Happy First Birthday To Me

SUCH a nice day - my very first birthday. This afternoon we took a Birthday Walk, which was particularly satisfying as they've taken down the footy goalposts and the whole Cremorne-Cammeray dog community were out celebrating being able to reclaim Primrose Park.

When we got home Buzz gave me a yummy Birthday Bone (lamb). I had to eat it on my ikea rag rug, it was a messy one and I invested a lot of rewardig time and energy into it. Buzz reckoned it looked like I'd slaughtered an antelope!

That was followed by a Birthday Bath because I was v whiffy, and I was so relaxed by then that I submitted to a Birthday Brush and the removal of several dreadlocks. Finally, a Birthday Nap.

DIY Toys 4 Dogs

There are never enough toys for little dogs like me. If you are bored with your current collection, here are three simple steps to construct your own unique chew toy.

1. Next time you get a haircut, hide a pile of fur before your owner has time to throw it all out.

2. When no one is looking, chew the fur and swallow. Important: this behavior results in confiscation of fur, so be discreet.

3. After a little time, regurgitate the fur. Do this also with discretion as hacking can alarm yiur owner. The combination of fur, spittle and chewing has created a fun felt toy. Allow to dry. Congratulations.

How to gain licking rights to a finished bowl of icecream

Gaining licking rights to the leftovers of a bowl of icecream is a delicate task in diplomacy and manipulation. Charm is the key. I recommend the following strategy.

1. Maintain close proximity to the icecream bowl. It is important to ensure whoever is eating the icecream is aware of your presence and connects you and the bowl in their mind.
2. Maintain eye contact with whoever is eating the icecream. DO NOT give away the game by looking at the icecream itself.
3. Exercise charm via head tilts, the slow blink (not too slow, you don't need to look like a stalker nor like you are about to slip into a diabetic coma), and cute noises (use with caution: you do bot want to be accused of barking or similar noise offences).
4. When they are finished, they will reward your cute behaviour by placing the bowl on the floor or holding under your nose. DO NOT preempt licking rights by jumping up on whoever is eating the bowl. Occasional gentle nudges are acceptable. If the temptation is too much for you, avoid all physical contact.
5. Basic manners are essential even when the goal is achieved. Any lapses will affect future bowl licking rights and similar. Finish the bowl tidily, no spills nor knocking over the bowl, and ALWAYS so thank you when you've finished.

Enjoy your icecream!

Dog News Today

Happy stories from around the canine world:

Paws for style (Fairfax): Fashion lovers take their pooches for a stroll on the "dogwalk" at the Paws For Style charity event to benefit the New York Humane Society.

Stray dog adopts cubs at zoo in Hefei, China (News Ltd): A PLUCKY stray dog has saved the lives of a tiger cub and lion triplets who were abandoned by their mothers at a Chinese zoo.

Blind canine has his own guide dog (News Ltd): A BORDER collie overcame some of the difficulties of being blind – by having his own guide dog. The inseparable pair, named Bonnie and Clyde, do all everyday activities together – including eating, sleeping and going for walkies.

Movie Review: Beverly Hills Chihuahua

Look what we found on Buzz's dad's phone camera? This is me at 8 weeks old! I was 1.2kg and had to be weighed on the bird scales. Now I'm 10 months old and pushing 7kgs! What a fatty!

Today I'd like to post a brief movie review. Last night we watched Beverly Hills Chihuahua. So many dogs, I didn't know which one to bark at first (but I tried). Buzz would normally get cross with me about this, as it contravenes our Stealth & Cunning Living Arrangement, but she apparently figured if anyone complained about a mysterious barking dog, she can blame the movie. I thought Beverly Hills Chihuahua was a bit annoying, and nowhere near as good as my favourite movie, Wall-E.

In Dog News Today...

I'd like to send a nod and a lick across the pond to Scooter in NZ, possibly the world's smallest dog at 8cm. He eats out of an egg-up and has to wear a purple sock so his owner, Cheryl, doesn't accidentally stand on him.

Scooter'd make me look like a great dane, and I remember well the first time I bumped into one of those! Frightened me half to death, although he was really a very nice dog.

Good luck to you Scooter, I think you are extremely cute and would love to have a little sibling-pup just like you one day! We could play hide and seek together (you could hide in my Kong!).

I'd also like to send my love and get-well-soon wishes to Smokey in the UK. That's way harsh, what happened! But its good that you are doing well, and I promise that you won't miss your sight too much in that eye -- I get along just fine without mine!

Out of office reply

I am currently on hiatus in Novocastria, with Madison Rose and Buzz's mum and dad. I am too busy exploring the yard, convincing Madison that I am her best friend but she should leave my treat toys alone (or else), begging for BBQ chicken, and colonising laps. I will return to my blogging responsibilities as soon as I have a moment to spare.

One More Sleep

Only one more sleep till Buzz's mum and dad come home! That means one more sleep till I see Madison Rose again, and one more sleep until I get some serious backyard activity time. I am SO EXCITED!

