Back to School

Lady and I have been working every day, long hours, preparing for today's opening day of school. I'm still homeschooled, so I didn't go today. But I was sure there helping Lady get ready! I stepped on bulletin board posters she was drawing, spilled my water on another chart, shredded her door mat, chased the workmen away, scared a new student, unmade her freshly made reading corner, emptied the trash for her, and killed one of the geckos. I had to stay busy when I wasn't napping in her reading corner! Everytime Lady went downstairs, I went downstairs. I even attended her faculty meetings. I was very quiet. She gave me a new chew. Lady took me every day and every night as she prepared. She likes my company. Auntie Carole, Millie's mom, brought me this bunny from America. I think she still feels guilty about breaking our arranged marriage. Millie is a cute little wire haired dachshund. She didn't go to America, but stayed in India. This year, Auntie Carole's two kids are in Lady's third grade.
Lady says my doctor is coming tomorrow. Uh Oh. I have chewed all the hair off two of my toes, and it is red and swollen. Lady thinks I picked up an infection from one of my street friends, "Doe." Doe's toes are a mess and she has trouble walking. I can walk just fine, but I run on three legs most of the time. I hope he doesn't stick me. I absolutely hate that!!
It rained hard this afternoon as Lady was trying to get hoem from school. I don't like going out in the rain, so I wait. Don't forget, you can e-mail me at littledogmarley@hotmail.com.

Vacation's Almost Over

Lady's friends have headed home. Now she has to get ready for school. What does that mean for me? I have her around the house for only a few more days until she is back in the school routine. My job is to let our landlady know when someone tries to open our gate. Two days ago, just two doors down, someone robbed our neighbor at 1:00 in the afternoon! Auntie S. depends on me to let her know when someone comes as she is alone most days. Now, I do let her know when strange dogs, or other male dogs I don't like walk by as well. I am a dog. I am territorial. I do a good job of letting my humans know when someone is too near. Once I see who it is, if it is a friend, I stop barking. I also run the kids off if they hang on the gate to beg. We always deliver their goodies. We don't ever give them stuff from the gate. If we did, they would be out there all the time crying, "Auntie, Auntie, Auntie." Sometimes, they do it anyway. Auntie S. doesn't like it and runs them off, too.
I get really muddy these days, as it is monsoon season and I am so low to the ground. I don't like to go out in the rain, but sometimes I will with my raincoat on. I don't have any boots because my nails are too long.
Lady and I have been busy cleaning the house and doing laundry. Last night she cooked up some chicken for me. That is true love. She mixes it in with my Pedigree dry food.
I don't get to go as many places in India as I did in China because they don't allow dogs in so many places here. Lady and I miss that. I used to go almost everywhere with her. SHe still takes to to school when she goes after hours to work. And she says I can go during preplanning. But I can't go when the students come because I will be too much of a distraction. I do get to go on special occasions, and the students come to see me. I will be homeschooled again. Yes, I still learn stuff. Write me at littledogmarley@hotmail.com

Party in the 'Hood

Lady's friends held a party in my hood today. I went until they started blowing up balloons. I don't like balloons even a little bit. Lady was so busy making animals she didn't notice that I was shaking like a leaf. Auntie Sandi did though. Auntie Sheri asked if I were cold. The Lady suddenly remembered what the problem was, and she took me to the safety of my home right away. I like balloons even less than thunderstorms, and you know I don't like thunderstorms. Once home, I stopped shaking, and climbed up into the safety of my chair. After the party, everyone came back to my house to visit with me. Lady doesn't know why I am so afraid of balloons. All I know is that they scare me to death! Even when they don't pop, I shake. Well, you know I love company, os I was glad to have some of the students and Lady's friends here. Auntie Virginia and Auntie Floyd visited me in my home in China in 2004. They love me. There's another party this afternoon but I htink I will stay home where it is balloon free!

More Street Life

When Lady comes out with her camera, the kids come running. They want her to take their photo.


