Amitiel's Dog House

2009-04-03T13:17:00.004-04:00

Let me (Sugar) tell you about yesterday.

Big brother (Max) and I heard something on the other side of that tall brown wall-thing (fence) outside. Well, this drives us crazy hearing, even smelling, but not seeing or knowing what was there. The only solution is to attack that big brown wall or dig under. Now Dad (RoyalT) had stopped us from digging under before by adding to the wall base and putting heavy blocks (concrete) against the base, too. But this time, more than ever, we are both determined and working together. We manage to get 1 block out of the way and start digging under. We did not realize that digging under them would make the blocks drop. As we dig, I push under the blocks and fence until I have wedged just better than half-way. Now the blocks move, uh-oh, they move down on me turning me to my side.

Now I cannot move, I can barely breathe. Little brother (Scooter) goes inside to bark for Mom (Amitiel). But he doesn't bring her back with him. Now Max goes inside but he says he only barked once then comes back outside to me. Scooter goes back in to get Mom's attention. He says Mom came to see him standing in our room, left for a few minutes, then running back & out the big door to the backyard. (She is slow on the ramp.)

Now I hear Mom running, she has left her paws/feet unprotected. She kneels beside me on the ground and is moving blocks. But some do move and I still cannot move, at least I can breathe easier - some. Mom is worried. How much time has passed? Am I injured? I am breathing but not moving otherwise. Time for Mom to dig with her front paws/hands. I feel a soft thud on the ground as Mom (trying to shift) accidentally dropped to the ground in a sitting position. Guess she decided to try things from this spot. Soon she is digging more, trying to move more blocks, ordering Max and Scooter out of her way, and putting one foot on my butt in an attempt to ease me through the hole.

Scooter says "At this one point, Mom got up and took Max by his collar and showed him where she wanted him, then went back digging. Max did not stay there but crept-up beside Mom and lay there with his head on his front paws. That was my signal to start helping Mom dig. Guess Mom didn't want that either as she picked me up, shouted "No", and gently tossed me (17 lb Scooter) to a soft grassy spot.” Mom's in a panic!!

There is a block pressing on my back, why isn't Mom moving it? It hurts. Mom is slowing, I know she is weak, but please get that block off me. Also seems there is block almost standing on end that fell weird and has me even more wedged at the same time I am laying on part of it too. No way I can be pulled back through the hole into the yard seems I am still too tightly wedged. Finally Mom gets the block off my back. I kick-dig a couple of times but am still too tight in the hole. More digging by Mom and pushing me through the hole.

Mom stands-up (Max says this was a funny sight as she fell twice before she was standing). She runs for the gate. Slips through while making Max and Scooter stay back (NOT easy). Goes into the neighbor's over-grown yard. Fights her way through the tangles of weed (some taller than her and so thick she can't see the ground) to the spot on the fence line where she thinks I am. She is wrong and goes too far down. Now she looks down the fence to see where I am but sees me standing beside her and Scooter goes running out of the hole for a "freedom run". We make our way out of the weeds and Mom takes my collar. I walk faster than her and she tells me to stop after every other step.

Mom falls pulling me down beside her. She lets go my collar, but I wait till she is standing and reaches for my collar again before I run in the same direction that Scooter did. Mom calls me and unlike Scooter, I come to her when she calls. Now she opens the gate, stops Max from coming out and guides me in. Max and I run around each other. Mom has even come inside and goes to move all those blocks back into hole.

Scooter is still loose. Mom seems very worried, watches me run for a minute then goes in the house and out front to call Scooter. We hear her call for several minutes. Then she comes inside the house. Boy is she surprised to see all furbabies, even Scooter, in our room. She said it was time for a "cookie" - OUR FAVORITE THING!

But then she closed our door in the big door (making sure it was closed & locked) and we could not go outside again until Dad came home and fixed the hole where not even Scooter could get through. She then gives me a quick 'once over' says I am ok and leaves us to our afternoon nap.

Today Mom is moving very slow and acting sore. She even has a large white bandage on her arm and a small one on her big-toe and some funny looking blue areas all over. But, I am fine not even sore.

2009-03-01T11:24:00.006-05:00

Oh Man!

Dad (RoyalT) stopped all the fun the other night, or should I say very early morning!

