Free Hugs

Hello everyone. I am in a really good mood today so I decided to open a "Free Hugs" stand. It's always nice to spread some positivity, isn't it? Of course, I am also appropriately dressed with my "BIG HUGS" hoodie, so let's see how many hugs we can give away, shall we?

I heard someone let out a looooooooong sigh. It was Ooogie.

"Hi Ooogie, what's wrong?" I asked.

"Sooomeoneeee maaade fuuun offffff meeeee beeeeecause I'mmmm slooooow," he said.

"You're not slow, Ooogie. You're beary, beary, beary thorough. It's all about how you look at it. And you never give up! Let me give you a hug," I said.

"Thaaaaanks, I feeeeeel muuuuch beeeeettter," he said. Then he went on his way.

Wow, that was my very first hug customer! It also makes me feel good.

I suddenly felt a whoosh of flying feathers. It was Miss Feathers.

"Oh, it's terrible, a real loss," she muttered.

"What's wrong, Miss Feathers?" I asked.

"Well, it seems that the early bird doesn't always get the worm! I woke up at 4:30 am today to look for worms and I still couldn't find any, so I just had birdseed for breakfast."

"I'm sure there will be more worms tomorrow. Would you like a hug?" I suggested.

"Yes please! I could definitely use one."

"Thanks Ajdin, I feel much better!" She flew away.

You know what? This is really fun, but also hard work. It would be perfect if I had a little snack right here --

My mom handed me some lemonade and cookies just then. Wow, perfect!

Next was Parker.

"Woof."

"Parker, what's wrong? Don't tell me you are sad also. You're a dog. Aren't dogs always happy?" I asked.

"Woof. Woof. Woof."

"Oh. You forgot where you buried your bone. Hmm, well that's pretty important to a dog, I guess. But don't worry, I'll get you another one. Now how about a hug?"

"WOOF!"

I was about to close my "Free Hugs" stand for the day when I began to hear a groaning sound. It was Uncle Tibbs.

"Ughhhhhhh... siiiiiigh... errrrrghhhh." He was hiding behind a copy of the Wild Salmon Journal.

"Uncle Tibbs, are you okay?" I asked.

"The stock market is down yet again. I'm not sure what to do about my investments. The economy is not doing well. Taxes are too high. Unemployment is on the rise. It seems like there is no good news," he said.

"I think you are beary clever, Uncle Tibbs. And I think you are a great leader. In fact, I think you could run a beary successful company," I said.

I gave him a hug.

"Thanks Ajdin! You're right, I've had a beary good business idea for a long time. Maybe I'll go work on it," he said.

Wow, what a great day of offering hugs! I will definitely have to do this again sometime. It seems like the world needs it. So thanks for hanging out with me today...

... wait ... what did you say?

... you need a hug too? Well come here then!

HAVE A BEARY GOOD DAY!

Ooogie the Chef

"How does this sound?  'I believe that all stuffies have the right to pursue their dreams, regardless of their status or position, and that the stuffie spirit can break any shackles of adversity.'"

"Hmm.. I like it," Uncle Tibbs said. "Perhaps you can quote Abearham Lincoln also."

Uncle Tibbs was helping me with my next presidential campaign speech when Ooogie appeared.

"I am going to cook dinner," he announced, before he headed to the kitchen.

"Huh?" I was bewildered. Ooogie had never cooked for us before.

"Uh, perhaps he may need some, uh... assistance," hinted Uncle Tibbs.

I looked at my watch. It was almost dinner time. My tummy grumbled.

"Yes, perhaps he might," I said. There are some things even more important than running for president. I followed Ooogie to the kitchen.

"Ooogie, do you need any help?" I asked gently.

"Nooo, buuuut thaaanks," he replied.

"Because I'm more than willing to help," I said.

"It'sssss okkkayyy, Ajjjdiiiin. Yoouuuuu juuust reeelaaaaxx," he said.

"You know Ooogie, I would really like to help. I could use something to do," I persisted.

"I knowwwww whhaaaattt yoouuuu areeee thiiinking," Ooogie replied. "Youuu thiiiink I ammmmm sloooow."

"No, no! That's not what I meant," I stammered.

"I knowwww I am slooooww," Ooogie said. "Thaaatt's whyy I am coookiiing tomorroooow's diiiinnnner tooooday."

"OH!" I let out a little sigh of relief. "Well, do you still need any help?"

