Bleeding Hearts (and Sides)

I had a tragic week. My parents are now fostering a papillon named Reagan from Pap Haven Rescue. She was really nice and sweet at first, but on Monday night, I was sitting on Mommy's lap when she jumped up on the couch next to me. I gave her a warning growl to remind her I was here first, and she totally took it personally. She chomped down on my side and tore a huge gaping hole in my tiny little flesh. My parents had to run me to the vet's for an emergency visit, and I ended up getting 6 staples in my side. I have to take antibiotics now, which is icky. But, the worst part is that I've likely been traumatized for life. Ever since she attacked me, I've been spending the majority of my days hiding under the couch or behind the kitty condo, and I quiver with fear anytime my parents try to make me come out for food or meds. I'm especially fearful of Reagan. She's been trying to make it up to me by sniffing my bum and wagging her tail, as if to say "Are we cool?" But, I just don't know if I can ever trust her not to attack me again. My parents reported the incident to the rescue people, but they acted extremely accusatory about it, basically saying it was Mommy's fault for introducing us to each other too soon. Well, that doesn't make me feel any better, and it certainly doesn't help my trust issues.

The Littlest Loser

I went to the v-t the other day because I've been gasping and choking a lot, much like Brandy did back when she was alive (which was way before I got here, but I've heard the story many times). I have a narrow esophagus, which makes it difficult for me to breathe. My weight is not helping, either, which is another concern. I'm on a new diet now and I have started to lose weight already! I'm probably the littlest big loser on the planet!

Capital Easter

I got to drive down to Virginia this weekend with my pawrents to visit April and Kirby. Maddy came with us, too. It was great seeing Kirbs again! She spent the night with us at our hotel on Friday. We played pretty much the whole time. I guess we had a lot of playtime to catch up on.
Saturday, we stopped by April's work place (which just happens to be a vet clinic). Then we drove to the nation's capital and took a long walk around the city. I got to see the Whitehouse and the yard where all the presidential pooches run around! I got tired of walking soon, though, and had to be carried the rest of the way. But it was so much fun seeing all those sites that humans consider historic. I just have to wonder if that big white house has a doggie door?

My Adoptiversary!

How can it be possible that 2 years have already passed since my adoption? It still feels like yesterday that I was riding home in the car in my new mommy's arms, while Kirby parked herself indignantly right next to us. Ah, good times! We have footage of my first full day at home. I was so skinny back then, and I was going through a terrible case of Kennel Cough, which I quickly passed on to Kirby. Now I'm a big, fat old lady with no shortage of love or treats! It may feel like only yesterday that I came home, but I can assure you there's a world of difference between who I was then and who I am now!

Daddy, Will You Be My Valentine?

If there's any wonder why I should be Daddy's 2008 Valentine, one needn't look any further than my name itself! My name is Kisses for a very good reason: I am a total love bug! My affectionate nature defies all laws of chihuahua-hood. Most chis are considered "snippy" dogs (very un-Valentine's Day like) but I honestly can't remember the last time I passed by a human or a fellow housepet without giving them a big, wet kiss. I've got love and devotion built right into my little bones!
Like Daddy, I didn't get off to the best start in my life. But unlike Daddy, my rough patch lasted 10 whole years, rather than 4 months. I was a puppy machine to a backyard breeder and endured a decade full of repetitive breeding, neglect, and indifference, except where my ability to make money off my puppies was concerned. I was on the brink of being put down for good when a kindly rescue group offered to take me on as a foster dog and find a good home for me. Being from a puppymill setting with little human contact, they weren't sure what kind of temperment I would have or how good of a pet I would make. But, I proved very early on that my deplorable living conditions had not broken my spirit, nor diminished my desire to love and be loved. My family adopted me, hoping to heal their broken hearts after they lost one of their other dogs. I met and exceeded all their expectations.
Today, a person only needs to look into my eyes once to understand the meaning of the phrase "puppy love." I am the embodiment of love and companionship, not just for humans, but for other dogs and even cats as well! I knew if I held on long enough that something good would come to me, and boy, was I right! I started my life in a cage, but I get to finish it on a couch, curled up in the lap of my favorite human, finally knowing what it's like to be cherished.
I have been given a second chance at life and I want nothing more than to spread my joy with everyone I meet, starting with Daddy right here: http://www.dogster.com/dogs/456424. Oh, and by the way, Daddy: I do kiss and tell! :)


