I'm Back...Again!

It's been over a year since my mommy and I have logged onto our Dogster account. Boy what a year it has been! We went to the Canine Cruise last year and this past September...LOVED IT!! I think my mommy plans to attend every year. Last year we also attended the Chillioween, Thanks Chi-Dinner, and the Santa Paws events at Happy Paws (great space and boutique!), organized by Ada Nieves of the NYC Chihuahua Meetup. We weren't able to attend this year's Chilloween party, or any Halloween event for that matter, because we moved...again. But I'll get to that in a moment.

This year I also got an ear infection recurrence around the same time as last year. My vet said that indicates it's seasonal allergies. It was so bad I even gave myself a hot spot from licking myself. Luckily my mommy treated it by dabbing the area with hydrogen peroxide 1-2 times a day and forced me to wear the e-collar again. By the time we managed to get an appointment with my vet (she's very busy), it was healing. My vet prescribed me doggie allergy pills, similar to the kind humans use for their allergies. My mommy tricked me into eating my dosage (1/2 a pill) by either putting it in my food or offering it to me as a treat.

My mommy and I haven't been able to go out much because her schedule has gotten crazier than before. Her division got shut down so they switched to another office. She also started taking driving lessons and got her license! And, as I mentioned before, we moved again last month. It was crazy!! It took two days to move everything. We moved three buildings south to the apartment above the one my mommy lived in when she first moved to the Bronx. That was before she got me. It's a MUCH NICER apartment with good service, but it's a bit tight on space because my mommy's uncle is staying with us for another month and my grandmommy is a hoarder. She didn't get rid of anything like everyone else did. I have to share our long hallway (we're not allowed in the bedrooms anymore) with Tito, my auntie's Chihuahua mix she brought from the Dominican Republic in January. He can annoy me sometimes, but at least I have some company.

Because things have been so hectic and my auntie is arranging her wedding for June next year, Tito and I haven't been walked much. But I know when we're settled well in the new apartment and work schedules get better, we will go back to our walking routine. For now, I'm looking forward for this year's Thanks Chi-dinner. My mommy bought me a new dress!

Hope to come back to to Dogster soon!

I'm Back!

It's been a while since my mommy entered a new diary entry for me. I've been through a lot since my last entry. First I had an ear infection, which was really serious. My mommy took me to the vet and they prescribed an ear flush a special drops. It was horibble. I had to wear an e-collar so I wouldn't scratch and my social life was brought to a stop. Mommy didn't want to expose me to other dogs, fearing the condition may worsen or I could infect other dogs. I haven't been out socially since my previous entry. It sucks but we had to be cautious...I didn't want to be held responsible for making other doggies sick.

After my second check-up and a clean bill of health, my mommy got some shocking news: her dad found a new apartment and they were all moving. My mommy had only a week to pack our things and prepare for the move. At first I was a bit excited...I even got my own box! But as the boxes started piling up, I realized it wasn't just a trip to a new place, my surroundings were changing, I had to settle in a new environment, get used to new people and having other dogs around. The owners have a dog, whom they let roam the streets so my mommy doesn't let me play with him, and the owners of the neighboring house have one, but they don't let it out much.

The new apartment wasn't in great conditions. The owners were still in the process of extermination when we moved in, which caused me to get a bit sick from the fumes. On top of that I was a bit depressed because I didn't have the freedom I enjoyed before. Now that we live in a house I have to be more quiet to avoid problems with the owners. It's really hard, specially since their dog barks a lot and there are strange people renting out the rooms upstairs. I really hope things get better soon, but my money needs to work hard to get her finances straight so she can move out on her own and give me a better living space.

I might be able to go to the Small Dog Social Meetup next weekend at the Animal Haven in Soho. I'm really looking forward to going back. I miss playing with other civilized and well-maintained doggies. I'm also VERY excited about the upcoming Canine Cruise, which my mommy got tickets for. Her younger sister is also coming with us. That should be lots of fun!!

Busy Saturday #4

Another busy Saturday for me! My mommy had my schedule packed again. We were supposed to go to the MiniPin Meetup in the Washing Square small dog run, but my mommy had such a busy week she changed her rsvp. She was too tired to get up that early, plus she had to work today so she needed some rest.

