The Importance of 'Bucal Hygiene'

We came to visit the ranch. Mommy Patsy, Daddy Devin, my little sister dog Olive and I. Once here, Mommy Patsy took me to the Veterinarian. I was going there for a 'tune-up'. I heard Mommy Patsy tell Daddy Grandpa this.

At the vet, they shaved my arm, they poked me with a

big needle and then....lights out. Who knows what

they did to me. At first I did not know, but then I did...when I woke up! My head hurt. My tummy hurt. My feet hurt. My mouth hurt.

Now, I am taking medicine for 'the infection' and 'the pain'. At least that is what Mommy Patsy says.

So I heard that at the vet's, they trimmed my nails, they cleaned my teeth, they removed two teeth that went bad (thus the purpose of this article), the

y 'put-me-under' with anesthesia and, there you have it...that is why I ached all over...

So, take care of your dogs and cats. Don't let their teeth go bad because...it hurts! But, I did get a free toothbrush and free toothpaste too! I drew them here:

I got online and researched bucal hygiene (oral hygiene, hygiene of the mouth) and this is what I found out at wisegeek.com:

"Poor oral hygiene in pets is more serious than most pet owners realize. Roughly 70-80 percent of cats and dogs develop periodontal disease by the time they are three years old. That’s a significant figure, especially, since poor oral hygiene is also linked to shorter life span.

The first stage of poor oral hygiene in pets is, typically, the accumulation of plaque near the gums. Otherwise known as gingivitis, this condition can be treated, but animals will likely require teeth cleaning, with anesthesia, in order to scrape off the plaque. Signs of gingivitis can be evident through an examination of the animal’s mouth. A red line along the base of the teeth, instead of the bright pink color that signifies a healthy mouth, is an indicator of gingivitis.

Gingivitis is actually a bacterial infection. When left untreated, the bacteria begin to move under the gum line, infecting the teeth at their roots. This is periodontal disease, and it has numerous symptoms. These include bad breath, excessive drooling, yellow or brown tartar deposits on the teeth, red gums, and loose or missing teeth.

Periodontal disease is not curable, but it can be treated. Treatment generally involves extractions of severely infected teeth, regular cleaning appointments, and antibiotics to help reduce the infection. If left untreated, the infection can enter the blood stream where it can cause damage to the liver, heart, and kidneys.

Poor oral hygiene in pets can be forestalled with a few steps. Dry food is always best for cats and dogs. Wet food and people food actually helps plaque develop more quickly. Dry food, conversely, should help keep a pet's teeth from developing significant plaque.

Poor oral hygiene in pets can also be avoided, or at least diminished, by making tooth brushing routine. This can be challenging with an older animal that is not used to it. Tooth brushing habits should start early, using a bit of gauze to wipe the teeth, so the pet gets used to activity.

Once the pet has this down, buy a pet size toothbrush and pet toothpaste. Do not use people toothpaste as this can make your pet sick. Try to brush at least once a week, although three to five times a week is ideal."

A trip to "The City"

So...I have told you before that my Mommy Patsy is a scientist. Well, she just got a new job and had to move to "The City".  Well, she kind-a-moved...All her stuff is still at Grandma Rosario and Grandpa Daddy's house. Until she gets her own house, she'll have to leave the stuff there...

So, we are lucky that she took us with her - that is my little sister dog Olive and me. I would have missed her soooooooo muuuuuccchhhh if she had left me behind. There is one small problem: I miss my Brother Christy and Grandma Rosario and...guess what? Grandpa Daddy is home again, so I miss him too!

This is a picture I drew of "The City", as I was able to peek through the car window as we drove here:

We've been in "The City" more than five days. That is a loooonnnngggg time. I miss the ranch and Sahdow, the evil cat. Where we live it's peaceful. Daddy Devin and Mommy Patsy work all day so Olive and I get to sleep a lot. We do get to take them out for a walk every afternoon...At least, this is the same as back at the ranch.

I have learned a lot from being in the city...here are a few gems I have picked up...You know your from The City when:

*You're paying $1,200 for a studio the size of a walk-in closet and you think it's a "steal."

*You pay more each month to park your car than most people in the U.S. pay in rent.

*You're suspicious of strangers who are actually nice to you.

*You say "the city" and expect everyone to know that it means San Francisco.

*You think $7.00 to cross a bridge is a fair price.

*The most frequently used part of your car is the horn.

*You run when you see a flashing "Do Not Walk" sign at the intersection.

