Woulda Been Cool To Have Met Her

Hello everyone!

For as long as I can remember, I've been told stories about my older sister. Her name is Brandy and they say we're a lot like each other. We're both cute, we like running as fast as we can, playing with toys, going out, and getting treats. Too bad she already went to doggie heaven a few months before I met her. We could have played all day and then I wouldn't be sad when my human goes to work She wrote about my sister on her blog, I'll put it here so you guys will know her story-

Without Words

Dear Brandy,

It's been more than two months since you've gone on and I can't say I've moved on already. We have a new dog in the house and his name is Bugsy, he's quite the rascal but I bet you'd have liked his company. You'd have enjoyed having someone to play with that's just as hyperactive as you were. It would have been a riot.

I miss you, puppy dearest. Today I was just thinking of your last days on earth. That night, when I arrived at the clinic where you were confined, you mustered up enough energy to stand up when you saw me, wagging your little tail weakly, surprising the vet because you had not stood up willingly for them during the day.

You liked fishies!

The people at the clinic said you stayed curled up in the corner of the cage, not paying them any mind even when they were trying to comfort you, completely ignoring the food that you used to gobble up in minutes not two days before. You were weak, the dextrose was your only lifeline. But you stood up and wagged your tail for me, silently telling me that you didn't want to be there.

I scooped you in my arms, carefully working around the needle on your small leg. We stayed in that position for a long while and I was stroking your head, your back, your little paws, whispering that you'll be better.

And then I needed to leave because they were closing, to my surprise, you pushed your weak body as hard as you could to that nook of my arm you loved burying your nose into whenever you were on my lap. Without words, you told me not to leave you in that dark cold room for the night, alone and in pain. But I did. I went home and thought leaving you there would be for the best. There were people who could monitor how you were doing in the middle of the night and call for the vet in case anything drastic happened. 

You had such a cheeful face :)

You had your first seizure right before I left, in the cage. I panicked and frantically asked the vet what should be done. He calmly said that seizures would really happen because of the malfunction in your kidney. I was ignorant and didn't press on for further action because you seem to have calmed down after a while and the vet seemed sure that it was a normal reaction and we should just let it pass.

I left you there in the hopes that you would get better and that they can take care of you better than I could. I tossed and turned that night, worrying about what might happen during the dark of the night. Warning bells were clanging in my head, telling me that there was something amiss.

Always curious

The next morning, I called the clinic right when they opened so I can ask about how you were. I was horrified when they told me you've been having seizures since before dawn, the intervals getting shorter with each one and the vet got in just five minutes before my call. You didn't recognize me anymore though I called out your name and looked into your glazed eyes. I had no choice but to agree to put you down because you were in much pain.

There are so many "should haves" that night. I should have rushed you to a better pet hospital with better equipment and compassionate veterinarians who might have taken a more aggressive approach to your situation the night before. Rather than you having to endure your pain in a dark room by yourself, your designated watchers just letting you have seizure after seizure without notifying anybody, it might even have been better if I just took you home and kept watch over you and hugged you tight when the pain was unbearable. I know I should have. I feel guilty and helpless every time I remember.

Missed forever

Brandy, I'm still heartbroken that you're gone forever. I miss your happy face, inquisitive eyes and perennially wagging tail. All your life, you brought me nothing but joy; I'm sorry that because of me, you had to go painfully. You couldn't say what was hurting you then, you couldn't say what you wanted. But without words, you tried to. And in many words, although it won't bring you back, here I am telling you that I'm sorry.

Love,

Your human

It would have been really cool to have met her.

-Bugsy

Bugsy in a Topknot: "I feel pretty, oh so pretty!"

Let me start that Bugsy is a little boy pup. Like any other shih tzu, his puppy fur is growing longer (and messier) by the day. It's very cute on him but his fur bangs fall over his eyes, making it nearly impossible for him to see properly. And although his human pops is opposed to it, my solution is to fix his bangs in a girly topknot. Bugsypup doesn't seem bothered by it, because he's had it on for most of the day and he ain't complaining! Look at Bugsy in a pink scrunchy (I had no blue ones!)-

I don't look like a girl, do I mum?

I still look like a boy, right? Right?

 

It's not so bad, I'm starting to like it..

 

Can I take it off now? 

Nevermind, I still look cute, clip or no clip. -Bugsy

Bugsy's Christmas Wish List

Woah, it's almost nearly Christmas! It'll be my first Christmas ever and I'm really, really, really, reaaaaallly excited! My mum tells me that Christmas is the happiest time of the year. She says there will be treats, bones, more hugs, lots of parties and a pile of GIFTS! I can't wait!

I'll tell you all about the things I want for Christmas so you don't have to think of what to give me, okay? You can just pick from my list! (This is also to prevent my human mum from getting me a barette. Geez mum, I'm a boy!)

Here are some of the stuff that I'd like to get for Christmas:

1. A cotton shirt-

My Sassy Puppy's Doggie Polo Shirt (p240)

Barettes and ribbons are gross, but I would like a regular shirt like this one. I want to look dapper for the holidays. They'll be taking pictures of me for sure! Blue's my favorite color, but the red one looks really cool too.

2. A food bowl-

Waggin Pooch Boutique's Food Bowl (p50)

I have a stainless food bowl, but that's boring and these are cool. Specially the blue one. And I want a bowl for water, I don't like that water bottle thing my mum makes me use so much.

3. TREATS AND MORE TREATS!!!-

Pet Avenue's Lamb and Cheese Burger Treats (p50)

Like these! I haven't tried these before. My favorites now are those bone-shaped milk biscuits and Dentabone for puppies but these look yummy too.