First, we went to the Small Dog Social Group meetup at the Animal Haven in Soho. We got to Spring Street 45 minutes early so mommy and I sat on a bench at a nearby cafe, where we practiced the commands I've been learning at my basic training class. 15 minutes before the meetup started, we headed to the Animal Haven. There were more dogs this week, a few new ones too. I had lots of fun. Everyone got tired after a while but I still had lots of energy! When the meetup was over we walked through Broadway to the Union Square dog run. We stayed there for an hour, then my mommy went to the farmers' market to get some snacks for herself. We went to Petco and sat on their couches. She tried to feed me but I wasn't hungry. I felt more comfortable because they had the a/c on and it was really warm and humid outside. We stayed by the couches until it was time for my class. This week we review the "stay" command. The instructor showed us the "stand" and "dance" commands. Calibur learned the "speak" command at home. He's really good. It'll take my mommy a long time to teach that to me. Roxy wasn't there again. I missed her. I hope she's okay. My mommy's sister came for the class. she practiced the commands with me too.

Ooh! My mommy bought tickets for heself and her sister for the canine cruise in August!! I'm so excited!! Mommy was anxiously waiting for the tickets to go on sale. She got up early on Friday and bought them before going to work. She already bought me a sailor dress! I love it!! I can't wait to show it off!

Next week, my mommy plans to take me to the Small Dog Social Group meetup again. She's trying to make it a regular activity for me, as long as her schedule permits. Next week is my last class so I'll be graduating and receiving a diploma! On Sunday mommy is taking the First Aid for Cats & Dogs class at the American Red Cross. I think it's great that she's educating herself to make sure I stay save and healthy.

52 Pup Pals!

I can't believe I already have 52 pup pals! This makes me sooo happy! I haven't met any of my pals that live nearby, but I'm hopeful that we will in the near future. It would be nice if we can attend events, like meetups and play groups, together. My mommy is filling up my social calendar as much as she can. I'm definitely a busy doggie.

I just wish there were more doggie events closer to my house so I wouldn't have to travel so much. There aren't any dog runs by my house. The closest one is in Pelham Bay Park, but I'd have to take the train and walk more than 10 blocks to get there. Most people in my neighborhood that have doggies don't really take care of them well. I'm very lucky to have a mommy that takes me out and makes sure my checkups are up to date.

Busy Saturday #3

Yesterday I had another busy Saturday. My mommy got up early and prepared me for the long day. First we went to The New York Dog Shop to exchange a dress that fit me tight at the neck. Mommy loves this little boutique! They have a huge selection of doggie clothes, mostly for small dogs, but they have good items for big dogs too. Their prices are resonable compared to other dog boutiques and their service is great. The clerk tried giving me a treat but I didn't like it, which surprised my mommy because I eat anything edible.

After exchanging my dress, we took the crosstown bus to the east side (The New York Dog Shop is located on 73rd Street and Columbus Avenue in Manhattan). I behaved really good and didn't bark on the bus. My mommy was happy about that. We headed down to the Animal Haven in Soho for the Small Dog Social Group meetup. Since it was Memorial Day weekend, there were only two other dogs there, but I had fun, specially with a white fluffy dog named Gilmore.

After the meetup, we walked through Soho heading over to Union Square. My mommy took me to Petco to get my nails trimmed but the groomer told her to wait two more weeks because there was barely any nail to cut. This surprised my mommy since it's been eight weeks since my last nail trim. I guess they did a really good job last time. My mommy was hungry by then so she bought some snacks from the farmers' market and bought a frappucino at the corner Starbucks. Mommy got mad at a worker that claimed I bit her. Mommy knows I don't bite. I tend to bark at people that walk too close to me, but I never bite, I know better than that.

So mommy and I both ate and headed to the dog park. I was wearing my red summer dress that has "SEXY" written in rhinestones, so I was attracting a lot of attention. Unfortunately I attracted the attention of two creepy men, one that wasn't even wearing a shirt and was really sweaty (yuck!). They kept trying to talk to my mommy and trying to play with me but they scared me. Mommy noticed I wasn't happy so she took me back to Petco where we sat and relaxed, enjoying the A/C. Then we went to my basic training class downstairs, where we practiced how to walk on a loose leash and played a scent game. Roxy, a purebred chihuahua, didn't come and I missed her, but since we decided to combine the two classes being offered, I got to play with more doggies. Last week the trainer taught us the "leave it" command, but I need more practice with that one. Whenever my mommy tries it I jump for the treat and ignore her.