I miss the ranch...

The importance of family...and adoption...

I mentioned on an earlier post that I came to live with Mommy Patsy three years ago. I never really thought of if this way...I was adopted by Mommy Patsy. I really never thought anything of it. She was my mommy and that was it. Until now...

I guess the technical term that applies is that I am "adopted".

Adoption is defined as "the permanent legal transfer of parenting rights and responsibilities from one family to another." The word adoption, however, has different meanings to the people touched by it. To an adoptee, the word implies that a choice was made with the forming of his/her family. To an adoptive parent, it describes a parental relationship that was made legally, not biologically. And to a birth parent, it recognizes the loss associated with giving up parental rights.

Also, according to adoption.com, "Adoption is an issue of extreme importance to the persons most directly involved in the adoption triad - the child, the adoptive parents, and the birth parents. However, there are the siblings, extended family members, neighbors, teachers and doctors who are indirectly touched."

While these terms apply to persons, I too am adopted. And, it is OK. I love my family. All of them: Mommy Patsy, Brother Christy, Sister Alyssa, Grandma Rosario, Grandpa Daddy, mi little sister dog, Olive and Shadow - the cat. But it is so cool to know that I also have a 'biological family' - a doggie mom, a doggie dad and a doggie sis. these are their pictures:




This is my doggie mom, CeeCee.
I have her nose and lips.
She is beautiful, like me.





This is my doggie dad, Kiko.
I have his hair (notice the white streak).
I sit like him.
I lick my lips like him.
He is handsome, like me.




This is my doggie sis, Mia.
She is tiny.
She has beautiful eyes.
She is my little sister.
She is cute, like me.





I heard Grandma Rosario say that my doggie family lives in Ukiah, a town that is about three hours away by doggie carrier. Then, I heard that some day, they may take me to see my doggie parents and sister. That would be cool. I would love to meet them and sniff them, and lick them!

Until then, if you know someone who is adopted, make sure that they are being loved as much as my person family loves me.

I just realized that my little sister dog, Olive and Shadow-the cat are also adopted, like me. I wonder what their biological families look like...

The importance of wisdom

I heard today that my sister Alyssa went to the doctor to have her 'wisdom' teeth taken out...All four of them. Immediately, I wondered why did she have them taken out? Am I going to have my wisdom teeth taken out too? Here is a picture of my sister Alyssa before and after she had her wisdom teeth removed:















What is wisdom anyway? According to wisdomcenteredlife.org, " We looked through Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations and the Dictionary of Quotations and found a long list of fragments from poems, stories, and other works employing the word ‘wisdom.’ Among the positive qualities mentioned in the same breath as wisdom in these quotations are self-knowledge, kindness, caution, silence, patience, humility, hope, judgment, and knowing the cost of choices that are to be made. What wisdom is not is also of interest. It is not associated with money, power, strength, passion, excess, impulsiveness, or even knowledge. For the most part, agreement exists that wisdom comes with age."

So,does this mean that my sister Alyssa had too much wisdom? Is this why they took the wisdom teeth out? So she could be more balanced like the rest of the persons in my life?

According to the definition, above, my grandpa Daddy must be very wise since he is over 7 (dog) years old! Grandma Rosario must be wise as well! Oh, and by the way ---HAPPY BIRTHDAY, grandpa DADDY!

I hope that as I grow older, I can also become more wise. I know that my little sister dog, Olive, has a log way to go before she becomes wise...then again; she's just a puppy!

Heat Wave Tips

"Heat kills by taxing the human body beyond its abilities.In a normal year, about 175 Americans succumb to the demands of summer heat. Among the large continental family of natural hazards, only the cold of winter - not lightning, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or earthquakes - takes a greater toll. In the 40-year period from 1936 through 1975, nearly 20,000 people were killed in the United States by the effects of heat and solar radiation. In the disastrous heat wave of 1980, more than 1,250 people died.

And these are the direct casualties. No one can know how many more deaths are advanced by heat wave weather - how many diseased or aging hearts surrender that under better conditions would have continued functioning."

Can you believe it? and that is just people - humans - persons...You wonder how many dogs and cats also die! Stay inside I tell you...Stay inside!

This is what I have done most of the summer. I mean, I would not want to walk grandma Rosario and see her pass out in the middle of the street, or at the park.

Speaking of the park, I don't know how to draw myself, so I asked grandpa Daddy to put up a painting of me here:Aren't I beautiful?

