Good Dog Days

I have had 2 really good days!  Uncle Jonathan made a stew, and invited me over to taste.  Sake, my best friend and I, bounced a little bit and ate bites and bites and more bites of stew meat.  Both of my Uncle John's are excellent chef's.   My Aunt Rita made sure I had some comfy spots to lay and entertained my Mom so she wouldn't worry over me.  Then my friend Schmedley came the next morning to visit!  He is the fluffy guy in the photo; one of the sweetest, most good natured guys you would ever want to meet!  I really was happy to have him come check to see how I was.  Our little gang, 2 legged and 4 legged, really look out for each other!

Dog Cousin Siena

I want to introduce you to my third cousin Siena.  Her name is so fitting because she is an Italian Greyhound, black and white as you can see.  Black and white marble comes from Siena Italy.  Her last name is Marble.  It just all fits!  Her sister Bianca would really have liked to remain an only child like me, but Mia thinks she is a puppy of her very own.  Mia protects her, and plays so gently with her; she learns a lot from her big sister Mia!  She has a her own lymric like her sisters:  There once lived a black and white pup.  And oh how she loved to jump up.  She'd nuzzle, she'd kiss, Oh what bliss.  A pup to never give up.

She's a cute kid.  Maybe I'll like her better when she settles down a bit.

Sweet Little Dog

I think I have been at the vet more times in the last month than I have been in my entire life.  Ok, maybe that is a slight exaggeration, but I have seen Dr. Maria a lot lately.  She's a great lady, but I would rather not visit her so often.  I heard the word cancer.  I don't know what that word means, except that I've gotten tons of extra treats.  I hardly even have to ask for them!  My Mom has been spending so much extra time with me too.  She usually moves around so much always doing so many things at the same time.  Lately, she's really just spending quiet time with me.  Sometimes I even catch her watching me sleep.  I really never see her cry, but that cancer word, it seems to make her sad.  I think I need to cuddle her back a little extra.  You know, after I eat all of my treats.

The Early Years of the Little Dog

My Mom has been cleaning out the garage.  She has found some very interesting things, lots of them being photos.  My Uncle John always jokes that Shauna thought she would find me a good home; she wasn't going to keep me, but she had an entire roll of film to develop within the first 24 hours she met me.  Just look at us; committed to each other from the start.  She didn't stand a chance!  From the beginning, we have taken great care of each other, and not a day goes by that I can't say that is true. I, of course, knew I was "home" as soon as I saw her!

Little Dog Luvs Her Uncle

When my Mom goes on trips that I can't go with her, it means that I get to vacation with my Uncles!  I have my own key to their "beach house", and I say vacation because, well, I am completely and utterly doted upon without the need to be a watch dog.  Uncle John becomes my personal chef.  He always checks the menu with Shauna cuz there are lots of things I would describe as treats but lots of human food that I just have to turn my nose up at as well.  Uncle John wants to make sure I get what I like.  He has turned into quite the cook in he and Uncle Ray's new home.  My Uncle John says my Uncle Ray and I are a lot alike and that is why we get along so well.  Two peas in a friggin pod, he calls us : )  I love my Uncles very much!  I always get bouncy when my Mom comes to pick me up, but even a 4 legged girl needs a little change in scenery once in a while, and I couldn't image a much better spot than with people who care so much about me!

Chase Dog Celebrates 106?

