Our Losing Shorty Dog

This has been such a long time in writing, but we have had so much going on here lately.  We lost our Shorty dog a couple of months ago. He HAD been doing so well, but one day, he just kept having seizures and he went to bed, and the next morning, he had passed in his sleep. My husband and I were totally devastated.  Our Bella is doing well, although she misses Shorty so much. We had lost our Abbey dog about a month before Shorty so we have had a lot of loss. However, my hubs is now starting to want a companion for Bella, but I don't know if I am ready or not.  How will I know when it's time?

My Shorty Dog

Shorty is about 9 years old now and is still doing well. Yes, you might be noticing that he has a red thing attached to his back side but that's because it is a belly band. I have had to put these on him during the day time, especially when I am gone due to his loving to mark his (our) territory and since he is not fixed, this is an easy remedy to protect our furniture and keep him out of too much trouble. Shorty has just discovered his favorite wet dog food and has been a little more spunkier since trying it. I still feed him dry dog food and at this time we are using Fromm, but he loves his food topped with a small spoon of wet food and his favorite is Blue's Blue Irish Lamb Stew.  The chunks are a good size and with not too much gravy he is now jumping up and down when he sees me putting his food in his bowl. 

Chihuahuas are hearty little dogs, mostly picky eaters, but finally I have found something that he enjoys!

What Does It Take To Make A Chihuahua Happy?

What does it take to make a chihuahua happy?  First of all, it's love and attention.  Chihuahuas are the kind of dogs that love to be with their people. Most of the time, they choose one person out of the family who they cling to most, but not always. In our household, my chi prefers to lay beside me, but also loves the attention of my hubby, my son and my stepson. My hubby's chi prefers to be with him, but will follow me around the house, especially when it's time to eat.(of course) Chis can be more friendly if socialized more so it depends on your situation.
Chihuahuas also need a soft warm spot to lay. Mine prefer to have a blanket large enough for them to snuggle underneath as if to burrow. During the nights, my chis prefer to sleep in their own kennel, as if they needed their privacy (ha!).
Chihuahuas also need to have a good kibble that's small enough for them to eat well, and some like some of the wet dog food as well, but make sure it's a good quality one.  Chi's also need plenty of water. I leave a bowl of water filled at all times.
Chihuahuas love to play, well most of them do. My Bella loves to play, but my hubby's Shorty Dog does not care about any type of play...he likes to just lay around.
Chihuahuas are a hearty little dog, but they act as though they are the biggest dog in the world. My dogs do not understand that they are small. They are actually fearless. They are wonderful barkers and alert you to anything that's not normal activity but they do not make a good guard dog, although my chis just so happen to act like they are ready to jump the person who even gets close to me, and sometimes can act like they are going to ankle bite.
Chi's need a good veterinarian to take of their needs such as keeping them up to date on shots and taking care of their health. These little dogs deserve the best care they can get, so make sure that you like their vet. Along with this, they need some grooming if they have alot of hair, and if not, then a little bit will do with regular nail clipping too!
A place to go to the restroom and do their duties is good and if they are an inside only dog, then doggie pee pads are a must!, along with a patient person to teach them where to go and not go.
Chis also enjoy toys, a nice comfty bed, and sometimes they enjoy clothing and jewelry..lol, but mine do not do well with clothing unless it's cold outside!

Holidays And Bella

I am sorry that I have not written in a while...my life has been so busy that I haven't had much time to even sit and rest.  My daughter went to Navy boot camp and finished....after that, she went to her schooling.and so far, it's been crazy around here. I did take Bella to the vet a couple of days ago for a heartworm test because on her last visit, they forgot to give it to her....luckily, she was heartworm negative....which is always good to hear. She weighed in at 4.4 pounds.....doing well.
Hopefully I will get back on track and start posting regularly again.

Steam Cleaning Before The Holidays!

Yesterday, I noticed how my carpets are starting to look dreary and dull, and talk about stink !  My chis have had a few mishaps as of late, something that just happens when you have dogs in the house...What to do about it? There's always the possibility of my pulling out my large, but heavy carpet cleaner and doing it myself, or there's a company out of Austin that will come and do the job for me. I found that  http://thesteamteam.com/austin-cleaning-services seems to have a very wide variety of cleaning available.  What's also good is that because I own pets, they also offer pet odor treatments, leather cleaning and also offer upholstery cleaning, which is something I need because my doggies love laying on my sofas.  With the holidays coming up, what a wonderful way to spruce up my house before company comes!

What Can I Say Except For "House Of The Laid Back Chihuahuas"

Bella's Slightly Elevated Liver Test.

