Santa Barbara Weekend

This weekend was mom's birthday and I got to go away with her and dad.  We had soooooo much fun!  I met a Dolphin and sat on the beach the first day.  Mom said the Dolphin was a metal sculpture and I am not sure what she meant by that. It wasn't important... there were too many other cute dogs to bark at that were way more fun than some sort of metal thing. Metal is not fun to chew on either, so I have no use for metal sculptures.

The second day we rode bikes.  Mom had me in a front pack, and then decided to put me in the bike basket.  I had much more fun in the basket, because everyone that went by said, "Look at that adorable dog!"  I love those comments. I am not sure what conceited means but mom says I am getting conceited.  It doesn't sound like something good.  People are always asking mom what kind of  dog I am.  I bet that this weekend 100 people asked her that.  She got kind of tired of answering so she decided that she is going to have a t-shirt made with my picture on it saying 

"She's a YorkshireTerrier Pomeranian" 

I tried rock climbing.  I wasn't very good at it.  Probably because mom wouldn't let go of my leash.  Sometimes she can be so overprotective! She was afraid I was going to run away and get scooped up by a seagull or something like that.

We came back and I got to go on the porch swing where we were staying.  I never saw one of those before.  It made me a little dizzy.

The last day was fun too.  We went to the art walk along the beach and I met some really cute dogs

The big black one was 135 pounds.  I weigh 6. He was very nice but I still was a little intimidated. I felt most comfortable with the Yorkshire Terrier because she was just my size.  You can tell we liked each other by the way we are kissing.

Mom found this dog bed that was made out of a wine barrel.  I really wanted it but she wouldn't buy it for me...she said something about it being too expensive.  I think I'm worth it, don't you?!?!

We ended up the weekend by going to my cousin's house and then to lunch with them. They live way up high and you can see everything from there. I just love my family!  Speaking of family, mom says I need to stop blogging or my readers are going to get bored.  I guess I have to wait until the Superbowl party in Pasadena to write more.  Until the game, love you all!

Tink

New Years Eve and the week following

This has been a very busy two weeks and there is so much to share.  I can dictate this to mom while she is working on this quarter’s sales tax (one of her MOST unfavorite jobs!)  She still hasn’t taught me how to work on the computer, so I can’t do these blogs without her help.  It’s kind of a drag waiting until she has time, especially since I have all the time in the world to do this.

Every New Year’s mom goes to Pasadena and stays with her good friends.  This is the first year I have been around on New Years so I got to go.  The best part is, my BEST FRIEND is their dog Belle.  I have talked about her before.  She and I have so much fun together.  She is still only 6 months old so I get a little tired of her wanting to play ALL the time, but I have figured out a way to make her stop bugging me… I just growl at her.  That seems to take care of the problem most of the time.  The other solution is to jump up on the couch where she can’t get to me.  I can jump REALLY high, and she is tiny and not as athletic as I am.  I think I could be a high jumper when I grow up.  But I am still working on being a model and an actress since I am so cute. That may be more profitable in the long run.

This is Belle in case you forgot what she looks like:

She looks a little like me but her ears don't stand up like mine.  

This is Belle starting to irritate me:

You can tell by the look on my face that I was not too happy.  But I am pretty tolerant and we went back to playing a little later. 

Here is Belle asking forgiveness for being so pushy.  I accepted her apology.  Mom taught me that forgiveness is a gift you give yourself.  

Something REALLY exciting:  After one year of chemo, GRACIE is getting better and her next year of chemo she gets to be home more, go to the hospital less, and go to school!  We are all REALLY happy!  She was over this week and we played and played.  

I did learn, however, that she is not really crazy about my wet sloppy kisses.  Adults tolerate these from me, I am not sure why kids don't. Oh well, that won't stop me from giving more!

Grace decided she wanted to pose me without any help from mom:

Not quite the way mom would do it, but really good for a little girl who just turned 5!

Love to snuggle with Grace!

Gotta go, I am really looking forward to sharing MORE great news in my next blog! Something AMAZING happened this week!