April (or May) is my birthday month.  Yes, my Mom and I and my Auntie Rita believe in celebrating the month, not just the day.  Which in my case is especially appropriate since we are not sure exactly when it is, you know being a little lost and found pup.  But truthfully, I think Shauna and I have celebrated every day we have been together!  That would be 5,479 days and counting.  We are both pretty lucky, to have each other and SO many good friends and family to share birthdays with.  This one started with my "Aunt Do-Ho" in the photo above.  She writes a blog about donuts, which I guest starred on for my birthday.  You can see it here.  She got me my very own doggie donuts, one to eat and one to squeak, from the Three Dog Bakery in Santa Monica.  My grandparents sent a birthday card with money in it to buy treats!  Can you believe I had to wait 2 whole days before we went to get them?!  And finally a day of parties.  There is the photo album to the right that you can see some of the festivities.  Puppies and meatloaf cake in the morning at our very gracious friend Roberta and Schmedley's.  Then Uncle Jonathan cooked up a feast for me and all my favorite people friends in the evening.  Ahh, what a life.  That's why I have stuck around 16 years!  Besides, there is a 21 year old weiner dog that I have to catch up to!  

And Then There Were Two (Pups that is)

Bianca was such a happy addition to the family, that once they saw her mini version at the pet store, they just couldn't leave her there!  Mini Mia that is.  But she didn't stay mini for long!   This girl loves to eat and it didn't take her long to get to full size and then some!  She is the only one of her kind that I know that doesn't really have a waist line : )  But she is the sweetest.  She will wiggle herself right underneath me if I try to ignore her.  She just wants to be friends with me, her California cousin, with way more hair than she has.  So, I usually cut the kid a break and give her a little lick or two. Did I mention she likes to eat?  Her lymric goes like this:

"There once lived Mia an IG.  Who looked at her meals with glee.  For food she'd dance, Go into a trance, Do the dishes 1,2,3."

Dog Cousin Bianca

I have three cousins.  They are all Italian Grey hounds.  Bianca is the closest to my age.  You know how they say people look like their pets, well B is a good example of that. She resembles much of my Aunt Holly and Uncle Scott; all of them long and lean.  Her personality is a little more reserved and elegant like my Aunt Holly (til you get to know her).  They made up lymrics for all of their girls!  B's goes like this: "There once lived a greyhound named B.  And oh what a love bug was she.  Try as they might, All day and all night, There were never enough snuggles for B."

Little Dog Ditches her Stitches!

Thanks to everyone who sympathized with my need for stitches!  They were not fun, but when Shauna threatened to make me wear a t-shirt if I didn't leave them alone, well I hate clothes more than I disliked my stitches, so...but they came out this week!  I didn't enjoy that, but, our first stop after the vet's office was Coffee Bean for ice blended coffee with whip cream on the side.  My Mom drinks the coffee (hopefully she remembered to say decaf) and the whip cream is for me!  It is one of my favorites!   Then she gave me a puppy massage; the scratches on my head and under my collar are the best!  Then she put a bunch of kisses on my head, which are definitely more for her than they are for me!  As long as we are following up with more treats, it might even be worth the stitches.

Four Legged Friends Foundation

My Mom and I are big proponents of animal and people bonding.  Fur children can add so much to a person's life. Our friend Maureen has a good friend who runs an organization called Four Legged Friends Foundation.  They do a great job of assessing how they can best promote pet/people needs in the community.  They have joined up with one of our favorites, Best Friends Animal Society for a local event next Sunday.  They have lots of great things going on and it is one of their most successful adoption days!  I gave Shauna permission to go.  Oh, I know what you're thinking, but she has strict instructions not to bring home any extra critters.  No seriously, do I LOOK like I am kidding?  "Fluff" is also holding a raffle with fabulous prizes.  No really good stuff like a 40" flatscreen, a gift certificate to Asia de Cuba (I've sampled a doggie bag from there.  YUM) and a "Danelectro" guitar signed by Ellen.  Nothing would make my Mom and I happier than if every 4 legged critter could enjoy a life like mine!  So check it out for yourself, and get your raffle tickets before the drawing May 9!  And if you win the Asia de Cuba gift certificate, make sure you order the calamari salad and my Aunt Jen's favorite, coconut cake!

