New Dog Walker

I told you before that mom is expecting a baby and even though she enjoys walking me a lot, Master told her she had  to stop walking me.

Is not that she can't walk me, but with the Polar Vortex here in Chicago, it is just too icy and dangerous for her to be out there.

Walking with master.

I mean, there was this one night when she fell, but fortunately she landed on her knees. From that night on, my new dog walker is my master.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my walks with master - especially during the summer -  but mom has me on a schedule and I always go out on the dot. With master, I have to wait until he wants to go out, and sometimes that's not as early or on time as my walks with mom.

Mom says she tries not to remind master what I need to go out, but she is always pointing it out to him.

Here I am waiting on master to take me out.

As soon as there is no snow I will venture outside with mom again, I hope her big belly is not slowing her down. I like to run on my walks and to go far, and if mom can't keep up with me that will be a bummer.

I Don't Like Bubbles

Who would have thought that this tough guy is scared of Bubbles? Well, even though I portray this mean, menacing dog, a lot of things scare me.

Hiding from the bubbles.

Mom thought that bubbles would be something I would want to explore, so she started blowing bubbles in the living room. As soon as I saw those mysterious orbits I took cover under a chair.

You never know how those see-through, soapy things can react. What if they attack you?

I mean, they got on top of all my toys and blanket and then they just vanished. How do I know they won't pop up again when I least expect them?

Here I am trying not to be scared, but I really was.

I told mom to stop inviting those bubbles in the living room. I just don't trust them.

Ready for the Polar Vortex 2014

Not sure if you have been following the news, but Chicago has been hit with an awful polar vortex that has us all locked inside our homes.

School and airports have been closed - not that this affect me - but trying to walk and do my business in -30 weather is just impossible.

Here I am with my new winter coat and martingale collar. Don't I look better in this coat? The color totally matches my Jedi counter part and I no longer look like a stuffed sausage.

The coat might be protecting me from the cold Chicago winter, but I still refuse to go outside. I think I can hold my pee until Spring comes.

I've been looking online for tropical climate cities and I'm going to force mom into moving somewhere else. Maybe if I wait for the baby to come I will have an extra vote on my side and we will relocate to Hawaii, Cartagena or why not Jamaica.

Anyway, I wanted to show off my new martingale collar as well, so here is a better picture of me modeling it.

You can't really see it, but rest assured it is beautiful and super comfortable.

New Winter Coat

Today we went to Cody & Carl's Blvd. to go shopping. This dog boutique is amazing. They have lots of wonderful merchandise, treats, food, collars,leashes...I was in heaven and so was mom.

At first I was too sure about the store since they put this cotton strap over my manly parts to prevent me from wanting to mark inside the store, but after I got used to the strap I was ready to explore and start shopping.

In the picture you can see me with mom right outside the shop.

I got yummy treats and the lady behind the counter was super helpful and nice to me. She even took a picture for their Facebok page.

I bought a new winter coat, a new collar, some treats, and an ointment to protect my paws from this brutal Chicago winter.

I can't wait to wear my new coat. I didn't wear it right away because mom said she wanted to wash it first. Stay tune for a picture of my new jacket.

Baby Gear Scares Me!

Mom got this light baby stroller she wants to use with me and the baby once the kid is a few months old, but I don't think I'll be going out if mom is pushing on that contraption.

She tested it inside the house but I didn't want to be near it, plus I don't appreciate Dognny being strapped to that apparatus without my permission.

Master and mom kept giving me treats for sitting and half sniffing the stroller, but all I wanted to do is free Dognny and stay away from those wheels.

I don't think strolls in the park will be in our future. Not if that thing is coming with us

My Upcoming New Guest Is Revealed!

It is official. My family of three (two humans and me the dog) is expanding. We will be four in May 2014.

I hear the new guest that mom has been prepping the house for is this tiny bundle of joy that will smell similar to mom.

People say he will bring lots of joy and happiness. Oh! Did I mention it will be a boy? Yes, it is a boy.

I think I like girls better, I LOVE mom, and nana and abuelita. I also love master, and baba and abuelito, but it really really love girls more.

Mom says she really wanted a boy, so I'm happy for her, but how is this bundle of joy going to work for me? Is he bringing me treats? Does he know I come first? Does he know that I'm the only one allowed on the furniture and on mom's bed? As long as he doesn't eat my food, take my toys or kick me, we will be good. Oh, and mom is all mine!

Once the little baby learns the house rules we will be good.

I'll tell you more once he gets here, but he can take as long as he wants to get home. I don't mind being the only child.

Can You Hear Me Now?

I don't like it when mom is on the phone. Her hands should always be on me not on anything else, unless she is fixing me food, then she is free to be away from me.

Well, here she is chatting away while I wait under my cozy Christmas gift blanket for her to be free and rub my belly.

Is it cold in your area? Chicago has been super cold lately and I don't know how much longer I can stay under blankets. Don't get me wrong, I love blankets, but I kind of miss spring a nice summer days. I want to go on super long walks and smell the grass.

Mom, are you talking to Spring or Summer? Can they hear me? When are they coming back?