Oops! Every morning we see seens like this on our street. I take my bath inside with warm water.

There are several big, black and tan dogs on my street.Most don't try to mess with me anymore. Lady's friend, an older man, feeds this guy and the other black guys, plus their mother. He is very kind. He won't let them mess with me. He scolds them for being rude to me. The black bully that bit me on the butt doesn't live on my street, but he looks like this one.

Not on the lips!!
This is the big bully that bit me on the ear and neck recently. I am all healed now, thank you.
This guy lies in the middle of the road, protecting his territory.

This black guy doesn't really belong on our street. Raju tries to run him off. We heard them all night last night! Street dogs are very territorial. They will bark like crazy when other dogs come on their street. This isn't my girlfriend, but I try. She's just doin gher morning exercises.

Lady calls this pup Hope. There are two more just like her. One moved to another street. Faith is still here. Their mother is the one who torments and teases me.

Street Dogs and Life on My Street

I've mentioned how many street dogs there are on my street, but I thought I'd show you. And, some were off scrounging for food, so this is not all. Some of the little humans came out and wanted their photo made, so I will post those as well. This is Raju.
He's really goofy. He sounds as if he is speaking human language instead of barking.

Busted

I'm a dog. Dogs do trash. Lady doesn't it like it. She left me this morning, so I left her a surprise when she got home. Well, what do you expect when she leaves the chicken package in the trash can? I could smell it. I know how to step on the foot pedal to open the can and tip it over to reveal the contents. No chicken. Yesterday she cooked chicken for me. Now for a vegetarian, that's love. She has a special pan to cook it in. She doesn't want to cook chicken in her pots. She made us both veggie rice in the rice cooker. I was naughty to dump the trash can after she cooked chicken for me. I'm just a little dog, and I love meat!

Photos from Lady's Trip to Northern India

The Himalayas are beautiful this time of year. Lady saw several waterfalls, and followed this river. She was the first foreigner these children had ever seen! They were very curious about her, but friendly.

Me, Bite??

So did you read the latest about the most aggressive dogs? Don't believe it. It says wiener dogs, or sausage dogs top the list. I am a dachshund, thank you very much, which means "badger dog" in German. They surveyed dog owners and asked them how many times their dog bit them or others, and pit bulls, rottweilers, and German shepherds were all beat out by dachshunds and chihuahuas. Like pit bull owners are really going to tell the truth!!Right, and get sued for having a dangerous dog that knowingly bites. I don't think so. And I don't think much of that survey! A better way to get statistics would be through hospital emergency rooms, doctors' offices, and paramedics who have treated dog bites, as well as police reports. The Book Of Lists puts poodles and terriers at the top! Anyway, if I bite somebody, they will have deserved. I must admit I have wanted to bite several kids who wouldn't leave me alone. I growled to warn them off. Lady says I am not allowed to bite kids no matter what they do to me, but I can bark at them to scare them off. By the way, I don't mind being called a sausage dog because I happen to be very fond of sausage, and wieners as well for that matter. You are what you eat!

Lady's Home!

Lady's home and she brought me a new "baby." She got in at 5:00 a.m. but I was still glad to wake up and greet her with lots of kisses. I've been home for almost two weeks, waiting for my Lady to come home. Our landlady has been taking care of me. I much prefer to be at home. Lady also brought me a chicken sausage! Now that is true love for a vegetarian! Lady had a good trip and brought back lots of stuff for friends. My goodness, she slept for hours, but I let her. Then it was time to hit the road and get some exercise. Of course the local kiddos came running, "Auntie, Auntie...biscuit!" Lady gave them soem American sweets, and of course the milk biscuits they have come to expect from her. There are some new tent families on our street, and new kids. But they have already learned to wave to Lady, hoping she will give them treats. Lady buys biscuits by the case. It's almost time to buy another case. Well, I am just glad to have my Lady home and see those suitcases go back in the closet. I hope they stay there for a very long time!

