PHOTOS: Playing with pups at Paws in the Park in Orlando

I've been away, and I've let the blog go.

You see, back in May I was diagnosed with bulging discs in my lower back. After several months of physical therapy I was starting to feel better.

Then just after New Year's the pain flared up again. I was very miserable, and it took weeks to feel better. Then I got sick.

Between that and regular life it's been tough to get back to doing this. But I want to get back to it.

So I'm making a late New Year's resolution: from now on, three posts a week! It's a promise. And I also promise to get back to doing what I started this blog for: to tell stories about my crazy dogs.

This past weekend Lulu and I went to Paws in the Park in Orlando! The annual event benefits Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando (where we adopted Lulu all those years ago!).

Pet Alliance is an animal shelter, but it's also an organization that tries to help pet lovers in the community so that people have happy, responsible relationships with pets.

Take a look at some pics of our adventure.

Disney's 101 Dalmatians is now on Blu-Ray! Win a copy

What's the first Disney movie you ever saw?

I could all be imagining things, but I saw one of my earliest memories as a kid was seeing "101 Dalmatians" on Long Island at the old theater on Main Street in Riverhead. I vividly remember seeing a shot of black-and-white speckled puppies across the screen.

Courtesy Disney

One of the first Disney classic books I ever got was "101 Dalmatians" too.

So when I was approached to do a giveaway for the upcoming Blu-Ray release, I was intrigued. I wish I could enter!

"101 Dalmatians" Diamond Edition Blu-Ray and DVD comes out next Tuesday. And this is your chance to win a copy!

"101 Dalmatians," for the few dog lovers who have never seen it, is all about a dalmatian couple, Pongo and Perdita, who have to save their puppies from Cruella De Vil, a fashionista with designs on a dalmatian puppy fur coat.

What's new?

The new edition includes a bunch of bonus features, including a new short called "The Further Adventures of Thunderbolt," a look at the making of "101 Dalmatians," some classic dog related Disney stories like "The Best Doggoned Dog in the World" and more.

There's some bits for dog lovers in this movie:

• Dog owners look and act like their pets
• Fur is murder
• The Twilight Bark -- I do hope it's real
• And, appropriate for Valentine's Day, that there's a Roger and Pongo for every Anita and Perdita (I especially hope this one).

Courtesy Disney

Oh, and lets not forget an iconic villain with an iconic villain anthem.

 Ready to enter the giveaway? Just fill out the Rafflecopter below! There are two mandatory requirements (comment below, and join my newsletter), that's it!

The giveaway ends Feb. 20. Enter today.

FINE PRINT: Disney is providing the copy of "101 Dalmatians" for the winner. I am not receiving any other compensation.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lulu the beagle shows her Disney Side at the Magic Kingdom

If your dog had a Disney Side, what would it be?
 

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida hosted a Disney Side Dog's Day at the Magic Kingdom. For the first-time ever, non-service dogs would be able to go to the Magic Kingdom. But you had to submit a photo of your dog, costumed, showing her Disney Side.

As a Disney nerd, I knew I had to get Lulu in. But we didn't have much time to construct a costume for her, so the above picture is what I sent in: me as Peter Pan, Lulu as Tinkerbell.

Lulu and 100 other dogs got selected! (101, get it?)

I got a green Thundershirt for Lulu to wear, since I knew she'd be needing one anyway, and we got up bright and early for a couple of hours at the Magic Kingdom.

We walked the "green carpet" to Cinderella's Castle.

We got to meet some characters. Goofy, Pluto, Bolt, Stitch, Dug and Cruella were out. Lulu's met Pluto before and by this point the overstimulation was getting to her, so we skipped Pluto and Goofy. No Mickey though.

Then we went on a doggy parade to see some of the park. The parade took us into Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square and some of Fantasyland before letting us out through Cinderella's Castle and back on to Main Street.

I got to take a photo with her in front of the Haunted Mansion Pet Cemetery!

Casey's Corner wasn't open, so we couldn't share a hot dog.

We all got treat bags to take home, and some other goodies too.

Want to see more from Disney Side Dog's Day at Magic Kingdom? Check out the video from the Disney Parks Blog, plus, coming in October there will be a special on Animal Planet!

Pictures from Paws in the Park in Orlando

This weekend Orlando area pet lovers celebrated their furry friends, Mardi Gras, and also raised money for SPCA of Central Florida, the shelter Lulu came from.

The 19th annual Paws in the Park's theme was Mardi Paws. The annual festival raises money for SPCA of Central Florida by getting individuals to do fundraisers (or get into groups and do fundraisers). But it also helps pet lovers learn about local businesses, win prizes, and enjoy beautiful Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando.

Take a look at some of the awesome pictures from the event.

The street festival part of Paws in the Park. Lots of businesses in Orlando who want to pamper your dog.

A steam punk dog and his human.

A ballerina. She's holding a tennis ball in her mouth. Her humans say she never lets it go.

Mardi Gras doggy!

Beagle in a tutu! Lots of beagles at Paws in the Park.

These dogs are all dressed up for the parade. I can think of at least one pomeranian who would love those skirts.

The parade is getting under way. The Happy Paws Pet Resort "Krewe" gets into place.

The Disney Kids Zone is a new feature for Paws in the Park this year.

Lulu meets some dalmatians.

Kids are making "animal enrichment" toys and treats for pets.

Another Mardi Gras dog!

Look at that awesome party collar!

And look who is here!!! Lulu was quite confused by this big dog.

The parade has wrapped and the awards are being given out. Great job to everyone involved.

A sneak peak at a new project to help SPCA. It involves a trivia game! More on this to come.

Finally, the Lake Eola fountain, a symbol for Orlando. Hope you liked our pictures!

Frankenweenie comes out next month -- Turn your pet into a monster!

Disney's "Frankenweenie" came out in theaters October 5, 2012. The Tim Burton movie is based off Burton's own short film.

To promote the movie, Disney's "Frankenweenie" website gave viewers the chance to "Frankenweenie-fy" their pets.

I admit I was a little taken back by the idea. Knowing the plot of the movie, the concept kind of bothers me. The movie is about a boy who loses his pet dog, then brings him back to life. However, I have to admit, this was fun.

Take away the background, add items like crazy eyes, horns, even wings, then choose a new background.

And, here is Lulustein!!!