Yep, I've trained my owners!

It might have taken a while to train them, but these humans are just not as smart as us dogs! My advice to all my fellow dogs - perseverance. It started with me wanting to go to the loo at midnight. My Mum would get up, call me and off we'd go outside. I soon realised it would be much more comfy if she carried me out, so there I would sit at midnight, on the top stair looking all cute and soon she realised it would be quicker to carry me. Yep, so that worked. Then came the eating thing..... gee dog food..... really, and me a pedigree.... please! I just turned up my nose and ignored my meal, hung my tail (which always works), but when Mum and Dad ate, gee whiz, I'd wag my tail, make cute little whimpering noises and blink my long eyelashes, do a little happy jig in front of them. Yep, part two of the training.... I soon had a much more tasty dish of food...... The best part is that I managed to train them without having to give them biscuits when they got it right, and I never had to use a lead.
So fellow dogs, if you need some training advice, just contact me....Snuggles. I will keep you updated on how it's going. But... at this stage, yep, these owners I reckon I shall keep for now.
Happy Wags
Snugs

13 May 2006 - My Life at Home

Wags to all my friends out there!!
Well once again Mum prepared my basket with a very soft blanket for me to lie on, she tucked some special dog biscuits down the side so I can nibble on them. When bedtime arrived I grabbed a biscuit and leapt into bed with Mum and Dad. I heard them both groan with joy as I did this, then I settled down between them.... I did hear them say "how will we teach Snugs to sleep in the basket" but.... I know they were joking. It gets awfully cold in winter where I live in South Africa..... well.... lets say it's cold for a Lhasa whose had all her hair clipped off..... Yeah Mum did that to me. It did take her two days and I rolled my eyes at her with disgust, but she still snipped it all off. She left my beard and long eyelashes so I can still pull mean faces at the cats when they walk near my food. Well guys I hope you have a really nice waggy week.
Luv Snuggles
xxxx

20 May 2006 Diary

Hey there fellow Dogs... thats "spoilt, happy dogs"
Well another week has gone by and here I lie stomach up on the cream, shaggy carpet with the electric heating under my back... mmm this is the life. All I need now is for mum to place a delicious bone or biscuit between my cute little lips and I'd just be forced to sigh with delight. Well winter has set in here and Mum feels bad because she clipped my coat and now I'm darn cold. Gee, these humans can be thick at times! Then to make matters worse, her guilty conscience drives her to the vet and you won't believe what she buys me!! A large Maltese sized jersey!! Please.... and me a Lhasa. So .... happily Mother comes home, believing she has done good. Pulls this pink think onto me. Well... it was so tight that it stretched across my back and tummy so tightly that I looked like a SharPei. Well!! was I furious or what. Now my fellow dogs, it was at this point that both Mother and I realised that something was horribly wrong. There I stood, innocently, with this stretched pink thing hugging me tautly across my usually cute body. I knew that we had a MAJOR problem. How was this...thing.... going to get taken off me? Huh... well I was pretty upset at that point but then the most humiliating thing happened. Firstly, I glanced left and there on the lounge suite sat Tigger the cat with a slight smirk on his ginger lips, and secondly, Mum..of all people... started to laugh.. Well that was it... I immediately turned from cute Lhasa... who was being emotionally abused... into vicious Rottweiler and attacked Mother. Mum leapt back as I rushed for her my tight, pink body turning into a missile. It took Mum at least 5 minutes to stop laughing and then she gently pacified me by saying cute things to me and slowly she "peeled" this pink thing off my body. Hmpff... what trauma. So there you have it dogs, I've had a darn awful week. The good news is that my Mum's friend took the pink thing to use on her poor dog, and here I sit with a cute, soft blanket tucked around me chewing a bone.
Hope you all have a great, waggly week.
Love Snugs
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Yep they said the B word today.... B A T H

