Pooka & Lola truly partners in crime!

Once upon a time, there were these two adorable little kittens. They were so loving, and jovial, and not at all cold-blooded killers of things such as mice, or fish, or anything that had blood runnng through their veins.These cute, cuddly kittens used to stalk dust, play with their kitty toys, and eat goodies galore. Just for the sake of it, we'll call these cute, sweet, NICE kitties Pooka and Cro`i. (What a coincodince, huh?)
Well, over the years these two NICE house kitties, Pooka and Cro`i shared with their family, they grew in to unique furballs of love. Cro`i would oogle Derek Jeter whenever he was on the tv...and Pooka became such a mamma's boy. If a pet fish was brought in to the house they never thought to try and HURT the fishy. In fact once Pooka stuck his paw in the water and got skeeved out. But as they grew, it was clear that they wondered what was outside the warm house they cohabitated in. To keep them safe, and give them a sense of adventure these sweet, NICE kitties were allowed to venture in to play in the garage...instead of being allowed in to the open air of the yard.
AND that's where the trouble started. These two kitties who just so happen to have the name Pooka and Cro`i began to change. From time to time, especially in bad weather (winter) they'd find these little furry poachers, who skittered around...looking very much like their toy mice. The kitties morphed themselves in to sleek, swift, fierce hunters. Proud to show off their kill, even though their family (more importantly their mother-who we'll call Rose) would be appalled. But the family understood the nature of cats, and even when these kitties deposited a mutilated mouse in her bed, on Egyptian cotten sheets.
But as if this tale was not getting gruesome enough, the tale gets even darker. A puppy was brough in to this little family...and soon won over the hearts of all who lived under the roof...even the kittens who now had a dark side. And although the puppy, who just to keep consistant, we'll call her Lola was being house broken...and allowed to go outside...the cats were not. And the cats didn't understand why. So over the course of a few months...the cats known as Pooka was allowed to play in the back yard...because (a) he was Lola's best friend and they played together...and (b) because he would try and cry all night to get out if he didn't have his way.
The other day when the family came home...they spooted Pooka outside, looking like he was going to make a mad dash out of the yard. Pooka's mother had a panic and went running towards him. But Pooka was not trying to escape. And he gave his mother a dirty look, as his intended victim...a little finch flew off. Pooka's muscles slowly unbunched and he went in the house. The family laughed it off, glad that the little bird lived to see another day. Estatic to know their darling Pooka's paws were unbloodied.
But oh no, Pooka would not be thwarted. Pooka's need for a hunt was overwhelming. Many times since July...he was foiled when he'd go to innocently 'visit' the new gold fish named Jimmy Buffett. At night he slept so soundly...his mother thought he was a little furry saint. But that was when he was plotting it all out. He waited until no one susspected anything...would never suspect his accomplise.
Pooka mother and grandmother had been out running errands and returned home wondering what they would have for dinner. It was then that they heard Pooka's aunt yelling 'Let me wash your mouth...let me wash your mouth' for some odd reason. When they entered the home...there was Lola...having her face scrubbed clean. The mother and grandmother innocently asked what was going on- and here's where our tale ends in a murder most fowl (intentional mis-spelling.)
Pooka got to go on his hunting expaditon. He hunted in his own back yard...stalking a BIG black bird. He solicited his sister Lola's assistance in the hiding of the body...so no one would be the wiser. However Lola could not resist...so proud to be part of a secret Pooka entrusted her with. Pooka chosing Lola over Cro`i. Lola then brough her trophy in to the house and as she watched tv began to gnaw and chew on her black bird quietly. Due to her own oblivion, and not answering her aunt's calls for her...did she ignite suspission and had Aunt Ida come looking for her. And THAT'S when Ida discovered the horrid truth! Pooka and Lola are now murderers and partners in crime. Pooka did the hunting, and Lola the stashing. And our sweet little kitty will never be the same again.
So those of you who own pets. Wether they be cats or dogs or some of each. Don't put anything past them. Because you never know when your sweet and innocent furball will cross over to the dark side.

