Kira's Page

2010-09-01T22:14:00.000-07:00

Kira died at 5:20 tonight.

2010-06-08T23:02:00.000-07:00

Settled in while I waste time on the computer:

2010-06-06T23:22:00.000-07:00

Curled up on an old couch cushion beside the computer desk.

2010-06-04T19:51:00.001-07:00

I think it's pretty obvious to everyone that I'm no longer keeping up this blog. I don't understand how folks can write a blog every day; my life just isn't that exciting.

Just to give an almost final update on Kira:

Health-wise, I took her off the medication for a few reasons. I couldn't seem to find that delicate balance between finding the right dosage while maintaining her quality of life. Oh sure, I came close, but still... She would go days without eating anything at all, not even her favourite Pizza Bones. Then I would skip a few days of meds to get her appetite back and boy, did it ever! Then back on the meds. Anyway, the cycle seemed to never end. I just don't think she had a good quality of life on the medication.

So, she's off the meds and seems to be doing OK. With summer here I have the doggy door in so she can come and go as she needs to so no more accidents inside.

Kira is mostly deaf now. I have to flick a small flashlight to get her attention. If there's absolutely NO background noise and I lift her ear up then she hears me tell her I love her or that she's being a good girl.

She falls down sometimes when going down the stairs. Going up stairs takes a few extra attempts. She can't jump into the car anymore, but that's OK. I don't mind giving her a boost when I take her out. Daily walks are out of the question. She falls down over the slightest bump or divet in the sidewalk/road and she can only go a few hundred feet before she just stops and can't go any further.

Kira still wants to play, though only for a few minutes at a time. She's still excited to see me when I come home and that caters to my ego.

June 24th will be our third anniversary and I'm coming to terms with the fact we will likely not have a fourth.

My little girl is an old lady now and I'm mentally preparing, as best I can, to say good bye.

When that happens, it will be the final update before I delete this blog altogether.

Can't leave without a pic, though! Taken about 20 minutes ago:

Update

2010-02-13T11:55:00.000-08:00

I know it's been a long time since I've written but mom has been home a lot lately so we've been hanging out together. Now, as much as I love writing my blog, I like hanging out with mom even more :-D

Mom took a bunch of Leave from work so we've been cleaning the house (found my long-lost hoof chew!!!!) and I've been helping mom repair nail holes in the walls and paint. We've been playing a lot too! I can't go for walks like I used to so we've been going down to the mailbox and around the complex. Just enough that I get outside, can sniff and pee to my hearts content, and stretch my legs, so to speak.

It's been a little warmer these days so mom installed the doggy door and was able to drill a hole in the sliding door so she can lock everything in place. This way if mom has to go out (to buy more treats, of course!) she can leave knowing the house is still secure and no bad people can come in to take all my toys. Now when I gotta pee, I can go out on my own and not have to nag mom to put down the paint brush to let me out.

Health-wise, things are settling down. Mom did some experimenting and determined that 20 mg a day of the medicine is the right dose for yours truly. She stopped giving me wiener bits cause I found out she was sneaking pills in them. I knew something tasted "off" when I chewed and it was suspicious that I was getting this particular treat every day when normally I may get a wiener once a month, if that. So one day I decided to nibble the treat very slowly (for me, anyway) and discovered the crunchy centre was actually a pill. I scowled and refused to eat any more wiener bits until mom explained herself to me. I also stopped eating my kibbles. Who could trust any food now?

Mom found this great new food for me. It's soft food from a can, but has these huge meaty chunks in gravy (Pedigree Healthy Vitality beef chunks). Mom warms up my supper bowl with warm water, fiddles a bit then stirs the warm water around before adding my food (shhh! Hot water dissolves the pill and thins out the gravy.) She says she adds warm water so the canned food not as cold when it comes out of the 'fridge. I've checked the food thoroughly and have determined there are no pills being sneaked into my supper so it's safe to eat.

My Cushings symptoms have settled down quite a bit. I still have good days and bad days. On my bad days I fall down a lot and tremble when I'm resting. I have some weakness in my back legs and it takes me a little longer to go up and down the stairs. On my good days I can pretty much do anything I used to, except go for long walks. My back legs won't regain their strength so that's something I'll have to deal with. I stopped having accidents in the house except one morning mom didn't get out of bed in time to let me out and I had to go soooo bad that I just squatted by her bed and let 'er rip! Mom certainly jumped out of bed fast enough after that. 'Bout time too, the lazy bum! It was soon after this that the doggy door went in. Good call, mom!

So pretty much I've been hanging out with mom, getting the house in order, finding my toys scattered under furniture, teasing WillyCat, and enjoying the warmer weather. Oh, and mom discovered I like to put myself to bed after lunch and take a nap until around 3. Mom thought I always hung out in the living room, lounging on the couch or on my day bed all day. Nope, I actually go upstairs to my bed beside mom's bed and take a real nap. I also get to tease WillyCat when I wake up 'cause I learned he likes to start his evening routine with his first patrol of the house around 3 :-D

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T22:00:00.000-08:00

So far this year is great! Mom took out my Christmas beef bone yesterday and today she declared it defrosted enough to eat - so she set me up on a plastic picnic table cloth on the floor and let me at it! I think Mom was using it as a diversion to keep me busy while she did her chores 'cause the bathrooms are all clean and the kitchen was clean. Note I said the kitchen WAS clean.

You see, it's been raining all day and after I had a pee break from The Bone, Mom started cooking. Naturally the smells were simply heavenly and I know Mom isn't the tidiest cook in the world (little yummy bits always seem to fall on the floor right where I'm standing...) so I figured I'd help ~ soaking wet an' all! Then I had to shake again. Even though Mom rubbed a towel all over, I guess she forgot how much rain I hold...

So tomorrow Mom is going to wash the kitchen again, including the cupboards this time.

Healthwise, well, not much new to report. I'm still weak in the back legs and got hung up on the stairs a few days ago (Mom had to help me up) but I get my wiener treat every morning still so that helps :-D

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T17:36:00.000-08:00

So let's see where we're at:

New medication regime with a lower dosage but more often. Mom got more pills from Mrs. VetLady and I could smell 'em in my wiener bits so I chewed around the pill then spit the last of the wiener out. Mom think she's sooo clever! I have to take antibiotics 'cause I had diarrhea for a few days but they're chalky and taste really bad so I don't like it when Mom puts 'em in my treats. Now I get chunks of cheese and when Mom is baking, I get a tiny rolled drop of cookie dough. Mom wouldn't dare put a pill on such wonderful morsels of goodness, would she? Er, no Miss Kira, *I* would never do that...

On to other news: Mom couldn't stand my Eau de Pooch so I went to the Spa on Wednesday, good thing too because they're now closed for 2 weeks for Christmas break.

I'm sporting a fancy-schmancy Christmas bandanna but you can't see it in the pics - but look how much weight I've lost! Now, I know most folks like it when they lose weight, but I was just about right to begin with so now I'm not looking as healthy as I should. Mom said once the meds settle down, I should get back to normal.

Anyway, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I got a new (raw) beef bone this year, but Mom is keeping it in the freezer until I get a little better. I also got a bag of liver treats - My new favourite is liver treats (thanks to Mrs. VetLady who introduced me to them!)

Adventures in medication

2009-12-10T12:10:00.000-08:00

The medication Mom gave me seemed to be working in that I stopped peeing in the house and I started to feel better, but then WHAMMO! I felt like crap again - only this time I wasn't peeing in the house, I simply had no energy and didn't feel like eating anything, including my precious cheese and even turned my nose away from a wiener chunk. I also couldn't go for a walk, was stumbling around and was very lethargic. That's when Mom knew something was horribly wrong again.

A frantic 'phone call later, a new prescription called into the local pharmacy and we reintroduced the cortisone that the Trilostane cut off. Seems I was going through hormone withdrawal too fast.

Back to Dr. VetLady.

She prodded, checked my eyes, teeth, gums, a very deep (and painful) abdominal exam, but NO POKEY STICKS! Yay!

Seems the Trilostane was a bit too high of a dosage and the new medication brought back my symptoms (peeing in the house again - I hate that!) but at least now I'm eating.

When I was at Mrs. VetLady's I was suddenly very hungry and boy oh boy, when she brought in a can of soft food I went nuts! I ate almost a whole full-size can of food right there and then! Mom was a little put out 'cause there she was trying to tell Mrs. VetLady about how I stopped eating (lost 2 lbs. in 2 weeks) and what do I do? I gobble up food like a mad woman instead. I am a SneakyKira!

The meds Mom gave me starting Monday night obviously did the trick but then last night/this morning I had another accident. So Mom is giving me a wiener chunk every second day with a half dosage of the first medication and we're stopping the emergency medication. Hopefully the slower introduction/increase in dosage of Trilostane will do the trick.

I hate being sick, and I hate peeing in the house. I miss my walks but Mom says nope, not until I have a good, healthy poop.

Great. This is what my life has come to: Walks are determined on the size, consistency, and frequency of me taking a poop.

Poop.

Now that's a funny word!

Oh, Mom got the car running again - seems the average life span of a car battery is 3-5 years and Mom had the original battery that was now 8 years old. New battery installed now everything runs fine. Still have to get the damage repaired from the hit n' run, but that's cosmetic. Having a car that actually runs was more important.

I'm not hungry

2009-12-05T23:59:00.000-08:00

I haven't eaten in four days - except for my wiener chunk in the morning. I'm just not hungry, I guess.

Mom has been worried for a few days and sought out advice on pets.ca and with the advice, she was going to go to the store to buy "Green Tripe" and pumpkin but the car wouldn't start! The battery is working 'cause all the lights came on, but when she turned the key all we could hear was a rapid "ClickClickClick" sound.

Great. More money down the drain.

Mom called Aunt Lorraine (who knows everyone in this town, it seems) for a referral to a mechanic when Aunt Lorraine offered to come pick up Mom and take her to the store. Mom got kinda emotional that her friend would jump up and help her like that (Mom's been feeling attacked by all sides, lately).

So anyway, back to this "Green Tripe" stuff - WELL, let me tell you: Mom just about threw up when she opened the can! She wrote on the Pets.ca website, "Open the can outdoors the first time because if you have in any way, shape, or form a gag reflex, this stuff will trigger it! It is the equivalent of a maggot-infested rotting carcass found after a three day bender, covered in vomit!" would be a far more accurate, if still not as bad as it really is, description. Oh yeah, it was some Nasty stuff!

I tasted it anyway - only one or two licks around the edges, though. *I* didn't think it smelled all that bad!

For those who need to know, Green Tripe is the partially digested grasses found in a cows stomach, canned up and sold to unsuspecting DogMoms who are told it's good for dogs, and even considered a 'treat' by some! Oh yes, I bought two cans of cow vomit today!

Kira still isn't eating though. I'm going to be busy calling the Vet on Monday, as well as the bank to see about getting some money to fix the car, then a car repair place. I had a car where the starter blew and it sounded exactly the same so I'm guessing that's what it is. The car is 8 years old so I guess it's about time things started wearing down. So, doing the math, $900 in Vet bills, $500 deductible for the hit n' run, now probably $500 for the starter repair, on the heels of a $2000 vacation. Please God, no more!!!

Short post

2009-12-02T22:45:00.001-08:00

I'm still not feeling all that great.

I stopped peeing in the house and have gotten pretty good for letting Mom know when I have to go.

What the problem is now is I never feel like eating my food. Mom bought some soft food after work and even that didn't taste all that great. When Mom had her supper, of course I begged for a few bites but then I wasn't all that interested after I had a taste.

Mom said this weekend she's going to buy some food that Vanja recommended (I hope it tastes good!!) and maybe some boiled chicken with broth??

I hate it when Mom worries so much :-(

On to other news, Mom took her broken car in for an estimate and guess what? The jerk who hit her caused $1400 damage. That's even more then Mom thought it would cost. She has to pay the first $500, but still, $1400? What a freakin' jerk, didn't even leave a note to say sorry for what happened.
I helped Mom put up the Christmas lights in the front of the house. I was really tired after so we didn't go for a walk. Instead I took a nap.

So far, so good

2009-11-28T15:39:00.000-08:00

I've been eating a wiener chunk every day for four days now and I'm proud to say I think I have the bladder problem under control! I'm not drinking as much water and I haven't had an accident in the house for a whole four days; Mom is very happy for that. She still has all the pretty blue and white squares scattered around the house, just in case, but I keep telling her she can put them away now. Mom took up the ones in the living room but left some downstairs just in case I don't quite make it to the door in time.

I'm still sleeping a lot and don't much care for the food Mom puts in my bowl, but I'll still beg for Mom's supper and any other treats she bestows on yours truly.

Onto other news, I helped Mom last night with all the Christmas lights! Last year we didn't put up any outside 'cause we only moved in to the new house 2 months before. At that time Mom had barely unpacked her boxes (and all my stuff!) so she didn't put any up outside. After Christmas last year Mom bought a lot of light clips in preparation for this year. All summer long she had "install light clips" on her to-do list but never got around to actually doing it. Now that it's cold and rainy, she regrets putting it off all summer.

I coulda told her that!

Anyway, Mom says tomorrow we get to spend the whole day outside installing the clips and putting up the lights, whether it's raining or not. Mom has a special 30' tether for your truly 'cause the front isn't fenced in and we're right on the main road of the complex. I don't mind 'cause I get to spend some outdoor time with Mom and it keeps me safe.

Mom says if I don't wear myself out or feel too sick we can go for a walk. With me being sick an' all lately, I haven't been for a walk in almost two weeks; I'm missing out on all the neighbourhood news from all other other dogs in the area! Mom hopes that by getting back into our routine, I'll eat my supper better, instead of only 3 or 4 bits at a time.

I'm going to try and eat more food from my bowl 'cause Mom is now getting worried that I'm not eating enough. Sheesh! First I'm drinking too much water, now I'm not eating enough - I've been sick, Mom! Let the wiener bits do their magic for a while, would you? Mrs. VetLady said it could take a week before I start feeling better and it's only been four days - even though I'm not as thirsty and the accidents have stopped, I'm still in recovery here.

Oh, and before I go, Mom says to thank everyone for all their thoughts, prayers, and good wishes for my recovery. I know I'll never be 100% again, but given I'm a senior citizen, I'm allowed to slow down - only I hope I don't scare Mom like this again (and that Mrs. VetLady takes it easy with those darn pokey sticks!)

I got a wiener chunk today!

2009-11-25T23:19:00.000-08:00

Mom said she had to go to Mrs VetLady today and I ran away and hid in the bathroom. I really really (!!) don't want to go, Mom! Then Mom said those magic words, "you can stay home, Kira" YAY!!!

Mom came home a lot later and was really upset. Apparently she stopped at the grocery store on the way home and someone hit her car pretty badly while she was inside getting my wiener chunks. It's a 'hit and run' but she still has to pay the deductable to get the car fixed. It's still drivable but the back corner is crunched pretty badly.

Mom started crying, saying that between going on a vacation (planned), then the vet bills, now this, she's had enough and the stress hit her full force. Work isn't helping much either 'cause of all the changes and threats to produce more paperwork that are happening there.

I cuddled Mom on the couch. She needed it.

But before that and after Mom called the insurance company, she gave me a delicious wiener treat! She had to cut a small hole in the end and then fiddled with it for a moment, then made me sit to eat it. There may have been a lumpy bit inside, but I hardly noticed. Mom said if I eat a wiener chunk every day for a whole month, I'll start to feel better! YAY! Wieners make the best medicine and not vet visits...

...or silly little pills.

Lumpy bit in the wiener chunk...silly little pills...

Nah, MY Mom would never do that...would she? Nah...

2009-11-22T20:43:00.000-08:00

I feel like crap.

I'm shaking a lot, trembling when I breathe in, can't hold it when I gotta pee so when I gotta go, I Gotta GO. I maybe make it outside every second or so potty break. Mom hasn't gotten mad even once when I oops! And I can't seem to satisfy my thirst - I'm always wanting a drink.

Now there all these white and blue squares all over the house. I don't want to pee on Mom's new floor coverings so I'm trying to find exposed floor so I don't ruin the pretty 2' squares. Mom finally held me on one of the squares and let me pee right there in the house. She folded up the square and next thing you know, there was a fresh, dry square right there. I swear she's magic! Imagine being able to dry out a large square sheet like that so fast; it was as if I hadn't peed there at all!

Mrs. VetLady called Mom today. I sure hope she didn't tell Mom to bring me back for more pokey sticks - I hate them. When she was done talking, Mom said I get to eat a wiener treat every morning now, before she goes to work. MMmmmm, I Lurve me some wiener chunks! Mom says the wieners will help me get better so I'm not shaking so much and I'll be able to make it to the back door in time to potty outside. Hey, that's an excellent idea - ANYthing to help me go back to being a Good Girl and use my potty training the right way again. I hate having accidents, it makes me feel so dirty and it also kinda scares me a little.

As much as I can't stand Mrs. VetLady's pokey sticks, that she said I could have a wiener treat every morning is great! And Mom HAS to follow Doctors orders, amIright?

Finally!

2009-11-22T16:04:00.000-08:00

We have a confirmed diagnosis:

Cushings.

The Vet called me today with the results. Now, I can't remember what the number means, or what it refers to, but she said "650 something something indicates/is the low end of Cushings. Kira is at 1100. So it's definitely Cushings." The 1100 thingy is apparently VERY high.

The Vet is going to order in the Trilostane so treatment starts this week. 30 pills=$150.

One pill a day for a month, then another test to make sure we're on the right track, then maybe taper down to eventually one pill a week...for life. At least we have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment options!

Update, sort of.

2009-11-21T13:45:00.000-08:00

Today was the test for Cushings. More blood for a baseline then a hormone shot, then 90 minutes later, more blood to see if there are any elevations. I should get the results on Monday or Tuesday.

I spoke with the Vet about potential treatment options and asked about Lysodren. I've been reading about Lysodren and it sounds simply awful. The Vet said she does not use Lysodren because the owners have to be so very diligent and most folks let things slide, if even for a few hours, and that's something you can't do with that drug. Her drug of choice is Trilostane, http://www.dechra-us.com/File/Vetoryl_US_Client_Leaflet_V2.pdf . It's a UK developed drug, given daily for one week then tapered to however many a week the Vet figures is right.

This will be for life @ about $50-100 a month.

Today's Vet bill: $243.70.

I see a lot of wiener bites in my future, and I'm worth it, right Mom? But please stop taking me to Mrs. VetLady and her pokey sticks!!! That's FIVE needles in the past three days, enough already!

Test results

2009-11-20T16:23:00.000-08:00

OK - I got an email from the Vet today. Kira's liver enzymes are elevated and one particular elevation is conducive to Cushings Disease. So it's not the worst possible news and it's not the best case scenario, more like the better end of the worst possible news.

I've been doing a lot of reading on Cushings and it is treatable, though not curable. It's not uncommon in older dogs, average age of onset is around 10. Some sources say average lifespan with Cushings is about 2 years, some say longer. As it occurs in older dogs primarily, it's not necessarily Cushings that shortens life, is that old nemesis: Age.

Now, Cushings is NOT confirmed at this point. She's going back to the Vet tomorrow morning for some baseline tests, a hormone shot, then another test to see if it's actually Cushings. So expect another update this weekend. I just hope we caught it early enough...

