caught.

B.R. 5/30/08

The baby was in good spirits today. Perhaps she knows that tomorrow is her favorite day. Why is it her favorite? Because it's a no-work day, meaning that there's someone to play fetch with all day long. Maybe it's all the excitement from anticipating her most favorite day of the week that's kept her from yumping; because it's nearly 7:20 p.m. and the baby has not yet yumped today. Normally I wouldn't care, but I had expected a little something since she didn't yump this morning. I thought our walk and her dinner would've moved some stuff along, but evidently not. So we wait.

Earlier, she and I took an evening stroll. One thing I've noticed about the baby during our walks is that she'll try to hide behind my legs when she sees a dog walking our way, but if she sees dogs walking ahead of us she doesn't try to hide until we overtake the dog. This leads me to hypothesize that the baby not only recognizes other dogs from a distance but that she always knows which is their head and which is their back-end. One other thing worth noting is that although she'll let another dog get snout-to-snout with her, she's not too keen when they make for her butt. Today a little long-haired dachshund tried to sniff her, and the baby did a quick jump snarl. Let's not forget that it took her nearly 6 weeks before she stopped snarling at Ziggy, a classmate from her puppy class, so it was not surprising that she would be a bit jumpy when a perfect stranger tried to sniff her butz.

Baby's Big Weekend Revisited

Here's the baby, Ames and I on the Brooklyn Bridge as mentioned from her big weekend:


And here's a very special close-up video of the baby in her outdoor wear (including old harness) enjoying the disco lights currently decorating the Brooklyn Bridge:

What Enn Says 3

Enn: "I think the baby's hot. That's why she doesn't want to lie next to me."

Me: "But she doesn't ever want to lie next to you. I think you're using the baby as an excuse to get me to turn on the a/c."

Enn: (half-smiles) "But I'm sooooooo hot."

Using the baby as an excuse to get what she wants. Sad.

And so ends the latest installment of "What Enn Says".

Likes and Dislikes -- food edition

The baby loves:

hormone-free chicken
freez-dried beef liver
cheese -- mozzarella, cheddar, though I imagine she'd like any sort
apples
wet dog food
chickpeas
rawhide chew sticks
non-fat yogurt
free-range organic egg yolks
onigiris
dried seaweed

The baby likes:

kibble (depending on the day)
oranges
cherries
non-salted popcorn
peanut butter
almonds
pears
soy cheese

The baby dislikes:

kibble (depending on the day)
Milk Bones and most dog biscuits
peas
spinach
carrots
onions

B.R. 5/27/08

The baby must be reeling from her fun-packed weekend. She konked out early last night and has been sleeping for most of today. Except for brief bursts of activity -- requisite morning game of fetch, breaky-eating, and potty going -- she has been knocked the s out all day. Anyway, because I had been working from home, I thought that this afternoon was a good time to take her to a pet store to buy a new harness. Also, the weather is suppose to be rainy all this week, so I thought that I should get her outdoors while things were still dry. Anyway, the reason for the new harness is because her old one has been biting into her underarms and leaving little red welts. I've been eyeing these mesh ones that don't look as if they'd bite into her tender parts and googled for pet boutiques that are close to home. I found two that were within walking distance, but upon phoning only one answered its phone. It was the one further away in DUMBO. A long-ish walk but since the weather was decent I thought it'd be a good way to get the baby's blood circulating; and here's the path we took. The store didn't have the harness that I'd been thinking of, but did have some other mesh ones, so I ended up buying an alternate harness because (1) I'd rather her wear anything other than the one that's been biting into her arms, and (2) lady at the store was very friendly.

And now the baby is passed out again.

She's such a sleepy-head.

The Baby's Big Weekend

It's been a few days since the last baby update. The reason? There just hasn't been enough time to update given the baby's packed schedule. She is a very demanding presence, and one barely has the time to keep up with her on her regular schedule nevermind her weekend extravaganza.

On Friday, the baby took a long walk up the Promenade to the Brooklyn Bridge to watch the light show now enveloping the Brooklyn Bridge for its 125th year anniversary. On the way, she met up with her blind date for the evening -- a sweet King Charles Spaniel named Milo. Here's a picture of him when he graduated from his puppy class:

Unfortunately for Milo, it was not a love match and he was quickly left behind on the Promenade. Oh well, at least the lights on the bridge were pretty. One the way back the baby had a run-in with a very large Malamute-Lab mix, but the baby stood her ground and did not snarl or bark or even bite. She is growing up to be quite the fearless pup.