P.S. I'm adding this a little late but I really want to spread the word (and show Cesar one more reason why Daddy should choose me--this shelter desperately needs the $250 grant he's offering as a prize!!). Link to story: http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/local&id=5950 778

Lock Down

I accidentally got locked outside last night! I went out for a final potty with Kirby and Koivu around 9 or 10, during the game. Kirby and Koivu were let in but my mommy thought I was already inside, too, so she closed and locked up the back door on me! At 12:30 she heard me barking outside her window, so she went to the back door and, lo and behold, there I was, shaking and cowering in the dark. Poor, poor me! She felt bad so she wrapped me up in a blankie and held me until I stopped shivering. I'm none the worse for wear, but I'm going to milk this extra attention for all it's worth!

Somethin's Hurted :(

I was whining and crying all night last night and no one was really sure why. It seemed related to my left leggie. When I went over to Grandma and Grandpa's house with my family I was just fine. I even stood up on my back legs to say hi to all of them. But I must have pulled a muscle or something because then I started whimpering and limping on that leg and kept that up all night. I'm better now, though, so I hope everything is fine.

The Big Snip-snip!

Today's the big day! As of 8 o'clock this morning, I no longer have my uterus. I'm glad to be rid of the darn thing, too, 'cuz I'm too old to be having heat cycles or unwanted pregnancies. I'm ready to join the AARP and hang out at the senior center. Someone just called the vet to check on me, and they said my surgery went well and I'm just resting now. So, phew! I'm glad to know I did OK! It's amazing I'm even coherant enough to write this while still under the effects of anesthesia. Ah, modern medicine! :)

Bark in the Park

Kirby and I, along with our mommies and some of their co-workers, participated in a fund raiser yesterday morning at the Toledo Area Humane Society. They call it the "Bark in the Park" and it means that humans and their doggies get to walk a mile and a half around Arrowhead park to raise money for the homeless kitties and dogs in the shelter. I have no idea how much money they raised that day, but I bet it was a lot because there was at least 1,000 people there--and their dogs! For once, I wasn't the smallest puppy in the area, as there were chis half my size there. Of course, there were also Great Danes and Newfoundlands who could've used me as a chew toy. I think Kirby was the only pappy there, so she was quite unique.
During the walk, my mommy had to carry me occasionally because I kept getting tired or trying to pee on every piece of landscape we passed. Our friends Dusty and Meso were there, along with Cisco and Harley. All in all, it was a very fun morning. Afterwards, I had no trouble sleeping for the rest of the day. Phew! All that fund raising sure is exhausting!

Amber Alert!

If anyone has ever questioned the usefulness of a tiny dog as a watch/guard doggie, I got a few word for them. I'm a hero! All of my canine siblings and I are heroes. Yesterday our kitty brother Mikey escaped unnoticed out of the house and was gone for several hours. While we were outside for our dinnertime potty break, all 3 of us spotted him on the other side of the fence and barked furiously at him without stopping. The humans tried to get us to shut up, but we refused. We knew better than to let our furbling roam around outside, unsupervised. When they finally realized we were barking at one of our own, rather than a strange black cat, they ran down to the yard and enlisted the neighbor guy's help in lifting him back over the fence. He punctured April's arm pretty good, but he was brought back in safely. We were rewarded with much love and treats for being so vigilant and sounding off our Amber Alerts. Small in stature? Maybe. But definitely big at heart and valor!