ADOPT 2012 CONTEST

2012 has brought some changes for me. I was living with a nice family with three kitties and one human sibling. My family was going to have to move and where they were going there was already five cats. They did a lot of thinking and decided with a toddler and eight cats there wouldn't be much time left for me, and despite being a senior I still have plenty of energy. So they talked with different rescue groups and everyone pretty much said because of my age (I'll be nine in July) I didn't stand much of a chance of being adopted. They had the humane society go ahead and post me but I would stay with them as long as I could. The move was getting closer and still no new family. But my luck changed. Someone that my family knew remembered a lady that had a Min Pin and got in touch with her. So at the end of January I came to live with my new family.

My new family started out with two cats. Then they added a Min Pin (Pippi) to the family and right after that a Chihuahua (Cheeky). Everything was good that way for a few years. Then last year they started thinking about maybe getting another dog to the family. Pippi has a lot more energy than Cheeky so they kept thinking another dog Pippi's size would be good. That was the plan anyway. But while at a fund raiser for the humane society someone told them about Pixie - another Chihuahua. That hadn't been the plan but Mom couldn't say no. Pixie and Cheeky didn't do a lot of playing with Pippi. There was just enough of a size difference that it was rare. Poor Pip. The family had grown and not in the way expected, but all was still good. Pixie was a good addition and no more looking. They hadn't planned on more, but when the mutual friend got in touch with Mom she knew it was meant to be. She didn't care at all that I was older, and in fact I have as much energy as Pippi (who will be five in July).

So, I came to try it out and see how it went. I gained three doggie sisters - something new for me - and two new kitty sisters. Pippi and I are about the same size and energy level and it has been working out well. I'm here to stay. We get to go on lots of walks with a local dog walking group. I had never really been around other dogs before and I have been enjoying this. Another great thing about my new family ... the toy box!! Mom tends to only have a few toys out at a time. Well, the first time she pulled out the toy box to get out some new toys I was a happy pup! I got in the toy box and sat there playing with things for 45 minutes. Mom finally made me get out because I didn't want to share. I thought those were all for me. Who knew?!! Anyway, I have been a girl on a mission destuffing and desqueaking everything she pulls out. Hehe. I can sleep in the big bed with everyone else or my own bed in my own little spot. Mom made me a quilt and has made some clothes. I LOVE clothes. I am a diva after all. I've been swimming and wading in the water, and Mom promised I could try out the canoe with her this summer. There is always something new.

As you can see life has made some turns for me and my new family. I went from a situation of needing a new home and things not looking good, to being a very spoiled pup. Some saw my age as a negative, but compared to one of my current kitty sisters who is 22 this year, Mom says I'm still a spring chicken. She made a ramp for getting up on the bed so we can all get up there easily, but I don't really need it yet. I just use it to make her feel good. Really.

Anyway, there is my story. Only a few months of it so far, and it's just the beginning. Stay tuned for more.

07-Jan-2013 -- Concord Dog Park

I got to go on my first pack walk of the year. It was a walk in the woods by the dog park, followed by some play time at the dog park. Pippi got to go also, and between the two of us I am pretty sure we marked the trail about every five feet ... for almost a mile and a half. Hehe. We pulled on leashes a lot on the walk this time. Something smelled sooooo good.

Mom made me wear my loud bell on my collar for the walk. Just in case we did any off leash time on the walk, which we didn't. I did get some off leash time in the dog park. I did my usual barking at every dog on the other side of the fence. I bark and kick my back feet sometimes just so they know I mean business. Hmph. Serious business! I usually don't bark at any dogs on the same side of the fence as me, but I did bark at a couple today. Mom fussed and made me stand beside her. Whatever. *More back feet kicking so they know I still mean business. Serious business!*

I did run and play with the group of dogs there at times, but most of the time Pippi and I just walk around on the little dog side. We did get a little time on the big dog side, but not as much as usual. Mom said there were some dogs on the big dog side that would have put me in my place. I think she forgot who she was talking to. I can kick my back feet with the best of them and show them I mean business. Serious business. Mom should have gotten a picture of the dog Pippi and I did like when we went on the big dig side. It was a big Great Dane.

Mom says it is good when I can get rid of some energy at the park. I like it, too. Wish I could get rid of some more tomorrow.

