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Shaking My Tailfeather ...

The Yearly Dread ...

Last week, I prayed for rain in hope that I wouldn't have to go to the vet for that little prick on my bottom. It did rain cats and dogs though, but Mom and Dad were insistent that we should go the vet anyway, since they've specially applied for a day off that Monday. Awwwww, they really shouldn't have. I really mean that.

Daddy had to reverse the car into the covered front porch, so little princess me wouldn't get wet climbing into the car. I had the entire backseat to myself, so I created my little playground while we were driving there. Jumped up, down, then poked my head to peer at Dad and Mom sitting in the front, then the sequence again ... Up, down, up, down ... left my drool marks and my soft brown fur on the window and seats ... and when I finally found a confortable spot, we turned into the vet's carpark.

I didn't want to get weighed as usual, so I went round and round on the weighing scale, in hope that the sensitive figure wouldn't show up on the screen. I definitely, and in all honesty, think that the scale is FAULTY. There is no absolute way I could have put on 4kg since last year?! And how could they accept that weight that showed up on the scale while I was doing my best "So You Think You Can Dance" impersonation on the scale?! Demoralized, I just wanted to go home after the weigh-in, but Daddy held a firm grip each time I tried to run towards our car.

Well the vet was one we've never seen before, and he started talking about my little fiery nature (oh yes, that I'm proud of) despite my matured age of 7. Yes, at that point, I was still turned away from him, my front paws trying to reach for the doorknobs of the examination room. I saw the stethoscope hanging from his neck. I hate that cold thing on my warm belly. Dad and Mom had to hold me still; Mom, as usual, making all those babyish cooing noise to me in hope that I wouldn't turn on the vet. She always does that, even when I am 7! But I like it anyhow. I know I am still her big baby in her eyes.

But anyway everything seemed like a flash. The adults were talking about me (it's all about me, me, me ... ) and yes, my amazing 4kg weight gain. I wanted to scream, " The scale is SPOLIT! Can't you see, every dog you've seen today probably had a 4kg weight gain from their last visit as well!" The vet had the cheek to say I'm losing a little of my hourglass figure. How dare he! He doesn't look an inch like Brad Pitt himself.

From that moment on when I was deeply insulted by the vet that I am *ahem* slightly fatter than before, I vowed to lose the inches. So my daily food intake was reduced by a quarter, and I'm on my way to being a fierce candidate on America's Next Top Model. I'm also jogging with Dad every night; it's a good 50m back home after our night walk.

So watch out, Mr Vet, I'll be back - 4kg lighter and I'll make you take your words back.

Good Luck Bell For You??

Ok so I've been lazy. It's these hot days that make me extremely L-A-Z-Y. I'll just rather crawl under the table on the front porch and "siesta". I'm a night creature, I'd say. I guess I'm kinda into the carefree Spanish culture. I'll sleep in the day, and enjoy life upon nightfall. Who wouldn't want that? Now that is life. When Mommy comes home from work at half past 2 in the a.m, I'm all raring to go. I'm all ready to play wrestle with Daddy and have him tickle my belly. I'm all set to annoy Momo by messing up his long hair. Ahhh, my time of the day.

Guess what they got us from Tokyo. Momo and I each got 2 little bells. I don't really know what good are those bells to us, but Mom and Dad have been trying to promote the bells as the latest must-have accessory. And that we're supposed to enjoy the annoying chime of the bells on our collars?? They haven't fixed the bells onto our collars yet, so for now I'm not gonna remind them that they have not. "They are good luck bells", or so they told us. Would wearing the bells on my collar bring me luck ... such as stumbling upon an owner-less big fat juicy steak in the middle of the road? And of course, the steak has to be fresh, tender, of quality cut and seasoned with the finest blend of spices. Oh yeah, if the good luck bit about the bells is true, then gimme the bell anytime! I'll be glad to wear it 24/7.

