Buster and the Owl

It was a beautiful fall evening and John, Belinda, and I were out in the backyard enjoying the fresh air.  John started a campfire in our little brick fire pit and Belinda had some sticks and a bag of marshmallows.  I had on my warm Chihuahua clothes because it was quite chilly outside in October.  Belinda went shopping last week and found the cutest little green and blue, plaid vest.  It was made from fleece so it was cuddly soft against my skin.  Being a short-haired 

Chihuahua has its ups and downs.  I can stay comfortable in the summer without all that messy hair hanging down like some long-haired Chihuahuas but it gets really cold in the winter!  I’d shiver my little tail right off if it wasn’t for my closet of designer Chihuahua clothes!

The bunny was outside, too, and he found a friend!  He was acting even stranger than usual (if you can believe it) as he was flipping awkwardly back and forth by the back gate.  He would run and hop so high that I thought he might jump clear over the fence but then he’d come crashing down in a thud on the lawn.  When I walked over to see what on earth he was up to, I noticed another bunny on the other side of the fence!  I wouldn’t dare tell Belinda because having another bunny is pretty low on my list of things to do!  Besides, this was a forest bunny.  Wild bunnies don’t make good pets.  If you ask me, no bunnies make good pets!  This brown bunny was little and timid, unlike this mammoth black beast of a bunny that lives with me.  When he saw me, he darted back into the woods.  Why can’t this crazy bunny run when he sees me?  Instead, he charges at me and kicks me!

While I was doing my nightly yard patrol, I heard a fascinating noise coming from high in the trees.  I tried to see what it was but I couldn’t find anything.  I kept going but then I heard it again!  Belinda and John were roasting marshmallows and laughing but I heard an ominous hooting, coming from the dark woods like a creepy monster!  Then, before I could even run back to Belinda, a huge bird swooped down and tried to grab our rabbit!  Holy cow!  I felt very brave all of a sudden and started running back toward the bunny, barking and snarling with my fiercest voice!  The giant bird could not grab the bunny and flew off back to the forest.  By the time I got over there, John already had the bunny in one hand and a flaming marshmallow stick in the other!  Belinda was so upset that she was crying and she put the bunny back in its cage in the garage.

John picked me up and he put out the fire.  “That bunny was lucky to be so fat, Buster.  That big owl would have taken him away to be his dinner tonight if he could have lifted him!  If he targeted you instead of him, you’d be long gone!”

Belinda came running out and snatched me up.  “Buster, it’s a good thing you were wearing your clothes!  That owl didn’t even know what you were!”  Well, that was enough to make me want to keep my Chihuahua clothes on all the time!  How scary for the bunny and how awful it would have been in a big owl swooped down and carried me away!  Who would’ve ever thought going outside to roast marshmallows could be so dangerous!

The Easter Feast

I have to give you fair warning to this next tale.  I am a dog and sometimes, dogs do things that people think are disgusting.  Things that I think taste wonderful, you would think taste like garbage and things that I think smell fantastic, you would think smell like garbage!  Well, this is the story of how I got really sick, by getting into the trash last week.

Easter was over and everyone was happy that spring was in the air.  The cats were moving around more, which is really something since they hardly ever move, and the rabbit was bouncing about like he had ants in his pants.  I was happy too, but not because spring was here.  I was happy because every time I went outside, I could smell the most wonderful holiday garbage, ever!  Rotten Easter eggs that went uneaten, left over ham and mashed potatoes, and lots and lots of candy was in all of the trash cans in our neighborhood. 

I was in the backyard the other day and snuck out through the loose, wooden spot that I knew about in the fence.  When I got out, I headed straight to the neighbors garbage.  Three little kids lived there so I knew there were a lot of wasted goodies.  The first thing I found was some old Easter eggs.  Luckily they were already peeled and looked faintly blue and pink.  I dove right into those eggs and they were delicious!  After I ate a few of them, I put my nose into them and the rest of my body followed.  I happily rolled in the eggs until I had yolk all over my back.  Then, I found the ham scraps; that’s what I was hoping for!  I gobbled them up quickly, every piece of them.  I just started nibbling on a chocolate bunny ear when I head Belinda screaming at me.  She was standing over me and I was blissfully eating a jellybean.  The look on her face was pure madness as she picked me up by the scruff of my neck and dragged me into the house.

Belinda was disgusted.  I reeked of rotten food and other garbage and eggs and ham were all over my fur.  She filled the tub up with hot water and soap and plopped me into it to soak.  I wasn’t going to try to run because by this time, I felt really, really sick.  Once I was all clean and dry, Belinda put me into my bed and went to get some water for me.  When she came back, she nearly stepped in a big pile of vomit and sighed “this day just keeps getting better and better.” 

I felt really bad for causing so much trouble.  John had to go over and pick up all the neighbors garbage while Belinda had to clean up after me.  Needless to say, John found the loose fence board and fixed it before the day was through.  I didn’t get out of bed for three days!  Belinda took me to the vet and he said that I had worms!  This 

Chihuahua has learned a lesson the hard way and I will try my best to never get into the garbage again!

Busters Fishing Trip

Last week, John’s friend pulled up in front of the house and he was pulling a big red boat behind his truck.  I was so curious that I put my paws up on the front window and smooshed my wet little nose against the glass.  I just got done eating some oatmeal so I left messy footprints behind on the glass.  Belinda came to get me and we followed John out to see his friend.

