Life in my New 'Hood

This my balcony. I spend a lot of time out there checking things out. We live up over 6,000 feet in the Himalayas, so it is usually nice outside. The monsoons haven't started yet, but we get some storms in the evenings. They cool things off.
I am playing my favorite game with friend who came to see me. I love tug-o-war, and I am very good.
I was out on my balcony when i heard a lot of music and drums. We went to investigate. It was a pre-wedding ceremony with a band.
We enjoyed the music and dancing. They invited us to dance, too.
I like dancing but it was a bit too loud for my ears! We were invited in for snacks and tea but we declined. Our friends went though, and said it was fun. They have all these traditions that they do before a Hindu wedding.

Company

We have had a houseful! Auntie Carol arrived Monday to come stay with us while she gets better. She had to get out of the heat of her city. Two of Gerry's friends arrived Wednesday morning from the farm where Gerry grew up. Lots of people means lots of food! Gerry's friends are Indian and they eat MEAT! Lady doesn't, you know. They all like me.

Our house has been decorated with lots of white lights! Our landlord's son got married! Lady went to the reception last night. I met a lot of new people. So many humans going up and down our stairwell! I liked watching the bride and groom's car with all the flowers stuck to it. Oh, you should have seen all the beautifully dressed humans! Lady said they were every colorful! She came home really late, but still I took her out for a walk. I had been waiting up far past my bedtime. A little black dog needs his rest. But, Lady needs her exercise, so I took her out.

I got scolded for jumping off the bed today. I am not allowed. It is bad for my back. I forget. We don't have a vet here yet, so Lady says I can't get hurt! It took a lot of time and a lot of injections and vitamins for my back to get better. Lady doesn't want me to hurt myself again. She loves me that way.

More Photos of my Home

Here are some photos taken around our place. What do you think?This is Gerry, who is helping us for a couple of weeks. She worked for the family who lived here before us.

This is my building. I live on the first floor -not the ground floor. See my balcony with the black wrought iron? One is the living room and one is my bedroom.

My New Home

These are photos from inside my new home. The furniture isn't ours and will change in November. But, we get to keep the blue rug! Yippee!This is the guest room.

This is our room.

I love the blue rug in my living room!

This is our dining table.

This is a pooped me after my long journey, on my rug in front of the balcony doors.

More Photos of Trip

Be sure to read the post before this one!

We saw lots of these funny-looking creatures!
We stopped by here so Lady could go in a clean potty. I just waited with Ronald.
The driver kept me company.
These gondolas look interesting!
We saw so many chicken farms! Building after building after building!!!

Made it Safely to Our New Home!

In India, you don't move, you shift. You do not go out of town, you go out of station. We'll we shifted to a hill station today -the Himalayas that is! We left at 3:30 am so this little black dog would get so hot. Lady wanted me to pee before I got in the car, but I was so excited I just wanted to get in the car and go! We had an anything but boring ten hour trip. We made several stops. For starters, we had to sit in the front seat -together- and there was no working safety belt. Lady was not happy about that! We did have AC. The moon was full so it wasn't too dark. When we got to our new state, the driver had to pay tolls and taxes. It took an hour to get through that town! We passed all kinds of wild life, including an abundance of monkeys. The road was really windy, but I don't get motion sick. Lady says I am a good traveler. She brought my new blue Scooby Doo. I chewed his tongue and ear off. She brought my yellow dish, and some chicken sausage. Yum! For breakfast we shared a potato parantha. It's like a stuffed spicy pancake, but greasier. We finally arrived at 2:00 PM. I was so ready to get out and explore. I checked every room. My rug is here, my dishes are here, my blankie is here, my toys are here, and Lady is here. Must be home.

Here are some photos of my trip. I will post photos of my new home tomorrow. Lady is pooped.

Beauty along the way.
Ya never know what you'll see heading down the road!
This is our taxi. We refilled the car and my water dish, and un-filled me.
Taking care of business and checking out the scenery.
Storing the livestock food. We saw lots of these.

