I "RUFF" my Grandpa

I have been missing in action. I know... but that doesn't mean that things haven't been happening. I needed to write a new blog post because today was a very special day. It was the start to my holiday season. You know? Well, today the doorbell rang and the man that wears the brown uniform and drops off boxes for my parents came by. He smells funny and I HATE it when the doorbell rings. When it rings, my heart jumps out of my fur and I get worried someone's trying to do something funny so I bark, baRK, and BARK!

Today was different though. Don't get me wrong, I still barked but my dad answered and opened the box. The stuff inside was for me! My Grandpa in Arizona sent me my first present of the season. Guess what it was? COOKIES! My dad had to break one up for me because they were pretty big and I'm not one to stuff my face full of food I've never had.... well, sort of. Anyway, they were ginger doggies biscuits. They were delicious and I snarfed a couple down. I wanted to write and let you know that:

1. They were organic

2. They were specially baked with the discerning doggie in mind

3. I RUFF my Grandpa

Thank you for sending them to me all the way from Arizona. Merry Christmas everyone! Don't forget about your furry friends...

I'm back!

I know you have all missed my doggie insights and posts but I'm back, dogs and bitches! I've found a new writing spot right next to my bed and the printer. Here I am hard at work trying to come up with new ideas to share with you. I don't normally let anyone take pictures of me when I'm writing but daddy snuck this one it. I'm looking trim, wouldn't you say?

Bon Voyage

It happened again! My parents left me.

I don't know why and I didn't see it coming until they pulled out the bags and start putting stuff in it. I don't have any problem staying with my Nana in Redwood City but I must admit, I get a little anxious. I saw the bags come out and I tried to give them my best puppy eyes but they still took off. This time, I found something that really hit them in the heart though. I decided to make my message loud and clear: "I don't want you to go!" Do you think this was obvious enough?

Halloweenie, courtesy of my mum

I knew it was too good to be true.

I see dogs all over the place and they are all dressed up like humans. Sometimes they are wearing hats or vests or some other silly accessory. I thought that I was lucky to have escaped that type of torture until now. My mum came home one afternoon with bags of stuff and she wrangled me into the outfit pictured in this post. I was startled at first. Could this be happening to me? Was my mum one of those parents that did this for shits and giggles? The simple answer is yes.

It's painful. She put me in the clothes and then laughed and laughed. She laughed so hard she could even take a picture. I guess I should be happy we never left the house dressed up but my dignity has taken a blow. It's official... Bugsy Bee is ready for flight.

Letter to my parents

For this weekend my parents dropped me off at a special doggy camp because they had to go somewhere and my Nana Shaar couldn't take care of me. I can't say that I'm the happiest pup but I do miss them. Here is a letter I wrote to my mum during my incareration:

Dear Mamacita

I am surviving so well in the low security jail you have sent me, and thank you again for rescuing me from Death Row in San Fransciso SPCA. The food is wonderful. The other doggies are very strange. The ones from the Sunset and Richmond laugh at me. I told them I am a Mexi-can not a Mexi-cant. What do they know about dogs south of the border, even if they might be part German. I miss you and next time if you go for a long time send me to Arizona for a holiday with Grandma and Grandpa.

Love Bugsy

PS This place is so nice Bernard Madoff's dog is here. He does not talk to us 'other' dogs, bearing in mind his celebrity position and that he might be called to testify...

Golden Gate Park!

TGI-woof everyone! Sorry I've been incommunicado lately. Sometimes I just get wrapped up in my dog's life and can't find the energy to paw in a new entry. So many great things have been happening lately. 

At the beginning of April my parents took me for a field trip to Golden Gate Park. It was my first trip there with them and I had such a great time.  San Francisco shuts down all of the roads in the park so that I don't need to worry about loud trucks and cars. I had FREE REIGN! It was a beautiful sunny spring day and I got to roll around in the grass.

I smelled the flowers and chased gofers that were hiding in the ground.

Of course, I also got to enjoy the car ride there and back. The sound of the engine makes me drift off to sleep. It was so much fun. 