“Hey John,” said Mike with a smile.  “Here she is; all ready for your fun day of fishing.”  John took the keys from Mike and gave him our car keys.  “Thanks again, Mike, we really appreciate it.”  Mike smiled and waved as he pulled out of our driveway in John’s car.  He beeped twice as was out of sight.  “So, are you two excited to go out on the boat or what?” Belinda was very excited; she already had a big picnic basket packed and a bag full of towels, extra clothes, and sunscreen waiting on the front porch.  “I cannot wait to get out on that boat, John.  We should get our own, it’s so much fun!”  I had no idea we were going for a boat ride!  I was probably the most excited of anyone; especially when I ran up to the picnic basket and smelled the chicken and biscuits Belinda had packed.

Belinda took me inside and dressed me in that insanely silly sailor suit 

Chihuahua outfit that I didn’t like.  I suppose it was fitting, though, since I was about to be a captain and all.  Once I was ready, we grabbed the pile of stuff and the fishing poles and headed to the lake.

John backed the boat into the water and Belinda and I jumped aboard.  Before we knew it, we were gliding over the water and little droplets were spraying all over my whiskers.  I was so wet that it looked like I just got out of the bathtub, but it was a hot day and it was refreshing.  The smell of fish wafted through the air and it was delicious!  I’d give anything to find a fish to roll on; that’s really satisfying!

Once we reached a nice spot, John dropped anchor and began to put the worms on the poles.  One of them fell to the floor and I immediately snatched it up!  Belinda thought that was really disgusting but I was too fast for her and I gobbled up that squirmy little worm before anyone could stop me!  As Belinda and John were fishing, I ran from one end of the boat to the other; barking and jumping around.  Being on a boat was fun, fun, fun!  The warm sunshine, the gentle rocking back and forth, the smell of fish in the air, and a picnic basket full of chicken was more than I could ever wish for!

A moment later, John yelled that he had a bite!  He reeled in a nice big silver fish and put him in a bowl with water.  Belinda said that she would take it home and we could eat it for dinner!  How exciting!  They wanted to catch a couple more before we left so as they were fishing, I was watching that fish that was flopping so much he almost jumped out of the bowl!  He looked so fun; he was slippery and fast, and he smelled delightful.  I moved closer and grabbed his tail with my teeth.  He was being still so I pulled him out onto the ground with me.  He started to flip flop all the way over to the end of the boat so I quick jumped onto him.

In a flash, that fish had somehow hooked himself onto my Chihuahua collar and we both flopped right overboard!  In a big splash, water soaked Belinda’s feet and I yelped so loudly that the people on another boat heard my cries!  John got the great big net and scooped me out of the water.  I was dripping wet, my ears were back, and my clothes were soggy.  Belinda and John laughed and laughed and so did the people on the other boat!  “At least we’re not going home empty handed,” laughed John.  Everyone started clapping as I shook off and found a corner to go be embarrassed in.  The next time we go fishing, I’m not getting involved with any fish!

Buster Goes to the County Fair

The county fair was coming to town and every time we went out to the store or for a walk, everyone was talking about it.  We live in a small town where not much happens so when a fair comes to town, it’s a pretty big deal!  I went to the county fair last year and it was reallyfun and exciting.  There are always lots of things to smell and see and do there!

As we were getting ready for the fair, Belinda picked out a little vest with Ferris wheels on it for me to wear, along with my fluffy clown Chihuahua collar.  I looked very festive and couldn’t wait to get there!  John took some extra money with him just in case there were some fun games to play with some prizes that I would like to have.

When we got to the fair, there were so many cars parked and tons of people riding on the rides, walking through the midway and playing games, and looking at the crafts and concessions stands.  John immediately saw a game that he wanted to play because the prize was a little squeaky alien and he knew I would love it.  Him and Belinda walked over and were reading the rules and I was patiently waiting on the other end of my leash.  Suddenly, a big butterfly fluttered over to me and landed right near my paw.  If it was something I loved, it was butterflies.  They were slow and funny and made for a good chase, floating high and low and back up again.  Before I knew it, I had followed that little trouble maker all the way to where the chickens were!  I quickly darted around to see if I knew where I was or where Belinda and John were, but couldn’t recognize a thing! 

I ran out of the chicken barn, even though it smelled delicious in there, and into the cow barn.  The cows were lazily plodding about and seemed happy to see me.  I walked amongst them and rubbed on their legs because I wanted to smell like them, too!  They sniffed me with their big, wet noses and nudged me along the ground.  I bid farewell to my new friends and continued on my quest to find my family.

The sounds of children drew me to my next place, which happened to be a bounce house the size of a mansion!  A freckle-faced little boy picked me up and we went into the bounce house.  He was funny and smelled like French fries so I really liked him.  After we got inside, lots of kids poured into the house.  Soon, the air wafted with the smells of cotton candy, popcorn, hamburgers, and chocolate.  With each big bounce, I went flying high into the air and soared like a bird until I hit the floor and began my next bounce.

Before I knew it, Belinda and John were standing at the door, trying to scoop this little Chihuahua out of the bounce house.  The children finally passed me over to them and I was safely in their arms!  That was a really scary but really fun trip to the fair and I can’t wait to go again next year!

Buster Goes to the Beach

It was such a hot summer day, the temperature was almost 100 degrees, too hot for this 

Chihuahua, and our air conditioner was broken.  Belinda and John both had the day off of work and we were all just sitting in the kitchen, melting.  The cats didn’t care; they just lounged all day on their lazy little backs, wagging their tails in front of the fans.  The crazy rabbit didn’t care; he dug a hole in the backyard and laid in it while the sun was out.  As for us though, we were so hot we didn’t know what to do!

