Batman and Robin

We just had a fun filled weekend in LA.  Mom had to go to LA to tie up  a few loose ends with Chi moving out, so Aunt Tammy came along for the ride.

Mom and I spent the night at the Wongs in Santa Clara before heading to LA.  Batman was really happy to have company.  He licked my face, something Aunt Tammy says he never does.  I also got to sleep in Aunt Tammy and Uncle Al’s room.  Things were a big chaotic in the morning – a mix of excitement and the need to pee – but we got to run around the dog park before the long ride down.

On the way to LA, we made a pilgrimmage to the shelter where I came from – Bakersfield.  I was actually at the nearby Mojave shelter for a few weeks, then spent one night at the Bakersfield shelter before being transported to SF.   Mom and Aunt Tammy wanted to check out the dogs and possibly bring home a little brother or sister for me and Batman!

Aunt Tammy’s eyes landed on a scruffy 10-month old poodle-terrier mix.  She couldn’t leave his kennel, so Mom suggested we just ask to see the dog.   The dog was brought to an outdoor, grassy pen.  He shied away at first, but slowly warmed up.  Mom wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to adopt a skittish dog, but Aunt Tammy had patience and faith.  Then the dog put his paws on Mom’s leg and stole her heart too.

Forty minutes later, we were off with a new passenger!    The dog smelled funny, so for a while we called him Smelly.  But then we started calling him Robin, since he’s going to be Batman’s companion.  Robin was a little mellow, probably from being neutered the day before.  (Thank God I got that over with!)   We bought supplies on the way to LA, then settled in.  Robin cheered up running around the townhouse, much different than when we first got him.  

Aunt Tammy couldn’t give him a bath, since water will dissolve his stiches, so she towel-bathed him.  He looked funny, with his wiry hair standing up.  Turns out he’s quite a barker by himself.  Mom and Tam tried to leave the next morning for breakfast, but he started barking the minute they left.  It went on for 15 minutes until a neighbor complained. (eek!)  So we doggies got to join them.  We walked around Montana and the 3rd St. Promenade.  He seemed to keep up, though his excercise was supposed to be restricted after the surgery.  

When we got home the next day to the Wong’s house, Batman was glad to have company.  Robin snapped at him a few times when Batman went in for a sniff, but he liked running around the grass, chasing us and trying to catch us big dogs.   

Update: Robin has visited the vet and is on meds to get rid of his kennel cough.  He was also shaved for hygenic reasons.  But apparently both Batman and Robin seem to be getting along.  Can’t wait to see him again! 

Bernal Hill

Dad’s in LA, so it was time for me and Mom to bond.  We went to Bernal Hill.  She was quite pleased with my progress the last two times I played with dogs.  I recalled nicely and didn’t get aggressive.  This time had a me on a 15 foot leash.  This is better since I have  little more freedom, but I’m still restrained.  Boo.  Lots of open space and few dogs on Bernal Hill.  Sunny, but we could see the fog rolling in.

We got a little worn out hiking up the hill, but had some good excercise.  I recalled while on the leash and was treated to delicious pinapple sausage from Costco, leftovers from my birthday party last week.   Training sometimes isn’t fun when another dog wants to play, but at least I get to go out more.

Training on Bernal Hill

Today was an adventurous day of training in Bernal Heights.   Mom’s been pretty disturbed with my aggressive behavior with dogs at the park and lack of ability to recall when playing, so she contacted dogEvolve where I took recall classes last year.  My recall had improved miles from before but still needed a lot of work.  Mom felt that dogEvolve’s techniques were very effective and the trainers really know what they’re talking about. 

Since dogEvolve no longer offers Recall 2 classes, we met Pam for a private session on Bernal Hill, a cool place where dogs can run offleash and people can enjoy panoramic views of the city.    First they attached me to a long leash and recalled me from short distances.  No problemo!   Then I got a little more freedom….and I was off!  Can’t catch me!!   I was halfway up a hill when they called me back. 

Mom learned some techniques such as collar grabbing me from play, then releasing.  This is so I don’t have to dodge her out of fear playtime will end.  Then Pam made Mom hide behind a tree.  Then she released me to see if I can find Mom.  The purpose is this is to train me to find her when she’s out of sight.   Once I locate her, I’m handsomely rewarded.

One time when they dropped the leash, I decided to take off and run for the hills. Pam started chasing me, but when she saw it made me run faster, she stopped.  I ran down the hill and out of sight.  They stood at the top of the hill and called me.  I was sniffing around, but when I heard Mom call, I ran like hell back up the hill.  Pam gave me a HUGE reward, treats all over the place.