There's nothing quite like being out in the open air and spending time with my family. Usually when they go to work, I take my naps and play with my toys so to be able to run and smell other dogs is a real treat. The only thing is you have to watch out for other people running and for people on wheels of all kinds! They have wheels on shoes, on other contraptions and boards, it's really quite dangerous for a little gordito like myself. I have to be careful because they creep up on me really fast and could run me over. Luckily I know my parents are keeping a couple of eyes on me. 

I'm going to head to bed now but I promise I'll be back soon to share more of my adventures with you all! 

Another interesting article

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/03/24/dog-tail-chasing.html

So this article is the most recent research on dog-tail chasing and how this behavior might be linked to high cholesterol. Naturally, most of this research has been based on human studies but it's interesting nonetheless.

I'm not a tail-chaser myself. HA! At least not in the way discuss in this context, teehee! My own tail doesn't interest me. Although sometimes mum thinks it's hilarious to place things on my back and watch me run in circles to try to remove it. It makes me feel funny when I run in too many circles so I don't do it much. After reading this article I could conclude that I do not have high cholesterol, hopefully.

The last time I went to the vet they took blood from me with this contraption that hurt a little. I was super angry. Mum told dad she asked them to because I had put on so much weight since I was adopted. I tried to tell her it's only because I love my new life and I'm a pug. All of my weight goes around my waist. In other words, I'm apple shaped, not pear or stick shaped. Did she listen to me? Of course not, I'm not a professional. In other words, I had to endure pain and agony that she PAID for only to hear the same excuse I gave her from a doctor. Sometimes she is a stubborn lady, just ask my dad. It's ok though, she take good care of me the rest of the time.

SF SPCA

Since my last blog about "quote" Smartest Dogs "end quote" I've been thinking about my heritage and genealogy. I've been pawing over all kinds of info on my genetic make up and how I ended up in San Francisco. I have no idea where I came from. All that my parents have told me is that I was surrendered at a shelter somewhere in the country, Yolo County to be exact. They joke about me being scared of San Francisco because I grew up in the boonies. Well, I'm proud to say, I'm all city now people!

I really don't remember much about my time before San Francisco. I remember being taken to the SF SPCA where I was cleaned, fed and different people took care of me by taking me out for short walks. They were all really nice but I was so confused! I also remember the vet gave me shots, cleaned me and then put me in this glass room with some other dogs. Those dogs were so annoying! Both were chihuahuas, one was Rocky and he traveled all the way from San Jose. The other one was a girl named Missy but I can't remember where she came from. There were glass rooms all around us filled with other dogs and people would walk by all of the rooms and look at all of us. There were so many other dogs in other rooms. Some were babies and others were much, much older.

Rocky and Missy irritated me. When they weren't barking at every person, toy, shadow and movement they would try to get me to play with them. Listen fools, if you're nipping my ear and I don't get up, chances are I don't want to play. DEAL WITH IT.

It had only been 2 days in the room and one morning I saw this lady walk by and point at me. My two idiot room mates were yapping at me for not playing, I finally had enough of their chitter chatter and got up from the bed I was in, walked across the room and settled onto another blanket. I think I remember the lady shriek when I did that and pull the man next to her to come and look at me. The next thing I know, I was being taking out for an impromptu walk. It was so EXCITING!! Not only did I get to escape those loud chihuhuas, but this nice lady was paying all of this attention to me. I like attention.

After the walk, they came into the room with the man that worked at the SPCA and I immediately put my paws on her knees because she sounded nice and smelled fantastic. She kept rubbing me behind my ears and on my head and she turned to the man she was with and this was what was said:

Lady: Aw, sweets!! He's the one! Look at how cute he is. He's got one floppy ear and one straight one, OH! and the sweetest eyes, and look how much he likes me!!! Plus he's a pug!
Man: Uhh... what's wrong with his eye?
**[I have a cherry eye condition but that's for another post]**
Lady: I'm sure it's nothing serious otherwise he wouldn't be here.
Man: Are you sure this is the one you want? We can come back on another day and look
Lady: It's my birthday and I think he's perfect. Don't you like him?
Man: I guess if you like him that's all that matters. But that eye....
Lady: I want him... what do I need to do to get him home? That's ok right? You're still cool with getting a dog because you have to like him too, ya know.
Man: Like what I think is going to matter in this situation (points to me smiling at the lady)
Lady: I LOVE YOU!!!

