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December, 1997
It's Christmas time again! I got lots of visits this month. Between Mommy's friends and our family coming to visit, I had lots of play time. The house smelt really good this month since Mommy did LOTS of baking. She made so many homemade doggie treats to pass out to my friends that I got loads of them as they were cooling straight from the oven. Mommy also made some people cookies that she wouldn't share with me. I didn't really get any extra toys this year but my birthday is only a couple of weeks away and I know I'll get something new then. I can't wait for the birthday sloppy joes (like last year)! This is a great time of year!
New Year's Eve was fun too. I made a new doggie friend. We spent the night with our friend Margaret and met Meg. Meg is a german shepherd dog (GSD) who is about 8 years old. When we first got there, Meg rushed out the door at me and startled me. I barked at her and gave her what-for. Any time she came near me for a while, I'd growl and bark but for some reason, she just ignored me! Then, after I was comfortable in my surroundings, I gave Meg a good sniff and decided that she was alright after all! She was very nice to me and we played. It was so much fun and so neat. I definitely had the advantage since I'm smaller, younger and more agile. Now I think I understand how Pollo feels when he gets tired playing with me since I'm so much bigger than him.
November, 1997
Well, this month looked like it was going to end with absolutely nothing exciting happening at all. Then, we went to Grandma's house twice! Once we went for my cousin (human) Adriana's birthday party and then for what Mommy said was Thanksgiving. I don't know anything about that but I do know that Grandma's house means lots of attention and my chihuahua cousins to play with. Pollo and I played ALL DAY! We had so much fun chasing each other through the house and in Grandma's big yard. When it was dinner time, Mommy even gave me something that she called turkey! It was so juicy and tender and I gobbled it up as quick as I could. Once I'd started eating I saw no reason to stop so I went to Rico and Pollo's bowl of food. All of a sudden I couldn't breath! I was gaging and honking trying to get that little science diet pellet out of my throat. I thought I was a goner until Mommy calmly came over and gave me the doggie heimlich so I jettisoned the pellet. At that point I figured I had enough to eat and got Pollo to play some more. We got home after midnight and Mommy had to carry me up to bed. I was so tired that I even slept most of the next day! I think I like this holiday called Thanksgiving!
October, 1997
My excitement this month came in visits. I received a visit from a baby! I am sure that the baby came over just to see me. His name was Connor and I thought he was the best thing. He would laugh at me and when I would jump away from him, he would start moving my way. It was wonderful fun. I thought I had a new interactive toy! Mommy said that he was 11 months old - although I'm not sure what that means.
The second visit was me going to Grandma's house and seeing my cousins Rico and Pollito. I love those two little chihuahuas. We always have great fun - until Pollo starts to growl at me because he doesn't want to play anymore. I also like going to them to visit because I get a couple of mouth fulls of their food before Mommy remembers to put it away.
September, 1997
After last month this one was pretty boring. There have been an awful lot of vet visits lately though. I really need to sit Mom down and talk to her about this need she has for taking me to the vet for every little thing. You should see my rap sheet (chart at the vet's)! I'm not even 2 years old yet and this thing is 6 or 7 pages!
I've been rather itchy lately with the increased ragweed count and so off to the vet I went. At first they gave me some antihistamine pills. I could stomach those since they were usually wrapped up in a little bit of cheese or other dog treat. (I don't really mind the pills but making Mommy think I do steers a little more treats my way! It's a good thing!) Well, apparently I was still scratching more than Mommy thought was suitable. So, guess where I went? Right, off to the vet again - another entry in my chart. You'll also know that every vet visit entails a trip to the scales as well as a cold thermometer up the clenched back end. Well, it was decided that they would put me on steroids for a while and see if the prednisone would help matters.
Then Mommy felt she had to mention that the bump from the tick bite was still there. The vet assistant then felt the need to squeeze it as hard as she could to see if anything would come out. I think she was trying to get some of my gray matter she was squeezing so hard. Ouch! It was then decided that I'd also have to take some antibiotic and see if the lump would go down. I was somewhat doubtful after the attention it had received from the vet and assistant. Well, luckily the bump is gone since there was talk of removing it surgically. Also my scratching seems to be within the range that Mommy has determined acceptable. So, I will be left to lick, scratch and sleep without any more visits to the vet this month!
August, 1997
Whew! This month has flown by and I've been so busy! At the beginning of the month I was very excited. Mommy and Daddy explained that I'd be going on my first trip to the beach (Ocean City, Md.). I was in a panic at first since I did not have the faintest idea what to pack. I then realized that Mommy was going to pack for me (thanks Mom!). I was excited to be riding in the car on a trip but a little nervous since this would be the longest trip I'd been on. I was notorious for getting car sick. It turned out that we ended up being in the car for a little bit over 5 hours! I was in heaven since it was mostly sitting in traffic and there is lots to see from the car. I wanted to see all the different cars all around us - all at the same time. I tried my best but I think I got on Mommy and Daddy's nerves.