After the class we went home, where I threw myself on the cool floor. I was pooped!!

Busy Saturday #2

My mommy definitely has my social calendar started! Yesterday we were supposed to go to the Fitness With Fido at Central Park, but my mommy was too tired from work to get up on time. We managed to go to the Small Dog SociL Group at the Animal HAven in Soho, but we arrived a bit late because of service changes on the trains. Afterwards we walked to the Union Square dog run. We stayed there for a while, before going to Petco for my second obedience training class. We went over the "sit-stay" command, and learned the "come" command. I had lots of fun! I wonder what my mommy has planned for me next weekend...

2007 Dogswalk

This past Sunday my mommy, her sister, and I participated in the 2007 Dogswalk Against Cancer in Riverside Park. We had so much fun! I met lots of doggies and I got to play with them at a big dog run. Mommy enjoyed the event so much she's planning on participating again next year. I can't wait!

Busy Saturday #1

This past Saturday I had a long, busy day. My mommy woke me up early and took me to Washington Square Park for a Miniature Pinscher meetup (I'm half Chihuahua, half Miniature Pinscher). Mommy didn't know there were separate dog runs for small doggies and big doggies. First we went to the big doggie run, which I loved...it's HUGE! I wasn't scared of the big doggies, I actually like them better. When my mommy realized we were in the wrong run, she picked up my belongings (we traveled from the Bronx, where we live) and took me to the correct dog run. It was tiny, it didn't have enough benches for all the mommies and daddies. My mommy put my carrier on the ground and on of the other doggies peed on it :-(
Most of the doggies there were fun to play with but one in particular kept barking at me, cornering me. I thought he hated me but he was doing it to other doggies too. There was a tiny pomeranian with lots of energy and a really cute yorkie I played with the most. They were fun!

After the Miniature Pinscher meetup we walked to the Animal Haven in Soho for the Small Dog Social Group meetup. It was quite a walk, but I had fun! I had never been in that area so I enjoyed the sights and smells. I loved the Animal Haven! It's an indoor play room so it's a great place to play in during the winter or when the weather isn't nice. My mommy loved it too. She's going to take me as much as she can.

I was supposed to go to Lilly the Cockapoo's 1st birthday party at the Animal Haven but my mommy didn't want to tire me out. Instead we walked to the Union Square dog run where I sat on mommy's lap while we waited for her sister. Then we went to my first obedience training class at the Union Square Petco. I had lots of fun there! The trainer taught us to sit (I already knew that though), stay, and look. I was really eager so whenever the trainer said any of the commands I would do it, even if she was talking to another dog. That made everyone laugh! This week my mommy is supposed to practice the commands I learned. I can't wait for my next class!

22!!

Wow, now I have 22 pup pals!! Some don't live close to me, but I hope I get the chance to meet the ones that do so I can play with them. My mommy is thinking of taking me to the Miniature Pincher meetup on Saturday, but only if we wake up early enough. It's at 11am at the Washington Square dog run, but it takes us over an hour to get there from the Bronx. Plus I have my first training class at 6pm the the Union Square Petco so there will be a huge time gap in between. We'll see what happens...

Wow!

I'm happy to see so many doggies accept my pup pal requests! I hope I'll get the chance to play with them in person. I don't get the opportunity to socialize much with other dogs, but my mommy's trying. She signed me up for basic training classes so I can learn new tricks and I can communicate with her better. My classes start this Saturday coming up. I can't wait! Hopefully I'll be at the top of the class :-)

My mommy also registered us for the Dogswalk Against Cancer. It's on Sunday, May 6th at Riverside Park (Riverside Drive and 108th Street in Manhattan). The donations raised support the lifesaving work of the American Cancer Society and ten percent of the net proceeds will go to the Donaldson-Atwood Cancer Clinic of the Animal Medical Center. If you'd like to sponsor my mommy and I and make a contribution to help fight against cancer you can do so by visiting my mommy's personal participant page at:
http://main.acsevents.org/goto/Ismelda.Molina

Thanks for your help!!