Vacation

I knew something was up. Suitcases on the floor mean somebody's leaving. It makes me nervous. I don't want to be left behind. I climbed inside a couple of them. When the driver came to pick up the passengers and load the suitcases, I jumped up high into the back of the SUV and hid behind the suitcases. Lady said she wasn't leaving and dragged me out. We said goodbye to Auntie Al and her mom. But there were still suitcases left on the floor. I wasn't taking any chances, so I climbed on top of them. The next morning, Lady loaded the suitcase into the car and I jumped in. This time, she didn't drag me out! So, I'm going with Lady! But then, we arrived at the airport and Lady got out.Auntie A. drove off without my Lady.
I 'm on vacation with D., W, and N., three little human friends. They are American like my Lady. I'm not sure where Lady went but I think I heard her say somewhere up north to visit friends. I like it here, but I miss my lady. I always mope when my lady leaves me. But I have fun things to do here. They have a fish tank, and you know how I love to chase fish! The tank is at a height I can reach. Hmmm. Wonder how long that will last. One good thing about living here with Auntie A., is that she gives me meat! Still, I miss my lady.

Bitten Again!

Lady is not happy with the garbage lady and her son. The boy left the gate open. They have this fat, ugly dog that follows them onto my street. Well, I ran out the gate and tried to give him what for. He snarled and barked and reached down, taking ahold of my ear and neck. I cried! Lady rushed to my rescue, but I managed to get away and run back to my house. I cried and cried -I admit. Well, it HURT! He bit through my ear and took a nick off the edge. My poor ear. And I have a puncture wound on my neck. Lady cleaned my up, searching for holes. My ear is the worst. She applied ointment and TLC. I shook for ten minutes. Lady just held me and talked to me. I am healing nicely, though.
In other news, Lady had her last day of school yesterday. School's out for summer, just in time for the monsoons which began a few days ago. It has rained every day now for four days. Our scorching hot days are passed, and the rainy ones are here. Lady didn't quite get her laundry in before the rain today.
Auntie Al's mom is here with us. She likes me. After Lady leaves in the morning, I go jump in bed with whoever is sleeping on the floor! I scared her mom the other morning when I jumped down from the bed onto her tummy! Early morning wake up service!! I guess I should have let Lady sleep late this morning since it was Saturday, but I didn't. I woke her up at 6:oo, and got her out by 6:20! Happy vacation!

HAPPY ADOPTION DAY TO ME!

Four years ago today, Lady adopted me from my first American family. They moved back to the states and left me with their house helper. I was almost three when Lady came to the capital city of the province where she lived to get me. I had been living with the house helper for six months. She didn't want me. But Lady heard I needed a home and made the three hour trip to come get me. She had prayed for a little dog just like me! I was an answer to her prayers! She was coming up the stairs as I was going outside to take care of business. She said, "you must be Marley," and put her hand down in front of my face. I smelled it, wagged my tail and licked her hand. The rest is history. We lived together for two and a half years in China until Lady left to visit her family. I stayed with a Chinese family with whom I had often visited for a vacation. I have lots of friends in China. Chinese is my first language you know. Six months later, Lady returned to get me. She put me in a strange plastic and metal box with my rug, my blankie, and my toys. I cried. A conveyor belt carried me away into this huge huge bus with wheels. I had never seen such a thing! But we didn't stay on the ground. We took off into the air. The noise was deafening! Some humans came and got me and took me off. I waited for Lady, but she didn't come. I cried. I didn't know that Lady tried to see me in Thailand, but they wouldn't let her. She thought she could hear me. She had to pay my fees and sign some papers for me to continue to India. Finally, I was taken in a building and there was my Lady! Was I ever ready to get out of that box! But, the man wouldn't let Lady take me out until she had her luggage. Some little humans kept me company so I stopped howling. At last, my Lady came and let me out. I gave her face a bath! She hooked me up in my trusty harness and off we went in search of a car to take me home. I tried to jump in the first open car door I saw, much to the surprise of the driver! Lady and I have lived in India for ten months now. I have lots of friends here, both human and dog. My party was scheduled for today, but had to be postponed. Today is Election Day. Candidates illegally distribute alcohol and other vote enticers. The people tend to get agitated and may riot. So, we were told to stay home today. My party will be Monday. But I found my gift in a big black sack, and took it out! It's in the photo! Lady made me biscuits for breakfast -with gravy!! Since she doesn't know my birth date, this is the day we celebrate. Feel free to look back through my archives and see photos from my past. Feel free to write me at littledogmarley@hotmail.com .