Pam thought the way I approached other dogs was fine.  Mom was still concerned about my aggressive behavior, but Pam told her to just work in big open spaces with few dogs first.  Putting me in a fenced dog park with a million other dogs and trying to train me is setting me up for failure. 

Motivated by today’s session, Mom took me to our regular dog park.  I had a great time by myself, but then a 6-year old pitbull named Rex joined in the fun.  We had fun romping around, but then Mom got concerned about me barking and trying to bite the dog’s neck.  I can’t help it, he’s a little runt and I gotta show him who’s the boss.  Remembering what Pam told her, she intervened, separated us, then released several times.  (Pam told her to do this every 10 seconds, even before tension starts to build.)  It’s a good thing Rex was a puppy, because a bigger dog would most certainly have put up a fight. 

Mom’s thinking of taking me to Fort Funston this weekend where we can have more practice.  Yay!  Now that Mom’s a little more confident, it means we can go to fun places more often.  She was restricted me too much out of fear of losing control, which made me more hyperactive and crazy when I encountered other dogs.

Practice makes perfect.  WOOF!

Happy Birthday to me!

Oh boy, today was a blast!  Both people and canine guests came over to honor ME.  I got lots of cool gifts – a chewable stuffed tiger from Auntie Helen, a humongous rawhide bone and fancy water dish from Uncle Kevin, and a tire ball and rope from Uncle Dennis and Alva.   Uncle Albert, Aunt Tammy, and Batman got me a doggie pizza and beer (to celebrate me turning 21!) with yogurt chips.   Dee-lish!  I also got some steak from Uncle Alden, Ron and Ling.   Those few bites of Grade A top sirloin was fabulous, however, I was supposed to get the whole steak rather than a few morsels!

Unfortunately, Alva didn’t realize the rope toy he came with was really for me.  He kept it all to himself.   When I tried to rightfully claim it, he would growl and run away with it. 

The day was nice and sunny for a backyard bbq.  The big people were enjoying the food and we doggies were running around.  Alva has an annoying habit of licking faces, and Batman the husky didn’t like it at all.  There were dog fights in the yard and in the house.  I got into a few skirmishes myself. 

Then there was the Canine Olympics.  Each of us was put to the agility and attention test.  We had to jump over two bars, run around a cone, and up a ramp.  Unfortunately with my short attention span and lack of mental acuity, I came in 3rd place.  But who cares!  It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to.

The grand finale of the day was a double decker heart-shaped meatloaf cake topped with bbq sauce frosting!!  Uncle Dennis smelled it and nearly ate it himself.   But all dogs were able to share my scrumptious, mouth watering, fang drooling cake.

Ahh, what a fun-filled day.  I only wish Mom and Dad would share the doggie yogurt chips – they’ve been eating it themselves and I’ve only gotten one.  Click here  for photos of the party.

The Eve of my Estimated Birthday

Lotsa excitement going on.  Tomorrow a few friends are coming over for my 3rd birthday!  No one really knows my actual birthday, but it’s estimated to be May ‘06.  So I would be 21 in dog years, old enough to drink and go to scandalous doggie bars.  Cousin Alva and Dennis are coming, as well as Albert and Tammy with Batman.  The weather has been really great too.  Good food and great friends, what more can a dog want?

Moving mountains for mutts…

What do gay marriage proponents and mutts have in common?    Both want equal rights for all!  A frontpage SF Gate article announced that the AKC is finally allowing mutts in their competitions, but under segregated conditions.   Click here.  The real reason for this decision is because if I were to compete, I would win the appearance, agility, and speed categories hands down.  The purebred owners who have spent big bucks on training and grooming would be howling in frustration and disbelief, causing pandemonium among their beautified and Botoxed dogs.

From the comments that people have posted, I’m glad that there is a lot of love out there for us mutts.   And seriously, what real dog wants to spend its life competing with other snobby dogs?  One person went so far as to call AKC buyers “purebred zealots”.  Either way, I think this is a huge step forward by bringing attention and recognition to mutts.  We have equal abilities and are not second-class canine citizens.  And who knows, the next dog you get at the shelter can be the next champion mutt!

Doggie play on San Jose

Late Sunday afternoon.  My doggie friends came to hang with me in the ‘hood.   Mom went to pick up Dennis and Alva while I stayed to play with Bruiser.   We got along great and chased each other for a bit under Auntie Helen’s supervision, but soon got into a major fight.  Dad heard the commotion and opened the door in time to see Auntie Helen get knocked down.  Grandpa jumped out of the cottage to help separate us.  Each of us, including Aunt Helen, wound up with some scratches and wounds by the time Mom got back.

