What a difference a year makes. This time last year I was making celebrity appearances all over town as a member of the Humane Society’s Rey Fido court. As a duchess I got to wear a fine velvet cape trimmed in (fake) ermine at the doggie coronation.
This Fiesta Week I had fun hanging around home with my young companion, Chica. Between mock battles waged throughout the house, we like to rest up on a huge dog bed passed down to us from Chigurh, my mistress’ son’s Labrador retriever.
As long as the coolish weather holds out, we will be going to the country on weekends. Whenever we go, Mary takes photos of wildflowers. She and granddaughter Christina--who stays at our house every day after school--identified 64 varieties last year. This spring, they have already added a dozen more. After they identify a flower, Christina prints the name to accompany photos pasted in a book they are making.
A recent trophy Mary and Christina are thrilled about is scarlet leather flower, which only grows in a handful of counties in Texas and nowhere else. Another rarity they identified is smoke tree, whose bloom resembles its name. Though not uncommon, one of the most dramatic flowers they added this year is antelope horn.
On a personal note, today Dr. Kothmann removed the stitches from Chica’s abdominal incision. She will never be a mother now, but hopefully she will someday meet a dog that becomes as much a daughter to her as she is to me.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Fountain hit. Again.
There was a little excitement last Wednesday when one of the walkers, Olmos Park Mayor Susan Gragg, received a call just as we set off. It seems that someone had run into the fountain. Again.
The Spanish style fountain, which sits in the center of a roundabout on the town’s business district, has been the target of drunk drivers ever since it’s installation. Of course the ladies wanted to see the damage, so that determined the route of our walk.
When we got there, several policemen were inspecting the damage. A bollard that protects it was sheared off, but the fountain itself was intact. Later, we heard on the local TV news that the City of Olmos Park is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to identification of the driver.
Who knows what excitement awaits the Wednesday Walkie Talkies—and Barkies—this week?
The Spanish style fountain, which sits in the center of a roundabout on the town’s business district, has been the target of drunk drivers ever since it’s installation. Of course the ladies wanted to see the damage, so that determined the route of our walk.
When we got there, several policemen were inspecting the damage. A bollard that protects it was sheared off, but the fountain itself was intact. Later, we heard on the local TV news that the City of Olmos Park is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to identification of the driver.
Who knows what excitement awaits the Wednesday Walkie Talkies—and Barkies—this week?
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Romping in Town and Country
Ever since Chica came into our lives I’ve lost track of time, what with her wanting to play all the time. It’s made for a never-ending workout, leaving little or no time for contemplation. Or blogging.
Our routine is to sleep late in the morning and have a late breakfast (I really do like Chica’s puppy food, which tastes SO much better than the ever-so-dry Lean Dog Formula pellets my mistress gets for me at Whole Foods.) Then we romp about the house off an on all day until time for our walk.
After dinner it’s a romp-and-play redux until bedtime. Someone who doesn’t know dogs might figure we are fighting for real, especially since Chica whines when I pretend to bite her. We take our mock fights up the road every weekend to the ranch near Tarpley. The weather has been perfect for long walks along the creeks, but we always reserve energy for roughhousing afterwards.
Outdoors our master and mistress like sitting by the new fire pit. But since you can hear coyotes calling at night and there’s a large underground den not too far off, we dogs prefer to be inside after dark. I’ve overheard my mistress asking folks whether they think badgers or coyotes dug the underground den, which has both a front and a back entrance. Either way is scary for size-challenged Chihuahuas.
Back in town, we are walking weekly with the Wednesday Walkie Talkies, now that the weather is nice. Today we had a treat when WWT Mary Lil invited everyone to her condo for coffee afterward. While the ladies were sipping out of elegant Belleek cups, we were lapping water from a fancy talavera bowl. Only the best for the WWTs—and their doggies.
Our routine is to sleep late in the morning and have a late breakfast (I really do like Chica’s puppy food, which tastes SO much better than the ever-so-dry Lean Dog Formula pellets my mistress gets for me at Whole Foods.) Then we romp about the house off an on all day until time for our walk.