HAPPY NEW YEAR

My neighbors are celebrating the Hindu New Year by the lunar claendar. Today was a holiday for most, but not Lady's school. Each state has its own New Year but they are all around the same time. They may have different special foods and traditions, but the basics are the same -a time for family to gather, share special foods and traditions, wear new clothes, practice poojah and give offerings at the temple. They will eat something bitter and something sweet. Mango leaves are tied above the doors. Rangooli's (fancy chalk designs) are on the sidewalks in front of the homes. The best part? No fireworks! I hate fireworks. Lady's Hindu friend and language tutor, Dani, brought Lady and Auntie Al some sweets. Lady gave some to me as she didn't like it, but Auntie Al did. Auntie Al won't give me anything because I got into her trash again and made a mess
We're still have some unseasonable cool weather and rain, but it may be history now. I get my walk finished real fast in the heat. I like to go out at night or early in the morning. Lady and I were out before 6:30 this morning, because it gets hot so fast. I try my best to get her up early!
My butt is healing nicely. That b____ down the road is still taunting me, and breaking my heart. Lady drags me the other way.
Well, Auntie Al and Lady watched American Idol at Auntie K.'s old place, but I wasn't invited. Somebody has to hold down the fort, I guess.

Love?

Lady says it's not love, only lust. I can't eat, I whine all the time. I try to drag Lady out at all hours when I hear the other boys chasing her. I cry when she goes by...it's awful to be in lust. Lady wants to send her far, far, away for tormenting me so. And that big, black bully that bit me on the butt is still hanging around. Makes taking care of business difficult. Well, my hiney is healing, thank you very much. Lady had a retreat to go to. Thank the Lord it was close by so she could come home twice a day to shove a pill down my throat and paint my bottom with ointment. Then, she painted it with a bitter oil so I wouldn't lick off the medicine. Nice try.

Lady's friend Deb came to visit us for a night. She brought Lady a stuffed elephant from another country. I tried to claim it but Lady said it wasn't mine. So, I leave it alone. My Easter pillow is another story. I tore holes in it and pulled the stuffings out!

Lady's vacation is over today. We went to school yesterday to get things ready. Of course, I have to protect Lady while she is at school alone. You remember me telling you about going to watch American idol every Wednesday and Thursday night with Miss Joanne? Well, she moved out of that house yesterday because it gave her hives. They checked it for bugs couldn't find any. Lady says I can't go back. We don't know where we will watch American Idol. I've got to cheer on my favorites! Unfortunately, the only black guy got voted off. I like the guy with hair like a Puli! Lady likes Brooke and David Cook.

The Easter Beagle Came!

Happy Resurrection Day! A bit late, I know but we have had internet trouble. The man came and "fixed" our land line, which hadn't worked in three months. Now it "works" but is full of static, and our internet connection is worse than ever. Lady went to church Eatser morning and hid 125 eggs for the Sunday School kids. They had never hunted eggs before. After lunch at church, Lady returned home to me. Under our egg tree, she found a chocolate bunny, some Peeps, Skittles, and gum! I found a nice, new pillow!