My House Looks Bare

Suitcases are out again. I know what that means. We're going somewhere. I am relieved to see my stuff AND lady's stuff getting packed. She even stocked up on my expensive dog food. She packed all my clothes, blankets, towels, mats, and most of my toys. She left my new blue Scooby Doo out for me. She took everything off our walls. She says we're moving to the mountains. Yippee! I was born in the mountains. This lower elevation living is for the birds, who can fly away! I am so hot. I get my exercise by panting. Lady says we're leaving this city at 3:00 am because it will be cooler for me, and hopefully we will avoid heavy traffic in a big city we have to go through. We're hiring a car because it is too hot for little black dogs to travel in cargo on a train, and the airlines that flies there doesn't seem to take little dogs. Anyway, that is too expensive. I have flown enough. I love car travel. I don't get motion sick. Well, so far anyway.

Lady says it will take us all day. We'll be there in the late afternoon. The high temperature there is 28 degrees cooler today than the high here!

Mountains, here I come!

Party Photos

Here are some photos of my party. Be sure to check the previous two posts for more photos and the story!

I ran and ate Peyton's treat first, so he won this game!
My new Scooby.
Who can make me sing by blowing the horn?
Pin the tag on the dog!
We had lots of good food at my party. I couldn't have soda or chocolate but I had everything else! Lady prepared my favorites. Pizza! Yum!

More Party Photos

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

I had such a fun party! We had lasagna, pizza, green beans, carrot sticks, golden bars, all kinds of nuts, and I had chicken sausage! Every year I play a game with my guests. They choose a treat they think I will like the best and they all line up. Lady holds me back until they are ready. Whichever treat I eat first, that human gets a prize! I try to grab as many of the treats as I can. Peyton won this game. Peyton and Tom challenged me to a drinking contest! They got down on all fours and raced me to see who could lap up their water the fastest. Tom won! He beat me! I was very busy chasing bones when they played the bone toss. I managed to grab quite a few. I won the "hot dog" game. It's played like hot potato only they passed around my new blue Scooby Doo. I intercepted it a few times! Eventually Rachel won. Rachel's daddy won the Pin the Tag on the Dog game. Lady wrote a quiz about me and Auntie Nelly won! She reads my blog so she knew all the answers -well, most anyway. Peyton and Hannah made me the coolest gifts! I have my own treat jar with my picture on it. They made my treats from scratch. Even Lady thinks they're yummy, but I reminded her whose picture is on the jar. They also made me a mat for my dishes, and they decorated towels for me. I had fun opening my gifts.

Lady says I am as fat as a tick! I didn't eat all day saving room for tonight so I could sample everything. My cake was a peanut butter carrot cake.

Thanks for the well-wishes. I had a great day. I hope you enjoy my photos.

Busted Again

Lady has had a bad morning. She got some sad news that made her cry before school. She left for school and I was naughty. I'm a dog, what can I say? I got in the garbage again and spread it all over the dining room. I know how to mash on the pedal and open the can, then I just jump up and tip it over! Lady scolded me. I knew I was busted, so I hid under the dining table. After a minute, all is forgiven, and we had veggie burgers and fries for lunch. She loves me.

Hot

Did I tell you it is hot in this city? As a matter of fact, this is the hottest of the four cities I have lived in. I do better in the higher elevations. I was born at over six thousand feet. My next city will be back in the mountains, according to Lady. Sounds good to me. If you check my archives, you'll see photos from mountains and rice paddies. Even my last city in India was over two thousand feet. This city is HOT. I had to pee, so I asked to go out earlier than usual. I am drinking a lot of water you know. It was SO hot I was worn out after just a small block. I met a cute lhasa apsa though. She was hot and I don't mean temperature. She may be a bit young for me. We tangled our leashes -it was fun. But, I was ready to be carried up the stairs and lie on the cool marble floors. Didn't even wait for my harness to be released!