One of the days last week, we all went for a mini family outing to the beach. I think it was a make-up treat from both Mom and Dad for leaving us at home while they had a good time holidaying in Tokyo. We headed to the pet store to replenish our monthly food (I was crossing my paws that they would jazz up our daily menu. C`mon! Throw in some franks! Some roast chicken! Some pork chops! Noo ... they have to get us the same stuff month after month. So much for variety). After the pet store, it was the beach. The warm humid beach. Sure, there was some breeze but HOT breeze air? How torturous is that? I could see Momo wasn't appreciating the breeze that much either. The breeze was blowing his hair in all directions.

And of course, they wouldn't go anywhere without the camera. What's the deal with them and the camera anyway? Seems like Momo and I have never seen them without the camera. Everytime Momo and I take a seat, they whip out the camera. And we'll have to quickly break our perfect Kodak pose. It's fun annoying them, cuz Mom would be kicking up a fuss on why we wouldn't just sit still for a nice photo together. She would be trying to push our butts to sit down together while Dad would be trying to set the timer on the camera. We'll wait till we see the blinking timer on the camera ... 1, 2 ... and just when the flash is about to go off, *Poof!* ... Momo and I would walk off in different directions or turn our faces, leaving only Mom and Dad smiling enthusiastically in the photo. Now that's funny.

I think I am starting to like Momo coming around everyday. At least I know he'll be around to celebrate my birthday with me this year. And you know what's fantastic about September?? My birthday! And you know what's even more fantastic than my birthday? My birthday cake! And what else can I ask more when Momo's birthday is exactly a week after mine!! This means we both get to have birthday cake twice in a month! I reckon Grandma would be baking us her sponge cake. Momo and I love it, but Mom hates it for some reason. She says it tastes like a cardboard box, but what does she know? That cake was awesome! My mouth's watering just thinking about the "cardboard box cake". What am I saying? I am always drooling! That's fun too. When Mom or Grandma accidentally steps on my little pool of drool, it's funny. Now off to dream about my 7th birthday ...

Getting to Know You

I've been the only princess in the palace for years now.

I've dug holes in the front garden, answered nature's call in the middle of Grandma's lawn, chewed up everyone's shoes etc. I don't really understand why Grandma has to speak to me in a high-pitched, shrill voice when she stands in her lawn and points to a brown spot on the grass. What have I got to do with that brown spot? It wasn't there when I sneaked onto the lawn and peed right there. Grandma would continue talking to me in that weird voice and her arms waving in the air.

It’s pretty funny when I see one of them wear the pair of slippers I’ve just been playing with. I usually go great lengths to ensure that the slipper looks just the same as when they have left it. Upon taking the first step, the slipper comes apart and I’ll try to hide my snicker. Life is boring without any harmless pranks, isn’t it?

Despite the little devil I can be at times, I know I’m still the angel in Mommy’s eyes. I’m not really complaining about being my Mommy’s only child, since all the biscuits she buys and stores in the cookie jar are mine. I know the big bag of dog food would be just for me, and I don’t have to share it with anyone else.

I knew who Momo is even before we even had a formal introduction. Mommy talks to me about Momo, and how we would live together in time to come. We’ll sit together and imagine the cosy apartment we’ll all live in, the couch we’ll share watching TV together, the road trips we’ll all take together. Mommy told me about we would celebrate our first Christmas in NC; I’m to play Rudolph, and Momo would be Santa. Well as long as Momo and I get our Christmas goodie treats worth.

The first time when Momo came over to my palace, I stuck really close to Mommy. Usually I'll be wrestling with Momo's dad whenever he's over. I didn’t really know how to react with Momo around, although it seems like we both know each other for a long time already. You could say I was somewhat bashful.

Momo seemed comfortable in our humble home; he scampered around the front porch, while I stayed behind with Mommy. I thought I should break the ice first, and followed Momo around. I don’t think he liked having me too close to his butt though; I apologize for that. I knew Mommy and Momo’s Dad really wants us to get along, and I don’t see much of a problem with that. It’ll be fun to have an older brother, a new partner in crime!

I know I’ll still be the one and only princess though.