On Saturday, the baby took her first trip to Central Park as she and I partook in a picnic in Sheep Meadow. The trip started off well enough as Scooby came by in her car to pick us up. However, maybe it was the traffic or maybe the baby just has a bad constitution for car rides, in any case, she threw up twice during the trip. So it was not surprising that she was quite happy to be on land once again. On the whole, she was quite happy-go-lucky walking to and from our destination, but because the weather had gotten overcast and blustery she was none too happy hanging out in the open expanse and spent the entire picnic hiding in my hoodie (as I was wearing it!) Quite frankly though I was glad for the company. Upon our return from the cold and blustery plains of Sheep Meadow the baby and I took a nap together. She is best napping buddy, ever!

On Sunday, the baby and I ventured forth for a playdate with Teto, a kitty belonging to Lexis and Ina. Outside of the vet's office, the baby has never really seen a kitty. The one time we saw one during one of our walks, she seemed somewhat confused when we happened up on a kitty. It wasn't a pup, but it wasn't not, was it??? Anyway, I was very excited to find out how the baby would react to a kitty. Lexis and I have been preparing for this day for some time, and have previously exchanged baby- and Teto-scented items a few months ago in the hopes that the baby and Teto would become accustomed to each other's scent. That said, we were both concerned that one would beat up the other and the whole thing would end up very poorly. As it turned out, our fears were unfounded as both the baby and Teto behaved as graciously as could be expected. The baby was excited to see Teto and seemed quite amazed at her jumping skills -- as was evident by her look of incredulity as she watched Teto jump from the kitchen floor up to the counter then the cabinets. Meanwhile Teto was nonplussed by the baby's presence, except for the one time that she tried to swipe at the baby when the latter got a bit too close for Teto's comfort. There was in general a sense of détente, and hopefully on subsequent visits they'll even begin to enjoy each other's company.

Yesterday, the baby and I took a trip to visit Eph. After getting baby settled, Eph and I went to see Prince Caspian (a rather cheezy affair; not recommended). When we returned the baby roused herself from her spot on Eph's couch (yes she has a spot) and proceeded to dance a rather lazy maypole dance around us. She's a good sport though, and later I took her to the local pet store to buy her a new harness as her current one has been chafing her rather delicate skin. Sadly the store did not carry the type of harness that I want for the baby, so instead we got a greenie and a new toy.

The end.

B.R. 5/21/08

As mentioned the baby's left ear has been bothering her, so today she and I took a walk to the vet -- after some fetch and breaky of course (the baby loves her routines). I thought about carrying her because I didn't know what she'd do with all the rush hour pedestrians. But, I remember her instructor in puppy school said that I shouldn't indulge her fears *and* she has been really brave about walking outside, so.... we walked. We even went down a main thoroughfare and she didn't freak out one bit. Well, maybe just one bit. She doesn't like walking on grates, and there was one area of the sidewalk that was entirely grated, i.e. no cement, so I "flew" her over the grated area. Other than that she did just great. All in all I was very proud that she was able to walk herself to the vet.

I don't think she remembered the way to the vet since she's always been carried there, because she didn't start freaking out and shaking until we got inside. She was fine up until the moment we crossed the threshold. As soon as we entered, she shook and shook while sitting/hiding on my lap. Unfortunately for her, I don't think her level of anxiety was helped by the presence of three cats who were all mewing really loudly in the waiting room. One of them even hissed at her when his carrier was turned towards her. O_O

Once we got in to see the vet, he said that although there were no mites the baby did in fact have an infection in her left ear. We left with some medicated drops and cleaning solution that I'm suppose to use for the next few weeks. I don't think the baby will be very happy about that. In fact she wasn't very happy tonight when I dropped her. Sad piap.

B.R. 5/19/08

Perhaps the baby did not have a good sleep last night. I say this because she immediately curled up into a ball when she jumped onto the bed this morning. Normally she'll hop all over me in an effort to wake me, and if that doesn't work she'll curl up and wait me out. She's never just curled up and gone to bed, and yet she did this morning. I think she must've had a rough night.