There was supposed to be an auto rickshaw strike today, but there were autos this morning. The petrol bunks (gas stations) were also on strike. Guess the auto drivers changed their minds. A friend picked Lady up and gave her a ride to language school. But she was able to get an auto rickshaw home.

Normally, I sleep UNDER the covers, but not here! I sleep on top of the sheet! Yep, it is hot! It's 112! How about where you are? Let me hear from you, okay? You can email me, too!

Adoption Day Party is Coming!

Lady and I are planning my annual party. She doesn't know exactly when my birthday is, so we always celebrate on the day she adopted me, May 20. Last year, my party was delayed because I got bit by a big black bully. I had a great party at the M family's home. The kids made me a birthday cake and dog treats. They got the recipes online. You wouldn't believe how many recipes for dogs are available, and lots of party ideas! Lady had brought the decorations from her country. We always have a pin the tag on Me game, but it is in my last city. So, we're preparing new games.

Who comes to my party? My friends. Last year, Millie and Max hosted me. They are wire-haired wienie dogs. But usually, just my human friends come. Why? Well, Lady says I don't play well with the boys, and I won't leave the girls alone.

This year we are celebrating my ninth birthday and our sixth year together. We are having my party next Friday on the 21st so we can also watch American Idol. My human friends Rachel and Ethan and their mom and dad are coming! I love my parties because I get good stuff! Lady prepares a lot of the foods I like so I can sample everything. She found some Blues Clues decorations for me, but we've never scene Blues Clues. She just likes the decorations.

I'll dress up for my party and be the perfect host. I have had lots of parties over the years, for all different occasions. I am very well-behaved and take care of my guests, giving them lots of attention. I can't wait until my party!

It is still super hot here, over 110 degrees. Lady and I both had showers today to cool off. We wait until the sun goes down to walk but it is still hot. I lie on the cool marble floor under the fan!

Doorbells

Lady hates our doorbell. I don't why. Okay, maybe I do. Maybe it is because I get very noisy when the doorbell rings. And it rings everyday. The old lady vegetable wallah (peddler) rings the doorbell and then sits on the step. She practically begs Lady to buy her veggies. Lady has bought from her, but the last potatoes and tomatoes she bought from this old lady went bad really really fast. Lady speaks to her for a bit, then has to close the door. Lady learned how to say "don't want any today," in the local language, but the old lady just keeps trying. Oh, and two other vegetable wallahs and fruit wallahs come by everyday to get lady to buy from them. And they ring the doorbell. And I let her know someone is there. Then there's the garbage collector. I REALLY get loud when he rings the bell, because he doesn't ring just once.

Then, there's the mail carrier. He rings and steps down on the lower step.

Then there are the neighbors who try to turn on the light but hit our doorbell instead.

When Lady says "no bark," I shut up. But I usually get in a few good scares before she does!

No, Lady does not like the doorbell.

By the way, for those of you who have asked, I am feeling much better. I haven't cried in a week. I don't cry when Lady touches my back. I don't cry when she puts me down. I don't cry in the mornings when I stretch. She is quite relieved. It upsets her when I cry. I've got good drugs.

I finished up getting the last of my annual shots today. I'm covered! Lady says we're shifting to another city in a couple of weeks. We'll have to try to find another vet. Oh, boy.

Pin Cushion

That's what I feel like...a pin cushion. Three shots three days in a row. But ya know what? I feel better after the shots. I'm having a hard time being comfortable. I don't really like to stay still for the heating pad, but it's doctor's orders.

We had four carnivores over for dinner last night. Lady made a bunch of vegetarian dishes but she also fried up some chicken franks for us carnivores. I got my own frank PLUS leftovers! I hot pay dirt! The humans were really nice to me and scratched me a lot. Lady says we will see them in our next city. Some other folks are coming to visit me tonight to watch American Idol. I don't really care too much. Lady likes Crystal. Lady and I watched "Underdog" the other night. I liked that.

It's really hot. I like lying on the marble floor.

