they look nothin’ like her

Hi, it’s me Vanilla Bean. I think Time is like a Greyhound, swift on foot; I couldn’t believe it’s two weeks since my last post. So I really apologize for not barking my replies to your comments. You see, my routine changed when the last of the Squeeker-pups left last March… I’m still coping for the absence of my little protegés… (I sure would miss them but I’m glad that they found their forever homes.) Life goes on as they say.

Anyway, we never ran out of entertainment; there’s always something to bark at here in our place — small dogs on their early morning walk, for instance. This morning, we got to say ruf-ruff at a pack of terrier-mix.

Meet Lucky (neutered male), Chicklet (female) and Kitkat (female) — the four-footed family members of the Vegas’ family. Though they live just a couple of blocks from use, this was the first time we saw them strolling along RCMS street.

Mr. Vegas and his pack

Mr. Vegas informed us that their dog-dad was Budie, the dog living at the end of RCMS street — from one of Keanna’s litter! (Personally, I culdn’t see the resemblance… hmnn… but if overseer and big momma say those adorable pets were Keanna’s grandpups, then so be it.)

Overseer didn’t allow us to sniff buts with them but we’re glad our neighbor Brett did. He sure had fun meeting new friends.

Wordless Wednesday: the nurse is…IN

“We’re family here… so I don’t mind if they belong to Cassie or Princess… all I see is a bunch of puppies longing for doggy milk drink…” – Keanna.

Keanna and the orange rose

“To be happy, use your nose.
Every day is rich in smells.
…
a cliche, sure, but if you got roses,
smell ‘em.”
–dog quote by trixie koontz, dog, Life is Good! lessons in joyful living

xoxox

We thank Just Ramblin’ Pier for giving us this award:

Wordless Wednesday: mama’s luv

Wordless Wednesday: guarding big momma

“Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone.” ~Anthony Burges

An evening garden romp

Create a picture slideshow

Wordless Wednesday: Keanna’s eye

“You should have given her a ninja dog’s name…it looks like she’s got a Sharingan eye,” my nephew Ej told me when he saw these photos of Keanna.

“…you know…just like Kakashi Hatake‘s left eye,” he added as he pointed out that only Keanna’s left eye was reflective in these candid shots.

EJ’s observation and suggestion amuses me; he definitely identifies things with Naruto characters. Yet, I don’t think Keanna would approve being called in a name such as Urushi, Pakkun, Uhei, etc…

At the vet’s 3

SEPT 17 — She writhed and stretched her limbs as I tried to put her in the bag; her body language clearly said “you can’t make me go in there.” Vanilla Bean probably figured out where she’s going that Saturday afternoon. She had an appointment for her vaccine shot at the JMC Veterinary Clinic in Lanipao, Lala, Lanao del Norte. I guess she associated the bag-leash-tricycle combo as a hint for a trip to see Dr. Jane, her friendly vet.

As our vehicle moved along the national highway, my 4 month-old Shih-Poo puppy enjoyed the scenery and the wind on her fur (she didn’t stick out her tongue though). From time to time, she fidgeted like a child and looked over Ate Liza’s shoulder to check on me and Keanna. Though other dog was shaking at my feet, she stayed put and behaved well throughout the entire trip.

Keanna relaxed when we arrived at the vet’s clinic. She stayed near me and refrained to sniff around or go near the Miniature Pinsher’s crate. [I brought Keanna along so the vet could check her left eye. Lately, I've noticed that Keanna's left eye was filmy and watery. Sadly, the vet told me that it's positive -- Keanna had canine cataract. Sigh...] Meanwhile, the vet declared that Vanilla Bean showed a lot of improvements in her weight gain (3.5 kilos), her coat length, and her over-all health.

Keanna on dogtipper

SEPT 3 — Yay, Keanna grabs a spotlight on dogtipper.com as Dog of the Day. I submitted this photograph to that site and answered some basic questions last week. I wasn’t sure if they would feature her or not until today.

In this photo, she’s on a marble table at the garden and giving me her playful happy face. So I grabbed my camera and snapped her funny expressions. She must have thought that this would delay her a bath…cheeky doggie Dog of the day: Keanna, Chihuahua/Poodle-mix

Here are some of her funny faces during pre-bath that day.

Bonding and belly rubs

love the touch

This morning,  I was having my cup of morning coffee at the living room when Keanna stayed behind. She didn’t went with Cassie and Princess to their den, and she even ignored her breakfast.

“She must be up to something,” I thought.

Keanna was at my feet; she looked at me and then lie down on her back. With fore-paws up and belly exposed, it’s unmistakable that she  “demanded” a belly rub. So, I naturally obliged because this pooch enjoys this sort of thing any time of the day. Also, I remembered that it’s been a while since her last belly massage–perhaps about 3 days ago.

more please

Anyway, I don’t know what’s going on in her canine mind but she looked relaxed and content during this interaction; she even wags her tail. I normally do this kind of bonding with my dogs for about a minute. Sometimes, Keanna gives me that more-please-look (like in the photo above) when she wants a prolonged belly massage. Whenever this happens, I stroke her belly with a little pressure and move my fingertips in circular motion from belly to chest and back to belly. I also give her paws a little squeeze. She would signal that it’s over when she starts to get up.

you're tickling me!

Sometimes I wonder if this belly rubbing act is an interpretation of enjoyment or submission, or both in my dog’s part. So, I often find myself reading my dog’s body language first before touching them. I often remember the words of Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer  in Nat Geo Channel, that a dog is most content and at ease when in a calm and submissive state.