Even though she had an accident overnight, when I got home from work today, NO accidents in the house during the day! (at least, I haven't found one yet...)

Health update

2009-11-19T21:33:00.000-08:00

So Kira went to the Vet tonight. She had a urine sample taken directly from the bladder ("sterile sample") with some big-assed needle right through her tummy into her bladder. The urine was practically clear, hardly any colour at all BUT: no lumps or floaty things which is apparently a good sign. Using the urine sample the vet ruled out diabetes using a dip test strip.

Then the vet took a blood sample with another big-assed needle right from the jugular. The blood will tell so much more so I asked/paid for a "full work-up/Geriatric panel". We exploring kidney function, possible infection or even renal failure (which is always terminal in dogs.) The vet did say the medication the emergency vet put her one is actually a good antibiotic and should have knocked out any bladder infection so the only other thing is kidney infection/failure.

Then she had x-rays taken. We've ruled out any abscess, tumour, or abnormal growth(s) in her tummy/bowel region. Though interesting to note, she has two vertebrae showing signs of arthritis (so when she complains of her aching back, she ain't kidding!) There is no indication that the arthritis is affecting her, though I am now spoiling her by bunching up the electric throw on her bed and she's curled right into it. I have it on low and it automatically turns off in 3 hours so I'm not worried about her getting overheated.

There are still concerns in that she drinks up to 2 litres of water a day (that's a half-gallon for my American friends) and seems to pee so much more. She's also lost 1+3/4 of a pound since October 2, a mere 7 weeks ago when I took her in for her annual shots. She seems to be eating OK, but it's the water consumption and lack of bladder control that has me so worried still.

So we're well on our way to finding out what the hell is going on with my sweet little muppethead. If it's renal failure then we'll explore quality of life management as there is no cure, only treatment.

Oh, I told the vet I budgeted $500 to the visit/tests and if it went over I would have to go on a payment plan of some kind. Todays' bill came to $498.76. Go figure.

2009-11-14T13:51:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone;

I'm not sure what's going on but Kira is ill. She completed the course of antibiotics but is still peeing in the house and now I notice her breathing is a bit heavy (I'm not sure if the term "laboured" applies).

I'm taking her to her regular Vet this week as soon as I can get in to find out what the hell is going on. Given her age (10-ish?) it could be a natural deterioration, or God forbid, something is going horribly sideways. I'll know more after the vet visit and will update accordingly.

In the between time, I'm going to buy pee pads and hopefully she'll use them (as opposed to my area rug and stairs). I have the back sliding door open so she can come and go as she needs to but obviously when I go out I have to lock it and that seems to be when she has accidents (and overnight).

In the two years I've had her, she's never had an accident in the house (well, except for one time when she 'punished' me - I swear she smirked when she did it!) and now she's had many over the past several days. The kennel folks said she only had 2 accidents while there, but I know she had close/immediate access to the run area all day so the low number didn't surprise me.

I'll update more later...

I'm sick

2009-11-04T18:31:00.000-08:00

Mom? Yes Kira? It hurts when I pee. Is THAT why you've had so many accidents in the past 3-4 days? Uh huh.

I had an accident in the house on Saturday and Mom didn't get mad at me at all. She just mopped it up and sprayed some stuff where I pee'd and I could hardly tell at all where I had the accident after! Then Sunday I had two accidents and I was asking to go outside every 2-3 hours. Normally I can hold it for almost 10 hours!

Monday I had another two accidents.

Mom got kinda worried but the earliest we could see Dr. VetLady was not until next week. Now, that in itself wouldn't have been too bad, but I'm supposed to be going to "Vegas" on Sunday for four days and I knew my vacation would be ruined if I didn't see a doctor soon. Tonight Mom found two more accidents and got really scared so she rushed me to a new Vet closer to where we live who is open late so we could go right in.

Without doing a blood test (yuck!) and urine test (yuckier!), Mom and the Dr. are just guessing that I have a bladder infection (I yelped when the Dr. 'manipulated' my bladder area. It hurt!) Now, it could also be a kidney infection but we won't know until Mom gets the tests done and that won't be until after I get back from "Vegas".

One more thing, I have a slight heart murmur. But that's not that bad 'cause both Dr. VetLady and the new Vet both said the same thing, "She doesn't need to take heart medication yet, but she will have to some day, maybe soon." Mom kinda figured that might happen someday anyway 'cause I'm a "senior" dog so that wasn't too much of a surprise. The Dr. said Mom would know when 'cause I'll tire out on our walks much earlier and I may pant more going up and down stairs.

So, yours truly has an infection of some kind and is, you guess it, taking pills. I just got off a course of medication for allergies and now I'm taking antibiotics. I know Mom secretly stashes pills in my treats when I have to take medicine, but that's OK - she stuffs them in hot dog wieners and I LOVE wieners (!!) so I 'let' her think she's getting away with it.

It's official. We're on a permanent healthcare alert now. First allergies, then potential bladder/kidney infection, then likely heart medication. Kira is about 10 years old now so I was expecting something like this would eventually happen. Her timing really sucks, though :-( I'm going to the real Las Vegas this weekend and she's going to her Vegas. I'm going to call the kennels tomorrow and see if they will continue administering the medication while she's there. If not, then at least she'll have 5 days of meds and we can deal with it when I get back.

I got shots!

2009-10-04T22:28:00.000-07:00

So on Friday Mom took us to see Dr. VetLady. My appointment went OK, except when I had to get some medicine sprayed up my nose. Now THAT I was determined to avoid! Anyway Dr. VetLady told Mom to hold me tight so they could get to my nose. I fought and fought, then I fought even harder. Then Mom put a choke hold on me and I couldn't move my head anymore, then WHAMO!! Dr. VetLady shoved some Gawd-Awful spray up my shnoozle and that was the end of that.

I hate them all.

But then afterward Dr. VetLady gave me a treat :-) (I don't have the heart to tell Kira that treat was a deworming pill 'cause we didn't have a 'fresh' stool sample to be examined for worms - I'm sure Kira doesn't have worms, but it's better to be safe than sorry).

So my appointment ended fairly quickly; however, Willy's appointment lasted a lot longer and it was freakin' hilarious to watch!

OK, so Willy has is a long-haired cat. And he has a lot of hair. A LOT of hair! Now that he's getting older he doesn't give himself as many baths, or very good ones, so Mom has to brush him all the time. Well, since he spends most of the time sleeping on his sides, his hips/butt area was horribly matted, despite the frequent brushings. Apparently Mom can't trim his nails anymore either, has to do with a horrible misjudgment a few years ago where Mom cut the quick area of the nail and now he won't let her near his feet. I guess the nails were so horribly long, that one was even curled under onto the pad of his foot.

So Willy had to be put in the oxygen box to be knocked out (I coulda done it myself with a hammer...and opposable thumbs) then hooked up to a mask, then he got shaved and had his nails done. Now, I don't much care for Willy (truth is, he scares me a little) but watching him lying there all helpless an' all, while two techs worked on him, well, I have to admit a little part of my heart went out to him. Only a very little part, though.

The rest of me laughed at his helpless ass. Try to hurt me now, weeny-boy! You don't have those sharp claws anymore - I can pass you in the hallway and there's not a whole lot you can do but hiss and yowl. But I can bark and mean it, whereas your hissing and yowling are like your nuts - an empty bag of air! (KIRA!!)

Sorry Mom...but it's funny to see him now, trying to act all tuff an' all!

Oven Mitt Game in action!

2009-09-30T19:59:00.001-07:00

Played with Mom for a bit tonight and she wanted to show you how we play the Oven Mitt Game:

Never mind Mom's heavy breathing - she was trying to keep up with me while holding the camera; she didn't realize it was under her nose. Also dear reader please note: *I* don't bark, even when I'm all excited an' everything!

Summer's over :-(

2009-09-29T21:42:00.000-07:00

Mom took a week off work to spend some quality time with me! I'm going to let her do some chores in between cuddles, so long as it includes getting me a treat for interrupting our play time.

Today I had rice krispy squares (well, the last bite/corner piece) and we played with the rope toy and oven mitt while Mom was waiting for the washer and dryer to do her laundry chores.

Mom says tomorrow her chores mean she has to go out but hopefully the rain will ease up and we can go for a nice, long walk when she gets back. She made a lot of 'phone calls today and one was to confirm an appointment for Willy at the Vet - his butt is all lumpy with matts so he's getting shaved. *I* made sure my name never came up so YAY, no Vet for me...Gotcha! We used code to confirm Kira's Vet appointment for her annual shots. I'm going away for a week in November (hopefully) and she'll have to be kenneled so the shots need doing now or they'll come due while she's in 'Vegas'.

Oh, I almost forgot! Summer ended rather abruptly this year , for example I think it was 2 weeks ago Mom had the A/C on when there was two really hot days and tonight she had to put the fireplace on AND THE ELECTRIC BLANKET ON THE BED!!!

I luv da 'lectric blanky on da bed :-D

Blogger messed me up

2009-08-29T21:57:00.000-07:00

So Blogger decided to switch things up and I couldn't for the life of me remember my email address I used to start this blog or the correct password. Mom says she's sick and tired of all this "strong password" crap and said if she has to start writing it all down then it kinda defeats the purpose.

So Mom has been making some noise lately about moving (again???) She's tired of 'community living' and wants a for real house of her very own. Thinking about going from a townhouse to a freehold/non-strata house 'cause it's time.

I don't really care so long as there's a yard for me to poop in and that Mom is happy and that there's lots of places to walk and sniff and trails, and bushes, and...you get the picture.

OH! We did have some excitement this summer! Where we live there isn't much a frontage for each unit, no front yard at all and maybe a 6'x4' patch of dirt to plant flowers. Anyway, there a rhodo bush that had some angry soldier wasps hovering around and mom found a HUGE wasp nest underground! She went on the attack, used 4 cans of wasp spray, dug it out, then sprayed it all again. She declared victory on day 4 of the battle.

Other than that, It's been a pretty laid back summer. Hope you're all enjoying yours!

I'm tuckered

2009-07-06T23:01:00.000-07:00

So Mom and I went to see Aunt Jo and Uncle Dale. Mom felt kind of bad 'cause they're moving away and she thought they had at least another week but it turned out the packers were starting on Friday. We scooted home Friday morning 'cause Mom really felt like we were imposing.

I had lots of fun, though! Aunt Jo takes their dog, Katie, for this ridiculously long walking route (5 km/3 mi.) but for Katie, that's OK 'cause she's a Big Dog (100 lbs.) and can handle it. Yours truly, on the other hand, has these wee little stubby legs and gets tuckered out a little earlier than dear Katie.

So off we went for this amazing walk - Mom challenged me to keep up with Katie and for the most part I did ~ oh, sure there were times when I had to stop and sniff, pee, and sniff some more, but Mom caught on and realized I was cheating and taking a mini-rest. I secretly think Mom took advantage of my little cheat to cheat a little herself. She would look at Aunt Jo and say, "Wait up a sec. Kira is peeing!" And we would pause for a (sneaky) rest.

I feel so used...exhausted and well-walked, but used nonetheless.

We stopped by the lake and Mom threw sticks for Katie - *I* am much too sophisticated and lady-like to chase after a silly stick, so I took my time to explore the nooks and crannies by the shore. I swear I wasn't chicken to go in, but it was getting dark, and Katie got everyone wet every time she shook anyway, and the rocks were slippery, and I couldn't see the bottom, and...and...BWOK-bok-bok-bok-BWOK....

A good time was had by all, and I LOVED the ferry ride(s) - Mom didn't fight with anyone this time, but we did stay out of the Pet Area and just walked around (and around and around) the car deck.

I did get a mini-snorgle from a handsome ferry worker, though :wink:

I'm a pretty girl...again

2009-06-13T22:26:00.000-07:00

I had my Spa Day early - Mom got a call from the Spa and they had a cancellation so I was able to get in Friday instead of waiting until today.

I'm NEKKID!!!

Mom asked that I be shaved right down 'cause I was so hairy and they did, but not as bad as it sounded when Mom was telling the lady what to do. I gotta admit, when Mom said, "shave her down, military style!!" I inwardly freaked out.

Now my coat is fuzzy but very short. Today we went for a walk and I hardly panted until we got closer to home, but by then it wasn't 'cause I was hot, but gee, Mom really made me work tonight! Apparently my Good Girl skills have been slacking of late so Mom brought ham treats and made me sit at every intersection, wouldn't let me pee wherever I wanted, and kept the flex leash pretty gosh darn short!

I feel like I'm back in school and I KNOW it's almost Summer Break so I really don't think it's very fair at all. Mom says if I practice my Good Girl skills I will be a happy girl 'cause Mom won't be (as) concerned when we meet people or go visit folks.

I s'pose that really means if I practice my skills, Mom won't need to watch me as closely.....Heeeeeyyy, that could work in my favour! Hmmmm...

Going to the Spa!!

2009-06-09T21:07:00.000-07:00

Oh Boy Oh Boy Oh Boy! Mom made an appointment for me at the Spa! I surely need it too - as Mom keeps saying, I'm a Dirty Girl.

I found some mud. Mom let it dry then tried brushing the worst of it off me. I kinda like how I smell, though, so I told Mom to knock it off and let me enjoy my Eau De Pooch.

But the long hair hanging into my eyes and dragging down my tail has Got To GO!

So it seems I need a Mani-Pedi, a bath (mudbath, I hope!) and a haircut. Mom is taking me on Saturday. I kinda like going to the Spa (and really, what girl doesn't?) and I have a reputation for being a Good Girl when having a 'treatment' but I really wish I could keep my wonderful, aromatic essence ;-D

I may strike a pose for Mom when I get back.

Lazy day

2009-06-06T17:53:00.000-07:00

Today it's only +19C (66F) so it's nice and cool. I'm having a lazy day, just lounging around, catching up on my sleep (it's HARD sleeping when it's so hot out!) then Mom gave me a Pig's Ear treat! I loves Pigs Ears!

Now I'm feeling up to going for a walk - Mom hasn't even showered yet today so I'm trying to encourage her to get her arse in gear. Every time she gets up, I trot over towards the front door, look back over my shoulder, and when Mom ignores me, I let out a heavy sigh and go back into the living room.

She rolls her eyes at me.

At least now she has the email working on the new computer :-D Only took three days of following instructions before she gave up and called the internet tech support for help.

I rolled my eyes at her.

Going on a holiday at the end of June

2009-06-05T21:48:00.000-07:00

Mom is taking me to visit Aunt Jo and the clan at the end of June; it will be the last time we get to see Aunt Jo over on Vancouver Island.

Aunt Jo and Uncle Dale are moving to Manitoba this summer. Uncle Dale's job is making him go. Aunt Jo wants to stay, though, and doesn't know if she going to be able to live here again any time soon.

I'm going to miss going over on the ferry to visit them :-(( Guess I'll have to make the most of it for this one last trip.

Mom says maybe next summer we could visit them in Manitoba - when I asked Mom how I was going to be able to do that, she said we can drive for three days, through Mom's old town (Edmonton, AB) and I can meet some more of her friends, then maybe meet Jamie and Vance in Saskatchewan, then Jo and Dale in Manitoba!!

Sounds like FUN! Good thing I like car rides and never, ever get sick :-D

It's very hot out...

2009-06-04T01:30:00.001-07:00

...and I'm wearing a fur coat.

Oh, please don't get me wrong, unlike those radical anti-fur folks, I actually like my fur coat and I wear it proudly.

But when it's +30 C, suddenly wearing a fur coat isn't such a great idea. Mom is taking me to the groomer for a haircut next week. She tried hard to get me in this week, you know, during this heat wave, but seems all the other dogparents thought the same thing and there are no open appointments.

Now, there is one teeny-tiny salvation in all this: Our new house has CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING!!!!! Mom is a little worried about how much it will cost so she only has it set at 26C (80F) from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Today she got a little daring and dropped it to 24 (75F) 'cause she had a really bad headache and upset tummy due to the heat. The previous owners installed a non-metric thermostat as they preferred the F scale to the C scale. Mom knows metric better so she had to write out a whole bunch of temperature conversions and tape them to the box. Which is kinda good for me 'cause now I can tell you the temperature is both scales :-D

Mom's computer is dying a slow and rather painful death. It's a Dell laptop she bought almost 5 years ago but now can't run half her programs 'cause even though it was kick-ass computer when she bought it, seems 512 MB of RAM isn't cutting it anymore. She bought a co-workers' MacBook (2006 version) as a filler/travel laptop and is suddenly very much becoming an Apple fan!

I don't care which computer we use, so long as she doesn't forget to upload my posts!!!!

Has it really been four months?

2009-05-23T13:34:00.001-07:00

I coulda sworn I've written more posts since January!!

Maybe Mom should check her documents folder 'cause all I can think of she's been hording my posts in there instead of publishing them.

In a nut-shell:

Winter: I hate snow. Mom had to shovel a path for me to go potty 'cause I refused to make my own path.
Spring: I discovered mud puddles are fun! So are baths so that's OK.
Now that summer is here: I get to go swimming! But not at Aunt Jo's place. She's moving "back East" and Mom isn't too happy about it.

Now I'm going to lecture Mom on hording posts and maybe she'll actually publish them.

Still here,
Kira

Get 'em off me, GET 'EM OFF ME!!!

2009-01-24T23:52:00.000-08:00

MOOOOOOOmmmmmm....I have FLEAS!!!! Get them off me, will ya? They're making me scratch my skin until it bleeds. And no, I'm not scratching 'cause I found some WillyTreats, I really do have a problem here!

So for about two weeks I've been scratching like mad and mom discovered I found some WillyTreats (his bag o' treats fell behind the dresser and I found a trail of foil bits that lead to the main piece of evidence) so she figured, like every other time I find WillyFood (YUM!!), I'd scratch for a few days, chew on my feet a bit, then I'd be fine. Not this time.

Mom finally took a closer look at one patch of darkened fur near my butt and realized I had FLEAS LIVING ON ME!!! Yuck. Yuck-yuck-yuckity-yuck. Little hoppity creatures living on ME!

Today mom took me to a new doggy-wash centre, called Diggity-Dog, which is right along our walking route so it's really close to home, AND it's very reasonably priced. I was shaking a bit when we first got there 'cause it was a new place but mom said it would be OK so I settled down a little bit. The lady took at look at that dark patch near my butt and said, "Yup, she's got FLEAS!!!" So I had a bath with a good scrubbing using the flea shampoo. Meanwhile mom went to a local vet store and bought Advantage. Mom used to buy Advantage but ran out in November, thinking with the colder weather and all the snow, the fleas wouldn't be out in full force and I'd be OK for a little while.

Silly mom, what was she thinking? Fleas are like cockroaches, they'll still survive long after the human race are extinct, or a nuclear bomb wipes everyone out.

So I'm back on the Advantage, had a flea bath, and now I can finally have a decent, scratch-free, painless nap.

In other news, since my last post I went on a vacation! Not a fake 'Vegas' vacation, a real vacation with travelling and everything! Mom took me to Vancouver Island to visit Aunt Jo, et al. for New Years. Oh boy, they have LOTS of snow over there! Uncle Dale was lamenting having to shovel all the snow so he ordered a snow-blower from a store. He had the catalogue open (and wouldn't you know, it was open so long to the snow blower page, the magazine wouldn't close even!) and at one point he called it 'snow-blower porn.' Mom laughed. I don't get it. We stayed a few days then came home.

