Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Flat Brutus: the World Tour begins!



Some of you have already guessed it! To celebrate post #200, we are sending Flat Brutus on a whole new kind of adventure. Coming soon to a mailbox near you: it's the Flat Brutus World Tour!

In case you haven't met him before, Flat Brutus originated last summer. My husband and I were getting ready to head out west for a vacation. Since we were flying, the dogs had to stay home and be (gasp!) kenneled. I had no choice but to miss Brutus, but I didn't want to miss blogging too. So I used a cartoon I commissioned from Lili Chin, and an idea I got from a grade-school project (see our recent Flat Stanley post) and voila - Flat Brutus was born!



He has accompanied us out west to several National Parks...


..and since then has had a few adventures, including attending an agility trial on our behalf when we were all away in Big Earl.


More recently he travelled to Arizona with me for a dental conference (and got into this prickly situation):


Before I get carried away with all the details for the Flat Brutus World Tour, I'd like to give credit to our good pals Benny & Lily (at Doggy Days blog) for inspiring the idea. What a hilarious pair of Frenchies they are - always up to somthing!


After reading our Flat Stanley post a few weeks ago, Ben & Lily asked if maybe Flat Brutus would like to come visit them. What a great idea! Wish I would have thought of that! It's all warm & sunny there in sunny CA, they live near the beach, and what's more fun than a couple of crazy Frenchies?

Next, Brutus' gal Stella got word of the fact that Flat Brutus was going to be in CA. Of course so she asked if Flat Brutus could make a stop at her house (she and Brutus are always trying to mail themselves to one another, so this was just the more practical solution). So Stella gets Flat Brutus for stop #2. He's already on his way to California, so we hope to be hearing form Flat Brutus soon!


Then I got to thinking, why let the fun end there? As long as he's out & about, why not let Flat Brutus go and visit whoever wants to host him? I mean.... He's 100% housebroken (unlike his 3D partner in crime), not a fussy eater at all, sleeps through the night without a peep - just a low maintenance little guy! Plus he travels light, and won't steal your toys or beg for extra treats!

Live it up while you are out there buddy!!

Finally, to give purpose to the project, I came up with the idea to donate $5 to the French Bulldog Rescue Network for each friend/blog that Flat Brutus visits. FBRN is a nationwide, non-profit network that does everything from rescue Frenchies from kill shelters, to fostering them until they are healthy enough to be adopted, financing the (often costly) medical care the fosters need, rehoming them into forever homes, and even providing hospice to those who are too old or sick to move on. Our pal Betty (Stella's sister) is a FBRN graduate!!


Sooooo... Would you like to host Flat Brutus?

All I ask is that you devote a blog post to his visit, just let me know in advance so I can link to your blog for everyone to follow along. You don't have to do anything fancy with him (unless, of course, you'd like to), but at least include a picture of your pack with my little Flattie. He can stay as long as you'd like, but try to send him on his way within a week or so - we don't want him getting too comfortable or overstaying his welcome anywhere, after all. Then just pack him up nice & safe in a business envelope (he's mounted on cardboard, so he won't fit into anything smaller) and send him on his way (the postage will cost less than a dollar). I'll provide the next destination info to you so everyone will know where to send Flat Brutus off to next.

Where's he going, mom??

If you'd like to be included, please email me your physical address to hrnchardds@yahoo.com. I'll put people on a list in the order I receive the requests (the Rocky Creek gang already got the first spot!). Unless there is a significant travel-convenience factor (there seem to be lots of you that live in little bunches in CA and IN), Flat Brutus will visit you in the order I receive the requests. Don't worry, I will only forward your snailmail to the person before you on the list so they know where to send him next. Plus it'll give me a great head start on collecting addresses for my Christmas card list this year!

I hope you'll play along! It'll be fun, supports a worthy cause, and will even give you blogging material!! Look out world, Flat Brutus is on the loose, and coming to a town near you!!

Take good care of my little pal, OK?

45 comments:

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

How fun!! Count me in!!! I'll email later with my addy.
I hope the snow is gone before he gets here. Then we can have some fun in my brushpile!!
Can't wait. THANKS!!

The Musketeers said...

Looks like fun ! Count us in ! ;)
Hello, here to make new friends too ;)

Unknown said...

