Update

Lady's been having internet issues, so I have not been able to update my blog. I've heard my friends are concerned about us. We're fine. Some things in India are about like things in China, such as trying to get anything done! We are on a long waiting list for our internet hook-up. We're told that paying a "facilitation fee" may speed things up. This is the kind of fee you get no receipt for. Anyway, we're at Aunt Kay's using her connection. While Kay and Lady were at church, I held down the fort. When they came back I seized the opportunity to rush out the gate after three cats who had been tauting me. Lady wasn't happy with me and made come back inside before I had a chance to catch one. Speaking of cats, I tried my best to get to the cats that crawled up inside our landlord's vehicle. Lady thought I was stuck, and crawled under the van to try to get me out. She was happy when she discovered I wasn't stuck at all, but just chasing another cat. But, she made me come in anyway. She WASN'T happy about getting down on all fours trying to get me.
We have been having torrential rainfalls. It makes walking difficult. The water in the streets comes up to my chest and i get covered in mud. It's hard to avoid the water buffalo patties when you can't see them. Lady was still at school working on Friday when it began to rain so hard. The playground turned into a lake. Rain blew in her windows and doors and soaked the floors. It comes so fast. I had to wait awhile before I could go out and teetee. I never go inside. I put on my raincoat and went out. It was only drizzling. Lady walked me for quite awhile because she was afraid it would rain again and we wouldn't be able to go outside again before bed. The tent children rush up to Lady and shout, "Auntie! Auntie!"
We ordered pizza from Domino's. I ate the garlic cheese bread and Lady's leftover crust. Aunt Al gave me dip.
I've had a lot of visitors lately. Lady and Auntie Al named the spayed female Doe, because she looks like a deer. Doe really likes me. She tries to climb through the gate. Sometimes she howls to get my attention. She manages to get our landlady's attention, however, and she shoos DOe away. When she wags her tail, it doesn't go side to side but around in a circle! My other regular friend is Dino. Lady says it's a he, but I get confused because some parts are missing. I think it's a girl, and I sniff her a lot. S/he doesn't seem to mind. Anyway, when Dino wags his tail his whole hind end wags. Lady gives them both treats.
So, we're both fine, just very busy. Lady had Open House at school last Thursday. It went very well. All of her students' parents showed up. The students sang some songs. Friday, they had an American picnic for their social studies unt. Lady made potato salad. They had KFC, and apple pie! I didn't get any though.
E-mail me and I will write back when I can. We sure will be happy when we get broadband!

Party!

I hosted a party for the local American ladies yesterday. Lady, Auntie Beth and Auntie Al made the food. I like the carrots with Ranch dressing dip. My friends Auntie K. ,Auntie A, and Auntie Tina all came. They played with me. I had to give up my chair for the occasion because we had sixteen ladies in our home. I was so busy greeting all my guests, making sure everyone felt at home, and cleaning up any food they dropped on the floor. After they left, Lady and I went for a short walk, then I took a nap. I think all had a good time.

Where Buffaloes Roam

Water buffaloes that is! They walk by our home every morning and evening, and by the school as well. They leave behind "evidence" that is difficult for a short little dog to avoid. But it dries up and cars run over and squish it. Then, the next day there's more fresh piles. It looks like a parade when they go by. I don't bark. What's the use. They don't bother me.

These are just the tail end of the babies. I'll get Lady to post some of the big guys that walk by.

PE Class

Lady helps teach PE classes. The kids were learning to do sit-ups.

Week's Over

This is Lady's class. Lady is so busy with school now, but not too busy for me. We've had lots of visitors, and of course, I meet so many people as we walk. Again this Sunday, I walked with Lady to Aunt K.'s so she could call my grandma and grandpa. I waited at Aunt K.'s while they went to church, then walked Lady home. Lady has a new Chinese goddaughter at the church. She's from Burma. She came to visit Friday and Saturday. I can understand her. She is so happy to have someone to speak Chinese with. They went shopping yesterday. Lady came home with new clothes. So did Aunt Al.

Playing in the Street

Here's another picture of the tent kids on our street playing with bubbles.