Belinda had a good idea and John agreed, we would pack a lunch and go to the beach today.  Belinda went through my stash of Chihuahua clothes and packed a little white t-shirt for me so I wouldn’t get a sun burn and a little straw hat.  She packed up the umbrellas, towels, and a lovely picnic basket filled with delicious salads, hot dogs, and cold water.  After we got everything packed up, we headed off to the beach, leaving the rotten cats behind.

Once we arrived, we made our way down the dirt path that led to the water.  We set up our chairs and our umbrellas.  I had my own blue umbrella and my own little towel.  Belinda set me up with a bowl of water and I was very happy to lie there and relax.  The sound of the waves hitting the shore was exciting and I decided to take my chances and run out to greet them.  Belinda and John laughed at me as the waves pushed me right back to where they were sitting on the beach.  The sun was hot and the water was cold, it was so much fun to frolic in the waves.

Belinda called me in to have some lunch and she dished me up a plate with melon, corn, and some bits of chicken.  That was the best lunch I’ve had in a really long time!  We enjoyed the scenery and watched the sailboats and swimmers as they played in the waves.  After a while, John picked me up and we went out into the water for a swim.  I’m a really good swimmer but I get pretty tired after a while.  When I started slowing down, John took me into shore and we relaxed some more on our beach blankets.

The sun started to go down and the air cooled off a bit.  We decided that we would go home and watch some movies.  We packed everything up and drove home.  On the way, I felt so sleepy that I just flopped right over in Belinda’s arms.  The day was so fun and filled with fresh air and sunshine and exercise.  It was the best day, going to the beach with my family!

Buster Goes to the Rodeo

While we were out on our walk the other night I saw posters all over the street lamps saying “Rodeo Comes to Town.”  I had no idea what a Rodeo was but it must be something really special if they need to advertise it so much!  Later that night I heard Belinda telling John that the Rodeo was coming to town and that she really wanted to go see it.  I couldn’t help but wonder what all the fuss was about and if 

Chihuahuas would be allowed to go or not.  I sure hope I can because it sounds really exciting!

I hopped up onto the couch next to John so he could scratch my belly and the man on the television made the big announcement about the Rodeo!  I immediately flipped over and sat straight up to hear what he had to say about this mysterious event.  “In two days the Rodeo will be coming to our little town.  Make sure you bring your cowboy hat to get a discount at the door!  There will be lots of fun things to do for the whole family.  Come see the brave bull riders and Rodeo clowns!  Come see the beautiful horses and all of the thrilling games!  There will be a barbecue for all to enjoy!  See you at the Rodeo!”

You must be kidding me, I’ve got to be dreaming, I thought as the whole idea of a Rodeo sunk into my head.  Anyplace with animals, food, and fun sounds like the perfect place for me!  Then, I heard Belinda and John making plans to go in a couple of days and they were talking about how much fun it was going to be for me!  I knew they wouldn’t leave me behind! 

On the day of the Rodeo, Belinda dressed me up in my little cowboy shirt and straw collar.  She tied my little cowboy hat around my neck and I looked so perfect!  These were my favorite Chihuahua clothes, at least for today!  We headed out the door and started our drive to the Rodeo.

When we arrived, I couldn’t believe my eyes!  There were hundreds of gigantic horses roaming around the park with riders all dressed in colorful and fancy shirts.  Near the big arena were many pens holding massive, monsters called bulls.  These men would hop onto them and ride them through the ring and try not to get killed.  I’m not sure if it was supposed to be fun or terrifying!  I also, saw lots of fuzzy little goats and wooly sheep.

We found a place to sit, high up in the bleachers.  We took out plates of chicken, ribs, and corn and sat down to enjoy the show.  First, the rodeo clowns were dancing around and doing flips in the dirt.  Then, the bull was released with the rider flopping around on his back like a doll!  When the bull twisted and turned, the man fell off and the clowns ran all around trying to get the bull to chase them.  That was awfully nice of them and it gave the man a chance to escape.  Later in the day, some horses did some neat tricks and once and a while, one would chase a sheep.

We all had a really fun and exciting time at the Rodeo and Belinda told me that we could go every year when they came back to town.  It was a fun experience with so many new smells.  I couldn’t wait to tell all of my friends about the Rodeo!

Buster Visits the Pet Store

Last week Belinda and I went to the pet store to buy some new Chihuahua clothes.  I was so excited to go that I could barely stand the wait!  When we were getting ready to go, Belinda decided to dress me in my cutest little denim jacket and my bright yellow Chihuahua collar.  It was such a sunny spring day that I wanted to match it!  On our way to the store I couldn’t help but think of all the wonderful Chihuahua toys and yummy treats that I would find waiting for me there!

Once we arrived, Belinda snapped my yellow leash on and we made our way through the parking lot.  I could smell the excitement in the air!  There were many dogs and cats at the store and lots of different types of treats, dog foods, fresh baked biscuits, and goodies!  As we walked in, a nice girl with long curly hair met us at the door.  She gave me a tiny green bone and a little white bow for my hair.  I’m not sure why she thought I needed a bow to wear; for one thing I didn’t have long hair so where would I clip it and furthermore, I wasn’t a girl!  Couldn’t she see that?  I think I am very manly and look really tough with this denim 

Chihuahua jacket on.  I was happy to have the bone though and Belinda said we could just give the bow to Chevy.  That was fine with me and we made our way to the first isle.

The clothing isle was always my favorite part of the store.  There were all kinds of dog clothes here that I would love to have for my closet.  There were Chihuahua collars of all shapes and colors, jackets, pants, sweaters, shirts, and Halloween costumes.  Belinda told me I could choose one new Chihuahua collar and one new outfit.  We scoured the racks, sorting through tons of wonderful outfits and leashes and finally settled on a new plaid collar and a tan cable knit sweater for fall.  I couldn’t wait for it to get cold outside so I could wear it!