Wags to all my pals out there,
Well really... I just don't know what gets into our owners sometimes. But .. today was an awful day for me. Yep, it started off like any other, me snoring in the blanket squashed inbetween Mum and Dad. All seemed quite normal up to then, but for some unknown reason Dad had this bone in his bonnet that I, Snuggie Bear, needed to be bathed. As Mum was still in bed when he made this senseless suggestion I hoped that Mother would support me and just remain in bed. But no, she had to ruin the day and say that she would bath me at midday when it was warm. So during the morning I lazed around but, I tell you what friends, my one ear was always on alert. Then at about 12.30 Mum goes and just ruins it and fetches my towels. I knew that was the first bad sign, so up I got and slid under the settee - as if thats not humiliating enough for a Lhasa. And so the day deteriorated - I could hear the bath water being filled, I could smell the baby shampoo that was opened and there I lay squashed under the settee. Hmmph.... Then the next bit gets a bit better.... we enter the bribe mode. Yep Pops was first with some bacon so out I slithered but as I opened my mouth to whip it out his fingers he bent to pick me up. Well thats it folks, my cute little "feed me please" lips turned into vicious "I can remove your fingers" lips and I tried to bite Dad instead. Guess what.... so much for the bribe.... he gave the bacon to Katana my big brother Shephard.... what a cheek. But Mum then felt bad and fetched me some ham and as I was once again squashed under the settee she got Dad to lift the settee and picked me up telling me how sweet I am. I know, I know, I really shouldn't fall for that, but she gets all cute so I let her lift me and into the bath I went. Hmmph what a day. Just to make matters worse Dad reckons he won't give me another special treat just because I nearly bit him, but I know he is joking. All I have to do is sit on my haunches and scratch his knees with my cute, CLEAN paws and make little whimpering noises and the treats will be given to me. Yeah my friends just take it from me, those sweet owners of yours can be awfully sly when they want to. Just be careful out there. Well thats it this week from me the embarrassingly clean, sweet smelling Lhasa.
Snugs.
Have a waggly week!!!!!

Those Cats just DON'T get it!!

Hi fellow Waggers,
I hope you all had a great week with loads of titbits and spoiling. Now let me tell you something re those darn cats. Yep, they seem to somehow crawl under a dogs skin and remain there irritating us. This is how it works in my household..... well firstly, one of the days highlights on these cold, wintery days in Africa is that Mum and Dad settle down in the evening to watch telly. The fire is lit, the hot chocolate is made, biscuits brought out - of which I can tell ya I get a grand helping of - and we all settle down. Mum puts these cute little rugs over hers and Dad's knees and we watch telly. This is exactly when the "cat" problem starts... so much for peace and quiet! The first cat will arrive at the window wanting to come in.... now Mum has JUST closed it to keep the heat in... so up she has to get... annoying me who has just settled down for a good, deep, snoring sleep. So in comes the first cat... who just happens to walk in the same direction as my dinner bowl.... so up I have to get and in sheer temper I race flat out at it, hoping to bowl it over with my cute nose poked into its ribs.... But, not a chance guys, the cat just prances up onto a chair, leisurely licks its butt and looks at me with that smug look they seem to have. Hmmph, once again I go and settle but lo and behold the cat is Never content..... noooo ways. Up it gets and tries to head across the lounge to Mums soft blanket that is covering he legs. Now to get there the darn furball has to traipse past my food again... So ... I position my furry butt between Mum and cat... There is just never any peace. I lift my cute little lips just at the right anglel for cat to see and not Mum and Dad...and do you know why?? because if they see me "smiling" at cat they shout at me... Yep Me.. the innocent party. No sooner is this drama over than the next cat arrives at the window to be let in, and so it goes, night after night. Now why can't they be more like us dogs, come in, find a cosy spot - preferably on a settee - and settle down for the night. But no, no such luck, there they go, night after night creeping around the lounge, up and down, smirking at me, upsetting me. Hmmph let me tellyou something, I have noticed on Dogster that there is never a picture of any dog with a cat.....nah never.... but then how can there be. Lets stick together on this one pals. Hope you all have a cat free week.
Luv
Snugs

