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!

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."

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!

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.   

Caught in the Act...of Cuddling!

If you only knew them, you would understand what a rarity this photo is.  Rascal is the terrier.  He literally showed up on the doorstep at Jeff and Nancy's one day and decided that should be his new home.  So right off the bat there are two things he and I have in common; we both have the terrier mentality and we both chose our humans before they caught on to the master plan.  But Rascal used to get bored and dig out of his yard during the day, so he started going to doggie day care.  That's where he met Pua the beagle.  She was dropped off there one day, and her person never came back.  Rascal decided it wouldn't be such a bad idea for her to keep him company at his house instead of doggie day care, so she came home with them.  I am not so sure he had the idea that it would be permanent; he likes to make sure she still knows who rules the house, but on the rare moments like this one caught on film, you can see that he really does love his sister.  They are two of my best buddies!

Baby Bella

Bella is my newest neighbor.  When she moved in, she was more of a black fur ball than a puppy.  In fact, we weren't exactly sure she would become a dog at all!  But she has kind of grown into herself, a Chalab.  She's a pound puppy, so we'll never know for sure, but she is friendly like a Lab and has the unarguable black Chow tongue.  Little miss social likes to stop by our house all the time.  I like to visit with her best when her Mom Jan brings along treats, and she is pretty fun to take walks with.  Welcome to life at the beach Bella!