Dogs Host Easter

While my Colorado cousins were hunting chicken filled Easter eggs, we had a champagne Easter toast, Rascal and the ladies.  Rascal is Pua's brother, you know Pua, the local Beagle calendar girl from my last post!  Rascal likes to pretend to be the tough guy, but we have always had our terrier bond.  He loves his people, and he always cuddles up to my Mom.  But he found a new lady love in Karen on Easter Sunday.  Yeah, that Rascal. He would like you to think he is too cool, but we know he was the host with the most to all the girls on Easter Sunday!

Pua Dog Strikes a Pose

We hung out with our friends Pua and Rascal this weekend.  Their people were out of town for the holiday, so we stayed over at their house. I love lounging with them in the back yard.  All three of us sat on the chaise with Shauna.  It was even more crowded than all of us in the bed, and my crazy girl couldn't be happier!  Pua was excited to show us the Beagle calendar they have hanging in their kitchen.  She looks just like Miss February. Her Mom often reminds her she could be a pin up girl!  She's practicing her poses; watch out 2010!

Trip to the Vet

I don't know about this this going to the vet thing.  This is the second time I have gone in minding my own business and come home with stitches.  (My Mom tells me I had them when I got fixed too, but that was a long time ago and I don't remember!)  I have a few "beauty marks".  You know, the kind we get as we age.  I guess I must have accidentally opened one up with a toe nail, so Shauna took me to see Dr. Maria.  She's really nice, and always gentle.  She likes me too, cuz I remind her of her own  Schnauzer's.   But it seems a little extreme that they would shave a spot of my great fur that I work so hard to grow, and then put in stitches!  At least they didn't put that awful cone collar on like last time!  I did hear them saying I would have to wear a Tshirt if I scratch at my stitches.  So I won't be doing that.  I know I have expressed this before, but I Don't wear clothes!  I may however, be able to use this situation to get some extra treats out of my people.  I'm going to go work on that now! 

Puppy Dog Tales

This is the youngest of my three cousins.  Her mouth is usually open like this, chewing a toy or more likely, someone's nose.  Her name is Siena, with 1 n, like the black and white Italian marble.  You know, cuz she is black and white, she is an Italian Greyhound, and her last name is Marble!  Yup,  perfect name for this pup.  Her middle name should be chomp.  Maybe she will outgrow that once she turns 3, or maybe not, if she has anything to say about it.   

Chase Arrives for the Weekend

My Uncle John came to pick me up for a weekend stay.  Shauna is flying to Colorado to surprise Aunt Holly for her birthday!  So my car service, I mean Uncle John came to get me on Wednesday.  He always likes to finagle an extra day with me, partly because he thinks its funny to hear how pathetic my Mom is without me, and mostly just because he loves me!  And I love my Uncles!  I get lots of rest and relaxation at their house.  They have great pillows to sit atop, they don't move around nearly as much as Shauna does (they are much easier to keep an eye on), and Uncle John has taken to much experimenting in the kitchen.  He has sort of become a gourmet!  He was discussing the menu for my stay with my Mom.  For my first night, he is doing an orange chicken with fingerling potatoes in butter (cuz my Mom told him I wouldn't eat the mushrooms in a balsamic reduction as an accompaniment).  Yum!!  I like just about anything with butter!  I overheard him talking to Shauna when she called in to check on me (maybe for the 10th time!).  Uncle John told her I was quite comfortable, following the sun around from pillow to pillow.  He wanted to know where I learned my diva behavior.  Really, the man who chauffered me to his house and arranged gourmet meals around what I as a 4 legged girl would like is asking where I learned diva behavior?!  I love my people!  Ok boys, who wants to go for a walk? 

Date With a Little Cat

Shauna and I had pizza night at Lynx's house.  I like him.  He is a cute little cat who still doesn't know quite what to make of me.  He is curious, but still very respectful.  One of my favorite things is the guest pillow Aunt Jen puts out every time I visit.  Sometimes she stacks two pillows, and I pretend to be the princess and the pea and sit on both of course.  Single or double, they are just my size!  Lynx hadn't figured out how comfy the cushions were before I showed him, but now he knows.  He is a pretty quick learner.  And Aunt Jen is the hostess with the mostess!

