BACK UPDATE

Lady took me to a new vet in our 'hood. It's a chain, Max Vets. We took a bicycle rickshaw because it is very close but much too hot to walk. Lady carried me out to the main road to catch the rickshaw. We had a lady vet. I liked her okay until she examined me and touched my owie. I snapped at her and yelped quite loudly. I had to let her know what was bothering me. I had two x-rays, which were very uncomfortable. I had to lie on my back and the assistant held my legs. I mad eit through that one but then the technician wanted another one. A different assistant held my legs and pulled them down to the table. I cried loudly, and this time Lady snapped at the assistant! She scolded him for causing me more pain.
The vet said my spine is fine. The problem is in my hips. She said it due to age -degenerative arthritis most likely. She put me on an anti-inflamatory, bone supplement, and a joint supplement. Lady asked about changing my food back to Royal Canin Mini Adult. The vet said that would be best. I really like it, but it is more than four times the cost of my Pedigree. Lady says I am worth it. 
I am a but fluffy -I weigh 10.5 kgs. I need to be under 9. 
Lady had already restricted my movement, but the vet echoed that. Lady got my crate down but I haven't been in it yet.  The anti-inflamatory feel better pill helped me. My bill was $65, but $28 of that was for the food. Lady was pleased. I am all up to date on my immunizations, and I got wormed. I also had my nails trimmed. They muzzled me and I did not like that one tiny bit.
Tomorrow we are going to Aunt Sarah, Uncle John, and Marisa's good-bye party. We're having chicken biriyani. Lady brought back lots of thank-you goodies. Lady goes away and always comes back, so maybe Marisa will, too.

HOME AGAIN HOME AGAIN!!

 

 Aside from the crazy eyes, check out my smile. Lady's was bigger!
We are both back home together again! Oh happy day! Special thanks to my families who let me have extended sleepovers! I love sleepovers but I love to be back home, too.

Lady brought me a new blankie from the Daytona 500 car race in Florida! Isn't it cool? I also like my new beaver! Grandma and Grandpa sent me Beef Jerky! Thank you! Lady had a friend fly back with her, and Aunt Lindsey and her friend came yesterday. We only have AC in our bedroom, so all of us slept in there! It is so hot in Delhi! Lady is melting. We go outside for walkies at 6:30 am. It's already 93 by then but gets up to 114. 
I'm having back issues again. I can't support my back on one leg. While at Aunt Gail's, the vet came and visited me and gave me injections. Lady has to take me back again for x-rays and blood work. Yesterday, Lady moved the big suitcases out of our room and closed the door (AC on). She told me she'd be right back, but I saw those suitcases and panicked. I jumped off the bed. Yes, I got scolded. I'm paying for it, too. Normally I know better, but I know what suitcases mean and I don't want Lady out of my sight. 
My girl Marisa is moving to another country. I have to say good-bye to her on Sunday. I will miss her so much. I have stayed with her the most. 
Well, time to take Lady out. I have to make her put on more clothes first!

LADY SPEAKS ABOUT MARLEY'S ADOPTION DAY

I had just moved into a large apartment in a huge complex in a city of about one million -small by Chinese standards. I smiled at everyone but no one would talk to me. I heard every noise in that big apartment. I wanted a dog. So, I cried out to God. Okay, I whined. "I don't have any friends here, no one will talk to me, it's lonely. I want a dog. A black and tan dobie. Oh wait. I'm on the fourth floor. How about a black and tan dachshund?" I didn't tell anyone else. Less that two weeks later, I had a call from friends who had gone to buy furniture in the capital city. They told me a little dog was homeless and needed a home. He was almost three years old. I asked what breed it was. " A dachshund," came the reply. "What color is it?" I quickly asked. "He's black and tan." That's my dog! Thank you God! 
On May 20, 2004, I rode the bus to the capital city and  met my little guy. I put my hand in from of him and said, "You must be Marley." He wagged his tail, licked my hand and that was that. 
From the first time I walked Marley in our neighborhood, people began to speak to HIM! I would answer back in Chinese, and new relationships were forged. They called him "Mah LEE." He was featured in a commercial for the complex! He knew every noodle shop and restaurant where they saved bones or meat for him. He went everywhere with me. He rode buses with ease. He went into teahouses with me every Wednesday night for English Corner. He loved going to the foot massage parlors because he got lots of scratching. He is a constant reminder that God heard my cry, and cared enough to give me this little companion. God has provided loving families who want to take care of him when I travel. God has provided a friend who has paid for his ticket when we flew to India, and then later to Delhi.  
Marley has made such an incredible difference in my life. Today, I am still in the US and missing him so much. His Adoption/Birthday Bash will have to be delayed until I get back. The vet said he was born in May, so we just celebrate both days together. He is twelve years old this year! He still helps me break the ice with neighbors who don't know what to make of me. He greets me enthusiastically whether I have been gone for a few hours, a few days, or a few months. He is an excellent host when we have guests. He shares his treats and old toys with street dogs. He never poops in the house or chews up anything. He sticks by me when I'm sick, and licks my tears when I cry. He is my furkid and I love him dearly. It has been hard to be away, but the trip is just too far and too hard on him. Hopefully I will be back in India this week. I am waiting for my ticket. 
I LOVE YOU MARLEY! HAPPY ADOPTION DAY! I'M COMING HOME SOON AND WE'LL PARTY! I'M BRINGING PREZZIES! 

