Doggie Dinner Date

Wow, I have more friends in LA that I never knew about!  We visited Dad’s ex-coworker, Wacky Jackie, who lives in Mar Vista with her fiance and two dogs.  Bebe (AKA Jeremy) was Aunt Jackie’s dog for the past 12 years.  He came from Singapore and is a shitzu – cocker spaniel mix.  Dad said Bebe’s seen a dog shrink before because of his separation anxiety issues.   Apparently, the neighbors are not thrilled with him.  Aunt Jackie showed us a fat envelope filled with neighbor complaints and city notices about the barking that goes on when she’s not at home.   

Kiki is a recent addition to their family, a 1-year old shitzu she took in from a friend who couldn’t care for her anymore.  Kiki played nice and even let me eat out of her food bowl.  Well, actually I just helped myself.  She can’t do anything about it because I outweigh her by 65 lbs.

The big folks had dinner that Jackie cooked, while I sniffed the dogs.  Small dogs aren’t very playful, though we did have a good noisy run in the yard.  I found a piece of rawhide on the floor and begged to go outside to bury it.  Unfortunately, it was confiscated when I growled and snapped at Kiki for trying to take it from me.  

Aunt Jackie’s place is a dog heaven, but to humans it would be a testament to her wackiness.  Lots of pictures with her, Bebe and Kiki.  She showed us her Bebe scrapbook and the holiday postcard she took of the dogs at Petco.  Some tiles on the floor have dog footprints.   A basketful of dog toys sits in the living room.  The dogs have their own room that looks like a nursery designed by Winnie the Pooh.    Get this – Bebe even has his own shrine in the office.   His poster is plastered on the wall by his name.   The only thing that’s missing of him is an Andy Warhol painting. 

After dinner, everyone went upstairs to tour the house and have dessert.  They left me behind a baby gate downstairs!  That sucked.  But we ended the night with a potty stroll around the neighborhood.  I had a fun night.  It sure beats going to someone’s house that is overrun with annoying kids.

Aunt Jackie is not a pack leader.

This is mine…don’t touch!

Yum, their food is pretty good.

Kiki hates those ridiculous barettes in her hair.

Give us some treats….NOW!

We need one of these at home for me.

Don’t Tell Auntie Chi

It’s a good thing Auntie Chi isn’t home most of the time.  I found a snuggle buddy in her room.

Back in LA

After 11 hours, we made it to LA.  This time we took the 101 rather than the I-5, and made several stops.  Our first stop was Pismo Beach, where I sniffed a few dogs and had a nice walk.  It kinda sucked that I was tied to the bench next to Mom while she and Dad had a clam chowder and fish and chips lunch, but I managed to sneak a lick from the plate before anyone could holler, “TOBY!”  Unfortunately, my tongue missed the chowder bowl by 2 inches. 

Our next stop was the Santa Barbara Mission.  It was sunny and clear there.  I wasn’t allowed to go near the mission where there was a nativity display with real animals – miniature ponies and sheep.  (Mom recalls I once freaked out seeing the pony rides in Santa Monica.  I don’t like most non-canine animals, especially large smelly ones.)  So I got to walk around the rose garden and my nose went into high gear.

Third and final stop was the Camarillo outlets.  I generally hate shopping because stores don’t allow dogs, but Mom and Dad took turns walking me while the other shopped.  (The US should adopt European attitudes towards dogs, as they’re allowed in restaurants, shops and public transportation.  More ranting about this later.)  Most people and their kids were very charmed by my good looks and friendly temperament, but one woman said to her kids, “Stay back!”  She probably thought my head collar was a muzzle.  Pooh to her, ignorant fool.

From the 101

Christmas Countdown

Today Mom and Dad had some friends over.  Uncle Dennis was here again, this time making me wheelbarrow across the kitchen and stand on two legs like a friggin’ human.  Mom took pictures.  I hated that.  At least some people were amused at my expense. 

Cousin Andi came by the other day to bake cookies.  We played too close to the Christmas tree and my tail whacked a bulb hard and sent glass flying.   People always complain that my wagging tail is like a whip.  It’s painful to be around me when I’m excited and happy.  Someone even suggested that Mom and Dad cut my tail off!  Can you believe the nerve!   How would people like it if dogs docked human buttocks?

What the…?

What the heck are you doing?

Doing what I do best

Lovely tree, isn’t it?

Happy Howlidays!

Christmas means the weather gets cold here in SF, but not enough to dampen my spirits!  I was out digging holes and running around with my ratty rubber bone.  Mom decided to stay inside, so no fetch for me.   This year they got a Christmas tree, which smells a bit wierd. 

Merry Christmas to me