It's in His Kiss

Bugsy shows affecton by kissing! If he adores you, whether you're a human or another doggy (but no cats!), he'll swoop in for a wet one. Like he did with his Ate Jamie-

He especially takes pleasure in stealing kisses from unsuspecting humans. Here he is leaning in for a smooch- 

Not only does he love kissing, he also enjoys getting kisses! See him getting smothered with Tita Ging's kisses (and loving every minute of it)-

If this were a video, you'd have seen how Bugsy jumped right up to Ninang Chu's face and kissed her for as long as she'd allow-

Right off the bat, we already knew he was a kisser. This was taken on Bugsy's first day home, timidly reaching for a lip to cheek connection.

If you ever meet Bugsy, watch out, he aims straight for the lips.

Look, Bugsy loves kisses so much he'd even do it through glass!

Bribing Bugsy With Treats

Because Bugsy had an eye infection (he's well now, yay!), he needed antibiotics and eyedrops for a week. The first day of medicines was a real challenge. The pup wouldn't sit still and cried like a baby when his face was held in place for the eyedrops. It looked like a terrible week ahead until we discovered a magical cure, a.k.a treats.

Watch how easy it is to give a puppy eyedrops with the help of a little bribery with bacon-flavored dog biscuits:

Yep, that's his human pops talking to Bugsy like he's a baby. Lulz.

Bugsy is a Big Boy

Bugsy needed deworming shots last weekend, so we set off for Happy Hayop to get them, only to find out that the clinic is closed on Sunday afternoons.

Since we were in the area anyway, we decided to stop over at our favorite pet supplies store, Pet Studio, to get Bugsy a new harness and leash because he had already outgrown his first one.

At the pet store, he met a pretty Japanese Spitz, post-grooming, and promptly fell in crush with the little lady. He wriggled in excitement, talked with her, followed her round and round the store, and tried to hump the dog that was twice his height and size. The lady dog wouldn't have any of it and left in a huff leaving Bugsypup frustrated.

Bugsy's in his new leash and ribbon, chilling next to his latest love interest

We then went on to have a snack at the pet-friendly Santana Grove where Bugsy vented out all his frustrations at his human pops' foot.

My little boypup is now a big boy.

-Bugsy's Human

Once Upon A Time

I was this small (and Mr. Moo was this clean)-

Human pops gave me this blue rubber bone (and I didn't want to share it with anyone else)-

Being towel-dried and then blow-dried after a bath made me very sleepy..

..and stretchy!

 

I loved making new friends (I still do!)-

The best spot to play is on top of the exerciser (but now I don't fit).

And my favorite activity of all time is being cuddled and tickled by mum.

-Bugsy

Bugsy is glad it's the weekend

Bugsy wishes everyone a stupendous weekend! Only, from him it comes out as "RUFF RUFF RUFF RUFF RUFF RUFF RUFF!"

Beware of Dog

I've been practicing my growl lately and I really think I've been making a lot of progress with it. My voice is getting bigger and scarier! The garden rats now run for their lives when they hear me bark and growl. But it might be more because I saw them stealing my food so I caught one of them ate it. It didn't taste good at all but at least all the rest of them are now scared at the sight of me.

The next thing I'm working on is driving away those fat cats that like hanging around MY house. Although they're bigger than me, they don't scare me at all (if mum tells you otherwise, do not believe her). They were prowling near the area and meowing like mad last Saturday while mum was cooking. I didn't want them causing any trouble for her so I appointed myself to be her bodyguard and settled myself by her feet, in case the cats decide to come near and attack her.

Me being a fine guard dog

I did a good job of it too. Mum kept calling me her "cute little helper" but it really was me being an excellent guard dog. Yup, I kept all the pesky cats at bay! Not one of them dared to come near us because I am tough and ferocious! I know how to growl really loudly now, I even scare myself sometimes. I'm gonna have to talk to mum about getting one of these-

This sign would be perfect to hang on our gate!

-Bugsy, the guard dog

My mum thinks I'm silly, but really, I just wanted to play

I was playing with my humans last Saturday when they brought out a lot of those biscuits they give me when they want me to do something. Now that they think I'm good enough at fetch, they want more tricks. This time, they used the word "stay" a lot, and I know I should keep still and stay where they leave me. That was too easy! I did it the first time, watch me-



That's my human mum talking in the video. See how I'm so awesome and did it the first time? The second time, I didn't do it NOT because I didn't know how to do it. Um, I just didn't.. like the biscuits so much. Yea, that's it! I'd rather run around and play instead of getting treats. I don't like treats at all! Yea, that's right.

-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!

Bugsy's First Day Home

Bugsy came home on September 18, 2010. We picked him up from Sucat, Paranaque where his birth mom and brothers live. When we got there, it was difficult to decide which to pick from the two puppies available for adoption.

One was dominantly white, with a golden mask on his face and beautiful golden spots on his back, and a lovely face with pretty eyelashes that were thick and long. The other had darker markings with a golden brown mask and a dark brown blanket marking on his back, his face rather small and his eyes beadier than normal. While both were playful and energetic, wrestling playfully and tumbling all over the place to get attention from the newcomers, after a good half an hour or so, the little brown puppy who kept licking our feet won our hearts.

Bugsy's first day

On the ride home, he wouldn't sit still in his basket so he jumped into my arms and settled his small furry self there until we got home. Once there, the little pup was apprehensive of his new surroundings and kept to himself under the cabinet. A short bit later, he came out of hiding, ate everything in his bowl and kept asking for more. He went back to his corner to observe and rest after eating. The puppy was timid and shy for most of the afternoon; he kept running back to his corner whenever a loud sound startled him.