The second isle we visited was the treat isle.  My nose was in frenzy as we passed by all of the liver snaps, doggy biscotti, chicken treats, rawhides, beefy bones, and cheesy snaps!  I was pacing back and forth, sniffing one bag after another with excitement!  Belinda chose a small box of carob chip cookies for me and told me I could have one after dinner tonight!

Finally, we got to the last isle of the day which was the pet isle.  I was sort of a chicken about other animals so I slowly walked close behind Belinda as we made our way to the first big display tank.  I warily walked up and peeked inside.  There were at least a dozen giant, furry, floppy-eared rabbits lying in a big heap in the middle of the tank.  What luck, a bunch of rabbits to look at?  I had enough of that at home with that crazy bunny that runs around like a lunatic all the time.  My rabbit certainly seemed to have a lot more energy than these lazy bunnies!  The next cage we saw towered right up to the ceiling and was filled with loud squawks and shrill cries.  I wasn’t sure if whatever was in there was having fun or was in pain!  As I looked inside, I saw flurries of green and red and blue feathers hopping from branch to branch and singing to each other.  I sure am happy we don’t have any birds, and I looked desperately to Belinda who seemed to share my same thought.

I was ready to go home and really excited to try on my new Chihuahua clothes.  I couldn’t wait for dinner so I could taste my yummy new cookies afterward.  Belinda and I got into our car and drove home.  Visiting the pet store is always one of my most favorite things to do!

Buster and the Bee

Yesterday I was just minding my own business when a big, fat, furry bumblebee flew in through the door and started buzzing around my head.  I was just lying on the couch, watching my favorite television show when I heard the annoyingly loud buzz of the bee.  It was so loud that it sounded like it was going into one of my ears and out the other, over and over again.  Sometimes I am scared of spiders but I pretty brave when it comes to bees, so I thought I’d take the challenge and get rid of him myself.

First I jumped up onto the arm of the sofa so I would be really big and tall.  That might be enough to scare him away!  I stood up as tall as I could and had a big snarl on my face.  The bee just kept right on circling my head, silly bee.  Next, I tried snapping at him.  I pretended that I didn’t see him coming and then quickly leapt into the air and snapped my little jaws.  I guess he could read my mind because at just the precise moment that he should be between my teeth, he dodged out of the way.  Finally, I tried to tackle him.  When he would get really close to me, I jumped up and tried to pounce on him.  The only thing that came from that was me landing on the floor, in a heap.  What on earth was I going to do about this bumblebee?

Bees like honey.  Belinda just so happened to be making me some of my favorite 

Chihuahua treats before she had to run to the market.  I went into the kitchen and as luck would have it, there was an open jar of honey on the counter!  The kitchen smelled like heaven with my treats baking.  Bananas, honey, and cream wafted through the air and tickled my nose.  I couldn’t forget though, that I was on an important mission.  I had to get rid of that bumblebee before Belinda came home and got stung!

I pushed a chair over to the counter with my strong nose and hopped up onto it.  I climbed up my booster seat and could almost reach the counter.  I could just barely see the jar of honey, which was sitting atop a dishtowel.  If I could pull the towel, I could get the honey closer!  Carefully, with my little teeth, I pulled the dishtowel and then the unthinkable happened.  With an ear splintering crash, the jar of honey smashed to the floor, leaving pieces of glass and globs of sticky honey all over the kitchen counter, walls, and floor.

Just then, I heard Belinda’s car pull up into the driveway.  As I was shaking with fright and dismay, I froze in my chair and waited to be caught.  Belinda opened the front door and the bumblebee flew out.  I guess that was enough to scare him away and he didn’t want to get into trouble, either.  She walked into the kitchen and stared in disbelief.  I had made such a mess, and she knew I did it because the dishcloth was still in my mouth!  She came over, glass crunching beneath her shoes, and scooped me up from my honey and glass chair mess.  “Buster, my goodness, are you ok?”  She checked me over very well for any cuts.  When she was sure that I was alright, she spanked my bottom and put me in my room, closing the door behind her.  “No treats for you” is all I heard as she walked away.

I guess she thought I was pretty naughty and it’s too bad she didn’t know I was only trying to save her from the ferocious bumblebee.  I fell asleep in my Chihuahua bed while I was in my time-out.  When I woke up, there was a plate next to me with a cookie on it, and a bumblebee buzzing around my head!

Buster and the Shiny Penny

Belinda and I were out for a walk the other day when we ran into Mr. Maxwell.  He has lived on this street for over 60 years and always has a lot of interesting things to say.  Belinda always asks if he needed anything from the store and usually, he doesn't.  Today though, he did need a few things so Belinda said she would run to the store to pick them up for him.  She told Mr. Maxwell that he could take me back to his house if he wanted some company and she would be back in a little while.  Mr. Maxwell thought that was a great idea and said he’d like the company, so off we went, back to his little house at the end of the street.

I really liked Mr. Maxwell.  I’ve never been to his house before so I was pretty excited!  My ears were perky, my tail was wagging, and I had an extra bounce in my step.  Mr. Maxwell kept telling me to slow down because he couldn’t keep up with me!  When we got to his front yard, he opened a beautiful iron gate that had little stars in it and told me to go on through.  His yard was very pretty.  There were blankets of thick green grass everywhere.  In the back corner, where the sun was the brightest, there was a little garden with beans and squash growing.  There were pink and yellow flowers planted all around the front of the house.  He had a little pond with a waterfall in the back and a couple of ducks were visiting for the season.  What a wonderful place to play!