I scared a guy who came to our door today. So he bolted us in! Then he tried to give Lady his card so she'd use him as an electrician. When she tried to open our steel screened door to get the card she discovered he had bolted it and he opened it. Lady was so mad! He said it was because of me that he had bolted it. She gave him back his card and told him she didn't want to do business with him! If someone bolts us in we're kinda stuck. It's scary. Lady's going to put a lock on the bolt so it can't happen again.

Back From Vacation

I returned from my vacation on Monday morning. Lady was anxiously waiting my arrival, as I was late. The handler didn't pay attention to Lady's instructions not to let me climb the stairs. I was anxious to get hom and see my Lady! But I paid for it. I am paying for all the jumping up on the beds I did while there. The evidence is on the video they sent Lady showing me at the doggie spa. I told you we've been going to the vet's for injections a lot. I finally worked up to only once a week and I wasn't crying. Well, even though I had an injection Monday, and was supposed to return in a week, I still had pain. Last night I cried quite a bit when Lady picked me up or put me down, or I tried to jump on the bed. This morning was the worst. I cried when I stretched, when I moved, when I got down, when I rolled over. So, it's off to see the vet first thing this morning. We arrived half an hour before they opened, but my vet had just arrived and let us in. He touched my spine and I yelped. He said it's " very bad," We already knew that! So I got three injections and go back tomorrow. He told Lady to put hot compresses on my three times a day. And something else- he said to make chapatti dough (like a wheat flour tortilla) and put it on my back. I love chapattis, but not raw...and on my back? I enjoyed the auto rickshaw rides this morning because it is cooler. Well, I ALWAYS enjoy them, but some more than others. In heavy traffic and heat, the exhaust and fumes are really bad.

After the injections, I already feel some relief. I didn't cry when Lady put me down. I am walking okay. I think I am doing better than Lady! She was a mess this morning when I was crying so much.

Lady told me she went on a vacation while I was gone. She went riding down a river in a raft! The trip was five hours by train and then 2 by bus. Coming home, she did 2 1/2 hours and then another 6 1/2 hours. She slept in a tent. No little dogs could come. Too hot for me!! Well, I am glad to be home where my Lady can take care of me, and I can take care of her.

Vacation

Lady just told me I am going on vacation tonight. I don't understand, because I don't see my stuff packed -no toys, no blankie, no dishes, no mat, no treats- only some dry food and the vitamins Lady makes me take. They are coming to pick me up and drive me far away to a special spa for dogs. I can even go swimming! I get to hang out in an air-conditioned house during the day, but in the mornings and evenings, I get to go out and play and swim. Lady said I can't take all my stuff because I will be with other dogs. I get territorial with my stuff. She said they'd even give me chicken franks and yogurt. I don't see Lady's suitcase, so maybe they won't let her bring stuff either. What if she's not going with me? What if that's why she just has a small bag on the bed? When will I be back? What if I don't like the doggie spa and want to come home? Good thing Lady's number is on my tag. I'll just have them call her to come get me if I don't like it.

Swimming sounds good. The heat has been getting to me. I haven't been eating as much. Maybe it will be fun. I'll let you know when I get back.

More Little Visitor

This little guy and his mom stayed with us for a week until today. He dropped stuff for me at meals. I miss him already. My Lady loves this little human! He is trying real hard to walk on two legs, but most of the time, he got around on all fours, like me.

I kept an eye on him most of the time. He is interesting to watch. He sure can make a mess, almost as good as my messes. Lady told his mom to keep their door closed. Well, she forgot, and when they came home, I had a surprise waiting...I got into the dirty diapers and shredded them. "But I had them all tied up in a bag!" You think that will keep me out? I knew the drill. Lady only had to say my name and I put myself in time-out under the table. I stayed there until she called me to go outside. I knew I would get in trouble, but it was worth it.

What is the fascination with my dish? He really liked it. When he got into my water dish, Lady got a bigger pan out with water in it and let him splash all over the floor. It's so hot that it dried really quickly, and the floor was clean! He really liked the water play!