Brutus you are going to be one well traveled pup!! We want to play too!! Can't wait to see all the places you get to go!

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Hey Brutus, it's me again. I just emailed you snailmail addy to you.
Gosh I'm havin' one MAJOR exciting day!!! This is the bestest day ever for me!!!
I pawmise that I won't let you eat any of my dad's butt barking beans when you come here. Don't want you to make a Brutus Tootus in the envelope. I think the post office has rules about sending DANGEROUS stuff through the mail. I'm just sayin'.
Oh gosh I guess I shouldn't be talking about that kind of stuff. I'm just all addlepated with LOVE and excitement today. I don't even know what I'm doing or saying. Gotta go.... I'm off to the post office to mail a box to Ruby and Penny. SIGH

The Musketeers said...

Hi Brutus !

Yeap we are leaving in Singapore.
It's always cool to have friends from another end of the earth.

We have more friends than our humans :P

Maxmom said...

Hey there Brutus
What a lovely idea! It would be good fun BUT our postal service is shocking!!!(to say the least!) Some parcels never arrive whilst others take 6-8 weeks. He would get lost in the dark corners of Africa and that is always a huge embarrassment to my mom! (I wouldn't risk it). Lovely idea though.
Lotsalicks
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA

The Oceanside Animals said...

hello flat brutus its dennis the vizsla dog hay cool i am shoor yoo wil hav a grate trip!!! ummm i wood invite yoo to come over but i hav ben nown to aksidently eet my flat frends so i think i wil just watch this wun frum the sidelines!!! ok bye

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

We can hardly wait for you to visit!!

XOXO
The Rocky Creek Gang

PS- we hope you make it in time to babysit the puppies.

Dexter said...

Brutus! I sent you a peemail. I am totally on board.

Slobbers,
Mango

P.S. You might want to talk to Miss Kylie, though. She did something similar with her Pink Baby and he got trapped at somebody's house and almost didn't make it home.

SissySees said...

What a fun idea! I love that it supports a great cause too. I'd invite Flat Brutus to our house, but Sissy can be very forward... I'll send you an email.

Mollie Jo and Bobo said...

What a fabulous idea you have started! We are sending a peemail right now. Flat Brutus would have a fabulous time here in KY!

Wags and Licks,
Mollie Jo & Bobo

Molly the Airedale said...

We would LOVE to have flat Brutus visit us! We're coming up with all sorts of ideas to show him the best time ever!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

The WriggleButts said...

Oh how fun! We can't wait to see all the stuff Flat Brutus will be up to very soon.

Bajas

Smushie Ranch said...

Michelle! What a wonderful post and of course I'm tickled that you mentioned the French Bulldog Rescue! What a wonderful idea.

Sooo, I'm thinking could you send us two flat Brutus'? I swear once Stella see's it, there is NO way she's going to let me pack it up and send off. LOL!

I can't wait to receive Brutus! We're already thinking of fun and interesting places to take him. :)

Love,
Shannon

Brutus, Ellie, Pippa and Otto said...

How fun is that - we will have mom email our address to you tonight when she gets home from work!

Pugs & Kisses,

Yoda & Brutus

jfreidin said...

Brutus (the real and the flat) - what an awesome idea! I'm totally going to host you. you can come on photography sessions with me and process film and play with my (real) Boston Terrier, Pancake. Hope to see you soon!!

Anonymous said...

I am so very much excited! This sounds like it will be such a fun trip for Flat Brutus. We would very much love for him to come visit us in Collie-rado! I'll go get my mom to send you an email right this very instant!

Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie

Bijou said...

Hi Brutus,

We would love to have Flat Brutus come visit us. We hosted Kylie's Pink Baby last summer and had a great time. Mom will send you our address asap.

Waggles,
Bijou

ScrapsofMe said...

I'd love to have Brutus come play with me. I have a boring life so maybe we can do something exciting when he is hear. Maybe the Dunkin Donut drive through.

sniffies,

Bonnie

kissa-bull said...

OH we would so furry much love to take you on a tour of houston brutus
we're to emai you our snail addy asap
we cant wait to weceive you
we'll go prepare for our pibbleventure now
pibble sugars
the houston pittie pack

Two French Bulldogs said...