Twas The Day Before Christmas and All Through the Library...

Yesterday was a dream day for me!  Because I had overdosed on a pigs ear Tuesday, and had to go to the vet, mom brought me to work to watch over me...in her office, that is.  Dogs are not allowed in the library..unless they are therapy dogs.  I am a therapy dog to my mom because I bring smiles to her face and comfort her when she needs it.  But I guess that does not officially qualify for me being a therapy dog. I do want to be a REAL therapy dog sometime, though, so I can wear one of those cute vests and go everywhere with mom.

Anyway, it was really fun to bark at anyone who walked into her office (mom did not think this was fun) and be with mom all day.  Before the library opened she took pictures of me all over the place. This was exciting since I'm not allowed in there when something called PATRONS are there.  What the heck are patrons?!?!

We started out with the puppets while mom was singing the "I'm your puppet" song. That dates her. Sometimes mom is so weird! It's downright embarrassing.  But I guess I embarrass her every once in awhile too.

We went over to the Thomas the train table where all the great brio toys were.  I would have liked to stay there longer but mom was afraid I might try to chew the toys.  I hate to admit it, but I think she was right.

I tried to use the self check machine, but wasn't successful. It takes a little practice and there was no time for that. People were too busy to explain it to me.  

The children's library has so many great things to see.  I love the computers, the puppet stage, and the stuffed toys on the checkout desk.  People say I look like a stuffed toy.  I am not sure if that's a compliment or a put down.

I guess the library is best known for books.  I wonder why mom never reads to me? She reads to Grace and Luke all the time. I probably need to talk to her about that.  I may like being read to.

I didn't quite fit on this shelf.  Is this considered dog abuse?

Did you know that there is a coffee machine in the library?  And comfy chairs? People talk and drink coffee in the library!  I thought you had to whisper 

Well mom says it's time to CHECK OUT. I need to look into how to be a therapy dog so I can go to places like this when they're open.

Have a wonderful Christmas with your furry and non furry friends and family!

Christmas Time and Mom's Crazy Schedule

Ok, I am still a little miffed.  I shouldn't say STILL, I should say MORE.  My last post I told you that mom was too busy.  Well it's gotten worse.  I don't think she has had a day off for about 5 weeks.  I am not feeling sorry for HER, I am feeling sorry for ME!  Yesterday she really hurt my feelings by taking me to a petsitter while she did a newborn shoot.  She thought I might get in the way.  Can you believe that?!?!  Me, cute little 6 pound ME, get in the way of a 8 pound baby?  I think the baby and I could have posed together for some really cute pictures.

So today, mom was on her way to work and got sick to her stomach.  She thinks it was something she ate.  I begged her to please take a few pictures of me (since I love to pose). She was resistant but I dragged her out of bed for 15 minutes.  FIFTEEN MINUTES for my photoshoot!  Do you know how long the baby one took?!?!? THREE HOURS!  And I don't pee on the props (like almost all naked babies do) so there is no laundry to be done before or after my pictures.

I may use this first picture she took on my Christmas card this year:

I was looking at the pictures she took of the baby yesterday, and wanted her to use some of the same props:

Mom thinks the baby looks better in this bucket than I do.  That made me feel bad. Mom says you can't MAKE someone feel bad.  I think if I had put on the "My First Christmas" hat and spread the ornaments around, my picture would have looked just as cute.  What do you think?

I think the only reason I don't look as cute in this basket as the baby is because I need a haircut.  Mom says I look scraggly.  I think she is right.  I didn't notice it until I saw these pictures of myself.  Good thing I am getting a haircut on Saturday.

Well, I have to sign off for now.  Mom's last shoot before Christmas is on the 20th, so I probably won't get to post anything until after that.  Have a DOG GONE Great Christmas.  YES it is CHRISTmas, not just Holiday.  Mom taught me that. She teaches me lots of things but I teach her more...like unconditional love, patience, and loyalty.  I am better at those things than she is.

Mom has been way too busy!

