Dad got a new camera and took some glamour shots of me. I have to say I am quite a dashing dog.
This week was a chaotic one. We took care of Shadow while Aunt Barb and Uncle Ron went to Vegas. She was a little feisty one, biting and barking and having diahrrea. If I got worked up, she did too, and vice versa. We went to the dog park where she chased me while I chased the ball, but she couldn’t run very fast because of her short legs.
This has got to be my favorite holiday. Mom and Dad had some friends over, and we got all dressed up. At first the lobster costume they put on me didn’t feel so great, but I got used to it. In fact, I was so excited to have visitors that I soon forgot I was wearing it.
Mom was dressed up as the Corpse Bride, Dad was the Corpse Groom, Alden was Count Dracula, Ling was a French maid, Helen was a widow/dark bride, Irene was Bob Marley, and Ken came as a Chinese guy.
Some dogs get anxiety attacks when they visit the vet, but not me! I love Dr. Kang!! She’s always so happy to see me. I went to see her for my regular checkup and also because I had an injured toenail. The bottom nail cracked off and the lower quick was exposed. OUCHHHHH!!! I couldn’t stop licking it. Mom took me to the pet store to buy an Elizabethan collar so I wouldn’t lick it, but I was in between sizes, so the nice owner suggested a more comfortable bootie. So I’ve been wearing a shoe for the past few days.
Dr. Kang prescribed some antibiotics and an antiseptic soak for my foot. She also recommended Bitter Apple, a spray designed to keep me from licking the busted toe. She said it was a good thing that the quick was still attached to the nail, or else they would have to amputate it. DOUBLE OWW. Good thing we can avoid this. So we left with the meds and instructions. Well, that wasn’t really necessary since I always feel super after seeing Dr. Kang.
Mom was supposed to dogsit Shadow while Aunt Barb and Uncle Ron were on their East Coast trip. The first night I was with her, she bit my tail and I barked a warning at her. So Shadow went to stay with my grandparents until Mom got back from Boston the next day. Turns out they got so attached to Shadow they didn’t want to give her up. So she spent the next two weeks with them. Grandma even took her shopping and bought her a sweater and raincoat. Looks ridiculous to me, but it doesn’t seem to bother Shadow. Good thing Mom doesn’t dress me up.
Today Mom brought home the sad news that my cousin Alva passed away. Uncle Dennis came to the gym with Nala and a long face. Over the weekend, Alva had no appetite and was urinating blood. Uncle Dennis took him to the vet who said that he had cancer and it was pretty severe. Alva had a hard time walking and was really suffering. So Uncle Dennis decided it was his time. Alva was 9 years old.
Goodbye Cousin Alva. You were a good friend and good dog, always the life of the party. You made your dad proud. You changed Mom’s perception of pitbulls. You provided me with good company and many fun walks in the park. I hope you’re happy where you are, and we’ll miss you and think of you often.
Mom brought home a rescue dog from Taiwan! This organziation called Asians for Humans, Animals, and Nature arranged to transport a mini Schnauzer that was found as a stray. Aunt Tammy went with mom to pick up the dog, named Kylie, from the airport. Aunt Tammy thought the dog should be named Juli (YOO-li), which is German for July. (Somehow she didn’t look like a Heidi or Olga.) The dog was meant to be a trial sister for me, but it didn’t work out. Some people got a wee bit upset (no names mentioned!) and it’s a little chaotic walking both of us.
But there’s a happy ending for Juli! Uncle Ron and Aunt Barb decided to adopt her, and she will now live in Pleasanton. Her name is now Shadow and she spends her days basking on the lawn or going on long walks. I get to see her every once in a while. So there is another dog in the family!
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!
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 she 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.
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!
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.