I was outside minding (and doing) my own business; when guess what comes wandering across the the backyard. An oppossum.

One bark from my big voice sends the creature into "playing 'possum'" and brings out Scooter, or as Dad calls him - Sargent Master Scooter McGee. Scooter always runs head (face) right into everything. Thank goodness for the extra hair around his face as oppossums bite.

Now here is this shih tzu and his non-stop barking to bring out big brother, Max. The oppossum wakes again and attempts to continue the journey across the yard. Not going to be left alone to do this, with Scooter, Max & myself (Sugar) barking and attacking it.

Dad comes out, oh boy does he seem excited. He tries calling us off; but Scooter grabs the tail of the "fainted" oppossum and starts dragging it off. Now Mom is calling us, esp Scooter. It seems real important that we go inside now. We finally do as Amitiel & RoyalT want, but we are not to happy about it. (We are ok, as Mom ck'd us each throughly!)

Seems Dad has thrown a bucket over the animal and has taken a shovel to pick-up the oppossum and bucket too. The whole lot gets carried out of the yard to a nearby park and only the shovel and bucket come back.

Seems the oppussum was female and giving birth while this was going on, 4 babies seen. This state says that you must leave oppossums alone, but Dad and Mom don't want us to get hurt by their teeth. Yes they are silly!

Just another exciting night in central Florida. As happens sometimes, Dad and Mom stop the fun between us and the "wild-life" in the area.

Well everyone - have a good nap!
Luv 'ya!
Sugar

2006-10-26T08:30:00.000-04:00

She was sitting by the little window where she had been many times before. As each person passed, she tried to get their attention on her, she so wanted to go home with someone. Today a couple walked by, the woman looking yet again at her, they had been here before, many times. This little girl had been there for nearly 4 months. The husband saw his wife looking, with her birthday coming up soon, he could not get her a better present. So they asked to see this little one in a private area.

This was the first Bichon Frise that the woman had ever seen. A few others had been into the pet store, quickly to be adopted, but not this little girl. All white with one cream colored streak running down her right ear, at 6 months old, the store was afraid she may never find a home. But this was her day, she was going home.

She may have been bought as a birthday gift for the woman, but she soon made it clear it was the man that she belonged to. Her intelligence was unmatched. She learned to sit that very afternoon and basically house-trained herself. It took a couple of days for them to decide on her name. That came about when teaching her to fetch.

The house had 2 doors off the living room that led into different bedrooms. Straight through those rooms was a common bathroom. In learning fetch, the toy was thrown to that bathroom from the living room through one or the other of the rooms. The third throw, she realized that it was 1 bath with 2 ways in. She brought back the toy through the other room. From then on, she would go after the toy through the opposite room from the way it was thrown. Then bring the toy back, drop it, then sit like a lady waiting for the next throw. Her name became Lady Wrongway, Lady for short.

She knew many words and phrases. She showed no fear for anything. Even the landlord's larger German Shepard, Cookie. Cookie had been known to kill smaller animals, even dogs. Lady went nose to nose with her with an attitude that was "either we are playing or you are leaving". Cookie got back in her car, and whimpered. Lady had a very deep bark. Many people, when not able to see her, thought it was a much larger dog or Shepard that was barking. Delivery people would ask if the "big dog" was put away, even while petting Lady not realizing she was the source of the bark they had heard.

She was not an overly affectionate baby. Bichon Frise translates from french to 'curly lap dog'. She hated being in your lap. She would sit beside you, that was great! Kiss (or lick) you, hardly and never in the face. In her entire life, she only gave 5 people a kiss on the face, and 3 of them were men. Oh how she liked men! And could flirt! Many women could take a lesson from her.

At the age of fourteen, she became sick. The side of her face swelled. Thinking it might be an abscessed tooth, the woman took her to the vet for an emergency visit. They pulled 2 teeth, but there was another problem. Those teeth nearly fell out. The vet sent a tissue sample for biopsy. Lady had cancer, and it had advanced too far. In a matter of weeks the cancer had spread to her brain. She began to bleed from the mouth and nose.

The "final" decision was made in July 2005. Lady Wrongway left in a peaceful and loving manner, to cross the Rainbow Bridge. Here she resides, waiting once again for her "Daddy" to come for her.

2006-07-19T14:35:00.000-04:00

Sugar (5 months) & Max (17 months)

Sugar Graduates!