 From our first Christmas together in China, 2004

 At the teahouse

 Summer English Camp. Marley helped teach

  One of our neighbors in China. 

 From Last year's party

 From 2010
 

FLAT MARLEY GOES TO DOG BEACH

Lady rides her bike on the beach about five and a half miles to the area of beach known as "Dog Beach" because pooches are allowed. It happens to be, in Lady's opinion, one of the most naturally beautiful places in the area. It is past the jetties where the fisherman climb on the rocks and try to catch all kinds of fish. It is along the inlet where the salt water mixes with fresh from the river and provides an outlet into the Atlantic Ocean. Humans park their cars in a special park and walk through the dunes to get to the beach. This beach is home to a myriad of wild life well known to Floridians. Dolphins and manatees frolic in the waves. A variety of sea birds scoop and dive, or walk along the shore digging out sand crabs. All kinds of boats and personal water craft enjoy this area. And, this is one of only a very few areas where dogs are welcome. Lady is sad that I couldn't be there with her, so she took some photos of other dogs enjoying the this beach -Lady's most favorite place.

 This is Champ, a three-year-old rescue cutie. Lady had so much fun watching him, she asked his human if she could take his photo.

 Champ couldn't wait to try and catch the bubbles!

 Flat me posed with Champ and his humans. Isn't he handsome?

 He's a lover, too!

Meet Cooper. He has two humans to pull his Radio Flyer red wagon (I'm jealous of the wagon) with all their beach necessities.

 Here's Flat Me with Cooper, under his umbrella. He has the cutest nose! Hope it doesn't get sunburned!

I think full me would really like Cooper!

 Some walk...

Some need some encouragement...

 And some just really want to get in the water!

 What's in the water? Manatees!

 

 Sharks? No, they are dolphins! But Lady watched as a women reeled in a baby hammerhead shark! Their pooch wanted to play with it!
This is hopefully Flat Me's last week in Florida before he and Lady head home to India. Lady, come home!

FLAT MARLEY GOES TO THE MAGIC KINGDOM

Lady went to the Magic Kingdom the first time in California when she was six. She has never outgrown it! Aunty Sheri, who visited us in India, treated her. Aunty's parents treated all of us for our meals!

 From the train station looking at Main Street

 Flat Marlley takes the train to Fantasyland. They've recently remodeled it.

 Pooh! I have a Pooh rug, blankie, coat, and stuffie!

 Lady loved the new Winnie the Pooh ride!

 Aunty Sheri and me on Dumbo

 Flat Marley piloting Dumbo!

Prince Charming Carousel

 Cinderella's castle mosaic

 it's a small world after all!

 A new area in Fantasyland about Beauty and the Beast

 Lady loves car racing. I rode with Aunty Sheri

 Mickey and Minnie Mouse

 Pirate's of the Caribbean

 Poor guy, he's stuffed! Is this what they do to dogs at Disney World?

Jungle Cruise

 Walt Disney & Mickey Mouse statute

 Swiss Family Treehouse

FIREWORKS!!
What a day! 

Thank You Aunty

I've gone back to Marissa's home, my teen human. I had such a good time with Aunty Gail and Uncle Edwin. Aunty told Lady I was fun and well-behaved, and my nails need trimming. I don't like my nails trimmed. Yes, they are long. My Lady is supposed to come home this month! She's trying to figure out how to get all my surprises back.
Usually, we celebrate my Adoption Day/Birthday on May 20, but we'll have to postpone it. I'll pawty anytime. This year I'll be twelve!
 

FLAT MARLEY GOES TO ATLANTA

Lady's brother had a BIG birthday, so she and my grandparents drove up to help him celebrate. 

 Flat Me and my cousin Pepper, a Havanese.

 My cousin Casey, a Pek, KCC Spaniel mix

Cousin Teddy, the persian cat. He goes everywhere in the house.

 Casey and David, Lady's great-nephew, exploring Casey and Pepper's new yard. Looks like great fun! Lots of room to run and not get into trouble.

 Flat Me at Uncle Roger's birthday party (with Aunty Allison). Well, looks like Lady had a great time with Flat Me. She said she would rather have full me! Aunty Allison and Lady went shopping at Pet Smart for a certain full-figured little black wienie dog! 
Speaking of full-figured, Lady and I have been pulling for Obie, the doxie in his efforts to trim down. He just had skin reduction surgery after dropping from 77 pounds (in August) down to 37 lbs. 2 oz. before his tummy tuck, and 35 lbs. 4 oz. after. He's recovering well. You can read all about Obie on his facebook page "Biggest Loser, Doxie Edition
 Way to go, Obie!!