Happiness Archives - Award-Winning Writer and Graphic Designer

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Pets

dorriolds — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 12:52:27 +0000

6 Unique Valentine’s Day Gifts

While your pet can’t partake in the assorted chocolates that are so closely associated with Valentine’s Day, there are other ways to surprise your furry valentine. Check out this great gift guide for seven ideas on how to show your pet how much you love them.

Sweethoots Handmade Hats

Crochet Dog Hats ($18) make a great Valentine’s Day gift. This one shouts, “Sweetheart, Be Mine” and I dare you to look at the entire photo gallery of doggie bonnets and try not to laugh. Can’t be done! Choices range from Little Sailor Girl with a big red bow to a green Star Wars Yoda dog hat. There are big frog eyes hats, Shrek pet hats and gnome hats. Too funny and too adorable for words. You must go take a peek. All hats are made to order. Check them out on Facebook at Sweethoots.

Shorty’s All Natural Valentine’s Day Gift Basket

Treat your lovebug to treats. Shorty’s “Lots of Love” Gift Baskets ($25) come with 12 carob dipped hearts, six Valentine pretzels, six little bit of romance sandwich cookies, six mini hanging hearts and six big smooch lip cookies. All doggie treats are decorated with yogurt or carob and natural veggie food coloring — no salt, sugar, artificial colors or flavors, no byproducts nor preservatives. The pet treats baskets come vacuum-sealed and certified by the Health Department of California. All dog treat gift baskets are made to order and shipped out pronto to lock in freshness.

Dreamz Trundle 3-Way Pet Bed

Dreamz Trundle 3-Way Pet Bed ($35 and up) is an all-in-one snuggly wuggly doggie bed. Try the Tiger Dreamz or other patterns in many colors — beds, mats, crate pads, throws and blankets available on Amazon. The throws are sized to fit most crates. This is a great Valentine’s Day gift for pets who love to burrow or cuddle. The fabric furniture can be bunched up as a nest, laid out like a tunnel, or stretched flat like a mat. Tiger Dreamz products are machine washable in warm or cool water, dryer safe but don’t use heat. Air or line dry to keep the fur beautiful. Available at favoritepetproducts.com.

Cat Lovers Crafts Book

Crafting with Cat Hair: Cute Handicrafts to Make with Your Cat (under $10) This is for those who’d love to make quirky, one-of-a-kind eco-friendly knick-knacks. This animal crafts book shows how to transform stray clumps of fur into kitty tote bags, finger puppets, fluffy cat toys and more. All projects are cat-friendly and need no special equipment. Most projects can be made in under an hour. Publishers Weekly said, “Yes, you read correctly: cat hair is the principal material involved in this craft. And no, no cats were harmed in the making of the book.”

Valentine’s Day 30% Off Sale for Miniature Animal Art

Miniature Animal Art Gifts by Melody Lea Lamb are 30% off now through February 28 if you use code: 4LOVE. Pet lover Valentine gift ideas include Happy Valentine’s Day cards, pendants, prints, bookmarks, magnets and more. All beautifully painted and sure to charm anyone with animal amore. Choose from an assortment of art objects featuring dogs, cats, deer, rabbits, and birds. You can feel good about buying from this artist because she is a year-round animal advocate.

Natural Pet Spa and Wellness Presents for a Cause

Royal Pet Club offers organic products specially made for the health and well-being of your beloved pet. Products include natural shampoos, conditioners, bath spritzes, tearless wipes and vitamin supplements. Everything has been custom designed and specially formulated for promoting your pooch’s health.

Article written for NBC Petside

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HEROIN: Rebel Without a Clue — Written for Honeysuckle Magazine

dorriolds — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 19:05:08 +0000

Honeysuckle Magazine

“I realize that I’ve been hypnotized.” — Jimi Hendrix

Where do self-destructive impulses come from? I had romanticized images of Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin but they were dead long before I heard of them.

The first time I shot heroin was down at St. Mark’s place in 1978. I was a 17-year-old aspiring artist looking for a place to sell my Pollok-ish hand-painted T-shirts. I’d seen people leaning against the walls of Cooper Union, selling their junk on the strip between Lafayette and Third Ave.

I have no idea where my self-destructive impulses came from. I was prone to dark thoughts and there’s a history of suicidal tendencies in my Russian Jewish bloodline that dates back generations.

One uncle shot himself in the chest and died before he hit the bed. His brother died from a second heart attack; he’d ignored the doc and kept on popping pills and smoking four packs a day. On the paternal side, my aunt was found with a plastic bag around her head. The topic was taboo but what’s more enticing to a teen hellion than something you’re not supposed to do?