I have been having a rough time lately. You know I always have "issues." After all, I'm black, I'm short, I'm Chinese, and I live in India. Well, there's this babe on our street...Lady has another B word for her...anyway, she always flirts with me. So now that she is ready to tango, she bites me in the face! Daily, I drag Lady over there to see if she has come to her senses, and she teases me, then bites me in the face. All the "real" male dogs are coming on our street to see if they can get anywhere with her. It's been quite noisy at night! Our street dogs don't want the other dogs here, so they bark...a lot! Last Thursday night as we were walking home from Auntie Jo's after American Idol, that big black bully that gives me such a hard time ran up from behind me and bit my butt! What a coward. I cried. Lady looked for a puncture wound but didn't find it. She didn't look low enough. After two days, and chewing off the hair around it, Lady found the hole. The doctor came ot our house today to check it and give me some antibiotics. He said he saw two other dogs with the same thing today, only they both had maggots in their wounds! Mine wound is clean. Lady put ointment on it. So she had to shove a pill down my throat. My poor butt is sore and I am miserable because of all the rejection. On top of that, My landlady gave me the forbidden chicken bones and I threw up three times. Life can be rough for a little black Chinese dog living in India.

New Auntie Arrives

Remember me telling you about eating the rat poison in the old principal's house? Part of the house is used for the school. Well, I went back today to welcome Auntie Jo. SHe arrived from the US at 5:00 AM. She is here to teach music. She is older than my Lady. Now that's old! I went in the house but Lady wouldn't let me explore. Later, Auntie Al and I went back to pick her up and walk her to our house for an early dinner. Lady made quiche and I cleaned up the dropped cheese. Auntie Al made fruit salad. This morning, Lady made pancakes. She makes little, plain ones for me. She and Auntie Al eat them with chocolates chips or cranberries. I just love pancakes. I will dance and sit and speak for pancakes. Whatever it takes.
After dinner, we walked Auntie Jo back to her new home. She was really sleepy. The mosquitos about carried Lady off! We ran into Lady's new language tutor, Dhanu, and walked ot her house. We met her landlord who invited us in for coffee. I was ready to go inside but Lady said we had ot get home. We don't go off our street after dark, and darkness was fast approaching.
Saturday is Lady's day to do chores so I have been helping. I go up to the roof with her when she hangs laundry. I let her know when someone is at the gate. I soak up the rays while I am guarding the house. She won't let me get on the fresh sheets though, because I haven't had my bath! We have company coming tomorrow! Our friend Katrina is here from China. She taught with Lady at the same university. She was a frequent visitor to our home. She would even come and walk with me when Lady was too sick to take me out. She's a good friend.
Yes, I stay busy on Saturdays, supervising Lady doing chores, and cleaning up dropped food off the floor. I'm exhausted now! After all, I am just a little dog.

A Gift

Lady had the day off from school today, so she , Auntie Al, and Auntie A. all went to the movies and shopping. The Jane Austen book and the movie are for Lady, but the new baby is for me. I am not allowed to chew on Eyore.

I almost got introuble again. A friend brought Auntie Al spicy chicken on bones. She couldn't eat it all. Lady gave me the meat but I am not allowed to have chicken bones. She wrapped them in foil and planned to put them in thetrash after they returned from dinner. She thought maybe I might dig in the trash and try to get them out if she threw them away. I know how to step on the pedal and open the trash. I know how to drag stuff out then leave it upright so maybe Lady won't notice. Anyway, I managed to get up to the counter and get the foil packet down. By the time Auntie Al and Lady returned, there were only a few pieces of shredded foil on the rug as evidence. Foiled. Scolded. Lady worried a bone might splinter and poke a hole in me, or I might choke. She says I am giving her gray hairs, but I don't see any yet.

Lady and my Aunties had a scary adventure getting home tonight. The autorickshaw driver demanded more money than the prepaid amount. The is the whole reason for getting a prepaid slip. He said it was too far for the amount. He threw the money down and when my aunties started to walk away, he picked up a large rock in a threatening manner. Lady used her loud teacher voice to say, "are you threatening me?" to attract the neighbors. They came out and helped settle the disbute. Lady gave him a little more money but not the huge amount he had demanded. Thankfully, they had gotten out away from Auntie A's home so the driver didn't know where they lived. They are home safe and sound. I took Lady out for a walk and protected her. Nobody messes with my Lady and gets away with it!