2006-06-07T11:14:00.000-04:00

Welcome Back everyone to our dog house!

Your guide for today will be me, Max. As you can see from the last posting our family is growing,....... quite literally.

So much is happening. Mom & Dad are preparing for a trip to Alaska. Mom has arranged for a dog/house sitter. (Oh boy, someone unusual for us to play with.) The game room is being painted and new exterior front doors were installed. Storm panels are being installed to help protect us from hurricanes (very scary things) - Master Shields by www.mastermachines.com . All this to make the dog house safe and beautiful for us!!

Sugar graduates from obedience class this week. Mom wants Sugar to have another set or 2 of classes, not to sure if Sugar wants to do that. Last week, only Sugar showed for class (bad weather), so she had what amounts to a private lesson and critique. Everyone in the class is doing so well that they are ahead of schedule by a few weeks.

Vet Updates!

We recently went to see our vet(s). We are healthy, happy and in our proper weight ranges; Amy is 14 yrs old and 7 pounds (that is surprising, never thought she weighted that much); Scooter is 5 yrs old and 15 pounds, down 1 pound from last year (Sugar & I keep him running a lot more now. He is nice and trim); Sugar is over 30 pounds and 18 weeks old this weekend; I am exactly 110.4 pounds.

Dr. Bell says that like a teenage boy, I may now "fill-out", mostly in the chest area, but have probably reached my height. That is ok, anything Mom can reach . . . . .so can I. I may even get more muscle tone. That would be something, I am already stronger than Mom and can make dad work up a sweat.

I have now stopped chewing on everything, but guess who has begun to start her chewing stage, Sugar, she doesn't seem to like frozen carrots, but loves all my toys and the rare stick.

Sugar & I went to the groomers on Saturday. My, they did a great job. We even got bandanas, I really like mine . I am still wearing it 3 days later. Scooter & Amy get to go on Thursday. It is hard for all us to go at the same time in the truck (I've heard a rumor were looking for a van).

Leave us a comment or question, we loving reading and answering questions in future post!!

2006-04-20T20:39:00.000-04:00

Sugar has arrived!!!!!!!!!!!

At 5 weeks old and 11 pounds, having received my 1st set of shots, I got a new home. Like any new baby, I sleep a lot at this age. My adopted brothers were quick to like me, however, Amy was hesitant. Max and I soon learned to play gently together. Wow, what a size difference between us. And to think I may well be close to his size in a year's time.

7 weeks old, and I have now gone to see my new vet. Dr. Bell (the wife of the team) says I am in good health and gave me my next set of shots and a shot record. I have grown a bit, nearly 2 pounds in 9 days. Mommy takes me to work with her every day, as I am too little to leave at home with Max just yet. This is fun. The office Mommy works in has an "office cat", who normally hates dogs. It seems she knows I am a baby and even comes to greet me each morning when we get there. She also likes my food and I like hers, even if Mom stops us from eating each other's.

10 weeks old now, I am 21.5 lbs and growing fast. I am taller than Scooter, as well as out-weighting him. Potty training is coming along. Dad & Mom were wondering if I would ever learn my name, but I got it!! I am also learning to walk on the leash, to sit, come, and "no"! Mom says puppy training classes starts on May 11th. I stay awake more and more now. I love playing with my siblings, especially Max. I had another set of shots this week. Dr. Bell (the husband) gave me a very good exam and he too said I was in great health. I got micro-chipped too. Dr. Bell said in 3 weeks I can finish with my puppy shots. Yeah! I now get to stay home with everybody during the day!! I love my new siblings. And we all play too! I am as gentle with Amy as Max was with me when I was her size. She maybe the oldest, but she is also the smallest!! If only I could jump on & off the bed like my brothers do, I am big enough, I just don't understand the height thing yet. Mom is proud of my behavior, I am calm yet inquistive. Dad thinks I will be the dominate 1 when fully grown, because I like to play harder with Max now and always try to win every game. (And sometimes do!) But at nap time, I make Max lay with me. And I usually sleep at his head.

Here I am at 14 weeks old, see how I have grown!!!!!!!!! 5/8/06 Vet says I am 29 1/2 lbs today.

2006-02-13T11:58:00.000-05:00

YEAH!! Mom did it!