This painting was done one day when it was not so hot and I took grandma out for a walk. We went to the park where the children play and I even got to go on the swing...yeeeppppeeeee! It was great.

Back to the heatwave. So, if you live in an area where there is a heatwave, make sure that you do all the hard work stuff early in the morning, when it is cool. My little sister dog, Olive and I always go out to the back yard to take care of our business early in the morning.

Also, drink lots of water or other liquids. Brother Christy, sister Alyss and mommy Patsy are always drinking water from a bottle - and they're not even babies! hahaha. Grandma Rosario likes to drink water from the big machine that keeps things cold. It also spits out ice and water.

Lastly, if you must work when it is hot and the big fireball is high in the sky, wear a hat. I know that grandpa Daddy always wears one when he runs in the desert. Then, he also drinks lots of water.

So, to recap: 1. Stay inside if you can. 2. Work in the morning if you must. 3. Wear a hat if you are going to be outside and 4. Drink lots of WATER!

Stay safe...

Olive gets 'fixed'

So, it is now after July 4. That was a noisy night. All the neighbors were making such noise with the bang-bangs! They were popping everywhere. It sounded just like when Grandma Rosario makes popcorn. bang,bang,bang,bang.

One day, Mommy Patsy took my little sister dog, Olive to work with her. I did not know what to think...I was happy because I was going to be alone with Grandma Rosario - I really like being alone with Grandma Rosario because she 'babies' me a lot. She says ' come here chiquito, I have something special for you...' Then she gives me a snack. Later, we go for a long walk all by ourselves. I really like this because I get to walk her at a very good pace. We stroll through the park, she puts me in the swing, I drink water from the sprinklers...What fun!

But I was also sad, because I have never gone to work with Mommy Patsy. She must do very important work because she is always wearing her scientist outfit! Maybe some day I go where she works and I will surprise her!

So my little sister dog, Olive got to go with her and she did not come until night time. That was a long, long, long, long time! When they finally came home, I was all excited because I was hoping to hear all about the day at Mommy Patsy's work from my little sister dog, Olive...BUT boy, was I surprised when Olive came into the house! She looked like this:Her head was stuck in a cone!

I asked my little sister dog Olive what had happened to her but she could barely talk; or walk! She was in a daze and barely told me she wanted to go to sleep; which she did right away.

After Mommy Patsy had dinner, she was telling Grandma Rosario that she was glad that 'Olive is now fixed!' She also said that little Olive was going to be in the cone-head for two weeks - That is half a moon! Can you believe it? I also heard her say that little Olive had to take her medicine for two weeks and that she had to be careful not let the stitches on her belly come off.

I remember when Bear's stitches came off. I was playing with him (He is stuffed) and an accident happened. I bit into his belly and the stitches came off. All his guts spilled onto the floor. Grandma Rosario was quite upset with me. She did not call me 'chiquito' for a couple of days! But she fixed bear by 'stitching him up' and I can play with Bear again.

So I wonder how my little sister dog Olive got broken. Maybe it happened when she ran into the big glass door. Or maybe she fell down the stairs. Or maybe she ate something bad. Or maybe she got into a fight with Shadow. Or maybe...

I'm just glad that she is now fixed and that she is stitched up so her guts don't come flying out like Bear's. Funny thing is, I do not remember how she got broken...But I am glad she is now fixed! I will make sure that she does not take her head out of the cone. Mommy Patsy says it is for her protection. That way she won't bite herself...Hahaha. That is funny. Why would she bite herself? It hurts. I know. I did it one time! Hahaha.

Any way, it is getting late and I am tired of writing. I need to take a nap. Circle, circle, circle, lay-down!

The importance of a good education

I have told you all about my little sister dog Olive...She is a baby and must learn how to behave. She has no clue. All she wants to do is play, play, play. Even when we take grandma Rosario or mommy Patsy for a walk, Olive does not pull them smoothly and evenly to give them a good walk. All Olive wants to do is play, play, play.

So, the other day grandpa Daddy came to visit. He met my little sister olive for the first time and I was worried that he may not like her because she did not behave properly (like I do). Luckily, daddy Devin was also visiting and he showed grandpa Daddy that Olive could learn! Olive actually was 'fetching' a tennis ball!

But, my little sister Olive has so much more to learn. Like when to mark the light posts and fire-hydrants when we walk. Like how to use the 'diapers' that grandma Rosario puts out on the tile floor for us to use when we have-to-go-peeeeeee. And so much more...