Chasing Bubbles

I like to chase bubbles (and cats, of course). These tent kids on our street had fun chasing bubbles Aunt Al blew for them. Aunt Al lives with us and helps the teachers at the school. These little humans belong to a low caste of construction workers. They follow the construction jobs and erect tents on any open spaces. We have three tent villages on our street. Lady gives them wheat milk biscuits and other stuff. She calls them "babies." They come run

ning when they see us coming, calling, "Auntie, Auntie! Biscuit? Biscuit?" They speak the state language. I am learning it. Lady hasn't had lessons yet, so she can't really say with words what she wants to say. But there are other ways to communicate. She can't understand what they say except for "Auntie" and "biscuit." They love me, of course, and call me by name. I am very patient, but I don't like so many hands on me all at once. Sometimes there are so many little tent kids out on the street when we come by!

First Day of School

Lady's school began today. Yesterday, I went with her to help get things ready. I checked on Aunt A.'s room for the 5th, 6th, and 7th grades, and I visited in Aunt K's room to see if she needed any help. Our new roommate, Aunt Al also worked all day at the school, preparing for the students. Lady took me home for lunch, and I stayed to take a nap. Lady and Aunt AL returned to school to make sure the rooms were as beautiful as possible, and that everything was ready. Lady prepared a reading room with soft mattresses and pillows. I really like that room. Baskets of books sit on the floor by the mattresses. Today, Lady read Flat Stanley to her class. The students liked the room. There's no doorknob on their door, so they have to lock it from the inside and go out the reading room door! The kids have to learn to tune out all the noises of the neighborhood. One of Lady's students wanted me to be the school mascot! But I think they might be called the buffaloes, because daily a herd of baby buffaloes walks by. I didn't go today. I'm homeschooled. Someone has to take care of things on the home front. I went up and visited the landlady who was faithful to give me some meat!
Lady, Aunt Al and i played with the tent kids today. Aunt Al is teaching them games. She took out a bubble machine yesterday. They squealed with delight. She taught them how to play duck duck goose. Lady left her camera at school so I'll have to post photos another day. We finally got dial-up, but are still waiting for broadband. I'mfinding out that India time is something like Chinese time -it's much longer than they say.

Scolded

I got in trouble again. Lady came home to find I had been rummaging in the trash. It wasn't the one with food scraps in it. She put a mop on top of that one so I couldn't get it open. I got in the one for paper and plastics. I littered the whole kitchen floor. Lady had come home with Aunt K., Aunt A., and the girls. Instead of getting to play with the girls, I got a scolding and time out. Lady follows the one minute per year time frame, so I was released after six minutes, but it seemed like forever. You'd think I'd learn. But this morning, I stayed at Aunt K.'s while they went to big church and guess what? Yep. I got into Aunt's trash. Scolded again.

Curious Neighbors

Curious neighbors of the school watched all the goings on. This little boy is made up to look like a girl to ward off evil spirits. We know it's a boy because he wasn't wearing any drawers! Most of the time, Lady can't tell if it really a girl, or just a boy with make up and a pony tail. We have lots of them on our street in the tent cities.

Playground?

This empty lot by the school was full of debris and large weeds last weekend. That was last Saturday's work project. I wasn't allowed to come due to the bulldozer. It might squish curious little black dogs. Some of the kids

are trying it out. It still needs a thick layer of sand, which is expensive right now due to the truck strike. They also need to buy some new play equipment. I wanted to play, too, but there's no fence to protect a little dog running loose.

Reading Space

The little humans worked hard sweeping the floors and getting the areas ready to move stuff in. This room next to Lady's can be used for a reading corner. Be sure to remove your shoes or clean your paws before getting on the rug.

Lady's Classroom

Some of the kids arranged the desks in Lady's classroom. I'm in the boys' row. She told them that they could arrange it however they wanted, but if they didn't pay attention, Lady would rearrange the desks!

The Dedication

These are some of those who came to the dedication of the school. I am the short one in the middle.

POOPED PUP

I am worn out! I went to the new school today to help out the humans, and for the dedication ceremony. You may remember me telling you that in China, any building construction or renovation calls for the killing of a chicken, and the splashing of it's blood on the corner. Here in India, the Hindu workers have some similar dedications, so it was important to the teachers and families to dedicate the school to the Most High God, and rid the building of other gods. They didn't use blood, but grape juice, as in the Lord's supper. I was a good, quiet boy. I know how to behave during such serious occasions.