It was 2 more weeks until I saw them again but it was my mum and dad. That was the first day I met them and I knew they were the parents for me. As much as I give them a hard time about not paying attention to me and such, I always remember how lucky I was to have them walk in when I was at the SPCA. It's pretty sad because some of the other dogs don't get that type of immediate attention, especially if they are older. There are some dogs that come from the worst homes and they have horrible tales to tell about what life has been like for them. Lucky for me, I only remember the good times.

So, if you're seriously considering getting a dog, don't get one of those super expensive posh dogs... save one of my pals at the SPCA. Here's their contact info: http://sfspca.org/

I call shenanigan's!

http://www.divinecaroline.com/article/22063/68520-boy--world-s-ten-smartest-dogs

I found this article on the Yahoo! homepage yesterday and when I first read it it pissed me off but I didn't think much of it. I tried to sleep last night but I couldn't shake the feeling of anger. TEN SMARTEST DOGS?? This is straight discrimination and here's why:

1. They only consider purebred dogs. Hello? This is a dog world littered with idiots because they've been mated with their family. Yeah, you can find a breeder that knows all the different families but more often than not, the incest leads to dumb dogs.

2. PetMD. Who is PetMD and why does he/she think they are the authority on another species? They aren't even dogs!

3. Herding dogs. This is what they're meant to do. Sure, I can follow the instructions of any human, but I CHOOSE not to, bitches.

4. Border Collie favortism. This all came about with Lassie. It has nothing to do with the breed, it has to do with that old skool series that made Americans fall in love with that dog. In fact, the only toy dog even recognized was the Papillion - have you ever met a Papillion that didn't bark at you from 20 feet away? 'Nuf said.

Mr./Ms. PetMD, you are on my shit list.

Oh yeah

Hola, I know I've been missing in action but the weather has been sunny. All I do during the day is sit on the window sill and sun bathe. My fur gets all warm and my eyes get super heavy so I drift off to sleep and have the best, fuzziest dreams. When I get too hot I slowly wake up and watch cars and the bay bridge.

My parents have been giving me a bonus too. I own this green ball that has a hole in the top and they put treats in it. It's really fun and frustrating at the same time because I can smell those delicious, soft, moist, chicken nugs but it's like a puzzle. I have to roll it, bite it, sqeeze it, toss it with my nose in order to get one little treat. It's a serious workout that I like to participate in when the sun is no longer hitting the window at the right angle. I LOVE sunshine, it really makes me happy.

So until the next entry, ADIOS AMIGOS!

Jenny Craig here I come!

I'm not the type of dog that is easily wound up. I like to think of myself as a laid back, quiet kind of pup that just lets the water roll off his coat, but today I was insulted!!! It was raining (what else is freaking new?) and mum was taking me out for my morning walk. The elevator that we normally use was broken so we had to go out the main entrace of our apartment block. It's pouring and it sucks out. I'm getting wet and mum is trying to keep things upbeat by telling me "Good boy, Bugs!" everytime I lift my leg. We round the corner on Townsend Street and she notices that the loading dock with the smelly garbage and big elevator is open. She decides to take the short cut through there rather than making me suffer in the weather. She really is the best mum in the world.

Anyway, there's this big truck with men loading stuff on and off of it. While we're waiting for the elevator one man comes up and is speaking Spanish. Now, I'm half chihuahua so I could understand a few things here at there. They were just standard "Buenos dias! Como esta?" Mum was trying her best to carry on a light convo but it was pretty clear she was rusty. Anyway, while she's yapping to this fella I walk over to smell his shoes - What? It's the best way to tell where a person has been, honest! - Well, the guy notices I'm sniffing and bends over to pet me. I'm a little shy when strangers try to be nice. Luckily the elevator arrived and it was filled with stuff but we could all fit. So all of us headed in there. The same guy starts speaking Spanish to me because I'm still trying to smell where he's been "Awww, so cute!" he says. Then, he bends over and pets me on my sides with both hands and says.... "Ay, GORDITO!!"

