I'm in trouble again. I fell in love with one of Lady's slippers. Normally, I don't mess with Lady's things. Normally. A friend gave her these cute red slippers for Christmas. Only recently did I fall for the right one. Lady couldn't walk or sit anywhere without me trying to love on the right one! Lady was quite annoyed. Then it happened. Lady got a phone call and wasn't paying attention to me. By the time she got off, I had loved the stuffings out of her slipper. To her, it is just a slipper. To me, it is love. I can't explain it.  

My friend Jade came to see me yesterday. As a senior in high school, she is very busy preparing for her college entrance examinations. Lady helps her with her English. I help her feel welcome. She's good for giving me sunflower seeds! That's a traditional Chinese knot beside me. It's bigger than I am, and Lady was given two of them! After today, Jade will have very little free time until maybe the May 1st holiday. I know she will miss me! 

I'm stuck! In my excitment to greet Lady when she came home, I jumped through a hole in my Pooh Bear blanket as I bounded off my chair. Lady says that's what I get for chewing it to pieces, and then she helped me out. By the way, when she looked closely at my blanket, she saw that it actually says "Winnie the Dooh." Ah, China! 

The trees are bursting with color on the mountain. Daily, many people hike or run to the top to exercise, play badminton, practice tai ji, dance, or fill their empty plastic bottles with clear water.  

I told you how lovely the mountain is this time of year. Lady often climbs with her friends, but I am not allowed. If I let her stuff me in that new carrier, she says I can go. I only have ot be in it to sneak past the guards at the gate!  

We can find so many different things at the market. This vendor spoke to us in English! Lady was quite surprised! However, he didn't understand her response.  

Can't blame a little dog for trying to get some meat! Lady says it isn't clean, and is not good for little dogs.  

Ah! The meat aisle! Of course, my vegetarian Lady hates this section and drags me past before they can give me any scraps! 

Here's another granny with bound feet. We passed her as we headed to the market.

No, this is not my Lady;this is the neighbor I told you about. Notice her tiny bound feet. 

To Market To Market!

I tried to post photos yesterday, of our trip to the market, but we had difficulties and it didn't work. Lady came home from teaching two classes at a new kindergarten and picked me up. It was a beautiful, sunny day! We passed our neighbor, an old granny with tiny bound feet. Sometimes we see her sitting outside on the curb embroidering her tiny shoes, or her apron. She wraps her head in a plaid scarf. Her feet are thick and tiny, as was thought to be beautiful in the old days. She speaks to Lady in a thick dialect diffiult to understand, but Lady tries to guess what she means.
On the way to the market, I take care of business and scrounge for whatever. Lady yanks my leash if I try to eat an old bone or some other garbage. We pass another tiny-feet granny who has already been to market. She walks very slowly with her arms held behind her for balance. It is difficult to walk on deformed feet tightly wrapped in cloths. When she was very young, someone bent her toes under and bound up her feet in tightly wrapped strips of cloth. The toenails grow into the bottom of the foot. It is very painful. In those days, tiny feet were thought to be beautiful. Girls with tiny feet brought a higher bride price. She has only a few teeth left, but smiles at us anyway.
Lady drags me through the meat aisle so I won't pick up raw scraps on the ground. I know the butchers would give me meat if Lady would let them, but no, she won't. Spoil sport! We have to buy tofu and veggies instead. I got caught lifting my leg on a basket of veggies, but at least the vendor didn't chase after Lady and make her pay.
We'll try again to post some photos of the people I have described.
This morning Lady left me behind as he went to climb the mountain with Belle, Goldie and Nancy. I protested, but she reminded me that little dogs are not allowed. She said the guards will take me and kill me. A year ago, little dogs were allowed, but the government decided that animals in public are a health risk. They said something about SARS. Give me a break! What I don't understand is why the little humans can poop on the sidewalk, and water the sidewalk or trees and they don't get in trouble. It bothers Lady as well. They leave a much bigger mess! At least Lady cleans up after me if I leave business where someone can step in it! The humans don't.
Lady said some humans take their dogs anyway and hide them in their coats as they leave through the gate. Some put their dogs in a carrier. So, Lady got the bright idea she could put ME in a "carrier." Fat chance. It is a manly plaid of brown and tan with black mesh on each end and across the top. Lady tried to fold me up to get me in it but I did not cooperate. I am four years old and I have never been in a carrier before. What was she thinking? She tried to hide me under her coat but I kept poking my head out. So, she thought she could hide me in this carrier. Think again. Yes, I want to climb the mountain with her, but I have my dignity. Yes, I want to see the beautiful blossoms on the trees, and find scraps people leave behind, but I am NOT getting in that carrier no matter how many treats Lady puts inside. And can you believe she washed my Pooh Bear fuzzy blanket? I worked hard to get all the smells on it and to fray the edges.
Lady and her friends got near the top and stopped to do some exercises with other humans. Lady joined the group doing tai ji. Goldie joined the dancers, and Belle exercised to music. All over the mountain you can find humans exercising. Many people run up and down the mountain. They also yell at the top of their lungs. Lady thinks it is fun to yell right back. Every day, a large group of older humans climb the mountain and sing. One man plays a funny horn, another a flute, and yet another plays the accordian. They wave and smile at Lady because she always greets them and waves. Lady teaches her friends praise songs in English. They sing all the way down the mountain. This morning they sang, "He Is Exalted," and "This is the Day."
Lady loves to sing on the mountain top, and praise the Creator. I am glad she comes home to me, and lets me take her for another hike. After all, I am just a little dog and need my exercise as well! Don't forget, you can e-mail me if you want.