4. Rubber slippers-

These are my favoritest things in the world (besides treats)! Rubber slippers are the best toys ever. It doesn't matter what color they are, I can play with (chew on) them all day! If you give me these, I will love you forever!

And lastly, the most important item on this list, it would be great if you can give me..
5. A girlfriend-

Isn't she cute?

You know, like any other guy, I'd like a lady friend. I mean, I'm old enough now, I'd like someone to go on dates with sometimes. I'll even give her my favorite toy as a gift and I'll treat her like I should a lady, I promise.

She has to have a good sense of humor, no bad breath or body odor, and must have an outdgoing personality. She doesn't have to be a shih tzu like me, but she does have to be cute (I'm pretty cute too, so it'll be a good match) and about my size (I don't date girls bigger than me). Someone like that really pretty girl in the picture.

And that is all. Those are the only things I want for Christmas this year. Please, please, please wrap my gifts in recycled paper so I can tear it off all by myself (but if you're getting me a girlfriend, don't wrap her please). Have I said I'm excited for Christmas already? I'm very excited! I am! I am! I am!

-Bugsy

Bugsy Has Demodectic Mange

A couple weeks ago, the little shih tzu pup developed a nasty itch. At first we thought it was normal dog itch and ignored it but a few days later, he wouldn't stop scratching and we suspected it to be ticks or fleas and bought him a medicated flea and tick collar as recommended by the pet supplies store we frequent. Two days later, the itch seemed to worsen and the fur on his neck seemed to have fallen off (his human pops says he looks like a monkey with a bare neck and a furry head).

By this time, I had decided to remove the collar because Bugsy's skin might be too young and sensitive for the collar (although the package said it can be used by puppies 12 weeks or older). Another day later, his itching had not improved at all. A coin-sized wound appeared on his neck, his skin was pink in patches and he wouldn't stop scratching. We decided to bring him to Happy Hayop that weekend to get checked. They took one look at him and said they needed to scrape off some skin for testing and that's how we found out that he had demodectic mange.

Demodectic mange is  is caused by a microscopic mite of the Demodex genus. Three species of Demodex mites have been identified in dogs: Demodex canis, Demodex gatoi, and Demodex injai. The most common mite of demodectic mange is Demodex canis. All dogs raised normally by their mothers possess this mite as mites are transferred from mother to pup via cuddling during the first few days of life. Most dogs live in harmony with their mites, never suffering any consequences from being parasitized. If, however, conditions change to upset the natural equilibrium (such as some kind of suppression of the dog's immune system), the Demodex mites may "gain the upper hand." The mites proliferate and can cause serious skin disease. (source)

The vets of Happy Hayop said he needed at least three weekly injections of Ivermectin to kill the nasty mites. We're currently on his 2nd dose and his neck now looks like this-

Bugsy relaxing after lunch and a walk

His skin is still pinkish but his wound has completely healed, the skin on his neck is baby smooth once again, and the fur on his neck is starting to grow back. The gray spots are just Bugsy's birth marks. Like any worried momma, I've been trying to find out more about demodectic mange and my research tells me that everything should be fine once his immune system matures. *crosses fingers*

Juvenile onset of Demodectic Mange - Young dogs have inherently immature immune systems and are thus susceptible to the development of demodicosis without any sinister underlying diseases. As they grow up and their immune systems mature, they tend to naturally gain control of their mite infestation; in fact, 30-50% of dogs under age 1 year recover spontaneously from generalized demodicosis without any form of treatment. (source)

In the meantime, I'm just glad that the treatment is working and Bugsy remains to be a hyperactive ball of fur who doesn't itch as much anymore!

-Bugsy's human

Bugsy's Story - My First Day Home

Hiya everybody!

I read my human mum's account of my first day home last week and not all of it is true! Before you judge me, you'll have to read my story too. Here it goes-

That day, I woke up early inside the cage that I shared with my sleepy brother. I jumped on top of him to wake him up, it's funny when he gets jolted awake. It was breakfast time and we each had our own bowlful of puppy food that we both finished in less than a minute! It was yummy. My brother and I wrestled for a bit after eating and he kept trying to pin me down but I wouldn't let him. I always win at wresling.

And then around lunchtime, a couple of visitors arrived. They talked to my birth mum's human dad and he let us out of the cage to welcome the guests. I was used to this, there were a lot of visitors who came to see us every now and then. I ran to the one closest to me and jumped on her. She smelled pretty nice. She petted my head and I wagged my tail as hard as I could. The humans said that my brother and I were both lively and cute, but I disagree. I think I'm the cutest.

After a while, the visitors said they'll be bringing me home. We went to ride in this big and noisy box (which I later learned is called a 'car') and I sat on the girl's lap while she kept petting me. I liked that. Then we arrived at home and they brought me inside. I didn't really understand what was happening at first.

There were small humans that wanted to play with me and I got surprised when they talked in really loud voices. That's why I hid in the corner for most of the afternoon and sulked. I kinda missed my brother then because no one was the same size as me. But the girl who smelled nice gave me lots of food and I just kept eating and drinking.

After that, I took a long nap and looked for my brother when I woke up. He wasn't there, but the nice smelling girl was there and I just shuffled next to her so she'd pet me again. She gave me a toy called Mr. Moo to play with. I know I'm good at wrestling and Mr. Moo was no match for me- I had him pinned down in no time. He kind of reminded me of my brother. I slept next to Mr. Moo that night.

The next morning, although I still kind of missed my brother, I was cool with him not being there. My human wasn't bad, she hugged me a lot, gave me yummy food and cleaned up my mess. Plus, I had Mr. Moo to wrestle with and there were slippers to chew on! SLIPPERS! Those are awesome! I was pretty sure it would be a fun after that.

Now you know my story, it's not all about pooping and pissing like my human mum insists!