The evil's of getting a pet from a breeder

I have never bought a pet from a breeder, as my mom instilled in me the fact that 'homeless' pets are in need of love, security and a home more. 'homeless pets' being those in the pound or at animal shelters. And although she had pure-breed dogs growing up, my grandparents never paid for them. Because you know, back in the day...who had money to buy a pet? And I appreciate the fact that we've always rescued our pets. I've had much success with my pets that way: Scruffy came from Northshore Animal League and we had her for 16 years. Pooka and Cro`i came from Save-A-Pet, and we've had them for almost six years. As a small kid, we also got the random pet from people in front of grocery stores giving away litters. (I miss seeing that now-a-days.) The only pet that didn't work out for us, which we got from a shelter was Blaze...but she was re-adopted out and thriving.
There is also no such thing as a FREE PET. The 'free pet' falls into the category of urban legend, mythical creature, and lives somewhere with Bigfoot and the Lochness Monster. Maybe Josh Gates should search out the free pet on his adventures. Which brings me to my 'baby' Lola. The cutest pocket puggle one could ever imagine. Originally obtained for my Aunt Ida...she wormed her way in to my heart within a matter of minutes of meeting her, let alone won my mother over too.
If you do decide to go the route of buying a pet from a breeder, please make sure they're a reputable one. I suggest you ask for references, and that you are ABLE to contact the references. Don't take a written testimony as proof. Make sure the breeder and kennels are CLEAN. A clean kennel is the grounds for a healthy pup. Also make sure you have ALL RECORDS on your pet, medical as well as breeding papers.
The reason why I say all this is Lola the cutest pocket puggle has been battling coccidia for a month now. I am not sure (but believe) she was sick with the parasite prior to us getting her. And the reason why I feel this, is because the breeder told me she was under the weather. We got Lola on March 15th, and on the 16th she had dirreah, and a bit of blood in her stool which raised the red flags, and had me at the vet with her on the 17th. Coccidia is not a fatal issue (if caught quickly and treated aggressively.) But it is time consuming, and just annoying...plus between being at the vet for Lola's shots, stool samples, and office visits for the coccidia, she is costing me a small fortune. Thus my stating THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A FREE PET.
Would I (or my family) think of trading her in? Hell no, we all love Lola so much. Are we sorry we got her? Hell no, she has brought us such joy. And am I saying that only healthy pups and dogs live in animal shelters? No.....but when it comes time to bring a pet home, just really investigate and weigh all your options.

The nameless puppy-head

This will be the newest addition to our household as of March 1st 2008. He needs a Celtic or Irish name. Or something equally as cool. Any suggestions? He is Ida's puppy....a puggle and I will not be taking him when I move in the summer. I am taking the two mc-kittens. And at least this puppy will not be a monster like Blaze the beast that we had to give away.

Blaze has out-stayed her welcome

I never thought that it would come to this. We are looking for a new home, for Blaze-the wonder-pup. It is not even a full year of owning her, and she has sealed her own fate by being expelled from casa-de-mine.

Blaze is a great dog, don't get me wrong. She is just TOO MUCH dog, and we can't handle her. She has been through puppy school 1 and 1/2 times, and does not grasp the concept of certain commands. And when you repromand her, she all but laughes at you and defies you even more. She still has the habit of mouthing, and jumping but with Ida in the house, we can't afford to have Blaze knock her down. (As it is, Ida fell and fractured her foot two weeks ago.)

There are alot of mixed emotions in our house. We want to keep her so badly, as we love her. But on the other hand she is making us go mad. When she is go, she is a great dog. But when she is bad, she is satanic. We even thought about getting a smaller dog (as we DO want a dog) but she has us so exhausted, that we've opted not to go that route.

Back to school with Blaze-MaGoo

I've had it.Blaze-the-wonder-pup has evolved in to Blaze-the-pup-from-hell. I can honestly say that I like her, and most of the times like having her. But I can also honestly say that I do not love her. If you ask Ida, she would say that I was being unfair. Because Ida loves having Blaze in the house for security (so do we all, for the most part.) But I have never thought that having a puppy would be THIS difficult.
When we had gotten Blaze, she was a 10-wek old ball of fur, and a joy to carry around. She sure grew fast, and at just about 11 months old weighs close to 60 pounds. Which is understandable, being that she is a mix of Sheppard/colli/rotti. From what my vet told em, full grown she'll be anywhere from 75-95 pounds which was more dog than we really had hoped for. At 12-weeks old, Blaze participated in an 8 week training course at PetSmart. We had had our ups and downs during puppy school, but when she had graduated, seemed to really be on the right track. Or so we thought.
Since she graduated, Blaze has regressed (partly my fault) to not listening to her commands, or when I do try to practice her commands she will partake for a bit...and then go in to 'play-mode'. The only commands that she listens to are: sit....and when on the leash (only) let's go, and leave it. Off the leash....forget it. She gives you a look which simply says: 'what do you mean 'leave it'? I have no idea what you're trying to tell me.' Want her to stay? that never happens. EVER. But her two major points of disobiedance are her continuous jumping, and her mouthing. Both of which she should have outgrown by now. Or at least learned to control with the commands given her.
Before I went on vacation, I was at PetSmart, and talked to the trainer. Because you know...PetSmart has the satisfaction gaurenteed cause on their training program. SHA-RIGHT. The trainer tried to rope me in to shelling out another $250. for either a private lesson, OR the next set of classes. They were not willing to honor their gaurentee. So I've let Blaze off the school hook for awhile. But regardless of Ida's stance on Blaze doesn't need any more training...she's going back.
Last night I decided to take Blaze to get her nails clipped, and she was making me look like Freddy Cruger was coming after me. So instead of throwing her in my car, decided to walk her the two miles (so as to tire her out) to the store, and not give the (cute) shop worker a hard time. Yeah, my plan DID NOT go off without a hitch, as I intended. In fact last nights nail clipping included: me straddling the dog to keep her still, my holding her down, John (the shop worker) wrestling with her to clip her nails and inadvertantly touching my boob. BLAZE NIPPING John's hand HARD....and us then muzzling her and restraining her with a choker thing around her neck. John said it was no big deal, about him being nipped...but I knew he was hurt, and I was mortified.
After all was said and done, I bought some treats for her (as they clip nails for free), AND I gave John tip due to feeling guilty over his injury we walked home, with me reaking like dog. Oh Blaze was as happy as a pig-in-shit on the way home. But my mind is made up. Blaze is going back to school, because this is just wrong. And honestly, I can't see owning this dog who is so unruly.And really she is a good dog....she's just thick-headed. So as of Thursday, August 30th Blaze will be in a six-week program, (which is costing me $100.) at PETCO...where the pets go. Hopefully it will do the trick this time. Because if it doesn't Blaze will be in the dog house for sure.