If my little sister Olive wants to grow up to be a decent dog (like I am), then she should follow the example that mommy Patsy, brother Christy and sister Alyssa have set for us. I heard grandpa Daddy telling grandma Rosario that the girls have all done so well in school. They have been going for many years! All of them, he said, have made it through 'kindee-garden', 'lementary school', junior 'hi' school, 'hi' school and the universe-i-tee... That is a lot of school.

No wonder they are all so smart!. Sister Alyssa always walking around typing on her little baby computer. She loves it! She calls it Rumplestilskin or something like it. It is a little white box that she can talk into. Sister Alyssa is going to be very smart. She has gone to school for over 14 years!

Mommy Patsy knows everything about food! She's always telling everybody how to eat healthy. She says it's duck and potatoes for Olive and me. She even works in a hospital where she tells sick people what to eat so they can get better and stronger - quick! Can you believe how smart mommy Patsy is? She went to school for 18 years! This is a picture I drew of mommy Patsy. She is wearing her new glasses she just got...cool...Notice her nice scientist coat - - - and name badge!
So that leaves brother Christy. She must also be very very very smart. Not only is she in the universe-i-tee, but she also studied art and is almost as good an artist as I am...She also went to school where she learned to suck blood out of people (I don't know if she is like a vampire...) I heard one of them say it was flembotommy school, or something like that...She's gone to school for like 20 years, I think - maybe more! This makes her the wisest person I know!

The whole point is...school and a good education are very important. I hope my little sister Olive can understand that she also has to LEARN to become a good dog....like her BIG BROTHER HOWIE!

Booster Shots for Grandma

The other day, I woke up early. I wanted Grandma Rosario to take me out so I could pee...You know how hard it is to wait until the morning to go pee? I mean, I have to hold it all night...unless I have an accident on the tile floor.

So, i looked for Grandma Rosario and I found her in the little room where it rains. I spoke (barked) at her but she could not hear me because of all the water. Then, I decided to go find Mommy Patsy. For sure, she would let me go out.

I ran into Mommy Patsy's room and there she was. I spoke to her and she agreed to take me and my little sister dog, Olive, outside. She said "you want to go outside, baby?" She continued; "come on, you and your little sister can go out" Boy, what a relief.

A few minutes later, we came back inside the house and I thought Mommy Patsy was going to take me for a walk. I was wrong! Grandma Rosario was downstairs by now and they got their purses and headed out the door - without me!

This is what Grandma Rosario looked like that day:They were gone for a long time! I waited and waited and waited and waited and waited and waited and waited and waited and waited and waited and waited and waited and waited... until finally I heard Mommy Patsy's car come to the house.

As soon as they walked in the door, I asked "Where in the heck have you been?" "Don't you know I have been waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting...? I thought you were going to take me for a walk!"

Mommy Patsy said that she had to take Grandma Rosaario to the hospital to be checked by a doctor. Hey, I just went to the doctor too...I wonder if he is also Grandma Rosario's doctor... I also wonder if Grandma Rosario got poked with a needle like I did because she was acting just like I was after I got my booster shots. I felt sleepy and grumpy at the same time. I just wanted to lay down and not be bothered by mi little sister dog Olive or Shadow the cat.

Grandma slept most of the day so I bet she got her booster shots at the hospital too!

I hope Grandma Rosario feels better very soon because I want to take her for a walk! I love taking her out for a walk! She is a very good walker!

The Importance of a Good Nap

Everyone should do it. It is very good for you. I do it, My little sister dog Olive does it, Shadow the cat does it, even Grandpa Daddy does it. This is a picture I drew of shadow napping:
The other day I heard Grandma Rosario speak into the little black box: "You took a nap? I am jealous." She was talking to Grandpa Daddy. I learned later that on Sundays, Grandpa Daddy goes to Church, then he goes to buy very special and tasty mexican bread. I think I ate some of this one time...Then, Grandpa Daddy will watch some t.v., and that is where he takes a little nap.

Shadow, Olive and I take naps all the time. Usually one in the morning (after breakfast), then one when all the children Grandma Rosario takes care of take their own nap (just after lunch), and then another just before Mommy Patsy gets home from work. Here is a picture I drew of Olive taking her nap:

In many countries, people take naps in the afternoon. They call it 'siesta' time. I did some research and found out that:

1.The desire to nap is a trait shared by many mammals
2.Napping is still an important part of the day in some countries
3.A 20-minute nap can sharpen your senses and revitalize you
4.A ten minute nap can leave you feeling more cheerful
5.Falling into a light sleep during the daytime can feel meditative

So, nap away friends. It is good for you. Just make sure that when you wake up, you remember that it is afternoon, not morning...Also, it's the same day before you took the nap, not the day after. It is embarrassing when you wake up and don't remember...know what I mean?