Yep it's Summer here again

Hey there all you fun-lovin', highly intelligent, over-friendly dogs. Yep, it's me Snuggles back again to let you know how life is going over here in Africa. We are heading for Summer now, which at one time I was looking forward to. Then Mother and Father took all the joy out of the season for me. These humans really don't know how to just leave things the way they are... gee whizz! Yep Father went upstairs and brought down my cosmetic box which is filled with brushes, conditioner, combs, elastics and all the other idiotic items the two of them have collected over the years. Then Mother takes out all my towels and lays them over the carpet in the lounge. Yep that's right... talk about traumatising a pet! Hmmphh! So that meant I had to high-tail it under the settee, yes me a Lhasa Apso, having to lose my dignity. These things are deliberately being done at MY expense. SO there I lay, in the dust and dark hearing them mention the "B" word (...bath....that is). I have to admit they've got pretty good at this. No longer do they call and beg me to come out, now Dad just lifts the whole settee up and mother gathers me into her arms telling me how cute I am... but that's just to stop me biting her... but there's something cute about those sweet words she whispers into my furry ears, it just makes me go all gooey inside, aarrhh. Then comes the bath, more trauma for me, then the endless brushing.... more trauma. Then out come the scissors and she takes about two hours to snip off all my winter growth. Well as usual her timing was out. She snipped all my long hair off leaving just my tail and face hair long, and the weather turned. Yep, that night it snowed on the mountains and there I was this sad, shivering mutt tucked inbetween Mum and Dad in their bed. Hmmph... one would think that they'd have the brains to check out the weather report before doing something so idiotic. But no ways, not these humans, just cut off all my fur then say.... oops, it looks like snow is on the way.... So guys here I sit with my feet in socks, my little soft blanket tucked in tightly around me typing to you. So much for giving ones dog some dignity. Gee they really have loads to learn before they catch up to us. Lotsa giggles. love Snugs ...xx

Yep, we have parrots!

Hi all you Waggin' friendly hounds, yep its me Snugs back again. I thought I must tell you about these senseless owners of mine. Now before they even thought of buying me, the family bred parrots. Yep, that's right....parrots. We have about 70 parrots in aviaries in the back yard and to brighten my life they have a "babies room" just out back. Now in the babies room there are parrots that Mother has bonded with so won't put in the aviaries, parrots that she thinks are too young to go in the aviaries, and then there are the babies that she still feeds with a spoon three times a day. Now I must explain to you furry friends out there about Lhasa's and parrots. When I look through my big, soft, innocent eyes at these hysterical, shrieking, flapping, painful parrots I see a darn good meal. Yep, thats right.....food.....nothing but a good, healthy, freshly caught meal. Yeah I know, I know..... we are not supposed to see that but that is precisely what I see. I don't see a cute mimicing pet, I don't see a friendly, nodding bird..... I see a big, fat, healthy meal. Now this seems one area that Mum and I don't see eye to eye on, but I reckon Dad sees it a bit like me..... It's not been just once that Mum has been hysterical racing after me around the bird room, me after a flying parrot and Mum after me..... gee she really does know how to ruin my fun. When I get taken back to the house Dad always asks "Why were you shouting at Snuggles?" and Mum says in a grumpy voice "she tried to eat a parrot!" and thats when Mum storms out and Dad hugs me and whispers "Eat the darn things Snugs..." So I reckon Dad and I see a few things the same way around here, if you know what I mean. There is nothing nicer than me waltzing around with a few fresh feathers stuck in my beard... that does make me smile. Yeah....ok.... I must admit I have held quite a few between my teeth but I haven't hurt one yet, but thats probably because Mum is around and takes all the fun out of it. So listen guys, let me tell you that if your family wants to buy a noisy, shrieking, painful parrot.... don't let them. Us Lhasas have to keep our dignity and all that ends when a feathered bird enters ones home. Just keep that in mind. Well loads of luv to all my furry friends. Luv Snugs x

A New Lhasa Arrives Home! Hmmmph!