Had a moment of excitement on the ferry ride home, though! Mom took me to the pet room on the car deck and a lady started screaming at mom that I wasn't allowed to potty in the pet room (actually, that's where I'm supposed to potty on the boat!) and I got a little scared but darn it, I had to protect mom from this screaming banshee! I pressed myself against mom in-between her and the lady when the lady pushed mom!!! That's right, she physically PUSHED MY MOM! Mom, being mom, pushed back (to get her away, not to hurt her) then the ferry worker came into the room to find out what the yelling was about - one ferry worker walked with me and mom back to our car and the other ferry worker explained to the screaming banshee the rules about the pet room. I was really confused with all the commotion and mom was 'rattled' about what happened, then the ferry worker said those magic words, "Ma'am, you are correct - the pet room IS for potty-ing and the car deck itself is not." I got a pat on the head by the nice man and soon mom and him were chuckling about the weird lady.

The woman started yelling that Kira wasn't allowed to pee in the pet room. I looked at her and said they have a hose, poop bags, and a sealed garbage bin exactly for that purpose. Then I got up to leave. The doorway is awkward in that you have to wedge between the end of the bench and the door then swing around the door itself as it opens inward. As we opened the door, did a half-turn to get around it to go out, the lady stood up, walked towards me (knowing I'm now trapped between the door itself and the bench, and shoved me with her hand on my shoulders. I was so stunned, I reacted by swinging my arms up the middle, fanning out to push her arms off me. she fell back onto the bench and started screaming at me that I assaulted her. By then the ferry worker arrived and asked what the hell was going on. Another guy came and said he would escort me and Kira to our car while first guy talked to the lady.

No one was hurt, no one was arrested, and no one was being charged with anything.

Mom figures the lady was a "walk-on" passenger and was confined to the pet room for the whole trip (90 min.) and didn't want to smell potty debris. What mom doesn't understand is that the lady can walk her dog around the car deck while the room airs out, so it's not like she's not allowed to leave the room, just can't take her dog off the car deck. And given mom walks me around the car deck all the time, you can do several laps and get a decent enough walk out of it (the 'super-ferries' are huge enough). Mom says she can laugh about it now...

Last week I had a treat! Mom was sick with a really bad head cold (still have it, but not nearly as bad) so she stayed home for a few days. Yay! We didn't go for a walk for a whole week, though. I wanted to go, but mom said the sun hurt her head and she was tired and icky so we didn't go at all - for a whole week. I was going stir crazy! But mom played the flosser game with me then wouldn't go downstairs to find the flosser when she threw it over the stairway. Kept saying she was too tired. What a bum!

So, there you have it. Fleas, fight on the ferry, and a head cold. Never let it be said I'm living a boring life with my mom!!!

New Post

2008-12-10T22:37:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!!

I know it’s been for~ever since I’ve written, but what an adventure it’s been!!!!!

We moved into the new house and gosh darn it, I like it! I have tons and tons of room to ~~chase Willy through~~ er, run around in. I love my new backyard, too. Aunt Lorraine says it’s bigger than my old one but I think she needs new glasses ‘cause it’s longer but not as wide. At least, that what mom says what do I care? It has pretty plants, lots of shrubbery, and there are squirrels living in the trees. I’d love to be friends with the big ol’ grey squirrel who lives up there in the cedars, but he just chirps angrily at me when I run up to introduce myself.

I’ve noticed sometimes there are new toys in my yard that I’m sure Mom didn’t buy for me – when she buys me new toys she lets me play with them inside the house first to see if I like ‘em. She thinks that if I don’t play with a toy I must not like it. I’ve tried to tell her just ‘cause I don’t play with my toys all the time doesn’t mean they’re Not Mine anymore. Anyway, I digress…Mom couldn’t figure out where these things were coming from then she realized my yard backs onto a yard owned by kids. Kids. KIDS!! UGH. I don’t like kids much. So instead of letting me play with these newfound treasures, Mom tosses them back over the fence. I really want to play with the new toys so I keep trying to poke my nose under the fence to grab some of the wonderful treasures on The Other Side.

Anyway, when we first moved here Mom found a great route to take me walking. You see, there’s a nice, sparkly creek running behind our new complex but the few times we went there, some people were Up To No Good (teenagers doing what teenagers do when adults are not around – drinking, smoking, acting stupid, basically what *I* did as an unsupervised teen – but they were loud and the girls squealed as only teenaged girls can and scared Kira, though she won’t admit it). Mom didn’t think it was a good idea that we visit the creek much, especially when it gets dark out so early now. We have another route that takes us about 25 minutes (longer if I poop more) so naturally, I poop at least twice, and when Mom has run out of bags to clean up after me, sometimes I poop a little squirt once more for good measure. Mom says that’s just being sarcastic, but I scamper along as though I never heard a word :-D (untying a poop bag to pick up a little squirt then getting most of on your hands when tying the bag up again is Bloody Gross!)

Mom changed up our routine since we moved here. Instead of going out after supper we go out for our walk as soon as Mom comes in the door. Yay! Mom says it’s because as soon as she takes her shoes off, she doesn’t want to put ‘em back on just for a walk. So the other day we were out after her work and as we passed a daycare business a lady called out Mom’s name. Turns out her co-worker uses that day care so I got to meet her, her little boy, and the day care person. Mom is meeting a lot of people in our new neighbourhood!

We met our across-the-street neighbour and her dog Mocha (Mocha is, ready for it – a chocolate lab. Go figure.) We also met our on-the-other-side-of-the-middle-unit neighbour and her little Shi Tzu, Maggie. Maggie seemed as scared to meet me as I was unsure to meet her. I sniffed and she sniffed, then we kept a fairly respectable distance form each other. Mom and the new neighbour chatted for hours and hours (try 30 minutes, little muppethead!) and we both learned a lot about the new ‘hood. Of course, Aunt Diane lives here and I get to visit with her now and again.

Oh! In November Mom bought a new Christmas tree! For years and years she had this little 4’ dinky, pathetic tree but I guess it was OK ‘cause the old place was so small, it fit. Now with the new place she figured it was time to have a grown-up tree! So she left all alone for a whole, entire day (Aunt Lorraine came over to let me out to pee) and went shopping in the USA. She bought a HUGE 6.5’ tree that came with all the pretty lights attached. Now, because in Canada the electrical and fire codes are different, she had to set up the tree and leave it turned on for a whole day to make sure the new house wouldn’t catch on fire. It didn’t.

Mom figured so long as the tree was put together and plugged in, may as well decorate and add some more lights. Silly Mom! That darn tree has been up and fully decorated since the middle of November! Mom says it makes the winter blues go away, which really, I don’t much understand what that’s all about – I tell Mom going for walks, eating, and playing with toys is all she needs in life. Oh, and a soft bed and cuddly blankies. Can’t forget the blankies!! Cuddles always help too, and curling up on the couch with your warm and friendly person helps…a lot. Treats. Can’t forget the treats. I need the treats!

To make a long story short (I know, too late), I love my new house, found two great walking routes (one ‘summer’ and one ‘winter’ route), met a few new neighbours, and I’m still driving Mom nuts playing with my flosser (Mom gets mad ‘cause I make her play on all three floors at once, not just one level!!) It’s fun watching mom huff and puff up and down the stairs all night long! (Oh yeah, real cute, Kira!)

Now if Mom would only finish painting and unpacking those darn boxes...

New post coming soon!!!

2008-12-10T21:41:00.001-08:00

Ducking in briefly

2008-09-29T23:29:00.000-07:00

Please vote for Miss Eleni's rescue! Without her I might never have been found...

(ps: I come home to the new house in 8 sleeps - I'll tell you all about the new house then!)

I'm a helper!

2008-09-13T16:49:00.000-07:00

So Mom has been frantically trying to keep up with her work and packing up the house. I figured she needed to be encouraged to get a move on the packing (I can't wait to see our new house!) so I'm helping.

Mom taped up a whole bunch of boxes and stacked them in the living room so I got all worried she would forget my toys and blankie so I piled them all up in the living room beside the boxes. Mom saw them and moved all my stuff back to the couch.

So the next day I piled them up by the boxes again.

TODAY SHE PACKED 'EM!! Well, the toys, not my blankie. Mom says I'm going to Vegas again so I'll need my blankie at the "hotel." Apparently I get to go to Vegas for a whole 12 days this time. I was only supposed to go for a week while mom moved all our stuff into the new house (Yay!) but her meany boss said she had to go to some 2 day training course so instead getting to see the new house on the Friday, she said I may as well stay in Vegas a little longer 'cause the training course is out of town and she has to stay in a hotel herself.

Here's a picture of my new backyard, note the solid fence? Mom said she especially picked the place 'cause it's KiraSafe!

It's Over

2008-08-31T11:31:00.000-07:00

It's finally over. OVER! I'm leaving this freakin' dump of a house and moving on.

Mom sold our townhouse and she bought a new one! She says the new place is twice a big and has three levels AND A FENCED BACKYARD for Me! (Miss Eleni will be happy to know Mom kept that in mind when she was house shopping). I gotta learn stairs, though...I've been pretty spoiled in our current house, one level, no stairs, but it feels like a one-bedroom apartment 'cause the second bedroom is used mostly for storage. Oh, and it's only 1100 sq. ft. but mom says we really only use about 700 sq. ft. so it feels even smaller.

The new townhouse is 1960 sq. ft., three levels, three bedrooms (apparently Willy gets a 'suite' of two bedrooms and two bathrooms all to himself - Not Fair, if'n you ask me), and it has CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING! The new place is way closer to mom's work (10 min.) so she can come home at lunch to play with me, there's a sushi restaurant about 5 minutes down the road so that makes mom happy (I don't much care for sushi but if it makes mom happy, then I can let this one go.) The complex backs onto a greenbelt with a creek and a path going all the way around and when mom was up there she said lots of people were walking their dogs around the creek path so I know it's gonna be great for me. Mom says she already knows at least one person who lives there, one of her co-workers who she says is a very cool person. I sure hope this very cool person loves muppetheads! She does. She told me so.

On Friday mom called the utility people and made arrangements to transfer accounts, called the 'phone company got a new 'phone number, and made an appointment for me to visit Vegas so I won't be around to help pack, clean, unpack, and paint. I really, really want to help paint and help pack. Y'know, to make sure mom doesn't forget my treats, toys, bed, and blankie...I won't. Her bed, blankie, and one toy will be going with Kira to Vegas, and I've already got her backpack ready to be packed.

Oh, and we're moving in FOUR WEEKS!! Mom says that's lots of time, but she sure doesn't seem to be trying very hard to pack or anything. I think she's being silly by just loafing around, thinking she can just hire movers to do all the hard work. Half my crap is already in a storage locker as I purged to stage the house for sale. I will be packing most of my stuff but will also be hiring movers to take all my crap to the new place.

I just Thank GOD this is finally ending! I hope I love living in the new neighbourhood/town because I certainly don't want to go through this again any time soon. I have never been so stressed out in my life as I have been in the past 4 months. I figured about 25 people viewed my shack, averaging 1-2 a week, but only got one offer. The offer was pretty crappy and I was thisclose to saying 'forget it' and wait for another offer, but then my Agent dropped a Really Great Deal into my lap and I was forced to make a major decision. Jo came over from the Island and we viewed the new townhouse again and it was determined the deal was OK - both me and the sellers took an equal hit on our asking price so I'm no further ahead. The bank did an appraisal and said that came in $6000 over what I paid so while not a Great Deal, it was a fair deal.

I'll take before and after pics once I move!

Oh where to begin...

2008-07-28T20:44:00.000-07:00

Well.

It's been a very weird two months. You see, Mom decided we needed to live in a bigger place closer to her work (this way she can come home at lunchtime to play with me!) so she talked to her friend/Real Estate Agent and put our house up for sale. What Mom hadn't counted on was all hell breaking loose at work coupled with the sudden rush of folks wanting to look at our house!

Mom kinda-sorta had a melt down and ran away from home while I went to Vegas, but I digress...

So Mom put an offer on a new place and it was accepted. Then the people got a better offer (same price, no subjects though) so they bumped Mom's and we lost the new place. THEN Mom said "enough of this crap!" and started to take our house off the market (12 viewings, no offers).

Then after Mom came back from her mini-vacation (she ran away for a weekend to meltdown in peace) she scrubbed the house inside and out, hauled out most of our stuff to a storage place, and decided not to even look at another place to live until this place sold.

Well.

Almost worked.

Mom saw another townhouse she just loved and has now put an offer on it. She said they counter-offered but is now verbally negotiating as opposed to writing a counter-counter-offer right away.

Our house is still up for sale and Mom dropped the price twice. Started at $269, then dropped to $267, now it's at $263. Mom said she can't go any lower 'cause otherwise we can't buy the new place.

Auntie Jo says Mom should just buy a house and not a townhouse. Mom said she'd like to but she feels safer living in a townhouse complex and if the roof leaks she only has to make a call and it doesn't cost her thousands of dollars.

*I* just want a fenced yard!!

So between Mom trying to keep the house tidy, keep up with her work, and hoping that someone buys our house so we can buy someone elses house, well...no wonder she briefly went bat-poo crazy!

Mom is home for a whole week now. We were supposed to be moving this week, but we lost the house we were going to buy but Mom kept her leave time and we're going to scrub up the house again and "go hard" selling it.

I like having Mom home all the time! We go for walks and visit with the neighbours and I got to have Ice Cream on Sunday!

Yup. Liking having the Mom home!

I didn't count on there being as soft crash in the market. This time last year my house would have been on the market 5-10 days; no sooner did the sign go up then the sold sign was slapped on. THIS year houses are staying on the market 3-4 MONTHS. Even the place I first offered on was on the market for 57 days and it was under-priced by about $10k so even an under-priced place is staying on the market for quite a while.

I told my Agent if my place doesn't sell by the end of the month, it's coming off the market for sure. I almost took it off in June, but just 'took a break' from accepting viewings. NOW there are stories in the news that BC has the highest % of people not willing to make major purchases because of fears of recession due to high gas prices. Gee. I couldn't tell...

2008-07-08T22:44:00.000-07:00

May.

Last post was in MAY!

OK, so I know I've been a naughty muppet-head for being so lax in keeping up my blog, but Mom has been very busy, both with work and keeping the house clean so we can MOVE!!

More later - I'm getting booted off the comfy 'puter chair :-(

Quick update

2008-05-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

Oh Boy! I've never seen the house so clean since I moved in last summer! Mom has been going on a rampage scrubbing walls, windows, floors, counters, etc. She said I might have to go to Vegas (!!!) for a few days 'cause there might be a lot of people coming to look at the house next week. Well, she said she hopes a lot of people come to look anyway...

I don't know why I have to go to Vegas for that, though - I think I should stay home to guard the treat cupboard, if not Mom herself.

Mom took me to a new groomer (Miss Natasha is taking a break from the grooming scene for a little while) and she liked Miss Natasha's shave-down so much she asked for it from the new lady. I sure hope Miss Natasha starts grooming again - I miss her :(

(Mom has a picture somewhere on the computer but she can't find it right now...I'm not surprised, what with all the packing boxes and all.)

Oh! I forgot to mention, Mom said she bought a new house!!!! It's a townhouse in Next Town Over, about 10 minutes from her work. That means she can come home at lunch to visit me and doesn't have to worry about staying too late at work 'cause she's so close to home now.

Mom keeps telling me about the new house, it's almost twice the size of our current house, has three levels, three bedrooms, a fenced yard (Mom made sure about that!) and she already knows at least one person who lives there (co-worker). The people living there now agreed to sell Mom the house so now she has to sell ours.

People are weird. I don't understand why they don't just flop down wherever they want to be and just stay. Isn't that what they're always telling us dogs to do, "STAY!"???

Jus' wondering, is all...

People do, Kira. It's called Squatting and it's illegal.

On the move

2008-05-04T11:25:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I went a whole month without updating everyone!

I do have a good excuse, though. Y'see, Mom is selling our house and we're moving!!!!!

Mom has to drive to the next town over for her work (it's 25 km's away but takes half and hour) and she decided gas costs so much it makes sense to move to the next town as it will save her at least $200 a month and she can get to work earlier.

Right now I leave around 8 and it can take 45 minutes to drive north on the highway, what with all the commuter traffic. Gas is $1.25 a litre and costs me around $300 a month. The place I'm interested in is 5 km from work, all residential streets so I'm still looking at around 10 minutes, but gas should only cost me $100 a month!

The new town has lots of parks and school yards so maybe if I learn to come when I'm called I can play off-leash - I'm going to try really really hard to learn to come when Mom calls me 'cause I really want to run around without my leash on.

It also has all the amenities I need, major grocery shopping, all the standard stores (Staples, Canadian Tire, Panago Pizza, vet clinic, Sushi restaurant, etc.) in a small town (pop. 35, 000).

Anyway, Mom has been working really late for the past two weeks so she hasn't had much chance to 'stage' the house so this weekend it's been a cleaning frenzy around here. I'm trying to help (mopping the floors, chasing dust bunnies outside, etc.) but Mom keeps trying to step on me. She said if she has an 'open house' I have to go to Vegas for a few days.

Mom said she found a great new house for us, though. She said "It's HUGE, Kira! You're gonna love it!" It's still a townhouse 'cause Mom likes 'townhouse living' and it has a fenced backyard so I won't have to be tethered when I Gotta Go. Mom is putting in an offer today on the new place.

Almost 2000 sq. ft., 3 levels, 3 bedrooms/3 baths, huge walk-in closet in mstr. bedroom, dedicated home office space...I damn well hope they accept my strong/fair offer! Other places I looked at only had the partial 'privacy fence' jutting off the sides of each unit and no option to put up a pet fence, so at least this place is fully fenced!

So between the excitement at work the past few weeks, Mom scrubbing the house out, and that we may be moving, I've been too busy to write.

I hope she leaves Willy here, though - I think it would be too unfair to uproot him from his home. Maybe the new people will understand and let him stay here...

Nice try, Kira. Willy comes with us.

Tied a hankerchief to a stick, and waited to return to my hobo ways

2008-03-25T19:07:00.000-07:00

So I waited patiently until Mom opened the front door to take out the garbage and when I saw that beautiful yellow shimmer of light peek through the door frame, I took THAT VERY opportunity to act.

Oh yes I did.

I bolted through the door and ran towards the light – Ah Freedom, feeling the fresh air whip through my ears, my tail feathering out, me experiencing the pure and simple joy of not being tethered to Mom’s hand.

Uh oh. What is that blue and yellow blur screeching my name? Oh Look! It’s Mom running (uphill) towards me with my leash and something in her other hand (chicken jerky).

So I took off again, heading towards the bank of mail boxes at the top of the hill where I took a moment to sniff the bushes and have a pee. Oh, looky there, someone is leaving the complex, Mom looks like she’s following with my leash, still screeching my name – so I’ll wait by the smaller people gate after all, that’s the one we always use, not the big car gate. Mom is taking too long; maybe I’ll dart around that van and go for a walk without her.

Oh yes I did.

Mom and I played a new game: It’s called “Chase”. It’s when *I* take myself for a walk and Mom chases me with my leash, screeching my name. I would look back every once in a while to make sure Mom was still chasing me as I darted in and out of the various townhouse complex’s, exploring their parking lots, all the interesting bushes, trees, posts, and various other smells.