Mr. Maxwell took off my leash so I could run and play in the yard.  The first thing I did was chase the ducks!  They were sitting next to the pond when I ran upon them and they both let out loud quacks and jumped into the water.  I guess they didn’t think I’d follow them and today, they were right.  I had far too much to do besides get all wet and get into trouble!  I ran over to the flowers and sniffed them.   They made me sneeze, a lot.  I sneezed so much that I fell over and Mr. Maxwell wiped my nose with his hankie.  We sat down over by the big willow tree and he pulled a shiny penny out of his pocket.

“Buster, this is my lucky penny” said Mr. Maxwell.  “I have had this penny for a really long time.  I found it one day when I was out looking for my lost dog; his name was Buster, too! He wasn't a 

Chihuahua, though”  Wow, another Buster?  “Just when I thought I was never going to find him, I looked down and saw this penny.  Right after I picked it up, I heard Buster barking from underneath a bush!  I ran over to see what was wrong and his collar had gotten stuck on a branch.  I was so lucky to find him that I kept this lucky penny ever since!”  What a great story!  Mr. Maxwell always had really fun stories about when he was younger.  That’s the first time I ever heard about the other Buster, though!  He was really lucky to be found, especially with a branch poking him in the neck!

Just as he finished the story, Belinda came walking through the yard with Mr. Maxwell’s groceries.  “Thank you so much, Belinda,” said Mr. Maxwell.  “I had a fun time with Buster and I hope you bring him back sometime!  I want him to have this.” Mr. Maxwell handed Belinda the lucky penny.  “He knows what it’s for,” and he winked at me and patted my head.

Belinda thanked Mr. Maxwell for watching me and we walked back home.  When we got there, Belinda pulled out a box with a bunch of trinkets inside.  There, she had a clear, flat little box with a clip on one side.  The box opened up and she put the lucky penny inside.  Then, she picked out one of my favorite Chihuahua collars and clipped the charm with the lucky penny onto it.  “There you go Buster, now you will have all of the luck in the world!”  From that day on, I always wear my lucky penny charm!

The Mystery Revealed

The strange lady that we had met the other day turned out to be Monica and her mysteriously spunky little 

Chihuahua was Chevy.  Monica was a delightful woman who Belinda had met in college.  She got a call a few weeks ago and was thrilled that Monica would be moving into our neighborhood.  She never mentioned it to me because she knew about Chevy and wanted it to be a big surprise.  Well, it sure was a big surprise; the biggest surprise of my life!

I’m a big dog now, four years old to be exact.  When Belinda adopted me as a puppy, I lived in a town far away from here and I had lots of squirmy, cute litter-mates.  She chose me because of my adorable little face and friendly disposition.  When I came to live with Belinda, I never even thought about my doggie-mom or my brothers and sisters and that is why I was so surprised as I was meeting my new neighbors, Monica and Chevy, and listening to Belinda’s conversation.

Monica said that after having me and my siblings, my doggie-mom had three more litters of pups.  Belinda had told Monica so many wonderful and heartwarming stories about me and my silly antics that she just had to have a little chi to call her own.  One day, she saw an ad for long haired Chihuahua puppies in her newspaper and called the number.  When she went to the house to see the puppies, she remembered that it was the same house that she and Belinda had gone to when Belinda was picking me up!  After talking to the lady, she realized that little Chevy had the same doggie-mom as me!  So the big surprise is that I have a sister; a sister right here down my street!

Chevy sat through the story as still as she could be, but I’ve never seen such a restless little pup in my life!  I was on pins and needles waiting to hear more and as she spoke, Belinda kept looking over at me and smiling her pretty smile to make me feel comfortable in a strange house.  I think she could tell that I was nervous because my big eyes kept twitching and I was sitting as still as a statue.  Of course, I was completely intrigued by what I was hearing but if I moved, even a little bit, Chevy would snarl and pounce on me and I wasn’t sure about how to react.

When Monica and Belinda were through talking, Monica brought over a big plate of home-made banana biscotti dog treats and a special box all tied up with a blue, polk-a-dot ribbon.  Was this another surprise?  I felt my little tail begin to wag and then the sensation traveled up my behind and right out my ears until I was wiggling all over in delight!  Coming to see Monica was like Christmas with so many surprises and treats!  I wonder if it will always be this much fun when we take the walk to Monica’s house! 

Sun Care for Your Chihuahua

Can Dogs Get Sunburned?

Just like people dogs can get sunburn and we need to take steps to protect them.  People have the option to protect themselves from the negative effects of the sun, but our Chihuahuas rely solely on us to look after them. 

Some dog breeds are more susceptible to damage from the sun than others.  Short haired breeds or pink skinned dogs are in particular danger and short haired Chihuahuas fall into this category.  If you own a long haired Chihuahua it doesn’t mean that you don’t need to worry, but you don’t need to be quite as diligent.

Sunburn occurs with direct exposure to the sun just as it does with people.  Mid-day, when the sun is at its strongest, is the most dangerous time to be outdoors with your Chi.  Reflected sunlight from water or even from sidewalks can also sunburn your Chi so be aware that there is more than one way to expose your pet to the sun.

How To Protect Your Chi

The simplest way to protect your little one from sun damage is to stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day.  When you do go outside keep your exposure periods short and try to avoid extended periods of overexposure.

