Grandma's Balls

Do you remember the other day when it was rumored that Roxie and Angus were going to get baths? Well they did. Roxie had her bath that day. I think it was Monday. Angus had his turn on Tuesday. A bath creates a kind of adrenaline rush in all of us. By the time the bath is over we are just aching to get out of that tub. We really don't even want to be toweled off. All we want is to tear around the house shaking the water out as we go. Rubbing up against couches and rolling around like crazy in every bed in the house. I don't know why but it feels amazing. And as soon as we get outside, we are going to try to flip over on our backs and roll around in a big pile of leaves or, better yet, some deer poop or bear poop if we can find some. I don't really see many deer around these parts and I have never seen a bear. But one of our neighbors, Wink, had a mama bear and 3 cubs right in his backyard. Now Wink is a one-eyed Chihuahua and I don't think he sees all that well out of the one eye that he does have, but I do believe that he saw the bears. We sometimes go up to Wink and Martha's (that's his mom) and run around together. They have about 3 fenced-in acres and we love to run on the lawn and through the woods and especially to muck around in the seasonal creek. Last Christmas my dad made Martha a loaf of challah and some of my favorite treats (Dara's recipe). I don't know why but my parents seem to think Martha might have eaten the dog treats by mistake. They seem to chuckle about that a lot.

You may recall that I thought that I had a reprieve from taking a bath due to my busy schedule with the pups and all. You may or may not know that a reprieve is a TEMPORARY relief from harm or discomfort. That's why I used that word. I knew my day was coming soon. I think the last straw was when I got organic chicken juice all over my face during breakfast this morning. You see my parents have been feeding me organic chicken patties from Nature's Variety ever since I got pregnant. They are delicious. One patty is the normal daily meal for a gal my size, but ever since the last few weeks of my pregnancy I have been eating at least two a day along with lots of other highly nutritious stuff. They are delicious, but they are more than a little bit messy. I think my folks just couldn't bear the thought of me nuzzling up to the pups all covered in organic chicken juice. I guess they're right. It was good timing too cause just yesterday Grandma sent us a spray thingy that attaches to the bathtub faucet. Well it's supposed to attach to the bathtub faucet. We have this old-fashioned clawfoot tub and I think the faucet must be old-fashioned too cause after dad got it all attached and turned on the water the force of the water sent the sprayer flying halfway across the room and shot water everywhere. It actually kinda scared me. I may like water but I don't like water shooting at me from all directions. The problem seems to be that the faucet itself is quite small so the sprayer thingy just slips right off. I bet you don't have these sorts of problems Toby.

Grandma also sent some really cute puppy-sized balls for the kids. My parents have been laughing and calling them Grandma's balls. I don't see what's so funny about that. Grandma thank you for the sprayer attachment. I am sure we will figure out a way to use it. It does look a bit like it came right out of the 1950's or 40's or 30's doesn't it? When I first saw it I was afraid I might be in for a high colonic.

Wet and Wild

So I got a note from Dara.

Dara wrote:

Dear Suddie,

Your blog is wonderful. You are quite the writer.

I'm glad you're enjoying the treats. I only shared them with you and Pumpkin, a dear pit bull mix down the hall, this time . She's very sweet and has a "soft" mouth. She never nips at my fingers when I sneak her a treat in the hallway. You're my FAVORITE canine though.

Which brings me to your question: yes dogs are allowed in my building. Monkeys, not sure. I would love a monkey, but I hear they can be VERY naughty. Like throwing pooh naughty.

Not like YOU! Hey, your really bad hair on the blog didn't bother me a bit. It would have shocked me if I hadn't seen you guzzling from a Central Park water fountain the last time I saw you in New York. Remember? You were wet and wild girl!

Not that I'm dissing you, girlfriend. I was pretty wild in my day too. I like that in a woman. It's just that the first time I met you you were doing the Upper East Side ladies-who-lunch thing. You were all prim and proper. Every hair in place. I'm glad I finally got to see you get down. Your paws were a sight child.

The puppies are adorable, as usual. They have to be that way to survive, right momma? What was it with the soft core shots of Angus and Roxie? They were kinda hot!

Well, gotta run to Pilates. Hope to see you in Central Park soon, but I know you have responsibilities right now. Kiss every one of them for me.

Dara

Now if you are lucky enough to ever meet Dara (or me for that matter), wild child is probably not the first thing that will come to mind. I wouldn't think it myself if I hadn't gotten a wiff of her couch. You see we inherited a couch that Dara had lived with for years. We used if for many more years out on our summer house in Michigan. By the way, this is a picture of the summer house. You can just glimpse the arm of the couch on the right. Well, anyway, as you might imagine, I'm pretty darn good at sniffing things out. And that couch, that couch had a history. I smelled things in that couch that I had never smelled before and many that I have not smelled since. But let me tell you, that couch got my heart pumping and my tail to wagging (very similar, in fact, to the reaction I had when I first saw Toby). So I knew, even then, that Dara and I were birds of a randy feather. Of course that couch has been deep cleaned many a time so it's nothing that you would have noticed. But you can't fool me, I'm a dog.