It was time for Bella to go to the Vet to get her yearly shots, etc....and weighing in at a whopping 4 pounds, she was shaking and terribly upset. Bella doesn't like being somewhere other than home. She got her shot that counteracts any allergic reaction and it seemed like we were in there waiting for a very long time. Blood work came back and the dr. was explaining her results, and suddenly she told me that Bella's liver level was a little bit elevated. I was shocked. Bella always eats well, plays hard and has a beautifully shiny coat. Dr. asked me if she eats people food, and I said no, except for an occasional bit of chicken, and then she wanted to know about her food. I pay top dollar for the dog food, which is supposed to be good food. She prescribed some Hills Science Diet LD for her. I bought 2 cans, of which was dry and yucky looking. Bella doesn't seem to like it well and I mixed it with her regular food and she has eat some of it. The dry bag of food sells for 55.00 but it's nearly a 20 pound bag and my 4 pound chi is NOT going to eat it all. So, now I am on the hunt for the smallest bag. Seems there's nothing even close to it anywhere(other brands). I am now wondering if there is anything that might cause a slightly elevated liver level. No other tell-tale signs of trouble. Anybody with any answers out there?  I would love to hear from you, if you do.

Chihuahuas And Feelings

Soon, my darling teen daughter will be leaving home. She just finished high school, and has joined the Navy. I am wondering how, or IF it will affect my little chihuahuas. Do they have feelings? They seem to, because they wag those tails with all their might, when I come home from being out runnig errands. Chihuahuas seem to bond to one person in the family, but MY chis seem to like everyone in our household. They favor me, but love our family members as well. I wonder if they will sulk or show any saddness after my daughter leaves. She will be in boot camp for a good 2 months, as well as schooling for another 5 months and will be gone quite awhile. I know they will remember her when she comes back home, but I am wondering, if what, kind of emotions do they have when a family member leaves ? They don't seem to have any sense of time, so maybe once she comes back in the door, it will be as if she just left? Anybody have any ideas on this?

Got Any New Years Resolutions Regarding Your Chihuahuas?

I know, it might sound like a silly question, and it's hard enough keeping up with my own resolutions and then to think of my doggies on top of that.  I think that my chihuahuas are spoiled totally ROTTEN....but, if I had to come up with a new resolution for the New Year, I would have to say that I am vowing to keep up on making sure I don't lag behind on the treats this coming year. I am not one who gives my pups many treats... I just feel like I would rather them enjoy their food more than the treat sort of thing, but I think that I may have discovered a treat that they actually enjoy and I think that I could be more routine on getting them for them.  They are such picky eaters, so it's not been easy finding just any ole treat that they like. I have discovered that Petco has a bin full of different things and have found a biscuit type or maybe a biscotti type of treat that they like.  So, does anyone else out there have anything to add? Just curious!

Merry Christmas From My Barkin Chihuahuas !

Waking up this morning, everyone all excited for what's inside of their packages, Miss Bella got a toy, and so did Shorty and Abbey....and they got a dog blankie too ! They also got a doggie bone with carob on it......and it was devoured within a few hours time.....what all did your doggies get for Christmas?

Bella And Demodectic Mange

With each new day, Bella brings some sort of antics and laughter to my world.  This dog has such a cute and innocent face, but she's anything but innocent. Not only did she come into our household, she's a permanent fixture. I have been dealing with an issue that's not very pretty though....Bella ended up with demodectic mange. It is something that seems to be passed down from the mother. I was, of course, devastated. She got the scraping done, it was positive, so........ upon much researching, I went ahead with the ivermectic in cherry syrup method. It worried me, but I wanted her to be clear, so, I went ahead.  It was about $35 for the bottle, but it lasted more than a month. She loved the taste so it wasn't hard to give. I can report now, that after all is said and done, she is CURED!   well, hopefully for good.  Her coat is such a black and shiny one, as she's been eating Nature's Variety. I also add a small spoon of soft dog food to her meal once a day, but she is doing great.  I am so happy.  She is going to get spayed on Sept. 1st, so I am a little weary and worried because she is only 3 lbs, but she has grown so much. I don't think anything is going to get this little gal down...she's too mean!  and she's already been through so much....lol

Bella's First Trip

Tomorrow I am going to go and visit my grown kids and families out of state, luckily it's only 6-7 hours drive and I have made the decision to take Bella with me. Normally, I don't like taking the dogs on trips like that, but in this case, I think it's a must. Shorty and Abbey are older and are used to being out and roaming around the house freely all day, but Bella, well, that's a different story. I had finally decided that when I go out on errands for an hour or so, Bella is able to be with the other 2 dogs because she is potty trained well and I don't have that worry, however....... I have just found out that she has been CHEWING! ....and I mean EVERYTHING. My computer speaker wire is about gone, as well as 2 of my cell phone charger wires, my vaccum cleaner cord, and last but not least, my internet wiring for my computer. I moved my computer up to a higher location, but some of these cords are not moveable. She must be getting bored when I am gone and deciding to find new chew toys, even though she has plenty. So, I am going to take her with me. I don't want to leave her out all day without any supervision, geez, you'd think she was a child...lol.
I have my son doing the feeding and watering and changing the pee pads but he works very long hours and I just don't think it's a good idea to leave her roaming free willy. What to do about puppies and chewing? Most everything is up now but I still think she will find something to chew on, so she is going to be taking her first trip, and I sure hope it all goes well.