If you must go outside during sunny days, protect your Chi in the same way that you protect yourself.  Covering up and seeking out shade are very important.  If you like to dress up your pet look into purchasing sun protection Chihuahua clothes.  Many online sites exist that sell clothing with SPF protection, or investigate your local pet stores.  If you like to keep things simple, try a plain white children’s tee shirt on your Chi.  White will help reflect the light and heat away from your dog while serving as a cover up.   

For areas of your Chi that remain uncovered you can use sunscreen.  There are some dog specific sunscreens on the market but if you can’t find one of those it is safest to use a children’s variety.  It is a good idea to test the product on a small area on your Chi to make sure it doesn’t irritate your little one’s skin.  Pay particular attention to the area around your Chi’s nose, ears, groin and armpits as these are more sensitive to sun damage.

Heat Stroke

Another thing to be aware of when taking your Chi out on a hot day is heat stroke.  Dogs can only sweat through their foot pads and nose and mainly rely on panting to cool themselves.  It is sometimes difficult to tell if your Chi is becoming overheated as the only reliable means of checking are with temperature readings or the tackiness and colour of the mucus membranes. 

By the time symptoms advance to collapse it is an urgent situation.  Therefore you need to pay attention to keeping your Chi cool as a precaution.  If you fear that your pet is becoming too hot cool them down with a spray of water or cover them with a wet towel. 

There are some wonderful clothing options available that allow you to place a cool pack into them.  Another option is to wet a bandana and tie it around your Chi’s neck.  However, if you fear that your Chi is suffering from heat stroke it is very important to seek veterinary care immediately.  Your Chi’s life could depend on it.

The best advice with regard to sun protection is to be sensible.  If it’s a hot day for you, it’s even hotter for your Chi.  You can always take off a layer of clothes; your Chihuahua is stuck with their fur coat forever.

Spring Cleaning

Today I woke up feeling ready for an adventure.  The spring air was alive with vibrant smells, noisy birds chirping and squirrels chattering.  I was so excited to start my day that I skipped my breakfast and ran right out my doggy door.  When I got into the backyard, I dove into the hedgerow and began rolling in a bush of red berries and soft green leaves.  It felt so good to be outside and free in the fresh spring air.  Wintertime is lovely but I get so cold and can’t find the fun in a runny nose and frozen toes.  Springtime was exhilarating!  The strange bunny was kicking his furry feet into the air and even those lazy cats came out to bathe in the long green blades of grass.

As I was hunkering down behind a rock, waiting for the deranged rabbit to pass by me, I saw Monica and Chevy walking up our driveway with a big box in hand.  I ran out to greet them and Chevy pounced from afar.  She and I rolled down the hill and landed in a heap near the garage door.  It was always great fun to see Chevy and we never had a dull moment when we were together.  As Monica closed the front door behind her, we scrambled up to the house and through my little entrance.  What on earth was that big box for?

Chevy and I grabbed a quick drink from my water bowl and chased Monica down the hall to Belinda and John’s bedroom.  It was at that moment that I stopped in my tracks to gaze in disbelief.  Belinda and Monica were packing up my lovely plaid Chihuahua dog bed and many of my 

Chihuahua outfits into the big box that Monica had brought.  I couldn’t believe my eyes and Chevy let out a little whimper when she noticed how sad I looked.  If there is one thing that I really enjoy, it’s being dressed up in all of my fancyChihuahua collars and Chihuahua outfits and taken out for a drive or out shopping with Belinda.  What would I do now?  Would I have to leave the house naked?

Belinda saw how upset I looked and laughed when she saw me begin to shake.  I don’t see anything funny about this devastation but apparently she found it quite amusing.  Monica looked over and giggled.  “Is he really that upset about cleaning his closet?” Monica asked.  “Buster,” Belinda said.  “If you only knew how silly you looked, all because we are giving some of your old puppy clothes to Chevy!” Belinda laughed.  I cocked my head to one side and shifted my gaze to Chevy, who was bumbling around the room and chasing her tail.  I jumped up onto the bed and stood up with my front paws pressed against the ominous box that was eating up all of my adorable clothes.  Upon further inspection, I noticed that all of the outfits were very old, from when I was just a puppy.  The plaid doggy bed was sort of small, too, and since I sleep with Belinda and John, I guess I wasn’t really going to miss it.  I peeked over toward my dresser drawer and saw all of my favorite Chihuahua outfits and Chihuahua collars still tucked neatly inside.  I do tend to be a bit dramatic at times, I suppose.

Once the box was all filled up, Monica closed it up and put Chevy onto her leash.  As they left, they both gave me kisses and thanked me for all of the wonderful hand-me-downs.  When I went back into the bedroom, I saw a little box on the bed all tied up with shiny paper and a big blue bow.  Belinda came in behind me with a big smile on her face.  “Monica and Chevy left this here for you because they wanted to thank you for being so generous and kind!” Monica said as we opened the pretty box.  When I opened it up, I was so excited that my big eyes lit up with delight!  Inside was a little gold necklace with a square charm hanging from it.  When Belinda opened the charm, there was a picture of Chevy and me that Monica took during our sleepover!  What a beautiful little gift.  It’s something that I will cherish forever!

The Sleepover

Belinda and John had to go out of town for a very important appointment.  They would be going to a hospital so there was no way that I could come this time.  I was really worried about where I was going to go but I knew that Belinda would have someone take excellent care of me while she was away.  Those lazy cats never needed babysitting since all they did was sleep the days away and the rabbit would just stay out in the back yard.  Me, however, that was a different story!  I needed plenty of food and snacks and walks and love!  I’m not used to not being looked after and I know that I would just parish if I were left alone all day.  Belinda knew that, too. 