And...since Dara called out my adventures in Central Park, I thought I would share a few pics from the time I visited Central Park with some of the pups from my first litter. I don't know about you but it makes me a bit dizzy to watch it. Just like a ride on the merry-go-round.

Your Mailbox is Full

Well. I guess that's a bit of an overstatement. My mailbox is not actually full. But I did get a small flurry of messages over the last couple of days. Finally one from Toby. Finally! I'm not the kind of girl who sits by the telephone, but I must admit I was beginning to wonder. It wasn't quite as mushy as I was hoping, but it was sweet and mildly encouraging.

Toby wrote:

Hi Suddie.

Here we are again in Palm Springs in the house where we first played around the pool. Now I don't have anyone to play with here except my Dads and they don't want to play with me as long as I want. But, they say soon I may have some one to play with, I think it is going to be one of our puppies. Sounds like the puppies are growing fast and that you are taking good care of them. I can't imagine how difficult it is, with 7 of them, to keep in line and well fed.

Glad to know how you got your name, very interesting. I think your dad told us where the name Deep Acres Farm came from but we forgot. To tell you the truth, I don't much like the water. Oh, I forgot the time I had a good time on the beach in Mexico. We were walkin on the beach and Dad let me off the leash and then all these birds were around and flying over the waves. I decided I wanted to chase them. So I had a great time! Got in the water and the waves were very strong. Both my Dads got all worried that I would get carried out to sea and they would never see me again. But, I managed to survive and I did have a great time. Guess I was a mess after that, with the salt water and all the sand. But the truth is I don't much like the water. Well keep up the good work.

Lots of Love.

Toby

First of all, I want you to know that we did not "play around" by the pool. Not that I wouldn't have. It was warm and sunny. I was wearing my SPF. But, anyway, all of that nonsense came later. And then it wasn't exactly what I would call romantic. It rarely is when a FedEx delivery is required. If you know what I mean. So the moral of this story is? Live in the present? Don't sit around waiting for a special delivery that may or may not arrive? No one ever told me that a long distance relationship would be easy. On the contrary. You know how folks are. Always trying to make you just as miserable as they are. Well I will have you know that my plate is full. I don't need a man to be happy! But Toby is a good boy and oh so handsome and it makes me feel good to know that he is sometimes thinking of me just like I often think of him.

But, you know, men are such a big bag of contradictions. I mean there is Toby going on about how he doesn't like that water when he knows darn well that I have this photo of him floating around the pool. It's not like I hired a private eye or anything. He sent me the pic himself. It's like men just want to get caught. And women? Well you know I'm no expert. But we have our own set of complications.

And it's true, one of our girls is going to California to live with her daddy. That definitely makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. And not because I think strapping him with a kid will keep the other women away. It doesn't work like that. Women like men with kids. It's like a sign of virility or something. But, oh no, when guys see me coming with Roxie and Angus in tow it's like I'm the unibomber or something. And to make matters worse, they usually go after my young daughter. Well no one ever said that life is fair. That's why I'm really so glad that I found a good man like Toby. But, perhaps, I shoulda made him put a ring on it. Toby, if you like it you shoulda put a ring on it. Wha-oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh.

Back to the Future

I dug up this cool two volume book my parents have titled The Tibetan Terrier by Angela Mulliner. From what I hear it's kinda hard to find. It talks all about the origins of my breed in Tibet, our introduction to England, and the first US TTs. It is mainly a history book and what I like best is that it has a lot of cool old pics of my ancestors in Tibet, England, and even a few from here in the good ol' USA. I wanted to share some of the pics with you so I scratched around a bit and figured out how to put this slideshow together.

So let me tell you who these folks are. The first dude is His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama with his Tibetan Terrier, Senge. The next photo was taken in 1974 and it features a refugee in Kathmandu with puppies for sale. Following that is one of the earliest breed photographs from 1926. It features Bunty (on the right) and her daughter Chota Tukra of Ladkok. The next handsome beau is Tashi in England, 1967. The happy threesome is Bunti, in the center, with her sons Ja-Haz (left) and Burrah Sahib. I understand that these three dogs were the basic foundation for the breed. The two little cuties are from the first official litter born in the US. This was in 1957. And the final photo is a vintage litter of pups with their lady friends. Pretty cool pics.

If you're looking for a more basic book about us TT's, I recommend Tibetan Terrier, A Complete and Reliable Handbook. The author is Anne Keleman and it is put out by T.F.H. Publications. It talks about living with a TT, grooming a TT, puppy's new home and a bunch of other things. My parents received it as a gift.