Where Is my New Winter Coat?

I thought mom said we would be getting a new winter coat, but when is this happening?

In the past year I have grown - mom says I've gotten fatter but I don't believe her.

This red coat, which complements my complexion, is too tight on me. It makes me feel like a sausage link. The Velcro becomes undone as I walk and the arms hurt my little arm pits.

I don't like that I can't turn around easily and I don't need to tell you how uncomfortable it is to do number 2 in this little coat.

I want a new coat and I want it soon. I can't let the girls in the neighborhood see me in this! They might think I'm out of shape and I am not!

Christmas 2013

This Christmas time I did not spend it alone.

I think it was due to the snow, but mom and master stayed home with me and we had Christmas breakfast as a family.

They opened gifts and as usual, video taped me opening mine.

Here I am with my new friend Dognny - he is a dog with bunny ears or a bunny with a dog face. Dognny is soft and cuddly and after we wrestled for about 30 minutes we had to take a nap.

I also got chew toys, treats and money! Mom says we will be using the money to go shopping for a new winter coat.

Merry Christmas!

Doggy Black Friday!

I went shopping this Black Friday!

I've always heard of people waking up super early to go make long lines and fight off people on this day, but for me, the shopping experience was completely different.

The pet store was open at the usual time, but today they had extra boxes everywhere and all of my favorite employees were working the same shift.

I saw more dogs there today, but there were no lines or rowdy people. Everyone was friendly.

I did my rounds and then mom told me we had to go look at the winter sweaters they had there. I'm not too sure about the options she wanted to get me. Come on, Snoopy is way too lazy and Micky is a mouse I would like to chase.

Anyway, mom insisted we get both sweaters.

I also bought Christmas gifts for my uncle Paco and Hugo. I can't wait for them to see what I got them.

Did you go Black Friday shopping? I like this tradition, so I expect to do it again next year.

A Doggy Thanksgiving

Today I give thanks for...the nice meaty piece I found on my plate tonight, and the extra side dishes I've been eating all day long while mom cooks.

Humans make such a big deal out of this Thanksgiving Day. I don't like it so much because mom is always busy and I have to go walking with master alone must of the day. Then in the afternoon I stay home alone for about 4 hours or so.

The only good thing is that once my parents come back they always feed me this juicy meal I only have on this day, and for the following days I keep tasting remnants of that same tasty bird.

I hope all dogs get to eat as well as I do on Thanksgiving day. 

I'm Moving Out?

Something odd is happening in the house. Mom keeps talking about someone special coming next year and that is why we need to make room.

The guest bedroom is being emptied and reorganized, but I don't understand why. At least my spare bed is still in that room.

Today, master packed the bed that was in there and put it in this white van I had never been in. He asked me if I wanted to go for a ride, and I of course said yes. What I don't understand is why he said I was moving out. Nothing in this van belongs to me.

Anyway, if we are getting a special guest NEXT year, why do we have to prep so far in advance? I hope the new guest likes dogs, because I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE!

Autumn Is Made for Sleeping

The reason why cold, fall days exists it for cute dogs like me to sleep on a sunny spot while cuddling with a toy.

Mom and master are working away as usual while I keep the couch warm.

Wake me up when it is lunch time!

Happy B-day Mom!

Today is mom's birthday, but I don't understand why she gave me a birthday bath, it is her birthday not mine.

Anyway, I wanted to show her how much I love her and appreciate the bath I got, so I dried myself off on her recently made bed.

Doesn't it look better with me on it?

Off My Diet!

I'm not the typical dog that eats dry kibble. Mom is very selective of the food I eat and she cooks my meals. She says that processed dog food has a lot of crap that is not healthy for me, so with the help of my vet, they have come up with approved recipes mom prepares at home, using the freshest ingredients. Mom also  says that if she had it her way I would be a vegan dog, but master says that just because mom is vegan doesn't mean I have to be vegan too.

Thank you Master for standing up for me. Don't get me wrong, I love my veggies, but I also enjoy eating chicken and beef.

Whenever mom is not looking, Master, Nana, and Baba feed me stuff I'm not supposed to eat. Here is evidence of me sniffing some chicken nuggets. Don't worry, mom walked in just in time to stop me from eating them.

I'll get them next time!

Labor Day Parade With Dogs

So it seems that on Labor Day dogs get to celebrate too. Well, some dogs because I didn't get invited to any celebration.

Mom and master woke up super early, fed me, walked me, and left me like if it was any other regular Monday when they have to head off to work.

For a minute I thought today was just a normal day, with the exception that master went into the office when he usually ALWAYS works from home. When I found out today was a Holiday and my humans should have spent the entire day with me but didn't, I felt betrayed. Who told me the truth? The radio announcer.

Mom always leaves the radio on when I have to stay home alone, but this time she wasn't counting on the radio guy telling me what was really going on out in the world. I think I cried and my heart broke into million pieces when the radio announcer said most people today were attending the Labor Day Parade. Why wasn't I invited?