Happy Valentine's Day! I wish Lady had given me a real hot dog instead of this stuffed one! Oh well, I'm her little Valentine!I hope you lick someone you love today! 

While waiting for dinner, we play with some toys, but they got a little testy when I tried to take the cow. I was just helping! And can I help it if it was all wet when they took it back? 

The Wednesday night crowd took my visiting friends out to dinner. Of course I went along.I can't play majiang, but I can eat sunflower seeds and drink water while waiting for dinner. I had meat!  

My friend is soaking his feet in the tub of herbal water as the girl is massaging his arm. I am checking out his feet! 

Now this is the life! While Lady gets a foot massage, I get a good body scratching! The girls at the parlor love me. They give me water to drink, and don't mind me playing around. It usually takes about an hour to an hour and a half for a massage. I love it! 

I told you about going to the massage parlor. I am just waiting for Lady to get ready to give me my massage. 

Home Again!

I'm home! I am so happy to be back in my own home, my own chair, and Lady's lap. I don't know where Lady has been but her bags are back. She brought back more than she took away! Best of all, she brought me gifts! She brought me a chew bone and some delicious treats.
I could tell that I was leaving again today. My bowl was empty, my bag was packed and by the door. When Lady came in Michael's home I jumped and jumped on her. I gave her face a good cleaning with all my kisses. Michael's family laughed at me and took even more photos. They love me and were sad that I was leaving. Even Grandmother loves me. Michael's Mom even made sausage just for me. She sent some home with me, which is a good thing, since Lady is a vegetarian and won't make me any. Lady noticed that I am fatter than when I left. She was so glad I didn't pick up Buffalo mange again. She thinks I look really good.
Michael told stories about me. He told Lady that he left me in the living room to sleep. Fat chance. I was too cold, so I went to Michael's door and scratched till he let me in. I jumped up in his bed and climbed under the covers. After that, I got to sleep with Michael, his little brother Tom, and even his dad. Michael's dad told how clever I am. Well, of course Lady already knows that. Michael said I was an alarm clock. I woke him up at the same time every day! I stood on his chest and licked his face. Works every time. Tom took me out for a walk every morning. They live on the school campus where Michael's father is an English teacher. All the students admired me and wanted to pet me. Some tried to take me from Tom, but I wouldn't budge. I know who I am supposed to be with and I won't go with anyone else. Michael is already back in school, but Tom has more holiday left. They are still out for Chinese New Year. We had a great time, but Michael's dad had to go to the hospital for five days. He is better. I helped take care of him after he came home.
My little friend Kristin came with Lady to pick me up. She and her mama, Amy, come every year to visit. She and Lady taught English together back in 1996-1998 in another city. Kristin speaks Chinese to me. She has really grown since last year. She just turned seven, so she is older than I am. Kristin wants me to play with her, but now that I am back with my Lady, I am sticking very close to her. I enjoy my vacations, but I make it very clear that I am happy to be back in my own home with my Lady. After all, I am just a little dog, and Lady is mine.

More E-mail From Marley

Dear Lady,
I am having fun visiting at Michael's house. His little brother Tom wants me to sleep in his bed, but I stay near Michael. He is taking good care of me, because he knows how important I am to you. Sad news. Michael's dad is sick and in the hospital. As you know, in Chinese hospitals, the family has to take care of them. The family must bring him food, change his sheets, give him a bath, and even bring his water. So, Michael has been at the hospital a lot. I am not allowed to go, so I stay and play with Tom. I'm not sure when I am coming home, but I hope it is soon. I miss my own bed. Yes, I have my Pooh blanket and my toys, but it is not the same. Yes, Michael's mom is a good cook and gives me really good scraps. Still, I miss my own home. After all, I am just a little dog, and I miss my Lady.
Love,
Marley