"Iffff yoooouu waaaaant, youuuu caaaan heeeelp chooop veeegeetabblesss."

"And how will we cook them? Deep fried?"

"Nooo."

"Boiled?"

"Nooo."

"Steamed?"

"Nooo."

"Sautéed?"

"Nooo."

"Then how?" I asked.

Ooogie smiled.

"Sloooow cooooker."

Announcement

"What's going on?" asked Miss Feathers.

"Woof?"

"Alright, I'm here," said Uncle Tibbs. "Does anyone know what this is all about?"

"Ajdin told us to be here for a special announcement. That Ajdin is always up to something!" said Miss Feathers.

"Sooooorryyyyy I'mmmmm laaaaateee," said Ooogie.

"No problem, we haven't started yet," said Uncle Tibbs.

"Look!  Here he comes now!"

I cleared my throat as I approached the podium.

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, stuffies and non-stuffies," I began. "Without a doubt, this has been a rather unusual election year. The net has been cast far and wide on both sides for presidential candidates. We have seen many political figures throw their honey jar in the race over the past year. Some of them have included:

Donald TUNA -- HONEY Rodham Clinton -- BEARnie Sanders -- Carly FISHrina -- Mike HuckaBEE -- TEDDY Cruz -- MACKEREL Rubio -- BEAR Carson -- CARP Christie -- SALMON Walker... among many others."

"Is he doing what I think he's doing?" whispered Uncle Tibbs.

"However, I believe that none of these candidates truly represent the interests of us stuffies. That is why I have decided to seek the office of the Presidency of the United States. I hope I will earn your vote as the nominee for the Stuffie Party."

The room erupted into thundering applause.

But there was a heckler in the crowd.

"YOU CAN'T RUN FOR PRESIDENT! YOU WEREN'T BORN HERE! WHERE'S YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE?"

I could feel my political career quickly come to a screeching halt, but then I remembered a legal loophole.

"The Stuffie Constitution, Article 2, Clause 5B states that any stuffie may run for President of the United States."

The crowd cheered!  I continued with my speech.

"In recent years, we have seen honey and salmon prices increase, but wages have failed to keep pace. If I am President, all stuffies will have free honey and free salmon!"

The same heckler yelled out again.

"WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR IT?"

I paused.

"Umm... uh... umm..."

The crowd began to murmur. I could feel beads of sweat forming above my brow. Finally, I thought of a solution.

"... the humans will pay for it!"

The crowd cheered again!

VOTE FOR AJDIN ADILOVIC

FOR A SWEETER FUTURE

Surprise

"Ajdin, can you help me tidy up around here?" asked Uncle Tibbs.

"Sure," I said.

Uncle Tibbs got some cleaning spray and a cloth.

"So much to do..." he murmured.

"What's the occasion?"

"We're having a visitor," he said.

"Oh really?  Who is it?" I asked.

"Now for the tea... and honey... ah, someone beary special..." he said.

"Really?  Someone famous?  A celebrity?"

"Yes, bigger than a celebrity.  Can you put some cookies on a plate, please?"

I sampled a cookie.

"Who is it?  A rock star?  The President?"

"Hmm... do I look presentable?  Maybe I need to brush my fur a little bit," said Uncle Tibbs.

"It must be someone beary important," I said.

"Yes, beary important indeed," he smiled.  "Go put on one of your nice shirts," he told me.

"Uncle Tibbs, won't you please tell me who is visiting?  I really can't wait any --- "

DING DONG!!!

"Go answer the door, Ajdin!"

I opened the door, and it was...

... Mrs. Tibbs!  (Uncle Tibbs' mom)

"Hello there Ajdin!" she said.  "You are looking quite well, how are you today?  Thank you for inviting me over for tea and cookies today!"

To all moms, we want to say...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Australian goodies

"Woof?"

"I'm not sure what it is, Parker.  It's a package from Australia."

"Can you help me open it?"

"Woof!"  He pulled out the contents.

"Whoa, that's a lot of stuff!"

"Oh, it's a card from Benaud, Hicks, and Chloe from Australia!'

"Everything here is from Australia.  Let's see, we've got Tim Tams, Vegemite, a cool pen, and some neat keychains of a kangaroo and a koala."

"Woof!"

"Oh you're right, there's one more thing.  It's a t-shirt that says Australia on it.  I'll try it on right away."

"How does it look?"

"Woof!"

Thank you for the Australia goodie package!

Have you been to Australia before?