It's a beautiful day here. I got up early, fed the pups, and took a walk with Roxie and Angus. When we got back, my dad cleaned up the whelping box and refreshed the linens. To be honest, I keep it darn clean myself, but it makes them feel useful so I don't say anything. And who doesn't like fresh linens? I heard a rumor that Angus and Roxie are going to get baths today. I think I am getting a reprieve. Actually, I love the water and am a very good swimmer. I started as a baby in Lake Michigan. Angus likes it as well, but he's still working on his technique. And Roxie, well, let's just say that she has other interests.

I'm Not Lisa, My Name is Suddie

It's not Sookie or Susie. It's Suddie.

You see Suddie was my dad's nanny and I am named after her. He would tell you that the term nanny is a little too fancy and doesn't really capture their relationship. Because, you know, they liked to watch Merv Griffin and Mike Douglas and Match Game together after dad came home from school. Now as I understand it Suddie had a son, Nathaniel, who lost one of his legs. And he and his wife Lilly May lived on a dry old hill. Suddie would sometimes call my dad and say "come get me off of this dry old hill" and they would go together to a restaurant called Bill Knapp's and have chicken and biscuits and ice cream cake deluxe. Suddie also had a daughter named Verneeda and I think I heard tell that Verneeda stabbed someone or that she was stabbed herself. But, other than that, I understand she was a very nice person.

My dad loved Suddie and he loves me. I guess that's why I'm named Suddie. I think it's an honor. You might call it an endearment.

I have a reverse painting on glass that shows Suddie in heaven surrounded by angels looking down on me. I am in bed with my favorite frisbee tucked in next to me. We were passing through Tucson, on our way to the Rio Grande or some such place, when we met the artist, Janet K. Miller (www.janetkmiller.com). She specialized in the painting of dogs. Reverse paintings on glass of dogs. Imagine. We visited her house/studio (it was funky, I loved the cement floors they were so nice and cool on my belly) and she wanted to know all about me, my favorite toys and pastimes, and about my name. Some currency was exchanged and with this information she created my painting. It's my favorite work of art. I call it the Suddie Lisa.

It Ain't Always Pretty

I have been advised that I shouldn't put this out there. Just one rough pic posted to "the internets" and my cred will be crap. But you know what. Motherhood ain't always pretty. I watch enough Tyra to know that. So what if I sometimes use my stuffed mouse as a bite block to blunt the pain when the babes are nursing on my tender parts. Sometimes an out of body experience is just what the doctor ordered.

And please don't concern yourself with the crime that is my coiffure. You spend your day cleaning seven little hinies and then tell me that I should give a rip.

Don't even think about telling me that my adorable little pups bear even the slightest resemblance to that stuffed mouse. Don't go there.






It just so happens that even though it can be messy, I love being with my pups, taking care of them and having them rest in my arms. Nothing better for me right now.

For a while now, I've been stocking up on some of my favorite things like that little mouse from Ikea (it comes in a few different colors) to share with the pups. The Ikea mouse is really intended as a kids' toy. It costs like a dollar and I love to run around the house with it.









I have a whole bag full of stuffed toys that I am going to share with the pups when they are old enough. There is one of my red lobsters from Nantucket, a little duckie that actually quacks (they are going to love that). A mommy and baby carrot. Healthy snacks!

I also got them this little rubber jack thingy for them to chew on. That will keep them busy. I think I need to get a few more chewy things like that. I never eat and I would never give my pups anything like pigs ears, bully sticks, rawhides or other animal-based chew toys/treats. I think they are hard to digest and I also think they can make pups and dogs aggresive. I don't love them so much.

What I do LOVE so much are rope toys. I like the regular old knotted rope kind VERY MUCH.

But I ADORE one's made by a company called jax and bones (www.jaxandbones.com) that are fashioned into the cutest little animals. They are knit with small loops and that makes it really fun to pull them apart. Although they don't look like cute little animals for long after I tear into them, they last a long time and provide hours and hours of chewing enjoyment. My parents first picked some up for me at a store called Chateau Marmutt in Hollywood, but now I get them online. I just bought a menagerie of them for the pups. A veritable menagerie of rope toys with Larry the Lion, Lucky the Dog, and an elephant that I especially like cause he has some meat on him. Some people have their crossword puzzles. I have my rope toys.
I think Lucky looks a little bit like my pups. He is so cute. And, oh yeah, there is an octopus and a giraffe. I really like the lion's mane. Don't you?

Puppy Butts and Puppy Noses

So this morning I pulled out my iPhone and took a few shots. Mostly puppy butts and puppy noses. Puppies eating and puppies sleeping. The pups are just starting to push themselves up on their little wobbly legs and making attempts at walking. And I can see that they are getting ready to open their eyes soon. Little squints are happening. So not a lot of jibber jabber from me today. I'm bringing the goods. Lots of photos of week and a half old babes. Though I must digress and tell you that my dad shared a little of his roasted tomato pasta with me last night. PURE HEAVEN. I will smurf around the pantry and try and dig up the recipe. More later. I'm in desperate need of a nap.