Hi there all you tail wagging Lhasas and other wet nosed friends!
I just knew trouble was brewing! When Mother told me that she is going to come home with a wonderful surprise for me ... I just knew.... here comes trouble. And.... was I right or what? Into the garden she drives and you won't believe what steps out the car.... Another Lhasa. Well guys, was I shocked or what? Me, Snuggles, having to share MY home with a young fellow. Ok, Mom tried to soften me by telling me he is a rescue Lhasa, he needs out love, we have enough love to share with him.... and all the rest of that mushy stuff, but really, another Lhasa! And.... to make it worse ... a male. Hmmph.
Anyhow, let me tell you a bit about him. His name is Milo and he is 2 years old. He is cream and beige with black tips on his ears and snout, and ok, I'll admit it.... he is pretty cute. He is filled with joy 24/7, loves us all. Look, lets be realistic about this... I have had to train him. He thought he would sleep with me on the bed, but really guys, that is going a bit far. Milo now sleeps on blankets on the floor or in my soft basket. He likes going to the loo at about 5 am, and Mum staggers downstairs whilst Milo bounces along next to her. I have had to soften up a bit, and now and then the foolish boy actually gets me to play with him. He bounces around in front of my nose, hops over me and makes loads of cute sounds so eventually I give in and start to play. Look, it's definately not my style to play, but I suppose I will have to get used to it. I suppose I'm getting a bit soft around the edges.
Well all you waggling hounds, I shall keep you updated with the fun and games that have changed my life. To end with a word of wisdom - don't forget..... never trust a cat.
Paws forever..... Snugs

Autumn Is Here - I want to hibernate!

Hey All you Wagglin' Hounds, It's me Snuggles again!
Yep the weather is turning here in SAfrica... Leaves going yellow, cats in the house more often. And.... talking of cats.... do they annoy me or what! OK, I must admit there are times old Tigger and I have a jolly old romp in the garden. I have learnt to run at him and swing my butt around to thump him on the head with my hind quarters. It's after all.... survival of the fittest..heh heh. Before I learnt to butt swing, he used to hook his claws in my cute pigtails on my head that my mum used to tie up with elastics and butterfly clips. And there we stood...... me frozen with pain and that darn cat with his claws hooked in my pigtails. The fun certainly stopped there, then one day whilst I was standing frozen in agony and Tigs with his one paws claw hooked in my head.... you won't believe what that smug cat did, he lifted his other paw and started licking it.... whilst me.... a Lhasa.... was in agony ... he decided to have a bath! Yep, that was the day the fun ended and the war games began. Now I swing butt and try and whack Tigs on the head.... yeah, yeah, I know what you're thinking.... and you're right... he IS too fast for me. As my butt swings he leaps up and I miss and he lands on my back and bites the back of my neck. Now don't you guys laugh out there.... this can be very frustrating for us Lhasa's.
Anyhow, now Autumn has hit us old Tigs is out ratting - not as though he is as good as me catching rats - but it does keep him out of my hair - literaly that is.
So you fun-filled dogs out there, keep an eye on those cats as I always say and lets just lie back and watch those seasons roll by.
Happy ratting
Snugs xxx

Hi There Guys, I'm Back Online and So Much To Tell You

Yeah, Yeah it's me Snugs, I'm back. Mum got rid of internet for a while but now we are back and do I have a lot to say..... Since we last chatted Mum was asked to rescue an Lhasa. Thank goodness it was a boy, but has he changed my life or what!! Firstly, along came Milo, ok I suppose one could call him cute. He is white with beige patches on his sides and black ears and a bit of black tips around his face. Cute... I suppose. I must admit he is not as cheeky as me, loves to be hugged and kissed and stamps his front paws on Mom and Dad's chest when he wants love. Anyhow to cut a long story short Milo now lives with us. I am now 5 years old and he is 4.
He was flown from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg where Mum fetched him and to start with we got on really well but he was terribly scared. Mum and Dad said his eyesight was really bad but as he has got happier and happier he seems to be seeing a lot better. Mum says it was just being stressed. Now Mealie Milo, that's what my silly parents call him, is terribly happy, does this funny thing of climbing out the lounge window and sitting on the window sill until Mum or Dad returns home. Then we scream with joy - I can still be much lounder than him... - and we scream all the way down to the gate making as much noise as possible. Our big German Shephard brother, Katana, usually beats us there, but we are hot on his paws. Then as soon as Mum or Dad get out their car Milo starts to run like a dizzy flea around and around the garden. Sometimes I stalk him with my butt in the air and my chin on the grass but I have to admit he is quite quick, so I just let him run.
Yeah guys, so that's Milo now part of our family..... and just in case you are wondering.... yeah we still have those two darn cats. And... believe me you wont believe what I have to tell you about next.....
Many licks and wagging
Snugs the chief bug of the household