We got professional pictures made. Look at us - aren't we just too cute!!

As you may know, I'm Max the black Golden Doodle; Amy is the white poodle mix and Scooter is the gray Shih Tzu. Dad is known as RoyalTide and Mom is Amitiel (as in Amitiel's Dog House).

The nice gentleman at Jerry Lukas Studios http://www.jerrylukasphotography.com (Jerry himself) was who took these pictures and he did a wonderful job. He took so much time and so many pictures that it was a chore to choose just 2 for prints. Some copies of the pictures have already been sent to family and Mom's Dad said he framed his and got it up on the wall right away.

I, nor Scooter, have met "Granddad" yet, but he hopes to come for a visit this month or next. Boy is he in for a surprise - I have grown even more since that picture. Today is my birthday - I'm one year old! And many people estimate that I am around 100 to 110 lbs. now. And my feet almost fit.

Also, 1 of Mom's cousins is hoping to visit sometime soon. They haven't seen each other in more than 12 years. She has 2 children. I love children to play with, hope they like to play too.

My friend, Zorro, is a daddy. And Dad says we can "adopt" one of the babies. It will probably be a boy seeing as to there was only 3 girls born (all spoken for) and 7 boys. (3 others were still born.) What a big litter! They are only about 2 weeks old now, so we have to wait a while more before one of them is ready to come live with us. Mom hopes to visit them soon so as to allow the puppies to decide which one wants us for a family. Yippee! Another Golden Doodle so I can have a playmate my size (eventually).

Are you watching the Olympics? We are, aren't they cool!!! Go Team USA!!!!! Got to get me one of them hats.

Well the family says "Hi! And leave us a message." Time for the Olympics. See you soon!

2005-12-09T09:24:00.000-05:00

WOW!!

Has it been 3 months already?!? Oh boy have I been busy.

Quick update - I will be 10 months old this Dec. 13th. My weight is over 75 lbs. and I still have feet too large for my body. Am I still growing? Will I weight even more when I finally reach full-size? Better still, will I ever learn to control my feet?

The man standing with me in the picture is "Daddy" (RoyalT is his internet name). He is a great Dad. We go for long walks now several times a week. I especially love going down to the water at sunset. We sit, watch the colors of the evening sky and the boats sailing on the gulf.

In October I had foot surgery to correct a previous dew claw surgery. Mom and Dad went on vacation that same week, so I was kenneled with Dr. Bell to make sure I got the care I needed. I did not like the bandages or the stitches and managed to chew them off; just to be restitched. Once I got home I managed to chew off the bandages several times and even got the stitches again. Those funny collars are easy to break. That time the area was left open to heal naturally. It looks very good now, not even a scar.

Oh, I met a new friend! His name is Zorro and he is a standard apricot poddle puppy a month older than me so we were the same size. We had a lot of fun playing chase and fetch the stick. Zorro even let me share his water bowl and lay on his bed too. I hear he might be a Daddy some time early next year. It would be nice to have a younger brother or sister as big as me to play with, and Zorro could come see us both anytime he liked.

The family (us puppies too) had our pictures taken for Christmas. Sadly the pictures did not come out well enough to order. The studio used a darken room and I am just to black for their digital camera to make decent pictures. Mom is working on finding another place for better pictures. Maybe this time the pictues will be worth having and Mom promises to post 1 or 2 here!

Mom & Dad have been Christmas shopping! Think I'll go peak and see if they got me anything.

Everyone have a great Christmas and we'll see you soon.

2005-10-14T18:10:00.000-04:00

MY TURN!! MY TURN!!

Scooter here!

When I was just barely over 2 years old the family I was with had their own "human" baby boy and they felt they weren't able to give me the attention I needed. That was 2 years ago. (I hear that they have since had a baby girl, too.)

They wanted to make sure that I went somewhere loving and where I would be well taken care of. The idea that I might have a"bad" life or home was distressing to them. Since that "Mom" was the daughter to the lady that Amy was "born" to, and knew that Amy was happy - this was her 1st choice for my next home.

One look at me (especially after I gave lots of puppy kisses when meeting the "new parents") and away I went to my forever home.

At 1st I chewed a few things (electric cords mostly) that I should not have. But with patience, I soon learned not to do that. Mom says I have funny "quirks"; hiding under the dishwasher door while it is being loaded, toe licking (bathing actually), rolling on your feet and my chew toys to mark what's "mine", and barking at the door when the doorbell on TV rings. Dad won't let me lick his toes, says it tickles too much. Isn't that why it is a fun thing?

Favorite things - rolling on what's "mine", playing with Max, doggie treats (any kind), chasing cats, squirrels and lizards in the backyard, climbing on anything and everything I can (watch me get on the picnic table or try to climb the lumber stack) and following Mom around like a shadow (maybe that should have been my name, Shadow - hhmmm,..... nah.)

I have even been know to chase the occasional opossum, got one by the tail once. He had been asleep and didn't want to play, just hissed and tried to get away. Dad has tried to "live catch" him but he refuses the trap. Dad wants to get him before one of us furbabies do, he is concerned that we might get hurt, the opossum was bigger than me. Dad & Mom sure worry about us a lot sometimes. Isn't it great being loved?!?

OH YEAH!! I am a 14 pound shih-tzu, a gray brindle color, darker grays on the front half and lighter grays on the back. I'm a lovable guy! I will love you all over, play games till you're tired or just lie on your feet and nap if you are wanting to be quiet. I love young playful children with manners, but I especially love girls (wink, wink). I am a big flirt and will steal their hearts every time.

But, give me even the slightest chance, and I'm out the front door and running down the street for all I'm worth. I seem to have a fair amount of luck with Mom and/or Dad catching me before I get hit by a car, especially since we live in a heavily congested and high traffic area. There are cats living 2 houses down on both sides and I DON'T like cats. Or if no cats are out, I will just explore other peoples yards. The more difficult or dangerous to get to the better; like the yard with the 2 rotties living there or the ones across the 4 lane highway at the end of the block!.

Dad is taking Max for walks most evenings. Sometimes Mom & I join them. They call it "leash training", I call it another chance to try to run and explore. Wish Mom didn't keep the leash ssooo short, makes it hard for a guy to smell the bushes or chase the cats. It sure is tiring pulling on that leash and the walks are getting longer. We mostly walk on a "trail" that use to be railroad track but is now part of the "Rails to Trails" program. It has paved areas to walk on or you can walk on the grass. There are no motorized travel methods allowed on the trail and they have plenty of benches to sit on. I wish it had a few pet fountains. Instead, we have to carry our own water. The trail is just over a block away from the house but it goes on for miles. I have been told it joins with other trails going all up and down the east coast. Maybe you have one in your area? They are great places to walk, meet new playmates, chase the lizards or just get new "smells".

Max is asleep - think I'll go wake him.

Have fun all!! (Know I will!!!!!!)

Remember to roll on someone today!

2005-09-20T15:21:00.000-04:00

Someone was asking about ME?!?

Hi! I'm Amy, a 4 lb. 12 yr. old poodle mix. That's me in the pic - aren't I just too cute!! Mom was a registered toy poodle and Dad was 1/2 toy poodle & 1/2 Maltese. I look very much like my Dad. Dad's "Mom" wanted puppies by him and the poodle was her choice for breeding. I was 1 of 3, all girls, born. Dad's "Mom" kept my 2 sisters and I was homed with her mother.

Due to illness and work schedule, I was left alone for long periods of time. Sometimes too long, I lost my "potty" skills. Dad's "Mom" took me back to re-train and then asked my now "parents" if they were still wanting a companion for the Bichon they had gotten from a breeder some few months prior. Mom's heart is big and soon I was placed with them. Never again was I alone or lonely.

My new "parents" had to work, but I was with Lady Wrongway, the Bichon. Since we were only 6 months apart in age, we quickly became life-bonded. We were so bonded that when taken to the groomer, we cried if they put us in separate kennels. As we grew, Lady doubled me in weight. But I have the "poodle legs" so we were the same size.

I am a "cuddler". I love to be held and I even give hugs. I will place a paw on either side of your neck and give very shy kisses. Or just hold me and I will curl up in your arms or your lap and go to sleep. Make me happy - hold me and NEVER put me down!!

2 years ago, Mom & Dad brought home another puppy, Scooter. But I will let him tell his story another day (tee hee), maybe. As you know from Max's posting, he joined us on Labor Day.

I have recently (July) lost my sister to cancer and this has left me very sad and lonely for the 1st time in 12 years. I am now the only girl and the smallest one here. Since the boys are younger - they only want to play - and play rough. I am not able to do that anymore, so I just watch and try to stay out from under Max's huge feet. Mom understands and lets me stay in her lap a lot where I am "safe" and loved.

Favorite things - French fries (even if I am not suppose to have them), kisses, hugs, napping with Mom, sneaking into your lap, hugs, stealing sips of cola, hugs, doggie cookies, oh yeah, and did I mention HUGS!?!

(Gee, those boys are silly, they are always playing tug-o-war with something.)

Think I will go take a nap in Mom's lap. See you later.

Sweet little angels kisses!

2005-09-13T12:35:00.000-04:00

9/13/05

With a low rumbling warning "Woof" Max introduces himself.

I am, as of today, - 7 months, 63.4 lbs., and (apprx) 30" @ the shoulder, neutered male. Yes, I will be a big boy. My mom was a beautiful Golden Retriever and dad a handsome standard Poodle. Guess who I look the most like! Actually, my head and tail are retriever with the remainder of me being poodle - even to a high shine coat that a family friend said "looks like crushed black velvet". For the record I am called a "GoldenDoodle".

My new "parents" received a call over the Labor Day weekend asking if they were still interested in re-homing a doodle. The answer was YES! The wonderful Lady and son that had me since I was 2 months old & 8 lbs lived in a townhome I outgrow very quickly. The decision to re-home me was something that anyone could see was very hard for them. They had done everything for me - basic obedience, all shots, neutering, and (most importantly) love. Maybe they will take the standing invitation to visit whenever and as much as they want. I am adjusting but still miss my previous people.

I can "sit", "down" and "lay". We have some work to do with "stay", leash walking, chewing and nipping. The chewing is due to adult teeth coming in and, like any baby when "teething", I need my gums massaged, however my new Mom would prefer I not chew on the wood furniture. They have a large supply of chew toys & bones - I just prefer wood like sticks, lumber and the more interesting leg of the bed. It does seem to help that I now have a fair size backyard, that with some additional fencing (taller) and a dog door, allows me to now go out anytime to run, jump, chase squirrels (I haven't caught one), play, lay in the grass, and even chew the occasional stick. Also, my new "Dad" is teaching me to play frisbee and to retrieve larger balls. I love the frisbee!! I even race my smaller, older brother to them. Sometimes I even beat him to them.

To introduce the remainder of the family (besides my Dad & Mom) is - Amy the white female 4 lb. 12 yr old poodle mix & Scooter the gray male 14 lb. 4 yr. old shih-tzu. Shown in pic. It seems they just lost their older sister to cancer. She was Lady Wrongway a 14 lb. white Bichon and alpha female. Lady was a "smart" furbaby. She learned anything you wanted to teach in a matter of minutes. Amy requires lots of repetition and Scooter, who seems to learn fairly quickly, is stubborn and only does what he wants, when he wants. But since I came here to live, Scooter seems to want to compete, so now we are both learning!

My size did (& still does at times) cause some problems for Amy but since her nickname is "teeth" she quickly started teaching me to leave her be. But, I still want to play with her! Scooter and I are best buds and chase each other around the house and yard with me grabbing Scooter's tail and Scooter grabbing my ears. Or just seeing who runs fastest while making instant, unexpected turns.

I saw my new vet, Dr. Bell, last week. He was happy to see I was utd on shots, even had a few that weren't really needed. Oh well. At 1st he did not seem happy that Mom had gotten a "designer" pup; that is until he saw my papers and found out that I was re-home (whatever that means). Then he got happier, seems he does vetting service for furbaby rescues. I like him and his staff, they give good belly rubs. I will be visiting them again in Oct. for about a week while Mom and Dad go on a vacation.

Dad & Mom continue to make home improvements and get me things to play with. And Mom wants to take me to a dog park where I can really get a good run. Dad, I think, wants to take me to the beach to see if I like to swim, I like to get in the tub even when there is no water there. I even heard them talking about meeting another nearly year old furbaby, a standard poodle, who is a member of the family of some friends of theirs. Someone MY size to play with, yes!! Hope this happens soon (and that we get along).

Got to go. More later! Big, sloppy, wet washcloth-tongue kisses!!