Excuxe me? Pardon? Que? I had to shake my head to make sure I heard him right and he said it AGAIN. I heard you call me a little fatty the first time, Senor. Enough! By that time I realised mum was trying to drag me out of the elevator and she was chuckling at what the man had said. My feelings were hurt. Of course, right when we walk into the house she makes me breakfast. I felt like too much of a lardo to eat... well, I mean eat in front of her. I just plopped myself on my big pillow and pretended to sleep and after she left for work, I ate my breakfast.

Mark my words, people! My diet starts today. No more pupperonis for sitting when I'm told. No more nawing on bones out of boredom even though they taste so delicious. Liver treats? NO THANK YOU. I'll just walk to my water bowl and gulp it imagining I'm eating one of those chickens mum brings back. Goodbye Gordito!

Comics!

It's still raining out so I started to sift through some of my mum's papers that she leaves out. Dad is always trying to clean up after her but she's like a walking mess when she's at home. Anyway, I came across a couple of comics from a calendar that I got a good "WOOF!" over them and thought I'd share. They're sooo true! It's nice to sneak in a good laugh in gloomy weather.

Monday Blues

I was just sitting on my window sill looking outside to a gray sky, there isn't even a ray of sunshine to bark at. It's just bleak and wet outside. No bueno. Today is Monday which means I don't get to see my parents all day long after spending two whole days hanging out with them. I get a little sad when I have to be by myself again. I understand, someones got to bring in the cash but I just get lonely sometimes, especially when it's Monday and rainy outside.

I have to shake this off. Let's get some positive thoughts rolling on here. Why don't I tell you about the super weekend I had?

On Friday, mum and dad stuck around during the night time which is always a treat. Sometimes they just come home, walk me, feed me and bail on me. Like they have something more important than me... ha! I guess they need some playgroup time too. They watched the color box with other people on it and I snuggled on my mum's lap. That's my favorite place to fall asleep. She has a super soft blue blanket that keeps me extra warm. She calls it her blanket but we both know it's really mine.

Saturday was the most fun of all. We got up and mum left to go somewhere so my dad took me for a nice walk, although it was short so I was a bummed out a little bit. I like being outside and it was kind of sunny so I wanted to stay out. I knew something was up because they left my orange harness on and normally they only do that if it's playgroup day. Mum came back and we all headed down to the car. Oh, how I LOVE the car. My parents bring my yellow bed and put it on the seats behind them and I get to walk back and forth and have all this space to myself. Plus, it makes a humming sound that I can hear and feel and it makes me sleepy. Arf! We're going somewhere!!

The first place we stopped mum and dad got out and left me behind. At first I hated it when they do this because I worry. I know I might look like a tough guy but I don't know where they're going, when they will be back, and it's not fair that they don't take me. Lucky for me they stopped the car right in front of the building they were in so I could see them. They brought out a bunch of bags that looked heavy and we were moving again. This time to one of my very favorite places... the BEACH!!

We got out and walked down the steps to the soft, sandy part. It was so cool! After a long conversation, dad finally convinced mum to take the leash off of me. BEST MOVE EVER!!! I went running where ever I pleased and mum and dad were keeping a close eye on me. Don't tell them but I don't like to get too far away from them. What happens if I lose them in a crowd? I would be howling. Awuuu!

I kept finding these weird smelling brown things that kind of looked like a plant. Some of them had bugs flying around them. I figured they were pretty important because there wasn't any other grass or plants on the beach so I just left my scent behind... if you know what I mean.

We were all having a great time on the beach walking and running and there were so many other dogs around. Some were really crazy and they actually went into the moving water!! WHAT?? I know, that's what I barked too. Then the worst moment of the day occurred. We got to one part of the beach that had moving water. Mum and dad leaped over it and were calling my name. Don't you freaks know how much I hate the water? I walked up and down that stream of water trying to find a dry spot. Mum kept calling my name and telling me "Come on, Bugs!" but I was scared. I didn't know how deep it was and it's not like the puddles of water when we walk in the city, this was MOVING. I might get swept away! I tried to touch it but it was so cold my paw hurt. I started to panic because dad told mum to keep walking and I'd follow. Ha! I'm not falling for your human trick dad. So I did the next best thing. I sat on my bum and looked a mum with the biggest puppy doggie eyes I could muster. It worked. She broke and came running back to me. She picked me up and carried me across the water. She's a sucker sometimes... actually most of the times but it works out for me so I'm not complaining. What a great day! I was completely pooped after that. That was the best.