Chase as Flower Girl

My Uncles got married this summer.  It was a very special intimate wedding at their home with our closest "california family" in attendance.   I was the flower girl with my pink and chocolate brown flowered collar (it is the most girlie thing I own).  My best friend Sake was there of course.  Now she is a girl who likes to dress, so she wore her red silk custom made by an Italian tailor.  I suppose you could say her Mom, my Auntie Rita, is a little over the top.  That is what we love about her!  It really was the perfect, personal ceremony.  Uncle Jonathan shed a tear or two.  He's the sensitive one in this group.  Congratulations!! We love you. I was so lucky to be a part of that day!  And even luckier I didn't have to wear something as a flower girl that I could "just shorten and wear again"!  

Chase Navigates

I like riding in my new car!  I get to ride shot gun. That's where Shauna set up my blanket. I like blankets and I have them all over my house.  My Mom wanted heated seats but she didn't want me to slide on the leather, so we compromised.  But then she asks me to navigate.  Someone should tell her I don't read maps, well, maybe I could read them as well as she can.  But with these eyebrows...Where did that map go anyway?  Just follow your nose, it always knows! And can we open the sunroof please?

Serena Kitty

This is one of the newest fur friends!  Her name is Serena and she just recently became a California Kitty.  She moved out with her Mom when she got transfered with her job.  I haven't actually met her, but Shauna has been visiting her and she said she thinks she is adjusting just fine!  She apparently is quite soft and sweet.  My Mom would say she would only be gone a little while, but Serena would be so into her kitty massage, Shauna would just stay and pet her and pet her.  Did you know that they actually have a place they call the Cat Cafe in Tokyo where they have many cats who reside on the premises.  People who don't have their own pets pay in 30 minute increments to be able to pet the cats.  I personally would hate all that touching, but it sounds like Shauna and Serena would both like it there!  

Dirt Face Chase

It is Spring, well at least it feels like it today.  It is sunny, my blonde under fluff is shedding, and I feel like digging!  Personally, I prefer a little cooler weather.  Or if the sun is going to be out, a good breeze makes me happy.  I am on my way to a BBQ at Sake's house.  That makes me happy too.  Her people, Aunt Rita and Uncle Jonathan, always make sure we have yummy appetizers followed by something tasty on the grill.  And if we are there long enough, snacks after my nap on one of my 3 favorite pillows at their house.  Ah, the life of a little dog!  Think anyone will notice I've been digging?!

Meet Max and Lucy Dog

My weekend play dates are made so much more enjoyable by my fur friends that join us.  Max and Lucy are two of those friends.  They are a brother and sister team rescued by Noel. And they are terrier people like me!  They have very different personalities!  Lucy, the fur girl on the left, is very shy.  But she Love, love, loves to fetch. But not just any toy will do!  It is one specific toy that she has in each yard she visits.  She will quite insistently tell anyone within earshot to please find and throw her toy. She believes in equal opportunity for the 2 legged people to throw her toy.  Now Max, he will be your friend, but you need to pass his  thorough inspection, which may or may not include a little love "bite".  Once you get to know him, he's a love bug!  Can't wait to see them at our next play date!

Little Dog Slumber Party

This last Saturday, my Mom went to a seminar with my Aunt Rita, and then she went to babysit one of our two legged friends named Kaya.  So my best friend Sake invited me over for a slumber party!  Sake knew I was coming and she was waiting for me, excitedly doing her little dance in the window when we got there in the morning.  We had so much fun!  We bounced through the house together, and in their great back yard!  Uncle Jonathan took us for a walk at the beach (and Sake and I secretly giggled when we plotted to pull our leashes in different directions hee hee).  But Uncle Jonathan was a pretty good sport!  After all our fresh air, we both found blankets to claim for a little siesta.  Aunt Rita helped us get all nestled!  Don't you think red is our color?  Ahhh.  And what slumber party would be complete without snacks?!  We had plenty, and finished with 3 a.m. cheese snacks, then breakfast of scrambled eggs and hot dogs! The hot dog is one of my personal favorites to share with my Aunt Rita! It was part of our very first bonding experience!  Of course the ultimate best is spending time with the ones you love.  And I know Shauna doesn't worry about me.  Thanks for the great host and hostessing!