I've had a bath, a maniac attack, didn't eat my dinner (don't panic, I'll just get up and get some food out of my Bob-A-Lot later), and now I am trying to calm down.

I wonder if they brought me home some souvenirs? They went to America, where I am reliably informed they have the most magical pet toys, treat dispensers and accessories in the whole world. Puppy-paws crossed!

Ice Ice Puppy

My new most favourite food: coconut ice.

Awmygod such magical burst of lfavour in my mouth. Coconut. Condensed milk. Sugar sugar sugar (icing). Coconut ice makes me act like a crack whore, I can't control how much I want it and will do anything (ANYTHING) to get some. I haven't felt this intense about anything since the last time Buzz brought home a BBQ chook.


-- Post From Sophie May's iPhone

PUPPY KARMA

How did karma repay my bad behaviour in the park after I decided it would be fun to run up the street, away from Buzz, rather than into the park with all the other dogs? It set the car alarm off while I waited in it while Buzz was at the ATM, that's how.

I have considered my actions, how they upset Buzz and made her endure the unhelpful advice of some middle-aged oaf who considered himself quite the animal behaviour expert, but only managed to distract and further stress her out as she tried to focus on getting my attention. Plus his little bastard dog later attempted (THREE times) to hump my face. Not cool. Initially I thought this was karma's revenge, but then I realised karma wouldn't encourage this kind of offensive assault as an appropriate form of punishment.

Buzz said we are never going back to Tunks Park because it attracts malingerers and inspires bad behaviour, and that we only went their as a last resort because our regular, Primrose, was swarming with little boys playing soccer who should have been at home playing video games like normal kids.

BREAKING NEWS: Credit Cards Not Chew Toys

In breaking news, I have just been notified that credit cards, fleetcards, Medicare cards and similar plastic cards found in handbags are NOT chew toys.

This message was reinforced after the confiscation of a fleetcard from my possession, which was returned to Buzz's handbag, and then re-confiscated after I re-possessed it from said handbag.

I can also reveal that bed-socks are apparently not chew toys either, nor are claimable receipts.

THE HEAD TWIST

When I am trying to understand something, my head twists. For example, if Buzz says to me, "Hey Sophie, where's your slipper?", while I am still translating what she is asking and what the answer might be, my head automatically tilts dramatically, until I figure it all out. Or just now, when she was whistling a tune, and I was trying to figure out what was so great that she was inspired to whistle? See the right-hand image for an example.

I wonder why this happens? I think maybe because my brain is working hard, I have to twist my head to ensure I have a healthy blood supply in the part of my brain most necessary to process the question and calculate an appropriate response.

SOPHIE IN REPOSE

Yesterday, I slept. And slept. And slept.

I slept for 14 hours! Buzz had a middle-of-the-night panic that I'd been bitten by a tick or was sick, so I had to endure a 3am physical. I didn't mind, I slept on. Nothing wrong with me, I was just so tired after two big Primrose walks.

This is what I look like snoozing according to Buzz's mum!

I DO LIKE MONDAYS

They are the best. Another one has passed, another day at Club Mutt. I ate like a fiend, walked my little button sized arse off, came home for a bath (and more food), and after my post bath frenzied run around the apartment, all I am capable of is curling up on Buzz's pink mink blanket where I have been for the last 2 hours, and will stay for at least another 2 (maybe more, I'll see how I feel).

I've also had another great weekend. Not one, but two visits to Maggio's cafe! And a visitor -- Joy -- Buzz's grandmother, which means another lap to colonise, double the number of pats and cuddles, and a choice of beds to spend the night in. How sweet is that?

Looking ahead this week, not too much trauma to be concerned about: two major days of confinement, but the rest is pretty well-balanced for Buzz. Balanced Days mean she doesn't come home all cranky and low-glucose, or finds 20 very excellent reasons to not go for a walk together.

I do miss Madison Rose though, and I feel like a trip to Newcastle after all this rain, for some backyard activities instead of apartment activities. I haven't seen her or been there for over 2 weeks. But she is in the kennel for another fortnight (sounds pretty horrifying, hope I never have to go to one) while Buzz's mum and dad are away. I can't wait till they come back.

BETTER THAN EXPECTED

Today has improved dramatically.

I was meant to spend 20 million hours, alone, in my kitchen with nothing to do but sleep, play with loads of toys stuffed with delicious treats, while listening to ABC radio. But Buzz is home for a couple of hours in the sunny part of late afternoon. And because her workplace email is down, and that was all she had left to do today, instead we are in a sunny corner together. She's reading, and I'm eating a cookie I saved from my treat stuffed toys (eating in bed. I hope she doesn't notice the crumbs. Or the drool.)