Poor little guy was having some stomach issues and he cried. I understand. I have back issues and I cry. By the way, I am doing much better. I don't go back for injections for a week. But, I am still not losing weight. Lady says it is too hot to worry about it here. I can't walk as far as we usually walk. When we move to the cooler climate, I will get more exercise. I took the baby with me on some walks. He liked it.

Little Visitor

This little human came to visit me for a week. He is just shy of his first birthday. Lady said I had to be on my best behavior, and I had to share. I wasn't allowed to snap or growl.

So what's a dog to do when the baby takes his NEW blankie? Let him have it. His mom didn't want him chewing on it though. Neither did I!

Busted! Actually, I was just smiling at the cute little guy! That's not a snarl. Nobody takes my toy.

The little fellow really love my dish for some reason. He pushed it all over the floor.

I assumed this position under the table at every meal. Babies are good for lots of droppings- the edible kind! This kid gave me lots, but not really the good stuff until Lady and the baby's mom had mo-mo's, or what we call in China, jiaozi. I love jiaozi! Lady's friend had chicken and shared them with me!! This is a good place to be.

Hot

Little black dogs get hot easily. In case you are wondering, it is 106 degrees today. Tomorrow's high is projected to be 110. Lady gave me a cooling bath today that helped. I am getting ready for my guests- a tiny human,and his mom. They have been to see me before, but not for a sleepover. They should be here soon. Tomorrow night, a human friend from our last city is coming for a sleepover. She'll bunk with us. I am excited! Guests mean more food. Babies mean more food on the floor!

Lady washed me as well as all my toys and rugs, in case the baby human gets them. She also put up all the stuff he can reach. I know better than to pull stuff off the tables but he doesn't. He just drools and laughs, eats and poops. Oh, and he has bad gas. I hope Lady doesn't blame me for any inappropriate explosions.

He better not pull my tail. Why to short humans like to do that? Lady says I have to be sweet to my guests. Well, of course!

Obstinate Walker

Lady gave me some trouble again this morning. Whose walk is it, anyway? It's mine, right? So who should choose which way we go? Me. Right? So, I thought I had her trained. If she goes the wrong way, I put on the brakes until she heads the correct direction. I don't like her to lead. It's my walk. If she gets ahead of me, I put on the brakes until she stops and allows me to get ahead of her and LEAD. Now, I know the rules. Lady insists that the shortest one be on the inside, so I abide by that rule most of the time. I like to cross roads, so Lady is always shifting me to the inside. I've got to check everything out -especially dirt piles and tires, and the ladies, of course!

This morning, Lady just wouldn't go my way. I got her to go out our gate, and on the busy road, but I wanted to cross the divided highway. Why? Because it's my walk and I wanted to. I'm not afraid of cars and autos. Lady says I should be, and it is a problem. I wanted to keep walking down the big highway, but Lady insisted on turning around. So what if my tongue was hanging out and I was walking a bit slow. I wanted to keep going. I put on the brakes. Lady outweighs me and tugged hard on my safety leash. I gave in but I sure didn't have to like it. Yes, the temperature was climbing. It was only 8:30 and already around 90. Yes, I was moving slowly, but I didn't want to miss any of the smells. I tried to take Lady into the little park by our house, but she squashed that idea. Said I wasn't welcome. So what are the street dogs doing in there?

Lady says I'm obstinate. I think that means I'm an independent thinker.

Okay, so I was really pooped when we got home. I figured if I got tired, Lady would carry me home. She already carried me up and down the stairs. I give her an upper body work out!

And some stranger tried to pet me this morning. Bad idea. He thought better of it. He didn't even ask my Lady if it was okay.

This evening, we walked pretty quickly. It is still hot. I didn't get to go swimming as Lady did this evening, but I heard her mention something about a cooling bath!