After dinner it’s a romp-and-play redux until bedtime. Someone who doesn’t know dogs might figure we are fighting for real, especially since Chica whines when I pretend to bite her. We take our mock fights up the road every weekend to the ranch near Tarpley. The weather has been perfect for long walks along the creeks, but we always reserve energy for roughhousing afterwards.
Outdoors our master and mistress like sitting by the new fire pit. But since you can hear coyotes calling at night and there’s a large underground den not too far off, we dogs prefer to be inside after dark. I’ve overheard my mistress asking folks whether they think badgers or coyotes dug the underground den, which has both a front and a back entrance. Either way is scary for size-challenged Chihuahuas.
Back in town, we are walking weekly with the Wednesday Walkie Talkies, now that the weather is nice. Today we had a treat when WWT Mary Lil invited everyone to her condo for coffee afterward. While the ladies were sipping out of elegant Belleek cups, we were lapping water from a fancy talavera bowl. Only the best for the WWTs—and their doggies.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
On the Road Again
From last Wednesday to this, the weather went full throttle from frigid to balmy. So today, after weeks of wimpiness on the part of the walkers, I got to hit the streets of Olmos Park with six WWTs. Little Chica came, too, and because my mistress had her hands full with the pup, Ann McMullan walked me. Now Mary doesn’t put up with unplanned stops, but I played Ann, making her think the stops I made were necessary. (Sure hope she walks me again next week.)
Up to now I have been the object of everyone’s attention, but today I had to endure the ladies’ ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the little one. Even I have to admit she is a cutie, though. And I must say I admired her moxie in befriending Pat Semmes’ doggie, J.D., who is more than 10 times her size.
Over the weekend we took Chica to the country for the first time and she did rather well. The only time I heard her whimper was when she got a sticker in her foot. She didn’t seem to mind stepping into the water when we traversed the creek, which impressed me as I avoided that for years. And she managed to keep up with both me and Chigurgh, a lab whose head alone is several times larger than Chica.
News flash: Today they selected a Scottish deerhound as best in show at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in Madison Square Garden. This time last year, my dog cousin, Sadie (whose owner is my mistress’ first cousin) won. Now Sadie is expecting. Sonograms show that she is carrying four puppies. What a difference a year makes.
Up to now I have been the object of everyone’s attention, but today I had to endure the ladies’ ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the little one. Even I have to admit she is a cutie, though. And I must say I admired her moxie in befriending Pat Semmes’ doggie, J.D., who is more than 10 times her size.
Over the weekend we took Chica to the country for the first time and she did rather well. The only time I heard her whimper was when she got a sticker in her foot. She didn’t seem to mind stepping into the water when we traversed the creek, which impressed me as I avoided that for years. And she managed to keep up with both me and Chigurgh, a lab whose head alone is several times larger than Chica.
News flash: Today they selected a Scottish deerhound as best in show at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in Madison Square Garden. This time last year, my dog cousin, Sadie (whose owner is my mistress’ first cousin) won. Now Sadie is expecting. Sonograms show that she is carrying four puppies. What a difference a year makes.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Trixie's Sister Settles in
It’s been almost two weeks since my mistress sprung a Chihuahua puppy on me and my master. Neither of us was thrilled, but I must say it hasn’t been half bad.
Of course Chica, as she has been named, can be a nuisance. She constantly wants to play, even when I’m wanting to rest. It goes on day and night. And at bedtime, when we both burrow under my mistress’ covers Mary has to put the puppy on her other side or she will continue to jump on me, spoiling for a mock fight.
Despite all this, it’s fun to watch the little thing making my fox toy squeak over and over, learning to walk with a leash, and cuddling with Christina, my master and mistress’ five-year-old granddaughter-- who lugs her about the house like a rag doll. (I’d be jealous but do I want that? Noooooo.)
Believe it or not, the little thing is teaching me some things. They say you can’t teach and old dog new tricks, but maybe that just means if humans are the teacher. Because I’ve learned to eat broccoli—something I’ve always refused—thanks to Chica. She eats it ravenously, so I thought I’d give it a try and you know, it’s not bad if it’s buttered. Since my mistress read lately that it’s healthy for dogs’ heart health, I expect we will be eating a lot of it from now on.