Still Here!

I'm still here! I made it through the night just fine, showing no signs of poisoning. I stuck close to Lady all night. Only when twelve hours had passed from the time I inadvertently ate the rat poison did Lady heave a sigh of relief because I had shown no signs of sickness.

Lady went to church, I stayed home. Again, I did what little dogs left alone do - I got into the trash. By the time Auntie Al and Lady returned, I had the front door mat covered in litter, and half of the living room as well. She opened her mouth to scold me, but I gave her the pathetic, "you almost lost me yesterday" look, and she backed down. Let's face it -I'm precious!

One of Lady's girl students gave her a bag of hair ties and clips to give away. So, we did. The girls were so excited to have new colorful hair ties. The moms fought for some as well. Auntie Al put braids and clips in the girls' hair. The boys stuck their hands out wanting something, too! The moms all laughed! Imagine - a boy wearing purple butterflies in his hair! Not this boy! I let Lady dress me, but I draw the line at hair bows. Thank you to those who prayed for my well-being yesterday.

A Close Call

I'm just a little dog. I do what dogs do, despite Lady's warnings -I eat things I find. How was I supposed to know that the yummy black cake was actually rat poison?
We were helping the parents move the school library to the annex, recently vacated by the principal and his wife. They had a rat problem, so after it was all clean, Auntie put out solid cakes of rat poison. Auntie Beth spotted it in my mouth and tried to get it out. I growled at her and ran off. She told Lady I had rat poison. Quick as a wink, Lady yanked it out of my mouth, despite my growl, and swiped my mouth several times. She tried to clean the inside of my mouth and get any of the granules out, but wouldn't let me have a drink. She scooped me up and rushed me home. I still didn't know what in the world was the big deal, but Lady started crying. By the time we got home she was a mess. I had all I could do to kiss away her tears. She called Pastor S. who had his son call the vet. Lady cradled me in her arms the entire time until the doctor arrived...and she cried. She was scared. I mean a lot to my Lady. I came all the way from China to India just to take care of her. The doctor arrived about thirty minutes later and stuck me two times. I didn't even bite him. He said it was antidote for the poison. He said it was a very potent but slow-acting poison. Six hours later, he returned to stick me one more time. He says I am going to be okay. Lady wants to wait until that twelve hour mark when normally I would be getting violently ill. The doctor said that by the time they know it is a poisoning, it is too late to do anything about it. He said it happens often, but because I have had the antidote, I will be okay. Lady is thanking God for me, for Pastor S. and for the doctor who came to my house to treat me.
Auntie Al even gave me some of her chicken dinner! I guess I had better listen to Lady when she tells me not to eat junk. I am thankful Lady has finally stopped crying.

HAPY NEW YEAR

I know it is a little late, but Happy New Year! We spent New Year's Eve as quietly as possible -okay, I was shivering under the covers hiding from the firecrackers! On New Year's Day, Lady made a visa run to Thailand while I stayed home to take to care of things. I didn't make any new year's resolutions but I did set some new goals for 2008:
1. Eat more meat.
2. Bark less and listen more.
3. Share with the less fortunate dogs on my street.
4. Avoid big piles of poop.
5. Love my Lady as much as I can any time I can.
6. Be a better neighbor.
I hope you have the best year yet, and may God bless you!

The girls are happy to open their gifts. They got journals, stuffed animals, lotion, body wash, candy, and a silk scarf. Ten girls from church plus two American friends came to my house.

Lady's Birthday

The girls from church came over for a Christmas/Birthday party last Thursday. Lady and I left up our decorations for when Auntie Al came back from America. She and Lady had gifts from the states and Thailand for the girls. Auntie Al made a chocolate cake for Lady. I am not allowed to tell you how old she is. She had a great day, though. She ordered pizza for lunch for her class, and they brought her a lot of nice gifts -mostly chocolate ones!