New Baby

This is my living room with our new cushion covers. I really like my chair, but it is so high! After all, I'm just a little dog. Lady put my new blanket on it. Today, all the teachers went shopping for school supplies. Lady brought home a new baby for me! I really like it. I haven't torn it's head off yet, but there's time. We had to walk over to Aunt K.'s home to use the internet. We just got a landline today, but no internet yet. That phone man made me go in the bedroom or he wouldn't come in! Imagine.
Hey! I have news. We're getting a new room mate in our second bedroom. She's coming very soon, from Virginia. I am so excited. Maybe she will bring me a treat! We are getting ready for her!

Our Home

This is our new home -the whole house. Earlier, Lady posted a picture of only the ground floor. Now you can see the whole house. We live on the ground floor, the landlord's family on the first floor, and there are two small flats on the second floor. In one efficiency, a school volunteer "Aunt Al" will live. She's coming in about a week. Lady and I will watch out for her. Maybe I will even take her for walks. It is still challenging to walk in our 'hood. There are so many street dogs. They aren't very friendly. Lady's friends, T & T, walked with us Friday night and showed us how to keep the street dogs away from me. We have to establish a route, and carry a big stick. Lady has to yell, "hey!" This morning, Lady's stick was missing, so we had a harder time walking to church. I stayed at Aunt K.'s while they went to church. Later, I got to stare at that crazy cat. I love going to Aunt K.'s. I got into Aunt K.'s trash and put a n empty tuna can on her sofa. Busted. I guess i should have put it back. Aunt K. didn't even scold me but Lady sure wasn't happy. I am supposed to be a good boy while I am visiting. After all, I am just a little dog and that smell was so strong!

The other challenge to walking is the mud. I wore my raincoat this morning, so that helps me keep from getting totally muddy, but not much.

My New Door

I love my new door! I can see out! There's a

lso a thick wooden door with lots of locks on it, but when Lady's home, I can use this one! My first night was a long one. I heard ever sound, everytime the landlords went up or down, all the neighbors, all the dogs...And Lady was so conscious of me responding to all the new sounds that she didn't sleep much. My second night was better. I am more used to my surroundings. As soon as I got here, I checked EVERYTHING out. Then, I climbed thestairs and went in the landlord's home and checked every room. Then, I climbed the stairs and checked out the room on the top floor and the roof! I checked out everything I could. In the mornings, I climb the stairs to great the landlord's family. Of course, they like me. But, they haven't given me any meat. Lady bought me a new blankie, since she cut my apart to make it small enough to bring. I really like it. I have a new rug as well. We don't have internet yet so it may be awhile before we can post regularly. But, we're in our home now. Lady says we don't have to move again for a long time. I sure hope not. But for me, home is where my rugs, my blankie, my bowls, and my Lady are.

CRAZY CAT

Can you believe this guy? First, he has the nerve to lay outside Aunt K.'s gate and taunt me. Now, he actually comes inside the gate! I can't fit through the bars, or I would have been out of there and after that cat. But now that he is within reach, I am not sure what to do with him. He just strutted around, sniffed the door mat, and generally caused me grief. Finally, he sauntered on out the bars of the gate and meowed at me. Hah! I let him off easy!

Rainy Days and Mondays Never Get Me Down

I was sitting by the gate watching the world go by (and watching for that cat). Lady noticed that I was shivering. After all, I'm just a little dog and I get cold easily. So, Lady dug out my raincoat andput it on me. I was much more comfortable. Last night, I didn't have my coat on when i ran all the way up the stairs to the roof. Lady couldn't figure out how I got so wet. She followed me up the stairs and discovered the reason! I stopped off on the first floor (as the Europeans say) to see if the little humans would give me any meat. They didn't, so I returned to Aunt K.'s home and resigned myself to eat my dry dog food. Lady didn't want me eating any table food because I ate too much meat and gravy, and it upset my system. Today, I am right as rain! I don't really like the rain, but with my coat on, I can stay mostly dry. I am not good with umbrellas. Lady has to hold it for me. Lady says this is out last night at Aunt K's. I can't wait to see my new flat. Will there be as many street dogs as there are here? Will our landlord like me? Can I stay outside and look out the gate? I guess I will just have to wait until tomorrow.