Calvin's First Snow
Calvin, our Shih Tzu mix, was six months old when he experienced snow for the first time. To see his face when we plopped him into the snow was priceless. He didn't have a clue of what it was, but it seemed fun. We took him for a short walk around the block and he only made it about half way before he couldn't walk. When we picked him up we discovered he had become weighed down by tons of little snowballs stuck in his long fur. We had to carry him home and then shower him off to dissolve the snowballs. He's loved snow ever since!
Deb, Vancouver
Luck of the Draw
He was the exact, compact yet fuzzy little white beast that I had been looking for. I was do thrilled and surprised that the S.P.C.A. would have such a baby in their custody. So...I walked and cuddled him and was then told that he would not be up for adoption until the next day; and, I'd better come in early because there would be a line-up to adopt him! I knew it! It was too good to be true!
The next morning at 8:30 I was impatiently waiting at the door of the animal shelter. To my surprise and joy there were only two other women in line. A surly looking man let the three of us in, called us to the desk and proceeded to take out a deck of cards. Was the prospect of serving us so boring that he had to play solitaire just to occupy his time?
"Pick a card ladies!" was all he said.
"Why?" I asked.
"We always do it this way when there are several people interested in adopting the same dog."
Lady number 1 drew a 3. Lady number 2 drew a 4. I was hopeful, but there are several 3's and 4's in a deck, not to mention 2's. I took a deep breath, pulled out a card and exhaled. It was a 7!
We named him Seven or Sieben Hund in German, and he is now a massive, gorgeous, white senior citizen living in Alberta and carefully raising a wee, black cocker spaniel named Sophie, who loves to pay on his giant body and chew his big, old, pink tongue.
Rosalie, Vancouver
Eating Me Out of House and Home
"I wonder what will not have been eaten in my house today!" I mused to myself as I drove home through heavy traffic from work.
Faline, my beautiful, red, fox-like, Shiba Inu dog girl hate it when I leave her and proceeds to eat me out of house and home - literally!
She started as a small pup by gnawing on kitchen mouldings and cupboards. Onward she moved to the foot rest at the breakfast bar. I have "laced" these items with a solution of water and cayenne pepper - it only helps. I'm sure she's part Mexican!
Following several months in the kitchen there was a very bad day in which an antique footstool was disemboweled.
The brass pins that fasted the upholstery on my pink velvet chair are pulled out every day, daintily, with lips curled back, and then they are deposited on the floor in a row for me to replace then I return home.
One month ago she consumed the wood from 3 oak, dining room chair rungs, and yesterday the skirt on the living room couch showed an alteration on the right upper corner.
Faline has been having mild stomach problems and is currently on a hypo-allergenic diet from the Vet's. Is it possible that wood, paint and feathers are not good for a dog??
No, I am not a cruel parent. Faline has a break every day with her boyfriend, Calvin and his mother. As well, she goes to daycare every Wednesday with another miniature pincher boyfriend named Sanka. What could I possibly not be giving her - my body and soul at every minute of the day - is the answer!!!!
Rosalie, Vancouver