Party Time!

Playing a "pass the gift" game

Last night we had a party for some of our neighbors -the ones who speak to us, plus the government official's family who live across the street. They have two cars and two drivers and lots of servants. They didn't come. But, six of the eight invited families came. We played games. My job was to retrieve the snowballs they through through the snowman. On the right is the youngest boy upstairs. We play together a lot! In the next photo, on the left in green is my beloved landlady. She gives me meat! She takes care of me when Lady goes "out of station." The other lady is our back door neighbor. We are separated by iron safety bars and wire mesh. I can't get through.

Merry Christmas!

Lady and I went for a sleepover at D. & B.'s home for Christmas Eve. We had a progressive dinner with three families. It was loads of fun! I got a lot of gifts last night between the ones my human grandma and grandpa sent me and the ones my friends gave me! Then, this morning, I opened my stocking and even more gifts! Santa brought a new Pooh bear, squeaky toys, and lots of chews. Auntie B. gave me chicken for breakfast! I had buffalo for dinner! I've had a really good Christmas. I hope you have, too!

Merry Christmas and God bless you!

Love,

Marley

Lady and I went for a sleepover at D & B.'s house. This is Christmas morning. Santa has been here and we are opening our gifts and stockings. I don't need any help.

That's a baby boy. The mother will put dark spots on his face to ward off evil spirits. They keep their hair long until they are about three, making it difficult sometimes to tell the girls from the boys. We can tell when they run around with no pants on.

Our Construction Worker Christmas Party

Not everybody was happy about our party today. One of the neighbor ladies became very angry with us. She called some people to make trouble for us, but it all worked out in the end.

We passed out meal packets and gift bags to all our guests.

Our guests listened intently to the story and songs.

Christmas Party

The kids were the first to arrive at our party today. I helped entertain them. They love to have their photo taken.

Cows and Goats

While Christians prepare for Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, Muslims are preparing for a different Holy day. It's called Baqri, or "cow sacrifice," but, Muslim families will also sacrifice a goat or a sheep, or some other appropriate beast. We've been hearing the bleating of a goat for days. He is tied to his gate and being fattened up. Poor guy, doesn't know what's coming. Some of the water buffalo and cows on our street have also been grazing daily. We won't know until tomorrow if one of these has been chosen to be sacrificed in the name of some family members. A special butcher will come to bleed the animal before it is cooked and eaten. Part of the meat will be distributed to the poor. Our neighborhood tent families hope to be recipients. This sacred festival is in commemoration of the ram sacrificed by Abraham in place of his son. You can read the whole story in Genesis chapter 22.
As you know, we have many Hindu neighbors as well. This morning we received a flyer pleading for people not to kill cows and bulls. "Indian cows are endangered species -please protect them from killing." It goes on to say, " Cows give us milk and cow dung which is very essential for agriculture which is the backbone of our economy. Cow is like our second Mother. Mother feeds us milk for one year, but cow feeds us throughout our life."
Living in such a spiritual country with Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhists, and others as neighbors is a different experience from living in China. Most people we knew didn't believe in anything. Many were Buddhists. You can check my archives to see some of the temples I've visited. We are learning more about this culture every day. Tomorrow is our Christmas party for the tent people. We're putting up a big tent for them because the weather has been so bad. If it stays very muddy I may have to stay home. I got both my raincoat and coat filthy dirty!