Mom doesn’t like playing “Chase”. She told me TWO HOURS LATER (!!!!) when she gave up and let me win.

Y’see, after Mom chased me around the neighbourhood(s) I decided to go on my normal walk. Mom saw what I was going to do and ran back the other way, to ‘head me off at the pass’ as it were. I dodged into another complex to explore their parking lot and bushes instead.

Oh yes I did.

Mom said later she was worried she would run me into the traffic so she decided to quit and go back home, hoping I would follow. After a while I was getting bored and decided to see what Mom was doing. She was sitting on the sidewalk in front of the people gate to home. I grinned and tried to motivate her to chase me again but she held up some chicken jerky and asked if I was hungry yet. I was.

Ah crap! She tricked me by snapping on my leash and walking me back home. And she forgot to give me my chicken jerky! When we got home I didn’t understand why Mom was so upset. I mean, it was a beautiful sunny day and I was so happy to go out romp and play and Mom played “Chase” with me, why was she so anxious and upset? And… um, …why am I being LOCKED UP IN THE BATHROOM FOR HALF AN HOUR???

Oh yes I did.

Just to confuse Ziggy

2008-03-11T18:23:00.000-07:00

I'm posting twice in less than a week!

Today I saw Miss Natasha (see Glossary). I wrote a note to her telling her about when Mom tried to give me a bath a few weeks ago she messed up my tail into one huge knot, how I needed a wee tail and ear trim, and a mani-pedi.

Oh yeah. And a bath. 'Cause I stunk!!

Mom took me to see Miss Natasha today and now I smell Dee~Vine! And that clumpy knot in my beautiful tail is gone - mind you, so is all the hair on the base of my tail, but what can I say? That's what happens when amateurs get involved in the dog grooming side of things!

Miss Natasha let me write a note to Mom telling her all about my day, how I was such a good girl, stayed quiet in my pen while I waited to have my nails done, and didn't try to hurt anyone at all. Mom was so happy she bought me a KiraBurger on the way home...Mmmm, Dee~Lish!

(NO! No KiraPorn! I'm not letting Mom take a picture of my butt to show my tail!!)

Mom is sick :-(

2008-03-06T23:45:00.000-08:00

Mom has a really bad cold right now. She went to work on Monday (had to attend some training) and got worse and worse with her cough and nose dripping then she called in sick for Tuesday. She stayed home Wednesday too.

Today Mom tried going to work. She said she felt fine after her shower - nose seemed to clear up a bit and her throat wasn't as sore (of course between the Sudafed, Nyquil, Buckleys, cuddles from Yours Truly, she sure thought she was fine!)

Well. By lunchtime she was home. Seems once she got to work her nose filled up again, throat got worse, and her head was aching so she was pretty much asked to/was told to go home. Her boss threatened to put a "Quarantined" sign on her door after hearing her hack up a lung.

I don't mind - *I* got to nap with Mom on the couch this afternoon and that's the best of all.

I still don't understand why we can't go for a walk, though. It's so nice and sunny out and Mom has dark glasses she can wear if her head hurts so much in the sunshine. Maybe I'll bug her some more and she'll give in...

I didn't give in and likely won't tomorrow, either. This cold is hanging on for dear life and just won't let up! First hour in the morning I feel great - nose is dry, head is clear, throat is fine, then WHAMMO! It hits all at once. And of course it's when we are having some beautiful weather - warm, sunny, etc. so I can't even enjoy it 'cause I have to black out the windows 'cause it HURTS!

I hate being sick.

Oh, and for what it's worth, Miss Kira is not giving me any sympathy At All - I've asked my neighbour to please take Kira around the block for me as I'm sure she's getting cabin fever being cooped up in the house with me for four days. Then maybe Kira will leave me the heck alone!!

PlaywithmePlaywithmePlaywith me!!!

2008-02-20T22:52:00.000-08:00

Mom took a few days off work to get some chores done in the house. So naturally, when I realized she wasn't going to work, I inferred she decided to spend some time with ME!

Of course, this meant I had to help with the chores...you know, picking up the flosser toy, putting it back down, picking it up and bringing it closer to Mom so she can try and take it away. I told Mom I *was* helping with the chores! You should have seen the size of the dust bunnies I found and made sure Mom saw how hard I was trying to find the rest of 'em for her!!

Between helping with the chores and hunting dust bunnies, I was pooped out. Mom tossed the flosser a couple of times but each time I went and got it, I couldn't quite make it as as close to Mom as the previous run...'til I just flopped down and chewed on the flosser by myself.

Token Willy shot.

We had a hissing /barking contest a few days ago. Mom didn't get involved, saying we had to "work it out" ourselves.

I'll tell you later who won.

TTFN!

2008-02-11T22:09:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone!

So Mom is taking a class two nights a week. Her work is paying for it so she has to to well or she has to pay the money back. It's American Sign Language 'cause one of the people she works with is Deaf and it costs too much money to hire an interpreter. Besides, I swear Mom can't hear half the time anyway so maybe it's a good thing she learning for when she gets really really old.

I know some Sign Language, though not necessarily American Sign Language - I know the finger wag means I've gone and done something I'm not supposed to do (like last week when Mom left her work bag open and I found a granola bar inside. Mom wasn't too happy to find a trail of wrapper from her bag allllll the way to the back door. It was raining outside so when I had to go out, Mom had to follow to see if I pooped foil wrapper. So there's Mom standing in the rain, with a flashlight, looking at my poop, then looking at me saying, "so there's my granola bar!") I just grinned :-)

I also know when Mom points to the front door and says, "Let's Go!" means we're going for a walk!!! When the weather was bad two weeks ago (what a little snow?) we hardly went at all. Mom said the sidewalks weren't cleared and it was icy and slippery, but I think it was just an excuse to flop in front of the computer all night long. Or it could have been that I was falling behind at work and needed to spend the evening catching up!!!

This week Mom got two packages in the mail, one from Amazon and one from Barnes and Noble so now she's buried her nose into all her new books - I guess it's OK - what with nothing being on TV 'cause of the writer's strike all we've been watching is Star Trek. I know Mom loves Star Trek but come on! Every night?? With the laptop parked in front of the TV? That's just nuts!

Wait a minute...ohmygod those are STAR TREK BOOKS!!!!!

Why yes, Kira, they in fact ARE Star Trek books and I will sit back and savour each and every word as long as I like, thankyouverymuch! But I might remind you, Miss Kira, *I* took some extra days off this week and next for a total of FIVE days off so just imagine how much fun we're going to have spending all that time together! WE may even take you down to Miss VetLady to see how much you weigh 'cause even though I've been rationing out your food, you have obviously been sneaking some from somewhere (Oh, yes, my work bag!) 'cause I'm not seeing much change in your waist line! And no, bouncing up and down, nipping at my feet, grinning like a she-devil, and trying to trip me won't change that - even in a cast or bound up in traction I. Will. Find. A. Way!!

Chicken Jerky, anyone?

Shave and a haircut - - two pics!

2008-01-20T18:00:00.001-08:00

I haven't posted much lately - Mom says it's because we have such a routine and that this place has become my home that she's not surprised I've slowed down my writing. I really want to tell you about Christmas, though!

So Mom had to work over Christmas week but still had Christmas and Boxing Day off (I like Boxing Day - Mom puts on the oven mitt and we boxed darn near all day long! I was so tired at the end of the rounds I almost didn't want to go on my walk, almost...)

Mom took Friday afternoon off work to come home early. We were going over to Shawnigan Lake to visit Aunt Jo, Uncle Dale, Nathan, Anthony, Katie, and Snowball for the New Years weekend. I really should have gone to the Spa and Mom swears she tried to get me an appointment but Miss Natasha was booked up solid. Ah well. I was gonna have fun, regardless.

So I played and played, and tried to beat up both Katie and Wrangler, Aunt Jo's Uncle's dog. Caught that? Jo's Aunt and Uncle were here and they brought their dog Wrangler with them.

I think I've got a little crush on Uncle Dale:

Mom brought my blankie with her and spread it on a chair but I crawled from the chair over to Uncle Dale while he was relaxing on the sofa - I just wanted to cuddle up next to him and he took advantage and gave me a few pats - I think he kinda-sorta likes me too!

This is the chair I was supposed to stay on - please note the exceptional amount of fur I'm sporting. Sure wish Mom took me to the groomer before we went to the Island. I was full of debris, tree bark, leaves, and other unknown ickies by the time we left. Mom got me to Miss Natasha when we got home and I got SHAVED!!!!!!

Me and Katie. Katie is a Belgian Shepherd something-something cross and is such a WUSS! She looks all intimidating and such but my GOD, she'd lick you to death before attacking - Unless she's playing with Uncle Dale (her Dad) and I try to join in the fun - then all bets are off; she flipped out on me and all I wanted was to play with Uncle Dale. This is the closest I got to cuddling with Uncle Dale with Katie there, too.

Of course, I'm sure Uncle Dale got a kick out of having two women fight over him...

So after all was said and done, I ate too much cat food, played too much, got way too excited most of the time, had attention from two teenage boys, Aunt Jo thinks I'm simply adorable and Uncle Dale rocks my world. Oh, and Mom is too bossy and won't let me do anything.

Speaking of Mom, a few weeks ago she got home from work and there was as 'phone message from a local store (Tom Lee Music) that there was a Christmas Present there for her (!!) So WE go to the store and oh, could you just up and die???? An old friend of Mom's back in Alberta bought Mom a Freakin' PIANO!!!!

After some tense negotiations, Mom finally convinced her friend to let her return the obscene gift for much smaller, cheaper, more reasonable electric keyboard:

Mom practices almost every day and doesn't sound too half bad. She's trying to remember all she learned as a kid, and bought some books to try and teach herself. She said she might take lessons but not until next fall.

Damn nice present to get from an old friend!!!!

Mom has someone at her work (a "client") who's deaf so she signed up for American Sign Language classes that start on Monday night. If she takes all four levels she'll be in school until July, two nights a week, so likely won't be able to afford piano lessons until the fall.

Anyway, back to Me. Mom had to take me to Miss Natasha's when we got back from the Island. Oy, it was BAD!! I was matted, tuffed, dirty, and certainly in need of a Spa day. Mom knew I was in rough shape but she didn't think I was THIS bad:

Mom thinks I'm cold now so she's been turning on the fireplace more often. And at bedtime she tucks an extra blankie around me. What a sucker she is!!!

Ok, here's hoping it's not almost a month again before I post. And if it is, hopefully I'll have some more great pics of Yours Truly to share.

Merry Wha'chamacallit

2007-12-24T23:03:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

To each and every one of you
(even if not all celebrate, Happy Whatever-You-Wanna-Call-It anyway)

And all the best for 2008!

OMG!! DDC, and Savouring

2007-12-17T22:18:00.000-08:00

Mom wrote an email to Miss Eleni and told her a lot of stuff so I kept telling Mom to "just write it in my blog!!!!" Anyway, she said she was feeling lazy tonight (Harumph!) so I may as well do it myself. I tell you, if you want something done right, just do it yourself! My what a fantastic pearl of wisdom! I should quote myself!

"If you want something done right, just do it yourself!"
~Kira, 2007.

Mom won't let me go back to the DDC I was going to. I guess I was coming home all full of piss and vinegar and wasn't very nice to be around (a few times). Then the next week Mom would take me back there and I got scared and started to tremble in the car when we turned up the street to the DDC; this happened about 2 months ago. Mom just knew something wasn't right (Mom's are pretty good about stuff like that) but it was too late to turn back home and still get to work on time - so Mom made me go, explained to the lady something wasn't right and for them to watch out for me. Mom said she had a sick, 'squicky' feeling at work and she didn't like what happened in the car (me scared) and the nonchalant response from the DDC person so she got permission to leave work at lunchtime to come get me and take me home. I haven't been back since. Mom said she's talked to a lot of people (just like when she researched the DDC in the first place) and hasn't heard anything negative about the place, just that it's more busy than most places and has more dogs - but that yeah, perhaps larger dogs would be happier there than us little gaffers. So, no more DDC for me...for now ;-)

Mom talked to Mrs VetLady who said an alternative is a private home day care operated by a lady who has 2 acres of fenced-in yard to romp and play in. Mom called the lady and will set up an interview in January, after the Christmas rush is overwith. The maybe-new-DDC is operated out of the lady's home and she only takes in 6 dogs at a time - and she won't take a dog in every day, at most a maximum of one day a week. She does board dogs so I told Mom to be careful when we go there to look for the boarding area to make sure it's all comfy-cozy and legitimate. I'll keep you up to date, but Mom said the preliminary reports and references are positive so there's hope yet!

I updated the Glossary, dear reader, so you might have noticed there's a new game Mom and I have been playing! I'm calling it OMG!! The Oven Mitt Game: Mom puts on this rank old green oven mitt and shadow boxes with me. Of course, it's my job to grab it from her, but she then makes a fist and won't let me have it. So then I find a different angle and snag her thumb then she brushes my teeth with her thumb! At this rate I'll have pearly whites in no time at all! I love it 'cause I get to climb all over Mom as she tries to keep the mitt away from me but I always manage to win in the end - then we toss the flosser a few times before I'm too pooped to play anymore.

That's right: Too Pooped To Play!

Mom says I can thank her co-worker, Jenny, for this new game. I gots to talk to this Jenny person and get her to tell Mom about some more games we can play. Jenny has two dogs and gets to play a lot with them!

On the Willy front, he has this annoying habit of trying to come into MY livingroom at night to prowl around and be a night watchman. That's MY job now, CAT! And it's night watchWOMAN to to YOU, you little hairball! So naturally I had to bark and kick up a storm when I caught Willy in the hallway - at midnight. Mom was somewhat less than impressed with the both of us and let us know in no uncertain terms, Midnight Attacks are not permitted under any circumstances.

But Mom: No one broke into the house that night so we I must have done the job right!

Anyway, Mom and I are going to Vancouver Island for New Years so there's a chance I may score some extra treats from the teenage boys there - you know, 'cause I'm still on a diet! Though Mom cheated tonight and let me have a whole pizza bone to myself - ah, heaven! I savoured that little strip of doughy goodness with it's hint of ham and tomato sauce until I just couldn't take it any more and had to chomp it down. Savouring=1.27 seconds in real time.

What can I say? I'm just a dog!

I met Santa!!!

2007-12-08T18:41:00.001-08:00

Believe it or not, there's really not much new in my world of late!

Mom has been putting up lots and lots of garland and lights. She keeps singing, "it's Christmas time in the city..." or "Sleigh bells ring, are you listening...[something something]...walking in our winter underwear!"

Um. I don't wear underwear...but I gots me a snazzy Santa hat and bandana!

OH!! Mom took me to the VetLady and...

I met SANTA CLAUS!!!!

Apparently I've been a good girl (other than when I pee'd on the carpet at Mrs. VetLady's store) so I'm hoping this silly diet Mom has me on ends soon! That's right, another diet. This time with low calorie fibre rich food mixed in with my potato and duck food, for a whopping grand total of 2/3 a cup a day 'cause I'm FAT! Mom said even though I've been off treats except for my chicken jerky at night, she is still over-feeding me and I gained another pound. We go for our walk every night (except for that one really bad weather day when it snowed and snowed and snowed) but Mom thinks I'm finding WillyTreats (food bits, poop bits, or puke bits) or something 'cause there is no way I could've gained weight while on a treat-free diet.

So now Willy's area is completely blocked off with a baby gate all the time and if I don't gain any more weight, Mom will have figured it out.

Crap.

I hate dieting! Mom is now even being careful not to drop even a single morsel of cheese when she makes a sandwich, and I'm banned from the kitchen when she's cooking supper, just in case a freakin' drop of food hits the floor. And when she has pizza, I'm not allowed the pizza bones anymore - though once Mom let me lick the plate after she ate (right in front of me, I might point out!) and there was barely a drop of sauce on the plate.

She's become EVIL!!!

2007-11-15T17:29:00.000-08:00

You're right. It's been for~ever since I've written. I'll write a more detailed post this weekend, but for now:

-Doggy Jail was Excellent. I had soooo much fun but damn was I happy to see Mom coming up the drive to get me!
-Mom said I've helped her lose weight (11 lbs.) since we go for walks every night.
-New 'do' this week (a spa day, nails trimmed hair cut and a bath).
-Mom broke the battery pack in my snazzy new coat so she ordered a new one. It arrived this week so now I'm bright and visible at night again.
-Mom turned 39 last week. She says she's OK with looking at 40 right square in the face, but then why did she buy hair dye?
-Mom's friend took her to a casino in the US. She won $440! So how come she didn't spend some of that ill-gotten gains on treats for moi?
-Mom went shopping in the US to spend her ill-gotten gains on Sunday. She went back to the Casino and won another $400!

~fainting~

So apparently she's been really really busy lately so that, dear reader, is why I haven't posted in such a long time.

Heyyyy, just a minute here...this don't look like VEGAS to me!

2007-10-25T17:04:00.000-07:00

So yesterday Mom finally said it was time to go to Vegas, Baby! OhmyGod I was sooo excited! I've never been to Vegas, Baby! so when Mom put my leash on and parked me by the door (yeah, like THAT was hard to do!) she went back to take down Willy's gates (the ones that block his yummy food from Yours Truly) kissed him on the head, said she loved him, then did another (I think her eleventeenth) check of the house before announcing it was time to go.

OhBoyOhBoyOhBoy!

So off we went - the scenery looked kinda familiar, though.

HEYYYY! This looks like the way to School...um, Mom? Why are we going to school? I thought we were going to Vegas, Baby!?? This sure don't look like no Vegas, Baby! to me!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crap.

Crap, crap, crapitty crap.

I got suckered! Suckered, I tell you! So here I am thinking we're going on some utterly amazing holiday where no one sleeps, treats abound, and the flashing neon never turns off. And I find myself caged (CAGED! OK, let me say that again: CAGED!!!) at my school, no less...

Mom said SHE'S going to Vegas for real, but I have to stay CAGED up in doggy jail.

(NOT true, well, mostly not true. Fear not, she's at a pretty damn nice kennel with all the comforts of home, including her blankie, bed, treats, food, and two toys. They have dog runs, indoor and outdoor, and a nice warm sleeping area - I made a point of checking it out and Miss Denise from her school was there and Kira remembered her so all is well. Note to Ziggy, I washed her bed and blankie and then put both in my bed and slept on 'em for two days so they smell like me (and maybe a little bit of Willy) I read about putting a t-shirt or something from the laundry in the kennel, so I figured sleeping on the stuff was good enough.

Flight to Vegas was uneventful - called C and D ("ilovefootball") when I arrived then J and A (friends in Edmonton) this morning to tell 'em to leave their winter stuff at home 'cause it was 28+ today and not a cloud in the sky. I half expected to see from the plane or at least smell the California fires but the wind is going towards the ocean so it's not even slightly hazy here.

I saw "Mystere" last night - WOW! What an amazing show - Given all the amazing acrobats such a pole climbers, the sheer strength and agility of the performers, all I could think was, "Damn, I need to go to the gym!" The music, colours, lights, so many different things happening all around, I think you'd almost have to see it a few times to 'get' everything that happens in the show. Now I want to see "O" and maybe even "Love" though I'm not really a Beatles fan. "Ka" and "Zumanity" don't really interest me, but I'm not opposed to seeing them eventually.