So the three of us headed to the park over the freeway.  We crossed the overpass and walked down this zigzagged, graffiti covered path to the park.  A family was having a picnic there, so we went to the other end of the field.  I was on a long leash.  Bruiser got under my skin, rubbing it in my face that he was off the leash, so I took a lunge at him.  That’s when the mayhem began again!  We were growling and snarling loudly and probably scared the little kids at the park.  If we weren’t attached to our leashes, I would’ve pulled a Mike Tyson on him.  I hear dog ears are more delicous than human ones. 

Later, the big people went grocery shopping for dinner.  They separated all of us: me in the cottage, Alva in the yard, and Bruiser in the house.  Bruiser’s dad then came to pick him up a little early.

Alva and I got along like angels in the house.  Er…that’s after we got scolded a couple times for trying to chase each other inside.  But hey!  Who can resist??   I can’t help being the life of the party.  We mellowed out pretty quickly; I think both of us were pooped (no pun intended).  Alva’s an old dog whose company I don’t mind, but whenever Mom or anyone comes to pet me, Alva shoves his face in between us and starts licking that person’s face.  He’s such an attention hog.   I continued my angel-like behavior and ignored it.

After dinner came the photo ops.  We canines were excellent models.  I’m the only young good looking one, though.  Alva’s old, greying and has a big, knobby head.

While the big folks were watching a Mike Tyson documentary, we went to sleep.  Ahhhh…. I wish these fun filled days would never end!

Paradise in Santa Monica

I’m in LA with Mom and we’ve been here for a week.  We met a nice lady named Jai who invited us to her apartment courtyard for a playdate with her dog.  Finally, I can run free in Santa Monica!  The dog park here started checking dog tags and only allowing SM dogs to play there.  But it’s ok, we love the long walks and plenty of landscaping for me to do my business. 

Dad arrived yesterday.  More to be updated later…

Playdate with Bruiser

The weather was overcast in San Francisco, but every day is a sunny day when I have a playmate!   The last time I saw Bruiser he was a little puppy.  Now he’s a rambunctious teenager.  When Auntie Helen first brought him over, we got into a bit of a mish mash, growling and barking, until we were separated.  It was time to leave the house!

The humans spent a long time trying to get Bruiser in his harness.  Not sure if they put it on right, but we headed out anyway.  The weather was cold and drizzly, but we had a blast.  When we got back, we hung out in the house for more play.  We were confined to the kitchen and I REALLY wanted to go into the yard.  But then I got distracted doing tricks for treats.  Mom and Dad were impressed at how well-behaved I was.  I came when called, even when Bruiser was boxing me. 

Sad Story for a Dog

Walks in Dad’s neighborhood are usually short and sweet, long enough for me to get my business done.  Today during our morning walk, a white dog that looked like a husky ran across the street, without its leash or owner, and started jumping around to play with me.  I had fun at first, but then Mom tied me to a pole to try and reach for the dog.  The dog jumped away.  Then the owner came running across the street. 

His first attempts at catching the dog were futile.  Then he tried grabbing the dog and collar.  He got ahold of the dog, which started twisting violently.  The dog got aggressive and bit the owner’s hand, leaving an inch long gash.  Mom asked the owner if he had a leash.  He went across the street. 

The dog starting humping me.  I did NOT like that at all.  Mom saw the situation was going from bad to worse.  So she untied me, dragged me across the street while the dog was humping me, and went to the open front door of the nearest house, which she assumed belonged to the owner.  The dog followed.  She called the owner but he wasn’t there.  Then the owner came out.  He didn’t seem to help at all, so Mom got the dog inside and closed the door.  Then she knocked on the door again to see if the owner was ok.  She told him that the dog should NOT be biting people and he should be taken to Animal Control.   He was like ok ok, and closed the door.  Then she called Animal Control to report the incident. 

She was concerned that:
1) A dog that bites people was not properly contained
2) The dog may not have had his shots (the owner seemed irresponsible)

Forty-five minutes later, Animal Control calls Mom and tells her that the owner came to turn the dog in.  She was relieved to know that he did the responsible thing.  Now maybe the dog will be evaulated, properly trained, and find a more experienced owner.

Later that day, Mom and Dad stopped by Animal Control to get me a new license.   She asked about the dog.  It turns out that the owner had the dog put down!  Or as Uncle Paul says, sent to the “farm”.  The poor dog probably had very little training.  Turns out he was an Akita, not a husky.   That breed requires experience and committment.  The report says the dog bit the owner and a dog.  Mom talked to the Animal Control person, who said it was pretty bad for the dog to even bite his owner, especially at such a young age.  The Akita was a year old and not neutered. 

People should NOT be adopting dogs unless they know what they are getting into.  The dog was beautiful, which is what probably attracted the owner to him.  I hope the dog is happy on the farm.