When John was tucking me in last night, he told me that I shouldn’t worry because I’d be having a sleepover with Monica and Chevy.  When he told me that, I was beyond ecstatic and couldn’t even get to sleep!  What would it be like to sleep in Monica’s cute little house?  Was Chevy excited that I’d be coming over to see her again?  Would I have my own bed there?  I had so many questions that I found myself lying awake and moaning all night long.  Belinda kept telling me to quiet down and to go to sleep.  I heard her telling John that she thought I must be nervous and that I knew something was going on.  Sometimes I wonder if they really know how smart I am!

Belinda woke me up early the next morning and had a little suitcase packed with some of my favorite

Chihuahua clothes that we had bought from our favorite UK boutique.  She said that Monica was really anxious to see them and to spend time with Chevy and me.  I immediately felt at ease and was really eager to get going.  I stretched out one leg at a time and then flopped onto my back for a good morning wiggle.  I was moaning and groaning as I wormed my way across the shaggy carpet and over to Johns feet.  He scooped me up and put on my special Chihuahua collar that Chevy had gotten for me.  Once we were all packed, we piled into the car and started off for Monica’s house.

John beeped the horn when we pulled into the pretty driveway.  Sun beamed through the picket fence and was gleaming as I tried my best to see up into Monica’s smiling face.  She snatched me away from Belinda and gave me a big kiss on the forehead, I think I could smell pancakes on her breath and was getting more excited by the second!  After some instructions and a goodbye hug, Belinda and John drove off and Monica and I went into the house.

There to greet me were Chevy and a giant stack of pancakes.  Chevy had syrup on her front paw and her hair was tied up with that purple ribbon so tightly that her big eyes were squinty; she looked really silly.  We all ate some pancakes and then got washed up and ready for a fun day of sunbathing and swimming.  While Monica was washing the dishes, Chevy and I ran outside to play in the grass.  She took me over to her little cottage and we played inside for a bit.  As far as dog houses go, this one was stunning!  Inside the little country cottage were two little flowerpots, one for food and one for water, and a comfy little green bed with a velvet blanket.  She said that she doesn’t usually stay outside much, but when Monica does gardening or lies in the sun, she calls it home.  I think Chevy is very lucky to have such beautiful things and I know that I would play in there all the time if I had one in my yard!

All day long we romped and played.  Chevy was still very young so she played hard but got tired quickly.  We would go inside out of the hot summer sun and take naps by the fan.  When we’d wake, we would go outside again to chase the bunnies and robins that lived amongst the grape vines in Monica’s back yard.  After a delicious meal, we tried on some of my best Chihuahua clothes and laughed at Chevy, who is much smaller than me, as she tried on my big, wooly parka and rubber rain boots.

When the big, scary moon shone through the picture window, Monica tucked us into bed and turned out the lights.  Normally, I probably would have been scared to see that spooky moonlight shining in on me and not having Belinda and John to snuggle up to.  I was so tired though, from my busy day with my new friends that I didn’t even notice.  We all fell fast asleep and I awoke to the sound of the doorbell and Belinda’s sunny smile!

Buster's Bad Night

The strangest thing happened to me when I woke up yesterday morning.  I woke up to the savory aroma of apple pancakes which made my cold little nose twitch with excitement.  As I was squirming out from under the blankets, I felt something tug on my 

Chihuahua collar.  I was rather surprised since I was the only one here.  Quickly, I pawed at my nose and blinked my eyes to see if I was dreaming but then I felt it again; only this time the tugging was at my tail!  That was enough to spook me right out from the covers and onto the table next to the bed.  From here I should be able to see everything in the room.  As I peered from one end of the room to the other, my big brown eyes were drawn to the bedroom window.  Belinda’s ruffled white curtain began to float delicately up and down, ever so slightly and the tissues in the box beneath the window started to flutter like little butterflies.  Now I was so scared that my hair stood straight up on my back and I looked more like a baby porcupine than a short haired Chihuahua!

I could hear Belinda coming toward the room and the smell of apple pancakes grew stronger and stronger.  Normally, that would have made me the happiest little Chi in the town, but today I was just happy that Belinda was coming to save me!  When the door inched open, I couldn’t see anything but darkness in the hallway.  Oh my, oh my…my tail sunk down between my back legs and my furry little bottom inched down with it.  I felt like I could just curl up and disappear I was so frightened!  All of a sudden, a loud smack of thunder shook the house and the sky opened up like a mighty river.  Rain poured down and pattered so loudly on the windows that it sounded like they would shatter.  Then, just as quickly as it began, there was silence and blackness all around.  I couldn’t see a thing inside the house or out the window.  The cover of darkness was everywhere and the only thing I could feel was hot breath on the back of my ear, which was flattened onto the side of my head in pure terror.

A second later, I felt like I was drifting away but I could still feel that hot breathing on my ear.  Slowly I turned my head to see where it was coming from.  Out of the corner of my squinty little eye I could see the blankets next to me rising and falling in rhythm.  Quickly, something reached underneath the cover and took a hold of my little leg but I was too terrified to think about what it could be!  Feeling foggy and dazed, I opened my eyes a little bit wider and saw the moon peeking through the curtains at me.  I didn’t smell those scrumptious apple pancakes or hear Belinda in the kitchen.  There was no scary thunder or smashing raindrops outside, and nothing was floating or flying around the room.  As a matter of fact, the horrifying creature that had a hold of my paw and was breathing his fiery breath into my ear was only Belinda!  I’m still alive and I will see another day of beefy bones and fancy Chihuahua collars!  That was the worst dream I ever had!  Hopefully I will still smell apple pancakes in the morning, though!

