. I know, the icon that shows up in my comment back, is that of my human's. I now know why he is wearing that silly hat, or in Canadian, that silly toque :)
    Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, Penny xx

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  26. I wonder what Princess Leia looks like today? I should do a google search but two days ago, I was searching the internet for something and ended up with a terrible virus. Took my Hubs 2 days to get rid of it. What the heck is up with these people anyway?

    Penny... you look great with your ears all back!!

    As for the missing socks..... My washer eats them.

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  27. And may the paws be with you as well, Princess Penny. Please remember not to chew on your ears when hungry. The donut shape is entirely coincidental...

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I do try to comment back to each commenter individually. However, I might have to shorten my replies or give a group thank you. That way, I can spend more time commenting on your blogs. Thank you and peace, my friend.