Then Sunday happened and it started raining again. When will the rain stop? Oh well, I really can't complain too much, I spent all day Saturday hanging out on the beach with my parents. I'm feeling better now after remembering out beach trip. Stay tuned! I'll probably have more to write about when this weather clears up.

Valentine's day

I'm all for a day of love but what really rubs my fur the wrong way is when it rains all weekend long!! Grrrrrr... so this is how I felt about Valentine's Day 2009.

Ahhhh.... SUNDAY!!!!!

Last Friday

On Friday it was raining and I can't stand it when I get water on my paws and on my coat. I absolutely refuse to walk. Once we were out of the door I saw the dark patches on the concrete and made an immediate right to relieve myself as close to the door as possible, thus limiting the amount of time I would be exposed to the elements. That wasn't good enough. Mum pulled me forward like I was going to walk... right... ain't happening. So I dug my four paws into the ground and pulled back hoping she'd get what I was saying. Mum looked silly, she was carrying this thing over her head that covers her (not me!) and I was pulling back with all my might making it near impossible for her to walk me. She gave up: Bugsy-1 Mum-0.

I guess she felt bad that I couldn't spend time outside, as she should, I mean, I need exercise! Have you seen my waist? Anyway, she and dad decided to throw some of my favorite toys around. They were throwing my toys all over the place and I had almost every toy out of my toy basket, dad normally doesn't let me do that. It was so much fun! The only problem was after I ran my butt off to pick them up, they'd come over and take the toy away from me. WHAT THE...? I tried growling to ensure they understood my displeasure, but that didn't stop them. They did it over and over again. Finally, I just decided to protect as many of my toys as possible.

This first picture is of me during playtime zoning out with my toys around me.

The second one is because mum called my name and she was holding that weird contraption that flashes light.

The last picture is of me guarding all of my toys so my parents would stop trying to take them away from me, it's my guard dog pose.

Happy Birthday to me!

Yes, it's true. Today is my 3rd birthday! I guess that means I'm 21 years old in human years. Pass me a martini... I gotsa story to tell ya...

Last night my dad took me out for a walk and I got a little pebble stuck in my paw. Honestly, I didn't think such a itty bitty little thing could cause that much pain. My pops was on the phone yacking about who-knows-what and started freaking out because I was hobbling. I kept looking at him and saying "Check my paw! Check my paw!" Poor guy, he had no idea. He got so worried and was going to drag me back to the apartment so I caved and sat on my butt and licked my paw until that little rock went flying to the ground. Dad looked relieved but took me right back home. I hadn't even gone #2 yet... I knew it was going to be a problem later on.

Anyway, so my mum strolls in at 9:30pm, which is super late for a school night if you ask me. She was happy to see me, as she always is but she didn't listen to me. I kept telling her "I need to go out... dad, didn't let me finish!" but she thought I was just playing and kept trying to kiss me and rub my ears. Durrr, lady...

We hit the sack at the regular hour. I'm all snuggled and warm under mums blankie and I'm dreaming about birds on the beach and chasing them. In my dream I'm hooting and hollering after these suckers that always take off right before I can sink my teeth into them. Then I get a pain in my belly and I wake up. I realized it was my #2 knocking on the door. I tried to nudge either one of my parent awake but they just turned over. I got up to see what my options were. The kitchen was dark and the floor was cold, but that's where I eat! I can't have a crash landing in there... that's just gross. I know dad would be furious if my poop touched his beloved hardwood floors (I've heard him make people take their shoes off to walk on the floor. Crazy, I know!). So my only options are the bedroom where we sleep or the bathroom with that weird white sculpture in it. I opt for the bathroom because it can smell bad in there sometimes and they always turn on the light when they go in there.

So, I can't hold it any longer... I HAVE to go at this point. I run into the room, pop a squat and lay out a pile. My dad heard the riot I was making so he came running in. He woke mum up and the took me out for a walk but by then, the deed was done. Nothing left to release but I got in some good sniffing time. Sorry for the mess, mum and dad and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!