We finally got up there and everybody leaves me in a new house by myself. Mommy explained that there was a big birthday party for Aunt Deary but I didn't understand why I couldn't go. I was tempted to show my displeasure by chewing on something but decided against it.
The house we stayed in wasn't really at the beach. We were about 15 minutes south but there was a golf course right out back. When Mommy walked me, she walked along the trail beside the course. I enjoyed all the new smells. One morning this noisy monster came up the trail and scared me. Mommy tried to explain that it was a golf cart but I don't believe her. I think it is related to that vacuum cleaner monster! Well, I enjoyed the vacation for the 2 days we were there but never actually got to go to the beach.
I also got acquainted with my first tick this month. Daddy found one right on the top of my head! I looked at him like "Get it off!" So after Mommy calmed down and got her Veterinary Handbook to figure out how, they got down to work. Mommy got the alcohol and a Q-Tip and put it on the tick. They said that it wasn't embedded and just kind of let go of me after a minute with the alcohol. It was then flushed down the toilet. Mommy put some more Frontline Top Spot on me to kill any other ticks that may try to catch a free ride and meal off of me. I hope I never see another tick!
My last big excitement was spending the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa! Mommy and Daddy had planned to take a weekend trip to Williamsburg and weren't going to take me. (I'm going to have to have a talk with them about that!) So, I got to go spend 2 nights at Grandma's! It was lots of fun because it was a new place to hang out. I followed Grandma everywhere! I even explained to her that I got to sleep with her at night! Well, Grandpa would get up early and take me on some nice, long walks and play rough with me. After Mommy and Daddy got home I was glad, but I rather enjoyed my vacation too.
July, 1997
I was very excited to go to Daddy's softball game. Mommy took me out to the stadium and we sat there and watched my Daddy play ball. She and Daddy said it was my "Grand Day Out" and even took some pictures! It was lots of fun. There were other people sitting near us and they talked to me and told me how cute I was. When I got hot, I sat in the shade of the umbrella that Mommy brought. I was very happy to get in the car to go home too - I just love air conditioning! Other than that I have just been trying to stay indoors as much as possible since we've been having record highs in the 90's and 100's this month. When it's that hot outside, the place for me is inside!
June, 1997
This month started off quite horribly I must admit. I had to go to the Vet this month and let me tell you, I was very unhappy about that. I had blood taken for some kind of silly heartworm test. Mommy said I had to have it done even though I'm on interceptor year round. Then, I had 2 shots! Yes, 2! I had a rabies shot that Mommy says I won't have to have for another 3 years. Then some other kind of shot. Well, after those were over, I was ready to get off that table but the Vet then put some drops in my nose! The indignity of it all!
I got to go to a family party! It was my grandma's birthday and we went to my uncle's house for a cook out. He even snuck me a little bit of beef! I really liked that. It was fun checking out a new place and having everyone ooh and aah! I liked the attention.
I went to the groomers and got my summer hair cut this month too. I was so thankful because it has been getting so hot here. Mommy told them to cut me even shorter than ever - it's so much cooler now! I really like everyone there at the groomers but, in general, I'd rather not go. Apparently when I was there, I got a scratch on my nose so I kept scratching it. Mommy said I'd scratched all of the fur off of the spot! So, guess where I had to go again. The Vet's! At least they didn't give me another shot. Then, a few days later Mommy took me to the Vet's again! She said something about a sty on my eyelid. I don't care, I don't want to go back there. I think 3 times in one month is asking a little much!
May, 1997
Well this month went by in a hurry. It was a rather nice month except that there were two baths squeezed in there. I really hate taking baths but I tolerate it as long as Mommy doesn't try to keep me in the water too long.
We had house guests down for the Memorial Day weekend and that was nice. I was able to sneak into their bedroom in the mornings and snuggle with them. I really enjoy snuggling and found it was kind of nice to have a little variety.
Mommy and Daddy took some vacation around the holiday weekend and painted some of the trim on the house, so I helped. I was able to brush against the paint can and voila! My tail became an instant paint brush. Mommy wasn't as appreciative as I thought she'd be though. Sometimes it's hard to figure parents out!