Meet Miss Bella

This is Bella, and yes, she looks quite the innocent one, but believe me....she's not! She is spunky, extremely playful and not shy at all. Bella came to me at 8 weeks, weighing 1.6 pounds. I have started her puppy shots and exams through Banfield (petsmart) and all is going well.
She wants to play with my other chi (Shorty) but he just isn't having any of it......hopefully soon, he will figure out that she's here to stay!

Welcoming A New Chi Arrival....

I have so much missed hearing the antics of my beloved Prissy....and so now comes the time for another new puppy in my life. I am now the proud owner of "Bella". She is so much an instigator, wants to be the alpha dog in the house and carries on like she owns the place. Being a puppy, she is so much the chewer, but she is much more the chewer than Prissy ever was. She has her own distinct style and grace. Right now, Blogger isn't letting me get a picture on here, but as soon as I can, I will. She's adorable and I think that's just what I needed.

Prissy Has Pneumonia

Things have been really tough around here....Prissy has really been sick. I found out through the last test that was left to do (x-ray) that she has pnuemonia. I know, many people haven't heard of a dog getting it, but they do. My Prissy has fluid in her lungs and I had to leave her at the clinic for the entire day Friday. She was given 5 nuebulizer treatments and I got to bring her home for the weekend. It's been VERY touch and go with her all weekend. She is taking antibiotics 2 times a day and she has to have steam treatments 3 times a day but she has not been eating well at all. My poor doggie is skin and bones. Tonight (Sunday) I can finally report that she is starting to turn around a little. She seems more alert, not eating good but better. I have had to put water in her medicine syringe and make her drink some. I have spent alot of time with her and I had a few times where I thought she wasn't going to make it.... but now things are starting to look better and I pray for her to heal and become stronger and stronger each day.

Nib-Nose Prissy Dog

Miss Prissy is my little one who rules the roost over here. She is always checking the outside to make sure that everything's okay and that we are safe and happy, as well as her being a total nib-nose and looking to see what the neighbors next door are doing. She has a great view to our neighbors and what's going on outside. She doesn't like the cats who roam into our yard and she thinks that her barking scares them off. My dog is a very protective thing and she's a pure joy to have in our family. Miss Priss is a very tiny dog, weighing in just around 3 pounds.

I Have A Snoring Dog!

Shorty is such a sweetie, and he loves laying beneath the pillowcase cover, on top of the pillow during the evenings, before he has to go to his kennel bed. I sit here typing and I hear this little dog snoring.....yes, he is really enjoying his pillow time, I guess.
Does your dog snore? Do you think that only overweight dogs snore? If so, guess again, because Shorty is a mere 2 pounds, if even that. He was going through a bout of not eating because I had changed their food, but a couple of days ago, I went back to his old food and he is now gobbling it up once again.
Does your chihuahua have a special place to sleep?

Hiding From The Thunderstorm

This crazy dog of mine is so scared of the rain and inclement weather that he often hides where-ever he can find so escape the noise of the storm. Actually, this is something that I have found quite normal for the chihuahua breed. Most of the time, he follows me or tries to get me to pick him up but if I am busy, he quickly finds a hiding place. Does your chihuahua have a special hiding spot when it rains or thunders?

Such A Spoiled Rotten Dog, Sleeping Like A Baby

I don't know what's worse, Shorty sleeping under the covers on my sofa or him having to sleep inside the pillowcase on the end of my bed. What's a dog to do without such luxury? Do you have a spoiled chihuahua in your home? Shorty seems to be able to find a comfortable spot no matter what room he's in. Night night little doglet.

Love at First.......Bark!

What's Shorty doing? He's peeking around the corner, looking at his new love......miss Nini, formerly known as "Juanita"........oh, such wonder, oh such bliss, who is this miss? One thing for sure, he was bewildered, excited and ready to find out more about her. This sweet lil chi is not quite sure that she's ready for having a boyfriend just yet but he sure thinks she's his. They ran back and forth after each other, then after a little while, Nini put him in his place and went to lay down on the other side of the room....needless to say, poor Shorty was shaken up a bit, with his little tail between his legs. Awe, aren't dogs silly?