I had to laugh, afterwards while everyone was charging towards the doors to get out, a few folks were talking about how the pole climbers jump from one pole to another, upside down, then release to fall to the ground only to stop a foot or two from hitting - one guy said, "Well, they'd only have to make that mistake once to know better for next time!" About 20 of us laughed.

Finally, "Holy Hot Tamales, Batman!" The men in the show...oh, the men...I think I found my new 'happy place.'

Today I slept until 11 or so, got ready then headed out to The Strip. Wandered down to Bellagio and Bally's (where J and A are staying; they arrive tonight) just to see how far away they are - wasn't too bad. I wore my Crocs so my feet were reasonably happy. Tonight I'm hoping to video the Mirage volcano and the Bellagio water show, then try to meet J and A at Bally's around 9:30. I want to surprise them by meeting them in the lobby.

Later I went to the Hilton to the Star Trek Experience; we're going tomorrow for the rides and lunch at Quark's but I knew I wanted to spend some time wandering in the shops buying 'stuff' so I figured I'd better go today to get the bulk of the shopping done. Oh yeah, Halloween is taken care of....

Until then, yes, for those who know how devoted I am to my employer, and how faithful I am to my 'clients' I AM doing work-related stuff for a few hours. Look at it this way, by not wandering around the casino(s) I'm saving money - I've already donated $300 to the local economy!!)

No needle for Moi!

2007-10-17T21:57:00.000-07:00

So Mom took me to see Mrs. VetLady last Friday. Seems when I go to "Vegas, Baby!" I needed to have some shots updated (due October 20). Mrs. VetLady said nope, she won't over-vaccinate and I'm not due for another two years.

Mom tried to explain the sleepover place won't let me play there unless the shots are up to date ("HEY MOM! Are you arguing FOR me getting a needle? Are you Crazy??") So Mrs. VetLady called the "Vegas, Baby!" people and they said it was OK, I didn't need the shot. Whew! I Dodged that bullet!

Mom says to tell you, "Seven sleeps 'til Vegas, Baby!!"

I'm getting a little excited 'cause Mom is getting excited, though I'm still not sure what "Vegas, Baby!" is yet, But I now know it's a vacation of some kind - and how do I know this, you ask? I have my own suitcase now! Mom washed my Furbaby blankie and the cover of my bed so they both smell clean and fresh. Mom packed my stuff into a small rolling duffle bag to make sure it all fits (I sure do have a lot of stuff, which is not bad considering I was homeless only a year ago!) so she says I'm ready to go. She has her own rolling duffle bag that she's slowly filling up - I'm keeping an eye on it 'cause I want to make sure she doesn't pack my chicken jerky treats into the wrong bag!

One last thing, when Mom took me to see Mrs. VetLady on Friday she bought me a Bison Knuckle bone!! ChompChompChomp...that was me all weekend. Now that it's pretty much broken up, Mom let me take the cleanest piece into the house and chomp it up some more there 'cause it was raining and [apparently] I stink when it rains.

That's OK - Today is Wednesday so that meant DDC and a bath for Moi! Now I'm all fluffied up and smell purdy!

OK, more than likely my next post will be to tell you all about "Vegas, Baby!" !!

Just a quick note...

2007-10-02T21:17:00.000-07:00

Mom's in the bathtub and left the 'puter on!! {snicker, snort}

She took the flashy thing with her on our walk tonight and here's me in my new, glow in the dark, blue light, wild rose coloured coat! I also have a red heart flashing thing that hangs off the leash - Mom got that for me at the pet food place. She says it's OK, but likes my bright coat better (and really, so do I).

That's me getting ready to go for our walk. Mom takes a little longer 'cause she has to put on shoes. Silly Mom!

I thought we were going to McDonalds so I stopped at the garage door - doesn't my new coat look amazing? The pouch behind my head holds the (very light) rechargeable battery pack that lights up the blue band across my derrière.

The flash sure does pick up the reflective piping that goes all around my new coat!

Here I am on the go again after Mom said, "NO McDonalds tonight!"

Hey, I can add video to my blog now!

WOOHOO!!! Check THIS out:

The clicking you hear is NOT my nails! I just had them done at Miss Natasha's Spa on Friday - the clicking is the heart-shaped flashy light on my leash hitting all my tags.

I ROCK!!!!!!

2007-10-01T20:29:00.000-07:00

K to the I to the R to the A!!

Check this out:

Then there's this one...see Mom is grinning like , well...a Mom!

But before all this happened...I had to take an EXAM!! So here I am looking at the other dogs, wondering if it's cheating:

Then the magic happened...after I passed the exam Teacher gave us all a certificate and Mom was so excited! Here's a close-up of my certificate:

Teacher thinks I might be better if I took the Beginner class again...Mom thinks so too, even though I tried to disagree with them, I mean, hey *I* got a certificate tonight...but Mom didn't sign me up for a class 'cause she's still talking about this "VEGAS, Baby!" thing (23 days to go, apparently) so we may take another class in January - I sure hope it isn't a silly baby beginner class again, now that I'm a GRADUATE, and all!

I'm in a Mood...all week!

2007-09-30T20:35:00.001-07:00

Mom and I celebrated our three month anniversary on Sunday (notice I dropped the "New" from NewMom?) I figure now that we've made it to the three month mark (roughly how long I lived with that other person before I was sent back to the shelter) and Mom says I'm not allowed to leave, I figure she's mine forever now.

*blink* *tear*

I don't know what's going on but ever since last Monday night I've been in a foul mood. Mom and I went to school and I really didn't want to work or learn so Teacher took me aside to help me. Well, I didn't much like what I was learning so I figured if I didn't try then everyone would just leave me alone. Nope. Teacher wouldn't let me get away with that so I did the one sure-fire thing that has kept people away from me: I tried to bite her.

WELL! Teacher would have none of that and made me sit, stay, and pay attention to what I'm being told. The power struggle took about 10 minutes but yours truly lost the battle. I kept looking back at Mom hoping she would come to my rescue, but all Mom said was, "Don't be lookin' at me for help! You brought on your own heat!" MOOOooooooommmmmm!!!

(That's Teacher making me work while Mom watches)

Could you believe that? Here I am asserting myself, calling the shots, being all Miss Independent and Mom wouldn't rescue me from Teachers' clutches!! Then Mom made me everything twice!

I really didn't like class on Monday night. Mom says we have one more school night then I'm a graduate, though she's not sure I'll actually graduate due to my attitude. She's been working with me more this week so maybe I'll be better on the last night.

Mom says I'm not ready for the advanced class and may re-do beginner class later on in the year. I'm hoping she helps me get better at learning the lessons so I can go on to the next level. I really don't want to re-do beginner class again :(

Anyway, Mom didn't take me to DDC this week. She slept in on Wednesday and was late for work so I couldn't go. She said I was going to see Miss Natasha on Friday so I couldn't go to to DDC anyway 'cause she needed the money for Friday.

On Friday I spent the day at the Vet's clinic but I never had to see Mrs. Vet, just Miss Natasha. When Mom came to pick me up, she learned it was not a good visit. Seems I snapped at Miss Natasha during my bath.

I have an awesome haircut, though! Mom says with the Bichon scissor cut I'm looking Very Pretty and playful! And my hair isn't hanging down into my eyes so I can see perfectly now.

I'm not sure why I've been so snappy lately. Maybe it's the change in the weather? I dunno. Mom bought me a fancy-schmancy new jacket and so even though it's cool and raining at night, we still go for our walks and I stay sort-of dry so it's not for lack of exercise...maybe it's because Mom has been working late 2-3 days a week and I worry so much about where she is or if she's been in an accident or has forgotten about me...or, or, or...Ah heck, it doesn't matter. I'm crabby no matter what.

Mom said she's almost caught up at work so now she'll be home by 5 every night, except on DDC days 'cause I can stay there until 6.

I'll let everyone know if this coming week is any better...

Note for Aunt Ziggy

2007-09-20T22:21:00.000-07:00

...NewMom says she's sorry it took another two weeks to post. :-(

So, what's new in my world you ask? Not much. NewMom and I are settling in quite nicely. I go to DDC on Wednesday's and school on Monday's. We have a pretty good routine going on and when NEwMom strays ever so slightly from it, I remind her it's important I have a routine and that she adheres to it.

So far as school goes, two classes to go and I'm an official Beginner Class Graduate! NewMom may need a few tutorial sessions before she graduates, though.

NewMom has been putting in long hours at work, leaving home at 7:45 a.m. and coming home after 6:00 p.m. Good thing I can 'hold it' that long! Then she fires up the computer and hogs it all night long typing and typing and typing...she says for the most part she has "brought the caseload up to date" at least to September. I'm not sure what she's talking about, but she's so tired we go for a walk around 8:00 then to bed around 9:00 p.m.

On the weekends she may work 6-8 hours on work stuff but then we go for walks and play the flosser game. She says she loves her job and loves having work to do, but I kinda-sorta miss her...she said it's not going to last forever and that as soon as everything is up-to-date she'll be able to come home closer to her regular time.

Willy is still hanging out in the bedroom all the time. NewMom had to put towels across the bed 'cause he was throwing up in her bed!!! She was changing her sheets almost every day until she started laying down the towels.

It's getting colder at night and it gets dark earlier so NewMom bought me a snappy new coat that has a fleece lining and...get this, it has a battery pack that makes the silver band across the backside by my tail light up! It's from a place called Lands End "cool blue squall jacket" but my coat isn't blue...it's a dark pink colour called Wild Rose. I'm going to look like a girl so hopefully people will stop saying, "HE is so cute" He? HE? I'm. A. Girl!

NewMom also bought me a heart shaped flashing red light for my collar so cars can see me on our walks (I am kinda short, you know). A few other dog walkers have commented on my flashy light, saying it makes me look very visible and easy to find. I don't notice the flashy light much but it clanks against my tags so I'm noisier than usual.

NewMom said she has some pictures of me from school that she has to put in the computer and she's going to take a picture of me with my flashy light and new coat so everyone can see my new duds.

I sure hope she doesn't take another two weeks to show you the pictures...

What's a "VEGAS, BABY!!"?

2007-09-06T22:30:00.001-07:00

Whew! Almost two weeks since my last post, but I made it just under the wire so no one should be tossing peanuts from the gallery (though I'm sure if you DID throw peanuts, I'd snarf down each and every one!)

Before I go on, a HUGE shout out and a Happy Birthday to my dogmail pal, Blue! Blue turned 7 on Tuesday, or at least, that's when his people celebrate his birthday. His link is on the side bar so if you want to read all about his birthday his pet, John, let Blue on the computer to write a post about it.

So school is going OK - class was cancelled on Monday because of the holiday and NewMom is getting kind of lazy working with me so I'm not sure if I'll be as smart as the rest of the class come this Monday. NewMom has just got to get off her arse and work with me some more! But she's been so busy lately with her new position all she wants to do when she gets home is nap or just plop in front of the TV. The house is looking kinda messy lately, too...NewMom is almost too tired to clean up after me and Willy. Heck, Willy almost didn't get his litter box freshened up 'cause NewMom forgot to buy the gravel bits.

And how do I know this, you ask? WELL!! I discovered if I can't get to Willy's food (geez, all it does is sit there all day and night, it's not like he really wants to eat it or he would, so why can't I have a taste?) anyway...if I can't get to Willy's food, then I can try the tasty morsels he leaves in the gravel box - they're not as good as his food, but Mmmm...

(EEEEWWWWWWWW!!!!)

The litter box is now is the storage closet and she put a dowel on the track so it only slides open 4" or so. I can't fit in :(((( I've tried.

What else is new in my world...well, NewMom is getting excited and keeps shouting out, "xx weeks to VEGAS, BABY!!!!" (7 weeks, to be exact!) I'm not sure what this means but NewMom seems to really want this VEGAS thing pretty badly! She told me I get to stay at the school for a few days and have a sleep over with some other dogs. Is that VEGAS? I dunno...NewMom said she bought tickets to something called "Mystere", a "Cirque" show at Treasure Island and wants to spend a whole day at Star Trek: The Experience, meet up with some friends who live there, and maybe some friends from Edmonton will be coming down too. A whole day of Star Trek? Heck NewMom, I do believe that's called "Saturday" in our house?

I'm starting to get suspicious NewMom is planning to have some kind of fun without me and I'm not sure if I like the idea. Willy doesn't seem to care, he says when NewMom has fun away from home, it means he gets the house to himself. He grinned at me when I told him NewMom says *I* get to go camping.

I don't trust him. That grin was almost smarmy!

I've been going to DDC every Wednesday. Every second Wednesday I get a bath while there. This past Wednesday was bath day and my nails were done too, so now I don't go 'clickclickclick' on the hardwood floors. I really noticed the difference yesterday when I MADE NewMom play the flosser game with me. She hasn't wanted to play much in the past week or so so I hounded and hounded her until she gave in.

NewMom and I are starting to get closer, I think. She seems so happy when I do things right and she loves playing with me. I nip at her hands and she hardly gets mad at all - I don't want to hurt her, I really don't, but I like it when she 'ruffs' me up and plays tug-of-war but sometimes I get a little "too" into it and then I start to nip. NewMom lets me nip once or twice then she makes me settle down...I still get get treats, though, mostly when I do stuff right.

The last time I thought I had a NewMom she only let me live with her for 3 months so I'm trying hard not to get my hopes up that I get to stay here forever...NewMom says if anyone tries to take me away she'll go into "Mama Bear Mode". Not sure what that means, but she kisses the top of my head and tells me she loves me so it must mean a good thing. NewMom says once we pass the 3 month mark, we may go visit Miss Eleni one afternoon so she can show her everything I've learned and how happy I am living here. I LOVE car rides so I'm up for that!

OK, NewMom says my spelling is all fixed up and her fingers are sore so that's my post for tonight!

Could be worse, I might have forgotten to write ever again!

2007-08-25T19:22:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe it's been two weeks since I've posted! So much has been going on in my life lately:

1. NewMom made arrangements with the DDC that I get a bath every two weeks, as a 'standing appointment' 'cause she realized it takes about 12 days for my "Eau de Pooch" to develop full strength, so it's bath time for me every two weeks. NewMom says it works out pretty good 'cause on bath days she only has to pay for a half day of DDC so it works out to $15 a bath, which is what the do-it-yourself place charges. I don't mind so much 'cause everyone tells me how pretty and clean I look and I get free snorgles from NewMom! I still go one day a week, on Wednesday's, and for now that's just about right. Maybe in the winter NewMom will let me go more often 'cause we won't be able to play outside as much. *I* don't mind playing or going for walks in the rain but for some reason NewMom isn't too keen on it.

2. I started School last week! Our classes are on Monday nights. NewMom said the private lessons were just the beginning, so she could see what I know and what I need to work on. The first lesson was so easy! It was everything we already learned in private classes so it looked like I caught on very fast when in fact I already knew the lesson. NewMom said everything was fine until Miss Denise showed up at the school and made a point of greeting me - the jig was up. The teacher learned I'd already had two lessons so suddenly I wasn't much of a superstar any more. Crap.

There's I think 10 dogs and their people in the class, from a wee little Pomeranian who couldn't be more than 5 lbs. to a 100 + lb. Great Dane (that looks like a huge Dalmatian.) There's also another dog named Kira! I don't know if she spells her name the same as me, though, and she's a black lab, not a Lhasa X. Some of the dogs appeared to really, really, need obedience training!!!! Not me, though. I never barked once, and when we had to listen to Teacher explaining the lesson, I sat down and politely listened, while 2-3 other dogs whined, argued, and were generally undisciplined. But I guess that's why they're in the class so that's OK.

One of the new things we learned was how to concentrate on our people and not the treats. How this works is NewMom holds up TWO treats, one in each hand held side-by-side, then she slowly moves each hand in the opposite direction so she's holding her arms out to the side, each hand still holding a treat. The object is for me to not stare at her hand(s) and look at her instead. It took about four tries but I still followed NewMom's hand as she moved the treats to the side, only briefly looking at her wondering why the heck she wasn't giving me the darn treat, I mean, she had TWO, why couldn't I have one??

NewMom tried again on Tuesday and we had a "break through" moment when I suddenly realized I got the treat when I didn't look at NewMom's hands! So then every time NewMom held treats, moved her hands apart, I never once broke eye contact with her and I got the treat every time. NewMom almost leapt for joy when she saw the realization dawn in my eyes!

It was well and truly a break-through moment! I could see the gears turning in Kira's head, wondering what the point was; she would dart her eyes from left to right, looking at my hands and when she paused in the middle to look at me, she got the treat from the opposite hand from where she last looked. Then it's like a lightbulb went off and she watched me move my hands to the side then immediately darted her eyes back to me, held the stare, only then did I give her the treat. I got so excited, as I could see the dawning in her eyes, she realized how happy I was that we did it again and again. We must have done it 4-5 times after and she never once broke eye contact with me. Since then we've been doing this particular exercise several times a day, she follows one hand the first time, but then immediately darts her head back and doesn't break contact for the rest of the session. Damn, that girl is one helluva smart dog!

3. NewMom started her new position two weeks ago, (well, sort of.) She's been working at one location for the past year or so and didn't much care for the job then she asked for a position elsewhere. Lo and behold, a place she used to work at took her back, to do a job NewMom says she loves and missed terribly. Part of the agreement was she could leave the job she didn't like two weeks early and go to the new location but only if she spent those two weeks helping out a different department with a project many months overdue. Seems all the facilities in the region are so far behind in this particular project they have to bring in people just to help finish it. NewMom agreed to help out and after spending 8 hours a day for 2 weeks just typing and typing and typing, her hands are sore when she gets home so she's glad that part is over.

Now the two weeks are over she gets to start in the position she really loves on Monday - she's been working hard to learn some new stuff and remember how to do other stuff so when she starts she'll be fully ready. NewMom has been practically skipping when we go for walks, she's so happy to be doing something she loves again! She tells me all about it on our walks. I don't understand why she's so happy, after all from what she says she'll be working "like a rented mule" starting Monday, always have something on the go, always have something due, will have to attend meetings all the time, write reports, and on and on - she says she loves being busy and having stuff to do at work, though it can get overwhelming at times. I don't get it, but if she's happy, I'm happy, and really, that's all that matters.

Abbotsford Airshow = one very scared muppet!

2007-08-12T12:47:00.000-07:00

This weekend the 45th Annual Abbotsford Airshow is going on and we live near, if not actually in, the flight path to the airport. The Airshow has the Snowbirds, some American jets (not sure if it's the Blue Angels), vintage airplanes, and so on constantly flying overhead during the day. For the most part it's a free show for me, but for Kira? Not so much.

I hate the Airshow! This is my first one and I hate, hate it! The noisy jets flying overhead leaving a trail of sonic booms are hurting my ears and the sound is scary 'cause it echo's throughout the Valley. Then the birds start going nuts 'cause they're scared too so watching them I KNOW it's a very bad thing going on. NewMom is trying to soothe me but I just ain't buying it. I just know the house is going to blow up, or slide down the hill - all I want to do is run away and hide :-( I'm going to try hard to put on a brave face for NewMom, and was doing all right until this afternoon when the finale started - then I just couldn't take it any more. So I will try to stay close to NewMom (who I'm sure is equally as scared but is hiding it really well) but keep a close eye on the door...just in case we have to make a quick get-a-way!

