My red bandanna

I have received so many Christmas cards and presents this year. From Mexico (Thank you Lorenza!) to Australia (Thank you Willow, Tess, Noah and Lucy!). The mailman came almost everyday to deliver me something. My hoomans did not even receive one Christmas card (zilch!). But, since I got tons of it, I just shared my cards with them.

My favorite gift is this red bandanna that the Animal Doctor, the Secretary and the dogs from the Animal house sent me (along with my favorite treats, Yummy!)

It looks so good on me that I've been wearing it since I received it. My mom has tried to remove it several times but I would always protest and demand that she put it back on.

Fast forward to Christmas eve, they were all opening presents and forgot about giving me my share, so I'm trying to make myself heard in this picture.

Finally, I got the present they bought for me - A really big doggy bone!

Yummy!

How was your Christmas? I hope you had fun.

Merry Christmas to all!

Trip to Zambales (Part 2)

The place was beautiful and the weather was perfect. I could finally see why my mom would want to live here. After resting for a while, mom took me for a walk on the beach. It was off-season (summer is around March - June), so there were only a few people on the beach.

"WHOA!! What was that?!"

"Oh, good it went back to the sea."

Whoa! There it goes again and it splashed on me this time!"

"Hey mama! Don't leave me here! Don' go in the water,

I can't rescue you if you drown!"

She kept asking me to get in the water. I really like to try. If only those waves were out of the way. The beach was like a big tub of water and I hate baths, so I hope you can understand my predicament.

My mom stood her ground and kept calling for me. She said it either I get in or she will leave me on the shore by myself. Told her I'm fine with that and I ran the other way back to the resort. I ran so fast that she had to rush back and get me back to the beach. But, I'm way faster so by the time she caught me, she was out of breath. Hehehehe...

It was not captured on camera, but later that day I finally got over my fear of water. They were begging that I join them. So I did and played on the water, only pulling back when the waves become too huge for me. I still don't know how to swim, though, maybe I could try that on our next trip to the beach.

We played all afternoon and watched the sun set. We sat on the beach and reflected on the beautiful day and the blessings received - my toys, my treats and the scrumptious dinner we will have later.

The next morning, we explored the shores again. It was so early that we had the beach to ourselves. My mom let me off my leash and I zoomed all over the place.

Later on, they went on a small boat to this beautiful island with pristine blue waters and powdery white sand. I was left behind with my lola because I did not have a life vest and my mom was afraid I would jump into the Pacific Ocean . Too bad because the island is so beautiful.

Doing a lot of zoomies really drained me. On the car ride back home, I slept most of the way, using my mom as pillow. It was a very good trip and my mom promised another one soon.

Trip to Zambales (Part 1)

Last weekend, I went to the beach with my mom, lolo (grandpa), lola (grandma), aunt and uncle. We estimated that the car ride will last at least 5 hours so we left at the break of dawn. The sun was just rising, its light reflecting on my eyes, when my mom took this photo.

We passed by the Candaba swamp, where migratory birds can be found. Those white dots are birds. They were too fast for my mom to capture a clearer shot.

We passed by mountain ranges...

fields...

and farmlands.

After a few hours, we stopped by the Subic Bay area to buy burgers and fries. I met a Labrador puppy named Smart. We played for a few minutes but we had to go off again.

A few hours later, I was getting restless. I was seated at the back with my mom with a special seatbelt so I wouldn't move around much. I was getting bored and kept looking at the back to see the cars behind us.

Mommm!!! Are we there yet?!

When we got to Zambales, we saw half-buried houses and rivers swallowed by Lahar (ashes mixed with rainwater) from the volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1990.

After 5 and 1/2 hours, we finally arrived at our destination.

Counting my blessings

This is a late Thanksgiving post because we have been quite busy the past few days. But, I believe we should use each and every moment to be thankful for the blessings we receive.

First, I am blessed with a good home. I am fortunate to live with my family who are just very happy to spoil me. Thankful for a mom who looks forward to spending time with me and is very happy to be at the receiving end of my doggy kisses.

Second, I am healthy, and happy that I got through my neutering procedure. (whew!) I have a special condition called Cryptoorchidism, which will put me at a higher risk of testicular cancer had I not been neutered.

Third, I am happy to have stumbled upon this dog-loving community known as DWB which makes it easier for me to connect with my pals from all over the world. I love reading your posts and learning about how you enrich the lives of your families.