I guess the real excitement was the hydrant relay I had with Daddy. We went out in the common area behind the town house and Daddy would throw my hydrant as hard as he could. I'd race to get it and then burn grass getting back so we could do it again. I don't usually get to play with my toys outside. Mommy was upset with Daddy for letting me play outside without my leash. Can you believe that? Mommies are such worry warts!
April, 1997
Had something scary happen to me this month. I had a big dog try to get me when I was taking Mommy for a walk. Well, Mommy and I were calmly walking up the street when out of nowhere, this dog came running at me. This dog's name is Milo, although I didn't know that at the time. Mommy doesn't know what kind of dog he is but he looked mostly like a border collie but bigger. Well, Mommy scooped me up and started walking home, we were really close to the house. This dog kept jumping up and snapping at me. I didn't like that at all and I wanted down so I could protect Mommy. We finally made it home and Mommy put me in the house. She then went back outside with the big dog!!! I went crazy, who knew what that crazy dog was going to do to her! (Mommy says he wasn't acting that crazy and the snapping seemed like he wanted to play - YEAH, RIGHT!) Well, Mommy found his house and it turned out that his people weren't home. His back door was open so she led him in his house and then shut the door! Well, I loved all over her when she got back in the house. I figured she needed some extra loving after all that stress. Milo lives pretty close and I sometimes see him on the back porch. He's really loud when he barks too but I know I could take him if Mommy weren't so protective.
Something wonderful started happening this month too. Mommy started something she calls telecommuting two days a week. What that means is that she stays home with me and I get to sleep in her lap while she works on the computer. I really like this and hope it never stops.
March, 1997
This month was pretty uneventful. The weather warmed up a little bit here so I got to play with my bestest buddies down the street. Sammy is a little white Lhasa Apso who is so much fun. We like to rise up on back legs and go chest to chest with each other and then run around. Molly, her younger sister, is a short haired Dachshund. Molly is fun too but she bites my ears and then pulls. Mommy usually has to get her to let go. Well, I spoke too soon on this month. I forgot about Easter!!! I love holidays because holidays mean presents and special treats! I got an Easter lamb that squeaks (mommy and daddy call him Shaun the Sheep but I don't know why). I do know I like him. I also got some eggstra special dog cookies that looked like eggs, little chicks, and bunnies from the Three Dog Bakery. Life is good.
February, 1997
Well, this month flew by. It was very cold out so I stayed in a lot and played with my toys. I learned a new word on Valentine's Day, 'Up'. My daddy bought mommy a balloon (yeah, right! It was for me!) and I really liked playing with it! But it was really weird because it kept moving away from me and I'd have to jump to get it. It was a lot of fun because after I'd catch it, I'd chew on the string a little bit. I also got to go to work with my mommy on a Saturday. It was really exciting! I rode in an elevator - didn't like that so much - and got to see a whole bunch of birds that honked! (mommy said they were geese)
January, 1997
This was a GREAT month! I turned 1 year old on the 11th and had the best birthday party! My cousins Pollito and Rico came over and we pigged out. Mommy made 2 kinds of homemade doggie biscuits. Some of the biscuits were even shaped like feet since Pollo and I like to nip at our mommy's feet when we're trying to get them to play with us! For dinner we had doggie sloppy joes. I cleaned my plate and then made sure Rico and Pollo's plates were clean too. The only bad part about the party was that we had to put on these silly party hats. I finally put my paw down and took mine off. I think Pollo secretly enjoyed it but he never admitted to that. I got a new stuffed squeaky toy that looks like a fire hydrant. I now carry it with me everywhere and sleep with it at night.
I also had a big day at the groomers this month. Carol and the gang decided that I should be cut short so that mommy wouldn't have to brush me every day. Mommy thought that was a good idea, but no one checked with me. It was really different at first but I kind of like it now. This also prevents pollo from having as much of an advantage over me when we're playing together. (Pollo is a short haired chihuahua and grabs my hair when we're playing.)
December, 1996
This month has been very hectic and frustrating. I have not gotten as much of mommy and daddy's time as I am used to. For some reason, they kept going out on the weekends mumbling about Christmas shopping. I did finally find out what this Christmas meant. We had a lot of people at our house and there were all of these packages under the big tree in the living room. It turns out that the Christmas presents were for me! (well, not all of them) I got a stuffed shark that grunts, a big stuffed soccer ball, and a small, purple dinosaur that squeaks. My most favorite is the dinosaur. Mommy was in the kitchen for a whole day making stuff that smelled GREAT and then she let me have some. She had made homemade doggie treats for me and my closest doggie friends. (See where she got her recipes!) I also got to taste a cheese cake! (well, I snuck onto the dining room table to try it, but it was good). Now that I understand about presents and homemade doggie goodies, I can't wait for my birthday party next month!
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