Doggie's Strut the Red Carpet

If you ask me, the best part of the Academy Awards is the red carpet.  And don't think that we 4 legged people don't have our own versions to strut our stuff!  A bulldog beauty contest in Long Beach offered just such an occasion this month.  It was put on by Justin Rudd, a local guy that does a lot of events to promote us fur babies!  He is a little partial to bulldogs because that is what his own fur girl is.  Just take a look, we could rival any red carpet.  There really is something for everyone out there if you just look.  Now if you will excuse me, I must go talk to my Mother about installing my very own red carpet!  It is a good color for me.

Puppy Overtime

This is Mister Banks.  His Mom is a big Mary Poppins fan, so he is named after the Banks family she 'popped' in to care for!  Here, he's hard at work at Designers Resource in El Segundo.  Well, maybe he's taking a bit of a break.  We four legged people know how much attention needs to be devoted to our people at work.  Shauna works from our home office sometimes, and as a seasoned assistant I know how exhausting that can be.  And Mister Banks, well can't you tell by the puppy tummy how young this little pup is?  But we have no doubt he will grow into both his feet and his role as an assistant! 

Wilma Kitty

Wilma is our cat friend who we visited this last weekend.  She may just think she is a dog.  She always runs out to greet my Mom and gives me a nose to nose greeting.  I like Wilma Kitty, and I think she likes me ok too, well at least until I stick my nose near her dish with her cat snack in it.  That is when I get scooped up by Shauna.  I wouldn't eat that fishy smelling kitty food anyway, but still I get scooped.  Wilma has a big dog brother Yogi.  He is a handsome black labradoodle.  He was at doggie daycare for the weekend, so I made myself at home in his big dog bed while Shauna spent time petting Wilma.  No one can tell me bigger isn't better!

Little Dog & Grandpa

When I go to Colorado, Grandma fixes lots of treats for me.  But when my Grandparents visit California, it's Grandpa that shares most of the treats!  Yum!  I got a whole potpourri of bacon bites and sausage and meatloaf...Thanks Grandpa!  I got lots of extra scratches from Grandma. And Shauna and I shared our friends, our beach and our sites.  It was a really fantastic visit!  And now our "California family" knows how special my Grandparents are.    We are so happy they are safely back in Colorado.  They will be back to see Mickey and my favorite, Tigger since it was a rare rainy day the day they were going to Disneyland.  Now I'm going to work on my Mom to share some of the tasty left overs I know are in the refrigerator!

Little Dog Anticipates

My Grandparents are on their way!  I'm keeping watch out my window.  I can't wait for them to see my yard, and I'll introduce them to my friends, and take them for a walk.  I know they will give me extra treats while they are here.  And they are driving my new car.  Oh I am SO excited!  My Mom said they won't be here til tonight, but I'm still going to keep watch.  And wait...and watch...Did I tell you I was excited?!

Travel Pups

Everyone has a different way to travel; bike basket, bag, scooter.  My Grandparents are coming out to visit from Colorado!  My Mom and I fly when we go to visit them.  I make lots of new friends in my bag, because they think I am cute and well behaved as a passenger riding in my sheepskin lined bag.  My Grandpa doesn't like to fly.  Their favorite mode of transportation is car, specifically Fords.  I am especially excited because they are driving out my new car.  It is an Edge.  My Mom says it will be like my own little apartment.  I can't wait to sniff out all of those new car smells.  One of Shauna's friends from high school and my Grandpa did a lot of work to find it for us (and convince my Mom that she likes Fords...well maybe "Fords" is pushing it, but the Edge she's Really excited about).  And my Grandma gets to go to the beach; she likes to stick her toes in the sand and the ocean, and my Grandpa, well there are lots of auto related favorites for him to experience.  And lots of riding in my new Edge!  I'll keep you posted on how we like it! 