You see, she has been trembling for much of Saturday and today, and this afternoon it got so bad for her, she wanted to climb to a perch as close to me as possible, without actually crawling into my lap. I feel bad for her, watching her constantly licking her lips, shaking, looking back at the door all nervous, and I've been reassuring her it will be over soon and not to worry, the roar of the engines doesn't mean the house is about to blow up, etc. She's not buying it. Thank GOD we don't get thunder storms here like in Alberta 'cause I fear she'd have a heart attack then!

Edit 2007 08 12 21:36 hrs.: NewMom felt so sorry for me, scared and shaking all day that she ordered pizza for her supper and *I* got Pizza Bones!!! Now that the airshow is over (finally!), pizza bones settling in quite nicely thankyouverymuch - we went on a much deserved walk all over the neighbourhood. Ah, life is good!

Official Wednesday Post

2007-08-08T16:53:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the delay since my last message. NewMom starts her new position officially on Monday and has been gearing up for that (and has been watching CSI a lot, too!) NewMom said she forgot just how much work the new position is and has been trying to learn her new caseload and all the report templates she has to work with again. NewMom used to do the same job but then moved to another office 10 months ago where she hasn’t been challenged enough so she’s going back. If everything works in her favour (and really, why shouldn’t it?) then she’ll stay in the position forever and ever until she retires. NewMom says her current supervisor has been Just Awesome trying to help her move onward. I can’t wait ‘cause she keeps telling me how excited she is and how much she can’t wait to go back.

It’s been an interesting week. This past weekend NewMom accused me of stinking. I mean, she looked right at me and told me I stink! Stink? STINK? What the heck is she talking about? I don’t stink! OK, so I like rolling in the grass, sniffing all the interesting spots on the boulevard when we go on our walks, and generally being curious, but I certainly Do Not Stink! Harrumph. [Uh. Yeah. She stinks. Like wet dog, even when she’s dry. I tried giving her a bath on Saturday but didn’t have doggy shampoo so I used organic Jasmine body wash. It took the edge off and the water was BLACK but she still needs a professional bath. Oh yeah, I have a Dirty Girl!]

Last night when NewMom got home from work she said she was tired so I suggested we go for a nice, long walk. That would certainly perk up any feelings of sleepiness and pump some oxygen into NewMom’s blood…but NewMom had a different idea; she looked at her blanket and pillow on the couch and her eyes glazed over with anticipation. Nooooo NewMom, don’t do it!! Take me for a walk instead! Really! That’s the best thing we could do right now! Aw, CRAP! Now she’s snoring…and snoring…and snoring. Great. It’s 9 p.m. and she’s just waking up. So much for our nice long walk. L So we took a shortened version around 10 p.m.

Because it’s Wednesday, guess where I got to go today? That’s right! Milk bone to the first who answered DDC! NewMom called the DDC (again! What’s with that, doesn’t she trust me?) and learned after “careful evaluation” it has been determined I’d much rather play with the “big dogs” than the wimpy little dogs so they let me out of the small dog pen and I get to romp and play with the big boys! Keyword: BOYS!! I does like the male of the species…

NewMom called to ask if they can give me a bath today. ‘Cause apparently I STINK! (The DDC is also a groomer/bathing place). I only had a groom 2-3 weeks ago and am scheduled to go back in September, so I don’t really need a haircut or a nail clipping, just (allegedly) hurtin’ for a bath, or a shower, whichever. When NewMom picked me up I was white again and had full-on fluffitude going on; I pranced and preened and showed off my super fluffy self to anyone who even thought of looking my way.

NewMom’s ‘fridge is dying a slow and painful death. Good thing my food isn’t kept in there ‘cause she had to throw out some food – sandwich meat, milk, some fruit and veggies (but I got some treats out of it!) The fan is working but is only blowing cool air and takes 2 days for the freezer to actually freeze stuff. She called the ‘fridge repair guy today and it’s going to cost over $100 to have someone come out and take a look. When she described the problem to the repairman he said it could be one of three things, a $40 part, a $50 part, or a $90 part. She hopes it’s only the defrost coil thingy (cheapest part) but knowing her luck it’s the most expensive part. Then it’s $50 for the service call and $60 an hour on top of that. She told me she’s willing to pay for the repair ‘cause a whole new ‘fridge would cost too much. Though next time it breaks she’s going to buy a bottom mount French door ‘fridge instead. Her ‘fridge is only 5 years old so right now it’s worth it to repair it.

Sure am glad *I* don’t cost NewMom that much money! [*coughyyesshedoescough*]

I'm officially NOT a DDC failure!

2007-08-01T17:03:00.000-07:00

All week I've been hoping and hoping NewMom would take me to DDC again; I miss it so much. Every morning I race NewMom to the door wondering, "Is today the day I get to go?" Nope. All week NewMom had to drag me back into the living room and tell me to guard the house.

I used to go on Friday's but NewMom switched me to Wednesdays, thinking the dogs there on Friday's get me all wound up and that's why I bark. I went last Wednesday and didn't bark hardly at all and today when I raced NewMom to the door she said, "Where do you think you're going?" Because she didn't send me back to the living room, I kinda had a really good feeling about today!

WOOHOO! I got to go to DDC again today! (Mack was there, too {wink}). NewMom called again to see how I was doing and got the "all clear," whatever that means. NewMom talked with the owner and learned I was a great girl all day; in fact, it turns out NewMom was in the lobby for a few minutes before I knew she was there just to listen if I was barking.

The owner said I most certainly am NOT a DDC failure and I'm not expelled. Whew! I was a little worried 'cause NewMom switched the dates on me, disrupting my routine.

NewMom starts her new position soon (she actually has a start date) so that means she has to leave earlier and will be home later 'cause she has to drive to the next town over. I've proven to NewMom I can 'hold it' for more than 8 hours so I should be OK. NewMom is going to put pee pads by the back door Just In Case. NewMom says she's going to be so much happier at this new position 'cause she's been bored silly-stupid at her current position.

I gotta take a nap - I played all day with a new friend (female shi tzu) so I'm exhausted!

A three-fer!

2007-07-27T21:23:00.001-07:00

Holy Moly! NewMom wouldn't let me on the 'puter since last Sunday! She's such a meany :-( She got a TV show called "CSI" and has been watching it all week in the evening after our walk. I kept telling her I could use the 'puter while she watched the TV but Noooo, apparently I wasn't allowed. NewMom has been frustrated all week 'cause she was supposed to start a different job at her work this week but it's been put on hold again, I'm trying not to upset her but I don't really understand - I mean, so long as she gets paid enough money so I can go to DDC and have treats, who cares what she does all day at work? NewMom says there's more to it, that she really wants to do this other job but I just don't get it.

So let's backtrack to Wednesday, shall we? (Just pretend I wrote the entries on the appropriate date, m'kay?)

Wednesday July 25, 2007:

WOOHOO!!! Doggy Day Care Day!!!! NewMom figured we'd try DDC again and see how it goes. She dropped me off at 8:20, gave me stern "No Barking" order, kissed the top of my head then let me go play. NewMom called about 10:30 to see if I was being a good girl this time and was told I was being a doll, though I really like trying to dig under the concrete floor. NewMom thinks I'm afraid of being penned in; the puppy/small dog area is a penned off area in the DDC, the bigger dogs get the larger area. The small dog area is large, too, but there's this darn fence blocking me off from the big dog area and I really don't think that's fair at all. So I keep trying to dig under the fence to play with the big dogs. NewMom knows it's still very safe for me and I won't hurt myself (I'm sure the ~~guards~~ er, Nice Ladies would call NewMom if I got hurt) besides, NewMom says it's like a giant nail file so my digging isn't such a bad thing if it keeps my nails looking pretty.

NewMom came to get me at 4:30. She was told I barked for about half an hour after she called but I didn't have to wear that awful muzzle. Because I was such a good girl, NewMom bought me a piece of "pupperoni" the DDC makes and showed the people there how much I've learned at School. [They make/carry their own all natural products at the DDC]

So now NewMom is pretty sure one day a week at DDC is a good thing for me and it helps her 'cause I'm sooooo tired when I get home, NewMom can do chores without stepping on my tail or bumping into me 'cause all I want to do is take a nap. Playing all day is exhausting work, my friends!

Thursday July 26, 2007:

HAHAHAHAHA!! {sing-song voice} Willy has to go see the Vet Lady today! Neener, Neener! I hope he has to get a needle!! (No, not THAT needle, just a good ol' poke!) He sure was angry when NewMom cornered him and dragged him into his carrier. NewMom was sweating, too, so you just know he put up a fight. I don't understand why, though, I mean, that's a free car ride!!! I was so jealous he got a car ride 'cause I was hoping to go for a ride too, but maybe back to DDC rather than the Vet Lady. Oh, it get's better! When Willy came home with NewMom after her work, he looked very funny, I mean, freakishy funny! Willy got a haircut and it certainly wasn't nearly as good as my fancy-schmancy scissor cut, I can tell you that! Here are some pictures of Willy's shaved BUTT! (Oh go on, you want to laugh! Go ahead - I've been laughing for a full 24 hours).
NewMom says since I've moved here Willy has been growing lots of mats and they've gotten really bad; well, he wouldn't have those mats if he wouldn't hide out in the bedroom all the time! And I know NewMom brushes him out (she brushes me too and I totally see why Willy likes it - it's like getting a massage) but he's a long-haired cat so once the mats start, it doesn't take much for them to get out of control. I sure hope NewMom takes care of my coat so I never have to get such a funny looking haircut (I couldn't deal with Willy laughing at me.) NewMom told me Willy also had his nails cut and filed right down so now when we meet it's safer for me.

Willy got a needle!! HAHA! Willy got a nee~dle, Willy got a nee~dle! Mrs. Vet was worried 'cause apparently he's lost 1.5 lbs. over the past year [Willy was 15.9 lbs. last summer now he's 14.35 lbs. which is a concern due to his age, 14, and that last year his blood work showed the beginnings of kidney failure, apparently common in older cats.] So that's when he got the needle. Mrs. Vet figured while he was knocked out for his haircut and nail trimming, may as well take some blood to figure out what's going on. I feel bad that he isn't as healthy as NewMom wants him to be, but for gosh sakes, at least let me enjoy the fact he got a needle AND a bad haircut ~ on the same day!!

Though since his haircut, Willy has been a little more outgoing and came into the livingroom tonight and didn't run away when he saw me. NewMom figures he feels so much better now that the hair clumps are cut off and so is more social.

Friday July 27, 2007:

Mrs. Vet called NewMom today to let her know Willy's blood work came back and everything is OK. His levels are still high but they're stabilized compared to last year so NewMom was Very Happy with the news. The Mrs. Vet said his weight loss is likely due to "the recent addition". What recent addition? Willy didn't build an extension on the house or nuthin', so what's she talk... Oh. Me.

It's not MY fault he's such a fuddy-duddy that he thinks I'm out to get him or anything! I'm seriously pouting here, folks! NewMom says it's not my fault but now she's feeding Willy half a can of soft food in a special place so I can't get to it.

NewMom thinks I may have found a way to get Willy's soft food and that's why he's so hungry. She's right. :-( She caught me wedging through the hole she cut in the baby gate for Willy and snacking on his hard food.

Tonight we went for an extra long walk so I could poop out whatever cat food I found...I like taking NewMom out for walks 'cause she says she wants to lose weight - HEEEEeeeyyyy...I just had a great idea! If eating the cat food made Willy lose weight, then maybe if I sneaked NewMom's food when she's not looking she'll lose weight too! Oh, Man I come up with the best plans, don't I?

NewMom got in trouble!

2007-07-22T16:30:00.000-07:00

So school was cancelled on Thursday night (seems Miss Denise forgot I was bringing NewMom to be taught some more). We went to the school and after while we came back home without having a class. That’s OK, we went to McDonalds after and I got a treat from the man in the window [at the drive-through they give dogs a milk bone] and NewMom got me a KiraBurger [childs hamburger, no condiments].

On Friday NewMom was later than usual so I couldn’t go to DDC. I was disappointed but given what happened last time, maybe it was for the best I don’t go for the whole day. I really do miss my friends there, though.

NewMom was having a rough week so she slept in very very late on Saturday – she didn’t get out of bed until NOON! Mind you, she didn’t go to bed until after midnight. I pee’d just before she went to bed the night before so I didn’t have to go that badly in the morning so I let NewMom sleep in.

Today we had a make-up class at school (and are we shocked NewMom was late getting there? No, we’re not!) NewMom wanted to show Miss Denise how smart I am by showing her all the things I can do. At first NewMom told me the things she wanted me to do, but it turns out NewMom wasn’t teaching me right after all! No wonder I was having so much trouble trying to figure out what NewMom wanted me to do and when – seems she wasn’t telling me in time when I did something right so was essentially telling me what I did AFTER the right thing was what she wanted all along when it really wasn’t. Miss Denise spoke a lot to NewMom to get her to do it right this time and that’s why I say NewMom got in trouble! NewMom caught on what she was doing wrong, though she tried, she still didn’t get it right all the time. Over the next few days NewMom is going to keep trying to get it right (I’ll let you know how she does).

[When Kira does the command correctly I was hesitating saying “yes” so Kira wasn’t associating the correct behaviour with the “yes” word, instead thinking what she did AFTER the right behaviour was what I wanted. Denise saw right away what I was doing wrong and now I have to undo 3 weeks of stuff to get it right.]

Miss Denise is so cool and fun to listen to, NewMom? Not so much. NewMom doesn’t quite understand how to teach me so it’s easy for me not to work for her; Miss Denise on the other hand makes me do it right every time so I always do what she wants me to do (besides, Miss Denise has better treats!) I saw out of the corner of my eye NewMom was mimicking Miss Denise a few times so I think NewMom has it figured out. Darn it.

NewMom forgot her camera again so hopefully next time she’ll remember and take pictures to show everyone what my school looks like and how smart I am.

Tonight NewMom is going to try and clean the house some more and do all her laundry and ironing. I get to watch Star Trek while NewMom does her ironing. Maybe Willy will come out of the bedroom and watch Star Trek with me tonight.

New Item: NewMom added a Glossary on the side of my page where she will list the Cast of Characters in my life now, as well as terms I may use to describe stuff.

Pictures from today...

2007-07-17T18:53:00.001-07:00

Me, "sitting pretty"

Profile shot

SPA DAY!!! (post originally written Monday night)

2007-07-17T16:38:00.000-07:00

{Sashays over to the mirror…takes a look, winks at reflection, primps and preens a little…}

Oh, sorry faithful reader, I was, um, checking out my new look! Today NewMom went about her usual routine, cleaning up the dishes from Willy’s Birthday Feast last night [Willy turned 14 on Sunday; I adopted him from the Edmonton SPCA on January 7, 1994 and the card said he was 5-6 months old so I arbitrarily set July 15 as his B'day. Kira's is set as December 27, 1999 but we're going to say it's Christmas Day!], forgetting why she walked into a room, …you know, the usual.

Then when she was getting ready to leave (the first time, ) she remembered I had to go to the Spa today for my bath and haircut. Um, the note she wrote herself has been pinned up above the computer desk for a week now? Go back to get my leash then take me to the front door (I was a little confused ‘cause it’s not DDC day but went happily along.) Go back, grab her coffee, go out to the car, open garage door, go back out to get the garbage can, whew! Finally we’re on our way.

(I have come to the conclusion it really doesn’t matter what time NewMom goes to bed at night or what time she gets up in the morning, she will never get her You-Know-What together in time to be early for anything.)

I met Miss Natasha, my personal groomer, at Miss Vet’s place o’ business. She seemed nice enough, so I ran up to greet her, tail wagging appropriately, and she petted me and told me I Was Sooo Cute! (Aw shucks, I already know that! Everyone tells me how cute I am!) NewMom and Miss Natasha looked through the "before and after" photobook to pick out a new ‘do for me and NewMom told Miss Natasha to do what she thought would look best on me. Great, I thought, now I’m gonna end up with spiked hair painted purple or some such, thanks a lot NewMom, I’m a dog, not a London East Ender!

NewMom called Miss Vet’s place from work to check in on me, ‘cause after how I behaved at DDC Friday, NewMom is Freaking Out I’m going to be ‘difficult’ everywhere she leaves me. Apparently this was during the time when I was digging my way to China. You see, I don’t much like being penned up anywhere; reminds me too much of the 5 months or so I spent in the Shelter. I understand why shelters have to pen us up, but we really, really don’t like it at all. Anyway, I figured if I dug and dug and dug at the metal floor (though it was covered with a nice woolly blanket and there was food and water there) they might let me out but nope, I had to stay until it was my turn to have a bath. Drat. I hate metal floors!

NewMom says she still needs to take more pictures of me 'cause Miss Vet and Miss Natasha think I may be a cross breed, Lhasa and Bichon, with the Lhasa part dominant. NewMom thought there may be some Poodle in me 'cause my hair is so curly (curlier than just wavy, but not a tight curl, y'know?) So Miss Natasha gave me a Bichon Scissor cut. I am one HOT babe, now! NewMom can't help but snorgle me, and while it's driving me crazy, I let her.

Oh! One more thing: Apparently I'm not CREAM and brown, I'm WHITE (!!) and brown. NewMom is embarrassed she made me wear a dirty coat for so long :( But she also knows I LOVE rolling over and over on the grass so she's not too surprised I can't keep my pretty white spots clean(er). I still have some staining on my feet from living in the shelter, but Miss Eleni told NewMom that will grow out in time.

Friday the 13th!

2007-07-13T16:46:00.000-07:00

NewMom says Friday the 13^th is not a very good day for most humans. But for me, every Friday is my Lucky Day!

NewMom, as much as I love staying home during the day while you’re at work (now that I’m not penned up anymore!) I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love Doggy Day Care (aka DDC)! I’m also starting to “get it” that Friday is Day Care Day, that’s why I was waiting patiently (forever and ever) by the front door this morning. I didn’t even eat my breakfast, I was so ready to go (NewMom bagged my breakfast for me and gave it to the day care lady so if I get hungry later I can eat my own food.)

NewMom made me wait and wait and wait for soooo long, too. I mean, I only need a bath once a month or so, so how come NewMom has to shower every day? It’s not like she needs it or anything, doesn’t she understand a little excessive Eau D’ Body is totally OK for us dogs? Then she has to have a cup of coffee, check her email, blow dry her hair, primp, preen, get dressed, then finally she comes into the living room looking ready to go. But oh, nooooo…not NewMom. The way I see it, if she gets her You-Know-What together on the first try, it would be a miracle! Fill up the travel mug, make sure she has her work keys and ID, and maybe stop to make a snack for lunch, go back to get the travel mug she left by the sink, get something out of the ‘fridge, go out to the car, go back in the house to make sure the coffee pot is turned off…

Oh Fer Cryin’ Out Loud, NewMom, LET’s GOOOOOO!!!!!!

We finally got out the door the second try, NewMom had to stop at the gas station then we headed to the day care. When we turned onto the street I caught a glimpse of the storefront and started bouncing up and down in the back seat, “We’re almost there, we’re almost there!!” ~BounceBounceBounce~

(Kira's the one in front, getting her butt sniffed by a white poodleX)

I had to practically drag NewMom inside then the lady took me down the hall while NewMom signed me in. NewMom came down after she signed me in and looked for me but I was already ~~looking for Mack~~, er, playing with my friends. NewMom took a picture but you can barely make me out in it.