We napped for an extra hour and then got up. She pranced about, and hovered by her bone to let me know that it was time to play fetch. When she saw that I was till in the bathroom, she came in and hustled me out. What could I do but play? Afterwards, she had her breaky of chickum and kibbles; and at some point she snuck off to the b-room to sinkle. I waited but no yump, which turned out to be the theme of the day -- waiting for her yump.

It's almost another day and the baby has not yet yumped. She didn't yump this morning. She did not yump while I was at work. She hasn't yumped all evening. So we wait. If she doesn't yump by tomorrow morning, I'll give her some fiber and/or mineral oil in case she's stuffed up. Curious.

The other thing of note is that she's been scratching the base of her left ear, so much so that it's now raw and scabby. I read that this could be indicative of ear mites, fungus or infection. I thought it might be mites because that's also the ear in which she's been having these nass dark ear discharges. With Enn's help we swabbed some this evening to see whether we might discern the presence of mites. However, it just looked like smeared wax to me. In any case, I've made an appt with the vet because I don't think the baby should be scratching herself like this. Maybe she'll have to wear a cone like Paco.

Live baby update: She's passed out in the crack of the sofa -- her leggies are twitching.

Screen Legends

Separated at birth:

B.R. 5/17/08

That's a pic of the route the baby and I took this afternoon; a reward for being such a patient pup. She had to wait about 3 hours between when she got up and I finally got up. The baby is always very good about waiting for me to get up. She'll jump all over me to get me to wake but if she sees that I'm really sleepy and not moving at all, she'll usually run off to play by herself or curl back up and take a spot next to me -- usually the latter. Anyway, when I finally did get up we played fetch and she had her breaky. She still had some kibbles left over from last night so I knew she wasn't falling over hungry. That said, she did do her customary dance around my legs as I walked to her food area. While she ate I took the opportunity to shower and dress, and then we played tag out in the hallway after taking out the trash and recycleables. After a quick breaky for me, we took our little walk.

It's always funny to hear the comments some people make when they see the baby. Most of the people we pass will look and smile while others will say hello to her under their breaths, and a few will stop me to tell me that the baby is super cute. And then there are the couples. When they pass us, I'll hear one of them saying how nice it'd be to have a dog, while the other will either agree or say that they don't want a dog. The latter is more fun because it means that I'll soon hear the beginnings of a mini-argument. Hee.

Anyway, the paw print on the pic of our route is where this pic was taken -- the baby is in the lower right-hand corner and looking at the southern tip of Manhattan:

B.R. 5/15/08 (an evening stroll)

Due to work, I left earlier and returned later than usual. Luckily Enn was able to keep the baby occupied for a few hours while I was at work. Anyway, upon my return, I took the baby for an evening stroll because her energy was so high and also because I felt so guilty for leaving her alone for so long. Anyway, the weather was lovely and the temperature was downright balmy for a mid-May evening. We strolled about Brooklyn Heights taking this route. I had thought we'd run into a lot of people with their dogs because it was such a nice evening. As it turned out we barely encountered any other puppies which makes me wonder if people in Brooklyn Heights just happen to go to bed super early. We were out for about 1/2 hour and during that time we only saw two other people out walking their dogs. I had hoped to run into some other dogs if only to get the baby used to sharing space with other pups. Too bad none of the dogs we saw were ever on the same side of the street as us. For a short while on our way back home I thought our luck had finally turned when I saw what looked like a man and a black dog walking towards us. Unfortunately as we approached each other I realized that it was a man and a woman with big thighs who was wearing black pants (her top had been obscured in shadows). Oh well. At least the baby and I had a nice walk.

Live baby update: She's sniffing around the floor by the kitchen counter and looking confused.

B.R. 5/13/08

The baby had an accident, though not until this evening. So I suppose it could've been worse, no? The day started well for the baby. We played fetch, she had a delicious breaky of chickum and kibble, she had a good yump, and then we played some more. Then she napped for most of the day while I disappeared off to work for a while. I noticed upon my return that the baby had not sinkled. She's been doing this for a couple of days now. It used to be that her b-room activities could be tracked like clockwork, but of late she's been off that schedule. Anyway, the last couple of times she's done this she'd sinkle while we were playing fetch. This wouldn't be so bad if we were playing fetch in the b-room. Unfortunately for us, we were always playing in the living room. :\

Anyway, since the baby had not sinkled I did not want to play fetch with her until she did. So I waited. And waited. After 15 minutes and still no sinkle, I thought that perhaps she didn't need to sinkle and decided to give in to her pleading looks. However, just to be safe I threw her toy by and into the b-room -- a trick that I use to get her to go when I see her hesitating (always a sign that she needs to go relieve herself) -- but nothing. So we resumed our game of back and forth, and wouldn't you know it, as soon as I let my guard down the baby did her infamous squat and sinkled! An anguished "NO!" escaped from my lips but it was too late. Again, thank goodness for Flor. So at least the clean up was easy. That said, I tell you what, I'm not falling for her coyness again. No fetch without proof of recent sinkle!