Time for my nap. Circle, circle, circle...lay down.

Carnivores, Omnivores and Vegans

Guess what I've learned...NOPE! Try again... NOPE!...You give up?

O.K. I'll tell you. I learned that there are three kinds of eaters: Carnivores, Omnivores and Vegans. I am an omnivore 'cause I eat meat (Duck) and Veggies (potatoes). You see, ever since I was a baby, Mommy Patsy has fed me the most delicious food. These little pellets that are made up of duck and potatoes! YUMM.

But I also eat other stuff. Especially when Grandpa Daddy comes to visit. He always makes brown meat and white meat and flaky meat (fish) on the firebox in the back of the house. Then, he lets me taste it and I tell him if it is ready or not. Sometimes I eat fruit from the trees in the back of the ranch. Other times I even eat vegetables too. So I am an OMNIVORE. By the way, my persons are all omnivores also. I guess most people are.

Then there are the carnivores, like Shadow. He is a carnivore alright!
One day, Mommy Patsy was getting ready to let me and my little sister dog, Olive go out and play in the back of the house. She opened the big glass door and we started to run outside. Mommy Patsy was on our tail - No, she was not stepping on our tail, she was following us!

My little sister Olive was the first one on the grass. She was headed right for Shadow, the evil cat. He was sitting there, hunched over facing the house on the other side of the ranch. Then, Mommy Patsy yelled at her to STOP! Olive heard the scream and she did STOP!

Then, she heard Mommy Patsy say "What is he (Shadow) doing?" Right as Mommy Patsy was finishing her sentence, Shadow turned his head to see what was the matter and we all stood there, mouths wide open. We wondered if what we saw could be true...I have drawn a picture so you can also see and wonder...Yep. He was having lunch! Pigeon, I think...The smile on his face said - delicious!

Mommy Patsy got all upset and made everybody -except Shadow - go inside. She could not bear. Sister Alyssa could not bear. My little sister dog Olive could not bear. I could not bear.

Later in the afternoon, I cam up to Shadow as he was taking a nap under one of the trees in the back of the ranch and asked him what we saw. That's when he told me about carnivores and omnivores and vegans...

Carnivores eat meat (like Shadow). Omnivores eat everything (like me) and vegans...They are aliens from the planet Vega. At least, that's what Shadow says...

The Sky is Falling!

I was just watching the news and the lady said that there were 2000 lightning strikes in the last 24 hours! I believe it.

Last night, I was sleeping so good when, all of a sudden, I heard my little sister dog, Olive, wake up and scream! What woke her up was a loud bang in the sky. This was followed by a flash, like when Mommy Patsy takes pictures with her SONY box. In fact, there were lots of loud noises coming from the sky. I made a picture to show you here:
Like in the picture, the sky was saying "BOOM,BOOM,BOOM" Then, a bright flash! Over and over. So, my little sister dog was very scared. I told her to get close to me so she would not be afraid. She got close - for a little while - but then...BOOM, BOOM, BOOM. She could not handle it any more. She got up and said "I'm going with Mommy Patsy. I'm scared!"

She started running to the stairs. Then - Whack! She forgot that Grandma Rosario had let the gate up (the one that keeps the little babies from going up the stairs). Little Olive ran right into the gate and knocked it down!

At this point, Mommy Patsy came running out of her room and Grandma Rosario too!. Mommy Patsy saw Olive and quickly picked her up. She hugged her! Little Olive was very scared. I told Mommy Patsy what happened. Mommy Patsy decided that my little sister dog should sleep in her bed. I agreed!

It all turned out O.K. 'cause I got to sleep with Brother Christy! By the way...I think she snores...hahaha!

Exercising Brother

The other day, I was getting ready for my afternoon walk. Usually, I take Grandma Rosario out for a nice stroll through the neighborhood and sometimes, the park. On this day, however, Grandma was busy and could not go out of the house. I got myself ready for a nice afternoon nap instead.
Then, I heard sister Alyssa say that she was taking Olive out of the house for a visit to her friend, Allison. This is a picture I drew of sister Alyssa:
WHAT? Olive was going out and I wasn't? how could this be? Sister Alyssa was taking Olive instead of me? I was going to show her!