NewMom had to go somewhere after work so she didn’t pick me up until after 5 p.m. so I had even longer to ~~flirt~~ I mean play with ~~Mack~~, er, my friends. When we got home I was so tired I flopped down on the floor and didn’t move until I had to pee (I made NewMom step over me all night long!)

Today was a lot cooler outside so all three of us (NewMom, Willy, and me) aren’t as tired and grumpy as we have been the past 3 days. Maybe if it’s cool tomorrow still we can play the flosser game all afternoon!

The previous owners of my new home tried to build a patio in the middle of the lawn and it looked terrible ‘cause the yard and garden beds were never looked after properly and became overgrown with weeds. NewMom says she’s been trying for 2 years to bring it up to speed. NewMom says she has to weed the garden and place the patio stones in the upper flower bed. She wants to buy a soaker hose, weave it through the upper flower bed then use the patio stones to hold the hose down. NewMom wants to “get a handle” on the weed issue so she thinks if she puts the stones between the rose bushes with the soaker hose underneath, she can use her fancy pots for the annual flowers and place them on the stones to have a combination of both flower bed and container gardening. I don’t know much about gardening (other than the good pee spots!) but I’m going to help NewMom this weekend, if it doesn’t rain.

Today I learned that at Day Care Kira is not the angelic doll I've come to love. Apparently she's taken it upon herself to incite all the other dogs to bark non-stop. Incessantly. All day long.

I told the DDC workers she rarely, if ever, barks at home and has decent (though not perfect) manners and did they have any suggestions how I could prevent it from happening? Apparently I can't do a darn thing about it, that's just Kira telling the world her stories, life dreams, woes, and just general chatter. Maybe as she goes more often she'll get used to the place and it will become so familiar to her she'll stop the barking. If not, then I have a problem.

I don't want her to get expelled, but she was in Time Out today 'cause the play area worker said towards the end of the day it was driving her bonkers. Kira starts then she gets all the other dogs excited with her stories and it never stops.

I will admit it was a bit disconcerting to hear about this latest turn of events. Though they did say some folks will drop off a dog that is otherwise happy, quiet, and gentle, but that's not the personality the workers see!

I know Kira loves going, I know she has fun while there, but my objective is for her to learn good manners, not teach bad manners to others.

I feel like a DoggyMom failure right now... :-(

Short post today - it's too hot to type!

2007-07-10T20:45:00.000-07:00

It's been a quiet week so far; NewMom LOVES tossing the flosser toy and sometimes when I don't bring it back she has to go get it. NewMom is getting pretty good at playing fetch! She was going to take me to doggy day care tomorrow but it's supposed to be very hot outside so she thinks it might be better if I stayed home where she can keep it shady and the ceiling fan can stay on. As much as I love doggy day care, when it's so hot out I like to sleep a lot so maybe I can go on Friday? Please? I want to ~~see Mack again~~, er, I mean, play with all my new friends!

We can't go Thursday 'cause we have SCHOOL Thursday night and NewMom doesn't want me too tired for that.

It's too hot outside, NewMom - can we please go on a cheater walk tonight?

Today it got up to 34°C (93F) and tomorrow supposed to be even worse, 36°C (97F). Right now, as I type, it's 8:57 p.m. and it's still 31°C (88F). Yes, we took the cheater walk tonight, just to the stop sign at the end of the block and back along the other side of the road, with a poop-drop stop at the park waste bin. We're both panting and gulping water...and no, we don't have A/C and in fact we're not allowed to have A/C in this complex.

Two week-i-ver-sary?

2007-07-07T22:53:00.000-07:00

EDIT 2007 07 08 to add: Just to let everyone know, the idea of blogging from Kira's perspective wasn't my idea. I "stole" the idea from another Furbaby Rescue dog named Blue. Blue was adopted in January 2006 by his new pet, John, and has his own blog; I've been following his adventures since.

Please take a look at Blue's page: http://blue.ddandhservices.com/

Ok, so I've lived here for 2 weeks now and here is what I've learned:

1. NewMom snores.
2. Baby gates suck.
3. When going for walks and sniffing signposts, make sure I'm on the sidewalk side before running to catch up with NewMom. The retractable leash is only 16' long and the whiplash isn't worth it.
4. Don't Eat Cat Food.
5. Doggy Day Care ROCKS!
6. School homework? Not so much.
7. Rope flosser toys are more fun than kongs, but kongs have treats in them so they win.
8. Butcher bones trump flosser toys and treat-filled kongs!!!
9. Car rides are The Best! (NewMom even says the nose art on the side window is OK.)
10. When we pass people on our walks they always look at me and say I'm So Cute!

Willy still won't come out and play with me. That's OK, though. NewMom says it could take a while yet, but what bugs me is HE gets to sleep ON the bed! Though NewMom did have to put a towel across her pillows and the upper part of the bed 'cause she said he's been shedding more hair than usual and tracks litter grains into the bed. NewMom says he's just being a grumpy old man (he's turning 14 years old next week!!) He's kinda silly - I mean, why stay cooped up in the bedroom when he could be out in the living room bugging NewMom for treats and playing with the flosser toy? Of course, he'd have to get his own flosser toy...but NewMom will throw it down the hallway and we can run and chase it then bring it back, pretend to play tug-of-war, only to let it go so NewMom can throw it down the hallway again - we have sooo much fun doing this over and over and over ;-) [I swear I saw a twinkle in Kira's eyes today when we were playing the flosser throw game! She brings the toy back, growls but presses one end into my hand then we 'tug' for a moment then she lets go, then stands back expectantly, waiting for me to throw it. We did this for about 20-30 minutes before we both decided that we were pooped. I was a little sneaky today: I put a little bit of her new toothpaste on it to get her used to the taste. She noticed, but was too 'into' the game to care.]

Scratch, scratch, itch, itch...

2007-07-06T18:36:00.000-07:00

Something doesn't feel right - I'm always itchy and scratching.

NewMom noticed I was chewing my feet a bit and scratching a lot! She knew it wasn't the food 'cause I've been on the same food and treats that I got at Miss Eleni's (well, apparently it couldn't be the treats 'cause I'm Cut Off!!! - See post below!) [That, ladies and gentlemen, is Kira's version of Doggy Sarcasm!]

So this all started about 3 days ago and last night it was pretty bad. NewMom sprayed some yummy smelling 'dry wash' on me and rubbed me all over, thinking maybe I had a bug or two living on me (ew ew ew yucky!) that maybe I got from the Doggy Day Care? Then she brushed me out which felt really good. Then when NewMom wasn't looking, I snuck into Willy's room and scarfed down some of his food (NewMom forgot to block off the area where his food is kept) then the rest of the night I was scratching like crazy!

After some frantic 'phone calls and going online, NewMom figured out I was allergic to the cat food - that it's likely an allergy to the high protein content. Willy is on Senior food so it's higher in some nutrients than regular cat food.

But it tastes soooo good!!!!!!

Today NewMom mixed my food with Flax oil to make me itch less and has scheduled me for a medicated bath at the groomer's. I don't much care for the flax oil on my food but if a girl is hungry enough, you gotta take the good with the yucky! Today I'm not itching as much and though I'm loathe to admit it, maybe the flax oil is helping. NewMom will have to be extra careful about blocking me away from Willy's food. And take me for more walks this weekend so I poop out the bad stuff.

On another note, NewMom doesn't seem to realize when people come to the door, they may be Bad People and I have to protect her! I mean, isn't that one of my jobs as a Lhasa? My ancestors protected Tibetan monks and we're known for being little guard dogs so really, I'm only living up to my heritage! But oh noooo, apparently NewMom doesn't agree with my assessment of the potential danger behind the door and tried to tell me she can take care of herself. I don't totally agree but grudgingly wait patiently to see who's at the door, ready to defend NewMom should my services be called upon.

.......Hmm...I could make this work in my favour! I will pretend not to defend NewMom providing the person behind the door comes with treats - yes, that's it! Bribe me with treats and it will make NewMom think she's trained me to wait patiently - it's a win-win-win for us all, I get treats, NewMom thinks she's won, and the person can visit without me barking up a storm!

I remain,

SneakyKira!

I've hit the MotherLoad - but the ride is over :-(

2007-07-04T20:25:00.000-07:00

It was a good news/bad news kind of day for me.

The Good News first: NewMom, in fact, DID come home at lunch today and after she let me out to pee, she had a sandwich, then let me out again (though I didn't have to 'go') SHE took ME to

...ready for it?

Doggy Day Care!!!!!!!

We got there about 12:30 and I remembered the place from when NewMom signed me up so I kinda raced around the shop part a bit. Then one of the ladies there took me down a long hallway, then introduced me to the Small Dog Pen. Well! I thought what with all the toys, wooden boxes with built in cubby holes, and outdoor area with brightly coloured plastic toys including a slide, I may never leave!

...Then I met Mack (at least that's how I think his people spell his name). Mack is a black cocker spaniel and when I first went in the play area he sat back and checked me out (!!) when I sauntered past him. [For emphasis, picture the black cocker affecting a French accent saying, "Ho ho ho, must be jelly 'cause jam don't shake like THAT!" and you'll get an idea of what it was like to watch!]

Next thing you know, he's doing a little of this, and I'm doing a little of that, then I whispered in his ear, "I'm spayed." He whispered back, "I'm neutered." And NewMom was hunkered way down by the doorway watching me [and all NewMom could think of was, "Great. She's been here 10 minutes and she already has a boyfriend. My dog is a tramp!!!!"]

We romped and played and romped and played, I pooped and pee'd, played some more then around 4:15 NewMom came to get me. When I was released to NewMom, I raced up and down the hallway back and forth a few times THEN greeted NewMom. Because it was only for just under 4 hours, I wasn't all that tuckered out...much. NewMom said next time I can go for the whole day! (I sure hope Mack is there next time )

The Bad News: Vet lady and NewMom had a little chat. Seems I'm a bit too fat for a girl my size. Yep, the word is fat. Not big boned, not fluffy, not metabolism impaired, just plain and simple FAT. NewMom actually admitted it's likely I have been given too many treats lately, and she admitted she possibly may have been trying to buy my love and loyalty by giving me treats. For SHAME, NewMom! Why on earth would you say something like that? Didn't you know, you had me at Hello? Please, oh please don't stop giving me treats! I loooove my treats!

[Sorry Kira. Vet Lady is right. I've been feeding you too much food and giving you treats on top of that. In my defence, the treats I give Kira are Organic Chicken Jerky, made from chicken breast and nothing else but it's "entirely possible" she may have been given grocery-store brand jerky treats that were left over from the failed adoption last fall. THOSE treats were not 100% chicken and organically sound. Luckily they're all gone now. So, it's half a cup of food in the morning, half a cup in the evening, and only one organic chicken jerky treat a day, if that! No milk bones, which are basically doggy candy bars, and maybe a Greenie Treat once a week for breath purposes.

Yup. My little girl is cut off.

Now if only I could cut myself off of potato chips and candy bars, we'd both look svelte and sexy in no time!

Well, *I* may take a lot longer than Kira...]

OH! I almost forgot! To all my American friends at Furbaby Rescue, Happy Independence Day!!!

All Alone

2007-07-03T18:09:00.000-07:00

Boy, NewMom needs to make up her mind! Do we sleep in until 10 a.m. or do we hit the snooze bar three times starting at 6:30 a.m.? I can't figure this out. Three days we get up early, four days we sleep in, now we're getting up early again? Willy seems to have it figured out - perhaps I shall ask him :-D OK, maybe not...

So today I got the whole house to myself for a whole 8 hours! NewMom didn't come home at lunch to let me out so I held it - then when she did come home, I was so excited to see her I forgot I had to pee! I ran up to her and ran back to the living room, back to the front door, back to the living room, until she came in and inspected everywhere to see that I never once made a mistake or had an accident.

Of course, all *I* could think of was PlaywithmePlaywithmePlaywithmePlaywithme!!!! I tossed toys in the air, ran back and forth to the food bowl (which still had about half my breakfast in it) played tug-of-war with my flosser rope toy and tried to lick NewMom's ear when she leaned down to say hello to me. NewMom doesn't seem nearly as excited to see me as I was to see her (but I think she's just play-acting 'cause she was grinning like anything!)

So now NewMom trusts me to stay in the house for a full 8 hours without having to pen me in anywhere and I won't find trouble or have an accident. Though I have so much pent up energy she's thinking I might go to Doggy Day Care for my first time tomorrow (she may come home at lunch to take me so it will only be for four hours, just in case it's too much for me.) NewMom says it depends how work is going tomorrow if she can get away to come get me.

We went for a walk soon after NewMom got home and she said we're going for another later tonight 'cause all I wanted to do was race NewMom to the corner then stop to catch up on all the neighbourhood news then race some more. NewMom thinks it's time to strap on her roller blades to take me out! WooHoo! Maybe then she can keep up with me ;-D

Oh, and in case anyone was wondering, we ended up not going to the neighbours to watch the fireworks - yep, NewMom fell asleep on the sofa and we missed them :-(

Happy Canada Day!

2007-07-01T17:31:00.000-07:00

I've had a pretty lazy, laid-back weekend - I've taken NewMom out on at least two walks a day and we putzed in the garden a little bit, between rain showers (which I really don't mind, except I don't like the wet grass on my feet so much.) I let NewMom wipe my feet dry and I love the body rubs I get with the towel, too!.

Today is nice and sunny so we went out earlier than normal and NewMom took me in the wrong direction! I tried to tell her we were going the wrong way but she just laughed and we were "mixing it up a bit" so I don't get bored. We met up with a few neighbour dogs and though I growled a bit, NewMom 'shushed' me and I stopped...at least until I met the next dog but I am learning so long as I sit beside NewMom, the other dogs will just walk by. NewMom knows I can be around other dogs, she saw it herself at Miss Eleni's place, so we're not sure why I react by growling while on our walks.

[NewMom Interjection: When we go for a walk, unless I shorten the leash and 'shush' her, Kira will lunge, bark and growl at the neighbourhood dogs ~ more so at the smaller dogs (like the Shih Tsu across the street or the MinPin from the next complex over) than the larger dogs, like the Golden from another complex. While at Furbaby she lived with 7 other smaller dogs so I know she's OK with them...any ideas (a) what brought this on; and (b) how to deal with it? We come to a full stop and I make her sit until the dog has passed then we carry on (learned from watching Cesar Millan's Dog Whisperer clips online) but even if she's met the dog before and done the sniffing thing, she still reacts - any ideas?]

Now, so far as the Willy thing is going, well, he rarely comes out of the bedroom even though the gate is off during the day. I've only gone in the room twice (following NewMom to the shower) and he acts like such a scaredy cat, it's kinda funny. NewMom isn't forcing anything; she's just going to let nature take it's course.

So now I'm just going to lounge around the sofa and watch Star Trek with NewMom while she does the laundry - I keep hearing my new name, though, someone called Major Kira Nerys? NewMom said she named me after Kira from Deep Space Nine 'cause I have reddish-brown hair, too!

Tonight we're going to watch the Canada Day fireworks from the neighbours backyard - we live close enough to see them but far enough away that we can barely hear the noise they make, which is good 'cause I don't know if I'll get scared hearing them go BANG!

Happy Canada Day Everyone!!!

OhMyGodI'veDiedAndGoneToHeaven!!!!!!!!

2007-06-29T18:50:00.000-07:00

NewMom had to go out late this afternoon to a Dr.'s appointment then she stopped at the local butcher shop for some supper.

I got the BEST TREAT EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NewMom got a "smoked bone" from Mr. Butcher!!! If you look closely at the first picture, you can see me licking my chops to set the mood for this delicious treat I'm about to enjoy. Took me about 20 minutes to chew away all the good bits then I just cleaned my teeth with the rest.

I think...maybe, could...really get used to living here!

School and Willy

2007-06-29T13:52:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to school with NewMom. Miss Denise was really nice and she showed me how to "win" treats by touching one hand then going to the other for the treat. I wasn't allowed to sit down during this lesson and that became interesting after a while.

Then Miss Denise had NewMom try. NewMom was a lot slower but she brought the treat right to me. Then Miss Denise told NewMom to hurry up and hold the treat further away, making me work a little harder for it. NewMom got scolded, HaHa!

Then we learned how to 'sit, 'stand', and 'down.' It took me a while to learn 'down' 'cause I never learned that one before (or so Miss Denise and NewMom think.) After an hour or so I had to pee but NewMom couldn't tell very well so Miss Denise told NewMom to take me out for a moment; when we came back inside I really lost all interest in learning so we called it a night.

OH! Miss Denise was showing NewMom how to do things and when NewMom looked away to watch me, Miss Denise smacked NewMom on the shoulder to get her attention!! NewMom just looked at Miss Denise and said, "Holy Crap - you smacked me!" They both laughed. Good thing no one smacked ME! After I'd finish chewing them up, NewMom would kick 'em HARD! NewMom knew Miss Denise wasn't being mean, but all the same, Miss Denise smacked NewMom!! I think that's very funny :-D

When we got home I was sooooo tired! Between my walk and the 30 minute ride in the car, the late school time (7 p.m.) and the 90 minute lesson, I was tuckered out when we got home I just crashed in my new 'room' and went to sleep. NewMom wanted me to go outside once last time to pee but I just couldn't raise my head high enough to tell her I didn't have to go so she let me sleep.

Here is my new temporary bed set up. Note the DRY pee pad, a few of my toys, and that darn kong! The blanket is from Miss Eleni @ Furbaby Rescue and I sleep on it every night 'cause it's so soft and warm.

~~

NewMom slept in very late this morning (she had the day off work) so we didn't get up until after 10 a.m.!! I hardly made a peep 'cause I was so tired from yesterday I also wanted to sleep in.

When I wanted my breakfast, NewMom made me try all the things I learned last night, using MY BREAKFAST (!!!) as a treat reward. Needless to say, hunger makes a girl do everything she's asked to do so NewMom only made me do each command once before feeding me. Sheesh! Now I gotta work before breakfast? Isn't there a law against that or something? I think Miss Denise put NewMom up to that and that's why NewMom got smacked - she probably defended my RIGHT to eat breakfast without slave labour involved!

This afternoon NewMom took down the gate separating me from Willy. Then she clipped a leash on me and let me into her bedroom, about 4 feet from Willy. Oy, that Willy is noisy! He hissed, and spit and growled and generally told me in no uncertain terms I was not welcome in his pack. So I lay down on the floor and just glanced at Willy once in a while. He looked really big with his hair all fluffed out and pouffy!

I really didn't care if he liked me or not, I was more interested in finding out where that wonderful kitty food smell was coming from. Then I went under the bed to get a closer look at Willy and he howled some more so I HAD to bark and growl back at him! After about 10 minutes of this (NewMom was sitting on the bed holding my leash) I wasn't all that interested so I left the room.

A few folks have told NewMom she's probably making a bigger deal out of introducing me to Willy than it really is, but NewMom doesn't want to give me back to Miss Eleni so she wants to do it slowly and carefully. Really, NewMom, I don't think it's me you need to worry about 'cause I've shown you a few times I don't really care about Willy; but Willy is supremely pissed off at YOU ( and maybe a little at me for being here.)