The Little Dog Pledge

No matter what you had going on today, or what your political affiliation, you had to recognize that it was a special day in history.  My Mom had the tv on, and I got to spend a little time watching the inauguration, and some of the shows leading up to it.  We are looking to our leaders to create a better world.  One that I liked best talked about making pledges to make a difference. We can all take a bit of a lead, sort of like I lead Shauna when we go for a walk every day.  We are all in this together, 2 legged, 4 legged, young, old.  Everyone can do something.  Be inspired, and be inspiring!  Take a look at www.myspace.com/presidentialpledge.  Listen to the ideas, take a cue from some of the celebrities, or be inspired to come up with your own; make a pledge!   I am only 15 lbs, but even I know I have a paw in creating my own reality!

Four legged Family

This is my Great Grandmothers cat Charlie.  I guess technically that makes him my Great Uncle.  Great Uncle Charlie the cat.  That is a mouthful!  So I got to visit Great Uncle Charlie when my Mom and I went to Colorado to visit for Christmas.  Shauna told me that many years ago, she was visiting my Great Grandma.  She has always been an animal lover.  She had neighborhood cats and squirrels and birds that would all come to her big yard and find different treats just for them.  Shauna sat at her kitchen table and listened to her talk about how much she would like to have a dog of her own, but she was afraid they might need too much attention.  Then she mentioned a cat, but she didn't think she should get one, because what if something happened to her, what would happen to the cat?  She had a picture in a calendar on the refrigerator of a little orange kitten that she thought was just the cutest thing.  My Mom knew she would be back in Colorado in a matter of months, and decided that if my Great Grandma hadn't gotten a cat of her own, she was going to get her one.  She checked with quite a few places until she found someone that said they had a little tabby cat.  He was only a few pounds, but he had a huge voice, meowing all the way to his new home.  Any thought of 'if this doesn't work out, we'll have to take him to California' disappeared immediately when they got to my Great Grandma's house.  Shauna still laughs when she thinks about how my Great Grandma came out of the house, grabbed the mewing box and ran inside with it without even saying a word to her.  By the time she had followed her in the house, there was no separating the little ball of fluff from his new mother, and it has been that way ever since!  And a good thing too.  It was not long after that that Uncle John found me, and well, you know how the rest of that story goes.  Karma...  

Nik

It makes me extremely sad to tell you that two of my favorite people lost their best 4 legged friend.  The photo is Uncle John (who originally rescued me) and Best Ray, and their little guy, Nikky.  He was a cranky old man even as a kitten!  He had been part of our little "family" almost as long as I have.  He was not very tolerant of all of my Uncle's other furry friends, but he and I had an understanding.   He had been a very sick little guy just recently.  My Uncles did everything they could for him, right until the very end.  We all love him very much and know he will watch over us from wherever he is. 

Holiday Hounds

There is nothing like the holidays in Colorado.  At least that is what my Mom says, and I think she might be right!  I get to hop in my travel bag, fly on the plane, and see my whole family for Christmas!  Shauna said I should have had my own seat on the plane cuz my ticket cost the same as hers, but I like my travel bag.  And the cool breezy weather felt great in my fur!  My Aunt Rita would love it.  My Grandparents just put a new wood floor in their kitchen.  It was great for sliding across after I came in from the snowy backyard.  And if I slid through enough times, my Grandma would laugh and find all kinds of tasty treats for my little dog dish.  Ahhh, life is good in Colorado with family!