I spoke (barked) at brother Christy and told her to get ready. I was going to take brother out for a good exercise walk (and hopefully make OLIVE jealous. I hoped she would learn her lesson.) this is a picture I drew of brother Christy...

Brother Christy got the leash and tied her hand and my harness together (this way she could not get lost). We headed out the door...I did not expect what happened next.

Now, it is well known that when dogs walk their person, we have to be very careful as to where we walk, so...we have to sniff everything that we run into to make sure that the path is safe. This means we smell the light posts, fire hydrants and trees along the way. We also have to make sure we mark these items so that other dogs know whether the trail is safe or not. We mark the spots by peeing on them...Well, guess what?!?

Brother Christy did not appreciate my stopping every few feet to ensure the safety of the trail. She thought I was wasting time! Can you believe it? I dragged her along anyway and got her to exercise really good. I took her by the school where all the kids go to learn. Then, I walked her to the park where all the kids go to play - I sometimes go there with Grandma Rosario and Mommy Patsy and I also get on the swings...weeee! it is fun to swing!

Something embarrasing hapenned: When we were near the school, I had to go. #2. Hey, it happens to the best of us. Luckily, Brother Christy had a little bag and she had to carry IT all they way to the trash can! Ha Ha Ha!

After a good amount of walking and running, I knew that Brother was getting tired so I started heading back toward the house. When we were crossing the school yard, a man saw me 'pulling' brother and he said "Who's walking who?" I don't exactly know what he meant but he could clearly see that I was walking brother...I was in the lead like any good PACK LEADER! What a funny old man.

Then, brother Christy talked on the liitle black box that rings and she said: "Yeah, O.K. we are on our way back...blah,blah,blah..." As soon as we turned the corner, I saw Olive! She and sister Alyssa were in a different house than Grandma Rosario's. Alyssa was talking to a funny girl with RED hair. And Olive was playing in the grass.

When we got there, Olive said that they had a nice visit and that Allison had offered them water -how polite. Olive also said that she had been invited back because she behaved. Just then, we were getting ready to play in the grass when Brother Christy said "Yeah, OK, I will take them home." I guess sister Alyssa and her friend Allison were going to buy stuff at a 'store' -whatever that means...

Olive and I started playing around but brother Christy did not want to play. She wanted to go home! I guess my taking her on a walk had made her tired - and grumpy. So, instead of letting Olive and I mess around on the grass, she picked us up; one under each arm, and took us all the way home. Olive and I made believe that we were loaves of bread. She was Wheat and I was Pumpernickel! How fun, ha ha ha.

I was kind-a glad that we went home because I was getting thirsty. As soon as brother Christy opened the door, I ran inside - with Olive right behind me...and headed right for the water bowl. It was tasty! I also noticed that brother Christy was also thirsty beacuse she ran to the big box that makes water and ice and she also had a big tall glass of water!

It is healthy to drink lots of water every day. That is what Mommy Patsy always says...

Anyway, I hope you like my story. I hope that I can train brother Christy and sister Alyssa to go on walks. Exercise is also good for you. That is what Mommy Patsy always says...

Woof. xxxxxxxxxxxx.Woof. ooooooooooooooo.

Saving Shadow!

My Grandma Rosario and my sister Alyssa came home on Monday afternoon. As soon as I heard them turn the corner I quickly ran to the door to say WELCOME and WHERE THE HECK WERE YOU GRANDMA ROSARIO? You see, Grandma Rosario disappeared for 3 days! Mommy Patsy dis tell me that Grandma Rosario and Brother Christy had gone to get Alyssa from college. It must be very far! I figure, it tales one and one-half days to get there, then they get sister Alyssa, then they come home and it takes another day and one-half to get back.

One and one-half, plus one and one-half equals THREE DAYS of driving.

Funny thing is; Grandma Rosario and sister Alyssa came home, but they forgot brother Christy! I wonder who is going to go back and get her ?!?

Anyway, back to my story: After I said hi to sister Alyssa and Grandma Rosario, I spoke (barked) to sister Alyssa to check Shadow, the cat, because something was wrong. You remember Shadow, the evil cat that is always trying to get me...The last couple of days, he has been very quiet and does not even want to play...Something is wrong!

I spoke to Alyssa to check him and make sure that he had not contracted the H1N1 virus that is going around. I heard that people all over the place were getting this virus. Even people as far as Grandpa Daddy lives; and that is very far!

