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!