We got this award from Siku, who thanked me for being a special blessing. Thank you Siku for being a blessing too. I enjoy reading about your daily adventures with your mom and dad. We should be thankful that we have very nice parents who care for us.

Now, I would like to pass this award to my friends:

1. Aki and Poopie

2. The Secretary, Jappy, Trudis, Moymoy, Scarlet

3. The Piappies

4. Sally Ann and Mack

5. Sumo, the dog who blogs in Filipino

Help Scarlet fulfill her dream

Scarlet, a labrador, hurt her toe because it was caught in the slats of her cage. By the time she was brought to the Greenwoods Pet Clinic, run by the Animal Doctor and his wife - the Secretary, she already lost control of her two hind legs and her muscles had already athropied. Her parents were not able to take care of a special needs dog so the Animal Doctor and the Secretary decided to adopt her.

Please help my friend, Scarlet, get her dream wheelchair so she can move around and play with her brothers and sisters.

A full quad cart costs between 800 - 1,200 US $, exclusive of shipping costs. As of now, she is only $158.94 away from getting her wheel chair. Scarlet's only wish for Christmas is a wheel chair, lets help make her dream come true.

Kindl visit the Animal Doctor's blog for more information about Scarlet.

Something to be thankful for...

We're off to the beach tomorrow. Yay! I hope the waves are not to scary and the resort dogs will like me. My mom packed my things earlier. I supervised, of course. I made sure she brought enough treats and toys to keep me busy for the loooonngg car ride (4 - 5 hours!)

Will post pictures next. I hope everyone enjoy their weekend. Ciao!

Farewell to a friend

Hana, my dear Eskie friend, passed away unexpectedly because of an aggressive form of cancer. She was only nine years old.

This is my favorite picture of her wearing the butterfly wings that Siku Marie sent her. She looked so pretty wearing it, a cross between a butterfly and an Eskie - a Buttereskie! This is how I would like to remember her- fluttering around while wearing her butterfly wings.

I will miss you dear Hana. You were very nice to me and helped introduce me to your other dog-blogging friends. You also left me messages and gave me healing vibes when I was sick.

My mommy cried at the news of your passing. We never met you in person but we feel we already know you. We feel sad for your mom and dad. They must be devastated at the lost of their beautiful girl. Though we are heartbroken because you already crossed the rainbow bridge, we know we will see you in time.

Wear your butterfly wings and run free, dear Hana. We will miss you so much.

I'm back!

Thank you very much for thinking about me. I believe that the healing vibes I received from my friends here and from the other side of the world were essential in my fast recovery. I feel much better, so much better that my cone was finally removed this morning.

My mom said I have been such a good patient because I always let her clean my wound and put ointment on it. So, today, I got a special treat.....

Momma gave me a few bites of her french fries. Yummy!!!

Please send healing vibes for Charlie

Note from Charlie's mom:

This morning, I noticed that Charlie's wound looked odd - it was redder than usual and I could not see the stitches anymore. I brought him back to the vet to have it checked. The vet told me that Charlie must have removed his stitches (perhaps during those times when his cone had to be removed). The vet said his wound had to be disinfected and restitched.

Poor baby had to endure another surgery to have his stitches repaired. I heard him whimpering during the operation. He was still whimpering when I brought him home. He could not keep still and had a hard time sleeping. Having two surgeries in a week must have been very traumatizing for him.

I think I must have brought loads of dog treats to compensate for the guilt Im feeling. I feel horrible that he is suffering. I know having him neutered is best for him. I just wish he'll get well soon.

Post surgery

I was a happy dog until my mom took me to the vet last saturday to have me neutered. I can't help but think what have I done to deserve this.

Feeling groggy from the drugs they gave me, I could not even recognize my mom right after the surgery. A few minutes later, I looked at this lady again, licked her hands and realized who she was- the person responsible for putting me through this ordeal.

Now, I can't sleep properly and I can't play with Myra. I can't stop licking my stitches because ITS JUST SO ITCHY!!! So, my mom put this cone-shaped thingy on my head. Great. Now, my mobility is compromised! I kept bumping the furnitures with it. They told me I look like a druken driver maneuvering the road. My family, ladies and gentlemen, have the gall to laugh at me and make light of the situation while I suffer.

My mom even took pictures of what I look like now. Hey Siku! You think I could come as a lampshade for Halloween?

On the bright side, I was told that a trip to the beach was my reward. I have never been to the beach but it's my mom's favorite place in the world. So, next month, I would finally see why she likes it so much.