By nighttime, he was slowly coming out of his shell and started sniffing everything around him. He even started to wreslte with his cow stuffed toy. It was then that I found out that sleeping peacefully is a rarity when taking care of a 9 week old puppy. Bugsy didn't like the dark; he kept trying to jump onto the bed to get attention and pooped and peed everywhere every few hours. It was exhausting. That's also the best way to describe Bugsy's first day home.

You can read Bugsy's account of his first day home here!

Thanks,
Bugsy's Human

Me and My Birth Parents

Hello again everybody,

I just had Holistic Puppy for dinner and it was yummy! I finished every last kibble. My vet, Dr. Bong from Happy Hayop, says it's good for my sensitive skin because it has no chicken in it. He rubs my ears when I visit and makes sure I'm comfy. I like that guy.

Anyway, my mum told me I should talk a little bit about myself so you get to know me. I'm not really sure what to tell you guys but I'll just start with the basics. I was born on July 12, 2010. That makes me 15 weeks and 2 days old today! (I had mum count it for me) I'm a pretty big boy now and I weigh 1.9 kilos or 4.19 pounds according to my vet. They said I'm a bit heavy for my age but mum says she'd still like me no matter how fat I get.

The humans I lived with before were nice enough to give me pictures of my birth parents, so I won't forget about them. Here's my pops-

Dad

My human mum says he kind of looks like he's been in a fight I think I look a bit like my old man, tough and brave looking. We have the same markings too on our faces and backs, only he's gray and I'm brownish. I got my color from my birth mum, here she is-

Mom

Look at that, we have the same color- gold and brown with dark ears that looks exactly like mine! They say she's a sweet-tempered dog and sometimes I think I'm a little bit like her (just a little bit).

Now that I'm a big boy, I don't live with my birth parents anymore. I have my own human and she's pretty cool because she gives me treats and teaches me tons of new stuff. I gotta go now, imma go and play tug of war with my new Taz stuffed toy. Later!

-Bugsy

Hello from Bugsy's Human Mum

Hi everybody,

I'm Bugsy's human mum. I put up this blog to stop annoying people with random stories of how cute Bugsy is be able to write about what's going on Bugsy's puppy life.

Anyhoots, Bugsy-pup is exactly fifteen weeks and two days old today. I took him home about a month ago, when he was a wee little ball of fur at nine weeks and four days old. He's grown noticeably taller and bigger since then, and has already lost all the inhibitions he had on his first day.

Bugsy the puppy is currently on medication for a relatively mild form of Demodectic Mange (I'll talk more about this later). We were lucky to have caught the disease at an early stage. Thankfully, he's still a roly poly puppy that's sometimes a bit too hyperactive for his own good.

Thank you for reading,
Bugsy's human mum

Puppy Love on rub-a-dub-dub, abumelt in a tub

Hi one and all,

I've attached the first post my human mum wrote about me on her blog, rub-a-dub-dub, abumelt in a tub at the end of this post. Don't tell anyone, but I was kind of misty eyed at the end. You guys might wanna read it, so here it is:

~o~

Puppy Love

Just last week, a nine-week old baby Shih Tzu doggie became the cutest member of my household. On his first day in his new home, the puppy was timid, shy, and overly scared of loud noises- he cried out and hid in shadowy corners when he heard a louder-than-your-normal-speaking-voice noise.

Shy little puppy

By nighttime, he was less scared and started to sniff around and play with Moo, his stuffed cow. The little bugger kept me up all night by trying to jump on the bed, whining for attention, and having little puppy accidents all over the place.

"I win this round, Mr. Moo!" -baby Bugsy

I wanted to call him Teddy the first night because he looked like a cute little teddy bear when he was sitting down. But on his second day, he overcame his shyness and became the little rascal that he truly is. By morning he was running around his play area, gobbling up his food down to the last kibble, enjoying getting his tummy rubbed (I found his ticklish spot!), and playfully nipping toes (I'm still trying to make him learn that this particular game isn't cute).

Bugsy likes his new name

Since then, the little bugger has been christened with the (fitting) name Bugsy- a name he seems to like as well. The second night was much better for little Bugsy and me. Although he had a couple of weewee accidents, they were understandable because he's only nine weeks old (puppies of that age can only hold their pee in for about 2 hours or so) and had just spent two days in his new home. What's amazing was that he slept through the night and pooped outside the following morning.

Bugsy is a curious little doggie

Now, he's like an energetic two-year-old human baby. He's teething (he has only eight teeth) and likes chewing on toy bones and his teether toys (although his favorite "toy" to massage his gums with are my favorite pink slippers -_-). He's also currently practicing to pounce, leaping as high as he can to land on top of his chosen toy (usually Moo, the stuffed cow).

No more weewee accidonts by the third night!

Three days in, he has learned to pee on his doggie pad (which is actually an adult diaper pad) and has almost learned that pooping should be done outside and outside only. He just had one poopy-related accident since the first night (this is a feat because the pup poops six times a day)!

Bugsy, I wish you had met Brandy

We're going to see the vet this weekend for Bugsy's third round of vaccines and I hope things go well. I get worried because I've been researching pet care online and have read too many horror stories of little puppies getting very sick and not making it (the Internet is evil for things like this). In the meantime, Bugsy is a bouncing ball of furry fluff that has taken possession of my heart (and my favorite pink slippers -_-). <3

That was kind of sweet, human mum.

-Bugsy

Greetings humans!

My name is Bugsy and my human has decided to put up this blog for me. You see, I'm an awfully cute shih tzu puppy and she enjoys yakking about lil' old me. So here were are in BugsyFiles, where you'll get to read stories about me and the cool things I do.

-Bugsy