We’ve been having unseasonably cold weather for several days now, which has curtailed our daily walk. This morning, for the first time in several years, there was snow on the ground. I tried to go outside, but twenty-degree weather isn’t for this short-haired northern Mexican-bred dog. Nor is it for the puppy.
But with spring in the offing I look forward to walking with her and my master and mistress soon. Now we’re a family of four--and I’m beginning to like that fact.
Of course Chica, as she has been named, can be a nuisance. She constantly wants to play, even when I’m wanting to rest. It goes on day and night. And at bedtime, when we both burrow under my mistress’ covers Mary has to put the puppy on her other side or she will continue to jump on me, spoiling for a mock fight.
Despite all this, it’s fun to watch the little thing making my fox toy squeak over and over, learning to walk with a leash, and cuddling with Christina, my master and mistress’ five-year-old granddaughter-- who lugs her about the house like a rag doll. (I’d be jealous but do I want that? Noooooo.)
Believe it or not, the little thing is teaching me some things. They say you can’t teach and old dog new tricks, but maybe that just means if humans are the teacher. Because I’ve learned to eat broccoli—something I’ve always refused—thanks to Chica. She eats it ravenously, so I thought I’d give it a try and you know, it’s not bad if it’s buttered. Since my mistress read lately that it’s healthy for dogs’ heart health, I expect we will be eating a lot of it from now on.
We’ve been having unseasonably cold weather for several days now, which has curtailed our daily walk. This morning, for the first time in several years, there was snow on the ground. I tried to go outside, but twenty-degree weather isn’t for this short-haired northern Mexican-bred dog. Nor is it for the puppy.
But with spring in the offing I look forward to walking with her and my master and mistress soon. Now we’re a family of four--and I’m beginning to like that fact.
Separating the Bitches in Bed
Well the ladies wimped out again this week, due to a windy, twenty-degree day. So instead of walking I hung around the house with Chica--who wants to play 24/7.
As bureaucratic government writer might put it, Chica has no “terminal facilities” when it comes to play, and the only way I can get her to stop ragging me is to bite her ear. Of course then she howls and tries to get me in trouble with my mistress. But fortunately, Mary seems to get it and instead of fussing at me, simply carries the puppy off.
Speaking of my mistress, she is over the moon about having met Ariana Huffington at a World Affairs Council awards ceremony where Huffington spoke. Having been burned by not having a camera with her when she met Salmon Rushdie at a Texas Book Festival Gala in Austin several years ago, Mary always carries a camera in her purse. And thanks to Lewis, she got her photo taken Wednesday night with the woman who just sold her eponymous publication for mucho millions.
Among Huffington’s observations were that one should never sleep near their electronic devices, as research shows that merely looking at an email or text message will disrupt sleep patterns. Well there’s something else that does the same thing: a Chihuahua puppy.
At bedtime Mary has to act as mediator since Chica wants to play with me under the covers. The trick is to hold the puppy down on the other side of the bed until she settles down and sleeps. All I have to say is I’m glad Mary didn’t adopt both puppies that were offered her. Else wise I’d get neither a wink of sleep nor a moment of repose.
As bureaucratic government writer might put it, Chica has no “terminal facilities” when it comes to play, and the only way I can get her to stop ragging me is to bite her ear. Of course then she howls and tries to get me in trouble with my mistress. But fortunately, Mary seems to get it and instead of fussing at me, simply carries the puppy off.
Speaking of my mistress, she is over the moon about having met Ariana Huffington at a World Affairs Council awards ceremony where Huffington spoke. Having been burned by not having a camera with her when she met Salmon Rushdie at a Texas Book Festival Gala in Austin several years ago, Mary always carries a camera in her purse. And thanks to Lewis, she got her photo taken Wednesday night with the woman who just sold her eponymous publication for mucho millions.
Among Huffington’s observations were that one should never sleep near their electronic devices, as research shows that merely looking at an email or text message will disrupt sleep patterns. Well there’s something else that does the same thing: a Chihuahua puppy.
At bedtime Mary has to act as mediator since Chica wants to play with me under the covers. The trick is to hold the puppy down on the other side of the bed until she settles down and sleeps. All I have to say is I’m glad Mary didn’t adopt both puppies that were offered her. Else wise I’d get neither a wink of sleep nor a moment of repose.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Another Chihuahua on the Scene
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