I had romanticized images of Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, both long dead before I’d heard of them. Suburbia was traumatic for me and I was sick of arguing with my parents. I ran away at 15 and bee-lined for Greenwich Village where remnants of the sixties were everywhere. Guitars and radios played Bob Dylan, Neil Young; people singing waved me to come over. I liked the cool head shops on Eighth Street and hung around them, eavesdropping to learn about drugs and paraphernalia.

Written for Honeysuckle Magazine

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Fit to be tired

dorriolds — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 14:08:11 +0000

No time for the gym? No problem! Dorri Olds and other busy New Yorkers find fun ways to keep in shape.

By CRISTINA TUDINO for the New York Post
Dorri Olds, a 50-year-old writer, graphic designer and social-media consultant, works out of her apartment in Chelsea. But even though she has a flexible schedule, she often finds herself trapped behind her computer for 12 hours at a time.
The retired gym rat — and self-proclaimed workaholic — wanted to get exercise back into her daily routine, without returning to the gym. “It just got really exhausting and obsessive,” she says.
So she got a dog, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel who forces her to take exercise breaks. “My dog has a built-in clock, and after a few hours he’ll come get my attention and tell me it’s time for a walk,” Olds says. She takes him on three brisk 20-minute walks a day around her neighborhood, and usually goes for an additional longer stroll.
“I was never heavy but I was a little pudgier than I wanted to be. Now Buddy and I strut our stuff while we have a great time exercising together,” Olds says. “And I am able to maintain a healthy weight.”
To read the rest of article click here

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Kosher in the Caribbean?

dorriolds — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:27:01 +0000

Yup. Check out my latest travel article in the January issue of the New York City Resident magazine. Learn about Jewish heritage on the island of Curaçao. In September, 2010, Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino opened the first Kosher kitchen in the Caribbean.

If you’re not Jewish, no matter, there is plenty to love on this magical island. Read my site-seeing tips and hotel reviews.

The sunny mid-80s weather is year round, bring suntan lotion—it’s 12 degrees north of the Equator! Sure is nicer than NYC weather in winter.

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My Dog was Chosen as Cuddle Champion

dorriolds — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:18:28 +0000

My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Buddy James, was selected as this week’s “Cuddle Champion” on petside.com. I’m such a proud parent!

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Cookie Monster to Host SNL?

dorriolds — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:16:59 +0000

Cookie Monster audtions for Saturday Night Live. Check out the fun, albeit silly, VIDEO. See Cookie Monster impersonating Lady Gaga in a spoof character called Monster Gaga.
“Me time has come,” said the Cookie Monster in reference to his qualification for the job. It remains to be seen if the producers will see things his way and choose the entertainer as their host for an episode of Saturday Night Live. This would be the first time in his career that Cookie Monster got the gig to host SNL.
He feels he is the most qualified choice and it’s a no brainer.

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4 new published articles!

dorriolds — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:04:40 +0000

Just got back from a book reading at B&N 86th St and Lex. Great store. Huge. Tonight’s event was Gretchen Rubin giving a talk about her bestseller, The Happiness Project. Very enjoyable upbeat night and I got my book autographed. Now, about me, my favorite topic — Please click on the magazine cover thumbnails in ... Read more

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HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW DECADE!

dorriolds — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:38:53 +0000

The heck with the economy and newspapers and magazines folding, I shall continue to write and read and pursue happiness. Speaking of happiness… an author named Gretchen Rubin has published a book (her 4th) called The Happiness Project. She spent a year exploring how to become happier. Her book just hit shelves. I have it and it’s quite good. During her upcoming book tour her NYC events are: Jan 7, 7pm Barnes & Noble, 150 86th Street and Lexington Avenue and Feb 9, 7:30pm at the 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Avenue. For more info visit her blog.

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Here's to a much better economy in 2010

dorriolds — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:47:15 +0000

The key to happiness is wanting what you’ve got. I can’t let my moods be determined by what’s going on in the world. I’d end up in a loony bin! Let’s all have a fantastically restful, loving, kind holiday season. Cheers.

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Upcoming Articles for January-April

dorriolds — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:07:26 +0000

In the January issue of The Resident will be three of my articles—Nonprofit Foundation That Helps Children Worldwide Launches New Website; Author Profile: Abby Sher, Amen, Amen, Amen; Travel to Caribbean Islands St. Kitts and Nevis. Also in January, appearing in City Dog Magazine is an article about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, of course starring my little Buddy. February–March issues of The Resident will include Author Profile: Gretchen Rubin, The Happiness Project; Illustrator, Zina Saunder’s new book about impassioned New Yorkers becomes available; Fundraiser and Motivational Speaker Laura Fredricks announces new book, The Ask, on Fundraising for Nonprofits During this Tough Economic Climate.

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