Blaze the Wonder Pup GRADUATES Puppy School

Blaze graduated from Puppy school this past Saturday. The graduation cap was not my twisted idea of cuteness, but the instructors. Blaze had to perform several tasks without fault, which she did rather well, except for one. One task is loose leash walking, where there may be something distracting (such as goodies) on the floor, and Blaze had to walk past it without touching it. Well as we walked past, she stopped and snapped one up, much to mine and Sam (the trainer’s) dismay. SO being the ‘hard-ass’ that I am, I said to Blaze:

“You drop that right now. DROP IT….pleh….pleh.” She didn’t spit it out, but she relaxed her jaws for me to remove it from her mouth. Sam was amazed that Blaze allowed me to remove the treat from her mouth, stating that her own dogs would never have given it up like that. Then I informed her that Blaze and I would walk past these treats several times, which we did, both WITH Blaze ignoring the treats on the floor, and SAM CHUCKING treats at her.

And Blaze passed puppy school. She is a real dog. :-) We are all so proud of her.

But now what do I do with my Saturday mornings???

Blaze the wonder pup

So I’ve been a greedy little bugger. I have news that I have been sitting on since January 6th, and have kept it to myself. I withheld it from you…my blogger friends and readers. Please don’t be sad, as I hadn’t done so intentionally. It’s just that between the hectic work pace in the office, and the holidays, and post holiday season, I haven’t had time to sit and type it out. So now I am FORCING myself to do so.

I got a puppy! I got a puppy! I got a puppy! *Does little dance of* joy? exhaustion? A bit of both? Instead of buying a pure breed, which we were about to do, I looked at the Bide-A-Wee shelter and fell in love with a little puppy by the name of “Faith”. She was 8 weeks old, and listed as a German Shepard/Rotti mix. After showing her photo to mom and Ida, called the shelter and asked if she was available, then filled out the application over the phone. We got the call stating she was spayed, healthy and ready to be looked at on January 6th, so after I got out of work, we took a ride out to Westhampton. On the way there, mom kept saying ‘don’t get over excited, we’re just going to look at her.’

Well! They brought the little pupster in to the get-to-know-you room, and we all gushed over how cute she was. Then she ran to each of us to give us kiss, and then snuggle. Actually snuggle. Mom proclaimed ‘This is our puppy! This is our Blaze!” And from that second on, we knew we had found our pup and took her home with us.

Blaze is now 3 months old, (her birthday is October 15th) and she is truly a force to reckon with. She can sit on command, and I am trying to teach her to stay. She gets along ok with Pooka and Cro`i…but she wants them to play with her, and they think she’s too wild. The three do share water, although I keep the cat’s food higher so she can’t get to it. If Blaze had her way she’d eat both her food and the mckittens. To make it fair, I don’t chase the cats away from her food…although they really don’t care for pup food.

On January 27th we start going to puppy school…and I hope she will not be too scared of the other dogs. I had brought her over to Nelson’s one night and she had a hoot playing with his five dogs. Blaze still likes me to pick her up to snuggle under my chin, and I’m getting scared. Because she can grow to be 65 pounds, and there is NO way I could lift her at that weight. Everyone thinks she is beautiful and I happen to agree. So without further ado….meet our new puppy Blaze: