What to do in the Afternoon Sun

A new person moved in next door. Papa and I met her when we were going out for a walk (in the rain ~ boo!), she seems really nice. She told Papa that she's going to be getting a new puppy when she gets settled in. I'm so excited! I hope it will be a nice puppy, one that is robust and won't break easily when I try to wrestle with it. I hope we can be good friends too.

Mama and Papa are thinking about sending me to doggie daycare for a day or two each week. They think it will help me be more outgoing with other dogs and get me out of my little depression funk. Since Papa has been working at home, I've missed my usual routine of sleeping and hanging out in my crate by myself. I think that if Papa is home all the time, he should be playing with me instead of sitting at his computer. But he works so hard, and I feel lonely when he's concentrating. Mama is also at work lots too, so I don't get to see her much. I feel a bit lonesome these days and maybe this doggie daycare will do me some good. I'm not always up for a change, but if it means I get to run around with other pups, I think I will give it a shot! I'll let you know how it goes. I'll probably be going in a couple of weeks when Mama and Papa have done more research to find a good daycare for me. Wish me luck!

I'm Ready for the Next One

A solar eclipse occurred today, and the best seats in the house were in Turkey. Those lucky kids. I can only imagine how awe-inspiring it would be to witness something so rare and spectacular. Today's solar eclipse was special because people from Brazil, and all the way to Mongolia, could see it. The moon covered all of the sun, only showing a fiery ring, and an eerie blueness washed over the land. Even the temperatures dropped and people had to put on sweaters! But the moon continued to move on and that was the end of the eclipse.

The last solar eclipse that Canada was witness to was May 10, 1994. I wasn't even born then! The next solar eclipse to cross Canada is predicted to be in 2017. I hope I won't be too old to see it, because I will be ready for it!

March Madness = March Sadness

I found a big stick when I was walking in the park today. I tried picking it up and taking it with me, but Papa said that it was too much lumber to walk around with. So I had to leave it behind. I wasn't too happy about that, but then I found some other smaller sticks to play with. I didn't get to meet any other dogs on my walk, maybe they were all watching the NCAA?

Papa is a huge UCONN Huskies fan. He attended the University of Connecticut, so clearly he is very fond of the Huskies. This weekend I was watching the Great Eight with Papa because UCONN was playing. Unfortunately they lost to George Mason University in overtime. That's pretty dumb since GMU doesn't even have a dog as a mascot. Naturally the teams with dogs as mascots should win everytime. Not that I am being biased or anything. When UCONN lost, Papa swore at the tv in Japanese. I think he's in a foul mood now. I should go and hang out with Mama instead, just in case.

The Second Day of Spring

It's so cold outside today. Deceivingly cold, because it is really sunny. As much as I want to run around and play outside, my fur coat just isn't thick enough to keep me warm. I just want to stay in bed all day long.

Last night was the final game of the World Baseball Classic. It was a Japan-Cuba final, just like Papa had predicted before. It was a pretty intense game all the way through. And yes Takeo Ojichan, I did cheer for Team Japan, just like Mama and Papa did. What a close match up! That last inning was so exciting I could barely keep still! The final score was 10-6 Japan. I was so exhausted cheering for the Japanese that I slept right away and didn't wake up until late this morning. Needless to say Papa was very happy too. I think Mama is hooked on watching baseball now. If only I can get them to bring me to a game, that would be great!

Happy St. Paddy's Weekend

Actually St. Patrick's Day was on Friday, but that's not going to stop me from wearing green. So go ahead, kiss me, I'm Irish this weekend. I didn't go to the St. Patrick's Day parade today, it was too cold. I remembered going two years ago, when I was a wee lass, and it was scary. Too many loud noises, bagpipes, horses, and kids screaming everywhere! I prefer to celebrate at home on my green cushion thinking about shamrocks and pots o'gold.

Yesterday was the WBC semi-final Japan vs Korea game. I'm happy to report that Japan won 6-0 over Korea. Papa was very happy with that result, even though he fell asleep from innings 3 through 8 (too much snowboarding during the day). He said it would have been extremely embarrassing if Japan lost for the third time against Korea, and it would have been Ichiro's fault for talking big. So the final game of Japan vs Cuba takes place on Monday. I can't wait to see what happens!

Spring Time is in the Air

Happy days spring is on it's way! The sun is coming up earlier and setting later. Even though it's still a bit chilly outside, at least there isn't anymore snow and ice on the ground. And I get to go for more walks because Papa and Mama feel guilty for leaving me inside on such nice sunny days.

Some of the things I don't like so much about spring time, are the little surprise mounds of dog doo that have been frozen through winter and are now thawing out. It's not that I mind the smell of thawing poo, it's just if I don't watch where I step, well you get the picture. So I encourage all the dogs out there to insist that your parents clean up after you go potty. It's only the nice thing to do.

Last night Papa was watching the World Baseball Classic Japan vs Korea game. In the middle of the ninth inning, Mama had to hold his hand because he was so tense about the intense game. Unfortunately Japan lost 2-1, and Papa was devastated. I think he was inconsolable. But I think he feels better today because Mexico beat USA 2-1, which means that Japan advances to the final four. Japan plays Korea again on the weekend. I like watching baseball with Papa because he gets so excited and shouts at the tv in Japanese.

Breed Ban Ranting

I'm not a fan of the Pit Bull Ban that has taken place in Ontario since last August. I don't think it makes much sense because the wrong dogs and their parents are targeted. While I do think it should be mandatory for all parents to register their pups, and get obedience training, I don't think a breed specific ban is a good idea. I know lots of Pits that are beautiful dogs, and are good friends of mine, like Tika. But that doesn't change the minds of the lawmakers.

I was charged by two Pit Bulls and a mixed breed once when I was little. Their owners were two older ladies who didn't know how to control them and didn't make any apologies when they let go of their leashes as the dogs charged me. Mama was with me when it happened and she was scared, but couldn't step in - she let me fight my own battle. It wasn't much of a fight, but they didn't hurt me at all, even though they tried to. I tossed them over my shoulder by throwing my weight around and eventually their owners got control of them again. It was scary, but I was glad that I stood my ground. I'm definitely a friendly girl, but I'm not afraid to kick some ass if I have to. While I don't blame these dogs for charging me, I do blame their owners for being irresponsible. I think that if you don't have the strength or verbal command to control your dogs, you shouldn't have them. I've seen these dogs in the neighbourhood before, and they are mean to everyone - they sure aren't picky about who they want to pick fights with.

An unfortunate incident happened on Valentine's Day in Scarborough. A little Shih Tzu pup and his Papa were attacked by a Pit Bull. The Shih Tzu didn't survive the attack, and his Papa sustained injuries. I don't know if this Pit Bull was wearing a muzzle and/or if she was leashed. But according to the rules in the Ban, she was supposed to be both. If she was muzzled and got out, that means her Mama didn't do a good enough job to protect her from attacking. But she wasn't muzzled, then her Mama didn't do a good enough job of protecting her reputation as a good dog. Anyway I see it, it was her Mama's fault that she got into trouble. I feel horrible for the Shih Tzu owner, he lost his pup, and will never forget the horror of being mauled by a big tough dog. I also feel horrible for this Pit Bull, she's probably going to get put to sleep for her Mama's mistakes. The verdict is still out on what is going to happen to both the dog and her Mama. This is just another example of irresponsible parents that justify this ignorant breed ban.

My New Crib

This is my new bed. Papa got it for me from Chinatown on Saturday. And although I am not fond of new things, like new situations, new people, and new furniture, I have come to love my new bed. Of course, I'm a bit skittish, and I wasn't so sure that I wanted to sleep in this thing, so I got kinda scared when Papa put me inside of it. I don't like being scared, and tried to avoid it for most part of the evening.

Well to make a long story short, it was near bed time and Papa really wanted me to sleep in my bed. I decided the only way I'd get used it was if it smelled more like me, and less like Chinatown, so I peed in it. Naturally Mama and Papa freaked out. They were mad that even though they had put my favourite blanket inside, I still peed in my new bed. But the peeing worked, because the bed did end up smelling more like me and less like Chinatown. So now I love sleeping in my new bed.

Today I went for a walk to Papa's lab. It smells funny in there. Papa says it's because there are people who work very hard, and don't go home to have a bath often enough. I wonder how long they work for, because the smells are always different in that lab. I suppose I should work harder too, in order to justify my smell.

Smellin Good

There are some things about bulldogs that are legendary. We are friendly, playful, and enjoy the odd nap at all times of the day. We also have an insatiable appetite, we snore, burp, and of course fart. And let me tell you, my flatuence is beyond legendary. I can easily clear a room with just one toot. And boy do I get a kick out of it, because I love following Mama and Papa around. And of course my smelly gas follows me as I am following them. Soon enough, the whole apartment smells like my bum.

I like the toots that are audible, because I get the biggest reaction out of Mama and Papa when they can hear it. And within a few seconds of the bomb dropping, it explodes into an aroma that Mama likens to rotting cabbage. Hahahaha. Papa looks at me, shakes his head, and says, "That's not very lady like." But you can't deny that you don't do it too, it's just human nature.

I Love Yogurt

Mama finished this yogurt today and gave me the container to lick. I was in heaven while I was trying to get the last of the yogurt out, I didn't even care that most of it got on my face. My favourite flavour is plain, well I suppose any flavour is my favourite flavour, if I get to have some.

Yesterday I ran into the golden retriever down the hall. She was coming out for a walk with her parents and I was in the hall accompanying Papa to the garbage chute. I was excited to see my neighbours, so I ran down to say hello. I noticed that there was a red Kong that looked just like my black Kong, so I went into their apartment to see it. Papa chased after me and I got into trouble for stealing the neighbour's toy. I want to clarify that I wasn't stealing it, I just wanted to see if it was the same as mine. Mama scolded me when I came back inside our apartment. I think that will be the last time that I get to accompany anyone to the garbage chute.

Mama told me that Takeo Ojichan got a job in Japan. I want to personally congratulate him on my blog. Go shushoku omedetou gozaimasu!!

Lazy Days

Saturday once again. It's a lazy day for me today. I just like to roll around on the floor on my back and let the hours pass by without doing anything. It's a good time.

I heard that these scientists in Japan are looking to cow poo as a new source of gasoline. They have been able to extract a little bit of gasoline from some 100g of cow poo in this fancy apparatus and adding some secret metal catalysts. Now that's useful research!

And in another group in Japan, they have been able to extract vanillin from cow poo too, to use in perfumes and shampoos. Mama uses skatole in her research, and that's a component of poo, but she just smells like poo when she comes back from the lab. And that's not very useful research at all.

I'm the King of the Castle

and you're the dirty rascal! Haha. I can't get enough of these ice sculptures in Yorkville. They are so neat. I guess it helps that the weather is so cold, it keeps all of these sculptures from melting into puddles. I thought Wiarton Willy predicted we were going to have an early spring. So what's going on with this deep freeze? I'm a fairweather dog, so this cold and ice and snow just won't do.

This is my 25th post, one quarter of the way to 100. I have a lot more posting to do if I want to make it to my goal of 100!