[NewMom Interjection: Both Jo (friend in Shawnigan Lake) and Denise (from TNT Kennels, Kira's "school") told me they'll work it out between themselves and yeah, I'm probably being more cautious than I need to but after that last dog I tried to introduce into the house, who "put the run on" Willy, there is no way in hell I'm going through that again. Willy was traumatized for days afterwards and though the dog was very laid back and wasn't interested in much (other than peeing everywhere) it was clear he had a "prey instinct" in him. Kira didn't seem to want to chase Willy or even get up close and personal with him; something I'd already noticed on our walks when meeting up with a wandering cat. It makes me wonder if Kira lived with a cat or cats before. In any case, I took an extra day off to have a four day weekend just for this purpose.

On another note, the new sleeping arrangement is working wonderfully! Kira sticks her nose a little bit under the gate (I left a 3-4" gap under the gate) and watches me as I get ready for bed. Once the light goes out I hear her shifting onto her bed then a heavy sigh, then we both fall asleep. Willy still curls up beside me until he thinks I'm asleep then he goes off to wander. Last night he went right up to the gate to "inspect" Kira and she didn't react at all. Eventually I think Kira will be able to sleep in the room itself but still on a doggy bed on the floor, giving Willy the bed itself as his 'safe' place.

All I know is we have until Monday night to establish the pecking order and to all get along, or at least tolerate each others company :-D]

Good Night!

2007-06-28T16:48:00.000-07:00

So after the battle of wills Tuesday night, NewMom thought she’d try something different. Instead of putting me in jail overnight, she put one baby gate in her bedroom doorway and one in the little L shaped alcove that leads into her bedroom. It’s a small area, about half the size of the jail cell, and guess what?

I could put my wee nose under the gate just enough so I could watch NewMom read her book while lying in bed! And I got to see PhantomCat cuddle next to NewMom. Oh, sure, every time I shuffled to get comfy, Willy (I guess now that I’ve seen him I should call him Willy) would perk his head up and look at me. That’s OK. I got to stay where I could see NewMom last night and I could check up on her so it was a good night.

This morning all was calm and relaxed; I even let NewMom hit the snooze bar twice. I don’t understand how that works. The alarm goes off (and let me tell you, that thing is LOUD!) then 9 minutes later it goes off again, then 9 minutes later is goes off a third time. Each time it goes off NewMom groans and rolls over then starts snoring again. NewMom’s snoring is almost as loud at that darn alarm clock! I just waited patiently until it looked like NewMom was actually going to get out of bed, then I got up and let her know I had to pee. Oh why can’t NewMom just jump out of bed and get on with her day like me?

[NewMom Interjection: ‘Cause I work for a living while you get to lounge around all day? Willy used to think the same thing but after I reminded him if I didn’t go to work he wouldn’t get to eat. How would YOU like to go through life never getting another treat in your life? Huh? Can’t hear you. Yeah. That’s what I thought. The snooze bar is my friend. Get over it.]

A woman at NewMom’s work loaned her a larger crate than the one she already had so I guess I’m going to learn how to spend some time in a den this weekend. NewMom says it’s supposed to make me feel safe, even when everyone is home I’ll have a safe place to go into, so I’m a bit curious about this crate thing.

Oh!! I almost forgot! The BEST part to today was NewMom didn’t pen me in the bathroom when she went to work!! She said she didn’t want to get into another battle so she left me out in the living room when she left (I thought she forgot to put me in the jail cell and waited patiently for her to come back so I could play another battle game with her.) So at lunch NewMom got permission to take extra time and wouldn’t you know, she came home and I was laying on the floor almost exactly where she left me!

And I didn’t have an accident or find any “trouble” at all!!!

NewMom was so proud of me – but she didn’t get excited or make a big deal of it; she remained Calm But Assertive. I got to go outside and pee, then had a little bit of left over breakfast (I forgot I left some food in my bowl!) then NewMom put me on the blanket on the sofa and went back to work.

We're going for a quick jaunt around the neighbourhood then off to school tonight - look for the story on THAT later :-D

Spa Day

2007-06-27T19:08:00.000-07:00

I wrote a whole note today but promptly "lost" it, so I'm going to keep this short(er) until I can find it; NewMom says it's trapped in email oblivion for now.

The highlights:

1. NewMom and I had a bit of a personality clash last night (I didn't want to go to my bed) and I snapped at NewMom 'cause I really wanted to sleep on the sofa and she tried to trick me with a treat but I didn't fall for it. Then she took me outside and suspected a battle of wills was going to happen so she put a small leash on me (I didn't notice.) The upshot is I ended up sleeping in my room.

2. So this morning I was still a bit miffed and NewMom was tired and a little grumpy, so after my good morning pee, I just hung out on the sofa until NewMom had to leave for work. Yeah, I went back into my room...

3. ...But I got even. I chewed through the baby gate and now there are wood splinters all over the bathroom floor. Dunno what NewMom is going to do tonight.

[NewMom interjection: Chewed gate is going on top tonight and I'll be looking to buy a metal gate. This weekend I'm taking an extra day off to make it a four day weekend so hopefully Willy and Kira will meet face to face and we can get this over with. Yes, I realize keeping Kira penned all night then all day with only an hour and a half 'break' in between isn't healthy. I know. I get it. But the hell if I'm going to have another failed adoption on my hands! So the Kira-Willy introduction/interaction will only happen under strict supervision and until that can be facilitated, things are just going to stay the way they are.]

4. We went for our walk a bit early tonight 'cause I had to go to Mrs. Vet at 5-ish. We got to Mrs. Vet's place and she was running behind so I waited and waited and waited. I was a little impatient but NewMom sat with me on the sofa (yes, that's right-Mrs. Vet has SOFA's in the waiting room!) and soon I met Mrs. Vet.

Me, on the sofa at Mrs. Vet's

Here are the highlights:
-I am older than NewMom thought, about 8 years old.
-I'm 10.2 kg (about 22.5 lbs.)
-I have three teeth in a row that are totally worn and very damaged, including only half a canine. Mrs. Vet thinks I was tied up somewhere and gnawed my way to freedom. The wear and tear on my other teeth tell a similar story. NewMom now has to brush my teeth every day with a toothbrush and doggy toothpaste if I want to keep them.
-My eyes are good, but also reveal my age as being closer to 8.
-Groomer Lady wasn't there and due to the lateness of the day, so I'm getting my nails done another day.

NewMom is still tired and a little grumpy so we're going to take a nap on the sofa at home tonight.

Tomorrow is the first day of school for NewMom! I hope she does well :-D

My First Day Alone (sort of)

2007-06-26T19:08:00.000-07:00

So this morning NewMom got up really early again and I think she didn’t even know if I was awake yet. The alarm went off (I certainly heard THAT) then it stopped. Then about 9 minutes later the alarm went off again! What is up with that? Gee, I didn't want to wait another 9 minutes so I told NewMom to come let me out so I could go to the bathroom.

NewMom came to let me out of jail* so I could go outside then she went into the Forbidden Room to get ready for work while I lounged on the sofa. Then after a while we went back outside and NewMom walked with me back and forth so I would pee some more (I did.)

*Jail. Let me tell you it’s not a very nice feeling being trapped in a small room when I could be lounging around on the sofa, or on the floor trying to figure out how to get the treats out of the kong.

[NewMom Interjection: It’s the secondary bathroom, with a pocket door separating it from the on-suite bathroom and a door leading to the hallway; I take the baby gates from the bedroom doorway and put them in the bathroom doorway so Kira can still hear and see a lot but lets Willy safely roam the house. I’m also hoping Willy passes by the bathroom 'cage’ so they meet with the barrier in place first]

But as NewMom explained, in order for PhantomCat to accept me into his home (Harumph!) he has to be allowed out of HIS confinement in the Forbidden Room so he can smell my presence. Oh sure, I have a big fluffy bed, water bowl, pee pads (just in case I can’t hold it), and a few toys in there (including that darn Kong!!), but it’s not the same as having the whole house! NewMom has tricked me a few times to get into the jail cell by tossing a treat in there. This morning I almost beat her at the game, except I really really wanted that treat!!!!

NewMom was so proud of me when she got home from work! I 'held it' alllllll day long but Oh MAN did I have to PEEEEE when NewMom came through the door; I didn't know what to do first, I was so excited to see NewMom but I had to pee really badly, too, so I raced NewMom to the back door and when I thought she wasn't sensing the urgency of the situation, I ran back a few steps then back to the door. NewMom called out, "Let me take my shoes off! I'll be there in a second!"

Suffice it to say, I never had an accident AT ALL!!! We made it outside and I pee'd and pee'd and pee'd then when all was said and done, I was then able to greet NewMom with an appropriate amount of excitement without fear of 'leaking' anywhere. Afterwards I had some supper, then a little while later we went for a walk so I could poop.

I'm not telling NewMom if PhantomCat introduced himself to me; I'm going to keep that a secret (and hopefully he won't tell either!)

Now that you all know my bathroom activities, I'm too tuckered to share anything else so I think I'll just plop down on the sofa and nap...But I made it all day without an accident!!! :-D

NewMom's Busy Day

2007-06-25T18:07:00.000-07:00

NewMom got up really early this morning - I didn't even have to grouse, grumble, or do a three-legged dance! Then NewMom called her boss and asked for the day off, YAY! She was very busy, though.

NewMom called PhantomCat's Vet (I thought, "haha, he has to go to the Vet") until I heard her mention ME and something about a check-up. Um, NewMom? I was just at the Vet when I stayed at Furbaby Rescue, didn't FosterMom tell you? I hope she really means I get to go to the Spa instead of Mrs. Vet!

[NewMom interjection: The adoption contract states I have to take her to MY Vet within a certain time frame, I also want her to meet the Vet when there's nothing wrong so she doesn't associate going there with needles, pain, and such. That, and Kira's nails clicking on the hardwood floors are driving me BatShit!]

So now I'm off to see Mrs. Vet on Wednesday.

Then NewMom called a boarding kennel/training facility in the next town over. After talking to the lady there (I could only hear NewMom's side of the conversation, though) NewMom said my name was now just Kira (not MateaKira) and that "we" were going to school starting on Thursday night. First time there I get a private lesson so the teacher can figure out how much I already know (I'm a pretty smart chick but I may have forgotten some stuff along the way, hey, I AM middle aged and have moved quite a bit in the past year) then we get to spend some time teaching NewMom a few tricks, like 'sit', 'stay', 'heel' and so on.

NewMom says she has to go to school too to learn right along with me - That's kinda good 'cause I can tell NewMom needs to learn a few things and I simply don't have the patience to teach her everything. Opposable thumbs may make Humans higher up in the food chain, but they sure don't make you instantly dog-savvy!

So in the afternoon NewMom let me take a nap in the bathroom while she went out in the car. I really wanted to to go with her but she said I couldn't. When she came back she announced she found my food ("THANK GOD!! Whew, that was a close one") at the only store in the whole town that sells it. She also told me the store had everything a dog could need: treats, food, clothes, and a lifejacket (apparently I'm going to be at a lake a lot this summer and NewMom doesn't know if I can swim well, or even if I like the water-I'm not going to tell her until I see this lake of hers). Of course, the only thing *I* care about is the treats!

[NewMom interjection: Kira was fed Natural Balance Potato & Duck dog food and I don't want to change that. There were two stores listed on the web site but only one now carries the product. The store is So Cool! I mean, you can buy just about any conceivable dog-related (and other pets) thing there! I also saw these very cool 'west coast rain jackets' with polar fleece inside and reflective stripes on the gore-tex shell. I know I'll be getting one for Kira but not yet as they're $40 and we have some other more important expenses first, like the training and Vet. I will be buying her the doggy lifejacket though, for when we go to Shawnigan Lake. She has a long-ish stocky body and short stocky legs so if nothing else, it will help her paddle along easier. Or help her out of the water if she hates it but gets in anyway. I also picked up a NylaBone and some hairball goop for Willy. Oh, cute story: There's a parrot in a cage in the corner of the store and the tag says her name is Loretta and was born in 1944 (!!!) THEN all I could hear throughout the store is "Hi Loretta" "Hi Loretta" "Hi Loretta." Guess that makes perfect sense, as everyone who stops at her cage sees her name and automatically says, "Hi Lorretta!" And then there's Bentley. Bentley is a black lab who "works" at the store-they even has his 'employee' picture on the door! Very Cool store, overall.]

Geez, NewMom doesn't shut up, now does she? I mean, this is MY blog, not hers! If she wants to ramble on and on she can darn well start her own Blog. Maybe if she took me with her to the supposedly "Very Cool Store" then I could tell you about it and she wouldn't have to hog the blog.

This evening we went for a walk around the neighbourhood and while out I met the neighbours' dog. I didn't much care for him and barked and grumbled at him. NewMom says we may become friends someday but I'm not too sure. She also said I better not do that when I finally meet PhantomCat or there's going to be a really big problem! I hope I can learn to be friendlier, or at least show NewMom I AM a friendly girl, but I've been moved around so much I'm still not sure this is my forever home...

NewMom says I have amazing colouring, kinda creamy with brown which fades into a rusty-red colour. she can't help herself, she HAS to take my picture:

Not sure what's happening tomorrow - NewMom says she has to go to work and that Willy will be baby-sitting me. I can't wait to see that!!

Next post I'll tell you all about the Spa (and how this Willy baby-sitting thing went).

A Girl's Gotta Shop!

2007-06-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

So this morning I woke NewMom up at 8:30 'cause Jeez I had to PEEEEEEE!!! NewMom looked at me and said, "So I guess my days of sleeping in 'til noon are over?" Yup!

So NewMom had her coffee and went into the Forbidden Room to shower and get dressed (that's when I heard the Phantom-Cat-that-may-or-may-not-exist hiss and cry. NewMom kept saying something like, "It's OK Willy, you don't have to meet her yet..." I wonder if she's talking about the Vet???

Anyway, after a while NewMom came out and said, "Kira, we're going shopping!!" Now, I'd like to think I'm a pretty savvy girl an' all, but I've only lived here 1 day and now we're going shopping?

Turns out NewMom had some doggy stuff already, like a collar and leash, a few toys, food/water bowls, treats, and a bed for me, but she needed to get me a car harness, a poop bag dispenser for my new leash (NewMom is new to this dog thing so she's not used to grabbing bags when taking me for a walk).

So I got to go to the store with her! I was a little scared and shy about going in, but once inside there was this...wonderful array of smells and more toys and treats than I could have every hoped for!! And while in the store, she bought me a snazzy new raincoat for wet days and a doggy hat for sunny days! She also bought me this red rubber thing called a Kong (more on that in a second.)

Me in my snappy new pink hat!!

Anyway, seems I was doing OK until this YOUNG girl with her Dad wanted to say hello. NewMom told the young girl not to come closer ('cause I really don't like little kids) but only when NewMom told the Dad to Back Off did he realize his kid may not be safe. I growled a little, but only enough to let the kid know I Really Don't Like Little Kids!!!!

After we left the store NewMom took me to a Doggy DayCare she researched before and signed me up. I'm only going to go for an hour or two my first time just in case it's too overwhelming for me. I got to see the day care play area and there were a lot of bigger dogs there today but none in the small dog area. I gotta say, NewMom was pretty proud of me when I didn't run away. Oh, sure I hung back a bit but then I got brave and went right up to the gate but the dogs started barking up a storm so I figured I'd hide behind NewMom (just in case, y'know...I wasn't scared...ok, maybe a little ~ SHHH!)

When we got home, NewMom took the red rubber Kong thingy out and stuffed one end with peanut butter and TREATS! Now, look folks, I'm ALL about the treat thing, but JeezLouise! This is gonna take me for~ever to get them out of that dumb Kong! Oh, why did NewMom do that to me????

Now I need a nap!

Next post...Setting up a new account at the Spa (aka, introducing me to the Vet and starting a chart.)

Introduction

2007-06-24T14:29:00.002-07:00

Hi, my name is Kira.

Well, that's not entirely true. You see, no one seems to know my real name so I was named Matea, which was then shortened to Matty. Now I'm called Kira...well, for now it's KiraMatea or MateaKira until I learn my new name.

It's a bit of a soap opera how I came to live here. You see, I was found as a stray then sent to the SPCA, then adopted, then sent to rescue, now adopted again. Here, read the story:

"In October of 06, Matea was picked up as a stray in Prince Rupert, B.C. She was never claimed by her owners. She came completely matted (hence the name, and the nickname Matty) she had an eye infection, and overall not in good shape. The shelter shaved her down, and checked out by the vet, and she was like a brand new dog.

...

I find Matea a pretty easy going girl, likes carrides, walks, lying on doggie beds, couch and wouldn't mind her person's bed. She gets along very well with all the resident dogs, likes men or women. She is housetrained. She was a DREAM to groom...she will make a great companion with an Adult home...
She is a Lhasa though, and has her "stubborn" moments.." (Furbaby Rescue, WA state.)

I went to live with someone but she had a little kid always visiting (I don't much care for little kids) so that's why I was sent to Furbaby. I got adopted again on June 23, 2007.

And you know something? I'm SEVEN YEARS OLD!!! That was just too ridiculous for a middle aged woman like me!

It's only been 24 hours but so far my new mom is trying really hard to understand what I'm all about so I think I'll give her a little more time.

NewMom told me there's a cat living here, but I think she's just being silly 'cause I haven't seen any cat! Though I swore I heard some angry hissing from the Forbidden Room. NewMom blocked off a room with baby gates and told me I wasn't allowed to go in there...yet. Apparently Cat knows I'm here and isn't happy about it.

Next post...A Girl's Gotta Shop!

Kira's Page

Update

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Adventures in medication

I'm not hungry

Short post

So far, so good

I got a wiener chunk today!

Finally!

Update, sort of.

Test results

Health update

I'm sick

I got shots!

Oven Mitt Game in action!

Summer's over :-(

Blogger messed me up

I'm tuckered

I'm a pretty girl...again

Going to the Spa!!

Lazy day

Going on a holiday at the end of June

It's very hot out...

Has it really been four months?

Get 'em off me, GET 'EM OFF ME!!!

New Post

New post coming soon!!!

Ducking in briefly

I'm a helper!

It's Over

Oh where to begin...

Quick update

On the move

Tied a hankerchief to a stick, and waited to return to my hobo ways

Just to confuse Ziggy

Mom is sick :-(

PlaywithmePlaywithmePlaywith me!!!

Shave and a haircut - - two pics!

Merry Wha'chamacallit

OMG!! DDC, and Savouring

I met Santa!!!

Heyyyy, just a minute here...this don't look like VEGAS to me!

No needle for Moi!

Just a quick note...

*I* ROCK!!!!!!

I'm in a Mood...all week!

Note for Aunt Ziggy

What's a "VEGAS, BABY!!"?

Could be worse, I might have forgotten to write ever again!

Abbotsford Airshow = one very scared muppet!

Official Wednesday Post

I'm officially NOT a DDC failure!

A three-fer!

NewMom got in trouble!

Pictures from today...

SPA DAY!!! (post originally written Monday night)

Friday the 13th!

Short post today - it's too hot to type!

Two week-i-ver-sary?

Scratch, scratch, itch, itch...

I've hit the MotherLoad - but the ride is over :-(

All Alone

Happy Canada Day!

OhMyGodI'veDiedAndGoneToHeaven!!!!!!!!

School and Willy

Good Night!

Spa Day

My First Day Alone (sort of)

NewMom's Busy Day

A Girl's Gotta Shop!

Introduction

I ROCK!!!!!!