Alyssa picked up Shadow and started looking him over. She found out that he WAS INFECTED! Lucky for Shadow it was not the H1N1, but instead it was a TICK (Ticks are blood-feeding parasites that are often found in tall grass and shrubs where they will wait to attach to a passing host. A tick will attach itself to its host by inserting its chelicerae (cutting mandibles) and hypostome (feeding tube) into the skin. The hypostome is covered with recurved teeth and serves as an anchor. Physical contact is the only method of transportation for ticks. Ticks do not jump or fly, although they may drop from their perch and fall onto a host. Some species stalk the host by foot.) I drew a picture of it so you could see it; here:
As you can see from the definition, above, this little sucker is dangerous. I know. I have had them attack me before too!

Lucky for Shadow I told sister Alyssa; because they immediately rushed him to a Hospital called Sue. I heard Grandma Rosario tell sister Alyssa "let's take him to Sue. They'll know what to do". I guess the doctors there must be really good because they were back in no time at all. I just hope Shadow did not catch a disease from the tick.

Lucky for Shadow they did not give him any medicine to take. When I get sick, the doctor usually gives me medicine to take - I have medicine for my allergies, for my ears, for my eyes, for my foot, for my...

By the way, Olive, my little sister dog was very quiet throughout the whole thing...I am not into conspiracies but I wonder...did she get the tick to jump on Shadow?

All about Olive!

So, as I mentioned in a prior blog, this little girl dog lives in our house now. She's kind of cute (that's what I hear Grandma Rosario say some times) but she is also a pain in my Butt!

I guess it is because she is a baby (that is what Mommy Patsy says) since she is only 4 months old. She was born just last January 14. Yesterday, I heard Grandma Rosario talking on the little black box with Grandpa Daddy and she said that if Olive had been born a month later, her name would have been VALENTINA...Ha ha ha!

Olive is a pain in my butt because she is always following me. I want to be cool but NO; she wants to do everything I do. If I go outside, she wants to go outside. If I want to lay quietly inside, she's always talking (barking) asking me to play with her.

When she takes a nap, she is very quiet. And she's kind-of-cute. I drew a picture of her:The hearts over her head means I like her. That is what Mommy Patsy says they mean.

I think Olive is a funny name. When all my persons eat, they sometimes eat something called a salad. I don't particularly like it but they seem to love it! On it, they put little black round balls called olives. But Olive, my little sister, does not look like that at all (see picture, above...)

I think Olive should be called Freckles because she has little round brown spots all around her nose. I heard Grandpa Daddy tell Grandma Rosario that one day when they talked in the little black box. So you understand, I am putting a picture of Olive next:
You see what I mean? She has freckles all around her nose (by the way, don't point out the fact that her nose is so big! She is sensitive to this). She told me the other say that she looovvveeddd my nose because it was small and out of the way. I took it as a compliment!

Oh, by the way...Olive is the one wrapped in the towel. Not the other one. The other one is my Mommy Patsy. I just wanted to clear this up so you don't get confused. Don't you think that Olive looks exactly like the drawing I made? I thought so!

Any way, I got to go to sleep now. Circle, Circle, Circle, Lay Down!

Shadow...again

Since my last post, I got a lot of requests for a real picture of Shadow...here it is...It looks exactly the same; doesn't it? By the way, my sister Alyssa says that he is very handosme. What do you think?

The Ranch

I think I might have mentioned Shadow in the last couple of blogs. Please don't share this with anyone else...It is our secret! Promise? OK.

So, a long time ago when I was a puppy, I used to live with my Mommy Patsy in the city. We lived in an 'apartment' that was connected to a lot of other apartments and there were many persons there. Sometimes, my brother Christy would stay to take a nap, and other times I heard "I am going to sleep at home tonight" When the big fireball in the sky disappeared, Brother Christy would not come and take a nap with us...One day, when Brother said she was going home, she asked Mommy Patsy if 'Howie could come!"

Later in the day, Brother Christy got all the important stuff - my portable doggie-house, my leash, my food and bowl and 'Blue', my favorite toy. She put me in the house and then we got in her car and she started driving. It took a long time but we finally made it. When we got inside, she opened my house's door and there they were! Grandma Rosario and Grandpa Daddy! I had not seen them for a few moons! But I remembered them and I guess they remembered me too, since they started hugging me and playing with me. But then...the best thing happened: They opened a glass door and took me outside. It was the ranch! Such a big place. Trees and grass and flowers everywhere! They called it the back yard. To me, it was the ranch!

