Chubby Mandy

More than 3 months ago I embarked on a mercy mission to save a Mandarin Fish that was on the verge of death.

Well, it is my joy to announce that the mission was a huge success.

This is what Mandy looks like now.

 She has filled out and is so chubby that we fear she might burst her stomach.

Sorry

This reminds me of the look our Princess would adopt whenever she is guilty.

 

I'm sorry

She Is A Body

We were shocked, horrified and offended when the guy at SPCA who received Princess for cremation referred to her as a carcass.

She is a pet, a family member. Therefore she is a BODY, and most certainly not a carcass.

No More

...welcome barks when we get home
...wet, sloppy licks and kisses around my ankles as I step into the house
...jumps to paw me which, more often than not, leave scratches on my legs
...pitiful howls when I leave the house again after coming back from work
...tripping over a black shadow who is getting in the way, running circles around me as I walk

Princess passed away this morning. She is 2 months short of 15 years (born 2 April 1996) and we miss her terribly.

I Limp, She Also Limp

Woke up limping. I don't know how I did it but I managed to sprain my left foot in my sleep.

Our dog was also limping this morning.

Two old ladies, same problem.

It's not

...the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog. - Mark Twain

That reminds me of our Princess. She's a plucky ole gal. A centenarian and still fearlessly protecting me whenever she thinks that I'm being attacked or threatened.

It never crossed her mind that she's only a Miniature Pinscher and that one kick can send her flying.

Up and About

Good news! Princess is up and about.

Worried

Princess is sick and it's stress-induced 'cos we boarded her at a pet shop for 4 days when we were away attending a seminar.

The vet's advice is not to move her. At her age she cannot take the stress and may not make it. It's that bad.

Princess & Friend

Our neighbour has just acquired a pet dog. The first time they met, Princess was very fierce, barking and scaring the poor thing. Now they've become friends.

Princess pays a visit to her injured friend

"Oh, you poor thing!"

"Let me kiss it better"

What a colourful cast!

Bath Time

The girl finally had a bath in preparation for guests coming to the house. She was so busuk that even the house smells of her.

Pam with Princess after her bath.

My girls

FYI Princess normally does not behave so well. She is a hyper dog, inquisitive, cannot stay still and won't submit to a cuddle but Pam always manages to "kau tim" her.

Since she had the time of her life yesterday being patted and scratched by our guests I guess it was worth the shivering, trembling and sneezing that comes with every bath time. She hasn't had that much attention in a long time.

Bullied again!

She's always curious and she loves going out onto the balcony to sniff the plants and cacti that make up our miserable, motley mess of a garden.

Today she went out and the balcony doors closed behind her. She was locked outside and she dared not make any protest or even yelp for help because the Kenny was the one who shut her out. She only started shouting for help when I went into the living room.

Poor Princess! Bullied again.

Princess trying desperately to squeeze herself through the louvres of the glass window.

P.S. I don't have Photoshop installed on my new com so I couldn't edit my photos. That's the reason for the teeny-weeny picture of the ants. Today I managed to locate Picnik, a web photoshop thingy and it worked like a dream. Moreover, everything is in laymen's terms. So easy to understand and use. So good bye Photoshop, hello Picnik. Looks like you're here to stay.

Princess

She greets me enthusiastically when I come back from work. She cries pitifully if, for whatever reason, I have to leave the house again. And she will continue to cry until I return. In the morning she will be standing by the iron gate, all worked up and agitated as she watches me leave the house.

That is Princess, a Miniature Pinscher, who has found her way into my heart.

Princess waiting to be fed

Princess sitting senget-senget and looking longingly at her food before the "Go" command is given

According to her mistress, she came into our lives more than 12 years ago. To tell you the truth, I used to hate dogs and it was in response to my daughter's appeal for a pet that I finally agreed to bring a dog into our home. After all, if I cannot give her a sibling, the least I could do is to let her keep a pet. The very first time she asked for a pet she wanted a horse! so I really thank God for small mercies.

Right from the start it was clear how Princess viewed us. It was evident in the way she related to each one of us. My babee was the mistress, and rightly so, because she bought Princess who absolutely adored her; hubby was the master because Princess feared him and I was the slave because the feeding and cleaning up was soon left to me.

Then 7 years ago, my babee left home and Princess was left behind. Gradually, over the years, she and I began to bond as we grew old together. Now she is an old lady totally devoted to me. It's a nice feeling to know you are a significant person to someone, even if it's only a dog.

Princess today with white eyebrows and white hair around her mouth

Some things never change. She still has her signature senget-senget sitting position

As for hubby, he is still terrorizing Princess and provoking her into barking fits of frustration whenever he pretends to hit me. He says he is keeping her heart strong and giving her purpose in life (protecting me) without which she would not have withstood the ravages of time.

Princess has changed my perception of dogs. They are the finest example of unconditional love and undying devotion. A dog is indeed a (wo)man's best friend.