Diet Shmiet

Lady took me back to the vet tonight for two more injections. We took an auto rickshaw as usual. We went at 7:00 pm because it is just too hot for little black dogs to be outside any earlier. I like riding in the auto rickshaws. I don't have to strain to see out. It's open on both sides. Lady took photos of my vet and his assistant. The tall one shoots me and the shorter human muzzles me and holds me, but he is very kind.

So, I am supposed to be on a diet to lose some weight so as not to strain my back, right? Lady has been making my food for dinner, and giving me expensive dry for breakfast, plus all those vitamins. The assistant weighed me and...I gained two pounds! Lady was discouraged. The vet said I am eating too well! Too much protein. He said I am a geriatric dog, whatever that means, and I don't need so much protein. Lady countered that I am full of energy. He said it is because I eat so well, but I don't need all that protein. When I was doing stairs, I didn't have the weight problem. But doing the stairs gave me the back problem! Lady says we will just have to walk more. These shots increase my appetite. I am hungry all the time, so it is hard for Lady to ignore my begging. I am really good at it. Very subtle, you know? I stand in the kitchen looking up at her and make just the slightest whimper. When she looks at me, I set my happy meter to wagging! It works!

We'll skip four days this time, weaning me off the shots. I am doing better. I didn't cry and didn't need any Carprofen this week. I think I look great, what do you think?

Home Again Home Again

I had a great time with those little humans, Rachel and Peyton. I sure love their mom. They gave me a ride home today. Lady was so gad to see me! I tried to tell her I missed her, too. She understands my body language, and my attempts to speak.

Lady made us some biscuits and gravy for dinner, with fake sausage. I know it is fake because Lady is a vegetarian! But I love it anyway, and wanted seconds. I wonder what Lady did without me? Not much, I guess.

Easter!

It's a special day today! My lady had fun surprises for me. She gave them to the family for me. I have a nice Easter outfit, chewy toy, and yummy bones and treat! Wow! They sure are good!

The family took some pictures of me. I hope you like them!

They have been calling me "momo." Do I look like a momo dumpling??

Tomorrow lady comes back. I am so glad. I like this family but I miss my lady. I hope she had a good trip.

Sleepover!

I am having a sleepover with two short little humans named Rachel and Peyton and their mom and dad. It's been fun! They love to pet me (I wish they would give me lots of snacks, but lady told them I was on a diet!) I sometimes like to lay down by the mom. Boy does she move alot. Every time I lay down, she pops up and goes somewhere. I follow her but it get tiring after a while. Will she ever sit still??





The kids love to play tug-of-war with me. I'm just not up to it right now.





The dogs in this neighborhood are kind of mean. They bark at me. I just ignore them. Peyton brings a stick along when we go for a walk so that they won't hurt me.

The picture of me relaxing...it's SO hot here!

I hear tomorrow is a BIG day! I can't wait because I know I have a special treat and a special outfit. So, I'll write and show off my new outfit tomorrow!

I'm Ready!

This is the night I have been waiting for! I am going for a sleepover at Rachel and Peyton's house! They are coming for me in the car. And that's a good thing, because the auto rickshaws are on strike today. Lady had a terrible time getting to school. After thirty minutes, she took a taxi for almost four times what a rickshaw costs. She had to take a taxi home as well. It's a good day for taxi drivers!

So, Lady has care instructions, my food, my vitamins, my mortar and pestle to crush the vitamins because I will spit them out, my blankie, my mat, my Easter outfit, my dishes, and my blue baby. I am packed and ready to go!! I'll be back Monday. I know Lady is going to miss me! She sent a surprise for me.

I had a surprise for her when she got home from school! No, not what you think! She noticed the egg tree on the dining table was knocked over. She looked around and saw the empty milk biscuit wrapper on my rug. Busted. I am NOT supposed to jump on furniture, or steal biscuits. But I am in too good of a mood to be scolded! I greeted Lady as if she had been gone for a week! That's when she got suspicious and looked around. She didn't scold me too much because she will miss my little black self.