B.R. 5/12/08

I had been very worried this morning. Very worried. Why? Well, I was late in returning home last night because I'd gone to see Iron Man with Ephanie and Kires, so I was unable to feed the baby. I had hoped that Enn would've done so in my absence, but well, one never knows. Anyway, I texted her and it was a good thing that I did because she hadn't fed the baby (!) adn it was already 10 p.m. (!!!) After receiving my text, Enn did feed the baby, but because she was not knowledgeable about the baby's feeding patterns, she gave the baby a dinner wholly consisting of chickum when she should've fed her a meal of chickum PLUS kibble. I've had to clean up after the baby when she just eats chickum, and it's not pretty. So, come this morning I was extremely fearful of the type of yump the baby would be leaving for me. This is especially the case as the other day she got some sticky yump that adhered itself to her right rump and right hind leg, the latter of which helped to track yump all over the b-room floor. It looked like something from an episode of animal cops.

As it turned out, all my fretting was for naught; because the baby did not yump until I returned home this evening. And when she did, although she did not hit the bullseye entirely, I was quite overyjoyed because her yumps were all nice and firm. I love easy clean-ups.

Other than that, I have to report that today the baby and I have been working on "bring it here" and "let go". She's not really getting the point of bringing toys back to me, because I think she thinks it's a game to get me to tussle with her for her toys. That said, I have faith in the baby and think that it'll be a matter of time that she'll get it. I hope. For her sake. Because Enn and I are lay.

Live baby update: She's eating a midnight snack.

Homage to the 60's

B.R. 5/10/08

Other than waking me up at 4 a.m. to play, the baby has been a good girl. With regards to that: I had thought that she was waking me up so I could let her out of the room to go sinkle; but I waited a good 20 minutes and all she did was pace back and forth by her bone while looking at me with plaintive eyes. Not falling for her ruse, I brought the baby back to bed where she immediately did a circle dance and fell asleep. Anyway, we woke without further incident around 10 a.m. whereupon the baby immediately wanted -- surprise, surprise -- to play. As I was still a bit woozy I sought to buy myself some waking up time by giving her breakfast. This gambit seemed to have worked as she left me alone while she gingerly picked out all the chickum and left her kibbles strewn about the floor. When I first noticed this picky behavior I had thought to chastise her, but did not because (1) she's still a shy eater meaning that she always looks as if she expects someone to sneak up on her and steal away her food, and (2) I eventually realized that she would go back to her kibbles at a later time and clean up her mess herself. So, now I let her have her way with her meals, and it's worked out quite well for us both.

We eventually did get around to fetch, and have played several times today. Though I expect most important thing to report is that I had to express the baby's anal gland. I usually do this when the baby is getting her bath. Unfortunately sometimes her glands fill up up before her baths, and that's when we need to clear them. And when how do I know when I need to squeeze the glands? Well it's pretty obvious because (1) she does the butt scoot dance (imagine the baby dragging herself around while in the sitting position) and (2) she is stank. There. I said it. Anyway, her glands got expressed and then I scrubbed her butt. Now I don't feel like retching when sitting with her. The end.

An Explanation About Fetch

As anyone who has read anything about the baby will know, she is extremely fond of playing fetch. Unfortunately, though she's a fanatical about fetch -- first thing in the morning, anytime during the day, afternoon or evening, the last thing before bed -- the baby has not quite perfected her skills at said game. Trouble is, not to embarrass her or anything, I don't believe she's fully grasped the concept. Not completely anyway. Don't get me wrong, she's quite enthusiastic about chasing after whatever is thrown. And, she has no trouble retrieving any such items, but, and here's the problem, she's not always great about bringing it all the way back. I offer the following as an exhibit (please click on it for a larger image):


Note the distance between the carpeted area, where I was, and the two items that I had tossed for the baby to fetch -- (1) rawhide stick, 2 ft away; and (2) chew bone, 7 feet away. Further note how the baby is cooling her heels by the rawhide stick, licking her chops and awaiting the next toss.