Sorry it has been so long since I posted.  Mom has been crazy busy with photoshoots in the last month.  Everyone wants pictures before the holidays.  I tell her what to write in her blogs, but I don't know how to do anything on the computer so she has to do it for me. This is a drag waiting on her to have time.  So since my birthday I have done lots of fun things with family and friends, but have very few pictures to show for it.  Grace was admitted to the hospital 6 times in the last month, which has been sad for all of us. Last Saturday, though, she was at home and we had a blast playing outside and decorating the tree inside.  Grace and Luke were so much fun and I just loved being there. We rode around in Luke's little car and played in the play house.

Grace has made many new friends at Children's Hospital and some of them are my friends now too.  I really like Nati.

It's raining today.  This is my very first time seeing rain.  It's interesting to watch from inside, but I just hate going out in it.  Mom rigged this artificial grass up in the garage so I could go to the bathroom without getting wet.  That's fine but I miss my walks.  

Happy Birthday to ME and the 5 Love Languages

I am really excited! This Friday, November 14th, is my first birthday!  I can't believe how time flies.  It seems like yesterday I was just born!  I've been thinking about what I would like for my birthday, and mom asked me what my love language is.  I didn't have a clue what she was talking about so she had to explain it to me...There are 5 love languages.  Maybe if I go over them one by one I can figure out what my primary (I just learned that word today) love language is and then mom will know what to get me for my birthday:

1.  Physical Touch-Guess that means tummy rubs, hugs, and kisses.  I get lots of those all the time.
2.  Words of Affirmation-things like "Good Dog!"  "You did it" This is when I go to the bathroom outside.
3.  Receiving Gifts-I like pigs ears, balls, and stuffed toys. Also, anything soft and furry to rest on.     My favorite toy right now is my hedgehog. I had a monkey that I really liked but I blew it today.  For the first time in my entire life I ruined a toy; chewed the stuffing out.  Mom says I can't be trusted anymore.  I don't think those are words of affirmation.

4. Quality time-This would be mom taking me on walks, throwing the ball, chasing me around the yard, and all those really fun things!
5. Acts of Service-Mom carrying me when she thinks I could be walking, (I absolutely LOVE to be carried) getting a pet sitter for me at night when she has a photoshoot instead of leaving me alone.

I had to think about this for awhile because I like all of them.  But I decided that my favorite is quality time.  I just love spending time with mom, and it really doesn't matter what we are doing. I even like it when she takes pictures of me!  Just as long as we are together.

So much for leaves

You may have read in my previous blogs that I have a few problems, including a leaf fetish. When mom takes me out for walks I go for every leaf I see.  She finds it quite annoying.  This habit has improved a bit over the last few months, but I am still struggling with the desire to chase and eat leaves.

Mom thought that since I had a thing with leaves, she would try to pose me with some.  The last few days on our walks she's been collecting leaves that she finds on the ground.  Tonight she thought it might be fun to pose me in her collection.  Was she in for a surprise!  I absolutely hated it--I wouldn't smile and kept jumping out of the picture.  This was a big shock to mom because I am generally so good at doing what she wants.  But these were dry and prickly, and sitting in a pile of these was so terribly uncomfortable! You can tell by the look on my face I wasn't happy. And as much as I love leaves, I didn't even try to eat one.

This may have stopped me from eating leaves permanently.  Time will tell.  If it did, mom may be telling others how to cure their animals of a bad habit--just saturate them with whatever it is they are obsessed with.  

Two good things happened this week, though.  I got to be in the "Behind the Scenes" portion of 805 Living magazine this month.  Mom has been shooting for them for 10 years, but this is the first time I got in the magazine. The blurb even gave a link to my blog, so I feel really special.

But the best thing was seeing Grace and Luke today.  It was loads of fun! Grace fed me from her hand.  They played blocks, did crafts, and read books while I snuck around and chewed their toys that I found on the ground. I hope they don't mind that there's a few chunks out of some of their things. I just couldn't help it.  They were having so much fun and I needed something to do. A dog needs to do dog things.