To make matters worse, my buddies started Facebooking and texting me pictures of their celebratory parties. If I could have jumped out the window I would have, but the windows were closed and I was locked inside the air conditioned home, with a fresh water bowl, toys, treats and the freedom to sleep on the furniture.

Here is proof that other dogs got to participate in today's parade but I didn't.

Even Uncle Paco and Hugo got invited to the family picnic, but I was home alone!

Uncle Paco and Hugo relaxing at the family picnic.

I was furious by the time mom and master got back. As soon as they walked through the door I barked and barked and barked, letting them know how unhappy I was. 

I made them promise me that this will not happen next year. And tonight I'm sleeping on their bed!

No Invisible Fence Needed

On many of my walks I see some of my neighbor dogs trying to attack me from a distance. In my eyes they are just stupid, why would they bark and growl at me but not try to get me? There is nothing stopping them from getting out of their front yards, but somehow they stand there barking and crying while I just walk away.

Mom says they can't get me because of the invisible fence. Well, I have no idea what that is but I don't think an invisible fence would stop me from doing anything I set my mind to.

Mom laughed at me today because she said there is no need for an invisible fence at our home when we have an umbrella!

There is no way out.

There was a man painting our front door this morning and he had the door wide open. I was contemplating making a mad dash and flying out the door, but then mom opened the umbrella, placed it in front of the door, and my idea to run free and wild was thrown out the door.

I'm afraid of umbrellas and this was the best determent mom found, stopping me from making my escape.

I would had come back home. I have it good in this house.

Facebooking

So my mom is always sitting in front of the computer, she says that she is working, but I don't always believe her. A lot of the time she is on Twitter, Facebook or G+. I've heard her say that social media is part of her job, but I think she just does it for fun - and to delay walking me.

I thought I should jump on this social media bandwagon if I want to keep up with the times.

Setting up my FB account.

I've decided it is time for me to officially join Facebook. I know master and mom post lots of pictures about me on their own pages, but I should have a dedicated page of my own if I'm going to keep in touch with my dog friends. Tito, Kafka and Metzli have their own pages, so why shouldn't I.

Mom made me a page and I was so excited to see that within minutes I had a few friends. I don't have thousands of friends yet, but I'm not really concerned about that. Once people see my cute face, I'm sure they'll be begging to be my friends. I think I'll accept anyone's friendship as long as they send me a treat. Ha ha! This friendship policy might not fly with mom but we will see.

Well, the truth is that mom only agreed to my FB page because she got blocked from FB for 3 days (we hope!), but she still needs to do work related stuff there, so she needed a way in. That way was me!

I think I'll be posting some stuff about my adventures there, but don't expect daily posts. I need time to sunbathe, stretch, walk, bark at people, and of course sleep.

Garage Sale Dog Bed

Mom went to a garage sale this morning and came back with a huge dog bed for me. She said the bed is brand new. It used to belong to my cousin Vegas, a Golden Retriever, but Vegas never liked it.

The bed was purple and I had no problem with the color. What I didn't like was the material the bed was made with. Just because I'm a dog doesn't mean my things should come with tough materials that swear to be water resistant and easy to clean. Come on, I have delicate paws and fur, and I should have comfortable things touching me. For all you know I stand on all fours all day long and I need a comfy spot to rest.

Once mom brought that dino-sized bed I refused to lay on it. The polyester outer material was just too rough for me. Mom didn't want the almost new bed to go to waste, so she decided to make some improvements on it.

First off, she went to the fabric store and came back with colorful and soft fabrics I fell in love with right away. I was even laying on the material before mom made a bed cover out of it.

Second of all, Vegas's bed was so big that it actually became two beds, one for me, and one for my two Chihuhua uncles Paco and Hugo.

My uncles Hugo (left) and Paco.

Mom knew she wanted to keep the monster pattern bed for me, but you know me, I had to test both beds to decide which one I wanted.

Paco and Hugo also liked their bed when we delivered it the next morning.

Isn't mom awesome? I love my new bed and the soft fabric she chose for it.

No Independence Day for Me

Today we celebrate Independence Day but I find it ironic that on this day of freedom I am locked inside a room.

So it happens that mom and master decided to host 4th of July at our house without consulting me, and since I don't really like when a lot of people come over and walk all over my territory I tend to stand guard. Master says that I'm a lot like mom, I like things quite, in order and I like to be the boss.

Since we will have many people over, mom and master are afraid that I might nip at someone, but to tell you the truth they haven't given me a chance to see if I misbehave or not. I'm insulted that they automatically think things will go bad if I'm free around the house. I guess they think they know better.

At least I'm not in a cage. You know I don't like crates. I'm locked away in the master bedroom and I have my toys, my water bowl, the fan is on as well as the radio. All windows are open and I get to see every single guest when they approach the house.

I have been doing a lot of barking and at times I pant and seem panicky, but I know that sooner or later all these people will go watch fireworks and I will be free again.

Don't worry about the windows being open, it is still early in the day and the fireworks have not started, plus I'm not afraid of them.

Anyway, I'll do some more barking here and I expect mom will come up with a burger and a hot dog for me. We will go on our walk soon and maybe I'll be allowed to greet some guests.