She's in a particularly good mood because she finally taste-tested an outstanding cupcake boutique in Leichhardt today, which she declares is the best so far: good cake, great icing, stunning presentation, and only $2.50 per indulgence. She'll probably write about it on her blog later. She even let me have a taste of one of them, and I have to agree, they are good. Not as good as this sock I'm chewing on, but still good.

She'll head off again in about an hour, and I will be back in the kitchen, but with a smile on my face (and a fresh load of toy treats).

Love and kisses to SEOulSearchKaty, my first official follower, and my cousin Golden Retriever Tilly aka Mathilda. xxSMay aka Snow Pea aka Snowphie

CABIN FEVER SUCKS

I am one seriously exhausted little pooch after FOUR big walks in THREE days. Here I am, post-bath, warming up and resting. I really should get fitter, but it has been raining so much lately, non-stop, all day, every day, and I was stuck in the unit for a week suffering from severe cabin fever (collateral damage: one scarf, one box of aloe tissues, random barking at familiar objects, and several other new poor habits best left unspecified). I hate Cabin Fever, it sucks to be that bored. I get all neurotic and freaky.

Buzz eventually got sick of my fever on Saturday morning, so shoved me into my raincoat, grabbed a raincoat and took me on a thorough exploration of Cammeray's back streets, Tunks Park (resembling a river delta more than a park, so much water ran through it), before finishing of with a well-deserved brunch at our favourite cafe (even though I was quite soggy by this point). A walk is a great cure.

While I recouped my energy with an afternoon nap, Buzz braved the wet again to go shopping. Her favourite centre is called The Mothership in Chatswood aka The Chase, but it is undergoing major reconstruction and this, combined with inclement weather and rubbish drivers, left her stuck in traffic within a block of the Mothership for 30 minutes. She got her own dose of freaky neurotic cabin fever being stuck in the car that long while precious shopping minutes ticked by. Fortunately she is a champion, and had an important mission to improve our sleeping arrangements, so with only an hour remaining before closing time, she combed TWO shopping centres and returned with a duck-down mattress cover, three European pillows, Euro pillow slips and pretty new queen cover set reduced to a sale price to good to walk away from. I personally thought our sleeping arrangements were pretty good already but I must agree that they are much cozier now.

Sunday we had an early start (for a Sunday). First a quick trip to Mosman for a pair of warm tracky-dacks (for Buzz, I didn't need any), then off to Wollstonecraft to go for my second walk, this time with an extra companion, Lindy. I haven't walked in this area before, but it was lovely. More back streets, and around Balls Head, which just out onto on Sydney Harbour. I met two dogs on the way: Mac, a Tenterfield terrier cross who was a playful and v nice; and Rex, a pomeranian, who was a bit standoffish. Then another well-deserved post-walk feast at Lindy's with her partner Roy (also v nice, just like Lindy). They had a hearty soup. I got to watch. But apparently I was too vocal in my appreciation of their meal, because Lindy sent me out to the balcony, with Buzz's blessing, to encourage me to consider the quality of my behaviour.

After all that, I was pretty tired and had a BIG sleep when we got home. Although, at 11pm I did get a sudden and irrisistable urge to tear around the apartment, which I did. For 20 laps. Then I joined my keeper in our improved sleeping arrangements.

Finally, walks three and four today, Monday. Monday is Club Mutt day, and I get to go to Auntie Vicky's for the day and play with a pack of petite pups like myself and go for TWO walks -- in one day! How crazy is that? I LOVE Club Mutt. So it is no surprise that after all this activity, here I am, seriously exhausted, lying on the lounge while Buzz sits in her beanbag next to the radiator (like a little bonfire waiting to happen), and watches Pushing Daisies on Foxtel -- this is her current most favourite show, and she has a crush on the male lead.

Although, now that I think about it, I am told that tomorrow I am "in for it" (Buzz has an early start, a longish day, and an evening work function so she won't be around much. Fortunately for me this alignment of events on a single day is rare, so I will cop this one on the chin), so I might postpone further rest until later tonight, and play with some toys and chew on her fingers and use my time more meaningfully. I have all day tomorrow to sleep!

My First Blog

Hi! My name is Sophie May and I live in Cammeray, Australia in a very nice apartment. I'm 6 months and 10 days old. Buzz calls me a one-eyed wonder, because I was only born with one eye and she thinks I'm awesome. It's true, I am.

My life in Sydney so far is a big adventure, with new discoveries every day. My favourite places are Primrose Park where there are lots of dogs to meet, Maggio's where Buzz takes me for lunch and coffees, Dogue near Manly and Moggy & Mutt in Mosman and Northbridge where there are lots of toys and treats for me and Buzz spoils me. I really love toys and my toybox is overflowing.

Right now I am trying to get to my special white spotty tennis ball which I've knocked under a side-table and can't reach right now. I've tried barking at Buzz to get it for me but she said she won't help me until I calm down. Fortunately I've found a pompom on an old ski beanie so I'll just chew on this for a bit. Oh oh, that's got my guardian's attention.... xSophie