Our New Neighbour

B

elinda and I went out for a walk on this most beautiful, sun-shiny day and she told me that I was in for a big surprise!  I was so excited that I could barely walk straight; I was skipping and swerving all over the road and getting my leash all tangled up between her feet.  She kept telling me to settle down, but I just couldn’t help myself; it isn’t every day that I get to enjoy a surprise!

The sun was so warm on my short coat and the grass smelled extra sweet.  Maybe it was because I was so excited, anticipating the surprise at the end of the walk.  Maybe it was the heavenly aroma coming from the covered dish that Belinda was carrying with her.  Whatever it was, this day was special, and I could feel it!

As I was racing around the side of the road, tripping over my own feet, a great big truck raced by and caused such a stir that the wind almost blew me over!  I was so startled that I stopped in my tracks and curiously cocked my head to the side.  Belinda was half amused by my precious astonishment but her patience was quickly running out because of my terribly inappropriate behavior on the leash.  I gestured to her with my very best “I’m sorry” eyes and vowed to behave.

Although our house is on a quiet street with not many neighbors, it seemed as though we had been walking forever.  Time really does seem to pass slowly when you are awaiting a big surprise!  Finally, we turned down a drive that I had never seen before.  The house was so pretty, like a little fairy-tale cottage.  There were roses with scary thorns and lots of thick grape vines draping over the white picket fence.  As we neared the house, I saw a tiny dog house that was a mirror image of the big home, right under the big willow tree by the creek.  My heart skipped a beat; there were not many dogs that could fit into a house that little.  Suddenly, I caught the scent of what seemed to be oatmeal and oranges and I realized that it was my shampoo; the special blend that Belinda makes just for my gleaming short coat.  I haven’t had a bath in a while so where was that wonderful smell coming from?  I don’t smell bad, but I don’t smell that good either!  Suddenly, like a whirlwind, a tiny long haired Chihuahua with a big purple bow in her hair, raced out from the little house to greet us.

I was taken by such surprise when I saw that new girl running at me that I backed up behind Belinda’s legs and hid my face.  I know I am supposed to be fierce in the face of the unknown, but this unknown was too spunky and too spry for me to comprehend what exactly was happening.  By the time I could show my face, there was a strange lady standing beside the little Chihuahua, who was now lying down, panting furiously, with her floppy bow half undone and hanging in the grass.  Belinda picked me up when she noticed how overcome I was and we all walked into the little cottage, with the mysterious little chi scurrying quickly behind.

Buster Goes to the Zoo

Every morning I go through the same routine before I can roll out of Belinda and John’s bed.  First, I stretch my hind legs as far as they can reach and I wiggle my little feet.  Then, I squirm around to scratch my furry back.  Finally, my cold nose pokes around until I find Belinda and I give her a big, wet kiss!  This morning was different though, when my nose was looking for Belinda, it didn’t find her!  I immediately jumped up onto all four feet and bolted toward the bedroom door.

Belinda was humming a tune as my scrambled eggs were cooking on the stovetop.  She must have heard my nails clicking furiously on the hardwood floor because as I slid around the corner, she was right there to catch me before I crashed into the wall. “You are so silly,” Belinda said.  “Why are you in such a hurry?”  I looked up at her with my irresistible charm and wiggled so much that I plopped onto the floor.  With a little chuckle, Belinda scooped some scrambled eggs into my food bowl.  "Today is the big day, Buster," said Belinda. “Today is the day we are going to visit the zoo!”  I have always wanted to go to the zoo.  I’ve seen so many curious animals on television and now I will get to see them in person!  I can’t wait to smell them and to see if they like me, too!

Belinda opened the drawer which held of all my 

Chihuahua clothes and collars.  “Which outfit should we choose for your special day?”  I don’t know, but hopefully she won’t pull out that nerdy sailor suit again, I thought.  “Oh this one will be perfect” cried Belinda!  In her hands were the most adorable Chihuahua clothes I’d ever seen.  A little yellow jumpsuit with a lion’s mane and tail and a leopard spottedChihuahua collar and leash set were all ready for me to put on.  I was going to be the best dressed dog in the zoo.

When we were all packed up for our picnic at the zoo, Belinda and John locked up and we all drove the long journey to the zoo.  Once we arrived, I was sleepy but woke up quickly when I smelled the fascinating aromas of the jungle!  My nose was alive, twitching to and fro as we passed through the various animal houses.  I would give my biscuits for a whole year if Belinda would just let me out of the carrier so I could roll around in all the smelly goodness! 

The Snake House

After walking in the bright sun, we entered a dark and cool shelter and it felt good.  This place was different than the other rooms we’ve visited because I couldn’t really smell anything.  Belinda sat my carrier down on a bench beside a huge glass enclosure while she went to the drinking fountain.  I was just minding my own business when out of nowhere, a gigantic, brown creature slid right up to me and pressed his long tongue against the glass.  I was so startled that I collided with the back of my carrier.  I hit it so hard that the whole thing fell off the bench and onto the hard floor.  Belinda came running over to see if I was alright and we quickly decided that the snake house wasn’t for little dogs that look like a snake dinner!

After a long day of monkeys, tigers, and snakes, we started off for home.  I had a really big adventure and I was really tuckered out.  I curled up on Belinda’s lap and fell fast asleep before we even got out of the parking lot.  When we rolled into our drive, Belinda carried me into the house and got me out of my lion suit.  She gave me a kiss goodnight and tucked me lovingly into bed.  I can’t wait to tell all of my friends about my exciting adventure…and I’m so glad we don’t have a pet snake.