Bags of Blankets

I'm a very tolerant little dog. I'm sitting atop forty blankets Lady purchased yesterday for the tent families. We went around to each tent area on our block and recorded the names of the families and kids. Well, Samson recorded the names. Lady and I entertained the kids. They love for her to pick them up and pretend to drop them. They come to her and throw their arms up in the air and say, "Whoops! Whoops! Auntie!" Some of the tent families are Muslim, and some are Hindu. Most are non-veg which is a surprise to Lady. The Muslims won't eat pork and the Hindus won't eat beef, so we're serving chicken biriani. Lady brought home more than blankets yesterday! She bought me some ground buffalo meat! I can't wait! She has a special pan for frying my meat and rice. Lady and I are so thankful to Auntie Jeano in America, and Auntie C. and Big T. here in our city. They provided funds to help pay for the food and blankets. Lady and I got all the stuff for the kids. They are getting Milky Bars, milk biscuits (which they love), some chocolates, lollipops, pencils, sharpeners, eraser, and a new toothbrush and toothpaste. The families are also getting some cooking spices. I will be handing out goodies to the neighborhood street dogs. Lady says I should share. It's Christmas. Auntie R. and Auntie B. came over last night for a packing party. They helped pack all the blankets into bags, and packed all the gifts into the kids bags. Auntie Al's room is covered in all the bags! We had pizza, macaroni and cheese, and carrots with ranch dip! All my favorites. I am not allowed to have very much dairy at one time, though. But I love carrots! I lick off the dip and want more. Lady says, "no double dipping." So, I chew the carrot. It helps clean my teeth. We have one more day to prepare for our big Christmas Party!

HoHoHo!

Here I am at my desk, getting ready to blog. Would you like a cookie? It's a cold, dreary day here in India, but warm and cozy inside thanks to Lady's baking in the oven! I brought the silk tree from China. We are missing our friends in China!

More Baking

Lady is preparing cookies for a Christmas party. We can't give this kind to the tent kids because they contain egg. Most Hindus don't eat egg products. They are vegetarian like Lady!

Party

This is my living room and my tree. Lydia drove the boys over for the party. Sim won an alarm clock. Mang won a special pen. They sang Christmas carols, but I just listened. They look just like my Chinese friends to me. Qing Qing is in Lady's class but she couldn't come tonight. Her heart language is Chinese, so that is what she always uses with us. It makes me feel at home! After all, Chinese is my heart language, too.

Cookies

I love it when Lady bakes Christmas cookies. But, this plateful is not for me. She makes mine with no sugar, and different flour. Oh well, a guy can try, can't he? We had a small party for Lady's ESL students from the seminary where Lady goes to church on Sundays. She volunteers each week in a class for the Burmese students. These boys had never had any kind of American food. It was fun watching them eat pizza, quiche, chips and salsa, and veggies and dip for the first time. They didn't want to eat these sugar cookies. They just wanted to look at them.

SUNDAY

I miss Auntie K. I used to go to her home on Sundays, and watch the cat that lives across the street. She went back to the states to be with her family. She's not coming back. She sent my bowl and my mat home with me. How sad is that? So, now Lady doesn't take me there anymore. I have house church at home.
Lady was walking to the store today and got invited to a Christmas Program at a City Harvest Church. The girls (about 25 of them) were from a girl's home for disadvantaged girls. Some are learning to be tailors, and some are learning about computers. Most are orphans. The girls sang a song and did a dance with sticks. Most of the churches are having their Christmas parties now. Lady went to another one last night. The tradition here is to go caroling to all the church members' homes. It takes weeks to do this, in some cases. Our landlord's church caroling team came here last week. We thought they were coming to our home, but they went upstairs. We didn't know how it worked, but someone explained it to Lady. There are lots of Christmas decorations around, but still many, many temples, gurus, and mosques. We have a very large mosque nearby, and hear the call to pray at 5:30 AM, and other times throughout the day. We often pass girls in full burka, with nothing showing but their face, or sometimes only their eyes. Lady speaks to them and they giggle.
So, there's a lot going on this holiday season. It is very different from China. The Christian church there has a Christmas Program, but other than a couple of songs, it really has nothing to do with Christmas. There's no pageant. In China they are really good at having a Christmas celebration without Christ. Here, there are all kinds of programs, but we haven't seen the story of the First Christmas yet, but we do see people freely worshipping the Christ of Christmas. That's different.

Gingerbread Stables

Here the kids are working on their stables. A mom and a friend came to help! They made the baby Jesus out of peanutbutter dough with tinted coconut hay.