Then, I met him for the first time. I was sitting on the grass, just smelling the sweet smells of the ranch when from inside the house this BEAST came running out! MEOW, MEOW. Grandma Rosario had let him out. It was big and ugly and I thought this was no way to treat Howie. Brother Christy had brought me to the ranch to get killed by a BEAST!

But then, my dog super-power kicked in. I didn't know I had it in me. I got up, started barking and chasing the BEAST! He ran to the back of the ranch and in one big leap, he flew to the top of a wall made of wood. I later heard Grandpa Daddy call it a fence. When the BEAST was gone, I ran inside to tell my persons that I scared the Beast. They had all seen me chase him away. They were all laughing and talking about how tough I was in scaring 'Shadow' away...

I then learned that he was a cat. He lived at the ranch house a long time...even before I was born. My Sister Alyssa was his person. I guess it would be a while before I could call the ranch my own.

This is a picture of shadow (I drew it...):

Stay tuned!

So, it's Grandma Rosario's Birthday!

Wow! just two days after my birthday, I find out that Grandma Rosario also has a birthday. Brother Christy told me she and Mommy Patsy were going to take Grandma out for dinner. I don't think I have ever gone out for dinner. In fact, I know that after we go for a long walk, we always come back in a circle so we end up at the house that I live in. Then, I run to my water bowl (one gets really thirsty after a walk!) and drink a lot. Later, I eat some duck and potatoes. Duck and Potatoes is what Mommy says I should always eat...yummm! So I guess I always go IN for dinner.

So anyway, about Grandma Rosario. I heard that she is less than 8 dog-years old. That means she is a very young person (remember, I am 21 human years old or 3 dog-years). That is cool. No wonder she can walk with me all the way to the school, to the park, and even to the houses beyond the park. She doesn't even get tired - although I have seen her run to her water bowl too. She has a glass bowl that she sticks into the hole of the big-gray machine. Then, like magic, water comes out that is very cool. I get this water in my bowl too!

I hope Grandma tells me about her dinner. I love food and love to hear about people having great food. It's like when Grandpa Daddy comes to visit. He always makes food in the fire machine in the back yard. He takes meat and veggies and puts them on the fire machine. I have never seen what happens 'up-there' since I am so little, but after a little while, he pulls some meat out of the fire machine and cuts it up into little pieces that I can eat and...I tell you; it is awesome! Sometimes it is brown meat and sometimes white meat. I love them both! ho knows, maybe Grandma Rosario will bring me a Doggie-Bag.

When they come back from eating dinner, I hope that grandma lets me giver her a big lick!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!

It's my Birthday!

Yeah, so today is my birthday. I am 3 years old!

I heard that I am celebrating my birthday when Mommy gets home. She goes away in the mornings - I don't quite know where, but she says "to work". So when she comes home from "work", it is usually when the big fireball disappears. Grandma says its "dark outside".

Anyway, last time I celebrated my birthday, all my persons made a big deal. Everyone was happy. I was happy. They made a 'party' to celebrate my birthday and even Shadow the cat (more on him later...) was invited. It was a good party. I got to eat a lot. Then I got tired from all the food and had to go to bed. I think I had a tummy ache.

So today, when Mommy comes home, I hope we have a party (I guess Shadow can come again). It will be the first time that I celebrate my birthday with another dog. This little girl-dog named Olive came to my house a few days ago (I think Mommy brought her but she's not accepting responsibility) and she is sleeping here now; every day!

I just hope that food is as good as my last birthday but I hope no tummy ache this time!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Welcome to Howie's World

Hi. My name is Howie.

Well, if you must know, my full name is Howard Patterson III; but all my persons call me Howie, or How, or sometimes they call me Perro, Baby, Perrito, Cabroncito and others that I don't remember right now. Man, it's complicated.

So, I am a small pekingese dog and, as far as I know, I was born on April 23, 2006. That makes me 3 years old tomorrow! I have heard my persons say that that is like being 21 human years old, but I don't get it! Why would anyone want to be 21 years old anyway?

I live in this cool little town called Rocklin, CEE AYY (that's what Brother says), with my Grandma, Rosario; my Mommy, Patsy; my Brother, Christy and sometimes my Grandpa, Daddy comes to visit as well as my Sister, Alyssa. Apparently they live very far and I only get to see them a few days at a time. They come around every few moons.

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I hope you are pleasantly surprised at what I've got to say...