08-Jan-2013 -- Haw Ridge Park Greenway

I got to go on another hike today! This time Cheeky and I went. She is much quieter in the car than Pippi. Just sayin. Anyway, we went out to Haw Ridge Park Greenway today and met our buddies Ziggy and Clancy. They are both Golden Doodles. We started on leash while on the greenway, but then we tried a new path off in the woods. After we got away from the greenway a little bit we got to go off leash. Love that! Being off leash in the woods is more fun I think than the dog park. So many interesting things to smell ... and roll in. The first part of the hike through the woods was a pretty steep hill in places. Of course that wasn't a problem for me. Mom is sure Pippi and I are part mountain goat. Hehe. Ziggy zoomed off on her own path maybe on the scent of something. She will do that sometimes, but usually comes right back. Well, we made it to the top of the hill and no Ziggy. We had a pretty good view from up there and everyone called and called. We headed on a little bit and were just about to double back when Ziggy's mom got a call. Ziggy had gone back to the parking lot and someone had her. So we headed back that way. Of course we had been hiking for an hour by that time and it took us a bit to get back to the parking lot. Ziggy's mom actually jogged ahead to go meet the person that had Ziggy. Once Ziggy was safely back with us we walked along the greenway a little more. We all stay on leash there on that section.

With the walking on the greenway, the hike through the woods, and more walking on the greenway we went 4.2 miles today. I got in a quick nap on the way home in the car and must admit another good nap this afternoon. And remember that comment about finding things to roll in? Well, I got a bath this evening. Oh well. Maybe we can do another walk tomorrow and I can find something else to roll in. Tee hee hee.

09-Jan-2013 -- Feeling Old

I think it may be a good thing there are no walks or hikes scheduled for today. I'm feeling a little old. I have come to the conclusion that maybe at nine and a half it is not a good idea to run up and down steep hills ... multiple times. Next time I need to take it a little slower AND get pampered more when we get back home. On the schedule today is a spa day. I got the bath out of the way last night, and I will admit that the warm water did feel good. I've had some snuggling in warm blankets this morning and I am looking forward to my message here in a little bit. I'm even glad for the ramp to get up to the bed today. Most of the time I just use it to make Mom feel better, but today I'm glad for it. Heck, first thing this morning I would have been happy for a little elevator. Hehe. Hmm. Wonder if Mom can make me one.

16-Jan-2013 -- A Day Out

There have been no hikes and pack walks this week. It's been too wet. We've had rain and rain and more rain. But I did get a day out with Mom. First we went to Grandma's house. We had barely been there at all when we got back in the car, along with Grandma and went to pick up our car, which was being fixed. Mom and Grandma both commented on how well I behave in the car. What would they expect from a Dutchess? After that it was a super quick trip to Wal-Mart, where I had to wait in the car. Hmph. But the next stop was Hobby Lobby, where I did get to go in. Not only did I get to go in, but I got to ride in the shopping cart! Mom even put a blanket in the bottom for me so I could ride in comfort and style. I kind of liked that. There are some interesting things up that high to smell and look at. On the way out we stopped to talk to a family that used to have a Min Pin. I knew I liked them. After that it was back to Grandma's while Mom worked on a quilt. The best part was Grandma spoiled me with extra treats while Mom was in the other room. Gotta love Grandma even if she can't remember my name and calls me Hostess most of the time. All in all not bad for a rainy day.

18-Jan-2013 -- Daily Diary Pick -- And SNOW!

I just found out I am one of today's Daily Diary Picks. How exciting! Mom said she hopes this doesn't go to my head because I already have some attitude sometimes. Especially when I kick my back legs. You can tell I mean business. Serious business. I also have this look to go with the kick. But that is all for another entry.

Yesterday we got some snow. Now not much, and what we did get was pretty slushy, but we were still excited. Mom quickly made Pippi and I some waterproof hoodies since it was still coming down, plus everything was so wet from all the rain and rain and more rain we've had. Once they were done we went out and played in the snow a little bit. We didn't stay out long. That slushy stuff can be pretty cold on your feet pretty quickly! Pip likes to chase snow balls. I was too busy exploring and getting my new hoodie muddy. Hehe.

A little earlier in the day we drove by one of our usual walking trails ... the greenway. Parts of it were still under water. Today we are going to meet some people over at the park and walk, but I'm guess we don't go on and do the greenway. Hehe. I told Mom since I was a Daily Diary Pick I should get to be one of the ones that gets to walk today. Since there are four of us Mom makes us take turns. I'm a lucky girl this week, so I know it's going to be me!

18-Jan-2013 -- Springbrook Park and Grandma's House

This day just keeps getting better and better. I DID get to go on the walk today. And better yet, I got to be the only one who went. Actually I don't really care if the others come or not. I just like to get out and go! The sun came out and melted most of the snow, but because of the slushy snow and all the rain we have had lately it was kind of muddy and soggy. You should see the waterproof hoodie Mom made for me. Mud covered. Hehe.

After the walk I got to go to Grandma's house again. When we got inside there was this great sunny spot on the floor in the kitchen. My feet were still a little cold from the walk. So I plopped myself down and soaked up a lot of warm sunshine. In fact I took a nap there. Great spot for a nap.

Last night I kept trying to take over Mom's pillow in the bed. I tried to point out that she was hogging it. She kept moving me for some reason. Tonight I am napping with my head on the cat's pillow. Everyone has a pillow but me. That's it. I need a pillow for my head!