Awesome...$5. Brutus you better hope mom doesn't go broke. Flatty has arrived. He sure is handsome. I wish he would calm down a bit. Flat Brutus will show so face on Thursday
Benny & Lily

Amber and Nala said...

How fun we would love to be included! Just have to remind Mom to send you our address. ;)

Kisses,
Nala

houndstooth said...

That sounds like tons of fun and it's for a great cause! We'd love to have a visit!

Bunny

The Adventures of the LLB Gang said...

How FUN!! Flat Stanley is ok, but to visit with Flat Brutus...KEWL!!!

http://theregoesmy-hero.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Hey Brutus this keiko I would love to host flat brutus, we could have tons of fun maybe even go to the indoor doggie park!!! YaY! sending peemail right now oh and it would be awesome if you could go over to my blog and click the follow button so you can follow me and all my adventures because I love your blog!!!

wags and licks
keiko

Anonymous said...

oh sorry brutus you are following me my blooger wouldnt let me go to the next page huh weird ok well hope to see your buddy soon!!

Wags and Licks
keiko

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Woo know I'll be in!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra & Khousin Merdie

Hank said...

Michelle, honey....now that is whut I call a kick-ass idea I tell ya what!

Looks like he's gonna be makin' a stop here in Indy. (Don't be surprised if Yoda and Brutus take 'im on a motorcycle ride with their folks!)

PEE S from Hank's mom: ADORABLE pictures!

Unknown said...

Silly blogger! I just made a long comment and lost it. Ugh. I'll email you and do count me in, that is if Brutus trusts me with Flat Brutus--only if he does.
Twink!

Niamh said...

Flat Brutus is pretty cute (although not as cute as the real you) and we'd love to have him visit us in NC! I will make sure Ambrose doesn't sit on him or anything.

Your friend,
NIamh

The 'splorin' Wolfies said...

hve fun on your adventures flat Brutus!

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Flat Brutus, we think your trip is going to take a whole year to complete. We bet you will have lots and lots of fun. If you run out of places to visit, you are always welcome here too.

Woos, Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Achieve1dream said...

That is such a cool idea!! I bet Flat Brutus will have lots of fun.

Cheryl, Indiana, Shingo and Molly said...

We'd love to host Flat Brutus too! Moms is e-mail our address to you now!!

Woofs and Kisses!

Life With Dogs said...

Such a cute concept. I just got flat Nigel pics back from Jamaica and it's amazing how creative people can be.
This will be fun to follow! :)

Martine said...

How totally fun! We'd love to play but dont' think we should over extend ourselves with the baby coming. No one wants spit up on flat brutus!! We will definetly follow along thought and I can't wait to see where flat brutus' travels take him!!

xo martine & the kiddlets

Puglette said...

hi! we would love to host flat brutus in washington! he can ride with charlie and her dad in the big truck, after he gets lots of smooches from me, of course. the donation is fabulous, we will match your $5 when he arrives. pee mail on the way!
hugs,
puglette
:o)

Oskar said...

Oh we want flat Brutus to visit! My mom person will e-mail your mom person right away!

Joe Stains said...

Wahoo we are sending the email right now! We want to do this for sure!

Cocorue said...

that's a fun and great idea and we're sure flat Brutus will be so well looked after.

we would definitely be following his adventures and will pass on this as we WILL NOT take the risk of him being lost or dognapped on the way here or back.....he's just too precious!!!

we will be cheering him on!!!

chikisses
coco

My Sons Mum said...

Hey we would love to have Flat Brutus visit us Down Under...is he up for the huge plane ride? xx Major in Australia

Piappies World said...

Oh wow! We can't believe we just saw this! We'd be happy if you could visit us too! We promise to sahre with you our toys and treats! We're sending a peemail right now.

Hope we could still make it.

-Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai, Wai-Max & the Piappies

violett said...

What great idea!
I would be glad to welcome Flat Brutus in Germany. We live very close to Berlin.
Who we are?
Here my Blog:
www.airedale-baerchen.blogspot.com

We write a mail
Lots of love
Mischka

Unknown said...

Coco and Harriet would love to host Flat Brutus and show him a good time in Los Angeles as only Coco and Harriet can do!

www.cocoandharriet.com

Wiji Lacsamana said...

maybe flat brutus can come here in the philippines? :) my baby puiji would love to show brutus around.

puiji.tumblr.com