Packed and ready to go!
Close up of a wet dog in the tub, well, shower actually. I had to let the shampoo stay on for ten minutes.
I'm a clean boy!

Monday Brings Pain

So, my back is paining me, as they phrase it here. I shouldn't have jumped up on the sofa last night. I know i am supposed to ask for help. Well, I didn't even try to get down by myself. This morning I took Lady for a walk, and I pooped out. I put on my brakes and waited until she asked me if I wanted her to pick me up. My happy meter goes back and forth swiftly for an affirmative answer. But it hurts me when she picks me up and puts me back down. I know she isn't trying to hurt me, but it hurts nonetheless. She carried me for awhile, then put me back down to finish taking care of business. Ouch. I cried. So, she gave me my vitamins with my breakfast and half of an anti-inflamatory pill called Carprofen. My vet told her she could give it to me if I had pain in between visits. This is the first time she felt I really needed it. Lady went to school and I rested. When she returned, she found me on the sofa, so she figured the pill must have helped. I am supposed to go back to see the vet today, so she is taking me this morning, which is kind of her -not to make me hurt all day long. The vet office doesn't reopen until after 5:30 pm. We went to the bank to get more money. It's the coolest thing: when Lady needs money, she just sticks a card into a slot and TaDaaaa! Money comes out! The guard didn't want me inside but I am Lady's guard, and I am NOT leaving her while she gets money.

It's really hot -over 100, so we walk early and early evening. Then, it is quite nice! I just can't walk for as long when my back is paining me so.

Friday

So, I am doing better. I still cry when Lady puts me down, but nothing like earlier in the week. I had two more injections and I didn't cry. In the waiting area there was a ginormous Saint Bernard. His human told him to lie down but he wanted to check me out. I growled at him and tried to snap at him. Lady reminded me I am a dachshund, not a doberman pinscher! She took me in the inner waiting room even though it wasn't our turn to go in there. A black cat was waiting, but her human put her in a basket. That was kind. Now I will skip two days before I go back. I still need hot compresses on my back. Lady made my dinner last night -half of a chicken frank (I like that name better), green beans, a little rice, soy, and potatoes. It was yummy.

When I came out, two pugs, a cocker spaniel that was very sick, a shepherd, and a beagle were waiting.

I must say, I don't like the muzzle one little bit. Lady is very impressed that i let them take my temperature you-know-where. I hate that, and she got our own thermometer to take it under my arm. But this vet stuck it in and I didn't even cry or bite him. He is very good with shots as well.

I am still waiting for opinions on diet issues. Oh yeah, the vet said I need to get down to 8 or 8.5 kilos to take pressure off my spine. I'm at 9.3 now. Hard to do when i am no longer running up and down stairs.

It's not in India, but we have fans, and will run the AC after they are serivced and it gets even hotter. Yup, it will get up 120 degrees. And I am black.

Pain

I'm fine until the pain meds wear off. The vet had me skip yesterday, so by this morning I was hurting. I didn't even try to get off the bed by myself, or try to go down the stairs. I waited for Lady to pick me up, but when she did, it hurt so I cried. I cried when she put me down. I didn't want to walk a big block this morning. I just wanted to walk a short block...slowly. I kept putting on the brakes to slow Lady down. I am so hungry now that I am eating more. More food means more "business" to take care of. Lady says I'm a regular poop factory! I don't say anything except, "where's the meat?" Lady gave me a chicken dog (still don't like that name) for supper when our guests came. I was very well behaved, of course.

After Lady got back from school, we took an auto rickshaw to the vet. I was good because i hurt too much to care. They still muzzle me so I won't bite when they stick me. Two more injections, but man do I feel better afterwards. And, Lady gives me treats for being a good boy. I go back day after tomorrow. The vet says they have to wean me off the painkillers as my back is healing. Lady puts warm compresses on my back. No dancing for me! Lady is trying to find a vet chiropractor in India, but so far no luck. There are listings from the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association for the US, Europe, Canada and Australia, but so far none for Asia. Chiropractors are rare for humans in India but not in China, although it is a little different. It would be better for me in the long run than having to take pain meds. Lady will keep me on the vitamins I am taking: Vitamin B and B complex, Vitamin E & C, and Calcium with Vitamin D. She is still not convinced about switching me to Royal Canin Dog food. The first ingredient is corn. But the vet recommends it. She has found lots of information on analyzing dog food, and lots of recipes. But it is hard to find good beef here. We don't live in a Muslim neighborhood anymore.

If anybody has any diet suggestions for me, we would really appreciate hearing from you. Just click on the envelope and you can email me. We could use some encouragement as well! The high today was 99 degrees. That's hot for a little black dog. It will only get hotter in the days to come. If I hadn't been hurting so bad, Lady would have waited until after dark to take me to the vet. It's cooler.

Back to the Vet

Well, I was feeling much better after the injections, but this evening, I cried again when Lady lifted me into the auto rickshaw. I like riding in the autos, as we call them for short. Our driver was nice, and offered to wait for us. There was a big golden retriever, a min pin, TWO fat wienie dogs the same color as me, a beagle, and a pair of pugs. Wow. Popular place! They were eyeing my special harness Mo and Hu gave me. Even the vet was impressed. He said I must have gotten it outside of India. He said a harness was much better for my back than a collar. He gave me two more injections. I got muzzled again. The second shot hurt and maybe a cried a little. He also gave Lady three prescriptions to get filled. I have another appointment on Wednesday. He said to continue the hot compresses. He gave me a sample of the dog food he wants me to try. Lady mixed a little in with my regular chow. The first ingredient is corn, which is not good. It should be beef.

We're having company tomorrow night. I helped lady peel potatoes. Okay, so I just supervised.

We didn't have any trouble with street dogs tonight! Hope it stays that way.

VIsit to the Vet

I cried when Lady picked me up or put me down, and I had trouble on the stairs. I was in pain. I tried to tell Lady where it was put she wasn't sure if the pain was internal or in my hips. After church, my new human friends Rachel, Peyton, and their Mom took me to see the White Coats in their 'hood. Their Big Dad drove us. Guess what? The vet wasn't even wearing a white coat! But, like those before him, he stuck me...TWICE! I tried to snap at him so he muzzled me. Actually, I felt much better when he finished. I haven't cried since. He told Lady what I have is extremely common in my breed because of our long bodies. He said all my jumping up, dancing, jumping on furniture, and climbing stairs has taken its toll on my discs. He suggested a different dog food, Royal Canin (that's the way they spell it here) that costs $28 for a 4 kg. (8.8 pounds) bag. The make one just for dachshunds (Dachshund 28) that she is trying to find for me. She might also start giving me MEAT as she has before, but more regularly. She says if will help my back and make me more comfortable, it is worth it. Max and Millie both eat Royal Canin. Also, she had to put warm compresses on my lower back and I have to go back to the vet tomorrow. I hope i don't get stuck again...but if it takes the pain away, it will be worth a moment of discomfort. I didn't even cry when they stuck me! They stuck me in the neck and not my butt. My neck wasn't what was hurting! Lady is thankful I am not crying every time she picks me up to help me on the furniture. The vet said she has to carry me up and down the stairs. I weigh 20 pounds! I'm not sure what they will do to me tomorrow, but the new vet wants to see my other records to make sure I have had all my inoculations. He said I was missing some. Lady said they are on my other record card. Lady gave me my favorite treat, "Beggin Bacon Strips," for being a good boy and I didn't have to "no bark," or "wait," or anything. She said I'd had a rough day. I'll say! That black dog growled at me again and scared me, then the whole trip to the vet thing. I sure do appreciate my friends, Mom, Big Dad, Rachel, and Peyton, for finding a vet for me and taking me there!

Lady wonders how many are reading my blog. Hard to tell because you don't make comments, or you could e-mail me. If you have any advice for my back, or about my food, I'd like to hear it.