Unfortunately, the baby does this quite often. Of late, I've tried to encourage her to bring the tossed object all the way back to me or at least within my reach. I'm not sure it's working. I think she thinks it's a devious ploy to steal such objects away from her. As mentioned, the baby can be quite possessive. That said, the baby's proclivity to leave things outside of my reach has meant that I get as much exercise out of our games as she, relatively speaking anyway.

B.R. 5/8/08

The baby was v sweet this morning. She came in to wake me up per usual, but when she saw that I wasn't about to get up anytime soon she did a turn and crumpled into a tidy ball that fell into the crook of my arm. That's one thing about the baby -- she likes to be in physical contact with her mom. For example, she's lying next to me with her butt against me as I type these words. If it's not a paw, it's her head, if not the head then the butt, if not the butt then her leggies, so on and so forth. It's v endearing.

Anyway, because she was such a wonderful baby this morning I reciprocated by playing a very energetic game of fetch with her. After that, we had a very lovely breakfast -- chickum and kibbles for the baby, toast with butter and jam for me. Shortly thereafter, the baby ran into the bathroom and did her morning business. As of late, her yumps have been most excellent, resembling moist mini cigarellos.

Of course, even the best baby has her moments. Although she's been a v good girl today, she didn't exactly jump for joy when I asked to take her photo. She does what she wants, and when things don't go her way, she gives what what, she gives me the Look:

B.R. 5/7/08 (late edition)

The baby must've felt angry today because she was denied her usual game of fetch in the morning. Unfortunately for her, I was running a little behind as I've been feeling somewhat under the weather (quite ironically as the weather has been downright delightful) and was therefore unable to indulge her in a game this morning. The most I could do was shred up some chickum for breaky and run out the door. Then, work delayed me somewhat later than usual so the baby had quite a long time to herself for most of today. Perhaps this is why she sinkled on the carpet during fetch. Was the baby acting out, or merely excited at the prospect of finally getting some attention? Whatever the reason, I'm glad that I got the carpet that I did as cleaning up is a cinch. That said, it's not fun watching one's baby sinkle on the living room floor. This isn't Japan, you know.

B.R. 5/6/08

The baby has been an extremely good girl today despite using my face and neck as a trampoline. As per usual she woke me up around 8:30 by romping on my sleeping form. She particularly enjoys jumping on my face and chest. Thank goodness she is only 5lbs. Anyway, since I wasn't feeling so well today, she was kind enough to forestall our morning game of fetch until after my shower and breakfast. She did not try to impose herself in any way, and instead she let me be until I was ready to play. Upon exiting the b-room, I found the baby lying about in the sun. She gave me a slight glance, saw that I was still stumbling about and therefore unfit for play as of yet, and returned to her daydreams.

Later, after her breakfast, we did enjoy a quick game of fetch. However, because I knew that I would be taking her out for a walk in the early afternoon I kept the game relatively short. Also, since I had to prep the baby's chickum I knew that a trip to the garbee chute was imminent and knew that I could curtail our game in favor of a jaunt in the hallway. Although the baby normally enjoys our trips to the garbee chute, she was not as excited by our trip today as per her norm. She normally loves to tear up and down the hallway in a pretend game of tag, but today she was quite happy to trot alongside and seemed quite eager to return to her blanket nest. No matter, because she more than made up for any lack of physical exertion during our afternoon walk.

The baby accompanied me to the post office where she hid inside my bag. Then we walked around the Heights, wherein she trembled in fear from the sight (and proximity!) of larger dogs as well as basked in the admiring eyes of most everyone we passed. In particular, I have to say that ladies of all ethnicities and men of Hispanic heritage are particularly drawn to the baby.

And now she's passed the s out because I took her out during what would've been her afternoon nap:

Possessive

The baby, who had been resting in the crack of where the sofa cushions met, ran to her pillow when she saw me shifting my eyes towards her bone. Upon arriving at the pillow the baby plopped herself down, placed her paws over said bone, and gave me an oh-so-innocent look as if to say, "what bone?"



Now that the danger has passed, what's the baby up to? She's back on the sofa; ensconced in the crack.